The end of Gaowu: Becoming stronger from not practicing

The turmoil at the Danzhou Guild's martial arts arena that day spread like sand swept up by a gale throughout Baidi City and even the neighboring Jingzhou and Shenzhou regions within just a few days.

Zhang Lingfeng used swift and decisive methods to teach Assange and Canaan's two arrogant disciples a lesson they couldn't forget. This not only washed away the humiliation that the Danzhou Guild had suffered in recent days, but also, in full view of everyone, demonstrated the long-lost vigor of the Danzhou Divine Inscription Masters.

The clean and crisp clash of divine runes on the training ground, and the young yet steady figure, made many guild members who were originally dejected straighten their spines unconsciously.

However, while he had vented his anger, what followed was an even more turbulent undercurrent and pressure.

Assange and Canaan, two fourth-level Divine Inscription Masters from the Divine Continent Guild and the Jingzhou Guild respectively, have long been famous and are known for their ruthless methods and protectiveness of their own.

They had carefully cultivated their disciples, intending to humiliate those in Danzhou, only to have them publicly defeated by an unknown "Zhang Lingfeng," losing all face. How could they swallow this insult?
The news caused an uproar within the Shenzhou Guild and the Jingzhou Guild that very night, with shouts and jeers nearly lifting the roof off.

Assange's face was ashen, and he crushed a "Soul-Suppressing Jade" used to assist in inscribing divine runes into powder in his hand; Canaan sneered repeatedly, his eyes flashing with cold light, and he declared to all his disciples on the spot: "Danzhou Guild? Zhang Lingfeng? Very well! At the Divine Rune Master Conference, I will definitely let them know what true divine rune techniques are, what it means to wish for death but not to die!"

This anger quickly translated into action.

The Divine Inscription Masters of the two major guilds were united in their hatred of the enemy, and all sorts of unpleasant rumors began to spread in Baidi City, saying that the Danzhou Guild was just lucky, and that Zhang Lingfeng was only acting recklessly for a moment. They said that when he came to the conference and faced the real masters, he would definitely be exposed for what he was made of. At that time, not only would he suffer a crushing defeat, but the Danzhou Guild and Yun Zhongzi, who was on good terms with him, would also be completely humiliated and become a laughing stock in the entire Divine Inscription Master community.

Pressure, invisible yet as heavy as a mountain, began to press down on the Danzhou Guild from all directions, on the Divine Craftsman Shop, and even more so on Zhang Lingfeng personally.

Inside the master craftsman's shop, the clanging and bustling sounds of forging that used to fill the air seemed to have subsided.

The joy on the faces of Murong Li, Ma Dashuai, and the others did not last long before it was replaced by deep worry.

They understood Zhang Lingfeng's strength and potential better than outsiders, but they also understood how terrifying Assange and Canaan were.

Those two have been immersed in the path of divine runes for decades. Their experience, skills, foundation, and even the resource support from the guild behind them are incomparable to Zhang Lingfeng's current abilities.

Murong Li hesitated several times, looking at Zhang Lingfeng who was still calmly wiping tools or staring at the divine patterns in the workshop. In the end, he could only sigh and silently tidied up the shop more carefully. He instructed the shop assistants to keep a low profile in the near future and not to cause any more trouble.

Guild Master Huang Youming was extremely anxious. He was grateful and gratified that Zhang Lingfeng had stood up for the guild and saved face, but he was also very worried about the storm that the young man was about to face.

He visited the Divine Craftsman's Shop several times, either subtly reminding Zhang Lingfeng of the cruelty of the tournament or trying to allocate some guild resources to help Zhang Lingfeng prepare for the competition, but Zhang Lingfeng turned him down with a calm smile and words of "knowing his limits".

Huang Youming saw Zhang Lingfeng's calmness as more like a forced act, a pretense to avoid worrying those who cared about him.

“Ling Feng, Assange’s ‘Thousand Transformations’ is impossible to defend against, and Canaan’s ‘Lava Burst’ is known for its ferocity. You…”

Huang Youming rubbed his hands together, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Don't worry," Zhang Lingfeng put down a piece of meteorite iron, his eyes clear. "At the tournament, victory or defeat is not the only outcome. Danzhou's dignity has already been partially reclaimed. As for the rest, we will do our best."

