In the Virtual Universe, within the Artifact Refiner Competition space.
Similar to the Pinnacle Battle, the 1008 Universe Country's team, totaling 201,600 participants, gathered under the leadership of the Immortal Team Leaders from various Universe Countries.
After the Immortal Team Leaders from each Universe Country settled their teams, they arrived at Restaurant No. 1.
"Haha! Everyone, we meet again."
"I thought we'd meet again at the next Genius Battle, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."
"It is quite fast; the Pinnacle Genius Battle only ended two thousand years ago."
One by one, the Immortal entered the restaurant and greeted each other. They were all quite familiar with each other, having led teams in the recent Pinnacle Battles.
"This Artifact Refiner Competition is different from the Pinnacle Battle."
One Immortal said, "It's said that the participants who will enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company will be decided very quickly."
"The speed at which Artifact Refiners determine a winner is indeed faster than the Pinnacle Battle."
Another Immortal replied, "However, there are also many Artifact Refiners of the same Rank, so at that time, it will be necessary to determine the winner based on the speed of refining the same weapon."
Yet another Immortal interjected, "Perhaps it's because I've watched too many Pinnacle Battles, but I feel this Artifact Refiner Competition is quite interesting."
The Immortal Team Leaders chatted, occasionally mentioning the situation of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company. When they talked about the branches in various High-Rank Universe Countries, their words were filled with envy.
Compared to the five Leviathans of Humanity that were established earlier, the strength of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's branch managers in various Universe Countries was clearly more than just a notch weaker.
Because of this, they had thoughts of wishing they could replace them.
Why? Because most of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's branch managers were Military Lord Immortals, yet their treatment and power were far superior to those of them, the trusted subordinates of Universe Venerables!
If they had the chance to enter the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, they would join without hesitation to gain considerable power and more resources.
However, it was not easy to join the newly established Leviathan of Humanity; without some connections, it was very difficult to get in!
...
On the other side.
After the Immortal Team Leaders left, the participants from all Universe Countries left their respective buildings one after another, going to the Central Square in twos and threes to relax.
The Central Square, designed for leisure activities, was not only beautiful, filled with various flowers, plants, and trees, but also vast, capable of accommodating over a million people for recreation.
A Universe Level member of the Lan Ting Universe Country team sat alone on a chair in a corner of the square.
This participant was named Erotta, and his preliminary score was the top Rank in the Lan Ting Universe Country's Universe Level group.
In this vast square, he was inconspicuous alone.
"I must achieve good results in this Universe Artifact Refiner Competition and enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company!"
Erotta secretly gritted his teeth, "With my Artifact Refining Rank, I can definitely become a core member of the Lanting Branch, or even a core member of the Huge Axe Dojo headquarters!"
As an Artifact Refiner, achieving the top Rank in the Universe Country preliminaries on a stage like the Artifact Refiner Competition was enough to demonstrate his Artifact Refining Rank.
However, with his current Artifact Refining Rank, he was only an internal member of the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch and had been unable to become a core member of the Lanting Branch.
This was because the core member slots were always reserved, and some even parachuted in from other branches, securing precious core member spots.
He was a native-born Universe Level, with no background, no super high Law talent, and only Artifact Refiner talent.
Forget about trying to enter the Core Region of the Huge Axe Dojo headquarters; just gaining the identity of a core member of the Lanting Branch was as difficult as ascending to the heavens!
"In the Pinnacle Genius Battle and the Strongest Battle, each Universe Country has a thousand slots, and only 1,000 people can enter the Core Region of the two Great Giants."
Erotta murmured, "From the participant quotas of each Universe Country, it can be seen that the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition is very fierce..."
"Out of 100,800 Universe Level participants, only 100 can enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company!"
"If it were based on my Artifact Refining Rank three years ago, the possibility of entering the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company would be high, but I couldn't guarantee 100% entry."
"Fortunately, my Artifact Refining Rank has made a Breakthrough in the past three years. As long as nothing unexpected happens, I will definitely be able to enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
"As long as I can enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, I will completely break away from the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch, that..."
Finally, Erotta's eyes showed determination, "An abyss that can never be climbed out of!"
As a Universe Level, he was already seventy thousand years old and had been in the internal member position of the Lanting Branch for a full forty thousand years.
He did not believe that in the remaining thirty thousand years, he would have the chance to enter the Core Region of the Huge Axe Dojo.
No chance as a Universe Level, and even less chance if he became a World Master in the future!
It could be said that his upper limit would be locked in the Lanting Branch, making it very difficult to go to the Huge Axe Dojo headquarters.
He was very unwilling to accept this!
The emergence of the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition gave him a chance to change his destiny. As long as he seized this opportunity, he could achieve a Heaven-Defying change of fate!
Furthermore, the Artifact Refiner Competition held by the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company truly delighted him.
