Chapter 709
Provocation!
In the backyard of the New Divine Craftsman's Workshop, Zhang Lingfeng was comfortably reclining on a deck chair, enjoying the afternoon sun.
Chen Fenfang, Master Liu, and Master Yan stood by, and on the table between the four of them, a brand-new set of jade mahjong tiles was neatly arranged.
"Three."
Zhang Lingfeng casually played a card, squinting as he felt the subtle but steady increase in the "lying flat" value on the panel.
[You engaged in recreational activities unrelated to cultivation with Chen Fenfang, a Level 1 Divine Inscription Master and Mid-Rank God, and completely lay down in front of her, gaining 300 "Lying Down Values".]
[You engaged in recreational activities unrelated to cultivation with a Level 1 Divine Inscription Master and a Mid-Level Divine Willow Master, completely lying down in front of them, gaining 280 "Lying Down Values".]
[You engaged in recreational activities unrelated to cultivation with a Level 1 Divine Inscription Master and a Mid-Rank Divine Master Yan, completely lying down in front of them, gaining 280 "Lying Down Values".]
Zhang Lingfeng was silently calculating in his mind.
With the occasional addition of players like Ma Dashuai and Master Yang, he could reliably earn over a thousand points of "lying flat" value from these "card-playing friends" every day.
That adds up to a little over 30,000 a month.
This speed is much faster than when we were hiding in the Craftsman's Shop playing cards with Master Yang and the others.
However, it is still a drop in the ocean compared to the massive amount of "lying down" points he needs to reach the fourth level of Divine Inscription Master, and even to advance to the God King level after obtaining the God King cultivation method.
"Not enough, far from enough." This thought resurfaced in Zhang Lingfeng's mind.
The clues to the God King's cultivation method and the cultivation method for a Level 4 Divine Inscription Master have been found thanks to Huang Youming's promise, but the "fuel" to drive all of this is giving him a headache.
He must put the "lying flat" mentality into practice to the end, seize every opportunity to earn "lying flat value," and he doesn't want to participate in anything that might interrupt this "leisure" and "stable income."
This is one of the reasons why he resolutely refused when Huang Youming begged him to participate in the "baptism showdown".
Showing up in the public eye is exhausting and can easily attract more attention and trouble, so it's not worth it.
He just wanted to quietly play cards, sunbathe, and fish, accumulating points, waiting to make a name for himself at the conference, and then naturally obtain the cultivation method to improve himself.
However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind keeps on.
Just as Zhang Lingfeng was pondering whether he should invite Master Ou and the others to go fishing by the Baishui River in the afternoon, a noisy commotion suddenly came from the front yard, mixed with some deliberately exaggerated and provocative words.
"I heard this is the lair of that Zhang Tianshi? How come there isn't even a proper gate?"
"A level three Divine Inscription Master from the Danzhou Guild? Is that just bragging? Someone who spends all day at home playing cards and sunbathing can be called a Divine Inscription Master?"
"We have come from afar to pay our respects to Master Zhang and seek his guidance on the art of divine runes. Does Master Zhang not even dare to show his face?"
The sound was arrogant and extremely penetrating, clearly reaching the backyard.
Chen Fenfang paused as she touched the cards, her brows furrowing.
Master Liu and Master Yan also looked displeased.
They could all tell that these were people with accents from the Jingzhou and Shenzhou Guilds.
Murong Li was also in the Divine Craftsman's Shop at the moment, helping to sort out some documents sent by the guild.
She came out from the side hall upon hearing the noise, her face filled with worry.
Zhang Lingfeng seemed not to hear, slowly took a sip of tea, and said to Chen Fenfang, "Master Chen, it's your turn to play."
Chen Fenfang hesitated for a moment: "Master Zhang, it seems outside..."
"play cards."
Zhang Lingfeng's tone was calm, even urging, "Let them make noise outside, we'll play our game. Don't let irrelevant people ruin the fun of the game."
He knew perfectly well that this was clearly someone from Assange and Canaan's side. Seeing that the "baptismal duel" had the upper hand but failed to force him out, they had switched to a more direct way to provoke and provoke him.
Go out to deal with it? That would play right into their hands.
Not only would it delay his earning of "lying flat" points, it could also expose more information, even trigger conflicts, and affect his grand plan to quietly accumulate points.
Ignoring it is the best policy.
