Chapter 93. The Award Ceremony for the Trial of the Prodigies...
The news of Lin Xiaoxiao's appearance in the City of Faith quickly spread throughout the entire City of Divine Favor.
The first to receive the message were the agents living in the City of Faith, and the heads of various departments...;
Secondly, there are agents, department heads, powerful families, businessmen, etc. from nearby cities;
Finally, there are remote cities...
Those in the know and those favored by the gods are watching closely, wondering what kind of storm this newly crowned lucky goddess agent will stir up in the near future.
After all, all the agents of the gods who came from the outside world had made a lot of fools because of their arrogance, and were eventually taught a lesson by reality.
Unfortunately, no one expected that Lin Xiaoxiao and Xiao Weizhi would stay on the floating island for more than ten days after their arrival, never going out at all. Even many documents were delivered to their door by the management department.
Time passed day by day, and the awards ceremony for the Trial of the Prodigies was fast approaching.
The day before attending the ceremony, Lin Xiaoxiao went alone to the workshop on the second basement level. She could faintly hear the clanging of metal being hammered coming from inside.
She cracked her knuckles and knocked on the door: "Knock, knock, knock—"
The sound of hammering echoed at the door of the workshop, then stopped shortly afterward.
A moment later, the door opened automatically, and Monet's voice came from inside: "Come in."
Lin Xiaoxiao pushed open the door to the workshop, closed it behind her, and then found a spot with not much clutter, standing there patiently waiting.
The workshop has been specially renovated by Monet and has undergone a complete transformation.
The space has been expanded to about 200 square meters, and several special fireplaces used for forging have been placed inside. The blazing fire has raised the temperature of the room to over 50 degrees Celsius.
Monet had returned to her normal 1.4-meter size, with all her braids tied up, and stood by the forge, her round face covered in sweat.
It held a pair of clips over a meter long, holding a piece of metal that had been chipped into a thin sheet, which was soaking in a pink liquid placed in a bucket.
The scalding hot metal bubbled and steamed in the liquid, and wisps of heat filled the space, raising the temperature even further.
About two meters from Monet, there is a small, open-plan house, about one meter in size, with a garden, a pool, landscaping, and furnished rooms with utilities...
This is a manor-style house that Monet made exclusively for the Treasure-Hunting Mouse.
Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the miniature manor, a life-size replica, and tears of envy streamed down her face.
A miniature manor with all epic-level or higher props and buildings, even the flowers, trees, and water features outside are made of various energy resources, and the energy concentration inside is three times that of the outside world... She wanted it too.
Monet picked up the cooled metal piece, which had turned a light blue color, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction.
Then it pointed to the clothes draped over the mannequins and the ornate cane leaning against a stand, saying, "What you want."
Lin Xiaoxiao approached the outfit, which resembled a formal dress but was actually business attire, and her eyes lit up with amazement.
This business suit features a structured suit jacket on the upper body with a cluster of lotus leaf-shaped boutonnieres on the chest, and a long, straight, flared skirt that extends from the front to the back. The overall color is dark red, and the patterns on the garment, created with special silk threads and special pigments, make it look exceptionally luxurious.
Just as Lin Xiaoxiao was staring in disbelief, Monet pulled a heavy box, about half her height, from under the workbench and tossed it onto the table beside her: 'duang--'
It pressed a button on the box.
The box clicked open, the lid opened automatically, and inside was a special prosthetic limb painted with many unique patterns in gold paint.
The most unique thing about this prosthesis is that it looks just like a normal flesh and blood right leg, without any special connection points or snaps on the joints, as if it were a right leg that had been cut off.
Monet patted the box: "Your new leg needs to be put back in this special box for two hours every 72 hours to maintain it, otherwise it will rot and die."
