Chapter 638 619: Golden Soul and Silver Spirit

In the Artifact Refining Pavilion, only the most gifted Artifact Refiners would ever branch out into other specializations.

Pang Hong now understood why Wang Meng had chosen Refined Gold and Mithril. He was going to forge a Magical Artifact.

Smelting.

As his Pill Flame ignited, Wang Meng knew the Refining Furnace was compromised the moment he touched it. 'Looks like quite a few people are out to cause trouble,' he thought. However, Master Wang didn't bother trying to figure out who it was. The culprit would eventually show their hand, and dealing with them would be easy enough.

To secure his footing in the Divine Artifact Pavilion, to ease the pressure on Yang Qi, and to make a brilliant showing for the Bai Family at the upcoming Divine Beast Festival, how could Master Wang not reveal a trick or two?

Wang Meng hadn't been idle during his time here. He didn't need to learn this plane's methods from scratch; he just needed to find a way to adapt his own skills to it.

His Divine Sense slowly seeped into the Refining Furnace, gradually mending the cracks. His Divine Sense even enhanced the entire furnace, though this was a change no ordinary person could perceive.

The Pill Flame blazed. Pang Hong was briefly worried if Wang Meng's power would be sufficient for the smelting process, but he quickly calmed down. Wang Meng's strength was the real deal. The Wang Family's Merak Fire Cloud Technique was not to be trifled with, and besides, virtually no one could compare to Wang Meng's control over his Pill Flame.

However, his control was so profound that it appeared deceptively simple, a return to basics. From Pang Hong's perspective, it seemed Wang Meng's power was just barely enough to match his Master Level status. Of course, for an Artifact Refiner, their refining skill was what truly mattered; as long as their power was sufficient, it was fine.

Outside, Yang Qi and the others had returned. Hu Qingsong was there with several Guest Ministers in tow.

"Junior Brother Hu, what are you all doing here?" Seeing the assembly, Yang Qi knew they weren't here for a friendly chat.

"Heh heh, Chairman, I heard we have a remarkable new young Guest Minister, a Master no less. A few fellow Daoists and I wanted to see him for ourselves. With the Chairman's eye for talent, I'm sure he is absolutely extraordinary!"

Hu Qingsong said.

"Of course! Wang Meng is a disciple of the Wang Family, renowned and exceptionally talented. I must broaden my horizons today and learn a thing or two from Master Wang!"

Mo Chengkong spat the words out through gritted teeth, his expression utterly foul. The humiliation from last time had caused him to drop all pretense. He had never cared for Yang Qi to begin with. If Lone Fox Destiny Star hadn't stopped him, and if not for his important duties, he would have exploded long ago. But getting rid of Yang Qi and putting Hu Qingsong in power was a must. For the Mo Family to establish roots in Wang City, they needed their own person as the Chairman of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

Lone Fox Destiny Star hadn't wanted to get involved in this mess, but as he was aligned with the Mo Family faction, he couldn't just stand by. At a time like this, he could only side with Hu Qingsong. As long as Yang Qi didn't give them any leverage, he was unwilling to make things difficult for his old friend.

"What is Wang Meng refining?" As soon as Lone Fox Destiny Star spoke, everyone understood the subtext. Wang Meng hadn't been officially certified; he had to produce something worthy of his title.

"This disciple doesn't know what Master Wang is refining. I only know that he selected a large amount of Refined Gold and Mithril. He must be planning to show us disciples something that will broaden our horizons!"

Hu Qishi said respectfully.

Yang Qi was taken aback. Refined Gold and Mithril were extremely expensive, and even Master Level refiners were cautious when using them. Although he believed Wang Meng was talented, forging a Magical Artifact was far more difficult than creating a Spirit Containing Artifact. A Master's depth of skill required time and experience to accumulate.

"Since he's using so much Refined Gold and Mithril, he must be planning to show everyone what he's capable of. We shall wait and see," Lone Fox Destiny Star said. If Wang Meng hadn't put Mo Chengkong in such an untenable position, he wouldn't have wanted to do this. But if he didn't take a stance now, his career in Haojing would be over.

