Who exactly is he?

This was the only thought in everyone's mind at that moment!

Mr. Qin—though not as esteemed as the various kings, nor as powerful as a True Lord—

Yet as a marquis, his name ranked among the top in the capital!

Even should a True Lord arrive in person, they would have to be polite to him!

But now, he actually lowered himself and bowed before a young man!

This brought a shock to everyone, as if a mountain was collapsing or a tsunami was raging!

"I can't possibly accept such a grand gesture from you, my lord!"

Xu Yang sidestepped, squinting as he smiled.

Mr. Qin straightened and laughed, "If even Mr. Xu is unworthy, who else could be?"

Hearing this, the crowd collectively gasped!

Good grief, I don't quite understand what they're saying,

But it's getting more and more astonishing!

"Mr. Xu, my son is undisciplined and has embarrassed himself before you."

"I've brought my son to apologize to you, hoping you will forgive us!"

Saying this, he bowed again!

Qin Yuan opened his mouth, his mouth feeling dry and bitter.

Am I going insane?

Xu Yang frowned slightly. "My lord, you've been watching from the shadows for quite some time, haven't you?"

Mr. Qin's expression didn't change.

"Not going to lie, Mr. Xu, I watched for a short while—your talent is astonishing, name well deserved!"

These words made the confusion in everyone's eyes deepen.

Each word seemed heavy with meaning!

Yet it was utterly incomprehensible!

Their conversation seemed like a riddle!

"There should be quite a few others as well."

Xu Yang scanned the surroundings with intrigue.

Mr. Qin gave a sheepish smile.

Xu Yang no longer bothered with Mr. Qin and his son, turning to gaze at the pristine stone wall. "Mr. Tang, won't you show yourself yet?"

The secret technique inscribed on the wall—meant for the closed-door disciple!

Someone had succeeded in comprehension; surely Tang Yan knew!

Sure enough! 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

As his words fell, a ripple suddenly spread across the stone wall.

Right after, a plainly dressed elder in green robes gradually emerged from the ripple, stepping out from within the wall.

"Mr. Tang!"

"It's really Mr. Tang!"

"Greetings to Mr. Tang!"

Even Mr. Qin wore a solemn expression as he bowed!

Tang Yan gave off a humble, unassuming aura.

No discernible presence, as though he were but an ordinary old man!

Yet he still radiated an indescribable pressure!

This was, after all, a True Lord—a top artifact refiner!

No exaggeration, in the path of artifact refining, the undisputed number one in Daqian!

"Boy, just who are you?"

Tang Yan fixed his eyes on Xu Yang, full of shock and suspicion!

Everything that just happened, naturally, he had seen clearly from the shadows!

He knew the very instant someone comprehended the secret technique.

But upon seeing Qin Yuan challenge Xu Yang, he grew curious and decided to watch.

He never expected to witness something even more astonishing!

In his eyes, Mr. Qin was nothing much.

But to see him be so respectful before a mere youngster like Xu Yang—it was unthinkable!

"Who I am doesn't matter!"

Xu Yang smiled and cupped his hands in salute. "I've met the condition set by Mr. Tang, and wish to ask you to forge some divine weapons!"

Tang Yan frowned, then suddenly grinned. "Why, you don't even mention becoming my disciple—are you looking down on me?"

If it were anyone else, wouldn't they be eager to talk about this?

To comprehend the secret technique, to become a closed-door disciple!

As a closed-door disciple, isn't artifact refining all but guaranteed?

Xu Yang replied at once, "I wouldn't dare!"

"However, I already have a teacher, and for that, I'm truly sorry!"

"Already have a teacher?"

Tang Yan's face darkened, his voice exploding with thunder, "Since you already have a teacher, how dare you come and comprehend my secret technique? Dare to make a fool of me! How audacious!"

BOOM!

Everyone present felt as if struck by lightning, bodies swaying, blood seeping from the corners of their mouths!

All were terrified and in shock.

Their gazes toward Xu Yang were beyond description.

Never mind your background, but this was Tang Yan before you!

Xu Yang, at the epicenter, nearly suffocated, as if some hammer shadow even more terrifying than during the secret technique's comprehension was smashing toward him!

Spurt!

His body shuddered, and he coughed up a spray of blood!

Shaking like a sieve, Xu Yang wiped the blood at his lips with trembling hand but looked calmly at Tang Yan. "Please, senior, forgive me!"

"One's master cannot be easily changed!"

