"Cough, cough!"
Master Wang coughed violently with excitement.
His fiery temper flared up again. This time, he was so angry that he even raised a hand, intending to slap Ling Fan to death.
Such arrogance, such disdain for everyone!
Even if he possessed extraordinary forging talent, so what?
As the saying goes, an overfilled vessel is prone to spillage, and an overconfident person is prone to ruin.
When a person is too arrogant and complacent, disaster will surely follow.
Master Wang had intended to impart all his skills, but who knew Ling Fan would be such an outrageously arrogant fellow, not even showing him any respect.
Taking such a person as a disciple would not only bring him no honor but might even lead to his ruin and disgrace.
What a pity, though, for such excellent talent to be wasted.
Alas, forget it!
"You... get out! Never step foot in my Forging Master Association again, or I will personally strike you down," Master Wang said with grief and indignation.
"Cough, cough."
His emotions surged, and he coughed again.
Ling Fan did not move.
Hu Hao glared and shouted, "Why are you still lingering? Didn't you hear what my teacher said? Hurry up and get out, get out, get out!"
Ling Fan didn't even glance at Hu Hao.
This made Hu Hao's mouth twist with anger.
Ling Fan looked at Master Wang calmly and said, "You are ill, and I can cure you."
Hu Hao exploded, "You're the one who's sick! How dare you curse my teacher? See if I don't beat you to death."
"Stop!"
To Hu Hao's surprise, Master Wang did not get angry when Ling Fan said he was ill. Instead, he stopped Hu Hao.
"You go out first."
"Teacher, I..."
Hu Hao stared in disbelief.
"Go out first."
Master Wang's face darkened, and the authority of someone who had held a high position was unleashed. Hu Hao dared not disobey and left dejectedly. Before leaving, he glared fiercely at Ling Fan, his eyes filled with a warning.
After Hu Hao left, Master Wang stared intently at Ling Fan and said, "You may speak. If you cannot provide a satisfactory explanation today, I will not let you off lightly."
Ling Fan was unfazed and looked at Master Wang, saying, "Geng Jin Qi is not so easy to absorb. The heart belongs to fire, and the lungs belong to metal. All the Geng Jin Qi you have absorbed is now congested in your lungs, causing you piercing pain at all times. If this continues, with your cultivation, you probably won't last a year."
As soon as Ling Fan spoke, the originally dignified Master Wang instantly deflated, his face filled with terror!
Ling Fan smiled slightly and said, "Master Wang, am I correct?"
The shock and astonishment in Master Wang's heart at this moment were beyond words.
He had never revealed this secret to anyone. What kind of eyesight did Ling Fan possess, as if he could see through him from the inside out with a single glance?
Master Wang gave a wry smile and said, "Young friend, you are truly a divine being. Three years ago, in order to break through to the Xuan Gang realm and advance to become a Yellow-tier mid-grade forging master, I risked absorbing a large amount of Geng Jin spiritual energy. Who knew that not only did I fail to break through, but I also couldn't refine the Geng Jin spiritual energy, causing damage to my heart and lungs. Now I am in a dilemma."
However, a glimmer of hope immediately ignited in his heart.
The problem with Geng Jin Qi had troubled him for a full three years. During these three years, although he appeared magnificent on the surface, he endured endless torment every day.
During this time, he had consulted countless renowned physicians and masters, but none could help.
Since Ling Fan could identify the root of his problem and claimed he could cure it, perhaps his hope for recovery truly lay with Ling Fan.
Therefore, Master Wang, who was usually hot-tempered and imposing, could only suppress his emotions and temper at this moment, and respectfully said to Ling Fan, "Young friend, can I still be saved? If there is a treatment, please save me."
Ling Fan nodded slightly.
From the moment he entered, he had sensed the abnormal metal attribute energy emanating from Master Wang. When Master Wang coughed due to excitement, he felt it even more clearly.
As he had expected.
