A World Worth Protecting

1

As soon as the cannon appeared—with its strange appearance, pitch black body, and exuding a foreboding aura—the crowd reeled back, their eyes wide. It had been a very long time since a Numinous Treasure of one’s own invention had appeared in an Armament Soldier assessment!

The challenges of inventing a Numinous Treasure were immense. There was nothing one could refer from or base the invention on. Unless one was extremely confident in himself, few dared to present a Numinous Treasure of their own design for assessment.

The past Numinous Treasures presented for all Armament Soldier assessment, be it a large-scale or small-scale assessment, were all treasures listed in the Numinous Treasure Roll. Their level of difficulty was clearly listed in the roll. Those who came to observe the assessment came for the questions posed by the Pavilion Head and his deputies. The questions were the real highlights of the event and were of immeasurable worth.

If they were fortunate enough, they might witness others crafting their treasures personally, which would be an even greater boon to them. However, the Numinous Treasure Wang Baole had presented turned out to be his own invention. The value of such a treasure, and what it represented, was of a completely different level.

“Your own invention? What the… if I recall correctly, there hasn’t been new inventions put up for assessment for the past ten years!”

“The Great Mighty Baole… Cannon? That’s a weird name. But from the looks of it, this Numinous Treasure is terrifying!”

As the crowd was stirred into a heated debate and excited anticipation, Lin Tianhao and the other disciples also received a shock. They eyed Wang Baole’s Numinous Treasure—especially Lin Tianhao; it was as if he was suddenly downed with a bucket of ice water, and a low buzzing rose in his head.

<em>I can’t believe it’s not the Dragon’s Tooth! </em>Lin Tianhao gnashed his teeth hatefully. His breathing grew uneven as he glared at Wang Baole’s cannon, alarm rising within him.

Wang Baole could feel everyone’s gaze on him and felt a great satisfaction over the effect the Baole Cannon had generated. He pushed aside the feelings of satisfaction, cupped his fists towards the Pavilion Head, and pushed the Baole Cannon before him.

The Pavilion Head and the four Deputy Pavilion Heads behind him all had a look of concentration on their faces. When they turned towards Wang Baole, it was with an assessing look. The Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion especially, let his Spirit Qi spread out when he stepped forward and inspected the Baole Cannon. His composure remained calm; however, waves of emotions stirred within him.

With his level of attainment in Dharmic Armaments, he needed only a brief look to recognize how extraordinary and impressive the Numinous Treasure was. If it had been some other occasion, he wouldn’t have entertained further thought. If one considered it from a different angle, the Numinous Treasure could be seen as having transcended the third grade and rivaled a fourth-grade treasure. It vastly surpassed all Numinous Treasures that had appeared in the assessment.

Even the Planetary Bottle couldn’t compare. Be it the complexity of the inscription or the inherent creativity involved in its creation; they were no longer competing on the same level. Furthermore, the Baole Cannon was clearly… a composite Numinous Treasure!

Its sheer value would have increased multiple folds because of that. However, things weren’t as simple as they appeared, especially considering that Wang Baole was the one who crafted the Numinous Treasure.

<em>The value of being the top Armament Soldier every year isn’t simply earning the right of the first offer of office. It also forms part of the underlying criteria in future evaluations on whether one might advance to the position of Deputy Pavilion Head… This Wang Baole has formed a close relationship with Chen Yutong, and they obviously belong to the lineage under Sun Yifeng. Sun Yifeng is competing for the position of Grand Elder with Elder Li… </em>The Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion narrowed his eyes. He and Sun Yifeng belonged in different lineages; in fact, he could be considered as part of the same lineage as Elder Li.

Elder Li’s successful advancement to the position of Grand Elder was the most advantageous outcome for him. After all, if Sun Yifeng’s power grew too strong—especially with his disciple Chen Yutong likely due for a promotion to Deputy Pavilion Head—the threat to himself wouldn’t be insignificant.

That was why he could allow Wang Baole to become an Armament Soldier, but he would never allow a top Armament Soldier to appear in Sun Yifeng’s faction!

