After Gu Nan entered the quiet room, the first thing he saw was an unexpected person.
"Bai Luoluo? What are you doing here?"
Bai Luoluo was holding a blue notepad and standing at the table with her big eyes wide open. When she saw Gu Nan enter, she quickly put the notepad on the table.
"I'm the martial arts hall's record-keeper…" Bai Luoluo looked like this was to be expected, then added, "Don't get me wrong, the owner insisted that I be the recorder!"
Gu Nan smiled and sat on the main seat, picking up the notepad and reading it.
As for Bai Luoluo's words, he didn't believe any of them. How remarkable would Zhang Tao be, to even know about Gu Nan's relationship with Bai Luoluo?
Written in the notepad was naturally the list of new recruits today and their information.
After a simple glance, Gu Nan already had a rough idea.
At this time, Zhang Tao also entered, followed by his two best disciples. He came to Gu Nan and introduced them to him.
"Young Master Nan, this is Lu Wu and Lu Danze. They will also participate in the Martial Arts Competition this time. Please take care of them..."
Many people from Nebula Martial Arts Hall had entered the Martial Arts Competition, but these two had the highest chance of entering the top ranks. Zhang Tao was doing his utmost for the future of his disciples.
The judges of the Martial Arts Competition had great authority. Their comments could often determine a participant's popularity level. For many people, this was even more important than victory or defeat.
Lu Wu and Lu Danze also bowed in greeting. The former was still expressionless, while the latter, although respectful, had some disdain in his eyes.
Of course he believed that his master was just being polite. 'How can a mere young master of a noble family take care of me, a participant in the Martial Arts Competition?'
Gu Nan just nodded lightly. He wasn't interested in paying attention to these small matters and said directly, "Let them enter."
Zhang Tao didn't dare to say anything more, so he instructed Gu Yang to let the first batch of candidates enter. Gu Nan also took out the Observer Eyepiece and wore it at this time.
Ruby Fish Star's martial arts halls were more like comprehensive martial arts clubs.
Not only did it teach students martial arts and guide them, but it also signed contracts with students as an officially recognized organization. The martial arts hall would get a cut of students' winnings in the various martial arts competitions and even from their commercial activities.
If martial artists were equivalent to idols in Gu Nan's previous life, then the martial arts halls would be the entertainment companies.
The first candidate soon entered. She was a little girl in martial artist robes. She first bowed to this side and showed a sweet smile. "Hello, my name is Li..."
"Shallow steps, weak forearms, and unstable internal energy. There's no hope of stepping into Innate Realm before the age of 25… Disqualified. Next." Gu Nan's indifferent voice sounded.
He didn't even let her finish saying her name before she was directly eliminated.
All of these players' characteristics were exposed under the Observer Eyepiece. Combined with Gu Nan's experience, there was almost no possibility of misjudgment.
So not only did the little girl freeze on the spot in stunned silence, even Zhang Tao was a little bewildered.
He turned his head and said carefully, "Young Master Nan, Li Lan is already at the peak of Acquired Realm at the age of 16 and is the seed player of the group that will appear in the Martial Arts Competition the day after tomorrow…"
Gu Nan shook his head. "Her foundation is too poor. She won't pass three rounds in the Martial Arts Competition."
Listening to this resolute judgment, Zhang Tao had no choice but to wave Li Lan out.
Li Lan's face alternated between blue and white for a while. She obviously didn't expect that she would be eliminated so inexplicably. She could only stamp her feet angrily and leave with big strides.
Gu Yang, who was also in a daze, quickly opened the door for Li Lan and called to the next candidate.
The people waiting at the door were also startled by the speed, and a congratulatory look appeared on one person's face. "Li Lan, it must be that the examiner had your information long ago and let you pass directly?"
This person seemed to be Li Lan's old acquaintance. His tone was a little flattering, and the people around them also stared at Li Lan with envious gazes.
Unfortunately, his flattery came at the wrong time.
Li Lan's face was gloomy as she snorted. "I didn't pass... Who knows what the hell was going on with that examiner. I was eliminated as soon as I spoke!"
"Ah? Why should they eliminate you?"
Li Lan gritted her teeth and didn't speak.
In fact, she knew that she didn't lay a solid foundation because she overly pursued speed when advancing to the next cultivation realm. But a shaky foundation wasn't irreparable. Was it necessary to eliminate her just because of this?
So she left quickly and angrily said, "Nebula Martial Arts Hall may not want me, but plenty of martial arts halls do. We'll see who's right!"
A genius like her who reached the peak of Acquired Realm at the age of 16 was naturally the best choice for the major martial arts halls, because she may advance to Innate Realm at any time and become the backbone of those martial arts halls.
People like Gu Nan, who dared to assert that she had no hope of reaching Innate before the age of 25, were still in the minority.
Li Lan's departure did not affect the interview, nor did she affect... the elimination process.
...
"Young Master Nan, you've already seen all fourteen people in the first batch. Isn't there even a single suitable person?" Zhang Tao helplessly asked as he stared at the series of crossed-out names on Gu Nan's list.
Normally, the best candidates every year would all be placed in the first batch. This year's situation was neither bad nor good. 'There were no outstanding talents this year, but it also wasn't to the extent of…'
Gu Nan waved his hand. "They were all geniuses created through flattery. They're not worth the price."
Gu Nan didn't actually give everyone the "elimination" evaluation, but even if the candidate passed, Gu Nan still didn't give them a high-grade contract. Those arrogant participants couldn't accept it at all.
"Let's inform the second batch," Gu Nan said to Gu Yang at the door. "Forget it, let the people behind enter together. In any case, it's no trouble."
Gu Yang's mouth twitched slightly. 'If everyone did what you just did, then it really would be no trouble…'
But she didn't dare to say that, so she obediently went to inform the second batch.
