Chapter 702
I am Zhang Tianshi
Inside the hall, Shen Yuan's request for Senior Zhang Tianshi to appear was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
All eyes turned to Ma Dashuai, and behind him, to Zhang Lingfeng, a young man who kept his head down, fiddling with his teacup, seemingly indifferent to everything.
President Huang Youming's eyes flashed with anticipation. He wanted to see for himself who this "Master Zhang" was, who could enlighten Murong Li, whose methods were unpredictable, and who was very likely a level three divine inscription master.
The city lord of Baidi City had a calm expression, but his mind was racing with weighing options.
If Zhang Tianshi really appears, and is indeed a level three divine inscription master, then the nature of today's "submission" negotiations will be completely different, and he will have to adjust his stance.
Yun Zhongzi snorted coldly, his fighting spirit intensifying. He came today not so much to witness, but to see for himself who this "Master Zhang" was who dared to refuse him and who made him feel somewhat wary.
Shen Yuan, Shen Pengyun, and the others from the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion nervously scanned every corner and shadow in the hall, even involuntarily releasing faint divine senses in an attempt to capture a trace of the powerful aura belonging to "Master Zhang".
Their hearts were filled with humiliation and resentment, but also with a sliver of morbid hope. If the legendary Zhang Tianshi, who was said to be ruthless and had almost killed Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun, was really here and agreed to their terms of surrender, perhaps... the annihilation of the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion could be averted.
General Ma was startled and subconsciously looked at Zhang Lingfeng.
He saw that Zhang Lingfeng was still looking down, playing with the teacup in his hand, as if it were none of his business.
But for some reason, a strange premonition arose in General Ma's heart.
He recalled Zhang Lingfeng's previous mystique, the "Celestial Master Zhang's" swift retaliation against the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion, and Zhang Lingfeng's extraordinary composure.
Ma Fei, Master Yang, Master Wang, Master Liu, and others held their breath, their hearts pounding in their throats.
They both hoped that the mysterious "Master Zhang" would appear and fully support the Divine Craftsman Shop, and they were also afraid of what would happen if "Master Zhang" did not appear or if the terms could not be agreed upon.
Just when the atmosphere was so tense that you could hear a pin drop, Zhang Lingfeng, who had been silent all along, finally made a move.
He didn't look up, but said softly, as if talking to himself, "You... all want to see Zhang Tianshi?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
All eyes immediately focused on him.
Shen Yuan said eagerly, "Of course! How can we feel at ease if such an important event is not witnessed by Senior Zhang Tianshi?"
Please, Master Zhang… no, please, Zhang Tianshi's esteemed disciple, convey this message!
He adopted an extremely humble attitude.
Zhang Lingfeng slowly raised his head, his face still bearing that slightly lazy expression, but his gaze slowly swept over the city lord, Chairman Huang, Yun Zhongzi, and finally landed on Shen Yuan and the others.
He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, his voice calm yet carrying a peculiar penetrating power: "Actually... Master Zhang has been here all along, far away yet right before my eyes."
"what?!"
These words struck like a thunderbolt, exploding in everyone's minds!
An eerie silence fell over the hall; you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's expressions froze, their eyes filled with disbelief and utter confusion.
Zhang Tianshi was already here? Far away, yet right before my eyes?
What do you mean?
Is it...
Almost everyone, including powerful figures like the city lord, Chairman Huang, and Yun Zhongzi, involuntarily and subconsciously released their divine senses again, sweeping through every corner of the hall like an invisible tide, even penetrating beneath the walls and floor, in an attempt to find the "Zhang Tianshi" who might be hiding in the shadows.
However, nothing was found!
Apart from those present, they could not sense any unfamiliar, powerful aura fluctuations that matched the characteristics of a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master! The City Lord was a half-step God King, and Chairman Huang and Yun Zhongzi were both Level 3 Divine Inscription Masters. How sharp were their perceptions?
If there were an existence of equal or even greater power hiding here, no matter how well hidden, it would be impossible to completely leave no trace under such close proximity and such careful investigation!
Unless... this "Master Zhang's" strength far exceeds their imagination! Far surpassing a level three divine inscription master, reaching a level they can hardly reach, or even understand!
Once this idea took hold, it stirred up a huge wave in everyone's hearts, especially the city lord, Chairman Huang, and Yun Zhongzi.
The city lord's pupils contracted slightly, and the fingers on the armrest tightened unconsciously.
If even he couldn't detect it... then this Zhang Tianshi's strength is probably not just that of a simple level three divine inscription master, but might even... touch the threshold of a god-king?
How can this be?
When did such a being begin to lurk in Baidi City?
Chairman Huang Youming's breathing also quickened.
He recalled Murong Li's description; the way he so easily enlightened others to become divine inscription masters was indeed extraordinary.
If the opponent is truly powerful enough to completely evade the senses of the three top experts, then their strength... he dared not think any further.
