Once Krune got back, Feifei had already finished teaching Tiane how to use the Myriad Energies technique. Krune noticed that Tiane seemed to be looking at him differently now and couldn't help but ask why.
"I can't help it, this technique that you came up with is incredible! I have a new level of respect for you now."
Krune felt a little embarrassed with that praise but smiled nonetheless.
"Thanks."
Krune then told Feifei and Tiane how things went in the Alchemist Organization.
Feifei, obviously, immediately started laughing out loud.
"Unbelievable, you sent the entire examination room down? It's too funny! I can only imagine the others' expressions after that happened."
It wasn't before 5 minutes later that she stopped. She then looked with a smile at Krune and said.
"Don't worry too much about the spirit stones, we can get them back."
Krune felt a little gloomy but couldn't bring himself to feel mad at Feifei. In the end, he just put this matter on the back of his mind and asked something else.
"I pretend to gather spirit stones with Alchemy and, at the same time, improve my Alchemy Rank. What do you intend to do?"
Feifei then said.
"Oh, right! I haven't told you what kind of side occupation I have yet."
She then took out a 6 Stars Badge from her Spatial Ring. When Krune saw that, he got surprised!
"You are a 6 Silver Stars Formations Master!"
Feifei nodded.
"If not because I didn't bring any Formations Material during the Dimensional Realm event, I could definitely have built some good traps. Of course, considering the place where those assassins came, they probably would have countermeasures for it. Usually, I only do it as a hob, but I guess I can make quite a lot of Spirit Stones in this Universe with my skills."
Krune nodded, satisfied. It seems like there will be no need for him to sustain others this time.
Tiane then took another badge from her Spatial Ring as well.
"I'm not as good as Feifei, but I'm also a Formations Master."
Her one was a 2 Stars Badge.
Obviously, she selected that side occupation because it was the same as Feifei.
Krune didn't mind. Considering the price for the things in this Universe, both Feifei and Tiane definitely could provide for themselves with their abilities alone.
"We just don't know how we are categorized in this Universe. But considering that the Wang Clan Formations Guild was the top one in our territory, I believe it won't be much lower."
It was then that Feifei remembered something.
"I forgot. They call it Formations Master Organization here, right?"
Krune nodded.
"That's right, there is a branch of the organization close to the Alchemist one. I'm going there tomorrow after we check out for a courtyard for us to rent. So you can pass there and take the test too. As for the Courtyard, we need one big enough for the four of us. After all, staying in the hotel is too expensive."
Krune then thought about Ruik.
"Is Ruik not back yet?"
Feifei and Tiane looked at each other and shook their heads.
Krune then took his communicator out and called Ruik.
"Is everything okay over there?"
Ruik then answered.
"Everything is fine. It's just that I have to take a test to determine my level in the Missions Hall. As the Mercenary Guild back in the Luvile Universe, the missions and reward that you get are established according to your level."
Krune nodded and thought about something.
"Now that I think about it, we might need the Missions Hall qualification in the future. When does your test start?"
Ruik then looked at the time.
"It should start in about an hour."
Krune checked the distance to that Mission Hall Branch and asked Tiane and Feifei.
"What do you think? Should we go and get a qualification too? It's not bad to have one if there is something we need from their Reward System in the future."
Feifei and Tiane didn't have much to do at the moment anyway, so they nodded and decided to tag along.
Krune's group arrived at the Missions Hall 30 minutes later and went directly to the counter to apply for the examination.
"Core Formation Realm tests are 100 Rank 5 Spirit Stones per person or demon beast."
Krune and the others paid and went to the corner to wait with Ruik. Around 20 minutes later, everyone that had applied for the examination was called over.
In the examination room, the examiner started to explain the Missions Hall rules.
"Let me explain to those who don't know yet."
He looked at the contestants and continued.
"The majority probably already know it, but our Mission Hall qualification system is different from the other side occupations. We don't have Stars System. Our mission hall only cares about your combat prowess. We will judge here how many stages higher your combat ability is compared to ordinary cultivators of the same level."
"If it turns out that your power is the same as an average one, you won't be accepted in the Missions Hall. You must have the ability to fight at least one cultivation stage higher than your level, it's that simple. After that, the missions in the system will be unlocked according to your results."
"If your cultivation improves more than 5 stages, you will need to do another examination for us to make sure that you still have the same ability. So I urge you to not be hasty in your progress and damage your Foundation for short term strength."
