Chapter 745: Accepting a Disciple on Behalf of the Master

The Artifact Sea lasted two hours. Under normal circumstances, it would be impressive to advance from a one-star refiner to two-star. But this one had produced six badges!

That meant... he had gone from one-star to six-star in one go, and... he had succeeded in all of them!

A newcomer to the academy, at most at the Bridge Heaven realm... had passed the six-star refiner assessment...

Everyone felt their teeth chatter and their bodies tremble involuntarily.

Especially Li Xuan, whose beautiful eyes rolled back as if she might faint.

From their conversation, it was clear he knew little about the rules of the Refiner Academy and understood even less, yet he had smoothly become a six-star refiner...

She had been impatient with a refiner of six-star level... The thought was terrifying, and she wished she could find a crack to crawl into.

Yuan Hong, Zhao Bingxu, and the other deans all felt their vision go dark.

Forging six weapons in two hours, going from one-star to six-star... Was he even human?

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

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

Among them, the dean's forging skill was universally acknowledged as the strongest, unmatched by anyone. The rest could only look up to him.

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

"I..."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Bingxu couldn't help but shake his head: "I... cannot!"

Even though he was a six-star peak refiner with forging speed far surpassing others, completing six weapons in two hours was impossible.

The Artifact Sea assessment wasn't easier just because the weapons were lower level; materials were also an issue.

With poor materials, speeding up made them more prone to failure, no simpler than forging high-level weapons.

Though his skill was high, if he started from one-star, reaching two-star, or at most three-star, was his limit. This guy had gone straight to six-star...

Was he even human?

"Then... about taking on a disciple..."

Swallowing his saliva, Yuan Hong looked over again.

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

He had thought that if the young man was willing, he could take him as a student, teach him forging knowledge, and create a legend.

But now... the other forged faster and at a higher level. How could he even bring it up?

Creak!

Just as the two were tangled in thought and the others were stunned, the door to the Artifact Sea passage creaked open, and the young man's figure emerged again.

Zhang Xuan now looked exhausted and very weak.

Although he had used high-grade spirit stones inside to recover his strength, the six-star refiner assessment had been too draining!

With his current strength at the peak of Bridge Heaven, even with the help of Heavenly Dao True Qi and Heavenly Dao Golden Body, he could barely hold on. After the assessment, he had rested a while before managing to come out.

Fortunately, he had passed!

Now, he was a quasi-six-star refiner.

(For upper-nine professions, without sufficient cultivation, one cannot obtain a true rank; even with a badge, it's only a 'quasi-rank.')

"Master Zhang..."

With admiration, Yuan Hong approached.

If earlier he had some resistance to the young man damaging the building, now he knew how correct the dean's decision had been.

Passing the six-star refiner assessment at Bridge Heaven—such talent was unprecedented in the Refiner Academy's thousands of years!

If he continued to grow, he would surely become another Wu Yangzi, or even surpass him.

With such a figure, the academy would surely gain fame, and its overall forging strength would greatly improve.

"Here is your badge!"

Coming closer, he handed over the six-star refiner badge.

"Thank you!"

Taking the badge, Zhang Xuan nodded and was about to speak when another elder approached, smiling as he looked at him.

"Master Zhang, I am Zhao Bingxu."

"Zhao Bingxu?"

Zhang Xuan looked at Yuan Hong in confusion.

He had never heard the name.

Seeing his expression, the surrounding masters all twitched their mouths.

Coming to the Refiner Academy for assessment without even knowing who the dean was—you really are something!

Li Xuan was even more tearful.

She had thought he was just ignorant of the academy's rules, but it turned out he knew nothing at all!

Yet this man who knew nothing had passed the six-star refiner assessment, earning the personal visit of several deans, while she had to work her way through school...

The gap between people was huge!

"Master Zhao is the dean of the Refiner Academy and one of the Ten Great Masters..."

Knowing the young man wasn't pretending but truly ignorant, Yuan Hong quickly explained.

"Zhang Xuan pays respects to the dean."

Hearing the old man's status, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists.

Though he had passed the six-star refiner assessment, he was still no match for the dean of the Refiner Academy, one of the Ten Great Masters.

"Mm, no need to be formal! Master Zhang, to become a refiner at such a young age shows admirable talent!"

Seeing the young man's achievements without arrogance and his sincere attitude, Zhao Bingxu nodded in satisfaction.

"You flatter me, Dean. It was just luck..."

