“Very good. I’m glad to see the maturity you’ve shown,” Ebenez complimented Sigurd before turning to face Jared. “What’s your name?” “Jared Chance,” Jared casually replied..
“Since you’re looking to join Emerald Cauldron Sect. Why have you chosen to become a disciple of Ghaylen instead of Hosen?” Ebenez inquired quizzically.
As the leader of Emerald Cauldron Sect, Hosen was the natural choice if one were looking for a master. In addition, one’s position in Emerald Cauldron Sect would naturally be higher as Hosen’s disciple.
On the contrary, Ghaylen lived in a miserable place and couldn’t afford to provide his disciples with many resources. Other than a few loyal disciples, no one else had sought him out to become their master.
“There’s no particular reason. I just like him,” came Jared’s response. Jared’s calm and collected tone shocked Ebenez, for most candidates would not only show him utmost respect but also secretly present him with gifts.
The latter didn’t mind Jared not getting him anything but was shocked by the attitude Jared displayed. It was one that he couldn’t tolerate at all.
“Kid, you exude the arrogance of youth, but your overconfidence won’t help you in the evaluation. Whether you pass or not will solely depend on your skills.”
Upon ending his sentence with a smirk, Ebenez handed Jared a token. “This is the token for the evaluation and your life depends on it. If you. encounter any danger during the process, you can break the token and someone will come to your rescue. That said, let me be honest with you. Once you’re inside, your life belongs to fate itself. If you get yourself killed, our sect won’t be responsible for it,” the former continued.
Staring at the token Ebenez handed out, Jared didn’t accept it. Instead, he replied indifferently, “I don’t need the token. If my life were to be threatened, it only means that I’m too weak. Hence, I won’t blame Emerald Cauldron Sect even if I die inside.”
“Good. I admire your guts. It’s been a long time. since I’ve seen a young man with as much bravado as you do. I hope that you won’t disappoint me.”
Despite the fact that Ebenez was praising Jared, an icy glint flashed across his eyes. Thereafter, Ebenez injected a white light into the evaluation site with a wave of his hand, gradually opening the arcane array there.
“Go on in,” Ebenez instructed. After walking up to the site, Jared stopped abruptly just before he entered. “What’s wrong? Are you regretting it already?”
Ebenez asked upon noticing Jared’s hesitation. “I just want to know what the time limit of the evaluation is.”
“Ten hours. You’ll pass as long as you can come out within that duration. Once you go inside, I’m going to take a nap. Without the token, no one can go in and save you in the event your life is at risk,” Ebenez sneered. “Actually, I was asking if there’s a minimum time I must stay in there,” Jared clarified.
“A minimum time?” Ebenez was taken by surprise. When he quickly realized the meaning behind Jared’s words, he sneered, “Kid, enough with the questions. You haven’t even gone in yet. Let me tell you. Ever since I took charge of the evaluation, the only person who could finish it in three hours was Sigurd.
I don’t suppose that you think you’re stronger than him? I’ve seen plenty of haughty disciples who ended up failing in the end. You had better stop boasting so as to not embarrass yourself later.”
Upon hearing Ebenez’s words, Jared broke into an indifferent smile. “That will only happen to those without the skills to back them up. I’ll take ten minutes at most. I don’t think you’d have enough time for a nap.”
With that, Jared strode into the arcane array. Watching the man’s disappearing silhouette, Ebenez asked, “Sigurd, where did Ghaylen find this weirdo? He’s just like a madman.”
“I… I have no idea,” Sigurd replied with a gulp. Nevertheless, Sigurd knew that Jared had the skills to put his money where his mouth was.
