A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole was overwhelmed with emotions. Excitement overtook him, and he tried firing a few more shots. Exhilaration sped through his body; he trembled with glee, and the glimmer in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Wang Baole couldn’t be more satisfied. Though the Numinous Treasure’ firepower couldn’t compare with the actual Fire God Cannon, it was mobile and easy to transport. That singular feature increased its value immeasurably.

<em>Even though there are plenty of Numinous Treasures like it, most are fourth or fifth-grade treasures. Their firepower is amazing, but their energy usage is considerable as well. In that aspect, they can’t measure up to my Baole Cannon! </em>Wang Baole did a round of assessment and ended up satisfied with his evaluation. He caressed the cannon a few more times before he reluctantly placed it back into his storage bracelet. He hummed a cheerful tune and returned to his cave abode in the Upper Academy Island in high spirits.

He did some calculations and realized that there was still a week to the Armament Soldier assessment. To ensure that everything ran smoothly on the day of the assessment, he attempted to dismantle the Baole Cannon. He had found out that there had been instances of disciples being instructed to recraft their Numinous Treasure during the assessment.

In preparation for the worst, Wang Baole even refined a separate set of composite Numinous Treasures for the Baole Cannon. He also prepared sufficient materials and ingredients concurrently. In the worst case scenario where he had to refine the cannon on the spot, he would be fully prepared to do so. After all the preparations were done, he settled down and rested so that he could go into the Armament Soldier assessment in top form.

During that period, as the assessment date drew near, the Upper Academy Island disciples who had applied for the round of assessment all started on the final leg of their preparation.

That was especially so for Lin Tianhao. After he had moved out from Wang Baole’s neighboring cave abode, he ceased his provocations of Wang Baole. However, the seeds of hatred and vengeance had been buried deep in his heart. He intended to pass the Armament Soldier assessment before seeking revenge.

His preparation for the assessment was extensive. His goal was not simply to pass the assessment, but to attain first place in the Armament Soldier assessment!

Originally, it would have been impossible for someone of his caliber to accomplish that within such a short span of time, but his family was rich; they supported his single-minded focus on refining Numinous Treasures, and there was no price they wouldn’t pay. They even invited a grandmaster from the Federation to instruct him personally. Their efforts were why he had managed to advance so speedily.

<em>I’ve chosen the Planetary Bottle, the Numinous Treasure that is the most difficult to refine out of all the third-grade Numinous Treasures! This Numinous Treasure is ranked top in all of the third-grade Numinous Treasures that have been listed! </em>Lin Tianhao sat cross-legged in his cave abode and confidently studied the dazzling jade bottle scattering starlight before him.

He had heard that Wang Baole had also applied for the upcoming Armament Soldier assessment. It was a matter he took very seriously. He even pulled a few strings outside the college and found out Wang Baole had been hunting for monsters’ teeth when he had been at the stronghold.

<em>Since he needs monsters’ teeth, the Numinous Treasure he’s planning to refine for the assessment must be the Dragon’s Tooth!</em>

<em>The Dragon’s Tooth might be a fine treasure, but it’s not even in the same league as the Planetary Bottle. Furthermore, the strength of the Dragon’s Tooth relies heavily on materials instead of inscriptions. If Wang Baole chooses the Dragon’s Tooth for his assessment, he’ll definitely lose to me! </em>Lin Tianhao smirked. His confidence grew.

As the disciples with the intention of going for the assessment hurried and bustled about with their preparations, the day of the Armament Soldier assessment finally arrived.

The bell sounded; its ringing echoed. Wang Baole, who had been sitting cross-legged in his cave abode, opened his eyes instantly. He sucked in a deep breath, and stood and marched out of the cave abode.

<em>The position of top Armament Soldier belongs to me! </em>With a resolute look in his eyes and eagerness in his heart, Wang Baole retrieved his cruiser and raced straight for the Middle Peak!

The venue for the Armament Soldier assessment was the Middle Peak Square in the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. At the heart of the square stood a large, eye-catching war drum. It was the war drum that Wang Baole had seen when he had walked past an Armament Soldier assessment that had been taking place. It was said that only Armament Soldiers had the right to sound the Elder Request Drum!

That was because the drum stick used to sound the drum had to be crafted on the spot. As the drum stick itself was a third-grade Numinous Treasure, Dharmic Armament disciples wouldn’t be able to craft it; only Armament Soldiers could.

