Chapter 318: Challenging the Fifth-grade Artificers

With the cry heralding the start of the competition, the atmosphere of the fair immediately heated up. The spectators’ fervent gazes were focused upon the elevated platforms. The audience also included numerous Resonance Artificers Hall students, all of whom possessed a lack of familiarity with the scene presented before them. As a result, their eyes were glued to the artificing process of these uncommonly crafted spirit liquids and purifying lights, determined to better understand and appreciate the process.

On the six refining workshops, the five fifth-grade resonance artificers possessed looks of indifferent calm. Utilizing their expertise and skills to refine third-grade spirit liquids and purifying lights was complete overkill. If not for the fact that each house was planning to demonstrate their ultimate piece of work,  a junior fourth-grade resonance artificer would have been more than enough.

Their smooth and graceful movements bellied their experience. Water and light resonance energy gushed out like tides, flowing with complete ease and control with just minor movements of their fingers. It was as though life was imitating art itself. The resonant power enveloped the numerous materials on the refining platform, harmoniously disintegrated into fine powder as they formed a glorious symphony within the crystal vials.

Immediately after, a dazzling flash preceded the sublime fusion of the ingredients.

It has to be said that Hanzhi and the other fifth-grade resonance artificers were truly the best individuals for showcasing the splendorous wonders of each artificing villa. Their exceptional abilities were cleanly brought to light amidst the refinement of spirit liquids and purifying lights. Everyone who had the privilege of watching this scene was only left with a sense of awestruck appreciation. 

However, not everything went as planned, and some discordant elements had been thrown into the mix…

Boom!

A crystal tube on Li Luo's refining platform shook violently and vigorously when the materials merged, eventually culminating in a chaotic, explosive display.

He had made a mistake during the final step of fusing the ingredients together.

Honestly speaking, such a sight was not uncommon. However, compared to the smoothly flowing movements of the fifth-grade resonance artificers, Li Luo's misstep seemed all the more glaring.

Low whispers began to circulate around the fair.

Even an illiterate fool could tell that Li Luo's skills were not up to par, relative to the other competitors—his actions were jerky and unrehearsed. 

The difficulty of concocting a third-grade spirit liquid was not something to be scoffed at.

Everyone's attention was focused atop the refining platform. Specifically, Mei Xuan'er guffawed unrequitedly at this sight, immediately turning to face Li Bi. "See? Looks like I wasn't wrong after all. The Suncreek Villa is a dumpster fire. Once you jump in headfirst, you're doomed."

Li Bi didn't bother to retort, whereas Bing Tao simply nodded, whispering in a hushed tone, "Mei Xuan'er may be irritating, but her words aren't wrong. The Suncreek Villa has always been weak. Furthermore, they only dispatched a third-grade resonance artificer. Aren't they just trying to ruin what's left of their own reputation?"

"If they don't even bother to maintain their own reputation, it's a terrible place to be."

Li Bi paused for a brief moment before sighing helplessly. "I have never said that I would definitely join the Suncreek Villa. Enough, let's just await the end of the competition."

Bing Tao waved her hand in defeat, not mentioning anything else.

On the other hand, Mei Xuan'er was cackling gleefully. The Suncreek Villa would inevitably become the biggest joke during this Artificers' Fair. Their entry had only tarnished the high standards of the fair.

Although her words were unpleasant to hear, some of the students were inevitably affected, darkly nodding in agreement. It looked as though all hope was lost.

Li Luo, on the other hand, was completely disregarding what was happening amongst the audience. He was fully focused and concentrated on the refining process. The distractions of the world had all but disappeared in his mind.

His expression was calm, and he was seemingly unaffected by the previous mistake. This would not be the last time such a scene would occur, and hence it was nothing to be concerned about.

The number of failures would be inconsequential. Ultimately, what truly mattered was refining a third-grade spirit liquid within the allocated time.

