Chapter 1567 – The Third Step
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The Asura Heavenly Dao was vast and endless, impossibly complex and difficult to understand. How to make the tiny runes align with the Asura Heavenly Dao was the essence of the divine runic arts!
The first two parts of the divine runic arts were similar to inscription technique. Many divine runic masters had been studying this field for hundreds and thousands of years and they had reached the twelfth grade in the inscription technique.
In the Divine Runic Masters Guild alone, there were several twelfth grade inscription masters.
However, these twelfth grade inscription masters were at most seventh grade divine runic masters; some of them weren't even at the seventh grade. If one had to come up with a reason then that was that understanding the Asura Heavenly Dao was far too difficult. It was simply impossible to perfectly master the final third step of the divine runic arts.
There were innumerable divine runic grandmasters that had studied the Asura Heavenly Dao for their entire lives. These were the Laws the managed everything within the Asura Road, a world that stood parallel with the 33 Heavens. In terms of their complexity, they were on par with the 33 Heavens!
This was equal to an independent universe. The power of these Laws could be imagined!
In truth, even seventh grade divine runic masters were an extremely rare existence within the Asura Road. These characters were able to become the guild president of the Divine Runic Masters Guild. Such a character basically had to have an Empyrean level cultivation!
Only an Empyrean could rely upon their great strength to slightly borrow the strength of the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws. Moreover, this was only borrowing. Although an Empyrean was an existence that had experienced heavenly tribulation and could stand equal to the Heavenly Dao, the truth was that the area on which they stood was a tiny, nearly infinitesimal part. Moreover, that was only the transcendent divine might that they established. That alone allowed an Empyrean to stand at the same height as the Heavenly Dao.
If they wanted to stand equal to the entirety of the Heavenly Dao Laws then that was simply impossible. Not to mention an Empyrean, not even a True Divinity could comprehend all of the Heavenly Dao Laws in a universe!
As for those young martial artists who had only been studying the divine runic arts for a hundred years and didn't even have a Holy Lord realm cultivation, wanting to have them borrow the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws was asking for far too much, no matter how heaven-shaking their talent was. Even though Clearshadow and Dreampearl were gifted daughters of heaven, when they were trying to complete the third step of a second grade divine runic symbol, they still had to be extremely cautious and proceed with absolute care. And even if they focused all of their attention, there would still be a high chance that they would be defeated.
Qin Yi glanced over at Clearshadow and Dreampearl, his lips curving up in a smile. The third step of the divine runic arts was what he was most confident in!
The essence of the divine runic arts was to join together the Asura Heavenly Dao into inscription technique.
In a sense, these were rune Laws that derived from the Asura Heavenly Dao.
The Asura Road could not be separated from its runes. Whether it was god runes or origin energy runes, these runes were the embodiment of the Asura Road Laws.
In terms of inscription technique skill, the Divine Void Divine Kingdom that Qin Yi came from could not compare to the Divine Runic Masters Guild.
But, in terms of understanding the Asura Heavenly Dao, the Divine Void Divine Kingdom that was ruled by a True Divinity actually surpassed the Divine Runic Masters Guild!
It was relying on this point that the Divine Void Divine Kingdom dared to state that they were no worse than the Divine Runic Masters Guild in terms of the skill of their divine runic masters.
And this was the truth The divine runic master who taught Qin Yi could compare with the president of the Divine Runic Masters Guild in skill.
This was how important the third step was.
With his ability in this aspect, Qin Yi didn't care much about the second grade divine runic master examination. This was simply a means to prove his strength.
"Are the four of you ready?" The white-robed Elder asked, glancing over them. Clearshadow and Dreampearl were somewhat nervous. As for Qin Yi, he was calm and composed. A divine runic pen jumped into his hands, spinning above his fingertips as if it had a mind of its own. The crystalline pen seemed to reflect a brilliant light.
Facing the second grade divine runic master examination, Qin Yi finally picked up his pen. Without a doubt, this divine runic pen was some priceless treasure.
As for the last examinee, others viewed him with a bit of bias. He quietly laid out his materials and began arranging them on the table. This fellow actually surprised the white-robed Elder. A human, and a young human at that, had actually decided to join the second grade divine runic master examination. This was a truly incredible event.
