Chapter 340 - This Is Something That Should Not Appear!
Chapter 340: This Is Something That Should Not Appear!
Tian Du City.
Zhao Yunshan returned to the school, brimming with confidence.
I, Zhao Yunshan… am back!!!
The then ordinary cultivator who had failed despite throwing in lots of money was finally back!
This time…
He would not back down anymore!
Although Master had never asked him for anything, he was well aware that his performance at the graduation season would affect the outcome of the Sword Card Master Association at the on-campus job fair!
Therefore, he had to work hard!
This was for his sake and that of his Master and the Sword Card Master Association!
Furthermore…
When it was mealtime, Zhao Yunshan opened his backpack. It was a bento prepared by Senior Sister.
Normally, only Master was entitled to such treatment. Senior Sister personally prepared his meal this time as she knew that he was attending the graduation ceremony.
It is heartwarming.
This was his Senior Sister, indeed…
Although she was slightly young, she took care of all the disciples.
Hence…
He gingerly opened the bento box.
He then saw a feast consisting of ‘papaya fried rice’, ‘papaya salad’, ‘steamed papaya’ and ‘papaya coconut milk’ personally prepared by Xiaobai.
The taste…
Zhao Yunshan was tearing up as he ate.
He finally knew why Master loved to eat Liangpi!
…
At this very moment…
At the Sword Card Master association.
Lu Ming was seriously estimating their success rate for the on-campus job fair. The job fair would impact the outcome of The Art of Equalization. Therefore, he had to treat this very seriously.
“Master, the list of potential associations is ready,” Li Haoran reported.
“What is that?”
Lu Ming was curious.
“Well…
“The graduation season will assess the students. Of course, some students will also conduct a review to gauge the potential of the associations and rank them…”
Li Haoran told him the truth.
“Oh? What is our ranking?”
“58th.”
“How many participating associations are there altogether?”
“58.”
Lu Ming became sullen.
Damn. They were ranked last?!
Wait a minute. Something is wrong!
Although the Airbender Association had been eliminated, there was a Masseur Association! They were not even comparable to the Masseur Association?!
“After all, they once had a seven-star…”
Li Haoran sighed.
Why did the Masseur Association have a better ranking than them?
This was because they once had a seven-star and a few six-stars!
Even if they were lacking in talent, this association had a strong financial capability and once had a seven-star!
What about the Sword Card Master Association?
They had nothing!
“Let me look at it.”
Lu Ming was not convinced. The Sword Card Master association could not be that lousy?!
Shush!
He opened the list of recommendations and scrolled down to the bottom.
——
Aggregate index ranking 58th: Sword Card Master Association
Combat ability: Unknown
Recommendation: Zero stars
Potential: Unknown
Ordinary members: Unlimited
Core members: None
Provision of resources: Unknown
Vocation requirements: Cultivators who possess top-notch Swordsman talent and top-notch Card Creator talent.
Note: The association was established due to certain special factors. Therefore, the founder is merely a four-star. The entire association doesn’t have a seven-star. Their potential to break through to seven-star is uncertain. Everything is unknown! The association is not accepting any core members as they are unable to provide any resources for them.
Students are strongly discouraged from choosing this association. An exception applies to those whose brains are leaking.
——
Lu Ming was speechless.
Half a star…
You guys are really impolite!
The so-called core member issue was very easy to understand.
Core members referred to a disciple accepted by a certain higher-up from the association. There were limited places and the association would provide its core members with its best resources and support!
This was also the goal of many graduating students of The First Academy.
They could maximize their resources!
The other associations had a quota of at least one core member. After joining the association, they would be provided with abundant resources and so on. But the Sword Card Master Association…
They did not have such a privilege!
Of course, they would be shunned.
They were even mocked by the creator of this list.
However…
There was no other way.
The association was new and it was normal to be looked down upon by other people. However, Lu Ming’s gaze was suddenly stunned when he saw the page before this.
Wait a minute…
What the hell was this?
He could accept the fact that the Sword Card Master Association was ranked 58th. However, he could not believe that this association was ranked 57th!
——
Aggregate index ranking 57th: Energy Warriors Association
Combat ability: Five stars
Recommendation: One star
Provision of resources: Two stars
Vocation requirements: Anyone who cultivates their physique can do switch vocations. It has a wide scope of coverage.
Core member: Recruiting only one person
Ordinary members: Unlimited
Note: This association does not have a minimum talent requirement. Due to intense competition and limited resources in the association, the resources given to the core disciple will be ordinary. Not recommended for enrollment.
——
“The Energy Warriors Association has come to such dire straits?”
Lu Ming was taken aback.
“Not really.”
Li Haoran smiled bitterly. “The Energy Warriors Association has limited funds and numerous members. They don’t need to recruit disciples through such means. They didn’t have any core disciple quota during the graduation season last year. It is already an exception that they are willing to provide for one this year.”
