Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Challenging the Fifth-Tier Skilled Weapon Maker

Facing Lou Yun’s terrifying gaze, even with Fan Ruobing’s seniority, he couldn’t help but quietly swallow his saliva, feeling uneasy in his heart, and simply didn’t dare to meet Lou Yun’s eyes again.

Lou Yun could tolerate others insulting or looking down on him, but what he couldn’t bear the most was anyone insulting his friends. Especially the kind of unabashed ridicule and belittlement Fan Ruobing had just directed at Xu Yangteng. This had crossed Lou Yun’s bottom line of tolerance and completely enraged him. That’s why he fixed Fan Ruobing with an undisguised, icy stare—it was essentially a declaration of war. If Fan Ruobing didn’t shut up, Lou Yun would strike!

Ever since becoming a sixth-tier skilled weapon maker, Fan Ruobing had basked in universal reverence, enjoying a lofty status. Forget anyone daring to glare at him, not even anyone spoke loudly to him. Over time, his arrogance and temper had grown accordingly. But now, feeling the chill and killing intent radiating from the eyes of this disrespectful young man, Lou Yun, he was genuinely afraid!

Lou Yun spoke coldly, "Fan Ruobing, I’ll tell you once more. I did come with Old Brother Xu. He is my friend. If you dare speak to my friend with that attitude and tone again, I don’t care who you are or what your status is, I won’t let you off!"

Even if Lou Yun hadn’t erupted, Beichen Ming was already prepared to speak up. He had never held any goodwill towards Fan Ruobing. Moreover, Fan Ruobing’s repeated, blatant targeting of Lou Yun had long since angered Beichen Ming. But now that Lou Yun had reacted, Beichen Ming was naturally content to remain silent and see how Fan Ruobing would respond.

As Lou Yun finished speaking, Fan Ruobing’s subordinates couldn’t hold back. Several of them hastily stood up from their seats and, without a second thought, flew over on their magical weapons.

At this moment, Dai Rong finally appeared. After giving two soft coughs, he said lightly, "Grandmaster Fan, our Forging Conference has been held for many sessions, but a fight has never broken out. Do you intend to set a precedent today?"

As the actual organizer of the Forging Conference and Beichen Ming’s steward, Dai Rong’s words carried considerable weight. So, although Fan Ruobing desperately wanted to teach Lou Yun a lesson regardless of the consequences, he didn’t dare to openly break with Dai Rong. Upon hearing this, he gave a dry laugh. "Steward Dai, I meant no harm. I merely doubt this boy’s true identity. You saw it too just now, didn’t you? Do you truly believe he’s just a newcomer?"

Dai Rong glanced at Lou Yun and smiled faintly. "Grandmaster Fan, you’ve attended the Forging Conference quite a few times, haven’t you? Have you ever seen this young brother before? I certainly haven’t. And he truly doesn’t possess the identity jade representing a skilled weapon maker grade. Therefore, I believe he is indeed a newcomer! Merely exceptionally talented. Surely that isn’t enough to make a widely experienced Grandmaster like you make such a fuss?"

Anyone with eyes could see that Dai Rong’s sarcastic remarks were clearly siding with Lou Yun!

Fan Ruobing was no fool either. A thought stirred in his mind: "Could it be that Beichen Ming has also taken a fancy to this kid and wants to recruit him? If that’s really the case, then this truly is troublesome!"

Actually, since Fan Ruobing had thought of this, he should have obediently found an excuse to leave. After all, Beichen Ming was the true leader of all skilled weapon makers on the Spirit Weapon Star. No skilled weapon maker would deliberately oppose Beichen Ming! As for dealing with Lou Yun, he could always find another way later; there was plenty of time and opportunity.

Unfortunately, Fan Ruobing was currently blinded by rage. Although he realized Dai Rong’s intervention might be on Beichen Ming’s orders, he simply couldn’t swallow his anger. Frowning, a plan formed in his mind.

A false smile appeared on Fan Ruobing’s face. "Since Steward Dai has spoken up for him, I can’t say much more. However, I still harbor some doubts about this boy’s identity. Therefore, I’d like to test him!"

Dai Rong knew Fan Ruobing was scheming again, but it was hard to rebuke him openly since his target was Lou Yun. So, he looked towards Lou Yun, his meaning clear: the challenge is directed at you; will you accept or not?

Lou Yun smiled slightly. "Since Grandmaster Fan is so interested, I’ll play along. Go ahead, how do you want to test me?"

"It’s simple. Forge a common weapon right here in front of all of us. Though I may not be particularly talented, I have studied most of the forging methods used across the Spirit Weapon Star. So perhaps I can discern your true origins from your forging style! Of course, if you don’t dare, I won’t force you. I wouldn’t want others to accuse me of bullying the young. Consider what I just said unsaid."