The white-robed Elder traced his chin and looked at Lin Ming for another second before passing over him.
"Then… I declare the beginning of the examination!"
The time allotted for the second grade divine runic master examination was 10 hours, the same as before!
A second grade divine runic symbol naturally took a much longer time than a first grade one. To give the same 10 hour time limit was equal to increasing the difficulty of the examination.
As the examination started, Clearshadow and Dreampearl began to anxiously process their materials. From the materials they had gathered, one could guess what rune they had decided to draw up. The divine runic symbol they had chosen was – Touch of Gold.
The use of this divine runic symbol was to turn stone into gold. This divine runic symbol was essentially useless and mostly a waste of resources to make. But, divine runic masters still held this symbol in high esteem because turning 'stone to gold' was something that only the divine runic arts could accomplish. Without the divine runic arts, even an Empyrean would be helpless in this matter.
Thus, although this was a worthless symbol, it was a divine runic symbol that put the charm of the divine runic arts on full display!
And as for the reason that Clearshadow and Dreampearl had chosen Touch of Gold, that was because this divine runic symbol was considered relatively easy and their chances of succeeding would be somewhat higher.
As for Qin Yi, he had chosen Heart of the Medicine Furnace. This was a divine runic symbol for pills. It could greatly increase the medicinal efficacy of a pill and was considered to be in the medium-high difficulty levels of second grade divine runic symbols.
As for Lin Ming, he had chosen the Pill Resting Symbol. This was also a divine runic symbol for pills. When placed on a powerful pill and rested for a month, it would make the properties of a pill far more temperate and the medicinal efficacy easier to absorb.
Although the name of the Pill Resting Symbol was a bit simple and rustic, in terms of how difficult it was to draw up, it was even beyond the Heart of the Medicine Furnace.
"How amusing!"
Qin Yi smiled as he saw Lin Ming choose such a difficult divine runic symbol.
He thought that the divine runic symbol he chose would be the most difficult. The other divine runic apprentices likely wouldn't even have the courage to participate in the second grade divine runic master examination, much less choose a divine runic symbol as difficult as the Pill Resting Symbol.
But Lin Ming had chosen to do so and he was also a human.
"This brat, does he really have the ability to do it? Or does he know he can't pass so he's just putting on an act?" Qin Yi glanced at Lin Ming, a playful light in his eyes. He wanted to see just what Lin Ming's performance would be like and how much of the Pill Resting Symbol he would be able to complete.
It wasn't just Qin Yi that noticed Lin Ming, but the white-robed Elder was also tracing his chin in surprise. This sort of divine runic symbol was one that many well-known senior divine runic masters didn't choose when they went through their second grade divine runic master examination. Yet, Lin Ming had made this choice even though he was a human, his name was unknown, and he didn't have any obvious background.
As for Old Xue and Old Su, they were already left speechless. This Lin Ming wasn't an idiot nor did he come here to cause a ruckus. Rather, he really was undergoing the second grade examination. And if he dared to choose the Pill Resting Symbol…
"Old Xue, you don't think he'll really be able to draw up the Pill Resting Symbol, right…?"
"I don't know… don't ask me. I originally thought that this boy's divine runic arts talent was worse than that of Clearshadow and Dreampearl. In the first grade examination I was unable to see just how skilled he was, but after learning of his skeletal age I don't dare to evaluate him yet. He is simply a monstrous genius!"
Lin Ming didn't bother with everyone that was paying attention to him. He continued on at his slow and unhurried pace, processing the materials in a uniform manner. His movements were steady without any flaws to them, and the divine runic pen in his hands was like an iron chain spanning a raging river, simply unshakeable.
The reason Lin Ming chose the Pill Resting Symbol was because this divine runic symbol was worth a considerable amount of money and he would be able to sell it after he drew it up. Currently, Lin Ming's net worth could withstand this sort of loss, but in a situation where he only spent money and didn't earn any, he couldn't continue like this forever. Sooner or later he would have to figure out some way to recoup his expenses.
A divine runic symbol like Touch of Gold was formed from expensive materials and couldn't even be sold for a tiny bit of money. Lin Ming naturally wouldn't choose such a worthless divine runic symbol.
