The end of Gaowu: Becoming stronger from not practicing

"You two keep an eye on him, and let me know immediately if anything happens."

"Eighth Master gave the order."

"Yes."

Li Fu and Li Youtian spoke at the same time.

The two men were also aware that if Zhang Lingfeng became a blacksmith and Eighth Master was dealt with, they would also suffer, since they were followers of Eighth Master.

Therefore, for the next period of time, Li Fu and Li Youtian kept a close eye on everything happening in the Ou family compound, paying close attention to Zhang Lingfeng's movements.

"This matter needs to be considered carefully."

"Eighth Master has already set his sights on Zhang Lingfeng. If we take Zhang Lingfeng out now, we might run into big trouble."

Master Ou's expression was solemn.

As an eighth-level true god, he could sense the fluctuations in the auras of Li Fu and Li Youtian.

"This is outrageous!"

Ou Jinhao, hot-blooded and impetuous, wanted to fight Eighth Master.

"Impulsiveness solves nothing."

Old Ou stopped Ou Jinhao and said, "Let's hold off for now and postpone helping Zhang Lingfeng become a blacksmith. Also, we can't let Zhang Lingfeng continue living in the central courtyard, at least not until Eighth Master and the others come in to collect the customary fees."

“That’s right. I’ll talk to Zhang Lingfeng about this myself. He’s learned his lesson and he can understand our predicament.”

Mr. Ou nodded.

They then found Zhang Lingfeng.

Zhang Lingfeng has recovered from his injuries and is currently lying in bed reading a novel. The appearance of Eighth Master seems to have had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Ling Feng, there's something I need to ask you to do for the time being."

"Master Ou laughed."

"Master Ou, what's the matter?"

Zhang Lingfeng sat up in bed.

"During this period, you will have to move out of the middle courtyard and go back to the outer courtyard to live with Lao He and the others. In addition, you will also have to go out with Lao He and the others to repair cargo ships."

"I said with a big smile."

Zhang Lingfeng was clever and immediately understood Master Ou's intention, saying, "It's because of Eighth Master, right? Okay, we'll do as you say."

“Hey, the Divine Blade Sect is the strongest gang in Ma Street, and Eighth Master is the leader of the Divine Blade Sect. We can’t provoke him right now, especially if he finds out that you haven’t received the Divine Inscription Master’s baptism yet. Otherwise, I’m worried he might do something outrageous. Once he’s at ease, I’ll take you to find a Divine Inscription Master so you can receive the Divine Inscription Master’s baptism.”

"That's what Master Ou said."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Ou."

Zhang Lingfeng has always been grateful to the Ou family.

He then moved out of the Central Court and lived with Lao He and the others again. Zhang Lingfeng had always enjoyed sitting with Lao He and the others, reading and playing cards together. He was very relaxed every day and didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

In order to mislead Master Ba, Zhang Lingfeng had to work on the ship with Lao He and the others, and sometimes he had to unload cargo. This caused Zhang Lingfeng's "lying flat" value to increase relatively slowly.

Zhang Lingfeng used to earn over 900 "lying down" points a month while lounging in the Ou family's tenement, but now he only earns a little over 600, a drop of 300 points, which makes him very unhappy.

He secretly vowed that when he attained godhood and became a blacksmith or a divine inscription master, he would definitely deal with Master Ba and even uproot the Divine Blade Sect.

Time flies.

Another quarter has passed in the blink of an eye.

Lying flat value: 2033
Super Armor: (35.2/100)

Divine Power: 365.7
Soul element: 40933
Realm: Level 8 Soul Master, Level 4 True God

Because he had to work with Lao He and the others, he only earned a little over two thousand "lying down" points in three months. Of course, if these "lying down" points were added to his Overlord Body, Zhang Lingfeng could earn enough to reach the level of a Level 5 True God.

But he still held back.

Today is the day that Eighth Master comes to collect the customary allowance again.

Zhang Lingfeng and Lao He were sorting goods in the outer courtyard. Everyone was busy and sweating profusely, including Zhang Lingfeng.

A while later, Eighth Master brought in Li Fu and Li Youtian.

After scanning the crowd, the three immediately spotted Zhang Lingfeng carrying goods to the side.

For the past three months, Li Fu and Li Youtian have been keeping a close eye on this place. They have seen Zhang Lingfeng move out of the Intermediate People's Court and often go to the ship with Lao He and his group to move goods or do odd jobs.

This situation made Eighth Master realize that he might have been overthinking things.

If Zhang Lingfeng could become a blacksmith, the Ou family would definitely support him.

Still feeling uneasy, he personally inspected the place. He saw Zhang Lingfeng moving goods and walked into the central courtyard. He discovered that Zhang Lingfeng's original east wing room had been converted into a study, which put Eighth Master at ease.

"Master Ou, as usual, fifty divine stones."

