Chapter 448: Nice to meet you

This kind of public provocation, especially when directed at his own sect leader and witnessed by so many elite disciples from other sects, was intolerable. Anger suddenly flared on Luo Shengsheng's cool, almost devilish face.

As a young man, especially an outstanding prodigy from a prominent sect, and with his inherently proud nature, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. He was about to retort immediately, even though he knew he couldn't win the fight.

However, an elder standing beside him suddenly grabbed his arm, subtly shaking his head. The elder then used a spell to restrain Luo Shengsheng, preventing him from acting impulsively.

Having delivered his provocation, Li Hongjiu turned, cast a 'flirtatious' glance at Luo Shengsheng, clicked his tongue dismissively, and walked away. He clearly held no regard for Luo Shengsheng or his sect's senior members who were present.

Luo Shengsheng immediately turned to his Pavilion Master, Xiao Youhong. Seeing no reaction from him, Luo Shengsheng wondered what he could do.

What reaction *could* Xiao Youhong have? If it were an ordinary person provoking, they could be dealt with swiftly. However, status and background inherently commanded respect. Li Hongjiu was the personal, closed-door disciple of the sect leader of the third largest sect in the artifact refining world. Xiao Youhong found it inappropriate to use his senior status to suppress a junior.

If Luo Shengsheng could have defeated him, that would have been a different story entirely; disputes between juniors were always much simpler to manage.

The elder who had held his arm released him, advising, "Let's go. Don't let him get to you. Focus on preparing for the competition."

Luo Shengsheng was then led away.

Subsequently, the elite disciples from various sects gathered below the steps also began to depart.

Xiao Youhong also slowly descended the steps.

On the steps, the senior officials from the various sects who had been watching exchanged glances, all with a shared sense of regret.

Su Qiao, the Sect Leader of the Extreme Fire Sect, snorted, "Qu Wuming's disciple is certainly something."

"What a pity," Gu Yanduo couldn't help but sigh.

They acknowledged Li Hongjiu's fighting prowess, as it had been witnessed by numerous disciples and couldn't be faked.

However, to suggest that his artifact refining skills could possibly surpass Luo Shengsheng, who had absorbed ten Divine Fires, was pure nonsense to them; they simply didn't believe it.

It was clear that Luo Shengsheng was Great Ming Pavilion's secret weapon for this competition. His artifact refining talent was undoubtedly exceptional; otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen to absorb so many Divine Fires. Given that all beneficial exchanges favored strengthening an already strong position, and with Great Ming Pavilion's strict protection, Luo Shengsheng winning the championship was practically a certainty.

From their perspective, Li Hongjiu had clearly intended to provoke Luo Shengsheng, then seize the opportunity to strike a heavy blow, thereby preventing Luo Shengsheng from participating in the upcoming competition. However, with his sect elders present and vigilant, Luo Shengsheng didn't fall for the trick.

Each of them felt a sense of regret.

The competition grounds had been designated in the open space at the center of Qi Yun Valley. At the sound of the bell, participants from various sects temporarily residing in the valley began to assemble around the area.

This entire scene was displayed in the aerial reflection of the Sky-Overlooking Mirror. As they gathered, members from the various sects occasionally looked up at the mirrored image in the sky.

Soon, murmurs began to rise as the assembled members of the various sects started whispering among themselves.

This was because news had spread that Luo Shengsheng had absorbed ten Divine Fires.

Since the secret was out, the relevant sects naturally wouldn't help Great Ming Pavilion keep the information confidential. News that Gu Lianni, the daughter of the Shudao Mountain Sect Leader, had absorbed seven Divine Fires, also spread like a whirlwind among the various participants, causing immense shock and continuous gasps of astonishment.

On the viewing platform, Lan Qiaoyan's brow furrowed slightly in thoughtful observation. She had vaguely sensed an anomaly in the commotion below and wondered what was happening.

Gong Yuanzhi, who had returned to accompany the guest, also appeared to be pondering something.

However, Miao Yilan and Gong Shaoci, also focused on the mirrored image, clearly perceived nothing unusual in the reflected scene.

The two young, attractive individuals — one appearing refined and polite, the other shy and reserved — occasionally exchanged questions and answers, each feeling a pleasant surge of mutual affection.

For Miao Yilan, this sense of joy was something Shi Chun could not provide, even though he always tried his best to find the most suitable gifts for her and would utter sweet words that Gong Shaoci might never be able to voice in his entire life.

But if there was no feeling, there was simply no feeling. In the place of exile, those faded, worn-out clothes that could tear with a mere poke epitomized an ingrained poverty. Any attempt to feign elegance seemed out of place and paled in comparison to the genuine refinement before her, only appearing comical.

And his sun-darkened skin, clearly indicating a life of hardship, could not compare to the fair, clean, and pleasing appearance before her. Their manners of speech were even less comparable; no amount of sweet words could rival Gong Shaoci's gentle, smiling whisper of "Lanlan."

Although Shi Chun now appeared considerably fairer and had achieved some minor success, in Miao Yilan's eyes, his accomplishments were truly negligible.

She had witnessed Shi Chun's desperate struggle for survival in the place of exile, and therefore, her impression of him was difficult to alter now.

Of course, this didn't prevent her from being friends with Shi Chun. Shi Chun had also apparently gained some self-awareness, maintaining an appropriate distance and no longer speaking without filter as he used to.

The two elders occasionally turned their heads slightly to glance at the attractive young couple, their lips curving into approving smiles.

