<h4>Chapter 1703: Chapter 1694: The n</h4>


    After a round of reprimand, Master Lu seemed to realize that his previous tirade was somewhat of an overstatement.


    He then coldly snorted, exining to the curious audience looking at him, "I just can’t stand Zhan Yufei’s attitude. Since he’s participating in the Artifact Refining Holy Scripture, I believe that whoever it is should give it their all andpete wholeheartedly!"


    Saying this, he sat back in his seat with a flicker in his gaze.


    Another half an incense stick time passed before the referee finally announced the end of thepetition.


    One minute before the end of thepetition, Ao Cangsheng and Zhan Yufei had alreadypleted their artifact refining simultaneously.


    The difference was, Zhan Yufei only forged the artifact mold seven times, while Ao Cangsheng forged it eleven times!


    Originally, with Ao Cangsheng’s artifact refining prowess, the number of times he forged the mold would far exceed eleven times.


    However, to better counter Master Lu, Ao Cangsheng ultimately slowed down his refining speed!


    As the two War Soldiers were sent to the Judgement Department, many people widened their eyes.


    They all wanted to know if the neer to the semifinals, Master Yi, who was at a disadvantage, could truly surpass Zhan Yufei.


    Soon, the ten Artifact Refiners of the Judgement Department had finished reviewing the two War Soldiers. When Master Lu put down the War Soldier refined by Ao Cangsheng, his face turned ck.


    He really couldn’t imagine that Ao Cangsheng could sessfully temper a top-grade artifact mold with a first-grade Fire Source.


    Such a thing had never been seen before in Master Lu’s lifetime of experience.


    This was beyond his understanding of artifact refining, making him doubt his knowledge.


    Although Ao Cangsheng’s refined War Soldier was only three points higher than Zhan Yufei’s, the fact was in front of them—Zhan Yufei indeed lost.


    Ao Cangsheng winning a bout didn’t matter much, but at this moment, it was undoubtedly a p in the face for the ten people of the Judgement Department.


    After long hesitation and internal conflict, Master Lu reluctantly announced, "In this challenge, Master Yi wins!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, a fleeting silence enveloped the central square.


    It seemed like at this moment, everyone was shocked by the miracle Ao Cangsheng created.


    The next moment, cheers erupted in the central square.


    When most thought Ao Cangsheng would definitely be kicked out of the top nine, he miraculously turned the situation around.


    Such an event not only astonished the audience but also left even the Artifact Refiners dumbfounded.


    Amid the surrounding cheers, the ten Artifact Refiners of the Judgement Department couldn’t help but feel both ashamed and embarrassed.


    As the head of the Judgement Department, Master Lu found it even more humiliating.


    He stared intensely at Ao Cangsheng, his eyes radiating a venomous cold light. After a long time, he gritted his teeth and said harshly, "Old fool, don’t think that winning this one fight secures your position in the top nine."


    "There’s still a long way to go in the Artifact Refining Holy Scripture, and I have ample ways to boot you out of the central square."


    As this thought crossed his mind, he suddenlymanded coldly, "Who is the second challenger? Step forward already!"


    At this, Luo Su, standing a short distance away, was startled.


    He had never seen the usually gentle Master Lu so furious before.


    In that instant, his heart couldn’t help but tremble violently.


    At this moment, Geta stepped forward. Just before, Master Lu had warned him: once you challenge the one surnamed Yi, only victory is allowed, no defeat.


    But Zhan Yufei had just lost, and his artifact refining level was onlyparable to Zhan Yufei. It was really too difficult not to lose.


    But if he were to lose, how would Master Lu deal with him?


    Thinking of this, Luo Su couldn’t help but feel an aftershock of fear.


    "Master Lu, I am the second challenger, and here I am!"


    With thoughts racing, Luo Su rushed to the front of the Judgement tform, nervously eximing.


    "Oh! It’s good that you’re here! Before the duel, I wish you a victorious start!"


