Chapter 463: Full Power Attack

Every subtle detail of a True Linglong Heart is part of a complex and comprehensive chain-like structure.

Tong Mingshan had never formally studied this chain-like refining method, though he wasn't entirely unfamiliar with it. Previously, at the Hundred Refinements Sect, he had, out of curiosity, consulted his masters about it, but he was scolded for trying to run before he could walk.

However, he had privately attempted to study it, but was discouraged by the difficulty due to his insufficient strength, confirming that it was beyond his current capabilities.

Luo Shengsheng of the Great Ming Pavilion and Li Hongjiu of the Treasure Derivation Sect were different. Including Gu Lianni and other disciples from major sects, their respective sects had encouraged them to maintain an interest in this challenging craft. They were encouraged to try and challenge themselves, and to discover their own aptitudes. Comparatively, major sects possessed the resources for their disciples to experiment with, and they were willing to teach the relevant refining methods to anyone eager to learn.

However, things with high thresholds are always extraordinary, and it was indeed difficult for lower-level disciples to cross this threshold.

Among the competitors present, if anyone had truly crossed that threshold, it was only one person: Li Hongjiu.

He, too, had tried it out of curiosity. It had taken him a great deal of effort and a long time to refine just one node.

Being able to refine one true node meant that all nine true nodes could be refined; the only difference was the time required.

Once he had refined it, he realized how it worked, and then he lost interest.

He preferred to focus on his own cultivation and had little inherent interest in refining. He had only tried it out of momentary curiosity. After satisfying his curiosity, he found it too time-consuming and labor-intensive to be worthwhile, so he never touched it again.

When he had refined that true node, he had done it secretly in the sect's back mountain. No one else knew about it besides himself.

He didn't want anyone to know, fearing he would be vehemently reprimanded and forced to deal with all sorts of messy refining materials. Immediately after refining it, he destroyed all evidence.

If he hadn't discovered today that Luo Shengsheng intended to outdo him with the True Linglong Heart, he normally wouldn't have revealed his mastery of this technique.

He knew what he wanted, and he knew what his master, Qu Wuming, wanted. But he genuinely didn't want to take over the sect one day. He had no interest in being the leader of a major sect, or any of the top ten sects. He didn't want to get caught up in the disputes and trivialities of such positions, because it was meaningless to him.

Yet, another 'however' applies here: at other times, he could be lazy and just muddle through, but now, he was under pressure. He knew what the sect needed at this moment.

He also knew that once he displayed greater refining prowess, he would be putting another shackle around his own neck.

But such is often the way of the world: if one cannot be selfish, then one only makes things difficult for oneself.

It was precisely because he possessed the ability to refine a True Linglong Heart that he sneered coldly upon confirming Luo Shengsheng's intentions.

It was true that he had fallen into Luo Shengsheng's trap, and it was true that he had to start over. But he didn't believe Luo Shengsheng's refining technique could surpass his own arts.

Of course, he had never refined a True Linglong Heart in such a short time. Re-establishing the structural 'traces' of a True Linglong Heart in thin air was an extremely complex matter, and complexity meant a significant consumption of time.

Nevertheless, he still didn't believe Luo Shengsheng could be faster than him.

Luo Shengsheng needed to refine it piece by piece using his refining techniques. But for him, once the 'traces' were constructed, the molten materials would naturally fuse with them to form the shape.

He was confident that the time difference involved was far greater than any minor delaying advantage Luo Shengsheng's tricks might offer.

As he reactivated his spells to refine the materials, he closed his eyes in concentration, subtly moving his fingers to redraw the faint traces.

Shi Chun's gaze was solemn, because he could see the intricate trace patterns Li Hongjiu was quickly sketching out, step by step.

Comparatively, he could understand this, but he couldn't comprehend what Tong Mingshan was doing.

He noticed that Tong Mingshan's refining posture was different from Luo Shengsheng's, Mi Liangmeng's, and Gu Lianni's. The latter three shared some similarities in their refining techniques; they were all working towards the same refining goal.

In other words, all refiners present, except Li Hongjiu, exhibited similar refining techniques, as observed by his special right eye. This included Tong Mingshan's method when he was previously refining the Nine Nodes.

