My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Wow, there are quite a few people here!"

After the carriage stopped, Jiang Xiaobai lifted the curtain and stepped down.

The first thing you see is a tall building.

The building had more than ten floors and was made entirely of black wood and bronze. Intricate mechanical patterns could be seen on the building.

Indeed, this doesn't look like an ordinary pavilion; it looks more like a huge mechanical device.

A large crowd had already gathered in front of the high-rise building.

Some carried knives on their backs, some carried swords, and some had thick arms, clearly martial arts practitioners.

"So many people, are they all here to try out that armor?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Pei Shen in surprise.

"nature."

Pei Shen nodded, glancing at the crowd gathered ahead: "Tianji Workshop's mechanisms and weapons are renowned throughout the martial arts world."

"The battle sword in your father's hand, I remember, came from Tianji Workshop."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly.

This... was something he hadn't expected.

Although he hadn't seen his father's battle sword in detail, the fact that Jiang Jingcheng always carried it with him suggested that it was no ordinary weapon.

Surprisingly, it was also made by Tianji Workshop.

"in addition."

Pei Shen continued, "Although Tianjifang does not inquire about rankings in the martial arts world, it also does not compete for superior martial arts skills."

"But they have a great many martial arts manuals in their collection, some of which... well, some are even rare copies that have been lost for a long time."

"Therefore, Tianji Workshop's announcement that anyone who breaks through the armor can choose any item from the martial arts or weapons storehouse will naturally attract many wealthy customers."

"So what's their purpose in doing this? They can't just be doing it for no reason, giving away benefits to people in the martial arts world, can they?"

Jiang Xiaobai stroked his chin, looked at the tall building, and asked curiously, "Could it be for promoting this armor?"

"hehe!"

Pei Shen shook his head and smiled: "Tianji Workshop is a well-known brand. Their products have never had trouble selling, so they don't need to promote them at all."

"Why is that?"

Jiang Xiaobai asked curiously.

Every few years, Tianji Workshop will bring out a newly created item for people in the martial arts world to try out.

Pei Shen looked at Tianji Workshop and said, "Firstly, it's about testing the artifacts!"

"Whether it's a mechanism or a weapon, things created behind closed doors are ultimately not as good as letting the world's masters try them out."

"If someone can actually break it, it means that this thing still has flaws."

"Secondly, it's about establishing a reputation. If even the world's top experts can't break it, the reputation of Tianji Workshop will naturally be more secure."

Thirdly…

Pei Shen paused slightly: "It's also for finding someone."

"Looking for someone?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow.

"good."

Pei Shen nodded: "What Tianjifang likes most is never winning, but having someone who can actually break their secrets."

"The fact that they were able to break through it means that this person has methods they didn't expect."

"Such people are often remembered by Tianji Workshop, and if they are suitable, Tianji Workshop will extend an olive branch to recruit them!"

"So, they're not just setting up a challenge."

Jiang Xiaobai understood: "But is it about using everyone in the world to find their flaws and talents?"

"almost."

Pei Shen nodded.

"Hehe, this Tianji Workshop is quite interesting."

Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but smile after hearing this.

Instead of competing for rankings in the martial arts world, they used this method to attract top masters from all over the land to come to them.

It can be used to test equipment, establish authority, and select exceptional talent.

This deal, no matter how you look at it... is definitely a win-win situation!

"Let's go."

Pei Shen spoke again.

The group then headed towards Tianji Workshop.

As Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the door, he clearly felt that many eyes were sweeping over him from all around.

Of course, most people's eyes immediately fell on Pei Shen.

After all, Pei Shen clearly had a considerable reputation in the martial arts world.

"Even Pei the God of Slaughter has come?"

"Hiss, I saw him a few days ago. Didn't he already try it? Why is he here again today? Does he have a new method?"

Quiet murmurs arose from the crowd.

Pei Shen ignored these voices and led Jiang Xiaobai and the others directly into Tianjifang.

Upon entering, Jiang Xiaobai saw a mannequin placed in the spacious lobby.

The dummy was made with exquisite craftsmanship and was almost the same height as a normal person.

The dummy was wearing a silver soft armor.

The soft armor looked extremely form-fitting.

Its scales are as fine as fish scales, gleaming with a cold, silvery light.

