"Mr. Ye?"
Seeing Ye Feng, Zheng Huzi was slightly stunned, and then said, "It's like this, the scale of this armor master selection competition is quite large, and I found some channels to come here to do some odd jobs~"
"Armor master selection? What's going on?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng's interest was immediately piqued.
Because his biggest objective in coming to Mech City was the Spark Record. However, Mech City was one of the seven major powers on the continent, so he was cautious, still gathering intelligence, and planning emergency escape routes…
"Uh… Mr. Ye, Mech City has a very strict hierarchy. From outside to inside, it is the periphery, the outer city, the inner city, and the core urban area."
"The further in, the nobler the status of the people inside. Most high-end residential areas and entertainment venues are in the inner city. The outer city has a few high-end venues, mostly hotels with major faction backgrounds, or strongholds set up by major factions!"
"The largest part of the periphery is the slum area, where people can truly only be said to be alive, with no talk of living… A single cob could trigger a riot and fight, because it represents the chance to survive…"
"The slum area, due to its largest area, is divided into many small districts. The highest administrator within a small district is called the District Master. The District Master has great power, and even has the right of first night with the women in the small district… Some people strive their whole lives just to become a District Master…"
Speaking of which, Zheng Huzi sighed with emotion.
"Originally, people living in the slums could not possibly have any interaction with people in the inner city, let alone the core city. However, because the City Lord cherishes talent, he regularly holds mech pilot selection competitions for everyone, selecting those with mech piloting talent…"
"Six months ago, Mech City even unprecedentedly launched the selection of armor masters!"
"That's an armor master! They are existences with transcendent status in Mech City, all big figures living in the core urban area. The combat mechs, Mech City's most important reliance, are manufactured by them, and the repair of mech sparks is also done by them…"
"Cough cough~ I've gone off track a bit…"
Zheng Huzi's expression was very agitated. He coughed awkwardly, then continued, "Mr. Ye, today's armor master selection competition is much larger in scale than before. Many people in the outer city with some connections have been called to help out, I…"
"Hey, Zheng Huzi, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and take this test rod!"
Before Zheng Huzi could finish speaking, someone in the crowd shouted.
"Coming, coming right away!"
Hearing this, Zheng Huzi couldn't bother talking to Ye Feng anymore. He quickly turned and squeezed into the crowd.
After a while, he squeezed out of the crowd, holding a thick black metal rod in his hand, with spiral patterns on its body.
"What is this test rod? Is it used to select armor masters?"
Looking at the thick black metal rod in Zheng Huzi's hand, Ye Feng couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
"Yes, this is the test rod used for the preliminary selection of armor masters~"
Zheng Huzi smiled slightly and explained, "As long as one has awakened Arcane energy and can control the Arcane energy to rise along the spiral patterns of the test rod to this position, they are qualified to participate in the armor master selection competition!"
"Is that so, how strange~!"
Ye Feng observed the test rod for a moment and asked, "Can I try?"
"Of course!"
Zheng Huzi didn't hesitate at all. He quickly handed the test rod in his hand to Ye Feng.
Ye Feng took it, clenched his fist, and Arcane energy surged out. Following Zheng Huzi's instructions, he controlled the Arcane energy to rise along the patterns on the test rod.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Ye Feng, who was controlling the Arcane energy to rise along the patterns of the test rod, was somewhat confused, because he found that something in the patterns seemed to be attracting his Arcane energy.
At this moment, the patterns on the test rod flashed, emitting a somewhat dazzling light, and then disappeared.
"This… does it meet the requirements?"
Ye Feng looked at the stunned Zheng Huzi beside him.
"Mr. Ye… Mr. Ye, according to Mech City, the Arcane energy must remain stable at this position on the patterns for at least 5 seconds without dissipating!"
Zheng Huzi scratched his head with an embarrassed look and explained to Ye Feng.
As he said this, Zheng Huzi felt very annoyed!
Just now, Ye Feng's Arcane energy had risen along the patterns of the test rod almost perfectly. He thought he could discover an excellent armor master for Mech City this time. Setting aside his reward, just knowing an armor master would elevate his status, but…
"Damn it…"
Hearing Zheng Huzi's words, Ye Feng felt a surge of frustration. Then, he handed the test rod to Xiao Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, you try it~"
"Oh, okay~"
Xiao Xiao took the test rod with great curiosity. Red fire-attribute Arcane energy instantly appeared, but it didn't rise along the patterns on the test rod like Ye Feng's just now. Instead, it stopped at the bottom…
Ye Feng looked at Zheng Huzi with a questioning gaze. The latter shook his head helplessly, his expression somewhat awkward.
"Hoo~!"
Ye Feng sighed, feeling a bit dejected, as this was a good opportunity for him to approach and understand the core of Mech City.
"This… Mr. Ye, if you just want to participate in the armor master selection competition, you can buy a spot!"
Seeing Ye Feng's dejected expression, Zheng Huzi glanced around, lowered his voice, and leaned closer to Ye Feng, saying.
"Buy a spot?"
Ye Feng looked at him with surprise.
"Mm!"
Zheng Huzi nodded. "However, you can't buy it with Arcane Yuan Coins. You need to use some rare materials that are priceless, like medicines or medical alcohol!"
"Where can I buy it?"
As soon as Zheng Huzi finished speaking, Ye Feng interjected.
"Near the boundary between the outer city and the inner city, there's an underground trading place, where…"
Zheng Huzi glanced around again, and quietly explained to Ye Feng.
"Thanks~!"
After listening to Zheng Huzi's words, Ye Feng threw him a small, plump bread roll, and then quickly walked towards the location Zheng Huzi mentioned.
After receiving the bread roll, Zheng Huzi also hurriedly turned and ran towards the outer city.
After all, the more people he tested who could participate in the armor master selection competition, the more rewards he would get. And he wasn't the only one who received a test rod…
…
After a series of twists and turns, about an hour later,
Ye Feng and Xiao Xiao arrived at a rather secluded place in the outer city. Most of the people here wore robes or cloaks, and their faces were almost completely covered, clearly not wanting to be recognized.
"Stop, who are you?"
As Ye Feng and Xiao Xiao were about to enter a small alley, they were blocked by two muscular men in vests at the alley entrance.
"We're here to buy a spot for the armor master competition!"
Ye Feng took a brief look and got straight to the point.
…