The Mortal Craftsman Who Shapes the Dao

Shen Mu let out a long sigh as he stared at the silver-robed woman standing at his doorstep.

She was young, but her aura was overwhelming—sharp, like an unsheathed blade. Her silver robes bore the emblem of a sword sect, though Shen Mu had no idea which one.

The way she looked at him made it clear: She wasn't here to kneel and beg for a chair.

Finally! Someone normal! Shen Mu thought.

The woman narrowed her piercing eyes. "So, you're the so-called hidden expert?"

Shen Mu frowned. "I don't know what rumors you've heard, but I'm not—"

"Prove it," she interrupted, stepping forward. "If you truly are an expert, then face me in battle."

Silence.

Bai Ling, still sitting in the courtyard, gasped.

Xiao Lan covered her mouth in horror.

Elder Zhao nearly choked on his tea.

"W-Wait," Bai Ling stammered, "You can't just challenge him! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!"

The woman ignored her, keeping her gaze locked on Shen Mu. "Or are you afraid?"

Shen Mu nearly laughed. Lady, if I had the strength to fight you, do you think I'd be running a woodshop?!

But then he thought about it.

If he flat-out refused, she'd just assume he was being mysterious.

If he admitted he was weak, she wouldn't believe him.

'Alright. Think, Shen Mu. There has to be a way out of this…'

Then, an idea hit him.

With a deep sigh, he slowly walked over to his workbench and picked up a wooden sword he had been carving earlier that day. It was completely unenchanted, just a normal practice weapon.

He held it up. "Fine. If you insist on a test, then I'll humor you."

The woman smirked. "Good. Name's Ye Qingyi. Remember it."

She unsheathed her spiritual sword, and immediately, the temperature in the air dropped. A sharp, chilling wind spread outward, causing the leaves in the courtyard to tremble.

Even Bai Ling looked nervous. "She's at least Core Formation Realm!"

Ye Qingyi raised her blade. "I won't hold back."

Shen Mu forced a calm smile. "I won't, either."

Then, he held his wooden practice sword in front of him—

And tossed it straight at Ye Qingyi's face.

Thwack!

The wooden sword smacked Ye Qingyi squarely in the forehead.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Bai Ling's jaw dropped.

Xiao Lan froze.

Elder Zhao nearly spit out his tea.

Ye Qingyi, meanwhile, stood completely still, blinking in shock.

Shen Mu casually dusted off his hands. "Well, that was easy."

Then he turned to walk back inside.

Ye Qingyi trembled in rage. He just… threw a sword at her?!

"You—!" she snarled, gripping her blade. "You dare humiliate me?!"

Shen Mu groaned. "Oh, come on. If I were really an expert, would I need to fight seriously? I just proved my strength without even lifting a finger."

Ye Qingyi hesitated.

That… actually made a lot of sense.

In cultivation novels, legendary masters often displayed their strength through casual, effortless movements. If he had instantly defeated her with a mere wooden practice sword, then…

She clenched her fists. "Tch. Fine. But don't think this is over."

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the courtyard.

Bai Ling let out a deep breath. "That… that was incredible."

Xiao Lan clutched her head. "Incredible? He just threw a piece of wood at her!"

Elder Zhao chuckled. "Miss Bai, what did I tell you? A true expert never fights seriously."

Bai Ling nodded in awe. "Senior Shen Mu… you are truly beyond comprehension."

Shen Mu's eye twitched.

'How do I keep making things worse?!'

---

Meanwhile, In the Celestial Realm…

Empress Yue sat in quiet meditation when she suddenly received a divine message.

A faint voice echoed in her mind:

"Empress, we have found him."

Her eyes opened. "Oh?"

The voice continued, "The creator of the legendary artifact… is a mortal carpenter."

Empress Yue's gaze sharpened. "…A mortal?"

She reached out with her divine sense, focusing on the world below.

At that very moment, she caught a vision—

A simple wooden shop, nestled in the mountains. A young man standing at its gate. And in the distance, cultivators from every sect beginning to make their way toward him.

The Empress's lips curled into a rare, faint smile.

"This… will be interesting."

---

End of Chapter 7