Rapid Progress (Revised Edition)

The bystanders' chatter ultimately affected Cheng Xiao. When he opened his eyes, he saw Song Changsheng working with both hands at once, the two arrays already on the verge of taking shape.

"Th-this... How is this possible?" Cheng Xiao could scarcely believe his own eyes.

Every Array Master hoped to master the ability of Dual-Mindedness, but virtually all had failed. Cheng Xiao was among those failures.

For a time, this had made Cheng Xiao doubt whether Dual-Mindedness was even real.

Clearly, he now had his answer. It was real—except it had appeared in someone he had always looked down upon.

For a moment, intense unwillingness and resentment welled up in Cheng Xiao's heart. He could not accept it. Why was there no path forward for someone with his talent, while this guy before him could do it?

The violent turmoil in his emotions immediately affected him. The third array, already half-inscribed, abruptly collapsed. In that instant, Cheng Xiao felt as though something had stabbed his Sea of Consciousness, and the pain was unbearable.

Once his Sea of Consciousness fell into disorder, the Spiritual Power throughout his body also slipped out of control for a moment, rampaging through his meridians and qi sea. Cheng Xiao immediately spat out a cloud of Blood Mist with a "wah."

Then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted stiffly on the spot.

Bai Ruofeng was startled and hurried over to support Cheng Xiao. After examining him, he discovered that Cheng Xiao was actually showing signs of cultivation deviation.

At that point, he could not be bothered with anything else. Sweeping his gaze over the surroundings, he said, "For this contest, Hundred Treasures Pavilion admits defeat."

After leaving those words behind, Bai Ruofeng picked up Cheng Xiao and swiftly departed through the crowd.

Everyone was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

A Cultivator said in disbelief, "Hundred Treasures Pavilion is admitting defeat just like that?"

"Didn't you see Cheng Xiao coughing up blood? I'd say it's pretty serious. Didn't you see Bai Ruofeng acting like his own son had died?"

"If you ask me, it's only normal. That was Dual-Mindedness, after all. They would lose if they continued anyway, so they might as well pretend to faint and be done with it."

For a moment, all manner of speculation sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain. In less than a quarter of an hour, dozens of versions had emerged.

Someone suddenly had a flash of insight. "Since Earth Fire Sect has admitted defeat, does that mean we can settle the Spirit Stones now? I bet on the Song Clan to win."

"That's right, it's time to settle up."

In an instant, the side that had bet on Song Changsheng transformed into an ocean of joy, and they all rushed to the bookmaker to collect their Spirit Stones.

Meanwhile, the side that had bet on Cheng Xiao's victory was shrouded in gloom, each of them feeling worse than if they had swallowed a fly.

When Song Changsheng opened his eyes, this was the chaotic scene he saw. Cheng Xiao had already vanished without a trace, leaving only a conspicuous pool of blood.

"What happened?" Song Changsheng was somewhat bewildered as well.

"Worthy Nephew, you won. Earth Fire Sect's Cheng Xiao fainted halfway through the contest and had long since conceded and withdrawn," Song Luyuan said excitedly by his ear.

"Withdrew?" Song Changsheng could not help but laugh. He had originally regarded Cheng Xiao as an opponent and had even deliberately refined a defective Magic Artifact to confuse him. It seemed he had overestimated him after all.

Looking at the Magic Artifact in his hand, he was quite satisfied. Since time had been too short, both he and Cheng Xiao had chosen the simplest First-Tier Low Grade arrays.

In three hours, Cheng Xiao could inscribe at most four, while he had inscribed six in two hours. The difference between them spoke for itself.

Apart from his superior strength, Dual-Mindedness had also been crucial to creating such a gap.

He had discovered it by chance while cultivating the Water-Fire Control Technique. He had then tried incorporating it into array formation, never expecting the results to be quite good.

