Page 100: I made it

For the whole three days, Long Bai did not left the smelting room. With that days, the man who allowed him to use the only visited him once and he didn't even bother asking about how he was. Anyway, that was something Long Bai wanted to happen instead of being driven away from using the place for a long time.

This time, Long Bai was determined to make his first grade four weapon which he would be able to pair with the stilleto he bought. Using the design of the former rapier he was using as the model, he was now ready to try. Of course he would need to make some slight changes especially to the hilt of the sword to fit the stilleto in it.

In relationn to the event he needs to attend, this is the last day he has since the exhibition match would be taking place tomorrow. It would be a let down if he won't make it to the stage so in order to maximize his time, he will now start his refinement.

[Metal Alchemy Level: Student

*A curious pupil started to experiment. You may now be able to refine allows.

Refinement efficiency: 65%

*Using the red core to produce flame essence, the melting process and separation of impurities will be more efficient. You can remove 65% of the impurities in less than three hours

Efficiency(continuous*):

grade 1(50%): 100%

grade 2 (60%): 100%

grade 3 (65%): 100%

grade 4 (70%): 80%

grade 5 (75%): 0% (needs heavenly essence)

grade 6 (80%): 0% (needs heavenly essence)

grade 7 (85%): 0% (needs heavenly essence)

grade 8 (90%): 0% (needs heavenly essence)

grade 9 (95%): 0% ***

grade 10 (100%): 0%***

Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes

*time is reduced as efficiency increases with a ratio (1%: 60 seconds)

*Refinement must not be interrupted or system benefits would not take place.

*Increase cultivation level for larger essence supply ]

Due to the non-stop refining for three days, he was able to upgrade his metal alchemy level from "beginner" to "student" which made the refinement even more faster. The original three hours minimum that he needed to refine metals has now been reduced to 2 hours and 45 mins. This is all thanks to the title "student". If he could upgrade his title even more, he would be able to save more time and essence.

After Long Bai stabilized his state, he started the refinement process. He tossed one of the purple iron ore into the furnace and began the extraction process.

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The day of the exhibition match has come. As expected from a grand event, it was able to rile up the people's spirit because of the upcoming exciting matches. This day, there will only be one kind of competition and that would be a martial fight in an arena. Martial cultivators will basically challenge any martial cultivators while alchemists are going to fight a fellow alchemists. This exhibition match was planned for the participants to practice their martial skills before entering the dead lands.

In this event, there will be individual fights and there will be team fights. During the morning, the entire time will be used for a 1 on 1 matches while the afternoon will be for group battles. For the rules, it was already announced earlier that individual bouts restricts the participants to use any enhancing pills and weapons. On the other hand, the group battle encourages the participants to use everything they could.

There is a reason why the elders decided to do it this way. Since the participants will be entering the dead lands together, they are bound to work together and this exhibition will be their opportunity to practice their group dynamics. In the dead lands, the most important thing that the elders emphasize is to survive and become strong. Once you die, there will be no second chances after all.

On the road going to the Iron Armor School, people from the city made a long bee line. It is still early but a lot of people from the city started their climb towards the mountain range where the sect is located. Even though there's a number of stairs to be traversed, everyone who was climbing it were full of life, smiles and expectations.

On a small residence near the event place inside the sect, Ling Tian and the group were discussing their plan for the day. With the elders who were trying to discuss about the team fight roster who would be representing the six star school, most were agreeing that they should just let all eight participants join the fray. The only problem was that the top 1 of the alchemy competition is missing. The elders were asking Ling Tian and company if they know where he might be but they can only reply what Long Bai told them.

"Elder Wei, you should teach your disciple how to manage their time. Just because he became the champion of the alchemy competition, that doesn't mean he can do whatever he want." Argued by one of the elders.

"Huh? Did you forget that he's not my disciple anymore? He's also an elder like you and me in the sect. Try saying those words when the sect leader is present." Elder Wei rebutted. "The sect leader was already informed anyway so this is not our problem. It was also the sect leader, by the way, who told us to trust 4th elder's capabilities. If you have a problem with 4th, try talking to him first before getting someone's support."

The conversation ended there while many were still thinking about Long Bai missing the competition. Even with those things in their head, they still proceeded to the designated grounds for the competition.

At the practice grounds of the sect, there's only one large ring with a wide open space around it for watching. The watch zone has now been filled with spectators, mostly from the city themselves. The participants from different cities have started filling in too as it is seen obvious from the designated spots around the ring.

Around the wide and circular fighting ring, the five flags bearing the sigils of each sect are being fluttered by the wind. Among the present ones, there is the Mirage Art School of Mirage City, there's also the Plume Art School of the Plume island, Boulder Mountain School of the Rock Valley island, and the Six Star School of Merchant City. The Iron Armor School on the other hand did jot arrive yet and it seems like they wanted to make a grand entrance.

Not far from the fighting ring, a group of people were marching with the sounds of drums. Like a military march, the disciples of Iron Armor School were moving in sync while marching towards the ring. As they reached the area, the elders of the sect went up the ring with their proud disciples. When the sound of march stopped, the sect leader of the iron armor school gave out a welcome opening remarks and a welcome speech.

