Chapter 467: Listening to Thunder

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In the reflection, the exquisite heart he held in his hand, his face, and his white hair were all visible.

Shi Chun's group was dumbfounded, utterly shocked by Tong Mingshan's snow-white hair. Their companion, with whom they had spent so much time, had suddenly changed in a way that defied their understanding. The indescribable shock they felt completely overshadowed their desire for victory.

Gu Yanduo, who was personally tending to his daughter, also turned to gaze intently at Tong Mingshan, now finished with his task.

Gu Lianni remained unconscious, unaware of the events unfolding.

Mi Liangmeng and Luo Shengsheng, who had already left the stage, forgot their exhaustion, fixated on the startling sight in the arena.

The entire venue fell into stunned silence.

From the mountaintop, Mu Lan Jin gave a cold, sidelong glance.

At the valley entrance, An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin gazed upwards, equally speechless.

Lan Qiaoyan and Gong Yuanzhi, sitting on the terrace, instinctively rose, their eyes fixed on Tong Mingshan's white hair. For these bystanders, whether Tong Mingshan had won the championship was far less striking than the bizarre sight before them.

In the stands of the capital's training ground in Sheng Shenzhou, Wei Mo and his companions also instinctively rose. They paced to the railing, their gazes fixed on Tong Mingshan's white hair. They distinctly recalled him having black hair when he first appeared; they couldn't have mistaken such a distinctive, snow-white appearance.

Bian Weiying, an old acquaintance of Tong Mingshan, found the sudden transformation of a familiar face incredibly disorienting.

Duan Xiangmei, observing from the beach crowd, shared the same bewildered feeling. She gasped, covering her mouth, truly unable to believe that this was the Tong Mingshan who lived in the same residence and whom she greeted almost daily.

Feng Chi, standing outside the throng, clasped her hands together at her chest, fingers intertwined. It was impossible to tell if she was overwhelmed with shock or simply praying.

Once the man in green and Xiang Lan'er regained their composure, their eyes shifted to Feng Chi, occasionally glancing at the exquisite heart in the reflection. A common suspicion arose among them: Had this woman predicted it again?

Suddenly, a shout from the beach crowd shattered the silence. "Did you all see that? Two people vomited blood, and this one's hair turned white in less than half an incense stick's time! And they always complain we charge too much. Now do you understand how difficult artifact refining is?"

Immediately, a flurry of discussions erupted.

Conversations also gradually began within Artifact Cloud Valley. The topics, both inside and outside, were largely the same: some wondered why Tong Mingshan's hair had suddenly turned white, while others debated whether he had truly refined the 'True Heart'.

Li Hongjiu, his divine flame still burning in his hand, was also utterly bewildered by Tong Mingshan. He mentally cursed him, half in awe, wondering how much effort this "fool" must have put in to turn his hair completely white.

As for Tong Mingshan himself, after a brief moment to recover his weary mind, he dared not waste the remaining time and stepped towards the judging area. Taking but a single step, he faltered, experiencing a sudden dizziness and disorientation similar to earlier, almost collapsing. He forcibly steadied himself, circulated his vital energy, and slowly recovered. When he opened his eyes again, his pace was no longer hurried; he proceeded cautiously.

The central judging panel, comprising members from the Ten Great Sects and the Li Huo Sect, fixed their gaze on him as he approached, then their eyes shifted to another figure drawing near. The only other person in the arena was, of course, Li Hongjiu.

Li Hongjiu's fire remained unextinguished, yet he seemed utterly mesmerized by Tong Mingshan. Not only did he stop his own refining, but he actually followed him. This made the supervisors, tasked with maintaining order, nervous. They worried Li Hongjiu might resort to violence upon realizing he was losing, knowing his reputation for unreliability. They couldn't be certain he wouldn't act impulsively.

Their worries, however, were unfounded. From Li Hongjiu's perspective, if Tong Mingshan had indeed refined the True Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart, there was no point in him continuing his own work. He had only managed seven orifices, and with the remaining time, it was too late to even attempt the eighth, let alone the ninth. He simply wanted to get a closer look, to scrutinize it thoroughly and understand if it was genuinely refined, just like that. He had never seen anything particularly noteworthy about this Tong fellow before. He was, in fact, the first contestant to wander around the arena carrying his refining equipment and a collection of divine fires.

