Chapter Eleven: Entry

Tan Changhuo spent over ninety years to craft a divine artifact, while Qu Yi managed to create one in just four years. With only two years left in the competition, neither of them had enough time to produce another divine artifact. The hundred thousand artificers began to clamor, demanding that Huangfu Ting, the head of the Artificers’ Guild, personally announce the end of the competition.

Only Huangfu Ting had the authority to do so. With two years remaining, he declared the competition over without consulting the two contestants. After all, as the head of the Artificers’ Guild, both Qu Yi and the Xiaoding Hall had to give him face.

Hearing the cries of the hundred thousand artificers, Huangfu Ting stood up with a smile, then looked toward the area where the thousand artificers from the Xiaoding Hall were gathered, meeting the gaze of Tan Chongji, the head of the Xiaoding Hall.

Tan Chongji had a coarse-faced appearance, slightly dark skin, and a firm chin. At that moment, he appeared tired and deeply troubled.

“Lord Tan, shall I announce the end of the competition?” Huangfu Ting sent his thoughts to him.

Although Tan Chongji had no choice but to accept Huangfu Ting’s decision given his status, as the head of the guild, he still tried to maintain propriety and avoid using power to pressure others.

“Guild leader, please announce it,” Tan Chongji replied calmly, his expression growing even more somber.

Huangfu Ting nodded, then flew over to the referee, Bo Tianping, tapped his shoulder, and smiled at the audience.

“Given the time it took for Qu Yi and Tan Changhuo to craft one divine artifact each, neither of them is capable of creating another. I now declare the competition between them over,” Huangfu Ting announced with a smile.

His voice echoed throughout the competition arena.

“It’s over…” The hundred thousand artificers cheered joyfully and stood up.

Only the thousand artificers from the Xiaoding Hall remained seated, looking depressed and confused.

As soon as Huangfu Ting announced the end, the light shields around the two competition platforms disappeared.

Qu Yi and Tan Changhuo had different expressions—one beaming with joy, the other head bowed in disappointment. They both stepped down from the platforms and approached Huangfu Ting.

Huangfu Ting glanced at them with a smile and, without checking the quality of the divine artifacts they had created, declared, “In the competition between Qu Yi and Tan Changhuo, Qu Yi wins.”

Whoa!

Although the hundred thousand artificers already knew the answer, they were still surprised when Huangfu Ting announced it.

This victory solidified Qu Yi’s reputation as a master blacksmith and also secured Fang Qi Ge a location in an excellent spot. From then on, Qu Yi and Fang Qi Ge’s fame could spread throughout Huo Bao Town.

Hearing this, Qu Yi smiled at Tan Changhuo, clasped his hands together, and said, “Elder Tan, thank you for your generosity.”

Tan Changhuo glared at Qu Yi, snorted, and left immediately. Qu Yi shrugged and called out, “Elder Tan, in ten days, Fang Qi Ge will take over your third store. If the Xiao Ding Hall has anything important, please move it out within these ten days.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Changhuo suddenly seemed shorter, almost tripping as he walked. The thousand blacksmiths of Xiao Ding Hall sitting in the audience all fixed their angry gazes on Qu Yi, wishing they could devour him. The third store was a location that Xiao Ding Hall had fought hard to obtain with great wealth and years of effort, and now it would all go to Qu Yi for free.

As the head of the hall, Tan Chongji couldn’t say anything harsh in front of hundred thousand blacksmiths, so he silently left the audience area. All the blacksmiths of Xiao Ding Hall left the competition venue as well.

Seeing Tan Changhuo leave, Qu Yi waved at Fang Xinfei and Fang Mo in the audience, then turned to leave the competition venue.

Huangfu Ting’s previously smiling face instantly turned extremely awkward. Could it be that as the president of the blacksmith guild, he was no longer important enough in Qu Yi’s eyes?

Huang Yunchang and two other members of the blacksmith guild, seeing Huangfu Ting’s predicament, immediately flew in front of Qu Yi and blocked his path.

“Qu Yi, this is the president of our blacksmith guild,” Huang Yunchang quickly called out.

Only then did Qu Yi turn around, look at Huangfu Ting, and say apologetically, “President, I’m sorry. I thought you were the judge for this blacksmith competition. Please forgive me.”

Huangfu Ting chuckled, saying he didn’t mind such things. What concerned him now was Qu Yi’s blacksmithing techniques and that mysterious, fascinating energy he possessed.

“Qu Yi, please come to the blacksmith guild for a moment. I’d like to talk to you alone,” Huangfu Ting saidfriendlyly.

Huang Yunchang and the other two guild members were surprised to hear Huangfu Ting’s words. It had been a long time since anyone had received the honor of a private conversation with him.