It didn't take more than five minutes for the speech to last unlike those lengthy speeches that could even last nearly an hour. Finally, the friendly match has been opened. For this event, matches will be determined by a random draw. The sect leaders will be picking two random stick with the name of the school they will challenge. Since this is not a tournament, only a few will be able to fight in the ring and it will all depend on who will challenge and who will be challenged.

"Cultivators of the union islands, here me out. After each of the sect leaders pick two sticks that contains two different sect names, whoever wants to go first just needs to burn the stick to reveal the name in it. Remember that a participant can only challenge someone once. Since there are two challenge sticks, it is imperative that two from your participants need to declare a challenge to other sects. Now, without further ado, let the matches begin!" The announcer informed.

Cheers here and there erupted but there's a team who was feeling the opposite. Ling Tian and company were feeling anxious as they are still waiting for Long Bai. Although the team fight would still be held in the afternoon, they feel that having Long Bai in the current event is reassuring.

While each of the team were discussing who they hope to fight, the iron armor sect leader set the two bamboo sticks on his hand on fire and threw it on the ring. A second later, two sect names appeared and flashed on the high air; Six Star and Boulder mountain and below each sect name were the names of their own disciples. This just means that the Iron Armor school will be the first challengers of the day and they will be choosing one each from the two sects flashed in the air.

From the iron armor school, their top one disciple immediately climbed the stage and looked at the names of disciples flashed. With his red flashy hair, wide smile and armor clad body, anyone from the crowd would have a first impression that this guy is strong. In this event, the age limit for the martial participants would be 16 while for alchemists, their age limit is 20. The man on the stage from the iron armor school looked like he's 16 based from the looks and demeanor. Together with a two-handed sword at his back, his looks even gave a suppressing image.

"HaHaha! I'll go first. I'll introduce myself! I am Yao Huang of the Iron Armor School. I would like to challenge the strongest disciple of the Boulder Mountain sect!"

His declaration was followed by cheers from his fellow disciples. Such bold declaration, that guy must be confident with his 5th level in the bone tempering layer. On the receiving side, a well built young man steadily walked to the stage. From the boulder mountain sect, all their participants were males and all of them were buffed. On the stage, both the leaders of each team are facing each other trying to gauge each other's strength.

"Fellow cultivator, I am the considered the strongest cultivator in our team. Let's have a good fight."

When the two started their fight, the hand to hand combat was still intense even without the both of them using any weapon. Fist to fist, palm to palm, it was a fight of endurance. During their fight, it can be seen how each sects train their discipkes. The disciple from the boulder mountain sect practice a body training technique to make their body more sturdy and strong while the iron armor sect were trained by essence control where they can use their inner essence to enhance their attacks. One is a full body cultivator while the other was an enhancement type. As the fight goes on, it can be seen that the disciple from the iron armor school was getting out of gas. His exhaustion became obvious with all the sweat and panting he shows while the other was still standing firm and steady. Yao Huang realized that he won't be able to win so he intelligently declared his surrender. Since armor and weapon were nit allowed, Yao Huang was in a total disadvantage.

"Friend from the boulder mountain sect, I thank you for your pointers. This Yao Huang is humbled by your strength."

"Cultivator Huang, you're too modest. I know this is not your full potential. Still I thank you also for such opportunity."

After the declaration, there were no jeers from the crowd since they know that the fight was truly in favor with the boulder mountain sect who are well versed with such kind of fights.

Next who went to the stage was Tang Gen. Eager to challenge someone, he leaped from the ground to the stage in one go. As he positioned himself, he immediately announced the name of the cultivator from the six star sect he wanted to fight.

"I, Tang Gen from the iron armor school would like to challenge this fat friend from the six star school. Hello, we meet again, whatever your name is." Tang Gen yelled as he points his finger at Ah Mu.

Ah Mu who was at the ground gave out a surrendered laugh because he remembered the guy who was challenging him. Without a choice, he walked slowly towards the stage.

"Haha! Friend, I didn't know we'll meet here. My name is Ah Mu and I'm ten years old. I am still at the 8th level of visceral tempering so I hope you'll go easy on me." Ah Mu said with a little tone of nervousness. He didn't know that he would be on such situation.

The audience and other participants on the other hand were surprised by Ah Mu's words. He's still 10 old and yet he was already at such level. Many were already in awe at him while the elders from other sects were looking envious at the six star school elders.

"Hmp, I didn't know brother Ah Mu is still growing. Since I am at the 2nd level of bone tempering and I don't want to be labeled as a bully, I will allow you to use your weapon. I'll fight you bare handed all the way." declared Tang Gen.

Ah Mu felt a little relief that he can use his weapon. However, since he its an opportunity, he won't let it pass.

After the announcer saw that the two were done preparing, he announced the start of the fight.

"Wait!"

A loud yell came from the back and when they looked at the source, they saw a young man with dirtied looks, clothes and hair untidy and smelled of processed metal.

"Brother Ah Mu, I have your weapon with me. Catch it!"

Long Bai arrived at the right time and he was able to deliver the black and white sword he was able to make from the purple iron sword. It was the sword he imagined would complement Ah Mu's dual sword fighting style. One was dark and heavy while the other was lighter and sharper. He named the two sword, the "Sange" and "Yasha" which was inspired from one of his favorite game back on earth.