Even so, how could Huang Youming truly be at ease? He watched Zhang Lingfeng turn away to continue studying the divine runes. His back was straight, yet it inexplicably gave off a sense of loneliness, as if he were carrying an immense burden alone.

The rumors intensified, and the divine rune masters from Shenzhou and Jingzhou made no attempt to conceal their hostility, even casting cold and provocative glances at each other when they met in public.

Yun Zhongzi was naturally under immense pressure, but he had known Zhang Lingfeng since they were both unknown and knew his brother's resilient character. So he often came over, and the two would discuss divine runes together, occasionally talking about lighthearted topics to try to ease the tense atmosphere.

However, the deep solemnity in Yun Zhongzi's eyes was equally unforgettable.

Time flew by in this oppressive and tense atmosphere. As if in a blink of an eye, the opening day of the Divine Inscription Master Conference, which was the focus of everyone's attention and would determine the resource allocation and status ranking of many Divine Inscription Masters and even guilds for the next few years, was just around the corner.

In the center of Baidi City, the area around the "Divine Inscription Tower" square, which symbolizes the highest honor and authority of divine inscription masters, was already packed with people. Divine inscription masters, observers, high-ranking officials, merchants and common people from all over the country surrounded the huge square.

Banners fluttered, the noise was deafening, and the air was filled with a complex atmosphere of excitement, anticipation, tension, and the smell of gunpowder.

The members of the Shenzhou Guild and the Jingzhou Guild arrived early. Assange and Canaan were surrounded at the core of their respective teams, their expressions arrogant and their eyes sharp as lightning, constantly scanning the direction of the Danzhou Guild. A cold smile played on their lips, the cruel pleasure of a hunter looking at prey about to be caught in the net.

The disciples behind them stood tall and proud, exuding an imposing aura, as if victory was already assured.

On the Danzhou Guild side, President Huang Youming led a group of members into the venue. Although he tried his best to remain calm, his constantly looking around and slightly sweaty palms betrayed his inner anxiety.

Murong Li, Ma Dashuai, and other people from the Divine Craftsman Shop also arrived, crowding around the guild's group, craning their necks and desperately searching for that familiar figure in the surging crowd.

Yun Zhongzi had already arrived. He stood alone in the area for the Danzhou Guild participants, dressed in a plain robe, his expression calm, but his fist, clenched tightly in his sleeve, had knuckles that had turned white.

All eyes, whether open or hidden, were focused on the person next to him—the spot where Zhang Lingfeng should have been standing was now empty.

Time passed slowly, and the emcee's booming voice began to read the opening speech, introduce the judges and rules, and participants from various guilds were called up to appear on stage one after another.

Each time a name is called, it elicits cheers, some loud and some soft.

"Shenzhou Guild, Master Assange!"

"The Jingzhou Guild, Master Canaan!"

……

"Danzhou Guild, Yun Zhongzi!"

Assange and Canaan took to the stage amidst thunderous applause and cheers, their demeanor composed, and they even cast a meaningful glance toward Danzhou.

When Yun Zhongzi took the stage, there was some scattered applause from the audience, but more whispers and inquiring glances followed – where was Zhang Lingfeng?
Chairman Huang Youming's face grew paler and paler, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He kept sending guild members to search outside the venue, to check the Divine Craftsman's Shop, and even personally went to the entrance of the contestants' passage to wait anxiously, but there was no sign of Zhang Lingfeng anywhere.

"Danzhou Guild, Zhang Lingfeng! Where is contestant Zhang Lingfeng?"

The emcee's voice rang out again, a few decibels higher than before, carrying a hint of doubt and urging.

The entire room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of voices, like a pot exploding with noise.

"Zhang Lingfeng? The one who defeated Assange's disciple?"

Why didn't he come?

"Could it be... that he's scared?"

"I knew it! I only managed to beat my disciple by luck. How could I dare to really face my master?"

"Deserting in the face of battle? This has utterly disgraced the Danzhou Guild!"

