After Lin Ya shared her experience, everyone began exchanging recent news and information.

Then, Lin Ya initiated a trade.

"Everyone, I need a metallic material called Star Pattern Steel. I can trade for it using Prayer Points."

She planned to use the Forging Melting Furnace to forge a piece of Extraordinary Armor.

During a previous mission, Lin Ya and her squad were ordered to take down a gang of vicious criminals. Among them were two Ascenders, who were even armed with heavy weaponry like rocket launchers. They launched a fierce counterattack against the squad.

After a fierce battle, the squad managed to kill seven of the criminals and capture their leader alive. However, one unlucky member was hit head-on by a rocket and blown to pieces instantly. Two other members were riddled with bullets and are still in the medical ward receiving treatment.

That mission made Lin Ya realize the importance of owning a piece of armor. Ascenders below Tier Three can hardly stand up to modern firearms. If hit directly by weapons like grenades or rockets, most Ascenders would be blown to bits. In such a situation, a quality piece of armor is as good as a second life.

Using the merits she had accumulated, she acquired the blueprint for an Alchemy Round Shield from the Star Association. One of the required materials was Star Pattern Steel.

"Star Pattern Steel? I have five kilograms. How many Prayer Points are you offering?" Colin spoke up. As an elite Ascender from a noble family who had spent years traveling the world on missions, his Player Backpack was well-stocked with Extraordinary Materials, including Star Pattern Steel.

Lin Ya recalled the market price for Star Pattern Steel and said, "1 Prayer Point per kilogram. How about it?"

Colin sank into thought, weighing the benefits, then nodded. "That’s a fair price. Let’s trade."

They completed the transaction using the trading system. A square block of metal covered in strange patterns appeared in Lin Ya’s personal storage, while Colin’s Prayer Points increased by 5. Zhou Chen had no intention of charging a transaction fee for trades between members. ’Being petty about such trivial matters would only undermine the Lamp God’s powerful and mysterious aura.’

"Number One, I’ve acquired a blueprint for an Alchemy Shield. Could you please help me custom-design the armor? I’ll pay with Prayer Points." Lin Ya looked at Number One.

"I’m sorry, I’ll be busy with some things. You can ask Number Two," Number One’s avatar politely declined. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"I have time."

Number Two, Soron, quickly nodded. ’This is a great chance to earn some Prayer Points.’ "What are your specific requirements?"

"It’s best if you design the Shield to be a little larger, enough to completely cover me," Lin Ya said.

Soron sized her up. Even shrouded in white mist, he could tell Number Three was a woman with a petite build. ’In that case, the Shield only needs to be a little larger than the standard model...’ As an experienced Alchemist, a dozen different designs immediately came to his mind.

"The meeting time is limited. We can discuss the details on the dark web."

They then exchanged their dark web accounts.

After they talked for a while longer, the meeting drew to a close. Lin Ya looked toward the figure shrouded in white mist and said in a reverent tone:

"Mr. Lamp God, I will do my very best to find suitable new members. You can count on me."

’Number Three seems to truly worship Mr. Lamp God...’ Colin thought to himself. He was worldly and had met many True God Cultists, and Number Three gave him the distinct impression of being a cultist of the Lamp God.

The Lamp God gave a slight nod and said in a calm voice:

"That’s all for today’s meeting. I will notify you in advance of the next one. You can use the various functions in the Prayer System, but remember, do not reveal our secrets to outsiders."

"As you will." Lin Ya was the first to rise and bow.

The others quickly followed suit, rising and bowing.

With that, the mental link broke, and their figures abruptly vanished from the Round Table Hall.

Zhou Chen’s consciousness returned to reality. He opened his eyes, back on the sofa.

’The Round Table Hall business is settled for now. I won’t need to hold another meeting for a while.’

’With the new features and the reward for bringing in new people, the members will definitely get to work finding suitable candidates.’

’By the time I get back from the Sword Forging Competition, I should be able to expand the Round Table Hall’s scale—the more sheep, the more wool to shear.’

·

·

·

「The final days before the competition flew by.」

「Midday, January 4th.」

On a bustling street, Zhou Chen walked into the Jinzhu City branch of the Forging Association, a huge travel bag slung over his back. A smiling young woman in a staff uniform stopped him just as he stepped inside.

"Sir, are you here for the Sword Forging Competition? Please show me your competitor’s pass."

"Oh, right. Here you go."

Zhou Chen pulled the competition invitation from his pocket and stood before a machine for a facial scan, verifying his identity as a competitor.

"Welcome, Mr. Zhou Chen. Please have a seat in the main hall and wait a little while. The contestant transfer will begin simultaneously around the world in about an hour."

The staff member warmly led Zhou Chen to a seat in the lounge area. She brought him a fruit platter and a drink, then handed him a small card with a QR code on it. "Mr. Zhou Chen, if you could please scan this code to follow our official account, you’ll find a detailed explanation of the Sword Forging Competition’s basic rules."

Zhou Chen took out his phone, scanned the code to follow the official account, and began to read the basic rules in the announcement:

1. The Sword Forging Competition has always upheld the philosophy of: Entertainment First, Competition Second, Friendship Third. All competitors must remember this Rule. (This is important. This is important. This is important.)