At that moment, before the war drum in the Middle Peak Square, dozens of people had gathered. They were disciples who had come forth to participate in the round of Armament Armament Soldier assessment. They didn’t converse with one another, merely standing and waiting in silence.

When Wang Baole arrived at the Middle Peak Square, he saw the other examinees and caught sight of Lin Tianhao amongst them. The feeling of scorn arose within him.

<em>That weasel is here for the assessment too? He can refine a Numinous Treasure as well? </em>Wang Baole snorted silently. He felt that he had established himself and built a strong network of friends and shouldn’t have to care too much about Lin Tianhao. He ignored the other youth and approached the war drum.

It was obvious that Lin Tianhao didn’t feel the same way as Wang Baole. He leveled his gaze on Wang Baole and held it for some time before sneering.

Crowds of disciples from the Dharmic Armament Pavilion, there to observe, had arrived and clustered around the square. After all, the Armament Soldier assessment was seen as a major event to the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. The crowds of disciples had their heads lowered in heated discussions.

“Who could have guessed that so many people are taking part in this round of Armament Soldier assessment? Wonder who’ll rank first place?”

“Every Armament Soldier assessment, the Armament Soldier who ends up in first place would earn the luxury of choosing his own office. As long as there’s any vacancy in any department, he can use that privilege to be promoted to office immediately!”

“That’s what’s driving people nuts with envy. After all, there’re many out there who’re Armament Soldiers in name but wield no actual power.”

Time passed steadily as the disciples engaged in fierce discussions. After a short while, the bell started ringing hastily; it rang three times. Five figures appeared from within the Middle Peak Great Hall; they approached swiftly, with one in the lead while four trailed behind.

The one in the lead was dressed in purple robes, and his demeanor was composed, but he cast an imposing figure. He was the Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. The four trailing behind him were one elderly and three in their middle age. All exuded the aura of a cultivator who had attained the peak of the True Breath realm, and were a mere step away from breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm!

They were the four deputy Pavilion Heads of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion.

The deputy Pavilion Head was treated with great respect within and outside the college. Their cultivation contributed to but was not the sole reason for their elevated status. They had to possess certain unique strengths or competencies when it came to crafting Numinous Treasures—that was the key to becoming a deputy Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion.

At the same time, they needed to know the right people and have popular support. It could even be said that every one of the four Deputy Pavilion Heads had their own impressive background. After all, to rise from the multitudes of Armament Soldiers into the position of a Deputy Pavilion Head, one had to be exceptional in some way or another.

That was the case for the Deputy Pavilion Head, even more so for the Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion.

One after another, the five people reached the Middle Peak Square. Their arrival sent the crowd into a sudden silence, and Wang Baole too sucked in a deep breath as resolve flashed across his eyes. He and the other examinees looked towards the five heads of the Pavilion.

“There are not many rules and regulations governing the Armament Soldier assessment under our Dharmic Armament Pavilion. Every one of you… present the Numinous Treasure you have prepared for the assessment, one person at a time. The five of us will evaluate it and question you before announcing whether you pass or fail the assessment. As for the assessment ranking, the one who is placed first will be rewarded with top priority for placement in office!” Purple-robed Pavilion Head declared coolly. After he was done speaking, he threw a glance towards Wang Baole and the other examinees and pointed casually at one of them.

“Let’s start with you.”

The person who had been singled out by the Pavilion Head was an experienced disciple. After he had heard the Pavilion Head, he nodded and immediately pulled out a mirror. It was an old, plain-looking mirror with an ordinary appearance. It gave out a strong spirit aura that drew the crowd’s attention. Everyone held their breaths.

The experienced disciple was clearly satisfied with the attention his mirror had caught. He approached the Pavilion Head respectfully and presented the mirror.

“Greetings to the Pavilion Head and Deputy Pavilion Heads. This is the Heaven and Earth Mirror that I have crafted. For your assessment, please!”

Upon seeing the Heaven and Earth Mirror, the spectating crowd starting talking in hushed voices.

“The Heaven and Earth Mirror eh, that’s quite a challenging third-grade Numinous Treasure to craft.”

“It can reflect spells to a certain extent. Its inscription requirements far exceed other Numinous Treasures.”

