Chapter 727: Open-Book Exam

Ah, this... how am I supposed to explain what this anomaly is? What's the difference between this and a free point question?

After hearing the test item proposed by the Third-Generation Director, Li Ang couldn't help scratching the back of his head, speaking with a hint of shyness:

"How about… you pick another question?"

This open-book exam would be trivial to pass, but the man was the second-best anomaly smith in the world, and after Lord Taurus ascended to his new position, he would become the best—Li Ang would surely need his services many times in the future.

And this Third-Generation Director had a peculiar temper and held smithing in the highest regard; if he caught Li Ang cutting corners, he might form a bad impression—and that would be far too costly.

After briefly weighing the pros and cons, Li Ang offered with sincere expression:

"Third-Generation Director, I actually possess an anomaly capable of forcibly extracting information. This question… for me…"

"No need to change it. Keep it!"

Without hesitation, the square-headed old man waved his hand impatiently:

"You're overestimating yourself. The base material is the tail and weapon of a True God, forged by my own hands—its rank is extremely high! What could a Level-3 Cleaner possibly see?"

"Third-Generation Director, my anomaly's rank isn't low either. I should be able to…"

"Then use it! If you can directly see the information, I'll count you as having passed!"

"…."

That's what you said.

His well-intentioned warning ignored, Li Ang frowned slightly, then reached into his chest and touched the small crimson fork—palm-sized, more like a tuning fork than a trident—and read aloud from the displayed panel:

"The item you forged for me should be called 【Desire-Dream Invader】, closely resembling my previous 【Holy Spirit Pendant】, possessing the three traits: Sacred, Interference, and Whisper.

The corresponding three abilities are: inflicting extra damage upon evil or chaotic targets; briefly interfering with reality through the power of the Dream Realm; and inducing soul tremors in targets upon contact."

"Hm?"

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, the square-headed old man raised his eyebrows slightly, evaluating with clear surprise:

"You're quite accurate—even discerned the soul-tremor effect… Looks like this generation's Taurus taught you well!"

"…."

What does teaching well have to do with it? I'm just reading this off the panel!

Unable to resist rolling his eyes inwardly, Li Ang sped up his speech and continued:

"To minimize the impact of switching your primary anomaly, you deliberately designed 【Desire-Dream Invader】 to retain similarities to the 【Holy Spirit Pendant】. But due to material differences, 【Desire-Dream Invader】 targets the soul rather than the body.

Once designated as a target by 【Desire-Dream Invader】, any form of contact—with me touching your body, speaking to you, or even merely locking eyes—triggers a degree of soul tremor, intensifying with greater frequency or duration of contact.

At that point, 【Desire-Dream Invader】 can use the Dream Realm's power to exploit the trembling soul as a springboard, actively eroding the target's reality and manifesting scenes only possible within dreams.

And if contact is frequent enough, or if I expend sufficient power, I can even summon the power of the Lord of Desire-Dreams, forcibly dragging the target into a dream born of their own desires…"

…Wait, isn't this a bit too detailed?

When Li Ang first began reading the panel, the square-headed old man was merely slightly surprised. But as Li Ang described 【Desire-Dream Invader】's specific abilities, his mouth gradually widened.

By the time Li Ang spoke rapidly, explaining the anomaly's effects with such precision—even surpassing the smith's own understanding—the old man's mouth hung completely open.

What the hell? I've seen this generation's Taurus—her skill is average at best. Even if she came to the Death Realm herself, without channeling power to activate the anomaly, merely guessing from experience, she couldn't possibly judge this accurately. So what's going on with this kid? Can he really assess True God-level anomalies?

Under the square-headed old man's stunned gaze, Li Ang finished describing 【Desire-Dream Invader】's abilities—and then raised his hand, pointing at the still-bubbling cauldron:

"Also, you actually forged two anomalies this time. The 【Desire-Dream Invader】 you just gave me was made from the Lord of Desire-Dreams' weapon. The other one, forged from the Tail of the Goddess of Wealth, is still hiding at the bottom of the pot."

"…."

"And you knew I wasn't here to observe your forging process, so you deliberately set this question—because you despise modern smiths and look down on their methods, so you never truly intended to guide the next generation.

The only reason you offered to guide me is because you heard I was once instructed by Director Taurus. You wanted to use my failure to answer your question as a contrast, to mock Director Taurus's skill and prove you're the true #1 smith, while Taurus only surpassed you thanks to the Star Palace's blessing…"

"Cough… cough cough…"

Fearing Li Ang might reveal even the color of his undergarments during forging, the square-headed old man coughed loudly twice, then hurriedly interrupted:

"Enough, enough! Don't say any more—you've passed the test!"

Blushing furiously, the Third-Generation Director turned abruptly, fished a scroll of black serpent skin from the cauldron, and tossed it to Li Ang, then hastily explained:

"I… I didn't mean to keep your items. It's just… it's just…"

"Just playing a little joke on you."

The red-haired Director smoothly took over, smiling:

"A smith as perceptive as you must have noticed our little trick long ago—probably from the moment I deliberately prevented Li Ang from speaking with you, you already guessed what we were up to.

You were upset we didn't trust you, secretly borrowing your coffin without telling you, so you withheld one anomaly just to play a small prank on us, right?"

"Yes, yes, exactly!"

Seizing the red-haired Director's offered lifeline, the square-headed old man quickly slid down it, sighed in relief, and confessed awkwardly:

"I… I'm still willing to guide the younger generation. It's just that… my mood's been off these past Qiba years.

This generation's Taurus? Her smithing skill is mediocre. I thought I'd wait until she died, lose the Star Palace's blessing, then duel her soul to prove who's the best smith.

But she went and ascended to the Palace anyway—gave me no chance to even compete. So I… well… I've been bitter, and just wanted to make things a little hard for you… cough cough… let's drop it."

After vaguely dodging the topic, the square-headed old man, still flushed, turned to Li Ang:

"Uh… I've got a furnace here. Why don't you forge the anomaly right now? I'll give you proper guidance."

(End of Chapter)