The Refiner Promotion Event was scheduled to run for 81 days, with assessments for one- to five-star refiners conducted simultaneously.
For the one-, two-, and three-star assessments, participants had to present a semi-finished product and complete the refinement under the supervision of the five Fire Refining Sect elders.
However, for four- and five-star refiners, the process involved crafting an earth-grade artifact. Such a task required continuous work for at least a dozen days, making live demonstrations impractical. Instead, participants submitted a finished artifact and explained its crafting techniques and formation structure. The Fire Refining Sect elders would then evaluate its authenticity.
As a sect disciple, Jian Xiaolou was scheduled for the first day. She was confident and entirely at ease.
The vast square of the Fire Refining Sect was marked with grids, each assigned to a participant who brought their own artifact furnace. Jian Xiaolou registered for a number, found her designated spot, and settled down. She took out the artifact furnace lent to her by Yue Ze, ignited a fire soul crystal, and began preheating the furnace.
Before long, a black-clad cultivator occupied the grid beside hers.
His actions mirrored hers precisely, as he reverently took out his furnace and began preheating it with a fire soul crystal.
Jian Xiaolou found him vaguely familiar and gave him a closer look. She suddenly realized, "Senior?"
The black-clad cultivator turned slightly. His appearance was unremarkable but gentle—it was the same vendor who had traded her the beast pouch at the black market a few nights ago.
"Ah, it's the young friend. The world is indeed small."
"Senior, are you here to test for the one-star refiner certification?"
The fact that someone at the Foundation Establishment stage had no refiner rank surprised Jian Xiaolou.
Moreover, his black attire and the cloak over it gave him a much more ominous air compared to their previous meeting, when he'd seemed approachable.
"Yes," he shrugged. A faint smirk played on his lips, tinged with disdain. "Star rankings mean nothing. They don't reflect a refiner's true abilities, so don't take them too seriously."
With that, he focused on refining.
Jian Xiaolou, not particularly familiar with him, withdrew her gaze and also concentrated on her task.
Inside the Fire Refining Hall, it was a full house. The Fire Refining Sect's leader, Xuanwei Zhenren, and the four elders were all present, as were Yue Ze and his entourage.
However, the group wasn't discussing the promotion event outside.
Today, the hall welcomed three prominent guests: Yue Nianxi, one of the Eastern Immortal Twin Beauties; Huo Ying, the second son of the Huo family; and Zhan Tianming, the eldest son of the Zhan family.
Although all three were at the Foundation Establishment stage, their combined presence exerted an immense pressure, even on Xuanwei Zhenren.
Yue Nianxi's visit wasn't unusual, but the appearances of Huo Ying and Zhan Tianming baffled the five elders.
Zhan Tianming claimed to have coincidentally encountered Huo Ying nearby, and together, they had met Yue Nianxi. Learning that she was heading to the Fire Refining Sect to repair her Bamboo Stream Zither, the two decided to tag along and observe the promotion event.
Though their explanation seemed reasonable, something felt off.
The Fire Refining Sect's fraught relationship with the Li family made it rare for Huo or Zhan family members to seek artifacts here, as they would face exorbitant costs.
The five elders exchanged glances, forming a consensus: the pair likely came with ulterior motives, perhaps targeting Li Jianzhao.
Still, their worries were tempered. Both Zhan and Huo had entered the city with minimal entourages of Foundation Establishment guards, leaving their Nascent Soul protectors outside. There wasn't much they could do to Li Jianzhao, especially under the watch of the Fire Refining Sect's elders and a Li family elder at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
Not to mention Yue Nianxi's presence—acting recklessly under the Eastern Alliance's eye would spell disaster.
Meanwhile, outside, the promotion event continued.
A commotion arose when a black-clad Foundation Establishment cultivator finished crafting a set of human-grade, beginner-quality artifacts within mere minutes.
Moments later, he produced a human-grade, mid-quality set, then advanced to high quality. Now, he was crafting an earth-grade artifact, seemingly about to succeed.
The entire crowd was stunned, and the Fire Refining Sect's five elders flew out in unison to confirm.
What awaited them was an unprecedented genius in the art of artifact refinement.
The black-clad cultivator nonchalantly completed a Brilliant Star Mirror, an exceptionally challenging four-star artifact.
To everyone's shock, he rejected offers from all the elders to join their respective factions, stating with a sly smile, "I already have a master."
As an elderly figure arrived on a giant black eagle, the hall erupted into chaos.
"You traitor, how dare you return!" roared Elder Xuanzhen, her fury unmistakable.