She Dominates the Immortal Realm with Her HP Bar-Chapter 59

◎The Landlord’s Silly Son◎

When Yan Luoyue received Elder Dong’s reluctant gift—given with the pained expression of a miser watching his skin being flayed—her wailing abruptly ceased.

She still covered her eyes tightly with her hands, occasionally letting out a Schrödinger-esque sob. But the haunting, ear-piercing, almost operatic high-pitched dolphin cries had clearly stopped.

With the thick nasal tone unique to post-crying, Yan Luoyue sniffled and said, “This… this is really too much.”

“Heh, little friend, you truly… have impeccable upbringing, always so considerate of others…”

Elder Dong practically forced the words through gritted teeth.

“There’s no need for such modesty. We’re all good friends here. Please, you must accept this flying vessel!”

“Well…” Yan Luoyue knew when to stop pushing her luck. She reluctantly nodded. “Then we’ll accept this token of friendship. Thank you so much.”

Elder Dong: “...Hehehe, little friend, you’re… far too polite.”

Niu Shujian lacked Elder Dong’s ability to endure humiliation with a smile.

Forget forcing a fake grin—at this moment, Niu Shujian couldn’t even muster a single extra expression.

All he could do was parrot, “Too… too polite.”

For some reason, right now, they found themselves desperately wishing Yan Luoyue would just start crying again.

Perhaps it was because once this little girl stopped wailing, every word she spoke and every action she took only made them look more like a pair of self-inflicted, gullible fools!

Yan Luoyue wiped her tears and stood up, glancing back at their flying saucer.

With just that one look, Ling Shuanghun immediately understood.

The cold, snow-mountain-like historian gave a slight nod. “In that case, we’ll leave our flying saucer with you.”

“Ah?” Elder Dong was startled. “This… we wouldn’t dare lay hands on Demon Venerable Ji Qinghong’s beloved possession…”

Before he could finish, Ling Shuanghun tilted his chin up slightly, adopting the exact same posture their young master had when crashing into someone else’s flying saucer earlier, and cast him a frosty glance.

“It’s fine.” Ling Shuanghun recited with measured cadence. “After all, the Demon Venerable would likely be displeased upon seeing the saucer in such a ruined state.”

Elder Dong: “...”

In that instant, everything became clear to Elder Dong.

The first thought that leapt into his mind was—

Screw your ancestors, you hear me? Screw your ancestors, your entire family tree, and everyone buried in your ancestral graves!

But outwardly, Elder Dong could only twitch his lips and swallow his pride, forcing out the words:

“How could we present a flawed treasure to the Demon Venerable? We’re willing to contribute funds and labor…”

At this point, Wu Manshuang—who had been sitting quietly with his eyes closed beneath his white veil, exuding an air of pitiable solitude—stood up.

He swayed slightly as he walked toward Ling Shuanghun, who immediately grasped his arm with a look of deep concern.

Wu Manshuang interjected softly, “Brother, we should hurry. We’re running out of time.”

Elder Dong: “...If time is too tight for labor, then we’ll contribute… a bit more… no, I mean, a lot more materials for repairs. That’s only right.”

After saying this, Elder Dong finally saw the crane-robed historian pull out his bamboo scroll once more.

The young historian’s brush moved like flowing pearls as he murmured to himself, “To recognize one’s faults and correct them is the greatest virtue…”

This was probably the only remotely positive thing that had happened to them all day.

Yet Elder Dong couldn’t bring himself to smile.

His lips twitched slightly, leaving him feeling only hollow, cheated, and especially, particularly, overwhelmingly aggrieved…

……

Above the sea of clouds, a massive flying vessel glided leisurely.

Yan Luoyue asked curiously, “Ling Shuanghun, did you really record it as ‘To recognize one’s faults and correct them is the greatest virtue’?”

“Of course not.”

Ling Shuanghun straightened his already upright posture even further, his expression solemn.

“The historian’s brush is as sharp as a blade—how could it be swayed by power or wealth?”

Yan Luoyue thought, Yeah, that’s what I figured.

“So what did you actually write?”

At this question, Ling Shuanghun relaxed slightly and recited from memory:

“—Arrogant at first, then obsequious—shameless; fawning on superiors while bullying inferiors—virtueless; changing orders morning and night—unprincipled; capricious and inconsistent—devoid of righteousness. Can this be called the conduct of petty men? This is what it means to lack any sense of shame—such creatures are not human.”

