Chapter 00243: Craftsman and Craftsman
# Craftsman and Craftsman
Chapter 243
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 243: Craftsman and Craftsman
In an instant, the situation changed drastically.
The artificial sky track lost control, plunging the vast Spring City into chaos.
The heart of its defenses had faltered.
What was once the most stable residence of the mysterious craftsman had unexpectedly borne the brunt of the first attack...
No, perhaps it had been destined from the very start.
Even if one had not raised a tiger to invite calamity, the tiger would still trudge through mountains and rivers, regardless of the cost, to stand before them and reveal its claws!
Jian Yuan was silent but could not suppress a smile.
It was as though he sensed this mockery from the heavens.
The one who remained untainted was now on the brink of destroying the world, while the very monster that should have enjoyed this chaos was obstructing him?
What a farcical scene?! No, this was just right.
Since this failed lesson had ended amidst the ignorance of the apprentice, the next step would be the ruthless clash and duel between craftsmen.
“Very well...”
In that moment, Jian Yuan’s lips moved soundlessly, his demeanor no longer cold or filled with rage, replaced instead by a solemnity that seemed to freeze the entire world.
The shadows behind him suddenly expanded, transforming into a doorway.
With just a gesture, he pointed forward, and amidst the vast realm beyond the dark opening, indistinct outlines began to emerge.
Iron light shimmered and the heavenly tool was unsheathed, unleashing a cold brilliance that crossed over half the Spring City, tearing apart all gazes that sought to observe it.
Every piece of iron cried out, blades trembled, and fractures erupted.
A phantom blade manifested at his fingertips for a fleeting moment.
Slash!
The ominous clouds and thunder fell silent abruptly as a deep and incomprehensible rift emerged above the dark neon lights.
It was irreparable.
From the moment of rational assessment and cautious consideration, he unleashed a blow with all his might!
The iron light shattered the air, halting right in front of Ji Jue!
As the engine roared, barrier after barrier appeared without warning, rising up to envelop Ji Jue.
It was as though a terrifying defense, with dozens of layers of dimensional barriers stacked in one place, had solidified into an iron wall, blocking everything outside.
Protecting its master.
Within the workings of the engine, the once heavenly track that traversed the present world revealed the spirit of unification, transforming the distance of mere inches between the two into an unfathomable abyss.
If it were someone else, they might erupt in fury, thinking, what true skill could be measured by reliance on external artifacts?
But for the chosen of the Ember lineage, it was only natural.
With tools, controlled tools, created tools; if one lost their tools, what difference would it make compared to losing their limbs?
In an instant collision, as Jian Yuan tested their defenses, he had already understood the essence of that barrier — once, the heavenly track traversed among dimensional tears.
The only time the crumbling present could be mended was by manipulating this warped space, controlling the dimensional membranes, and breaking holes, allowing free passage.
The blessings of the Eternal Gate were indeed rare.
But that did not mean they were unsolvable.
Just needed the right counter!
Jian Yuan remained indifferent, behind him, the countless outlines of creations spun, and in an instant, manifested the most effective weapon — the distortion space that acted upon the target’s interior, the enchanted spear that forced all barriers between them to break, the heavenly tool that reversed time, and the world-renowned sword that anchored space, locking all changes within...
Countless options, too many to choose from.
Since it was the case, why not...
Jian Yuan grinned, laughed madly, and extended his fingers toward Ji Jue, then suddenly clenched his fist.
Let us begin!
In that moment, the absolute dominion of the craftsman within the workshop, along with nearly omnipotent changes and power displayed, with just one weapon capable of draining the essence of anyone in existence, all were unleashed in a flash!
The sky was filled with scattered brilliance like fireflies, small long nails continually pierced through the air, tracing no trajectory, shifting from the void like myriad fireflies, glimmering enchantingly.
In a mere span of over a meter, the eerie spear's light howled forth, ripping straight through multiple dimensional membranes.
A wavering gleam of iron light surfaced behind Ji Jue’s neck at the instant it launched, ready to sever!
Yet the heavy broadsword descending from the sky was already driven into iron and stone, freezing the myriad manifestations.
Not enough!
This alone was still insufficient.
With a grim aspect, countless fierce blades emerged from within the shadowed door, coalescing into hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...
All visible, sharp as the midday sun, the iron light engulfing all and encompassing everything.