As long as he doesn't respond, it's pointless for the other party to put on a one-man show.
Seeing Zhang Lingfeng's composure, Chen Fenfang, Master Liu, and the others had no choice but to suppress their displeasure and continue the game.
The commotion outside didn't stop; instead, it intensified, and the words became increasingly offensive.
"What kind of bullshit Zhang Tianshi is he? I think he's just a coward!"
"Danzhou is now devoid of talent! He claims to be a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master, yet he only dares to hide among women and play mahjong!"
"You don't even have the guts to say a word? You're not worthy of participating in the Divine Inscription Master Conference? You might as well admit defeat now and save yourself from embarrassment!"
These words were like needles, piercing the hearts of Murong Li, Chen Fenfang, and others.
They knew Zhang Lingfeng's strength and character well, and hearing such slander and provocation, they felt their blood boil and could no longer tolerate it.
Murong Li was the first to be unable to hold back. Although she was only a newly promoted first-level divine inscription master, she was full of respect and gratitude for Zhang Lingfeng.
She strode to the front gate and shouted at the group of elegantly dressed, arrogant strangers who were practicing divine inscription techniques: "Who are you? How dare you be so insolent in front of the Divine Craftsman's Workshop! Do you think you can slander Master Zhang so casually?"
Seven or eight people had gathered outside the door, led by two young men.
One of them, dressed in the Shenzhou Guild's signature blood-red trimmed robe, had sharp eyes and a cold smile on his lips. His name was Xue Tong, one of Assange's junior brothers and a level two Divine Inscription Master.
The other person was dressed in the silver-gray uniform of the Jingzhou Guild, holding a white jade folding fan, and pretending to be dashing. He was called Jade Fan Young Master, and was also Canaan's junior brother, both of whom were second-level divine rune masters.
The people following behind them were also level one or two divine rune masters, each of them arrogant and haughty.
Blood-Eyed glanced at Murong Li and sneered, "Who do we have here? It's just a newbie girl. What, Zhang Tianshi doesn't dare to come out himself, so he sends a maid like you to block his way? How laughable."
The Jade Fan Gentleman lightly shook his folding fan and sighed, "It seems the rumors are true. This Zhang Tianshi is probably all talk and no action, only able to enlighten some third-rate characters to put on a show."
"You're talking nonsense!" Murong Li's face turned red with anger. "Master Zhang is incredibly powerful; how could you possibly fathom his abilities!"
"All-powerful?" Blood Eyes laughed heartily. "Then let him come out and show us what he's got! What kind of skill is it to just hide inside? Are you afraid of us insignificant characters?"
Chen Fenfang also came out at this time, her face solemn: "Gentlemen, this is Baidi City, not your Jingzhou or Shenzhou."
Master Zhang is a distinguished guest of our Danzhou Guild. How dare you cause trouble here?
If you want to exchange skills and knowledge, the Divine Inscription Master Conference will provide the stage; why waste time on this pointless verbal sparring?
"Oh, another one has come out."
The Jade Fan Prince sized up Chen Fenfang, feigning surprise.
"A first-level divine rune master? And a lady at that. What, are all of Zhang Tianshi's subordinates women? Or does he only dare to let women stand up for him?"
These words were extremely insulting, and they also humiliated Chen Fenfang.
Chen Fenfang had been in the Divine Inscription Master Guild for many years and had never suffered such humiliation. She immediately shouted angrily, "Insolence! You..."
"What's wrong with us?" Blood Eye interrupted her, his eyes turning dangerous. "Since you want to stand up for that Celestial Master Zhang, why don't we settle this with a fight? Divine Inscription Masters ultimately rely on their divine inscriptions. Are all the divine inscription masters in Danzhou like that Celestial Master Zhang, all talk and no action?"
Master Liu and Master Yan also rushed out and stood beside Chen Fenfang, their faces ashen.
The other party was clearly looking for trouble, and they specifically chose a time when Zhang Lingfeng was not present to humiliate people associated with him, intending to force him to show up.
"What exactly do you want?" Master Yan asked in a deep voice.
"I don't want anything."
The Jade Fan Prince closed his folding fan and pointed at Chen Fenfang, Murong Li, and the others.
"I just couldn't stand it and wanted to test on behalf of my two senior brothers to see just how capable the person who was enlightened by Zhang Tianshi really was."
