Chapter 116: Poaching
The bronze-skinned figure stood tall in the center of the arena, the muscles across his shoulders and back rippling like a mountain range. It was the unmistakable sign of Golden Skin and Jade Veins—Perfection in both Muscle and Skin Training!
"Perfection in both muscle and skin training!?"
In a corner below the stage, a middle-aged man muttered to himself, his expression filled with shock. He truly hadn’t expected Yanbei Dao to produce such a figure, much less for him to appear here in their Celestial Craft Cave.
He suddenly recalled how Fu Jin had come to him a few days ago to propose a marriage. Glancing down, he saw his daughter, Hong Siyang, staring unblinkingly at the figure in the arena.
"Siyang, a few days ago, Master Fu from the Weapon Casting Hall came to arrange a marriage for you. The proposal was for none other than Xu Yunfan, the man in the arena. I declined back then, saying you were still too young, but... I think this is a matter worth revisiting."
Hearing her father, Hong Siyang’s face flushed red. She shot back in annoyance, "Father, how can you be so opportunistic? Are you really going back on your word just because you see how talented he is?"
"But you seem quite taken with him, too. I’ve been observing him these past few days, and his character seems..."
"Father!!"
"...Alright, alright. I won’t say any more. Not another word."
"I accept."
The gust of air stirred up as Xu Yunfan withdrew his hammer sent dust swirling, creating a momentary illusion of billowing clouds.
He watched as Elder Yin of the Jiuyao Sect helped Teng Lingchuan away.
Hong Baichuan said with a beaming smile, "Someone, help Young Master Teng to rest. And Elder Yin, please don’t be in such a hurry to leave! The Celestial Craft Arsenal is about to open, and inside are two Treasure Artifacts we have forged in recent years."
The Celestial Craft Arsenal held a vast number of weapons, all forged by the Weapon Casting Hall, the Mechanical Hall, and even the Melt Gold Hall. The collection ranged from Mortal Soldiers to Treasure Artifacts.
Treasure Artifacts were rarely seen, perhaps only once every few years. For the Celestial Craft Cave to bring out items from their most prized inventory was truly remarkable.
Elder Yin’s interest was piqued. He snorted, then turned to the disheartened Teng Lingchuan with a few words of advice—something about victory and defeat being common in battle, and that one day Teng Lingchuan would become a Grandmaster while his opponent might still be struggling through Blood Exchange. He added that with the Jiuyao Sect’s resources, Xu Yunfan would never be able to catch up. Only after this speech did he allow a disciple from Celestial Craft Cave to lead Teng Lingchuan away to rest.
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he sat down and said no more.
Seeing this, Hong Baichuan finally relaxed. If Elder Yin Hong of the Jiuyao Sect had left, he would have been in a difficult position. After all, which sect was as wealthy and influential as Jiuyao?
He and Zhan Yan had gone to great lengths to invite the Jiuyao Sect, precisely because they were targeting them as a major patron.
At this thought, Hong Baichuan couldn’t help but resent Teng Lingchuan. The young man had acted so recklessly, leveraging his status as a Jiuyao Sect True Disciple, and had nearly scared off this big fish.
What followed was simple and straightforward. No one else stepped forward to challenge him.
When the defeated Qi Huan saw that Xu Yunfan had achieved Second Level Perfection, the resentment on his face finally faded.
’Against First Level Perfection, I might have still held out some hope. But Second Level Perfection... that’s not just a gap in talent or perception.’
’That Xu Yunfan had already ascended to another level entirely, one where he was qualified to contend with the prodigies from the world’s top sects. At least within the Third Level Martial Master Realm, his Hammer Technique alone would be enough to intimidate countless others.’
The news that Celestial Craft Cave had produced a top-tier prodigy who had reached Second Level Perfection sent massive waves through the other seven sects of Cangzhou.
The other sect leaders were no longer concerned with how Xu Yunfan had passed the Quenching Fire Pass. Though their expressions were taut, they couldn’t conceal the shock in their eyes.
Celestial Craft Cave had produced a disciple with Second Level Perfection.
The leaders of the various sects exchanged a look, a tacit understanding passing between them.
