On the contrary, Ma Dazhuang, knowing that Chu Feng possessed great skills, wore a smug smile as he watched Chu Feng humiliate Zhao Gou.
"Everyone, take a look. This is the rune group constructed according to Mr. Zhao Gou’s Three Talents Formation. Though it has a tripod-like stability, its primary purpose is rigidity, not the pursuit of ostentatious stability."
After speaking, Chu Feng stacked three slips of paper together, smiled confidently, and said,
"This is the rune group constructed by me, someone who knows absolutely nothing — a simple stacking technique. Straightforward, practical."
Chu Feng punched the stacked slips of paper on the ground several times, yet they remained intact and, if anything, became even more compact and solid.
Through this incredibly simple demonstration, Chu Feng entirely dismantled the so-called advanced rune structure Zhao Gou had developed.
Comparing the two, the difference was stark.
"You, you’re just twisting facts!" Zhao Gou’s handsome face had turned the color of pig liver.
To have his rune structure effortlessly discredited by Chu Feng, "a layman" who supposedly understood nothing, left him utterly humiliated.
How would he save face?
Chu Feng gave Zhao Gou a disdainful look, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Whether I’m twisting facts or speaking truthfully is crystal clear to everyone. The wise see wisdom; the virtuous see virtue."
After speaking, Chu Feng smiled and turned to Teacher Xie Bing. "Teacher Xie, I personally advise you against learning from these notes. Simple rune knowledge has been unnecessarily complicated tenfold — dozens of times — with effects that may not even prove effective."
"Even if you manage to master everything in the notes, the Golden Talisman Elixir you eventually craft would probably be useless trash."
"It would waste enormous amounts of your time and mislead your critical thinking."
Every word from Chu Feng rained blows upon Zhao Gou’s pride.
Zhao Gou’s expression twisted repeatedly into one of fury and humiliation, his previously elegant demeanor shattered.
"Teacher Xie, I’ll return this notebook to you!" Xie Bing said tactfully, her underlying meaning clear. "It’s not as awful as Chu Feng claims; it’s just not suitable for me!"
In truth, Xie Bing found independently comprehending Golden Talisman Runes much easier.
However, after reading Zhao Gou’s notes, her thoughts felt muddled and chaotic.
Without a doubt, she now fully believed Chu Feng’s critique but chose to soften her words to spare Zhao Gou’s dignity.
In her view, Zhao Gou seemed unskilled, and his poorly recorded notes reflected these flaws.
As for Grand Master Huang Qingshan’s immense reputation, she firmly believed his expertise was beyond question.
Meanwhile, her admiration for Chu Feng’s talent grew exponentially. She felt certain that if Chu Feng had the guidance of a master as renowned as Huang Qingshan, his accomplishments in the future would surely be boundless.
"Xie Bing, you really believe Chu Feng’s nonsense? He knows nothing..." Zhao Gou’s face had turned ashen with anger, his tone chilling.
Being publicly humiliated by Chu Feng was a bitter experience.
Moreover, his sly plan to use the notebook to win over Teacher Xie Bing had fallen flat.
"I didn’t say the notebook was bad; I just feel it’s unsuitable for me," Xie Bing hastily explained.
Zhao Gou snatched his notebook back in a fury, laughing coldly. "Fine, fine! You don’t want such a precious treasure and instead choose to believe Chu Feng’s nonsense. Go ahead and figure it out yourself."
"But don’t come crying to me later!"
Zhao Gou could not stomach having his prized notebook denigrated and even rejected outright. He smugly assumed Xie Bing would seek him out eventually.
Chu Feng sneered coldly. With an Eternal Life Pill Master like him around, why would Xie Bing need to beg Zhao Gou for anything?
If we were to put it bluntly, even a few casual tips from Chu Feng would benefit Teacher Xie Bing for a lifetime. It truly was akin to hearing a single conversation with him, surpassing ten years of study.
A few sentences from Chu Feng would be more beneficial than examining Zhao Gou’s notebook for a decade.
After a long wait, the high-and-mighty Master Huang Qingshan finally descended from upstairs.
Joy lit up Xie Bing’s face as she immediately nudged Chu Feng forward.
"Chu Feng, make sure to seize this chance! Be polite and charming!"
She firmly tugged Chu Feng along to greet Master Huang Qingshan.
"Greetings, Alchemy Master Huang!"
The shop assistants and several customers who recognized Huang Qingshan swarmed around, offering respectful greetings and salutes.
It took considerable effort for Xie Bing to pull Chu Feng through the crowd.
She didn’t notice that her delicate hand was tightly clasped with Chu Feng’s, a fact that Chu Feng himself was quietly enjoying with a dreamy expression.
"Master Huang, hello! We were referred by Zhao Gou. This young man here is Chu Feng, a student at the Alchemy Academy! He possesses exceptional talent in alchemy and wishes to learn under your great tutelage!"
Teacher Xie Bing, being a first-class beauty, wore a radiant smile and spoke with a melodious voice.
Huang Qingshan glanced at her briefly and nodded faintly. "Zhao Gou did mention to me about a boy with promising talent in alchemy who hopes to learn my craft."
Saying this, he turned a detached gaze toward Chu Feng.
Xie Bing discreetly tugged Chu Feng’s sleeve, urging him to pay his respects immediately.
Not wanting to disappoint Teacher Xie Bing’s well-meaning intentions, Chu Feng managed to smile faintly and said respectfully, "Student Chu Feng pays his respects to Alchemy Master Huang!" He cupped his hands and bowed deeply, performing a proper salute.
To everyone’s surprise, Master Huang didn’t even bother to lift his eyelids, showing no acknowledgment whatsoever.
At that moment, Zhao Gou barked from the side, "Chu Feng! I tolerated your arrogance before, but in front of my teacher, you merely bow with cupped hands? How disgraceful! Get on your knees and kowtow quickly! Perhaps my teacher may take pity on your sincerity and offer you some guidance!"
Chu Feng remained motionless, standing straighter than ever.
"Apologies, but I came here to learn alchemy, not to grovel like a kneeling bug." With such trivial skills as Huang Qingshan’s, he dared expect Chu Feng to kowtow?
Moreover, Master Huang hadn’t even indicated whether he’d accept Chu Feng as a disciple. From his arrogance alone, it seemed unlikely Master Huang would accept Chu Feng even if his forehead were bruised from bowing.
Not that Chu Feng cared in the slightest.
"Hmph! You may be young, but your arrogance is insufferable! My time is precious, and I have no interest in wasting it on a nobody like you. Scram! Get out of my sight!" Huang Qingshan’s face darkened as he sharply scolded and unleashed a crushing aura of a Great Sword Master.
His imposing energy swept forward like a tidal wave, pressuring Chu Feng.
Chu Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly as a fiery-red glow emerged in the palm of his hand. If push came to shove, he could send Huang Qingshan to the afterlife in an instant.
"Master Huang, forgive us. As the teacher, I clearly failed to guide him properly. Chu Feng, apologize to Alchemy Master Huang immediately!" Teacher Xie Bing hurriedly pulled Chu Feng aside, subtly shielding him.
As a mere Beginner Level Sword Master, resisting a Great Sword Master’s aura taxed her greatly.
Her gorgeous face had turned pale and bloodless.
"No need! I have countless eager aspirants vying to become my disciples, yet I’ve only accepted a select handful—two or three. Judging by his attitude, his talent isn’t likely to be much either."
"His future achievements in the Alchemy Dao will undoubtedly be pitifully low."
Master Huang Qingshan arrogantly concluded. After making his proclamation, he swept out of sight with a flick of his sleeve, not sparing Chu Feng another glance.