Chapter 389: Refining Instrument Competition

Wang Qingjing took out two yellow ore stones, a red beast hide, and a cyan wooden box. She announced loudly, "Two Jade Essence Stones, a second-tier mid-grade beast hide, and a second-tier mid-grade demonic core are offered in exchange for second-tier spirit wood."

"I happen to have a piece of second-tier spirit wood, Golden Luo Spirit Wood, which is three hundred years old," someone said. "How about exchanging it for your second-tier mid-grade demonic core, Fairy Wang?"

Tang Jing Tian took out a golden spirit wood piece, about three feet long, and handed it to Wang Qingjing.

Wang Qingjing examined it carefully, then nodded and smiled. "Deal," she said. "Any other fellow Daoists interested in an exchange?"

A short, stout man with a large head and ears exchanged a two-foot-long piece of purple spirit wood for the beast hide. However, no one expressed interest in the Jade Essence Stone.

After Wang Qingjing stepped down, the stout man quickly approached and took out two golden crystals. "Two Golden Cloud Crystals," he announced. "This is an excellent second-tier refining material, offered in exchange for earth-attribute second-tier refining materials."

One immortal cultivator after another stepped forward to exchange items.

Not many cultivators managed to complete an exchange. Wang Qingjing had organized this exchange meeting primarily to make new friends; material exchange was a secondary purpose.

Tang Jing Tian and Tang Jing Yan did not come forward to display any items; they simply observed from the side.

After the exchange meeting concluded, Wang Qingjing led a discussion to share insights on artifact refining.

To Wang Qingjing's surprise, Tang Jing Tian turned out to be a second-tier high-grade artifact refiner, speaking with great expertise about the craft.

Wang Qingjing smiled slightly and asked, "Fellow Daoist Tang, the Heavenly Soldier Grand Assembly will host an artifact refining competition. Will you be participating?"

Tang Jing Tian smiled proudly and said with utmost confidence, "Of course. My younger sister and I came here specifically to participate in this artifact refining competition. First place will undoubtedly be mine."

With his Foundation Establishment sixth-layer cultivation and extensive experience refining numerous high-grade magical artifacts, he had naturally come to the Heavenly Soldier Grand Assembly aiming for first place.

"I will also participate in the artifact refining competition," Wang Qingjing added. "With Fellow Daoist Tang here, I certainly won't be able to achieve first place, but a good ranking would still be satisfactory."

Wang Qingjing was not merely flattering Tang Jing Tian; as she was only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment, securing any ranking would indeed be an impressive achievement for her.

Tang Jing Yan smiled faintly and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I've heard that your Wang family specializes in refining mechanical puppet beasts. Since you are a second-tier artifact refiner, you must also be able to refine puppet beasts, correct?"

While puppet beasts originate from artifact refining, they are distinct. Some immortal cultivators are proficient in both artifact refining and puppet crafting, while others may only understand one of these disciplines.

"I am but of humble talent," Wang Qingjing replied, "but I can refine second-tier low-grade puppet beasts."

Wang Qingjing smiled confidently. Her father was a second-tier high-grade artifact refiner and puppet crafter, and it was clear his daughter's abilities were not far behind.

"I've also been learning to refine second-tier puppet beasts recently, but my success rate isn't very high," Tang Jing Yan admitted earnestly. "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Wang, what specific considerations are there for the spirit inscription step when refining a second-tier flying puppet beast?"

Tang Jing Yan's question was sincere. While the Tang family was indeed a prominent immortal cultivation clan, their rapid rise meant they couldn't possibly be masters of every discipline.

Wang Qingjing did not hold back and offered meticulous guidance.

Tang Jing Yan posed numerous questions, and Wang Qingjing answered them all. Witnessing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Tang Jing Tian's eyes.

Although Wang Qingjing's cultivation level wasn't high, her proficiency in puppet crafting was evidently quite significant.

The exchange meeting lasted for over two hours. Tang Jing Tian and Tang Jing Yan were undoubtedly the most prominent figures, but Wang Qingjing also performed well.

