273: Prepare

Several more days passed, and the atmosphere in Juyan City grew increasingly fervent. News of the martial arts competition to find a spouse was like drops of water thrown into a pot of oil, making the entire city boil. In every street and alley, teahouse and tavern, everyone was talking about the upcoming grand event—which brave warrior would defeat the notoriously fierce Third Miss, or be carried off the arena once again.

Beyond this clamor, another inconspicuous competition was quietly being prepared.

Beside the Hundred Refinements Plaza in the west of the city, in front of an ancient three-story stone building, Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom stood side by side. Above the stone building's door hung a black plaque with gold characters—"Forging Pavilion." This was the location of Juyan City's Artifact Refiner Guild and also the registration point for the Forging Competition.

"Are you ready?" Cold Peach Blossom asked in a low voice, her gaze sweeping over her husband's slightly nervous Face.

Tao Yuanyi took a deep breath and clenched his fists: "I'm ready. These past few days, I've re-studied the 'Hundred Refinements Forging Method' taught by Master, and also observed the forging processes of several local Great Masters. I feel my grasp of the heat has improved another level."

A hint of tenderness flashed in Cold Peach Blossom's eyes: "Yuanyi, your heart has always been on medicine and protection since you were young. It's rare for you to have a chance to display your Artifact Refining talent. No matter the outcome this time, I'll be proud of you."

The two exchanged a look and walked hand-in-hand into the Forging Pavilion.

The interior of the pavilion was simply but solidly furnished. Portraits and deeds of past Artifact Refining Great Masters hung on the walls, and the air was filled with the unique scent of metal mixed with furnace fire. Several Artifact Refiner apprentices were busy behind the counter. Seeing someone enter, a middle-aged steward came forward to greet them.

"Are the two of you here to register for the Forging Competition?" The steward scrutinized Tao Yuanyi, seeing his calm demeanor and the ancient-looking short hammer hanging at his waist—a token gifted by Ouyang Lie—and a hint of respect flashed in his eyes.

"Precisely." Tao Yuanyi cupped his fists, "I am Tao Yuanyi of Medicine King Valley, a Disciple of Great Master Ouyang Lie. I have specially come to register for the competition."

"A Disciple of Great Master Ouyang Lie?" The steward's eyes lit up. "My apologies for the oversight. Great Master Ouyang's forging skills are renowned even in the Northern Region. Please follow me to register."

The registration process went smoothly. The steward explained the competition rules in detail: three days later, thirty forging platforms would be set up in the Hundred Refinements Plaza; contestants needed to bring their own tools and some auxiliary materials, while the main materials would be uniformly provided by the City Lord's Mansion; there would be a time limit of six hours to forge a weapon or armor of at least Profound Rank High Grade; finally, five judges would jointly evaluate and determine the top three.

"Does Great Master Tao have confidence?" the steward asked curiously after the registration was complete.

Tao Yuanyi smiled humbly: "I will do my best."

Leaving the Forging Pavilion, Cold Peach Blossom whispered, "There are quite a few registrants. I just glimpsed the roster, at least fifty people. Among them are many Young Masters from famous forging families in Juyan City."

"No matter." A hint of fighting spirit flashed in Tao Yuanyi's eyes. "Only by competing with experts can one truly show their worth."

Meanwhile, in the Quiet Room of the inn, Qin Feng had just finished his Cultivation.

The medicinal effect of the Star Core Meridian-Mending Pill far exceeded expectations. In just four days, his damaged Meridians had recovered by seventy percent, and his Dantian had stabilized again. Although his cultivation had not fully returned to Mid-stage Martial King, he could at least exert the full combat power of an Early Stage Martial King, and his True Essence circulation was more refined than before.

What surprised him even more was the accelerated repair of his Sword Heart and Sword Bone. Although the System panel still displayed "Severely Damaged, Repairing," he could clearly feel that the tearing pain he experienced every time he wielded his sword was lessening, replaced by a new, tingling sensation.

"System, check today's intelligence," Qin Feng silently chanted in his mind.

The light screen unfolded, and three new pieces of intelligence appeared:

[Yellow Intelligence]: Tao Yuanyi's Artifact Refining skill assessment—capable of independently forging Earth Rank Low Grade weapons with a 70% success rate; repairing Earth Rank Medium Grade weapons with an 80% success rate; if Cold Peach Blossom assists with fire control and detail processing, the success rate for forging Earth Rank Medium Grade weapons can increase to 50%. His greatest advantage lies in his unique understanding of the Fusion of medicinal materials and metals (inherited from Medicine King Valley), allowing him to forge weapons with special effects such as healing and detoxification.

Qin Feng's eyes lit up. This intelligence came just in time, clearly assessing Tao Yuanyi's strength. Independent forging of Earth Rank Low Grade was definitely outstanding among the younger generation. Even more rare was the "special effect," which was a unique advantage of Medicine King Valley.

[Yellow Intelligence]: Among the contestants under forty in this Forging Competition, three have Artifact Refining skills comparable to Tao Yuanyi: 1. Sun Yu (thirty-eight years old), Young Lord of the Sun Family in Juyan City, skilled in forging heavy weapons, especially war hammers and great axes; 2. Zhou Mosh world (thirty-five years old), an Inner Sect Disciple of the Red Flame Sect, specializing in fire-attribute longsword forging; 3. Han Leng (thirty-three years old), a Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiner known as "Cold Iron Hand," famous for forging soft armor and unconventional weapons. The final outcome will depend on on-the-spot performance and creative design.

Three pieces of intelligence on formidable rivals! Qin Feng firmly memorized these three names. Knowing oneself and one's enemy ensures victory in every battle. Tao Yuanyi needed to adapt to the characteristics of these opponents, leveraging his strengths and mitigating his weaknesses.