His master, Qu Wuming, looked grim once more. He simply couldn't fathom why his disciple, seemingly a perfectly normal person, couldn't act like one. Was he missing a screw, or did he have an extra one?

Just as he was about to get closer to Tong Mingshan, an elder from the Yanbao Sect, part of the judging panel, couldn't contain himself. Pointing at Li Hongjiu, he sternly asked, "Stop! What are you doing?"

Li Hongjiu gave a wry smile. "What else? I'm checking if he truly succeeded. If he did, then this competition is over." He still attempted to approach, but the elder pointed to the ground at his feet. "Alright," he conceded, keeping his distance, craning his neck to get a better look.

Tong Mingshan, who briefly glanced back at him, had no energy for trivialities. He approached the judges, offering his refined artifact with both hands. "Tong Mingshan of Mingshan Sect has completed the refinement. I humbly request your judgment, esteemed seniors." His voice was faint and weary.

The Li Huo Sect Elder acknowledged him with a nod, personally received the artifact with both hands, and began the first inspection.

Silence once again fell upon the valley. Everyone watched intently, awaiting the verdict.

Shi Chun's mind now shifted to the championship. He quickly whispered to Yan Qu Feng beside him, "Sect Master Yan, when Tong Mingshan finished refining his artifact, a layer seemed to fall off, reducing its weight. Will that not affect the judgment?"

Yan Qu Feng recalled the situation Shi Chun described and shook his head slightly. "You're overthinking it. Gaining weight would be problematic; losing weight is perfectly fine. To put it simply, the less material used to refine an item, the more it demonstrates superior craftsmanship." Knowing Shi Chun was a novice, he provided a clearer explanation: "Consider refining an equally complex item using a nail-sized piece of material versus a basin-sized piece. The smaller piece will undeniably be more difficult to refine, due to the limited space for the process."

Shi Chun let out a soft "Oh," feeling relieved after the explanation. He had been worried about being unfairly disqualified at the last moment. Such concerns were always on his mind.

The moment the artifact was in his hands, its feel alone provided the Li Huo Sect Elder with a clear preliminary assessment. Though clearly a metallic object, it felt surprisingly soft to the touch. After carefully examining the artifact, the elder, despite his mental preparation, still showed surprise on his face. He looked up at Tong Mingshan, then glanced around at the other elders from various sects on the judging panel.

Then, under the watchful eyes of all, he initiated further verification. He released his grip, and the exquisite heart floated before him. With a distant gesture, he channeled a stream of magical energy into its orifice.

"Thump-thump..."

Within the now silent competition arena, a dull, rolling thunder suddenly resonated. Inexperienced individuals instinctively looked left and right, searching, gazing at the clear sky, wondering where thunder could possibly come from. Shi Chun's group, for instance, reacted in this manner. However, their attention quickly shifted to the sound's origin. Everyone present fixed their gaze on the floating exquisite heart.

The heart was moving, pulsing. Bathed in sunlight, as it pulsed, its expanding and contracting form continuously refracted a deep blue light, dazzling everyone. Though everyone knew it was refracted sunlight, their eyes perceived a shimmering, deep blue heart, pulsing and casting a phantom-like indigo-purple glow. The sound of its pulse was particularly striking: a dull thumping, akin to a drum, yet imbued with a weighty, metallic resonance, like muffled thunder rumbling within dark clouds, yet never breaking. The sound wasn't overtly loud, yet its profound penetrating power—or perhaps, its deep, stirring resonance—was so grand and forceful that it seemed to pound against eardrums and lungs, faintly reverberating throughout the valley. The valley seemed like a vast chest cavity, and the floating, pulsing object appeared to be its very heart.

Tong Mingshan's face registered surprise, as if he hadn't anticipated the exquisite heart he refined would emit such a profound sound. Not far off, Li Hongjiu, still holding his divine flame, appeared utterly dazed. On the mountainside, Young Master Nan stared wide-eyed, swallowed hard, and murmured, "It's truly like a living entity..."

To the uninitiated, it was truly astonishing that such a small heart could generate such a profound presence within the valley. For the experts, the incessant "thump-thump" seemed to possess a magical quality. Each leaned in, listening intently, and many faces grew solemn, expressing a mix of surprise, shock, and deep fascination, as if they could never hear enough.

While most present were experts, reacting as such, the crowd on the beach outside erupted into a clamor, as if a beehive had been disturbed.

"Hey, that heart is really beating!"

