Kunlun Mountain Square, atop the viewing platform.
Ancestor Minghe stroked his beard in admiration as he watched Daoist Ci Hang on the arena. Ci Hang had his hands on his hips and was trying hard to look fierce, but he still looked adorable and easy to bully.
"Not bad, not bad."
"That young man looks so soft and delicate, but he's got a fierce, unyielding spirit!"
"He's a fine prospect for the Asura Path!"
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun beside him nodded in agreement.
Across from them, however, Di Jun's mouth twitched. He rolled his eyes and kindly pointed out, "Daoist Minghe, if your eyesight's poor, get new eyes."
"That's a man!"
"He's Daoist Ci Hang, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect. A real man!"
"If you really can't see, ask Zhao Gongming to forge you a prosthetic-eye artifact later. I guarantee you'll see perfectly clearly."
"A man?!"
Ancestor Minghe froze. He took a closer look, and his expression immediately turned awkward.
Then he caught the important part of Di Jun's words and asked in confusion, "That's strange..."
"Why do you all think so highly of Zhao Gongming, that Outer Sect disciple of Interception Sect?"
"Artifact forging? What sort of treasure could a Golden Immortal make that would impress any of us?"
East King Duke, who had been munching on melon seeds nearby, gave a mysterious smile. He jiggled the golden artifact in his hand and said meaningfully, "Daoist Minghe, you're out of the loop."
"All these strange artifacts—with their heaven-defying power and ability to keep people coming back for more—were all made by Zhao Gongming!"
"What?!"
Minghe's pupils shrank. His heart lurched.
He had seen Duo Bao's Lightning Five Consecutive Whips on the arena just now.
"This young man's talent in the Dao of Artifacts... is