Lian Ye regarded Lin Feng with a calm expression. Though his words had been phrased as a question, they carried an undeniable pressure that weighed heavily on Lin Feng. Beads of sweat threatened to form on his forehead.
A Golden Core cultivator! Moreover, a Five-Star Artificer! This figure had personally come to 'pay respects' to his 'master'. How could he possibly refuse?
Yet refusing was an absolute necessity—because fulfilling the request was utterly impossible!
Lin Feng remained silent for a long moment, long enough for the others present to start looking at him strangely. Finally, steeling himself, he bowed respectfully to Lian Ye and offered an apology. "Senior Lian, my deepest apologies. My master is currently unable to receive you..."
"Hmm?" Lian Ye's white brows furrowed slightly. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes. I've come personally, yet you still refuse to meet? Isn't that a bit too arrogant?
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly continued his 'explanation'. "Please don't misunderstand, Senior Lian. My master cannot receive guests due to... special circumstances. He... he has entered seclusion..."
"Entered seclusion?"
Lian Ye's eyebrow arched. His displeasure seemed to deepen. He looked at Lin Feng pointedly. "I just heard from Brother Dongfang that your master repaired a Spirit Artifact for him last night. How is it that he entered seclusion today?"
He glanced towards Dongfang Yuhui. During their earlier conversation, they had learned about the repair of Dongfang Yuhui's Spirit Artifact jade sword. This news had genuinely surprised Lian Ye. He had examined that sword himself and knew how difficult it would be to fully repair it overnight after receiving it. The fact that Lin Feng's 'master' had accomplished it only deepened his admiration and anticipation for meeting him. Hearing now that the man had suddenly entered seclusion inevitably aroused suspicion.
Even Dongfang Yuhui looked at Lin Feng with astonishment and confusion.
This is torture! Lin Feng screamed internally. He didn't dare lift his head to meet Lian Ye's gaze, fearing the elder might read the truth in his eyes. Keeping his head slightly lowered, he pressed on with his apology. "Senior is correct. My master did indeed repair Brother Dongfang's Low-Grade Spirit Artifact last night. However, precisely because of that success, he experienced a sudden insight. He felt the threshold of a breakthrough and thus sought a quiet place outside the city to enter seclusion..."
"Is that so?"
Lian Ye paused momentarily, a flicker of understanding replacing some of the displeasure in his eyes. This reason wasn't entirely implausible. A profound realization during the act of artificing was a common occurrence; as an artificer himself, Lian Ye was familiar with such moments.
"Yes," Lin Feng continued, sensing a glimmer of belief. He breathed an internal sigh of relief and wove his fabrication further. "Although Brother Dongfang's artifact is only Low-Grade, it is a rare light-based defensive treasure. Before repairing it, my master mentioned it would be a challenge. Fortunately, everything went smoothly last night. He gained a sudden enlightenment, stating his artificing technique might achieve significant refinement. Hence, the seclusion..."
"Oh? Further refinement?" Lian Ye's eyes sharpened with surprise, and perhaps a hint of envy. "Could it be your master has reached the level of forging Mid-Grade Spirit Artifacts?" He had been a Five-Star Artificer for many years, yet remained capable only of Low-Grade Spirit Artifacts – barely the lower tier of the fifth rank. If Lin Feng's 'master' could forge Mid-Grade, that placed him firmly in the upper tier of Five-Star, surpassing Lian Ye himself.
Lin Feng hesitated. "This... perhaps..."
Lian Ye seemed convinced now. A sigh escaped him, tinged with regret. "Ah... then I must lament my poor timing. Did your master indicate when he might return?"
The corner of Lin Feng's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He answered vaguely, "He... did not specify..."
He couldn't risk naming a date. What if Lian Ye returned then? He resolved then that his 'master' would be in 'seclusion' for a very long time, certainly not returning before Lin Feng himself left Biquan City. The downside, however, was painfully clear: he could no longer accept Spirit Artifact commissions... no, probably not even High-Grade Precious Tool commissions either! What a loss! Instantly, Lin Feng felt a surge of resentment towards the old man. Why did you have to come and interrupt my money-making?
"Well, that truly is a pity..." Lian Ye's disappointment was palpable. Yet, he appeared 'understanding'. Seclusion was notoriously unpredictable in duration, especially for a Golden Core cultivator. A period of ten days to half a month was normal. He inwardly mourned the lost opportunity to discuss artificing techniques with this rare 'peer'. "Should your master emerge, please inform me immediately. I will surely visit again."
