Above Destiny

Chapter 796 Agency
In the calm and tranquil waters, the Prosperity ship docked at the shore of Tian Shu.

In the dead silence, even the footsteps that gradually approached from the deck were so clear.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the belated craftsman stepped off the bow of the ship. In the distance, beyond the boundary between the Association and the Dark Abyss, the lingering flames had not yet dissipated.

Ashes fell like snow.

"Excuse me, may I ask where to report?"

Ji Jue looked up at the staff members guarding the shore. The staff members of the association were stunned for a moment, and after a long period of confusion, they seemed to finally realize that he was being spoken to.

"Ah, uh, there's a... registration area ahead..."

The young man answered haltingly, his voice growing softer and softer as he spoke. Just as he was getting into an awkward moment, his older colleague finally caught on and forced a smile: "Please come with me, I'll take care of these things."

Ji Jue nodded and followed behind.

The process was incredibly fast.

In reality, it was just a name that was written down.

The real verification was completed long before logging in; the artisan's license they carried, and the lapis lazuli stone awarded to each artisan, were the keys.

Without it as a guide and verification, Ji Jue wouldn't even be able to ascend to the Tian Shu, which is currently somewhere between reality and illusion.

Just as I finished writing, Jiang Tongguang sauntered over.

He seemed to have just drunk two ounces of wine, looking radiant.

"How do you feel, Mr. Ji?" he asked with a half-smile. "Such a magnificent and grand scene truly makes me, as the proctor who is your mentor, feel honored as well."

"Why do I feel like you're targeting me?" Ji Jue replied with a smile. "Is it because I acted recklessly and lacked a sense of proportion, almost ruining the whole situation?"

"The mediocre follow the rules, while the talented are naturally unconventional."

Jiang Tongguang waved his hand dismissively, “I’ve seen plenty of craftsmen, and they can talk to you about them quite eloquently, but when it comes to writing the big picture, they probably have to look it up in a dictionary… If you really follow the rules and speak softly, those veterans won’t even bother to look at you.”

The two chatted as they walked, continuing along the main street.

Ji Jue looked around and saw no trace of the former prosperity; instead, it appeared somewhat desolate.

After all the people from the unrelated associations were removed, Tian Shu, now in a state of war, looked more like some kind of larger creation, devoid of the usual urban atmosphere.

When Ji Jue first came here, he was an apprentice who became a craftsman. But when he came again today, he felt that the gazes directed at him were no longer the same as before.

The clerks, who were always stern and followed procedures with serious expressions, have all become kind and approachable. In fact, one could say they are... cautious and apprehensive.

They were afraid that Ji Jue might frown or cough.

No matter how amiable he may seem.

"I don't eat children, so you don't have to be trembling when you talk to me, do you?"

Ji Jue sighed, "Aren't we being a little too nervous?"

"If you were just eating children, they wouldn't be so nervous."

Jiang Tongguang sighed, "Who told you to do something so ruthless? The association has seen all sorts of things over the years, but today you've really seen something amazing."

There's no way around it, it's terrifying.

It's so scary!

Even though everyone knew Ji Jue was incredibly talented, no one had ever imagined that a reborn craftsman could be this talented...

Even if a craftsman's destructive power depends solely on their skill and lineage, and has never been absolutely related to their rank or position, it's still outrageous to this extent, which can only be described as terrifying.

The storm has not yet subsided, the Thousand Islands are in turmoil and remain closed off, so the things Ji Jue did in the Seven Cities have not yet had a chance to spread far.

The death of Dragonpox was recorded in the Absolute Punishment Team's archives, but very few people were qualified to see it.

Right now, right under the noses of a bunch of old guys, a little guy wielding a kitchen knife, cutting through power lines, sparks flying and lightning streaking his way into the deep realm, taunting everyone before charging out again, not only without losing a single hair, but also displaying all sorts of outrageous items.