"Eighth Master, times are tough these days. Could you grant me a few more days?"

"I can give Master Ou time, but the sect leader might not be able to give me time..."

After some tug-of-war, Eighth Master left with fifty divine stones.

"Oh shit."

Master Ou cursed under his breath and got to work with everyone else.

In the days that followed, Li Youtian and Li Fu continued to appear at the entrance of the Ou family's tenement. Two more months passed, and the two still disappeared without a trace.

It seems they have given up monitoring Zhang Lingfeng.

Over the course of five months, Zhang Lingfeng was exhausted. He used to earn a little over 900 "lying down" points per month, but after five months, he earned at least 4,500.

It's only a little over three thousand now.

I lost more than a thousand "lying down" points, and I had to work with Lao He and the others every day, so life was really not going well.

To avoid being exposed.

Master Ou arranged for Zhang Lingfeng to continue working for another half month.

In the past two weeks, Eighth Master secretly visited the courtyard. Seeing that Zhang Lingfeng's life remained unchanged after Li Fu and Li Youtian left, he was finally relieved.

Master Ou had this trick up his sleeve all along.

They deliberately extended the stay for a few more days before taking Zhang Lingfeng to find the Divine Inscription Master.

"Divine Inscription Masters are supreme beings, at least in the eyes of many. So when you meet them later, be sure to be polite. If you can't speak, then don't speak, understand?"

"That's what Master Ou instructed."

Today, he and Lao Ou took Zhang Lingfeng to see the Divine Inscription Master.

Having been in the God-level Continent for so long, Zhang Lingfeng finally gained some understanding of blacksmiths and divine rune masters.

A blacksmith is someone who can use the power of soul essence to forge divine artifacts, equivalent to a weapon refiner in the world above.

Soul essence is another cultivation system of power below divine power. It cannot be used to forge divine artifacts. Only after being baptized by a divine pattern master and having the soul essence transformed into divine soul power can one forge divine artifacts and become a respected blacksmith.

As for Divine Inscription Masters

After the soul undergoes a transformation, it can be inscribed with divine runes, forming divine rune power. Furthermore, powerful individuals who cultivate divine rune power can help many people's soul essence undergo a transformation, and even strengthen many people's divine bodies and divine power.

It is a profession that transcends blacksmithing.

It is hailed as an omnipotent being.

Every divine rune master has a group of god-like friends who can command a large following and are not easily provoked.

As for blacksmiths, due to the superiority of their profession, they can sometimes befriend powerful gods. A powerful blacksmith can forge terrifying artifacts and is a highly sought-after talent in the eyes of a god.

Once someone becomes a blacksmith, people will come to befriend them uninvited, treat them as honored guests, and offer them protection.

Therefore, as long as he becomes a blacksmith, there will be conglomerates and families to protect the Ou family fleet, provided that Zhang Lingfeng does not leave the Ou family fleet.

Therefore, the promise left by Zhang Lingfeng became crucial.

After careful consideration, Master Ou decided that Zhang Lingfeng was not a treacherous person, which is why he was willing to spend money to have a divine inscription master baptize Zhang Lingfeng and help him become a blacksmith. Divine inscription masters also have different levels.

The divine inscription master I met today was only a level one divine inscription master, but even a level one divine inscription master is a supreme existence in the eyes of ordinary gods.

When Master Ou and Old Master Ou brought Zhang Lingfeng to the entrance of the residence of a Level 1 Divine Inscription Master, they saw a group of people queuing up at the entrance.

"Hey, isn't this Master Ou?"

Suddenly, a figure walked out of the house, recognized Master Ou's identity, and couldn't help but come up to greet him.

Master Ou's expression changed slightly.

Just as he was about to grab the greasy hair to explain, the man's attention was already fixed on Zhang Lingfeng.

"Master Ou, are you also going to train blacksmiths?"

"Master Liu is joking, not at all."

"I chuckled," said Master Ou.

"It's your skill to train a blacksmith. Don't be nervous. If you succeed, our Divine Blade Sect will no longer be able to enter your Ou family compound at will."

Master Liu laughed.

He was also the leader of the Divine Blade Sect.

He is a genuine level nine true god.

He was stronger than Eighth Master and was Eighth Master's superior in the Divine Blade Sect. Although he had personally gone to the Ou family's tenement to collect the customary fees, he knew exactly how many fleets there were on Ma Street.

He recognized this Mr. Ou.

The Ou family was once a prominent family, but their fortunes declined. By the time of Master Ou, they were no different from ordinary people. However, through his own efforts, he rebuilt the fleet and developed it to its current scale.

Deep down, Master Liu admired Master Ou to some extent and even wanted to recruit Master Ou into the Divine Blade Sect so that he could follow him, but Master Ou refused.

"It's not that easy."

"I smiled wryly," said Master Ou.

Master Liu didn't say anything. After carefully observing Zhang Lingfeng, he left with his men.

