PFC Chapter 96 A Stronger Will to Turn the Tide
Chapter 96 A Stronger Will to Turn the Tide
"Master..." I murmured softly, as if seeking a sliver of comfort, a sliver of strength. Wen Chen was still struggling in the tribulation lightning; I had to buy him time to forge this magical treasure that could turn the tide of battle. I closed my eyes, sensing everything around me. A gentle breeze brushed my cheek, bringing a touch of coolness; the leaves rustled, as if cheering me on; even the spiritual energy drifting in the air seemed to sense my longing, slowly gathering towards me.
I activated the "Spirit Absorption Technique" that my master had taught me. It was an extremely exquisite technique that could draw spiritual energy from the surrounding environment, even the faintest spiritual energy could be captured by it. I felt a cool aura flowing into my body from all directions. Although it was faint, it was like a gentle stream, nourishing my parched meridians.
Master Yan stood beside me, his sharp eyes fixed on me, observing my every move. He didn't stop me from absorbing spiritual energy from my surroundings, because he knew I needed every bit of power right now. He simply guarded me silently, in case anything unexpected happened.
I carefully controlled the magical artifact in my hand; it was like a fragile infant, needing my utmost care. I slowly channeled the spiritual energy I had absorbed into the artifact, feeling it gradually become more stable and powerful.
Sweat streamed down my forehead, dripping onto the magical artifact with a soft hissing sound. My body grew weaker, but my will grew stronger. I seemed to see Wen Chen struggling in the tribulation lightning, and hear his encouraging voice.
"Xiao Yao, you can definitely do it!"
I gritted my teeth and poured the last bit of spiritual energy into the magic weapon. Suddenly, the weapon's light became dazzling, illuminating the entire valley. I felt a powerful force surge from the weapon, impacting my body. I could barely hold onto it.
Seeing this, Master Yan immediately stepped forward and used his powerful spiritual energy to stabilize my body. He said in a deep voice, "Hold on, just one last step!"
I took a deep breath, struggling to control my trembling hands. I knew that success or failure hinged on this moment. I concentrated all my will on the magical artifact in my hands, guiding it to complete the final fusion.
Time seemed to stand still, and everything around me became blurry. I could only feel the pulse of the magical artifact in my hand, growing stronger and more stable.
Finally, a crisp sound broke the silence. The magic weapon's light gradually faded, revealing its true form.
Looking at the magical artifact in my hand, an indescribable joy welled up inside me. I had succeeded!
I looked up, wanting to tell Wen Chen the good news, but saw Pavilion Master Lu walking towards me with a meaningful smile on his face: "Congratulations, Xiao Yao." His words had barely left his lips when I sensed a powerful killing intent...
Success! A surge of immense joy welled up inside me, almost overwhelming me. My hands trembled as I held the magical artifact that embodied all my hard work; its warm glow seemed to echo my efforts. I looked up, wanting to tell Wen Chen the good news, to tell him that I had done it, that I had bought him time.
Before my gaze could even turn towards the direction of the lightning tribulation, I met the deep eyes of Pavilion Master Lu. He was walking towards me, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Congratulations, Xiao Yao."
The moment he finished speaking, I felt a powerful killing intent, like a cold steel needle piercing through the joy of victory, instantly bringing me to my senses. This killing intent didn't come from Pavilion Master Lu, but rather… I abruptly turned my head and saw Leng Shuang standing not far away, staring intently at the magical artifact in my hand, her eyes filled with resentment and jealousy. I had never seen her with such a ferocious expression, as if I had stolen her most precious possession.
Seeing that I had completed the fusion of the magical artifacts in such a weakened state, Leng Shuang's previously confident assurances completely crumbled. She couldn't accept this fact; she had put in so much effort, yet she had always been outmatched by me. This fueled a burning jealousy within her, which threatened to consume her entirely.
