The events that occurred in the Artifact Refining Hall spread like a hurricane among hundreds of disciples.
They called their friends and, layer by layer, crowded the grand hall of artifact refinement, their eyes flashing as they looked towards the young man in the green Daoist robe, their expressions varied.
As the most dazzling genius disciple to emerge this year, Li Quanqing was already renowned throughout the Artifact Hall.
Everyone firmly believed that he was destined to become an Artifact Refiner; the only question was how long it would take.
Whether it be three years, ten years, or even thirty years, it was all seen as inevitable.
Li Quanqing's actions now undoubtedly gave them yet another surprise.
Too fast!
The speed was simply too fast; without even time to settle, could he really do it?
Some coldly sneered with doubt, others silently offered their blessings, some prepared to witness history, while some wished they could take his place...
But Li Quanqing regarded them all as if they were just cabbages.
He couldn't even be bothered to spare a glance.
"Elders, may I begin now?"
Li Quanqing greeted them with neither servility nor arrogance.
Seven old men and women stood in front, both genders represented, with even the least skilled among them being a First Rank High Grade Artifact Refiner.
According to the Artifact Hall's rules, the familial artifact refiner examination required the presence of only three Elders.
Indeed, Li Quanqing had only called for three people.
But unexpectedly, all the Elders of the Artifact Hall arrived.
This scene could be described as immensely pressurizing; anyone with a lesser state of mind might blow up in an instant.
"Let's begin."
The Elders looked at each other and nodded almost in unison.
Li Quanqing ignited his Spiritual Fire and began forging the Sword Embryo, his expression focused like an undisturbed, deep pond.
Calm as still water, transcending the mundane.
Each movement, each detail, was performed with a fluid grace akin to the natural flow of clouds and water, a pleasure to behold.
Even the Elders couldn't help but nod in approval, finding no fault to pick.
The originally noisy and bustling hall fell into an eerie silence.
All present were experts, genuine disciples of the Artifact Hall, and the caliber of one's skill was evident at first glance.
"Remarkable, truly remarkable!"
Li Quanlin shouted from atop the beam over the grand hall, unable to contain his admiration as he slapped his thigh.
Some of the artifact refining techniques of his junior fellow disciple even gave him the illusion that he was observing a Middle Grade Artifact Refiner at work.
"Even the family's premier Artifact Refiner, the esteemed Hall Master, probably didn't have such accomplishments at this age, right?"
Li Quanlin had barely finished speaking when he felt a chill on his neck and his hairs stand on end, as if a bad omen loomed.
"Little Linzi, do I hear someone speaking ill of me from behind?"
Silent and stealthy, Hall Master Li Kunli appeared behind Li Quanlin.
It was hard to imagine that someone of the Third Elder's towering stature could move so silently.
Li Quanlin stiffened, his expression freezing, trembling with fright.
"Next time you speak ill of someone, remember to stay further away from me."
Li Kunli, grabbing Li Quanlin by the collar, flung him from the beam: "Also, I was precisely fifteen years old when I made my first Magic Artifact, remember that, alright?"
"I remember~ it~ now~!"
Li Quanlin's screams grew distant until they could no longer be heard.
"Not bad, not bad, my strength seems to have grown again, heh!"
Li Kunli waved at the disciples below, who were enjoying the spectacle, as his muscle-bound arms bulged, stretching his loose Daoist robe taut.
The group of disciples were instantly scared stiff, pretending as if they saw nothing.
What Li Kunli had said earlier was actually not the whole story; before he became an Artifact Refiner at fifteen, he had already spent a year and a half studying under a great Artifact Master.
Compared to Li Quanqing, his starting conditions were far more favorable.
But everyone will only remember that he became an Artifact Refiner at a full two years younger than the seventeen-year-old Li Quanqing.
That's enough.
Li Kunli brought up old matters with the purpose of protecting this yet-to-grow Artifact Refining genius. After all, with his Qi Refining Perfection strength, he didn't have anything to fear.