Yun Zhongzi's cold smile had already frozen, replaced by an undisguised look of astonishment and...panic?
Although he was wary of "Master Zhang" before, it was more out of caution towards an opponent of the same level and vigilance against his mysterious actions.
But now, if the other party can really disappear without a trace right under his nose, what does that mean? It means that the other party's strength, at least in terms of concealment and soul control, far surpasses his!
Looking back on his grand challenge, he now felt like a complete clown! A chill crept up his spine.
He even felt a pang of regret, realizing he shouldn't have so rashly provoked an unknown and formidable enemy just to save face.
The most terrified were Shen Yuan and others from the Divine Craftsman Pavilion.
They had been clinging to a sliver of hope that Zhang Tianshi would soften his terms out of consideration for the city lord and the association president.
But now, even these three important figures can't find any trace of Zhang Tianshi! What does this mean? It means that if Zhang Tianshi wanted to kill them, it would be incredibly easy, he could even do it right in front of the city lord and the guild leader!
Shen Yuan felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head. All her scheming, resentment, and humiliation were replaced by boundless fear at that moment.
For the first time, he realized with such clarity how insignificant and fragile the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion was in the face of such an existence.
Perhaps submitting to the Divine Craftsman Shop is truly the only option to preserve the Shen family bloodline and the foundation of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion.
The atmosphere in the entire hall became incredibly oppressive and panicked because of Zhang Lingfeng's words, "far away yet so close at hand," and the subsequent fruitless investigation results of the three powerful figures.
Everyone felt as if an invisible eye was watching them from the shadows, and an invisible pressure enveloped their hearts.
Barkol was also dumbfounded. He looked at Zhang Lingfeng, who remained calm, and then at the city lord and the others with solemn expressions. He was shocked beyond measure.
He hurriedly said to Zhang Lingfeng, "Master Zhang! What time is it? Stop keeping us in suspense! Now that Senior Zhang Tianshi has arrived, please ask him to show himself!"
This will put Elder Shen and the others at ease.
He had intended to say he had given up, but changed his mind at the last minute.
Under the tense, expectant, and fearful gazes of everyone, Zhang Lingfeng finally stood up from his seat.
He gently straightened his robes, and the usual lazy smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a calm and profound expression.
He walked slowly to the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping across the entire room once more. Finally, his voice rang out clearly and firmly: "No need to invite me, I am Zhang Tianshi."
He paused, as if giving everyone time to process the information, before adding, word by word, "I am a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master."
"..."
A deathly silence.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Everyone's expressions froze, their brains seemed to stop working, unable to comprehend what they had just heard.
Am I Zhang Tianshi?
Am I a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master?
Are you kidding me?!
After a brief silence, an outburst of disbelief and...rage at being played!
"Nonsense!"
Yun Zhongzi was the first to react. He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and glared at Zhang Lingfeng.
"Zhang Lingfeng! How dare you! In such a setting, in front of me, the city lord, and the guild leader, you spout such arrogant words and mock us! Who do you think you are? A level 5 blacksmith, daring to impersonate a level 3 divine rune master? If your master, Zhang Tianshi, knew of your arrogance, he would probably personally eliminate you from the sect!"
He simply didn't believe it, nor could he believe it.
How could a lazy blacksmith whom he once wanted to take as his apprentice possibly be a level three divine rune master of the same level as him?
This is the greatest insult to him!
The city lord's face darkened, and his eyes sharpened: "Zhang Lingfeng, do you know what a crime it is to impersonate a high-level divine inscription master, especially in such a formal setting?"
He didn't believe it either.
How rare and prestigious are Level 3 Divine Inscription Masters?
How old is Zhang Lingfeng? He's both a peak level 5 blacksmith and a level 3 divine rune master?
This completely defies common sense!
President Huang Youming frowned, his gaze towards Zhang Lingfeng filled with scrutiny and incomprehension.
He also found this utterly absurd. Zhang Lingfeng was his apprentice?
But Murong Li was clearly very respectful to "Master Zhang"... Could it be that Zhang Lingfeng fabricated all of this to give the Divine Craftsman Shop a good reputation?
But how do you explain the attack on Shen Qiming and the enlightenment of Murong Li? For a moment, Chairman Huang was also puzzled.
"Master Zhang! Be careful what you say!"
General Ma was so anxious he almost jumped up. He quickly stepped forward, trying to grab Zhang Lingfeng.
"This kind of joke is no joke! Quickly, apologize to the city lord, the guild leader, and Master Yun Zhongzi! Invite your master out immediately!"
He thought Zhang Lingfeng was pushed to the limit, or that he was just being young and trying to show off, which was why he said such outrageous things.
Wouldn't that offend everyone?
Master Yang, Master Wang, and the others also turned pale and whispered, "Master Zhang, stop making trouble!"
"Quickly, bring out Master Zhang!"
You can't just say things like that!