The room fell into silence again. Gu Nan closed his eyes and rested, while Zhang Tao's expression didn't look very good.
Nebula Martial Arts Hall was also considered a first-class martial arts hall, which was why they could gather so many talents. 'But now, this Young Master Gu Nan pushed them all out…'
'People outside are scrambling to recruit these candidates. With this, I'm afraid it'll be difficult for us to win in the Martial Arts Competition next year.'
Lu Wu and Lu Danze, who were standing behind them, still looked calm. However, Lu Danze's anger was almost uncontrollable.
In his eyes, Gu Nan had become the prime example of a layman trying to order professionals around. 'He clearly doesn't understand anything but still insists on running this interview!'
He looked around. Master was silent. Lu Wu, that piece of wood, only knew to bow his head, and Bai Luoluo was still writing something in the notebook.
So Lu Danze gritted his teeth and resolutely went to Gu Nan and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Nan, those are rare talents just now. Please reconsider!"
Before Gu Nan even replied, Zhang Tao's face lost all color and he yelled, "Bastard! What are you? Get out of here now!"
While scolding Lu Danze, he carefully watched Gu Nan's reaction.
This wasn't because Zhang Tao was a coward. It's just that the scene from yesterday was too astonishing. He saw the Long family's Long Yi get slapped into critical condition…
This person didn't even care about the Long family. Zhang Tao didn't believe that his own face would be more useful than the Long family's face.
Lu Danze's expression turned ugly due to this scolding, while Gu Nan just looked at him indifferently.
Just then, a figure hurried in. This was a girl in plain clothes, with patches on her trouser legs. She looked quite pretty, but because she wore a braided pigtail, that made her suddenly look rustic instead.
"S-Sorry, I'm late…" The girl apologized repeatedly as soon as she entered.
Zhang Tao frowned and looked at her. "Are you the girl who decided to go to Tonghe Martial Arts Hall instead because you wanted to make more money? What are you doing here now?"
"I..." When the girl was criticized by Zhang Tao, her small face instantly turned red and she had to keep bowing. "It was all my fault earlier. Please, please give me a chance!"
Zhang Tao snorted coldly. "The path of martial arts needs a sincere heart the most. Since you like making money, then…"
"Wait," Gu Nan's voice sounded.
Zhang Tao immediately swallowed his words and looked at Gu Nan in amazement.
At this time, Gu Nan's eyes were bright. He looked at her like she was a rare treasure. "What's your name?"
The girl seemed to be frightened by this gaze. After a long time, she finally murmured, "Lin Yunyun..."
Devotee's Game System Inspired Note
» This section of the chapter is a Fan based created system to mock-up or simulate the 'Status Information' of our MC - Gu Nan. This implies that you are free to skip reading this and continue your journey onto the next chapter.
» All catalog data below is a summary of various information achieved by Gu Nan that corresponds till the end of the related chapter and is compiled into a singular 'Status Screen.' Additionally, the invented system below would continue to evolve as we progress and learn more about the novel itself.
MC's Status Information
Name: Gu Nan
Current Location: Nebula Martial Arts Hall, Ruby Fish Star
Current Soul Location: N/A
Status: ⟪ Evil God ⟫
Advancement Direction: Agility Type
Current Evil God Rank: Tier 3
Equivalent/Current Martial Art: Prodigious Realm
◈ Comprehension of Innate ability: Infinitesimal Stage
Chosen Core Skill: The Law of Shadow
Current Evil God Temple Quest:
→ Main Mission Objective/s:
-— Evil Event: Ruby Fish Star's Martial Arts Competition. - Evil God Temple Issued
◈ Status: On Going
→ Side Quest Objective:
-— None. - N/A
◈ Status: N/A
Current Evil Points: 1500
Overall Evil Points: 3775, Overall Evil Value: 97
Core Skill Acquired
— Shadow. 「Also known precisely as 'The law of Shadow' - its one of the highest-ranked laws in the game. Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1」
Normal Skills Acquired:
— Locked 「N/A」
— Locked 「N/A」
— Locked 「N/A」
Exclusive Skills Acquired:
— Deceitful Steps. [ Passive Ability ] 「Movement Speed increased by 30%. Attack Speed increased by 50%」
— Power of Shadows. [ LVL 2 ] 「Allows the players to activate the skill "Hidden Shadows" at LVL 1 and unlocks the skill "Shadow Form" at LVL 2..」
▸Hidden Shadows. 「The power to manipulate shadows to a fine degree.」
▸Shadow Form. 「An incomparable handy skill that allows the player to manipulate shadows to create things, like weapons and armor. At the highest level of mastery, it could even create a humanoid clone.」
Equipment being worn
→ Armor
-— Dawn Sage's Robe. 「Basic level defense. If you are not attacked within 3 seconds, you will receive the "Praise of Dawn" effect.」
→ Weapon
-— Four Element Crossbow. 「A Tier 2 crossbow weapon that can generate four types of elemental arrows—earth, water, wind, and fire—based on the user's needs and does not need to load arrows.」
→ Accessories - Facial Accessories, Necklace, Earrings
-— Observer Eyepiece. 「An eyepiece that have a fixed Tier 2 magic 'Insight' inscribe in it.」
-— Dragon Heart Pendant. 「Allows players to activate the skill "Dragon Power". This skill cannot be upgraded」
-— Shadow Earrings. 「Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1」
Equipment Skills Acquired:
-— Insight. [ Passive Ability ] 「Ability to obtain high-precision data analysis when looking at people or objects.」
-— Dragon Power. 「Greatly enhances the player's strength and physique. Duration: 5 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes」
-— Praise of Dawn. [ Passive Ability ] 「Increases self-healing ability by 300%」
Item/s owned:
→ None.