The end of Gaowu: Becoming stronger from not practicing

The Divine Inscription Master Guild on the God-level Continent is not a monolithic entity, but rather split into three major factions.

Danzhou Association.

Jingzhou Guild.

Shenzhou Guild.

The three major guilds are constantly vying for resources, talent, and influence, engaging in open and covert struggles and conflicts.

Baidi City and the Baruk region are located within Danzhou, so their Divine Inscription Master Guild naturally belongs to the Danzhou Guild system.

This year's Divine Inscription Master Cultivation Conference, due to the duel between Zhang Tianshi and Yun Zhongzi, has long since transcended the scope of Baidi City, attracting the attention of powerful figures from the entire Danzhou, and even Jingzhou and some of the Shenzhou Guilds.

Baidi City is located in Danzhou, and it's just an ordinary city.

As the president of the Baidi City Divine Inscription Master Guild, President Huang only possesses the strength of a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master, which demonstrates that the Baidi City Divine Inscription Master Guild's strength in Danzhou is quite average.

The real Danzhou Guild is far more powerful than the Divine Inscription Master Guild of Baidi City.

In many places around the world, a Divine Inscription Master Cultivation Competition is held every few years or decades.

It has also been held in the Baruch area.

The reason for this in Baidi City is due to tradition.

However, this year, the Bai Di City Divine Inscription Master Guild Cultivation Competition has garnered the most attention.

It even reached the Danzhou General Association.

"What's so interesting about a contest between two level-three divine rune masters?"

"It mainly appears in Baidi City. The president there, Huang, is only a level three divine inscription master. The key point is that one of them is Yun Zhongzi, who comes from the Baruch family."

"The Shenzhou Guild and the Jingzhou Guild already know about the White Emperor City incident, and they reportedly want to send people to participate."

"How could a small city like Baidi City possibly stop the two major guilds of Shenzhou and Jingzhou?"

"Why are they getting involved at this time?"

"Isn't it all to suppress our Danzhou Guild and make more of our Divine Inscription Masters go to their side?"

"Humph!"

"President Liu, no matter what, if people from Shenzhou and Jingzhou send people to participate in the competition in Baidi City, we cannot let them take the first place in Baidi City."

"Tell Huang Youming that if he can't hold onto first place, he can forget about being the branch president."

At the Danzhou headquarters, several divine rune masters with mental power levels exceeding level four discussed the matter.

An elderly man named Chairman Liu made the final decision.

"Master Yun Zhongzi, Master Barkol."

Chairman Huang's voice was calm and steady.

"Both of you are from the Baruch family and are outstanding talents of Danzhou. This conference is of great importance. In recent years, the Jingzhou and Shenzhou Guilds have been eyeing Danzhou covetously and have repeatedly provoked us."

Having learned that two Level 3 Divine Inscription Masters from Danzhou were publicly dueling, they have secretly dispatched many skilled individuals, intending to stir up trouble at the conference and even seize first place, thus causing our Danzhou Guild to lose face.

Huang Youming looked at Yun Zhongzi.

Upon learning of the situation, the headquarters immediately issued orders to him.

We must hold onto first place.

The sparring match between Yun Zhongzi and Zhang Tianshi could have added more to the show.

Many people are full of anticipation.

Huang Youming also wanted to add fuel to the fire.

Unexpectedly, the matter attracted the attention of the Shenzhou and Jingzhou guilds.

Even the headquarters couldn't interfere.

“Master Yun, I shouldn’t interfere too much in your personal feud with that Master Zhang, but at this critical juncture, the Danzhou Guild needs to unite.”

Zhang Tianshi's ability to guide others to become divine inscription masters demonstrates his extraordinary skills and considerable strength.

If you two can temporarily put aside your differences and join hands to deal with external challenges, ensuring that the top prize in the tournament does not fall into the hands of outsiders, it would be a great contribution to our Danzhou Guild.

The guild will certainly reward you handsomely at that time.

