The afternoon was for the matches of Group B. Mo Qi had no interest in spectating and went to find Jin Dan. Jin Dan had already finished his devilish training and escaped his days of constant anxiety. However, to enter the inner sect, his cultivation had not been neglected. With the assistance of Mo Qi's elixirs, his magical power grew rapidly. He was now at the fifth stage of Condensing Spirit and was actively preparing for the outer sect's promotion competition to the inner sect this year. In his spare time, like Mo Qi, he borrowed books from the Scripture Depository and taught himself divine abilities from them. As a result, he didn't learn much about divine abilities and techniques, but he became particularly engrossed in a book about artifact refining.
Artifact refining was divided into initial refining and fine refining.
Initial refining involved fusing various refining materials with spirit stones and spiritual energy to forge magical artifacts. Fine refining, on the other hand, was the process of transferring the spiritual energy from spirit stones and spiritual herbs onto basic magical artifacts, thereby enhancing the spiritual power of the basic artifacts and turning them into artifacts with stronger offensive capabilities.
Artifact refining required specialized refining furnaces, which were somewhat similar to alchemy furnaces. The only differences were the absence of a waste residue hole, the crystallization chamber being replaced by an artifact chamber, and the raw material chamber being replaced by a spirit stone chamber.
Initial refined artifacts were not necessarily weaker than fine refined artifacts. If the base materials were good, initial refining could produce superior artifacts or even spiritual treasures. For an artifact to be fine refined, it first required spirit stones of the same attribute, and second, the basic artifact must not have reached its capacity for spiritual energy. If the basic artifact was already saturated with spiritual energy, attempting to fine refine it further could destroy the basic artifact or even cause the furnace to explode.
The Ling Xiao Sect did not have specialized artifact refining rooms. Jin Dan, from somewhere, had acquired a refining furnace and kept it in his room, spending his days researching and tinkering with it.
When Mo Qi entered Jin Dan's room, Jin Dan was in the process of refining a flying sword. Mo Qi watched him for a while as he used the furnace fire, then channeled spiritual energy, then tapped and patted the refining furnace, and then shook his head, muttering to himself, "Why isn't it working? What's missing?"
As the saying goes, understanding one thing leads to understanding many. As soon as Mo Qi saw his process, he grasped the general principle and suddenly said, "Does it need some auxiliary medicinal ingredients?"
Mo Qi's sudden exclamation startled Jin Dan. When he turned around and saw the white hair, he was even more terrified, thinking, "What ghost?" He immediately collapsed to the ground in fright.
The first time he saw Mo Qi's white hair, it wasn't this frightening. This sudden appearance was truly like the arrival of a ghost.
"Don't you recognize your own father?" Mo Qi glared at him impatiently.
Jin Dan glanced at him, patted his wildly beating heart, then got up and said with some concern, "Why do you look more and more weathered? What have you been through?"
Then, he suddenly made a move as if to cry, reaching out to touch Mo Qi's head, "My dear..."
Mo Qi slapped his hand away. "Get lost."
Jin Dan quickly retracted his gesture and acted as if nothing had happened, walking over to the refining furnace. "What were you saying just now?"
"I said it needs some auxiliary medicinal ingredients to succeed."
Jin Dan rested his chin on his hand, pondering, and nodded. "It seems to make some sense, but what kind of medicinal ingredients should be added?"
"You could try the Shadow Immortal Grass," Mo Qi suggested.
Jin Dan lowered his gaze and thought for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "It should work. Let's try it. Wait for me." With that, he darted out.
A moment later, Jin Dan returned after exchanging for some Shadow Immortal Grass at the Trade Hall. Mo Qi helped him clean it up and then added it to the refining furnace.
As Jin Dan was about to step forward, Mo Qi pushed him aside and walked over himself, channeling his spiritual energy into the refining furnace to begin the refining process.
"Can you do it?" Jin Dan asked worriedly.
Mo Qi ignored him, his eyes fixed on the changes within the furnace, constantly adjusting the amount of spiritual energy.
Through the furnace window, the changes occurring to the flying sword in the artifact chamber were clearly visible.
