As Lin Tian withdrew a block of black iron from the refining furnace, all the disciples present were left dumbfounded. Their eyes were filled with confusion as they stared at Lin Tian.
Although the iron block emitted the spiritual energy of the first level of foundation establishment, its appearance was far too different from the expected form of the Demon-Sealing Nail.
"Lin Tian, is this truly the Demon-Sealing Nail you've refined?" Zhao Zhenjie could barely hold back his laughter upon seeing the lump of iron in front of him. He knew Lin Tian was running out of time, but to bring this lump of iron as a substitute—wasn't that too much?
"The purpose of the Demon-Sealing Nail is to seal," Lin Tian replied calmly. "Though this spiritual weapon may appear different, as long as it has the sealing effect of a Demon-Sealing Nail, then I believe it can be considered a success in refinement."
"Fine, since you say so, let's see for ourselves." Zhao Zhenjie sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. In his mind, Lin Tian's lump of iron could never possess the ability to seal the fire cloud sword.
After retrieving a weapon from his own collection, Zhao Zhenjie handed it to Lin Tian. "This is the Fire Cloud Sword, the first spiritual weapon I've crafted at the foundation establishment stage. If your Demon-Sealing Nail can seal the sword's spiritual essence, then I will begrudgingly admit your success."
"That kid is quite devious," Elder Dongfeng couldn't help but murmur when he saw Zhao Zhenjie present the Fire Cloud Sword. Others may not have understood, but Elder Dongfeng was well aware. While it was true that this was Zhao Zhenjie's first foundation establishment-level spiritual weapon, it had been continuously enhanced as Zhao Zhenjie's forging skills improved.
Now, although the Fire Cloud Sword didn't visibly reveal its spiritual energy fluctuations, its quality had already reached the third level of foundation establishment. For a first-level foundation establishment Demon-Sealing Nail to seal such a weapon was virtually impossible. Zhao Zhenjie was clearly trying to make things difficult for Lin Tian.
"Are you sure?" Lin Tian couldn't help but ask, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the Fire Cloud Sword. Upon seeing Zhao Zhenjie's sly grin, Lin Tian understood that things wouldn't be so simple. But as he was currently in a passive position, Lin Tian had no choice but to accept whatever difficulties Zhao Zhenjie would throw his way.
Naturally, Lin Tian had anticipated such obstacles, and had taken precautions during the refining process. While the Demon-Sealing Nail before them appeared to be of the first foundation establishment level, it had actually reached the third level. The seemingly crude exterior of the iron block was merely a cover to conceal the true power of the Demon-Sealing Nail.
If Zhao Zhenjie hadn't deliberately caused trouble, there would have been no issue. But since he intended to complicate things, Lin Tian had no qualms about letting Zhao Zhenjie suffer the consequences.
"Elder Dongfeng, your disciple seems to be a bit dishonest. The quality of the Fire Cloud Sword clearly exceeds the first level of foundation establishment. How could a first-level Demon-Sealing Nail possibly seal it?" Elder Nanyin interjected, unable to restrain her sharp observation. As a perceptive person, she could easily see that the Fire Cloud Sword was no ordinary weapon.
"Elder Nanyin, this Fire Cloud Sword is indeed my disciple's first spiritual weapon at the foundation establishment stage. It has been upgraded over time, but Lin Tian's words are not incorrect," Elder Dongfeng defended his disciple.
"Lin Tian's creation, looking like this, should have been disqualified outright. Now, my disciple is giving him a chance, and yet you claim he is being dishonest?" Elder Dongfeng added in his defense.
"Don't get too smug. Lin Tian is no simple fool. Perhaps he really has a way to seal the Fire Cloud Sword completely," Elder Nanyin said coldly, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.
"Oh? Since you are so sure, why don't we make a bet, Elder Nanyin?" Elder Dongfeng quickly proposed, eager for a challenge.
"Bet? What, do you think I'm afraid of you?" Although Elder Nanyin had her doubts about Lin Tian, she had clearly chosen to support him in this instance.
"I'll wager my Eastern Desolate Xuan Crystal. What will you wager, Elder Nanyin?" Elder Dongfeng said, placing a fiery red metal on the table, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Elder Nanyin.
"In that case, I'll wager South Sea Yellow Sand," Elder Nanyin grumbled, her teeth clenched in frustration. The Eastern Desolate Xuan Crystal was incredibly precious, and the only thing she had that could match its value was the South Sea Yellow Sand.
"Then I graciously accept your South Sea Yellow Sand," Elder Dongfeng said, his smile widening in triumph.
But just as his words left his lips, the lump of iron in Lin Tian's hand suddenly erupted with a dark, ominous glow. Cracks began to form along its surface, and in the blink of an eye, a pitch-black nail shot out at incredible speed.
Upon seeing the black nail, Zhao Zhenjie's face paled in an instant. He tried to withdraw the Fire Cloud Sword, but the Demon-Sealing Nail moved faster. He couldn't react in time, and the black nail landed directly on the blade.
In the next moment, dark, intricate patterns spread across the sword's surface. The dark light continued to pulse as the sword's spiritual energy vanished entirely. The once formidable Fire Cloud Sword had, in that instant, been reduced to scrap metal.
"This is impossible!" Elder Dongfeng gawked in disbelief at the scene unfolding before him. When Zhao Zhenjie had presented the Fire Cloud Sword, he had been certain Lin Tian would fail. But no one had expected this—Lin Tian's Demon-Sealing Nail not only sealed the Fire Cloud Sword's spiritual essence, but it had completely destroyed it.
Even if the Demon-Sealing Nail were removed now, the Fire Cloud Sword in Zhao Zhenjie's hand would remain nothing more than a worthless hunk of metal.
"This can't be. My Fire Cloud Sword is a spiritual weapon of the third foundation establishment level!" Zhao Zhenjie exclaimed in disbelief, still unable to accept what had just happened.
"Apologies, but my Demon-Sealing Nail just happens to be a third-level foundation establishment spiritual weapon as well," Lin Tian said with an apologetic smile.