"Lan family head, Jin family head, do you two wish to choose three rounds of duels, or just one?"
Hu Hao glanced at Jin Dazhi and Lan Tianxiong and asked.
Jin Dazhi looked at Master Zheng sitting beside him and respectfully asked for his opinion.
Master Zheng's attitude was arrogant, his eyes gazing at the sky with profound disdain. "No matter how many rounds they fight, they will lose. It doesn't matter how many rounds they want to fight."
Jin Dazhi nodded and said obsequiously, "With Master Zheng presiding, my Jin family can rest easy!"
He looked at Lan Tianxiong triumphantly and said, "Did you hear what our Master Zheng said? You can choose any number of rounds, we will accompany you no matter how many you pick."
Lan Tianxiong exchanged opinions with Lan Xueyi and Li Shan.
"Let's decide the winner in one round," Lan Xueyi said.
Li Shan also agreed, "The Jin family is powerful now. Both Master Zheng and his disciple are not ordinary individuals. Moreover, the Jin family already has many renowned craftsmen, truly a gathering of talents. We, on the other hand, have lost too many craftsmen recently, making it difficult to even field candidates for three rounds. Thus, a single round would be more advantageous for us."
Lan Tianxiong said to Hu Hao and Jin Dazhi, "Then let's have one round."
Jin Dazhi shrugged, appearing indifferent.
Hu Hao nodded, having no objections since both sides agreed.
"Who will the Lan family send to compete?"
"I will," Lan Xueyi stepped forward.
Hu Hao's gaze fell upon Lan Xueyi, and his eyes lit up. Such unparalleled beauty, yet betrothed to a good-for-nothing like Ling Fan. It was truly a waste of heavenly resources.
Thinking of Ling Fan, a hint of coldness flashed in Hu Hao's eyes as he glanced at Ling Fan amidst the Lan family crowd.
If this young man truly possessed extraordinary forging talent as his teacher had said, he would be a formidable threat.
Earlier, he had secretly dispatched Hu Mao and a few other subordinates to intercept and kill Ling Fan, but not only did they fail to kill Ling Fan, but there was also no news from Hu Mao and the others...
However, after today, Ling Fan would no longer pose a threat.
Once the Lan family fell, he would strike while the iron was hot, completely eliminating Ling Fan as a hidden danger.
With this thought, he chuckled coldly.
Turning his head, he said to Jin Dazhi, "Patriarch Jin, who will your Jin family send to compete?"
Jin Dazhi cupped his hands towards Master Zheng and said, "Master Zheng, we will have to trouble you to make a move!"
The thousands of onlookers present were immediately invigorated.
Since the Jin family had invited this master from Yunmeng City, Master Zheng's name had already become a household word in Jiangnan City, his prestige second only to Master Wang. Today, they would finally witness the master's demeanor.
But unexpectedly, Master Zheng arrogantly stated, "They are not qualified for this master to personally act. Yunfeng, you can show off your skills a little and teach these Lan family members what forging is all about."
Wu Yunfeng, who was standing by, bowed and said, "As you command."
After speaking, he straightened up and looked at Lan Xueyi and the other members of the Lan family. "My teacher is the orthodox successor of forging in Yunmeng City. It's not as if my teacher and I are bullying your small family. For this forging competition, I alone will suffice. You can send anyone you wish."
As soon as his words fell, the entire venue erupted.
"Damn, this is too disappointing. Master Zheng isn't even competing. Are we not going to have any visual feast?"
Many were disappointed.
But more were astonished by Master Zheng's pride and confidence.
After all, the Lan family was an established family that had stood for decades in the forging industry of Jiangnan City. Li Shan was one of the few renowned craftsmen in Jiangnan City, and although Lan Xueyi was young, her talent was astonishing, and her attainments were undoubtedly high.
The fact that the Lan family chose to send Lan Xueyi to compete was evident of this.
Was it not too overconfident for Master Zheng to not compete personally and send his disciple instead?
Moreover, his disciple Wu Yunfeng was also incredibly arrogant, claiming that he alone could defeat the entire Lan family and that they could send anyone they wished.
This was simply showing no regard for the entire Lan family.
"Damn, looking down on people with contempt!"
The Lan family members were instantly filled with righteous indignation. Everyone felt as if they had been slapped in the face, their cheeks burning.
Master Zheng was one thing, but even his disciple dared to look down on their Lan family in such a manner. How could they not be enraged?
"Wu, you are too arrogant. Be careful not to capsize in the gutter. Just wait and cry!"
"Such arrogance is truly detestable!"
