The Vermilion Bird Continent had nine counties.
They included Shiluo County, Handfei County, Qilu County, and so on. They were located in the east, south, west, northeast, and southwest of the Vermilion Bird Continent, forming the outline of the Vermilion Bird Continent. The largest of the nine counties was the Vermilion Bird County in the center, which was the main county city of the Vermilion Bird Continent.
It was the center of the Vermilion Bird Continent, the most prosperous and most populated county city.
In the center of the Vermilion Bird County was a fairyland-like existence —
The Vermilion Bird Realm.
It was a city within a city.
Unlike ordinary cities, Spirit Qi was abundant here, and flowers bloomed everywhere. It was the place where the essence of the Vermilion Bird Continent was gathered. To enter the Vermilion Bird Realm, one had to be at least a Star Lord. Therefore, the martial artists who could enter the Vermilion Bird Realm were the best of the Vermilion Bird Continent.
It was very lively right now.
The Vermilion Bird County welcomed a grand occasion.
The Vermilion Bird Challenge Competition, which was held once every 100 years, and the Vermilion Bird Continent's Craftsman Competition, which was held once every 10 years, were both held here, attracting countless powerful martial artists. Both the Vermilion Bird Challenge Competition and the Craftsman Competition were very eye-catching.
One was known as the fiercest competition below the Saint level.
The other was the world-famous "Vice Profession." The reputation of a craftsman was even higher than that of a martial artist.
If one could enter the top ten, they would become even more famous and become an honorary elder of the Union of Artificers. Wealth, power, and status would come one after another. It was a supreme honor for craftsmen. The entire city was paying attention. In comparison, the Vermilion Bird Challenge Competition paled in comparison. Because …
The Craftsman Competition was held right before the Vermilion Bird Challenge Competition.
It felt like a "warm up."
…
"I seem to be a bit late." Lin Feng smiled.
When he returned to Shiluo County from the Kingdom of Maru, his family had already left, so he couldn't meet up with Yumo, his foster father, and Yan Lao.
He didn't know where they were now, but it didn't matter. He would meet them sooner or later.
Right now, it was more important to find the competition venue.
"Where is it?" Lin Feng looked around. As soon as he came out of the teleportation channel, there was a sea of people around him. Suddenly, Lin Feng was shocked and turned his head. He seemed to see a grey figure, but it disappeared in a flash and was instantly drowned by the crowd.
"Very strong."
"He's not a Saint, but his strength is terrifying."
"I'm afraid... he's even stronger than Shi Zhixin when she goes berserk."
Lin Feng said softly, deeply shaken.
Sure enough, there were many talented people in the Nine Continents, crouching tigers and hidden dragons.
Even though his power had reached the peak of the cosmic realm state, it didn't mean he was invincible below the saint state. If Shi Zhixin's power reached the peak of the cosmic realm state, he might not be able to beat her.
And this was merely an existence of the same generation as him.
For example, Hua Yidao, County City Lord Wang Mo, and Inspector Bing Yun were all peak cosmic realm states. They were definitely extremely strong opponents.
Moreover, the Vermilion Bird Continent had nine counties, and Shiluo County was only one of them.
There were so many strong people!
In the main competition of the Vermilion Bird Challenge, he would have to face all the cosmic realm states in the nine counties!
The competition was extremely intense.
"However, this is what makes it interesting." Lin Feng smiled, his eyes filled with battle intent.
There was only improvement with competition, and there was only motivation with pressure!
However …
"Now, let's find the venue of the blacksmith competition first."
"I heard A Zhong say that it's called the Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven …"
"Where is that?"
…
"What's wrong, Young Master Jin?" The one who spoke was an old man with a White Beard. His smiling eyes narrowed into a line, and he looked very amiable.
"Nothing. I just saw an opponent with similar strength to me." It was a young man in grey. His striped clothes were well-defined, and his eyes were sharp with a deep light, like an unsheathed sword, showing off its sharpness.
"Young Master, you're joking again. How can anyone here be worthy of being your opponent?" The old man with the White Beard smiled. "Young Master is from a king constellation. Even a Saint realm expert lost to you."
"I don't know either. It's just my intuition." The young man in grey said calmly. A sharp light flashed in his eyes, and a black figure appeared instantly. Just now, he felt a strange feeling. That was …
A threat!
A threat that made his heart beat faster.
"Father was right. This year's Vermilion Bird Challenge is not simple." The young man in grey thought to himself.
"Haha, Young Master is indeed Young Master. You're so strong, but you're not arrogant at all." The old man with the White Beard smiled. "By the way, Young Master, it's still early for the Vermilion Bird Challenge. It just so happens that the blacksmith competition is happening now. Why don't we go take a look and see what's going on?"
"Up to you," the young man in grey said calmly.
…
…
Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven.
Here, the earth core fire 'Tōhoku' was abnormally strong.
One level after another, just like a stairway to heaven. Hence, it was named as such. The surrounding air was incomparably hot. The fire element was quite active, as if it was full of life and kept jumping around. Refining weapons here was a great test for the blacksmith.
However, it was all relative.
Capable blacksmiths could instead use the 'Tōhoku' here to improve the quality of their weapons to the extreme.
Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven had nine levels, and each level was stronger than the previous one. Every time one went up a level, the difficulty of controlling fire would increase by a level. Tōhoku Stairway to Tōhoku could be said to be the coexistence of an angel and a demon. The blacksmith competition's evaluation was not only based on the quality of the weapon, but also the blacksmith's strength. It was closely related to the Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven.
The higher the Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven, the higher the evaluation!
But …
Not to mention the highest ninth level, until now, no blacksmith had ever refined a complete 'Earth Rank Astral Treasure' on the eighth level of Tōhoku Stairway to Heaven.
It was quite difficult!
"This year, Lady Nangong will definitely come out on top. The odds are high."
"Of course, Lady Nangong has already won nine times in a row. If she wins again this time, it'll be ten times in a row."
"I heard that Lady Nangong has already been internally decided to be the next President of the Zhuque Chau Refiners' Union."
"Really? She's so young?"
…
There was a sea of people, and it was very lively.
The topic of discussion was none other than Madam Nangong, who was the center of attention.
Those who could enter the Vermilion Bird Realm were at least Star Lord level martial artists, and naturally had a lot of experience.
Lady Nangong's name was indeed very famous. Although the Vermilion Bird Continent had three great blacksmith families, the most famous was undoubtedly the Nangong family, and Lady Nangong was now the head blacksmith of the Nangong family. Not only was she a peak Star Domain level existence, her blacksmith skills were impeccable.
"Last time, Lady Nangong refined a top grade 'Yellow Abyss' on the seventh level of Tōhoku Stairway. I wonder if she will challenge the eighth level this time?"
"Impossible, let alone refining a 'top grade', to date, no blacksmith has been able to completely refine an Earth Rank 'Astral Treasure' on the eighth level. The difficulty of refining on the eighth level is more than ten times higher than on the seventh level!"
"I heard that Master Ouyang, who lost last time, had a great breakthrough in his blacksmith skills. Maybe he can stop Lady Nangong's ten consecutive strikes."
"Only Master Ouyang is worthy of being Lady Nangong's opponent. The others, heh, are not enough."
…
Everyone was discussing spiritedly, looking forward to the start of the blacksmith competition.
The competition, which was held once every ten years, was organized by the Union of Artificers. It was the greatest affirmation for blacksmiths.
Honor and reputation were equivalent to wealth and status.
They were bound together for good or ill.
…
"The competition is about to begin. Focus, Yumo," Lin Yan said seriously.
"I'm sorry, Master." Lin Yumo blushed and lowered her head, but she couldn't help but glance to the side. There was an empty blacksmith table.
Sighing in his heart, how could Lin Yan not know what his disciple was thinking? Frowning slightly, he said in a deep voice, "This opportunity is not easy to come by. Cherish it well. Put aside your personal feelings for the time being. The first two rounds are very important, so don't make any mistakes."
Lin Yumo bit her lips and nodded. "Yes, Master."
Then, she closed her eyes and Lin Yumo adjusted her breathing and entered the zone.
Although she was worried, she couldn't let her master down. This opportunity was given to her by the elders of the family. If she couldn't even pass the first round, she would not only lose face for herself, but also for her master and the family!
The pressure was very heavy.
At this time, on the first level of Tōhoku's Sky Stairway, ninety-nine Earth-rank blacksmiths stood in front of a hundred blacksmiths. Most of them were very famous. Normally, it was difficult to even see them, let alone ask them to forge weapons. Now, they were gathered here to compete.
For example, Lady Nangong and Master Ouyang.
Their reputation and status were even higher than that of ordinary Saint-level experts.
The blacksmith competition included all the famous blacksmiths in the Vermillion Bird Continent, including the strongest blacksmith in Shiluo County, Pang Hui of the Pang family. He exchanged a glance with Lin Yan, and sparks flew. The two of them were like enemies. The competition in Shiluo County was extremely fierce, but there was no doubt that Pang Hui was better.
"Old Yan, is there no one else in your Lin clan? You actually sent a little girl who's still wet behind the ears?" Pang Hui laughed mockingly.
"It's better than you guys coming and going with those old faces," Lin Yan responded indifferently, not to be outdone.
"You!" Pang Hui snorted. "I think you can't afford to lose, right?"
Lin Yan smiled indifferently, then closed his eyes and ignored Pang Hui.
It was a pointless battle of words. There was no point in saying more!
The competition was about to begin.
Seeing that Lin Yan had stopped talking, Pang Hui mumbled a few words resentfully, but he didn't look for trouble.
At this time …
"Dang! Dang! Dang!" The crisp sound of a bell rang out.
In an instant, the surroundings quieted down. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the stage, and there was complete silence.
"The first round of the Vermillion Bird Continent's blacksmith competition officially begins!"
…
At this time, not far away …
"Oh no, I'm going to be late." Lin Feng had a bitter expression as he flew over.
Although he had just asked for the exact location of Tōhoku's stairway, it was still very far away. Moreover, Vermillion Bird County was filled with people. Even if he wanted to hurry, he couldn't. Lin Feng's eyes shone brightly as he sensed the powerful fire element getting closer and closer.
"I hope I can make it in time," Lin Feng thought to himself.
Whoosh! In an instant, Lin Feng appeared on Tōhoku's stairway, but he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The competition had begun.
…
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