Just then.
Ling Fan emerged.
But what made everyone's pupils contract sharply was that accompanying him out was the President of the Jiangnan City Blacksmith Association, Master Wang, the only Yellow-tier blacksmith in Jiangnan City!
What surprised them most was Master Wang's respectful attitude towards Ling Fan, trailing half a step behind him as if treating Ling Fan as an incredibly distinguished guest.
Even Master Wang's beloved disciple, Hu Hao, was relegated to the rear!
What was going on?
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Ling Fan was merely a son-in-law of the Lan family, and what was Master Wang's status?
He was a prominent figure in the entire Jiangnan City, someone whom even the Lan family patriarch, Lan Tianxiong, might not be able to meet.
Yet, why was Master Wang treating Ling Fan with such deference?
Hu Mao felt an ominous premonition surge within him for some unknown reason.
However, he quickly regained his composure. As long as his cousin had this backing, no one could touch him.
"President, Brother Hao, this Ling Fan openly committed violence and assaulted people in our association, and even called me blind. Please uphold justice for me."
Hu Mao, the villain, struck first.
Master Wang's expression immediately turned cold as he looked at Hu Mao and the other association members, "What is going on here?"
The steward, who had initially intended to cover for Hu Mao, saw how politely Master Wang was escorting Ling Fan out and didn't want to get into trouble. He immediately recounted the events truthfully.
Hu Hao frowned.
He cursed Hu Mao as an idiot in his heart. This fellow, accustomed to throwing his weight around due to his influence, had unexpectedly hit a hard obstacle today. Seeing his master's respectful and courteous demeanor towards Ling Fan, he might even be implicated.
As he was considering how to put in a good word for Hu Mao, Master Wang angrily declared, "How dare you offend my honored guest! Keeping scoundrels like you will only tarnish the reputation of our Jiangnan City branch. Guards, give him fifty heavy planks and expel him, never to be employed again. Furthermore, notify all member units of the association that they are not to harbor him!"
Hu Mao's face turned instantly pale.
The onlookers were also utterly shocked.
Although Hu Mao was at fault, such severe punishment was excessive. This was equivalent to completely ruining him, leaving no room for Hu Mao in the Jiangnan City blacksmithing world.
Hu Mao was terrified to the point of his liver and gallbladder cracking, and he was filled with regret.
If he had known this would happen, why would he have bothered to trouble Ling Fan!
"Brother Hao, quickly help me plead my case. I know I was wrong, and I'll never dare to do it again!"
Just as Hu Hao was about to speak, Master Wang cast a cold glance at him and said, "You also need to reflect deeply. Stay indoors for these days and diligently hone your forging skills. You are not permitted to leave until you become a top-tier craftsman!"
Hu Hao immediately fell silent.
At the same time, he was inwardly shaken.
His teacher had always treated him with great kindness, almost grooming him as his successor.
What had Ling Fan done after his departure to earn such importance from his teacher?
Even Hu Hao was reprimanded by Master Wang, which truly stunned Hu Mao. His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground, completely devoid of his previous arrogance.
"Crack"
"Crack"
"Crack"
Hu Mao was held down on a long bench, and the hard planks struck him one after another, tearing his flesh and leaving him bloody and mangled. He cried out in agony.
His eyes shot out a gaze filled with intense hatred towards Ling Fan, blaming him for everything.
...
Seeing Master Wang personally escort Ling Fan out, everyone was filled with extreme curiosity. Had the sun risen from the west today? How had the good-for-nothing Ling Fan suddenly turned his fortunes around, earning such respectful treatment from a distinguished figure like Master Wang?
...
Leaving the Blacksmith Association, Ling Fan had transformed into a wealthy man with a fortune of 1.5 million.
After all, some minor families in Jiangnan City might not even possess such funds.
Ling Fan headed straight for the Myriad Merchants' Pavilion.
This was the largest trading center for cultivation resources in Jiangnan City, offering everything from treasures, herbs, pills, weapons, poisons, jewelry, to even specialized martial artist attire.
...
Not long after Ling Fan left, in a dimly lit room, Hu Hao gathered with his few confidantes and the badly beaten Hu Mao.
Every time Hu Hao thought of Ling Fan being a more outstanding forging genius than himself, he felt restless and unable to eat or sleep.
Although Ling Fan was a waste who had abandoned martial arts, he posed too great a threat.
A venomous glint flashed in his eyes, and an idea struck him.
"You two, sell this top-tier mortal weapon to the Jin family. The Jin family has Master Zheng, who is very capable of replication. They should be able to release a low-cost version soon, capturing the market ahead of the Lan family. This will definitely deliver a heavy blow to the Lan family."
Hu Hao held the weapon set that Ling Fan had sold to the Blacksmith Association.
"Also, Hu Mao, are you not dead yet! If you can still move, then you and a few others go and track Ling Fan. Do you know how much he sold that set for?"
"How much?"
"Five hundred thousand taels!" Hu Hao took a deep breath.
This was a windfall.
Greedy light immediately shot from the eyes of Hu Mao and the others. Hu Mao even forgot the pain he was enduring.
"I just heard him talking with my teacher. He seems to be going to the Myriad Merchants' Pavilion to buy something. You find a place and... "
Hu Hao stopped here, making a slicing motion across his neck with his hand.
Hu Mao and the others understood.
"Hmph, this brat caused me so much misery, I must tear him to pieces."
...
Myriad Merchants' Pavilion.
This was the most prosperous and bustling area in the entire Jiangnan City, far more so than the Blacksmith Association.
Martial artists came and went incessantly. Martial artists in the Meridian Opening realm were seen everywhere, and even many powerful cultivators in the Qi Refining realm were present.
As Ling Fan entered the Myriad Merchants' Pavilion, a young attendant immediately approached him.
Upon recognizing Ling Fan, the attendant lost all interest.
The Lan family was already on the brink of collapse due to the Jin family's pressure, and after Ling Fan burned down the brothel, they had to pay a hefty compensation of one million taels. The Lan family was so impoverished they could barely make ends meet.
Ling Fan was merely a useless son-in-law of the Lan family. With the Lan family having no money, Ling Fan's financial support naturally dried up.
Therefore, he didn't want to waste time on a pauper.
However, when Ling Fan threw a stack of silver notes at the attendant's face, the attendant was first stunned, then his expression changed faster than flipping a book, fearing he might neglect Ling Fan.
The surrounding people were also surprised by Ling Fan's extravagant spending.
Wasn't the Lan family on the verge of bankruptcy? How could Ling Fan still be so wealthy?
Thousand-year Cold Iron, Dragon Tear, Blackwater Stone, Coral Sand, Water Spirit Grass, Sky Leaf Lotus...
Ling Fan swept up almost all the water-attribute spiritual items and herbs in the Myriad Merchants' Pavilion.
Correspondingly, the 1.5 million fortune Ling Fan had just earned was almost completely spent.
However, Ling Fan felt no heartache. Compared to the improvement in his strength, this amount of money was insignificant.
Only strength was fundamental!