Yan Luoyue: “...”

Wow, being well-read really paid off. She wished she could roast people that eloquently too.

Softening his tone slightly, Ling Shuanghun added earnestly,

“As for the part about recognizing faults and correcting them, that was just a spontaneous remark—not an intentional deception. I mean… surely no one would actually fail to notice that the number of characters I wrote didn’t match what I said out loud, right?”

The white crane’s expression was so sincere that, were it not for his words, one might truly believe he was a pure, upright historian of unblemished integrity.

Yan Luoyue suppressed a laugh. “So who was that ‘greatest virtue’ line actually referring to?”

Ling Shuanghun smiled and glanced meaningfully to the side.

“Naturally, it was about Wu Manshuang. Look how much he’s improved since restraining his murderous impulses!”

Hearing this magnificently shameless explanation, Yan Luoyue finally burst into laughter.

Wu Manshuang, the subject of this “praise,” had been sitting by the window since boarding the flying vessel.

The little green snake rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought—clearly having absorbed many new lessons and now digesting their implications.

Yan Luoyue walked over with a chuckle and casually pushed a plate of spirit fruits toward him.

“Manshuang, you were the perfect wingman today. When you demanded the flying vessel, we were totally on the same wavelength.”

Once she realized the situation was in their favor, Yan Luoyue had been determined to walk away with that flying vessel.

Not just for the sake of scamming, extorting, or venting anger—though those were nice bonuses.

The real reason was: their whole act of the weak overcoming the strong had relied heavily on borrowed authority.

What if, after they left, those two started having second thoughts or found a way to verify their identities? They’d come chasing after them!

So the solution was simple: take their flying vessel and run.

That way… hah, good luck catching up without a ride.

But Wu Manshuang blinked in clear surprise at her praise.

“I… didn’t think that far ahead,” he murmured.

He’d just noticed how much Yan Luoyue seemed to like the flying vessel earlier and figured he might as well help her get it.

Still, today’s events had given Wu Manshuang much food for thought.

He was slowly realizing that not everything could be permanently solved with death.

Sometimes, the weak overcoming the strong, or the gentle prevailing over the harsh, might be a better approach.

If that was the case…

Wu Manshuang removed his gloves and stared intently at his fingertips.

Whatever he did next, a faint bitter fragrance gradually emanated from his skin.

Wu Manshuang thought to himself: Perhaps I should experiment with synthesizing different types of poison.

……

The large flying vessel was fast, stable, and comfortable—and most importantly, free.

In less than two days, Yan Luoyue and her companions arrived at their destination, a full five or six days ahead of schedule.

During this time, Yan Luoyue studied the newly acquired flying vessel, Wu Manshuang experimented with synthesizing new toxins, and Ling Shuanghun organized the anecdotal records from their journey... Each of them had their own duties, and everyone had a bright future ahead.

Yan Luoyue even changed the paint job on the flying vessel.

Originally, the vessel had been adorned with five emblems representing artifacts, pills, formations, swords, and talismans—clearly marking it as a product of the Hongtong Palace.

After consulting her two friends, Yan Luoyue replaced the design with a giant whale spouting water.

"Actually, we could have taken advantage of the Hongtong Palace's insignia to stir up some trouble," Yan Luoyue said, pressing a hand to her conscience. "But we didn’t. Instead, we proactively changed their markings—we’re just too kind!"

As they neared the location of the Thousand Refinements Assembly, the trio descended from the clouds and stored the flying vessel.

Though the event was still seven or eight days away, the area was already bustling with activity. The three of them navigated through the dense crowds, passing through two market streets along the way.

"What’s going on here?" Yan Luoyue glanced around, surprised by the lively scene.

"I remember the Thousand Refinements Assembly operates on an invitation system—each invitation allows at most one guest. It shouldn’t be this crowded."

The throngs were even thicker than in Chiyu City.

The jostling masses made Wu Manshuang nervous. Every three seconds, he checked to ensure his robes were properly wrapped around him.

This wasn’t like Ling Shuanghun’s habit of "tidying his attire" out of personal discipline.