Pavilion Master Lu took a few steps forward, examining the magical artifact in my hand with great interest, a strange light gleaming in his eyes. He seemed to want to see what other methods I had to accomplish this almost impossible fusion. "Truly unexpected," he said slowly, his tone tinged with inquiry, "you actually did it. It seems I underestimated you."
I forced myself to endure my weakness and struggled to keep the magical artifact in my hands stable. I knew this was not the time to relax; the danger was far from over. Leng Shuang's murderous intent and Pavilion Master Lu's unpredictable attitude both made me uneasy.
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Thank you for the compliment, Pavilion Master Lu," I said, making sure my tone sounded calm. "It was just a fluke."
"Just luck?" Pavilion Master Lu chuckled lightly. "To be able to complete the fusion of magical artifacts under such dire circumstances cannot be explained by mere luck. You seem to have many secrets." His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, as if he wanted to see right through me.
A chill ran through me, and I watched him warily. I knew that Pavilion Master Lu was no benevolent person; his visit was likely not just to congratulate me. Perhaps he wanted to uncover my secrets, or perhaps he wanted to…
I dared not think any further, only feeling a chill rise from the soles of my feet. I gripped the magic weapon in my hand tightly; it was my only reliance, my only hope.
Just then, I felt a warm force coming from behind me. I turned around and saw Master Yan standing behind me, his gaze firm, like a solid barrier protecting me.
“Xiao Yao,” Master Yan said in a deep voice, “you did very well.” His voice was not loud, but it was full of power, which made me feel at ease.
I looked at him gratefully, a warm feeling welling up inside me. I knew that no matter what happened, Master Yan would be on my side.
Pavilion Master Lu looked at Master Yan, his eyes narrowing slightly. He seemed somewhat displeased by Master Yan's appearance, but said nothing.
A tense atmosphere hung in the air, like the calm before a storm. I sensed Frost's killing intent growing stronger; she seemed to be reaching her breaking point... A flash of cold light appeared in her hand...
A cold glint flashed in Leng Shuang's hand, and a slender ice sword appeared, its tip aimed directly at my heart. I was startled and instinctively tried to dodge, but my weakness rendered me immobile. At the critical moment, Master Yan stepped in front of me, his forging hammer like an iron wall, blocking Leng Shuang's attack.
"Leng Shuang, are you insane?!" Master Yan roared.
A hint of madness flashed in Leng Shuang's eyes, "I'm not crazy! I just want to take back what's rightfully mine!"
"Something that belongs to you?" I sneered. "I crafted this magical artifact from the very beginning. What right do you have to claim it as yours?"
"If it weren't for you, I would have succeeded long ago!" Leng Shuang said through gritted teeth. "You're just a useless piece of trash without any spiritual roots. How could you get so much help from so many people? How could you forge such a powerful magic weapon?!"
"Based on my hard work and perseverance!" I retorted without backing down. "I've never given up, even in the most difficult times, I've always kept striving. And what about you? You only know how to be jealous, only know how to complain, you'll never surpass me!"
My words pierced Leng Shuang's heart like a sharp knife. Her face became even more ferocious, and the ice sword in her hand trembled, as if she would stab me again at any moment.
Just then, Madam Qin walked over, emanating a powerful aura that abruptly stopped Leng Shuang in her tracks.
“Leng Shuang,” Madam Qin said coldly, “you have gone too far.”
When Leng Shuang saw Madam Qin, a hint of fear flashed in her eyes, but she still said defiantly, "Madam, I just..."
"Shut up!" Madam Qin interrupted her sharply. "Your behavior is not only challenging the rules of the Refining Valley, but also insulting the dignity of us refiners! What else do you have to say?"
Leng Shuang's face was pale, her lips trembling, but she dared not utter another word.
Madam Qin turned to look at me, her eyes filled with concern. "Xiao Yao, are you alright?"
I shook my head. "I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Madam."
Seeing me gradually recover, Madam Qin smiled with relief. She gently patted my shoulder, her voice full of encouragement and expectation, "Xiao Yao, you did a great job. Keep up the good work, I believe you will succeed."
