<strong>Capítulo 1699: Chapter 1690: Top Three</strong>


    The reason Ao Cangsheng has not participated in artifact refining is to give everyone at this Artifact Refining Holy Scripture an unexpected surprise.


    After unanimous inspection by ten judgement artifact refiners, Master Lu finally announced that the winner of the first challenge round is Shangguan Hongkong.


    With Shangguan Hongkong’s victory, his ranking instantly leaped from the bottom three to enter the top three.


    The sudden joy made Shangguan Hongkong secretly thankful, lucky to have chosen the right opponent, otherwise, how could he directly enter the top three.


    Seeing this result, Di Qinglin, who was in the top three, was filled with confusion.


    He knew Master Rong Yi’s real strength, but now Master Rong Yi was defeated by Shangguan Hongkong, which surprised him.


    The only exnation for Ao Cangsheng’s defeat is that the Judgement Department secretly suppressed him.


    It is conceivable that traps that even Master Rong Yi cannot pass would surely ensnare any artifact refiner!


    “Your Highness, if it continues like this, Master Rong Yi won’t be able to win!”


    Seeing Ao Cangsheng being schemed against, the elder beside Baili Chuanqiong couldn’t help but voice his concern.


    “I know, but what can I do? You saw it just now too, even my father is supporting Lu. How can I change the situation!”


    Baili Chuanqiong was angry and frustrated inside, waiting so long for Master Rong Yi, yet this happened. How could he not be dejected?


    “s! It’s not entirely hopeless, just bad luck for Master Rong Yi this time drawing the red bamboo stick. If next time he can draw the green bamboo stick, maybe there’s a chance for aeback!”


    Elder Yun sighed, seeminglyforting Baili Chuanqiong.


    But even he couldn’t convince himself with those words, how could he deceive Baili Chuanqiong?


    Since the Judgement Department is scheming against Ao Cangsheng, they’re certainly doing so to the end. For Ao Cangsheng to turn the tables, it won’t be that easy!


    Following Shangguan Hongkong, the second challenger was Sang Chu, a Guest Elder of the Third Prince.


    Before the challenge round began, Baili Chuanqiong, unable to swallow his anger, specifically instructed Sang Chu to directly challenge Shangguan Hongkong.


    Of course, Sang Chu had noints; he originally intended to challenge Shangguan Hongkong because among the current rankings, Shangguan Hongkong’s position was the most inted.


    Upon seeing Sang Chu’s gaze, the always smug Shangguan Hongkong suddenly became tense.


    Having witnessed Sang Chu’s artifact refining prowess during the previous battle, he knew Sang Chu was only slightly inferior to him.


    If he were to draw the red bamboo stick, Sang Chu’s skills would surely return him to his original state.


    Sure enough, when the referee asked Sang Chu, he named Shangguan Hongkong as his opponent.


    Immediately after, the two went to the Judgement Department to draw lots to choose the duel mode.


    Unfortunately, in this draw, Shangguan Hongkong again drew the green bamboo stick, while the challenger Sang Chu drew the red bamboo stick.


    Before the draw, Shangguan Hongkong was full of anxiety, fearing a false joy.


    But upon seeing the green bamboo stick in his hand, he nearly jumped to hug Master Lu and kiss him.


    “It’s over!”


    Seeing the draw result, Baili Chuanqiong’s freshly risen body slumped back into the chair.


    Under such an unfair contest, Sang Chu is definitely not Shangguan Hongkong’s match, anyone can see this.


    Sure enough, after the time of a joss stick, Shangguan Hongkong won the challenge again. His position unchanged, while Sang Chu remained in the bottom three.


    After Sang Chu’s challenge, the indignant Chi Ming also challenged Shangguan Hongkong.


    Seeing Shangguan Hongkong’s arrogant demeanor, Chi Ming couldn’t help but get angry.


    What’s more infuriating is that this guy caused Master Rong Yi to lose face in front of everyone, a grudge that cannot go unavenged.


    After a while, the third draw began.


    However, despair loomed as Shangguan Hongkong drew the green bamboo stick once more, while Chi Ming got the red.