Mockery, ridicule, doubt, disappointment... all sorts of voices came from all directions, like countless fine needles, piercing the hearts of every member of the Danzhou Guild.

Huang Youming swayed, almost losing his balance, while Murong Li and the others were pale and heartbroken.

Yun Zhongzi stood on the stage, enduring the scrutiny of all eyes. His spine remained straight, but his face was slightly pale and his lips were tightly pressed together.

"Zhang Lingfeng! This is the last announcement! If you do not perform by then, you will be considered to have forfeited!"

The emcee's voice carried an undeniable sternness.

Forfeit? Forfeit in such a high-profile setting, under the provocation of our arch-enemy and the watchful eyes of the entire city? That's even more unacceptable than defeat! It would mean utter humiliation, it would mean the Danzhou Guild would be forever nailed to the pillar of shame for cowardice!

Assange finally couldn't help but chuckle, his voice not loud but clearly carried: "It seems that some people are ultimately just not up to par."

Knowing that the real contest was about to begin, they hid in fear.

"President Huang Youming, Danzhou truly produces a wealth of talented people!"

Canaan shook his head directly, feigning regret: "What a pity. I wanted to personally guide the younger generation and let him see what it means to be arrogant and ignorant, but I didn't expect that he didn't even dare to show his face."

Boring, utterly boring.

These two sentences were like a red-hot branding iron, burning the faces of all the people of Danzhou with a stinging pain.

Many young guild members had tears in their eyes, clenching their teeth, but were powerless to refute.

Huang Youming's vision blurred, and he almost fainted. Had Zhang Lingfeng truly succumbed to the pressure and chosen to run away? Was all his previous composure merely a facade? Was the glimmer of hope that had just risen in the Danzhou Guild about to be shattered in such an absurd and laughable way?

"Go find him! Go find him now! Even if you have to search every inch of Baidi City, find Zhang Lingfeng for me!" Huang Youming roared at his trusted confidants, his voice hoarse with despair.

The rumors reached their peak at this moment.

"I saw Zhang Lingfeng sneak out of the city before dawn!"

"They say it went to the northern wilderness, and it's running really fast!"

"What genius? He's nothing but a coward!"

"The Danzhou Guild is completely finished this time!"

These words, like venomous snakes, burrowed into everyone's ears.

Even some originally neutral spectators showed expressions of disdain.

The workers at the Divine Craftsman's Shop were ashamed to lift their heads under the strange looks from those around them. Ma Dashuai, his neck stiff with anger, tried to argue, but Murong Li held him back tightly. The old man's eyes were filled with heartache and incomprehension. He couldn't believe that the young man, so focused and dedicated in the workshop, could be a deserter, but reality was staring him in the face. Just as morale was completely shattered, and despair and shame were about to engulf the Danzhou Guild, Huang Youming made his decision.

He couldn't just stand by and watch things continue like this. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he had to go and confirm it himself!

He shoved aside the crowd in front of him, disregarding the emcee's ongoing ceremony and all etiquette, and strode towards the exit of the venue, heading straight for the Divine Craftsman's Shop! He wanted to go to the workshop where Zhang Lingfeng often stayed, to the attic where he lived, even if all he found was a farewell letter, he wanted to see it with his own eyes!

This sudden action caused a small commotion, with many people convinced that Zhang Lingfeng had already escaped, and even the chairman had lost his mind.

Huang Youming rushed into the Divine Craftsman's Shop, panting. The shop was empty, with only a few young apprentices looking at him in fear.

He rushed straight to the Divine Craftsman's Pavilion at the back, which was where Zhang Lingfeng usually secluded himself to study divine runes and cultivate.

"Ling Feng! Zhang Ling Feng!"

Huang Youming pounded on the tightly closed door, his voice hoarse.

"Are you inside? Answer me!"

Silence reigned inside the door.

Murong Li, Ma Dashuai, and others arrived shortly after. Seeing the closed door and the distraught president, their hearts sank to the bottom.

“Master Zhang… he said before that he needed to calm his mind and that we shouldn’t disturb him…”

Murong Li said in a hoarse voice.

"Calm down? What time is it now!"