Huang Youming said earnestly.

Yun Zhongzi sat to the side, his expression still cold and stern.

He was naturally aware of the conflicts between the three major guilds and understood President Huang's concerns.

The Baruch family is based in Danzhou and has interests linked with the Danzhou Guild.

Both publicly and privately, he has a responsibility to uphold the reputation of the Danzhou Association.

“I understand what the chairman means.”

Yun Zhongzi spoke slowly, but his gaze carried a hint of arrogance.

"It is my duty to protect the reputation of Danzhou."

However, Zhang Tianshi and his disciples had rudely refused to join forces with me first. If I wanted to work with them, they would have to personally bow down and admit their mistake, publicly declare that their previous refusal to become my disciple was due to their ignorance, and guarantee to strictly discipline their disciples.

Otherwise, there's no way we can even talk about joining forces.

I, Yun Zhongzi, cannot afford to lose face like this.

Yun Zhongzi's meaning was clear: they could join forces, but Zhang Tianshi had to admit defeat and apologize, acknowledging that Yun Zhongzi was stronger and more qualified, in order to save face after being rejected.

In his view, this was already a concession made for the sake of Chairman Huang and the Danzhou Association.

Barkol listened from the side, frowning deeply.

He knew Zhang Lingfeng's temperament; he was definitely not the type to easily back down.

As Zhang Lingfeng's master, Zhang Tianshi was certainly one of them.

Moreover, Yun Zhongzi's conditions were almost humiliating.

"This……"

Huang Youming also knew that Yun Zhongzi's requirements were somewhat demanding.

"Can we put this grudge aside for now?"

Huang Youming said.

"President Huang, there's no need to say more. If there are really Divine Inscription Masters from Jingzhou and Shenzhou coming to participate, it will be difficult to win unless a Level 4 Divine Inscription Master makes a move."

Otherwise, the first place would not have fallen into the hands of Shenzhou and Jingzhou.

The conference has not yet started.

You can set a rule to prohibit Divine Inscription Masters of Level 3 or above from participating in this competition.

This ensures that no one can take first place.

We can also see whether I or Zhang Lingfeng's master, Zhang Tianshi, will get first place, and who among us will contribute more to the Danzhou Guild.

Yun Zhongzi said decisively.

He just wanted to fight Zhang Tianshi to the end.

Have Zhang Tianshi bring Zhang Lingfeng over to apologize.

"This……"

Huang Youming was helpless.

Yun Zhongzi represents the Baruch family and, like him, is a level three divine inscription master. Huang Youming could not force Yun Zhongzi to agree.

The news quickly reached the Divine Craftsman's Shop.

It was Huang Youming who had it passed on.

Hopefully, Zhang Lingfeng can persuade Zhang Tianshi to back down.

But he knew it was too embarrassing, so he didn't want to say it directly. So he spread the word and let the news get into the Divine Craftsman's Shop, so that Zhang Lingfeng would hear about it and thus Zhang Tianshi would show up.

As long as Zhang Tianshi reappears in the Divine Inscription Master Guild.

This time, Huang Youming will definitely notice immediately, and with his persuasion, Zhang Tianshi might reluctantly back down. "Resolve the feud? Join forces?"

Zhang Lingfeng sat in the courtyard, playing with a newly forged throwing knife.

“If Yun Zhongzi is only targeting me personally, I might give him a way out for the sake of Barkol and the Danzhou Guild.”

But his biggest mistake was getting involved with the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion!

Thinking of the faces of Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion, thinking of their sending Kunsha to assassinate him, thinking of their suppression of the Divine Craftsman Shop at every turn, which almost caused Commander Ma's life's work to go down the drain.

Zhang Lingfeng's anger level remained high.

Now that Yun Zhongzi has actually accepted the invitation from the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion and wants to use the conference to suppress him, this is tantamount to standing on the opposite side of him and becoming an accomplice of the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion.