<em>Especially this Wang Baole. His Armament Soldier assessment results are already extraordinary and his record exemplary. If he is placed first as top Armament Soldier… in the future, as long as his cultivation reaches a certain level and he attains a certain level of proficiency in Dharmic Armament—considering his list of accolades and achievements—he would no doubt be promoted to Deputy Pavilion Head! </em>The consequences of the matter flashed across the middle-aged, purple-robed Pavilion Head’s mind. A glint flashed in his eyes. He was going to keep Wang Baole in check.

The matter lay within his area of jurisdiction. Even if an outsider saw something amiss, he wouldn’t be able to interfere. After all, the position of Grand Elder was still vacant.

Furthermore, as a Pavilion Head, he held significant power. Even if someone did mention anything about it in the future, what was done was done. There was nothing more to be done about it.

Once he reached his decision, the Pavilion Head pulled back his Spirit Qi that had been examining the cannon. He didn’t say anything and handed the cannon to the four Deputy Pavilion Heads.

One after another, the four Deputy Pavilion Heads conducted their inspections. Amazement and shock took hold of every one of them. They held a fervent discussion with the Pavilion Head, whose eyes very quickly fell on Wang Baole.

“Since this treasure is of your own invention, there’s no need for further questions. Wang Baole, recraft it on the spot, now.”

Wang Baole had been observing the Pavilion Head and the Deputy Pavilion Heads all the while but couldn’t discern anything from his observations. After hearing the other’s request, he remained uncertain about their views.

After all, such a request fell within the boundaries of reason. Wang Baole nodded and began to regulate his breathing. He focused, took out his Spirit Stones, and started refining on the spot. He had prepared himself for something like that to happen. He crafted swiftly, time flew by, and two hours passed. Under the attentive eyes of the crowd, amidst their shouts of surprise and startlement, Wang Baole crafted one Numinous Treasure after another.

Finally, with his own hands, he fitted the Numinous Treasures together to form the second Baole Cannon!

With a loud thud, Wang Baole placed the newly crafted Baole Cannon on the ground. He raised his head and looked at the Pavilion Head and Deputy Pavilion Heads. Gasps of shock resounded all around him. The Pavilion Head gave Wang Baole a deep, long look, then spoke in a low voice.

“You’ve passed the Armament Soldier assessment. As for your ranking, it’ll be determined at the end.”

Upon hearing his words, Wang Baole let loose a sigh a relief and stepped back excitedly. He was confident of his securing first place in the assessment.

Lin Tianhao, on the other hand, looked terrible at the moment. His hands were drawn tightly into fists, and he drowned in jealousy and bitterness as he stood there with a dazed look on his face.

Very quickly, one after another, the remaining few examinees presented their Numinous Treasures, which were then inspected by the Pavilion Head and Deputy Pavilion Heads. They finally reached the end of the round of Armament Soldier assessment—the finale, and the highlight of the entire assessment. Everyone’s eyes fell on the Pavilion Head as they awaited the announcement.

Wang Baole, Lin Tianhao, and the other examinees looked over nervously as well. Despite being fully confident of his chances, Wang Baole still feared the possibility of his prize slipping through his fingers.

The Pavilion Head spoke in hushed tones with the four Deputy Pavilion Heads while the crowd watched on intensely. The crowd couldn’t hear their voices, but they could see the elderly Deputy Pavilion Head, upon hearing something being said, show anger. He seemed aggrieved. The other three Deputy Pavilion Heads started murmuring as the Pavilion Head stared at them. A moment later, they nodded, seeming to reach a consensus.

The elderly Deputy Pavilion Head swung his sleeve aside and said frostily. “I reserve my comments on the ranking!” After he was done speaking, he gave Wang Baole a long steady look, as if in apology, then turned around and left.

The scene shocked the crowd, and Wang Baole’s heart leapt into his throat. He felt that something wasn’t right, especially the look the elder had given him before he left—it seemed to carry a sense of helplessness and apology.

It made his hair stand.

<em>What’s going on? </em>Wang Baole thought, alarmed. It was then that the Pavilion Head announced, in a deep booming voice that resounded throughout the square, the assessment ranking.

“The Dharmic Armament Pavilion has judged that first place in this assessment ranking goes to Lin Tianhao!”