Every subtle wave was enough to shred him into a thousand pieces, to grind him into dust.
Fast, too fast!
There was no warning, no preparation, so that by the time Ji Jue grasped what was happening, it was already too late, utterly without space to maneuver.
At that moment, the last semblance of mercy that the heavens offered, he could merely shrug in regret.
Well done!
What a pity...
“It’s too late.” Ji Jue sighed lightly.
In that instant, behind him, in the thick smoke and dust, beams of brilliant light erupted.
As if a monster opened its eyes, it unleashed a roaring wail!
After two hundred years, the doomsday express that once remade the present world was reigniting!
Windows of information burst forth before his eyes.
[Registration update, login complete, conductor permission verification complete]
[Special operational rights granted, assigned]
[Executor: Chief Controller Ji Jue]
Under the final mark that resembled a signature,
[—All-regions flow control begins!]
Thus, within the void, intricate essence circuits extended, swirling with silvery brilliance, intertwining with Ji Jue’s body, connecting to the Non-Engagement framework.
Like flowing clouds and water, there was no hindrance.
It felt as if everything was meant to be just so!
At that moment, Ji Jue’s consciousness and perception liberated themselves from his small shell and expanded, flowing like light, just as he had felt in the mercury workshop of yore.
No, this was...
It was that very set!!!
The workshop and all internal constructs, which had been forcibly taken away by the sky track’s emergency retrieval procedures, once again imprinted in his perception, and even more so.
It was as if he had tapped into a far larger system, an unfathomably grand structure.
It felt as if it encompassed the entire world.
In an insignificant moment, Ji Jue even felt as if he could control the entire world, but that was, at most, a delusion created by his own over-inflated perception.
Pushing the limits of his own soul, what he could cover and control was merely the scope of Spring City; what he could sense were only the distant waves of spiritual essence in the vast sea region, so far and hazy.
But that was enough!
The instant the Non-Engagement framework started operating, an infinite torrent of essences surged from the enormous construct behind him, following commands, executing orders, fulfilling directives.
As the axis, millions and millions of invisible hands appeared, and almost in the blink of an eye, surged forth, covering all, controlling everything.
This was what was termed all-regions flow control —
Boom!!!
In that moment, alongside the tremendous roar from the workshop’s apex, the entire Hai Province seemed to shudder imperceptibly, visible ripples surging from under Ji Jue’s feet, crossing the entire workshop, burrowing into the earth, spreading, revealing tiny fissures along its way.
Countless dust clouds rose, and sounds akin to snapped strings echoed endlessly.
The grand Spring City seemed, in an instant, to have shrunk by an inch.
In the distance, a roar echoed.
Like a celestial pillar supporting the vortex and the calamity of the people of Spring City, it bent slightly, its face fracturing, three eyes glaring with fury: Jian Yuan! What are you doing?!
Why would you suddenly unleash a full-force strike upon the entire Spring City?
As the massive noise subsided, smoke and dust swirled.
Ji Jue remained refreshed and unscathed.
No, it should be said that the previous injuries had been so severe that even if he received another insignificant wound or two, it was completely unnoticeable!
Faced with an attack terrifying enough to shred him to pieces countless times over, all Ji Jue did was spread his hands.
Under the Non-Engagement matrix, the brilliance flowed and surged, revealing infinite changes!
All things thrived, made by these hands.
Every element in the world came to be thanks to his ten fingers.
Even if it was merely confined to the range intervened by his hands, this boundless potential, if wielded properly, would be nearly omnipotent.
When the weighty Non-Engagement framework merged with the sky track's [all-regions flow control] authority, the horrifying effect could expand to everything Ji Jue could sense!
The authority of all-regions flow control was simply overwhelming and terrifically vast.
Theoretically, within the entire domain, any move and change would be under Ji Jue’s command.
Even with Ji Jue's current limits, it was impossible for him to grasp its complete effects.
However, if he merely utilized it slightly, transporting injuries and destruction through flow to other places...
That would be astonishingly easy!
Apologies, though you haven’t shut down, I also have turned it on!
At this moment, before Jian Yuan, those outstretched hands slowly rose.
Under the brilliance of Non-Engagement, the omnipotent ten fingers curved and stretched, bestowing upon that gesture a quality of unspeakable mystique.
In the end, in those verdant eyes, two straight middle fingers were prominently displayed.
“See you, you bastard!”
