Chapter 457: Impulsive Decisions

Luo Shengsheng merely glanced at Gu Lianni due to the commotion, not really taking her seriously—a clear sign of his haughty nature.

"Junior Uncle, well done!"

A group of Summer Dao Mountain disciples cheered and shouted, absolutely beside themselves with excitement.

Yuan Yao and Pang Hou, also in the arena and occasionally glancing over, were secretly astonished. They were quite familiar with Gu Lianni's talent for artifact refinement, and although she had the blessing of seven divine fires, they worried whether she could successfully forge the Nine Orifices in a single attempt.

It wasn't just him; the high-ranking members of Summer Dao Mountain, especially Sect Master Gu Yanduo, subconsciously tightened their lips, feeling a hidden tension. However, none of them had experience absorbing seven divine fires, so they couldn't tell if this was within Gu Lianni's capabilities.

They didn't doubt Gu Lianni's ability to refine the Nine Orifices, but the time limit was a major issue. To complete it within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, would the blessing of seven divine fires truly be sufficient?

Gu Lianni's actions, on the contrary, secretly reassured Shi Chun considerably. If Gu Lianni could manage it with seven divine fires, there was no reason Tong Mingshan couldn't with twenty-six.

He had previously asked Tong Mingshan, who also harbored doubts about his own ability to forge the Nine Orifices within the given time. Having never attempted it, he lacked confidence.

"To be confident in refining the Nine Orifices within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, that's truly incredible! It seems Sect Master Gu really knows how to raise his daughter!"

Yan Qufeng couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

No sooner had he spoken than his scanning gaze froze in the arena, his eyes widening slightly.

Another wave of astonished gasps arose.

"Ah, another Nine Orifices!"

"It's from Golden Aspect Hall!"

"How many divine fires did he absorb again?"

"Can someone who absorbed four divine fires also refine a Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart within an hour?"

Everyone's gazes converged on Mi Liangmeng, a disciple from Golden Aspect Hall. Just as everyone gasped, this young man, expressionless and plain-looking, also cut the materials in his hand into nine sections and began working on them one by one.

From the stands, everyone from Golden Aspect Hall watched intently, as if petrified. Even they, the insiders, found it somewhat unbelievable.

"Is one hour really enough?" an elder from Golden Aspect Hall asked the Sect Master beside him.

The Sect Master, with a worried expression, said, "His talent and artifact refinement skills are beyond doubt, but one hour is indeed tight. If he wants to try refining the Nine Orifices, he could also try it step by step. If he sets up the entire framework at once and one part fails, he'll have to dismantle and redo the whole thing, and time is too precious to waste."

The elder also worriedly asked, "It's just the beginning; there might still be time to regret it. Should we find a way to remind him?"

The Sect Master mused, "This boy is slow to speak but quick to act; he's a steady person. I only hope he truly is confident."

Yet, no matter how steady, it couldn't change the fact that Mi Liangmeng was a young man, especially one accustomed to being seen as outstanding within the sect.

Regarding whether to refine the Nine Orifices, he himself actually harbored doubts, or rather, he wasn't confident. However, reality could easily stir up a young person's competitive spirit. Luo Shengsheng having ten divine fires was one thing, but then Gu Lianni, with seven divine fires, also attempting the Nine Orifices was quite provocative.

There was a difference of three divine fires between Gu Lianni's seven and his four. According to the experience summarized by seniors in the artifact refinement world, a difference of three fires happened to be at a critical juncture—a point where one was suppressed yet had a last glimmer of possibility.

The problem was that Gu Lianni's strength was obvious. As the prominent daughter of the Summer Dao Mountain Sect Master, she had been thoroughly scrutinized by all sects, and their assessment was that her artifact refinement talent was inferior to his.

Furthermore, Gu Lianni was a woman. How could he possibly be inferior to a woman whose talent was supposedly less than his own?

Once his competitive spirit flared up, what was there that he couldn't contend for? His chances of winning the championship were slim anyway, and losing wouldn't affect him much.

Moreover, if he didn't refine the Nine Orifices, there would truly be no hope of winning the championship at all, whereas refining it might offer a sliver of possibility.

