Chapter 152: Leave It to Me

Feng Jian intended to forge a pouch-shaped magical treasure, which required quite a few precious materials such as silver silkworm thread and vast nether gauze, along with several additional components meant to enhance its brilliant colors and make the finished treasure more aesthetically pleasing.

Ling Ling chose to forge a short sword, selecting relatively conventional materials and standard methods for her craft.

Once the two of them had gathered their materials, they concentrated entirely on the forging process.

Given that these were high-grade spiritual treasures, the probability of success was naturally very low, resulting in both of them failing their first two attempts. However, during the third attempt, Feng Jian suddenly surged ahead and successfully forged his pouch-shaped magical treasure. True to expectations, the pouch turned out to be extraordinarily ornate and possessed an aura of considerable might.

Naturally, Ling Ling felt a twinge of anxiety at this sight, but she quickly forced herself to calm down and refocused entirely on her forging. Having learned from the mistakes and experiences of her first two failures, she exercised the utmost caution on her third try. Although it took her somewhat longer, she finally succeeded in refining the short sword magical treasure. The blade emanated a golden brilliance and also appeared to possess formidable power.

For this successful attempt, Ling Ling had employed the very method Yang Xiao had shared with her at the critical final moment: encasing the magical treasure in spiritual energy. Not only did this increase the success rate of the forging process, but it also minimized spiritual energy loss within the treasure, thereby enhancing its overall might.

With such a successful outcome, Ling Ling naturally held Yang Xiao in an even higher regard. Although the step was remarkably simple, its practical utility was undeniable.

In the end, both Ling Ling and Feng Jian each forged a high-grade spiritual treasure, and since both creations appeared to be of exceptionally high quality, this round ended in a draw once more. Consequently, the entire second match concluded in a tie, meaning a third round of weapon-refinement competition would be necessary.

Although Ling Ke still harbored some worry over this outcome, he managed to maintain his composure. Feng Ye, on the other hand, grew quite anxious, as this situation was truly disadvantageous for his clan. He called Feng Jian over, gave him a few words of instruction, and was finally able to set his mind at ease only after receiving a solemn and confident pledge from Feng Jian.

The situation on Ling Ling's side was somewhat different. Although she had successfully forged a high-grade spiritual treasure, she had clearly expended a vast amount of mental energy in the process, and beads of perspiration still lingered heavily on her forehead. Asking her to forge another high-grade spiritual treasure immediately did not seem like an easy task.

"Ling Ling, are you all right? Can you continue with the match?" Ling Ke asked with concern.

"I am fine, Grandfather. No matter what, I must fight for the clan," Ling Ling said, gritting her teeth.

At that moment, Yang Xiao observed Ling Ling's condition and glanced over at Feng Jian. It was evident that Feng Jian appeared much more relaxed, as if he possessed absolute confidence. Meanwhile, Ling Ling's physical state was extremely weak, making her clearly unsuited to continue forging. Consequently, Yang Xiao stepped forward in front of Ling Ling and Ling Ke and said, "Leave the remaining match to me."

Upon hearing this, Ling Ke was naturally startled. He certainly did not believe that Yang Xiao knew anything about weapon refining; even if he possessed a smattering of knowledge, it was impossible for him to forge something as miraculous as a high-grade spiritual treasure.

Ling Ling, however, reacted quite differently. Seeing Yang Xiao's dead-serious expression, she nodded and said, "Then I must trouble Brother Yang." She then turned to Ling Ke to offer an explanation, naturally emphasizing that not only was Yang Xiao's cultivation extraordinary, but he was also a master weapon refiner whose techniques were not inferior to her own—and might even surpass them.

Ling Ke found it difficult to believe such words. Given Yang Xiao's age and experience, it was almost unimaginable for his weapon-refining techniques to outshine Ling Ling's. After all, Ling Ling possessed the Spirit Root of Refinement and a Fusion Physique; how could anyone else possibly compare? Yet, upon second thought, for some unknown reason, Feng Jian had also seemed superior to Ling Ling this time around. If that was the case, the sudden appearance of another master refiner did not seem so shocking after all.

This weapon-refinement competition was truly bizarre, filled with anomalies. In past years, the highest tier of competition rarely exceeded mid-grade spiritual treasures, and refining even those had been an arduous endeavor. But this year was entirely different; the competition had jumped straight to forging high-grade spiritual treasures, and every participant seemed to accomplish it with greater ease than in previous years. It was truly an unfathomable mystery.

Given Ling Ling's special constitution, her success in forging a high-grade spiritual treasure was hardly surprising, but for Feng Jian to achieve the same feat with even greater ease—and with Yang Xiao stepping up looking eager to try—was simply leaving people speechless.

Unable to comprehend the situation, Ling Ke could only watch quietly. Since Ling Ling had vouched for Yang Xiao's exceptional refinement techniques, he had no choice but to trust her judgment for now. *I only hope Yang Xiao can succeed this time,* Ling Ke thought to himself.

Yang Xiao's entry into the arena naturally caught the rest of the spectators off guard. In their impression, cultivators with high levels of cultivation were generally weaker in weapon refinement, as such cultivators had to constantly delve into various cultivation techniques and thus lacked the time to study the arts of forging. Now that Yang Xiao was stepping up, it was evident he also possessed some skill in weapon crafting, which naturally astonished the crowd. Nevertheless, many assumed the Ling family was bound to lose this match and had simply thrown someone onto the stage at random.

Yang Xiao paid no heed to the discussions of the crowd. Like Feng Jian, he selected three sets of materials. This time, he intended to forge an *Ruyi* magical treasure, choosing ingredients such as Dragon-Sound Silk and Myriad-Year Green Jade. These materials were fully prepared and constituted exceptionally fine components for forging a high-grade spiritual treasure.

Feng Jian's objective for this round was a three-tiered miniature pagoda, which was also a high-grade spiritual treasure. In terms of complexity, it appeared even more intricate than the materials chosen by Yang Xiao. Of course, this did not refer to the preciousness of the materials, but rather the cumbersome nature of the refinement process. Ordinary weapon refiners would never dare to challenge such a high-difficulty crafting task.

"Senior Brother Feng Jian is going to refine a three-tiered pagoda. That is an extremely complex process, whereas that Yang Xiao is only forging an ordinary *Ruyi* treasure. Comparing the two, the outcome is already decided by their choice of materials. Even if both succeed, Senior Brother Feng Jian will win this match because his creation involves greater complexity and greater might. It seems this Yang Xiao doesn't understand weapon refining very well and didn't dare attempt a high-difficulty craft. He is bound to lose this round without a doubt."

Many of the disciples now leaned toward Feng Jian's side. Even those who had previously supported Yang Xiao fell silent, as they dared not guarantee the true extent of Yang Xiao's refinement skills. Their earlier support had stemmed solely from witnessing his formidable martial prowess, but judging by the material selection alone, Yang Xiao seemed slightly inferior to his opponent. Under such circumstances, it was hard for anyone to believe he could emerge victorious in this match.

Yet Yang Xiao cared nothing for the thoughts of the onlookers. He kept his gaze fixed on Feng Jian's refinement process, trying to discern what profound mysteries the opponent might be employing, while paying no attention whatsoever to his own side. Backed by the assistance of the mysterious jade sliver, his refinement techniques were guaranteed to far surpass anyone present. Thus, his victory was without a single shred of suspense and undeniably belonged to him. (To be continued.)