Chapter 460: Hundred Refinement Sect Was Not Well Taught

The Ming Shan Sect group, still watching Tong Mingshan, naturally understood what the two remaining black-and-white flames were and saw that he had once again focused on the competition.

Zuo Zisheng, a disciple of the Lian Tian Sect, had fallen into complete despair. Previously, he had clung to a sliver of hope, considering possibilities such as Luo Shengsheng making a mistake, Gu Lianni, as a woman, perhaps lacking the necessary ability, or Mi Liangmeng of the Jin Mao Hall being overly ambitious in attempting to refine nine orifices. As for Tong Mingshan, who hailed from a minor sect, Zuo Zisheng hadn't paid him any mind, even though Tong Mingshan had absorbed one more divine flame than he had. After considering all sorts of possibilities, he had felt he had a slim chance, believing that refining eight orifices might actually be his best option. Now, Li Hongjiu, who had also absorbed three divine flames like himself, suddenly demonstrated such skill, instantly making Zuo Zisheng realize how absurd and ridiculous his previous calculations had been, plunging him into utter despair.

He had completely given up on claiming first place. Now, he could only strive for his own dignity and the honor of his sect, refining the eight-orifice exquisite heart as best and as quickly as possible.

Xu Mang, a disciple of Jing Yang Palace, and Huang Chunzhu, a disciple of Fu Ming Valley, also abandoned their unrealistic hopes because of Li Hongjiu's performance, focusing instead on refining their own seven-orifice exquisite hearts. Everyone else was much the same, inwardly admitting their inferiority in skill and no longer considering themselves to be on the same level as Li Hongjiu and Luo Shengsheng.

The participants on the competition grounds once again became engrossed in their work, with various colored flames flickering erratically. Of course, each still had their own goals, occasionally glancing at the refining progress of the target opponent in their mind.

A large portion of the audience from various realms in front of the Sky-Scrutiny Mirror's image could not understand the refining progress, with some occasionally asking those who did understand for explanations. Meanwhile, some did not take the competition too seriously. For instance, Wei Mo, on the viewing stand at the royal training grounds in Sheng Shenzhou, was chatting with a man in brocade robes beside him, subtly but clearly implying, "The fact that I personally brought people from Wu Kang Mountain to meet you today tells you: these are my people!" Things were still unsettled, and it was hard to say much about the future.

At the royal training grounds in Zhanbu Continent, the group led by Qian She, who had left Li Huo Island in a huff, had surprisingly appeared on the viewing stand. Young Master Nan had personally contacted them using a talisman, informing them of the good news: the Lian Tian Sect wouldn't win first place. With so many people betting on the Lian Tian Sect, they might turn misfortune into fortune and make a huge profit! Although Young Master Qian She had previously implied he was disassociating himself from the gambling, wanting Young Master Nan to take sole responsibility, if they were truly about to strike it rich, how could Young Master Nan forget them? If something truly went wrong, he could bear the blame alone. But if they got rich, he had to forget the previous unpleasantness, not take Qian She's words literally, and actively offer them a way out, ensuring they received a share of the profits.

Thus, Qian She's group also forgot their previous displeasure, rushing to the mirror to watch the final competition results. They even brought experts to comment. After confirming that the Lian Tian Sect was losing ground and had no hope of winning, the group instantly celebrated, exchanging congratulations and cheering loudly, and began referring to Young Master Nan as 'Brother Nan' at every turn. The talisman in Young Master Nan's hand also became busy, as people continuously contacted him. Everyone told him to contact them if anything happened, to keep a close eye on the situation, and to speak up if their help was needed.

"Five orifices!"

Yan Qufeng, the sect leader of Bai Lian Sect, who was watching Luo Shengsheng's refining progress, suddenly exclaimed in admiration, amazed by his refining speed. He was not the only one watching Luo Shengsheng's progress, nor was he the only one marveling.