"We must win against him, and make this pair of dog-like master and disciple, along with the Jin family, crawl out of Jiangnan City in disgrace!"
The Lan family members waved their fists and roared, wishing they could punch the detestable faces of Master Zheng and his disciple.
Only Lan Xueyi and Li Shan had solemn expressions.
Because they knew that although Wu Yunfeng's tone was arrogant, he was by no means an ordinary person.
"Miss, I'll go with you," Li Shan said gravely.
At this critical juncture of the Lan family's survival, they could no longer afford to care about the principle of not ganging up on someone, especially since Wu Yunfeng himself had requested it.
Li Shan walked to Lan Xueyi's side.
Hu Hao nodded and said, "In that case, let the forging competition begin today, with the outcome decided in one round. The Lan family's Lan Xueyi and Li Shan will face the Jin family's Wu Yunfeng!"
"The rules are simple: within three hours, both sides must use the designated forging furnaces, raw materials, and auxiliary materials to forge a finished weapon. The side with the higher weapon grade and better quality wins."
On the central platform of the forging arena, two large furnaces had already been set up.
Lan Xueyi, Li Shan, and Wu Yunfeng all walked towards the furnaces.
All the spectators in the stands also took their seats.
Jin Wudao, with a smile of assured victory, said to the Lan family members, "You are doomed to lose! My previous offer still stands. As long as the Lan family offers Lan Xueyi to me, I will spare the Lan family. Otherwise, do not blame us for exterminating you!"
"Pah, Jin Wudao, you're dreaming!" Lan Junjie retorted angrily.
"Heh heh, you won't shed tears until you see the coffin." Jin Wudao sneered and said no more.
Soon, the forging competition began.
The attention of all the spectators was drawn to it.
Wu Yunfeng was at ease, with his hands behind his back, appearing to have everything under control.
Lan Xueyi and Li Shan, on the other hand, were busily preparing.
Lan Xueyi and Li Shan cooperated with remarkable tacit understanding. Both of them were already very close to being top-tier craftsmen, and with their combined efforts, there was a great hope of forging an excellent top-tier mortal weapon.
"I had heard long ago that the Lan family's Li Shan's skill was comparable to that of a top-tier craftsman. Seeing him today, he truly lives up to his reputation."
"I didn't expect Lan Xueyi to not only have formidable martial arts talent and be as beautiful as a flower, but also to be so gifted in forging! Her movements are skilled and fluid, truly a pleasure to behold."
"At her current level, she could easily be certified as a senior craftsman. That's the minimum!"
"It seems the Lan family is well-prepared and may not be without a chance to fight."
"This is also because Wu Yunfeng is too arrogant, allowing Li Shan and Lan Xueyi to team up."
The crowd chatted and commented as they watched.
The Lan family members couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
Fortunately, the Jin family's Master Zheng did not compete, and his disciple was incredibly arrogant, agreeing to let Li Shan and Lan Xueyi work together.
Judging by the current situation, their Lan family not only still had hope, but the hope was not small.
Wu Yunfeng also began to forge.
As soon as people saw his methods for processing and refining materials, many eyes lit up, and they praised him repeatedly. kuAiδugg
To possess such exquisite techniques and fluent operations before the age of thirty was truly awe-inspiring!
Even Hu Hao and the craftsmen from the Forging Association couldn't help but nod slightly.
This Wu Yunfeng indeed had some skill, and his forging talent was likely no less than Lan Xueyi's.
In the subsequent stages of fusion, shaping, and hammering, Wu Yunfeng's skills astonished everyone, displaying a master-level standard that surpassed his age.
His demonstrations were almost textbook-perfect, leaving no room for criticism.
"This Wu Yunfeng truly has the demeanor of a renowned master. He has made a stunning debut!"
"No wonder he was so boastful; he does have some basis for it."
"He truly has the capital to be arrogant. If it were me, I'm afraid I would be even more boastful than him!"
"Even the disciple is so formidable, let alone the master! That Master Zheng truly lives up to his reputation."
"It's a pity we didn't get to witness Master Zheng's supreme art."
"Heh heh, if Master Zheng were to compete, wouldn't this forging competition be without any suspense?"
All the spectators, after witnessing Wu Yunfeng's strength, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Truly a case of a great master producing a brilliant disciple. Jin is deeply impressed!" Jin Dazhi, the head of the Jin family, flattered Master Zheng, who was sitting beside him.
Master Zheng's expression was proud, and he smiled without speaking.
The members of the Jin family all looked smug, especially Jin Wudao, who appeared to have already won.
On the other side, however.
Li Shan and Lan Xueyi suddenly felt immense pressure.