    Shangguan Hongkong’s excellent luck caused many spectators to exim, wondering if this guy was blessed by the Buddha Ancestor.


    Otherwise, how could his luck be so good? Three sessive draws, all green bamboo sticks?


    Since the results of the previous draws, many spectators had lost enthusiasm for the artifact refining contest.


    Compared to the duel, the draw seemed to cause their blood to race even more. One more point is that the draw almost determined the oue of the duel.


    No surprises, in the third challenge, Shangguan Hongkong emerged victorious again. The war soldier crafted by Chi Ming was almost the original artifact mold, with hardly any change in color.


    After three challenge rounds concluded, Shangguan Hongkong, who initially feared being returned to his original state, miraculously secured the top three position.


    This miracle shocked all the spectators, and even Shangguan Hongkong himself found it unbelievable!


    As of now, the bottom three challenge rounds were entirelypleted.


    After a brief rest, the middle three challenge rounds began.


    Regarding this round of challenges, many were filled with anticipation.


    They were curious whether Shangguan Hongkong, who had been blessed with luck, could continue his unbeaten record.


    The three artifact refiners in the middle three were respectively: Artifact Refiner Si Xuan from Heavenly Soldier Pavilion, Guest Elder Sheng Ru of His Majesty the Emperor, and Guest Elder You Qingyu of the Second Prince.


    After the draw, the first to qualify for the challenge was Guest Elder Sheng Ru of His Majesty the Emperor.


    The second was Artifact Refiner Si Xuan from the Heavenly Soldier Pavilion, and the third was Guest Elder You Qingyu of the Second Prince.


    Not long after, the first duel began.


    Upon the announcement of the duel’s start, Sheng Ru and Shangguan Hongkong went to the Judgement Department.


    “I hope heaven continues to bless me with the green bamboo stick!”


    Before the draw, Shangguan Hongkong was full of anxiety and secretly prayed.


    At this moment, many spectators focused their attention on the lottery box. They all looked forward to whether Shangguan Hongkong could continue drawing the green bamboo stick.


    “Swoosh——”


    With a light sound from the lottery box, Shangguan Hongkong pulled out his drawn bamboo stick.


    Upon first sight of the bamboo stick, Shangguan Hongkong nearly fainted from happiness.


    Because this time, he had drawn the green bamboo stick again, and the green bamboo stick represented victory.


    “Oh heaven, thank you so much. When I return, I will surely offer you the best sacrifices!”


    In his ecstasy, Shangguan Hongkong couldn’t help but mutter to himself.


    Meanwhile, all spectators couldn’t help but shout out, some amazed by Shangguan Hongkong’s luck, and others ridiculing his arrogance.


    Amidst the cheers, Shangguan Hongkong felt lighter by dozens of pounds in his bones. If it weren’t for his feet on the ground, he would think he was about to fly.


    However, this time, Shangguan Hongkong’s wild joy did notst long and froze on his face.


    Because right after him, Sheng Ru also drew the green bamboo stick. Such a situation, Shangguan Hongkong obviously did not anticipate.


    The previous drawing results had given Shangguan Hongkong an illusion that as long as he drew the green bamboo stick, his opponent would surely draw the red bamboo stick.


    But now, this situation disappeared, and both he and Sheng Ru drew the green bamboo stick, leaving him somewhat at a loss.


    Just as Shangguan Hongkong and many others were puzzling over it, Master Lu suddenly spoke.


    “Since both of you have drawn the green bamboo stick, this duel will proceed normally! You may start your duel now!”


    Master Lu seemed to have thought out his words long before, lightly swept the surroundings with his gaze, and spoke aloud.


    Upon hearing these words,ughter and discussion filled the square.


    “Haha, always having fluke luck, now let’s see how Shangguan Hongkong loses!”


    “Indeed! A fair duel, how could he be Sheng Ru’s match? This time he’s doomed to lose!”


    “Humph, wasn’t he acting arrogant just now? Now he can’t act arrogant anymore!”


    …


    Amidst the mor, Sheng Ru smiled and walked to the artifact furnace. He disdainfully nced at Shangguan Hongkong, and started artifact refining.