Lou Yun sneered inwardly. His forging method was taught by Chang Xiang from another world, and later incorporated the essence of his own master, Mr. Commoner. Forget that Fan Ruobing was merely a sixth-tier skilled weapon maker; even if he were ninth-tier, he wouldn’t be able to figure it out!

Thinking this, Lou Yun shrugged. "I was going to forge a common weapon anyway. Forging it early or late makes no difference. I can forge one right now. But I also have a condition!"

Hearing Lou Yun agree to forge, Fan Ruobing was delighted. He hadn’t been bluffing earlier; he had indeed conducted specialized research on the forging methods of all current schools on the Spirit Weapon Star. Once Lou Yun started forging, Fan Ruobing believed he could identify which school Lou Yun belonged to. He simply didn’t believe Lou Yun was a novice!

"What condition?"

"This is my first time attending the Forging Conference. I heard there’s a challenge segment where any skilled weapon maker can challenge any other skilled weapon maker of any grade to a forging contest!"

Fan Ruobing raised an eyebrow and sneered. "What? Are you thinking of issuing a challenge? You wouldn’t be thinking of challenging me, would you?"

Seeing Fan Ruobing’s arrogance, Lou Yun genuinely wanted to challenge him. However, he wasn’t the type to let anger cloud his judgment. He wasn’t entirely confident about Fan Ruobing’s forging skills. After all, Fan Ruobing had once defeated Beichen Ming, proving he truly possessed exceptional forging abilities. If Lou Yun challenged him, the chance of failure was relatively high.

Therefore, playing it safe, Lou Yun shook his head. "How would I dare challenge a distinguished sixth-tier skilled weapon maker like you? The person I want to challenge is him!" After speaking, he pointed a finger.

Everyone immediately followed the direction of Lou Yun’s finger. Upon seeing, their reactions varied, for Lou Yun’s chosen opponent was actually Short Winter Melon!

Although Short Winter Melon’s character within the forging community wasn’t highly regarded, he was a genuine fifth-tier skilled weapon maker. A skilled weapon maker’s grade wasn’t something obtained through trickery or cheating; it required genuine corresponding forging skill.

Now, as a newcomer, Lou Yun was directly challenging Short Winter Melon, a fifth-tier skilled weapon maker. This naturally exceeded most people’s expectations. Although Lou Yun had just displayed superhuman spiritual sense and spiritual energy control, most still didn’t believe his forging skill surpassed Short Winter Melon’s.

Short Winter Melon himself was a bit surprised but not shocked by Lou Yun’s challenge. After all, he coveted the treasures on Lou Yun’s person. Given the chance, Lou Yun would naturally seek to deal with him. However, he also believed Lou Yun’s forging skill absolutely couldn’t surpass his own!

Short Winter Melon deliberately put on a wide smile. "Challenge me? Young brother, not to boast, but although you have some talent, you still lack experience. If you challenge me, you probably won’t win!"

Lou Yun smiled and shook his head. "Whether I win or not is my concern; you don’t need to worry about it. You just need to accept my challenge!"

Short Winter Melon pretended to ponder for a moment before saying, "Alright then, I’ll give it a try with you!"

Hearing that Lou Yun actually intended to compete in forging against a fifth-tier skilled weapon maker, the crowd erupted. People stood up, eager to push to the front for a clear view.

One was a talented newcomer making his debut; the other was a cunning old fifth-tier skilled weapon maker who nonetheless possessed genuine skill. The contest between these two was bound to be extremely exciting!

Regarding Lou Yun’s challenge to Short Winter Melon, Beichen Ming merely smiled, full of confidence. His thoughts mirrored Lou Yun’s: over two years ago, Lou Yun had been able to defeat the fourth-grade skilled weapon maker Xu Baichuan. Naturally, he could defeat a fifth-tier skilled weapon maker now as well!

Thinking of Xu Baichuan, Beichen Ming even glanced specifically at the area for fourth-grade skilled weapon makers but didn’t spot him; he probably hadn’t come to this Forging Conference.

Two others shared Beichen Ming’s view: Lei Nu and Liu Ruyan, who were quite familiar with Lou Yun’s forging skills.

Lei Nu needed no explanation; having willingly become Lou Yun’s disciple, he had absolute confidence in him. As for Liu Ruyan, having witnessed Lou Yun challenge Xu Baichuan over two years ago, although she didn’t understand forging skills, she was also filled with confidence in Lou Yun.

Next, the crowd cleared the area, leaving ample space for Lou Yun and Short Winter Melon.

Standing there, Short Winter Melon wore a smile, deliberately putting on an air of a master. "Young brother, since you dare challenge me, you set the rules. Otherwise, if I set them, even if I win, it wouldn’t be honorable!"

Lou Yun gave a cold laugh and was about to speak when Fan Ruobing suddenly cut in with a smile. "How about this? Since forging was my request, let me set the rules. Do either of you object?"