For a second grade divine runic symbol, processing the materials and drawing up the tiny runes was a slightly more difficult process than it was for a first grade divine runic symbol. But to Lin Ming, this wasn't hard at all.
As Lin Ming, Clearshadow, and Dreampearl began drawing, Qin Yi didn't immediately begin. Instead, he crossed his hands behind his back and started observing everyone else, especially Lin Ming.
As Qin Yi saw Lin Ming's steady technique, he was a bit astonished.
"This boy, I didn't think his skill level was much during the first grade divine runic master examination; who knew he would have some modicum of skill. However, the speed and expertise of his drawing skill is still lacking
compared to my own. Moreover, the key to com
completing a second grade divine runic symbol is the third and final step. In this aspect, Touch of Gold is far more simple, but you decided to choose the much more difficult Pill Resting Symbol. I want to see just how you complete the third step… of course, the premise of that is if you can last until the third step…"
Qin Yi faintly smiled and began his own work.
If Qin Yi wanted to watch Lin Ming's 'third step' then he would have to finish drawing up his divine runic symbol before Lin Ming started on the third step. Otherwise, with his current skill level, it was impossible for him to draw up his own divine runic symbol while watching someone else.
This wouldn't be a problem in Qin Yi's eyes. His drawing speed was considerably faster than Lin Ming's.
All sorts of materials flew into the air where they were pulled apart and processed by Qin Yi's soul force. Then, he drew out the juices of these materials with his divine runic pen, forming brilliant colored lines in the air. This was an extremely enchanting sight.
"This Qin Yi is really fierce…"
A deacon praised out loud. The white-robed Elder also nodded in acknowledgement. Even for a second grade divine runic symbol, Qin Yi was able to maintain such a smooth drawing technique like passing clouds and flowing rivers. It wouldn't be difficult for Qin Yi to form the main body of the divine runic symbol. The crux of the examination, the most difficult part, would be the final, third step. Everything would depend on how Qin Yi fused the Asura Road's Heavenly Dao into the divine runic symbol.
"Divine Void Divine Kingdom's third step has always been superior to ours. This is because they have inheritances related to the Asura Heavenly Dao…"
The white-robed Elder sighed as he recalled this.
Chapter 1568 – Completing the Main Body
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When it came to exploring the Asura Heavenly Dao, the Divine Runic Masters Guild was unable to compare with Divine Void Divine Kingdom.
Divine Void Divine Kingdom had an incomparably long history of inheritance!
Tens of millions of years ago, Divine Void Divine Kingdom and Divine Mist Divine Kingdom had once been a single Divine Kingdom. That Divine Kingdom was a titan. Billions of years ago, they had once produced a True Divinity level ruler!
After that True Divinity ruler died in repose, the Divine Kingdom had continued for a long time without producing a True Divinity. Even so, they remained the number one spiritas influence in the Asura Road. Every generation they would always have an extreme Empyrean master. This sort of prosperous state continued for billions of years, making their foundation incomprehensibly deep!
Thus, in terms of understanding the Heavenly Dao, the loosely organized Divine Runic Masters Guild with a mere 100 million years of history simply couldn't compare with Divine Void Divine Kingdom.
Time passed slowly. Brilliant motes of light shined in Lin Ming, Clearshadow, Dreampearl, and Qin Yi's hands. And of these people, Qin Yi's light was the most radiant!
In the resting area, Yue Liuxing and Yue Qifeng were stunned. In their impression, Lin Ming was someone who hadn't even heard of Divine Rune City a year ago. He had been a human youth who didn't even know what the divine runic arts were…
Last year, they had even invited Lin Ming to the Divine Runic Masters Guild to visit and see just what the divine runic arts were. The way that Lin Ming acted that time didn't make it seem like he was lying at all. Moreover, the key was that there was no reason for lying to them; would anyone be so bored after eating to do something so inane?
"Could it be… that big bro Lin Ming studied the divine runic arts to this degree in merely a year?" Yue Qifeng felt as if someone struck him in the chest as he said this.
But Yue Liuxing was far calmer. She shook her head, saying, "There is definitely something that we don't know. It might be Sir Lin's secret and it might not be polite for us to ask him…"
Yue Liuxing could faintly feel that not asking about this matter was the best idea. Moreover, even if they asked Lin Ming he likely wouldn't reveal anything. When Lin Ming said that he would speak to them later, that was likely only politeness on his part and he wasn't really planning on telling them anything.