If even a trace of his toxicity leaked out, it could be deadly!

Yan Luoyue pressed her lips together, quietly amused by Wu Manshuang’s attempts to discreetly adjust his clothes.

She decided to wait until they reached the end of the market street before telling him that she had already accounted for such scenarios when crafting his garments—so none of his worries would come to pass.

Ling Shuanghun’s wide sleeves had also been slightly ruffled by the crowd. He immediately set about smoothing out the wrinkles.

While straightening his cuffs, he took a moment to explain to Yan Luoyue.

"Yan Luoyue, you know the Thousand Refinements Assembly lasts at least several months, right?"

"I know."

Ling Shuanghun adjusted his crane-feather cloak before fixing his headpiece. "And you know that during the assembly, the 'Thousand Refinements Veil' is exclusively occupied by refiners, correct?"

Yan Luoyue was beginning to catch on. "I know."

Ling Shuanghun nodded with a smile. "Then do you also know that whenever such grand events are held, a temporary outer city is built around the main venue?"

Yan Luoyue struck her left palm with her right fist. "Now I get it."

To put it simply—whenever large-scale events like music festivals, carnivals, or food fairs were held, vendors would flock to the periphery, selling cotton candy, balloons, fried chicken skewers, jianbing, and more.

And if such an event lasted for months, attended primarily by refiners?

Then major merchants dealing in materials would rush in, and countless trade guilds seeking artifacts would follow.

Not to mention cultivators arriving to post bounties for custom-made artifacts, or refiners without invitations hoping to soak up the atmosphere...

Thus, around the true venue of the Thousand Refinements Assembly—the Thousand Refinements Veil—an entire temporary outer ring had sprung up, built by the gathered cultivators.

After passing through this outer ring, the trio finally reached the entrance of the Thousand Refinements Veil—the actual site of the assembly.

The Thousand Refinements Veil was a shimmering barrier, its arched gateway rippling with crystalline waves. Several guards stood on either side, permitting entry only to those bearing invitations.

Above the barrier, a radiant notice was displayed:

[1. No flying within the Thousand Refinements Veil.

2. No private duels between cultivators.

3. Forbidden to privately forge or replicate invitations.

4. ...]

As the three stepped forward to enter, a guard halted them with his weapon.

"Is something the matter?"

The guard, seeing how young they were, stopped them out of kindness and offered a warning:

"This is the inner venue of the Thousand Refinements Assembly. Do you have invitations? If you try to force your way in without one, the Thousand Refinements Veil’s defenses are no joke."

Yan Luoyue appreciated his concern and casually pulled out the assembly’s invitation, waving it lightly.

The guard hadn’t expected these youngsters to actually possess an invitation—and not just any invitation, but a Thousand Refinements-level one at that. He froze in surprise.

Then, remembering something, his face lit up with a shrewd delight.

"Come, come, little fellow cultivators, this way please."

Pulled aside mysteriously by the guard, Yan Luoyue thought he might share some insider information.

Instead, he rubbed his hands together and asked, "Little fellow cultivator, this Thousand Refinements invitation of yours is quite rare—it allows you to bring someone in. Bringing in an extra person could earn you at least five thousand low-grade spirit stones..."

If he could broker such a deal, he’d pocket a thousand low-grade spirit stones as a middleman.

Yan Luoyue: "..."

She couldn’t help but laugh.

So this was what it was about—he was acting as a scalper!

Thinking further, if even Thousand Refinements invitations were being sought after, then there were probably scalpers outside reselling Hundred Refinements invitations—they just hadn’t run into them yet.

Silently, she mused that some things were the same in every world.

With a smile, Yan Luoyue grabbed Wu Manshuang’s sleeve and shook it in front of the guard.

"Thank you, fellow cultivator, but I already have a companion to bring in."

The guard sighed. "...Ah."

Though disappointed, he still offered another piece of advice:

"I see none of you three have rank badges on your chests. Have you not taken the test yet?"

When they nodded, he continued, "Since this assembly will last a while, it’s best to get your badges before it starts. The examination site is at the Silver Phoenix Tower, the first building on the right side of the main street. Having a badge will make things much easier."

At the moment, no other refiners were entering, and the children’s striking looks endeared them to the guard, so he shared a bit more.

