Pop! That was quick.

Ji Jue felt as if he blinked, and the world around him had entirely changed.

One moment, he was at the designated location in Cliff City, being sent into the middle of the Secret Ceremony Totem by a few people wearing Star Core Association badges, who told him not to move or resist; the next moment, swoosh, Ji Jue's vision went dark.

The world spun chaotically.

It felt like being spun on a giant wheel multiple times, streaks of speeding light vanished abruptly.

The world before him became clear.

He sensed a powerful surge of waves entirely different from those in Cliff City in the distance. The moist sea breeze hit his face, shifting from the slight chill of early winter to the scorching heat of summer in an instant.

He was already on the other side of reality, above the Endless Sea between the Empire and the Federation.

Where the Association's headquarters was located.

Under the brilliant sunlight, the grand white city built on the island radiated dazzlingly.

Ji Jue felt a vibration on his wrist, and a pop-up window suddenly appeared.

——[Navigation data update complete: Reality Node · Tianxue]

"..."

What was this? A new teleportation point?

After a momentary teleportation, the Doomsday Special Train automatically recorded the new location in its system.

On the map, among the vast whiteness, three flashing light points appeared: one was Cliff City, another the old site of Spring City, both located in the north.

And one in the central area of the map, where Ji Jue was now.

Tianxue.

But, what did Reality Node mean?

Couldn't make sense of it.

Still in stunned bewilderment, he looked around. The staff on the high platform had already picked up a loudspeaker and was urging, "Candidates, please leave the area as soon as possible, follow the instructions along the route, and the staff's guidance to the examination site..."

Candidates kept arriving through the Star Core Association passage with the flashing lights. Unlike the novices in their first teleportation, some were already familiar with the process.

It seemed that they were not experiencing this for the first time, or they had been advised by their teachers, and walked out skillfully.

"Another country bumpkin, why so many this year?"

Someone chuckled lightly as they passed by, speaking in Imperial language, "Excuse me, don't block the way."

Ji Jue's smile remained unchanged. He turned around, looking at the apprentices behind him who were here for the exam, his expression even more amiable as he responded fluently in Imperial language,

"You faint like a horse."

"..." The proud smile froze momentarily, with a look of slight surprise, ready to speak when Ji Jue continued, "I kill it."

"You——"

The proud apprentice was instantly furious. His companion quickly pulled him back, blocking in front of him, "Don't make a scene here, don't stoop to the level of this poor guy..."

"Your horse faints too."

Ji Jue added, sincerely telling him, "Yes, I kill them all."

In an instant, both faces turned green, with a hint of blue, fists clenched tightly.

Unfortunately, the Association staff had already noticed, and a few Chosen Ones responsible for security shot cold, warning glances their way.

The expressions of the two candidates changed, gritting their teeth, they gave him a deep look, "I'll remember you, we'll see after the exam."

"Do you think I, Zhou Cheng, am afraid of you?"

Ji Jue sneered, patting the nonexistent dust off his sleeve, "If you have the guts, come to Ship City, I'll pluck your heads off!"

"Fine, you wait!"

The older of the two dragged his companion away eventually.

After that, no one came to disturb Ji Jue's sightseeing anymore...

The candidates walked around him as if they had hit an invisible reef, creating a large empty space.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

Ji Jue whistled, gazing at the distant scenery.

Following the path, he moved forward slowly.

Indeed, the Association was wealthy, incredibly wealthy!

Originally, he was pained about the 410,000 registration fee, but now, the exam hadn't even started, yet it seemed worth every penny.

A free three-day tour of the Association headquarters, including pickup and drop-off!

Opening a special gate by the Star Core Association alone must have cost at least 400,000, not to mention all the materials provided for the subsequent exams. Although they may not be extremely valuable, considering the Ember currency exchange rate, Ji Jue couldn't help but calculate the number of people teleported, making him want to gasp.

At market prices, such a large-scale teleportation, even with close cooperation between the Taiyi Ring and the Star Core Association for group discounts, would still cost at least billions.

Considering the Association's monopolistic pricing, this registration fee of over 400,000 was probably the last act of conscience left for the apprentices.

It was said that in the ages of chaos, phenomena like "time difference" existed. When it was dawn in the Federation, it might already be night in the Empire.

But now, except for the fragmentary historical records, no one remembered such almost fantastical legends anymore.

In the same dawn light, candidates from all over the world were heading towards the exam site as guided.

Not far, just a winding path from the high platform midway down the mountain, and the grand city was already close at hand.

