Chapter 1181: 1181: A Good Dog Does Not Stand in the Way

Chapter 1181: Chapter 1181: A Good Dog Does Not Stand in the Way

Yun Wuying led Qiao Sanfeng into the grand hall.

“The elders are in retreat. Currently, the guild is managed by the steward elder, but with the Artifact Refining Competition happening in a month, the steward elder has been greatly burdened lately,” Yun Wuying said with a polite smile.

“I see,” Qiao Sanfeng nodded slightly.

“So it’s Elder Qiao from the commerce guild. It’s been a long time,” an elder in a gray robe greeted Qiao Sanfeng with a faint smile inside the hall.

“Steward Elder,” Qiao Sanfeng returned the greeting courteously.

The elder before them was the guild’s steward elder, also an Innate Grade Artifact Refiner, with an esteemed position in the Ling Realm.

“Steward Elder, I have prepared the Artifact Refining materials you requested,” Yun Wuying said.

“Thank you, Young Master, for the assistance,” the steward elder said respectfully with a bow.

“Steward Elder, there’s no need for such formality. It was a trivial matter,” Yun Wuying replied with a smile, showing the reputable character of the guild’s young master.

Though he was the young master, he showed no airs of superiority, treated others with respect, and honored his elders.

“Elder Qiao, what brings you here today?” the steward elder asked with a smile.

Qiao Sanfeng said, “I returned to the guild today to help someone register for the Artifact Refining Competition.”

Hearing this, both the steward elder and Yun Wuying were taken aback.

What was Qiao Sanfeng’s status? He was the commerce guild’s third elder and a Heavenly Grade Artifact Refiner, someone with considerable standing.

Who could possibly warrant Elder Qiao’s personal favor for registration?

The steward elder asked curiously, “Elder Qiao, who are you helping register?”

“My mentor,” Qiao Sanfeng replied with a faint smile.

“Your mentor?” Both the steward elder and Yun Wuying exclaimed simultaneously, stunned as they looked at Qiao Sanfeng.

Since when did Qiao Sanfeng have a mentor? Why had they never heard of it?

The steward elder frowned slightly and asked curiously, “May I ask who your mentor is?”

“Feng Wuchen,” Qiao Sanfeng said calmly.

“What? Sky Shadow Pavilion’s gold-ranked assassin Wind Shadow?” The steward elder and Yun Wuying were utterly shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Qiao Sanfeng continued with a faint smile, “That’s correct.”

“Elder Qiao, are you kidding? Even if Wind Shadow is an Artifact Refiner, how is he qualified to be your mentor? Isn’t such a relationship completely out of line?” Yun Wuying asked incredulously.

“Hierarchy should be determined by ability,” Qiao Sanfeng said lightly. “Besides, Feng Wuchen’s accomplishments in Artifact Refining are extraordinary. Not long ago, his guidance helped me break a stagnation I’ve faced for three years in advancing my refining level.”

“Oh? Is that true?” The steward elder was shocked once more and quickly asked, “What is Wind Shadow’s level? That he could offer such guidance to Elder Qiao?”

“Heavenly Grade Artifact Refiner,” Qiao Sanfeng replied with a faint smile.

“Heavenly Grade?” The steward elder and Yun Wuying froze for a moment, their expressions blank with disbelief.

“Elder Qiao, are you…” Yun Wuying faltered, unsure of what to say.

“I know you don’t believe me, but Feng Wuchen’s abilities in Artifact Refining are indeed unfathomable,” Qiao Sanfeng said with a calm smile, clearly not expecting them to believe him.

The steward elder and Yun Wuying undoubtedly found Qiao Sanfeng’s claims implausible. A mere Heavenly Grade Artifact Refiner—how profound could their refining mastery actually be?

After all, the Artificer Guild had hundreds of Heavenly Grade Artifact Refiners; it was natural for them to doubt such assertions.

Of course, the steward elder chose not to press further.

