By the ti the voice descended, the massive Energy Palm was already falling from the sky like a dark cloud.
The giant Energy Palm pulsed with imnse power, its boundless energy radiating outward as it enveloped Hong Yu.
The oppressive aura felt like Mount Tai Pressing Down, causing Hong Yu's legs to tremble. It felt as if the imnse pressure would slam him to his knees at any mont.
'Such a powerful aura! Is this a Primordial Core Realm expert?'
Hong Yu was aghast.
He had never imagined a Primordial Core Realm expert was present, let alone that this expert would attack him over Huo Yan.
His thoughts raced like lightning as anxiety gripped him.
'How can I possibly survive an attack from a Primordial Core Realm expert?'
But no matter what scenario he imagined, he ca to the sa grim conclusion: with his current strength, he was no match for a Primordial Core Realm expert. He would need to advance further on his Martial Dao and reach the Late-stage Celestial Soul Realm to even have a chance.
The situation was dire.
'What should I do?'
Hong Yu's eyes flickered, the cyan light in his left eye flaring. Gritting his teeth, he shot a blue arrow of light from his Cyan Eyes.
SWISH!
The blue arrow of light, his Ice Divine Blade, pierced through the air and shot toward the giant hand.
"'A firefly's glow, trying to compete with the moon? You're hopelessly out of your depth.'"
An old, cold snort ca from behind the water curtain.
The Energy Palm shuddered in mid-air, and the Ice Divine Blade—an attack powerful enough to severely injure a Mid-stage Celestial Soul Realm expert—shattered on impact. Hong Yu felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.
The Ice Divine Blade was an attack condensed from his Spiritual Power. Its forceful destruction sent a violent tremor through his body, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.
The palm lood over him, now only three or four ters away. Hong Yu was instantly plunged into a haze of death and despair. He felt as if he had been cast into a thousand-year-old ice pit, and he began to tremble uncontrollably.
But Hong Yu felt not a shred of fear.
A grim coldness filled his eyes as he ground his teeth. "You old dog, bullying soone so much weaker than you! If I survive this, I swear I'll repay this debt of hatred a hundred, a thousand tis over!"
"'Retaliate against ?' the voice sneered. 'Hmph. Now that I have made my move, do you really think I'd leave you alive to seek revenge?'"
Another cold snort echoed through the air.
The Energy Palm paused for a mont before resuming its crushing descent.
Hong Yu's knees buckled, and he almost fell to the ground, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay upright.
"'Oh? Not bad. You've managed to withstand my pressure without your mind collapsing. In that case, let's see how you handle this!'"
As soon as the words fell, a sharp Sword Pointing attack materialized in the air above.
The Sword Pointing circled in the air like a keen blade before suddenly plumting toward Hong Yu.
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of Hong Yu. He gave the keen sword a cool glance, snorted, and a Golden Dragon erupted from his body.
ROAR!
The golden Energy Long Dragon roared, soaring upward. It twisted and writhed as it charged the massive palm in the air.
BOOM!
The Energy Hand Seal was obliterated by the Golden Dragon.
The figure in black standing before Hong Yu was revealed. It was none other than the Chairman of the Spiritual Craftsman Guild, Tang Long.
Tang Long looked up toward the water curtain and said coldly, "Wang Ba, you old bastard, you're getting more shaless by the day. Didn't we agree not to interfere in the juniors' squabbles? Weren't you the one who just said our status makes it inappropriate to ddle? Or did you already forget the bullshit you were spouting just a mont ago?"
"Tang Long, you insist on opposing ?"
The water curtain shattered. Wang Ba's figure flashed into view, hovering arrogantly in the air as he looked down on Tang Long.
Scorching flas danced in his eyes—the physical manifestation of his furious rage.
Tang Long t his gaze without flinching. "I'm not targeting anyone. I simply can't stand to watch so self-important fool act all high and mighty, enforcing one rule for himself and another for everyone else..."
"You..."
Wang Ba's eyes flickered.
After a mont, he took a deep breath and stared at Tang Long. "Fine. Just fine. Today, I'll let this slide for your sake."
Wang Ba made a grabbing motion with his hand, and the unconscious Huo Yan was pulled up into the air, where he caught him.
His sharp, cold gaze fixed on Hong Yu. Wang Ba licked his lips. "You little mutt. You got lucky today that old fool Tang Long showed up to save you. But... let give you a piece of advice. Luck runs out. Let's hope you're just as fortunate next ti!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior. And this junior would like to say sothing to you as well..."
Seeing Wang Ba's gaze on him, Hong Yu grinned, his white teeth glinting brightly and ferociously in the sun. "The tides of fortune are always changing; never bully a young man for being poor. I, Hong Yu, will carve today's humiliation into my heart. One day, I will return everything you've done to today, in full!"
"Hmm?"
Wang Ba's expression instantly hardened.
Stared at by Hong Yu's intense gaze, Wang Ba, a mighty Primordial Core Realm expert, actually felt a chill creep into his heart.
It was an unprecedented feeling, sothing he'd never experienced, not even when facing Tang Long!
Wang Ba took a deep breath, studying Hong Yu intently, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "Little mutt, you'd best hide behind Tang Long's ass forever. Otherwise, the mont I find an opening, I'll be sure to end your miserable life."
With a cold snort, Wang Ba soared into the air and departed.
The intense pressure that had filled the sky finally dissipated.
In that brief, terrifying mont, everyone realized their clothes had been completely soaked through with cold sweat.
Hong Yu's taut nerves finally gave way. He braced his hands on his knees, gasping for air in great gulps.
