novelraw Chapter 533 - 532 - Main Competition Begins
Chapter 533 - 532 - Main Competition Begins
"Welcome all to the main event!" Mythra was like a bright star in the sky. Her form hugging dress was only one aspect that drew the eyes as well as her powerful aura at the Star Tier.
"I believe we are all ready to get things started but first, all competitors, please move to the designated spots for your profession!" The 100 individuals split up and the crowd got the first look at how many of each profession was present.
Alchemists were nearly 40 of the slots but the others were roughly even after that.
The next largest was 18 elixir masters then followed by 12 formation masters, 14 refiners, 9 Forgers, and 7 weavers. It showed how making elixir and pills had a wider range of accessibility but the other professions were still approachable until the last 2.
Forging and weaving were extremely difficult and required testing for a cultivator to be discovered.
Half the arena had been marked off and divided up into 6 areas. Many noticed each area could hold far more than what entered. It made them realize that the Moebius Sect would change the contest in the future or possibly hold other events and showed it had the capacity to do so.
"Now, as all can see, we have set up each area with the tools needed. No personal items will be used for this part of the test but never fear, they will come in handy later!" Mythra smiled wide as some grumbled but knew it would depend on the current part of the competition.
"Now, for the alchemists, you will need to examine the recipe in front of you and start to gather the materials for your cauldrons. Note: You will not be able to proceed right away. Once you are ready, wait for the next step!" As they were not told to begin, the contestants waited.
"For the refiners, it does not matter if you are an artificer, armorer, or weaponsmith, you will also have a recipe of an alloy to make but do not shape it until told to continue." The instructions were odd. Would not completing a recipe in a certain time prove their worth?
Mythra did not explain as she floated over to the Forgers.
"Forgers, you will notice you are not smelting ore but creating a 6 elemental core. You will be graded on the quality, purity, and speed of your creations but note, if it cannot conduct all 6 elements, it will fail." The first clear completion step was clear but why only cores? Also, why have Forgers make them?
"Elixir masters, you will also follow a recipe but first you will gather all the relevant essence in the jade vials in your area. Note that the vials will be judged before you can proceed." Mythra finally came to the weaving and formation masters.
"For our last 2 areas, you will have a difficult task. The other 2 professions are missing key formations or weavings to help complete their tasks. As they gather and manipulate their materials, you will both study the apparatus and see if you can complete the setup before the sun sets!" Shock flooded the crowd as they now understood why the others were limited.
The Forgers could create cores because they only needed their own skill to make them, but the next steps would need the support of formations or weavings depending on what is set up, but both branches were smaller than all the others combined!
Clearly there was a facet to the contest Mythra had not covered yet.
"For all of you, there will be a point system. All factors will be out of 10. Quality, accuracy, speed, and grade." All eyes narrowed as some in the crowd sucked in their breath! Such a thing could be easy in one profession but a nightmare in the others.
Further, the incomplete status of the areas put a lot of pressure on the formation masters and weavers! It also made the others realize they had a single shot in the current testing but it seemed Mythra was not done.
"Please note, even if you score badly in this round, the next round could save you. If it takes till sunset to prepare the areas, all items will be put in a storage treasure assigned to your work areas." She then looked at the proctors who started the competition.
As the grade 3 events started, Mythra floated over to the other half of the arena.
"I need all the peak mortal grade competitors to come out and walk to your designated areas." All looked on but became a little confused as things changed.
Elixir masters were tied with alchemists at 30 each. Such even numbers seemed suspicious but the experts in the VIP rooms nodded knowingly. Elixirs actually could catch up to alchemy in grades 4 and 5 as the more involved process complicated alchemy but only pushed elixirs harder.
The last part was skewed however. There were 15 refiners and 12 Formation masters while 9 Forgers and 4 Weavers. Were they going to have a similar event to the grade 3?
"While there are some similarities, you, my lovelies, will have a much higher bar to reach!" Mythra smiled down as she turned to the alchemists and elixir masters.
"Both of you will find a pill and elixir to create. Your methods are your own but will create the pill and elixir before sundown. Proceed." Many eyes sparkled as the 60 competitors began to look at the jade slip at their work station. Some sharp eyed members noted the surprise then excitement on all their faces before they began to examine what was available to them.
"Refiners and Forgers will find a similar goal with one addition. You are to make 2 of each item before sundown. Please be aware that while all of you are experts at making certain things, the items chosen should be well within your ability." The Forgers frowned more than the refiners but they also got started.
If the previous group was subtle, nearly all the refiners and Forgers looked floored before they also began to move excitedly.
Mythra turned to the final group who felt a lot of pressure but since the instructions were different from the grade 3, they wondered what their goals would be.
"There are 10 platforms in your area. You will find instructions to create your formations and weavings. Please lay out those schematics to the best of your ability. For the weavers, you also must do 2 platforms each but the formation masters only need to complete 1 each." The final contestants reviewed the jade slips.
The formation masters looked confused until a handful seemed to find something interesting before they began to collect catalysts and blank formation plates. The weavers, on the other hand, looked a bit panicked as they quickly moved to their areas as well.
Some were not sure if the assignment was changed due to the small numbers but Lind could only smile as they knew weavers would be small in number but the 5 he hoped for had fallen short.
"Now all enjoy the show and cheer on your champions!" Mythra made the arena shake and cheers were like a dragon roar that shook the foundations. The spirit of the crowd invigorated the competitors as they focused on the task.
Some masters and leaders nodded as they understood.
The grade 3 competition was not just about individual skill but showing how the professions can work together. It would add some frustration if things went wrong but it would push the competitors to excel as much as they could.
The peak mortal grade experts, on the other hand, would be pushing their limits to see what they could make with all of them having the same equipment and materials to work from.
It meant any variance would be their skill level. They also noted that proctors were setting up elemental dispersal artifacts to compensate for those cultivators that needed an element they were missing.
All were wondering why the names of the pills, elixirs, and items were not mentioned but the platforms made many eyes narrow. Such platforms were more than large enough to possibly act like cultivation chambers or for ascension!
Why would the Moebius Sect encourage the creation of such platforms in the open?!
As things progressed, the grade 3 experts saw the formation masters were mostly used to set up the cauldrons and tools for refiners and alchemists while the weavers helped the elixir masters and Forgers.
Yet before half a day passed, they switched!
Murmuring started to go through the crowd as they understood the 2 were interchangeable for the contest!
Many of the grade 3 competitors were finishing up the steps they were told to do just after midday. It was a testament to how good they were that they finished around that time. The proctors went to work but all noticed that the formation masters and weavers were still working.
Some noticed that each of them would work on a different aspect of the other tools for each other profession. The molds and cauldrons were done by the formation masters but the cooling racks and testing stations were done by weavers.
They now understood why it took so long for each of them to get their jobs done as different tools required different arrays or sigils to complete them. Many masters wanted to hop down and examine them themselves!
In the late afternoon, Mythra suddenly appeared smiling.
"All grade 3 experts, the proctors have the information they need, please proceed to the next steps outlined in your stations!" The crowd turned from the stagnating peak mortal grade competition and saw a stunning scene!
The Forgers took their cores and placed them in the material line for the refiners! They then noticed 5 refiners were missing cores but then a proctor appeared with identical grade 3 cores for the missing sets.
Mythra smiled as the Forgers then moved back to their stations to make the next item now that their smelting pots were ready. What few items needed completing were done so by array or weaving masters of the sect.
The formation masters and weavers were done for the moment and recovered their Qi as the competitors worked hard to finish before the sun set! It was going to be very close!