The importance this force placed on Artifact Refiners was something he could not experience in the Huge Axe Dojo!
...
Evening.
As the star in the sky gradually set.
A grand and majestic voice resonated in the minds of all Artifact Refiners and Immortal Team Leaders in the entire space.
"Artifact Refiners of the 1008 Universe Country, gather in the Central Square."
When the voice fell.
Whether they were Universe Level, Domain Master, or World Master Level Artifact Refiners, their bodies moved involuntarily.
They flew from their respective buildings, or from restaurants, squares, and the sky, landing in the empty Central Square.
The Immortal Team Leaders arrived at the Central Square first, watching with interest the Artifact Refiners whose bodies seemed to be beyond their control.
When 201,600 Artifact Refiners stood in formation according to their Universe Country, the space in the sky warped, like a constantly rotating vortex.
Boom!
A powerful Divine Power pressure descended, as if it could crush everyone present, causing the hearts of the Artifact Refiners to tremble.
The next moment.
A figure appeared in the center of the spatial vortex, his profound gaze falling upon the Artifact Refiners below.
"Artifact Refiners from the 1008 Universe Country."
Then, a slightly gentle voice sounded, "Welcome, all of you, to participate in the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition hosted by our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Upon hearing this voice, the Artifact Refiners only felt the pressure suddenly decrease, and the powerful pressure that seemed capable of crushing them completely dissipated.
The Artifact Refiners looked up, gazing towards the source of the voice.
They saw a man in a black battle suit, seemingly in a different space, smiling down at them.
When this black-clad man appeared, the Artifact Refiners noticed that the Immortal Team Leaders of the 1008 Universe Country all bowed their heads in respect.
This led them to a guess: this black-clad man was... a Universe Venerable Rank expert!
The Artifact Refiners also couldn't help but bow their heads, showing respect to this Universe Venerable Rank expert.
And this black-clad man was precisely Venerable Bei Ming, who was in charge of presiding over this Artifact Refiner Competition.
"From the 1008 Universe Country, each Universe Country has selected 100 Universe Level, 50 Domain Master, and 50 World Master Level individuals, totaling 201,600 people."
Venerable Bei Ming looked down at the Artifact Refiners and continued, "Our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company will only recruit 100 Universe Level, 50 Domain Master, and 50 World Master Level individuals from among you."
"Artifact Refiners compete based on Artifact Refining Rank, so the rules of the competition... are very simple!"
"Universe Level will start by refining Second-order Weapons, Domain Master will start by refining Third-order Weapons, and World Master Level will start by refining Fourth-order Weapons."
"In each round, the refining difficulty will increase until the number of Artifact Refiners who successfully refine a weapon is less than the recruitment quota. Then, the excellent individuals from the Artifact Refiners who passed the previous round's assessment will be selected to fill the remaining spots."
Venerable Bei Ming paused, then continued, "In other words, the first stage of the competition will determine the 100 Universe Level, 50 Domain Master, and 50 World Master Level individuals who will enter our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
"The rest... will all be eliminated!"
As the voice fell, Venerable Bei Ming disappeared into the spatial vortex.
Upon hearing this, the Artifact Refiners were all astonished!
The Artifact Refiner Competition had already reached the final stage, yet the rules were still so simple and direct, which truly exceeded their expectations.
This meant that 200,000 Artifact Refiners would be eliminated in the first stage!
...
Afterward, the Artifact Refiners, led by the Immortal from their respective Universe Countries, returned to their buildings to rest.
At Building 183, where the Lan Ting Universe Country was located.
The Immortal Team Leader brought everyone to the first floor of the building, looking at the 200 Artifact Refiners in front of him and said, "Don't be surprised."
"The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company is a major force on par with the five Leviathans of Humanity. The core members they intend to recruit must be Geniuses and elites."
"You are the elites of my Lan Ting Universe Country. Even if you don't enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, you will be recruited by the Lan Lei Secret Realm and the six Great Giant branches."
"Whether you enter the Lan Ting Secret Realm or one of the six Great Giant branches, you all have the hope of becoming an Immortal."
Finally, the Immortal Team Leader said, "Everyone, rest well and adjust your state. Strive for a good result tomorrow."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Immortal Team Leader dismissed everyone.
Erotta left with the others, a tension on his face identical to theirs.
However, in his heart, he secretly thought, "I must enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company. Only then can I break away from the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch."
Although he participated in the Artifact Refiner Competition with the Lanting Branch's approval, it was because they simply didn't take him seriously.
But when he achieved the top Rank in the Universe Country preliminaries, the department head who had approved his participation in the Artifact Refiner Competition received severe criticism.
If he failed to enter the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, he would not, like others, have the chance to join the Lan Ting Secret Realm or other Giants.
He could only return to the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch... that place like an abyss!
...
The next morning.