Qu Yi looked at Huangfu Ting, thought carefully, and concluded that talking to the president of this Alchemy Guild could only bring benefits to him, with no drawbacks. So, it would be worthwhile to have a proper discussion.
“President, please lead the way,” Qu Yi said with a smile.
Huang Yunchang and the other two members of the Alchemy Guild were somewhat annoyed by Qu Yi’s attitude, feeling that he was being too arrogant.
Huangfu Ting, on the other hand, wasn’t bothered. He appreciated Qu Yi’s equal attitude, as it was the kind of attitude a skilled alchemist should have.
“Let’s go,” Huangfu Ting said with a smile, leading the way.
Qu Yi followed calmly, leaving the competition arena under the gaze of hundreds of thousands of alchemists.
Bo Tianping, the judge of the alchemy competition, remained silent the whole time, waiting for all the important figures to leave. It wasn’t until Qu Yi’s figure disappeared that Bo Tianping felt utterly humiliated in his role as judge.
“I only said a few words! Next time, I’ll never take on this judging job again,” Bo Tianping shouted angrily.
The alchemists still in the audience heard Bo Tianping’s words and laughed knowingly.
※※※
The “Xiyun Hall” of the Alchemy Guild was used to receive important guests.
At that moment, Huangfu Ting and Qu Yi were inside the Xiyun Hall.
They sat facing each other.
“Qu Yi, after this alchemy competition, your fame will quickly spread throughout the Divine Realm. You understand that, right?” Huangfu Ting said kindly, smiling at Qu Yi.
It took only four years for him to create a divine artifact. Coupled with the unknown energy he possessed, and his use of this energy to construct arrays in a way different from other alchemists in the Divine Realm, his unique alchemy techniques would surely spread immediately.
Qu Yi nodded and said lightly, “President, only I know these alchemy techniques. Even if others learn about them, it’s unlikely they’ll be widely adopted.”
Hearing this, Huangfu Ting’s expression changed. He had brought Qu Yi here intending to secure a position for him in the Alchemy Guild and have him share his techniques. Now, hearing Qu Yi’s words, he felt somewhat disappointed.
“Qu Yi, I must ask boldly—what kind of attribute does that strange energy you use to form arrays have?” Huangfu Ting asked curiously about another matter that concerned him.
Having lived in the Divine Realm for a long time, Huangfu Ting had never seen chaotic energy before, so he was very interested in this extraordinary kind of energy.

Qu Yi knew that Huangfu Ting was referring to chaotic energy, but he certainly wouldn’t tell him the truth. Smiling, he said, “President, this is a kind of primordial energy derived from the five elements after mutation. When I was in the lower world, I accidentally entered a cave of exotic fire and, by chance, refined an unnamed flame, which caused all my energy to mutate. However, this mutation has been very helpful for my craftsmanship skills.”

Now, Qu Yi attributed his exceptional craftsmanship skills and chaotic energy to this unnamed flame. After all, the universe is vast and full of mysterious energies; some people inevitably encounter special advantages through chance, allowing their cultivation methods to differ from those of other cultivators.

Hearing Qu Yi’s explanation, Huangfu Ting’s eyes lit up, and his doubts were resolved.

“As I thought. Although the energy within you has mutated, it still falls within the category of five-element energy. Since you have such superb craftsmanship skills, I hope you’ll take charge of overseeing Qu Yi.”

Qu Yi smiled and asked directly, “President, what benefits will I gain if I join the Craftsmanship Guild?”

Huangfu Ting wasn’t expecting Qu Yi to be so direct, but he was secretly pleased. Qu Yi’s personality made him easier to get along with, allowing for more frequent interactions in the future.

“It will be of great help to your Fangqi Pavilion. Some large merchant groups entrust our Craftsmanship Guild to produce large quantities of divine artifacts, which we then distribute among various craftsmanship sects. If no one from your Fangqi Pavilion is in the guild, you’ll definitely not get a share. Additionally, any information related to craftsmanship that the guild obtains is shared internally—only those who join the guild are eligible to access it,” Huangfu Ting said with a smile.

Qu Yi already knew all this; he had learned everything about the Craftsmanship Guild from the God of Tools. He was merely testing Huangfu Ting’s character.

Huangfu Ting was also a man obsessed with craftsmanship and didn’t care much about other aspects. This was why the craftsmen in the guild respected him so much.

Qu Yi smiled and said, “President, I’m willing to join the Craftsmanship Guild.”

Huangfu Ting burst into laughter and exclaimed happily, “Qu Yi, I’ve seen your mastery of array formations when crafting divine artifacts. It seems your skills in array magic are also exceptional. I hope you can quickly advance to the Divine General level. Then we can work together to develop our Fire Treasure Town’s Craftsmanship Guild.”

Qu Yi smiled gently. After discussing official matters, Huangfu Ting had turned to his research again; indeed, he was a man deeply obsessed with artifact crafting.
“President, there will be another chance in the future. For now, I must leave first—the sect leader is still waiting for me,” Qu Yi said, standing up with a smile.
Huangfu Ting nodded slightly.