# Chapter 1626: Sprint
Mu Qingying's heart was in turmoil at this moment. She had never imagined that Mu Xiao would do such a thing, nor had she ever considered Mu Xiao as her man. Although she, Mu Qingying, could not compare to Mu Linxue, she was still beautiful and charming, pursued by many outstanding young men, and her talent was also very good. There was no way she would choose a guard. But Mu Xiao's actions carried a hint of threat, which she could clearly see.
"Let's go out and take a look." Mu Qingying changed the subject, then her body trembled slightly as she rushed into the void. At this moment, there were many people surrounding the imperial artifact she had refined. Seeing Mu Qingying emerge, they all revealed smiling faces.
"Qingying, congratulations on refining an imperial artifact. Now, you have officially advanced into the ranks of artifact refiners."
"Qingying, it seems that in this artifact refining competition, you will also be able to showcase your talents." The crowd congratulated her one after another. Among these people, some offered genuine congratulations, while others were envious, especially those young people of the same generation. Mu Qingying had refined an imperial artifact, which meant she might secure a spot for the Mu Mansion to participate in the artifact refining competition. This made their chances even slimmer, unless they too could refine an imperial artifact.
"Father." Mu Qingying's gaze fell upon a middle-aged man, revealing a beautiful smile. Having refined an imperial artifact, she was naturally overjoyed.
"Qingying, not bad. Now, you have caught up with Linxue. This time, you will definitely secure a spot in the artifact refining competition." Mu Qingying's father said with a smile. Seeing his daughter refine an imperial artifact, how could he not be happy?
Surrounded by glory and praise, Mu Qingying momentarily forgot the displeasure from earlier, feeling a sense of elation. Because of Mu Linxue's existence, she had never been the center of attention in the Mu Mansion. Deep down, besides admiring Mu Linxue, she also harbored a hint of jealousy. She had never shown it before, but at this moment of refining an imperial artifact, she felt that she at least had the qualifications to be mentioned alongside Mu Linxue. Just as her father said, hadn't Mu Linxue only refined a first-grade imperial artifact as well?
"Father flatters me. Sister Linxue was able to refine imperial artifacts much earlier." Mu Qingying said with a smile.
"They are both first-grade artifact refiners. What does it matter who was earlier or later?" Her father praised without reservation. Seeing his own daughter excel, he naturally felt proud and honored.
"Chi, chi!" A crisp sound came, and the crowd seemed to sense a powerful aura emanating from the inner courtyard where Mu Linxue was.
Then, the refining room was broken open, and a dazzling, radiant armor floated into the void, suspended there. It had flowing flames and the heaviness of the earth. A single piece of thin armor gave people an illusion, as if it were an indestructible shield that no sharp object could penetrate.
"A second-grade imperial artifact, and a very high-quality imperial artifact armor at that." The pupils of the crowd suddenly contracted. Someone had refined a second-grade imperial artifact. Below, two figures soared into the air. They were none other than the most beautiful woman of the Mu Mansion, Mu Linxue.
This scene caused Mu Qingying's father's expression to freeze. He had just been saying that his daughter's talent was no less than Mu Linxue's, but in the blink of an eye, Mu Linxue had already refined a second-grade imperial artifact, completely overshadowing Mu Qingying's glory.
Mu Qingying's expression also froze, her joy gradually fading. A second-grade imperial artifact. Linxue had already reached the level of a second-grade artifact refiner. In the end, she still could not compare.
"Miss, we still have time. We can strive for a second-grade imperial artifact." Mu Xiao seemed to understand Mu Qingying's thoughts and whispered beside her. Mu Qingying turned her gaze to Mu Xiao and nodded. "That's right, there is still time. We will also have our chance."
More and more powerful figures gathered. Many of the older generation in the Mu Mansion were stirred. Among those under thirty years old, only two people in the Mu Mansion had refined a second-grade imperial artifact. The other person was much older than Mu Linxue, nearly thirty years of age.
"Linxue, there are still a few months left. I will get you the best materials. If you need someone to carve formations to cooperate with you, you can tell me, and I will do my best to find someone in the Mu Mansion for you." Mu Linxue's second grandfather spoke.
"No need. I will work hard on my own." Mu Linxue shook her head again. To find someone more skilled in formations than Lin Feng was simply impossible. Even if she could find someone, they would not help her like Lin Feng did. Formation masters were also very proud; they would not willingly work for others. Although she did not know Lin Feng's motives, at least she could feel his sincerity. That was enough. Since they were partners, she should not doubt him.
"Very well." Mu Linxue's second grandfather knew that this girl was stubborn. Then she would have to rely on herself. However, a second-grade imperial artifact was still not enough to defeat Yan Feng. That Yan Feng was already a second-grade artifact refiner on his own and had been recognized by the Yan Jin Tower. The Yan Jin Tower held Yan Feng in high regard. If he also had a formation master, Yan Feng would definitely use the best materials in the artifact refining competition and would likely refine a third-grade imperial artifact.
