’I’ve never seen these kinds of chain quests before, but I like the feeling. The more, the better.’

Yi Tianyun was quite satisfied with this Divine Rune Mastery Proficiency, but it would be even better if it were higher. The Skill Level required to go from Intermediate Divine Rune Mastery to Advanced Divine Rune Mastery was not low, but it wasn’t excessively high either—just ten thousand or so.

However, reaching Advanced Divine Rune Mastery was not his goal. He needed to reach the level of a Divine Rune Master, and the Skill Level for that would certainly not be low.

’The second round of the competition isn’t about difficulty, but about speed...’ Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes. The variety of these tests was a good way to gauge their skill.

This was no difficult task for him; he could handle it all with ease.

Just as they were breathing a sigh of relief, Li Tianlong continued, "This round tests not only proficiency but also the strength of your own Spiritual Power. Manage your time well to master this stage. Who knows, some of you might be able to perform exceptionally well and earn a higher score."

His words were not aimed at any single person, but at everyone. Some could inscribe Second-Grade Divine Runes at incredible speeds, completing several dozen in two hours. For them, it went without saying that their scores would skyrocket.

While he spoke, the contestants had already decided which grade of Divine Rune they would inscribe. They would surely choose the ones they were most proficient with, not necessarily the highest grade possible.

"Pavilion Master Li, what about Multiple Divine Patterns? Is there a score bonus?" a contestant asked.

"Of course there is," Li Tianlong said with a faint smile. "For example, the previous Multiple Divine Patterns had a difficulty equivalent to a Third-Grade Divine Rune, so it will be scored as such. However, it takes a lot of time. If you want to try it, you must consider it carefully. The probability of failure is so high that it’s far better to inscribe something simpler that you’re proficient with."

The rules were now mostly announced. This round’s test had many factors, truly testing one’s comprehensive skill level.

Immediately, the deacons brought out sheets of paper and began distributing them. This time, the inscriptions would not be carved onto armor, but onto this paper. When an inscription on Divine Rune Paper was applied to a weapon or armor, it would have the same effect, which was much more convenient.

It was just that after the inscriptions were finished, these Divine Runes would be collected, adding another stream of income for the organizers.

"I’m so looking forward to you continuing to inscribe those First-Grade Multiple Divine Patterns..." Lin Li sneered from the side. He hoped Yi Tianyun would keep playing around like that; it would be courting death.

At his previous inscription speed, Yi Tianyun would definitely be done for. It had taken him so long just to complete one. If he did that again, he would certainly fall far behind in the second round.

"Don’t worry, I’m not as stupid as you," Yi Tianyun replied coolly, enraging the other man.

"Hmph! Then I’d like to see what grade you can produce!" Lin Li refused to believe Yi Tianyun’s skill had truly reached the level of a Third-Grade Divine Rune Master. ’Could he really be from some Hidden Clan? After all, he looks too young. He’s the youngest one here. How could anyone believe it?’

After everyone was ready, Li Tianlong signaled a deacon at the side to flip the hourglass over. The two-hour countdown began anew!

The moment it began, everyone started inscribing, instantly releasing their Spiritual Power and pushing it to the limit! Their focus and the force they applied were both far stronger than in the first round.

In the first round, there had been ample time, and many people had inscribed at a steady pace. But this round was different. This was a crucial opportunity to rack up points. If they were even half a beat too slow, they would fall significantly behind.

At this moment, many gazes fell upon Yi Tianyun, wanting to see what grade of Divine Rune he would inscribe. If he continued to inscribe First-Grade Divine Runes, it would be utterly laughable. What was the point of successfully inscribing a First-Grade Divine Rune? A success was only worth a single point, which was far too low.

Immediately after, Yi Tianyun put his brush to paper. The Divine Rune that appeared before everyone’s eyes was, indeed, a First-Grade Divine Rune, inscribed at a pace that was neither fast nor slow.

"Still a First-Grade Divine Rune?"

Everyone was stunned. They had thought he would at least attempt a Second-Grade Divine Rune, but they never expected it would still be a First-Grade one. Among everyone present, besides him, the lowest anyone was attempting was Second-Grade, not First-Grade.

"PFFT..." Patriarch Wang burst out laughing, pointing at Yi Tianyun and saying, "It seems he really only knows how to inscribe First-Grade Divine Runes. No wonder he could manage a First-Grade Multiple Divine Pattern. If you can only do First-Grade, of course you’d master that one trick."

"Indeed. It’s just a First-Grade Divine Rune, the level is too low. Lin Li is inscribing a Third-Grade Divine Rune, and a single success will get him five points. That’s equivalent to inscribing five First-Grade Divine Runes," a nearby Patriarch chimed in, his gaze toward Yi Tianyun tinged with ridicule.

In their eyes, the Zhu Family’s representative had completely exposed his true skill—or rather, his inability to inscribe high-grade Divine Runes.

"He’s actually continuing with a First-Grade Divine Rune! I used to suspect you weren’t a beginner, but a Third-Grade Divine Rune Master. Now I see I was wrong. You really can only inscribe First-Grade Divine Runes!" Lin Li was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. ’This is just too stupid. How many of those would he have to inscribe to catch up to us?’

Zhu Tianhong was stunned as well. His confidence in Yi Tianyun, which had been so full moments ago, instantly sank. ’He’s still inscribing a First-Grade Divine Rune... Can he not even do a Second-Grade one?’

Doubts began to bubble up from the surrounding audience.

"Still a First-Grade Divine Rune? Don’t tell me he really can only inscribe First-Grade Divine Runes?"

"It really looks that way. Why else would he be inscribing a First-Grade Divine Rune?"

"I thought he was some hidden Divine Rune genius, but it turns out he’s just a dead weight who’s spent a hundred years focused on First-Grade Divine Runes... If you only practice First-Grade, I guess you really can learn to inscribe a First-Grade Multiple Divine Pattern!"

They were about to burst out laughing. At this rate, how could he ever catch up? It seemed he hadn’t changed his strategy at all and was genuinely going to continue inscribing First-Grade Divine Runes!

"Sister, Elder Yi is really continuing with First-Grade Divine Runes. Can he pull even more tricks out of his hat with just First-Grade Runes? Could he be planning to inscribe more Multiple Divine Patterns? But that doesn’t seem very cost-effective."

"I’m not so sure about that. I can never quite figure out what Elder Yi is thinking. Since he chose to continue using First-Grade Divine Runes for the competition, he must have his reasons." Zhu Yuwei nodded, her faith in him unwavering.

To her, whatever Yi Tianyun did was right. Zhu Yuxuan also trusted Yi Tianyun, but she was very curious about what he planned to do. She hadn’t spent much time with him, so she knew very little, having only heard some things from her younger sister and not having a clear understanding of most of it.