Chapter 719
: The Difficulty of First-Class Materials! Round 3
Like everyone else, Zhang Lingshan immediately went to exchange for rice and immortal pills to replenish his energy.
Although he didn't expend much energy and was in better condition than most people, in order to seize this opportunity, he had to make every effort and refine his skills in the best possible way.
Besides that, Zhang Lingshan had other things to do.
Jiang Yan said that the rest period would be two hours, during which time he could do many other things besides eating rice and taking elixirs.
such as.
Try refining the first-class materials.
Because I have never refined first-class materials before, I cannot grasp the difficulty of refining them. Therefore, unexpected things may happen when I actually refine them.
After all, you only have one chance; if you make a mistake, you'll be eliminated immediately.
and so.
Zhang Lingshan decided to try refining it himself first, not aiming to refine it to 75% purity, but rather to master its properties.
'Jiang Yan probably guessed that someone would do what I did, which is why he didn't reveal what kind of material it was, lest someone become proficient in it beforehand, making it impossible to measure the true skill level.'
Zhang Lingshan thought to himself.
Since he didn't know which material he would ultimately refine, Zhang Lingshan could only choose one from the first-class materials at random.
Fortunately, we know it's a water-based material, and there are only ten types of water-based materials among the top-tier materials.
In other words, the probability of choosing correctly is one in ten.
'The Blue Ocean Iron and Water Dragon Silver refined in the previous two rounds were materials that Jiang Yan had mentioned before, so it's highly likely that the materials used in the third round will also be those mentioned by Jiang Yan?'
Zhang Lingshan thought to himself.
So, is it tortoise shell gold or meteorite sand?
However, Jiang Yan might do the opposite and use materials he hadn't mentioned in the third round.
With that in mind, Zhang Lingshan stopped thinking about it and decided to just use the tortoise shell gold for the experiment.
It's all about luck anyway. If you happen to run into someone, great; if not, so be it.
Snapped.
Press the identity copper plaque next to the furnace, and a golden tortoise-shell shaped ore will appear in the teleportation slot.
Zhang Lingshan immediately lit a flame and sent it into the furnace to begin refining.
Half a day passed.
He found that this tortoise shell gold was quite troublesome. At least with the intensity of the flames he had revealed so far, it would take at least six hours to completely burn it into molten metal.
'Are all top-grade materials this difficult to refine, or is tortoise shell gold just that troublesome?'
Zhang Lingshan was speechless.
Given the current situation, I need to expose a higher intensity of flames, otherwise I won't be able to finish it within two hours.
puff!
Zhang Lingshan spat out a mouthful of blood, pretending to consume his life essence, and began to intensify the flames.
In this way, an hour passed quickly.
The tortoise shell gold has finally turned into molten metal, and we can begin to use our divine sense to remove impurities, which is the so-called purification.
Zhang Lingshan gave himself half an hour. If he could purify it to 40% within that half hour, he would be all set.
Although 40% is still a long way from 75%, it's already pretty good considering I only used half an hour.
When the real competition comes, I can slowly work it out myself; after all, Jiang Yan didn't mention any time limit.
Moreover, even with a time limit, Zhang Lingshan didn't think anyone else could do it faster.
Because refining first-grade materials is extremely laborious, taking seven or eight times longer than refining second-grade materials, while the merit points gained are only three, which is one and a half times that of second-grade materials.
The price-performance ratio is simply horribly low.
Therefore, unless they have accumulated enough merit points and want to break through to the Silver-ranked Fire-Burning Child, other people will not choose to refine first-class materials.
Those who were aiming for the silver medal didn't have time to serve as fire servants for Pei Daoming.
Because what they lack now is not merit points, but a share of first-class materials.
According to the rules.
To be promoted to Silver-Rank Fire-Tending Boy, one must refine 10,000 portions of first-class materials.
That's ten thousand servings!
If it takes one hour to refine one portion, that would be ten thousand hours, more than eight hundred days, or more than two years.
This is still calculated based on continuous refinement without sleep or rest.
If it's a break, it won't just be two years, it will take at least four or five years.
Either Zhao Chuanying told Zhang Lingshan and Song Yi that they would be staying on the third floor for a long time, and this wasn't meant to scare them, but rather it was the established promotion rule that required this much time.