Congratulations on obtaining: [Special Edition] Treasure Chest Merchant Outfit (Epic)
【[Special Edition] Treasure Chest Merchant's Professional Attire (Epic): Crafted by the blacksmithing spirit Monet using the finest materials over three days, this outfit features 38 protective runes and can withstand three full-force attacks from an eighth-tier professional.】
Congratulations on obtaining: [Special Edition] Steady Cane (Epic)
【[Special Edition] Stable Cane (Epic): Forged by the elf Monet... Using this cane, no matter how bad the environment, you can walk as if on flat ground. The cane has an epic-level control array inside, which can briefly create a 30*30m control space for five minutes. Cooldown: 10 days】
Congratulations on obtaining: [Customized] Bionic Right Leg (Legendary)
[Customized] Bionic Right Leg (Legendary): Forged by the elf Monet... with built-in neural connection runes. Wearing this prosthetic leg is no different from wearing your own leg. The only drawback is that the prosthetic leg needs to be put back into a special box for maintenance periodically.
“Every ten days, you need to put a batch of high-grade energy stones and life water (triple-color grade) into this box, otherwise the prosthetic limb will be useless. Don’t forget.” Monette stood in front of the Treasure Rat’s manor, smiling as he watched the Treasure Rat eat, and solemnly explained the precautions.
Lin Xiaoxiao took the bionic right leg out of the box, and the two cross-sections just matched.
The interface of the bionic prosthetic limb began to twist and deform, automatically connecting with her original leg.
Before long, the connection was complete. There were no joints on the right leg, so natural that it looked as if it were Lin Xiaoxiao's original leg, except for some fancy tattoos.
She was doing squats with novelty, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Without holding onto anything, she could squat down and stand up using only her own balance.
Sure enough, it was no different from my own legs; I could even feel the warmth emanating from my palm when I touched it.
She put away her business attire, picked up her cane, and, seeing the pleading look in the Treasure-Hunting Mouse's eyes, tentatively asked, "Monet, isn't staying here all the time a bit too boring? Maybe..."
I haven't said anything yet about taking it out for a walk.
Monet turned his head, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Don't forget your promise."
Lin Xiaoxiao pinched her thumb and forefinger together, put them to her mouth, made a zipper-like motion, and nodded with an embarrassed smile, indicating that she had not forgotten her promise.
She had previously promised Monette that if it was 'willing to help' make work clothes and prosthetics, she would persuade the treasure-hunting mouse to work with it in the workshop on the second basement level for three months.
To persuade the treasure-hunting rat, Lin Xiaoxiao made several promises, including: upgrading the rat's future meals, providing abundant resources, etc.
Then she clasped her hands together in front of the treasure hunter and made a pleading gesture.
After greeting Hill, who was working on repairs in the corner, he left the basement workshop quickly, looking somewhat disheveled, under the extremely resentful gaze of the person who had been lured away by the treasure hunt.
Xiao Weizhi stood at the top of the stairs, supporting Lin Xiaoxiao who was rushing up as if she were being chased by a dozen wolves and tigers. He asked in confusion, "What happened down there?"
Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head: "It's nothing, it's just that Monet is a little angry."
Xiao Weizhi knew that Lin Xiaoxiao had recently contracted a legendary-level spirit named Monette, and also knew that the spirit had a bad temper.
Upon learning that Lin Xiaoxiao had rushed up from below in such a hurry, they roughly guessed that she had probably argued or quarreled with the elf.
He half-squatted down, lifted Lin Xiaoxiao's right trouser leg, and gently stroked the incredibly realistic prosthetic limb, a smile playing on his lips: "This prosthetic limb looks really good."
Lin Xiaoxiao felt an itch and chuckled twice: "Hmm, a legendary level of realistic prosthetic limb, with built-in nerve connection to feel the touch, it's no different from a real person's leg."
Xiao Weizhi looked up, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Really?"
Lin Xiaoxiao nodded with a smile: "Yes, really."
Xiao Weizhi stood up, scooped Lin Xiaoxiao up in his arms, and walked out, his tone gentle and cheerful: "Good news, we should celebrate properly and have a good meal!"
Lin Xiaoxiao rested her head on Xiao Weizhi's shoulder and playfully swung her legs: "Okay, let's have a big meal."
As the sun rose and set, the day of the Trial of Prodigies Awards Ceremony arrived quickly.
After changing into their business attire, Lin Xiaoxiao and Xiao Weizhi boarded the flying car arranged by Lao Ewen to go to the floating island and head to the ceremony venue.
The venue was inside the largest clock tower in the city of faith.
This clock tower covers an area of more than 50,000 square meters, equivalent to eight standard-sized main stadiums stacked together, and then more than twenty layers on top of that.
