Chapter Eighty-Five: The Difficult Problem

  Upon hearing Wang Yun's somewhat urgent voice, the others sitting at the same table couldn't help but exchange a glance, and they all saw a hint of surprise and curiosity in each other's eyes. Wang Yun was someone with some reputation among the inner disciples, yet he actually paid attention to a small, inconspicuous figure sitting in the corner.

  Everyone at the same table couldn't help but feel some curiosity towards Kong Fang sitting in the corner.

  Wang looked at the Flame Armor youth and the Cyan Robe youth with a hint of urgency and anticipation in his eyes.

  Wang Wei's gaze caused the Flame Armor youth and the Cyan Robe youth to pause for a moment, both of them subconsciously nodded before shaking their heads again.

  "Do you know him or not? What's with the nodding and shaking of your head?" Wang Wei was getting a bit frantic.

  "We knew him, but he..." The Flame Armor youth's face turned slightly unnatural at this point.

  "What's wrong with him?" Wang Yun asked in a low and urgent voice.

  "But he may not recognize us." The Flame Armor youth's face showed a hint of awkwardness after speaking, as they had met Kong Fang yesterday and judging from his expression at the time, it was clear that he didn't know them. This made the proud and arrogant Flame Armor youth and the Cyan Long Robe youth, who thought their equipment-refining abilities were far superior to Kong Fang's, feel quite uncomfortable.

  Before, when the people of Muhou Sect distributed the refining materials, both of them clearly saw that Kong Fang's materials were exactly the same as theirs. This made the pride in their hearts shatter instantly. Both of them were unwilling to believe that Kong Fang had the ability to refine a lower-grade Heavenly Spirit Treasure, but the fact did not allow them to refute it.

  Now, seeing Wang Yun's expression again, the two of them suddenly felt a bit uneasy in their hearts. This newly promoted junior brother might have really done something that others couldn't do, and had actually refined a low-grade acquired spiritual treasure in just half a year. And they had gone to provoke such a genius, truly looking for trouble when there was none.

  Upon hearing the two men's conversation, a hint of disappointment flashed across Wang Wei's eyes, but the curiosity in the hearts of the others at the table was piqued. Everyone hastily made way for two seats, allowing the Flame Armor youth and his companion to take their places.

  After the two sat down, one of them asked in a hurry: "Since you know him, quickly tell us who he is. When we saw him sitting in the corner earlier, we thought he was an unknown little person."

  The Flame Armor Youth and the Cyan Long Robe Youth were both shocked as they looked at the speaker, then glanced at others, only to find that their expressions were not much different from the speaker's, apparently all taking Kong Fang as a minor character.

  The youth in blue robes let out a bitter laugh, and immediately told Kong Fang about him getting first place in the previous Refining Equipment exam, as well as what he had seen earlier - that Kong Fang had received the same refining materials as them.

  Although the crowd was somewhat surprised that Kong Fang obtained the first place in the Refining Equipment Assessment, they were only limited to being surprised and did not have a particularly strong feeling. After all, every time the Refining Equipment Assessment is held, the level of the participants is always mixed, with some being high and others being low.

  However, everyone was shocked that Kong Fang had obtained the same refining materials as them. Having the same refining materials meant that Kong Fang's refined product would also be a low-grade acquired spiritual treasure.

  "This can't be, are you two seeing things wrong? He's only been a disciple of the inner hall for more than half a year, how is it possible that his equipment refining skills have improved to this level?" Someone didn't believe and immediately retorted.

  The Flame Armor Youth and the Cyan Long Robe Youth hadn't spoken yet, but Wang Wei, who had always been silent, suddenly spoke up, "No, they didn't see wrongly."

  Everyone was stunned and involuntarily turned their heads in surprise to look at Wang Wei.

  "That disciple named Kong Fang was the first to come out of the forging room, and his forged weapon and armor were also successful at once. I... have seen him after coming out of the forging room." Wang Wei said with a bitter smile.

  Everyone was shocked and involuntarily turned their heads to look at Kong Fang, who was quietly cultivating in the corner after eating and drinking his fill. This person they had been neglecting all along turned out to be such a genius, with equipment refinement speed not only faster than Wang Wei's, but also able to refine lower-grade post-heavenly spiritual treasures in just over half a year.

