174: Chapter 174: Souls are too expensive, you can't afford them.

"What?"

"She's right?"

Jiang Ning's unconventional opening stunned everyone.

Even Master Huorong, who was ready with a mouthful of mockery, felt as if someone had grabbed his throat, choking back his remaining words.

What kind of tactic was this?

Being called trash to one's face and then nodding in agreement?

Was this just surrendering?

Sect Leader Lu Yun and Junior Brother Sun were anxious.

"Master... Consultant..." Sect Leader Lu Yun whispered, fearing Jiang Ning hadn't heard what the other party was saying.

Jiang Ning raised a hand to signal him to stay calm.

Holding the megaphone, she continued unhurriedly: "This old gentleman just said that our items lack spirit, do not understand the Great Dao, and have no soul. On this point, I completely agree."

Wow—a wave of irrepressible discussion broke out in the crowd.

"Is this woman a fool? She actually admitted it?"

"It's over. I thought there would be a good show, but she's a coward who knelt the moment she was intimidated."

"Boring, let's go."

Master Huorong showed a disdainful, victorious smile. He thought the other party would have some profound argument, but it turned out to be nothing.

"At least you have some self-awareness!" He snorted, preparing to leave, feeling that saying another word to such a person was a waste of his time.

However, Jiang Ning's next words made him stop.

"Because the soul is too expensive."

The voice from the megaphone remained calm.

"Master Huorong is a Grandmaster of Artifact Refinement. Every magical treasure you refine pours out your heart and blood, contains your 'Dao,' and is a unique work of art. We deeply admire this point."

This statement first flattered him, causing Master Huorong's expression to soften slightly.

"However," Jiang Ning changed the subject, "I would like to ask you a question, Master. How long does it take you to refine a top-tier magical treasure? How many rare materials must be consumed? In the end, how many cultivators can afford its price?"

Master Huorong was stunned by the question, then said proudly: "My magical treasures are naturally prepared for those destined to have them! Those without outstanding talent or deep fortune cannot obtain them! As for time and materials, they must be refined to perfection; how can they be measured by worldly value?"

"Well said." Jiang Ning nodded. "That is to say, your 'artworks' are destined to be exclusive to a very small minority. Then, what about the rest—the thousands of ordinary cultivators with average talent and not-so-deep fortune? What should they do?"

"Do they not deserve to possess a useful, reliable tool that can protect them and help them cultivate?"

Jiang Ning's voice rose a few decibels.

"Master, the times have changed."

"We are not here to compete with you on whose magical treasure has more 'spirit' or whose work is more like an 'art piece.'"

"We have brought a brand-new concept."

She pointed to the cold, spiritless machines at the booth and said word by word:

"Our goal is not to craft a unique luxury item for that one percent of geniuses."

"It is to provide a cheap, reliable, standardized solution that everyone can afford for the ninety-nine percent of ordinary people!"

"You pursue the soul; we pursue efficiency!"

"So, Master, you are right; our things indeed have no soul."

"Because the soul is too expensive. And we want everyone to be able to afford it."

These words hit everyone present like a heavy hammer.

The entire venue instantly became silent.

Those who were still mocking the Qingyun Sect had their smiles frozen on their faces.

Weren't the vast majority of them the "ordinary people" with average talent and shallow fortune that Jiang Ning spoke of?

Who among them didn't yearn for a powerful magical treasure? But could they afford those "artworks" that cost a sky-high price?

Jiang Ning's words didn't refute a single word of Master Huorong, but every word seemed to say: You play with your highbrow art, and I will do my commoners' work. Your things are good, but they have nothing to do with me. My things are the ones prepared for you.

This was a dimensionality reduction strike on traditional artifact refinement concepts from the very root!

Master Huorong's face turned the color of a pig's liver.

He wanted to refute, but found he had no way to start.

Was he going to say, "Those trash don't deserve good magical treasures"? If he dared to say that, he would offend 99% of the cultivators present today!

He was placed in an incredibly awkward position by Jiang Ning's words.

"You... your words are heretical! Quibbling!" After holding back for a long time, he could only squeeze out such a weak sentence.

"Whether it is heretical or not, just talking with your mouth is useless." Jiang Ning smiled; she knew the timing was right.

"At the expo, whether it's a mule or a horse, you have to take it out for a walk."

"The on-site demonstration segment is coming up. Why don't we let the facts speak for themselves, how about it?"

She looked at Master Huorong and issued a direct challenge.

The demonstration segment began quickly.

As a titan in the artifact refinement world, the Shenhuo Sect was naturally the first to take the stage.

Master Huorong was full of anger, determined to crush the other party's ridiculous "heresy" with absolute strength.

He brought out his proudest work, an alchemy furnace called the "Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover," and began refining alchemy in public!

He chanted mantras and formed hand seals; nine fire dragons flew out of the furnace, circling and dancing with astonishing momentum.

Various rare medicinal herbs were thrown into the furnace under his masterful control.

The whole process was full of profound Dao rhymes and amazing visual effects, drawing gasps and thunderous applause from the audience below.

An hour later, the furnace opened.

Three "Barrier-Breaking Pills," flowing with precious light and natural alchemy essence, flew out of the furnace.

"Top-grade Barrier-Breaking Pills! Heavens! Three pills in one furnace! Master Huorong's alchemy technique has actually reached such a divine level!"

"As expected of a Grandmaster! This technique, this demeanor, is simply a divine method!"

Below the stage, there was a chorus of praise.

Master Huorong listened to these praises, and his face finally regained some color, and the depression in his heart dissipated a lot.

He glanced disdainfully at the direction of the Qingyun Sect's booth.

See that? Boy!

This is true artifact refinement! This is the true Dao!

Can those cold iron lumps of yours do this?

He finished the demonstration and walked off the high platform amidst applause.

Then, it was the Qingyun Sect's turn.

Amidst countless gazes mixed with curiosity, skepticism, and anticipation, Jiang Ning and Junior Brother Sun pushed the "alchemy god generation iii" fully automatic alchemy machine to the center of the demonstration stage.

The whole process was quiet, fast, without any flashy movements.

It was like two mortals moving a cabinet.

This plain and unadorned scene formed a hilariously sharp contrast with Master Huorong's fairy-like performance just now.

Below the stage, another wave of whispering broke out.

"What are they doing? Just pushing a box up and that's it?"

"Not even an opening ceremony? This is too unprofessional!"

Master Huorong was even standing under the stage with his arms crossed, a cold sneer on his face.

He wanted to see what kind of tricks this group could play.