# Chapter 1634: The Second Round Ends
After Hatred Long Sky, Sima Nan and Ge Qingfeng were unwilling to fall behind and also successfully refined Imperial Artifacts. This caused many people to inwardly sigh with emotion. Although it was difficult to determine who was stronger among the younger generation, at least among those above twenty-five years old, Hatred Long Sky and the other four should be the strongest in terms of artifact refining. Among these four, three would likely claim the top three seats in this artifact refining competition and bathe in supreme glory.
On the Yan Family viewing platform, the crowd was all smiles, very satisfied with Yan Feng's performance, and conversing with the Sword Mountain people. On the Mu Manor side, some had cold expressions while others frowned. Only the Mu Manor family head maintained a calm and composed expression, making it impossible for anyone to discern what he was thinking.
"With this kind of refining speed, although they can enter the top hundred and step into the third round, as for the top ten seats, hmph!" Mu Linxue's eldest uncle glanced at Lin Feng and Mu Linxue from the corner of his eye, sneering inwardly. If they couldn't enter the top ten, he wanted to see what Mu Linxue would do.
As more and more second-grade Imperial Artifacts were successfully refined, the atmosphere of the entire artifact refining competition became even more tense. The sound of rumbling explosions came continuously, all from refining failures where furnaces burst. Artifact refining could not tolerate the slightest error; otherwise, it was easy for the refining materials to melt incorrectly, causing an explosion. As time grew tight, an immense psychological pressure was placed on everyone. Even some young geniuses with very good refining skills still couldn't avoid making mistakes.
And the result of mistakes was refining failure, requiring a restart, making time even tighter and pressure greater.
Because Yan Feng had already refined a second-grade Imperial Artifact, more and more attention gradually focused on Lin Feng and Mu Linxue. The Yan Family people, the Mu Manor people, and two Purple Robe Artifact Refining Masters from the Flame Gold Tower also occasionally paid attention to Lin Feng and Mu Linxue.
Mu Linxue and Lin Feng continued their work methodically, without any stunning moves, but they were steady and stable. Every step was without the slightest error. Moreover, Lin Feng had already finished hammering, and now it was up to Mu Linxue to complete the remaining tasks.
"Relax, we won't have any problems." Lin Feng saw a slight sweat on Mu Linxue's forehead and whispered in her ear with a smile, then used his sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead, helping her relieve some pressure.
Although Mu Linxue was a talented girl of the Mu Manor, her experiences could never compare to Lin Feng's. In this kind of competition that concerned her fate, she would naturally be somewhat nervous, unable to be as calm and composed as Lin Feng. However, seeing Lin Feng's actions warmed her heart. She showed him a sweet smile, feeling slightly more relaxed inside, then exhaled and continued refining.
At this moment, on the most honored viewing platform at the front of the Flame Gold Tower, an Artifact Refining Master wearing a purple-gold robe sat there. Behind him were three Artifact Refining Masters in crimson-gold robes. One of the crimson-gold robe masters casually glanced at Lin Feng and Mu Linxue and muttered to himself, "In this artifact refining competition, Hatred Long Sky has shown some sharpness, refining alone. And Yan Feng of the Yan Family has not hidden his sharpness at all, stealing the spotlight. But there are also some low-key youths who, though not stunning, give one an unfathomable feeling."
With his age and experience, he naturally understood a truth: some people are low-key and restrained, appearing ordinary without any stunning features, yet give others an unfathomable feeling. Such people could be very formidable, or they could be overestimated.
"Who is that person refining over there?" This crimson-gold robe Artifact Refining Master asked a master beside him, pointing precisely at the location of Lin Feng and Mu Linxue.
"You mean that beautiful girl? I happen to know her. She's a girl from the Mu Manor named Mu Linxue. She has good talent and was valued by that Yan Family kid who wanted to bring her into the Yan Family, but this girl seems somewhat unwilling." Another crimson-gold robe master smiled lightly. They couldn't possibly know all the youths of Flame Gold City, but some people they would occasionally pay attention to. This Mu Linxue, he happened to recognize.
"No, I'm asking about the young man beside her." The first crimson-gold robe master smiled casually. Compared to Mu Linxue, he was more interested in Lin Feng, because he had happened to see Lin Feng carving formations earlier. He was very steady, without making a single mistake. Although it wasn't shocking, being able to carve a rather powerful formation without any problems was itself worthy of attention. With such a person, it was difficult to gauge how strong their absolute power was, because he hadn't seen Lin Feng show the slightest nervousness, and he had even comforted Mu Linxue. This kind of restrained low-key was itself a manifestation of deep inner confidence.
"I really don't know this young man. But since he's Mu Linxue's partner, I wonder if he's from the Mu Manor. What, do you think highly of this kid? I can help you ask." Another crimson-gold robe Artifact Refining Master asked with a smile.