"Look, that hunk of metal truly seems to have come alive!"

"And that flickering light is simply magnificent and dazzling!"

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Duan Xiangmei, glancing left and right, felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. Could he truly win the championship? If so, she would naturally be overjoyed.

The expert surnamed Wang on the terrace proved his mastery. Observing the entranced reactions of the people in the valley through the reflection, his expression suddenly shifted. He cupped his hands to his ears, mimicking eavesdropping towards Artifact Cloud Valley. His eyes darted around, then he seemed to understand something, stamping his foot and exclaiming, "Ha!" Pointing at the reflection, he stammered, "Listening to thunder! They are listening to thunder!"

This statement hit a blind spot for Lan Qiaoyan, Gong Yuanzhi, and the others. After exchanging glances, Gong Yuanzhi asked, "What is 'listening to thunder'?"

The expert surnamed Wang seemed to regret not being present, restlessly scratching his ears and cheeks as he explained: "Determining whether the 'True Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart' has been successfully refined involves three steps: first, its form; second, its aura; and third, its sound. 'Form' involves using magic to examine its internal and external structure. 'Aura' entails using magic to confirm if it can be fully permeated once qi enters it. After these first two steps are verified, the exquisite heart will pulse and emit sounds just like a real heart. While all successfully refined True Exquisite Hearts are considered a triumph, subtle differences exist in the finished products crafted by different individuals. These seemingly minor variations cause distinct differences in the sound of their pulse. The more chaotic the sound, the more flaws are indicated. Only when the physical structure is virtually flawless and the aura is naturally perfect does it align with the profound work of heaven and earth. Its pulse is then deep and flawless, like rolling thunder, a sound capable of deterring venomous insects and rodents. This means that a 'True Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart' that emits such thunderous sounds is the absolute pinnacle of refinement!"

Pointing at the reflection again, he expressed deep regret: "To refine a 'True Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart' that emits such thunderous sounds requires an unimaginable level of precision. In today's artifact refining world, even Situ Gu might not be able to achieve it. It's a rare opportunity to hear such a marvel; it's a shame I'm not in the valley to witness it firsthand."

The others present exchanged glances once more. Lan Qiaoyan, curious, asked, "Sir, aren't you exaggerating? Could it be that Situ Gu's refining skills are truly inferior to Tong Mingshan's?"

The expert surnamed Wang quickly waved his hand. "Madam, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant. In terms of overall refining skill and ability, even a hundred Tong Mingshans couldn't surpass Situ Gu. For instance, Tong Mingshan, in his current state, couldn't refine certain artifacts that demand powerful cultivation as an auxiliary. I was specifically referring to the *precision* of the refinement, where Tong Mingshan might indeed surpass Situ Gu, not his general refining capacity. However, to refine a 'True Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart' in such a short time, his foundational skills must surpass even Situ Gu's from back in the day. This young man's future is truly boundless!"

Upon hearing this, Gong Yuanzhi's sparkling gaze turned to the white-haired man in the reflection.

On the mountaintop, Mu Lan Jin also closed her eyes, listening intently to the rolling thunder echoing through the valley. Situ Gu, too, turned his head, silent. Among the encircling crowd, only the Mingshan Sect group looked around, bewildered by the others' captivated expressions.

The muffled "thump-thump" of thunder eventually subsided. The Li Huo Sect Elder, mindful of his duties, then passed the exquisite heart to another elder. "I've found no issues. Please, examine it yourselves." Elders from other sects then took turns inspecting the artifact.

Luo Shengsheng, having regained his composure, looked at Tong Mingshan, a sudden look of relief washing over his face.

Over at the Artifact Refinement Sect, an elder leaned closer to Luo Yan and whispered, "Are we truly going to let an outsider claim first place like this?"

Luo Yan calmly replied, "Who would dare claim he's not part of the artifact refining world now? With so many eyes on us, it would be too unsightly to object." The elder was momentarily stunned into silence. Luo Yan then sighed softly. "The gap is too vast. Giving Zuo Zisheng ten divine flames wouldn't make a difference. This isn't a defeat by combat."