Clearly, that similarity represented the proper refining methods.

But ever since Tong Mingshan abandoned eight refining components to focus on just one, Shi Chun had been bewildered. Tong Mingshan had re-melted the component he was working on for the Nine Nodes, which Shi Chun wasn't sure if it was nearly complete.

If he couldn't understand it at all, it wouldn't be an issue. The problem was, he could somewhat discern what was happening. He noticed Tong Mingshan seemed to be repeatedly manipulating a tiny section of that refining component. After working on one small area, he would switch to another tiny section and repeat the process, over and over. What in the world was he doing?

He couldn't understand it and didn't know what to say. Never mind, since winning was hopeless anyway, he might as well let the sect leader experiment.

The crucial point was that he couldn't suppress the murmurs in his mind. Having spent so much time with Tong Mingshan, he understood his character somewhat. Tong Mingshan wasn't someone who acted without purpose; there had to be a reason for this.

He also couldn't ask others about what he was seeing. It was eating away at him.

Thus, sometimes, for people, ignorance is truly bliss.

After practicing on each small section, Tong Mingshan would open his eyes. He would glance at the incense burner to see how much incense had burned, fearing he might lose track of time if he became too absorbed.

Finding there was still time, he would close his eyes and concentrate again, continuing to practice diligently.

He was repeatedly refining the proficiency and fluidity of controlling the True Fire with his consciousness.

No refining sect would teach someone to practice this with such urgency. Refining sects focused on whether a technique was mastered. Even if proficiency was sought, it was something that came with practice over time. Normal refining couldn't be rushed; some materials, if damaged, would be ruined.

At this moment, Tong Mingshan was attempting a path he didn't know if anyone had ever walked before. In the realm of refining, it was his first step in trying to forge his own way. He originally felt apprehension and unease about the unknown, but forced by the circumstances, all his anxieties had to be set aside.

Precisely because he was treading an unknown path, even the slightest gain he made at this moment was something he could never have achieved before taking this step.

Sometimes, one has to admit that the focus created by pressure is something unattainable at any other time.

Moreover, certain insights that are usually elusive can only be formed and attained under this unique kind of intense focus.

And once such brilliant insights are gained during moments of exceptionally active and vibrant thought, achievements in certain areas will progress by leaps and bounds.

Such moments of insight might also be incredibly precious, perhaps never attained by many people throughout their entire lives.

Knowing how to acquire it became his own path. From then on, he would know how to follow this road.

At this moment, the competition within the Cloud Valley of Artifacts had clearly become a contest of two different tiers. Luo Shengsheng, Li Hongjiu, Mi Liangmeng, and Gu Lianni were clearly on one tier, while everyone else, except Tong Mingshan, was on another.

Not only did Shi Chun fail to understand Tong Mingshan's actions, but even the knowledgeable experts present were somewhat baffled. It didn't look like he was refining a True Linglong Heart. Yet, his action of discarding eight components was similar to Mi Liangmeng and Gu Lianni. They didn't know which tier to place him in the competition.

Luo Yan, the Sect Master of the Sky Refining Sect, dared not rashly conclude whether Luo Shengsheng and the others could refine a True Linglong Heart in such a short time. It concerned whether his sect's disciple, Zuo Zisheng, could seize the opportunity to win. After much hesitation, he still questioned Situ Gu, who was standing nearby, “Junior Brother, do you think those who are refining the True Linglong Heart can succeed?”

He knew that Situ Gu's insight into artifact refining was superior to his own. He guessed that what he couldn't understand, Situ Gu might be able to discern.

Situ Gu shook his head slightly. “It’s hard to say.”

His current attention was, instead, on Tong Mingshan, whom few people were paying attention to.

He had also noticed Tong Mingshan because Zhen'er, at some point, had focused intently on him and looked utterly bewildered. So, he, too, began observing Tong Mingshan. He found it strange why Zhen'er reacted this way, given that she knew Tong Mingshan. Therefore, he also carefully scrutinized Tong Mingshan.

Outside the Cloud Valley of Artifacts, among the spectators watching the mirror projection, wherever there was an expert explaining, a large crowd would gather around them.

