Mechanic contest

Takes place in the Shadow Empire, starts around Chapter 250, ends around Chapter 259

## Certification

Due to the mechanics contest, it seemed rather lively here. Everyone was discussing about the contest.

"This time is different from the past. The top three winners will not only receive rare alchemy materials awarded by the association, but they also have the qualifications to become the senior masters' disciples!"

"I'm afraid that the winner of the contest 10 years ago, Robert, seems to be participating again."

"The previous winner? Why hasn't he become a master yet?"

"What do you know?! Do you think that mechanic and mechanic master are merely one word apart? Countless mechanics have never reached the threshold of a master in their lifetime! For a senior mechanic to become a master in 10 years can already be regarded as an amazing genius."

"I heard that Robert's strength is almost approaching master-level. He must be trying to use this contest to become famous, then certify as a master."

"Master Leo's disciple Savice is a rising genius of the capital. Master Leo is also one of the judges this time, so I think Savice's hope is quite high too."

"I'm still optimistic about Robert. Savice's arrogant look is annoying. I heard that this guy offended a lot of people with his usual outrage."

"Lower your voice! I just saw Savice walked in. That guy's very petty. It'll be troublesome if he hears us."

There were icons at the lobby on the first floor. Alchemy material store was on the second floor, exchange center was on the third floor, and the mechanics certification was on the fourth floor. As for the fifth floor, it was a special place where only internal staff could enter. Many masters were inside.

### Xhosa

Chen Rui and Kia went all the way to the fourth floor. There were few people on the fourth floor. A succubus on duty asked, "Are both of you going through the mechanic certification?"

Chen Rui asked, "It's just me who's getting the mechanic certification. How do I get certified?"

"Head toward the left passage and walk straight into it. Master Xhosa is in the innermost room. After paying 50 black crystal coins, he'll give you a test for certification." The succubus took a glance with jealousy at the woman of the same race who was prettier than her, "As for this lady, if you're not here for certification, please head to the right passage and wait inside the lounge."

*It takes fifty black crystal coins to certify a mechanic?! That's so expensive!* Chen Rui secretly complained that they were "black merchants". After asking Kia to wait in the lounge, he walked straight to the left passage.

Master Xhosa was an old-looking lich. He was napping lazily with the smell of alcohol. Beside him were two young Great Demons who looked like assistants.

Xhosa then gives Chen a test and is impressed by Chen's deep knowledge. Xhosa gives Chen an A for the oral and written exams. Still, Chen did not want to show off too much as to attract too much attention.

Xhosa then takes Chen to the 3rd and last part of the test: equipment crafting.

If you succeed on your first trial, 10 black crystal coins can be refunded to you. Certainly, if you have extra money, you can apply for higher-grade materials and the possibility of making high-grade equipment will be greater."

"No thanks. It took a lot of effort to save these money." Chen Rui rejected Xhosa's suggestion. Certainly, that was purely a lie. The black crystal coins in his storage were taller than the building of the Mechanics Association. The key was that he didn't want to come up with an excellent grade or quasi-excellent grade equipment that would catch attention.

Chen crafts a high quality water ring, and Xhosa gives him an A. Arthur (Chen) passed the certification exam. Xhosa even invited Chen to participate in the mechanics contest, giving Chen a badge similar to the one Rummenigge gave Chen earlier. The badge allows Chen to skip the preliminary round of the contest, which starts in 3 days.

## Preliminaries

### Round 1

The location of the first round of preliminary was the largest arena in the outer city. A total of more than 6,000 people registered for the contest this time. This was far more than previous seasons. It was an unprecedented, lively situation.

Due to the large number of people, the first round of preliminary had to be conducted in groups. Each registered participant was given a number. On the arena’s stage, a huge crystal screen appeared, showing the number range of the group. Chen Rui was No. 5200. He was in the final group.

The content of the first round of the preliminary was very simple, that was, to draw three random questions and complete the questions in accordance with the requirements of the questions within the prescribed time. The extracted content was related to the specializations filled during registration. For example, metal specialization would have metal-related questions.

