Rumored had it that the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate had long existed since ancient times.
They were regarded as sacred objects of the Rune Master Association Headquarters, and the mysterious secret realm contained within the nine tablets was said to present many mysterious rune visions!
The most amazing thing was that a rune master would receive the qualification and identity of a rune grandmaster if they could pass the assessment of the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate.
Hu Linchuan was taking the assessment!
“Last time, Hu Linchuan failed at the sixth stone tablet. I wonder how far he will get this time,” someone whispered.
“There is no need to guess. After all, Hu Linchuan is already very old and has already exhausted his potential. His chances of success this time are very slim,” someone stated confidently.
Each of the nine tablets of the dragon gate had its own secret realm.
Inside of each secret realm were different rune visions.
One had to comprehend and control a complete rune pattern from the rune visions within ten minutes to pass the test of the stone tablet.
One was only considered a true rune grandmaster once they passed the tests of all nine tablets.However, it was easier said than done. The rune visions within each tablet became more and more obscure and difficult to understand than the previous one.
Additionally, there was a time limit to comprehend the rune visions in each stone tablet!
Candidates only had ten minutes.
Imaginably, it was incredibly difficult to pass the tests of all nine stone tablets.
The ninth tablet was called the Heaven Barrier Tablet as the rune vision contained within was very abnormal and difficult to pass like a barrier from the heavens!
In the past, many rune masters and also remarkable figures had failed at the ninth tablet despite their outstanding abilities.
It was no exaggeration to say that only one in a million rune masters could pass the final level!
This was also one of the most important reasons why there were so few rune grandmasters in the empire!
Although Lin Xun understood this, he hadn’t truly experienced it so he ignored everyone else’s discussion and was fully focused on the dragon gate stage.
Soon, a peculiar buzz rang from the surface of the first stone tablet. Then a divine golden arc of light emerged like a bolt of lightning!
It signified that Hu Linchuan had comprehended a complete rune pattern from the rune vision in the first stone tablet!
This didn’t surprise anyone. Although Hu Linchuan had failed several times in the past, he had acquired many experiences. It would be more bizarre if he couldn’t pass the first stone tablet.
Ten minutes quickly passed.
In the end, Hu Linchuan comprehended five complete rune patterns and five golden arcs of light emerged one after another from the first tablet.
The spectating rune masters judged Hu Linchuan’s performance based on the number of golden arcs that had shot out from the stone tablet.
“As far as I know, the best record for the first stone tablet was nine golden arcs of light. Hu Linchuan isn’t bad to form five,” someone remarked.
However, someone quickly refuted, “How many times has that old guy taken the assessment? It would be more bizarre if he couldn’t pass.”
Many people nodded in agreement.
Only Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged. The experience was a part of a cultivator’s strength. As they said, hard work was also a skill.
Amid the discussion, Hu Linchuan started the test of the second tablet.
He comprehended and controlled four complete rune patterns within the time limit and successfully passed the test.
Next, Hu Linchuan also successfully passed the test of the third, fourth and fifth tablets, but he only managed to comprehend and control around two rune patterns at each one.
When he started the test in the sixth stone tablet, many people paused their discussions and focused their attention on the Dragon Gate Stage.
Hu Linchuan had failed at the sixth tablet several times in the past. Could he make a breakthrough this time?
It’s going to be difficult!
Many people weren’t optimistic about Hu Linchuan’s situation as they could tell that the number of arcs of golden light decreased as he progressed through the tests of the stone tablets.
Time flew by and the time limit was almost over. There wasn’t the slightest movement from the sixth tablet, and many people couldn’t help but shake their heads and sigh.
Some people smiled expectantly.
Lin Xun frowned, worried for Hu Linchuan.
Buzz!
Just as the time limit neared, a thunderous rumble and an arc of golden light surfaced under everyone’s astonished, stunned and unbelievable gazes.
He actually…succeeded!
Everyone exclaimed.
They had never thought a miracle would happen to Hu Linchuan at the last moment!
Lin Xun breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t think it was a miracle as he knew it wouldn’t have happened without Hu Linchuan’s perseverance and dedication.
Rather than a miracle, it is more like a reward for his hard work!
Unfortunately, Hu Linchuan failed at the seventh tablet.
The splendid brilliance faded from the Dragon Gate Platform, clearly revealing Hu Linchuan’s figure.
He stood up; his face pale and his body dripping with cold sweat. His long, gray hair sticking to the sweat on his thin, wrinkly face made him look even more distressed and haggard.
