# Chapter 2157: Time Draws Near
Refining Gold Mountain, the vast and magnificent Divine Firmament City, was the strongest refining force without equal. All its disciples excelled in artifact refining, and those skilled in artifact refining first mastered formations; naturally, their martial arts were not weak either.
On the continent, whether it was artifact refining, alchemy, or any other profession, none could be separated from one's own strength. Artifact refiners and alchemists who sought the pinnacle of their crafts first had to continuously pursue the peak in strength to advance together; otherwise, all efforts would be in vain. Therefore, on the Nine Heavens Continent, powerful artifact refiners and alchemists tended to be older in age. Even if their martial talent was not inferior to many others, compared to those at the same cultivation level with similar talent gaps, they all appeared older because they needed to spend more time and energy.
Looking at the dazzling Refining Gold Mountain ahead, it seemed forged from all the artifacts under heaven—incomparably magnificent, vast and spectacular. Rows of golden palace clusters, as if suspended in the void, seemed to narrate their glorious history to the crowd.
"That is the gathering place for those at the Martial Emperor realm," said an expert from the Ye Clan, pointing ahead. On a platform suspended in the air, many figures had already appeared. Lin Feng and the others arrived there, slowly descending as their gazes swept over the other camps. The aura they released remained as fierce as ever.
"The central region of the Nine Heavens Continent, Divine Firmament City, Refining Gold Mountain... those golden palace structures themselves seem to be artifacts, indestructible artifacts. To forge such a suspended celestial palace—how domineering," Lin Feng mused inwardly. This was heritage—the heritage of Refining Gold Mountain, one of the strongest forces in the eastern domain of Divine Firmament City. Lin Feng had also been to the Heavenly Demon Thunder Clan, where the Heavenly Demon Tribulation Pearl floated above the dark fortress, majestic and imposing. Yet the Refining Gold Mountain before him was even more visually striking, even more spectacular.
"Martial Saint Tower, Demon Gate, Nether Soul Hall—I wonder what they look like," Lin Feng thought to himself. The eastern domain of Divine Firmament City was extremely vast, with the four major forces occupying different directions. Without a high-grade means of travel, even just touring a few of these forces would require considerable time to cross from one to another.
Lin Feng shifted his gaze to the other camps. As time passed, over ten camps had descended upon this flat ground, totaling more than three hundred people. This meant they had been selected from over three thousand participants—three thousand who were all quite formidable figures, otherwise the ancient saint clans would not have even given them a chance.
At this moment, sharp whistling sounds came from afar. The crowd turned their gazes to see several circular discs flying toward them. In the distance, many experts were strolling on golden discs, as if each step crossed a void. Soon, the discs converged together, forming a giant golden disc with several figures on it. In an instant, they appeared before the crowd.
"So fast! That disc must be a very powerful imperial artifact," the crowd thought. The giant disc split again, transforming into a staircase of discs. Several figures descended, their gazes sweeping over the crowd. The leading middle-aged man wore a golden refining robe—clean and noble. He first nodded slightly to the leaders of each camp and said, "You have all worked hard."
"It is our duty," the representatives of each force replied, bowing slightly to show respect for Refining Gold Mountain.
The middle-aged man then looked at the people from each camp, revealing a smile. "All of you who have come to Refining Gold Mountain mean you have the opportunity to participate in the greatest battle stage of the Nine Heavens Continent—the Nine Heavens Assembly. Now, there are still three months until the Nine Heavens Assembly truly begins. Our Refining Gold Mountain will conduct another selection in two months to choose the outstanding experts ultimately qualified to step onto the Nine Heavens Assembly. During these two months, except for forbidden areas, you may move freely anywhere in Refining Gold Mountain. If you need any assistance from us, feel free to speak up."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and golden robes fluttered through the air, landing before each camp. He continued, "These are the Refining Gold robes prepared for you by our Refining Gold Mountain. For safety during this period, please wear these Refining Gold robes. As long as you wear them, it means you are candidates for Refining Gold Mountain's participation in the Nine Heavens Assembly. No one will dare touch you. Additionally, we can notify you of any news at any time."
Everyone draped the robes over themselves. They could already tell that these were not ordinary robes but high-grade imperial artifacts. Although they were not particularly useful to them, it still demonstrated Refining Gold Mountain's generosity. Such imperial artifacts—even over a thousand of them—could be given away easily. Moreover, there was a faint fluctuation on the imperial artifacts, just as the man had said; they likely had communication functions to receive messages from Refining Gold Mountain.
