C19 Challenge

As each person left, Huah Yunfei's sense of burden gradually lifted.

"Have you made your decision regarding my earlier words?" The chief examiner inquired with a smile, stroking his beard once the room had emptied.

Huah Yunfei was momentarily taken aback but quickly remembered the examiner's words. Without hesitation, he knelt before him, "Disciple Huah Yunfei, at your service, Master."

"Rise," the chief examiner commanded, assisting Huah Yunfei to his feet. "From now on, you are my disciple, Xiao Chen."

"Yes, Master," Huah Yunfei replied, nodding with reverence.

The chief examiner had made a positive impression on Huah Yunfei. Despite his arrogance, he was a man of principle. Eccentric as he might be, he commanded respect.

"Here is the Golden Stone Token. With this, you are the next bearer of the token in Wu County," Xiao Chen said, presenting the token to Huah Yunfei.

Clutching the gleaming token, Huah Yunfei could finally relax. The journey had been smooth overall, but not without its challenges. Now, with everything concluded, he had successfully secured the position of the Golden Stone Token.

"Hold on!"

A sudden call from a distance broke the silence, drawing their attention.

Huah Yunfei looked up to see a middle-aged man accompanied by the quiet young man who had left earlier.

The middle-aged man, Liu Xun, eyed the Golden Stone Token in Huah Yunfei's hand with a furrowed brow.

"Liu Xun, the selection for the Golden Stone Token is not your place to meddle," Xiao Chen said with a slight frown and a dismissive tone.

Liu Xun offered a thin smile and produced a token from his waist, addressing Xiao Chen, "Master Xiao Chen, by the governor's orders, I am here to inform you that the selection for the Golden Stone Token requires an additional trial."

"An additional trial?" Xiao Chen's frown deepened, aware of Liu Xun's intentions. The presence of the young man beside him said it all.

The reticent young man who had returned brought Liu Xun with him, as well as the mandate for an additional competition.

"Indeed, an additional competition," Liu Xun confirmed, ensuring he was understood. "This time, the selection for the Golden Stone Token has revealed an abundance of exceptional talent. Due to the limited scope of the selection process, we can't showcase every participant's strengths. To avoid overlooking truly exceptional individuals, the governor has expressly ordered me to hold an extra round."

Xiao Chen's brow furrowed at Liu Xun's words, clearly sensing Liu Xun's manipulation.

The selection criteria for the Golden Stone Token had been agreed upon well in advance; there shouldn't have been any issues. Liu Xun's actions were clearly motivated by his companion's failure to secure the Golden Stone Token.

"Fine! What's the next event in the additional competition?" Xiao Chen conceded, bound by the governor's command.

"Real combat!" Liu Xun declared with a smug grin.

Xiao Chen's expression darkened instantly. It was evident to him that Huah Yunfei's abilities were limited to the second tier of Foundation Establishment, whereas the youth beside Liu Xun was several times more powerful, already possessing the cultivation of the Golden Core Realm.

Clearly, this extra round seemed custom-made for Liu Xun's protégé. The outcome was predictable; how could a Foundation Establishment cultivator stand a chance against one in the Golden Core Realm?

"Liu Xun, your tactics are disgraceful!" Xiao Chen's frown deepened, his concern for Liu Xun's dignity long gone as he spoke through clenched teeth.

Unperturbed by the accusation, Liu Xun laughed heartily. "Master Xiao Chen, you're not getting any younger. Try not to let your temper get the better of you! It would be quite inconvenient if you were to, say, pass away in a fit of rage!"

Watching Liu Xun depart with laughter, Xiao Chen turned to Huah Yunfei with a serious look. "That young man's cultivation has already reached the Golden Core Realm. You stand no chance against him. In the upcoming match, concede defeat if you must. Securing second place could very well earn you the Golden Stone Token."

He was adamant about not wanting his newly accepted disciple to get hurt, so he issued a grave warning to Huah Yunfei.

Huah Yunfei nodded earnestly and reassured, "Don't worry, Master. I'll be fine."

The match was especially grand since it was the governor of Wu County who had personally called for an additional round.

The four contestants who were about to leave the governor's mansion burst into cheers upon hearing the news of the extra match. It was, for them, a second chance.

"Ah! I thought the Golden Stone Token was as good as mine, only to find out there's another hurdle to clear!"

Soon after, Huah Yunfei encountered Xie Feiyu and her companion, Xie Yu.

Listening to Huah Yunfei, Xie Feiyu expressed her frustration, "There's nothing we can do. Liu Xun is a notable figure in Wu County, and my uncle has to show him some respect."