It's absolutely not because he wanted to show off!
Clang!
A sword cry suddenly rose, clear and resonant like a dragon; at this moment, Li Quanqing successfully refined a Green Carp Sword enveloped by Spirit Light.
Even though its rank was only Low Grade, it was a genuine Cultivation Magical Artifact.
The entire hall was astonished!
"Not bad! This child is like me, possessing the style I had in my younger days!"
The Third Elder stroked his beard, proud in his heart, the raw jade that he personally discovered had indeed shone brilliantly.
As the Artifact Hall flourished, his status would naturally rise with the tide, eventually surpassing all old fogies to take sole control of the family's power.
He never coveted power, and all that he did was solely for the common ambition of all Qi Refining cultivators.
"Alas… the deadline of a sixty-year cycle…"
"Foundation Establishment! Foundation Establishment!"
The elder's figure swayed, quietly disappearing, leaving behind only an almost imperceptible sigh where he stood.
…
"Greetings, Elder Brother Quanqing!"
Li Quanqing stood at the highest point of the great hall, below him a mountainous roar and a tidal wave of heads.
The moment he became a formal Artifact Refiner, his generational seniority was automatically elevated, and all disciples of the Artifact Hall had to salute him upon seeing him.
Age is not compared, only the achievements in the Dao!
"Congratulations, Elder Brother."
Li Quanshu changed her address, her gaze deep, her expression complex and difficult to decipher.
"Sister, you flatter me!"
Li Quanqing smiled broadly, quite elated, finally freed from having to address everyone as elder brothers and sisters.
Even his cousin Li Quanzhu had to salute him with a sullen face, no longer daring to be presumptuous.
According to the Artifact Hall rules, all Artifact Refiners must publicly sell their first Magic Artifact, to announce it to the entire clan.
Initially, Li Quanqing thought this rule was too ostentatious; now, as the protagonist surrounded by the crowd, he found it incredibly delightful.
Without showing one's brilliant clothing in their hometown, it's like walking in the dark night!
Jade Dragon Pond, the family's workshop market.
The emerald-colored pond water gurgled soundly, the scenery serene and profound, like an enormous piece of jade with no edges in sight.
"Eighty! Eighty Spirit Stones! This Green Carp Sword belongs to me!"
As soon as Li Quanqing and the people from the Artifact Hall stepped into the workshop, they saw a few portly merchants shouting at the entrance, arguing so fiercely their faces turned red and their necks thickened.
"You beggars, this is the future Master Quanqing, I offer two hundred Spirit Stones to purchase your work, and to make friends with a fellow clan member!"
A middle-aged man with a small mustache sneered, lightly shaking his fan, calling out a startling figure that far exceeded the value of a Low Grade Magic Artifact.
Merchants are always the most well-informed, having made preparations early to curry favor with this top talent of the Artifact Refining Hall.
Li Quanqing started to say pleasantries: "I am deeply grateful for the love from fellow clan members, today I, Li Quanqing, have refined my first…"
More and more clan members emerged from the shops, peering curiously, gathering together, cracking sunflower seeds while watching the excitement.
The name Li Quanqing truly echoed within the clan for the first time!
The bidding voices rose one after another, as lively as a vegetable market.
Li Quanqing scanned the crowd, just about to pick a pleasing individual to sell to when a familiar face abruptly entered his vision.
It was a cold-faced cultivator dressed in black, with a wine gourd hanging at his waist, his aura sharp and icy, exuding a scent of blood that couldn't be washed away.
This fellow was clearly an extremely formidable Demon Hunter; everyone stayed far away from him, avoiding him if they could.
Li Quanqing recognized him, having met once and picked up Dragon Scale Grass seeds from this Demon Hunting Practitioner's stall.
They could be considered fated.
"Brand new Magic Artifact Flying Sword, brother, do you want it?"
Holding the sword by the blade, he passed the Flying Sword over, poking the other person with the hilt.