Chapter 1185: 1185: Blocking the Path

Chapter 1185: Chapter 1185: Blocking the Path

“Finally made it.”

Hearing Qiao Sanfeng’s words, Feng Wuchen let out a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.

“Come, quickly get in.” Qiao Sanfeng was utterly excited.

Qiao Sanfeng’s confident demeanor, the way he walked as if with a gust of wind, seemed to already envision the scene of Feng Wuchen intimidating the masses.

“Is this the Artificer Guild? What an impressive sight.” Looking at the magnificent guild palace, Feng Wuchen marveled, noting that it was far more imposing than the Tianying Pavilion.

“In the entire Ling Realm, aside from the Spirit Emperor Temple, only the Artificer Guild reigns supreme.” Qiao Sanfeng said with a joyful laugh.

Stepping into the guild’s main gate, the first sight was of a large crowd gathered.

“This time, there are a total of 213 Artifact Refiners participating in the refining tournament,” Qiao Sanfeng said as he led Feng Wuchen inside with a smile.

“Hold it!”

Just as Qiao Sanfeng was leading Feng Wuchen through the main gate and preparing to head toward the square, they were suddenly stopped by a guard.

“Qiao Sanfeng, the tournament has already begun. As per the rules, no one may enter now.” The guard said coldly, mercilessly blocking Qiao Sanfeng and Feng Wuchen from going further.

“Even I can’t go inside?” Qiao Sanfeng angrily berated the guard, glaring at him furiously.

“You can, but he cannot. He’s not a member of the guild.” The guard pointed at Feng Wuchen.

“He’s here to participate in the alchemy tournament! Move aside!” Qiao Sanfeng shouted angrily.

“Participate in the alchemy tournament?” The guard sneered coldly. “The tournament announcement was sent out one month in advance. To be this late blatantly shows disregard for the guild; he absolutely cannot enter.”

“You!” Qiao Sanfeng, overcome with rage, nearly rushed forward to give the guard a slap.

While the alchemy tournament had technically begun, it was merely the president announcing the start; the actual refining hadn’t even started yet.

“What’s the matter? Qiao Sanfeng is an artifact refiner of the guild. Why are these guards treating him with such disdain?” Feng Wuchen frowned in confusion.

The status of Artifact Refiners is exceedingly high, earning immense respect among cultivators.

But these guards completely disregarded Qiao Sanfeng.

“Qiao Sanfeng, we’re simply enforcing the rules. If you’re late, just forfeit.” One guard said helplessly.

“Well, isn’t that Elder Qiao? How come he got stopped outside?”

“Tsk tsk, bringing his disciple to join the refining tournament, huh? Too bad they’re late.”

“Three years without any advancement in artifact refining—Qiao Sanfeng has completely disgraced the guild.”

Many people started jeering. Even though they knew Qiao Sanfeng’s status, they showed no fear.

Hearing their words, Qiao Sanfeng’s face darkened, his fury nearly causing his lungs to explode.

Feng Wuchen’s expression wasn’t looking good either. He hadn’t expected to encounter so much trouble just to attend the refining tournament.

“Master, let’s go in. Ignore them.” Qiao Sanfeng’s tone was grim as he prepared to force his way through.

“Qiao Sanfeng! Don’t be arrogant. This isn’t your business guild! Know your place—this is the Artifact Refiner Guild!” A guard shouted angrily at Qiao Sanfeng.

“Disrupting the tournament—do you even know the consequences? Can you bear them?” Another guard berated.

“Get out of the way!” Qiao Sanfeng bellowed. If he couldn’t even step through the gate, what was the point of being part of the guild? He’d rather quit.

Qiao Sanfeng, being the Third Elder of the business guild, held an esteemed position and shouldn’t have to endure such humiliation at the hands of the guild. Yet for the sake of artifact refining, he endured it silently.

But Qiao Sanfeng could endure while Feng Wuchen would not!