In the competition arena, the final divine fire suddenly went out. With a *plop*, Li Hongjiu casually discarded his refining equipment. He then added a kick, stomping the slightly softened material into what resembled foul dog droppings, muttering indistinguishable curses under his breath. His shoe sole began to smoke from the heat. He quickly hopped on one leg, picking up his charred foot to slap the sole a few times. He then shrugged towards the judges, signaling his surrender. Only then did he approach Tong Mingshan, examining him from head to toe. "Did you really need to push yourself so hard?" he asked. "If you had this skill, why didn't you show it earlier? You almost cost me half my life; I'm utterly exhausted. You've hidden your talents incredibly well, though you don't seem like the type. Was this Shi Chun's doing?"

Everyone understood his unspoken message: there was no longer any point in competing. Li Hongjiu had publicly conceded defeat.

Unbeknownst to him, over at the Yanbao Sect, his master, Qu Wuming, was glaring at him with furious eyes.

Li Hongjiu, reporting back to his master, immediately felt a surge of dread upon seeing his furious expression. Unsure of how he had provoked him this time, he braced himself and bowed, stating, "Your disciple's skill is inferior. I am willing to accept punishment." Yet, he muttered inwardly, thinking it wasn't so serious. "Everyone isn't blind," he mused. "They all saw it. I couldn't have won even if I tried my hardest."

Qu Wuming asked in a deep voice, "Did you refine a True Exquisite Heart?"

Seeing the elder next to him also sighing, Li Hongjiu, unsure which cardinal rule he had broken this time, cautiously replied, "Yes."

Qu Wuming continued, "How many orifices did you refine?"

Li Hongjiu honestly admitted, "I only refined seven orifices."

Qu Wuming: "How can you prove it?"

"Prove it?" Li Hongjiu was perplexed. He glanced back at the equipment he had just stomped flat in the arena, realizing it was now impossible to prove. "Why do I need to prove it?" he asked, confused.

Qu Wuming seemed to be absolutely furious with him. With a flick of his hand, a date-red stick materialized.

Li Hongjiu was startled, instinctively flinching back. Cupping his face with both hands, he pleaded, "Master, even if I have no merit, I've worked hard! In front of everyone, surely this isn't necessary?" A group of disciples worried for him, yet no one dared to speak.

Qu Wuming tapped his shoulder with the stick, his face grim as he asked, "Why didn't you submit the True Exquisite Heart with seven orifices for judgment? Why did you destroy it?"

Li Hongjiu replied somewhat bewildered, "There's no need for judgment, is there? No matter how it's judged, I couldn't possibly win. Your disciple wholeheartedly accepts defeat; I am indeed inferior to him."

Qu Wuming roared, "If you don't submit it for judgment, how can you prove you refined a True Exquisite Heart with seven orifices? Do you expect us to believe you just because you say you did?"

Li Hongjiu offered a wry smile. "Given the circumstances, do I still need to prove it to others? My skill is my own; there's no need. Besides, the prize goes to first place, and there's no award for second, so why bother with all the formalities..."

"Do you even understand what 'proper procedure' means? You scoundrel!"

Furious, Qu Wuming lost control on the spot. He swung his stick, delivering a brutal beating that made Li Hongjiu, clutching his head, howl like a dog. He understood the rules of such beatings: he couldn't use his cultivation to resist, or his assailant would too, leading to an even worse outcome.

Fortunately, the elders standing nearby intervened in time, restraining Qu Wuming. One advised, "Sect Master, it's undignified in front of so many people. If not for our sake, then for the sake of the Heavenly Mirror, please restrain yourself. It won't be too late to punish him later."

Bruised and swollen, crouching beneath the railing with his head in his hands, Li Hongjiu, who had just offered a grateful glance, instantly froze upon hearing the latter part of the advice. Qu Wuming immediately turned to glance at the Heavenly Mirror's reflection. This time, he promptly heeded the advice, shaking off the elders' grasp, smoothly putting away his stick, and pointing at Li Hongjiu. "You scoundrel," he reprimanded, "go back and kneel for a month first!"

Li Hongjiu mumbled a response. After pulling himself up using the stone railing and noticing no one dared to approach him, he felt a wave of melancholy. He genuinely couldn't understand why his thinking was always considered wrong. Fortunately, most people's attention was on Tong Mingshan, so few noticed him getting beaten. He sighed, "Forget it, I'm used to it." The competition had truly exhausted him. He turned and sat on the ground, leaning against the stone railing, then gestured for the person who had held his belongings before the match to bring him wine.

The elder who had spoken up earlier looked back and shook his head. He figured this fellow would never appreciate his master's painstaking efforts. "How can you beat sense into someone like this?" he thought. "You can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep."

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