Chapter 741: I'm Not Yet an Artifact Refiner

"What's going on?"

"See that? That kid cheated when breaking through the Earthfire Passage, not only damaged the passage but deliberately drew Earthfire to blow up the entire recording channel!"

"Is this guy crazy, or does he think he's immortal?"

"I don't know either, but it's none of our business. Let's just enjoy the show..."

The collapse of the branch hall made such a huge commotion that it quickly drew a crowd. The ruins were packed with masters, all asking around to find out what had happened.

When they learned it was a newcomer who had caused such a stir, they were filled with sympathy.

Even seeking death shouldn't be done like this!

This was the Master Academy, not some backwater village. To cause such damage and be caught red-handed by Vice Dean Yuan Hong, who didn't hesitate to report it to the Dean... it was completely over!

Even if he worked here for the rest of his life, he couldn't pay it off!

"Stay put!"

Luo Yan stared coldly at the young man before him, his gaze like lightning.

Knowing his teacher's fury, he had sent eight experts to surround the guy. If not for the bad optics, he would have already beaten him to a pulp!

A newly arrived freshman, instead of staying put in the freshman zone, had to come here and cause trouble—this was simply asking for death!

"I don't mean anything else. I just want to go over and see if the other mechanisms in the passage can be repaired."

Seeing them guarding against him like a thief, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but speak up.

He was also quite apologetic about what had happened.

He had come here this time only to take the exam for a Five-Star Artifact Refiner, with no intention of causing trouble. This situation was something he had never anticipated.

Who would have thought that such a rare treasure as Earthcore Lava Rock couldn't withstand cultivation? As soon as his soul body broke through ten meters, it collapsed?

And even more unexpected, the formation plate used by the Artificer Guild to channel Earthfire was made from such cheap materials...

But now, saying all this was useless. The urgent matter was to see if there was any way to remedy the situation. Otherwise, if he really had to compensate with over three thousand high-grade spirit stones, he would be worked to death!

"Repair? Say that again, and I'll kill you in an instant, believe me?"

Hearing that this guy showed no remorse and kept talking about repairs, Luo Yan nearly exploded. His anger surged, and he let out a roar.

What nonsense!

If it weren't for the repairs, how could this place have become like this?

If you don't have the ability, why pretend?

"I really can fix it. That just now... was an accident!" Zhang Xuan explained. "If you don't believe me, give me a better-quality formation plate, channel the Earthfire over, and I'll repair the Earthfire Passage again for you to see..."

"You... are asking for death!"

Seeing that this guy was getting bolder, Luo Yan let out an angry snort. His body shifted, and his aura surged like a dragon as he struck at this clueless fool.

Whoosh!

He was a peak five-star artifact refiner, his cultivation reaching the Void-Striding stage of the Mortal Transformation Eighth Layer. As he struck, his power was immense, his true energy coalescing into clouds, his strength seeming to tear the air itself.

“Stop!”

Just as his palm was about to reach Zhang Xuan and envelop him, a loud shout rang out. A figure flew over like lightning and, with a light grab, the gathered true energy instantly dissipated.

Stagger, stagger, stagger, stagger!

Luo Yan’s face flushed red, and he couldn’t help retreating a few steps, his qi and blood churning.

“Teacher…”

Seeing the figure who had blocked him, Luo Yan couldn’t help but freeze.

It was none other than his teacher, who had just been itching to strangle this guy.

Wasn’t his teacher extremely furious with this fellow? Why was he stopping him from teaching the brat a lesson?

Just as he was puzzled and about to ask, he saw his teacher, who had been fuming moments ago, suddenly turn around, his face full of smiles as he looked at the young man not far away: “Are you… all right? Are you hurt? Do you want me to teach this blind fool a lesson to vent your anger…”

“Ah?”

His body swayed, and Luo Yan nearly went mad.

What was going on?

Was this guy really his teacher? The dignified vice dean of the Artifact Refining Academy?

Weren’t you just about to crush this guy too? How did your attitude change all of a sudden…

“Didn’t you say Vice Dean Yuan was very angry?”

“The entire branch has become like this; anyone would be angry, right? But this attitude doesn’t seem like anger…”

“It’s not just that he’s not angry; I feel like he’s trying to curry favor with this new student.”

“Curry favor? That’s an exaggeration! Vice Dean Yuan is a six-star upper-grade master teacher and a six-star peak artifact refiner. Is there anyone in the entire academy he needs to curry favor with?”

…

Not only was he going mad, but the onlookers who had thought this new student was doomed were also dumbfounded.

This guy had wrecked the branch like this; shouldn’t he be properly taught a lesson to make him understand his limits? Why was he all smiles and about to reprimand Luo Yan?

This attitude, this smile… how did it feel like he was sucking up to this guy?

“Vent my anger… no need, I’m fine!”

Not only were the others going crazy, but even Zhang Xuan was completely baffled.

Wasn’t he supposed to report to the dean and deal with him properly? Why had his attitude suddenly changed?

