Early in the morning.
Lin Xun had just finished breakfast and was about to bring the newly-completed Snowfury Blade out when Xue Jin stopped him.
“Boy, are you a rune master?”
Lin Xun was startled and then he nodded. “That’s correct.”
He had been creating aeth tools in his room last night and although he had made little movements and noise, it was still impossible to hide it from Xue Jin.
Xue Jin continued to question him, “Oh, so are you planning to sell aeth tools now?”
Lin Xun answered, “Isn’t this very normal? If I don't have money, who will buy you alcohol?”
Xue Jin grinned and waved his hand. “Go, go, I’m just asking.”
Finding it a little strange, Lin Xun said suspiciously, “Old Jin, do you have something to say about me selling aeth tools?”
Xue Jin explained, “Well, I just find it very strange why a high and mighty rune master has to lower himself to sell aeth tools to make money. If the guys from the Rune Master Association learn about this, they would no doubt come teach you a lesson.”Lin Xun was bewildered. “What do you mean?”
Xue Jin raised his head and took a sip of wine while looking at Lin Xun like he was looking at an idiot. “Kid, do you really not know? Do you know how respected rune masters are!? They are worshiped wherever they go, but you’re like a lowly peddler. You simply are an embarrassment to other rune masters.”
Lin Xun exclaimed, “They are that impressive?”
Xue Jin said disdainfully, “You are the only one who doesn't take a rune master seriously.”
Lin Xun smiled wryly. He had never regarded himself as someone with a special identity and status.
However, he knew that rune masters had mighty status in the world. Major forces often fought over a true rune master.
In the entire empire, the rune master was the most unique and special profession. There was a simple reason for that: many matters concerning cultivation were inseparable from rune masters.
For example, rune masters created aeth tools and armaments for cultivators, made beast tags for beast tamer masters, set up rune arrays for horticulturists and crafted pill furnaces for alchemists.
The shadow of a rune master was behind almost every aspect of cultivation.
However, there was only a small number of rune masters in the world. They were known to be very rare as there might not be one rune master even among one thousand cultivators.
The small number of rune masters contributed to the unique and respectable status that rune masters enjoyed in the empire.
“As I thought, kid, you don’t know anything. I’m really confused about how you became a rune master. Did your Master not tell you that a rune master should know his worth?” Xue Jin sighed.
“Old Jin, I really didn’t know. Why don't you give me some pointers?” Lin Xun asked humbly.
Xue Jin snorted and stretched out one finger. “One jar of Soul Burning Spirit.”
Lin Xun readily agreed, “Deal.”
Only then did Xue Jin smile. “Kid, you’re really interesting. You’re sometimes smart and scary, but sometimes you’re like an idiot.”
Then, Xue Jin finally advised Lin Xun to head to a place—
The Rune Master Association!
……
The Rune Master Association in the empire was regarded as an extremely large rune master alliance that spanned across the entire thirty-four provinces of the empire.
As the provincial capital of the southwest province, Haze City also had a Rune Master Association.
Lin Xun inquired about the directions and eventually found the place. It was a magnificent and grand building as striking as a crane among a flock of chickens.
The words ‘Haze City Rune Master Association’ in ancient writing was cast from an Image Rune Array on the top of the building.
Every word was flowing with colors like an illusion. Beautiful and dazzling, it resembled rainbow-colored clouds rising into the air.
Other cultivators would perhaps marvel at the works of the Rune Master Association.
But Lin Xun’s first reaction was to exclaim, “Rich, so rich, too rich!”
The Image Rune Array consumed an astonishing amount of spirit crystals to constantly maintain it! However, such a rune array was being used as a signboard. It showed the wealth and power of the Rune Master Association.
However, it made Lin Xun even more full of anticipation.
He came here to make money so the wealthier the Rune Master Association, the more it proved that his decision was correct.
Without any hesitation, Lin Xun walked into the building.
“Young master, welcome to the Rune Master Association.”
The moment he stepped in, a beautiful attendant came forward to greet him. Her manner was neither haughty nor humble but was courteous. She wore an impeccable smile as she asked, “Young master, can I ask you if you’re here to buy treasures, request commission or sell products?”
“I want to look around first,” Lin Xun said casually.
Although Lin Xun wore ordinary clothes, he had a handsome face. He was only fourteen years old, but he had an elegant figure, deep black eyes, and sharp facial features. He exuded a pure and ethereal air that made the beautiful attendant dare not to treat him with disrespect.
She nodded with a smile. “Young master, please feel free to look around. I will come right away when you need me.”