“Boom! Boom!”

“Pfft! Pfft!”

As Qiao Sanfeng’s angry shout fell, Feng Wuchen had already acted. His speed was astonishing—within an instant, he had beaten the two guards until they coughed blood.

“President! Elders! Qiao Sanfeng has brought someone and forced his way in!”

“President, someone is causing trouble in the guild!”

Shouts erupted across the square, drawing everyone’s eyes swiftly toward the gate.

“Who dares to be so bold as to cause trouble during the alchemy tournament?”

“Qiao Sanfeng? Isn’t he the Third Elder of the business guild? Rumor has it he hasn’t improved in refining for three years and has shamed the Artifact Refiner Guild.”

“What ‘Third Elder’? In the Artifact Refiner Guild, he’s nothing.”

The experts from various factions began whispering amongst themselves.

“What’s causing such an uproar?” The president slightly furrowed his brows, his old eyes turning toward the gate.

“Elder Qiao? Seems like Feng Wuchen has arrived.” Yun Wuying already had an inkling of the situation.

“I’ll go take a look.” The supervising elder frowned before swiftly moving toward the gate, with Yun Wuying following behind.

The supervising elder and Yun Wuying appeared just in time to witness Feng Wuchen mercilessly teaching the two guards a lesson—at this moment, the guards were gravely injured by his blows.

“Supervising elder, it’s that brat!” The nearby crowd pointed at Feng Wuchen.

“Stop this!” The supervising elder shouted abruptly, his face darkened.

For someone to dare to strike guards during the refining tournament and injure them so severely—it was an outright challenge to the guild’s prestige.

“Is that Feng Wuchen, the elite assassin of Sky Shadow Pavilion? This kid really has guts. But if he had the audacity to smash Ling Emperor’s Heavenly Spirit Stone mine, what wouldn’t he dare?” Yun Wuying scrutinized Feng Wuchen.

“Supervising elder, young master,” Qiao Sanfeng quickly bowed in respect.

“Qiao Sanfeng, how audacious of you! Do you even realize where you are?” The supervising elder shouted angrily, clearly displeased with Qiao Sanfeng’s actions.

“The Artifact Refiner Guild.” Feng Wuchen replied indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the supervising elder and Yun Wuying.

“Since you know this is the Artifact Refiner Guild, how dare you harm others here? You clearly hold no respect for the guild!” The supervising elder bellowed angrily, glaring at Feng Wuchen.

“Answer me a few questions first,” Feng Wuchen said coldly, staring at the supervising elder.

“Is Elder Qiao an artifact refiner of the guild?” Feng Wuchen asked.

“So what if he is?” The supervising elder retorted coldly.

“You’re the supervising elder, correct? Perfect.” Feng Wuchen nodded before continuing, “Those two individuals are nothing more than guild guards. I’m curious—since when has the status of a guild guard surpassed that of an artifact refiner? To insult and defy artifact refiners, is this the renowned Artifact Refiner Guild of the Heavenly Realm, where refiners are worth less than mere guards? Explain that to me.”

“…” The supervising elder was rendered speechless.

“Would you, young master, care to provide an answer then?” Feng Wuchen turned his attention to Yun Wuying.

Yun Wuying frowned slightly, evidently having guessed why Feng Wuchen had acted.

“Anyone in the Artifact Refiner Guild is welcome to answer me—is the status of an artifact refiner truly inferior to that of a guild guard?” Feng Wuchen’s voice suddenly amplified, reverberating across the square.

For a moment, the entire guild fell into absolute silence.

Feng Wuchen’s voice startled the guild president and elders. The prominent figures who carried great weight couldn’t sit idly any longer and began making their way to the gate.

Qiao Sanfeng stared dazedly at Feng Wuchen. While he felt immensely satisfied, he couldn’t help but wonder—isn’t this far too arrogant?

“The president and elders have arrived!” someone suddenly shouted from the crowd, breaking the silence.