Unlike in previous years, this time the exam site was in a magnificent building akin to a temple beside a ruined high tower. Many were taking pictures and making memories in front of the huge gate.

Ji Jue was no exception.

He sent a video to his friends...

"Hey, arrived at the highest city of craftsmen in reality, Tianxue!"

He grinned at the camera, making a V-sign with his fingers. Then, in the background reflected in the camera, he saw a familiar face and raised an eyebrow.

Hmm? Isn't that Lou Dashao?

Better look at the Association in the distance, folks!

"Hey! What kind of expression is that!"

Lou Feng erupted in anger.

"Sigh, sigh, meeting an old friend in a foreign place, I'm just thrilled."

Ji Jue gave a simple smile, throwing an arm around his shoulder, ignoring his look of disdain, "When did you get here?"

"When you were sparring with others' mothers..."

Lou Feng glanced at him, coldly replied, "You seem courageous, not afraid of being expelled for fighting."

"Don't worry, I've read the exam rules. As long as there's no physical contact, it's not considered a fight. If I encounter danger, I'll call the security immediately."

Ji Jue grinned, "You should have faith in the Association's security!"

"The moment the Association allowed troublemakers like you to take the exam, I lost hope in its security!"

Lou Feng snorted, attempting to distance himself from Ji Jue, but to his surprise, Ji Jue clung on like sticky glue.

"What brings you here?" Ji Jue asked curiously, "Did Master Kong start another training drill?"

"It has nothing to do with the teacher. It was my decision. Do you think everyone needs signatures everywhere to register for an exam like you? Even if I fail, it's a good experience."

Having grown very familiar, Lou Feng skillfully hit Ji Jue's weak point with a contemptuous smile, "After all, my family is wealthy."

"Don't be so distant."

Ji Jue was unconcerned and clung tighter, accidentally stepping on the shiny leather shoe, "It's said that at home, rely on family, when out, rely on brothers. Your money is my money.

Have you eaten? I haven't, spare some..."

"Go away, go away!"

"Come on, come on, didn't you say we should be partners for life..."

"Shut up, how dare you say it, I'll kill you!!!"

Thus, they jostled and tussled, blending into the crowd.

Next to the exam site, at the top of the ruined high tower, two figures watched everything below.

Jiang Tongguang grinned, scratching his chin with genuine sentiment, "Ah, youth is wonderful."

"Youth?"

Gustav sneered, flicking through the report in his hand, "The youth you mentioned just got into a fight with other apprentices on the Association's geomantic transport circle.

Another restless guy, just like his teacher, no matter how polite and respectful he seems, it's all just arrogance. He looks down on anyone unrelated to himself."

"That bold?"

Jiang Tongguang raised an eyebrow, "Where's he from?"

Gustav waved a hand, pulling a registration form from the void and tossing it over, "From Cliff City of the Federation, registered under the Chao Sheng workshop."

"Chao Sheng? Which Chao...Oh, Ye Xian?"

Jiang Tongguang suddenly realized, then laughed, "Her student, no wonder. But she can take an apprentice? That's what's unusual."

He examined the registration form in his hand, "Who is this young hero?"

"Who knows, the Association's Hai Province branch rates him highly, participated in the recent Spring City contest, with reportedly excellent performance.

Supposedly, if not for the friction between Hai Province and Central State, he might have been directly awarded."

"Let me see..."

Jiang Tongguang tossed the registration form back into the void, extracting the relevant files, clicking his tongue in admiration, "A commoner, no t chosens in his ancestry, barely a year of study, and three masters endorsed him. More impressive than the Imperial Dragon's disciple this year, quite a standout."

Contrary to some for his humble background, Jiang Tongguang, impressed by an undistinguished Ember Chosen One's rapid progress, far surpassing numerous second-generation elites born with silver spoons.

"I think your deliberate high difficulty level and widespread rumors had the opposite effect this year."

Putting away the files, Jiang Tongguang crouched at the tower's edge, pointing and gesturing below, "Security Bureau and Confidential Bureau trainees aside, let's see…

Dragon Heart, Bell Tower, Nine Seals, White Sails, Five Flowers, Seven Rivers, North Wind, Blue Wolves, Unified Association, Hundred-Eyed Giant...hmm, plus Chao Sheng in disguise."

"Most prominent workshops in the Association sent apprentices. Apart from direct or collateral disciples of the three Grandmasters, there's even an Imperial True Blood."

He sighed lightly, "This year is truly brimming with talent."

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