The end of Gaowu: Becoming stronger from not practicing

Inside the Divine Inscription Master Guild Hall, Barkol and Yan Fei had just disembarked from the airship when they saw a group of people chattering incessantly around Murong Li, who had just been promoted to Divine Inscription Master.

At first, Barkol didn't pay much attention.

But when he heard the words "Level 3 Divine Inscription Master" and "Master Zhang," he suddenly stopped in his tracks and almost stumbled.

He grabbed Yan Fei's arm tightly, and said incredulously, "Yan Fei, did you hear what they said? Zhang Tianshi... is a level three divine inscription master?"

Yan Fei was also stunned. He looked at Murong Li, who was surrounded by the crowd, and heard her explaining to everyone, "Yes, it was Zhang Tianshi who baptized me, which allowed me to successfully cultivate the Divine Inscription Technique to its peak and become a Divine Inscription Master. Zhang Tianshi's power is extremely strong..."

“A level three divine rune master…” Barkol murmured, his expression instantly becoming extremely shrewd.

He recalled all the efforts he had made to subdue Zhang Lingfeng, including demonstrating the Dragon Soul Forging Technique and even using his connections within the Baruch family.

Yun Zhongzi, a level-three divine inscription master with an eccentric temper, made an exception and agreed to accept Zhang Lingfeng as a disciple through a jade slip.

When Zhang Lingfeng refused, he was puzzled and even a little annoyed, feeling that Zhang Lingfeng was ungrateful and dared to refuse the offer from a third-level divine inscription master.

Now he finally realized!
"I understand... I finally understand!"

Barkol slapped his forehead, his face full of belated shock and realization. "No wonder Zhang Lingfeng dared to reject Yun Zhongzi so decisively! No wonder he always seemed so lazy and indifferent, even when faced with the recruitment of my Baruk family and Yun Zhongzi's acceptance of him as a disciple! Behind him... his so-called master, Zhang Tianshi, is actually a level three divine inscription master!"

He recalled that he had once doubted whether Zhang Tianshi even existed.

Some even speculate that it might just be Ma Dashuai exaggerating Zhang Lingfeng's status, or simply an excuse for Zhang Lingfeng to refuse to become his disciple.

Now it seems that I underestimated Zhang Lingfeng and completely misjudged the situation!

The means by which someone like Murong Li, who lacks talent, can successfully become a Divine Inscription Master are by no means ordinary.

This is in conjunction with the rumors that Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion were attacked on their way to apologize, nearly losing their souls, and that divine runes remained at the scene, yet the culprit could not be caught.

Barkol instantly connected all the clues and found that behind Zhang Lingfeng stood a powerful, decisive, and protective Level 3 Divine Inscription Master!
"broken!"

Barkol's expression immediately changed as he thought of something urgent.

"Yun Zhongzi!"

He hurriedly said to Yan Fei, "That guy Yun Zhongzi has already set off for Baidi City ahead of time. He's probably here for Zhang Lingfeng! He has a bad temper and is very concerned about his reputation. Being rejected by Zhang Lingfeng in public must have made him furious."

Given his personality, once he arrives in Baidi City, he'll most likely go straight to Zhang Lingfeng and cause trouble!

Barkol knows Yun Zhongzi all too well.

This third-level divine inscription master, supported by the Baruch family, has looked down on many people since becoming a third-level divine inscription master, and has an inherent arrogance.

The main reason he was willing to take Zhang Lingfeng as his apprentice was because of Barkol's influence, and also because he knew that Zhang Lingfeng was a level 5 blacksmith, so he felt that Zhang Lingfeng was qualified to become his disciple.

The fact that he was rejected was tantamount to being slapped in the face in public.

How could Yun Zhongzi possibly tolerate this? One can only imagine the fury in his heart.

Now that Zhang Lingfeng is nowhere to be found, and Yun Zhongzi has rushed here ahead of time, Barkol can almost foresee the scene of Yun Zhongzi's outburst after finding Zhang Lingfeng.

"We must stop him! We can't let the conflict escalate!"

Barkol was extremely anxious.

On one side is Zhang Lingfeng, who has a master who is a level three divine rune master, and whose talent is amazing and whom he has high hopes for.

On the other side is Yun Zhongzi, a colleague with a high status in the family and a fiery temper.

If the two were to clash, and either side were to be injured or become mortal enemies, it would not be good for the Baruch family, and would put him in a very difficult position.

He immediately took out a communication jade slip and tried to contact Mu Chen, the disciple who had come with Yun Zhongzi.

After the jade slip flickered a few times, it connected with the phone. Barkol said urgently, "Mu Chen, it's me, Barkol! Where is your master now? How is he? You must tell him immediately that there might be a misunderstanding about Zhang Lingfeng!"

Zhang Lingfeng's master, Zhang Tianshi, is very likely also a level three divine inscription master! You should ask Master Yun Zhongzi to calm down for now and wait for my return.

