"Hey, have you heard? The association really went all out this time."

Lin Ke said excitedly, "The exam simulation is actually the Heavenly Craft·Transformation. I heard that just starting it up costs billions."

Moreover, for some reason, the consumption this time is especially high, absurdly high. My uncle, who works in the administration, told me 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 members 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 member, I'd play until satisfied first!"

"By the time you're done playing, the association would probably go bankrupt!" someone laughed nearby.

As they mentioned this topic, everyone started eagerly calculating the consumption of the Tower of Transformation. Back and forth, they finally reached a consensus: this round consumed 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 became 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 messing 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 me 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 craftsmen gathered, someone 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 someone 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 come, apparently."

The attending craftsmen looked around at their surroundings and saw the empty spot, noticing that there was no one there at all.

"Absent at a time 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 came, it might lead to an unpleasant scene," someone sneered, "Not coming is better; it saves the younger generation from embarrassment over the master's previous matters."

During this brief discussion, a gentle voice sounded.

"Excuse me, 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.

Someone came, someone 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 newcomer 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 time, 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 craftsmen gradually dimmed 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 same. In ancient times, an apprentice had to go through lengthy and complex tests and many steps to become independent, including flame swallowing, walking on fire, and blood sacrifices, but now, they are simplified.

More like a recognition ceremony.

Even councilman Delong took time out of his busy schedule to make an appearance, praising all the apprentices as the future pillars of the Ember Craftsmen 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 craftsmen, to be worn on their creations.

The information entry had been completed earlier, and the moment the lapis lazuli badge was pinned on the apprentices' collar, a new craftsman emerged in the world from that moment 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 membership 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, fragments, 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 craftsmen themselves.

The association's wealth comes from a continuous stream of high-quality craftsmen. The output of all craftsmen and registered workshops globally, such immense 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 some 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 something.

But in the end, he said nothing.

No need to add anything unnecessary.

The honor lies here, formed by his own efforts, resolute by nature, unaffected by others.

What else could he say?

From now on, the achievements 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 time.

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 something?"

"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 arrangements, 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.

Mere months ago, he was a college student fiercely competing with classmates. But within months, he crossed such a long distance and came 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 element, as a fish in water.

His unease and bewilderment seemed 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 moment of surprise and confusion, applause rang out from the crowd.

Someone 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 time, 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 dome.

Instinctively reached out his hand.

Staring at his palm lit by sunlight, his fingers curled.

Grasping tightly.

From this moment on, he was an Ember Craftsman, Ji Jue.

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