“Good that you’re fine!”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Yuan Hong turned to look at Luo Yan not far away: “Come over and apologize to Master Zhang!”

He had rushed back from the dean’s office, afraid something might go wrong, and sure enough, something had.

Not to mention anything else, if that slap had actually landed on Zhang Xuan, this genius would definitely have no goodwill left toward the Refinement Academy.

How could they keep him then?

The dean intended to take him as a disciple. If Luo Yan's slap drove him away, how would he explain it to the dean?

What a wasteful student!

"Apologize? I..." Luo Yan was frantic. "Teacher, why should I apologize? He wrecked the hall, the recording channel..."

"Enough!"

Before he could finish, Yuan Hong cut him off, waved his hand, and said with a face full of anger: "Get down there, reflect behind closed doors. Without my orders, you are not allowed to leave!"

If I tell you to apologize, you apologize. Why all this nonsense?

Are you trying to ruin me before you're satisfied?

"Teacher..."

Hearing that he was being punished to reflect behind closed doors for no reason, Luo Yan went mad, and the others around looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what the vice dean was up to.

"You few, escort him down. Don't let him embarrass us here!"

Ignoring Luo Yan, Yuan Hong gave the order, then turned back to Zhang Xuan: "Master Zhang, weren't you here to take the Five-Star Refiner exam? I'll take you to the Artifact Sea right now!"

"Go to the Artifact Sea? But... I don't have any credits..."

Zhang Xuan was also stunned.

What's wrong with this guy?

Scolding Luo Yan was one thing, but letting him go to the Artifact Sea?

Isn't it true that you can't enter the Artifact Sea without credits?

"No credits? Oh, that's not a problem! Luo Yan, don't leave just yet. Hand over your credit card and give Master Zhang a couple..."

Yuan Hong turned and said.

"I..."

Luo Yan swayed, almost crying.

On what grounds?

This guy made a mess of the place; not punishing him is already generous. Why give him credits? And why should I be the one to give?

"Less nonsense, hurry up!" Yuan Hong raised his eyebrows.

"Yes!"

Seeing his teacher angry, Luo Yan dared not resist and obediently handed over his credit card.

Credits could be traded or transferred between students. Zhang Xuan didn't even have a student ID yet, so naturally he had no credit card, but that couldn't stump a dignified vice dean.

Yuan Hong flipped his wrist, produced a blank card, and transferred two credits from Luo Yan's card into it.

"Alright, Master Zhang, you have credits now. Let's go!"

After doing all this, Yuan Hong smiled and continued.

Zhang Xuan blinked and pointed at the ruins all around: "This... I don't have to pay for it?"

"It's not your fault, so naturally you don't need to pay. I'll have someone repair it..."

Yuan Hong nodded.

"This... alright!" Although he didn't know why the other's attitude had suddenly changed so drastically, hearing that he didn't have to pay, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It was worth over three thousand high-grade spirit stones; he really couldn't afford to pay for it. It was best if he didn't have to.

"This..."

"Is this really Vice Dean Yuan?"

"What's going on?"

"What happened? Just now the vice dean was swearing to crush him to death, and now he's turned like this?"

...

Watching this scene, the many masters all blinked their eyes, about to go crazy.

This was the main hall of the Refiner Division. This guy had made it like this, yet instead of being scolded, he was treated like this. What had happened?

Too abnormal!

Especially Li Xuan, who watched this scene from the crowd; her delicate body trembled, and she nearly fainted.

From the moment he entered, she had been the one receiving him. He didn't understand anything, and was very reckless... This kind of person, not favored by Vice Dean Yuan, would surely be severely punished. What was this act...

...

After thinking for a long time, Zhang Xuan couldn't figure out why the other's attitude had changed so drastically. In the end, he could only attribute it to Elder Mi and Hall Master Mo. Full of helplessness, he followed Yuan Hong toward the half of the hall that hadn't collapsed.

Before long, they arrived at a wide door.

"Master Zhang, this is the Artifact Sea. If you want to take the Five-Star Refiner exam, just place your credit card and Four-Star badge on the stone platform in front of the door, and the door will open, leading you to the corresponding exam area!"

Yuan Hong smiled and pointed ahead.

The Artifact Sea, like the recording channel before, was made of countless mechanisms and special items. To take the exam for a corresponding level, one needed sufficient credits and the badge of the previous level.

With both of these ready, the channel could be opened to enter the corresponding stage for the exam, very convenient.

"I still need a level badge?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"That's right. Since Master Zhang came specifically to take the Five-Star Refiner exam, you must have already obtained the Four-Star badge, right? Don't worry, as long as it's issued by the Refiner Guild, it can be used here. No need to worry!"

Thinking that the other was worried about badges from other guilds not being usable, Yuan Hong explained with a smile.

"This..." Zhang Xuan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Do I have to use a badge? What if I don't have one?"

"No badge?" Yuan Hong was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"It's just... I'm not a refiner yet. I've never taken the exam..."

Zhang Xuan felt a little awkward.