Lin Feng replied with utmost deference. "Certainly, certainly..."
He desperately wanted to usher the elder out immediately but dared not. He could only hope that Lian Ye, seeing his goal unattainable, would depart swiftly.
Lian Ye, however, showed no immediate inclination to leave. His curiosity about Lin Feng's 'master' remained strong. "By the way," he inquired, "what is your master's honored name? He is not a local, I presume?"
Lin Feng felt like crying under the relentless questioning. Terrified of slipping up, he spun another lie. "This... I beg Senior's forgiveness. Without my master's explicit permission, this junior cannot reveal his name... However... he is indeed not from the Xia Kingdom..."
He decided to make his 'master' a 'foreigner'. That way, Lian Ye would have no way to investigate.
"Not from Xia?"
Lian Ye was taken aback. He had assumed the man hailed from one of the neighboring cities. The scope being beyond the kingdom was unexpected. Within Liang Kingdom's borders lay over a dozen cultivation cities, and Lian Ye knew most of the Five-Star Artificers and above residing there. He had hoped to deduce the man's identity. Hearing he wasn't from Xia extinguished that hope. Disappointment washed over him.
The continent of Yueyun was a patchwork of kingdoms, and cultivators traveling freely between them was commonplace. Moreover, cultivators often guarded their personal information jealously. Therefore, Lin Feng's explanation held no glaring flaws. Lian Ye didn't harbor deep suspicion, though his disappointment was profound.
Seeming to lose interest, Lian Ye rose. "In that case, I shall take my leave..."
Lin Feng's heart leapt with relief, his eagerness barely concealed. "We respectfully see Senior Lian off!"
Lian Ye, his enthusiasm dampened, gave a slight nod and turned to go. But he had only taken half a step when he paused, as if struck by a sudden thought. He turned back, his gaze settling once more on Lin Feng. "Your master possesses exceptional artificing skills. As his disciple, how much of his art have you mastered?"
"Huh?"
Lin Feng's heart lurched violently. For a terrifying instant, he thought he'd been exposed. Hearing the actual question, however, almost brought tears to his eyes. This is driving me into a corner!
How skilled was he at artificing? That was a dangerous question! His answer directly impacted his future repair business! If he claimed too low a level, how could he justify accepting commissions for high-grade artifacts later? That would be tantamount to admitting his lies!
After a moment's hesitation, Lin Feng gritted his teeth internally. He had no choice but to boast. "This junior's artificing skill naturally falls far short of my master's—not even ten to twenty percent. However, observing him repair the Spirit Artifact last night did yield some insights. Currently... I should be capable of repairing High-Grade Precious Tools without issue..."
"What?!"
His words struck the room like a thunderbolt. Everyone present was stunned into silence. Lian Ye's eyes flashed with intense surprise and disbelief. "You... are already a Four-Star Artificer? A Four-Star Artificer at the early Foundation Establishment stage...?"
He seemed skeptical, but then a sudden realization dawned on him. His gaze intensified, burning with fervor as it locked onto Lin Feng. "Could it be... you possess a Unique Flame?!"
"Unique Flame?!"
The question caught Lin Feng completely off guard. He was on the verge of instinctively asking, 'What's a Unique Flame?' when Lian Ye uttered words that nearly made his knees buckle.
"Young Friend Lin, to achieve Four-Star Artificer status at such a tender age marks you as a true genius." Lian Ye's eyes held an unnerving intensity. "This old man wishes to... exchange insights on artificing techniques with you. Would you consent?"
The way Lian Ye looked at Lin Feng now resembled a lecher spotting a beauty—well, perhaps that was unkind. A better comparison might be a martial arts fanatic encountering someone rumored to possess a legendary technique, itching for a sparring match. His eagerness was plain for all to see.
"I..."
Lin Feng felt genuine tears welling up this time. An overwhelming urge to stamp his feet and curse surged within him.
You, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, a Five-Star Artificer... challenging me, a mere Foundation Establishment junior, a Four-Star Artificer (and a fake one at that)?!
Is this how you bully the young?!
No! At your age, it's not just 'big' bullying 'small'... it's outright bullying the young with age!!