Chapter Thirty: Making Great Strides (Revised Edition)

The voices of the onlookers inevitably disturbed Cheng Xiao. When he opened his eyes, he saw Song Changsheng wielding both hands, two arrays already nearly complete.

“How… how is this possible?” Cheng Xiao could hardly believe his own eyes.

Every array master dreams of mastering the ability to multitask, but almost all fail—including Cheng Xiao himself. This failure had led him to doubt whether true multitasking was possible at all.

Now, the answer was clear: it was real, but it appeared in someone he had always looked down upon.

A surge of resentment and unwillingness flooded Cheng Xiao’s heart. He couldn’t accept that, with his own talent, the path remained blocked, while the man before him succeeded so easily.

The violent turmoil of his emotions instantly disrupted him; the third array he was carving collapsed midway. In that instant, Cheng Xiao felt a stabbing pain in his spiritual sea, agony so intense it felt as if it had been pierced by a blade.

As his spiritual sea grew chaotic, his entire body’s spiritual energy lost control, rampaging through his meridians and energy center. Cheng Xiao suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood mist with a cry.

His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Bai Ruofeng, startled, hurried forward to support Cheng Xiao. After a quick examination, he found signs of inner deviation.

At this moment, he could not afford to worry about anything else. He glanced around and declared, “We of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion concede this match.”

With those words, Bai Ruofeng picked up Cheng Xiao and swiftly departed through the crowd.

Everyone was caught off guard by this sudden turn.

A cultivator exclaimed incredulously, “Hundred Treasures Pavilion just gave up?”

“Didn’t you see Cheng Xiao coughing up blood? I think it’s pretty serious. Bai Ruofeng looked as if he’d lost his own son.”

“I’d say it’s understandable. That’s multitasking, after all. Continuing would just mean losing anyway—might as well fake unconsciousness and be done with it.”

In no time, all sorts of speculations sprouted like mushrooms after rain, and within fifteen minutes, dozens of versions had emerged.

Someone suddenly had a flash of insight: “Since the Earthfire Sect has conceded, can we settle the spirit stones? I bet on the Song family to win!”

“Yes, it’s time to settle!”

Instantly, those who had bet on Song Changsheng’s victory became a sea of joy, rushing to the bookkeepers to collect their winnings.

Meanwhile, those who had backed Cheng Xiao were left in gloom and misery, feeling worse than swallowing a fly.

***

When Song Changsheng opened his eyes, he was greeted by chaos—the traces of Cheng Xiao were gone, leaving only a conspicuous patch of blood.

“What happened here?” Song Changsheng was baffled.

“Nephew, you’ve won. Cheng Xiao of the Earthfire Sect fainted halfway through the match and conceded long ago,” Song Luyuan whispered excitedly in his ear.

“He conceded?” Song Changsheng laughed despite himself. He’d considered Cheng Xiao a worthy opponent, even deliberately crafting a subpar artifact to mislead him. It seemed he had overestimated him.

Looking at the artifact in his hand, Song Changsheng felt deeply satisfied. Because the time was short, both he and Cheng Xiao had chosen the simplest first-tier, low-grade array.

In three hours, Cheng Xiao could at most carve four, but Song Changsheng had completed six in two hours. The difference was obvious.

This gap was not only due to superior skill, but also the crucial ability to multitask.

He had discovered this technique by accident while cultivating the “Water and Fire Command.” He tried incorporating it into array-making and found it unexpectedly effective.

Song Changsheng put away the artifact, scanned the crowd, and cupped his hands, saying, “Fellow cultivators, I will be stationed at Treasure Seekers Pavilion for some time. If you need artifacts, feel free to place an order. I welcome all comers.”

He had entered this contest not just to slap Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s face, but also to publicize himself. After all, practice is essential for improving in artifact refinement.

As he expected, business boomed in the days that followed, and Song Changqian and the others were busy to the point of exhaustion.

In contrast, Hundred Treasures Pavilion was deserted, and rumors and slander flew everywhere—its reputation lay in ruins.

***

“Bai Ruofeng, you have greatly disappointed me.” In the secret chamber of Hundred Treasures Pavilion, a middle-aged man in a blue robe stood with his hands behind his back, his voice cold.

Bai Ruofeng, terrified, explained, “Elder Cheng, I never expected Song Changsheng to…”

“Enough! Xiao’er nearly ruined himself because of you, and you dare make excuses? You didn’t even investigate Song Changsheng’s background. What use are you?”

The middle-aged man was furious—a single contest had nearly caused Cheng Xiao to suffer inner deviation. He wished he could slap Bai Ruofeng to death.

Bai Ruofeng fell to his knees in terror. “I did not intend such a thing.”

“Humph. Song Changsheng has repeatedly ruined the sect’s plans. I won’t let him leave here alive.” Elder Cheng’s eyes glinted with murderous intent.

He looked at Bai Ruofeng on the floor. “Send someone to watch him. Report immediately if he leaves the market.”

“Yes!” Bai Ruofeng breathed a sigh of relief and hurried off to make arrangements.

***

Song Changsheng had no idea that an elder of the Earthfire Sect had arrived at the market in secret, intent on dealing with him.

He was now spending every day in the artifact refinement chamber, working tirelessly to improve his skills.

“At last, the final piece is finished.”

Inside the chamber, Song Changsheng let out a long breath, finally able to rest.

Nearly half a year had passed since the last contest. Amidst a flood of orders, he had undergone a transformation, successfully elevating his treasure gourd to first-tier, high-grade quality.

This marked him as the youngest first-tier, high-grade artifact refiner in the Song family.

Song Changsheng exited the chamber and handed the finished artifact to Song Luyuan. “Uncle, I’d like to take a break for a while. If anyone wants an artifact, please postpone their orders.”

“You’ve worked hard. In this half year, you’ve completed more orders than most do in a year. You deserve a good rest—take a month off.”

At this point, Song Luyuan granted every request Song Changsheng made. Not only would he allow a few days off, he’d even give his daughter away… cough, cough, but not a single frown would cross his face.

“A month, then?” Song Changsheng nodded. He had never properly explored the market—a perfect opportunity.

Just as he was about to go downstairs, Song Luyuan called him back and handed him a spatial pouch.

Song Changsheng opened it and found five hundred spirit stones neatly stacked inside. He looked puzzled. “What’s this?”

Song Luyuan replied in surprise, “It’s your payment for the orders you completed during this time.”

Song Changsheng suddenly understood. In the Song family, fulfilling shop orders earned compensation. He had always assumed it was paid in contribution points, but it turned out to be spirit stones directly.

Perhaps sensing his puzzlement, Song Luyuan smiled, “For those of us who spend our years outside, spirit stones are far more practical. This must be your first time in the market—now you can take some time to explore.”

“I was hoping for just that. Thank you, Uncle.” Song Changsheng gratefully accepted the spirit stones and headed for the street.

After half a year here, he had yet to truly explore…