Chapter 183

Chapter 183: Three Identities

Beichen Ming’s sudden telepathic message stirred Lou Yun’s thoughts. Though somewhat reluctant to leverage Beichen Ming’s fame and status, his utter disgust toward Fan Ruobing tipped the scales. After weighing his options, Lou Yun resolved to follow Beichen Ming’s suggestion and discipline Fan Ruobing.

Lou Yun smiled lightly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. "Master Fan, it appears you genuinely desire to know my true origins. However, if I reveal them, I fear they might frighten you to death!"

After a brief pause, Fan Ruobing burst into wild, uncontrollable laughter, as if hearing the funniest joke. Lou Yun maintained his serene composure, calmly allowing Fan Ruobing to finish his laughter.

"Boy," Fan Ruobing sneered, a look of contempt on his face, "Do you think I was raised on threats? Your origin story scaring me to death? Hmph, utterly absurd!" He snorted through his nostrils.

Lou Yun chuckled coldly. "Master Fan, didn’t you claim I lack the jade token signifying a skilled weapon maker’s rank and an invitation? Let me tell you, I possess them—I simply haven’t presented them!"

"Oh?" Fan Ruobing’s scornful smirk remained. "Then by all means, show us! I’m truly curious!"

Indeed, not only Fan Ruobing but everyone in Yao Lin Valley was intrigued by both Lou Yun’s identity and his words. Moreover, his statement didn’t ring false, so every pair of eyes was locked on him intently.

Lou Yun smiled faintly. In his palm now rested an object, though he didn’t immediately reveal it. Instead, he asked again, "Are you certain you wish to see?"

Fan Ruobing’s expression turned impatient. "Boy, if you have it, show it! If not, quit wasting our time!"

"Fine!" Lou Yun nodded. "Look carefully. This is my invitation!"

The ice crystal jade weapon materialized in Lou Yun’s hand, displayed before them all.

Instantly, Yao Lin Valley fell utterly silent, plunging into a deathly stillness. Every eye was fixed unwaveringly on the ice crystal jade plaque in Lou Yun’s grasp!

This silence lasted mere seconds before someone snapped back to reality, exclaiming in shocked disbelief, "Heavens! The ice crystal jade weapon!"

The next moment, that person dropped to his knees before Lou Yun!

His cry jolted the others awake. One after another, every skilled weapon maker or aspirant present knelt down simultaneously. Over five thousand people, a densely packed sea of kneeling figures—the sight was extraordinarily grand!

The only skilled weapon makers still standing were Lou Yun, Beichen Ming, Fan Ruobing, and Short Winter Melon.

The ice crystal jade weapon was far more than a mere token. It represented the highest rank and status among skilled weapon makers across the entire Spirit Weapon Star. Moreover, this token wasn’t crafted by Beichen Ming himself. Many years ago, the leaders of the six major schools within the forging community jointly forged it, presenting it to the highest-ranking skilled weapon maker on Ice Spirit Star—Beichen Ming’s master!

When bestowing this ice crystal jade weapon, the six leaders vowed on behalf of all skilled weapon makers: henceforth, it would symbolize the supreme authority within their community. Any skilled weapon maker must kneel before it, demonstrating respect and reverence for the pinnacle of their craft. For them, the ice crystal jade weapon held the same imposing power as an imperial edict over common folk!

Its holder commanded the status of the supreme leader of the Spirit Weapon Star’s entire forging community, wielding life-and-death authority over all skilled weapon makers. Anyone daring to disobey would see their forging skills erased. Worse, their descendants and entire clan or sect would be forever banned from the forging community!

When Beichen Ming gifted Lou Yun the token, he’d whispered that Lou Yun could demand materials from any common weapon shop—a minuscule fraction of its true significance. Old Man Feng, fully comprehending what the ice crystal jade weapon represented, had been astounded. Beichen Ming hadn’t merely passed Lou Yun a token; he’d bequeathed him the entire forging community. And even more secretively, he’d handed over a shadowy organization he alone had founded: the Divine Weapon Alliance!

Authority over the forging community plus the Divine Weapon Alliance? Such power could drive any man to madness!

Watching the surrounding skilled weapon makers—Xu Yangteng, Lei Nu, Dai Rong—all kneel before him, Lou Yun instantly grasped the ice crystal jade weapon’s profound meaning. While unaccustomed to such reverence, he understood they knelt not to him, but to the identity representing the absolute pinnacle of the forging world.