"Alright, everyone disperse." The old man waved his hand, and the crowd gradually dispersed. The people around Mu Qingying also left. At this moment, Mu Qingying came before Mu Linxue and smiled, "Sister Linxue, congratulations on refining a second-grade imperial artifact. Now you are also a second-grade artifact refiner. If only you had someone to help you carve formations, then you would have a chance to defeat that Yan Feng."
"I will work hard. Qingying, you have also done well, refining an imperial artifact. There is still some time. Let's work hard together." Mu Linxue smiled, then took the armor and handed it to Lin Feng, saying, "This armor, wear it."
This scene caused Mu Qingying's expression to stiffen. A second-grade imperial artifact, and Linxue was just giving it to Lin Feng like that?
"Sister Linxue." Mu Qingying was displeased. What kind of love potion had this lustful and cowardly fellow fed Linxue, that she would treat him so well?
Lin Feng had originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Mu Qingying's displeasure made him annoyed. He smiled and took the armor, saying, "I won't stand on ceremony."
"You..." Mu Qingying hadn't expected Lin Feng to actually dare to take it. But before she could finish her words, Mu Linxue said again, "Alright, Qingying, go back. I need to continue refining artifacts."
Mu Qingying opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she just nodded. "I'll go refine artifacts too. Sister Linxue, be careful of certain people."
Seeing Mu Qingying leave, Mu Linxue smiled and shook her head at Lin Feng. "Lin Feng, Qingying is not a bad person. She just has some misunderstandings about you. Don't take it to heart."
Lin Feng smiled and nodded. A young lady from a large family, talented as she was, was too young and had never experienced the bloody trials of the outside world. She had no idea what true danger was. With Lin Feng's temperament, he couldn't be bothered to argue with her over such petty tantrums. He was just a bit annoyed but didn't take it to heart at all.
"She just needs to be careful of Mu Xiao." Lin Feng said casually, then his body moved toward the refining room. Mu Linxue's eyes flickered. Be careful of Mu Xiao? It seemed she would have to remind Qingying. Lin Feng wouldn't say such things without reason.
Her body also descended into the refining room. Mu Linxue looked at the refining furnace and said, "A second-grade imperial artifact is still not enough. We still need to push forward, but first, we must stabilize."
"Linxue." Lin Feng called out. Mu Linxue turned her gaze to Lin Feng, a question in her beautiful eyes.
"First, think about what kind of imperial artifact you want to refine in the competition, and what formations you need to cooperate. I plan to go into seclusion for a while to study the Dao of Formations thoroughly and perfect the formations you need to their strongest. The formation carved into today's Earth Armor was not my peak strength. I can be even stronger." Lin Feng said to Mu Linxue. The Three Thousand Grand Array Dao each had its own wonders. He needed Mu Linxue to first decide what imperial artifact to refine, so he could consider what formations to carve, then go into seclusion to comprehend them fully.
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Mu Linxue's eyes sparkled. His formations could be even stronger?
"Lin Feng, thank you so much." Mu Linxue smiled.
"How many times have you said thank you now?" Lin Feng smiled bitterly and joked, "Since every time I say 'no need to thank me' doesn't work, why don't you tell me how you'll repay me?"
Mu Linxue's beautiful eyes blinked, then she revealed a hint of playfulness. "How about offering myself to you? Do you dare to accept?"
"Uh..." Lin Feng was stunned, then smiled bitterly. "I dare not. You'd better think carefully about what imperial artifact to refine. I'll go out for a stroll."
Seeing Lin Feng slip away, Mu Linxue's smile became even more radiant. She glared at Lin Feng's back and murmured to herself, "Coward. You ask for nothing but come to help me. I thought you liked me. I tested you, and you ran away so fast. Could it be that I guessed right?"
Thinking this, Mu Linxue smiled brightly, leaning against the wall. She really needed to think about what imperial artifact to refine. Lin Feng said he could carve even stronger formations. If she also gave her all and used the best materials that the flames could melt, they would have a chance to refine a third-grade imperial artifact. That way, they would have a chance to defeat Yan Feng. But if both of them refined third-grade imperial artifacts, they would have to compare the types of artifacts. Whose was more difficult? So this question was indeed worth considering.
In the following days, Lin Feng and Mu Linxue cooperated in refining artifacts for a while. After that, Lin Feng went into seclusion to study formations. Mu Linxue had already decided what kind of imperial artifact to refine, so he studied what formations would best complement that artifact to provide the strongest support.
Time flew by. The artifact refining competition was drawing closer and closer. When only seven days remained, Lin Feng finally emerged from seclusion. Pushing open the door, he bathed in the sunlight, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
"You're finally out." Mu Linxue was also in the courtyard. Seeing Lin Feng come out, she revealed a sweet smile.
"I'm out. I'm ready. Now, should we try to strive for a third-grade imperial artifact? I think it shouldn't be too difficult." Lin Feng said with a smile.
"No need. Artifact refining requires balance. In these last few days, we won't refine anymore. We'll conserve our energy and put all our effort into the competition." Mu Linxue took a deep breath, then walked to Lin Feng's side and smiled, "Lin Feng, my fate is in your hands."