Chapter 451: Washing Star Sand

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There were many like them, originally from East Jiuyuan, scattered across various places, struggling to survive. Unable to travel too far, most of them remained within Sheng Shenzhou.

Just like when Shi Chun rose to fame at the Celestial Rain Meteor Convention, they were once again telling those around them about their past relationship with Shi Chun, claiming to know him and that both he and they originated from East Jiuyuan.

The difference was that last time, after hearing of Shi Chun's fame, they had rushed to seek his patronage. However, they were turned away, understanding Shi Chun's intentions, so this time, no one went to him.

Therefore, this time, when recounting their connection to Shi Chun, they were all vehemently condemning him for his heartlessness and disloyalty. They also recounted many of the bad things Shi Chun had done, some sticking to the facts, others exaggerating, portraying him as a truly heinous individual.

The listeners had no direct connection to Shi Chun and were largely indifferent to whether he was good or bad. Well-meaning individuals willing to humor them would echo a couple of sympathetic words; those who took it seriously merely expressed sighs of regret. More often, people treated it as a joke, while the more cynical ones questioned, "Why didn't you go to him before he became famous?"

No one sympathized with their plight. Since they could no longer claim any connection to Shi Chun, their current status was simply their status, and they had no right to demand even a shred of others' emotions.

The more they spoke, the less it resonated, even inviting ridicule. They gradually fell silent.

Yet, their hearts were far from peaceful. They used to believe the outside world was vast and that the Boss, once out of East Jiuyuan, would be nothing special. Now, they realized the Boss was still the formidable figure who could confidently point fingers at others. Without the Boss's restraint and command, they hadn't found the liberation they imagined, while the Boss had already made his way into the Divine Fire Domain, established a sect, and become renowned throughout the land.

That big fellow Wu must also be enjoying the good life, they thought, imagining his smug, snickering appearance.

They were filled with regret, regretting that they had ever parted ways...

Qiao Wugong, holding the Mother-Child Talisman, turned and squeezed out of the crowd. Bai Shuchuan and his group followed suit when they saw him.

Once in a more secluded spot, Qiao Wugong put away the Mother-Child Talisman and said to his fellow disciples, "It's been confirmed with the people inside Qiyun Valley: Shi Chun and his group indeed absorbed four divine fires, possibly even more. They also have two others who practice fire-element cultivation methods."

His expression was somewhat solemn as he spoke.

In other words, some of the rumors they had just heard about the Divine Fire Domain were true. Bai Shuchuan, looking alarmed, said, "This is the domain of the artifact forging world. How can they be so powerful? Martial Uncle, should we continue with Elder Wu's instructions?"

Though it was he who most wanted to eliminate Shi Chun for revenge, it now seemed to be Elder Wu's matter, as if it had nothing to do with him. Power, indeed, can easily resolve many problems.

Qiao Wugong, however, had a gloomy expression and said, "Those who forge artifacts, those who refine pills, and those skilled in fire-element combat have all absorbed divine fires. In time, we don't know who will be settling scores with whom. Setting aside the sect's instructions for now, how should we resolve this vendetta? We must deal with them before they rise to power!"

Several Jieyun Mountain disciples nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, all deeply agreeing.

Bai Shuchuan's eyes also flashed with ruthlessness as he said, "Alright, I'll take two junior brothers to keep a close watch!"

In the mirrored image, within Qiyun Valley, all participants from various sects had finished taking their places. A total of one hundred and thirty-five individuals, each standing before a pre-arranged box.

For those in the artifact forging world, the contents of the boxes were well-known: each box contained one hundred and twenty catties of 'Star Sand,' a granular mineral raw material.

The first step of the competition was to extract a certain amount of refining material from this mineral raw material. This step, in the jargon of the artifact forging world, was called 'washing the Star Sand.'

Behind the Elder of Lihuo Sect, who stood in the middle of the open space, was a waist-high bronze censer. He surveyed his surroundings, ensuring all participants were present. After receiving confirmation gestures from the tallying personnel, he took out an incense stick, lit it on the spot, inserted it into the censer, and then spread his arms, casting a spell as he loudly declared, "Mutual verification!"

The participants from various sects, having already received the competition rules, immediately began moving around in disarray, examining the large boxes, even opening them to inspect the indigo-blue coarse sand that shimmered with a metallic luster.

The main purpose was to check if the quantity and quality of each box were the same. If you suspected a problem with a particular box, you could inspect it. Outsiders might not understand or be able to identify any issues, but for participants who were artifact forgers, this was a fundamental skill, and verification posed no problems.

The verification time was the duration of one incense stick. Afterward, participants would freely choose their positions, essentially scrambling their previous spots.

Their previous positions were also random.

When the incense stick burned out, the Elder of Lihuo Sect again spread his arms, casting a spell, and loudly proclaimed, "Return to your places!"

The participants from various sects, who had been looking around, immediately chose a nearby box and stood behind it.

Those who couldn't find a nearby option had to settle for any available empty spot.

Once everyone was in position, the Elder of Lihuo Sect again spread his arms and loudly declared, "Re-verify!"

This time, all participants began checking their own 'Star Sand' for any issues.

