By the time the morning sun had climbed higher in the sky, around nine o'clock, the South City Bazaar of Biquan City was already swarmed with people.
Unlike usual, however, the vast majority weren't there to buy or sell. Even the number of stall vendors was minimal. Instead, the crowd gathered densely along the street directly opposite the Bazaar entrance, spilling out into the surrounding areas. People clustered in groups of three or five, murmuring excitedly, seemingly all waiting for something.
Needless to say, this assembly was entirely for Lin Feng, or more precisely, for his artifact repair business.
After yesterday's news had spread like wildfire, practically every cultivator in Biquan City had heard about the unique stall that had appeared in the South City Free Bazaar. This naturally piqued the interest of many, hence the massive crowd gathered so early in the morning.
Among them were cultivators who frequented the South City Bazaar, alongside newcomers from other parts of the city. The new arrivals held varying degrees of skepticism, while those 'in the know' eagerly recounted the events of the past two days to anyone who would listen.
Lin Feng's 'exploits' had been widely disseminated, and along with them, the incident involving the Li Family from the day before yesterday had also become common knowledge. A strange, visiting artifact refiner alone might not have garnered such intense attention. However, when linked to well-known local powers – such as causing a major disturbance at the Li Family compound yet walking away unscathed, or the overtures made by both the Long Family and Treasure Pavilion – a thick veil of mystery was cast over Lin Feng. This piqued immense curiosity and interest among the cultivators present.
"He's here! He's here!!"
Just like yesterday, the appearance of Lin Feng and his companions immediately caused a stir. Every eye turned towards the figures approaching slowly through the parting crowd.
"Good heavens... So many people!"
Zhang Fangzhou had thought yesterday's crowd was impressive. Now he realized that compared to today, yesterday's gathering was insignificant. With this many people, even if each threw just a single first-grade talisman, it would be enough to blast him and his brothers to smithereens.
Lin Feng wore a faint smile, inwardly delighted. This situation was precisely what he had hoped for. He nodded politely to several cultivators who greeted him as he walked, his steps never faltering. The cultivators ahead instinctively cleared a path, surrounding him like stars surrounding the moon, respectfully escorting him forward.
Lin Feng's punctual reappearance instantly dispelled the small, malicious rumor that he would abscond with yesterday's collected artifacts. Many who had been cautiously observing now decided they too would entrust their artifacts for repair today. Those who had already submitted requests yesterday felt a surge of joy and anticipation, eager to reclaim their restored treasures.
...
Reaching his rented stall space, Lin Feng had Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers maintain order as usual. Then, raising his voice to address the surrounding throng, he called out: "Fellow Daoists, please quiet down!"
The surrounding murmurs diminished significantly. Satisfied, Lin Feng continued: "My sincere thanks to so many fellow Daoists for your support. As yesterday, I ask those wishing to commission repairs to please wait a moment. We will first allow those who entrusted artifacts yesterday to reclaim theirs."
He paused deliberately, then added: "Yesterday, I mentioned that perhaps only the first half of the artifacts would be ready today. However, I am pleased to inform you that, wishing to avoid making fellow Daoists wait unnecessarily, my master and I worked tirelessly through the night. We have successfully completed the repair of all artifacts! Therefore... all fellow Daoists who commissioned repairs yesterday can reclaim their artifacts today!"
"What?! All of them repaired?!"
Lin Feng's announcement sent a wave of shock through the crowd, especially among those who had witnessed yesterday's events firsthand. They had seen him accept well over a hundred artifacts. The idea that he could repair them all in a single night stretched beyond their comprehension.
The cultivators who had entrusted their artifacts, however, were overjoyed. Those who had expected to wait until tomorrow and had only come to observe today were doubly thrilled.
Following the same procedure as the day before, cultivators holding their 'receipts' began stepping forward one by one to retrieve their artifacts. There was no jostling, no disruption. Payment in spirit stones was swift and smooth. Despite numbering over a hundred people, the process was efficient. In less than an hour, no one else came forward to claim an artifact.
Lin Feng's spatial ring still held over thirty artifacts – belonging to those who, taking his earlier words to heart, hadn't expected them ready today and thus hadn't shown up. He was confident they would arrive soon once word reached them. He had the whole morning; they could reclaim their items whenever they came.
In just that short span of time, Lin Feng's primary spatial ring had gained over a hundred pouches of spirit stones. The amounts varied – some contained mere hundreds, others held ten or twenty thousand. The total sum likely already approached a hundred thousand spirit stones.
Seeing no more claimants, Lin Feng first stored the spatial ring holding the remaining artifacts. Clearing his throat, he addressed the crowd once more: "Well, the commissions from yesterday have been largely completed. A few fellow Daoists, believing my earlier statement about a possible delay, have not yet arrived. If any of you know them, please pass on the message. They can collect their artifacts any time I am here this morning. Even if they miss today, tomorrow is also fine."
"Now then..." Lin Feng continued, his voice carrying clearly, "...fellow Daoists wishing to commission repairs may step forward. However, before we begin, I have an additional announcement to make..." He paused again, ensuring he had everyone's full attention, then declared: "In addition to accepting commissions for repairing any Magical Artifact (Faqi) or Spirit Treasure (Baoqi), we will now also accept commissions for repairing Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts (Lingqi)!"
A collective intake of breath rippled through the crowd. Lin Feng pressed on: "The prerequisite is this: the client must either provide a verified list of the required repair materials or supply the materials themselves. Provided the materials are correct and complete, I guarantee the successful restoration of the Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact to full functionality."
"That is the special announcement," Lin Feng concluded. "Alright, we are now open for new commissions."
"..."
Silence.
An eerie, profound silence descended upon the bazaar street after Lin Feng's words. Every cultivator who had clearly heard him stared, dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief, as if unable to trust their own ears.
"Spiritual Artifacts... He can repair Spiritual Artifacts too?!"
After several heartbeats, someone finally snapped out of their stupor, uttering the words in a voice thick with incredulity.
Then, like a dam breaking, realization swept through the crowd. The scene exploded into chaotic noise. The news spread outward from the epicenter with astonishing speed. Within moments, the entire Free Bazaar was abuzz with frenzied excitement...
He could repair Spiritual Artifacts!!
While Lin Feng and his 'master's' ability to repair Magical Artifacts and Spirit Treasures had been impressive yet somewhat within the realm of possibility for skilled refiners, the announcement that he could now repair Spiritual Artifacts was a seismic shock.
Even cultivators with no knowledge of artifact refinement understood what the ability to craft or repair Spiritual Artifacts signified. It meant... the refiner was a Fifth-Grade Artifact Master!!
A Fifth-Grade Artifact Master!
In the entire city of Biquan, only the Golden Core cultivator who presided over the Treasure Pavilion held that rank!
Ordinarily, that Fifth-Grade Master from the Treasure Pavilion remained utterly secluded, his presence more symbolic than practical. The only ones with the standing to request his services for crafting or repair were the city's handful of Golden Core Grandmasters.
And now, out of nowhere, a Fifth-Grade Artifact Master had emerged! One who was actually setting up a stall in the Free Bazaar(albeit through his 'disciple'), willing to repair artifacts for any cultivator!
Instantly, this news took flight. It didn't just stir the South City Free Bazaar; it swept through the entirety of Biquan City like a hurricane, becoming a city-wide sensation!