The people following behind him were all level eight true gods, one of whom was none other than Eighth Master.

Master Ou looked troubled. He never expected that the people from the Divine Blade Sect would be with the Divine Inscription Masters today, and that they would run into each other.

Eighth Master kept glaring at Zhang Lingfeng and Master Ou, feeling like he had been made a fool of.

But this is the territory of the Divine Inscription Masters. Master Ou spent divine stones to bring Zhang Lingfeng here. Even if he was angry, Master Ba did not dare to act rashly.

They could only watch helplessly as Master Ou led Zhang Lingfeng inside to find that divine inscription master.

"What exactly happened?"

"Master Liu asked."

It was immediately obvious that there was a conflict between Eighth Master, Ou Ye, and Zhang Lingfeng.

"The quarter before last, when I went to the Ou family to collect my dues, I saw that guy surnamed Zhang lying down..."

Eighth Master quickly recounted what he had seen that day.

"You laid a hand on him?"

Master Liu frowned.

"Yes."

Eighth Master nodded.

"waste."

Master Liu looked grim.

"Since you've already taken action, why not go all the way? If he becomes a blacksmith, I might not be able to protect you, and you might even implicate me."

Master Liu is ruthless and vicious.

If it were him, he would have sensed something was wrong on that day and immediately attacked, crushing Zhang Lingfeng to death, so that Zhang Lingfeng wouldn't live to become a blacksmith.

"I know my mistake."

Eighth Master lowered his head and said, "I once sent someone to keep an eye on the Ou family's tenement, and I personally saw Zhang Lingfeng doing hard labor with the crew members in the tenement..."

"The fact that the Ou family could collude with that kid to fool you shows that this kid really has the potential to become a blacksmith."

After hearing what Master Ba had to say about the series of events that followed, Master Liu sensed something was wrong.

“Go investigate him. I need to know all about his situation and how his power has changed over the years.”

"Master Liu gave the order."

"Yes."

Eighth Master quickly ran away and ordered people to investigate the matter.

At this time, Master Liu led his men back to the Divine Inscription Masters' side, wanting to see Zhang Lingfeng receive the Divine Inscription Master's baptism with his own eyes. After making the arrangements, Eighth Master also rushed back.

At this moment, his biggest worry was that Zhang Lingfeng would become a Divine Inscription Master.

Inside the courtyard of the Divine Inscription Master.

It was finally Zhang Lingfeng's turn to receive the baptism of the Divine Inscription Master.

Zhang Lingfeng saw that Master Ou had handed over three hundred divine stones to the divine inscription master, a price far exceeding his expectations. The previous soul masters had appeared to be in pain during their baptisms. Each divine inscription injected into their bodies required them to actively release their soul essence, exposing it completely to the divine inscription master's view. Only then could the divine inscription master baptize them again and again, causing changes in their soul essence.

It can be said that everyone was enduring the pain.

They even prayed to the other party to perform baptisms for them more times.

As a result, whether they were level 7, level 8, or even level 9 Soul Masters, their Soul Essence failed to transform into Divine Soul, making them unable to become Blacksmiths and only able to assist Blacksmiths.

They all left with pained and heartbroken expressions after spending all their divine stones.

"If you want to become a blacksmith, wait until you break through your Soul Essence level next time."

"That's what the first-level divine rune master said."

Zhang Lingfeng saw that the other party was a woman.

She looks to be in her early forties, very voluptuous and sexy, with a unique air of aristocratic elegance.

The opponent was not only a first-level divine rune master, but also a god-level expert.

Everyone who enters here is extremely respectful.

Master Liu and his group came on behalf of the Divine Blade Sect to deliver a congratulatory gift. They will send one every quarter so that the Divine Blade Sect can receive protection should anything happen to them.

Master Ou also knew that all forces, big and small, wanted to befriend Divine Inscription Masters and receive their protection. The Divine Inscription Masters he could find who performed the baptism for Zhang Lingfeng had all received gifts from the Divine Blade Sect.

This was something he couldn't avoid.

As long as you become a Divine Inscription Master, even if you declare that you will not participate in any disputes afterward and will not protect anyone, various forces will continue to send you gifts.

The purpose is to leave a good impression and prevent the other party from targeting them again for the sake of opposing forces.

That's why the Divine Blade Sect sends gifts to this Divine Soul Stone every quarter, and after each gift, they say a few respectful words and leave.

This was the first time that Master Liu had returned because Zhang Lingfeng had left.

Chen Fenfang found it strange.

He asked, "What happened?"

“Master Chen, the Ou family is one of the fleets protected by our Divine Blade Sect. Now, there may be a blacksmith in their fleet, so I came back specifically to take a look.”

"Master Liu said meaningfully."

He pointed to Master Ou and Zhang Lingfeng.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ou and his son's expressions changed, both sensing something was amiss. (End of Chapter)