Around the competition grounds, at the section allocated to the Hundred Refinements Sect, Sect Leader Yan Qufeng, Elders Pan Gongying and Jie Lunguang, and Luo Wan, Tong Mingshan's master, were all present, surrounded by their accompanying disciples.

After carefully listening to the murmurs of discussion, Pan Gongying shook his head and sighed softly. "I originally thought Tong Mingshan absorbing four Divine Fires was already the peak," he remarked. "I never imagined that not only were there others who absorbed four, but some even absorbed seven and ten! It's simply incredible."

Jie Lunguang also exclaimed, "Indeed! Situ Gu only absorbed six back then. This time is truly extraordinary. Not only are many individuals absorbing them, but the sheer quantity absorbed by some individuals is unprecedented. It's just a pity..." He trailed off, looking at the assembled disciples around him and shaking his head with a sigh.

The disciples naturally understood the meaning behind the elder's words and demeanor, and they all appeared ashamed and embarrassed.

Sect Leader Yan Qufeng, conversely, felt a slight sense of relief. He had been genuinely startled to hear that Tong Mingshan had absorbed four Divine Fires, the highest number reported at the time. Before the competition, he had considered leveraging Tong Mingshan's situation, but he had never dreamed such immense fortune would emerge from him.

If the person who absorbed the most Divine Fires in this Divine Fire Alliance Pact turned out to be a discarded disciple expelled from the Hundred Refinements Sect, how long would they be ridiculed by the artifact refining world?

Still, four was an exceptionally high number.

Sect Leader Yan turned his head to look at the empty space reserved for the sect next to the Hundred Refinements Sect. It was for the Bright Mountain Sect, and he wondered why they hadn't appeared yet.

He had gone to great lengths, working with the Departing Fire Sect, to ensure the Hundred Refinements Sect and the Bright Mountain Sect were allocated neighboring positions. His reason was simple: he hadn't wanted to give up on Tong Mingshan before the assembly, and now he was even less inclined to.

However, his attempts to visit had been futile; he couldn't even get through the door of Bright Mountain Sect's temporary lodging. Tong Mingshan simply refused to see anyone from the Hundred Refinements Sect or discuss the matter further.

But he was unwilling to give up easily, so he had created this close proximity, hoping it would facilitate a conversation.

Just as almost all the personnel from the other sects had taken their places, the Bright Mountain Sect group finally appeared, unhurriedly.

Shi Chun and his group, who had intentionally arrived late, were somewhat surprised. They had expected to be the center of attention for all the sects, which was why they had delayed their entrance. However, they now realized they had overthought it, as everyone's focus was elsewhere.

As they moved through the crowd, they overheard the discussions and discovered the reason: someone had apparently absorbed even more Divine Fires than Gu Lianni—a staggering ten Divine Fires.

Shi Chun periodically glanced at the position card in his hand, using the engraved diagram to find his designated spot.

Just as they finally neared their designated location, Tong Mingshan suddenly stopped. He stared intently at the Hundred Refinements Sect group, his gaze locking with that of his former master, Luo Wan, whose eyes were filled with expectation.

Noticing his companion had fallen behind, Shi Chun looked back to see Tong Mingshan standing still. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Following Tong Mingshan's gaze, he looked over and noticed that the group's attire looked somewhat familiar, similar to what Tong Mingshan used to wear.

Tong Mingshan, pressing his lips together, walked forward and quietly replied, "The Hundred Refinements Sect."

Having said this, he walked directly up to Luo Wan, bowed respectfully with cupped hands, and said, "Master."

He then gave a brief, respectful gesture to Yan Qufeng and the others. Without waiting for them to speak further, he turned and walked directly back to the Bright Mountain Sect's designated empty space, leaving his master, Luo Wan, visibly struggling to find words.

Shi Chun looked utterly bewildered. He glanced at his own group's spot, then at the Hundred Refinements Sect's position, and rubbed his nose. He certainly didn't believe this was a coincidence. Seeing the Hundred Refinements Sect Leader nodding in his direction—though Shi Chun didn't know him, he could infer his identity from his position—he returned a nod of acknowledgement. He then followed Tong Mingshan to the Bright Mountain Sect's designated area and took his place.

Wu Jinliang and the others who followed them into position were also quietly scrutinizing the Hundred Refinements Sect.

Other nearby sects only then realized that the previously empty spot was actually for the Bright Mountain Sect. Seeing Tong Mingshan standing so close to the sect that had expelled him, they were both surprised and eager to see what would unfold.

Tong Mingshan deliberately avoided them, clearly not wanting to say much. However, Yan Qufeng set aside his usual formality. He nodded slightly to Luo Wan, then proactively walked over with him, followed by Elders Pan and Jie.

Everyone in the Bright Mountain Sect group, except for Tong Mingshan who kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, watched intently as the few individuals approached.

Interestingly, upon arriving, Yan Qufeng, the Sect Leader of the Hundred Refinements Sect, did not address Tong Mingshan directly, almost as if he hadn't seen him. Instead, he stopped in front of Shi Chun, cupped his hands, and proactively greeted him: "I have long heard of your esteemed name, Brother Shi Chun. I am Yan Qufeng, Sect Leader of the Hundred Refinements Sect."

Shi Chun truly didn't want to engage, but out of deference to Tong Mingshan, he cupped his hands and replied courteously, "Ah, Sect Leader Yan, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Just then, Wu Jinliang poked him from behind and gave a quiet "Nuo," gesturing for him to look.

Shi Chun turned to look and saw that the senior members of the Heaven Refining Sect were also beginning to make their entrance. Situ Gu was among them, accompanied by a beautiful woman who was none other than Zhen'er, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked around.