The relationships between the great families and the Three Major Conferences were intricate and complex. The families needed powerful Artifact Refiners, and likewise, Artifact Refiners needed the families' support. Otherwise, progress would be nearly impossible.

Talent alone was not enough. As the saying goes, even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice, especially when one was constrained at every turn.

No matter how heaven-defying your talent or how arrogant you were, reality would eventually strangle you.

Sounds of clanging indeed came from the Artifact Dao Room... but they were highly irregular, with varying force and a poor rhythm.

Yang Qi's face turned a little pale. Looking at Hu Qingsong's smile, he knew that he had unwittingly walked into a trap—one designed to kill with praise.

This was a scheme orchestrated by Mo Chengkong and Hu Qingsong, with Lone Fox Destiny Star as an accomplice. But Yang Qi couldn't blame Lone Fox Destiny Star; after all, the man had his own position to consider.

If Wang Meng was just messing around, it would be a dereliction of duty on his part. With the Mo Family fanning the flames, his position as Chairman would certainly be forfeit.

Everyone present was an expert, and the faces of the five Guest Ministers at the side also grew grim. Was this some child playing house?

Chairman Yang had always been cautious, so why did he suddenly decide to cozy up to someone like Wang Rencai? They usually weren't at the Divine Artifact Pavilion; they had come this time because of the Mo Family and Lone Fox Destiny Star. Who would have thought they'd run into something like this? On a normal day, they might have turned a blind eye, but today, that was clearly not an option.

There was no need to see; just listening to the sounds was enough. Wang Meng was purely hammering at random. No matter what kind of Magical Artifact one was forging, it would never produce such a sound.

"Chairman Yang, it seems the Wang City Branch's income is quite substantial to withstand such waste. Six Stones of Secret Gold and Twenty Stones of Mithril. I'm so looking forward to the result!" Mo Chengkong sneered, looking at the list in his hand.

This was an absolutely exorbitant amount. Everyone's expression changed, including Yang Qi's.

Normally, using two or three Stones' worth of materials was already considered a major undertaking. Wang Meng had actually requested so much. If he had been present, Yang Qi would have certainly questioned it. Hu Qingsong had dug a pit and was waiting for him to fall in. It was even possible Hu Qingsong had arranged for Wang Meng to be given that much. If he failed...

Lone Fox Destiny Star sighed silently. 'It's all a matter of fate.' He had already tried to persuade Yang Qi, but his old friend's stubborn temper hadn't changed one bit. He had insisted on offending Mo Chengkong.

A smile had already appeared on Mo Chengkong's face, a rather sinister one. It was an utter humiliation to be insulted by a mere cast-off. He felt he couldn't even show his face in Haojing anymore. If he didn't make Wang Meng's life a living hell, he'd be utterly disgraced.

"What a marvelous rhythm. Even Senior Brother Zhuo Meng couldn't compare," Mo Chengkong jeered.

Zhuo Meng was the number one prodigy in the Divine Artifact Pavilion, and his skill in forging Magical Artifacts was renowned throughout Haojing. Even his "rival," Han Chuxue, had to praise the Shocking Soul Sword he forged.

"Chairman Yang, this is getting out of hand! That rhythm is complete nonsense. He's squandering the fruits of all our hard work!"

A Guest Minister had spoken. Some Guest Ministers earned their position, while others were granted it. This one, Tuxiu, was the latter. He was a major merchant of True Essence Beasts and donated a significant amount of wealth to the Divine Artifact Pavilion each year to maintain his esteemed status. It was a way to raise his standing, and it gave him considerable influence.

The other Guest Ministers were also displeased. This was a matter of principle. Even though Yang Qi was the Chairman, he couldn't act so recklessly. Besides, what if Wang Meng squandered all their resources? What would they do if they needed something?

