Chapter 58: Upper Jia

Zhang Zuo, Wang Ye, and the others glared at each other in anger; Zhang Zheng was clearly setting a trap for the Blue Formation Master?

Tie Lanshan showed no trace of anger; instead, he sent a mental message to explain: 'It's fine—I already knew yesterday that Grand Master Ruolan would be overseeing the artifact-refining hall's examination today.'

Grand Master Wuru softly intoned a Buddhist chant: 'Amitabha!'

Zhang Zuo's face twitched involuntarily; Wang Ye nearly laughed out loud; Wu Yue let out a deep sigh—he had almost been trapped back then.

The Blue Formation Master appears kind on the surface, but is actually utterly scheming, a master who traps people without mercy.

Li Ye and Ouyang Hua exchanged a glance and, in unison, lowered their eyes.

Zhang Zheng looked at the opposite side, which looked like someone mourning their parents, and couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth; obtaining the Five-Breath Formation Method was certainly pleasing, but winning the bet against Lan Shan made him feel even more relieved.

"Blue Formation Master! I also forgot, I didn't mean to trap you! If you feel uneasy about it, shall we each abandon this bet?" Feeling relieved, Zhang Zheng couldn't help but want to jab a few words at Lan Shan.

Tie Lanshan's eyes widened, and he hurriedly asked: 'Really?'

Hearing Tie Lanshan's reply and seeing his expression, Zhang Zheng's heart skipped a beat—could Lan Shan really be going back on his word?

He immediately couldn't help but give an embarrassed chuckle, offering no reply.

Tie Lanshan burst out laughing: 'Just a joke, Zhang Formation Master actually took it seriously!'

Zhang Zheng secretly felt angry, though it wasn't proper to retort; he silently swore that once he won the bet, he would definitely mock the other side thoroughly.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

After three bell chimes rang out, the cultivators in the artifact-refining examination hall were jolted, all speculating whether anyone could pass this time.

After Wang Ping finished his examination, feeling good, he walked out of the Examination Institute; upon arriving at the Examination Hall, he unexpectedly discovered many cultivators lingering inside.

"Brother Lan! Over here!"

Wang Ye was the first to spot Wang Ping and hurriedly shouted.

Wang Ping heard the voice, looked over, smiled, and quickly walked over.

Since taking up cultivation, he had hardly any friends, but over the past few days, in the Herbal Garden, the several cultivators he got along with had compatible temperaments, so deep down he came to approve of them.

"Brother Lan, Grand Master Wuru, and you all—why are you all here?"

The approaching Wang Ping asked with a smile.

But as he smiled, his smile faded, seeing solemn expressions on Tie Lanshan and the others' faces; his heart skipped—had something happened?

"Brother Lan, how did this examination go?"

Wang Ye, unable to wait, sent a mental message asking.

Examination?

Could it be that they're waiting here with solemn faces because they're worried his examination results might be poor?

Instantly! Wang Ping felt moved, and also sent a mental message, sure that it was just to save face for himself.

With friends like these, what more could one ask for in life?

Seeing Wang Ping remain silent, several hearts sank; even Tie Lanshan's usually composed expression changed, he swallowed and tried to stay calm as he asked:

"Daoist Friend Lan, could it be that you messed up the exam?"

Wang Ping shook his head and also sent a mental message: 'Thank you all for your concern; this examination is fine.'

Whoosh!

Several people exhaled in relief; Wang Ye suddenly asked:

"Just fine? Possibly a Middle Jia rating!"

That question again lifted several people's hearts.

Middle Jia?

Wang Ping shook his head; a supreme-grade magical artifact could hardly receive a Middle Jia rating.

Seeing Wang Ping shake his head, the remaining seven felt their hearts turn cold; Tie Lanshan wore a bitter expression, never expecting to lose the bet, though he had already thoroughly studied the Five-Breath Formation Method.

It's just a pity that he didn't get the chance to properly study that teleportation token.

"Hahaha! Blue Formation Master, looking at your faces, could it be that this fellow cultivator did poorly on the exam? It seems I luckily won this bet! Sorry!"

