"Hey, have you heard? The association really went all out this ti."
Lin Ke said excitedly, "The exam simulation is actually the Heavenly Craft·Transformation. I heard that just starting it up costs billions."
Moreover, for so reason, the consumption this ti is especially high, absurdly high. My uncle, who works in the administration, told that after the exam ended, Transformation burned up sixteen thousand portions of Superior Essence and more than a third of the association's Reserve Spirit."
"That's ridiculous," Frederick was stunned. "It's just an exam; it shouldn't use that much."
"Who knows? They say the Transformation is still running after the exam," Lin Ke shrugged. "Maybe our exam was just a side job. Who knows what large-scale project the council mbers are using Transformation for."
"With so much consumption, wouldn't it be enough to simulate a war between the Federation and the Empire?"
"Hard to say," Hu Yun grinned, "If I were a council mber, I'd play until satisfied first!"
"By the ti you're done playing, the association would probably go bankrupt!" soone laughed nearby.
As they ntioned this topic, everyone started eagerly calculating the consumption of the Tower of Transformation. Back and forth, they finally reached a consensus: this round consud at least the total value of a small city…
"Hey, Ji Jue, what do you think?" Lin Ke noticed Ji Jue beside him seeming hesitant to speak, and actively threw him the conversation.
Unexpectedly, Ji Jue's expression beca dazed.
As if suddenly awakened.
Soon, he tried hard to squeeze out a smile as if everything was normal.
"I don't know."
He tried to restrain the urge to break into a cold sweat, "Surely, those old guys up there aren't just ssing around, right?"
Instantly, laughter broke out.
The louder the laughter, the more Ji Jue sweated.
Ji Jue was almost shaking.
Damn, is the consumption of Transformation really that absurd?
Didn't they say anything about it?!
Just thinking about the possibility of the examiner suddenly appearing one day, grinning and quietly saying to him, "Craftsman, don't you want others to know that half of the consumption was caused by you?" made him want to die.
It's not my fault!
He even asked to play a few more rounds…
But considering Ji Jue's understanding of that examiner, he had a feeling that the guy would secretly send the bill to him.
This is bad.
If it gets exposed, I'll probably be caught by the association and forced to work to death, right? I might not be able to pay it off, and my descendants will have to continue repaying the debt… never-ending! The association's kindness will never be repaid!
Is it still possible to turn to You Sui after leaving now?
Actually, Jian Yuan also seems pretty capable…
…
"So that's Ye Xian's student?"
In another area where craftsn gathered, soone looked up curiously, "He seems quite kind and polite, quite different from Ye Xian."
"The inheritance from a master to a disciple isn't about manners and appearance," said soone who had watched the match records with emotion, "He's also restless. In the future, he might be even more dramatic."
"But… where is Ye Xian?"
"Didn't co, apparently."
The attending craftsn looked around at their surroundings and saw the empty spot, noticing that there was no one there at all.
"Absent at a ti like this?"
"She likely doesn't care about all this and doesn't want to deal with the association."
"At such an occasion, if she ca, it might lead to an unpleasant scene," soone sneered, "Not coming is better; it saves the younger generation from embarrassnt over the master's previous matters."
During this brief discussion, a gentle voice sounded.
"Excuse , could you move aside?"
A slender figure had already woven through the gaps, taking the last vacant seat, looking around: "Almost late, it's about to start."
Just like a fallen leaf drifting into the river, unnoticed and hardly perceived.
Soone ca, soone sat down.
As it should be.
No issue at all.
Only beside the empty spot, a craftsman who was old yet had dragon-like eyes suddenly stiffened, frowned, and looked beside him, shocked from his confusion.
"Hmm?"
The elder's expression changed: "Ancestor——"
"Shh!"
The newcor smiled slightly, raised a finger to her lips indicating silence: "The child's parent didn't want to be exposed, so I'm filling in. Let's not stir up any commotion and invite ridicule."
The elder was silent for a long ti, then slowly nodded.
Saying no more.
His eyes drooped, as if weary.
Seeing the Old Dragon of Bell Tower acting this way, the voices among the craftsn gradually dimd and receded.
In the silence, everything began.
Most ceremonies in the world are quite similar; even if there are occasional differences, they're mostly the sa. In ancient tis, an apprentice had to go through lengthy and complex tests and many steps to beco independent, including fla swallowing, walking on fire, and blood sacrifices, but now, they are simplified.
More like a recognition ceremony.
Even councilman Delong took ti out of his busy schedule to make an appearance, praising all the apprentices as the future pillars of the Ember Craftsn and encouraging them to do great things.
And the real highlight was in the boxes held by the ceremonial staff, one by one, the fresh green gemstone badges.
