138 Newbie, Yousre Still Too Inexperienced (2/2)
This systematic hierarchy was precisely the structure of power of the internal affairs of Ethereal Dao College. When Wang Baole gained a good understanding of all this, he realized that he needed time to assume the great responsibility, and at the same time, his desire to become an Armament Soldier grew even stronger.
As he shifted his gaze away from the drum, Wang Baole suppressed his thoughts as he controlled the cruiser directly toward the Northern Mountain Range. Soon, he arrived within the clouds above the Military Administrative Department. He began his descent to enter the compound.
There were only a few disciples within the Military Administrative Department. Those who were capable of becoming Armament Disciples were only of a small proportion of the large number of ordinary disciples. Therefore, after completing the administrative process, Wang Baole arrived at the specially demarcated assessment ground, a parade square where tens of gigantic stone stele stood. Apart from himself, there was a tall and thin youth who was sitting on a stone stele in preparation with his eyes closed and legs crossed. He looked serious and mysterious.
Sensing that someone had arrived, the youth raised his head and opened his eyes but remained silent as he took a look at Wang Baole. However, seeing that Wang Baole was about to begin his assessment without any preparation, he raised his eyebrows and laughed.
”A new disciple?”
Wang Baole heard his words and turned to look at him.
”The Armament Disciple assessment is the most important milestone for a disciple. Junior Brother, it's fine that you did not even bother to clean yourself up, but your lack of preparation shows your disrespect toward the Armament Disciple advancement assessment. I advise you to attempt the assessment again after preparing yourself. Otherwise, you will definitely fail!” The youth spoke calmly, as if from experience.
”Is it really so difficult?” Wang Baole had originally been very laid-back. However, after hearing the youth's words, with his gut feeling telling him that the youth was not lying to him, he inevitably grew concerned.
”Every year, there are only slightly more than ten people who successfully advance to become Armament Disciples in the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. In addition, many of the disciples have spent at least two years doing so after entering Upper Academy Island. So, don't you think it's hard?
”Refining a hundred perfect first-grade Dharmic Artifacts becomes simple in comparison, for it can be achieved with time. However, in the assessment mystic realm, ten random Dharmic Artifacts will be chosen. One has to present the refinement process again within the stipulated time without making any mistakes. Should one mistake be made, one fails! Isn't that difficult?
”Of those who gained admission to Upper Academy Island, who doesn't have talent? People like you, who think that it's easy to pass the assessment, are plentiful. I have tried nine times and seen many, but I have not seen one that succeeded.” The youth did not know who Wang Baole was and was speaking in a conceited tone.
Wang Baole looked at the youth with a weird expression. He was thinking about how it made sense that the youth sounded so full of experience, for he had done the assessment so many times. Therefore, with both trust and suspicion, he became uneasy, as he mimicked the youth and began preparing by sitting down cross-legged.
Realizing that Wang Baole was an individual who would listen to advice, the youth laughed as he felt heartened. It was as if he saw a past shadow of his failure in Wang Baole. After a moment, when he had completed his preparation, he raised his right hand and retrieved a Dharmic Artifact, sending it into the stone stele.
Wang Baole noticed and immediately retrieved a Dharmic Artifact, sending it into the stone stele just like the youth.
”Cloud Frost Sword?” After noticing the Dharmic Artifact that Wang Baole retrieved, the youth was momentarily shocked as he threw several more glances at Wang Baole before retrieving yet another Dharmic Artifact and sending it into the stone stele. Wang Baole followed suit and retrieved another Dharmic Artifact.
”Spirit Fog Shield?” The youth stared with his eyes wide open. The Cloud Frost Sword was one of the most challenging items to refine of the first-grade Dharmic Artifacts. He had been surprised after seeing the first artifact but did not think much of it. However, now that Wang Baole retrieved yet another Dharmic Artifact that was extremely difficult to refine, he inevitable became bewildered. Despite that, he was indignant and sighed in his heart.
Is he trying to show off? Is he planning to compete with me? Newbie, you're still too inexperienced. Even though I have failed so many times, in reality, every failure can be considered a strong driving force and improvement for me. Without those failures, I wouldn't be who I am today!
The youth narrowed his eyes, and with a wave of arrogance, he flung his sleeves and retrieved the remaining ninety-eight Dharmic Artifacts. Of those, there were nine around the same difficulty as the Spirit Fog Shield. Delightedly, he looked askance at Wang Baole, but that was when his mind instantly buzzed with activity.
Wang Baole, who was beside him, followed the youth in retrieving his remaining ninety-eight Dharmic Artifacts, all of them of the same grade as the Spirit Fog Shield. Now, the glow from the Dharmic Artifact was extremely bright, and the glitz almost made the youth's eyes fall out of their sockets. In his surprise, he began cursing angrily and indignantly in his heart.
Did this fella come for the assessment or to show that he's rich? Gosh, what's the point of bringing so many difficult to refine Dharmic Artifacts for just an Armament Disciple assessment?