Once all inspecting participants stood straight, the Elder of Lihuo Sect loudly asked, "Are there any objections?"

Seeing no one respond, it meant there were no issues.

The Elder of Lihuo Sect then pulled out another incense stick, held it overhead, rotating it for everyone to see, while his voice echoed throughout the venue: "From one hundred and twenty catties of Star Sand, you must extract no less than three catties and six taels of iron. The time limit is one incense stick. Those who exceed the time limit or fail to meet the standard will be disqualified from the next round of competition!"

After speaking, he publicly lit the incense stick, inserted it into the censer, and simultaneously shouted, "Begin!"

The participants, standing in a circle, immediately bent down and used their cultivation methods to extract Star Sand from the boxes. Ethereal flames blazed in their hands, enveloping the sand in fire to melt and extract. For a moment, the competition venue was filled with dazzling, colorful firelight, creating a magnificent spectacle that left countless people watching the mirrored images in awe.

Behind the Ming Mountain Sect, a disciple from another sect shook his head and sighed, "To refine three catties and six taels of iron within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, even an ordinary artifact forger at the Human Immortal realm would find it difficult to achieve in such a short time. For those at the High Martial realm, perhaps only those who have absorbed divine fire can accomplish it."

Another person chuckled, "If they can't surpass ordinary people, what's the advantage of having absorbed divine fire?"

Someone else added, "This first round of competition, though seemingly fair, is actually not."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jinliang immediately turned, scuttled a few steps sideways like a crab, and approached, inquiring, "What do you mean by that?"

The Ming Mountain Sect was now considered a renowned sect in the artifact forging world. With a sect leader who had absorbed four divine fires, as long as nothing went wrong in the future, it would likely become a prominent sect, worthy of early respect.

Therefore, the other party candidly explained, "It's related to the attributes of the divine fires absorbed by everyone. The power of some divine fires is suitable for melting and extraction, while others don't even qualify as high temperature, so their melting and extraction capabilities are imaginable. Among the current participants, it's likely that more than half won't pass this first round."

Wu Jinliang stroked his chin, letting out an "Oh," a look of understanding on his face.

Unexpectedly, a master from that sect reprimanded the disciple who had spoken, "Ignorant bluster! The rules are set this way, and those who are eliminated naturally have a reason to be. The path of artifact forging has always relied on both ingenuity and fundamental principles; an excessive leaning towards one won't lead to mastery. If one cannot even cross the threshold of basic melting and extraction methods, there's no need for them to compete in the second round. Their elimination is not at all unfair."

The disciple quickly admitted his mistake, "Yes, this disciple understands his error."

Wu Jinliang and the Ming Mountain Sect group, who had been listening intently, understood only half of it.

Compared to the other participants who were intensely casting spells, Tong Mingshan in the competition remained calm. With both hands, he manipulated a cluster of white flames, baking the levitating Star Sand. From time to time, he glanced around at other participants, primarily observing the bald Luo Shengsheng, Gu Lianni, and others.

This was also in accordance with Shi Chun's previous instructions: not to be too conspicuous in the first round. Otherwise, it was uncertain what further tricks these scoundrels in the artifact forging world might pull. One had to be extra cautious when dealing with a group that could change rules at any moment.

It wouldn't be too late to act decisively when the outcome could be determined in one fell swoop, and there was no chance for them to renege.

Having to both pass the first round and not finish ahead of those who absorbed more divine fires, while also monitoring the burning speed of the incense stick, naturally required him to look around.

Everyone else, including Li Hongjiu, was concentrating intensely and racing against time. Tong Mingshan was the only one in the entire venue looking around. Without comparison, there's no harm, but this was a bit too obvious.

Of course, he was also the only sect master personally participating in the competition.

"Tong Mingshan handles it with such ease and composure; he truly has the bearing of a great general!"

Over at the Hundred Refinements Sect, Elder Pan Gongying stroked his beard and exclaimed.

However, his master, Luo Wan, said in a deep voice, "This youngster is being a bit overconfident. Everyone else is giving their all, yet he's only using one divine fire. This is no place for child's play!"

Masters, facing their disciples, habitually find fault and give lessons.

With that said, Shi Chun and the others also noticed the issue: Tong Mingshan was refining using only one white divine fire. In contrast, Luo Shengsheng's ten-colored flame aura, Gu Lianni's seven-colored flame aura, and Li Hongjiu's three-colored flame aura were all fully deployed, each adopting the stance of a lion hunting a rabbit, aiming to be the first to finish for their sect's honor.

On their end, the slag produced by melting was already rustling into the boxes.

"No matter!" said Yan Qufeng, the Sect Master of Hundred Refinements Sect, appearing more lenient. "With four divine fires, passing the first round definitely won't be a problem."

Shi Chun, however, frowned, crossed his arms, and rubbed his chin. He knew that Tong Mingshan's Profound True Fire concealed the true essence of twelve divine fires, but would winning with just one divine fire appear too easy and draw too much attention? Now was not the time for a decisive blow, nor was it the time to be conspicuous. Tong Mingshan wouldn't really pass this first round without any concealment, would he?

There were quite a few sharp-eyed observers. Many people from various sects had already begun to focus their gaze on Tong Mingshan's cluster of divine fire.

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