However, his eyes were extremely bright, filled with endless excitement and joy. It seemed like the failure didn’t affect him in the slightest.
This was because he viewed the fact that he was able to pass the sixth tablet as a victory in itself!
Hu Linchuan’s response moved many rune masters, and they couldn’t help but applaud and praise him. He was worthy of their respect in terms of perseverance, persistence and tenacity.
Lin Xun couldn’t help but smile. Hard work can make up for weakness and a lack of skill. One can make progress and improve despite poor talent and limited foundation as long as they don’t give up!
Even if the progress is tiny, it is still progress!
In another huge hall.
Shen Tuo, the head lecturer of Qinglu Academy’s Rune Department, also marveled at Hu Linchuan’s performance, “Hu Linchuan...is also an impressive character!”
Many people echoed his words.
Everyone in the world took notice of, envied, and admired geniuses, but only very few people in the world noticed that there are only very few true geniuses in the world. Ordinary cultivators like Hu Linchuan with average qualifications were the vast majority.
However, among them, who would be able to never give up like Hu Linchuan?
“Unfortunately, cultivation is cruel, and the art of runes is even crueler and more brutal. Although Hu Linchuan persevered and never gave up, he came to a stop at the seventh tablet of the dragon gate,” someone sighed.
This was the truth so the other people couldn’t refute it.
……
Amidst applause from the audience, Hu Linchuan stepped down from the Dragon Gate Stage.
It was at that moment a voice abruptly rang out, “It’s good that you know your limit and know how far your strength is.”
It was Chu Yunkong.
He said indifferently, “In my view, your action is no different from an ant shaking a giant tree.”
Everyone was taken aback by his remark. Hu Linchuan had finally passed the test of the sixth tablet. How could he be so cold?
Hu Linchuan’s expression visibly changed. He stood there blankly for a moment before he shook his head and turned away. He had been ridiculed and mocked for many years, and he was used to it.
“Hu Linchuan, I might have spoken harshly but it’s for your own sake. I advise you to let go of your obsessions as soon as possible. Don’t become crazy or you will only hurt yourself in the end,” Chu Yunkong reminded again
His advice made many people feel a little uncomfortable.
Chu Yunkong was already very old, how could he speak so harshly to Hu Linchuan?
This reminded them of how Chu Yunkong had mocked and lectured Lin Xun.
Hu Linchuan ignored him and quickly disappeared from the hall.
“Haha, you have no ability, but you want others to be as unsuccessful as you. Today was an eye-opening experience for me,” sneered Lin Xun
Chi Yunkong’s behavior had disgusted him. He not only acted superior because of his age, but he also intentionally attacked and mocked other people. It’s a miracle that a person like him is still alive and hasn’t been beaten to death yet!
“Little trash, are you talking about me!?”
Seeing that it was Lin Xun again, Chu Yunkong’s face immediately darkened, and anger surged to his heart. He hated the fact that he couldn’t slap Lin Xun to death.
Everyone’s eyes widened. Lin Xun is so courageous. He has provoked the clansmen of the Chu Family again and again. Who else would dare to do that?
“Old fart, I said if you’re so capable, you should also take the assessment on the Dragon Gate Stage? Although Elder Hu Linchuan is not qualified enough, he has worked hard. But you, old fart, you’re so old yet you’re not even a rune grandmaster. What qualifications do you have to criticize other people?”
Lin Xun spoke rudely and coldly, “If you didn’t have the protection of the Chu Family, you would have been killed countless times already!”
“You—!”
Chu Yunkong quivered with anger and his face flushed. He almost coughed up blood.
The others all assumed strange expressions. Although they didn’t dare to laugh out loud for fear of the Chu Family’s power, Lin Xun’s pointed remarks still made them feel very satisfied.
In another hall, Yu Beidou, Cheng Jing, Shen Tuo and other authority figures all had strange looks on their faces. Lin Xun…is so courageous!
As for Feng Qingyou, she couldn’t help but giggle out loud. Her charming, pure, and sweet smile resembled a beautiful flower blooming after the misty rain.
She found Lin Xun’s fearlessness very interesting.
“Lin Xun, you insulted me earlier, and now you have provoked an elder of my Chu Family. Do you think my Chu Family don’t dare to do anything to you?”
Suddenly, Chu Haidong rose to his feet, his expression icy-cold and his eyes sharper than a blade.
He glowered at Lin Xun and said loud and clear, “Let’s compete against each other in the assessment on the Dragon Gate Stage! Facts will prove who is the ignorant and shameless, and who is the real...stupid idiot!”