Quentin Zhang's words left Charlie Zhao's face flushed with indignation.
The artifact she had poured her heart into was dismissed as "trash" by a Semi-Divine Forgemaster, yet she couldn't accept this conclusion.
She opened her mouth, ready to argue, but Quentin silenced her with a dismissive wave of his hand. "When I speak, you listen quietly."
"Just because you forged a piece of junk, don't think you can look down on Semi-Divine Forgemasters."
"You should know that turning this trash of a sword embryo into a true Semi-Divine artifact requires a resonance with the heavens and a great display of cosmic phenomena."
"Even I cannot achieve such a feat."
"Do you expect to find some mythical Heavenly Gate Elder to refine it for you?"
Quentin sneered, and his words sparked murmurs among the onlookers.
"Oh, I see. So that's why Quentin Zhang called her sword embryo trash!"
"Yeah, only someone with Semi-Divine insight could explain such nuances. It makes sense that she'd place third if the sword is that flawed."
The other forgemasters murmured in agreement, quickly re-evaluating their opinions. The Semi-Divine Forgemasters' expertise was beyond their reach, and they'd been wrong to suspect foul play.
"No… that's not true," Charlie replied, her face pale but her voice resolute. "I believe I can forge it successfully without relying on cosmic resonance. I just need the right materials to complete the Crimson Star Rainbow."
Her voice faltered slightly, but she wasn't lying—she truly believed in her ability. If only she had the resources, Charlie felt she had a fair chance of completing the artifact to the highest standards.
"A chance of success, even if it's one in ten," she thought. For a Semi-Divine artifact, that was significant.
"Hmph!"
A cold scoff echoed through the venue.
Felix Xu, watching from above, regarded her with disdain. "What do you think you know?"
"Are you questioning the judgment of us, Semi-Divine Forgemasters?"
"You believe yourself to be better?"
"Young, arrogant, and naive. Truly disappointing. I was considering taking you on as a disciple, but now I've changed my mind."
"Dominic!" Felix called to the official who had announced the rankings earlier.
"Yes, Master Felix, what are your orders?"
"Strip her of her rank."
"Such disrespect and arrogance. She doesn't deserve the title of forgemaster."
His words were like a thunderclap across the Star Forging Valley.
Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Felix Xu to go so far as to disqualify Charlie.
Charlie's face turned even paler, bewildered as to why speaking her mind had led to such consequences.
"Now, now, Master Felix, there's no need to be so harsh," Master Lian Xing interjected, attempting to mediate. "It's normal for the young to be a bit brash. Charlie, just kneel and apologize, and we can put this matter behind us."
Charlie's mind spun, torn between hurt and resentment, and she clenched her fists as tears of frustration welled up.
"I wasn't lying," she whispered, her voice small but defiant. "I really can…"
"Enough!"
Quentin Zhang's eyes flashed with anger. "Still spouting nonsense!"
To him, Charlie was a mere novice, barely worth his time.
"Expel her from the competition immediately," Quentin commanded, shooting a glance at Dominic.
Lian Xing sighed and shook his head, abandoning the idea of taking her as a disciple. She clearly lacked tact and adaptability, traits essential to thrive as a forgemaster.
"Charlie Zhao, your status in the competition is nullified, and any awards will be retracted. Please leave immediately," Dominic announced coldly.
The words hit Charlie like a physical blow, her knees nearly buckling as she struggled to keep her footing.
She had only wanted to be treated fairly, yet she was now being punished for it.
"Is this really necessary?" Master Vivian Ning, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "This hardly seems like an offense worthy of such a severe punishment."
While Vivian Ning thought Charlie had been careless in her words, she saw no reason to expel her from the competition entirely.
With a dismissive chuckle, Dominic turned to Vivian Ning. "Master Vivian, perhaps you're unaware. Charlie Zhao actually violated the rules of this event and should have been disqualified from the start."
"We showed leniency before, but now… well…"
Vivian Ning's brow furrowed in mild disbelief as Dominic sided with Felix.
"Violated the rules?" Charlie was bewildered, as were many of the spectators who exchanged puzzled glances.
Dominic didn't leave them guessing. "Charlie Zhao is just an independent forgemaster, unaccustomed to proper decorum."
"She arrived late to the competition, well after it had started. According to the rules, she shouldn't have been allowed to participate at all."
"But in our graciousness, the Langya Sword Sect permitted her to compete. Instead of gratitude, she's repeatedly shown disrespect to her seniors."
"With this attitude, is it unreasonable to strip her of her place?"
Many in the crowd, who had initially sympathized with her, now nodded slowly. They understood the importance of rules and order, and if she had indeed violated them, disqualification seemed fair.
"That's… that's not true. I wasn't late," Charlie stammered, her voice faint and trembling.
She recalled clearly that she had arrived on time, just after escorting that blind old man to Star Forging City. But they were twisting her actions, using a petty excuse to take her spot away.
The sense of injustice tore at her.
Why wouldn't anyone believe her?
"Still here?" Ray Xu, who had won first place, sneered. "Take your trash sword embryo and leave."
His gaze held a flash of jealousy as he glanced at her sword embryo, though he masked it with ridicule.
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