Zhang Xuan hurriedly said.

Passing the six-star assessment did involve some luck; otherwise, he would only be a five-star refiner today.

"In forging, there is no luck, only skill. Humble and polite, neither arrogant nor impatient—no wonder you've earned the admiration of Luo Qiqi and others!"

Stroking his beard, Zhao Bingxu looked at the young man with increasing fondness.

Other youths, upon achieving something, would have their tails in the air. But this one, far from being like that, remained modest and unassuming. With such a mindset, he surpassed many of his peers.

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

But... the other's skill was not inferior to his own. Even if he wanted to take him, it would be hard to get his agreement.

After a moment's hesitation, he smiled and said: "Master Zhang, your talent and study of forging are unmatched among the younger generation! However, to go further, you need guidance and correction... I am not qualified to be your teacher, but may I accept a disciple on behalf of my master?"

"Accept a disciple on behalf of the master?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"Indeed, my master is a seven-star master of the Enfeoffed Empire, highly respected. He would be overjoyed to know of such a genius!"

Zhao Bingxu quickly said.

"Accept a disciple on behalf of the master?"

"Dean Zhao wants to accept a disciple for his master? That would make Master Zhang the dean's junior brother?"

"This..."

"The junior brother of a Ten Great Master, a student of a seven-star master... Either identity would let him walk sideways in the academy!"

"Too powerful..."

...

Hearing the conversation, all the surrounding masters were shaken.

Yuan Hong was so startled he nearly fell over.

Earlier, hearing the dean wanted to take him as a student was shocking enough. Now, taking him as a junior brother... that was too crazy!

If he agreed, wouldn't that put him on equal footing with them?

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

Yuan Hong, Xiong Bing, and the others all stared wide-eyed.

Though it seemed crazy, they knew Master Zhang indeed had such qualifications.

Going from one-star to six-star in one go... that was definitely a record.

Whether it had happened in the Enfeoffed Empire or saintly clans was unknown, but in the Master Teacher Academy, it had never occurred.

"This..."

Unexpectedly facing another offer of discipleship, this time as a junior brother, Zhang Xuan paused and shook his head again: "I'm sorry, but I already have a master named Yang Xuan, and I have no plans to take another."

Taking another master would bring various restrictions. He only needed to read books, not learn from anyone, so there was no need for the trouble.

"He refused?"

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

"Crazy, absolutely crazy! Becoming the dean's disciple is a dream for countless people, yet he won't even be his junior brother... Is he human?"

"He doesn't even want to be a seven-star master's student? What, what 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 wouldn't even be his junior brother... Did he want to ascend to heaven?

Luo Yan swayed, nearly collapsing.

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

Having Dean Zhao, one of the Ten Great Masters, accept a disciple on behalf of his master... That alone was enough to make Vice Dean Yuan hold him in awe.

And most crucially... it was refused!

Damn!

Big brother, can we negotiate? How about we swap... Or you could take me as your disciple!

"You... disagree?"

Zhao Bingxu was also stunned.

He had feared that offering to take him as a student would be refused, causing a loss of face.

Who would have thought that even accepting a disciple on behalf of his master would be refused!

Didn't you know that having a powerful master meant having a backer, and what privileges and benefits that would bring in the academy?

"Thank you for your kindness, Dean Zhao."

Zhang Xuan shook his head, his face expressionless, though his heart was bleeding.

Having told a lie about Master Yang, he had to stick with it. If he easily switched to another master, how could he maintain his authority?

How could he make people believe that Master Yang was a super master above eight stars?

He had brewed the bitter fruit himself, and he had to swallow it with tears!

"I was too rash..."

Seeing the young man's firm attitude, Zhao Bingxu could only sigh and couldn't help asking: "May I ask who Master Yang Xuan is? Forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of this name."

To refuse his offer for the sake of his master, Master Yang must be of high rank. But why had he never heard of him?

"My master is a free spirit, a recluse who seeks no fame. Therefore, few know his name." Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Having produced such an excellent student, I would very much like to meet him and pay my respects. Could Master Zhang arrange a meeting?"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Bingxu clasped his fists.

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

"Yes, Master Zhang is incredibly talented. Having a master is no obstacle. A great master often has several teachers. Even Confucius had several teachers—Master Tan, Master Li... I wish to meet Master Yang and discuss whether he could teach only forging, leaving everything else aside, which wouldn't violate the rules."

Zhao Bingxu said.