Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

The Chairman of the Artifact Refiner Guild was named Huangfu Jiang. He was the preeminent authority in the Saint Martial Dynasty’s Artifact Refining Realm, a dignified Third-grade High-Level Artifact Refiner.

His level of Artifact Refining skill made him the undisputed leader among all known refiners in the Saint Martial Dynasty.

Under Cao Hao’s guidance, Jiang Chen arrived at the top floor of the Artifact Refiner Guild.

"The Chairman is waiting for you inside!" Cao Hao said respectfully.

Jiang Chen nodded, casually took out a hundred Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals, and tossed them to Cao Hao. He smiled and said, "Captain Cao, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Consider it money for drinks!"

"This..."

Cao Hao’s eyelid twitched.

’A hundred Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals is just a small token?’

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. However, his gaze toward Jiang Chen grew warmer and more enthusiastic. He respectfully accepted the Spirit Crystals and said, "Thank you, Young Master Jiang. If you ever need me for anything in the future, just say the word. I will serve you with utmost loyalty."

"Good!"

Jiang Chen nodded, then took Xiao Qingyi’s soft hand and stepped into the Chairman’s office.

The moment he entered the room, Jiang Chen saw Kumu approaching with a broad smile. "Disciple Kumu pays his respects to Master and Mistress!" he said reverently.

"I figured you’d be here..." Jiang Chen shook his head in resignation. He studied Kumu for a moment, then smiled. "Not bad. Already promoted to a Third Grade Refining Master?"

"Hehe, it’s all thanks to Master’s excellent guidance!"

Kumu was beaming, his eyes filled with gratitude and emotion as he spoke.

’Back in the day...’

He had been a nobody in Yulan Mansion, struggling for years as a First-Grade Artifact Refiner. But after meeting Jiang Chen and becoming his disciple, his progress was meteoric. In just over a year, he had reached a level he once never dared to dream of.

This was all thanks to Jiang Chen.

He would never forget this kindness.

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. "My guidance would have been useless if you weren’t willing to work hard yourself."

His gaze then swept toward the center of the room, where a resolute, middle-aged man with fierce eyes and a dignified mustache was staring at him with a fiery intensity.

Jiang Chen paused, glancing at Kumu.

Kumu quickly explained, "Master, this is the chairman of our Artifact Refiner Guild, a Third-Grade High-Level Refining Master, Chairman Huangfu Jiang!" He then turned to Huangfu Jiang. "Chairman, this is my master, Jiang Chen!"

"Young Master Jiang, I’ve heard so much about you!" Huangfu Jiang said with great enthusiasm.

He strode forward, grabbed Jiang Chen’s hands, and looked at him excitedly. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Jiang Chen: "..."

He subtly extracted his hands from Huangfu Jiang’s grip. With a knowing look, he stared at the chairman and smiled. "Chairman Huangfu, if you have something to say, please be direct. Since Kumu was willing to reveal my identity to you, your relationship must be quite close. A friend of Kumu is a friend of mine. As long as it’s within my ability, I won’t refuse."

Jiang Chen disliked roundabout pleasantries and pretense; he preferred to speak his mind.

’This Huangfu Jiang is so enthusiastic. He must want something from me.’

Jiang Chen’s directness left Huangfu Jiang at a loss for words and feeling rather awkward.

As it turned out...

Just yesterday, Kumu had officially broken through to the level of a Third-Grade Refiner, a piece of news that astonished Huangfu Jiang. When Kumu had arrived in the Imperial Capital a year ago, he was merely on the verge of becoming a Second-Grade Refiner. Now, only a year later, he had made meteoric progress, jumping two full grades to reach the third.

Such speed was simply miraculous!

It made Huangfu Jiang incredibly curious and filled him with great anticipation.

After all, he had been stuck at the bottleneck of a Third-grade High-Level Artifact Refiner for over a decade, unable to take another step forward.

Seeing Kumu’s rapid advancement, he naturally wanted to learn the secret behind it.

Through persistent questioning, Huangfu Jiang forced Kumu to admit that he had a mysterious master. Kumu, however, never revealed Jiang Chen’s identity. That is, until a few moments ago, when a subordinate reported that a young man was in a conflict with Master Qin and described the appearances of Jiang Chen, Xiao Qingyi, and Little White.

Kumu immediately deduced that the youth was Jiang Chen, which led to the present scene.