Wang Baole eyed the Numinous Treasure as the crowd debated. Then, he thought of his Baole Cannon and was filled with confidence once again. He didn’t drop his guard though, paying great attention as the Pavilion Head and deputy Pavilion Heads conducted the assessment.

The Pavilion Head picked the mirror up and gave it a quick inspection before handing it over to the Deputy Pavilion Heads. They were Dharmic Armament cultivators by cultivation and familiar with Numinous Treasures. It did not take long—only an hour or so—before they reached their separate conclusions. They posed some questions on the mirror’s crafting process, to which the experienced disciple answered smoothly. The assessment then ended.

After a brief discussion, the results were announced.

“You passed and are promoted to an Armament Soldier. Your ranking will be determined at the end,” the Pavilion Head said coolly. He pointed at another person. The Armament Soldier assessment proceeded in that manner, where some passed while others failed.

Some received questions while some were instructed to demonstrate the crafting of a specific part on the spot. One Numinous Treasure after another was displayed, and the voices from the crowd rose and ebbed.

Wang Baole gradually made sense of the process as he observed the proceedings.

<em>Not everyone will be asked to demonstrate the crafting process. However, everyone will be posed questions, which are tricky and challenging to answer correctly unless he was the one who crafted the Numinous Treasure himself.</em>

As Wang Baole continued his pondering, Lin Tianhao’s turn soon came. He pulled out the Planetary Bottle, instantly causing a stir amongst the spectating disciples. Shouts of amazement rose, and the other examinees were immediately drawn towards him and the bottle. Even the Pavilion Head and the four Deputy Pavilion Head displayed surprise on their faces.

“The Planetary Bottle!”

“It’s been said that this is the hardest third-grade Numinous Treasure to refine. It’s the first time I’m seeing one!”

“The inscriptions required for this treasure are extremely complex. There’s also the Planetary Stone, necessary for refinement but extremely expensive…”

Wang Baole’s eyes widened amidst the stunned gasps of the crowd. He knew of the Planetary Bottle. There were few Planetary Stones in the college, though; if one wanted to craft the Numinous Treasure, he would need to spend a great amount of effort to buy it outside. That was why he had given up on crafting it in the first place and instead had chosen the next best thing, which was almost equally difficult to refine but whose requirements of materials and ingredients were not as challenging—the Dragon’s Tooth.

Lin Tianhao didn’t show the relish and triumph he was feeling at the moment. He respectfully handed the Planetary Bottle to the Pavilion Head instead. Only then did he steal a glance at the stunned Wang Baole and sneer inwardly.

<em>You penniless wretch, trying to compete with me?</em>

Wang Baole caught Lin Tianhao looking. He raised an eyebrow, his face unsmiling, and thought, <em>So what if it was the Planetary Bottle. Once he revealed his cannon, even Lin Tianhao had no choice but to admit defeat and call him daddy.</em>

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, the Pavilion Head took the Planetary Bottle from Lin Tianhao’s hands, and astonishment colored his eyes. He examined the bottle, a look of praise gradually surfacing on his face. He nodded and passed the bottle to the Deputy Pavilion Heads.

The four Deputy Pavilion Heads clearly approved of the Planetary Bottle. They assessed it and asked Lin Tianhao a few questions, which Lin Tianhao answered smoothly. When one of the Deputy Pavilion Heads requested that he demonstrate the refinement of the inscriptions on the spot, Lin Tianhao complied without hesitation.

The crowd was shaken by the scene. When they looked at Lin Tianhao, it was with growing respect. Anyone who could successfully craft a Planetary Bottle was the epitome of competency and wealth.

“It’s an impressive Numinous Treasure. You’ve passed, Lin Tianhao. If no accidents happen, you stand a great chance of placing first,” the Pavilion Head praised him. As Lin Tianhao stepped back excitedly, the Pavilion Head’s eyes swept past the remaining few disciples, who included Wang Baole. He pointed at Wang Baole.

“Wang Baole, show us the Numinous Treasure you’ve prepared.”

Upon hearing the Pavilion Head’s words, a slightly annoyed Wang Baole walked up immediately and without further ado, raised his right hand, flipped it over and pulled out a huge cannon!

With a loud thud, he placed it on the ground then raised his head. He spoke calmly, “The Numinous Treasure that I have refined is not from within the Dharmic Armament Pavilion’s Numinous Treasure Roll but something that I’ve invented on my own. Its name… The Great Mighty Baole Cannon, Baole Cannon for short!”

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