You lot, do you dare to spar with us a few times?
"Don't worry, it's just a friendly sparring match of divine runes, nothing more. It won't kill you... Of course, if you're not as skilled and suffer minor injuries, that's unavoidable."
This is already a blatant challenge.
Moreover, the target was directly Chen Fenfang and Murong Li, who were closely related to Zhang Lingfeng and were relatively weak inscription masters.
If they do not accept the challenge, it will confirm the stigma that "Zhang Tianshi has no disciples and is cowardly and afraid of trouble."
If they were to accept the challenge, given Chen Fenfang and her fellow level one divine inscription masters, their chances of winning against a level two divine inscription master who was clearly well-prepared would be extremely low.
Pedestrians on the street had already been attracted by the commotion and gathered around, pointing and talking amongst themselves.
Many people recognized Chen Fenfang and the others, and they also heard the Jingzhou and Shenzhou divine pattern masters mocking Zhang Tianshi. Their eyes couldn't help but be filled with suspicion and curiosity.
"Does Zhang Tianshi really dare not come out?"
"Master Chen and the others seem to be in a difficult position..."
"The other party seems to have ill intentions and has come prepared."
"If Zhang Tianshi is really that powerful, why would he be afraid of these young people?"
Public opinion is quietly shifting.
Murong Li, young and impetuous, coupled with his absolute trust and admiration for Zhang Lingfeng, couldn't help but step forward and say, "Let's spar! I'm not afraid of you!"
"Xiao Li, don't be impulsive!" Chen Fenfang hurriedly stopped her, but she herself was also holding back her anger.
Blood Eyes sneered: "Fine! You've got guts! Then you go first!"
Having said that, without waiting for Chen Fenfang to stop him, a flash of blood-red light appeared in his eyes, and an invisible divine rune power shot towards Murong Li like a sharp arrow.
The attack, though seemingly casual, was swift and fierce, targeting the weakest point in Murong Li's soul.
Murong Li hastily mobilized her divine runes for defense, but having only recently become a divine rune master, her skill in wielding power was far inferior to her opponent's. With a muffled thud, Murong Li staggered back several steps, her face paling, her soul shaken, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
"Xiao Li!" Chen Fenfang exclaimed and quickly helped her up.
"Is that all you've got?"
Blood Eyes shook his head dismissively.
"The people enlightened by Zhang Tianshi are indeed no match for him."
"I'll see what you've got!"
Enraged, Chen Fenfang handed Murong Li over to Master Liu for care, stepped forward, and divine runes surged around her, transforming into a cyan light screen to protect herself. At the same time, several divine runes wrapped around Blood Eyes like vines.
Blood Eyes chuckled, neither dodging nor avoiding, a faint blood-red halo appearing in front of him.
As soon as Chen Fenfang's divine vines came into contact with the crimson halo, they melted and disintegrated as if ice and snow were meeting the scorching sun.
At the same time, the blood-red light in her blood-red eyes intensified, and an even stronger, more corrosive divine rune power reversed and impacted Chen Fenfang.
Chen Fenfang groaned, and the protective light barrier around her body shook violently. She felt her divine rune power being defeated by the opponent's strange and domineering blood-red divine runes, and her soul was being stung by waves of pain.
She gritted her teeth and tried her best to hold on, but the difference in strength was obvious, and within a few breaths, cracks appeared in the protective light barrier.
"Get lost!" Blood Eyes hissed, and the power of the crimson divine runes surged suddenly.
"Pfft!" Chen Fenfang spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward, only to be caught by Master Yan. Her face was pale, clearly indicating that she had suffered a serious injury.
Upon seeing this, Master Liu and Master Yan were both shocked and furious. They exchanged a glance and attacked simultaneously.
Master Liu's divine runes transformed into countless willow-leaf flying knives, while Master Yan's divine runes condensed into a phantom of a mountain. One attacked and the other defended, cooperating perfectly, pressing down on Blood Eyes and Jade Fan Prince.
Only then did the Jade Fan Gentleman move. He smiled slightly, and with a "whoosh," the white jade folding fan in his hand unfolded, and he gently fanned it.
A gentle yet incredibly refined whirlwind of silver divine runes appeared out of thin air, easily shattering the willow-leaf flying knife before crashing into the mountain phantom.
"Crack!" A crack appeared in the phantom mountain.