To put it bluntly, there were only two words to describe them – Poor and stubborn!
Alright…
Lu Ming sighed.
He took a closer look at the list.
The Masseur Association that he looked down on was ranked 40th in the recommendations! Although this ranking was not high, it trampled the Sword Card Master Association!
This list was very detailed.
They introduced the 60 participating associations of the on-campus job fair and their respective unique characteristics, abilities, general outlook and so on.
Of course.
There was a very important point — vocation conversion rate!
The so-called vocation conversion rate referred to the compatibility between one’s current vocation and the chosen vocation!
If the rate was below 50%, there was no need to consider it at all.
If it was above 90%, there was no harm in changing vocation!
No one could disregard the vocation conversion rate! Regardless of how powerful one was, the vocation that suited one the most was the best!
Putting aside salted fishes like them who were ranked bottom, the first place was undoubtedly Swordsman!
——
Aggregate index ranking 1st: Swordsman Association
Combat ability: Five stars
Recommendation: Five stars
Potential: Five Stars
Provision of resources: Five stars
Vocation requirement: Anyone who majors in weapon cultivation and minors in physique can do a vocation switch. Some of the Energy Warriors can also switch their vocation. The coverage is very wide.
Core members: Recruiting three people
Ordinary members: Unlimited
Note: This association has extremely high requirements for talent and a small member population size. Those who have swordsmanship talent will be given priority in the selection.
——
The Swordsman Association was very special.
It was not meaningful to consider the competitiveness and member population size.
This was because people with top-notch swordsmanship talent were very scarce. Therefore, it was not as competitive as expected. Many times, they were looking for innate talent!
Of course.
The other associations could recruit as many members they pleased. It would be the Sword Card Master Association’s turn when they had filled their quota.
It was just that…
The more Lu Ming looked at it, the more he found it odd.
This namelist…
During last year’s graduation season, the Swordsman Association had only recruited one core member. However, they actually increased their quota to three this year!
As for the other associations…
Lu Ming flipped the pages and scanned the quotas of the other associations rapidly, only to discover that they were doing a mass recruitment!
The quota for core members this year was twice that of the number of successful graduates last year! If that was the case, who would choose small associations like them?!
For a bargain?
No way!
Obviously…
These associations intended to recruit everyone this year!
“This won’t do!”
Lu Ming looked grim.
If that was really the case, they might not be able to recruit anyone!
He pondered deeply for a moment and suddenly sighed. “If all these associations disappeared, then would these graduating students be ours?”
“How can that be possible…”
Li Haoran could not stifle his laugh. His expression then turned stiff suddenly. “Master, what do you want to do?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just asking.”
Lu Ming’s gaze was sullen.
“Really?”
Li Haoran cast him a doubtful glance.
“Of course.”
Lu Ming coughed and patted his shoulders. “Haoran, manage the association properly. I am going out.”
With that… Lu Ming left.
After a long while…
Lu Ming came back nonchalantly.
Li Haoran cast a puzzled glance at his master. Suddenly, his expression changed drastically. This was because he thought of the Human Resources Department building which had disappeared. If Master were to take action…
“Master, don’t tell me you went to tear down their buildings!?”
Li Haoran was in fear and trepidation.
“How can that be possible?!”
Lu Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Why would I demolish other people’s buildings?!”
“You really didn’t do that?”
Li Haoran felt somewhat afraid.
He had a feeling that his master might make other people’s headquarters disappear if he did not stop him… These associations were not similar to the Human Resources Department!
They would be beaten to death!
“No.”
Lu Ming felt very helpless.
Am I the kind of person who tears down other people’s houses for no reason?!
He did that the last time because he was forced to do so!
Besides…
“Do you think these associations are similar to the Human Resources Department?”
Lu Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry. “The Human Resources Department is not a combat department. Its abilities were weak. That was why I could easily move the building. These associations have big shots holding down the fort!”
“You’re right.”
Li Haoran understood right away.
However, taking into account his master’s character, Li Haoran casually asked, “Did you manage to move them earlier?”
“No.”
Lu Ming felt a little regretful.
Shush!
Suddenly silence filled the air.
“Master???”
Li Haoran widened his eyes.
Damn!
You have really left to move other people’s buildings!
“Cough, cough. I’m just trying my luck.”
Lu Ming coughed.
“You’re really…”
Li Haoran was between laughter and tears.
His master was extremely powerful, talented and amazing in every aspect. However, he behaved like a child sometimes and liked to fool around…
Perhaps…
This was being so-called ‘simple and pure-hearted’?
That was right. How could there be someone that perfect in this world?
Such a master resembled a complete person more and was more worthy of their following!
…
The plan to move the buildings was temporarily put aside. The problem of recruitment had not been resolved.
