C11 Qualification

En route to Wu County, Huah Yunfei and Xie Feiyu experienced no further hindrances. Throughout the journey, they couldn't shake the worry that trouble might arise again.

"Welcome to Wu County! Impressive, isn't it? Far more bustling than God Burial City, wouldn't you agree?" Xie Yu posed the question to Huah Yunfei with eager anticipation upon their arrival.

She assumed that Huah Yunfei had never set foot in such a grand city. Yet, as he gazed upon Wu County, his heart remained undisturbed. In a previous life, he had witnessed far greater metropolises, making Wu County seem quaint by comparison.

"It certainly is more vibrant than God Burial City," Huah Yunfei conceded, sticking to the facts. Indeed, this place was a significant improvement.

Xie Yu beamed at his response, her satisfaction evident.

"We have our young miss to thank for this. Without her, who knows when you would've had the chance to see such a thriving city!" Xie Yu boasted with a hint of pride.

Huah Yunfei watched her, unsure of how to react to her triumphant air.

Xie Feiyu, her face once again veiled, resumed her enigmatic demeanor.

After listening to Xie Yu, she addressed Huah Yunfei: "Once in Wu County, the quest for the Golden Stone Token is all up to you. I may have brought you here, but from this point on, I can't offer much assistance. My involvement would only draw more obstacles in your path."

"Understood, I'm on it. I don't anticipate it'll be too challenging. The responsibilities associated with the Golden Stone Token seem quite straightforward to me," Huah Yunfei replied, his confidence in his own abilities unshaken.

"Make your way to the Wu County Prefecture Governor's Office to sign up," Xie Feiyu instructed, nodding as she provided him with the registration details.

And so, Huah Yunfei and Xie Feiyu parted ways, with him heading directly for the Prefecture Governor's Office.

"Halt! Who goes there?" a guard challenged as Huah Yunfei attempted to enter.

He had just reached the entrance when he was stopped. The area was bustling, with many people coming and going—most likely, like Huah Yunfei, they were drawn by the allure of the Golden Stone Token.

"Excuse me, brother, I'm here to try out for the Golden Stone Token."

"Do you have your invitation?" The guard extended his hand, expecting Huah Yunfei to produce the document.

Huah Yunfei was clueless about such a requirement, as Xie Feiyu had never mentioned it. His brow furrowed at the request.

"I don't have one," he admitted, and after a moment's thought, he pulled out some silver coins from his pocket and offered them to the guard.

The guard's face lit up with delight at the sight of the silver. But just as he was about to accept it, an annoying voice interrupted.

"Hey, isn't that Young Master Huah? Here for the Golden Stone Token selection, too?"

The voice was all too familiar to Huah Yunfei; it belonged to Lau Suifeng, the third son of the City Lord from the same city as him.

Huah Yunfei turned to face Lau Suifeng with a less than welcoming expression.

"So, Young Master Lau is also here for the Golden Stone Token?" Huah Yunfei asked, his voice dripping with contempt as he eyed Lau Suifeng's heavily made-up face.

Lau Suifeng gave a haughty snort and addressed the guard, "Here's my invitation, brother."

"Go on in," the guard grumbled, glancing at the invitation in Lau Suifeng's hand.

The guard had been close to pocketing some extra cash until Lau Suifeng's untimely interruption left him uncertain of what to do next.

Lau Suifeng strutted past Huah Yunfei and into the building. Before disappearing inside, he couldn't resist cautioning the guard, "You know, brother, no one's allowed in without an invitation. You're not going to let this fellow sneak in, are you?"

The guard had been ready to let Huah Yunfei in once Lau Suifeng was out of sight, but Lau Suifeng's words were a clear warning against taking bribes.

Annoyed, the guard turned to Huah Yunfei and said, "Sorry, but it looks like you're not getting in."

"Huh? Why do you look so familiar? Oh, it's Young Master Huah! Are you here for the Golden Stone Token tryouts as well?"

Huah Yunfei, blocked once more at the entrance, was pondering how to acquire an invitation when a portly man suddenly appeared beside him, eyeing him with surprise.

Huah Yunfei eyed the portly man with astonishment; he didn't recognize him in the slightest. Confusion crept into his voice as he said, "Brother, you're right. I'm here for the Golden Stone Token. Sadly, I lack the necessary letter and can't get in yet."

"What?" The fat man's eyebrows shot up as he turned to the guard. "Come on, man, that's not cool. If it were anyone else, I'd let it slide. But do you even know who this guy is?"

The guard was taken aback, silently questioning who Huah Yunfei could be. After all, this was his first encounter with the man.

With a wry smile and a shake of his head, the guard admitted, "Mr. Jin, I'm going to need your help here."