In the pavilion-like space beneath the pointed roof, there is a circular clock with an intricate and beautiful design, about ten meters in diameter.
Even in the absence of light, this golden bell will glow on its own and float in mid-air. Every time midnight arrives, it will automatically vibrate and ring out twelve times, a sound that resonates deep within one's soul.
This bell will not wake the sleeping people favored by the gods; on the contrary, it can cleanse the soul and lull people into sweet dreams.
After waking up, you will feel refreshed and energetic. Some lucky professionals may even experience a breakthrough in their mental strength during their sleep.
It is an exceptionally famous landmark in the city of faith.
Lin Xiaoxiao stood at the gate several hundred meters outside the clock tower, her left hand supporting her cane, gazing at the golden clock through the fence, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Long time no see, one of the legendary seven divine artifacts: (divine) Faith-Soothing Bell.
Legend has it that when the City of Gods was first established, its founders hid seven divine-level pieces of equipment in various locations within the city. Countless agents and professionals once turned the City of Gods upside down.
But they couldn't find it, and over time, the rumor became a legendary fairy tale.
But after all these years, no one expected that the golden bell hanging high on the bell tower above faith, which could be seen at any time, was actually one of the legendary Seven Armored Beasts that had been hidden.
After watching for a while, Lin Xiaoxiao took Xiao Weizhi's arm and followed behind the banquet attendants, stepping onto the long red carpet and walking towards the venue.
When the two of them entered the venue, they found that many people had already arrived in the lavishly decorated hall, including professionals, those favored by God, and one or two agents.
However, the professionals who came to receive the awards stood somewhat reservedly in the corner, clearly lacking the ease and comfort of the other chosen ones.
These reserved professionals are probably all winners of the Trials of the Prodigies. They have received training before coming and know some of the rules for walking in the City of Divine Favor.
Dressed in a black suit, Lau Evan stepped forward, bowed to Lin Xiaoxiao, and greeted her: "Ms. Lin, welcome to this awards ceremony with your partner."
Lauewen's actions attracted the attention of many of the chosen ones present, and even a few unfamiliar agents turned their curious gazes toward him.
Lin Xiaoxiao smiled gently: "Weizhi and I are the first place winners of the Trial of the Prodigies, so we should attend this award ceremony according to the rules."
Earlier, Lau Evan had tentatively asked Lin Xiaoxiao if she didn't want to attend the awards ceremony. He said he could arrange for someone to cancel the event and take the first-place prize out in advance and deliver it to her at the manor.
However, this would imply that Lin Xiaoxiao was an ineffective agent, and he needed to think carefully about the transfer of management rights.
Lin Xiaoxiao gave him a very nice reason and politely declined, stating that she would arrive on time to attend the ceremony.
As time ticked by, Lin Xiaoxiao stood in a corner with Xiao Weizhi, coldly watching the extravagant agents, each accompanied by several or even a dozen divine favors, enter the venue in turn.
Eighty percent of them are 'old acquaintances': agents of the God of Probability, agents of the God of Order, agents of the God of Love, agents of the Goddess of Life, agents of the God of War... and agents of the Sun God.
The Sun God's agent was a handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes, who looked remarkably like the Great Eagle Man. He was 2 meters tall and wore a pristine white formal suit.
Compared to other agents with obvious defects, he looked perfectly healthy and resembled an ordinary chosen one.
A moment later, the ceremony officially began.
The Sun God's agent stood in the center of the hall, a microphone-like device floating from his lips: "Welcome, all you outstanding professionals, to this awards ceremony. You are all among the best of your generation..."
Just as the blond, blue-eyed agent was speaking, a voice came from beside Lin Xiaoxiao and muttered, "Nearly a million professionals, tens of thousands died, and then you pick one or two hundred professionals from those tens of thousands. It's one in ten thousand, and he still looks so disgusting and hypocritical."
Lin Xiaoxiao tilted her head and glanced over, discovering that the person who had come was Zhong Sang, the agent of the God of Probability. She asked in a low voice, "Why did you come here?"
When I saw him earlier, wasn't he standing about ten meters away? How did he suddenly come looking for me?