"All Artifact Refiners, please prepare. A collective teleportation will soon occur, sending all Artifact Refiners to their Virtual Artifact Refining Rooms."
A pleasant female voice rang out, echoing throughout the entire plane space.
And all the Artifact Refiners in the 1008 buildings had woken up early, waiting in the first-floor lobby for the competition to begin.
"Erotta, good luck."
"You are the most hopeful Artifact Refiner among the Universe Level of our Lan Ting Universe Country to enter the top 100 in the Universe."
"Erotta, you must enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Some Universe Level Artifact Refiners offered blessings and encouragement to Erotta before the collective teleportation into the Virtual Artifact Refining Room.
Suddenly—
The Artifact Refiners in the first-floor lobby of the building all turned into a white light and disappeared, teleported to their respective Virtual Artifact Refining Rooms.
Not only the Artifact Refiners in the first-floor lobby of that building, but Artifact Refiners from other buildings were also teleported away, while the Immortal Team Leaders and restaurant service personnel in the space remained unaffected.
...
Inside the Virtual Artifact Refining Room.
Erotta looked at the Virtual Artifact Refining Room, which had various Artifact Refining equipment and even allowed for customization. So, he called up a light screen to make adjustments.
Having the experience of the preliminary round, he placed the Artifact Refining equipment in positions he was familiar with, then calmly waited for the competition to begin.
Soon.
A light screen popped up in front of Erotta, with clear text in the universal language of the Universe...
"The Universe Artifact Refiner Competition finals begin. Please choose one of the following three weapons as the weapon to be refined in this round. Countdown 10, 9..."
Erotta glanced at it and, seeing that all three weapons on the light screen had been refined before, casually chose one.
With his Artifact Refining Rank, he could easily refine a Rank Two ordinary weapon, and choosing any of them would not affect his performance.
Furthermore, in each round of the competition, double the Materials were provided, plus a not-too-short Artifact Refining time, meaning there were two chances to refine.
As long as a chosen weapon was refined within the specified time, that round's assessment was considered passed.
The countdown ended.
When two sets of Materials appeared in the empty space beside him, Erotta quickly activated the furnace, then put in the Materials and began smelting...
With two-thirds of the time remaining, he had already completed the carving of the secret patterns and was performing the final tempering of the sword-shaped weapon.
"It's done."
Erotta held the sword hilt in one hand, looking at the complex and beautiful secret patterns on the sword body, a faint smile on his face.
He loved Artifact Refining.
Whenever he successfully refined a weapon or armor, he would feel a sense of accomplishment, which filled his heart with immense satisfaction.
Whoosh!
A light screen popped up, with brief text on it.
"Humming Sword qualified. This round's assessment passed."
Upon seeing the light screen appear, Erotta used his mental power to set the long sword in his hand aside, then sat cross-legged to rest.
Refining artifacts consumed a lot of stamina and mental power.
The Universe Artifact Refiner Competition was a continuous competition; as soon as the time was up, the next round would immediately begin.
Although in the Virtual Artifact Refining Room, stamina and mental power would return to a perfect state when a new round began, mental strength was difficult to recover and required the Artifact Refiner to adjust it themselves.
...
Time flowed, and in a blink of an eye, a year passed.
The Artifact Refiner Competition began and ended round after round.
As the Rank of the refined weapons increased, the refining time also significantly increased.
For these Artifact Refiners, whose strongest was no more than World Master Level, the most time-consuming part when refining high-Rank weapons was carefully carving the Law secret patterns.
Erotta sat in a corner of the Central Square, with about a hundred other people scattered around him, all looking up at the hundreds of World Master Level Artifact Refiners refining weapons in the sky.
His expression was very relaxed because he had already entered the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company and would break away from the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch. Now, he was just waiting for the unknown second stage of the competition to begin.
Several more days passed.
All hundred-plus World Masters were teleported to the Central Square, with over thirty World Masters showing excitement, while the rest looked somewhat dejected.
Whoosh!
Seeing the remaining World Master Level Artifact Refiners being teleported out, the Immortal Team Leaders from various Universe Countries rose almost simultaneously and gathered all participating Artifact Refiners.
Not long after.
The Artifact Refiners gathered. Those who had been confirmed to enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company stood separately to the side, quietly waiting for the black-clad Universe Venerable Rank expert to arrive.
Boom!
A distorted spatial vortex appeared in the sky, and Venerable Bei Ming descended with a powerful Divine Power pressure, his gaze sweeping over all participating Artifact Refiners.
Finally, his gaze fell upon the Artifact Refiners who had been confirmed to enter the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company: 79 Universe Level, 31 Domain Master, and 36 World Master Level individuals.
"Congratulations, you have been confirmed to enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Venerable Bei Ming finished speaking, then turned his gaze to the other Artifact Refiners, "Those Artifact Refiners eliminated in the last round, you will participate in the final assessment of the first stage tomorrow. This will be your last chance..."
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