Wisps of mist rose from the spirit stone chamber, slowly coalescing in the air to form a thin stream that flowed into the artifact chamber. It surged into the sword body like flowing water. The sword seemed to absorb the mist endlessly, like a sponge. The sword body gradually gained a sheen, and a faint humming sound could be heard.
Jin Dan gradually watched with fascination, a look of pleasant surprise appearing on his face.
Several hours later, the flying sword artifact was forged with a clang. Jin Dan held it in his hand, examining it repeatedly, a hint of madness in his eyes. "Can this artifact rival a spiritual treasure?"
Mo Qi chuckled at him. "Not that exaggerated."
He then rested his chin on his hand and said, "This can be explored further. Perhaps in the future, we can truly forge some spiritual treasures."
Jin Dan immediately perked up, lifting his head and chest, looking straight ahead. "Alright, I'll strive to research it. In the future, you refine elixirs, and I refine artifacts. With our combined strength, we'll be invincible."
Mo Qi rolled his eyes. Such arrogance!
Jin Dan suddenly turned serious. "To refine artifacts, a large number of spirit stones are needed. Firstly, I don't have enough contribution points. Secondly, our Ling Xiao Sect is a small sect. Even if we exchanged all the spirit stones in the Trade Hall, it wouldn't be enough." As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Mo Qi.
Mo Qi understood what he meant from his gaze. He glared at him, took out his contribution point spirit stones, and handed them to Jin Dan. "I should have several million contribution points here. Take them for now."
Jin Dan accepted the spirit stones, his face immediately beaming. "I just love how you learn things so intuitively." Then he suddenly looked up with a profound expression. "I heard that the Divine Elixir Sect has a spirit stone mine..."
With a downward glance, Mo Qi had vanished. Jin Dan immediately chased after him. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I really think we have a chance to combine our strengths."
The next day, the second stage of the competition began, still conducted simultaneously on five arenas. By this time, Mo Qi had taken the Black Hair Pill and regained his jet-black hair. The reaction from Jin Dan the previous day had been too much of a blow to him.
In this round, Mo Qi was up against Pi Shi! It seemed Pi Shi indeed had some strength, having passed two rounds to reach this point.
However, the previous incident had left him with some psychological trauma. Ever since then, he had avoided Mo Qi whenever he saw him from afar.
As it happened, upon seeing that he was matched against Mo Qi, Pi Shi directly forfeited. He knew Mo Qi had also registered, but under this competition format, it was possible Mo Qi would be eliminated by others early on, and they wouldn't have to face each other. Moreover, only two spots were for the final winners. Even if Mo Qi wasn't eliminated, it was possible they wouldn't face each other at all. So, he had registered, but he hadn't expected to meet him at this stage. He wasn't unwilling to fight, but knowing that fighting would lead to the same outcome, why endure unnecessary suffering?
Back then, Mo Qi had beaten him soundly without even having established his foundation. Now that Mo Qi had successfully established his foundation, and it was a Star-Moon foundation, and considering the years that had passed, who knew how much his cultivation had grown? Therefore, it was best not to court trouble.
However, the spectators who were present did not believe Pi Shi had forfeited voluntarily, and so a wave of boos erupted again. "What is this? Have they no shame? The cheating is so obvious."
"I can't watch this anymore, I really can't. The Ling Xiao Sect has always been fair and just in my eyes. Why has it become like this today?"
"Forget it. The Vice Sect Master has such privileges; it's not surprising. Otherwise, if you have the guts, go and become a Vice Sect Master yourself."
Mo Qi ignored the idle gossip and walked over to watch another match.
This match was between Leng Xiao and another disciple from Sha Qing Peak.
Leng Xiao's cultivation had indeed grown rapidly in recent years. Building upon his previous foundation, he reached the Great Perfection of Condensing Spirit in just half a year. After successfully establishing his foundation at the Divine Elixir Sect, he spent another two years cultivating to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Leng Xiao was currently facing a cultivator at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, Wu Weida, a disciple who had entered the Ling Xiao Sect in a previous batch. Leng Xiao formed hand seals and wielded a ring-shaped artifact with masterful skill. The ring-shaped artifact spun and flew, serving to disrupt the opponent's mind and also to restrict the opponent's flying swords and sword energy. From time to time, he would trap the opponent's flying sword techniques and divine abilities within the ring, forcing them to struggle for a long time to break free. Meanwhile, his ring-shaped artifact, along with the opponent's flying sword, would be directed towards the opponent, forcing them into a defensive struggle. Before long, the opponent was forced to concede.
