Chapter 28: A Doorstep Challenge (Please keep reading)

A single thought instantly flashed through everyone's minds: "To judge a gentleman by the standards of a petty man!"

"You guys aren't just sore losers, are you?"

"Exactly, the Song clan's reputation is reliable. Saying that is going too far."

Unfavorable comments regarding Qiu Wenxiu gradually began to emerge from the crowd, yet he found himself unable to refute them, for the facts were plain to see.

"Qiu Wenxiu, are you questioning the centuries-old reputation of my Song clan?" Song Luyuan could no longer remain seated; he stood up and glared at Qiu Wenxiu with fury.

The waves of condemnation grew louder, and Qiu Wenxiu's expression became increasingly grim. He understood that the Song clan had seized the initiative in today's matter, and staying any longer would only bring him further humiliation.

After casting a vicious glance at Song Changsheng, he finally left behind three hundred spirit stones and slunk away with the precious pearl.

A chorus of boos immediately erupted from the crowd.

However, Song Changsheng had no intention of letting him off easily. He called out loudly to Qiu Wenxiu, "I kindly request that fellow Daoist inform the grandmaster of artifact refining at the Treasure Pavilion. I, the junior Song Changsheng, shall pay a visit tomorrow to seek the grandmaster's guidance on the Way of Artifact Refining!"

Qiu Wenxiu stumbled mid-step. He turned back to glare at Song Changsheng with venomous eyes, but ultimately said nothing and fled in panic.

The onlookers burst into unrestrained laughter. Those who had previously been championing the Song clan's inevitable defeat were instantly reduced to nobodies, terrified of becoming the next laughingstocks.

A tall cultivator, who had been attempting to slip away unnoticed, found himself surrounded by a group of people the moment he turned around.

An old cultivator held out a piece of green stone flooring in front of him and said with an unfriendly expression, "Little friend, do you want to eat it piece by piece, or should we grind it into powder for you?"

The tall cultivator was caught in a dilemma, feeling like he wanted to cry but having no tears. After pleading desperately, he was finally allowed to leave only after licking the floor tile clean.

He fled the scene with his sleeves covering his face.

At that moment, someone addressed Song Changsheng, "Master Song, are you going to the Treasure Pavilion tomorrow to issue a challenge?"

The crowd fell silent upon hearing this, turning inquisitive gazes toward Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng shook his head and said with a "serious" expression, "Fellow Daoists, I am going to seek the guidance of the Treasure Pavilion's grandmaster tomorrow, not to issue a challenge. Please do not misunderstand."

The onlookers present immediately flashed meaningful smiles. Was there really a difference between a challenge and guidance? Either way, there was more good drama to come...

The benefits Song Changsheng reaped after winning this battle were visible to the naked eye. Many observing cultivators swarmed into the Treasure Seeking Pavilion, leaving Song Changqian and the others working themselves to the bone.

Song Luyuan was beaming with joy. He pulled Song Changsheng aside and said sincerely, "Nephew, I owe you much for cleaning up after my daughter this time. Although she is a few years older than you, her way of handling matters is far inferior to yours. If she had even half your capability, she wouldn't have plunged the clan into such a predicament that day. Fortunately, you were here; otherwise, I truly wouldn't have known how to face the clan. This is a small token of gratitude prepared by my daughter; please do not refuse it."

As he spoke, he pushed an exquisite small box toward Song Changsheng.

With a mere glance, Song Changsheng knew the contents were of immense value, but he pushed the box straight back and said bluntly, "Clan Uncle, there is no need for this. Since the matter has been resolved, it is in the past. You have guarded this place for over ten years and have rendered great service. Simply be more careful in the future. The clan will not punish you over such a minor matter, so please rest easy."

He knew what Song Luyuan was worried about—namely, that he might report the incident to the clan and cause Song Changqian to be punished. After all, her handling of the situation had been disastrous. Even if she had possessed Qiu Wenxiu's wits, a few skeptical remarks about the artifact would have prevented things from escalating this far.

But Song Changsheng was here to improve his artifact refining skills, not to inspect the clan's assets. There was no need to dwell on such things; once resolved, they were done.

A look of shame crossed Song Luyuan's face, and he sighed, "Nephew, you are truly noble. But since this matter arose because of my daughter, I must do something."

"Clan Uncle, simply prepare more artifact refining materials for me. Please take this back," Song Changsheng said, shaking his head. He had his principles; what was the difference between taking this and accepting a bribe?

"Then I shall do as you wish. The materials in our shop will certainly be supplied to you with priority." Sensing the underlying meaning in Song Changsheng's words, Song Luyuan stopped insisting and left with the box.

He did not ask about the challenge throughout the entire encounter, likely because he had been won over by the confidence and strength Song Changsheng had displayed.

The following day, Song Luyuan personally escorted Song Changsheng toward the Treasure Pavilion.

News of Song Changsheng's intended visit to the Treasure Pavilion had already spread through the entire Liuyun Market via the gossip of the onlookers. Many cultivators eager for excitement had gathered early, waiting for the show.

Inside the Treasure Pavilion, the manager, Bai Ruofeng, peered down through the gap in a second-floor window. He found a sea of people; the streets were completely blocked, and crowds continued to pour in.

Bai Ruofeng's face was so dark it looked as if it might drip water. He turned to Qiu Wenxiu, who was standing nearby, and snapped, "Look at the mess you've made!"

Qiu Wenxiu, however, was not intimidated by his temper and retorted, "Manager Bai, you are being quite unconscionable. This matter was orchestrated by your Earth Fire Sect; I was merely following my clan's orders to cooperate with you. Yesterday, I endured countless glares and insults from the crowd on your behalf, and now you're trying to pin it on me? Since when does the world work this way?"

With that, Qiu Wenxiu left in a rage, showing Bai Ruofeng no respect whatsoever.

Bai Ruofeng was nearly driven to madness by anger, but he could do nothing about Qiu Wenxiu, as the man belonged to the Qiu clan.

Finally, he turned his gaze toward a young man sitting nearby and asked anxiously, "Nephew Cheng, what should we do about this today?"

The young man replied unhurriedly, "Uncle, why are you so anxious? Do you think I will lose to him?"

Bai Ruofeng wanted to say yes, but considering the young man's status, he phrased it more tactfully: "Nephew Cheng, that Song Changsheng only took ten days to refine his artifact, yet you..."

"Uncle, artifact refining isn't just about speed. I admit Song Changsheng has some skill, but a competition isn't judged solely on speed; ultimately, it comes down to quality. I have examined his artifact closely; his refining technique is crude and the quality is inferior. It is not even on the same level as the one I refined. I am confident I can defeat him," Cheng Xiao said with absolute certainty.

Bai Ruofeng's eyes lit up, and he pressed, "Truly?"

"Of course. Today, I shall give him some proper 'guidance'," Cheng Xiao said, a cold smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Hahaha! Good! It seems I was merely worrying needlessly. In that case, let's go big!" Bai Ruofeng's troubles vanished instantly.

He immediately summoned a servant and commanded, "Go outside and announce that because there are too many spectators and there isn't enough space here, everyone is requested to move to the central plaza of the market. We will hold the artifact refining competition in the plaza!"

Watching the noisy crowd move toward the plaza, Bai Ruofeng sneered, "This time, I want the Song clan to suffer a crushing defeat under the watchful eyes of everyone in the market!"

...

(End of Chapter)