The outcome of the contest had actually been decided long before, during their blade-forging competition.

Zhuge Gan observed Gu Heng's forging technique and the essence behind it. Every strike carried a unique rhythm, as if he had infused the most profound essence of the heavens and earth into his forging method. The competition lasted four days, and by the end, Zhuge Gan knew he had lost.

This man, hidden among the common folk, was a truly rare master craftsman in the world!

Though Zhuge Gan was unwilling to accept defeat, he had no choice but to acknowledge it. At his level, he understood that he couldn't defeat Gu Heng now. The only solution was to continue seeking out others to spar with, refining his own forging techniques until he could return and challenge Gu Heng once more.

Over the years, he traveled to many places, competing with renowned spirit craftsmen across the world. His reputation grew along with his travels, and his skills continued to improve as he comprehended new "essences."

And so, several years later, Zhuge Gan returned.

He had only one goal: to make this hidden master, whose forging techniques were unparalleled, acknowledge his defeat to the "Saint Craftsman of Heaven and Earth"!

Su Jinxi quietly nestled in Gu Heng's arms, watching Zhuge Gan. It was only then that she remembered him—she had a deep impression of this man!

Wasn't this the "Saint Craftsman of Heaven and Earth," Zhuge Gan!?

She remembered Zhuge Gan because he traveled the world, relying on his forging techniques and essence to challenge both famous and obscure spirit craftsmen with unparalleled arrogance.

A hundred years ago, Zhuge Gan had come to the Demon Realm and challenged the strongest demon craftsman under the King of Ten Thousand Demons!

At that time, Su Jinxi was already a trusted figure by the King of Ten Thousand Demons, so she witnessed that earth-shattering forging competition. The two craftsmen spent seven days in the Demon King's city, forging the same type of magical artifact.

And Zhuge Gan won.

After his victory, he felt only disappointment because, despite his long journey, he hadn't found a single craftsman who could surpass him in forging techniques.

The competition was known throughout the world, and it brought disgrace to the demon race. Fortunately, the King of Ten Thousand Demons was magnanimous; otherwise, Zhuge Gan might not have left the Demon Realm alive.

This guy had actually competed with this senior!?

So, who won?

"Brother Zhuge, it seems your travels over the years have been fruitful."

Gu Heng brewed tea for him, using tea leaves from the System's mall. Zhuge Gan looked at the golden glow emanating from the tea and thought it was complex that Gu Heng would use such precious leaves to entertain a "defeated opponent."

"Not much of a harvest, really. I've traveled this world, seeking opponents in forging techniques, but they... ultimately, they are not your match."

Zhuge Gan glanced at the forge behind Gu Heng. He had already reached the entrance of the Medicine Hall and witnessed Gu Heng forging the sword embryo.

Not to mention that Gu Heng's techniques had become even more profound than years ago, and the material...

That was Heavenly Star Meteorite Iron!

This meteorite iron contained the power of the stars and was the most difficult material to forge in the world! Even now, Zhuge Gan couldn't guarantee he could shape such a rare celestial material!

After traveling for so long, his current level was incomparable to before, so Zhuge Gan understood that this competition was entirely unnecessary.

Because the result wouldn't change.

He would still lose, and it would be even more embarrassing than the last time.

"A matter of winning or losing, I've long forgotten. Brother Zhuge, if you dwell on the past, it will affect you."

Gu Heng said with a faint smile.

He knew Zhuge Gan was quite dissatisfied with the previous competition, but there was nothing he could do. The forging techniques taught by the System, while not comparable to those of cultivators, were more than enough to defeat ordinary people.

At that time, Zhuge Gan's expression was as if he had never lost before, but Gu Heng showed him what it meant to have someone better.

The System couldn't turn Gu Heng into a cultivator, but it could make him a perfect and outstanding mortal. Zhuge Gan couldn't win, but Gu Heng didn't want him to get stuck in a rut, as it could lead to extremism.

"...Haha, Brother Gu's words have indeed pointed out the flaw in my mindset."

Zhuge Gan chuckled bitterly.

He was proud because ever since he began his travels and became famous, he had never lost once!