"Of course, if you use this identity to indiscriminately kill people in Divine Firmament City and go too far, don't blame Refining Gold Mountain for not protecting you," the middle-aged man's voice suddenly turned colder. In the past, some had used such opportunities to madly kill and plunder in Divine Firmament City, arousing the fury of various forces. Hence, the middle-aged man gave this warning. Refining Gold Mountain's protection was because these people might be participants in the Nine Heavens Assembly, but it did not grant them the right to kill arbitrarily in Divine Firmament City.
"Understood," everyone nodded in agreement. However, they understood inwardly that as long as they wore these Refining Gold robes and did not go too far, no one in all of Divine Firmament City would dare touch them.
"Alright, there was actually nothing particularly important in gathering everyone here today. I am merely bestowing upon you a title—the title of candidate for the Nine Heavens Assembly. During these two months, you may move about freely. If anything happens, Refining Gold Mountain will notify you," the middle-aged man continued. He nodded to everyone, then looked at the escorts and said, "Thank you for your trouble."
With that, the middle-aged man stepped onto the golden disc and departed, leaving a few people behind.
It was a very simple meeting, without too many instructions. Everything was being prepared for the Nine Heavens Assembly.
"Those of you who wish to stay at Refining Gold Mountain, I will take you to your accommodations now so you will have a place to settle," one of the remaining Refining Gold Mountain experts said to the crowd.
"Since we are already here, let's find our lodgings first."
"Yes, once we have a place to stay at Refining Gold Mountain, we can often tour the mountain in the future."
Everyone spoke up one after another. No one was in a hurry to leave; they were not lacking in time. The Refining Gold Mountain people led them into those golden palace complexes, arranging them in a series of connected side halls. Even so, each person had a luxurious golden courtyard, extremely magnificent.
"Brother, let's go watch some artifact refining," Yao Yao said softly to Nine Spirit Emperor, her eyes full of anticipation. "I'm tired of watching alchemy. I've never seen master-level artifact refining before." Nine Spirit Emperor and his five fellow disciples had all entered Refining Gold Mountain. This was not because their strength was all at this level, but because they had withstood the oppressive force of the Ye Clan elders. In the subsequent elimination, no one dared to attack those beside Nine Spirit Emperor. Thus, they were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to set foot in Refining Gold Mountain.
Lin Feng glanced at Yao Yao. This little girl not only had great skill in alchemy but was also clearly not weak in strength; otherwise, she would not have been able to withstand that pressure. As expected of a descendant of the Alchemy King from Alchemy Firmament Continent.
"Alright," Nine Spirit Emperor nodded slightly. As a master-level alchemist himself, he also wanted to see how imperial artifacts were forged.
Lin Feng had long been exposed to artifact refining and had even personally cooperated with Mu Linxue in refining artifacts. Of course, back then, they could only forge relatively inferior imperial artifacts—at least by their current standards. Therefore, he was not particularly curious about artifact refining. What truly interested him were the high-level artifact refining masters and how powerful their array dao was.
Arriving at the palace assigned to him, Lin Feng went to the cultivation chamber to train. Within his martial soul world, several figures sat across from Lin Feng: Yang Xiao, Wang Jie, Ye Que, and others. The first three were all extraordinarily talented, especially Yang Xiao and Wang Jie, whose talents were terrifying. Wang Jie could strip away people's memories, and he was a pure battle maniac.
However, now, demonic light flickered in their pupils. They had already become Lin Feng's demon puppets.
"I have already taught you the Heavenly Derivation Scripture. Cultivate it well. As for you, Wang Jie, you are from the Alchemy King family, possessing many body-tempering pills and a powerful physical body. I have taught you the Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Heavenly Demon Art, which you can cultivate to temper your flesh. As for you, Ye Que, I have shared the Three Thousand Grand Array Dao and my insights into array dao with you. During this time, all of you must cultivate with full effort."
Lin Feng looked at the three and spoke slowly.
"Yes, Master," the three nodded in unison, their eyes flashing with fervent determination. These three were the most talented among Lin Feng's demon puppets, so naturally, they required focused training.
"Yang Xiao, continue strengthening your memory-stripping ability. I may need you at any time," Lin Feng instructed Yang Xiao once more.
"Go now," Lin Feng said lightly. Everyone departed, and Lin Feng closed his eyes, beginning to cultivate quietly. The Nine Heavens Assembly was drawing closer and closer. Lin Feng did not have absolute confidence in dealing with those standing at the peak. How strong were the Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master of the Demon Domain's Thirteen Young Masters? How powerful was the reborn Heavenly Soul Saint, a reincarnated ancient saint? How terrifying was that old monster who could instantly evolve a fearsome array dao and was reborn with an array spirit body? And the First Lord of the Nine Heavens—how strong was he? How powerful had Chu Chunqiu become now? How strong would some of the peak Martial Emperor king-body figures of the Nine Heavens Continent display when they stepped onto the stage of the Nine Heavens Assembly?
All of this was unknown!