Chapter 2277 Approved by All And Sundry

Divine Forge Workshop A1 was exceptionally lively today, having the attention of many beings in Thousand Flames Imperial City on top of that.

The reason was curiosity. Everyone was dying to know about the young man that had the respect of a bunch of Divine Forge Imperial Clan old monsters.

Unfortunately, Divine Forge Workshop A1 would only receive Lin Xun today. Luo Jia was just piggybacking on him.

This actually added to the public’s curiosity. It got all the spectators wondering who on earth Lin Daoyuan was.

The Divine Forge Workshop A1 was completely different from all the other stores Lin Xun had previously visited.

Walking into it, one would feel like they were in a small secret realm.

Every Emperor-grade artifact on display here was placed inside an array, making them seem very mysterious. Of course, they were bound to be immensely valuable.

Lian Jiuxiao personally introduced the origin of each artifact and the grandmaster smith who had crafted it to Lin Xun.

Lin Xun took it in his stride, not letting Lian Jiuxiao's important identity affect his mentality. His self-possessed demeanor earned secret nods of approval from many of the old relics.

During this, Luo Jia finally learned about some of Lin Xun's deeds yesterday. She was both surprised and proud of him.

Ever since she had gotten to know him, it seemed as though he would cause a stir wherever he appeared. His dashing elegance was impossible to conceal.

After all the artifacts in the shop had been appreciated one by one, Lian Jiuxiao asked with a smile, “Fellow Daoist Lin, what do you think of these Emperor-grade tools that our clan has crafted?”

All of a sudden, the conversations around them quieted down. All the old relics directed their gazes over at once.

Lin Xun was unperturbed. He commented, “Your clan's attainments in the art of smithing are worthy as the best in the world.”

These words came from the bottom of his heart.

For a single ethnic group to beget so many dazzling blacksmiths, and for them to produce so many powerful, high-quality artifacts, this was already proof of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan's superb mastery in smithing.

However, it was apparent that this kind of praise wasn’t what Lian Jiuxiao’s group wanted to hear.

An old relic said, “Fellow Daoist Lin, can I ask for your advice on something?”

The rest of the group immediately showed interest. The asker wasn’t simple at all. Named Lian Qingji, he was one of the only four great rune founders of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan!

There was an essential distinction between a great rune founder and a grandmaster blacksmith.

The title ‘great rune founder’ was not something that was given casually.

Therefore, an existence like Lian Qingji could be considered transcendent even in the Divine Forge Imperial Clan.

Everyone knew that Lian Qingji’s asking for advice at this moment was actually a test in disguise.

“Of course,” replied Lin Xun. Lian Hongxiu had already told him about Lian Qingji, so he was very clear how high the status of this old relic was.

However, when it came to his field of expertise, he had never been scared of anyone.

Lian Qingji took out a jade slip and handed it to Lin Xun, “Please take a look, Fellow Daoist Lin. This slip records a large-scale rune array that I’ve been researching and building for the last thousand years. But up until now, I still haven't been able to perfect it.”

Several other elders revealed strange looks, seemingly not expecting that Lian Qingji would begin his test with an almost impossible problem!

They were all aware of how difficult and complex the rune array that Lian Qingji had been working on over the past thousand years was.

They had even participated in it, brainstorming and deducing together to try and help him perfect the array.

However, without exception, they had failed.

If it wasn't for Lian Qingji's status and sublime attainments in runes, they would have suspected that this array had been wrong from the start...

Lin Xun registered the expressions of the crowd, but did not think much about it and got directly to reading the jade slip.

Time trickled by. Everyone waited patiently.

After the time it took to savor a small cup of tea, Lin Xun withdrew his gaze from the slip.

“What do you think?” Lian Qingji asked with shining eyes, as if trying to gather clues from Lin Xun's expression.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Lin Xun remained silent.

Seeing this, the crowd exchanged looks as different ideas popped into their heads.

Lin Daoyuan is stumped already?

Then again, they thought this made sense. How could a difficult problem that had been troubling the best experts in the Divine Forge Imperial Clan be solved so easily?

“Ninth Granduncle, you’re pushing Fellow Daoist Lin a little. Even we ourselves can't deduce it, so it's normal that he may get stuck as well.” Lian Jiuxiao smiled. “How about...we try a different question?”

They didn’t mind that Lin Xun was hampered in the first round. It acted like an invisible blow so that the other party wouldn’t have an inflated ego and underestimate their Divine Forge Imperial Clan.

“Asking a question that even your clan hasn’t been able to solve is not ‘pushing a little.’ More like you’re making things difficult for him on purpose,” Luo Jia couldn’t help but complain. Coming from the Celestial Phoenix Clan, she was not worried about offending anyone here.

The crowd looked a little awkward.

Lian Qingji, on the other hand, laughed bitterly, “It’s my fault. I shouldn't have been so rash to present this dilemma.”

With that, he apologetically cupped his fist toward Lin Xun.

Lin Xun was actually surprised. For an elder with such a supreme status to be able to treat an outsider with this kind of humility and courtesy, it was indeed a breath of fresh air.

After some deliberation, Lin Xun said, “You need not apologize, Fellow Daoist. Although this problem is a bit difficult, it is not unsolvable.”

