But wealth corrupts the heart, and Dharma Artifacts dazzle the eyes.
Not far away, a student who had been refining a Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact stopped what he was doing.
His eyes darted about as he stared at the two figures, who seemed to be at the End of the Crossbow. Greed instantly welled up in his heart.
’Those two monsters have fought until they’re running on fumes...’
’If I make my move now and just slightly disrupt their refining rhythm, I might be able to snatch that masterless Upper-Grade Dharma Seal for myself in the chaos!’
’That’s an Upper-Grade artifact! With it, I could compete for the top ten!’
Faced with such temptation, his rational defenses crumbled in an instant.
The student took a deep breath and rose silently. He had a Magic Technique ready at his fingertips, and he was just about to take a step forward and play the part of the oriole stalking from behind.
However, just as he took that half-step...
THUD!
A dull footstep, like a heavy hammer striking his chest, echoed in his heart.
A towering, iron-like figure had appeared before him without any warning. The man was still wearing the Profound Gold Armor whose light was now restrained—it was Lü Qing, who had just withdrawn from the contest.
"If you take one more step."
Lü Qing’s face was devoid of expression. He didn’t even assume a fighting stance, but his tiger-like eyes radiated a bone-chilling pressure. "In the next round, and even in the final round, I will do everything in my power to stop you."
"Until you’re kicked out of the Daoist School."
The student froze on the spot, his face deathly pale. He didn’t dare lower his raised foot.
Lü Qing’s strength went without saying; he was the kind of powerhouse who could do as he pleased wherever he went.
If he were targeted by such an expert... forget the top ten, he’d be lucky to graduate at all.
"I... I was just passing by... just passing by..."
The student stammered out an explanation, then turned and fled as if he’d seen a ghost, not daring to even look back.
Watching the student’s hasty retreat, Lü Qing retracted his imposing aura slightly and sat down cross-legged.
’Idiot.’
He shook his head and sighed, his gaze returning to the two who were still locked in a stalemate. ’What’s the point of taking this chance to snatch the Golden Seal?’
’Do you take those two for dead?’
’Even if you got lucky and succeeded, in the next round of Demon Hunting, and the arena battles after that, those two monsters would absolutely team up to make your life a living hell.’
’Not only would you lose the Dharma Artifact, but you’d probably be beaten half to death.’
Why make enemies of prodigies of their caliber just for a moment’s gain?
Of course, beyond this rational analysis, Lü Qing also possessed the pride of a true expert.
He had lost, and he had been forced to withdraw from this peak confrontation.
But he still had his dignity.
’To fight to such an extent... their contest had already transcended a simple struggle for a Dharma Artifact. It was a clash of Dao Hearts, a battle of wills.’
’I lost, so I withdrew.’
Lü Qing watched the two figures in the distance, locked in their tenacious struggle, a flicker of respect in his eyes. ’But I don’t want to see such a spectacular duel ruined by some worthless buffoons.’
’Let’s see who will have the last laugh in this battle between dragon and tiger.’
In that moment, time seemed to stretch on endlessly.
The dozens of breaths that passed were but a blink of an eye for the spectators, but for the two men locked in the struggle, every second felt like a year.
Ji Li’s forehead was covered in a fine sheen of cold sweat, his once-composed and unhurried demeanor crumbling away bit by bit.
He could clearly feel the Gold Acceptance Seal in his hand gradually slipping from his control.
The Dharma Artifact’s Restrictions, which should have welcomed him as a pure Gold Cultivator, were now being scoured by another, more domineering and purer Innate Geng Metal Qi—and they were rapidly turning against him!
’How can it be this fast...?’
Ji Li gritted his teeth, a flicker of panic appearing in his eyes for the first time.
’Even if he also cultivates Gold Techniques, I have Primordial Magnetic Spiritual Power! My Cultivation is at the Perfection stage!’
’How could his Divine Sense be stronger than mine? How could his refining speed possibly crush me?!’
It was illogical! It defied everything he had come to understand over the past three years!
But reality would not change just because he couldn’t comprehend it.
Just as the defenses in Ji Li’s mind were about to collapse...
VMMM!
The Golden Seal, which had been trembling violently and wavering between their palms, suddenly let out a clear, joyous hum.
It was the sign of a Dharma Artifact acknowledging its master.
But this joyous hum was not meant for Ji Li.
In the next instant, Ji Li felt his hand go empty. The repulsive force that had been resisting him vanished, replaced by a complete and utter disconnection.
SNAP.
Chu Bai’s fingers closed, and he firmly grasped the Golden Seal in his palm. Its light had retracted, leaving it as smooth and warm as jade.
Refinement complete!
’*Haaa...*’
’In the end, I was just a hair faster. I suppose it’s because I started refining first.’
Chu Bai let out a long, heavy breath. His face was also a little pale, but his eyes were startlingly bright.
He looked at the stunned Ji Li opposite him and slowly tucked the Golden Seal into his robes.
Victory had been decided.

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