At this moment, martial arts practitioners are taking turns trying it out.

A swordsman suddenly shouted in a low voice, gripped his sword with both hands, and slashed down with a fierce blow.

clang!

Sparks flew everywhere.

The swordsman's long sword was actually shaken and bounced up.

Looking at the silver soft armor again, only a very faint white mark remained.

Not even the armor plates were broken.

The swordsman's face was grim. He looked down at his blade and saw that there was a small chip on it.

A series of low gasps of surprise immediately rose from all around.

"Great nails!"

"Liu Cheng's Fierce Mountain Blade is so domineering and powerful, yet it only left such a shallow mark?"

"Yes, this Xuanlin Armor is indeed powerful!"

After the swordsman stepped down, another burly man stepped forward.

The burly man had thick arms and a heavy breath. He didn't use any weapons; he simply took a deep breath and then slammed his palm into the soft-armored chest area.

boom!

The dummy shook violently, but the soft armor remained intact.

On the contrary, the burly man's expression changed, and he took three steps back.

"Damn it!"

The burly man shook his hand, his face full of resentment: "What the hell is this thing? It made my hand go numb!"

"These armored soldiers are really something!"

Jiang Xiaobai stood aside watching, a hint of interest in his eyes.

It can withstand knife cuts and palm strikes. If he wore one, wouldn't his safety be greatly improved?

Just as Jiang Xiaobai was examining the silver soft armor, a clear voice suddenly rang out: "Brother, brother, what brings you here?"

Ah, brother?

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned for a moment, then turned his head to look and saw a pretty woman running over from the side.

The woman looked to be eighteen years old, dressed in a light blue dress, with fair skin and bright eyes.

As she ran over, her skirt fluttered gently, giving her a lively and agile air.

The woman was looking at Pei Shen.

hiss!

Jiang Xiaobai's expression immediately turned strange.

No wonder Pei Shen fell for him; who could resist just one "brother"?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but turn his head and look at Tang Ningshuang beside him.

Yes, he suddenly became very curious: what would it be like if Tang Ningshuang, with her cold and aloof personality, called him "brother"?

But as soon as this thought crossed his mind, Tang Ningshuang seemed to sense it and gave him a cold look.

Cough!

Jiang Xiaobai coughed lightly and silently looked away.

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore, or I'll get beaten up.

"Ling'er".

Pei Shen looked at the woman, his expression softening noticeably. Just as he was about to continue speaking, a cold snort suddenly rang out.

"snort!"

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged woman walked over from the side.

The woman was wearing a dark long dress and had a dignified face, but her expression was extremely cold.

As soon as the woman appeared, she pulled the woman named Ling'er behind her.

Then, the woman glanced at Pei Shen and said indifferently, "Oh, Lord Pei, here to try again?"

"Didn't we already try that last time?"

"Why... are you still not giving up?"

"nature."

Pei Shen frowned and looked at the middle-aged woman: "This time I've brought a master of the ninth realm."

"Hmph, with him making the move, he'll surely be able to break through this armor."

Ok?

Grandmaster?

Upon hearing this, many of the martial arts figures around them quieted down.

Even those who had just been trying to break through the armor all turned to look.

A grandmaster is no ordinary martial artist.

Entering the Nine Realms, one returns to simplicity and authenticity.

Such beings are extremely rare, even if one looks at the entire martial arts world.

The middle-aged woman's expression changed slightly. After looking around, her gaze immediately fell on Zhang Xinnian.

"Don't look at me, I'm not like that!"

Zhang Xinnian was taken aback and quickly waved his hand.

The middle-aged woman frowned and looked at Tang Ningshuang again.

"It wasn't me either."

Tang Ningshuang shook her head.

"That is..."

The middle-aged woman's gaze finally fell on Jiang Xiaobai.

But after glancing at Jiang Xiaobai, she looked away.

Indeed, Jiang Xiaobai's frail appearance made him look nothing like a grandmaster; he seemed more like a young master from some wealthy family who had come out to watch the spectacle.

The middle-aged woman looked around and gave a disdainful laugh.

"So, where are the grandmasters?"

(Thanks to Xianyun for the like!! Thanks to Pianpian Feiniao Xiwo Tingke, Huo Tianqing who posted "White One Step Red", and Ai De Dianfa for the love of mountain desserts!)