Huang Youming roared angrily and raised his hand to forcefully break down the door.

Just as his palm was about to touch the door—

"Boom!!!"

An indescribable surge of power erupted without warning, centered on the Divine Craftsman Pavilion!
That wasn't the fluctuation of power from an ordinary divine inscription master; it was far greater, far deeper, far more... noble! It was like a slumbering dragon awakening, or a dormant volcano erupting.

The first thing you feel is an aura of majesty that surpasses all living beings; it is the power of a higher level of life—the aura of a god-king!

Although it was newly born and somewhat immature, its inherent superiority made Huang Youming, Murong Li and other people with considerable cultivation outside the door feel their souls tremble instantly, their knees go weak and they almost couldn't help but kneel down!
Immediately following, emerging seamlessly with the aura of the divine king, was an incredibly clear, refined, and pure power fluctuation of a fourth-level divine inscription master! That fluctuation was no longer the trickle or rushing river of a third-level divine inscription master, but rather like a bottomless and boundless spiritual ocean!

Its ability to draw upon, resonate with, and control the divine power of the universe has reached a whole new level. Even the unconscious release of this power caused the metal dust and subtle divine runes that had accumulated on the walls and ground around the Divine Craftsman Pavilion over the years to begin to glow, vibrate, and emit a pleasant buzzing sound!

"This...this is..."

Huang Youming stood frozen in place, his raised hand forgotten, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Murong Li's mouth dropped open, and tears instantly welled up in his eyes. These weren't tears of sorrow, but rather tears of extreme excitement and relief: "God King... Level 4... Master Zhang... he wasn't running away... he was... breaking through!?"

General Ma and the other workers at the Divine Craftsman's Shop were completely dumbfounded, feeling the aura that made their souls cheer and yet also felt boundless pressure, unable to utter a single word.

Inside the attic, the light gradually dimmed. The door, which had been closed for many days, was pulled open from the inside with a soft creak.

Zhang Lingfeng appeared at the doorway.

He looked much the same as usual, neatly dressed and calm.

But upon closer inspection, one can see that his eyes are even more profound, as if containing a galaxy within them. In his every move, there is a natural sense of harmony that blends seamlessly with his surroundings, a natural manifestation of a leap in life level and an enhancement of the essence of power.

More importantly, the aura emanating from him, which had not yet completely subsided, clearly proclaimed his current realm—a newly promoted God King, a fourth-level Divine Inscription Master!
"Brother Ba, Master Murong, Brother Ma," Zhang Lingfeng looked at the stunned crowd outside the door and smiled slightly. His smile contained a sense of relief and a firm determination. "I apologize. I was in seclusion at a crucial moment and failed to find out the time of the conference in time."

I'm sorry to have worried everyone.

"you you……"

Huang Youming pointed at Zhang Lingfeng, his fingers trembling. It took him a long time to find his voice, which was distorted with excitement, "You broke through?! God King?! Level 4 Divine Inscription Master?!"

Zhang Lingfeng nodded slightly: "It was a lucky success."

"Hahaha! God bless Danzhou! God bless Danzhou!"

Huang Youming suddenly burst into a thunderous laugh, laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face. All the anxiety, worry, shame, and despair he had felt over the past few days turned into a torrent of ecstatic joy! He rushed forward and slapped Zhang Lingfeng's shoulder hard.

"Good! Good! Good! That's a great breakthrough!"

Murong Li wiped away his tears and nodded repeatedly: "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't be a deserter! So you were attacking such a crucial pass!"

General Ma and the others finally realized what was happening and cheered with joy, instantly filling the area in front of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion with an atmosphere of ecstasy.

However, after the initial euphoria, Huang Youming suddenly remembered something, his expression changed, his euphoria froze, and turned into an extremely complex expression, a mixture of realization, regret, helplessness, and a hint of...laughing and crying.

"Wait... a level four Divine Inscription Master..."

Huang Youming looked at Zhang Lingfeng, his tone becoming cautious.

"Ling Feng, are you aware of the rules for participating in the Divine Inscription Master Tournament...?"