It should be noted that the time calculated above is based on the assumption that it only takes one hour to refine a piece of first-class material.
In fact, almost no one can refine one piece in an hour.
Therefore, the time required to advance to the silver medal level is definitely much longer than four or five years, and it would be at least ten years. By then, one would be outstanding and could be considered the first person in history to achieve this.
"In the third round, there were fewer than thirty people left, but only those five who looked perfectly normal were qualified to compete with me."
Zhang Lingshan thought to himself.
Having never refined first-class materials before, he was worried that if everyone else ate rice to replenish their energy during the two-hour rest period, they would also join the competition.
However, after refining the tortoise shell gold, Zhang Lingshan realized that he had worried too much.
Judging by their mental strength and the intensity of their flames, they were already pale and panting heavily after refining the Water Dragon Silver to 75%. When it came to refining the first-grade material, they would probably collapse to the ground in no time.
so.
Jiang Yan gave everyone two hours to rest, not primarily for their own sake, but to silence them and prevent them from saying anything unfair.
When everyone is rested and on the same starting line, if you still don't succeed, it's purely because you lack ability, and you can't blame others.
Soon, half an hour had passed.
Zhang Lingshan focused his mind and realized that he had not been able to refine the tortoise shell gold to 40%, but only 37%.
'Unbelievable that they couldn't do it.'
Zhang Lingshan couldn't help but be surprised.
This time, I used far more power than usual in the refining process, but the result was three percent different from what I expected.
It is evident that tortoise shell gold is extremely difficult to refine. The impurities seem to have become one with the tortoise shell gold itself. At least with my current mental strength, I am not able to separate it directly. I can only grind it slowly with a gentle, persistent effort.
"However, my mental strength has improved considerably through Song Yi's mental tempering method, and I've also been replenished with spirit rice every day. Simultaneously, I've been secretly using the Yin Erosion method to consume my physical body to enhance it. Although I did it very discreetly and the improvement wasn't significant, it's still far stronger than others. Yet, I still can't successfully purify the tortoise shell gold molten liquid!"
Zhang Lingshan was utterly astonished. If such a top-grade material was so difficult to obtain, what kind of extraordinary individuals could refine it?
I'm afraid only those who have cultivated themselves deeply in the third layer for many years and have eaten spiritual rice for more than ten years to enhance their spiritual power would be able to forcibly separate the impurities of first-class material molten liquid with their divine sense.
Snapped.
With a muffled thud, Zhang Lingshan sent the incompletely purified tortoise shell gold molten liquid into the teleportation slot.
Because this attempt failed and the purification rate was not reduced to 70%, no merit points were awarded, meaning that mental and physical energy were wasted.
It doesn't matter.
Zhang Lingshan also set aside half an hour for recovery, so he exchanged for another bowl of rice and a bottle of Immortal Elixir.
soon.
Half an hour later, he returned to the refining hall where Jiang Yan was, looking refreshed.
There were fewer than twenty people who came, ten fewer than before.
It seems that these people either have self-awareness, or they have tried refining first-class materials like Zhang Lingshan and found that it was simply beyond their capabilities, so they chose to give up to avoid not only humiliating themselves but also wasting their time and energy.
"Now that everyone has rested, I won't waste any more time. Please find a furnace and stand down. This round, we'll be refining Fallen River Gold. Let's begin."
Without wasting any words, Jiang Yan immediately announced the start.
Without further ado, everyone displayed solemn expressions, unleashed flames, and began the refining process.
Judging from everyone's expressions, it was clear that everyone present, regardless of whether they could successfully refine the material, at least had some understanding of first-class materials. That's why they were able to remain so calm and not panic because first-class materials are difficult to smelt.
'good.'
Jiang Yan nodded secretly.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that these people came prepared proves that they are all reliable individuals.
'Huh.'
His gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at Zhang Lingshan, noticing that the intensity of the other's flames seemed to have increased.
Although the improvement wasn't significant, it didn't escape Jiang Yan's notice.
After all, Jiang Yan is a veteran bronze medalist in the field. Although he hasn't started aiming for the silver medal yet, the merit points he has accumulated are already an astronomical number, enough to ensure that he won't need to spend time earning merit points for the next few years.