Ji Jue smiled, bowing slightly, offering a polite farewell.
In an instant, behind him, within the billowing smoke, the fearsome outlines of a colossal beast finally emerged, as if a steel monstrosity suddenly opened its mouth.
As if to swallow Ji Jue whole.
And then, a storm broke forth!
The distant song of a whale echoed through the desolate world, penetrating all.
In the overwhelming tidal wave, the terrifying construct once known as the doomsday express charged skyward!
The whole world froze.
It was as though iron stars defied gravity, ascending into the sky.
At its ascent, the axis of the whole world seemed to shift.
Dark clouds, burned by raging flames, transformed into a scorching red, tearing apart in the center, crashing open a breach, the iron curtain shattered.
Endless black rain, dispersed from that vast brightness, bounced away, utterly untouchable.
Resplendent light ignited amidst the dim world, showering down like a dream.
So gigantic as to rival towers, majestic as a holy temple.
Like a huge ship setting sail, breaking through all tides and barriers, shaking the ground, and as it rose, everything in the mortal realm was destined to be shrouded in its brilliance, its invisible wings spreading, covering everything in its shadow.
In a moment of weightlessness, it had broken free from worldly bindings, gravity, and all trivial confines, soaring high above the heavens, ascending without limits.
Revealing a completely new visage.
Under the eternal flames, there was a somber yet fierce floating ship!
That dazzling brilliance, who knows how many observers it pierced.
From the distant darkness, after a brief silence, a sigh emerged, "After two hundred long years... Long time no see, sky track!"
No one responded.
At this moment, in the quiet world, what broke the silence was not the sound of answers, but the relentless crashing.
From the engine’s pull and ravage, every single node of the artificial sky track that sprawled across Spring City and radiated towards Hai Province began to shatter continuously, falling from its original position...
With the doomsday express soaring into the sky, the originally void network seemed to be tightened by an invisible hand.
Brutally yanked,
To uproot them all!
And their tightly interwoven connections, which Jian Yuan had personally tied together,
In the thunderous roar, cracks began to manifest upon the vortex projections in the heavens, overwhelming gaping wounds staggered together, astonishingly beginning to close and mend.
Deep fissures appeared upon the pillars constructed by numerous overlords...
What was once as solid as a mountain now faced inevitable collapse and destruction.
In the unfamiliar cockpit, remnants of cracks and wreckage still lingered, sparks leaping wildly.
Ji Jue stood before the giant window, gazing down upon the world before him.
Once more, he extended his hand—
Not paying any heed to Jian Yuan, he once again exerted destruction upon everything he had built.
Killing Jian Yuan would be troublesome.
Even relying on the sky track’s all-regions flow control wouldn't prevent him from leaving.
Most likely, if it dragged on till the end, it would only waste time.
But making him lose? That was far too simple...
—Just shatter everything before him, and that would be enough!
Destruction, ruin, despair, and death; isn't that the very essence you wanted me to embrace and acknowledge? Now, I shall gift them all to you.
I truly can't help but wonder how happy you will look!
The thunderous roar came like a furious growl.
On the ground, the immense workshop, like a celestial pillar, shook violently, changing aimlessly.
Countless dark chains surged upwards like a violent storm, rushing towards this place, immediately wrapping around layer upon layer, causing even the ascent of the sky track to momentarily waver.
“Foolish dream!”
Jian Yuan remained indifferent, and within the infinite essence circuits, the workshop underwent layers of transformation, stabilizing all that threatened to waver in Spring City.
He would not allow reality to slip from his grasp...
Should any fool think that relying on the antiquated tools from the sky track from two hundred years ago could contend with him, let them suffer the consequences!
But in that moment, outside Spring City, brilliant light surged like columns, intertwining!
From every direction: southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, towering spires manifested from thin air, standing tall, encircling and sealing, enforcing the laws of heaven while casting dark shadows.
What emerged was a tidal wave, as terrifying as a tsunami!
The collision!
No, even further, through matching specifications and frequencies, they inverted and interconnected with the colossal structure crafted by Jian Yuan, initiating a reverse invasion and analysis...
“Finally caught up.”
Kong Qingyan collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat, nearly unable to stand.
For days on end, with the Association’s overwhelming reinforcements, the destined shackles and blocks had finally been completed.
At this moment, beyond all the masters present, over ten masters from distant corners and regions lent their support through the Association, alleviating their burden.