I nodded gratefully, my heart filled with strength. Madam Qin's support strengthened my resolve.
Seeing that I had a chance again, Mo Laoguai, who was hiding in the shadows, roared angrily, wanting to sabotage me again, but he was worried about being discovered by others, so he could only clench his fists in resentment, his eyes flashing with a vicious light.
Pavilion Master Lu remained standing to the side, watching everything with great interest, his eyes filled with scrutiny and calculation. I sensed that he seemed to be plotting something, but I couldn't fathom his thoughts.
I took a deep breath and refocused my attention on the magical artifact in my hands. I knew this was not the time to relax; I had to hurry and complete the final fusion step.
I closed my eyes, casting aside all distracting thoughts, and devoted myself entirely to the refining process. I felt the pulse of the magical artifacts, the repulsion between them, and carefully guided them, gradually fusing them together...
"Xiao Yao, you..." Master Yan's voice suddenly rang out, tinged with disbelief, "You actually..."
"Xiao Yao, you...you actually stabilized the fusion trend!" Master Yan's voice was filled with shock. He originally thought that I was so weak that this fusion would definitely fail, and might even cause a backlash. But he did not expect that I would withstand the pressure and complete the most crucial steps.
I slowly opened my eyes, my forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. My body was still weak, but my spirit was unusually high. I could feel that the repulsive force between the magical artifacts had greatly weakened. They began to slowly and obediently move closer to each other under my guidance, like several magnets that were originally repelling each other finally finding common magnetic poles.
Leng Shuang stood to the side, her face ashen. She probably never imagined I could achieve this. I glanced at her, a slight smile playing on my lips—a cold laugh not of mockery, but an affirmation of my own efforts.
Madam Qin smiled with satisfaction. "Xiao Yao, you did very well. It seems your understanding of magic weapon fusion has surpassed that of ordinary people." Her praise warmed my heart. It was not only an affirmation of me, but also an encouragement for my future path.
Pavilion Master Lu still wore that inscrutable expression. He slowly walked to my side, his gaze shifting back and forth between me and the magical artifact about to be fused. "Interesting, truly interesting. Xiao Yao, you certainly haven't disappointed me." His tone carried a hint of appreciation, yet it lacked any sincerity, as if everything about me was part of his calculations. I nodded slightly to him without speaking, but my heart was filled with vigilance towards him.
Hidden in the shadows, Old Monster Mo let out a furious roar of resentment, and I could even feel the venomous aura emanating from him. I knew he wouldn't give up so easily and would try every means to sabotage my fusion.
I took a deep breath, ignoring everyone's gaze. Now was not the time to relax; the fusion was not yet complete, and my power had not fully recovered. I had to press on and complete the final step, thoroughly fusing these magical artifacts into a unique and supreme treasure!
I closed my eyes again, focusing all my energy on the magical artifacts. I could feel the connection between them becoming stronger, like several scattered threads gradually weaving into a strong rope.
My spiritual energy was still depleted; every ounce of circulation felt like a knife cutting into me, but I gritted my teeth and persevered, daring not to slacken in the slightest. I carefully guided the magical artifacts, directing them along my intended path, drawing them closer and merging little by little…
Time ticked by, and my mental strength was nearing its limit. Double vision began to appear, and my body started to sway. But I knew I couldn't give up; I had to persevere!
"Xiao Yao, you don't look well..." Master Yan's voice was full of worry.
I forced myself to shake my head, despite my weakness, and said, "I'm fine..."
“But…” Master Yan wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Madam Qin.
“Let her continue,” Madam Qin said firmly. “I believe in her.”
I glanced gratefully at Madam Qin, then closed my eyes again, focusing all my energy on the final fusion step. I could feel the connection between the magical artifacts stabilizing; I knew the final moment had arrived. I concentrated all my mental energy, preparing for the final fusion step…
Suddenly, a powerful force surged from within me...