Chapter 29: A Display of Astonishing Skill

At the heart of the market district, where the four main thoroughfares converged, there was a large, circular plaza—a place where itinerant cultivators usually gathered for trade. The day Song Changsheng arrived, scarcely anyone could be seen in the market, not because it was empty, but because most people had congregated here in the plaza.

The Earthfire Sect had changed the location for the contest, which was exactly what Song Changsheng had hoped for. After all, his purpose in coming was to publicly embarrass the Earthfire Sect, and the larger the audience, the better.

By the time they arrived, the plaza was already surrounded by a dense crowd, all craning their necks in anticipation. Some opportunists had even set up betting tables, with many spectators wagering on the outcome.

"The people from the Treasure-Seeking Pavilion have arrived."

As soon as Song Changsheng and his companion appeared, they drew the attention of many present. After his actions the previous day, Song Changsheng’s name had already swept through the Liuyun Market.

Everyone was wondering if he could trample the Earthfire Sect’s reputation underfoot again, just as he had yesterday.

Without so much as a sidelong glance, Song Changsheng, accompanied by Song Luyuan, made his way to the center of the square, standing tall as he awaited the arrival of his opponent.

Among the crowd, a portly man squeezed his way to the front. Catching sight of Song Changsheng, he paused in surprise. “Isn’t that Shen Changsong, Fellow Daoist Shen? Shen Changsong—Song Changsheng—interesting,” he murmured, a look of intrigue spreading across his face.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Bai Ruofeng finally arrived, trailed by Cheng Xiao.

“Oh my, Manager Song, I apologize for changing the venue without notifying you in advance. Please don’t hold it against me,” Bai Ruofeng said, approaching with feigned sincerity.

Song Luyuan, wearing an equally artificial smile, stepped forward to greet him. Although both parties would have liked nothing more than to destroy the other, outwardly they remained polite and amicable.

While the leaders exchanged empty pleasantries to one side, Song Changsheng began to size up his opponent—a young cultivator clad in white, perhaps in his early twenties, with an extraordinary bearing but exuding an air of arrogance that was distinctly off-putting.

As Song Changsheng observed him, Cheng Xiao spoke first. “So, you’re the one challenging me?”

“I have heard of your skill in artifact crafting. I have come to learn from you,” Song Changsheng replied calmly, unruffled.

“Oh? Very well. How shall we compete?” Cheng Xiao clasped his hands behind his back, not sparing Song Changsheng a single direct glance, already convinced of his own victory.

Song Changsheng paid his attitude no mind. “Since I have come to learn, I leave the rules to you.”

A flicker of disdain flashed in Cheng Xiao’s eyes. With a wave, he produced two identical first-grade superior magic artifacts. “Very well. Here are two artifacts of the same kind, uninscribed with any formations. Let’s see who can carve more formations of higher quality into their artifact within three hours.”

“No problem,” Song Changsheng agreed, nodding. Crafting a first-grade superior artifact typically required a great deal of time, but this method would be much faster and truly demonstrate one’s real skill.

“Uncle-Master, when do we begin?” Cheng Xiao asked impatiently, glancing at Bai Ruofeng.

“If you’re both prepared, let’s begin now,” Bai Ruofeng replied, exchanging a look with Song Luyuan.

Each chose a vacant spot and sat cross-legged. Cheng Xiao tossed a round, disc-shaped artifact to Song Changsheng, reserving a sword-shaped one for himself.

Song Changsheng accepted it without concern, first inspecting the artifact. It was obvious that Cheng Xiao hadn’t tried any petty tricks; the artifact was flawless. Yet, during his inspection, Song Changsheng noticed several subtle flaws—clear evidence of mistakes by the original craftsman.

“There’s still plenty of time. I might as well refine this artifact a bit more,” Song Changsheng murmured, glancing at Cheng Xiao, who had already begun inscribing formations.

To the astonishment of all present, a blossom of orange-red flame rose before Song Changsheng, enshrouding the artifact.

“What is he doing? Isn’t this supposed to be a contest of formation inscription?” one cultivator asked, puzzled.

Soon, a more knowledgeable craftsman explained, “He’s refining the artifact further, to enhance its quality.”

“But that has nothing to do with inscribing formations, does it?”

The experienced cultivator hesitated, then nodded. “Indeed.”

For a moment, everyone was baffled by Song Changsheng’s move. Was it confidence—or arrogance?

Cheng Xiao, too, noticed the unusual maneuver. Seeing that he had already completed a third of his formation carvings, he could not help but sneer inwardly. Song Changsheng was far too arrogant. Refinement could improve an artifact’s quality, true, but both artifacts had been crafted by Cheng Xiao himself, and he was confident in his skill. Even with a few minor flaws, a simple refinement wouldn’t make much difference. In his eyes, Song Changsheng was missing the point entirely.

Paying no heed to the murmurs around him, Song Changsheng immersed himself completely in his work.

Time passed swiftly. Nearly an hour had gone by before Song Changsheng finally finished refining the artifact, by which point Cheng Xiao had already completed his first formation.

Most of those present had already lost faith in Song Changsheng, convinced he had fallen too far behind. Those who had bet on his victory now bitterly regretted their choice—if not for Song Luyuan’s presence, they might have cursed Song Changsheng aloud.

“Two hours left. I’d best hurry,” Song Changsheng murmured quietly.

In the next instant, his spiritual power surged into the artifact like a flood breaking through a dam. Guided by his will, his spiritual energy split in two—he began inscribing two formations at the same time!

Because the contest was being held in the open, every detail of his process was visible to the crowd. At first, it was not apparent, but as the outlines of the formations began to take shape, someone noticed something extraordinary.

“Heavens! Song Changsheng is inscribing two formations simultaneously! Am I seeing things?” an itinerant artifact craftsman cried out in astonishment.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Those nearby were skeptical. After all, each formation was incredibly intricate and required one’s complete concentration. To inscribe two at once—such a feat had never been heard of since the founding of Lingzhou.

“Wait, it’s true! The outlines of two formations are appearing at the same time!”

“Is Song Changsheng even human? How is this possible?”

The evidence was irrefutable. More and more people took notice, and a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Everyone was shocked by Song Changsheng’s display.

Bai Ruofeng stared at Song Changsheng in disbelief, eyes wide. “The legendary ability to focus on two things at once? Impossible—how could he do this?”

Song Luyuan, seeing Bai Ruofeng’s reaction, quietly stepped forward to position himself protectively in front of Song Changsheng, wary of any desperate move.

Unaware of the storm he had caused, Song Changsheng was now completely absorbed in his work…