Chapter 533: Chapter 522: The Sword Cultivator Father
Ye Qiu and Elder Zhao’s conversation inadvertently reached the ears of the eavesdropping cultivators, who finally learned who had provoked the Heavenly Tribulation.
No one expected it to be an Immortal Artifact! Someone was actually refining an Immortal Artifact during the Thousand-Year Ranking! And that person was none other than Ye Sheng, who was under a hundred years old and only at the Void Refining Stage!
Could it be that their previous understanding was wrong? When Artifact Refining Masters refine a Spiritual Artifact, they have to find a secluded place to close themselves off, so how can one casually refine an Immortal Artifact?
All the present artifact refiners wanted to say no in their hearts, it definitely isn’t like that! How can artifact refining be so casual? Especially for an Immortal Artifact, isn’t he afraid of being disturbed? And is such a short time really enough?
However, Ye Sheng was proving to them with facts that it indeed was enough, because as soon as the Heavenly Tribulation struck, if he and his refined Immortal Artifact could withstand it, it would become a complete Immortal Artifact.
"An Immortal Artifact! No wonder Ye Sheng disdained from participating in the challenge."
"Compared to the Thousand-Year Ranking, refining an Immortal Artifact at such a young age is indeed more admirable! These are indeed children from other families."
"Tianyan Sect has gained attention again, not only has their disciple won first place in the Thousand-Year Ranking, but they have also produced a super genius capable of refining Immortal Artifacts."
"Two geniuses, I wonder who is more outstanding."
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, it’s Ye Sheng. Who else can refine an Immortal Artifact so casually? Moreover, having dedicated his cultivation time to artifact refining and still reaching such a level, tell me who could be more formidable?"
"That’s also true, analyzing it, Ye Sheng is indeed more formidable. Do you think he would accept Lin Shen’s challenge?"
"Probably not, right? What is there to contend in combat power between an Artifact Refiner and a Magic Practitioner? If we’re talking about true abilities, with his Immortal Artifact, he would have Tribulation Crossing Old Monsters lining up to serve him. Accepting a challenge in a field he is not skilled at is inherently unfair."
"Eh? I remember Lin Shen and Ye Sheng are from the same place, Lin Shen should know that Ye Sheng is an Artifact Refiner, so why would he go to the Life and Death Platform to issue a challenge?"
"I don’t know about that, but previously not knowing that Ye Sheng was an Artifact Refining Master, one would think there was nothing wrong with Lin Shen issuing a challenge. But if Lin Shen knew that Ye Sheng was an Artifact Refiner in advance, then issuing a challenge would be somewhat shameless, right? Everyone knows that what makes artifact refiners formidable is their ability to refine artifacts, if we’re talking about true skills, Lin Shen should be challenging the Tribulation Crossing Old Monsters who would serve Ye Sheng in exchange for Immortal Artifacts."
"Exactly, you can’t expect an Artifact Refiner to compete in mana like a normal cultivator."
"Now that you mention it, even if Lin Shen wins, it won’t be a honorable victory!"
"If I were an elder of Tianyan Sect, I’d definitely not let Ye Sheng accept this challenge. A Void Refining Stage cultivator capable of refining an Immortal Artifact, this is unprecedented in the Canglan World, and in terms of importance, Ye Sheng is far more valuable than Lin Shen."
While cultivators watched the Immortal Artifact undergoing Tribulation, they discussed fervently, and naturally, these discussions also reached the ears of Lin Shen, who was closely watching Ye Sheng from not too far away.
Hearing that he was inferior to Ye Sheng, hearing that his victory would be an unrighteous one, his fists clenched tightly.
Why? Why was he considered inferior to Ye Sheng? Just because he doesn’t know how to refine artifacts?
But what’s the use of being able to refine artifacts? In terms of cultivation, it’s all side branches and minor details. Only absolute strength matters, only the establishment of the Great Dao is the most important.
If other cultivators heard his inner thoughts, they would probably want to correct him. There are three thousand Great Daos; strength is certainly important. But achieving the Great Dao is not only through the cultivation of spiritual power. If that were the only way, the Cultivation World wouldn’t have evolved to include Artifact Refiners, Pill Refiners, Talisman Cultivators, Array Repairers, and other numerous paths, blossoming like a hundred flowers. It’s said that in Ancient Times, some became immortals simply by composing a piece of immortal music! So one must not look down upon these people.
Besides, now the Immortals are nowhere to be seen, the legendary Immortal Realm has also vanished, so-called achieving immortality, where lies the path ahead? In which direction should one cultivate to make any difference?
However, Lin Shen wouldn’t agree with this. He believed that he was challenging Ye Sheng based on strength. A win is a win, there’s no such thing as fairness or unfairness. Speaking of unfairness, he is a Five Spirit Roots cultivator! Why does no one say that Ye Sheng entered the Cultivation World before him?
"Boom..." As Lin Shen was deep in his dark contemplation, the long-brewing Heavenly Tribulation finally descended.
"Crack..." Ye Sheng did not intervene with the first strike of the Heavenly Tribulation; instead, he allowed the Immortal Artifact to withstand it on its own, which was very beneficial for refining impurities and enhancing its spirit.
"It’s actually a cauldron!"
"Is it being crafted for an Alchemist?"
"No, this is a defensive Immortal Artifact."
"Why is he creating a defensive Immortal Artifact at this time? Could it be..."
"Could it be that he had already known Lin Shen would propose the Life and Death Arena?" His companion provided the answer for him.
However, all of these remained unknowns until Ye Sheng formally responded.
Lin Shen watched the cauldron with a deep gaze, and a voice in his mind said, "That must be the Artifact Refining technique Yu Yang passed on to him. Lin Shen, even with your Dark Netherworld Fire, you might not be able to penetrate the defense of this Immortal Cauldron."
"Then what should I do?" Lin Shen clenched his teeth.
"The Dark Netherworld Fire can absorb all negative energy. You know how to enhance your power in a short period of time."
"But it could devour my sanity."
"Don’t you even believe in your own willpower? You’ve summoned it so many times recently, haven’t you been fine every time? Relax, I’m still here for you! If you don’t kill Ye Sheng this time, you’ll never have another chance. Think about your Heart Demon; do you want to be tortured by Ye Sheng every time you meditate or face Tribulation?"
Lin Shen was somewhat swayed by these words, "But where can I find so much negative energy in such a short time?"
"Aren’t your Master and Great Grandmaster practitioners of the Heartless Dao?"
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Heh, those who cultivate the Heartless Dao have to renounce all renounceable relatives and friends. Some even kill their own wives and children, thinking they can achieve the Righteous Path without concerns. In reality, they’re merely suppressing their dark side, or rather, releasing it completely. Such people are the most selfish and self-serving," the voice in Lin Shen’s mind spoke with profound implication.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Go to your Master and Great Grandmaster, let the Dark Netherworld Fire consume them."
"But they are still my Master and Grandmaster!" Lin Shen hesitated, yet he was somewhat tempted.
The person in his mind concealed a laugh, continuing to tempt him, "Then you choose: either you die, or they do."
"But I am no match for them." Lin Shen’s words were indecisive, yet he had already made up his mind.
"Don’t worry, believe in the power of the Dark Netherworld Fire and my strength. Go, once Ye Sheng’s Immortal Cauldron has passed the Tribulation and he accepts your challenge, you will have no more chances."
Lin Shen pursed his lips tightly and turned to leave.