"No need. Let me observe his performance a bit more. Old fellow, what about you? Who have you taken a liking to?"
"Haha, that's a secret." That Artifact Refining Master laughed heartily.
"Once we enter the finals, no one can escape our eyes. Even if you keep it secret, I'll be able to tell."
The two chatted in low voices, both seriously observing the crowd of refiners below. Some of these people would become pillars of the Flame Gold Tower, and some might even sit in their positions in the future.
"Fifty-six people have already refined second-grade Imperial Artifacts. This artifact refining competition truly hides dragons and crouching tigers. It seems I still lack some skill and need to work harder." Mu Qingying beside Mu Linxue looked at the crowd in the void. There were fifty-six groups, meaning fifty-six people had already refined Imperial Artifacts.
"Success!" At this moment, Mu Lie shouted loudly. Immediately, an Imperial Artifact broke through the air. Mu Lie and Mu Yu looked up at the void, both revealing excited smiles in their eyes. They had succeeded.
The two slowly rose into the air, a sense of pride welling up within them. They had entered the finals of the artifact refining competition.
"Good." From the Mu Manor viewing platform, Mu Linxue's eldest uncle stood up and shouted happily. Mu Lie and Mu Yu's cooperation was indeed stronger than Mu Linxue and Lin Feng's. From now on, let's see who could snatch the cultivation resources from his children. After this artifact refining competition, the Mu Manor should focus on cultivating Mu Lie and Mu Yu.
Mu Linxue remained very calm at this moment. Lin Feng stood beside her, actually making her feel a sense of security she had never felt before. Neither impatient nor flustered, as if the refining outside had nothing to do with her. She didn't rush like many others; she just did her best, steadily doing what she should do. Like Lin Feng carving formations, she hadn't made a single wrong step.
Seeing Mu Linxue refining with a slight smile on her face, Lin Feng thought this was itself a kind of sublimation of her state. After this artifact refining competition, Mu Linxue's refining skills would surely rise another level.
Finally, when sixty-three people had refined second-grade Imperial Artifacts, the Imperial Artifact sword refined by Lin Feng and Mu Linxue broke through the air. Mu Linxue had a light smile on her face. She didn't even look up but turned her gaze to Lin Feng, showing a gentle smile without too much surprise, as if this was only natural.
"Lin Feng!" Mu Linxue called out softly. Lin Feng smiled and said, "You're not going to thank me again, are you?"
"No, I was just thinking that the matter of offering myself to you might really be worth considering." Mu Linxue revealed a playful smile, causing Lin Feng's expression to tremble. He then smiled bitterly and looked up.
"Hmph." Seeing Lin Feng's evasive expression, Mu Linxue let out a resentful snort, pouted, and looked at the void. Their bodies also slowly rose into the air, stepping into the third round.
"Sister Linxue, congratulations." Mu Qingying looked up at the void, a hint of sincerity in her beautiful eyes. Although she had only walked to the second round of this artifact refining competition before giving up, in this environment, her mentality seemed to be evolving, changing quite a bit. Perhaps she should be less impetuous and truly focus on refining. In the past, many times she had thought about relying on others' power, otherwise she wouldn't have almost been taken advantage of by Mu Xiao.
"You can do it one day too." Mu Linxue smiled at Mu Qingying. Mu Qingying nodded heavily, then glanced at Lin Feng again. She saw that Lin Feng's eyes were still so calm, looking at her without any ripple. She no longer had the feeling she used to have, as if Lin Feng looked at her with some purpose, coveting her beauty. Perhaps with a different state of mind, what the eyes saw also seemed to change quietly.
"The finals. Sister Linxue, you will definitely get a top ten spot." Mu Qingying blessed her.
"Top ten spot?" Mu Lie from the nearby void snorted coldly. "In the second round, you ranked sixty-fourth. With this kind of strength, you still want to reach the top ten? A fool's dream."
Mu Linxue calmly glanced at Mu Lie without saying a word. In her eyes, Mu Lie and Mu Yu had never been her targets.
"Heh, Linxue, you should consider marrying into my Yan Family." Yan Feng's annoying voice came again. Mu Linxue's eyes directly looked at him, revealing a mocking expression. She still couldn't be bothered to respond. No matter what Yan Feng did, they directly ignored him. Yan Feng had no choice but to wisely shut his mouth.
When the hundredth person stepped into the void, a Purple Robe Artifact Refining Master stepped forward and smiled, "Alright, now, those who have been eliminated, please leave your positions on your own."
As his words fell, the vast majority of people left dejectedly. Soon, the large square was left with only a hundred people, making it seem especially empty, somewhat unfamiliar. Of course, the excitement was also slowly rising. The finals of the artifact refining competition were about to arrive!
PS: Typing in an internet cafe at the train station. Can't handle it!!