While the number of divine fires was certainly an advantage, everyone was integrating and utilizing them for the first time. It wouldn't be known until the very end who could control them more skillfully.

So, he decisively made the plan to refine the Nine Orifices, vowing to compete and prove himself.

Similarly, Luo Shengsheng merely glanced at him due to the commotion. As he withdrew his gaze, he incidentally looked at Li Hongjiu opposite him, finding their eyes met again. Li Hongjiu still had a mocking expression, as if watching a monkey show and treating Luo Shengsheng as the monkey, as if his efforts were not worth mentioning in Li Hongjiu's eyes.

Focus! Focus!

He repeatedly reminded himself inwardly, steadying his Taoist heart, which had almost been disturbed.

At this point, he no longer had the energy to be distracted by precautions. If others insisted on attacking in the arena, there was nothing he could do. Now he could only rely on the sect.

Li Hongjiu was actually quite diligent and had done his utmost. However, how should one describe the effort of someone like him? It was an effort based on three divine fires. The refining speed for three divine fires was what it was; he merely exerted his best within that scope.

He wouldn't push himself to compete like Gu Lianni and Mi Liangmeng. He was actually quite open-minded, not the type to be overly competitive. Unless pushed to that extreme, he wouldn't fight desperately. At least in his view, the current situation and people weren't at a point where he needed to contend desperately.

However, this carefree, "watching a monkey show" attitude, once observed by the people of Yanbao Sect, drew quite a few soft sighs. Even Guang Haoyou's disciples couldn't help but sigh, noting that their Junior Uncle's lack of ambition had resurfaced.

Sect Master Qu Wuming's mouth twitched repeatedly. His gaze towards his disciple seemed to spark with fire; he really wanted to ask, "Everyone else is trying their best, what are you doing?"

But he could also understand. Since winning the championship was impossible anyway, this fellow didn't plan to make artifact refinement his primary livelihood and wouldn't care much about fame in artifact refinement skills.

But the problem was, in the current competition, he should at least put on a show. "How many orifices do you intend to refine? Just display it! What's the deal with looking around, watching the fun, and observing others?"

Qu Wuming deeply understood the phrase "hating iron for not becoming steel." How many rods had been broken trying to discipline him?

Even Mi Liangmeng was attempting it, which further boosted Shi Chun's confidence. So, Shi Chun's gaze met Tong Mingshan's, and he nodded slightly, signaling him not to be modest any longer. "Go all out and start; success or failure depends on this one."

Tong Mingshan understood. He immediately activated his spell, carefully controlling it, and publicly cut the materials with a dazzling spray of sparks, also dividing them into nine sections in front of everyone.

This action, once revealed, drew numerous gasps of astonishment.

"Another Nine Orifices!"

"It's the nominal sect master of Bright Mountain Sect!"

"No, where does he get the confidence to also refine Nine Orifices? Does he think he's also received the true teachings of the Ten Great Sects?"

Not to mention outsiders, even the group from Hundred Refinements Sect were instantly stunned. Tong Mingshan's master, Luo Wan, was even more dumbfounded.

Only the entire Bright Mountain Sect was excited and rubbing their hands together, looking as if they were waiting for a grand show.

If not for Shi Chun's gaze stopping him, Wu Jinliang would have wanted to raise his arms and shout again.

On the spectator stands of the Sheng Shenzhou Imperial City Training Ground, the man in brocade robes, conversing with Wei Mo, glanced at the scene in the mirror image and was also taken aback. He turned to Wei Mo, surprised, and asked, "Brother Wei, am I simply narrow-minded or what? Is this person from Bright Mountain Sect also contending by refining the Nine Orifices?"

Wei Mo considered himself quite knowledgeable, but at this moment, he couldn't say for sure: "Probably."

Bian Weiying and the other two exchanged bewildered glances.

Gong Yuanzhi, who had been leisurely observing from the terrace, stammered, "He's also going to refine a Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart?"

No one could answer him. The few of them were all staring blankly at the mirror image.