Krune and the others didn't mind this new system. In fact, it was quite straight forward, which was good too.
The examiner looked at the room behind him and then explained the rules.
"This is the testing room for those at the Core Formation Realm. Inside we have an illusion formation that will spawn cultivators and demon beasts randomly. They will start with a cultivation one stage higher than the participant. After you defeat the first one, the next one will appear with a cultivation stage higher than the previous one."
"Our formation is based on the average level of cultivators and demon beasts of the Dalin Universe. So if you can't defeat the very first one, it means that you aren't qualified to part of the Mission Hall. Also, it goes without saying that there is no need to worry about injuries."
"Alright, that's all for now. If you have any other inquires, ask it after you pass the exam. Otherwise, it will be a waste of time to explain anything now."
The examiner took out a list and called the first name.
"Ruik, you can enter."
Ruik had arrived quite early that day, so he turned out to be the first to register for it.
Krune patted his shoulder and said.
"With all your cultivation advantages and the Myriad Energies Technique, you should be able to defeat an ordinary opponent at least two or three stages higher than your level. So don't worry, you will be fine."
Ruik nodded and then entered the illusion formation, disappearing inside. On the side, there was an enormous monitor that showed what was happening in the formation.
As soon as he appeared in the monitor, the illusion formation summoned a cultivator at the 2nd Stage of the Core Formation Realm. Ruik decided to take things seriously from the very start, so he immediately returned to his double-headed snake form and started the battle.
Ruik's poison was both effective against the body and soul. With his other perks, he got the upper hand almost immediately. Speed, power, elemental control, and spiritual control. Everything was much better than the illusory cultivator. Around 30 seconds later, Ruik's opponent was already on the ground.
The examiner saw that and nodded, satisfied.
The next opponent was a demon beast, a white turtle with two horns on the head. The illusion field also changed into an ocean type, which the turtle made full use. Still, Ruik was able to defeat the turtle after some time. It should have been much faster, but Ruik was trying to save as much Spiritual and Elemental Source Energy as possible. He relied on his poison to slowly weaken the turtle until it couldn't fight anymore.
As Krune mentioned, Ruik was really able to defeat the first two without significant issues. But the third one proved to be a big hurdle for him. It was then that Krune remembered.
'Oh, right! Ruik hadn't had the time to evolve his Spiritual Meridians into Elemental ones. No wonder he is already having trouble at this stage. Well, it doesn't matter. He can apply for the examination another time if he feels like it.'
Ruik was still able to defeat the third opponent three stages higher than him, but that was his limit at the moment. Krune and Feifei weren't surprised by this outcome, but Tiane had her eyes open wide! Ruik lost in the fourth battle and came out of the Illusion Formation.
Tiane couldn't help but think.
'Is this the power of the Myriad Energies Technique True Form? Once I'm back, I will focus on gathering spirit stones and create the Pseudo Energy Meridians with all my might!'
Thanks to the Wang Clan techniques, Tiane was confident in fighting against one or maybe two levels higher than herself. But she definitely wouldn't be able to jump three cultivation stages like Ruik. It was a big blow to her pride since she already found out how lazy that snake is.
Tiane wasn't the only one impressed. The examiner and the other contestants were also taken aback by how strong this double-headed snake is.
"Very good, you will get a good qualification and access to better reward missions in the system later. Make sure to keep the hard work."
Ruik nodded and went back to Krune's side.
"I guess this is my limit at the moment."
Krune shook his head.
"Once you get the Elemental Meridians, your combat power should increase a little bit more. Although you might not be able to defeat that last illusion, you definitely wouldn't lose that easy anymore. Not to mention that you also have to get used to your new realm. Still, you probably noticed that their concept of 'ordinary' is a lot higher than the Luvile Universe, right?"
Ruik nodded.
"Yes. If it was the Luvile Universe, I'm confident that I would be able to defeat an ordinary cultivator or demon beast 4 stages higher. But here, I lost almost instantly to their 4 stages higher 'ordinary.' In fact, I was quite luck against the demon beast 3 stages higher than me. If luck wasn't on my side, I could have totally lost. I reckon that my level at the moment is the same as an ordinary cultivator or demon beast 3 stages higher now."
There weren't many Core Formation Realm cultivators and demon beasts this time around, so after the 7th contestant, it was already Tiane's time.