How should Zhang Lingfeng apologize to Yun Zhongzi?

"Since you've chosen to make a knife from the Divine Craftsman's Pavilion, don't blame me for making this knife even sharper."

Zhang Lingfeng's killing intent gradually rose; his patience with the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion had long since reached its limit.

The fact that the previous attack failed to completely kill Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun has always been a regret in his heart.

Now, with Yun Zhongzi colluding with the Divine Craftsman Pavilion and the Jingzhou and Shenzhou Guilds eyeing them covetously from the outside, the situation is complicated.

Instead of reacting passively, we should take the initiative and thoroughly resolve the internal problems first!

A bold and crazy plan gradually took shape in his mind.

“The Divine Craftsmen’s Pavilion has repeatedly tried to take away the Divine Craftsmen’s Shop’s signboard by relying on its rules and power, and even tried to kill me.”

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Lingfeng's eyes.

"Then why can't the Divine Craftsman Shop turn the tables and take everything from the Divine Craftsman Pavilion? Master Ma has been running the Divine Craftsman Shop for many years, and his skills and character are both top-notch. He is only limited by resources and the suppression from the Divine Craftsman Pavilion."

If the Divine Craftsman Pavilion were to collapse, with its vast resources, customer network, and team of blacksmiths, the Divine Craftsman Shop, if able to take over most of it, would undoubtedly leap to become the premier blacksmith shop in Baidi City, and even the entire Danzhou region!

"The quickest and most direct way to bring down the Divine Craftsman Pavilion is to completely destroy its core!"

Zhang Lingfeng's targets were Shen Qiming and Shen Pengyun.

Shen Qiming, in particular, as the young master of the pavilion, is the future hope of the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion.

Killing him would be enough to plunge the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion into immense chaos and panic.

"As for Yun Zhongzi... the outcome will be decided at the grand assembly. For now, let's collect some interest and teach the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion a lesson they won't forget!"

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Zhang Lingfeng pushed his power as a level three divine inscription master to the limit, forming an invisible barrier of divine thought that perfectly concealed all his aura and energy fluctuations.

Even a level three divine rune master of the same rank would find it difficult to spot him from a distance unless they deliberately searched for him.

He had also restrained the divine power of the supreme god to the extreme; at this moment, he was like a ghost that blended into the night.

The headquarters of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion covers a vast area, with numerous halls and pavilions, and is heavily guarded.

Not only are there high-ranking gods patrolling the area, but defensive and early warning divine runes are also placed everywhere.

However, under Zhang Lingfeng's perception as a Level 3 Divine Inscription Master, the nodes and weak points of these divine inscriptions were clearly visible.

He strolled leisurely, dodging patrols and guards, his figure moving silently through the shadows of the buildings towards the core area.

Shen Qiming secretly went to Qiming Hall, where he usually resided.

Outside the Qiming Hall, there were two mid-level gods guarding it, and inside the hall, there were faint fluctuations of an array.

Zhang Lingfeng's fingertips twitched slightly, and two extremely subtle divine runes silently entered the back of the heads of the two guards.

The two men froze, their eyes glazed over, and then collapsed to the ground, falling into a deep coma. The entire process was completely silent.

Zhang Lingfeng flashed into the hall like a ghost.

The hall was lavishly furnished. Shen Qiming sat behind his desk, his face grim as he looked at a dossier, which detailed how to use Yun Zhongzi's power to strike at Zhang Tianshi at the conference.

His injuries seemed to have healed considerably with the help of precious elixirs, but his aura was still somewhat weak.

"Who?"

Shen Qiming, being a high-ranking god, was extremely vigilant. He suddenly looked up, and his divine power surged instantly.

However, it's too late.

Zhang Lingfeng no longer concealed himself. The terrifying pressure of a third-level divine inscription master erupted like a tangible tide, instantly filling the entire hall and firmly locking down and imprisoning Shen Qiming!

