Chapter 68: Rank One Artisan

When he saw the information on the panel, Li Ang couldn't suppress a flicker of astonishment—he hadn't expected those special insect variants to have evolved from a dragon template used by the insect swarm.

'Are there dragons on this planet?'

But Li Ang had never heard any rumors about dragons.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind that struck him as absurd.

'Could this Luo Si actually be a dragon?'

The 9527 Colony's native text, *Introduction to Alchemy*, combined with the requirement that 【Luo Si Scale】 must be made from dragon scale.

Li Ang thought his hypothesis was quite plausible.

But now wasn't the time to ponder such questions; after a brief pause, he said: 'This should be the insect swarm's carapace.'

Hearing this, the examiner couldn't help but shake his head slightly:

'Of course—non-professionals still struggle to distinguish the final material. I'll have to report to the Society and swap it out.'

Thinking this, he spoke aloud:

'Correct. Though incomplete, you've passed the raw material identification test. Now, just complete one alchemical transmutation, and you'll be a Rank One artisan of the Society.'

'You may use any materials here, or if unsatisfied, you may use your own.'

Having finished, he waited quietly as Li Ang completed the final test.

Hearing this, Li Ang suppressed the words rising in his throat.

His original plan had been: if the first answer failed, he'd reveal the feedback from 【Basic Structural Theory】.

Now that he'd passed, there was no need to overcomplicate it.

Yet from what had just occurred, it was clear that between artisan-class and non-artisan-class practitioners, there was a vast gap in raw material identification alone.

Not to mention the other skills and specialties granted by artisan-class professions.

Calming his emotions, Li Ang began recalling the exact transmutation process of 【Luo Si Scale】.

First, a dragon scale; second, two hundred kilograms of any metal.

He had no dragon scale, but the insect carapace might serve as a substitute; as for metal, there was more than enough here.

As for the transmutation array:

【Luo Si Scale】 uses the most basic transmutation array—after all, as an alchemical item from *Introduction to Alchemy*, it couldn't possibly be complex.

Quickly, with the aid of 【Calm Mind】 and 【Agile Hands】, Li Ang drew a perfect transmutation array on the floor.

Of course, this was also due to his recent practice engraving arrays onto bullets.

When the examiner saw the flawless array on the ground, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

'Solid fundamentals—but pity, not an artisan-class practitioner.'

Yet when he saw what came next, the Society's official artisan couldn't help but twitch his eyelid, silently thinking:

'No wonder he's a non-【Artisan】 practitioner.'

At that moment, in his eyes, Li Ang calmly carried the heavy metal to the center of the array—a feat no ordinary 【Artisan】 could manage.

Soon, two hundred kilograms of metal ore and the insect carapace were placed at the array's center.

As Li Ang knelt and pressed his palms against the array's edge, the room blazed with red light.

Moments later, the materials at the array's center turned to ash, replaced by a sleek, form-fitting armor glowing with a pitch-black sheen.

Seeing this, Li Ang exhaled deeply.

This was his first true alchemical transmutation; fortunately, his prior experience engraving arrays kept him from making mistakes.

【Successfully crafted an Alchemical item, Profession Experience +67】.

【Current Profession Level: Artisan Apprentice (Alchemy) lv3 (23/300)】.

At this point, the examiner walked to the center of the array, bent down, and picked up the armor, examining it closely.

After a long while, a smile appeared on his face: 'Though the metal wasn't smelted and the material selection was poor, it's barely a qualified Alchemical item.'

'Congratulations—you've passed. You are now a Rank One artisan of the Society.'

He handed Li Ang the 【Luo Si Scale】 (Youth Edition).

Seeing this, Li Ang raised an eyebrow, curious: 'Doesn't the Society keep it?'

'The Society isn't that petty,' the examiner chuckled. 'I'm Lin Li, a Rank One Artisan of the Alchemy School, just like you. Follow me—I'll take you to collect your Society-issued items.'

With that, he walked out of the room; Li Ang hurried after him.

The two arrived at the Society's second floor, one behind the other.

The Society-issued items were simple: a custom communication bracelet and a Rank One Artisan identification card.

Seeing his task complete, Lin Li said: 'Alright, I'm off. Take your time.'

Before Li Ang could respond, he turned and left.

'That was efficient.'

Before coming to the Artisan Society, Li Ang had expected to spend half a day at least—he hadn't expected to finish the test in less than half a day.

He shook his head, didn't linger, and returned home immediately.

Sitting on the plain sofa, Li Ang studied the Society-issued communication bracelet, quickly discovering its built-in communication platform.

'So that's how it works—I wondered why I couldn't find the Federation Artisan Society's platform online.'

Since his information was registered with the Artisan Society, Li Ang only needed to enter a nickname to access the platform.

He paused, then typed two characters.

【Truth】.

【Sorry, this name is unavailable. Please enter another.】.

'Tch.'

Seeing the nickname rejected, Li Ang rubbed his chin and thought again.

After a moment, his eyes lit up, and he typed in another name.

【Bronze and Fire King】.

【Welcome, Bronze and Fire King #66666】.

"If duplicate names are allowed, why won't you let me use 【Truth】?"

Li Ang got angry for a brief moment.

He entered the platform with dissatisfaction, and immediately a dense wall of posts appeared before his eyes.

【On Why the Machinist Is God.】