Finally, those who entered the finals were Mo Qi, Leng Xiao, Shen Mazi Shen Chunfeng from Shao Nian Peak, Shi Daquan from Shao Xia Peak, and Zhao Zongyan from Shao Yang Peak.
The final competition format was as follows: In the first round, the five participants would draw lots. Number one would face number two and compete on Arena One. Number three would face number four and compete on Arena Two. Number five would receive a bye.
In the second round, number five would draw lots. If they drew one, they would face the winner of Arena One, determining one final spot. The winner of Arena Two would automatically secure one spot. If they drew two, they would face the winner of Arena Two, determining one final spot, and the winner of Arena One would automatically secure one spot.
After the competition format was announced, the five participants drew lots in turn. Mo Qi drew number five, Leng Xiao drew number two, Shen Mazi drew number one, Shi Daquan drew number three, and Zhao Zongyan drew number four. Mo Qi received a bye!
The entire venue erupted!
"Cheating, cheating!"
"Too shameless, it's simply outrageous!"
Mo Qi voluntarily stepped onto the stage and surveyed the crowd. His sharp gaze actually silenced the boos. Mo Qi announced loudly, "I am willing to forfeit my bye. Who is willing to fight me?"
Leng Xiao was eager to fight. He had always felt he could defeat Mo Qi, but each time he had won through despicable means. He had been longing for revenge. Now that the opportunity had arrived, why wouldn't he seize this chance for a public settling of scores? However, as he took a step forward, he was stopped by Jin Hai, the Peak Master of Shao Qing Peak. Jin Hai had always been paying attention to his talented disciple. In fact, to ensure his victory in the finals, he had personally come to the scene to offer guidance. "Don't be impulsive. Your current match sequence is quite good."
No matter how arrogant Leng Xiao was, he dared not disobey his master's command. He let out a cold snort and glared at Mo Qi on the stage, as if to say, "You got lucky."
Meanwhile, Xia Mingsheng, from below the stage, was vigorously egging on Zhao Zongyan, urging him to fight Mo Qi. He said that since they had to fight anyway, who they fought didn't matter, and they shouldn't let that guy get away with it. He also claimed that Mo Qi was not very skilled, relying entirely on luck and cheating to reach this stage. As long as you didn't cheat and didn't choose to forfeit, you would definitely win against him. He muddled Zhao Zongyan's mind so much that he finally agreed in a daze.
After Zhao Zongyan reported, the judges, Wu Fan and Elder Wang, after a brief discussion, decided to agree to the adjustment. The adjustment plan was that Mo Qi and Shi Daquan would swap numbers. Shi Daquan would receive a bye, and Mo Qi would face Zhao Zongyan! Everyone had no objections!
Mo Qi and Zhao Zongyan stood on Arena Two. Zhao Zongyan formed hand seals, and his flying sword shot out, transforming into countless light swords in mid-air that simultaneously struck at Mo Qi. Mo Qi formed a hand seal, and the air suddenly grew cold, with chilling energy spreading out. In front of him, an ice wall had already formed. He clapped his hands repeatedly, and countless ice swords flew out from the ice wall. In mid-air, they suddenly merged into a single ice sword, gleaming coldly, connecting heaven and earth. With immense momentum, it struck forward, shattering and engulfing the opponent's incoming sword light. It surged forward like splashing water, heading directly towards Zhao Zongyan. Zhao Zongyan's face turned pale with fear, and he desperately dodged outwards, leaping out of the arena just in time to narrowly avoid the fatal blow. The ice sword continued its unstoppable advance towards the crowd outside the arena.
In a flash, Wu Fan's figure flickered, and he appeared in front of the crowd. He flicked his robe, and a vortex was cast out. As the vortex expanded forward, it swallowed the oncoming ice sword. A few low muffled sounds were heard, all the light and energy disappeared, the vortex vanished, and Wu Fan's robe remained undamaged. Wu Fan's figure flickered again, and he returned to the judges' table as if he had never left.
Mo Qi emerged victorious! Many people gradually began to realize that Mo Qi was not as weak as they had imagined.