Let's discuss this carefully together. We absolutely mustn't go directly to Zhang Lingfeng and cause trouble, lest..."

However, before Barkol could finish speaking, Mu Chen's panicked and urgent voice came from the other end of the jade slip: "Master Barkol! It's too late! Master... he just rushed to the Divine Craftsman's Shop, I couldn't stop him!"

"what?!"

Barkol's heart sank.

What he worried about most happened.

Yun Zhongzi was impatient and extremely proud. The humiliation of being rejected made him unable to wait a moment longer. He disregarded his status and etiquette and directly used his power to rush to the Divine Craftsman's Shop.

"Quick! Go to the Divine Craftsman's Shop!"

Barkol roared at Yan Fei, no longer caring about riding the airship. He unleashed the divine power of a high-ranking god, transforming into a streak of light and rushing towards the Divine Craftsman's Shop on Ma Street at top speed.

He had to stop Yun Zhongzi before he did something irreversible!
When Barkol arrived at the street corner where the Divine Craftsman's Shop was located as quickly as possible, he could feel from afar a suppressed yet powerful divine aura enveloping the shop, and the air was filled with a cold rage.

Pedestrians on the street had already kept their distance, and nearby shops had their doors and windows tightly shut.

In front of the not-so-wide entrance to the Divine Craftsman's Shop, Yun Zhongzi, dressed in a black robe and with a cold and stern face, stood with his hands behind his back, releasing the aura of a third-level divine inscription master without reservation.

Like a solid mountain, the weight pressed down on the signboard of the Divine Craftsman's Shop, causing it to creak and groan. Beside him stood his disciple, Mu Chen, who remained silent in fear.

Master Ma, Master Yang, Master Wang, Master Liu, Ma Fei, and others all stood at the shop entrance, their faces pale and their foreheads covered in cold sweat.

They were merely mid-level gods, or fourth or third-level blacksmiths. How could they withstand the pressure of an enraged third-level divine rune master?

Everyone felt breathless, their souls trembling. Commander Ma, steeling himself, stood at the front, bowing deeply to Yun Zhongzi, his voice hoarse: "Master Yun Zhongzi, your presence is an honor. I have failed to greet you properly; please forgive me. May I ask what brings you here, Master?"

Yun Zhongzi snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like an icy spike: "Give me some pointers? Call Zhang Lingfeng out! I want to see what kind of extraordinary abilities a fifth-level blacksmith has that dares to refuse my offer to take him as a disciple! If he doesn't give me a satisfactory explanation today, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Just then, Barkol's figure landed in front of the Divine Craftsman's Shop like a gust of wind, blocking Yun Zhongzi and Ma Dashuai's path.

"Master Yun! Wait a minute!"

Barkol said urgently, forcing a smile on his face in an attempt to ease the tension.

"Master Yun has come from afar, why get so angry? Let's go inside and sit down to talk things over. It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

When Yun Zhongzi saw Barkol, his anger had not subsided. In fact, the appearance of Barkol, the "introducer," only fueled his rage: "Barkol! You've come at the right time! Is this the promising talent you recommended to me? A brat who doesn't know his place and is arrogant and conceited!"

No one can stop me today! I'll make him pay the price for refusing me, Yun Zhongzi!

Barkol inwardly groaned, but outwardly he could only patiently persuade him: "Brother Yun, please calm down! Listen to me, things may not be as you think. I have just received some very important information!"

Barkol lowered his voice, but made sure everyone present could hear him.

"Zhang Lingfeng... the reason he refused to become your disciple might not be because he was arrogant, but because... he already has a master!"

His master, that Celestial Master Zhang, is very likely... also a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master!

"A level three Divine Inscription Master?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhongzi frowned sharply, and his aura faltered.

He looked sharply at Barkol, "Is this true? Wasn't that Zhang Tianshi someone you previously speculated might only be a first-level divine inscription master?"

"Absolutely true!"

Barkol hurriedly recounted what he had just witnessed at the Divine Inscription Master Guild.

"Murong Li of the Divine Inscription Master Guild, a maid who originally lacked talent and was almost unable to become a Divine Inscription Master, successfully mastered the Divine Inscription Cultivation Method under the personal baptism of Zhang Tianshi and became a first-level Divine Inscription Master!"

This method of enlightening others and directly awakening the power of divine runes in their souls is something that even first- or second-level divine rune masters cannot easily accomplish.

Rumors are circulating throughout the guild that Master Zhang is a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master! And…”

Barkol paused, looked at the still-shaken Ma Dashuai and the others, then at Yun Zhongzi, and continued: "Shen Qiming, the young master of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion, and Elder Shen Pengyun prepared generous gifts a few days ago to come to the Divine Craftsman Shop to apologize to Zhang Lingfeng and seek reconciliation. However, they were ambushed on the way by someone using divine rune power and almost lost their souls!"
The divine runes remaining at the scene possessed extremely high power, and the actions were swift and decisive. Everyone in the Divine Craftsman Pavilion believed this was the mysterious Zhang Tianshi avenging his disciple!