Luck was a huge component in this contest. Some people just happened to draw the ones that they weren’t good at or the ones that were very difficult. Some people drew those that were very time-consuming, so they couldn’t finish all three in time. However, generally, people with true strength could still pass smoothly.

The contest started and the numbers being eliminated and advanced began to appear on the crystal screen. These problems were generally quite difficult to the point that many senior participants felt that this year’s difficulty was higher than the previous season that was 10 years ago. Many unlucky losers burst into tears, but they had only attracted contempt and ridicule as almost no one sympathized with them. It was a contest and people only cared about the winner, not the losers.

Chen Rui filled in the metal specializations and drew three questions. The first was to fill in the missing part of an earth magic array enchantment; the second was a Q&A regarding metal smelting; the third was to repair a broken sword.

Other than the second one, the first one was more difficult and the third one was more time-consuming. However, for Chen Rui, it was a piece of cake. He easily completed everything and the judge next to him announced his advancement.

When Dior, who had been anxious looking at the stage, saw Chen Rui’s advancement, he finally calmed down. This mechanic from Dark Moon has some capabilities anyway. However, this is just the beginning. The difficulty will only increase in the future. Can this guy, who just received the title of mechanic, pass the next test?

Kia was also surprised. According to her knowledge, Princess Royal didn’t have a particularly outstanding mechanic under her. Where did this Arthur come from? She had a faint feeling in her heart that Arthur’s strong confidence wasn’t a bluff.

The first round of the preliminary took six days to complete. This round, it eliminated nearly 70% of the participants. There were nearly 2,000 remaining.

These days, Chen Rui obtained a lot of materials through Dior. Part of them were kept for his own usage and another part were converted into auras.

"Is this your supporter Arthur?" Celine looked at Chen Rui curiously, "He actually entered the ranks of 200 at the end. However, I had better luck this time. I found a mechanic named Horford. Although he didn't have much fame, he is quite good and actually got the 47th place this time."

Dior nodded with a wry smile. Chen Rui looked relaxed and said indifferently, "In fact, I'm just retaining my strength."

Dior sighed secretly. *The ranking in the contest is obvious. It was at most a fluke for him to pass. No matter how I look at it, "retaining strength" seems like a bluff.*

"I hope your strength is as sharp as your mouth!" Marianne spoke a sentence while pulling Falamo away.

"Poor Falamo, he is definitely going to be a punching bag when they go back." Celine smiled sweetly, greeted Dior and turned away.

"The semi-final will start tomorrow. Let's go back to rest first. By the way, you have to help me get more materials. The sooner the better as I need more insight." Chen Rui's last sentence was purely for his own benefit. Currently, he was willing to request while Dior was willing to give, so he might as well take advantage of it.

### Round 2

The second round of preliminary had begun. From this round onward, even the candidates recommended by masters must participate.

The second round of the preliminary was located in the ancient magic tower of the Mechanics Association's building. The ancient magic tower was one of the most mysterious places in the Mechanic Association at the Shadow Empire capital. It was said that the magic tower was built for a long time, and it couldn't be measured by years anymore. It contained precious magic inscriptions and various, unpredictable magic arrays, left by master-level and grandmaster-level mechanics that were left for millions or even longer time. Even the mechanic master of the current association had a hard time prying into the wonders within.

The ancient magic tower was usually not open to the public. Only the masters of the Mechanic Association could have limited access to examine. This exception opening to the public immediately caught every participant's interest.

Not only that, this round could only remain the 200 players in the semi-final. The more difficult the magic array and the less time it took, the higher the score would be. 90% of 2000 people would be eliminated and only 200 would remain. The cruelty of competition was imaginable.

## Semifinals

The next day, the semi-final began and the content of the semi-final was a continuation of the preliminary. The 200 participants must use the magic array recorded in the ancient magic tower to craft a piece of equipment.

10 among the 200 participants would be selected for finals. If the equipment could reach excellent-grade, the participant could directly enter finals.

The location of the contest was the arena. 200 participants were divided into four groups, each with 50 pax. Each contestant must craft equipment in front of all the audience, and there were special judges and invigilators. Once found to be fraudulent, he or she would be disqualified and publicly announced. Then, he or she would never be able to participate in any event or contest held by the Mechanic Association.

