Chapter 763: Taking Disciples on Behalf of the Master

The Artifact Sea assessment was maintained for two hours. Normally, it would be considered impressive to advance from a 1-star artifact forger to a 2-star one during the assessment. However, this person displayed six badges!

This indicated that he had progressed from a 1-star assessment all the way to 6-star in one go. And astonishingly, all attempts were successful!

A young newcomer to the academy, at most only at the Bridging Heaven realm, had successfully passed the 6-star artifact forger assessment...

Everyone's teeth chattered, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Especially Li Xuan, who had been there earlier; her beautiful eyes turned pale, and she was on the verge of fainting.

It was evident from their conversation that the other party had only a superficial understanding, or even no understanding at all, of many of the Artifact Forging Academy's rules. Yet, they smoothly became a 6-star artifact forger...

She had actually been impatient with an artifact forger possessing 6-star level strength... The thought alone filled her with dread, making her wish for a hole to crawl into.

Yuan Hong, Zhao Bingxu, and several other deans all felt their vision go black.

Forging six artifacts, advancing from 1-star to 6-star, all within two hours... Is that even humanly possible?

"Dean, can... can you do that?"

With trembling lips, Yuan Hong couldn't help but look over.

Among them, the dean's artifact forging ability was publicly acknowledged as the strongest, unrivaled by anyone. Even they could only aspire to reach his level.

Such an astonishing feat was beyond him. If anyone could accomplish it, it would only be the dean.

"I..."

After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Bingxu couldn't help but shake his head. "I... I can't do it!"

Even though he was a peak 6-star artifact forger and his forging speed far surpassed others, he couldn't complete the forging of six artifacts within two hours.

The Artifact Sea assessment wasn't simply easy because it involved forging lower-level artifacts. It also involved material issues.

With inferior materials, increasing speed would more easily lead to breakage. It was no simpler than forging high-level artifacts.

Although his strength was high, if he started from 1-star, reaching 2-star, or at most 3-star, would be his limit. Yet this person reached 6-star in one go...

Is he even human?

"Then... about taking him as a disciple..."

Swallowing hard, Yuan Hong looked over again.

"I..." Zhao Bingxu's face flushed, unable to speak.

He had initially thought that if the other party was willing, he could take them as a student and impart forging knowledge, creating a legendary tale.

Now... the other person forged faster and had a higher skill level than him. How could he possibly bring it up?

Creak!

Just as the two were completely entangled in their thoughts and everyone else was utterly stunned, the door to the Artifact Sea passage creaked open, and the young man's figure re-emerged.

At this moment, Zhang Xuan looked very tired and appeared quite weak.

Although he had regained strength inside with the aid of high-grade spirit stones, assessing as a 6-star artifact forger was truly too draining!

His current strength was only at the peak of the Bridging Heaven realm. Even with the help of Heaven's Path True Qi and Heaven's Path Golden Body, he still found it hard to endure. That's why he only managed to walk out successfully after resting for a while upon completing the assessment.

Fortunately, he passed the assessment!

At this moment, he was already a quasi-6-star artifact forger.

"Master Zhang..."

With admiration, Yuan Hong walked over.

Previously, he had felt some resistance because the other party had damaged buildings. Only now did he realize how correct the dean's decision had been.

To successfully assess as a 6-star artifact forger at the Bridging Heaven realm... Such talent was absolutely unprecedented in the Artifact Forging Academy's thousands of years of history!

If he continued to grow, he would undoubtedly become another Wu Yangzi, or perhaps even surpass his achievements.

With such a figure in the academy, its reputation would surely skyrocket in the future, and the overall artifact forging strength would greatly improve.

"Here is your badge!"

He stepped forward and handed over the 6-star artifact forger badge.

"Thank you!"

Taking the badge, Zhang Xuan nodded. Just as he was about to speak, another elder approached him, looking at him with a smile.

"Master Zhang, I am Zhao Bingxu!"

"Zhao Bingxu?"

Zhang Xuan looked at Yuan Hong, confused.

He had never heard that name before.

Seeing his expression, the many master teachers around him all twitched their lips.

Coming to assess at the Artifact Forging Academy, yet not even knowing who the dean was... This was truly too much!

Li Xuan's eyes were practically streaming with tears.

She had thought this guy just didn't understand the academy's rules. Turns out... he knew absolutely nothing!

Yet, such a person who knew nothing successfully passed the 6-star artifact forger assessment, causing several deans to personally greet him, while she could only work part-time to pay for her studies...

The difference between people was truly vast!

"Master Zhao is the Dean of the Artifact Forging Academy, and also one of the Ten Great Master Teachers..."

Knowing that this guy wasn't faking it, but genuinely didn't know, Yuan Hong quickly explained.

"Zhang Xuan greets the Dean!"

Hearing of the elder's identity, Zhang Xuan cupped his fist.

Although he had successfully assessed as a 6-star artifact forger, he still couldn't compare to the esteemed Dean of the Artifact Forging Academy, one of the Ten Great Master Teachers.

"Indeed, no need to be so polite! Master Zhang, to successfully assess as an artifact forger at such a young age, your talent is truly admirable!"

Seeing the person before him, with such achievements yet not arrogant or impatient, and with a sincere attitude, Zhao Bingxu nodded with satisfaction.

"You're too kind, Dean; it was just luck..." Zhang Xuan quickly said.

For him, successfully passing the 6-star assessment at the end truly involved some luck. Otherwise, he would have only been a 5-star artifact forger today.

