"Is it really this formal?" Ji Jue was stunned.

"What else did you expect?"

Lou Feng glanced over and asked, "How many people have struggled through days and nights, enduring endless toil, all for today?

How many have spent half their lives trying to reach this point, and you dare say that achieving all this was an easy feat?"

Ji Jue had no words to say.

The hardships of apprenticeship, has anyone not experienced them?

Even those personally chosen by the Superior are not spared from the grueling process.

The significance of becoming a craftsman is monumental for every apprentice. It's not just about the status and authority of a craftsman or the rights within the apprentices' realm.

It's more akin to a rite of passage into adulthood.

Before this, the apprentices were under the protection of their mentors and workshops. Now, as craftsmen, they are seen as qualified to face challenges on their own and bear all consequences.

Excuses and reasons no longer apply.

From this point on, they will shoulder the heritage and traditions, standing on their own.

Who wouldn't take this seriously?

Ji Jue took a deep breath and stepped forward.

At this moment, countless gazes fell upon him from the staircase. The passing workers and the craftsmen quickly identified him, surprised by the scar on Ji Jue's face.

Their expressions changed from astonishment to acknowledgment.

Some nodded in greeting.

It felt as though everyone was looking his way, yet no one spoke, and paths opened silently for him.

Stepping up the stairs.

In front of the door, surrounded by a group of people, two individuals who were speaking stopped and turned their attention towards him. Their expressions varied; some were gentle, while others changed slightly upon seeing Ji Jue, forcing a strained smile.

Lou Feng coughed softly and bowed first to greet them:

"Director Gustav, Director Jiang."

Jiang Tongguang, with his hands behind his back, looked at the two of them and smiled without speaking.

"Today, only craftsmen are present, no need for formalities."

Gustav nodded and revealed a rare smile, even making way for them: "Hurry in, the ceremony is about to begin."

No matter the rank, even the councilman would not flaunt his authority in this setting. As elders, it's only natural to show kindness and generosity, offering encouragement and support to the juniors.

He told Ji Jue, "Today, you enter through the main door."

As Ji Jue passed by, he couldn't shake the feeling that the two directors' gazes were particularly meaningful.

The main door?

When he turned back, he saw that Lou Feng had already left, vanishing through the open side door. As the main door was pushed open, the low hum of chatter inside abruptly ceased.

The hall was not small, yet almost every seat was filled.

Not only were the apprentices who passed the exam there, but also the craftsmen who oversaw the examination and mentors from various places who rushed to witness the ceremony.

On such a joyful day, no one showed displeasure. Familiar faces appeared everywhere, sparking lively conversations among even the most reserved people.

There were friendly greetings between acquaintances, forced smiles under grudges, and sarcastic jests.

However, the moment the main door opened, all the chatter melted away like snow under the scorching sun. What remained was only a solemn silence, with countless eyes staring at the entrance.

Scrutinizing, evaluating, curious, touched, and perhaps a bit disdainful and resistant.

There were too many to distinguish.

But many people began to rise from their seats, one after another from the front rows. Ji Jue recognized many faces he had dealt with before.

Among them was Lou Feng, who had quietly blended in.

In the silence, even the sound of breathing was audible.

Ji Jue was slightly confused.

Next, a man with a beard, imposing even among the chosen ones, walked straight towards him.

"North Wind Workshop, your vanquished, Frederick."

The Son of the North Wind raised his tattooed hand, "Nice to meet you."

"Tide Sound Workshop, Ji Jue." Ji Jue shook his hand and smiled, "I remember you, Surter was strong. Please don't mind the offense."

Frederick's expression twitched, uncertain if it was bitterness or self-deprecation, as he sighed openly, "A temporary victory, at least I didn't die under those two knives, thank you for sparing me."

Following the northern custom, he pulled Ji Jue into a bear hug, patting his shoulder with his other hand.

He said, "Congratulations."

"Dragon Heart, Lin Ke."

Another smiling young man came forward, shaking hands and expressing congratulations, "Congratulations."

Though their combined efforts did not bring victory, looking at Ji Jue now, there was no hiding his admiration and joy, "Add me as a friend? Perhaps we can discuss dealing with evil entities later?"

"Of course." Ji Jue readily took out his phone.

"Five Flowers and Five Leaves, Zhu Yu."

A petite girl with colorful hair looked at his face, raising an eyebrow, and her initially sharp eyes brightened up, "Brother, do you have a girlfriend? I could introduce my senior sister to you?"

"Uh, this..."

