"Senior Brother, no need to test us. Don't you know us? After you left, we became the most profound understanders of the 'Hundred Refinements Divine Mechanism' in the Artifact Sect!" The one with the slightly larger face, held by Qi Tian's right hand, was the elder brother, Liao Yunxi. He bared his teeth, yet spoke with pride.
"Right, right! My brother is right. Now, the two of us are the most insightful young disciples in the Artifact Sect regarding the 'Hundred Refinements Divine Mechanism'!" Liao Yunqing, on the left, quickly chimed in.
"Young generation, you say?"
Upon hearing their words, Qi Tian snorted, "There are only three people in the entire Artifact Sect's young generation. The rest are elders forty years and older. As for me, I'm not currently within the sect. This means, in the young generation, there are only the two of you."
"Tell me, you two brothers, who is the number one person of this generation?"
His words immediately exposed the brothers' exaggeration.
Although they held high seniority within the sect, there was currently no one younger than them. The so-called young generation consisted only of Qi Tian and these two brothers.
Lin Xiao also leaned in curiously, "Qi Tian, your two junior brothers are quite interesting."
He observed the pair, their vibrant energy starkly contrasting with the other twenty-eight individuals who had arrived.
"Interesting? These two rascals have never given me a moment's peace. Every time I'm in seclusion, they'd come to cause trouble. Once, they almost ruined my work, which is why I had to seek inspiration in the mortal world," Qi Tian huffed, his memory of it all still vivid.
"Senior Brother, you still remember?" Liao Yunxi gave a sheepish grin. "That Sky-Shielding Umbrella, it was an accident. We just wanted to add some functionality to your Sky-Shielding Umbrella. There was just a slight mishap during the re-forging process."
"Slight mishap?"
Hearing this, Qi Tian grew even more incensed. "I'll throw you into the re-forge right now!"
"No, no, no!" Liao Yunqing quickly interjected, "Senior Brother, that was in the past. My brother and I were young and foolish and caused you trouble. Aren't we here honestly to deepen our studies with you now? Don't worry, my brother and I are different now!"
"Fine."
Qi Tian narrowed his eyes, staring at them. "Since you're different, then tell me, how did you two comprehend the third section of the ninth chapter of the 'Hundred Refinements Divine Mechanism'?"
"..."
The brothers fell silent.
"Weren't you just saying you're the number one in the younger generation? What happened? Can't even grasp the sect's core skill, the 'Hundred Refinements Divine Mechanism'?" Qi Tian's aura began to surge, the pressure of a Divine Realm expert bearing down on them.
"Ahem, I'll be leaving now. Come find me after you've settled them," Lin Xiao said, making a swift exit. Qi Tian's demeanor suggested he was about to enforce discipline, and it was best to stay out of the way.
Just then, a Taoist priest from the Celestial Masters Sect approached Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao recalled that this priest was likely the senior disciple among the Celestial Masters Sect disciples present.
"Greetings, Dragon King."
The Taoist respectfully bowed with a slight inclination of his body.
"Daoist, this is the Northern Territory. Such formalities are unnecessary. Once you follow arrangements, everything will proceed according to the Northern Territory's customs," Lin Xiao replied, standing at attention and saluting.
"That is indeed how it will be."