Chapter 2849: You Made Me Lose, How Will You Compensate Me?

Grayan Darlington turned his head to leave the competition platform. Jorren Jaramillo laughed loudly, "Where are you going? You’re the second place winner, you still need to receive your award."

You’re the second place!

Jorren’s words pierced Grayan’s heart once again. Grayan sneered as he turned back, "Don’t get too smug, you just got lucky with some dog luck."

Jorren replied with a smile, "That’s right, luck is also a part of strength."

Grayan was frustrated.

Earlier, he noticed Jorren was fretting over the finals. He knew Jorren well, if he had prepared in advance, why would he be worried?

Upon reflection, Grayan suddenly had an epiphany. If Jorren had indeed obtained some remarkable fire, his personality would have led him to boast beforehand rather than being so humble today.

Unless the fire wasn’t his?

Grayan’s eyes brightened. Borrowed miraculous fire?

Although Grayan had lost this competition, the thought of his old rival Jorren obtaining a fire greater than the Purple Heart Lotus Fire was deeply distressing to him.

The success of an old rival is even harder to swallow than one’s own failure!

While the staff prepared for the award ceremony, Grayan approached Jorren and smiled, "The miraculous fire was borrowed, wasn’t it?"

Jorren was slightly surprised, he hadn’t expected Grayan to guess so quickly, but replied swiftly, "You want to know, but I’m not telling you."

Grayan laughed heartily. Having dealt with Jorren countless times, he couldn’t be fooled by that subtle expression just now.

"From whom did you borrow? To have such a miraculous fire, they mustn’t be ordinary."

Jorren, seeing through the inquiry, didn’t deny it, and smiled, "It’s a secret, I’m not telling you, just live with the suspense!"

Grayan snorted, "Being all mysterious, who cares!"

Jorren rolled his eyes and said proudly, "If you don’t care about the answer, then why ask?"

Stunned into silence, Grayan snorted coldly and ignored Jorren.

The award ceremony quickly concluded, marking the end of the artifact refining contest.

Jorren left the arena, and soon spotted Carson Flores and Kaelithra Nixon waiting by the passageway.

Jorren paused, glanced around, noting that several staff members were watching him. He then transmitted to Carson, "Let’s meet at the spot we talked about earlier."

Carson nodded slightly, remaining unobtrusive beside the path without greeting Jorren.

After Jorren had passed, Carson and Kaelithra left the passageway, heading outside.

In the distance, Grayan’s figure appeared. He squinted to observe Carson and Kaelithra leaving, a look of suspicion in his eyes.

"Go, find out their identity."

A disciple beside him replied, "That young woman is True Sage Grand Void’s junior disciple, and the man is her friend..."

True Sage Grand Void?

Grayan’s eyes widened instantly, "So that old fellow borrowed the miraculous fire from Grand Void Mountain. True Sage Grand Void is also a Master Refiner, and he has quite a few miraculous fires..."

The disciple angrily stated, "He won the competition using borrowed miraculous fire, that’s not fair!"

Grayan frowned, reprimanding, "There’s no rule that the miraculous fire used in the artifact refining contest has to be one’s own. If someone can borrow higher-grade miraculous fire, it’s a skill, and if we’re defeated, we have to accept it. Stop lamenting!"

The disciple, reprimanded, dared not make a sound and hastily acquiesced.

Grayan exited the passageway, just in time to see Jorren heading outside. After a moment’s thought, Grayan’s face suddenly displayed a deep and meaningful smile, and he discreetly followed.

Unmask you on the spot, see if you’re embarrassed!

...

A clearing in the valley.

Jorren floated down and glanced around, chuckling, "Little Flores?"

Carson and Kaelithra emerged from the gorge and cupped their hands, "Congratulations, elder, on winning first place."

Jorren laughed heartily, looking delighted, "Being first isn’t that important, but beating that old guy sure is gratifying. I must thank you for proactively lending me the Phoenix Fire. Otherwise, I surely would have lost today."

The magical treasure Jorren refined with the Phoenix Fire lasted just a blink longer than the one Grayan refined. Such a tiny difference shows their quality was extremely close. If he had used the Nine Solar Spiritual Fire, the quality of the magical treasure would surely be worse, and he would have definitely lost.

Carson laughed, "In the end, it’s all thanks to your formidable skills, elder. The Phoenix Fire merely complemented them."

Kharon Jaramillo laughed heartily, "This kid, don’t flatter me too much. By the way, True Sage Grand Void is also a Master Refiner; his artifact refining skills aren’t inferior to mine. Plus, his disciple Uther Compton is quite a refining prodigy. Though young, his skills are impressive. Why didn’t you seek their help?"

Carson candidly replied, "It’s not that I didn’t want their guidance, it’s just that they’re both unavailable. True Sage Grand Void doesn’t know when he’ll be back from his tasks, and Elder Compton left ages ago, and I don’t even know his whereabouts, let alone consulting him."

"I can’t stay long in the Bitter Sea Immortal Domain, so I can’t wait for their return. This time, I originally came for other matters and just happened by when the contest was happening. I decided to see if I could find someone to help refine a Flying Sword. I wasn’t hopeful, but seeing you at the stands talking about miraculous fires, it just worked out."

Jorren stroked his beard, chuckling, "That’s fate, I suppose. I was originally seeking an old friend for some queries, and it happened that way. If Grayan knew about this, he’d be livid beyond reason..."

Before Jorren finished speaking, a surprised voice interjected, "I initially thought this old fellow Jorren borrowed the miraculous fire from Grand Void Mountain, yet it’s you who lent it to him. You kid ruined my plan!"

Carson was slightly taken aback and turned to look, finding Grayan emerging from the valley entrance and walking into the valley.

Jorren widened his eyes, "You old fellow actually followed me, have some dignity, why don’t you?"

Grayan countered unashamedly, "Is this your domain? You can walk here, so can I. Just happened to take a stroll and hit upon you."

Jorren laughed in irritation, "You shameless old man, saying such things?"

Grayan laughed heartily, "You shamelessly used borrowed fire to compete, yet don’t allow me a few steps?"

Jorren sneered, "I got lucky, so what? If it went that way, it’s my luck. You lost and still feel aggrieved, so what?"

Grayan laughed, "Whether I accept or not doesn’t matter, I admit it nonetheless this time."

As he spoke, Grayan approached the trio, his gaze falling on Carson, "Young man, you lent him the miraculous fire, causing my defeat. How will you compensate me?"

Jorren interrupted, "Grayan, target me with your grievances. The lad just lent me fire; don’t give him trouble. Oh, and he’s a bright talent recognized by True Sage Grand Void. If you seek trouble, consider whether you can withstand a fierce beating from True Sage Grand Void..."