Shi Chun stared for a long while but still didn't understand, only seeing Luo Shengsheng switch to refining the sixth segmented material. "Indeed, if you don't understand, ask," he thought, then inquired, "Sect Leader Yan, how can one tell if it's refined properly?"

Yan Qufeng kept his gaze fixed on the scene and casually replied, "Look at the color. When the material is heated red and becomes slightly translucent, and the divine flame's colors flow within it, the visible color can be used as a basis for judgment..." As he spoke, he paused, turned his head to look at Shi Chun, and seeing him wide-eyed, observing and comparing the scene, he smiled slightly and said, "Well, it's hard to explain clearly in a short time. You haven't experienced it, nor do you have the discernment to judge its quality. It's unlikely you'll learn it quickly; you really need hands-on experience and immersion to understand."

"Alright," Shi Chun thought, giving up upon hearing this.

Elder Jie Lunguang suddenly said, "Sect Leader Gu's daughter has also refined three orifices."

Shi Chun looked over upon hearing this, and indeed, Gu Lianni had already launched her fire to work on the fourth material. Although the gap between her and Luo Shengsheng was evident, it still greatly excited the people from Shu Dao Mountain.

Elder Pan Gongying suddenly exclaimed in astonishment, "That disciple from Jin Mao Hall has also refined three orifices! They're actually showing a tendency to catch up to Sect Leader Gu's daughter from behind!" Shi Chun and the others immediately shifted their gaze. They saw that Mi Liangmeng had indeed directed his fire towards the fourth segmented material. The gap between him and Gu Lianni had narrowed so much that it was merely a step's difference. Previously, the difference between them was as much as one entire material, indicating that Mi Liangmeng, having found the right feel, was gradually closing the gap between them. And this mastery through intuition and feel—that's what's called talent! More importantly, Mi Liangmeng had only absorbed four divine flames, whereas Gu Lianni had absorbed seven.

Yan Qufeng exclaimed in admiration again, "This disciple from Jin Mao Hall has incredible talent!"

The people from Shu Dao Mountain clearly noticed this too. The group, which had just been greatly excited, gradually froze, their expressions stiffening. The situation was truly a bit of a slap in the face. The contrast was too stark: someone with four divine flames was about to catch up to someone with seven. If he truly got surpassed, then this disciple from Jin Mao Hall would make a name for himself by stepping on Shu Dao Mountain's dignity! Moreover, Sect Leader Gu's daughter was being used as a foil. Gu Yanduo's face tightened; humiliation was already showing. That Mi Liangmeng could catch up like this was completely unexpected.

Naturally, everyone in Jin Mao Hall was incredibly excited, and their sect leader stroked his beard and nodded, greatly pleased. For the sect to produce such a promising disciple was certainly not a waste of its many years of cultivation.

The high-ranking officials of the Lian Tian Sect watched in silence, as if the competition had nothing to do with them. In truth, they also felt humiliated. The sect, hailed as the foremost refining sect in the world, had surprisingly become mere background and spectators in this competition.

At this moment, even Shi Chun, an outsider, could discern the excitement in this competition. It was constantly full of the unexpected, revealing that human talent could unleash all sorts of possibilities in skill. It was truly exhilarating, and he also felt the invisible, intense atmosphere.

"Look, Tong Mingshan has also refined two orifices."

Elder Pan Gongying's words prompted the group to look over. They saw that Tong Mingshan had indeed moved on to the third material. To complete the refinement of two orifices in such a short time, the Bai Lian Sect group all showed expressions of admiration. Especially Tong Mingshan's master, who wore a truly relieved expression. The murmurs of praise from other disciples also emerged. "In less than half an incense stick's time, he's refined two orifices. Junior Brother Tong has made great progress in just a few days!" "Yes, indeed. The old Junior Brother Tong would have needed at least half a day to refine one orifice. Even with the divine flame's enhancement, it shows significant improvement."

