Jing Bushou said respectfully, "I am naturally willing, but if you do not explain things clearly, how can I trust you?"
"I do not need your trust!"
The old man grabbed at Jing Bushou. Before Jing Bushou could react, the Sea-Swallowing Shell at his waist appeared in the old man's hand.
Jing Bushou was shocked and furious, yet he did not dare lash out. Leaving aside that he had only just recovered to the rank of Metropolitan Graduate with the help of the Divine Craftsmen Assembly, the other party's identity alone carried immense intimidation.
Jing Bushou had been a Fifth Realm Great Scholar. Even if his Literary Rank was low now, his eyesight had not failed him. The Sea-Swallowing Shell had not flown into that man's hand just now—it had been moved through the void. Forget a Literary Ancestor; even a Literary Grandmaster could not accomplish that. At the very least, it required a Half-Sage's true body to descend.
Then who in the Craftsmen Realm could do such a thing?
To Jing Bushou, the old man's identity became increasingly clear.
The old man snorted coldly. "You were allowed to enter for the sake of trials, not so you could lord it over others with external objects! The things inside the Sea-Swallowing Shell will remain with this old man for now. When you leave the Craftsmen Realm, I will return them to you."
After speaking, the old man brushed the Sea-Swallowing Shell. A flash of golden light flickered, and then he tossed it back to Jing Bushou.
Jing Bushou caught it and looked inside, his feelings complicated.
His mark was still within the Sea-Swallowing Shell, but everything inside had vanished. Aside from the Will of the Craftsmen Realm left behind by First Sage Zhuge, only the master of the Half-Sage Former