Zhuge Gan even dared to kick open the doors of the Sacred Forging Divine Palace and challenge the palace master, who had been famous for a thousand years! The Sacred Forging Divine Palace was one of the three great "Divine Palaces" in the world, a true transcendent power, and a sacred place for all craftsmen!

As a wandering rogue cultivator, daring to do so showed just how arrogant Zhuge Gan had become.

But even the palace master of the Sacred Forging Divine Palace, who was said to be able to forge Imperial Grade divine weapons, could only draw with him.

"Zhuge Saint Craftsman," undefeated!

Until he came to Greenwood City and accidentally met this deeply hidden master who played among mortals.

Zhuge Gan's proud "record" was stained by a layer of indelible dust because of Gu Heng.

He always wanted to redeem himself, but upon returning to Greenwood City, Zhuge Gan realized he had no chance of winning. Gu Heng's forging techniques had become even more profound, as if he could dominate the world with a single hammer strike, unmatched by anyone!

This setback made him suddenly realize he shouldn't be so arrogant. The world was full of hidden talents, and even as the "Saint Craftsman of Heaven and Earth," he still needed to remain humble and cautious.

Indeed, compared to Gu Heng, he relied on his techniques to challenge others, gaining the attention of countless people and building a reputation, but Zhuge Gan was not the strongest. In the end, he was defeated, losing all the pride he had accumulated.

The strongest had long since become indifferent to fame and fortune, living among the common folk, unconcerned with "winning or losing."

Zhuge Gan realized he had not only lost in technique but also in mindset.

"Brother Zhuge, it's time to let go. Fate and destiny are predetermined. Perhaps one day, you'll have a moment of enlightenment and advance further, don't you think?"

Gu Heng said with a light laugh, offering some comfort to Zhuge Gan. After all, as fellow mortals, he admired Zhuge Gan. Compared to himself, who was close to doing nothing, Zhuge Gan still had a passionate drive to strive upward, and Gu Heng didn't want him to lose that edge.

"Hahaha! Brother Gu is right."

Zhuge Gan laughed heartily, but as he laughed, he sighed. He looked at Gu Heng and asked, "But why did Brother Gu open a Medicine Hall?"

"Medicine is also my specialty. As for forging... it needs to be settled for a while," Gu Heng replied.

Of course, Gu Heng couldn't say, "There's no money in forging, but there's money in medicine." With someone of higher status than himself, such a profit-driven mindset could spoil the mood. After all, they were "old friends" who met through competition, and he couldn't do that.

Zhuge Gan had also seen Gu Heng's alchemy skills, which were equally astonishing.

A person who could master both forging and medicine to such an extraordinary level!

Although Zhuge Gan didn't understand alchemy, he had seen enough to know. As the "Zhuge Saint Craftsman," he had a name and reputation, and he had seen skilled practitioners of medicine and alchemy. But none were like Gu Heng, who controlled medicinal potency with such precision and practiced alchemy with such ease, as if any divine pill or elixir was within reach!

"It seems Brother Gu is living quite leisurely here."

"Leisurely? It's just seeking peace. After all, I have nothing more to ask for."

Gu Heng shook his head with a smile.

Living as a mortal for so long, all that remained was boredom, but what more could he ask for? Unable to become a cultivator, there were many places in this world that were difficult to reach!

Zhuge Gan thought about it and realized it was true. Brother Gu's forging and medical skills were unparalleled, and his cultivation level was completely beyond comprehension. Such a master probably had no more pursuits.

"However, Greenwood City might not be a good place to stay."

Gu Heng sighed.

"What do you mean, Brother Gu?"

Just as Zhuge Gan was puzzled by Gu Heng's words, several figures streaked across the sky above Greenwood City, creating a terrifying presence.

Zhuge Gan also sensed those auras, but he didn't care at all. A sweep of his divine sense revealed they were merely late-stage Elemental Infant or Out-of-Body stage cultivators, weaklings.

"The Mo Family Patriarch is dead, and soon, Greenwood City will be embroiled in a life-and-death struggle for the position the Mo Family once held."

In such turbulent times, Gu Heng felt he might be swept along with the current.