The tower's thirty-six levels allow artifact refiners to freely adjust their positions based on the size of the item being refined.

Furthermore, the tower's size can be manipulated at will, capable of large expansions or shrinking to portable dimensions, making it an excellent mobile refining facility.

At this moment, countless artifact refiners couldn't help but feel envious.

The majestic display of this colossal creation stirred uproar among the crowds shown in various regional mirror projections.

After briefly revealing the tower to confirm its authenticity, the enormous floating structure swiftly shrank, reducing to the size of a vase, and hovered gently in front of Luo Yan, rotating slowly.

Luo Yan discreetly glanced at the mirror projection above him, silently cursing Young Master Nan—this projection forced him to maintain an impeccable and dignified demeanor at all times.

As the treasure tower flew back, Sect Leader Gu Yanduo of Shudao Mountain swirled his sleeve, releasing a golden orb adorned with cloud motifs. The orb shot forth and suspended itself abruptly in the air above the venue.

The crowd craned their necks and focused attentively, only to see the orb begin to tremble violently, faint whisps of azure smoke seeping through the cracks in its cloud-patterned surface.

Suddenly, the azure fumes burst forth, stretching and coiling into a towering blue stream that surged upwards like a cascading reverse waterfall or a soaring silk ribbon, piercing through the projection above.

As the distance widened, the crowd finally discerned the shape of a massive azure dragon's phantom.

Accompanying the release of the dragon from the golden orb, a powerful shockwave rippled through the area; some were caught off guard and knocked to the ground, pavilions collapsed, ornamental railings splintered—an overwhelming force seemed keen on stripping every hair from their skin.

The dragon's emergence wasn't an act of deliberate viciousness; even its mere ascension carried this level of grandeur. One could easily imagine its devastating potential if it chose to unleash its full might.

After its mere ascent, as if for a brief display, Gu Yanduo made a flicking gesture toward the golden orb. The azure figure in the air let out a deafening roar that echoed across the vast earth, shaking the valley to its core. Even those on the beaches outside felt their eardrums verging on rupture.

The phantom azure dragon plunged into the valley, spiraling and sweeping through the air, whipping countless robes while causing sand and stones to scatter.

It was only now that the spectators could vaguely make out its form—it resembled a dragon but lacked claws; it bore the residual soul of a blue serpent-jiao.

The phantom serpent's spiraling zone shrank gradually as it approached the floating golden orb before diving headlong inside and vanishing entirely.

The suspended golden orb reversed course, flying back toward Gu Yanduo.

"Residual Dragon Artifact Spirit!"

"For a mere remnant soul to command such strength—if it were refined into a physical body, it would surely become an unrivaled treasure!"

Just as a wave of discussions arose, Sect Master Su Qiao of the Extreme Fire Sect abruptly swirled his own sleeve, revealing a dark, bow-like artifact devoid of bowstrings, hovering before him.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the object wasn't a bow but a four-foot-long sheet of iron-like material. Its dim surface lacked any reflection, and without its subtle smoothness, one might mistake it for a charred piece of wood.

When viewed directly or from an angle, the artifact revealed itself as flat and plate-like.

From the side, the broadest section measured only a palm's width, whereas the narrowest section was merely a finger-width. The thin, curved edge gleamed sharply, while the irregular side looked as if it had been shattered from another object.

This seemingly unremarkable artifact seized the attention of the green-clothed man, Xiang Laner, and Feng Chi on the beach, who now stared at it with wide-eyed intensity.

On the terrace, Gong Yuanzhi instinctively stood up, his eyes glued to it as well.

Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter exchanged puzzled glances with him; after all, his reaction to the unveiling of the previous two treasures hadn't been nearly this dramatic.

Given his status, it wasn't just the mother and daughter who found his behavior surprising—even his son, Gong Shaoci, was taken aback.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Lan Qiaoyan questioned aloud, "Brother Gong, could it be my shallow knowledge? Is there something unique about this 'Desolate Broken Blade'?"

Jerked out of his thoughts by her voice, Gong Yuanzhi chuckled briefly and replied, "Rumored to be the sharpest object under heaven, it's my first time seeing it firsthand."

While he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on the projection.

In the mirror image, Su Qiao's gaze swept across the audience before flicking his fingers in a sudden motion—the bow-shaped fragment shot forward with a sharp hiss toward the large incense burner within the venue.

Clang!

Following a crisp metallic strike, the dark blade swept past the incense burner's surface, flipped mid-air, and returned to Su Qiao, standing straight as before.