Zhong Sang looked at the man in the center of the hall, curled her lips in disgust, picked up the red wine in her hand, and took a sip: "Xingyan and Gewei can't come, so I, an idle person, was asked by them to come to this boring awards ceremony. Tsk, seeing this person makes me feel physically nauseous."
Lin Xiaoxiao nodded: "Oh, I understand."
Although Xiao Weizhi heard Zhong Sang's complaints, his expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard anything at all.
Seeing that Lin Xiaoxiao didn't respond, Zhong Sang, feeling quite bored, downed his glass of red wine in one gulp: "Aren't you curious why I dislike Atums so much?"
Atums was the agent of the sun god who was giving a speech at the front.
Lin Xiaoxiao tilted her head with a half-smile and glanced at him: "Not curious."
She knew everything about Zhong Sang's experience of being ridiculed and targeted by the group led by the Sun God's agent after she became an agent, and the years-long mutual dislike that followed. There was nothing to be curious about.
Upon hearing this answer, Zhong Sang shut up, somewhat annoyed.
Soon, as the speech drew to a close, Atums changed the subject, raised his left hand, palm up, arm taut, and pointed at Lin Xiaoxiao standing in the corner: "Besides that, there is something very exciting happening today. We have also welcomed a new divine agent—Miss Lin."
After a two-second pause, she continued, "She is not only the first place winner of this trial, but also the newly appointed agent who has just returned to the City of Divine Favor. Let's give her a round of applause. Now, please welcome Miss Lin to come up and share her thoughts."
The applause at the scene was not enthusiastic, and many professionals even secretly cast resentful glances at Lin Xiaoxiao.
After all, they all felt that Lin Xiaoxiao was a representative of the gods, so why should she compete with them, ordinary professionals, for such a small amount of money in the trial?
Lin Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow and chuckled. What a clever way to divert attention and incite public anger. The tactic was old-fashioned, but it worked well.
Leaning on her cane, she quickly stepped forward, greeted him with a smile and a nod, and then took the 'microphone' from Atums.
A gentle voice carried throughout the venue through the microphone: "I know that many professionals here who participated in the Trial of the Prodigies feel that someone of my status shouldn't have just participated in the Trial of the Prodigies."
He had barely said a few words when several professionals nearby nodded in agreement.
She chuckled and continued, "But before entering the City of Divine Favor, I was no different from you. My status as an agent wouldn't give me any extra combat power or assistance. Back in the trial grounds, I had to fight hard and struggle to survive..."
"Finally, I wish you all even greater success in the City of Divine Favor. My rewards—all the equipment—will be sent to the auction house after the ceremony, converted into currency, and donated to… points to be distributed as rewards to everyone present…"
Lin Xiaoxiao skillfully avoided the trap that Artums had set for her with just a few words.
He even donated or gave away all the equipment and points he had exchanged, except for the crystal ball containing the power of faith. This not only quelled the resentment in the hearts of these newly promoted divinely favored professionals, but also established a good image as an agent.
Those agents watching Lin Xiaoxiao's actions in the room inwardly praised her: It seems this lucky agent is quite clever...
Atums wasn't angry that Lin Xiaoxiao had dodged his little trap. Instead, he gentlemanly led the applause: "I am Atums, the agent of the Sun God. Your speech was very insightful and I learned a lot from it."
Lin Xiaoxiao responded with a warm smile: "I am the agent of the Goddess of Luck - Lin Xiaoxiao. Liao Zan, your speech is also very inspiring."
After exchanging pleasantries and contact information, the two continued with the subsequent award ceremony.
"Second Place: Great Eagles: Erwin, Toss, Vilia, Stan, awarded prizes..."
"Third place..."
The awards ceremony will proceed from second place down to the 100th place winner, at which point the ceremony will officially conclude.
After the awards ceremony, there was a celebratory banquet.
While everyone was chatting with their conversation partners at the banquet, Lin Xiaoxiao had already quietly left the banquet with Xiao Weizhi, passing familiarly through the garden behind the clock tower.
And in the corner gazebo, they found Lauevan sitting there enjoying his solitude.
She took a few steps forward, stood outside the pavilion, leaning on her gleaming cane, her back straight, and smiled softly in the moonlight, asking, "Mr. Lau Evan, shall we have a talk?"
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