Barkol's words were like several thunderclaps, exploding one after another at the entrance of the Divine Craftsman's Shop.

Master Ma, Master Yang, Master Wang, Master Liu, Ma Fei... everyone at the Divine Craftsman's Shop was stunned! Their mouths were agape, their eyes were wide open, and their faces were filled with disbelief.

Zhang... Zhang Tianshi is a level three divine inscription master? He's on the same level as Master Yun Zhongzi in front of him, and the president of the Divine Inscription Master Guild of Baidi City?

How could this be? The "master" they had always regarded as Zhang Lingfeng's fantasy or excuse was actually such a terrifyingly powerful figure?
Moreover, this Zhang Tianshi even went so far as to attack the young master and core elder of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion for Zhang Lingfeng's sake, almost killing them? This strength, this ruthless protectiveness, is simply chilling!
In an instant, many things they couldn't understand before suddenly became clear in their minds.

So that's how it is! No wonder Zhang Lingfeng was able to remain so calm and even somewhat disdainful in the face of the potential threat from the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion after the Forging Conference.

No wonder he was so decisive and without the slightest hesitation or fear when he rejected Barkol's invitation and Yun Zhongzi's offer to take him as a disciple!
All of this was not due to Zhang Lingfeng's blind arrogance or reckless behavior, but because he truly had a powerful Level 3 Divine Inscription Master standing behind him as his backer!
That's why he's so fearless! That's why he seems so unambitious, because his path to advancement has already been paved by a powerful master.

He just needs to follow the steps, or even... lie down!
Once they understood all this, the worries and disappointments in the hearts of Ma Dashuai and the others were instantly replaced by immense shock and a lingering fear.

They had previously tried to persuade Zhang Lingfeng to apologize to Yun Zhongzi, fearing that he would get into trouble.

In retrospect, it seems that they were the ones who were out of touch with information and worried unnecessarily.

Zhang Lingfeng's confidence was far deeper than they had imagined!

At the same time, they also developed immense curiosity and awe towards the mysterious Zhang Tianshi.

At this moment, Yun Zhongzi's face also turned extremely pale, alternating between green and white.

He had no idea things would take such a turn.

Zhang Lingfeng actually has a level three divine inscription master as his master.

So, in the eyes of the other party's master, his arrogant attempt to take the other party as his disciple through the jade slip, which he considered a great favor, was tantamount to trying to steal someone else's disciple?
They had unwittingly offended Zhang Tianshi, who was also a level three divine inscription master!
What angered and embarrassed Yun Zhongzi even more was that Zhang Lingfeng clearly had such a master, yet he hadn't mentioned it at all during their conversation on the jade slip.

He simply refused calmly.

This is clearly a deliberate attempt to avoid explanation, watching Yun Zhongzi make a fool of himself and embarrass him! What a despicable thought this kid has!
A burning anger of being belittled and mocked, mixed with the humiliation of being rejected, raged in Yun Zhongzi's heart.

As a third-level divine inscription master of the Baruch family, how could he have ever suffered such humiliation? If the other party's master were an unknown nobody, it would be fine, but he was also a third-level divine inscription master. How could he easily swallow this insult?
Yun Zhongzi's eyes shifted, finally settling into a chilling fighting spirit. He looked at the tightly closed doors of the Divine Craftsman's Shop, then coldly swept his gaze over Barkol, Ma Dashuai, and the others, saying each word clearly, "A Level Three Divine Inscription Master? Good, very good! I didn't expect that this small White Emperor City, besides the Guild Master, would also harbor another peerless expert! Since that's the case..."

He took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising, like the clang of metal, echoing throughout the entire street: "Zhang Lingfeng! And that Zhang Tianshi who's been hiding his true identity!"
Listen up, all of you! I, Yun Zhongzi, a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master of the Baruch family, hereby formally inform you that I will be participating in this year's Divine Inscription Master Cultivation Conference.

Furthermore, they will challenge Zhang Tianshi at the grand assembly!

"Master Yun, Brother Yun, Uncle Yun, you absolutely mustn't!"

Upon hearing this, Barkol almost jumped up. He had come to resolve the grudge, but he never expected things to escalate to this point.

Even after learning that Zhang Lingfeng had a level three divine inscription master as his master, Yun Zhongzi continued to offend Zhang Tianshi and even challenged him.

Inside the Master Craftsman's Shop.

Zhang Lingfeng had sensed Yun Zhongzi's arrival long ago.

The reason they didn't show up was because they didn't want to escalate the conflict. They thought that Barkol's appearance would be able to persuade Yun Zhongzi, but they didn't expect things to turn out this way.

Should I answer or not?
P.S.: Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and good fortune in the Spring Festival! (End of Chapter)