Meanwhile, inside the Artifact Dao Room, Pang Hong was kneeling respectfully on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

A full ancient hour passed, and the crowd was growing restless. Finally, the door to the Artifact Dao Room opened. Wang Meng was surprised to see so many people as he stepped out.

Wang Meng was covered in sweat, but he felt refreshed and invigorated. It had been a long time since he'd felt so motivated. This new creation of his was a fusion of his skills with the unique characteristics of this plane.

"Well, well, Master Wang has finally emerged from his seclusion! We've been waiting for quite some time. What masterpiece have you forged for us?"

Mo Chengkong rushed forward, the look in his eyes making it clear he wanted nothing more than to flatten Wang Meng with a single punch.

"Nothing much. I just casually forged a little something."

"'Casually'? How very casual of you! This is the Divine Artifact Pavilion, not your home!" Mo Chengkong kicked the door open and was startled by the sight of Pang Hong kneeling on the floor.

Pang Hong was in full prostration, sobbing uncontrollably while clenching his jaw. Even someone as bold as Mo Chengkong was taken aback by the sight.

Yang Qi rushed in. "Pang Hong, what are you doing!"

Hearing Yang Qi's voice, Pang Hong seemed to regain some awareness. He pointed forward, but couldn't utter a single word.

Everyone was stunned. What was going on?

On a table in the Artifact Dao Room lay a whip, greyish-black in color.

Yang Qi stared, dumbfounded. The others' expressions soured. Lone Fox Destiny Star snorted coldly. "This is the Magical Artifact you forged with all that Refined Gold and Mithril?"

Wang Meng smiled. "Yes. The materials were a bit lacking, but it's serviceable."

Domineering and arrogant. Truly the style of the Wang Family's Wang Rencai.

Some shook their heads, some were furious, and some chuckled to themselves.

"Old Yang, even I can't cover for you on this one."

At this point, Yang Qi had regained his composure. 'Face the blade whether you stick your neck out or not.' He wasn't so spineless that he couldn't take responsibility.

If he had misjudged Wang Meng, he would accept the consequences.

"In any case, since Younger Brother Wang has successfully forged it, we should at least examine it before passing judgment."

Mo Chengkong gave a cold smile. "Fine, I'll let you see for yourself and crush your hopes completely!"

With that, he snatched the whip. It felt surprisingly comfortable in his hand, but what damn use was a shabby whip? Wasting so many materials... Did he really think the Divine Artifact Pavilion was his own backyard?

The whip was abnormally light. He swung it a few times, and it produced a whooshing sound as it cut through the air, just like an ordinary whip.

"Wang Meng, where are the Secret Gold and Mithril? You're not trying to fool us with a worthless whip, are you? I know you're hard up for cash, but if you needed money, you could have asked me. For old time's sake, I would have lent you some. But stealing materials from the Divine Artifact Pavilion is another matter entirely!"

Almost everyone was convinced that Wang Meng had pocketed the Secret Gold and Mithril. Both were hard currency, essential high-grade materials for everything from Artifact Refining to Pills and Arrays. As a member of the Wang Family, Wang Meng would surely know their value.

Wang Meng just smiled faintly. "As I just said, all of those materials were used to refine this whip."

"Who are you trying to fool? All that Secret Gold and Mithril, and the whip is this light? Do you think our Divine Artifact Pavilion deals in fake materials?"

Yang Qi took the whip. The moment it was in his hand, he knew the weight was far too light. The handle had some heft to it, but it wasn't nearly enough.

...Wait...

A thought suddenly struck Yang Qi. Something was off about the whip. He activated his Life Wheel and infused it with True Essence.

Instantly, the greyish-black whip in his hand erupted with a fiery, refined brilliance. It was dazzling. The body of the whip, in particular, became animated, as if it had come to life.

"Gods, it's a Golden Soul and Silver Spirit!!!"

Everyone's jaws dropped. Mo Chengkong stood as if struck by lightning.

'This is impossible. Absolutely impossible!'

(To be continued. If you enjoy this novel, please show your support by voting with recommendation and monthly tickets at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)