Huangfu Jiang hesitated, then said, "Young Master Jiang, since you’re so direct, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ve been stuck at the Third-Grade High-Level for eighteen years, unable to find a way to break through this bottleneck. I thought this was as far as I’d go in this lifetime, but Kumu’s appearance has rekindled my hope. I heard from him that his current achievements are all thanks to your help, so..."

"You want me to guide you?" Jiang Chen asked, a playful tone in his voice.

"I know this is rather abrupt, but I truly yearn to advance further," Huangfu Jiang said, his gaze fixed intensely on Jiang Chen.

Such is the human heart.

When you’re in despair and suddenly find someone who can help you take the next step, you’ll clutch at them like a drowning man clutches at a straw.

Huangfu Jiang had always yearned to reach the realm of a Fourth-Grade Grandmaster.

Unfortunately, his wish had never been granted.

Now, he had met Jiang Chen—someone whose methods were so incredible he could raise Kumu from a First-Grade Advanced refiner to the Third-Grade level in just one short year.

This gave Huangfu Jiang a glimmer of hope for his own advancement.

’How could I not understand what he’s thinking?’ Jiang Chen’s mind raced. ’Huangfu Jiang is the chairman of the Artifact Refiner Guild. His status is revered, his network is vast; even the Emperor and the Sect Master of the Saint Martial Sword Sect have to show him some deference. If I can form a connection with him, it would be like having the entire Artifact Refiner Guild backing me.’

’However...’

Jiang Chen had his own concerns. He looked at Huangfu Jiang with suspicion. "Chairman Huangfu, I have a question." When the chairman nodded, Jiang Chen continued, "With your status and power, knowing who I am, you could have easily tried to force the information out of me. Why act so deferential?"

This was precisely what puzzled him most.

’Huangfu Jiang’s cultivation has reached the Peak of Heavenly Destiny Realm; he’s only a step away from the Union Palace Realm. An expert of his caliber could have easily used force to threaten me, yet he didn’t.’

’I refuse to believe Huangfu Jiang is some kind, soft-hearted person.’

An embarrassed look crossed Huangfu Jiang’s face. He gave a wry smile. "It seems nothing can be hidden from you, Young Master Jiang. To be honest, I did have a similar thought. I even kept Kumu here with the initial intention of using him as a hostage to force your hand. But once I learned your identity, I had to abandon such an unrealistic notion!"

"My identity?" Jiang Chen asked, surprised.

Huangfu Jiang nodded solemnly and began listing Jiang Chen’s accomplishments as if he knew them by heart. "The first-ever hundred-match champion in the history of the Saint Martial Dynasty’s Martial Arts Arena. The number one disciple of the Saint Martial Sword Sect’s Outer Sect. A peerless prodigy who comprehended the Three Lives Sword Intent. On top of all that, you are a being capable of easily guiding someone to become a Third Grade Refining Master. After weighing my options carefully, I made my decision—a man like you should only be befriended, never made an enemy!"

Those last four words were from the bottom of Huangfu Jiang’s heart.

Jiang Chen gave him a long, hard look, then the corners of his lips curled into a smile. "Alright, I have to admit, you made the right choice. However, I don’t just go around guiding anyone."

"Please, Young Master Jiang, name your terms! As long as it’s something I can do, I will do everything in my power!" Huangfu Jiang declared, thumping his chest.

Jiang Chen said nonchalantly, "Become my disciple, and I will guide you to the Fourth Grade."

"Become your disciple?"

Huangfu Jiang was stunned, his expression turning troubled.

’I’m the leading figure in the Artifact Refining Realm of the entire Saint Martial Dynasty. Begging a young man like Jiang Chen for a breakthrough method is already humiliating enough. If I have to take a teenager as my master, how will I ever be able to show my face again?’

As Huangfu Jiang hesitated, Jiang Chen said unhurriedly, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether you seize it or not is up to you."

Huangfu Jiang’s eyes flickered with indecision. After a moment, he abruptly gritted his teeth and knelt heavily on the ground.

His forehead struck the floor with a dull THUD.

Huangfu Jiang announced in a clear, loud voice, "Disciple Huangfu Jiang pays his respects to Master!"

’The dignified chairman of the Saint Martial Dynasty’s Artifact Refiner Guild is now my disciple. If word of this gets out, won’t it shake the entire nation?’

A faint smile played on Jiang Chen’s lips...