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Amidst the shimmering lights of divine runic symbols, an entire hour had passed.
Even Qin Yi had to be careful in drawing up a second grade divine runic symbol. Drawing up the correct structure of the tiny runes was important in determining whether or not the divine runic symbol would smoothly fuse with the Asura Heavenly Dao later.
Thus, although Qin Yi was faster than Lin Ming, Clearshadow, and Dreampearl, it wasn't by too much.
Another hour passed.
Qin Yi's expression was earnest. All of his concentration was completely focused on the task at hand. The main body of the divine runic symbol was nearly finished, and as he reached the end, his speed became even slower and his movements ever the more cautious. As he drew up the last tiny rune, all of the tiny runes shined in unison.
His divine runic symbol had already taken its initial shape.
All that remained was the third step, the key step to turning a quasi-inscription symbol into a true divine runic symbol!
The difference between a second grade divine runic symbol and first grade divine runic symbol was only a single grade. But on this third step, that single grade made the two as different as clouds and mud.
Qin Yi was extremely careful. His soul force controlled the thousand some tiny runes in the air, having them all maintain their current positions. Then, Qin Yi began to slowly restore and adjust his soul force, bringing himself back to a better condition so he could complete the third step.
Although Qin Yi had completed the third step fusion process many times already and was 80-90% confident he would succeed, even a 10-20% chance of failure was unacceptable to him. His pride would not allow him to fail here. He would pass the examination with flying colors.
As Qin Yi was restoring himself he glanced over at Lin Ming. He grinned as he saw Lin Ming drawing one stroke at a time, steadily and impeccably.
"Interesting! I didn't think this little boy would have some level of skill. He's already completed 75% of the main body's structure and there aren't any fluctuations in his drawing yet. If he can continue like this then he'll complete the main body of the divine runic symbol. He might be able to accompany me for a little fun in the third step!"
Qin Yi felt a hint of interest in Lin Ming's appearance. If he outshined all others in this divine runic master examination without anyone being able to act as a foil to him then there wouldn't be any meaning to it at all.
Only if there was competition, only if someone had a chance to beat him, would that make things interesting.
He was looking forwards to Lin Ming's performance. He wanted to see just how much of the third step Lin Ming would be able to complete.
Like this, Qin Yi rested for a quarter hour to restore himself to his peak state. This was not an easy task to accomplish. For a low level divine runic master to hold aloft a thousand some tiny runes with even spacing between them and also maintain the circulation of energy, this was extremely difficult, let alone doing all of that and also restoring one's soul force.
"This Qin Yi can maintain concentration while relaxing at the same time. He's restored most of the soul force used up in preparation for the third step; this isn't something the average person can accomplish. It seems that this Qin Yi has already completed a second grade divine runic symbol more than once. If there isn't an accident, then he'll pass this examination without any problems…"
The white-robed Elder sighed with emotion. But, even as he praised Qin Yi in his heart he also felt a bit bitter. After all, Qin Yi came from Divine Void Divine Kingdom and they were faintly considered a competitor to the Divine Runic Masters Guild. In truth, there wasn't any major conflicts of interest between these two great organizations, but even so, whether it was martial artists or divine runic masters, one would always have the heart and spirit to outdo everyone else. They naturally hoped that there would eventually be an outcome as to who was better and who was worse.
And now that he saw a descendant of his competitors blossom in splendor in his own home ground, the white-robed Elder wasn't very happy with this taste.
As he looked over to Clearshadow and Dreampearl he could see that the two young women were only continuing with a great deal of difficulty. Even if they did complete their divine runic symbols, it would simply be something flashy without any substance at all. How could their Touch of Gold possibly compare to Qin Yi's Heart of the Medicine Furnace?
At this time, Qin Yi pulled out a gold god rune from his spatial ring.
He recited a mantra, his hands flickering as he produced a succession of seals. In the air, a divine light came shrouding down, and then a strange scene took place.
Beneath this shining light, the gold level god rune began to break down, turning into endless mystical and profound lines that began to slowly blend together and fuse with the divine runic symbol that Qin Yi had drawn up.
