Chapter 65 Final Exam
A 60% fusion rate signifies successful alloy forging. Each subsequent 5% increase elevates the quality to a higher level.
Achieving a fusion rate of over 90% requires more than just forging skill; it also depends on the forger's own martial soul and bloodline soul rings, which significantly improve fusion.
Even an eighth-level Saint Craftsman like Mu Chen might not always achieve a fusion rate of over 90% when forging more difficult metals.
While Lin Xiu Ran's case is relatively simple, his age and skill are still limited, and he lacks experience, leaving him with immense potential for future growth.
"Good, good, good!"
Zhenhua exclaimed three times, his joy overflowing. He was the only Divine Craftsman on the continent; any four-word battle armor required his intervention.
After so many years, he had finally seen someone who could succeed him, or even surpass him.
A successor had emerged; how could he not be excited?
At least the flame of the Divine Craftsman forging would not die out.
"Alright, Xiu Ran, I'll take care of forging this spear. I'll use the finest metals to forge the best spear for you."
"Thank you, Teacher." Lin Xiu Ran didn't refuse. Although forging it himself would improve his forging skills, he lacked many rare metals, and there were some he couldn't forge.
If Zhenhua were to forge it for him, the spear's value would be undeniable; it could probably fetch a very high price at auction.
Besides, he had been very busy lately, with his training in Shrek Academy's inner courtyard and matters at the Spirit Pagoda, his days were packed.
This indeed saved a lot of time, giving him plenty of time to do.
Zhenhua said, "Once I've finished forging it back in Tiandou City, I'll send someone to deliver it."
"These days, focus on your cultivation and don't forget to practice forging. I'm quite busy in Tiandou City and can't stay here for too long, but if you have any problems, you can call me via soul communication. If you really can't solve it, come find that guy Mu Chen."
At this moment, Mu Chen, who was at the door, heard this and turned his head away with a touch of arrogance.
Zhenhua chuckled, "Don't worry about that old guy, that's just how he is."
"Sigh, Zhenhua, who are you talking about..."
The following days were much simpler. Lin Xiu Ran basically ran between Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Forging Master Association.
The only change these past few days was that he spent more time designing battle armor with Ye Xinglan.
Ye Xinglan was a level five mecha maker, and she could also make battle armor, but her soul power was currently insufficient to support her crafting. Her cultivation level of three rings was insufficient to support the creation; the consumption would be too great, and forcing it might even damage her very essence.
Although a level four mecha maker could theoretically create level one battle armor, Lin Xiu Ran, as a blacksmith, certainly wouldn't use ordinary metals for his battle armor. Even if there were spirit alloys, Ye Xinglan still wouldn't be able to complete it.
Of course, he wanted to try, but Lin Xiu Ran refused.
So now Lin Xiu Ran was mostly discussing the battle armor design with them—the two of them plus Xu Lizhi's battle armor.
Tang Wulin was in charge of the others, since he was also a level five blacksmith.
After discussing the design for a while, they had to go to class; today, the final exam content was supposedly to be announced.
Lin Xiu Ran also had to go; he didn't usually attend classes, but he still had to participate in the first-year exams of the outer academy. "Wow, so many people! Sister Xinglan, what's going on?" Xu Lizhi asked curiously.
They were passing by Lingbing Square when they noticed it was already packed with students, mostly older, probably several grades above them.
Lin Xiu Ran wasn't sure what was happening either, and looked at Ye Xinglan beside him.
Ye Xinglan glanced at the person speaking on the stage, then nodded as if suddenly understanding: "These students are probably upperclassmen graduating from the outer academy this semester, and that pot-bellied middle-aged man on the stage is probably a person in charge of the Tang Sect's headquarters in Shrek City."
"The Tang Sect?" Xu Lizhi asked, somewhat puzzled. "Isn't the Tang Sect usually low-key? Why are they being so ostentatious at Shrek Academy today?"
Xu Lizhi was a member of the Tang Sect himself, so he was very familiar with their usual style.
Ye Xinglan explained, "The Tang Sect is gradually deepening its cooperation with our academy. Many of this year's graduating seniors who couldn't get into the inner academy will choose to join the Tang Sect. This is the academy opening a back door for the Tang Sect to recruit people early."
Every year, Shrek Academy graduates, even those who didn't enter the inner academy, are highly sought-after throughout the entire Federation. Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect have a closer relationship, so naturally, Shrek Academy will prioritize providing better students to the Tang Sect. Of course, the choice ultimately rests with the students, but those recruited earlier will definitely outnumber the rest.
This is normal in any academy on the continent.
Lin Xiu Ran didn't pay too much attention, except for a few extra glances at the middle-aged man speaking on the stage as he left.
He was a representative of the Tang Sect from Shrek City.
After that, they stopped worrying and quickly headed into the teaching building.
Because they lingered to watch the Tang Sect recruitment for a while, they were a little late, though not actually late, but they arrived in class just in time.
Shen Yi was already standing in front of the lectern, and after the group reported in, he let them in.
"Xiu Ran, just grab a chair, find a place to sit, and announce the exam content. It'll be quick."
Almost all the other students turned their attention to Lin Xiu Ran as soon as he entered.
Some were filled with awe, others with curiosity; few seemed to dislike him. After all, he was an inner court disciple, and there was no need to make enemies with him.
Wu Siduo looked at Lin Xiu Ran after he entered, her eyes resolute. She lightly clenched her fist, displaying her unparalleled confidence.
Zheng Yi Ran, on the other hand, barely looked up.
Lin Xiu Ran didn't stand on ceremony; he casually grabbed a chair and sat down next to Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi.
They sat in front of and behind each other, so Lin Xiu Ran sat roughly in the middle of them.
"The first semester is coming to an end, and the final exams you've all been looking forward to are about to begin." Shen Yi's smiling words caused all the students to instinctively sit up straight.
Everyone knew what this meant. Shrek Academy's final exams were never easy; the system here also followed the principle of survival of the fittest.
The final exams are arguably the last part of the plot, and there will be significant changes afterward.
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(End of Chapter)