They spent every day with Zhang Lingfeng, and although they found him mysterious, they absolutely did not believe that he was the all-powerful level three divine rune master.
This is beyond imagination.
On the other hand, after Shen Yuan's initial shock, a surge of anger at being utterly humiliated and mocked instantly overwhelmed his reason and fear!
He had originally thought he would meet a master of unfathomable wisdom, and he was even prepared to kneel down and beg for mercy.
But the result?
Zhang Lingfeng, this greenhorn, whom the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion once regarded as someone they could easily manipulate and even send people to assassinate, actually dared to say that he was Zhang Tianshi.
Is that the level three divine inscription master who almost killed Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun?
This was tantamount to repeatedly rubbing the dignity of his Shen Garden and the entire Divine Craftsman Pavilion into the ground! All the previous fear, all the compromises, and all the humility had now turned into boundless rage and humiliation!
"How dare Shu Zian bully me!"
Enraged, Shen Yuan no longer cared about the presence of the city lord or the guild leader, nor did he care about his fear of "Master Zhang".
At this moment, he was convinced that Zhang Lingfeng was bluffing.
The divine power of the superior god erupted suddenly, his figure as fast as lightning, a palm containing his life's cultivation and rage, with a sharp wind, aimed straight at Zhang Lingfeng's face!
"Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of your master, you arrogant and ignorant fool!"
His move was swift as lightning, born of rage, and incredibly powerful.
Ma Dashuai and the others exclaimed in surprise, but it was too late to stop them.
City Lord, Chairman Huang frowned, but did not immediately intervene, seemingly wanting to see how Zhang Lingfeng would respond.
Yun Zhongzi watched coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
However, despite Shen Yuan's angry attack, Zhang Lingfeng, who was standing in the center of the hall, did not even move a step.
He merely glanced indifferently at Shen Yuan, who was rushing towards him.
next moment--
A vast, pure, and seemingly invisible power, originating from the very source of the soul, rippled out silently from Zhang Lingfeng's center!
There was no earth-shattering momentum, no dazzling divine light, but wherever that power passed, space seemed to freeze instantly!
Shen Yuan, who was rushing forward, suddenly stopped!
His hand, imbued with terrifying divine power, stopped abruptly less than three feet from Zhang Lingfeng's face! It wasn't that he didn't want to move forward, but that he simply couldn't move!
A cold yet powerful force, like the strongest divine golden shackles, instantly enveloped and imprisoned his entire body! The divine power of the superior god within him was like a frozen river, unable to circulate even slightly!
His powerful soul was as fragile as a candle in the wind in the face of this power, and was firmly suppressed, making it extremely difficult for him to even think!
His eyes widened, filled with utter shock and disbelief.
He wanted to struggle, to roar, but he couldn't even make a sound.
It could only maintain a comical forward-charging posture, frozen in place, like a lifelike yet terrified statue.
This force left him utterly powerless to resist.
This pure, refined power, imbued with the unique essence of laws... is the power of divine runes!
Moreover, it's the power of a level three Divine Inscription Master!
"hiss!"
……
A collective gasp of astonishment filled the hall!
The expressions on everyone's faces, which had previously shown anger, disbelief, worry, and sarcasm, all froze, and then quickly transformed into extreme shock, horror, and petrification!
Ma Dashuai opened his mouth wide and stared with wide eyes, as if he were seeing Zhang Lingfeng for the first time.
Ma Fei, Master Yang, Master Wang, Master Liu, and the others all froze on the spot, their facial muscles twitching slightly, their minds blank.
Shen Pengyun and the other elders of the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion turned ashen-faced, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. They looked at Zhang Lingfeng with the same fear they had shown to a deity.
The city lord suddenly stood up from his seat, his face more solemn than ever before, his gaze fixed on Zhang Lingfeng.
President Huang Youming also stood up abruptly, his old eyes flashing with a sharp light, filled with shock and realization.
The sneer and mockery on Yun Zhongzi's face had vanished without a trace, replaced by incredulous astonishment, as well as a deep sense of apprehension and lingering fear.
Barkol was completely dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning, and was utterly stunned.
Zhang Lingfeng actually unleashed the power of a level three Divine Inscription Master!
Moreover, he imprisoned a powerful high-level god who had attacked in anger with such ease and effortlessness!
He really is "Zhang Tianshi"!
That mysterious, powerful, and protective Level 3 Divine Inscription Master had actually been right beside them all along. He was that seemingly lazy young man who was obsessed with divine inscriptions and whom they sometimes admired, sometimes worried about, and sometimes looked down upon!
At this moment, the entire hall of the Divine Craftsman's Shop fell into complete silence.
The only sounds were the heavy, labored breathing of the imprisoned Shen Yuan and the frantic pounding of everyone's hearts.
Everyone's worldview seemed to be completely overturned at this moment by Zhang Lingfeng's seemingly casual move. (End of Chapter)