“The assessment has ended!” the Pavilion Head said coolly. He didn’t even spare Wang Baole a look. After he was done speaking, he turned to leave. There was a moment of silence before the crowd burst into chatter.

“It actually went to Lin Tianhao?”

“This isn’t right. Wang Baole’s Numinous Treasure was his own invention. It should be better!”

As the crowd debated furiously, Lin Tianhao suddenly trembled. A flash of surprise and joy appeared in his eyes. He had given up all hope, but he actually placed first. All of a sudden, it was as if a shiver of electricity was sent coursing through his entire body. The first thought that flashed to his mind was that his father had made a move.

<em>That must be it! </em>Mad with happiness, Lin Tianhao’s spirits rose. He stepped forward with his fists cupped and shouted.

“Thank you, Pavilion Head!”

After uttering his thanks, Lin Tianhao couldn’t help but sneak a look at Wang Baole. He saw Wang Baole’s gloomy face and was beyond pleased. He almost laughed out loud.

Wang Baole’s face had darkened instantly. He disregarded the self-congratulatory Lin Tianhao and instead stared unblinkingly at the Pavilion Head. A cold glint flashed across his eyes. If it had been someone else, they might have grudgingly accepted the Pavilion Head’s final judgment or even attempt to find a resolution after everything had ended; but while Wang Baole had on a cheerful, smiling face on a regular day, in reality, he didn’t possess a good temper.

Thinking of the contributions he had made, and the network of friends he had built, didn’t help. He glared and, with an air of “so what you’re the Pavilion Head? I couldn’t care less”, stepped forward and spoke in a booming voice.

“Pavilion Head’s assessment is unfair!” After saying that, he turned towards the crowd and cupped his fists in a salute.

“My fellow Dharmic Armament comrades, we all love Dharmic artifacts and have our fair share of innovating and designing our own artifacts. We put in endless time and effort. We spend money that could have been used to buy pills and enhance our cultivation on buying materials and ingredients. We use the time that other disciples from other faculties are using to train and cultivate on studying and engineering new Numinous Treasures. We toil, we suffer, we endure and give so much of ourselves. But the Numinous Treasure that we finally create is instead callously brushed aside by the Pavilion Head. I, Wang Baole, will not rest if I don’t get a proper explanation today! I’d rather die!”

Wang Baole’s words rang out and instantly resonated with the crowd. The earlier small, hushed discussions grew louder.

The Pavilion Head’s face darkened. He might have disregarded Wang Baole if the latter only said he didn’t accept the results of the assessment, but Wang Baole was clearly well-versed in such matters. He protested the injustice of it all while concurrently inciting public outrage. There was no way the Pavilion Head could retreat from the situation without doing something about it.

The fact that he had risen to the rank of Pavilion Head, of course, meant that he was no foolish person. He had made his decision earlier, and would naturally have grounds for his choice. He tilted his head and spoke calmly.

“There are no past references for us to gauge or examine the inscriptions and structure of this self-invented Numinous Treasure. Furthermore, it has not stood the test of time. It might be an exceptional treasure, or it might contain serious flaws. It is difficult to make an assessment!

“As the Pavilion Head, my actions must be beyond reproach. I can allow you to pass the Armament Soldier assessment, but in terms of the ranking, I still judge Lin Tianhao’s Planetary Bottle as the stable treasure and the more secure choice. This is why he has been placed first!

“Wang Baole, as for the Numinous Treasure you have refined, I will send it for trials later. If the Dharmic Armament Pavilion finds it without flaws, you may submit a request to me for a re-assessment.”

The Pavilion Head’s words sounded reasonable to some. The crowd fell into a hushed discussion once again, and gradually divided into two factions.

Wang Baole, upon hearing what the Pavilion Head said, flipped out. His words stank of bureaucracy-speak. The trials he was speaking of could take days or months or possibly years; it was impossible to determine how long it would take.

“Your actions are beyond reproach? Fine, I’ll find someone to test it now, to give you an answer that’s beyond reproach! One that is clear for all to see!” Wang Baole laughed furiously. An icy glint flashed across his eyes. As he shouted, he whirled around and ran, under the crowd’s gaze, straight for the…

Elder Request Drum!

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