Thus, Lou Yun felt the weight of the ice crystal jade weapon settle upon him. His smile vanished, replaced by solemnity and dignity. His gaze turned icy as he stared at the still-erect Fan Ruobing and Short Winter Melon.

"Fan Ruobing. Short Winter Melon. Why do you not kneel?"

Sweat beaded on Fan Ruobing’s forehead. Short Winter Melon trembled, his legs shaking. Lou Yun’s question provoked a high-pitched shriek from Short Winter Melon. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, kowtowing frantically. "I was wrong! I was wrong! Please, spare me!"

Short Winter Melon hadn’t refused to kneel; shock and terror had paralyzed him. He’d actively plotted Lou Yun’s murder and administered poison—a grave crime. A single word from Lou Yun now, and every skilled weapon maker would tear him apart without hesitation. The worse horror? His descendants and entire clan would be eternally exiled from the forging community. Terror consumed him.

Lou Yun ignored Short Winter Melon’s pleas. His cold gaze fixed solely on Fan Ruobing. "Fan Ruobing, I ask again: why do you not kneel?"

Fan Ruobing swallowed hard. "Y—you… how could you possess the ice crystal jade weapon? It… it must be counterfeit!"

He was scrambling for an excuse, clinging to denial. Despite defeating Beichen Ming in a challenge, as long as his own rank didn’t surpass Beichen Ming’s, he owed absolute reverence to the ice crystal jade weapon like any other skilled weapon maker.

Then, Beichen Ming’s commanding voice finally rang out from afar, striking every heart like thunder: "That ice crystal jade weapon? I gifted it to him! Would I present a counterfeit?"

Fan Ruobing visibly swayed, nearly collapsing.

A blur, and Beichen Ming stood before Fan Ruobing. Unlike Lou Yun, Beichen Ming had no reservations—he was the legitimate leader of the forging community.

"Fan Ruobing," his voice resonated, "do you dare defy the ice crystal jade weapon?"

The last shred of Fan Ruobing’s mental facade shattered instantly. Sweat poured down his face like rain. "N—no!" He shook his head desperately. "I daren’t!"

Before the words fully left his lips, he crashed to his knees, forehead pressed to the ground, utterly submissive.

Beichen Ming offered Lou Yun a warm smile, gently patting his shoulder. "My boy," he said, "Your conduct today fills me with pride."

The assembled skilled weapon makers finally understood: this enigmatic youth was Beichen Ming’s chosen protégé. They naturally assumed Beichen Ming himself had taught Lou Yun those transcendent forging skills. Relief washed over their faces—such prowess coming from the highest master’s apprentice was hardly surprising.

Beichen Ming, fully committed to elevating Lou Yun today, instantly read their expressions. Recognizing the mistaken assumption could hinder Lou Yun, he cleared his throat authoritatively.

"I know," his voice boomed, "you all wonder about his true origin. Today, I reveal it!" He declared, facing the multitude.

"His name is Lou Yun. Just over two years ago, as a novice barely acquainted with Forging Skills, he defeated a fourth-grade skilled weapon maker through a formal challenge. I had the honor of witnessing it." Beichen Ming paused, his gaze sweeping the crowd. "You may inquire with the skilled weapon makers near Tianrang City in the Gu Feng Nation!"

Immediately, several voices rang out. "Honored Master Beichen! We can attest! This young master indeed defeated fourth-grade skilled weapon maker Xu Baichuan then!"

Truthfully, they hadn’t recognized Lou Yun initially. Over two years, both his appearance and temperament had matured significantly—the transition from sixteen to eighteen marked crucial growth, amplified Lou Yun’s extraordinary experiences. Only now, hearing "Lou Yun," did realization dawn. Skilled weapon makers from Tianrang City and nearby were also nodding; they recalled the name. Of course, the "Lou Yun" they knew wasn’t truly him—it was Lei Nu, who had forged common weapons under his name. Yet, this timely testimony perfectly conveyed Lou Yun’s crucial point: his Forging Skills weren’t learned from Beichen Ming.

Seeing his goal achieved, Beichen Ming gave a satisfied nod and continued, his voice projecting clearly, "Though I am not Lou Yun’s master, our bond transcends the mentor-disciple relationship."

He deliberately paused, allowing the revelation to sink in.

"Lou Yun," Beichen Ming declared solemnly, "is my sworn son. He is the future master of Yulu Mountain Manor." Another pause, then he delivered the final pronouncement: "And he will be the future leader of our entire forging community!"