Chu Feng plunged into the pool, clasped his hand seals into a refining Technique, and combined it with the power of his robe to begin absorbing the pool's energy and undergoing the tempering process.
The other disciples didn't dare slack off either, and similarly embarked on their own tempering journeys.
But as time passed and the half-hour deadline drew near, many disciples stopped their tempering and shifted their gazes to Chu Feng, then to the six pools, looking back and forth repeatedly.
They wanted to see whether Chu Feng would break the record set by Lord Dugu Lingtian.
They didn't know how a record was broken.
All they knew was that if the formation within the pool began to glow and the name on the mountain peak changed, that would mean Chu Feng had broken the record.
Otherwise, he hadn't.
Previously, the Guardian had made it clear that Chu Feng's time limit was half an hour.
If he didn't succeed within half an hour, he needed to leave the seventh pool immediately, or he would lose his life within it.
By now, the half-hour mark was fast approaching.
But the name on Mo Mountain hadn't changed, and there wasn't the slightest transformation within the pool either.
Chu Feng opened his eyes and glanced at both the pool and the mountain peak.
Seeing that he hadn't triggered any change whatsoever, he closed his eyes once more and resumed focusing on the tempering.
"Chu Feng, time is almost up. If you want to stay alive, get up right now."
But the moment Chu Feng shut his eyes, the Guardian urged him again.
"Guardian, please give this disciple one more chance."
"I cannot lose."
Chu Feng appeared rather anxious. He didn't want to fail.
"Chu Feng, a man should know his own limitations."
"If you could break every single one of Lord Dugu Lingtian's records..."
"Wouldn't that make you someone who surpasses the Sect Master, someone who surpasses Lord Dugu Lingtian?"
"Luck might carry you once, but fortune won't stay by your side forever."
"Get up, now."
As the Guardian spoke, a faint smirk played at the corner of his lips, and his words were dripping with mockery.
But Chu Feng had absolutely no intention of getting up. He began to ignore the Guardian's words entirely.
"Brother Chu Feng."
"Time is really almost up."
Seeing this, Tu Yuanyuan couldn't help but speak up.
Just as she'd said, the half-hour limit was nearly here.
If the half-hour passed and the pool truly began to consume Chu Feng, things would be dire.
"If this Chu Feng keeps going, he's going to pay the price."
"Vanity can truly be one's downfall at times."
"This Chu Feng thinks too highly of himself. Does he really believe he can stand alongside Lord Dugu Lingtian?"
As the deadline approached and Chu Feng showed not the slightest intention of leaving, some of the disciples present began exchanging secret voice transmissions or whispering among themselves.
Hummm.
But suddenly, from the seventh pool where Chu Feng was, a streak of radiance emerged. That light then split into six beams, like luminous dragons, and surged toward each of the other six pools.
As the light flooded in, all six pools reacted.
"Could it be... is Chu Feng actually going to break Lord Dugu Lingtian's record?"
At the sight, the expressions of all the disciples became conflicted. Those who had been quietly mocking Chu Feng just moments ago looked especially grim.
They could feel that the power within the pools had shifted.
This miraculous change made them realize that Chu Feng was very likely on the verge of success.
"Chu Feng, your life is what matters. Get out of there immediately."
But just as everyone was stunned, the Guardian suddenly spoke up.
Not only that — he raised his hand, and a surge of power erupted from his body, coiling around Chu Feng.
He intended to forcibly drag Chu Feng out of the pool.
Splaaaaash.
Yet the very instant the Guardian's power wrapped around Chu Feng, the seventh pool began to boil violently. A massive vortex formed and encircled Chu Feng.
At the same time, all the radiance within the pool vanished completely.
"Guardian, you — withdraw your power, quickly!"
At this, Chu Feng hastily opened his eyes and looked toward the Guardian.
"Chu Feng, even if you've activated the formation's power, breaking Lord Dugu Lingtian's record still takes time. There isn't enough time left."
"The pool has already begun to consume you. I am saving your life."
The Guardian showed no intention of pulling back his strength.
"Guardian, this disciple can do it! Just give me a little more time — please, withdraw your power!"
Chu Feng shouted desperately.
"Chu Feng, don't be obstinate! Cooperate with me and break free with everything you've got! Don't stay in there any longer, or you will die!"
The Guardian not only refused to stop — he actually redoubled his efforts to pull Chu Feng out.