This fusion wasn't immediate. Rather, it had to follow the flow of the Asura Heavenly Dao. To describe it in other words, the Laws of the Asura Heavenly Dao were joining together with the divine runic symbol, and the number of Laws that joined in as well as the degree of their perfection would be a massive indicator in how valuable and effective the divine runic symbol would be.
A grandmaster could fuse a great amount of Asura Heavenly Dao Laws in a divine runic symbol, making it so that even a fifth grade divine runic symbol could sell at the price of a sixth grade divine runic symbol.
The higher the grade of a divine runic symbol, the more time it would take to fuse in the Laws. The third step of a second grade divine runic symbol, even if drawn up by Qin Yi, would still take at least half an hour or three quarters of an hour. On average, it would take just under an hour.
But just as Qin Yi was a quarter hour into the third step, someone else had finished drawing up the main body of their divine runic symbol. This person was Lin Ming.
He was slightly faster than Clearshadow and Dreampearl.
Although he was slower than Qin Yi, Qin Yi had rested for a quarter hour, and now that he was another quarter hour into the third step, the half hour difference was the difference between him and Lin Ming drawing up the main body of their symbols.
"He's really done it!"
Many people were paying attention to Lin Ming. Old Xue and Old Su were nearly looking at him alone, caring about his performance even more than that of their own apprentices.
"This boy's abilities are truly hidden deep!"
"This is unbelievable. If someone were to find out this boy's skeletal age they might be shocked to death! I wonder just what his story is… it looks like he's about to begin the third step. Even if he fails here, he is still a monster amongst all monstrous geniuses. And if he succeeds, that would really be…"
As Old Xue spoke here he didn't know just what to say.
Compared to Lin Ming, the two apprentices they took in weren't worth anything at all. Their divine runic arts skill was inferior to Lin Ming's, and their cultivation speed was far outpaced by him.
Of course, this wasn't because their apprentices were too lackluster but because Lin Ming was far too freakish.
At this time, the thousand some tiny runes in front of Lin Ming slowly floated about. A colorful brilliance flowed through these tiny runes, as beautiful as a dream.
Lin Ming was as calm as a placid lake. Slowly, he lifted up this elementary divine runic symbol. He ran his other hand over the table, picking up a gold god rune.
He was already prepared to begin the third step.
Chapter 1569 – Perfect Pill Symbol
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"He's directly starting the third step!?"
A deacon remarked with surprise as he saw Lin Ming not going through any adjustments beforehand. If Lin Ming took out a gold god rune now then it was clearly because he was preparing to start the fusion process.
After a divine runic master completed the main form of a divine runic symbol, they would have consumed a great deal of soul force. And, the third step was the most essential step. If one didn't rest then their chances of success would be much lower.
"Not everyone has the ability to maintain the main form of a divine runic symbol for such a long time without incurring some errors in the tiny runes. If he cannot calmly control the main form of the divine runic symbols and the order of the thousand some tiny runes, then the longer he continues the more soul force he will use up instead. Lin Ming might not have the ability to rest at this time so completing the drawing in a single continued attempt might be better."
Another deacon said to the previous one.
The last deacon nodded, saying, "Yes, if he has the ability to rest at this time then he should be considered a teacher within the ranks of a second grade divine runic master."
As these two deacons were speaking, Old Xue, Old Su, and the white-robed Elder were all staring at Lin Ming. They wanted to see just what this young man would do at this step.
Lin Ming's right hand moved and the gold god rune slowly decomposed in a halo of golden light, turning into countless mystical lines that gathered onto the main form of the divine runic symbol. These laws were the Heavenly Dao Laws of the of Asura Road.
Without a doubt, Lin Ming's understandings of the Asura Heavenly Dao far exceeded those of anyone present. In this aspect, after he thoroughly enlightened himself on the emperor jade as well as having studied the first volume of the Asura Sutra, although Lin Ming couldn't control the Asura Heavenly Dao, wanting to borrow its strength was actually an extremely simple matter.
The Law lines soon fused into Lin Ming's divine runic symbol. With Lin Ming's familiarity with the Asura Heavenly Dao, he could complete the fusion process in a mere incense stick of time.
However, Lin Ming didn't choose to do this. After all, completing the third step in a mere incense stick of time would have been far too shocking, and it might even arouse certain suspicious in those present.