From Chun Jun to Pan Ying, from Zhan Lu to Ju Que, almost every one of them met the standards of the Heavenly Craftsmanship rating, yet there was no record of any application prior to this.

Why are you hiding such a dangerous thing? What are you planning to do?
Be honest, do you, like your teacher, harbor a tendency to be unforgiving towards your colleagues?
Director Jiang, please say something, Director Jiang...

If that were all, it would be fine. After all, if you can't afford to mess with someone, you can just avoid them. At most, the dog that bites doesn't bark, and you get a fright.

But in the very end, the Crimson Cloud that Ji Jue pulled out, or more precisely, the Curtain Mandala that had been fused with the Crimson Cloud and used as a vessel for the Spirit of Creation, was already an outright horror story.

With the cooperation of countless spirits of creation, the effects of non-aggression hand-forged crafting were amplified without limit. Within a near-encirclement-like domain, the mechanical mandala was perfectly replicated one-to-one, undergoing thousands upon thousands of refinements in the same instant...

One person is like dozens or even hundreds of production lines. Under the influence of the deus ex machina, alchemical creations keep popping out at the rate of locust proliferation!

Although the quality was poor, the quantity was astonishing!

In just over ten seconds, 64,711 animals were released!
No, buddy, what do you need that for?

In other words, the Deep is teeming with artisans, full of unorthodox things, and capable of creating all sorts of mechanics. If this were anywhere else...

Caught off guard, a central city could be razed to the ground!

What's truly terrifying isn't even the destructive power itself, but rather the productivity that Ji Jue has demonstrated... If he can create sea locusts, can't he create other things too?
In other words, if Ji Jue were willing, he could easily create an unprecedented impact on the market for low-end alchemical creations in the present world with his own production efficiency. In fact, given enough time, he could even achieve a monopoly.

Fortunately, although the scale of this move was outrageous, the cost was also extremely high. Otherwise, countless small workshops that were barely surviving would have been squeezed into bankruptcy, and even large workshops would have been unable to escape unscathed.

"It's just for show, it looks outrageous. But if you calculate the input-output ratio, you'll know that it's impossible to sustain in the long run."

Where on earth can you find so much spiritual energy and unclaimed materials? Besides, maintaining the veil and nurturing the spirit of creation also requires investment.

Ji Jue sighed softly, "It's only good for scaring people."

As for how the Triad Alchemy adapts to this process and minimizes the loss of spiritual energy, how the non-aggressive [Transformation] and [Rebirth] ranks can turn lead into gold, how easy it is to raise the Fly King, and the zero cost of the Veil... well, that's something we don't need to tell you.

Yes, that's right, I'm here to monopolize the low-end market!

We also plan to try the mid-range market!
Just kidding, he doesn't intend to let go of the high-end market either!
Whether you can do it or not is a different matter. Even if you don't intend to drive your competitors out of business, it doesn't stop you from making backup plans, right?
Isn't this what a craftsman is all about?

"Hey, don't be discouraged, keep trying! In my opinion, there's still a lot of room for improvement in this technique. The association isn't stagnant; it supports and embraces the growth and research of the younger generation of craftsmen."

Jiang Tongguang waved his hand dismissively, neither saying whether he believed it nor asking any further questions. He was completely indifferent.

Extremely calm.

Although the demanding tasks seem a bit outrageous, considering your lineage, it's not unreasonable and is still within everyone's acceptable range.

Even if restrictions were to be imposed, the council would likely wrestle and argue for a year or two.

After all, there are very few outstanding talents like Ji Jue, who are well-educated, accomplished, and have a promising future.

In just two years, as a new generation of craftsmen, Ji Jue has reached a level that all his contemporaries can only look up to and cannot reach.

With Gustav's support and Jiang Tongguang's endorsement, Ye Xian behind him, and Tianlu above him, he was practically covered in get-out-of-jail-free cards. With so many projects and a resume, it wouldn't be a big deal for him to get a little involved.

