The secret technique is just a little lacking... My secret technique isn't bad, okay?

Faced with the heartfelt evaluation from the Taurus director, Leon couldn't help but blush slightly.

I was selected by the Five Palaces, and my secret technique talent was recognized by the Star Palace. Both the Cancer Palace and the Pisces Palace begged me to join, okay? It's just that I didn't quite understand the Taurus Palace's Secret Smithing Techniques.

Besides, not understanding the Taurus secret technique doesn't necessarily mean it's my fault. What if it's because the third-generation old man didn't teach well, using his purely idealistic smithing theory to mislead me?

...

"Achoo!!!"

Accompanied by a deafening sneeze, the thirty-eighth gravehead from the left under the old locust tree on the east side of the Sage's Cemetery rose, then a sound of wood breaking was heard, and a male leg covered in black hair kicked straight out of the grave mound.

Damn, overdid it!

Reaching up to pinch his nose bridge and blowing the dust and mold out of his nostrils, the square-headed old man pulled his foot out of his own coffin board, then climbed out of the grave mound while holding onto his own tombstone, looking at the tall elk standing on his gravehead with an annoyed expression.

"Spit it out quickly!"

"..."

This damned old bastard!

Seeing the third-generation director who didn't even bother with pleasantries, the possessed doe couldn't help but fiercely scrape a hoof, gouging a crescent-shaped hoof mark into the hard bluestone floor of the Sage's Cemetery.

"Iron Badger!"

Though wishing nothing more than to kick the old man before her to death, remembering the devastatingly terrible news she'd heard from the magpie, the possessed doe ultimately held back her inner anger and spoke in as even a tone as possible:

"This time, I'm not here to force you to fulfill your duties, but to discuss a deal with you."

"Heh, what deal could I possibly make with you people?"

The square-headed old man snorted in response, sitting back down on his own tombstone, crossing one leg over the other as he picked his nose, looking disdainful:

"I'm just a lingering thought left by the third-generation director of the Cleaner Bureau. My biggest reason for not dying yet is wanting to reach the pinnacle in Taurus' secret techniques and become the most outstanding Master of Refining in history!

And you little trash hiding in the shadows, besides offering a little bit for me to survive and research further, what else can you trade with me? Hm?

Are you skilled in the Cleaner Bureau's Taurus secret techniques, with greater mastery than mine, and can teach me how to smith anomalies? Or can you kill ten or eight True Gods from the Slaughter King Association and provide them as practice materials for me?"

"..."

This damned old dog!!!

Facing the square-headed old man's blatant insults, looking at his expression as if he'd stepped in dog poop, the possessed doe's already thin patience was immediately inflamed almost to breaking point.

After taking several deep breaths and smashing several cemetery stone tiles underfoot, the possessed doe, surrounded by thick fog, snorted out two streams of hot steam from her nostrils and gritted her teeth:

"We've always known what you want, so naturally, we came this time with an offer you can't refuse... Do you want to become a True God?"

"???"

Hearing the possessed doe's proposal, the third-generation director sitting on the tombstone was momentarily stunned, pulling his finger from his nose and asking in surprise:

"You're willing to let me enter the Source God Platform? To inscribe a divinity there and become a True God?"

"Yes."

The tall doe in the pale fog nodded, her voice cold as she replied:

"Besides becoming a True God and no longer needing to rely on our power to survive, we can also vacate the current position of God of Forging, help you master the powers of forging and refining, and further enhance your secret techniques!"

"..."

Become a True God? Is this stupid buck crazy?

The square-headed old man was silent for a while, then flicked away the moldy snot in his hand and squinted, asking:

"If I remember correctly, the current God of Forging should be an official member of your Slaughter King Association? Can he agree to this condition you proposed?"

"He..."

The possessed doe became silent for a moment, then tilted her head slightly and replied:

"You don't have to worry about that. Whether he agrees or not, we can ensure you become the new God of Forging."

Hm? Something's fishy!

Peering through the hazy white mist, observing the possessed doe's slightly odd expression, the third-generation director mused for a moment, then smiled maliciously:

"Did the God of Forging break with you all?"

"No..."

"Then did the Cleaner Bureau capture him?"

"..."

Seems like he's captured!

Seeing the silent, expressionless possessed doe, the square-headed old man couldn't help but chuckle, inwardly giving a thumbs-up to this generation of younger Cleaners.

Not bad, the God of Refining holds six or seven powers, ranking among the strongest of the non-pillar gods, and with all sorts of chaotic divine creations, killing him is as challenging as dealing with a pillar god.

I thought that after the sixth generation, most of the Cleaners were rendered useless by the Watcher's Palace, unable to accomplish much once they left the Star Palace's blessing and Watcher's Palace's constraint. Didn't expect a few capable ones emerged.

"Okay, I admit your offer is quite interesting. Though I don't care much about becoming a True God, I'm indeed interested in forging powers."

Admitting his genuine interest, the now-pleased third-generation director began bouncing his crossed leg, smilingly nodding toward the possessed doe's chin.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do to merit such a good offer?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"We want the Food God... That Cleaner named Leon. We want you to help us ambush and eliminate him!"

Eliminate who? That smithing 'genius'?

Hearing Leon's name, the third-generation director's smile faltered slightly, recalling his entangled master-student relationship with him.

"What did he do to you all?"

Living mostly in his own grave mound and rarely venturing out, the third-generation director was unaware of the infamous Food God's reputation. Hearing the Slaughter King Association willing to go to such lengths to eliminate Leon, he couldn't help but ask curiously:

"Did he expose your plans? Or capture your members? Wasn't the God of Forging caught by him?"

"..."

"Could it be all of them? Did he do all three things?"

"..."

"Hm? Even more than that?"

"Iron Badger!"

Seeing the old man's bleary eyes light up like he had heard a juicy piece of gossip, the intolerant possessed doe finally shouted angrily:

"I don't have time to chit-chat with you! Will you agree or not!"

"Look at you, why are you in such a hurry?"

Seeing the menacing, obviously triggered possessed doe before him, the typically very bored third-generation old man, having found some amusement, couldn't help but bounce his crossed leg, chuckling as he teased:

"I need to understand the situation first, to know what exactly's going on before deciding whether to agree or not~

Besides, it's strange you all came to me. That kid merely visited my place briefly, nothing to do with me. Even if I set an ambush, he wouldn't necessarily walk into it~"

"Heh, stop pretending!"

Hearing the third-generation director's words, the possessed doe couldn't help but sneer, her expression shadowy as she shouted angrily:

"I've already found out from the Cleaner Bureau that you're Leon's teacher, and his Abnormal Forging Secret Technique was taught by you! The fact that the Food God is who he is today is definitely inseparable from you this bastard... Hm?

Why are you lying down? Iron Badger? Wake up! Why is your obsession dissipating?!? You get up, hey!"