"It's getting late, fellow Daoists," Wang Qingjing said. "Let us continue our discussions another time. Farewell."

Wang Qingjing cupped her hands towards the crowd and spoke politely.

"Farewell, Fairy Wang."

Tang Jing Tian and the others successively bid their farewells and departed, with Wang Qingjing personally seeing them off.

After seeing off Tang Jing Tian and the others, Wang Qingjing and Wang Changyue returned upstairs.

"Aunt," Wang Qingjing mused, "do you think the Heavenly Soldier Sect's large-scale auction might be related to the Tang family?"

Wang Changyue nodded. "It's highly likely related to the Tang family," she said. "The Yu Nation and the Wei Nation are separated by five or six other countries. Tang family disciples wouldn't travel all this way to the Wei Nation just for an artifact refining competition. The Heavenly Soldier Sect is organizing such a large-scale auction, mobilizing so many people; they must have significant news to announce. However, none of that concerns us. The artifact refining competition is tomorrow, so you must perform diligently and strive to bring honor to our family."

"Understood, Aunt. I will do my best."

The next morning, over a thousand immortal cultivators gathered at the bluestone plaza within the valley.

Dozens of bluestone platforms, each equipped with a red artifact refining furnace, were set up across the plaza.

A middle-aged man in his forties stood on one of the bluestone platforms. Judging by his attire, he was a disciple of the Heavenly Soldier Sect.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Heavenly Soldier Grand Assembly," announced the man, Li Hang. "Today, we are hosting an artifact refining competition. All second-tier artifact refiners are welcome to participate; the registration fee is one thousand spirit stones. Materials will be provided by our Heavenly Soldier Sect. Ranking will be determined by the grade and power of the refined spirit artifacts and magical artifacts, with rewards for the top ten. Second-tier artifact refiners wishing to participate, please register here with me."

Wang Qingjing, being a second-tier artifact refiner capable of refining puppet beasts, also registered for the competition.

Over 130 second-tier artifact refiners registered for the competition. Since magical artifacts could not be refined so quickly, the first round required participants to refine spirit artifacts, with the top performers advancing to the next stage.

Each participant received three sets of materials for refining spirit artifacts, including profound iron, first-tier spirit wood, first-tier ore, and other first-tier refining materials.

The spirit artifact Wang Qingjing chose to refine was flying needles. These were her preferred magical artifacts—small, convenient, and incredibly difficult to guard against. Flying needles were also the type of artifact she excelled at refining; most of the puppet beasts she created could even project them.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, refining spirit artifacts naturally wouldn't consume much time.

The results were announced on the same day. Wang Qingjing had refined nine spirit-tier flying needles, each of which was a high-grade spirit artifact. In addition to the flying needles, she also produced a high-grade defensive spirit artifact.

Refining flying needles is particularly challenging and serves as a significant test of a refiner's skill. Wang Qingjing's successful refinement of nine flying needles and a high-grade defensive spirit artifact allowed her to smoothly advance to the next round.

The first round of the competition eliminated two-thirds of the refiners, leaving just over forty second-tier refiners. The elimination rate was exceptionally high.

For the second round of the competition, each refiner received one set of materials and had a time limit of one month.

To prevent external interference, Li Hang set up sound-insulating arrays on each platform.

Wang Qingjing sat quietly for a quarter of an hour before commencing her refining process.

She intended to refine a set of flying needles, playing to her strengths. Since she excelled at refining them, it was a natural choice. A complete set of magical artifacts typically possessed greater power, and if she could successfully refine one, she might even secure a spot in the top ten.

Initially, a considerable number of cultivators watched, but as time passed, the crowd significantly thinned.

Refining magical artifacts was far from easy. Just processing three pieces of second-tier metal ore took several days, completely depleting Wang Qingjing's magical power. Fortunately, with a month's time available, she took out mid-grade spirit stones and absorbed the spiritual energy within them to replenish her power.

Once her magical power was largely restored, she resumed refining the flying needles.

She opened her mouth and exhaled a wisp of cyan flame, which was the innate true fire of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The color of the true fire varied depending on the cultivation technique practiced by the immortal.