These words shocked the whole room.

Did he really come up with a solution?

Even Lian Jiuxiao was stunned. He couldn't help stealing glances at Lin Xun.

Is this young man...really so capable?

“I hope for your guidance.” Lian Qingji’s eyes lit up.

Lin Xun organized his thoughts for a moment before recording the solution for the array into a jade slip, and then handed it to Lian Qingji.

When Lian Qingji read it, his pupils shrunk as a lightning-struck look appeared, and his face turned stark white like his soul had wandered off.

Seeing him like this, the others were agitated.

What is this situation?

Lian Qingji muttered, “Does the change have to start from the core of the array?”

Lin Xun said, “If you don't change it from the base, then this array will never shape into the perfect form that you desire.”

This solution was undoubtedly proof that the original design had a major flaw. This was why Lin Xun had been silent, inwardly debating because he had worried that Lian Qingji wouldn't be able to withstand the blow.

For a renowned great rune founder, this was tantamount to a smack in the face.

However, Lian Qingji's expression indicated no embarrassment and anger. Instead, he continued looking through the slip after a moment of silence.

Upon completing it, he abruptly looked up and gazed at Lin Xun, and lamented with surprise and awe, “Fellow Daoist Lin is more than a level above me in terms of rune mastery!”

After saying that, he bowed deeply like a disciple bowing to his teacher.

His unexpected act shook everyone present!

Lian Jiuxiao, Lian Hongxiu, and the other old monsters of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan were all caught off guard and struggling to believe this scene.

Just what was recorded in the jade slip that made Master Lian Qingji so...out of control?

What they found most appalling was the implication in Lian Qingji's words. More than a level above him in runes? Then what kind of unimaginable adeptness had Lin Daoyuan reached?

Even Luo Jia hadn’t expected the situation to take such a turn. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with a new light.

Lian Qingji didn't keep everyone wondering for too long. He passed around the jade slip to the other old relics present.

After reading it, they reacted differently but all in a vivid manner, either exclaiming in a high-pitch voice, mesmerized, marveling nonstop, or gasping...

For a time, the workshop resembled a lively bazaar.

When Lian Jiuxiao, the final person to see the slip, finished reading it, he sank into a long silence to calm the astonishment in his heart. Finally he said, “Fellow Daoist Lin's skills, we...are ashamed of our inferiority!”

Lin Xun smiled with perfect composure and without a hint of modesty, as too much modesty would turn into hypocrisy and conceit.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, can this humble old man ask you a question?” An old relic suddenly stepped out with eyes full of a desire to learn.

Seeing this, the others became anxious. They rushed forth and spoke in a chorus.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I also have a problem that really needs your enlightenment.”

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I too have...”

Besieged by a bunch of who-knew-how-old relics, Lin Xun was flustered.

These guys...are too enthusiastic!

All decorum has been thrown out the window!

Luo Jia watched in amusement. Her face lit up as she chuckled and brightened the whole space.

In the end, it was Lian Jiuxiao who intervened and put a stop to it. Then, he looked at Lin Xun and asked, “Fellow Daoist Lin, I wonder if you've come to our workshop because you need help with something?”

As the leader of a clan, how could Lian Jiuxiao not have noticed that Lin Xun hadn’t come here purely to display his abilities?

Lin Xun didn't hide it either. “I want to forge my own life-bound Emperor weapon, but I still lack some preparation and the right opportunity, so I would like a hand from your clan.”

Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the old relics sparkled.

Forging his own life-bound Emperor weapon, he said?!

Does this mean we can directly observe Fellow Daoist Lin's smithing skills in practice?

This is a great opportunity!

A fortune falling from the sky!

Even Lian Jiuxiao broke into a hearty laugh. Since this was the case, how could he possibly refuse?

He said with great bravado, “Whatever you lack, materials, aeth flame, furnace cauldron, manpower... You can just tell us, Fellow Daoist Lin. As long as it’s something the Divine Forge Imperial Clan can help with, we’ll provide it to you without complaint.”

As soon as those words were dropped, an old monster hastily stepped out as if worried that someone else would beat them to it, “I would like to assist Fellow Daoist Lin in this production, please fulfill my wish!”

“I as well!”

“Count this old man in!”

“Stand back, don’t compete, even I haven't said anything yet! How can I allow your hands on this precious opportunity? So, erm, Fellow Daoist Lin, can I be your assistant?”

The scene became chaotic. None of the old experts present were stupid. They knew very well that if they could work with Lin Xun to forge a life-bound Emperor weapon, they definitely would be able to gain immeasurable benefits in the way of dao runes!

Lian Jiuxiao's lips jerked.

These old geezers... They have always been so proud and conceited that it takes a lot of effort to ask a favor from them.

But look what we have here, each and every single one scrambling to be an assistant!

What a scandal! Where are your manners?

If word of this gets out, what will the world think of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan?

At this thought, Lian Jiuxiao glared fiercely at the old timers and gave a dry cough. The next second, he turned to Lin Xun and said, “If you don’t mind, Fellow Daoist Lin, take me as well.”

There was expectation in his eyes and hope written all over his face.

The crowd was rendered speechless.