Zhang Zheng had been observing Tie Lanshan's side; noticing that after that young cultivator appeared, their expressions fluctuated, eventually settling into a unified look of loss.

This made him feel pleased, and he couldn't help but come over to boast a few words.

A bet?

Looking at the smug cultivator walking up to them, Wang Ping sensed something was off, so he turned his gaze toward Grand Master Wuru.

Grand Master Wuru sent a mental message:

"The Blue Formation Master and that Zhang Zheng made a bet, wagering on whether you could obtain a Middle Jia rating in this examination. Daoist Friend Lan, don't be discouraged, after all this examiner is known as the Stern Judge Grand Master Ruolan; a lower rating is to be expected."

Heh heh! A bet?

Was the mental message just to save face?

Was the fallen expression just to make himself feel bad?

Wang Ping's expression shifted; what is called 'deep affection leaves only regret'—he had personally experienced it.

"Brother Lan? What's wrong—are you blaming yourself for wanting the Blue Formation Master to lose the bet? Don't blame yourself; after all, it's not really your concern." Seeing Wang Ping's expression off, Wang Ye sent a mental message to console him.

Self-blame?

I damn well want to hit you!

I thought you were a friend worth making just a moment ago!

Wang Ping secretly rolled his eyes.

"Blue Formation Master, at this point the outcome is basically decided—I won't refuse the Five-Breath Formation Diagram, hahaha!"

Zhang Zheng let out another loud laugh, preparing to step forward and take the stake.

"Hold on!"

Wang Ping halted him at this moment.

Zhang Zuo stopped walking and asked, "What's the matter? Fellow Daoist, is there anything else?"

Wang Ping smiled toward a direction and said, "The ones announcing the results over there have already come out! Why not listen to the results first, then decide the outcome later—it's not too late!"

Zhang Zheng thought for a moment, smiling, said, "Alright, it seems fellow Daoist isn't giving up! Let's just wait quietly for the results to be announced! Friendly reminder: Master Ruolan's administered examinations have never given a 'Class A Middle' rating!"

Wang Ping smiled but didn't answer, then reached out to stop the inquiries of Tie Lanshan and a few others, simply waiting quietly for the results to be announced.

Master Ruolan!

Seeing Master Ruolan step out from behind the examiner announcing the results—a Foundation Establishment Senior—many Qi Refining cultivators bowed in salute.

Master Ruolan nodded, indicating the examiners should announce the results.

After a cup of tea, the list had been fully announced.

Some were happy, some were worried.

Tie Lanshan and a few others wore looks of disbelief—how could it be? They actually didn't pass?

Especially Tie Lanshan, who couldn't believe it, having seen Wang Ping's artifact-refining skill—such a level could never fail the examination no matter what.

Zhang Zheng almost burst out laughing; if it weren't for a Foundation Establishment cultivator being present, he would have laughed out loud and mocked.

Just then, Master Ruolan stood up, and the scene fell silent again.

All that was heard was Master Ruolan opening her mouth to say:

"This examination has produced a quite talented artifact refiner who crafted a supreme-grade magical artifact in the test, so I, personally, have come out to announce their score."

Supreme-grade magical artifact!

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves; the scene instantly boiled over.

Tie Lanshan, Master Liaoru, Zhang Zuo the Alchemist, and others all showed looks of shock!

Zhang Zheng also wore a look of disbelief; a supreme-grade magical artifact is extremely rare—even a Foundation Establishment Senior can use such an artifact, yet it was actually forged in this examination.

Only seven days! His artifact-refining skill must be astonishing.

Master Ruolan pressed down with both hands and said, "This cultivator is Lan Ming; I, personally, give them a Class A Upper rating!"

Clamor!

The scene erupted in noise again; Tie Lanshan looked incredulously at Wang Ping's back, muttering to himself:

"I knew it! I knew his artifact-refining skill was strong!"

Zhang Zheng's body trembled slightly as he slowly turned around, looking at the young cultivator with hands behind his back; a sudden, uncontrollable fear arose in his heart.

Wang Ping glanced at him lightly and said calmly:

"Master Ruolan really has never given anyone a Class A Middle rating before! You're absolutely right!"