He extended his palm, and resonant power that took the form tendrils snaked out, directly wrapping around the ingredients. In a blink, they were completely refined by his power, ridding them of their impurities before being separated into their appropriate amounts. After a brief moment of measurement, the ingredients were combined in a crystal tube.

The process of fusion began anew.

Time gradually passed as Li Luo continued to experiment in wide view.

His subsequent attempts led to another three failures. However, he wasn't the only one disappointed in himself. The other fifth-grade resonance artificers, with the exception of Hanzhi, also felt the same way at his wastefulness.

Although fifth-grade resonance artificers did not possess a guaranteed chance of success, they did not act so frivolously.

However, Li Luo was completely unconcerned with their opinions. With his unparalleled ability to concentrate, his Budding Butterfly Spirit Liquid had reached a third of the way to a complete fusion.  Such progress lagged behind his "peers," but he was unflustered, taking things into his own rhythm.

Atop the elevated platform, Dean Ling Zhaoying's expression lit up for a moment as she focused on Li Luo. "Li Luo's spirit liquid has undergone more than 10 different steps of fusion... This is not something a three-star formula can achieve." 

"As I said, this brat isn't a complete numbskull. He wouldn't attempt to do something he had no chance of succeeding in. It looks like this is his hidden ace," Mentor Chi Chan dryly commented. "So it looks like he's using a four-star formula?" 

Ling Zhaoying nodded. "I don't know where in the world he could have found something like that, but I don't think I'm wrong." 

Mentor Chi Chan's gaze held a trace of interest. Ling Zhaoying was an eighth-grade resonance artificer and was extremely astute. If she said so, then it had to be true.

As for how he could have obtained a four-star formula...

Mentor Chi Chan had her suspicions as she broke into a smile. This Li Luo must have bewitched that brat Bai Mengmeng! Why else would she work so hard for his sake?

"However, even with a four-star formula, the gap isn't so easily closed." Ling Zhaoying smiled as she stroked her chin.

"It has increased his odds at least. Who knows what other tricks Li Luo might have concealed?" Mentor Chi Chan replied. It looked as though things were heating up.

"Oh? Do I sense favoritism?" Ling Zhaoying smirked.

Chi Chan was beaming, but she did not reply. Logically speaking, Li Luo's chances of success were abysmal. However, common sense often didn't apply to this devil. He'd only leave people in shock, and it wouldn't be the other way around.

Tick tock tick tock. Time continued its inevitable march as the competition proceeded.

Under the watchful eyes of the audience, the other five resonance artificers were reaching greater levels of completion. Hanzhi was particularly eye-catching.

He was the only one to not have made a single error thus far.

Even some of the great villas’ sixth-grade resonance artificers nodded in appreciation of his abilities. This Hanzhi possessed talent. Although he had been led astray in the past, entering the Suncreek Villa had eventually provided him with the environment to develop his potential, reaching his current height. Duze Beixuan and Duze Honglian were both looking at the scene atop the refining platform in satisfaction. Hanzhi's performance was truly commendable.

"It looks like Hanzhi's determination to demonstrate his worth is clear for all to see. I'd thought he would be nice enough to spare his old home some pity." Duze Beixuan grinned. 

Duze Honglian tartly replied, "Normally speaking, most traitors are ruthless towards their previous affiliates. I think Hanzhi wants to completely wreck the Suncreek Villa's morale. That is the most important thing in his eyes." 

"Sister, don't you think the result has been set in stone?" Duze Beixuan casually remarked. "Li Luo has been too ostentatious recently. This might finally be an opportunity to suppress him properly."

Duze Honglian listened without comment, pausing for a moment. If it was in the past, she would have coldly chuckled by now, completely disregarding Li Luo. Yet the incident in the Umbra Cave had changed her. This brat was truly mysterious and unfathomable.

As a result, her reply lacked conviction.

"Perhaps? I suppose the outcome will clear that up."