“Elder Qiao, Wind Shadow is a target of the Moon God Palace and Emperor Ling. If you associate with him, it will surely invite life-threatening danger,” the steward elder said gravely.

“I understand,” Qiao Sanfeng nodded.

The steward elder furrowed his brows slightly and said, “I’ll go ahead and note his name down.”

“Thank you, Steward Elder. I’ll take my leave now,” Qiao Sanfeng said in gratitude.

The steward elder quickly stopped him, saying, “Elder Qiao, if the commerce guild has no urgent matters, why not stay and help? The Young Master and I can’t manage everything alone.”

“When I was coming in, weren’t there a few idle old fogeys? Let them help out. The guild has so many people; just summon them back, and all will be fine. The commerce guild is busy every day—besides, I’m already managing things solo there,” Qiao Sanfeng retorted, rolling his eyes before leaving.

“You old rascal, so unreliable!” The steward elder muttered under his breath.

Yun Wuying shook his head helplessly and said, “Many senior members in the guild look down on Elder Qiao. It’s no surprise he’s discontent with the guild and unwilling to help.”

“Sigh, the Artifact Refining profession fosters too much arrogance among its practitioners—even the seasoned strong ones fall into this pattern. What can we do?” The steward elder responded with a resigned shake of his head.

“Speaking of which, I’m rather intrigued by Wind Shadow. His strength is exceptional, rivaling my own. To my surprise, he’s also an Artifact Refiner—and he’s participating in the upcoming competition,” Yun Wuying said with a smile.

At this point, Yun Wuying turned to the steward elder and asked, “Steward Elder, how credible do you find Elder Qiao’s claim?”

The steward elder shook his head slightly and said, “I really don’t know. But have you ever encountered a Heavenly Grade Artifact Refiner capable of mentoring others? If their own realm hasn’t advanced, what basis do they have to guide anyone?”

Though the steward elder claimed uncertainty, he didn’t believe it at all.

“That’s true,” Yun Wuying nodded.

Outside the grand hall, Qiao Sanfeng wore a smile.

“Heh! Feeling smug, are we? If not for your position as commerce guild elder, the steward elder wouldn’t entertain you at all!”

“Three years without the slightest progress—it’s absolutely disgraceful to our guild.”

“At your age, if you still haven’t broken through to Heavenly Grade, you might as well give up.”

Qiao Sanfeng’s arrival once again elicited mocking remarks from various Artifact Refiners in the guild. However, having been warned by Yun Wuying earlier, they didn’t dare speak loudly.

“Hmph!” Qiao Sanfeng snorted coldly, completely ignoring them.

Qiao Sanfeng was well aware that once he broke through to the Heavenly Grade, these conceited Artifact Refiners would be forced into silence!

With Feng Wuchen’s guidance, Qiao Sanfeng’s realm had already started to loosen—achieving a breakthrough in the near future was inevitable.

Moreover, Qiao Sanfeng believed that with Feng Wuchen’s mentoring in Artifact Refining, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed those arrogant old relics.

“Qiao Sanfeng, don’t think you’re so grand just because the Young Master favors you. This is the Artificer Guild, not the commerce guild. Mark my words—the Second Elder has long disliked you and will eventually expel you from the guild!” an elder blocked Qiao Sanfeng’s path and said coldly.

“You mangy dogs, get out of my way!” Qiao Sanfeng shouted, intentionally raising his voice.

“You!” The elder exclaimed in fury before snarling, “Just you wait!”

“Don’t any of you old fogeys dare come to the commerce guild. No matter what you want to buy, unless you cough up ten billion Heavenly Spirit Stones, don’t even dream of getting anything! Don’t bother sending intermediaries either—I’ll personally investigate anyone connected to you!” Qiao Sanfeng declared sternly before striding away with an air of defiance.

As a third elder of the commerce guild, all treasures under its domain were subject to his authority.

“We don’t need your rubbish!” one elder retorted angrily.

“Is that so? My first act upon returning will be halting the sale of all refining materials!” Qiao Sanfeng shot back coldly without even looking back.