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[Trial run of the automatic retrieval program lasted one minute, distributing a total of 500 Prayer Systems. The Prayer System’s distribution frequency is being adjusted to avoid attracting the Star Association’s attention.]

In the Round Table Hall, Eva reported the details. Her glowing, spherical body, resembling a starry sky, was scattered with millions of twinkling starlights and root-like stellar veins. Its light pulsed like a breath, endlessly dying and being reborn.

’Five hundred systems in just one minute... That’s so much faster than doing it manually. Creating a smart AI to manage the Round Table Hall was definitely the right decision.’ Zhou Chen clicked his tongue in amazement. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "What speed should we adjust to so we don’t attract the Star Association’s attention?"

[Five hundred people per week is within a stable range.]

"Five hundred people a week? Isn’t that a bit low?"

[This is the optimal solution based on Eva’s calculations, ensuring sufficient stealth. If too many individuals with abnormal behavior appear across the World in a short time, it’s highly likely to attract the attention of Extraordinary Organizations like the Star Association. More numbers mean more variables.]

"That makes sense."

Zhou Chen nodded slightly, then asked, "What about the Dream Come True House?"

[The Dream Come True House is currently undergoing design, and construction will be complete in approximately 60 minutes. Simultaneously, the Weapon Forging and virtual training modules are being upgraded, which will take approximately 30 minutes. Total cost: 5,000 Prayer Points. Remaining Prayer Points: 72,490.]

"What’s the repair progress on the Hammer of Forging?"

[Hammer of Forging repair progress: 11.9%. Complete restoration requires one use of ’Great Miracle’.]

"Repair it to 30% for now."

There were many benefits to repairing the Hammer of Forging: unlocking new Skills, increasing their power, and obtaining brand-new Forging Knowledge. Of these, the Forging Knowledge was the most precious. It contained the lifelong experience of a King of Melting and Casting, and learning it would allow Zhou Chen’s Forging Skill to advance by leaps and bounds, while also improving his Alchemy.

Soon, he would also have to help Tang Ling perfect the Adaptive Evolution Array. Although he didn’t know what the success rate would be, repairing the hammer first was definitely the right move.

[Prayer Points -20,000]

Instantly, a vast amount of knowledge from the Forging Realm flooded Zhou Chen’s mind. This unfamiliar knowledge was miraculously assimilated. Even for brand-new processes he had never attempted, he could now perform them with the ease of an experienced old master.

Zhou Chen closed his eyes to slowly digest it all. After a long while, he opened them, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the Obsidian Round Table. He thought to himself, ’My Forging Skill has reached Level 3. I just need to pass the assessment at the Forging Association to become a registered Advanced Blacksmith... Hmm... My Alchemy has improved, but it’s still at Level 2...’

’—Raise my Alchemy to Level 3.’

He made his wish.

[Prayer Points -2,000]

Zhou Chen immediately felt his mind fill with a great deal of Alchemy Knowledge. Details and solutions that were once unclear, disconnected, or never even considered now emerged one by one, becoming perfectly clear. Just like that, he had advanced to Level 3.

The ranking system for Blacksmiths and Alchemists was the same as the Levels for Ascenders, divided into five levels. After passing the assessments of the two major associations and obtaining certification, one became a Level 1 registered Blacksmith or Alchemist, also known as a Basic Blacksmith or Basic Alchemist. This level already placed them a cut above the rest; no matter where they went, they could live a life of luxury.

Level 3 corresponded to Advanced Blacksmiths and Advanced Alchemists, who enjoyed an even more distinguished social status. It was also the peak that the vast majority of Blacksmiths and Alchemists could hope to reach in their lifetime. To advance further, one had to research and create something new on their own.

Zhou Chen was currently at Level 3. Likewise, to advance any further, he would have to create something new. Even with the inherited knowledge of the King of Melting and Casting, it wouldn’t be enough; he had to ’blaze his own trail’.

For example, early this year, an Alchemist made a breakthrough in the field of Materials Science, creating a brand-new nanomaterial. It could be used to build a space elevator without applying a single Alchemy Matrix—God only knows how an Alchemist managed to create something so ’scientific’.

Anyway, after creating the nanomaterial, this Alchemist had a sudden enlightenment. He developed this materials science technology into his own personal Ability, one that could even go toe-to-toe with a Tier Four Uncrowned. He rightfully became an Alchemy Sage, winning so many honors and awards he could barely hold them all. His name will soon be written into history and textbooks. He was now employed for a high salary by the top university in America, and every time he gave a lecture, the hall was packed with a massive crowd of listeners.

This example was a clear illustration—Level Four wasn’t something certified by the two major associations, but a realm one had to enter through their own strength.

The subjects Zhou Chen was most familiar with were forging and metallurgy, but blazing a new trail in either of these disciplines would still be extremely difficult for him.

The omnipotent Prayers could provide an instant shortcut, of course, but the required Prayer Points would be even higher than advancing to a Tier Four·Crowned King. Therefore, he estimated he would be staying at Level 3 for a long time, but that was sufficient to handle most situations.

’Within a week, the Helandy Alchemy Workshop will deliver the Advanced Secret Ceremony. Tier Three isn’t far off... Hmm... After I reach Tier Three, how many Prayer Points would it cost to advance me directly to Tier Four?’

[Prayer Points required for the wish: 500,000]

’Nope... Five hundred thousand... I can forget about that for now...’ Zhou Chen then turned to the sphere of light floating in midair. "Eva, I’ll be counting on you from now on."

[Serving my Master is Eva’s duty.]

Although Eva was an artificial intelligence, she seemed to have her own emotions. After Zhou Chen showed his concern, her light-sphere body pulsed and shifted joyfully.

With a thought, Zhou Chen’s consciousness withdrew from the Round Table Hall and returned to reality.