The Jade Fan Prince fanned himself again, and a second whirlwind followed.
"boom!"
The defense jointly constructed by Master Liu and Master Yan was broken, and the two retreated simultaneously, their blood churning. Although they did not vomit blood, they were clearly at a disadvantage.
In a short period of time, Murong Li, Chen Fenfang, Master Liu, and Master Yan were defeated one after another, and the defeats were clean and decisive.
The surrounding crowd erupted in uproar, with more voices expressing doubt and disappointment.
"how so……"
"Master Chen and his team actually lost..."
"That Zhang Tianshi... could he really just be a fraud?"
"They've already come to our door, why aren't you coming out..."
Blood-Eyed and Jade Fan Prince became even more arrogant.
Bloodshot eyes surveyed the surroundings, then he said loudly, "Is this the level of the Divine Inscription Masters of the Danzhou Guild? Is this the kind of people Zhang Tianshi trained? It seems that the so-called Level 3 Divine Inscription Masters are nothing but charlatans! Zhang Lingfeng! If you're still a man, get out here! Don't cower like a turtle!"
Just then, a figure squeezed through the crowd.
This was a kind-looking middle-aged man, dressed in the robes of a deacon from the Danzhou Guild, emanating the aura of a second-level divine rune master.
His name was Zhao Houtu. He was an old member of the guild, an upright man, and he greatly admired Zhang Lingfeng for helping Murong Li. He also disapproved of the arrogance of the Jingzhou and Shenzhou guilds.
"shut up!"
Zhao Houtu roared, "How dare you insult Master Zhang! If you want to spar, I, Zhao, will fight you!"
Blood-red eyes glanced at him sideways: "A level two divine rune master? Finally, someone decent has arrived, but you're still no match for him."
Having said that, he moved and launched an attack on Zhao Houtu.
The crimson divine patterns intertwined in the air to form a hideous ghost face, emitting a silent roar as it devoured Zhao Houtu.
Zhao Houtu dared not be negligent. He formed a hand seal, and the earth-yellow divine power condensed into a heavy shield in front of him.
The ghost face slammed against the shield, making a screeching sound.
Zhao Houtu shuddered, and fine cracks appeared on his shield. He roared, and the shield exploded, turning into countless fragments that flew back towards Blood Eye.
Blood Eyes sneered, his figure flashing like a ghost, dodging the rubble. With a flick of his finger, a condensed bloodline silently shot towards Zhao Houtu's back.
Zhao Houtu realized it was too late. He only had time to turn to the side. The blood line grazed his shoulder, bringing up a spray of blood. At the same time, a cold power entered his body and eroded his divine runes.
Zhao Houtu's face turned pale, his aura immediately weakened, and he knelt on one knee, already defeated.
"Deacon Zhao!" someone nearby exclaimed.
Young Master Yu Shan shook his head with feigned regret, "Alas, the Danzhou Guild is truly disappointing. It seems that apart from Master Yun Zhongzi, there is really no one else worth mentioning. That Celestial Master Zhang probably knows his own limitations and dares not show himself, for fear of losing face in front of everyone?"
The street was extremely congested, with hundreds of onlookers already gathered.
The murmurs grew louder, and doubtful, disappointed, and even mocking glances were cast toward the tightly closed backyard of the Divine Craftsman's Shop.
The myth of Zhang Tianshi seemed to begin to crumble at this moment in the face of these arrogant outsiders.
In the backyard, Barkol had arrived at some point. His face was ashen as he looked at the injured Murong Li, Chen Fenfang, and Zhao Houtu, then at the arrogant Xue Tong and Yu Shan Gongzi outside. His fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
Where is Master Yun Zhongzi?
Barkol whispered to Commander Ma beside him, "Ask him to teach these arrogant fools a lesson!"
Commander Ma smiled wryly: "I've already sent someone to invite him, but Master Yun Zhongzi is staying in the VIP section of the City Lord's Mansion, and it will take him some time to get here. Besides..."
He glanced at Zhang Lingfeng, who was still sitting in the recliner, eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to everything around him, and hesitated before speaking.
Barkol naturally saw Zhang Lingfeng's state as well, and felt both helpless and somewhat dissatisfied.
Zhang Lingfeng, how can you remain so calm when you've been bullied right to your doorstep? Even if it's to hide your strength, you shouldn't just stand by and watch your own people get hurt and humiliated!
