One could not deny that Luo Qing's actions had certainly turned heads on the Formation Peak. However, the Artifact Peak was no less lively at this moment.
At Artifact Peak, every so often, disciples would participate in weapon-forging competitions. The primary goals were to foster better relationships among the disciples and to motivate the underachievers to strive harder. Furthermore, watching others forge weapons could provide invaluable insights to improve one's own forging skills.
"Lin Tian, what on earth has been going on with you?" Zhao Xufeng called as he pulled Lin Tian out of the forge room. The sight before him immediately shocked him. Lin Tian looked as though he had been drained of all vitality, lacking any semblance of spirit.
"Senior Brother, is there something you need from me?" Lin Tian asked in confusion, his eyes heavy with dark circles. After all, the past three days had been spent tirelessly helping Luo Qing with the Fire Silk Whip, and now, his mental energy was severely depleted.
"Not that," Zhao Xufeng replied, helplessly gazing at Lin Tian's exhausted form. "Today is the day for the outer sect disciples of Artifact Peak to compete in weapon forging. Every disciple who is not on a mission has already gathered at the competition field."
"Ah, a forging competition?" Lin Tian's eyes widened in confusion. He hadn't received any prior notice about this.
"I was going to tell you three days ago," Zhao Xufeng said with an exasperated sigh. "But you've been holed up in the forge room the entire time. I couldn't even find a moment to let you know."
"Alright then." Lin Tian responded weakly, his eyes vacant. In his current state, attempting to forge would be akin to suicide. However, as an outer sect disciple, it was unthinkable for him not to attend the competition.
"By the way, Senior Brother, did you just say that all disciples who aren't on missions have already gathered at the competition field?" Lin Tian suddenly recalled this detail.
"Yes," Zhao Xufeng nodded seriously.
"Then if I take on a mission now, I won't have to participate in the competition, right?" Lin Tian's eyes brightened, and he spoke eagerly.
"That's true," Zhao Xufeng confirmed with a nod.
"Senior Brother Zhao, would you mind telling me where the mission is?" Lin Tian's excitement was palpable.
But just as Lin Tian turned to leave, a voice interrupted.
"Lin Tian, where do you think you're going?" Turning around, Lin Tian saw Zhao Zhenjie standing there with a sly grin on his face.
Upon seeing him, Lin Tian immediately turned to leave.
"What's this, Lin Tian? Planning to flee before the battle even begins? Do you really think I won't report this to the elder in charge of the outer sect? I wonder what he'll think of this..." Zhao Zhenjie's mocking tone reached Lin Tian's ears.
With a clenched jaw, Lin Tian slowly turned his head, inwardly cursing Zhao Zhenjie a thousand times.
"I just... forgot something in the pill room." Lin Tian bit his lip and reluctantly turned back, giving Zhao Zhenjie a forced smile before walking toward the competition field.
As Lin Tian entered the field, murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Wasn't Zhao Zhenjie supposed to be going after any disciples who try to flee? Why is Lin Tian following him instead?"
"Isn't Lin Tian supposed to be a genius? Why is he running away now?"
"You all don't know, do you? He might have made a name for himself recently, but he hasn't even managed to forge a basic Xuan Iron Sword. I'd say he's just a so-called genius with no real skill."
"Now that everyone is here, we can begin the competition," Zhao Zhenjie announced with a proud smirk, casting a glance at Lin Tian. "For the first round, it's Lin Tian! Is there any disciple willing to step up and challenge him?"
"Zhao Zhenjie, this is deliberate!" Lin Tian couldn't help but exclaim at this announcement. With his current condition, if he could just rest for a while to recover some spiritual energy, he might still manage to participate. But as it was, competing in this state would only lead to humiliation.
"I'll do it."
"I'll do it."
"I'll do it."
The moment Zhao Zhenjie's words fell, the disciples of Artifact Peak erupted into chatter. After all, Lin Tian had been in the spotlight recently, and now many of them saw this as an opportunity to challenge the so-called genius. Especially if they could defeat him, their status in the sect would be greatly elevated.
"Zhenjie, Lin Tian is in no condition to compete. How about we schedule his match for last and let others go first?" Zhao Xufeng, looking increasingly worried, interjected.
"Zhao Xufeng, the elder asked you to assist me, not to question me," Zhao Zhenjie retorted sharply, his tone filled with authority.
Zhao Xufeng, though dissatisfied, had no choice but to swallow his feelings. After all, Zhao Zhenjie had invoked the elder's authority.
"Senior Brother, I appreciate your concern. It's just that, at worst, I'll embarrass myself on stage. I'm not afraid of that," Lin Tian sneered, shooting Zhao Zhenjie a sharp look before stepping onto the platform.
"Li Minghui, it's your turn." Zhao Zhenjie casually pointed at a disciple in the crowd.
Upon seeing the disciple, Zhao Xufeng's face grew even more serious. Li Minghui was one of the top forgers in the outer sect. Calling him up to compete was clearly a move to humiliate Lin Tian.
When Li Minghui took the stage, Zhao Zhenjie pulled out a small piece of paper. After reading its contents, a glint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and a sly smile began to form on his lips.