Even if Kanemoto personally wrote a letter of complaint, it was to no avail.

That's what it means to have a strong backbone.

"It's a pity you arrived a bit late and missed lunch. You still have a lot of things to do this afternoon."

Jiang Tongguang walked ahead and suddenly asked, "Should we tidy up first and rest for a while?"

"No need, I already rested on the way here, and I just warmed up."

"Okay, let's go then."

Jiang Tongguang waved his hand, and an invisible force pushed open the last door in front of him. "Let's start the meeting."

A crisp scraping sound rang out, and the bustling hall of the association headquarters suddenly fell silent. Many craftsmen and clerks who were arguing or submitting reports between different counters subconsciously turned around.

They looked toward the rarely used gate in the very center.

Normally, everyone enters and exits through the side doors on both sides, and the main door in the center is rarely used.

Even though they had been pushed away countless times in the past two days, when that crisp sound rang out, everyone still instinctively turned around and stopped what they were doing and talking.

What you see is Jiang Tongguang in front of the door, and behind him, a slightly unfamiliar young man.

In that instant of deathly silence, no one spoke.

"Isn't this a bit too formal?"

Ji Jue asked, puzzled.

"Yes, there is some, but you have to hold your head high."

Jiang Tongguang turned around and said, "Just now, Ye Xian sent a change request, entrusting all of Chaosheng Workshop's authority in the association to you."

In other words, you now represent not only yourself, but also your teacher—Master Ye Xian, the association's honorary champion.

You will act as your representative, fully authorized to represent Ye Xian in all his duties, responsibilities, and powers within the association.

Of course, if you feel too much pressure or too much burden, you can enter through that narrow door...it's the same to hold the meeting in another place.

He said, "It's not too late to give up now."

In an instant, Ji Jue chuckled softly.

The corners of his mouth curled up.

Unlike the politeness and formalities since arriving at Tian Shu, this was a genuine joy.

He raised his head and surveyed the scene in the hall:

"What an honor!"

And so, under the watchful eyes of countless people, Ji Jue strode confidently through the main entrance into the lobby of the building.

Under the lamplight, every face, in a moment of stunned disbelief, suddenly realized what was happening.

Then, naturally, he lowered his head slightly.

Bow respectfully.

The crowd parted to the sides in front of him, passing through the hall, up the steps, and deeper into the headquarters.

Behind the wide-open doors, a magnificent and tranquil corridor appears, with craftsmen and staff who have voluntarily stepped aside to make way for the passage.

Finally, a simple, unadorned door appeared before him.

The Hall of Radiant Light, the core of the entire association's power, the heart of the Ring of One, and the place that can decide all matters concerning the Chosen Ones of the Embers, slowly opened before him.

In the grand and enormous hall, there was only one long table, which was already almost full.

When all the attendees turned around, they saw Jiang Tongguang still smiling, and Ji Jue behind him.

Among them were many acquaintances whom Ji Jue had dealt with before, such as the master craftsman Huang Xu, the veterinarian holding a dachshund, Egonu next to the veterinarian, and even Gustav, etc.

In the brief silence that followed, those faces changed slightly, some as if they had expected it, others as if they had suddenly smiled and nodded.

There was also undisguised scrutiny and suspicion, but in the end, when Ji Jue sat behind Ye Xian's sign, there was no more sound.

"Sorry I'm a little late, there was a traffic jam on the way."

After Jiang Tongguang sat down in the council member's seat, he looked at Gustav and asked, "It didn't take too long, did it?"

"...Be more careful next time."

Gustav sighed, raised his hand, and rang the bell beside him.

In an instant, the room fell silent; no one spoke.

Only next to Gustav, on a chair that no one had noticed before, did a figure that had been sitting there silently appear.

"Everyone is here?"

The foremost master of our time, Tianlu, rested his chin on his hand, his gaze sweeping across the arena, and suddenly smiled slightly:
"It seems we can begin."

(End of this chapter)