"Nine Seals Workshop, August, yes, the one you stomped and broke. Please, don't grip too hard, my hand was just reset by my teacher..."

"Tongxie Workshop, Hu Yun, come visit Yunzhou sometime."

"Seven Rivers..."

By the time Ji Jue realized, he was already surrounded by people.

Some were colder, only exchanging names. Others were more enthusiastic, exchanging contact information, and someone as familiar as Lin Ke already had his arm over Ji Jue's shoulder for a group photo.

No matter how narrow-minded someone was, after witnessing Ji Jue's overwhelming victories, they smartly buried their displeasure and stomped on it. Even if they didn't want to be friends, why provoke a rival?

Is Ji Jue not ruthless enough, or is Ye Xian's blade not sharp?

They represent the Tide Sound!

Winning and losing is natural, and the Tide Sound is far from the Federation's core, so there's no conflict with other workshops' business. Since they've already clashed, why not be friends?

Even the reserved Andel exhausted most of his social energy today to greet Ji Jue.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn't resist asking, "The final workshop foundation, how did you dismantle it?"

"Huh?"

Ji Jue was surprised but quickly understood, "I reviewed your previous records. Generally speaking, the underlying structures you adopt have limited options, so I prepared countermeasures for all of them. The match was short, so I bet you didn't have time to rebuild from scratch."

"Such a short time?" Andel frowned, "At least seventeen types of countermeasures, is that enough?"

"Elimination method." Ji Jue thought for a moment, then smiled self-deprecatingly, "Because our natures are quite opposed, I focused on the types that put the most pressure on me..."

Andel was stunned, sighed bitterly after a long pause.

Never thought that the special preparations would become one of the reasons for failure.

The mentor said he excelled in consistency but lacked versatility. If his skills were insufficient, he would eventually falter in adaptability, yet he didn't expect to fail so spectacularly in a craftsman's exam.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"Of course, add me as a friend?" Ji Jue took out his phone, his social nature kicking in, "What software do you use?"

"Uh, email is okay? I don't have an account."

"No accounts?" Ji Jue was astonished, noticing Andel's phone was still a basic functional model with physical buttons, "Doesn't it feel inconvenient?"

"Modern phones are troublesome to charge. This one is good; one charge lasts a long time and it's durable." Andel hesitated for a while, then reluctantly took out pen and paper, "What's your account? I'll buy a new one and add you."

"Sure, I'll write it."

...

From the lively greetings and exchanges, the hall revived into a bustle.

For the first time in his life, Ji Jue felt the joy of being the 'top-ranked elder.' Usually, wherever he went, he was met with disdain and annoyance, yet he was so welcomed in the apprentices' realm.

He felt a bit uneasy for a moment.

Even felt a bit shocked.

"How did becoming the top scorer make me like a Heavenly Person?" He sighed, "I feel like everyone is a bit too enthusiastic."

"Enthusiasm is normal."

Sitting next to him, Lou Feng said quietly, "As for being a Heavenly Person, it would be good if you became one."

"Huh?" Ji Jue was stunned.

Lou Feng's smile turned mocking, "Even if you stay still, do you think the people you defeated won't climb back up?"

Joking aside, everyone here was a literal elite, nurtured by their workshops at great expense as seed players and successors.

Apart from talent and ability, the only thing they lacked was time and experience. Now, having become craftsmen, their progress would only accelerate.

Everyone was just getting onto the track, with more challenges and technologies to come.

In other words...

"From now on, anyone here, when confident enough, will come to challenge you to prove their skills," Lou Feng said with curiosity, "Why else would they add you as a friend? To have idle chats?"

"Hiss..."

Ji Jue sucked in a breath of cold air, realizing the air conditioning wasn't on, feeling a chill in his heart.

Seeing Ji Jue's twitching expression, Lou Feng felt a bit better, "I imagine this pressure isn't much for you."

"What do you mean not much?" Ji Jue glared, suddenly feeling the pressure his peers and classmates felt, "Closing my eyes and having dozens of people chasing after me? That would freak me out!"

"Yes, yes, I believe you, I believe you."

Lou Feng said expressionlessly, glancing at him—if others didn't know, never mind, but how could I not know you?

Nine Superior personally selected? What an act!

With Lou Feng breaking through Ji Jue's façade, Ji Jue's slightly relaxed competitive spirit became anxious and driven again.

Just as he was planning to go home to study the Xiang Sword Theory to improve, he heard Lin Ke next to Lou Feng enthusiastically sharing gossip with his peers.

Instantly, his hair stood on end.

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