Yan Qufeng rubbed his fingers together, seemingly calculating something, then also praised, "Tong Mingshan's speed in refining the second orifice was much faster than the first." Shi Chun turned his head to look at them, feeling somewhat speechless. Luo Shengsheng had already refined five orifices and was working on the sixth, yet their disciples and grand-disciples had only refined two, and they were proud of that? Not to mention Shi Chun, even the Ming Shan Sect group was taken aback. They all turned to look, realizing something: the standards of the Bai Lian Sect seemed a bit low. It appeared the gap between them and the Ten Great Sects was truly significant. Of course, with the monstrous Li Hongjiu present, they no longer held out hope for Tong Mingshan to win the championship. However, they were still somewhat disappointed. They hadn't expected that after absorbing twenty-six divine flames, he hadn't even outperformed someone like Mi Liangmeng, let alone Luo Shengsheng and Li Hongjiu. Especially after hearing the Bai Lian Sect's praise, the Ming Shan Sect group wanted to scratch their heads. They weren't sure if the Samadhi True Fire was ineffective, or if Tong Mingshan's skill level was simply too low to begin with.

Wu Jinliang couldn't help but curse softly, "Damn it, it's all because the Bai Lian Sect didn't teach well..."

"Xu Mang of Jing Yang Palace has also completed two orifices."

"Huang Chunzhu of Fu Ming Valley has also begun refining the third orifice!"

"Yuan Yao of Shu Dao Mountain has also started on the third orifice!"

Discussions buzzed all around, with every word laced with excitement, as if witnessing something truly rare and eye-opening. Shi Chun and the others listened and watched, feeling rather indifferent. Letting go of their desires had made them feel more at ease, although there was a slight hint of disappointment, compounded by their lack of understanding.

"The sixth orifice is complete! Good heavens, Luo Shengsheng is working on the seventh!" A cry of alarm drew Shi Chun and the others' gaze. Even they, as laymen, had to admit that the bald man's refining speed was getting faster and faster.

Wu Jinliang pouted again, "May that bald bastard die a horrible death..."

"Look, is Li Hongjiu about to finish?"

Another startled exclamation rang out, and everyone looked over. Indeed, Li Hongjiu's 'model' had completely fused with the molten iron, and its overall shape had transformed into that of a heart. The bright red color was gradually dimming. The flames in Li Hongjiu's hand had vanished. The exquisite heart was clearly in the process of cooling.

Shi Chun reopened his spiritual eye and looked again, discovering that the grayish object connected to the exquisite heart was still spinning in the air. It seemed there was no intention to remove it before the item had completely cooled. Li Hongjiu also clearly snapped out of his concentration, surveyed his surroundings, and after meeting the inquiring gazes of his master Qu Wuming and the others, he nodded slightly, indicating success. Qu Wuming could no longer suppress the smile on his face. This rascal had brought him too much honor, and too much honor to the sect. This year, no matter what, he had to restrain himself from hitting him. The high-ranking officials also broke into wide smiles, some clapping their hands in delight, others laughing and whispering softly, or motioning for the disciples to be discreet.

The sects led by the Lian Tian Sect each cast a cold, sidelong glance.

"Alas!" many in Shi Chun's group sighed. This time, they had completely given up hope.

Luo Shengsheng, disturbed by the discussions, looked up at the opposite side. Li Hongjiu's gaze met his, a slight smile on his face, and he provocatively raised his chin, as if asking, "I said you wouldn't get first place, wasn't I right?" For him, in this kind of competition, even if he hadn't absorbed divine flames, he could still achieve first place with his cultivation of fire-elemental techniques. This was also one reason why he hadn't shown much interest in divine flames before.

However, Luo Shengsheng merely glanced at his situation, remaining indifferent to his provocation, showing no emotional ripple, and quickly lowered his eyes, refocusing on his own refining. That dismissive attitude caused Li Hongjiu to momentarily freeze, and also made him vaguely sense that something was amiss.