Thus, Lin Ming decided to slow down his speed. This was only an examination and not a competition; as long as he finished then he was fine.
A quarter hour soon passed. Clearshadow and Dreampearl both completed the main forms of their divine runic symbol and began the third fusion step.
They were weaker than Qi Yi, so they couldn't rest before the third step like he could. For them, this last fusion step would be filled with difficulties.
After half a quarter hour passed, beads of sweat began to appear on Qin Yi's forehead. He had entered into a completely absorbed state. The Law runes were slowly pushed into the divine runic symbol. With his soul force, lasting until now was not easy.
Finally, Qin Yi fused the last Law line into the divine runic symbol. His Heart of the Medicine Furnace drawing was finally complete!
As Qin Yi felt the power of Laws gushing forth from the Heart of the Medicine Furnace, he grinned.
He had succeeded! Moreover, the process had been relatively easy. With overwhelming superiority he had obtained the qualifications to become a second grade divine runic master and was also the most extraordinary individual in this examination.
In that moment, beams of multicolored light blossomed from the Heart of the Medicine Furnace. Qin Yi reached out for the divine runic symbol, but just as he was about to touch it, his expression froze. With disbelief thick on his features, he turned to see Lin Ming. At some unknown time, Lin Ming had also completed his Pill Resting Symbol.
After taking his divine runic symbol, Lin Ming placed it on a tray in preparation for the proctor Elder to examine it.
Lin Ming had used less than half an hour to complete this third step fusion process. It was nearly half the time that Qin Yi had spent.
Old Su and Old Xue watched Lin Ming complete the third step. The entire process was completed without any kind of thrilling, soul-struggling scene at all. Rather, he had completed the third step easily and pleasantly, the entire drawing of the divine runic symbol having been completed in a single go.
No one had expected that Lin Ming's third step would be completed in such a manner. The most difficult part of the second grade divine runic symbol was the third step, but in Lin Ming's hands, there didn't seem to be any difficulty at all.
"Is it… over?"
Old Xue and Old Sue glanced at each other. They had originally hoped that there would be some difficulties for Lin Ming in the third step and they wanted to see just how he resolved the situation, but, what truly happened had far outstripped their expectations. This inevitably caused a peculiar feeling to form in their hearts. Was Lin Ming's third step really the same as everyone else's third step?
Two deacons picked up Lin Ming and Qin Yi's divine runic symbols, handing them over to the white-robed Elder.
The white-robed Elder looked deeply at the two examinees. The first divine runic symbol he chose to examine was Qin Yi's Heart of the Medicine Furnace.
With a single sweep of his sense, the white-robed Elder approximately understood the situation. As a sixth grade divine runic master he could nearly instantly judge a second grade divine runic symbol and what the quality was like.
"Good!"
The white-robed Elder said from the depths of his heart. Although Qin Yi's Heart of the Medicine Furnace couldn't be called perfect in every aspect, every part of the drawing process had been above average. This was truly a commendable accomplishment. This Heart of the Medicine Furnace was a considerably well done divine runic symbol that could be sold at a decent price.
"Congratulations Qin Yi, you are now a second grade divine runic master!"
Qin Yi faintly smiled after having his results confirmed by the white-robed Elder. This assessment was well within his expectations; he was confident in his divine runic symbol. What he cared about was what Lin Ming's evaluation would be like.
At this time, the white-robed Elder looked at the Pill Resting Symbol that Lin Ming had drawn up.
The white-robed Elder also wanted to see if there were any problems in this Pill Resting Symbol. Lin Ming had simply fused the Asura Heavenly Dao into this divine runic symbol far too easily.
The Pill Resting Symbol that Lin Ming drew up was three inches long and two inches wide, just like a rectangle. The charm's surface was filled with countless mystical lines; it didn't seem like something that was drawn up by a person. Even an amateur would see that this divine runic symbol was beautiful and symmetrical.
The white-robed Elder soaked his soul force into the Pill Resting Symbol and took a mental swim through its lines. After confirming the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws that were within the symbol, the white-robed Elder took a deep breath.
Not only was the Pill Resting Symbol that Lin Ming drew up completely up to standards, but it was extremely valuable.