Arthur and Savice are placed in the same group. Savice, wanting revenge for that juhua wrecker, announces a bet to the audience. If Savice wins, he cuts off Arthur's hands. If Arthur wins, he cuts off Savice hands.

"As a mechanic, I won't quit the game!" Chen Rui clenched his teeth, "Okay, I'll bet!"

Several masters on the VIP table frowned. One of them, Anderson, the chairman of the Dark Shadow Empire's Mechanic Association, also known as the empire's top master, said to Master Leo aside, "Savice is, after all, a talent cultivated by the association. Using this public event to avenge their personal grudges will inevitably affect the reputation of the association and himself."

Master Leo always defended for Savice, so he pleaded, "Youngsters must be impulsive to be energetic. If they're too restrained, they'll not have today's achievements. At most, after he defeated Arthur, we'll just lighten the punishment of the bet."

They compete. Savice crafts some good leather armor. Chen crafts a good sword.

The person in charge of invigilating Chen Rui didn't dare to neglect and immediately sent the sword to Master Anderson at the VIP seat. Anderson gently stroked the sword and nodded slightly, "Good sword."

Savice, who had been paying attention to the movement at the VIP seat, suddenly changed his facial expression. *To make Master Anderson, who has been demanding, to say the phrase "good sword", could this sword be...*

### Results

Savice loses and is killed shortly after the semifinals

Anderson said Chen's sword is almost perfect. The audience then chants, 'Fulfill the bet!'

But before Savice's hands are cut off, Leo yells out to stop.

Master Leo's subsequent words revealed his true intention, "Three days ago, the registration for mechanics has already closed! He's not even eligible to participate in the first round of the preliminary! The association has long stipulated that any form of cheating is prohibited in the contest. I propose to disqualify his results and expel him out of the field immediately!"

Chen Rui's registration was made by Dior in a special way. As long as his identity as a mechanic was fine, the association wouldn't care about this kind of thing. Now, due to the bet between Chen Rui and Savice, Leo brought up the incident to save his disciple's hands. As long as Chen Rui's qualifications were denied, then the previous bet of "making excellent grade equipment in the semi-final" naturally couldn't hold.

Although Leo's proposal was barely tenable in theory, many audiences below the stage didn't accept it and clamored to express their dissatisfaction. *Arthur's strength is definitely authentic. Besides, the weapon he made is acknowledged by Master Anderson. You're only trying to disqualify him when you see that Savice is going to lose now?*

Master Anderson's brows were gradually tightened. He didn't agree with Leo's approach. Strictly speaking, "Arthur" qualification to join the contest contained an "unwritten rule". Yet, if it was brought up to the surface, it was indeed cheating. Especially Leo's phrase "the association has long stipulated that any form of cheating in contests is strictly prohibited", made him hard to defend as the chairman of the association. If he made an exception this time, the reputation of the association would be greatly reduced.

"I'm against that proposal!" The unexpected confrontation came from Master Rummenigge. Rummenigge slowly stood up and his voice was resounding, "It's because this so-called cheating doesn't exist at all. I've already sent my contest invitation to Arthur previously. This can be testified by the third general, Kafu's son, Monroe. Besides, he has my recommendation badge with him. He could have directly entered the second round of preliminary!"

Master Rummenigge was of the Asmodeus Royal Family, and his reputation was barely below Master Anderson. He was always known to be fair. The audience couldn't wait to see Arthur continue to participate in the contest and applauded.

Surely, another voice also sounded, "It seems both of us know how to spot talent, Master Rummenigge."

The one who spoke was Master Xhosa. Xhosa laughed loudly, "Arthur, take out both of your recommendation badges! I don't believe that with two masters' recommendations, others will still dare to question your eligibility!"

Contrary to Master Rummenigge's impartiality in the association, Master Xhosa was simply Leo's nemesis, and he was also pushed aside to the mechanic certification office by Leo. It was just nice for him now to avenge this grudge.

