A large batch of people who came for the free pancakes were eliminated. Only those who possessed some basic knowledge succeeded.

    Even the least knowledgeable were apprenticed Rune Masters.

    They could copy a non-functional "Burning" rune.

    In the "rune" event, the Green Shadow adventurers were wiped out.

    Eliminated in the first round.

    It''s disheartening.

    The world is unfriendly.

    But,

    Tang Yu asked Chen Haiping and learned that in the "rune" and "potion" domains of the preliminary selection, many under his command had passed.

    Not those Corps Awakeners,

    but professionals from various fields within his territory, brought here by the Floating Airship after learning about the "Literary Battle."

    In the "rune" competition, there were Kevin and many students he had brought; all of the attendees were Basic Rune Masters, including eighteen Intermediate Rune Masters.

    The lineup was luxurious.

    The territory''s chief chef, the soul chess player, the strongest farmer... and other survivors who had received honorary titles from the Municipal Department also came to the Holy Domain space.

    Shortly thereafter,

    Tang Yu also participated in the preliminary selections of the "potion" and "identification" domains.

    The "potion" domain was not about making potions, but about recognizing medicinal ingredients—identifying the properties of the ingredients by their characteristics.

    The simulated medicinal ingredients were extremely lifelike, with realistic touch, taste, and even the possibility to break off a piece to taste.

    Tang Yu was envious.

    He saw many ingredients that, according to Zhen, only existed in the Second Epoch.

    Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!

    Compared to these, the Source Plants on Earth now, containing a trace of Source Power, were nothing.

    "Identification" was simple as well, testing observation skills and mastery of various obscure knowledge areas.

    ...

    Swoosh!

    After participating in the 1VS1 potion-making contest in the second round, Tang Yu was not sent back to the original location, but to another space.

    To participate in the second round of the "rune" contest.

    "..."

    Do they really need to rush us like this? Don''t contestants have rights?

    The person who appeared opposite Tang Yu was a young scholar wearing a white lab coat and glasses with golden rims, the lenses reflecting sparkling light—a presence exuding an aura known as "top student." sea??h thё N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The scholar adjusted his glasses with his index finger on his nose bridge.

    Catching sight of Tang Yu in his battle attire, surprise flickered behind the scholar''s lenses.

    ...How did this barbarian pass the preliminary selection?

    This is our cultural folks'' turf; how could it be tainted with barbaric vibes!

    Never mind, let''s just eliminate him quickly and move on to the next round to face the experts in the rune domain.

    Swoosh~

    A rune full of sharp momentum appeared in front of them.

    A "Basic Sharp Rune," one of the simplest runes, even simpler than the "Burning" rune.

    But this time, it wasn''t just about copying; it was about engraving a real rune.

    With a source power circuit, energy nodes, a rune capable of enhancing the sharpness of weapons.

    After the engraving, the match would be determined based on the actual output rate of the rune energy.

    Tang Yu glanced at it briefly and then no longer paid attention, picked up the engraving knife, and made his move... His carving was divine.

    Rune junctions,

    Depth of scales,

    Energy bifurcations,

    Circuit connections,

    In "Basic Sharp Rune," he had thousands of engraving experiences. Back when he was laying a solid foundation in Rune Studies, he didn''t know how many rune pens were wasted, and the soft yet tough skin from the abdomens of Demonized Beasts provided enough material for a small hill.

    He could practically engrave it with his eyes closed.

    The young scholar was also familiar with the "Basic Sharp Rune."

    However, he took a couple more glances, then another few looks.

    ...Really darn exquisite!

    His Sanctuary''s Sharp Rune was outmatched by two strokes and added an energy circuit, making the engraving effect stronger!

    What a windfall!

    It took him five and a half minutes to finally engrave the "Basic Sharp Rune."

    The young scholar wiped the sweat from his forehead, very satisfied with his performance.

    He looked up and saw that Tang Yu seemed to have also finished engraving, but he paid no mind, already immersed in his study of the rune.

    "Beep, engraving complete—"

    "Starting rune energy output rate test."

    The rune on the young scholar''s desk lit up.

    A moment later,

    Beep!

    Energy output rating, 81 points, good.

    This score...

    Not bad!

    In the territory, there were similar rune detection instruments, and typically, a rune with an energy output rate of 60% or above... was considered a qualified rune.

    A perfect rating was 100 points.

    An engraver with eight out of ten engravings scoring above 60 points was considered a mature Basic Rune Master.

    Some manufacturers produced sub-standard products, barely reaching an energy output rate of 60%, and yet still sold them to the market.

    Tang Yu had seen many such substandard rune equipment in the Sanctuaries with extremely low output rates.

    And an 81 score, if the rune were engraved on a weapon, would make it a high-quality item, allowing its sale price to be raised by 30-50%!

    The young scholar''s standard... was not bad.

    But Tang Yu had even more confidence in himself.

    His rune at the desk also lit up.

    Beep!

    Energy output rating, 120 points, super... Super Tier!

    "???"

    Tang Yu himself was baffled.

    How could the output exceed the rune''s original energy capacity? That''s not scientific!

    A workshop-produced rune had only a 100% output rate!

    Although his engraved rune, whether in terms of practicality, appearance, texture, or touch, was perfect...

    He glanced at the sample rune.

    Then back at his own engraving, hmm, not the same, there were a few differences in the energy circuits.

    Tang Yu then remembered that the rune provided by the Holy Domain space and his own might have different versions... also because he had drawn "Basic Sharp Rune" too often, he unintentionally engraved it.

    "But wait..."

    "The ''Burning'' rune previously did not match the version from the Holy Domain space, yet the ''Basic Sharp Rune'' had an even higher output rate..."