His own clothes were just as drenched in sweat, clinging to him as if he'd just been pulled from a river.
"Young man, are you all right?" Tang Long asked with a smile.
Hong Yu took a deep breath, but he couldn't hide the bone-deep weariness from the ordeal. He shook his head. "I'm fine. Thank you for your help, Senior!"
"Haha, you're too polite, my young friend. This old man is Tang Long. You can call Elder Tang."
Tang Long paused, then continued, "My young friend, if I may be so bold as to ask, what was that Secret Technique you used when Refining the Primordial Weapon? The Primordial Weapon Embryo and the Inscription were clearly separated, yet in your hands, not only were you able to reforge them into a complete Primordial Weapon, but its grade and power weren't diminished at all. In fact, they were even enhanced."
Hong Yu was stunned.
He then realized this must be the expert who had appraised his Primordial Weapon.
'I'll just have to repay him later with so knowledge from the *Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts*,' Hong Yu thought. He then said in a low voice, "It's nothing special, really. It was just a sudden idea this junior had—to use my spirit as a guide and condense the Inscription with my Spiritual Power."
"Oh? Using Spiritual Power as the dium to inscribe the Inscription?"
Tang Long beca pensive. A full ten breaths passed before he snapped out of it. "Thank you for sharing your secret, young friend. I've observed that many of your Artifact Refining Techniques are quite unique. I was wondering if you could..."
Hong Yu's eyes flashed.
He could sense Tang Long's passion and dedication to Artifact Refining; the man truly wanted to learn his techniques.
After a mont's thought, he nodded. "Senior, you can leave an address. I will certainly pay you a visit when I have ti in the future. However, the Youth Spiritual Craftsman Competition hasn't officially concluded yet..."
Tang Long laughed heartily. He took a Golden Token from his robes and handed it to Hong Yu. "You're right, my young friend, the competition isn't over. This is a Golden Spirit Plate from the Spiritual Craftsman Guild. With this, you will be recognized as an Honored Guest Elder of the Guild, a position equivalent to that of a Guild Elder."
"Senior, this... this is too much..."
Hong Yu was shocked and tried to refuse.
'A position equal to a Guild Elder!'
This was an incredibly generous gift.
Tang Long smiled. "No, no. Compared to your talent and strength, this Spirit Plate is a small matter. Of course, consider it my personal congratulatory gift for winning the championship. Please, don't refuse it!"
Hong Yu blinked. He knew that with this Spirit Plate, getting things done in the Qin Kingdom would be much easier in the future.
At the very least, most factions wouldn't dare to offend the Spiritual Craftsman Guild!
Nodding, Hong Yu thought, 'I can repay him later with so knowledge from the *Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts*.' He then said, "In that case, thank you, Senior!"
"In that case, I won't disturb you any longer!"
Tang Long soared into the air and shot off into the sky.
BOOM!
"Hong Yu! Hong Yu!"
"Hahaha! The undisputed king of the young artifact refiners, Hong Yu!"
The entire Artifact Arena erupted into a deafening roar once more.
Crown Prince Qin Mutian's face was pale. As he watched the dazzling young man, who was now the center of everyone's attention, a wave of regret washed over him. 'Why did I have to offend a monster with such a limitless future?'
Even Huo Yan had fallen at his hands.
'How could I dare to oppose Hong Yu now?'
His resentful gaze swept over to Qin Mufeng in the stands, his eyes flashing with fury. "You bastard," he seethed, "you've dood ."
Qin Mufeng flinched, a look of pure grievance on his face.
"Yay! Big Brother won! Big Brother is the champion!" Little Feng cheered, jumping for joy.
Beichen Celestial Frost was also in a state of utter shock, her fists clenched tightly. 'He won? He actually won? My heavens, Hong Yu really took first place in the Youth Spiritual Craftsman Competition? And... he just received a gift from Chairman Tang Long and beca a Honored Guest Elder of the Guild?'
'I have to get Hong Yu to join our rchant guild. It's the only way I can stand against Wang Fei and Second Brother, the only way to protect what Big Brother worked his whole life to build, the only way to protect Little Feng...'
Biting her lip with her pearly, jade-like teeth, Beichen Celestial Frost's gaze toward Hong Yu grew fervent. 'As long as I can protect what Big Brother built, as long as I can keep Little Feng from harm... even if... even if it costs everything... I'm willing.'
A look of resolute determination settled in her eyes.
Beichen Celestial Frost, one of the Four Great Beauties of the Qin Kingdom, took a deep breath. Gazing at the young man on the platform, she seed to make a decision.
「At the sa ti...」
Aunt Leng's voice ca from behind the water curtain once more. "The Youth Spiritual Craftsman Competition has now successfully concluded. However, as Huo Yan violated the rules of the competition, his second-place title is hereby revoked. The new second-place winner is Tang Muxue, and third place goes to Qin Mutian. As for first place, it remains Hong Yu!"
"Will the three winners please follow the guards to the Royal Palace, where Her Highness the Third Princess will present you with your final rewards!"
Three chariots then rolled forward, and Hong Yu, Tang Muxue, and Qin Mutian boarded them.
Standing in the magnificent chariot, Hong Yu felt a strange pull and glanced toward the water curtain stands, just in ti to catch a glimpse of a fleeting figure.
In his mind, the image of that figure suddenly expanded, blending with sothing else. It felt like waves crashing against a forgotten shore of his mory. A hint of confusion flickered in Hong Yu's eyes...
"'Who was that? Why do they seem so familiar?'"
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