  "It's no surprise to me that he can do this now." Wang Wei also looked at Kong Fang in the corner, his eyes full of admiration. "While we were casually chatting and passing the time, he was working hard to cultivate himself. With such diligence and a decent innate talent, it's normal for him to achieve this much."

  The others suddenly fell silent. Compared to Kong Fang, except for being older and entering the inner hall earlier, they couldn't compare in other aspects.

  At this time, another Qi Zong disciple came to the Muhua residence. This was already the thirteenth person to arrive at the Muhua residence. He casually found a seat and sat down, eating the food on the table without any politeness.

  Ten minutes later, Qingmu elder, middle-aged and young Zi Feng came to Muhua residence together.

  Everyone who was chatting and drinking stopped, and all eyes were on the three Qingmu elders entering Muhua Residence. Kong Fang in the corner also stopped his cultivation.

  "First of all, congratulations to all the fellow Taoists who have passed this selection." Young Master Zifeng smiled and said: "After passing the selection, you will not only receive 400 contribution points for refining two lower-grade postnatal spiritual treasures, but also an additional 100 contribution points, which is a small token of appreciation from my Muhang Sect to all of you."

  Among the thirteen disciples of Mu Hua, more than half of them had a smile on their faces. One hundred contribution points were equivalent to half of the income from refining a low-grade acquired spiritual treasure, and this was still obtained without paying anything.

  Some people are very calm, their equipment forging abilities are not weak, although they don't gain much from doing tasks usually, but they also won't take 100 contribution points lightly. They care more about the next task, because the rewards for the next task are generous.

  "I'd like to ask, fellow Taoist friends, when cultivating the instrument, can one achieve a golden body through fire refinement?" Zi Feng asked sincerely.

  Everyone except Kong Fang was stunned by these words. The emergence of Huo Lian Jin Shen is not that easy. If they were to refine the Quan Lingbao, there would be a high possibility of Huo Lian Jin Shen appearing, but refining the lower-grade Hou Tian Lingbao makes it even more difficult for Huo Lian Jin Shen to appear. If they could emerge with Huo Lian Jin Shen, they might have already broken through and can refine the middle-grade Hou Tian Lingbao.

  Since young Master Zi Feng asked this way, he must be referring to the lower-grade, post-heavenly spiritual treasures that they can refine, rather than the Quanling Treasure.

  Kong Fang looked at Qingmu in surprise, not understanding why they would ask such a question.

  Elder Qingmu coughed lightly and said slowly, "If any fellow daoist has a one in ten chance of obtaining the Fire Refining Golden Body when refining the Lower Grade Heaven Spirit Treasure, then he will be in charge of leading the refinement of the equipment. At that time, my Wooden Path Sect will reward him with double the pay."

  Hearing that they could get double the pay, many people's eyes lit up. The next task only needed to be done according to the requirements of the Wooden Path Sect, and they could obtain 600 contribution points, which was a very generous reward. If it were doubled, that would be 1,200 contribution points, enough to exchange for a One-Star Soul Refining Method. Such a task was really exciting, but soon, many people couldn't help but smile wryly and shake their heads.

  These 1200 points of contribution aren't that easy to get, and for them to achieve the Golden Elixir is already very difficult, let alone having a one percent chance.

  They now have a success rate of only 50-60% when refining the lower-grade Tianling Treasure, and even the best ones can only reach 60-70%. With such a low success rate, it's really too difficult to have a 1-2% chance of achieving Huolian Golden Body.

  Kong Fang was very moved by the reward given by Qingmu Elder, and after refining the lower-grade Tianling Treasure, as long as it wasn't some very special materials, he almost always appeared with a fire-refined golden body when refining, not to mention a 10% chance, even 50% wouldn't be a problem. However, before knowing the true purpose of Qingmu Elder and his group, Kong Fang couldn't admit that he would appear with a fire-refined golden body when refining equipment.

  Looking at everyone shaking their heads and looking regretful, a hint of disappointment flashed in Qingmu's eyes.

  "This time's task only requires refining equipment, why did Qingmu Elder specially request the probability of Huo Lian Jin Shen appearing?" A voice suddenly rang out, causing everyone in Muhua Residence to be stunned for a moment.

  Aoki Elder looked towards the direction of the sound in surprise, and everyone else also turned their gaze in that direction.

  When Wang Wei and others found that the speaker was actually Kong Fang, several people's faces showed a very strange expression, wondering what this junior brother who had been promoted to Nei Tang for only half a year wanted to do.