Zhang Lingfeng's smile faded slightly. He nodded and said calmly, "I know that the Divine Inscription Master Conference aims to encourage and select young talents to improve through competition."

Therefore, it is explicitly stipulated that the level of the Divine Inscription Master in the participants shall not exceed level three.

Level 4 and above Divine Inscription Masters are not allowed to participate in the competition, but may attend as invited observers or judges.

This is the real reason why he has been so late in appearing, and it is also the only, unchangeable reason.

When he finally seized the opportunity, thanks to his accumulated experience over the past few days and the crucial moment when he had gathered that mysterious "lying flat value," he broke through the bottleneck in the Divine Craftsman Pavilion and achieved a leap in his life level, proving himself to the God King and advancing to the fourth level in his mastery of divine runes. After the great joy, he immediately realized the problem.

The competition was about to begin, but he had already lost his eligibility to participate.

Therefore, he did not rush to leave seclusion. Instead, he stabilized his cultivation level, completely concealed his aura, and then calmly walked out.

It wasn't an act of escapism, but rather a consequence of the rules. Those rampant rumors of "desertion in the face of battle" now appear utterly absurd and laughable in the face of this undeniable fact.

Huang Youming let out a long sigh, a sigh that contained a great deal of emotion.

There was immense joy and pride in Zhang Lingfeng's breakthrough, deep regret at not being able to personally witness Zhang Lingfeng crush Assange and Canaan at the conference, and a touch of melancholy at how fate had arranged things this way.

But in the end, all these emotions transformed into understanding and acceptance.

"I see...I see..."

Huang Youming murmured, then straightened his back, his face regaining its radiance—a radiance of triumph and confidence. "So what if you can't participate? You're already a God King! A Level 4 Divine Inscription Master! This proves Danzhou's strength and future even more than defeating ten Assanges at the tournament! Let's go!"

He grabbed Zhang Lingfeng's wrist, his eyes burning: "Let's go back! Let's go back and show those short-sighted, rumor-mongers what Zhang Lingfeng from Danzhou has done—whether he ran away or has undergone an astonishing transformation!"

When Huang Youming, holding Zhang Lingfeng's hand, followed by the excited Murong Li, Ma Dashuai, and others, reappeared at the edge of the bustling Divine Pattern Tower Square, the entire venue seemed to be struck by a silent thunderclap.

It was the people near the entrance who first noticed the unusual aura. The divine king's aura and the fluctuations of the fourth-level divine runes, which were not deliberately ostentatious but naturally revealed, spread quietly like ripples on water, bringing the nearby noise to an abrupt halt.

People turned around in surprise and doubt, their gazes falling on the young man being protected by Huang Youming.

Zhang Lingfeng did not deliberately release his pressure, but since he had just broken through and his realm had not yet been fully contained, the aura of a higher-level life form and the fluctuations of a deeper level of control over the power of divine runes were as clear as the bright moon in the dark night to the many divine rune masters and cultivators present, and could not be ignored at all.

"That's... Zhang Lingfeng?!"

"He's back?!"

"No! This aura...this fluctuation...my god! A God King?! A Level 4 Divine Inscription Master?!"

"What?! How is that possible! How old is he?!"

"No wonder...no wonder he didn't participate! He didn't run away, he went to break through to the next level! A level four divine rune master can't participate in the tournament according to the rules!"

The gasps of surprise spread like wildfire from the edges to the center, engulfing the entire square. Countless gazes—shocked, horrified, incredulous, ecstatic, jealous, and complex—all focused on Zhang Lingfeng.

The emcee on stage stopped reading and looked over in surprise.

Several highly respected veteran divine inscription masters on the judges' panel were also moved, squinting their eyes to carefully sense the fresh and powerful fluctuations, their faces showing surprise and appreciation.

The arrogance and sneers on Assange and Canaan's faces froze completely the moment they sensed Zhang Lingfeng's presence. Then, like shattered masks, they peeled away inch by inch, replaced by extreme shock, bewilderment, and dazedness!

This book is coming to an end in the next few days. After that, I will immediately start a new book on this author account. I will continue writing fantasy novels, which I am good at, and I hope to get everyone's support! (End of Chapter)