When Master Kong saw Yi Tianyun's progress, he started to panic. His heart pounded especially hard as he watched Yi Tianyun refine the artifact with remarkable stability.
In his heart, he was screaming frantically, 'I hope Yi Tianyun fails! He has to fail!'
Otherwise, he would not only lose face, but also a Spiritual Artifact.
At this moment, Master Kong remained silent, and the three elders also fell into a hush. Although they didn't understand Artifact Refining, they could at least make out the general situation. Yi Tianyun was remarkably steady, showing no signs of failure whatsoever.
'Could he actually succeed?'
They were all stunned. If this was really happening, then Yi Tianyun was a true super-genius. To reach such a level at his young age... what would his future hold? Not only was his cultivation level high, but he also knew Artifact Refining! 'Just how did he learn this?'
They couldn't help but look at Shi Xueyun again. 'Could Shi Xueyun have had Yi Tianyun secretly train in this?' Otherwise, they truly had no idea how Yi Tianyun had learned it.
In fact, it wasn't just them; even Shi Xueyun was stunned. Artifact Refining was not easy, and it was even harder to learn. 'Was that mysterious expert who taught him so incredible that he could grasp Artifact Refining immediately?'
Regardless of their thoughts, Yi Tianyun continued to control the furnace, tempering the Longsword inside. As time passed, the impurities were gradually burned away, leaving behind a gleaming Longsword. Success was clearly in sight.
"It's almost ready!"
Yi Tianyun shouted, then slapped a palm against the furnace. With a THUD, the Longsword flew out, spun a few times in the air, and plunged viciously into the ground. A frosty aura emanated from its surface, indicating its Ice Attribute.
A few of the materials used in the Forging had a cold nature, which was why the resulting effect was so astonishing.
"Ding! Congratulations to player 'Yi Tianyun' for completing the quest. You have received 5,000 Experience and the Immortal Fire!"
He gained 5,000 Experience Value, but he didn't level up. The Immortal Fire, however, fell into his skill list, becoming a unique skill!
Not only that, but he also gained Skill Level. It increased by 10 points from its previous value. The number wasn't bad, but he would need to refine a hundred more artifacts to continue leveling it up.
However, refining a higher-grade Spiritual Artifact would surely grant more Experience Value, but it would undoubtedly increase the chance of failure.
When refining a low-grade Spiritual Artifact, there was absolutely no chance of failure. According to the system, the success rate was 100%, which was why he had boasted that he definitely wouldn't fail!
"Master Kong, why don't you confirm whether this is a Spiritual Artifact or not?" Yi Tianyun said coldly.
There was no need for confirmation. Anyone who wasn't blind could see that it was a Spirit Sword! Although it was low-grade, he had at least succeeded.
At this, Master Kong's expression turned ugly, and the three elders were dumbfounded!
With this, would they still need to curry favor with Master Kong? They could now forge Spiritual Artifacts themselves, cutting costs to the bare minimum. Merak Palace would finally escape the predicament of not having a Blacksmith.
Shi Xueyun pulled the Spirit Sword from the ground. With a SHING, the blade was drawn, its cold light glinting.
After giving it a light swing, Shi Xueyun looked calmly at Master Kong and said, "This is indeed a Spirit Sword. Would Master Kong like to test it?"
"No need!"
Master Kong's expression was grim. He stared at Yi Tianyun with a cold gaze and said, "I didn't expect you to actually know Artifact Refining. Were you pretending not to know just to trick me?"
"When did I ever tell you I didn't know Artifact Refining?"
Yi Tianyun sneered. "A bet is a bet. Hand over the Spiritual Artifact, and from now on, you walk on your head!"
Master Kong's earlier behavior had utterly disgusted him. How could he possibly forgive Master Kong so easily?
"Don't push your luck! I lost this round, but you all set a trap for me! You never sincerely intended to ask me to forge a weapon!" Master Kong retorted, twisting logic to suit himself.
"What a joke. If you hadn't been so aggressive, would I have stepped forward?"
Yi Tianyun sneered, "We at Merak Palace have never been easy to bully! Though we are all women here, in this place, women are the true masters—not you!"
In this world, not only was martial strength revered, but it was also a patriarchy. As a result, female Cultivators were often looked down upon.
Now, Yi Tianyun's words immediately caused the three elders' opinion of him to change drastically. Their view of him was now completely different.
However, this was not a matter for him to decide, but for everyone. His voice alone was too small.
"Lian has her own choices. She is not a piece of merchandise. I hope you can show some respect."
Yi Tianyun added, "Now you can get lost. On your head, of course!"
"You don't have the right to make me walk on my head!" Master Kong said, his gaze icy.
"Then do I have the right?"
Shi Xueyun stepped forward, looking at him coldly. "Master Kong, shouldn't you honor your promises?"
Just a moment ago, Yi Tianyun had wagered one of his own arms. Was Master Kong going to get away with just leaving behind a single Spiritual Artifact? Was that it?
"Fine, fine!"
Master Kong gritted his teeth in anger, turned, and walked out without looking back. "I will remember you all! This matter won't end so easily!"
"Get lost!"
Yi Tianyun rushed forward and kicked Master Kong squarely. Master Kong cried out as he was sent flying by the kick. The force was considerable, but it wasn't a fatal blow. No one expected him to be so bold as to kick Master Kong out.
He certainly wasn't going to let his anger subside so easily. Those who provoked him would have it paid back tenfold! Master Kong not only tried to force a marriage but also looked down on them. How could Yi Tianyun let him off easily?
"You brat, just you wait!"
Master Kong roared, "If you've got the guts, don't you ever step foot outside Merak Palace for the rest of your life!"
After shouting his threat, he fled immediately. He was alone, while Yi Tianyun had Shi Xueyun backing him up. How could he dare to act presumptuously? He could only retreat quickly.
"Palace Master, wasn't that going a bit too far? Master Kong holds a high status in Celestial Moon City. What if he really finds people to put pressure on us?" The Second Elder still felt that what Yi Tianyun did was very wrong.
"I will bear the responsibility for this matter alone. The actions of a mere Outer Disciple like myself have nothing to do with Merak Palace!"
Yi Tianyun took all the responsibility upon himself. This incident had started because of him. If Master Kong were to retaliate later, he should come for him alone and not target Merak Palace.
The three elders were moved once again. Yi Tianyun possessed such backbone.
"This matter concerns all of Merak Palace. This Master Kong looks down on our Merak Palace—a fact that all you elders have witnessed with your own eyes! Our Merak Palace may not be strong, but that doesn't mean we are easy to bully. However many come, we will suppress them all!"
Shi Xueyun stepped forward once more, her domineering aura on full display!