Now, all the audience looked at Chen Rui differently. *This Arthur actually got a unanimous recommendation of two masters!*

Chen Rui took out two badges and the admin aside checked and nodded. It was indeed the master's recommended badge. Leo sat down slowly with his face turned blue while Savice's face had already turned grey.

"Arthur, as your recommender, I hope that this bet... you can be as lenient as possible." Rummenigge added with a frown. After all, he was loyal to the Asmodeus Royal Family. So, he naturally didn't want to see a young genius in the Dark Shadow Empire to die like this.

"I'm really sorry, Master Rummenigge." Chen Rui bowed and said loudly, "If it was just because of the dispute in this contest, I can follow your suggestion and let him go. However, none of you know the true grudge between this genius and I. When I went to participate in the mechanic certification, this shameless guy, relying on the title as Master Leo's disciple, was arrogant and ruthless. He wanted to forcibly snatch my woman in front of me! Not only that, he also insulted my best friend, Mr. Dior of the Custer Family and his wife, daughter of the empire's finance minister! The recording stone of those words is still in the hands of Mr. Dior... Originally, based on the fact that he is Master Leo's disciple, I tolerated it and didn't care about it. Yet, I didn't expect him to not let me go during the contest. Instead, he wanted to use a bet to cut off my hands!"

The audience didn't know that there was such a grudge. Many people looked at Dior at the VIP seat and Arthur's "woman", a succubus that was truly beautiful.*No wonder!*

Kia knew that "Arthur" was only deliberately saying that she was his woman for the sake of killing Savice. Recalling the scene when he stepped forward for her, a strange feeling came to her heart.

These remarks brought up Leo's name twice, and it involved the biggest sponsoring family of the contest, the Custer Family and even the empire's finance minister. Even Master Leo wasn't brave enough to ask for mercy or defend anymore.

Xhosa said: "This young man named Arthur is an actual genius. If we recruit him as a disciple, he'll be hundreds of times better than Savice."

There was no more turn of tides in the subsequent matters. Savice who lost his hands was dragged out of the field like a dead dog.

Chen Rui had long predicted that Savice would use all his tactics to revenge. However, Savice's strength was based on the fact that he was the master's disciple and the capital genius. Once he lost a mechanic's most important hands, Master Leo would definitely give up on such a notorious trash and whatever capital genius he was would vanish.

With Savice's personality, he offended many people in the past. There was no need for Chen Rui to take action. Naturally, someone would kill him.

After the episode about Savice, the contest continued. In the final group of contest, another near-perfect excellent-grade saber appeared which was not inferior to Chen Rui's sword.

The mechanic was actually Horford, a contestant supported by Dior's sister, Celine.

This contest was really out of expectation. Savice, who had the greatest chance of winning was kicked out because he lost his hands for a bet. The previous champion, Robert was overshadowed by two unexpected participants, one of them was Arthur and the other was Horford.

Marianne and Falamo's faces looked extremely uneasy. Originally, Robert, whom they chose, should have the greatest hope of winning the contest. Yet, he had the smallest chance of winning now. Even Celine had beaten them.

The finals would be held in 5 days. At that time, the champion of the contest would be decided. From another perspective, the three supporters of the Custer Family had the strength to win the contest. At that time, the true heir of the Custer family would also be determined.

Along the way, the way Dior looked at Chen Rui was completely different. His words and behaviors were extremely attentive. When they returned to the alternative residence, he even offered many benefits.

Among the last three materials required by "Thunderous Sound", he had acquired the black phoenix feather. However, the remaining ingredients, lightning dragon's crystal and star frost, were only available in the Mechanic Association's storage, and they weren't for sale.

As long as he won first place in the contest, he could get any three rare materials in the Mechanic Association, so Chen Rui was determined to win.

## Finals

*See also: Chapter 259*
The highly anticipated final had finally begun. No seats were left empty in the arena and the atmosphere was by no means comparable by the preliminary and semi-final. Many royals and nobles came. The Asmodeus Royal Family was full of handsome men and pretty women and became the most attractive scenery within the audience at once. However, the appearance of a VIP immediately dimmed the scenery.

The first sage and beauty in the Demon Realm, the supreme ruler of the Dark Shadow Empire, Catherine Asmodeus the Great!