"It may be disrespectful of me, but Mr. Tang set up this place without saying those with teachers can't try!"

"Besides, can discipleship really be forced?"

Xu Yang met Tang Yan's gaze, neither servile nor overbearing. As his words fell, he clearly felt the crushing pressure of a True Lord's raging might fill the space—several times more terrifying than before!

Yet there wasn't the slightest fear in his eyes!

The rest trembled all over at his words!

He was insane.

No one else would dare act like this!

Improper, perhaps, but who would refuse such a chance?

Already has a teacher?

Who's to compare with Mr. Tang?

"Sharp-tongued little brat!"

Tang Yan laughed in his anger. "I'd like to see—if I forcibly make you my closed-door disciple today, does your teacher even dare show up and say a word to me?"

As he spoke, he curled his palm to seize Xu Yang.

Clearly intending to take Xu Yang by force!

Truth be told, he very much meant to fight for this!

In less than ten breaths, wielding ten thousand hammers, and still have more to spare!

In just a short time, he succeeded in comprehending the secret technique!

Such a freakish talent might not arise in a thousand years!

If he missed this, he'd regret it for life!

So, even if it means forcing him, he has to take him!

A dignified True Lord, a top-tier grandmaster—you're telling me I have zero appeal?

"Wait!"

Xu Yang's face changed.

"Hm? What else do you have to say, boy?" Tang Yan's eyes narrowed, palm halted.

Xu Yang gave a wry smile, never expecting this Mr. Tang to have such a fiery temper!

Gnashing his teeth, he said, "Senior, my teacher is in no way inferior to you—may even surpass you!"

"Thus, I have no intention of switching allegiances!"

"Better than me? Good, GOOD!!"

Tang Yan was so angry that he trembled, laughing wildly. "Let's hear it—let me see who in Daqian could possibly surpass me!"

There were no shortage of True Lords in the shadows!

But upon hearing this, all fell silent!

In strength, many True Lords surpassed Tang Yan.

But ask, how many would dare slight Tang Yan?

Artifact Refiners were no less than Pill Masters!

Xu Yang grinned. "My master is named Gu Jun!"

"Gu Jun?"

"Never heard of him—what nobody are you comparing to me?" Tang Yan sneered.

"A thousand years ago, my master was called the Pill Emperor!"

"You…"

Tang Yan's expression froze, eyes locked hard on Xu Yang. "What did you say?"

"My master—Gu Jun, the Pill Emperor!"

"The Pill Emperor Gu Jun? A thousand years ago—he, he died a thousand years ago!" Tang Yan's facial muscles twitched. Alchemist? Even if you've inherited his legacy, so what—he's dead!

The more he thought, the angrier he became!

"My master never perished. Now dwelling in the Central Continent. Though but a remnant soul, he's already recovered to the True Lord level!"

As Xu Yang finished, the void trembled violently.

In that moment, Xu Yang sensed at least several dozen auras!

The weakest—Myriad Manifestations Realm Perfection!

Some were even True Lords!

"The Pill Emperor Gu Jun? He's really alive?"

"Hiss—how's that possible!"

"It's been a thousand years. That restricted zone in Central Continent supposedly exists because of his fall!"

"These words—coming from him—can't be false, right?"

"Besides, his Alchemy Dao is genuinely heaven-defying!"

For a moment, the masters behind those auras in the void were all stunned, scalps tingling!

After several breaths of silence, a mighty figure murmured: "Back then, Gu Jun was a True Lord among True Lords, his Alchemy Dao unrivaled; he once refined three Tier Eight pills!"

"Different paths, Alchemy Dao and Artifact Dao, yet in status, Gu Jun stands above Tang Yan!"

Those below couldn't hear these words, but the speaker clearly intended them for someone.

Therefore, Tang Yan heard every word. His whole body stiffened, gaze dazed!

He was unwilling to concede, yet had no choice!

If Gu Jun truly lived, in status, Tang Yan truly fell short!

As a True Lord, he could forge Tier Seven Divine Weapons!

But Gu Jun—as a True Lord—could refine Tier Eight pills.

Even if only three had ever been made, requiring all conditions to align, it was enough to outstrip him!

Tang Yan gritted his teeth. "He's really alive?"

Xu Yang retorted, "Does senior think I'd make light of this?"

Tang Yan fell silent at once!

How the hell do I snatch him now?

"Besides, if I truly wished to become your disciple, would you dare accept me?" Xu Yang narrowed his eyes, grinning as he spoke each word.