She bowed and turned away.
Lin Xun really appreciated such service and manners.
The Rune Master Association was very large and grand with carved beams and painted columns. It was divided into different departments such as the treasure department, exchange department and commission department.
Although it was early in the morning, an endless stream of people went in and out of the Rune Master Association. The majority of which were cultivators. It seemed very busy and lively.
That was the area of the Rune Master Association that was open to the outside world. As an alliance of rune masters in the empire, the Rune Master Association had one true purpose—serve the rune masters!
Once a rune master passed the verification process from the Rune Master Association, they could enjoy many perks and benefits in the Rune Master Association.
However, every rune master also had to work for the Rune Master Association while they enjoyed the perks.
Of course, the work wasn’t particularly demanding and could even be considered relaxing.
Each Rune Master Association had a commission zone where different rune-related commissions would be posted every day. Rune masters who helped complete those missions would be rewarded with a considerable amount of money and corresponding points.
The more points a rune master earned, the more privileges they enjoyed within the association.
Lin Xun wandered around and browsed the first floor. He found nothing special and it was no different from some businesses.
As for the second floor, it was an area exclusive for rune masters verified by the association as well as some influential people. Lin Xun wasn't qualified to enter yet.
Soon, Lin Xun threw away the distracting thoughts in his mind and headed directly to the verification zone on the first floor.
The verification zone was extremely quiet and only a middle-aged man in gray was sitting there with his eyes closed. Lin Xun couldn’t tell if he was meditating or if he had really fallen asleep.
However, when Lin Xun arrived, the middle-aged man in gray snapped open his eyes and smiled warmly.
But when he saw that Lin Xun was just a teenager, he said in surprise, “Young master, this is the area where a rune master’s identity is verified.”
Lin Xun said, “I’m here to be verified.”
The middle-aged man in gray exclaimed, “Young master, you’re a rune master?”
Lin Xun smiled. “It might not count if I say so. Perhaps we will know after the verification.”
The middle-aged man in gray looked doubtful. He’s too young. He is at most fifteen years old. It would make sense if he is a rune apprentice but it’s impossible that he’s a rune master.
He couldn’t help but ask, “Young master, how old are you?”
Lin Xun asked back, “Does age affect the rune master verification process?”
The middle-aged man in gray immediately reddened in embarrassment and quickly explained, “Don’t misunderstand. Young master, I'm just curious.”
While he was speaking, he waved to a female attendant. “Take this young master to the second floor to complete the rune master verification process.”
Coincidentally, the attendant was the one who welcomed Lin Xun. She was stunned for a moment and then she hurriedly responded, “Young master, please come with me.”
Lin Xun left with her.
“The youngster has an extraordinary bearing. He shouldn’t be a scammer. But how old is he? How can he possess the ability of a rune master?”
As the middle-aged man in gray watched Lin Xun leave, he frowned in puzzlement.
He knew very well that it wasn’t a simple matter to become a true rune master. In terms of cultivation, one had to at least be at the human dipper stage. This minimum cultivation level was already one of the easier steps.
In terms of the art of runes, one had to be able to produce a rune formation alone!
This was something not achievable to just anyone!
It was no exaggeration to say that, despite there being a countless number of rune apprentices in the empire, not even one in ten thousand could create a rune formation by themselves!
The cruelest reality was that most of the rune apprentices in the world would never become a rune master in their lives due to various reasons!
This clearly showed how difficult it was to become a rune master.
The middle-aged man in gray had met many rune masters in his life and almost all were adult cultivators who had lived for at least decades or one hundred years. Only very few were youngsters like Lin Xun.
At least, the middle-aged man in gray had never seen one in many years!
Correct!
Not even one!
This was the reason why he was so astonished to meet Lin Xun.
“This is bad. Could the kid really be a scammer?”
Suddenly, the gray-robed middle-aged man’s expression changed, and anxiety filled his heart. But after a deeper thought, he changed his stance again. But if the kid is a scammer, what could he gain from this?
He thought it over and over again and weighed up the gains and losses, but he still couldn’t calm himself.
Meanwhile, Lin Xun was heading up the second floor while being escorted by a beautiful attendant.
Along the way, the attendant couldn’t help but take furtive glances at Lin Xun. Her eyes were filled with curiosity but also doubt. Apparently, she couldn’t believe that a teenager would be a rune master.
Lin Xun sharply sensed her strange gaze and couldn’t help but tease her, “Miss, you seem very interested in me?”
The beautiful attendant blushed, her entire face turning red.