    Master Lu nced at Ao Cangsheng, then squinted slightly, giving Luo Su a sinister smile.


    Seeing Master Lu’s ghost-like, dagger-hidden smile, Luo Su’s calves began to cramp.


    Such a sinister smile was like a Demon from Hell, making one dreadfully fearful.


    "Uh... thank you, Master Lu, for the congrattion!"


    Luo Su was terrified in his heart, but he couldn’t show it. He had to suppress his inner panic and reply, tongue tied.


    Master Lu nodded, then turned his face, looking gloomily at Ao Cangsheng beside him, "Master Yi, are you ready?"


    Ao Cangsheng smiled lightly, "I can fight anytime!"


    "Great!" Master Lu’s tone was resounding, "Once the draw is done, you may start the duel!"


    ...


    After the time of an incense stick, Luo Su and Ao Cangsheng once again stood before the Judgement Department.


    Just likest time, Luo Su drew the green bamboo stick, and Ao Cangsheng drew the red bamboo stick.


    But as they stood in front of the Judgement Stage, sweat was dripping from Luo Su’s forehead, whether from heat or fear.


    The two War Soldiersy on the long table before the Judgement Stage, and seeing these War Soldiers, all ten Artifact Refiners of the Judgement Department looked ashen.


    They didn’t even need to examine the War Soldiers, for just by visual inspection, they could tell which of the two before them was superior.


    At this moment, Master Lu’s gaze was terrifyingly intimidating. He just silently stared at Luo Su, almost suffocating him.


    After a long while, the ten Artifact Refiners mechanically went through the motions, casually examining the two War Soldiers.


    The final evaluation was in, and resoundingly, Ao Cangsheng won this round of the challenge once again.


    Upon seeing this result, a joyful smile blossomed on Baili Chuanqiong’s face.


    He truly hadn’t expected that just when he’d given up hope on Ao Cangsheng, Ao Cangsheng would suddenly achieve such a feat.


    However, as for Ao Cangsheng’s victory, Ye Xiu, the leader of the top three, couldn’t care less.


    In his eyes, even if faced with such a challenge, he would certainly defeat the opponent faster than Ao Cangsheng.


    From the start, he never took Ao Cangsheng seriously, despite having heard of the mention of strong relics.


    The two bungled ns forced Master Lu to reevaluate his targeting strategy.


    If it continued this way, Master Lu could almost predict that the results would not be much different for You Hai than for Zhan Yufei and Luo Su!


    In that case, he would have to resort to a different approach to handle Ao Cangsheng.


    He could not just stand by and watch himself and the other nine judges being publicly embarrassed by Ao Cangsheng.


    Of course, one more thing that he absolutely couldn’t ept was that he represented the Royal Family of Tang Country, more precisely, the face of the current Emperor.


    Being pped in the face was akin to the Emperor being pped. Such a disgrace to His Majesty’s dignity was something he would never allow.


    Considering this, after the second challenge ended, Master Lu excused himself to rest for a moment and specifically conferenced with the other nine judges.


    Half an hourter, when Ao Cangsheng and You Hai appeared at the Judgement Stage, Master Lu’s face again disyed a cold smile.


    Seeing Master Lu’s expression, Ao Cangsheng seemed calm, but Baili Chuanqiong couldn’t help but feel a "thud" in his heart.


    "Your Highness, judging by Master Lu’s expression, he’s probably nning to recalcte against Master Yi!"


    The old man sitting beside Baili Chuanqiong took a secret nce at him, speaking in a heavy tone.


    Baili Chuanqiong said nothing, but his face showed both anger and worry.


    "Due to the upgrade in the excitement of the duel, the Judgement Department feels the need to add another rule to the duel."


    "The new rule is that anyone who draws a red bamboo stick, in addition to the different duel mode, must also dy artifact refining time by half an incense stick!"


    Master Lu nced at Ao Cangsheng with a t tone.


    He was eager to see what kind of reaction Master Yi, who thought he could counter him, would have upon hearing this.