An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin, guarding the valley entrance, were also incredibly excited. They knew that the Sect Master's hidden strength was finally about to be unleashed. They believed that after today, Tong Mingshan would surely become famous throughout the land!

On the beach, there was a cacophony of discussions. The man in green and Xiang Lan'er successively turned their heads to look at Feng Chi. They saw Feng Chi's eyes sparkling, her fists tightly clenched, filled with excitement and anticipation.

The two then looked at the mirror image again, muttering to themselves, "Could it be that this woman has predicted it again? Does he really have the ability to win the championship?"

Mu Lan Jin, who had been pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back in the pavilion on the mountaintop, slowly stopped and stared motionlessly at the scene in the mirror image.

Young Master Nan, on the mountainside, subconsciously stood up again, leaning forward and staring at the arena, his mouth slightly agape.

"Alas, acting impulsively."

Yan Qufeng, the Sect Master of Hundred Refinements Sect, finally let out a sigh from the stands.

Shi Chun blinked, turned to him, and asked, "Sect Master Yan, why do you say that?"

Yan Qufeng hesitated, then slightly shook his head, offering no comment.

"Alas." Luo Wan also sighed there.

Given such low expectations, Shi Chun found it both amusing and somewhat displeasing. So he inquired, "Senior Luo, when Tong Mingshan was at Hundred Refinements Sect, what did you think of his artifact refinement talent? Was it considered the best?"

Luo Wan didn't have much affection for him; the current strained relationship between master and disciple was all thanks to this fellow. So he said with a somewhat indifferent tone, "It was decent, I suppose."

Which meant his artifact refinement talent wasn't among the very best.

Yan Qufeng added a positive remark, "His abilities are still outstanding."

Shi Chun could understand this. Those with the best artifact refinement talent wouldn't be sent to the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Gathering to fight. He deliberately cast a contemptuous look at the Hundred Refinements Sect group. "Just 'decent'? It seems Tong Mingshan was right to leave Hundred Refinements Sect, because you never truly cared about him."

Hearing this, Wu Jinliang chuckled. The Bright Mountain Sect group looked at Hundred Refinements Sect with strange expressions.

Luo Wan immediately became displeased upon hearing this. "No one is qualified to say such things in front of me!"

"Hey!" Yan Qufeng quickly made a stopping gesture, frowning and shaking his head slightly at Luo Wan, signaling that it wasn't the time to be serious and offend anyone.

Inside the arena, Xu Mang, a disciple from Jingyang Palace, paused his movements and hesitated for a while. After repeatedly observing Luo Shengsheng, Gu Lianni, and Mi Liangmeng, he ultimately didn't dare to act impulsively. He made the realistic decision, and the materials in his hand split into seven pieces in front of everyone.

Many people nodded slightly, believing this was the decision within one's capabilities.

Huang Chunchu, a disciple from Fuming Valley, who followed closely, also hesitated for a moment and ultimately decided to divide the materials into seven pieces.

Yuan Yao, unhurried and under no pressure, also followed suit.

These were all individuals who had absorbed three divine fires. Sect Master Qu Wuming of Yanbao Sect looked at another person who had absorbed three divine fires—his own disciple. His teeth were bared at the corners of his mouth. He felt that his disciple's talent clearly surpassed these individuals, yet he just wouldn't strive for progress.

If this continued, what would there be to compete for? Just public embarrassment?

He turned to an elder beside him and said, "Forget it, don't let him compete anymore. Let him withdraw."

If he kept watching, he feared he wouldn't be able to control his temper.

Unexpectedly, the elder suddenly froze, staring blankly into the arena without responding.

So Qu Wuming turned to look again, only to see Li Hongjiu slowly withdrawing his hands, lightly holding the heart-shaped material in front of him with one hand. He was as still as calm water, gazing towards the distant sky.

There was no intention of dividing and refining the material.

Indeed, this was the case. He seemed to have entered a profound state, which also quieted Qu Wuming.

Suddenly, Li Hongjiu's robes began to flutter without any wind.

With his left hand, he made a gesture as if plucking a flower, then turned his palm upwards, pointing to the sky. He murmured to himself, "A speck of power from heaven and earth, always wandering through the ages..."