"Don't you know? This is Young Master Huah from Burial City. He's a big deal there! I vouch for him; let Young Master Huah through," Fatty Jin assured the guard on behalf of Huah Yunfei.

Upon hearing this, the guard gave Huah Yunfei a once-over and then nodded, signaling for him to proceed.

Overflowing with gratitude, Huah Yunfei thanked the rotund man. "I owe you one, Big Brother Jin. I'll be sure to repay the favor someday."

"Young Master Huah, you're too modest. Honestly, who else but you deserves the Golden Stone Token? No one else has your capabilities," Fatty Jin replied, lavishing praise on Huah Yunfei.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Huah Yunfei made his way inside. Before departing, he handed the silver taels he had prepared to the guard, who now wore a smile.

Behind him, a crowd, lacking the necessary letters, was barred from entry. Witnessing Huah Yunfei's smooth entry, they began to protest loudly.

"Why does he get to go in and not us?"

"Got anyone to vouch for you?" the guard retorted, pocketing the silver taels with a scowl.

Fatty Jin, on the verge of entering, snapped back, "And who might you be? You're not even in the same league as Young Master Huah."

"We're all human, aren't we? Why can't we go in?" the crowd grumbled, clearly disgruntled by the apparent injustice of Huah Yunfei's unimpeded entry.

Fatty Jin countered fiercely, "Because he can produce a top-grade Five-color Spirit Stone. Can any of you match that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the group was taken aback and promptly fell silent. They mused that while they had only heard of the Five-color Spirit Stone, even encountering a Double Attribute Spirit Stone was enough to astonish them.

Upon entering the Prefecture Governor's Mansion, Huah Yunfei was immediately met with an overcrowded scene. Lau Suifeng, who had gone in before him, was nowhere to be seen. Huah Yunfei surveyed the bustling environment and made his way through the throngs of people.

Inside, many were busy registering, gearing up for the upcoming competition.

"You can leave now! You're not qualified!" announced the examiner sternly. The criteria for the letter of entry were exceptionally stringent. Without it, one was simply ineligible to participate, and many were turned away for having previously appraised items of insufficient original value.

"Next!" The examiner called out, dismissing one candidate after another, with nearly half being turned away.

Finally, it was Huah Yunfei's turn. He was anxious, thinking that despite having gained entry, he might not make it past this hurdle.

"Your letter," the examiner demanded curtly, not even looking up.

Huah Yunfei, with a furrowed brow, replied, "I apologize, but I don't have a letter."

At this, the examiner looked up sharply, frowning at Huah Yunfei. "What's going on today? Why have so many without letters been let in? What are the guards at the door even for? Leave immediately!"

After rebuking the door guards, the examiner gestured for Huah Yunfei to exit.

In response, Huah Yunfei quickly interjected, "I was recommended by someone."

"Don't give me that. There are no special cases here," the examiner dismissed him without relenting.

"Examiner, I was the one who recommended him. He may not have a letter, but when it comes to assessing solidity, he truly is a connoisseur," Fatty Jin piped up, having caught up with Huah Yunfei. He must have anticipated further obstacles for Huah Yunfei and thus had followed him.

The examiner looked up once more, his gaze landing on Fatty Jin with a skeptical frown. "Jin Da Chun, you might be well-known in Wu County, but you should realize where you are. Do you think your word is law here? Should I let him through just because you vouch for his expertise?"

"Examiner, sir, I wouldn't dare to make any demands of you," said Fatty Jin with a smile, trying to appease the official. "I'm merely considering what's best for our prefect. After all, securing a fine Golden Stone Token is no easy feat."

No sooner had he finished his plea than he caught sight of a familiar face nearby and called out, "Hey! Old Zhang, come here for a moment. And bring Old Liu with you, will you?"

His call drew the attention of many onlookers, who quickly gathered around. Among the crowd, they noticed Huah Yunfei standing next to Fatty Jin.

"Hey, isn't that Young Master Huah? To think he'll be joining us in Wu County as a Golden Stone Token holder in the future! That's fantastic news!"

"With Young Master Huah in the running, the rest might as well not bother."

These individuals, while not the most influential in Wu County, certainly held some renown. The crowd's praise of Huah Yunfei caught the examiner's eye, prompting him to wonder about Huah Yunfei's connections, given the respect he was shown by so many notable figures.

Huah Yunfei exchanged courteous bows and greetings with everyone present. It wasn't long before they learned of the current predicament from Fatty Jin, and without hesitation, they collectively endorsed Huah Yunfei for the Golden Stone Token.

The examiner found himself in a tough spot. If it were just Jin Dachun, he could easily dismiss the matter, but faced with the collective support, he reluctantly agreed.

"Very well, you've passed," he conceded.