"Of course, I can save you. Your terminal illness is merely a minor ailment to me."
Ling Fan's tone remained arrogant.
However, this time, Master Wang no longer dared to be angered by it. Instead, his hope grew immensely.
"Open your meridians!"
Ling Fan commanded, and then pointed a finger, a wisp of cyan-gold True Qi entering Master Wang's body.
This scene shocked Master Wang again!
Were they not saying that the Lan family's live-in son-in-law was an unlearned good-for-nothing? How could he possess such powerful and astonishing metal attribute True Qi!
Master Wang, disregarding his shock, gradually showed ecstasy on his face.
Because he discovered that the terminal illness that had plagued him for many years was rapidly dissipating.
Soon, Ling Fan withdrew his finger and stepped back.
Master Wang, however, concentrated and closed his eyes. After a few breaths, his aura suddenly surged, and a powerful, dense airflow like solidified wind swept through the surroundings.
Xuan Gang realm, achieved!
Master Wang, disregarding the joy of advancement, suppressed his surging emotions and curiosity about Ling Fan, bowed deeply, and said, "Young friend, you not only possess extraordinary forging talent but also divine medical skills. Your Geng Jin True Qi is as sharp as a blade. I never expected that the entire Jiangnan City had misjudged you. You are truly an unparalleled prodigy of heaven. I am truly impressed!"
"Young friend, you have saved my life. I have no way to repay such great kindness. As long as I can do it, please ask, and Wang Taiping will never refuse!"
Ling Fan nodded and accepted it calmly.
"Help me sell this set. The market price will do."
Master Wang immediately nodded, "That is natural. Your work is ingeniously conceived and exquisitely crafted. I will purchase it at the highest price. Hmm, ordinary top-grade mortal weapons are around two hundred thousand taels, but this set, with its balanced offense and defense, is comparable to several top-grade mortal weapons. It is worth at least five hundred thousand, equivalent to a quasi-spiritual artifact."
Master Wang initially felt Ling Fan was arrogant, but now he realized Ling Fan truly had the capital for his arrogance.
Such a brilliant and talented prodigy, self-taught, a top craftsman at such a young age, it was only natural for him to become a Yellow-tier forging master in the future. He truly was not qualified to teach him.
"It was my oversight in not recognizing a true dragon. I beg for your forgiveness, young friend."
Master Wang sighed with emotion.
His personality was straightforward and upright, his temper fiery. He was a man of his word. Since he recognized his mistake, he would not stubbornly cling to his pride.
"What about the medical fees?"
Ling Fan asked.
"Ah?"
Master Wang was taken aback for a moment, then slapped his forehead and said, "That is natural, that is natural. Is one million taels enough! If not, I will add more."
Ling Fan's single touch had cleared his three-year terminal illness and allowed him to break through to the Xuan Gang realm and become a martial arts master. This debt of gratitude was worth far more than a million!
He would gladly pay three million.
"It's enough."
Ling Fan said.
"Also, please certify me as a top craftsman."
With the identity of a forging master, Ling Fan's actions would be much easier.
...
Association Hall.
The onlookers had not dispersed, waiting to see Ling Fan's downfall.
Hu Mao stood with his arms crossed, looking utterly unconcerned.
His cousin, Hu Mao, was Master Wang's most favored disciple and had great prospects of succeeding Master Wang. With this backing, whom would he fear?
Just a mere son-in-law of the Lan family, would the Lan family dare to cause trouble for the association because of this?
Just then.
Ling Fan emerged.
But what made everyone's pupils contract sharply was that the person who came out with him was none other than the president of the Jiangnan City Forging Master Association, Master Wang, the only Yellow-tier forging master in Jiangnan City!
What surprised them the most was Master Wang's respectful attitude towards Ling Fan. He was half a step behind Ling Fan, treating him as an incredibly noble guest.
Even Master Wang's beloved disciple, Hu Hao, was relegated to accompanying them from behind!