During the Thousand Refinements Assembly, a refiner’s badge served as official identification.

Those with badges not only received discounts at official material shops but were also held in higher regard when doing business in the outer ring.

Without one, many competitions and lectures would be off-limits.

After thanking the guard for his advice, the trio entered the inner venue.

Not long after they stepped through the Thousand Refinements Veil, a young man and an elderly man arrived.

The youth had slightly dark skin, arched eyebrows, and a pointed chin. His domineering aura and arrogant gaze made him difficult to approach.

Before even reaching the barrier, he cast a sidelong glance at the guards and flashed a token in his palm.

Recognizing the insignia, the guards immediately bowed in deference. "So it’s an esteemed disciple of the Hongtong Palace! Please, right this way..."

The young man curled his lips, his expression suddenly darkening as if recalling something unpleasant.

"No need to fawn over me like a lapdog here. Tell me—have you seen three children pass through this entrance?"

The guards looked puzzled. "...Three children?"

A flash of malice crossed the young man's eyes.

"Three demon children—one wearing a crane-feather cloak and headpiece, another draped in a black cape, and the most insufferable little girl with a mouth that could make your head throb!"

......

As Yan Luoyue and her two companions stepped into the inner grounds, the grandeur of the city swept over them.

Even though this venue had been temporarily constructed for the Thousand Refinements Assembly, even the most critical visitors would find no fault with it.

The main street stretched wide and orderly, flanked by imposing storefronts and buildings with soaring eaves and intricate carvings.

Instead of rushing to the Silver Phoenix Tower for their certification exams, the trio first took a stroll down the main street to familiarize themselves with the Assembly's layout.

Aside from the exam venue, Silver Phoenix Tower, there was also Jun Tian Tower—an officially endorsed establishment where materials could be exchanged and magical artifacts purchased.

There was the Rainbow Hall, where refiners could post tasks.

And the Starry River Auction House, where auctions were held...

As they walked, Yan Luoyue suddenly stopped in front of a building with a rather... peculiar name.

"This..."

Ling Shuanghun glanced up and read the name aloud clearly. "Ren—Tian—Tang. Little Yan, why are you making that face?"

Yan Luoyue muttered, "...Dunno. Maybe because 'Ren Tian Tang' sounds like it’s just asking for a lawsuit from the second strongest legal team on the planet."

Ling Shuanghun: "?"

Unable to resist her curiosity, Yan Luoyue stepped inside to inquire and soon learned that this was a place where refiners exchanged ideas and shared innovations.

"So, why call it that?"

The refiner who answered looked at her as if the answer were obvious.

"We refiners should embody the spirit of 'even if the heavens and earth stand in our way, we shall reshape them as we please.' Ren Tian Tang is a place for pioneering ideas—isn’t this name fitting?"

Yan Luoyue gave a wry smile. "Fitting, sure. Just feels like it’s inviting legal trouble..."

"You mean disputes over intellectual property? That happens all the time."

The refiner studied Yan Luoyue closely, his gaze lingering pointedly on the empty space on her lapel.

"Judging by your tone, you must be a refiner too. If so, why not take the exam at Silver Phoenix Tower and earn a badge? It’d save you a lot of hassle."

At this, the refiner proudly tapped the second-level badge on his own chest.

"Even if you’ve already been certified elsewhere, there’s no harm in getting another badge here at the Assembly."

"—After all, the Thousand Refinements Assembly badges have a special design. Even decades from now, people will know at a glance that you participated in this very event."

Following his gesture, Yan Luoyue noticed the golden trim around his badge, distinguishing it from ordinary refiner insignias.

Ah, so this was the commemorative edition.

Huh, this concept felt oddly familiar. Yan Luoyue chuckled to herself after a moment.

—Well, isn’t this just the difference between Bing Dwen Dwen and Gold Dwen Dwen?!

With so many people urging her to take the exam, Yan Luoyue could hardly refuse.

After settling Wu Manshuang and Ling Shuanghun in a suite at an inn, she headed straight for Silver Phoenix Tower.

The trip took little time, and as she arrived at the tower’s entrance, she ran headlong into Niu Shujian.

Niu Shujian: "!!!"

Yan Luoyue: "!!!"