The finals' rules were very simple. Whoever produces the highest rated equipment, regardless of materials and specialization within the time limit would be the champion!

Chen Rui, Horford, and Robert compete.

Chen Rui's broadsword was appraised. The grade of the equipment was discussed for a while among the judges, and it was finally determined as a quasi-legendary grade weapon.

The so-called quasi-legendary grade was a superior excellent-grade weapon. Besides, its enchantment had exceeded the 30% upper limit of excellent-grade equipment, but it hadn't yet reached the requirement of legendary-grade.

The sword's name was "Eyes of Flame". Attack increased by 31%; stamina recovery speed increased by 35%; crushing damage increased by 28%.

"Interesting! It seems that I still underestimated you! It's just the beginning of the contest." Horford's eyes ignited the will to fight. *I can also create quasi-legendary-grade equipment. The quality of the equipment is related to the status, materials and other factors. So, it doesn't mean Chen Rui's is surely better than him. Besides, I have a more secure way to win.*

Horford bowed to the VIP seats and said proudly, "Dear Empress and all the masters, since Arthur and I are both masters, for the sake of fairness, I propose to use the rules of the masters contest a year ago to determine the victory."

*The Master Contest a year ago?*The audience looked excited.

Since mechanics had limitations on their status, inspiration etc. The rule of the master contest was to make three types of equipment to get a total score. If there were different specializations, there would be high bonus points.

The president of the Bloody Empire's Mechanic Alliance, Nate was a rare dual-specialization top master. One year ago, he used this rule to defeat Master Anderson to become the world's top mechanic.

Master Leo and Chen Rui had grudges, so he was the first one to agree. Leo was a master from the Mechanic Alliance, so him being the first to agree made the audience applauded. Master Anderson frowned and asked Chen Rui, "Do you agree with Horford's suggestion?"

Chen Rui shrugged after hearing the rules, "I have no comments."

Robert knew that his skills weren't comparable, so he didn't protest. Similarly, he also had the intention to observe and study closely, so he retreated to the side.

After some noises, the audience calmed down and waited for the next round of battle between the two masters.

Horford didn't choose to forge and went straight to the armor crafting workdesk. He took a large piece of beast hide from his space ring and began to cut it skillfully.

Master Anderson's pupils suddenly contracted. *He is actually a dual-specializations master! Also, the specializations of metal and leather, including the familiar methods are exactly what my rival Nate has....is he a disciple of Nate?*

*Nate is also of the Samael Royal Family like Horford.*Anderson felt that it was more plausible as he thought. *After not seeing Nate for many years, he actually taught such a genius disciple! Now, it depends whether Horford's leather specialization has reached the master-level. Otherwise, with the bonus point from dual-specialization, even if "Arthur" has better metal specialization, he can't win.*

Many people had guessed that Horford might be a dual-specialization master, and the arena had an uproar. *Are we witnessing the birth of a dual-specialized master?*

Celine in the audience seats smiled confidently. That was her trump card. In the rules of the master contest, the dual-specialized master was invincible. Even if someone was better than Horford in single specialization, he or she couldn't win.

### Fangxiao

At that time, there was another burst of exclamation in the boiling sound. It turned out that Chen Rui also came to the workdesk and took out a roll of cloth. It was a cloth made with a secret method using Fangxiao's beast hide from the sea of death that he "blackmailed" from Dior. Besides, it was a Demon Emperor level Fangxiao (a type of demonic fish).

The masters on the VIP seats took a deep breath.*Could it be...?* Master Xhosa was the most excited. He actually crushed the wine bottle accidentally. The sharp pieces had cut into his skin and he was bleeding, but he didn't notice.

The veteran master shouted in his heart. *This guy is actually going to show leather specialization! This isn't written on that form! Other than the exposed metal specialization and the leather specialization that he's going to show, on that form... there is still another specialization!*

*A dual-specialization mechanic still isn't a miracle? Could the biggest miracle in the mechanic world happen after thousands of years?*

Chen wins by crafting a leather cape called Longing of the Stars and legendary tier ring called Instant Youth.