For at least the next hundred years, Celestial Craft Cave’s position as the head of the Cangzhou Martial Arts Sects was secure.
The leader of the Red Flood Dragon Gang couldn’t help but mutter a curse under his breath.
"Dammit, why can’t I ever find a disciple with this much talent?"
The Sect Leader of the Cyan Simurgh Sword Sect also pressed her thin lips together, her gaze dimming. She had toiled for years to build her sect to its current strength of three thousand disciples, yet she had failed to find a single one who could truly carry its future on their shoulders.
’When I’m gone, what will become of the Cyan Simurgh Sword Sect?’
’In contrast, Celestial Craft Cave is like a mighty, rising fortress, its momentum unstoppable. But once I am gone, the Cyan Simurgh Sword Sect will be in peril. The slightest misstep could cause it to regress into a fourth or fifth-rate sect, or even face complete annihilation.’
For a moment, the crowd was a roil of complex emotions and divergent thoughts.
Who knew if the events of Wuzhou would one day be repeated in Cangzhou? With a Stabilizing Needle like him present, not even the Great Zhou Imperial Court would dare to act rashly.
For a time, everyone was lost in their own complex thoughts and feelings.
When Xu Yunfan finally passed through the Quenching Fire Pass and walked out of the Quenching Cave, he was met by Zhan Yan, whose expression was a mixture of shock, joy, and even a little terror.
He walked up to Xu Yunfan, his words coming out with some difficulty.
"Yunfan, are you willing to become a True Disciple of our Celestial Craft Cave’s Weapon Casting Hall?"
"This disciple is willing!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Yunfan knelt on one knee and accepted the True Inheritance Disciple Token from Zhan Yan with both hands.
Nearby, Hong Baichuan nodded repeatedly in approval. He then turned and personally announced the conclusion of the True Inheritance Ceremony.
"Everyone, the Celestial Craft Arsenal is now open! Please make your way there. Any who wish to make a purchase may bid to their heart’s content!"
At his words, the crowd temporarily reined in their scattered thoughts. After all, what Martial Artist traveling the Mortal World didn’t dream of having a superior weapon at their side?
’Although that Xu Yunfan reached Second Level Perfection, without that Treasure Artifact, how could he possibly have unleashed power far beyond his Realm?’
As the members of the other sects began to follow the guiding disciples of Celestial Craft Cave toward the Arsenal, Elder Yin Hong of the Jiuyao Sect finally rose. He walked unhurriedly over to Xu Yunfan, an admiring look on his face.
"I never thought a shallow pond like Cangzhou could give birth to a True Dragon. A truly pleasant surprise."
Before Xu Yunfan could respond, Yin Hong continued in a pleasant tone, "Young Hero Xu, the Jiuyao Sect is the foremost sect in all the Sixteen States of Yanbei Dao, and our resources are boundless. If you join us, I can promise you on behalf of our Sect Leader that you will be made a True Disciple immediately. Spiritual Elixir Pills and Divine Skill Manuals will be yours for the choosing, and your living stipend will be no less than that of a Prince."
"In the future, with the right opportunities, it would not be difficult for you to wield a Divine Weapon and become a Nine Realms Qi Cultivation Supreme Grandmaster."
Hearing this, the nearby Zhan Yan and Hong Baichuan looked displeased. They cursed Yin Hong inwardly for his shamelessness. ’That old dog Yin!’ they thought. ’Poaching someone right in front of us without any regard for decorum. He’s gone too far!’
Xu Yunfan listened with a calm smile. "Thank you for your generous offer, Elder Yin," he said. "But I have been at Celestial Craft Cave for a long time and have grown accustomed to this place. My temperament is better suited to cultivating in this little world of ours. I fear I would not acclimate well to the Jiuyao Sect."
Seeing his resolve, Yin Hong didn’t press the matter. He simply smiled and said, "Should you ever change your mind, Young Hero Xu, the gates of the Jiuyao Sect will always be open for you."
With that, he cupped his hands in a salute toward Hong Baichuan and Zhan Yan. "My apologies, you two. This old man simply has a great appreciation for talent and couldn’t help but speak his mind. If I’ve caused any offense, I ask for your forgiveness."