"You've got some skill, I'll give you that. If it weren't for this added match, the Golden Stone Token would have been yours!" Xie Yu appraised Huah Yunfei with a complimentary tone.

From their conversation, Huah Yunfei gathered that the governor of Wu County was indeed Xie Feiyu's uncle.

He chose not to inquire further as Xie Feiyu's uncle made his entrance at that moment.

Upon Wu Tang's arrival, Xie Feiyu immediately rose and greeted him, "Uncle, this is my friend Huah Yunfei, whom I've brought to compete for the Golden Stone Token."

"Hello, Mr. Huah. Your achievements at such a young age are truly impressive. I apologize for the inconvenience caused by this additional match," Wu Tang said, looking at Huah Yunfei with genuine remorse.

The Golden Stone Token had been within Huah Yunfei's grasp, but Liu Xun's meddling had necessitated this unforeseen competition.

Huah Yunfei simply smiled and waved off the concern, "Governor, there's no need for apologies. It's just another match. I'll just treat it as a bit more fun."

"You really know how to talk big! It remains to be seen whether you'll be the one playing them or the other way around!" Xie Yu bluntly called him out. Pointing to the stern-faced youth beside Liu Xun, she added, "See that dark-faced young man? Think he's an easy mark? He's at the Golden Core Realm. Even our miss might struggle against him, and here you are talking about 'playing.' Aren't you afraid your words might come back to bite you?"

Huah Yunfei gave a wry smile, having been thoroughly chastised by Xie Yu. He was well aware of the black-faced youth, as Xiao Chen had previously informed him.

Now, his curiosity about the black-faced youth was piqued. He promptly inquired of Xie Yu, "By the way, who is that black-faced youth? Is he Liu Xun's son?"

"Ugh! Someone like Liu Xun having a son? Even if he did, that son wouldn't have any clout!" Xie Yu retorted with disdain.

Xie Feiyu, overhearing the conversation, blushed with embarrassment and spat out in frustration, "Ugh! Yu, haven't I told you countless times to watch your language? You really shouldn't say just anything that comes to mind."

After being reprimanded, Xie Yu stuck out her tongue and pulled a face, casting a resentful glance at Huah Yunfei as if he were to blame for the whole ordeal.

"That's Liu Xun's nephew, Liu Kehu. He's as ineffective as they come, but don't be fooled—he's no good," Xie Yu explained to Huah Yunfei.

Huah Yunfei nodded in understanding and remarked, "It looks like the upcoming match might be quite challenging."

"Yunfei, remember, if you come up against Liu Kehu, don't harbor any false hope. Just concede defeat," Xie Feiyu advised earnestly.

She was acutely aware that while the Golden Stone Token was significant, Huah Yunfei's life was paramount. She had no intention of seeing him lose his life in the contest.

Wu Tang, the governor of Wu County, also cautioned Huah Yunfei, "Indeed, young man. If the Golden Stone Token is out of reach, we'll find another solution. There's no sense in following a doomed path."

The Golden Stone Token held great importance for Wu Tang as it was key to his upcoming plans. However, he recognized that he couldn't impose his own agenda on Huah Yunfei, especially since the young man had been inadvertently entangled in these events.

Listening to their advice, Huah Yunfei nodded in agreement, "Alright then."

The four who had just departed all returned, joining Huah Yunfei and the stern-faced Liu Kehu, completing the group of six from the last artifact refining assessment.

Huah Yunfei's eyes swept over each of them. Lau Suifeng was the least advanced among them, only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Yet, he still stood three whole levels above Huah Yunfei. The others were even more formidable: one at Level Seven, another at Level Nine, and one at the peak of Level Nine. Any one of them could pose a significant challenge to Huah Yunfei. The stakes of this additional competition were high. Huah Yunfei's only option was to give it his all and secure the Golden Stone Token.

"Contestants, please prepare to take your places!"

At the call, the six contestants made their way to the center of the arena.

Lau Suifeng could barely contain his excitement upon seeing Huah Yunfei approach. He waved smugly and called out, "Young Master Huah, wasn't the Golden Stone Token already promised to you? Why the need for another round?"

He was well aware of the reason; it was a clear attempt to embarrass Huah Yunfei.

Others joined in the mockery, "It's just to give Young Master Huah another chance to showcase his skills, isn't it? The Governor's concern is touching! But this does level the playing field."

"Let's be mindful later on, and try to spare Young Master Huah some dignity. After all, it takes guts to challenge us when he's only at the second level of Foundation Establishment. Such bravery is commendable!"

Their laughter was cut short as the examiner's voice rang out.

"The assessment begins. Opponents will be determined by drawing lots."