A flicker of surprise crossed her mind, but then she remembered the notice prominently displayed at the Assembly’s entrance—private duels between cultivators were strictly prohibited. The only permitted clashes were in the training rooms, where refiners could spar over their craft.

Once this sank in, Yan Luoyue’s smile turned sweet and cheerful. She even waved at Niu Shujian.

"What a coincidence, Big Brother! You’re here too?"

Niu Shujian: "..."

The sight of her reignited his fury, old grudges surging to the surface. His teeth ground audibly, prompting Elder Dong at his side to murmur a reminder: "Young Master, private duels are forbidden within the Assembly grounds..."

"I know!"

Snapping at Elder Dong, Niu Shujian turned back to Yan Luoyue with a vicious smirk.

"You ignorant little brat, clutching at straws as if they’re imperial decrees... I’ve heard the rumors. There haven’t been any young demons seen around Demon Venerable Ji Qinghong lately."

Yan Luoyue smiled faintly. "Then perhaps your sources are outdated."

Though she’d only met Ji Qinghong once, she wasn’t about to let her bluff falter.

As for the future?

The Thousand Refinements Assembly would last for months. Who knew what twists and turns lay ahead?

Niu Shujian had initially assumed Yan Luoyue, being young and alone, would crumble under intimidation. But her unshaken composure unsettled him.

Could it be... Was it possible she actually had ties to Ji Qinghong?

No. Impossible.

He rejected the thought instantly, as if the very idea were offensive.

With Ji Qinghong’s notoriously eccentric temperament, how could this runt possibly catch his eye?

Narrowing his eyes, Niu Shujian sneered, "Here to take the exam too?"

Yan Luoyue arched a brow but stayed silent.

Niu Shujian scoffed and continued derisively.

"Playing the big shot at such a tender age—must run in the family. Don’t think a fluke invitation lets you swagger around. You’ll probably bawl your way back to your mother’s milk before the exam’s even over."

After his tirade, he paused, expecting a reaction. Instead, Yan Luoyue stared fixedly at something behind him.

"...What are you looking at?"

Innocently, Yan Luoyue lifted her gaze and chirped, "Greetings, Demon Venerable—"

"!!!"

Niu Shujian nearly jumped out of his skin. His face paled as he spun around in a frantic 180-degree turn, only to find the street behind him empty and silent.

Yan Luoyue leisurely finished, "—I miss him so much."

Niu Shujian: "..."

Fuming, he let out a cold laugh and jabbed a finger at her.

"Fine. If you’ve got the guts, come take the exam too!"

With that—perhaps fearing she’d pull another stunt—Niu Shujian stormed into Silver Phoenix Tower, his hurried steps making it seem like ghosts were at his heels.

After this test, Yan Luoyue became even more convinced that this Niu fellow was nothing but a paper tiger—easily punctured, trembling at even the mention of Ji Qinghong’s name.

She smiled faintly, lifted the hem of her robe, and prepared to step into the Silver Phoenix Tower.

Suddenly, a flash of snow-white light caught the corner of her eye, fleeting as a startled swan—

"…"

Yan Luoyue quickly turned her head to look.

Just like Niu Shujian earlier, all she saw was a wide, smooth street.

But recalling her experiences along the way, she cautiously pressed her lips together.

Surely… it couldn’t be that coincidental, could it?

She’d just greeted Ji Qinghong from afar, and now he actually showed up?

...

As soon as Yan Luoyue entered the Silver Phoenix Tower, an elegant and beautiful receptionist approached her.

Without batting an eye at Yan Luoyue’s youthful appearance, she followed protocol and thoroughly explained the hierarchy of cultivation rankings.

In the cultivation world, artifact refiners were ranked from first to ninth tier.

Generally, first and second-tier refiners were called junior refiners, third and fourth-tier were intermediate refiners, and fifth and sixth-tier were senior refiners.

As for seventh, eighth, and ninth-tier, they were collectively referred to as master refiners.

Beyond ninth-tier, any refiner capable of crafting legendary celestial-grade treasures was esteemed enough to establish their own school and was honored as a grandmaster refiner.

The official rankings were meticulous and detailed, but common folk often didn’t bother with such distinctions.

Since certification venues for refiners were mostly located in a few prosperous major cities, in places like the Yunning Great Marsh, as long as one was well-connected or could craft spirit-grade artifacts, people were happy to show respect.