If the statistics on this ‘Recommendation List of Potential Associations’ were true, the Sword Card Master Association would be a goner before they could recruit anyone…
No one would consider them at all!
The advertisements would only attract people’s attention but as to whether they would join the association…
That depended on the substance of the Sword Card Master Association!
It was regrettable.
They did not have any.
“Let me think about it.”
Lu Ming was deep in his thoughts.
The Sword Card Master Association lacked core competencies. They had discussed this problem before. As such, they had prepared a series of plans. However, if they were to face the tactic of mass recruitment…
There was no solution!
“Do you remember Zhao Yunshan’s classmate who was a[Gasman]?
“That’s right.
“That guy.
“He opted for his second choice and joined the Airbender Association because the quota for the major associations had already been filled. He is doing quite well now.”
However, this year was an exception!
Various major associations were conducting mass recruitment and there was no hope for the smaller associations! It was not only the Sword Card Master Association. Associations that were ranked below 30th might suffer as well!
Association, mass recruitment…
“Haoran, what are your thoughts about the Sword Card Master vocation?”
Lu Ming suddenly asked.
“It’s the most powerful vocation!”
Li Haoran said without any reservation.
From the moment that he chose the Sword Card Master Association, he knew that the Sword Card Master Association would become the most powerful vocation! Superb talent and superb abilities!
No matter how he looked at it, Sword Card Master was the most powerful vocation!
No potential?
No way!
The Sword Card Master Association was also half swordsman. Even if they were to regress a little they could also break through and become seven-star using the means adopted by Swordsmen!
This was the greatest strength of the Sword Card Master Association!
Therefore…
Be it him or Zhao Yunshan, they had never doubted the future of the Sword Card Master!
The problem was…
Other people were unaware!
“I understand now.”
Lu Ming nodded slightly.
To put it bluntly, the Sword Card Master Association had to prove themselves!
It was only when they proved their prowess and potential that people would be willing to join them. Otherwise, why would people give up on the resources from the major associations and go to them?
…
“Haoran, is the graduation season going to start soon?”
“Hmm.”
“We can wait till it ends?”
Li Haoran nodded slightly. “I hope Fourth Junior Brother can graduate successfully.”
“Well…”
Lu Ming understood what was going on.
If Zhao Yunshan were to graduate successfully, it would definitely be beneficial for their chances at the on-campus job fair. However, Lu Ming did not want to give Zhao Yunshan additional pressure.
It was fine as long as he could try his best.
As for recruitment…
If it did not work, they would take it as a learning experience!
Lu Ming was the one who chose to participate in the on-campus job fair. He did not want to get others to work hard for him because of this. There were some things that he had to do on his own!
However…
At this moment.
Bang!
A powerful aura was suddenly released. That outburst of aura shot to the sky and engulfed the entire Tian Du City, sweeping across everyone.
“The graduation season has begun!”
Li Haoran looked serious.
“That’s right.”
Lu Ming took a glance at the aura. It came from the direction of The First Academy. It seemed that the graduation season had already started.
This aura…
Unknowingly, it felt somewhat familiar. Lu Ming furrowed his brows tightly… That kind of feeling…
Wait a minute!
Lu Ming was startled.
Shush!
He glanced at the depths of his Sea of Consciousness.
Over there…
The black cat was holding the aura that engulfed them. It entangled, condensed and released an aura that Lu Ming couldn’t be more familiar with!
It was…
The World of Darkness and Shadows!
Lu Ming widened his eyes.
To hell with it!
This aura actually belonged to the World of Darkness and Shadows?!
Although it had already faded to a certain extent, the aura still belonged to that place! Why would the assessment of The First Academy have anything to do with the World of Darkness and Shadows?!
How could this happen?
Lu Ming could not figure it out.
He had once investigated the World of Darkness and Shadows and was well aware that this group of graduating students should not have any connections with the World of Darkness and Shadows…
This event…
Lu Ming looked grim.
Shush!
He contacted Zhao Yunshan immediately but it was too late.
Beep—
A endless beeping tone could be heard.
Shush!
Lu Ming tried to contact Lu Yan again.
However…
There were only endless beeping sounds.
…
Lu Ming’s heart plummeted. They had already begun the assessment!
Damn it!
The World of Darkness and Shadows…
The First Academy…
How were they connected? Was this really a simple assessment? Or had they gotten involved in something terrible?
This aura should not have appeared there!
Should he ask the dean?
Lu Ming instinctively wanted to contact him but he didn’t.
The dean was aware of the graduation season. If he was the one who had instructed this…
If… It was too risky to ask him.
Or perhaps…
Shush!
Lu Ming opened his communication device and called another person who might have some knowledge about the World of Darkness and Shadows. However, the most terrifying and shocking thing was… There was also an endless beeping tone from the other side.
Jiang Feng was uncontactable again.
…