Many others weren't even very concerned with the competition process shown in the mirror. Mainly, this type of competition was too specialized compared to combat matches. It lacked immediate visual excitement. What was so interesting about a bunch of people foolishly standing there playing with fire?

They were simply waiting for the final results in front of the mirror when they had free time...

The incense in the burner had burned past the halfway mark.

When only a quarter of the competition time remained, Zuo Zisheng, a disciple of the Sky Refining Sect, suddenly stirred the eight floating components with his spells, carefully merging the separated eight components into one.

“It seems the Eight-Aperture Linglong Heart is about to be completed!”

“The Sky Refining Sect has indeed taken the lead.”

“If those refining the True Linglong Heart fail, he might just win the championship.”

“With a quarter of the time still left, it seems he’s fully capable of refining the Nine Apertures.”

“Did he underestimate his own abilities at the beginning?”

“After all, he only recently acquired the Divine Flame; he himself wouldn't know the full extent of his power.”

Hearing the various discussions, Zuo Zisheng was actually a bit puzzled himself. He hadn't expected that, under the pressure of competition, he would be able to complete the Eight Apertures so much earlier. Had he known, he would certainly have refined the Nine Apertures, and perhaps even attempted the True Linglong Heart.

Yan Qufeng, who had been stroking his beard while observing, suddenly cast his gaze elsewhere. His hand paused, nearly plucking his own beard. He let out an exclamation, “An iridescent glow, that’s…”

Shi Chun also noticed it; it was hard not to. The anomaly was simply too obvious. From within the component Luo Shengsheng was primarily refining, a faint, colorful, iridescent glow was subtly emanating. Before he could understand what was happening, exclamations already rang out from all around.

“A True Linglong Heart!”

“Is it really about to be completed?”

“Yes, it's almost done!”

“Good heavens, he’ll complete a True Linglong Heart in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!”

“He truly deserves to be the one who acquired ten Divine Flames!”

Amidst the continuous exclamations, everyone from the Great Ming Pavilion was stirred and excited. Many disciples couldn't help but clap their hands.

The Sky Refining Sect contingent, who had just been joyful and hopeful, felt as if they had been doused with cold water.

Zuo Zisheng, who had glanced at the object of the cheers, also had a bitter taste in his mouth. However, his psychological fortitude was decent. He diligently stabilized his emotions and carefully finished his work, lest all his efforts be wasted.

Shi Chun quickly asked a person next to him, “Sect Master Yan, does the emanation of this glow mean it's complete?”

Yan Qufeng, unsure whether he was marveling or sighing, said, “When a True Linglong Heart is successfully refined, it possesses an intricate internal structure. It's composed of countless minute and delicate elements, with interconnected void spaces normally invisible to the naked eye. The light from the refining flame undergoes various refractions within it. The impression it gives externally is that of an iridescent glow. Therefore, to some extent, this can serve as proof of successful refinement.”

Even as he spoke, the iridescent glow in Luo Shengsheng's hands grew clearer and more intense.

A buzz of uproar spread through the scene.

Upon hearing the commotion, Li Hongjiu, who was still refining with his spells, slightly opened his eyes and glanced towards Luo Shengsheng. A cold sneer played on his lips, and then he closed his eyes again.

Tong Mingshan, also hearing the commotion, opened his eyes and looked. He checked the incense burner, noting only a quarter of the time remained. He exhaled slowly, then took a deep breath. With a sweeping motion of his arms, pushing and shifting his hands, the eight refining components that had fallen to the ground were suddenly lifted into the air. They surrounded the glowing red component in the center, like stars encircling the moon.

Tong Mingshan put one hand behind his back, and with a single palm gesture, a burst of black and white intense flames erupted. They virtually supported the now-merged component as it descended, continuing its refinement.

No time left, he had to give it his all!

At this moment, the two competitors standing on either side of him simultaneously turned their heads to look at him.

Despite the considerable distance between them, they both simultaneously felt a surge of power erupting from this neighbor. It seemed to suppress the power of the Divine Flames in their hands, causing it to suddenly diminish significantly, making them feel that the refining heat of their Divine Flames had weakened considerably.