"Otherwise?"

Zhou Chong retorted, "In the early years, when I was at my wits' end, it was Elder Tong who lent me a hand, which led to the workshop and the grandeur we have now...

Since Elder Tong is in need, I should naturally exhaust all means, giving my all without a moment's slack. But if it weren't for him today, I might owe even more.

You always say I won't teach you 'All Sources Return,' but let me ask you, if you were in his position today, could you have even a fraction of his responsibility and decisiveness?"

Zhou Cheng was stunned, falling silent.

Several times, he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.

"I just feel... the craftsmanship exam is different from others, with so many stakes involved. You're staking your reputation to vouch for him. What if he performs poorly and fails the exam?"

"You'd better pray he passes."

Zhou Chong impatiently waved his hand, "If he can't even pass the current difficulty level of the exam, then your entire future is hopeless."

Zhou Cheng was immediately stunned, his blood boiling, and instinctively opened his mouth, "It's just an exam, I could also..."

"You're not up to it."

Zhou Chong resolutely shook his head, interrupting him.

He said, "This year is different."

The craftsmanship exam of the Taiyi Ring, held once every three years, had at most sixty-one passing candidates, which was nearly a third of the examinees at that time.

That exam twenty-seven years ago was praised by craftsmen as a benevolent event, with countless people crossing the Dragon Gate, still talked about with relish to this day.

While in the years with the fewest passing candidates, there was none at all.

[0]

Twenty-one years ago, over two hundred candidates did not escape!

Annihilated...

It caused a stir in the industry, shocking the craftsmen, with even the Taiyi Ring taking on huge pressure that year. But in the end, they still chose to publish the results.

The one who presided over that exam was one of the eight directors of the Taiyi Ring today, the leader of the Stone Life School, Gustav Schmidt.

Under his leadership, the Stone Life School, which had been a minor group within the association, changed its opportunistic ways, becoming ambitious. In just over forty years, they earned their laurels, becoming a leading school, even able to rival the numerous Colonial Transformation school.

Their principle: 'Better sparse than excessive,' 'Few rather than many.'

In his view, the association had become increasingly bloated due to the flood of mediocrity and the reckless chaos of the incompetent, turning into what it is now.

Since he took on the supervisory role, the association's rules became increasingly stringent, leaving many to cry bitterly.

It's said that he even intends to introduce a craftsmanship assessment system, so that even those with a craftsmanship license don't get to rest easy. If they fail the evaluations and assessments, they would either be downgraded or have their licenses revoked... If it weren't for being too radical, causing even the Carrion Eaters to be alarmed and step in to stabilize things, the whole association might have been turned upside down.

This year, there are rumors that he has applied once again for the position of exam host and supervisor, planning to take severe measures to curb the burgeoning complacency among apprentices and mend the association.

Ordinary mediocre talents would barely have time to avoid this, so who would willingly step up and seek death?

Are they not afraid of being judged as 'hopeless,' never to pass in their lifetime?

Seeking their own doom.

It's said that Director Gustav detests most so-called geniuses who arrogantly defy rules and see themselves as exceptions.

The rule he proposed of not accepting applications from apprentices with less than three years of study.

Zhou Chong really wants to see... if Ye Xian sends his prized student under Gustav's nose, can he gain favor? And does Gustav dare use his toughness on Ye Xian?

He was just ready to spectate, but why did his foolish grandson decide to jump onto the chopping board, under the knife himself?

Truly, no lesson learned!

"Just keep limping then."

He finally glanced back at his defeated grandson, waving his hand indifferently, "Let's see how long you remember this pain after facing a bit of setback."

They say, learning from shame brings courage.

If you can't let go of that pointless pride and arrogance, then you'll be a worthless bum for life, just earning some shares and being sustained in the workshop.

Zhou Chong flicked his sleeve and left.

Leaving Zhou Cheng still dazed in place.

For a long time, he hurriedly grabbed his cane and chased after.

Outside the workshop, the sky was clear, stars bright, and not a cloud in sight.

Under the same night sky, some drove with the evening breeze, singing songs with ease, hoping for the future. Others tossed and turned, eyes bloodshot, finally making a painful decision. And there were those agonizing between scrolls and the Melting Furnace under the workshop lights, or stepping out confidently, waiting for the trial to come.

In the Federation, Empire, Central Earth, Thousand Islands... under the same lofty night sky, stars streamed and shone. When someone occasionally gazed up, the light illuminated those contemplative or confused eyes.

From beginning to end, the stars remained silent.

Only moving forward.

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