As the crowd exchanged confused glances, not yet understanding what had happened, Su Qiao waved a sleeve and pushed faint energy toward the incense burner, giving it a gentle nudge.

Immediately, the incense burner split cleanly into two halves, clanging as it fell to the ground, its thick walls sheared flawlessly smooth.

The gathered spectators finally understood—the bow-shaped shard had just sliced the incense burner in half.

The sheer sharpness of the artifact triggered an uproar of astonishment.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged uneasy glances; they both knew that even if this artifact fell into their hands, they wouldn't be able to keep it without courting disaster.

On the terrace, Gong Yuanzhi nodded reverently and muttered, "Undoubtedly unmatched in sharpness!"

Gong Shaoci offered, "If Father truly likes it, I'll speak with Shi Chun later and have him sell it to me."

Gong Yuanzhi immediately turned around, his gaze flickering as he scrutinized his son. He tentatively asked, "Do you share that kind of relationship with him?"

Gong Shaoci curled his lip, withholding the remark about buying it as a favor to Shi Chun—it wasn't worth explaining with so many others present. Adopting a diplomatic tone, he said instead, "With enough money, anything can be purchased. He wouldn't have any use for such an item anyway, and even if he did, I could ask Young Master Nan for assistance.

I wouldn't ask for it for free—it would be a fair transaction. What's more, Young Master Nan would undoubtedly give me this courtesy. After all, they owe their standing to Young Master Nan. If he speaks, they must abide. Young Master Nan grants them access to the Divine Fire Domain, and in return, they must honor his requests."

Observing from the side, Lan Qiaoyan immediately directed a sharp look at her daughter. Just as she had anticipated, her daughter's lips moved, about to interject. Lan Qiaoyan swiftly interrupted with a cheerful remark, "Such filial piety from Shaoci indeed!"

She broke into laughter while casting a stern warning glance at her daughter, forbidding her involvement in the matter.

Miao Yilan froze—not long ago, she had intended to offer her help, planning to approach Shi Chun herself with the matter, certain her relationship with him would suffice to secure the purchase.

In her confidence, she believed that should she request it personally, Shi Chun would have no objections. She had little doubt about her influence.

But her mother stopped her.

Miao Yilan couldn't understand her intentions, but she knew her mother had a deeper purpose, leaving her no choice but to swallow her words.

Gong Yuanzhi, meanwhile, chuckled lightly and remarked, "Artifacts are precious precisely because they're rare. Let it go for now. Let's turn our attention to the Stargazing Pavilion's developments. If nothing binds Shi Chun too closely, you may proceed to strike a deal. Pay a fair price, and avoid coercion."

Gong Shaoci bowed respectfully. "Understood."

Within the valley, Sect Master of Li Huo Sect stepped forward, taking his place at the base of the steps where the three major sect leaders stood. Facing the venue, he cast a spell and declared loudly, "In the name of the Divine Fire Covenant, passed down through generations with emerging talents—Tong Mingshan of Mingshan Sect, inherit the sacred flame!"

His voice reverberated through the valley, sparking excitement in Zhu Xiangxin and An Wuzhi near the valley's entrance.

Unbeknownst to the outsiders who couldn't hear the announcement, the projection resolutely refrained from focusing on Tong Mingshan. This omission stemmed from Young Master Nan's close connections to those controlling the Heavenly Mirror from afar—it could even be said they were following his directives.

Under the crowd's eager gaze, a resting Tong Mingshan was prompted and reminded to accept his reward.

Tong Mingshan was utterly exhausted but knew that everyone had worked laboriously to achieve this moment. Thus, summoning the last dregs of his energy, he stepped forward.

Shi Chun and his companions were gleeful and invigorated, while those of the Hundred Refinement Sect wore expressions of complex emotions.

On the sidelines, Li Hongjiu of Yanbao Sect joked to his fellow sect members, "See that? Even refusing to compete has its perks. Look at the three major sects—they've handed over their treasures so willingly, yet their faces are as sour as if mourning their parents."

Barely had he finished speaking when he caught sight of a pair of baleful eyes glaring his way.

Turning his head uneasily, he met Qu Wuming's furious gaze, who gritted his teeth and growled, "Is that how you calculate worth? Do you even fathom how many disciples of Shudao Mountain absorbed the Divine Fire on this occasion? Reckless delinquent—another month!"

Li Hongjiu's mouth twitched; the injuries on his swollen cheekbone still throbbed faintly, and he hadn't dared use a spell to reduce the swelling. He quickly lowered his head and bit his tongue, inwardly lamenting that no matter what he did or said, he seemed perpetually in the wrong.

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