### Longing of the Stars

Horford's work:

* "Hydra's Rage", magic leather armor.
* Attributes: Toughness (physical and magic defense bonus; hydra skin's characteristics); ranged attack damage reduced by 17%; casting speed increased by 18%.
* Excellent grade.

The discussion time triggered by Chen Rui's work was much shorter than the last one.

* "Longing of the Stars", magic cloak.
* Attributes: Protection, water resistance (reduce physical attack damage, greatly reduce water magic damage, Fangxiao beast hide's characteristics); increase movement speed by 30%; increase attack speed by 35%.
* Quasi-legendary grade.

Horford couldn't respond for a while. *Magic cloak? Metal chain cloak?*

*It can't be! The attributes of protection and water resistance were clearly Fangxiao...* Horford was a leather-specialized master after all, so he immediately understood the material of this cloak. His face was covered with unbelievable shock.

It was only a matter of time for him to surpass the greatest mechanic, Nate in the Demon Realm if he continued to develop like this.

"The inspiration of this cloak comes from the star-like eyes of a woman..." Chen Rui said calmly.

Horford glared at him fiercely, "You're just a little better in status than me by fluke! Don't be so proud. A quasi-legendary grade is still within the category of excellent grade! If you can create legendary grade equipment, I'll admit defeat wholeheartedly."

"Even for a top master, it's difficult to make a true legendary grade equipment. Besides, it's true that I happened to be in good shape, I haven't really reached that top level." Chen Rui's words made many masters nod as compliments as he was able to see his flaws clearly. This alone was far better than the eliminated capital's genius, Savice.

However, Chen Rui's subsequent sentence surprised everyone, "Then, let me defeat you completely in another way."

### Instant Youth

Chen Rui creates an accessory: Momentary Glory, a red ring. It is appraised as legendary grade equipment.

Chen then becomes the first tri-speciality master in the Demon Realm in 10,000 years. His name (Arthur) shakes the entire realm. He is granted 3 wishes by Catherine, he joins the Mechanic Association, and he is praised as a master mechanic all over.

## Results

In an ordinary mechanic contest, two mechanic masters were born.

Moreover, both of them were dual-specialized masters.

Other than the president of the Bloody Empire Mechanic Alliance, also the Demon Realm's best mechanic, Nate, the Demon Realm had basically unheard of other dual-specialized masters for thousands of years. Yet, now, two of them just popped up!

Chen finishes crafting a legendary sword.

The champion of the mechanic contest was certain. A newly certified mechanic created a miracle that shocked the entire Demon Realm. In the final, he created 2 quasi-legendary grade equipment and 1 legendary grade equipment. Besides, all three equipment were of different specializations!

At the audience seats, Kia stared at Chen Rui with a smile while he was surrounded by a group of masters, like million stars revolving around the moon. There was a sense of pride in her heart as if she could share this achievement. The most excited was Dior, and his excitement had reached the extreme. *Trio-specialized master! He is indeed hiding his capabilities! In this way, my position as the family's heir is unshakable!*

Compared with Falamo's downcast face, Celine's expression seemed very complicated: *Arthur actually has such capabilities. No wonder he is so confident! However, in the courtyard the day before yesterday, he didn't reject my request. According to his statement at the time, I still have a chance.*Looking at Dior and Falamo, a murderous intention flashed past in the eyes of the cute girl.

"Congratulations, Master Arthur." At the central throne of the VIP seat, an ethereal female voice sounded. It was Empress Catherine and the audience immediately silenced, "Your wonderful performance and the miracle you created have amazed all the audience, including me. I can give you three extra rewards. What do you want?"

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 250 (Steambun)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 252 (Steambun)
3. ↑ Chapter 251 (Steambun)
4. ↑ Chapter 253 (Steambun)
5. ↑ Chapter 255 (Steambun)
6. ↑ Chapter 254 (Steambun)
7. ↑ Chapter 257 (Steambun)
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chapter 258 (Steambun)
9. ↑ 鲂绡 Fangxiao or 鲛绡 Jiaoxiao depending on version
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Chapter 259 (Steambun)