Just ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍as even extras in the entertainment industry could be called "teacher," anyone who could refine a decent artifact was casually addressed as "master."

Yan Luoyue’s alias, Yan Bixin, fell into this category.

After finishing her introduction, the receptionist smiled sweetly and said,

"If you start your examination from the first tier, you’ll receive a commemorative badge for this Thousand Refinements Assembly at each level. You may also present your existing badge to continue advancing to higher-tier examinations."

Without hesitation, Yan Luoyue replied, "I’ll start from the first tier."

The moment she spoke, a loud snort came from the side.

From the shadows, the ever-persistent Niu Shujian leisurely stepped forward.

He shot Yan Luoyue a challenging look, lifted his chin, and declared, "I’ll also take the examination starting from the first tier."

Then, with an arrogant glance, he made a dismissive gesture at Yan Luoyue.

"Since you’re just a kid, I won’t bully you. No matter what you make, I’ll only be slightly better."

Yan Luoyue stared at him in amazement, as if encountering a rare species for the first time.

"Oh? If you’re so confident… why don’t we make a little wager?"

Such a golden opportunity would be a shame to waste.

When wool practically offered itself to be sheared, it’d be a crime not to take advantage.

After all, it had been a long time since Yan Luoyue had heard someone speak with such reckless audacity.

Niu Shujian choked for a moment before sneering, "What’s the bet?"

Yan Luoyue thought for a moment. "I have a particularly beautiful flying skyship. I’ll wager that."

Niu Shujian’s expression twisted briefly. "…"

—What do you mean, your skyship? Just two days ago, that "particularly beautiful flying skyship" was mine!

But after a moment’s contemplation—his train of thought veering off to who-knows-where—Niu Shujian soon regained his usual smug, insufferable smirk.

"Oh, so you’re using this chance to return the skyship and apologize? Tch. Realizing you’ve crossed a true disciple of the Hongtong Palace only when disaster’s at your doorstep—a bit late for regrets, don’t you think?"

Having smugly mocked Yan Luoyue with his unshakable confidence, Niu Shujian summoned a dull crimson flame at his fingertips.

"I won’t take advantage of you—wouldn’t want people saying I bully children. This ‘Soulmourn Flame’ is roughly equal in value to a skyship. I’ll use it as my stake."

He raised his chin haughtily, as if expecting gratitude for his magnanimity.

Yan Luoyue listened to his grand speech, slowly looked him up and down, then just as slowly averted her gaze.

She wasn’t the least bit angry—in fact, she was almost amused.

By now, Niu Shujian had completely shed his human identity in her mind, transforming instead into a money-shaking tree labeled "The Spoiled Young Master."

Every word out of his mouth sounded to her like the delightful chime of +1000 spirit stones.

Once their wager was settled, the two entered the examination hall.

The first and second-tier certification tests followed standardized prompts.

For first-tier refiners, the requirement was to craft a standard-capacity storage ring—where "standard capacity" meant two cubic meters.

This tested a refiner’s ability to compress space, a fundamental skill in artifact crafting.

But the prompt alone made it clear that the Thousand Refinements Assembly held refiners to higher standards.

Most storage pouches were about the size of a sachet, but storage rings were as slender as finger rings.

The difference was akin to carving an emoji onto a peach pit versus a grain of rice—the latter’s difficulty was a whole tier higher.

Since the ring’s capacity was fixed, the competition came down to finesse in its form.

The smaller and more delicate the ring, the greater the refiner’s skill.

Ahead of Yan Luoyue and Niu Shujian, three or four refiners were finishing their examinations.

Yan Luoyue watched as one refiner, though seated with perfect poise, worked with the frantic energy of a startled dog.

In the end, he pulled out from his forge… well, a thumb ring.

Though its thickness, size, and weight left much to be desired, the examiner turned a blind eye and granted him a first-tier badge—after all, a thumb ring wasn’t too far from a proper ring.

But the next refiner’s submission left the examiner no choice but to fail him outright.

With one glance at the "artifact," the examiner took a deep breath and pointed at the previous candidate.

He said gravely, "If you’d made a thumb ring like his, I could’ve passed you. If you’d gotten creative and made a single knuckle-duster, I might’ve let it slide. But this…"

Here, the examiner trailed off, at a loss for words.