Just then, Yun Zhongzi, accompanied by his disciple Mu Chen, gracefully descended from the sky and appeared in front of the Divine Craftsman's Shop.
His expression was stern, and the aura of a third-level divine inscription master naturally emanated, silencing the noisy scene.
"Who is making such a racket here?"
Yun Zhongzi's gaze swept over Blood Eyes, Jade Fan Prince, and the others with lightning speed.
Blood Eyes and Jade Fan Prince felt the pressure from Yun Zhongzi, and their expressions changed slightly, but they did not show any fear.
Young Master Yu Shan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior Yu Shan of the Jingzhou Guild greets Master Yun Zhongzi. We did not intend to make a scene, but we have long admired the name of Celestial Master Zhang and have come to seek his guidance and exchange skills."
Unfortunately, Master Zhang refused to show himself, so we only had a brief exchange with these fellow practitioners. Please forgive us if we have disturbed the Master.
The words were polite, but the meaning was clear: we are looking for Zhang Tianshi, and have nothing to do with you, Yun Zhongzi.
Yun Zhongzi frowned; he could easily tell that the other party was deliberately trying to cause trouble.
But since the other party has made it clear that they only want to spar with Zhang Lingfeng, if he were to forcefully intervene, it would only make him seem like he's meddling in other people's business, or that the Danzhou Guild is short-handed and needs an outsider like him to back them up.
“Master Zhang may be in seclusion and unable to receive guests,” Yun Zhongzi said in a deep voice. “If you wish to spar, there will be an opportunity at the grand assembly. To linger here is not the behavior of a gentleman.”
Blood Eyes laughed and said, "Master Yun Zhongzi, you are mistaken. It is common for divine rune masters to exchange and verify their skills with each other. Why must we wait for the grand assembly? If Celestial Master Zhang is in meditation, we can wait."
But... I'm afraid he's not in seclusion, but rather... afraid to accept the challenge.
He deliberately raised his voice for the last few words to make sure everyone around him could hear them.
Yun Zhongzi's face darkened, but he really couldn't force Zhang Lingfeng to fight on his behalf.
The other party was clearly using a provocation tactic to force Zhang Lingfeng to come out.
If Zhang Lingfeng stays put, does he expect Yun Zhongzi to fight for him? What would Yun Zhongzi become then? Zhang Lingfeng's henchman?
"Zhang Lingfeng!" Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but send a telepathic message towards the backyard, his voice tinged with anger. "Things have come to this point, and you still won't step forward? Do you really want people to trample the face of the Danzhou Divine Inscription Masters underfoot?"
In the backyard, Zhang Lingfeng, who was reclining on a chair, twitched his eyelids slightly.
He wasn't truly oblivious to the outside world. In fact, from the moment the commotion began, his divine sense had enveloped the entire Divine Craftsman's Shop and the area in front of it.
He knew everything about Murong Li's injury, Chen Fenfang's vomiting of blood, Zhao Houtu's defeat, the discussions among the crowd, and Yun Zhongzi's helplessness.
How could he not be angry? Murong Li genuinely respected him, Chen Fenfang had repented despite the misunderstanding, and Zhao Houtu had stood up for justice. Seeing them hurt and humiliated because of him, a surge of anger rose in his chest.
But he knew even more clearly that the other party's goal was to force him to take action.
Once he shows up, regardless of victory or defeat, he will fall into the opponent's rhythm.
If we win, the opponent might send out even stronger players, or even Assange or Canaan themselves, and it could go on and on.
If we lose, that would be even more troublesome.
More importantly, this will completely disrupt his plan to quietly accumulate points and put him in the spotlight, making it difficult for him to continue living such a leisurely life.
"Hold on... for the sake of the 'lying down' points... for the God King's Technique..."
Zhang Lingfeng silently chanted in his heart, forcibly suppressing the urge to gather the power of divine runes to crush those few clowns outside.
However, when his divine sense saw Murong Li's pale yet stubborn face, saw the bloodstains on Chen Fenfang's lips and the grievance and resentment in her eyes, and saw Zhao Houtu injured and fallen to the ground because of him... his suppressed anger was like being doused with hot oil, and he could no longer contain it.
"Damn it, I can't take it anymore!" Zhang Lingfeng cursed inwardly. (End of Chapter)