The Ultimate of All Ages Novels - Chapter 0016
Chapter 16: Ultimate of All Ages – Luo Yunshang’s Breakthrough
The academy was still buzzing with the aftermath of Blue Fei’s disgrace.
But while the students gossiped, while Wang Feng licked his wounds in the shadows, and while Li Yunxiao prepared for his upcoming battle with Blue Xuan…
Something far greater was happening elsewhere.
Inside the Artificers’ Guild – The Grand Refinement Hall
A fierce heat radiated from the grand chamber.
At the center of the vast hall, Luo Yunshang stood motionless, her entire body drenched in sweat.
Before her, a massive war axe floated in the air, burning with golden flames.
It was nearly finished.
Her most important trial—the test that would determine whether she would advance to the next level as an Artificer—was at its final stage.
If she succeeded, she would officially become a First-Tier Artificer, placing her among the most respected figures in the entire kingdom.
But if she failed…
The backlash would cripple her soul power for months, if not years.
Luo Yunshang gritted her teeth, her eyes fiercely focused.
She had already failed this exact trial multiple times before.
But this time…
This time was different.
The Secret to Success
Just a few days ago, she had been stuck at a bottleneck, unable to refine the delicate balance between Scarlet Copper and Radiant Gold.
No matter how many times she tried, the two materials rejected each other, resulting in failure after failure.
But then…
She remembered.
“Sky Crystal Sand is the key,” a familiar voice had said.
“Too much of it disrupts the melting process. You need to purify it first.”
At the time, those words had seemed too simple.
But now…
Luo Yunshang executed the technique exactly as she had been told.
As soon as she removed the impurities from the Sky Crystal Sand, the mixture stabilized instantly.
“He was right!”
The realization nearly made her break concentration, but she quickly steadied herself.
This was it.
Her final moment of refinement.
Breaking Through
Luo Yunshang raised both hands, forming a complex series of seals.
Golden runes burst into existence, swirling around her in an intricate pattern.
Then—
“Condense!”
She clenched her fists, and the runes shot forward, sinking into the burning war axe.
The flames around the weapon vanished in an instant, leaving behind a radiant, shimmering glow.
The war axe shrank, compressing into a miniature artifact in the palm of her hand.
It was done.
She had succeeded.
The entire hall fell silent.
Then—
APPLAUSE ERUPTED.
The assembled Artificers watching burst into cheers, some even standing up in excitement.
A distinguished-looking elder stepped forward, his white beard trembling with approval.
“Magnificent,” he declared. “Luo Yunshang, you have passed the test!”
A wave of relief and joy washed over her.
Her heart raced.
She had finally done it.
She was now a First-Tier Artificer!
Recognition from the Masters
Several high-ranking Artificers gathered around her.
“Excellent technique,” one said.
“Such precise control over elemental balance,” another added.
Even Master Xu Han, one of the most respected Artificers in the kingdom, nodded in approval.
“Tell me,” he said, “how did you solve the Sky Crystal Sand issue?”
Luo Yunshang hesitated for a moment.
She could tell the truth.
She could admit that a certain infuriating student had casually pointed out the solution to her…
Or she could take the credit for herself.
After all, why did it matter?
But then…
She remembered his expression.
That annoying smirk. Those golden eyes filled with mocking amusement.
If she lied, he would definitely find out.
And he would never let her live it down.
So, with a deep breath, she answered truthfully.
“…A student pointed it out to me.”
Xu Han raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Which student?”
Luo Yunshang gritted her teeth.
“Li Yunxiao.”
The entire hall fell into silence.
Then—
“PFFFT!”
A few Artificers burst into laughter.
“Li Yunxiao?! The so-called academy disgrace?”
“The same Li Yunxiao who couldn’t even awaken his meridians?!”
“Are you serious?”
Luo Yunshang’s fists clenched.
For some reason, hearing them mock him annoyed her.
Deeply.
“He’s different now,” she said, her voice firm. “He’s not the same person you think he is.”
The laughter stopped.
Her serious expression made everyone pause.
Then, Xu Han stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“…Interesting,” he murmured.
“I would like to meet this Li Yunxiao someday.”
A Celebration—But A Warning
After the ceremony ended, Luo Yunshang returned to her quarters, still reeling from everything that had happened.
She had achieved something remarkable.
She was now one of the youngest First-Tier Artificers in the kingdom.
And yet…
Her thoughts kept drifting back to Li Yunxiao.
How had he known?
Why did he seem so different lately?
And most importantly…
Was she falling behind?
A shadow flickered in her eyes.
“I won’t let him surpass me.”
“Never.”
With renewed determination, she sat down and began refining her soul force once again.
Tomorrow, she would return to the academy.
And she would see for herself how much Li Yunxiao had changed.
Meanwhile – A Duel Draws Closer
At that exact moment, Li Yunxiao was in deep training.
His battle with Blue Xuan was approaching.
Unlike Blue Fei, Blue Xuan was no weakling.
He was ranked third on the Windcloud List—a true genius of the academy.
Defeating him would not be easy.
But Li Yunxiao?
He was not worried.
As he trained, his body absorbed the power of his meridians, refining his strength even further.
His golden eyes flickered in the darkness, filled with unshakable confidence.
“Blue Xuan…”
“Prepare yourself.”
“In three days, I will make you kneel.”
End of Chapter 16
Next: The Academy Prepares for the Greatest Duel!