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Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Azure Scale Shield
There are not many participants in the Artifact Refining Competition, only a little over twenty, all of whom are Artifact Refiners under the age of thirty within the clan.
Black iron-like refining platforms were moved to the shores of Jade Dragon Pond and were quickly surrounded by crowds.
The Li Family supports itself with Artifact Refining Techniques, treating the noble and mysterious Artifact Refiners with inherent reverence by the clan members.
Thus, this competition attracted many spectators, all eager to witness the event.
"Encourage our clan junior, it’s a Tonghua Pill at stake!"
Li Quanshu, still in her water-blue long dress, smiled genteelly, her eyes shimmering like autumn waters, natural and poised.
She passed over a bag containing a tamed Fire Spirit Sparrow, gentle-natured and able to assist in artifact refining.
"Thank you for your assistance, junior sister."
Li Quanqing took the Spiritual Beast Bag, having already been accustomed to using this Fire Sparrow, he found it very handy.
"Perhaps I should also rear a Fire Attribute Spiritual Beast, or seek some Water Attribute Spiritual Fire?"
Li Quanqing thought to himself as he walked towards his own refining platform.
But these things are only useful during the Qi Refinement Realm; upon breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, a cultivator can ignite his Innate True Fire using magic points. 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
That is the real treasure.
"How is junior brother’s preparation? Feel confident?"
Li Quanlin approached from another side, not fearing strong opponents but rather looking forward to them.
"I am ready to defeat senior brother."
Li Quanqing chuckled, full of confidence.
"Then I shall give it my all."
Li Quanlin’s gaze was calm, his Artifact Refiner’s robe fluttering in the wind, exuding a grandmaster’s aura.
The brothers passed each other, their refining platforms deliberately placed in opposing positions.
To prevent their refining processes from affecting each other, causing any abnormal performances.
"Can this youngster’s refining skills really compare with Li Quanlin? How old is he?"
In the Elder’s seats, Li Yumiao squinted, somewhat incredulous.
That day defeating the champion seed Li Quanmo had already sensationalized Li Quanqing, many elders remembered this remarkable young man.
"Not only that, but he has also achieved notable success in the art of swordsmanship, having cultivated a form of Sword Qi."
"Even placed in the Shuihua Sword Sect, he would be qualified to enter the Sword Hall."
Li Quangeng stood by, explaining to his father without mentioning his own being blackmailed.
"The Artifact Refining Hall truly is full of talents, even snatching the business of our Evergreen Hall."
Li Yumiao squinted, his expression darkening: "Father, should we secretly... suppress him a bit?"
He used his mana to isolate his surroundings, blocking any prying ears, ensuring his voice would not be heard.
"Do you want to cause a division in the family? Discard those inappropriate thoughts!"
The Supreme Elder snorted: "I know what you are thinking, rest assured, even if the clan really obtains a Foundation Establishment Pill, he can’t compete against you."
"A cultivator on the brink of the sixty-year cycle, with a Fire Spirit Root, even if the Supreme Elder favors him, the Elders would not agree, not to mention with father presiding."
Upon hearing these words, Li Yumiao’s face finally relaxed, as if he could already see the Foundation Establishment Pill beckoning him.
On the competition stage, the referee slowly approached, alone, none other than the Third Elder.
With him present, no Artifact Refiner dared to act rashly, so profound was his authority.
"Begin, there is no limit to time or materials, anything needed can be requested from the clan."
Li Kunli sat in the central grandmaster’s chair, resting his chin on his hand, feeling it was a waste of time.
Li Quanqing released the Fire Spirit Sparrow, its feathers bright red and vibrant, resembling a common sparrow but larger, with a golden beak and lively eyes.
He soothed the Fire Sparrow while quickly listing the materials he needed to the servant in front of him.
This is a privilege for Artifact Refiners during the competition, allowing free access to many high-grade materials.
Even if the final refinement fails, it can be considered practice without any loss.
Li Quanqing had chosen his target early, preparing to refine the top-grade magical artifact, Azure Scale Shield.
This was also the most popular choice among the present Artifact Refiners, after all, free is free, no pain.
While the servants were moving the materials, everyone displayed their Divine Skills, igniting their furnaces.
There were carefully selected high-grade spiritual woods, meticulously cultivated Fire Beasts, and even two Artifact Refiners, both lucky and wealthy, who even merged some Spiritual Fire into their Dantians.
Multicolored flames erupted into the sky, eliciting waves of shocked gasps and dazzled onlookers.
The Beast Fire spat out by the Fire Sparrow was a reddish color mingled with hints of golden yellow – elegant and moderate, excelling in balance and harmony.
Even if used to refine water attribute magical artifacts, it operated smoothly.
Li Quanqing performed the fire control skill, manipulating the spiritual power within the Beast Fire, finally achieving the desired temperature.
At this moment, various ores and materials were brought over, and the artifact refining officially began.
Clang! Clang!
Li Quanqing began his performance.
The artifact embryo he forged was indeed in the shape of a shield, but it was only one-sixth the size of the normal Green Scale Shield.
The diamond-shaped shield was only slightly larger than a palm, covered in blue-green scales, arranged densely in a special pattern and its edges resembling sharp serrated teeth.
"Is Quanqing refining a shield or a hidden weapon, such an odd shape."
The Third Elder’s gaze slightly lifted, finally showing a hint of interest.
After forging the first artifact embryo, Li Quanqing didn’t stop; instead, he continued forging a second, a third shield...
"It turns out to be a combinational-type magical artifact, very creative, not bad."
Li Kunli, with his artifact refining level, recognized the reality at a glance.
Indeed, inspired by the Tonghua Pill, Li Quanqing had pondered a new approach.
Although currently unable to refine top-grade magical artifacts, he could amalgamate numerous mid-grade magical artifacts to enhance their power.
This sounded simple, but if not for having the example of the Tonghua Pill to analyze every day, he wouldn’t have been very confident.
The only downside was the lengthy time consumption.
While other Artifact Refiners had successfully completed their works, Li Quanqing was still laboriously forging the fourth mid-grade Green Scale Shield.
"This guy always has his unique ideas, indeed stronger than me."
Li Quanlin, also holding a Green Scale Shield that shone aqua like jade, creating ripples though it exceeded expectations, still fell short of a top-grade magical artifact.
Eventually, Li Quanqing refined six mid-grade Azure Scale Shields, the color blue-green like jade, covered with ice-blue patterns, assembled cleverly together like six turtle shells.
Click!
The secret lock engaged, magic pathways connected successfully, the six shields merged into one, the aura surged, ingeniously seizing the essence.
"Hmm, in terms of quality alone, this counts as a top-grade magical artifact."
The Third Elder held the spirit shield in his hands, examining it from all sides. As a combinational-type magical artifact, it was much larger than the common Green Scale Shields.
It resembled a hybrid of turtle shells and fish scales.
Li Quanqing smiled slightly, placing his palm on the shield to channel mana.
With a swoosh, the entire shield disassembled instantly, revealing an attack mode.
The six shield blades were thin and sharp, flying silently through the air, absolutely perfect for stealth attacks.
Very much in line with Li Quanqing’s usual aesthetic.
The Third Elder’s eyes brightened, and he praised, "This counts as a new-style magical artifact you’ve developed. Give it a name."
After pondering for a moment, Li Quanqing suddenly had an idea:
"Let’s call it, Azure Scale Shield."
