Watch out! Something's wrong with this guard.

Looking at the old blacksmith's embarrassed, girlish demeanor, Lu Yunshi felt a sudden wave of nausea. But fortunately, seeing the other person like this, he didn't need to continue praising him.

"By the way! I've been wanting to ask you this for a long time. Your magical artifact, though unique and flashy, and creative in its use, shows that the forger was quite ingenious and a genius. However, it is only at the middle level of the Yellow Rank, limited by materials and skills. And that's only after I repaired it." The old blacksmith said, a puzzled expression on his face.

"So, this low-grade Yellow Rank spiritual weapon is just broken, is it really necessary to spend a lot of money to repair it? You should know that the price you paid is enough to buy a new one."

"What reason do we need? It's simply because we're comfortable using it. Even if we changed it, we'd need more time to get used to it, so it's better not to change it," Lu Yunshi replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this answer, the old blacksmith stroked his messy stubble and pondered for a long time.

"It seems you really like this thing."

"Very well, considering that you and I have some connection and this magical artifact is quite interesting, if you want to continue upgrading this magical artifact in the future, just come to me. However, let me make it clear in advance that I will not charge you for the upgrade, but you will have to find the materials yourself."

"Upgrade?" Lu Yunshi's mind raced. "Could it possibly continue to upgrade?"

"Ha! Of course, otherwise do you think I, an old man, am just a legendary weapon refiner, just talking nonsense?" the old blacksmith said proudly.

"Come on, if you're really that good, would you be his subordinate?" Lu Yunshi rolled his eyes. He believed the old blacksmith was skilled, but he really didn't believe the other party was as good as he boasted.

"Hmph! Believe it or not, you'll see when I upgrade you in the future." The old blacksmith snorted coldly, unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer, and changed the subject.

"Yunxi's father gave you a new message: you must ensure Yunxi's promotion during the next academy assessment, and that she achieves a top-ten ranking."

"He's bragging again. This is the fifth time. He really has a lot of faith in me."

Upon hearing the old blacksmith's words, Lu Yunshi covered half of his face with his hand, his head throbbing with pain. The information the old blacksmith spoke of was precisely the reason why he planned to go up the mountain for the next assessment.

He not only had to participate in the assessment for the elementary students at the foot of the mountain, but also had to participate in the assessment on the mountain after it started, and then help Lu Yunxi get the so-called top ten.

This really worried Lu Yunshi.

"Tell me, where does this old man get his confidence that I can influence the outcome of the competition? He immediately said he'd be in the top ten. Isn't that going to kill me?" Lu Yunshi sighed.

"Hehe, who told the young lady to only choose you as her guard? If this task wasn't given to you, no one else would. Besides, he urged you so many times this time, so it seems this matter is quite important."

"Of course it's important. Yunxi is the future pillar of the Lu family. Shouldn't she be one of the top talents among her peers? Besides, with almost all of the younger generation of the Lu family ruined, only Lu Yunxi has the chance to support the Lu family in the future." As he spoke, Lu Yunshi clicked his tongue.

"Promoting Lu Yunxi is not a problem; she is capable enough on her own. It's just that getting her into the top ten is a real headache for me. Although her talent is quite good, she is definitely not among the top ten of the average students in the entire academy, unless she can make a breakthrough in some aspect within this year."

"That's something you'll have to figure out yourself. I'll just pass on the message for you," the old blacksmith said, spreading his hands as if he had no intention of helping.

"Tsk." Lu Yunshi curled his lip, clearly displeased.

Just then, several figures suddenly appeared at the door. When the old blacksmith saw the newcomers, his expression changed slightly, and he gave Lu Yunshi a subtle look.

Lu Yunshi blinked and immediately turned around to look, only to find that standing at the door was Lu Yunxi, along with a man and a woman whom Lu Yunshi did not recognize.

“Hey, isn’t this Lu…” Senior Sister Li pointed at Lu Yun, quite surprised that she could meet him here.

Meanwhile, Lu Yunxi, who had also noticed Lu Yunshi's presence, did not look so pleased.

Under the old blacksmith's gloating expression, Lu Yunshi composed himself and, with an expression of joy at unexpectedly meeting his goddess, walked a few steps to Lu Yunxi, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Miss Yun... Miss Lu, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"You're the elementary student who caused Miss Lu a lot of trouble, right?" Before Lu Yunxi could speak, the man beside her spoke up.

The man was handsome and upright, with a faint smile on his face, making it impossible to tell how he felt about Lu Yunshi.

"I...I just have feelings for someone." Upon hearing this, Lu Yunshi lowered his head, wondering which nook or cranny this guy had come from.

"Whether it's love or selfish desires, I don't want to say much. I just hope that you won't turn your persistence into pressure on others. Miss Lu is just kind-hearted, so she has never actively rejected you, but you should have some self-awareness."

"Dude, don't you know those suitors who were carried out of Lu Yunxi's courtyard? How is she kind-hearted?"

Lu Yunshi raised his head and tentatively asked a question with a defiant look on his face.

"Does your statement imply that you are also pursuing Miss Lu? Although my strength and talent cannot compare with others, my feelings for Miss Lu are second to none. May I ask who you are? May I ask where you came from? Do you have such confidence to surpass me?"

"Hmph, my surname is Zhang, the Zhang of the Zhang family."

"The Zhang family?" Lu Yunshi's eyes widened slightly, his heart filled with doubt.

It's not that I didn't know the Zhang family existed, the problem is...

The Zhang family... which Zhang family?

Could the other party's arrogant attitude be that of the Zhang family of Beiyan?

Or is he the son of Zhang Ji, the King of Zhanbei?

Wait a minute, aren't these two both in the Northern Kingdom? If they were, they'd be in an academy there.

Of the four great kingdoms of the human realm, Lu Yunshi and his group are currently in the Eastern Kingdom, but there is no particularly famous Zhang family in the Eastern Kingdom.

Or am I just ignorant?

"Hahaha! It seems you also know the great name of the Zhang family of Lingbei." Zhang Quan laughed twice and proudly announced his name.

"The Zhang family of Lingbei..."

Lu Yunshi paused for a moment, quickly going through his thoughts before finally remembering.

So this is the Zhang family. I heard that a hundred years ago they were bandits who started out by robbing and plundering with a bunch of brothers. Then one day they ran into a brick wall and became someone's underling. If I remember correctly, that brick wall was named Bai Ling, a general.

The name Bai Ling itself is nothing special, but Lu Yunshi, the owner of this name, is quite familiar with it.

Lu Yunxi's mother is also named Bai Ling.