"Perfect…"
The white-robed Elder whispered this evaluation to himself. This Pill Resting Symbol, whether it was the processing and handling of materials, structure of tiny runes, distribution of energy, or even the final fusion of the Asura Heavenly Dao rules, everything could be called the absolute peak of perfection that a low level divine runic master could accomplish.
It was hard to imagine that this divine runic symbol had come from the hands of a human youth. Just how did this boy study? And who was his teacher?
As the white-robed Elder was appraising Lin Ming's Pill Resting Symbol, Qin Yi was noticing the expression on the old man's face. As Qin Yi saw the awe on the old man's face as well as the perfect evaluation, Qin Yi felt a surge of frustration. Without a doubt, the quality of the Pill Resting Symbol that Lin Ming drew up had been superior to his own Heart of the Medicine Furnace!
"Let me take a look!"
Old Xue impatiently walked over, nearly grabbing the Pill Resting Symbol from the white-robed Elder's hands. After sweeping through it with his divine sense, his eyelids jumped up. This boy, his abilities were truly deep…
Old Xue even suspected that the Lin Ming he saw a year ago was a different person from the Lin Ming he was staring at now.
Old Xue passed the divine runic symbol to Old Su.
As Old Su looked at it, he too was left dumbfounded.
"What a great Pill Resting Symbol. Even a fourth grade divine runic master is inferior… I have no idea how he did the fusion process. There must be some sort of trick inside."
Old Su speculated. Old Xue thought for a moment, then said, "This boy, he isn't a part of my Divine Runic Masters Guild…"
"We must bring him in, we have to bring him in! We definitely cannot lose such talent! If we do things right then he might even become the next Guild President!"
The Divine Runic Masters Guild was always eager to bring in more talented individuals. The Divine Runic Masters Guild was originally a loose organization, and only by bringing in more talented people would Divine Rune City become more powerful. The previous Guild Presidents of the Divine Runic Masters Guild had all been extremely noble and renowned seventh grade divine runic masters that had been fairly elected by the guild.
"Lin Ming, I want to ask you, would you like to join my Divi
Runic Masters Guild?" Without Old Su and Old Xue speaking, the white-robed Elder had already asked Lin Ming.
"Do I want to join the Divine Runic Masters Guild?"
Lin Ming traced his chin, making his decision seem as theatrical as he could.
He definitely wanted to join the Divine Runic Masters Guild, after all, this was the entire reason he had come to take this examination. Joining the Divine Runic Masters Guild would make everything far more convenient for him.
First, if he joined the Divine Runic Masters Guild then he would be able to obtain their protection. This would make him relatively more safe. Next, if he joined he would have sufficient status to contact Blood Moon and obtain the Celestial Tyrant Manual. Third, materials would be much easier to obtain in the Divine Runic Masters Guild and there would even be a discount. This was necessary for him to find the ancient pill recipes and materials needed for the Nine Stars of the Dao Palace.
Although Lin Ming had already come here with this plan, he knew that truly peak geniuses would have far more advantages if they joined the Divine Runic Masters Guild. This was because this sort of talented individual would have many other influences seeking to take them in. The inner Asura Road was an incomparably vast land and there were multiple divine runic master organizations besides Divine Rune City. For instance, Qin Yi's Divine Void Divine Kingdom, in terms of divine runic arts skills, wasn't that different from the Divine Runic Masters Guild.
Thus, Lin Ming didn't mind trying to obtain more benefits from joining the Divine Runic Masters Guild.
Thinking of this, he said, "Can I wait before making this decision? When I passed the first grade divine runic master examination I was able to continue to the second grade divine runic master examination. So, since I've passed the second grade divine runic master examination, can I continue to the third grade divine runic master examination?"
As Lin Ming asked this, Old Xue, Old Su, and the white-robed Elder all froze, their expressions stiffening. Lin Ming wanted to take the third grade divine runic master examination?
"You're saying that… you want to take the third grade divine runic master examination?"
Old Xue looked at Lin Ming with amazement. Not only were the three old men shocked but even the other examinees in the resting area, including Yue Qifeng and Yue Liuxing, were startled. It was already incredible for Lin Ming to pass the examination for a second grade divine runic master, but he wanted to continue to the third grade examination? Really, people never gave up until they failed!