Chapter 144 - Admitting Defeat

Chapter 144 Admitting Defeat
The crowd looked at Fang Xuande at the same time, whereas Fang Xuande blushed and could not let out a word.
On the other hand, Fang Yide knew that things were getting bad, so he quickly said, “Being able to smith with common materials isn’t much. If you’re really so capable, you should try smithing with uncommon materials!”
The crowd cast a strange look at him.
‘Isn’t that request rather unreasonable?’
One would obviously choose a material that one was familiar with for equipment smithing. As for the uncommon, weird, and rare materials, although it was possible to smith an item that had the same equivalent rank, it was extremely difficult.
Other than a top-notch elder, who had profound experiences in smithing art after studying it for more than a decade, nobody would have the guts to respond to the request.
Fang Xuande furrowed his eyebrows. Just as he was about to remark that it was a forceful request, Ou Yangming agreed smilingly. “Okay, as you wish. Brother Ni, can you please prepare some uncommon materials?”
While Ou Yangming was smiling, his angry tone was obvious even for a fool.
Fang Yihai was red with anger and was especially displeased with Fang Yide. Nonetheless, Fang Yide was a senior in his clan, after all, hence Fang Yihai could not reprimand the senior, or he would be committing an offense by disrespecting a senior. It was not a responsibility that he could bear.
“I’ll fulfill every request made.” Ni Yunhong smiled and looked deeply at the people from the Fang family. After he gave an order, someone brought two types of material.
The materials were neither steel nor featured steel, but their grades and ranks were comparable.
Ou Yangming accepted the materials and glanced at Fang Yide. He expressed without hiding his contempt at all, “Senior, if you’re still unhappy with these two materials, there’s nothing else I can do. You may look for someone else.”
Following that, he shook his wrist, and the Military Fire burned again.
Ou Yangming had fallen asleep after his first encounter with the Military Fire because he had insufficient strength, and his physical and mental powers were exhausted by the fire. Since Ou Yangming was no longer the person he used to be, if he was only using the Military Fire at such a level, he could go on forever without taking a break.
After all, his 40 Points of mental power were not just for decoration.
“Boom…”
When his Military Fire burned violently, a loud explosion was actually heard from the material, and the fire became mightier as though oil was poured into it.
Ou Yangming was taken aback because it was his first time coming across material like that. It seemed like the material was compatible with the Military Fire because it began melting without him needing to use a lot of effort.
He was moved because he immediately understood that it was an advantage.
Even though he did not know what material it was, the Ni family, which had a profound background, definitely knew the material’s unique traits. Therefore, it was definitely not chosen randomly; Ni Yunhong had prepared it on purpose. Ou Yangming was rather grateful for the fact that Ni Yunhong put so much thought into the details for him.
Since Ou Yangming had probed the material’s unique traits, he was not going to hold back. He released more of the Military Fire so as to quickly reshape the material. Ni Yunhong and his younger sister looked at each other and wondered, ‘Ou Yangming’s being too impatient.’
Based on the explosion and the uncontrollable Military Fire earlier, they were certain that Ou Yangming had stumbled upon the material for the first time.
Theoretically, he should be cautious during the smithing process, and it would make sense even if he was a few times more careful than usual. If Fang Yide dared to use it as an excuse to stir up trouble later, at least the Spiritual Fire Blacksmiths who were present could shut his mouth.
However, Ou Yangming did the opposite. Instead of slowing down, he sped up instead, thus the siblings were concerned.
Nevertheless, regardless of what everyone thought, the helmet was steadily formed in Ou Yangming’s hands.
Once he was done smithing the helmet, he fixed his gaze on the last material.
Ou Yangming knew nothing about the material too, but since it was prepared by Ni Yunhong in advance, how would he be disappointed?
With that, a brand new armor was successfully formed in Ou Yangming’s hands. Moreover, he did not consume much power, and the total time spent left the professionals in awe.
“The Fang family probably has an appraiser too, please come forward to appraise the pieces of equipment,” Ou Yangming said after he finished smithing the equipment set. Fang Xuande announced seriously, “I’m an appraiser, I’ll do it!”
Ou Yangming was stunned because he did not expect the old man to be having two professions simultaneously-it was somewhat rare.
Afterward, Fang Xuande stepped forward with a grave expression on his face, and rubbed his hands to release the Appraisal Light.
“A Common Grade greave.” He looked up at Ou Yangming before he added, “Rank Five, at the peak.”
The Appraisal Light was released once more.
“A Good Grade greave, Rank Five as well.
“A High Grade greave, Rank Five, at the peak.
“A Fine Grade arm guard…” He stammered and continued after a while, “Rank Five, at the
peak.”
By then, the square was dead silent. Apart from Fang Xuande’s voice that echoed in the air, no other noise was heard.
