Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

"Do not damage the Forging Platforms or the ground. The consequences are more than you can bear."

Amid the tense atmosphere, Gao Lin’s voice drifted in from outside. He clearly knew what was about to happen.

RUMBLE...

The next moment, some could no longer restrain themselves and charged toward the four Forging Platforms at the very front.

There were five of them, all possessing Minor Achievement in Gang Qi Cultivation. Their auras were the most formidable.

Two of them targeted the same Forging Platform and began clashing in midair. However, they exercised restraint, not allowing their power to radiate out and affect the stone chamber.

Xu Yang had no intention of fighting for the front four platforms and exposing his true Cultivation, but he was determined to claim one of the six in the middle.

The talent he had displayed so far was not much inferior to Lu Ren’s; he was qualified to take one.

BOOM!

He strode forward, and his body vanished from the spot.

At the same time, many others moved with him, all intending to fight for the six middle Forging Platforms.

As for those who didn’t move, they had no intention of competing. There were only two or three such individuals, all aware that their strength was insufficient.

"This spot is mine! Get lost!"

Someone had targeted the same Forging Platform as Xu Yang. A large palm, wreathed in powerful Gang Qi, immediately struck out at him.

Xu Yang couldn’t identify the person by voice alone, but it didn’t matter. He was determined to have this Forging Platform.

He already had a Gang Qi Minor Achievement Cultivation. Not fighting for the front four platforms was restrained enough. If he gave up a second-tier Forging Platform as well, it would be nearly impossible for his Golden Gang Skill to reach Minor Achievement before he had to leave.

The great dragon along his spine roared as Force surged through his vertebrae into his hand. He immediately struck back, meeting the man’s Palm with one of his own.

Worried about damaging the chamber, neither of them unleashed their Gang Qi. The clash was a pure contest of physical strength.

THUD!

A dull thud, like iron striking iron, echoed through the room. Xu Yang didn’t move an inch, but his opponent’s entire body shuddered. He took a step back, his face flushing as his blood surged.

Shen Liang!

He remembered someone calling this person Shen Liang. He was one of the ten predetermined members, not one of the seven chosen from Li Fire Peak.

Shen Liang shot Xu Yang a wary glance, completely unaware that Xu Yang had held back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten off with just a single step back.

"As expected of Xu Yang, second only to Lu Ren of the Ten Heroes. The spot is yours. We’ll have a proper match later."

He didn’t continue to fight Xu Yang. Instead, he turned and charged another Forging Platform, immediately clashing with the person who was occupying it.

Xu Yang had no time to watch, as another large palm, wrapped in formidable Force, slapped toward him. It tore through the air with a roar, its power no less than Shen Liang’s.

"Fall back. You’re not qualified to occupy this spot."

The man strode forward, his iron-like palm aimed straight for Xu Yang’s chest.

Xu Yang remembered this man’s name was Luo Jiang, another of the ten predetermined members.

There was nothing to be said. He met the attack head-on with a Palm of his own, showing no intention of competing with Technique.

At a time like this, one had to display raw power to deter others. A contest of Technique would only attract more challengers.

BANG!

The palms collided, sending a wave of heat sweeping through the air. Xu Yang stood his ground, unmoving. Luo Jiang, just like Shen Liang before him, retreated with a flushed face.

Unlike the perceptive Shen Liang, however, he refused to give up. After being knocked back, he raised both palms and charged forward again.

Xu Yang met him with both palms. This time, Luo Jiang wasn’t just pushed back one step—he was sent stumbling back four or five.

Still unconvinced, he strode forward once more.

"That’s enough. Those who haven’t claimed a Forging Platform, move to the ones at the back. The difference between the tiers isn’t that great, so don’t waste any more time."

Gao Lin had returned at some point.

As his voice fell, the various duels came to a halt.

Four of the five masters with Gang Qi Minor Achievement had claimed the front four Forging Platforms. The fifth had, at some point, given up on the front and taken one of the six middle platforms instead. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Luo Jiang was resentful, but he had no choice but to back down and walk to one of the outermost Forging Platforms.

Xu Yang’s gaze swept the room. He noticed that Chen Chao had also failed to secure a middle Forging Platform and had retreated to one on the outer ring.

Then there was Yun Feng. Xu Yang didn’t know who he had fought, but he looked injured, his face pale.

Shen Liang had actually defeated his opponent and successfully occupied one of the six middle Forging Platforms.

Some of the fights had gotten heated, leaving a few people looking furious.

’Xu Yang actually snatched one of the six middle Forging Platforms. I’ll make him give it to me in a moment.’

An idea struck Yun Feng as he watched Xu Yang standing in the middle.

’Xu Yang already refused me once. He wouldn’t have the guts to do it a second time.’

He’d had bad luck. He was fighting someone for a spot when Yang Shaocheng, a cultivator with Gang Qi Minor Achievement, had set his sights on the same position, injuring and blasting both of them away.

Gao Lin said, "Alright, all of you settle down. No more disputes over positions. Start refining immediately."

At these words, the color drained from Yun Feng’s face. He knew he could no longer use his status to pressure Xu Yang into giving up his position.

After issuing his warning, Gao Lin left. Not daring to delay, the crowd expertly took chunks of raw ore from the corner and placed them into the small openings of the Tower Furnaces to heat.

Xu Yang also grabbed a chunk of unidentifiable raw ore, placed it in a Tower Furnace to heat, and then stepped back to his Forging Platform to wait.

While he waited, Xu Yang switched his Golden Gang Skill from passive resistance to active refinement and absorption. A far more turbulent heat flooded in through his pores. He felt as if his Gang Qi was about to ignite, and his body grew scorching hot.

Even the medicinal energies of the Guiyuan Pill, which had yet to be fully absorbed, began to assimilate at an accelerated rate.

He endured the intense discomfort and continued to circulate the skill. A quarter of an hour later, a panel flickered into view before his eyes.