"Is...it you?"
Zhang Lingfeng?!

Shen Qiming's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with extreme shock and disbelief.

He sensed the immense power of the divine runes, a level clearly possessed only by a third-level divine rune master!
Combined with Zhang Lingfeng's cold expression at this moment, a truth that made his soul tremble exploded like a thunderclap!
"Zhang Tianshi... Zhang Tianshi is you?"
How is this possible! "

Shen Qiming screamed, his voice distorted with fear.

He always regarded Zhang Lingfeng as a fifth-level blacksmith with some talent but ultimately vulnerable, and the mysterious Zhang Tianshi as a formidable enemy that needed to be treated with utmost seriousness.

He never imagined, and could never have imagined, that these two identities were actually the same person!

A level 5 peak blacksmith, and also a level 3 divine rune master?

This completely subverted his cognition!

No wonder Zhang Tianshi was so protective of his own and so ruthless!
No wonder Zhang Lingfeng dared to refuse everything so confidently before, and even dared to threaten revenge!

All doubts have been answered at this moment!

Boundless regret and fear instantly overwhelmed Shen Qiming.

If they had known earlier that Zhang Lingfeng was Zhang Tianshi, the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion would never have provoked him, and would have even gone to great lengths to win him over!
But now, it's too late to say anything.

"It's too late to know now."

Zhang Lingfeng's voice was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

He slowly raised his right hand, and on his palm, divine patterns intertwined, and terrifying energy gathered, as if he were holding a destructive star.

"From the moment your Divine Craftsmen Pavilion plotted against me and sent people to assassinate me, your fate was sealed today. In your next life, remember to keep your eyes open."

"No! You can't kill me! I am the young master of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion!"

Kill me, and the Divine Craftsmen's Pavilion will not let you get away with it!
Master Yun Zhongzi will not let you off the hook either!
Danzhou Guild..."

Shen Qiming struggled frantically, trying to activate his life-saving magic treasure and communication jade slip, but under the absolute restraint of a level three divine inscription master, all his struggles were in vain.

He could only scream desperately, trying to intimidate Zhang Lingfeng with his presence.

"The Divine Craftsman's Pavilion? Yun Zhongzi? The Danzhou Guild?"

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Zhang Lingfeng's lips.

"They will soon know what choice to make."

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't hesitate any longer and struck out with his palm.

There was no earth-shattering noise, only a muffled thud.

A palm strike, imbued with the power of a level three divine inscription master and the divine power of a high-ranking god, landed solidly on Shen Qiming's chest.

The defensive inner armor on Shen Qiming's body burst forth with its last brilliant light, and then shattered into pieces like paper.

His eyes widened, the terror in them frozen, and his divine body, like a weathered sand sculpture, rapidly disintegrated and vanished from the point of impact.

His soul let out a silent wail, trying to break free, but it was tightly bound, torn apart, and obliterated by the destructive divine power contained in the palm strike...

In just a moment, Shen Qiming, the young master of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion who was once full of vigor and regarded Zhang Lingfeng as an ant, along with his soul, completely disappeared into the world, his soul scattered and leaving no trace.

Only the faint embers of energy lingering in the air and the unfinished plan file on the desk prove that he once existed.

Zhang Lingfeng withdrew his palm, his breathing steady, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

He glanced at the empty seats, his eyes cold. Eliminating Shen Qiming was only the first step.

The core of the Divine Craftsman Pavilion is the Shen family, including Shen Pengyun and the Grand Elder Shen Yuan, who are all targets that need to be dealt with.

However, it is not advisable to stay long tonight. Although he has kept the commotion of killing Shen Qiming to a very small area, if it goes on for too long, it will inevitably be noticed by the experts of the Divine Craftsmen Pavilion.

His figure flickered and disappeared into the darkness once more, as if he had never been there, silently leaving the Divine Craftsman's Pavilion and returning to the Divine Craftsman's Shop. (End of Chapter)