He initially thought he was only seeing a fragment of the truth, not the entire picture. But after squatting outside the secret chamber for three days, he watched with his own eyes as Gongshu Wumao refined one pile of low-level materials after another into higher-level ones.

His entire mentality shattered. Damn it... it was all true! In this world, there actually existed a divine technique comparable to turning stone into gold! And this technique wasn't distant, nor was it a legend. His own good brother knew it!

Yes, he and Gongshu Wumao were good brothers. They shared an unshakable friendship, a mutual understanding, and common hobbies. He knew that the Manipulation Sect had fallen on hard times these past years, and as a brother, he genuinely hoped that his friend could have it a bit easier.

But... you can't just suddenly become more badass than me, right? That's not how brothers should act! You have something this good, and you're hogging it all to yourself? This is a blatant betrayal. A betrayal of our brotherly bond.

He had squatted at the door for a full three days, planning to wait for Gongshu Wumao to finish so he could demand the secret technique from him. Even if his friend made ludicrous demands. Even if he had to throw a tantrum on the ground. As long as he could get his hands on that secret technique, he would accept it!

But this guy... He finishes his work, and he still has the nerve to get in the mood for *that*? Although that old geezer would surely finish quickly... But Ouye Feng couldn't bear to wait for another breath. Without a word, he picked up his artifact cauldron and started smashing the door.

The door opened. Gongshu Wumao walked out with a dark expression, clearly annoyed. "What the hell?"

Ouye Feng's whole body radiated resentment. "You have the nerve to ask me? Don't you know what you've done?"

"What did I do?" Gongshu Wumao asked.

"You're asking me what you did?"

Gongshu Wumao's heart skipped a beat. Could he have found out about what I was just about to do? But even if he knew, a few jokes would have sufficed. Was it necessary to smash down the door? And get this angry? Could it be...? He thought of a possibility and cast a fearful glance at Ouye Feng, instinctively taking a step back. "Brother Ouye, I've always treated you as a brother!"

Ouye Feng roared, "Bullshit! If we're brothers, we should share good things!"

Share? Gongshu Wumao recalled something, silently turned his head, and looked at the female puppet, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Brother Ouye, if you need one, I can make one for you! This one won't do... I've already used it..."

Ouye Feng was utterly speechless.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

Ouye Feng, his face bruised and swollen, sat on the ground and spat. He looked toward the even more bruised and swollen Gongshu Wumao. "Spill it. Where did you get that secret technique?"

"I promised to keep it a secret!" Gongshu Wumao said expressionlessly.

Ouye Feng's eyes narrowed. He beckoned with his hand, and the artifact cauldron flew into his grasp, spinning gently as though it might crash down at any moment.

"But we're brothers, aren't we?" Gongshu Wumao hurriedly said. "There are no secrets between us!"

Ouye Feng snorted and set the cauldron down. If they were outside, he wouldn't have been able to pressure Gongshu Wumao this easily. But this secret chamber was filled with the treasures of the Manipulation Sect. If a real fight broke out and even one or two items were damaged, the heartache alone could kill Gongshu Wumao. Hadn't he noticed that during their scuffle just now, Gongshu Wumao hardly dared to fight back?

"It was Disciple Wang Xiu!" Gongshu Wumao cast a resentful glance at the cauldron in Ouye Feng's hand and confessed, "This technique is called the Primordial God Refining Technique. It was imparted to me by Disciple Wang Xiu!"

Ouye Feng's eyebrows shot up. "The... Wang Xiu from the Divination Sect?"

Gongshu Wumao shot him an annoyed look. "Who else? Is there another Wang Xiu?"

Ouye Feng hissed, frowning as he asked, "Such a divine technique... where did he get it from?"

"He said it was a fortuitous discovery from a serendipitous encounter," Gongshu Wumao explained. "But you and I both know that across all of Nanzhou, throughout all of ancient history, there has never been a forging technique with such divine effects! Not even a whisper of one has ever been recorded!"

Ouye Feng was, of course, a smart man. Hearing this, he drew a sharp breath. "Could it be... he created it himself? But that seems even more impossible!"

Gongshu Wumao sighed. "There is always someone better, and a heaven beyond the heavens. There are some geniuses in this world that defy all logic. I originally thought Weiwei's talent in the Artificer Path was a once-in-a-millennium discovery... but Disciple Wang Xiu is even greater than her!"

"How is that possible?" Ouye Feng was utterly astonished. He knew about Mo Wuwei's talent and had, on more than one occasion, envied Gongshu Wumao for finding such an exceptional successor. But now, Gongshu Wumao was claiming that Wang Xiu, a disciple of the Divination Sect, possessed a greater talent in the Artificer Path than Mo Wuwei!

"What's so impossible about it? I saw it with my own eyes!" Gongshu Wumao said. "Besides, I heard from Junior Brother Lou that on Spirit Turtle Peak that day, Senior Brother Ji Yan and Senior Sister Dugu were fighting over him in front of numerous fellow disciples... They wanted to transfer Disciple Wang Xiu to their respective peaks, promising to teach him everything they knew. Each offer was higher than the last!"

Ouye Feng couldn't help but click his tongue in astonishment. After a long silence, he asked again, "Then... do you think if I asked Disciple Wang Xiu, he would agree to teach me the technique?"

Gongshu Wumao gave him a serious look, holding his gaze for a long moment before saying, "In your dreams!"

Ouye Feng was silent.

"Disciple Wang Xiu is a person who values relationships! A very important reason he agreed to impart this technique to me is that the coffin Junior Sister Luo is currently sleeping in was made by my Manipulation Sect!" Gongshu Wumao said with a smile. "My Manipulation Sect has at least a small bond with the Divination Sect. But what about your Artifact Sect?"

Ouye Feng said nothing.

Gongshu Wumao, seemingly oblivious, continued to muse, "Ah, thinking about it now, I was truly wise back then. I resisted all opposition and resolutely decided to gift that White Jade Profound Nether Coffin to Junior Sister Luo."

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