A World Worth Protecting

avilion 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.

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.

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.

You penniless wretch, trying to compete with me?

Wang Baole caught Lin Tianhao looking.
He raised an eyebrow, his face unsmiling, and thought, 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.

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! ”