Fang Xuande looked at the last two pieces of equipment, then gritted his teeth before releasing two Appraisal Lights in a row. Everyone focused on him at the moment to wait for the final judgment. Fang Xuande frowned as if he was deeply confused.
“Grandfather from the Fang family, I know that you’re feeling dubious, but if it’s Rank Five, that’s what it is,” Ni Yinghong suddenly blurted. She asked after a short pause, “Seventh Grandfather, are you still not aware of what state Brother Ou has been smithing under?”
Fang Xuande’s face changed right away, and he mumbled, “Could it… Could it really be… That state?”
“What state?” Fang Yide questioned though he knew that things were not in his favor.
Fang Xuande moved his lips but could not bring himself to say it.
Despite that, a loud and hearty laugh was suddenly heard. “Haha, could it really be the integration of Heaven and man?”
“The integration of Heaven and man?”
“Impossible!”
“How can the legendary state appear on a
teen?”
“Heh, Yihai is probably having wishful thinking. How could he speak so carelessly!”
Criticisms were heard one after another, and the place became as noisy as a market. That said, the people who spoke kept quiet after a brief moment.
This was because they suddenly noticed that the people who questioned were all from the Fang family, whereas the Ni family powerhouses fell silent and looked at them strangely. Those who had come from the Fang family were not fools, after all, hence they looked at each other after noticing that something was off.
“Ah…” Fang Xuande sighed. “You don’t have to doubt anymore. Other than the integration of Heaven and man, I really can’t think of another reason for his wonderful smithing movements.”
He announced after taking a glance at everyone, “Among these two pieces of equipment, one is at the peak of High Grade Rank Five while the other one is at the peak of Fine Grade Rank Five. Every equipment is in Rank Five.”
The people from the Fang family shut their mouths. Although their Seventh Grandfather had confirmed it, they were still in disbelief.
Fang Xuande inhaled deeply and actually bowed to the ground at Ou Yangming in front of everyone else. “I have eyes, but I failed to see. Please forgive me for having offended you, master.”
Everyone was frightened and even Fang Yihai quickly jumped out instead of mocking the elder. “Seventh Uncle, what are you doing?” Fang Xuande shook his head and explained, “The smithing path’s mystery is unparalleled, and anyone can be a master regardless of age. Since Master Ou has fathomed the integration of Heaven and man, he’s qualified to be my master.”
Ou Yangming immediately responded, “Senior, you’re being too polite, I don’t deserve the title.”
If he actually accepted the formality in front of Commanding General Fang Yihai from the South Camp, the consequences would be unbearable…
Fang Xuande chuckled. “Master Ou, the Fang family is blessed that Yihai was able to invite you. Please…”
“Seventh Elder Brother!” Fang Yide’s face changed as he watched his opportunity leaving him before he could seize it. He could not help but put up a desperate fight. “The fella may be adept in smithing, but he might not necessarily be good at attaching attributes. The Fang family’s collection wasn’t… Easily gathered, are you really confident about entrusting the task to a boy like him?”
“No matter how old he is, since he has apprehended the integration of Heaven and man, his success rate in attributes attachment is much higher than mine,” Fang Xuande answered after some serious thought even though he was startled. He waved his hand and added, “You don’t have to convince me anymore, I’ve decided to suggest Clan Leader appoint him for the task.”
Fang Yide fumed with anger and glared at Ou Yangming
“Senior, General Fang, I was initially sincere about helping you, but I was deliberately obstructed a few times. Heh…” Ou Yangming raised his eyebrow and cupped his hands at the two seniors. “I’m done suffering from this ill treatment, and I don’t want to interfere in your clan’s matter anymore. I’ll be leaving first!”
He cast a cold look at Fang Yide and vividly expressed his extreme discontent. At that moment, even a fool could tell how indifferent Ou Yangming was feeling.
Next, Ou Yangming turned and left without any hesitation.
‘Your clan is that one who asked me to attach the Unique Attributes, but you made it look like I’m begging you instead.
‘Heh, why do I have to stand your attitude?
‘I won’t take it! I’m not going to play this game anymore, you can play it all you want!’
Those were the impressions he gave when he turned to leave resolutely such that nobody could make him stay.
Fang Yihai and the other people widened their eyes. The general instantly called out to him, “Master Ou, please wait!”
However, Ou Yangming seemed like he did not hear the general at all. He did not slow down and left the courtyard in a flash after speeding up a little.
When Fang Yihai was about to pursue him, Ni Yunhong stopped him.
The general was taken aback. He suddenly recalled that he was at the Ni residence instead of the Fang residence, so he could not act without restraint.
After watching Ou Yangming leave, Fang Yihai shot a furious look at Fang Yide.