These were monopolized materials by the association, excellent spiritual conductors—Quenching Lapis Lazuli, each of superior quality, with over a hundred grams, without any impurities, and engraved with the association's insignia and emblem.
As a material, it can be embedded in any creation to enhance stability and spiritual affinity, akin to adding the finishing touch, versatile and magical.
More importantly, it serves as a mark of identity for craftsn, to be worn on their creations.
The information entry had been completed earlier, and the mont the lapis lazuli badge was pinned on the apprentices' collar, a new craftsman erged in the world from that mont on.
But what is the price?
The price is a yearly total of 194,600 currency units in various basic fees…
Among them, 600 currency units are handling fees and mbership dues, 4,000 units for the fabrication of the association's internal network access verifier, and 190,000 units for basic access permissions.
With the permissions, you can properly access the association's patent library, using the patents and techniques available freely. This includes various ancient transmissions and lost skills, fragnts, even the public lessons and teachings of masters.
Just pay the fee.
Most problems can be solved by spending money; the remaining problems need even more spending.
The cost is borne by the craftsn themselves.
The association's wealth cos from a continuous stream of high-quality craftsn. The output of all craftsn and registered workshops globally, such imnse resources, even a slight consolidation amounts to astronomical figures.
Thinking of this, Ji Jue felt tempted to switch to an administrative role as a craftsman.
Unfortunately, he wasn't sure about the future, but would definitely be killed by his teacher first.
With everyone watching, after others followed the procedures, finally Ji Jue stepped onto the podium, walking step by step in the spotlight.
For so reason, he suddenly felt nervous.
Hard to breathe.
Jiang Tongguang smiled brightly, kindly patting his shoulder.
"You did well, kid. I have high hopes for you."
With you, we'll have endless bloody dramas to watch!
Beside him, Gustav watched the young man in front of him, his expression subtly changing, from solemn to a vague transformation. As if wanting to say sothing.
But in the end, he said nothing.
No need to add anything unnecessary.
The honor lies here, ford by his own efforts, resolute by nature, unaffected by others.
What else could he say?
From now on, the achievents and failures are in his own hands. The road to the future is now under his feet.
Gustav hoped only that the young man in front could endure on this path for a long ti.
Once again, he made way for him willingly.
Finally, Delong placed the badge on Ji Jue.
After a comforting pat on the shoulder, he looked toward the speech platform, smiling in suggestion.
"Would you like to say sothing?"
"Can I?" Ji Jue was stunned.
"You are this year's top apprentice. Isn't it logical?"
With a gentle push, Delong guided him to the front.
Suddenly, everything went quiet.
In the deathly silence, Ji Jue looked at the faces and figures below, and the eyes looking back at him, pausing briefly.
It felt extraordinarily unreal.
Unlike the life-and-death battles and struggles, no matter how Lou Feng emphasized the association's arrangents, he still found it hard to grasp the reality of all this.
It's like accidentally dozing off in class.
Just a daze, and everything changes when you wake.
re months ago, he was a college student fiercely competing with classmates. But within months, he crossed such a long distance and ca here, prematurely holding the craftsman's badge in his hand.
Even becoming this year's top apprentice…
Before this, he was used to cold stares and contemptuous expressions, striding forward boldly. But when actually reaching the goal, looking back at the journey, he still found it hard to believe.
In his daze, he looked up and saw a figure with folded arms at the back of the room.
Arrived unnoticed.
As always indifferent and calm, disdainful of all, looking down on everything.
So familiar.
Showing no joy or pride.
Just calmly watching him, that's all.
Yet such a gaze made Ji Jue feel like he was back in his elent, as a fish in water.
His unease and bewildernt seed to vanish, grounding him once more.
The youth then took a deep breath and, naturally, stepped forward.
Facing those unfamiliar faces, solemn and earnest.
Ready to tell them.
"Hello everyone, I'm Ji Jue."
He said, "Craftsman of the Tide Sound Workshop, Ji Jue."
No need for lengthy intros nor multiple accolades and credentials.
This is the person standing before you, that's all.
He smiled.
Stepped back slightly, bowing politely as a final gesture.
Amid a brief mont of surprise and confusion, applause rang out from the crowd.
Soone chuckled and raised their hands. The brief pause was followed by applause rippling through the hall.
From afar, the mighty sound of bells echoed.
Under the scorching sunlight of the clear sky, the ancient bell tower of Tianchu rang out the remnants of ti, spreading and covering all.
From the bells, the once lonely and suffering youth looked up, gazing at the slivers of sunlight through the stained glass of the do.
Instinctively reached out his hand.
Staring at his palm lit by sunlight, his fingers curled.
Grasping tightly.
From this mont on, he was an Ember Craftsman, Ji Jue.
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