Song Changsheng put away the Magic Artifact, glanced around, and gave a cupped fist salute. "Fellow Daoists, I will be stationed at Treasure Seeking Pavilion during this period. If you have any needs, feel free to place an order. I refuse no one who comes."

He had entered this contest not only to slap Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the face, but also to make a name for himself. After all, practice was indispensable if he wished to improve his Artifact Forging Technique.

Just as he had expected, business exploded over the following period of time. Song Changqian and the others were so busy every day that their feet nearly kicked the backs of their heads.

By contrast, Hundred Treasures Pavilion was deserted day after day, and all kinds of slanderous rumors filled the air. It had truly lost all face.

"Bai Ruofeng, you have truly disappointed me." Inside a secret chamber of Hundred Treasures Pavilion, a Middle-aged Man in a blue robe stood with Hands Behind His Back and spoke coldly.

Bai Ruofeng explained with a terrified expression, "Elder Cheng, I never expected Song Changsheng to actually..."

"Enough! Cheng Xiao nearly got ruined in your hands, and you still have the nerve to argue? You did not even investigate Song Changsheng's background properly. What the hell were you doing?"

The Middle-aged Man flew into a rage. A single contest had nearly caused Cheng Xiao to suffer cultivation deviation; he wanted nothing more than to slap Bai Ruofeng to death.

Bai Ruofeng dropped to his knees in terror and said fearfully, "This subordinate absolutely had no such intention."

"Hmph. Song Changsheng has ruined the sect's good affairs again and again. This Old Man will never let him leave here alive." Killing intent filled Elder Cheng's eyes.

He looked at Bai Ruofeng on the ground and said, "Send people to watch him. The moment he leaves the Market, report back immediately."

"As You Command!" Bai Ruofeng felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted. He hurriedly went down to make arrangements...

Song Changsheng still did not know that an elder from Earth Fire Sect had secretly arrived at the Market and was preparing to deal with him.

He was currently spending every day in the Artifact Forging Room, improving his Artifact Forging Technique day and night without rest.

"I've finally finished refining the last one."

Inside the Artifact Forging Room, Song Changsheng let out a long breath. At last, he could rest for a while.

Nearly half a year had passed since the last contest. Amid a mountain of artifact-forging orders, he had undergone a transformation and successfully elevated the Treasure Gourd to the First-Tier Peak Grade.

This marked his official ascent as the youngest First-Tier Peak Grade Artifact Forger of the Song Clan!

Song Changsheng left the Artifact Forging Room and handed the refined Magic Artifacts to Song Luyuan. "Clan Uncle, I want to rest for a while during this period. If anyone wants Magic Artifacts refined, please push them back."

"Ah, you've truly worked hard during this period. In the half year you've been here, you've completed more orders than you did in the previous year. You should indeed rest properly—take a month off first."

Song Luyuan now granted Song Changsheng's every request. Never mind resting for a few days; even if Song Changsheng wanted his daughter to... Ahem, ahem, he would absolutely not so much as furrow his brow.

"A month?" Song Changsheng nodded. He had not properly strolled around the Market yet, so this was a good opportunity.

Just as he was about to head downstairs, Song Luyuan called out to him and handed him a Universe Bag.

Song Changsheng opened it and found five hundred Spirit Stones neatly stacked inside. He could not help asking in confusion, "What is this?"

Song Luyuan said in surprise, "This is your payment for the orders you completed during this period."

Song Changsheng immediately understood. Within the Song Clan, completing orders from the shops earned one a reward. He had always assumed they paid Contribution Points, but he had not expected to receive Spirit Stones directly.

Perhaps seeing his confusion, Song Luyuan smiled. "For those of us who stay outside year-round, Spirit Stones are more practical. This should be your first time at the Market too, right? You can take the opportunity to have a proper look around."

"That is exactly what this nephew intended. Many thanks, Clan Uncle." Only then did Song Changsheng calmly accept the Spirit Stones and head toward the street.

Having been here for half a year, he truly had never properly explored the place...