The struggle between the Association and the dark depths commenced at this moment.
Even Jian Yuan felt a hint of astonishment.
Those useless fools were somehow gathering the courage to reveal themselves at this time?
Right at this moment...
“Human capabilities are limited. Sometimes, one cannot expect to have it all; one must learn to let go.”
A voice filled with emotion resonated from behind, offering mockery and counsel, “Otherwise, in the end, you would end up empty-handed.”
In the void, a straight fissure suddenly spread open.
Like a sword wound!
It was unclear what method had been used, but it bypassed the workshop’s outer protective shields, opening a pathway straight to Jian Yuan’s face.
And as the crack opened to either side, the frail figure with hands clasped behind his back was revealed.
“…”
Jian Yuan slowly turned his head, his expression unreadable, gazing at that unfamiliar face.
That countenance bore no warmth or gentleness whatsoever; it seemed eternally indifferent, eternally contemptuous, perpetually judging the value of what laid before him.
Clear and straightforward, it showcased the essence of the craftsman without a trace of disguise.
It was a pleasing sight.
“Being freed from burdens may not be a bad thing..."
The newcomer waved, closing the fissures behind him as he made a solitary visit, “Now, the esteemed craftsman might have some time to guide the junior, right?”
“Ye Xian?”
Even without ever meeting, the moment he arrived, upon seeing such eyes, Jian Yuan understood completely.
Such a pure being, who else but that damned fellow could yield such results?
“Still have yet to express my gratitude.”
Ye Xian nodded, “My student has benefited under your care.”
“No need.”
Jian Yuan replied coolly, “A faithful talent is precious to me.”
No matter the circumstances, it must not be allowed to flourish!
“That is the crux of the problem, esteemed craftsman...”
Ye Xian sighed softly, “My talented, cherished student, what does it have to do with you?”
At that moment, it felt as if blades crossed, sparks flying forth from the void.
Unforeseen yet in unison.
In an instant, the two had each tested their prowess!
At this moment, three swords manifested from the void, intertwining.
One was heavy, mighty as a mountain, immovable, originating from Jian Yuan.
While the other two, one was as black as ink, seemingly extending infinitely.
The other was as clear as light, oscillating between existence and non-existence.
In a dance of black and white, the sway of reality and illusion intertwined, like infinity itself.
“A sword?”
In Jian Yuan’s eyes, flames ignited, “Before me?”
“I’ve heard that even to this day, amid the Thousand Islands, Jian Yuan’s name still represents the heavenly craftsmanship in swordsmithing.”
Ye Xian waved her hand lightly, and the two blades manifesting in the void spun around, revealing their keen edges, circling about her: “However, I believe that too many messy things are a bother; two blades are sufficient... If the esteemed craftsman has any objections, feel free to enlighten me!”
In that instant, upon her sweep, the ghostly craftsmanship sphere was thrown out, suspended in mid-air, layers dissolving and fracturing.
Then, massive structures of essence unfurled from compression, diffusing, extending, even reversing into Jian Yuan’s workshop.
Brilliant light flowed, forming an ethereal, translucent sanctuary.
Constructs beyond Ji Jue’s wildest imaginations finished in moments!
Sequence overridden, initiate!
Now, in Ye Xian’s hands, a thermos cup opened.
Pouring.
As the rich bitterness of tea flowed out, it was accompanied by an endless stream of dreamlike mist and sparkles, the beasts of ill omens escaping their cages, shadows and glimmering lights blending, rising with countless fierce outlines.
Then, as the sheath of the workshop fell away, the heavenly matrix arose from the dark blades, manifesting the matrix artifact: Ganjiang!
Thereafter, from beside her, another dark blade of pure light surged forth, appearing as the second heavenly matrix!
The matrix artifact: Moye!
The intricate and splendid matrix expanded and unfolded, overlapping seamlessly, without any clash, instead erupting with a radiance beyond ordinary understanding.
Separation and combination, repulsion and attraction...
Ganjiang and Moye were originally one!
Yet, seldom did any opponent warrant them revealing their true appearances.
There had never been any craftsman deserving such effort from Ye Xian...
“The junior novice, Tide Sound Ye Xian!”
The craftsman drew her sword, delivering her final salute to the enemy:
“—I humbly seek your guidance, esteemed craftsman!”
(End of this chapter)