"In artifact forging, there is no luck, only skill. Humble and polite, not arrogant or impatient; no wonder Luo Qiqi and the others admire you so much!"

Stroking his beard, Zhao Bingxu looked at the young man before him. The more he looked, the more he liked him.

Other young people, as soon as they achieve something, their tails would be up in the sky. This one, not only was he not like that, but he seemed completely unaware of his own achievement. His humility in action, just this mindset, surpassed countless peers of his age.

Such a genius... if he could take him as a disciple, his own reputation would definitely soar!

However... the other party's skill level was no weaker than his own. Even if he wanted to take him as a disciple, it would be difficult for the other party to agree.

After a moment of hesitation, he smiled faintly and said, "Master Zhang, your talent and research in artifact forging are unmatched among the younger generation! However, to go further, one also needs guidance and correction... I am of shallow learning and lack the qualifications to be your teacher. I wonder if I might be able to take you as a disciple on behalf of my master!"

"Take me as a disciple on behalf of your master?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"Indeed. My master is a 7-star master teacher from a Conferred Empire, with a highly esteemed status. If he knew of such a brilliant genius, he would surely be overjoyed!"

"Take him as a disciple on behalf of his master?"

"Dean Zhao wants to take him as a disciple on behalf of his master. Doesn't that mean Master Zhang will become the dean's junior?"

"This..."

"A junior of one of the Ten Great Master Teachers, a student of a 7-star master teacher... Any one of these identities would allow him to walk sideways in the academy!"

"Too powerful..."

Listening to the conversation, all the master teachers around them reeled.

Yuan Hong was so startled he nearly collapsed.

Hearing that the dean wanted to take him as a student had already been shocking. Now to hear he wanted to take him as a junior brother... that was too insane!

If he actually agreed, wouldn't this guy be on equal footing with them, an equal peer?

A first-year freshman, someone who hadn't even received their student ID yet, directly becoming the dean's junior brother...

Yuan Hong, Xiong Bing, and the others all widened their eyes.

Although they found it unbelievable, they also knew that Master Zhang indeed possessed such qualifications.

Advancing from a 1-star artifact forger to 6-star in one go... This had definitely broken all records.

Whether it had happened in a Conferred Empire or a Saint Clan was unknown, but it had absolutely never happened in a Master Teacher Academy.

"This..."

He hadn't expected to encounter another offer of discipleship, and this time, it was to be taken as a junior brother. Zhang Xuan paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I'm truly sorry, but I already have a master named Yang Xuan, and I currently have no intention of becoming a disciple of anyone else!"

Becoming a disciple of someone else would entail various restrictions. As for him, he only needed to read books; he didn't need to study with anyone, so there was no need for such trouble.

"He refused?"

"He refused to become Dean Zhao's junior?"

"He's crazy, truly crazy! Becoming the dean's disciple is what countless people dream of, yet he doesn't even want to be his junior brother... Is he still human?"

"He doesn't even want to be a student of a 7-star master teacher. What, what exactly is he thinking?"

Hearing the refusal, everyone was petrified.

Everyone present dreamed of becoming Dean Zhao's student, but couldn't succeed!

Yet this guy didn't even want to be his junior brother... You're practically trying to defy the heavens!

Luo Yan's body swayed, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

Now he finally understood why his teacher's attitude had changed so drastically.

To have Dean Zhao, one of the Ten Great Master Teachers, offer to take him as a disciple on behalf of his master... This single fact was enough to make Vice Dean Yuan feel nothing but awe.

The most crucial part was... he was even refused!

Damn it!

"Big brother, can we discuss something? Let me swap with you... Or, you can just take me as your disciple too!"

"You... don't agree?"

Zhao Bingxu also stood stunned.

He had been afraid that if he offered to take him as a student, the other party might disagree, causing him to lose face greatly.

Who would have thought that even an offer to take him as a disciple on behalf of his master would be refused!

Don't you know that having a formidable teacher is equivalent to having a powerful backer? What kind of privileges and benefits would you gain in the academy?

"Thank you for your kind offer, Dean Zhao!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head, his face showing no emotional fluctuation. In reality, his heart was bleeding.

He had told a lie about Master Yang, and now he had to make it consistent. If he easily switched allegiance to someone else, how could he establish his authority later?

How could he make people believe that the dignified Master Yang was a super master teacher beyond 8-star?

He had brewed this bitter fruit himself, and he had to swallow it, even with tears in his eyes!

"I was rash..."

Seeing the other party's resolute attitude, Zhao Bingxu could only sigh. He couldn't help but look over: "I don't know who Master Yang Xuan is... Forgive my ignorance, but I haven't heard that name before!"

To refuse his offer to take him as a disciple on behalf of his master, all for the sake of his teacher, this Master Yang must certainly be of no low rank. It's just... how had he never heard of him?

"My teacher is like a reclusive crane, a transcendent expert who doesn't seek fame or fortune. Therefore, not many people know his name!" Zhang Xuan said with a smile.

"To be able to educate such an outstanding student, I would very much like to meet him and pay my respects. Master Zhang, would you be able to convey my request?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Bingxu cupped his fist.

"You want to see my teacher?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"Yes, Master Zhang, your genius is extraordinary, and having a teacher is no problem. It's quite normal for a powerful master teacher to have several teachers. Even Master Kong back then had several teachers: Master Tan, Master Li... I would like to meet Master Yang and discuss if he would agree to me only teaching you artifact forging, without interfering with anything else. That wouldn't violate any rules!"