[Yellow Intelligence]: Yan Lie, the Eldest Young Master of Juyan City, is hosting this Forging Competition. Ostensibly, it is to select talent and promote the Dao of Artifact Refining, but in reality, he has other motives. He intends to recruit a group of Artifact Refining Masters through the competition to form his private forging team, accumulating strength for his future bid for the City Lord's succession. The top three contestants, if willing to join his faction, will receive generous resources and status but will also be drawn into the internal power struggles of the City Lord's Mansion.

"So that's how it is..." Qin Feng frowned slightly.

Internal power struggles within the City Lord's Mansion were not good news. While City Lord Yan Di was in his prime, there were likely already undercurrents of conflict between Eldest Young Master Yan Lie, Second Young Miss Yan Xin, and Third Young Miss Yan Chi. Yan Chi's choice to hold a martial arts competition for a spouse might also be a consideration to avoid these struggles.

If Tao Yuanyi truly ranked in the top three, should he accept Yan Lie's invitation? This was a question that needed careful consideration.

As Qin Feng pondered, a gentle knock came from the door.

"Qin Feng, it's me." Xia Xue's voice came through.

Qin Feng opened the door to see Xia Xue standing outside with a food box, a mysterious smile on her Face.

"What is it, something wrong?" Qin Feng stepped aside to let her in.

Xia Xue placed the food box on the table and opened the lid, revealing several exquisite small dishes and a pot of warmed wine. She poured two cups for herself, pushing one towards Qin Feng: "First, congratulations, your Meridians have recovered well."

Qin Feng picked up the wine cup, surprised: "You can tell?"

"Don't forget, I wasn't in the Chiyan Guard for nothing." Xia Xue smiled slyly. "Our captain is a Mid-stage Martial Emperor expert, and he taught me how to sense others' aura. Your aura is much more stable than a few days ago, and there's a faint Sword Qi contained within, which is clearly a sign of your injuries improving."

Qin Feng took a sip of wine. It was warm, fruity, and smooth on the throat: "Thank you. These past few days, I owe it to the Star Core Meridian-Mending Pill you brought."

"That was Father's intention." Xia Xue waved her hand, her expression becoming serious. "I came to tell you something—about the Forging Competition."

"Oh?" Qin Feng put down his wine cup.

"I heard that Eldest Young Master Yan Lie attaches great importance to this competition." Xia Xue lowered her voice. "He has privately contacted several famous young Artifact Refiners, promising many benefits."

Qin Feng's heart tensed: "You mean..."

"Yan Lie wants to ensure that the top three are his people, or at least people willing to pledge allegiance to him." Xia Xue's eyes were grave. "This way, he can legitimately form a forging team and strengthen his own power. I'm worried that if Senior Brother Tao performs exceptionally but is unwilling to pledge allegiance, he might be targeted."

This coincided with the System's intelligence. Qin Feng pondered, "How do you think we should deal with it?"

Xia Xue mused for a moment: "Two choices. First, Senior Brother Tao hides his strength, only aiming to pass the assessment and not contend for the top three—but then we won't get the 'right to make a request' for the champion, and our plan will fall through."

"And the second?"

"Second, Senior Brother Tao competes with all his might, but we must prepare a fallback plan in advance." A flash of wisdom appeared in Xia Xue's eyes. "I suggest that if Senior Brother Tao truly gets into the top three, he can propose a condition that Yan Lie cannot refuse—for example, joining as a Guest Elder but maintaining independence, and only forging a specific number of works for him. This way, it gives Yan Lie Face without being completely tied to his war chariot."

Qin Feng thought for a moment and slowly nodded: "That's a good idea. But the premise is that Senior Brother Tao can actually make it into the top three."

"So we need more intelligence." Xia Xue took a folded piece of paper from her sleeve. "These are the details of the main opponents I got through my connections in the Chiyan Guard. They include their areas of expertise, common techniques, and even some habitual weaknesses."

Qin Feng took the paper, which was densely packed with information, even accompanied by simple portraits. The value of this intelligence was no less than the System's yellow intelligence.

"Xia Xue, I won't forget this favor," Qin Feng said solemnly.

Xia Xue smiled brightly: "Why be so polite? We are friends, and even more, comrades. In Star South City, didn't you also save me?"

The two chatted for a while longer before Xia Xue got up to leave.

After seeing Xia Xue off, Qin Feng immediately found Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom, laying out all the intelligence Xia Xue brought and his own analysis.

Tao Yuanyi remained silent for a long time after listening, then said, "The Dao of Artifact Refining values sincerity. If I deliberately hide my abilities to avoid trouble, it would go against my original intention."

Cold Peach Blossom held her husband's hand and softly said, "Then go all out. As for Yan Lie's invitation... we'll act according to the situation when the time comes. People from our Medicine King Valley are not soft persimmons to be easily manipulated."

Qin Feng nodded: "It's best that Senior Brother Tao has such ambition. As for Yan Lie's side, I already have a preliminary countermeasure. You two just focus on preparing for the competition."

Over the next two days, Tao Yuanyi almost forgot to eat and sleep. He repeatedly studied the opponents' information, adjusted his forging plans, and even simulated the forging process several times. Cold Peach Blossom, meanwhile, was responsible for preparing various auxiliary materials and tools, ensuring everything was foolproof.

On the eve of the martial arts competition for a spouse, Juyan City was brightly lit, with countless people too excited to sleep.

Qin Feng stood by the inn window, looking at the faint firelight visible in the direction of the City Lord's Mansion, where Yan Chi was still Cultivating.

Tomorrow, two grand dramas would unfold simultaneously.