He understood the desperation of aspiring refiners—he’d been young once too.

It wasn’t that he enjoyed failing newcomers. As long as the work was close enough to standard, examiners tended to be lenient.

But this… this was just…

Look, just because examiners are forgiving doesn’t mean they’re blind, alright?

The worst anyone else had done was a thumb ring, but you?

You went and made a two-foot-long armored gauntlet!

You just flattened the storage pouch’s dimensions and spread them across the gauntlet’s plates!

"Could you really not make an exception..."

The examiner was resolute: "Failed!"

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

"..."

As the dejected, overly creative cultivator left the examination hall, Yan Luoyue and Niu Shujian, along with the other candidates waiting for their turn, stepped inside.

Each of them was handed a small box containing a precisely measured set of materials.

The service was commendable—though the material boxes came at an additional cost.

Yan Luoyue silently calculated the difference between the fee and the market price, realizing that hosting the Thousand Refinements Assembly might be quite a lucrative venture.

Just the certification exams alone—material fees, examination fees, badge production costs—added up to a substantial sum.

Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Yan Luoyue lit her furnace.

Diagonally across from her, Niu Shujian had already begun with a fierce flourish, his first set of hand seals directed at the furnace.

Clearly, he was determined to redeem himself today—by bullying a child.

Yan Luoyue sighed inwardly for him in advance, leisurely arranging the necessary materials into the furnace.

As a disciple of Hongtong Palace, Niu Shujian had well-connected sources. He had likely already learned the topics for each stage of the artificer certification exam.

But even with an open-book advantage, his struggle was futile.

Because he probably didn’t know—in Worlds United, players had once devised a maddeningly ingenious design to reduce encumbrance, an alternative to storage pouches.

This invention was called… "Applying Yellow Flowers Before the Mirror."

...

Two incense sticks later, the exam concluded.

The participating artificers stepped forward one by one to present their creations for inspection.

The first few candidates, having earned their first-grade badges, lingered out of curiosity rather than leaving immediately.

When Niu Shujian extended his hand, the seasoned examiner remained composed.

But the newly certified first-grade artificers collectively gasped.

They watched as Niu Shujian slid something off his finger—no, this width could hardly be called a "something."

This arrogant young man had actually plucked a thread from his finger!

Spatial compression was a foundational skill for artificers.

Storage artifacts, flying vessels, retractable treasures—all relied on this technique.

But just as folding a sheet of paper becomes increasingly difficult with each fold, the same applied to space: the smaller the compression, the greater the challenge.

If compressing a storage pouch into a ring was one threshold, then shrinking a ring into this fine thread was a leap of comparable difficulty.

The artificers exchanged hushed whispers.

"Who is this disciple of, I wonder?"

"Surely a master’s legacy—how could we scattered practitioners compare?"

"Look at his robe’s hem—"

"The character 'Qi'… Hongtong Palace!"

As if struck by awe at the mention of Hongtong Palace, the crowd fell silent, not daring to utter another word.

Niu Shujian, however, smirked, his sharp chin tilting upward again, visibly pleased by their awestruck reactions.

He snorted at Yan Luoyue through his nose. "Your turn."

Yan Luoyue stepped forward silently.

The young girl extended her right hand to the examiner. All five fingers were smooth and unadorned, seemingly bare of any jewelry.

Niu Shujian blinked in surprise, then burst into a derisive laugh.

"You’re just a child, so it’s understandable if you’ve accomplished nothing. Even a simple piece of armor would’ve been something, but this…"

Before he could finish, Yan Luoyue cast him a pitying look, as if lamenting his lack of intelligence.

Niu Shujian choked. "…"

Wait—why did an all-too-familiar sense of foreboding creep up his spine?

The next moment, Niu Shujian watched as Yan Luoyue plucked a tiny red mole from her finger.

The examiner: "…"

Niu Shujian: "…"

Everyone else: "…"

Wait—what are you doing?!

You’re not saying… you can’t possibly mean…

Under their stunned gazes, Yan Luoyue calmly pushed the mole toward the examiner.

"This is my creation—the 'Portable Stick-On Decorative Rouge Ring.' Or, to put it simply, it’s a bit unconventional, but quite convenient to use. Here, try it."