It took less than an hour to filter through all the 59 Grandmasters and test their magic gems' purity rate.
Now, only 13 alchemists were present in the hall, which makes them the Pass contestants, and they were all ecstatic about their future prospects.
Especially the violent scale Kobold named Clayton and a tigress face orc female named Audrey. They were smiling ear to ear as if they had won some huge lottery.
Jacob spoke dismissively at this moment, "Alright, I've sent your recordings with your names to the higher-ups. You'll receive your Senior Grandmaster badges within a week, and I've also sent you guys invitations as promised. Now being a permanent member depends on your own skills.
"Lastly, the next Guild Leader will be Clayton, he had refined a magic gem with a purity rate of 92.69%, and the Vice Guild Leader will be Audrey as her magic gem was 91.93%.
"I might not be available in the guild for a few days, but I'm not leaving yet. Now you guys are dismissive, and Dilly, you have only a week to give me an answer. I have already added you, so you can contact me any time."
Dilly, who was also involved in the group and managed to pass Jacob's test and manage to receive another invitation, quickly nodded, "I won't disappoint Guild Leader."
"Alight, go." Jacob nodded.
"Thank you, guild leader,"
Everyone bowed their head before they left the hall in full of excitement while Jacob remained there sitting on his chair.
His lips suddenly curled up, 'I wonder if those rumors of me leaving the dark city today managed to draw all those people out who wanted to kill me, especially those mercenaries.
'I was planning to leave right after this test to kill those idiots and then head toward the location of that great earth minor it's in the inner beast forest, which is quite close to my location. Afterward, I would've started searching for the materials and then left the rare plains for good.
'But I need to change my plan now. The Dark Earl can save me tremendous time if I somehow manage to contact him. But I'm not going to become a dark baron to meet him since the time required to achieve that title is even more lengthy than finding those materials on my own.
'Let's see how it's played out. I can only decide after Dilly gives me his final answer. But it didn't change the fact that I need to get rid of those pests today, and then I should head to the location in the inner beast forest before that guy died.'
With that thought in mind, Jacob stood up and walked toward the exit and went all way toward the lift, and headed to the first floor.
Jacob then started moving toward the exit of the building and made sure he got noticed by as many people as possible.
The moment he exited the building, Jacob instantly felt multiple pairs of eyes land on him.
'Well, it was even easier than I was expecting it. Spreading those rumors was the right thing to do after all.' Jacob was satisfied with this development.
Jacob then hails a taxi and directly heads toward the exit station, which would lead him to the common circle, and from there, he would leave the dark city from the same gate he had entered.
That was the only known entry and exit of the dark city to the common public.
---
The moment Jacob entered the taxi and started heading toward the exit station, those pairs of eyes hidden all around the alchemy guild building quickly started sending messages to report about Jacob's movement.
Within the Star Mercenary Agency in the Inner Circle of the Dark City.
A hobgoblin looked at his wrist, and his lips curled up in a cruel smile, "He's really leaving the dark city. What an idiot. The higher-ups clearly overestimated this guy to tell us to use full force against him. Heh, what a joke."
---
Within the noble circle of the dark city,
Skull No. A-0 was looking at a projection of Skull No. A-1 with somewhat disbelief, "Did that really leave?"
"Yes, it's completely confirmed; it's 99% our target. He's now already entering the exit station of the inner circle. Those rumors spreading in the inner circle of the alchemy guild might not be baseless after all. As for who spread them, it doesn't matter anymore.
"I've already contacted the other nines, and they are moving according to the plan as we speak. I'll give you good news in three days." A-1 confidently assured.
A peculiar glint flashed past A-0's eyes before he said, "There is something wrong with all this. I want you to send a probe to the alchemy guild building; send two or three if you have to. I want this confirmed Faceless Ancient really left the building, or if this is just a decoy?
"If that's really him, then inform me before you take any action. We might not get another chance if we let him escape this time. If he really made a mistake, then let's make it his last."
"Understood!" A-1 quickly agreed before the call was disconnected.
"Why did he leave like those rumors stated he would? There is something fishy about all this situation." A-0 muttered gravely, "If it's a decoy, I have to find the real one, but if it is not, then I need to be extremely careful. This guy is too mysterious and astute unless he's not confident. He won't make a move like this."
With a grim look in his eyes, A-0 stood up and walked toward the door.
---
With Jacob's single move, the entire dark city seemed to come alive as the normally barren exit station of the inner circle started to greet many visitors who wanted to leave the Inner Circle of the Dark City.
Not only that, but even the outer dark city experienced the same thing as hundreds of cloaked figures embarked on the exit lifts, which led to the only exit of the dark city.
Only if those guys had known they were walking straight toward their funerals, and this would also starts a terrifying storm... alas no one can escape fate!