To put it arrogantly, there was nothing on the entire third floor that could be hidden from Jiang Yan. With his rich experience, how could he not see that Zhang Lingshan's flames had improved?
'interesting.'
Jiang Yan smiled slightly, and suddenly became even more interested in Zhang Lingshan.
During his two-hour break, he didn't rest; he had someone investigate the information of the remaining people.
This Zhang Lingshan has only been on the third level for less than a month, yet he has already reached this level.
Such a rate of growth is nothing short of astonishing.
Jiang Yan originally thought that although Zhang Lingshan was growing rapidly, it would still be impossible for him to pass the third round, since his flame intensity was still a notch below.
However, seeing the intensity of Zhang Lingshan's flames, Jiang Yan realized that the opponent might actually have a chance.
'Unfortunately, even his current flame intensity is still a bit lacking. However, his growth is rapid; after only two hours of rest, his flame intensity has already increased. Did he exchange for flame crystals? But he's only been here for a month; no matter what, he couldn't accumulate enough merit points for even one flame crystal. So how did he improve? Is he truly gifted?'
Jiang Yan thought to himself.
Little did he know that when Zhang Lingshan refined tortoise shell gold before, the flame intensity was much stronger than it is now.
The reason for adjusting the flame intensity to the current level is that Zhang Lingshan discovered that the flame intensity of everyone present was about the same, except for one person whose flame intensity was slightly higher, namely the first person.
Therefore, Zhang Lingshan adjusted his flame intensity to the second level, which was lower than the first level but higher than everyone else's.
This way, you can guarantee that you will be selected.
Jiang Yan said that two firemen were needed, and he was the second one, which was just right. Being the first one would be too conspicuous and would not suit his current low-key style.
Of course, if the final result is unexpected and there is a hidden master, he can also spray blood to increase the intensity of the flames.
As long as I can ensure that I am selected, I don't need to make a name for myself, but I need to be steady and pass the selection process by keeping the minimum requirements.
Time flows slowly by.
thump.
Some people finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground, drenched in sweat and pale as paper, showing that they had exhausted all their strength, but the purity of the extract was still less than 20%.
It is evident that refining this Fallen River Gold is no simpler than refining Tortoise Shell Gold. The first-class materials are so formidable that even exhausting one's mind and energy would not result in successfully refining a single piece.
After this person fell to the ground, it seemed to trigger some mechanism, and less than a moment later, another person collapsed to the ground.
Immediately afterward, within half an hour, one person after another fell to the ground. Those in good condition were just panting heavily, while those in bad condition were almost unconscious.
Those who fall last are generally in better condition.
It is clear that the first person's fall triggered a psychological mechanism, allowing subsequent people to stop with peace of mind, without needing to continue struggling.
After all, after this period of refinement, everyone's true capabilities are clear, so there's no need to continue making futile struggles.
If it were the first or second round, Jiang Yan would have already asked those who had fallen to the ground to leave.
However, these players in the third round are all potential talents, and even if they are weak, they deserve some respect.
Therefore, Jiang Yan did not urge them, but simply told them to sit quietly and not to disturb the others who were still refining.
But as time goes by...
As expected, in the end only six people remained, namely the five people Zhang Lingshan had noticed earlier, plus himself.
'This tall young man is amazing! I've never seen anything like him before. When did such a master appear?'
Some people looked at Zhang Lingshan, and couldn't help but be surprised.
Because the other five are all veteran firework operators, the youngest of whom has been on the third floor for ten years.
Ten years is enough time for everyone to know this person, even if they have never spoken to each other or met in person.
Zhang Lingshan was the only newcomer; nobody knew him.
For a newcomer to persist until now is more astonishing than the sun rising in the west.
Compared to this newcomer, what are those who have been here for four or five years?
"call."
With a soft exclamation, a person suddenly stopped, sighed, and said, "It's no use. I can only refine it to sixty percent after all. That's it."
He cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Yan, then glanced around, and said with a look of surprise, "Can I stay here? I want to see who passes the test in the end."
"can."
Jiang Yan nodded and said softly, "However, everyone please be quiet and don't disturb them." (End of Chapter)