Cang Yin nodded, "Then I'll go take a look too."
Cang Yin thought to herself, she owed Li Shuang more and more favors. If Li Shuang encountered any danger during her mission, she might be able to offer a little help.
At least, she could repay some of the debt.
Li Shuang didn't refuse.
A few other curious people followed them, including Yan Lie, who was currently ranked fifth on the genius list.
Yan Lie cleared his throat and said, "I had no clue about yesterday's mission. But when it comes to the Artifact Refining Pavilion... I'm somewhat skilled in artifact refining. Sister Shuang, I should be able to help this time."
Cang Yin was completely shocked.
She looked at Yan Lie, who seemed like an honest and simple person, with a hint of disbelief.
A sudden sense of crisis welled up in her heart.
What was Yan Lie doing?
Was he trying to steal her position as the top lackey?
Cang Yin quickly said, "What do you have besides brute force! Completing missions requires brains!"
Yan Lie just smiled amiably, "Anyway, I'll do my best. If I can help even a little, I'll be satisfied."
Cang Yin was completely flustered!
You crafty Yan Lie!
He had an honest face, but he was seriously trying to compete with her!
Cang Yin's expression immediately darkened.
Just you wait.
She would never give up her position as the top lackey.
Cang Yin glared fiercely at Yan Lie, but he still smiled sheepishly, looking very honest.
Li Shuang rubbed her forehead, a little headache stirring.
She just wanted to complete the mission better; she didn't want to exude any domineering aura like Yan Fan!
The current situation was truly beyond her control.
Fortunately, the Artifact Refining Pavilion wasn't too far, and they soon arrived.
At the entrance of the Artifact Refining Pavilion, two disciples were guarding it.
The two disciples looked at everyone expressionlessly.
"Stop right there! New disciples are not allowed into the restricted area of the Artifact Refining Pavilion."
Everyone was slightly stunned.
They hadn't even thought about completing the mission; they just wanted to watch the fun. Was even that not allowed?
And.
If new disciples weren't allowed in directly, wouldn't the mission assigned by Lin An be impossible to complete at all?
As expected of a ten-point mission, this first step had already stumped everyone.
Li Shuang calmly said, "Two senior brothers, the senior most disciple sent us."
The two disciples' expressions remained unchanged.
One of them said indifferently, "Even the senior most disciple cannot control the affairs of my Artifact Refining Pavilion. My Artifact Refining Pavilion does not allow idlers."
"We are not idlers. The senior most disciple said to let us come and help refine ores," Cang Yin quickly said.
The disciple looked at everyone mockingly, "You? Refining ores?"
His tone was full of disdain.
"Whether we can refine ores, we should at least be allowed to try," Yan Lie volunteered. "Before joining the sect, I studied the art of forging. If it's just refining some materials, I think I'm more than capable."
The disciple surveyed Yan Lie's muscular build and said indifferently, "It seems you won't give up unless you try."
He casually threw out several pieces of ore. "These are a few pieces of star-patterned steel. If any of you can refine one piece of star-patterned steel, I will allow you to enter the Artifact Refining Pavilion."
The pieces of ore landed on the ground with a heavy thud.
Everyone's expressions immediately changed.
All the disciples of Langya Sect, throughout the entire Langya Sect, were actually incorporeal.
Including the demon beasts, they were just soul bodies.
However.
These pieces of star-patterned steel!
They were not ethereal existences; they were real, tangible ores!
Sixth-grade ore: star-patterned steel!
This item was almost extinct 50,000 years later, its price inflated to astronomical levels.
Now, such precious items were casually thrown on the ground!
The disciple casually said, "This stuff isn't worth much. If you can actually succeed, these few pieces of star-patterned steel will be given to the person who successfully refines them."
This stuff... isn't worth much???
This was at least a sixth-grade material!
And it received such a low evaluation!
Everyone's eyes involuntarily burned with fervor.
No wonder it was said that treasures were everywhere in the Langya Palace secret realm! Things like star-patterned steel were just the least noteworthy.
What about the true treasures?
How valuable must they be!
It made sense.
Fifty thousand years ago.
The Langya Sect almost plundered the resources of an entire world to construct the Ascension Array.
Of course, most of the resources were consumed in the journey of ascension.
However.
Even the small portion that remained was a terrifying number!
Even though Langya Palace opened once every hundred years, and many treasures should have flowed out, still, over these many years, very few people have been able to truly take away top-tier secret treasures. The real great treasures are still hidden in the Langya Sect's treasury!
The star-patterned steel before them was just the tip of the iceberg!
"I'll try!" a person stepped forward and carefully picked up a piece of star-patterned steel, then prepared to inject true fire into it.
"Idiot!" the guard disciple sneered, waving his hand directly, and the person was instantly sent flying far away.
The guard disciple looked at the remaining few with an expressionless face, "If anyone who doesn't understand the art of forging dares to try again recklessly. Next time, it will be a death sentence!"
His expression was cold and stern, and the sword light at his fingertips was fierce.
As soon as these words were uttered.
Those who only wanted to "try it out" immediately backed down.
"Sister Shuang, let's go to other mission points first." A few people greeted Li Shuang before quickly leaving.
Only Li Shuang, Yan Lie, and Cang Yin remained on the scene.
Li Shuang glanced at Cang Yin, "You don't understand the art of forging, don't waste time here, go check other places first."
Cang Yin obediently agreed, and before leaving, she gave Huo Lie a threatening look!
Huo Lie, you young brat! Don't even think about competing with me for a place in Sister Shuang's heart!
Huo Lie pretended not to see it, turning his head to reveal an honest expression, "Sister Shuang, I'll try with you."
Li Shuang saw Huo Lie's hands and knew that he was quite skilled in the art of forging, so she nodded.
"Only you two are left, right?" The guard disciple glanced at them both and directly threw the star-patterned steel over.
Li Shuang and Yan Lie each caught a piece.
The guard disciple waved his hand, and immediately two forging platforms appeared before them.
"One hour limit. Those who succeed, enter the Artifact Refining Pavilion. Those who fail, get out." The guard disciple said without ceremony.
Li Shuang and Yan Lie calmly stood before the forging platforms.
Li Shuang raised an eyebrow.
The impurities within star-patterned steel disliked flames.
If the impurities came into contact with fire, it would directly destroy this precious ore.
Therefore.
This type of ore had extremely high demands for refining. It had to be absolutely free of impurities before it could enter the melting furnace.
And the only way to remove impurities was: through countless hammerings and refininings!
To refine star-patterned steel to be completely free of impurities within one hour through countless hammerings!
Was it difficult?
Yes, it was!
But Li Shuang felt that she could give it a try.
Hmm, something just occurred to me. Xiao Shuang always brings others with her, I wonder if she'll be criticized for being a "saint." However, in my setting, Xiao Shuang is not a lone wolf in the future; she is a leader of the human race, someone who truly earns the trust of the world. Gaining the allegiance of the younger generation of geniuses is the first step in establishing her authority. So, throughout this, I've been trying to find a balance, to write about Xiao Shuang's charisma. Otherwise, if she suddenly commanded everyone's allegiance in the future, it wouldn't be believable.
Anyway... the author is still trying to make it as reasonable as possible.