389 Participant List for the Exchange Conference

‘Don’t worry, Father. I’ll definitely get a spot in the top 10. I’ll make sure everyone knows that your daughter’s extraordinary.’

With that thought in mind, determination flashed across Xu Wanqing’s eyes.

The speed at which she swung the iron hammer increased even more.

On the other side, Chen Qingbai was also in the midst of an intense and exciting preparation phase. He graduated from Qingnan Academy just like Xu Wanqing.

Even though he was the grandson of Qingnan Academy’s principal, Chen Yuansong, the exchange conference was still extremely important to him. It was an indispensable opportunity.

Although his grandfather was an early-stage seven-star master blacksmith, Chen Qingbai had not learned much from him.

The Chen family had always been very strict. They were only allowed to learn and obtain knowledge through normal means. The elders were never allowed to give anyone special treatment, much less spoon-feed the children information that they had not come into contact with.

Although Chen Qingbai did not quite understand the reason for his grandfather’s actions, he had never tried to break the family’s rules. He had reached the peak of five stars by relying on his own talent and learning skills.

At this moment, Chen Qingbai was studying in the basement and completing questions that his grandfather, Chen Yuansong, had given him.

“Qingbai, don’t blame your grandfather for being strict and unreasonable. In fact, everything he’s done has been for our own good. Once you leave your parents’ protection and enter society, I believe you’ll be grateful to your grandfather from the bottom of your heart,” a strong middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes said.

He was standing at the entrance of the basement, and he was clad in black.

“Hmph, I’ll see for myself with my eyes. I don’t need you to pretend to be earnest and persuade me.”

Chen Qingbai put down his casting pen and glared at the middle-aged man who was guarding the basement door.

The exchange conference would take place on the morning of the day after tomorrow. There was not much time to prepare.

However, his grandfather had given him an impossible task at such an important juncture. The old man was deliberately making things difficult for him.

Chen Qingbai’s eyes turned slightly as he picked up the casting pen again. With his unyielding character, he tried to draw another Legendary-grade equipment blueprint.

‘Sigh, you still don’t understand your grandfather’s good intentions. You’ll understand in the future.’

The middle-aged man sighed internally. He was tactful enough to not express it out loud, for fear of angering Chen Qingbai again.

After all, he was Chen Yuansong’s grandson. If Chen Qingbai did not make a name for himself at the conference, he would not be able to do anything.

Chen Yuansong’s reputation in the field of forging would also be damaged since he was one of the few seven-star blacksmiths in the White River province.

If even his grandson, Chen Qingbai, could not be among the top 10, then no one in the entire White River province would be able to do so.

It was precisely because Chen Qingbai’s results would affect the entire Chen family’s reputation that Chen Yuansong had asked Qingnan Academy’s head of security to supervise him.

Although it was not difficult to monitor Chen Qingbai, the young man probably did not see him in a good light.

Shaking his head helplessly, the middle-aged man looked at Chen Qingbai, who was concentrating on drawing the blueprint. He did not say anything and continued to do his job.

…

Two other young blacksmiths from White River State who had been invited were in a similar situation as the previous few. They were all in a state of desperate learning.

Their strength was equal, with both being at the peak of the five-star rank. At the same time, they were looking forward to an opportunity to leap into the six-star rank during the conference.

They believed that only by truly stepping into the six-star rank would they have reached a higher level in the field of forging.

For one, to support a family, seek a management position in a well-known company, or even become an official in the military, a person’s strength had to be at six stars.

Powerful families or institutions would only value those in this rank.

From then on, they would transcend class and become true superiors.

When the time came, even six-star cultivators would have to treat them with great respect and as honored guests.

The state they were in would fight to give them all kinds of benefits.

Therefore, a blacksmith strived their whole life to reach the six-star rank.

As long as they successfully did that, they would be able to reap both power and beauty. Their lives would be complete from then on.

However, if they failed, the big shots would only see them as workers with good forging skills although they were at the peak of five stars.

Even if they were capable, they could only reach the level of petty bourgeoisie at best. It would be impossible to cross ranks.

Therefore, if blacksmiths from humble families wanted to change their fate or their entire family’s fate, the only feasible path was to attain the six-star rank.

However, without enough opportunities, talent, and learning ability, it was easier said than done.

Based on the current distribution of blacksmiths in White River, the number of blacksmiths who had reached six stars was not even one in ten thousand.

Basically, the path to impressive power was not easy.

The exchange conference was also precious because it was extremely difficult to reach the six-star rank.

The rewards for those in the top 10 were extremely generous, and it would be incredibly beneficial to the improvement of the blacksmiths’ strength.

After all, with the help of various precious materials and potions, even a pig could stand up and draw a few designs, more so those young and intelligent blacksmiths.

It was also because of this that many blacksmiths were willing to call the Annual Exchange Conference the Dragon Gate meet.

As long as they seized the opportunity and crossed the Dragon Gate1, they could change their fate.

As the exchange conference got closer and closer, a tense atmosphere spread across the entire Nine Provinces.

Even the general public was paying great attention to the conference. All the social media sites and front page headlines were dominated by articles related to the conference.

At eight o’clock that night, the federal government revealed the list of participants for the conference.

Everyone in the Nine Provinces learned the names of the 80 young blacksmiths who had been invited to the exchange conference.

Shortly after the news was released, the servers of several top social media sites crashed.

The netizens who could not suppress their excitement had nowhere to go. In the end, they all joined the People’s Network, which had been built by the military.

A heated discussion surrounding the list of participants began.

“The Annual Blacksmith Exchange Conference will begin the day after tomorrow in the morning. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the young blacksmiths from our province do!”

“The name list is out, and the time has been decided. Let’s wait and see.”

“Compared to the two or three individuals in previous years, five people from the White River province have met the standards this year. It’s truly worth celebrating.”

“Sigh, I really hope that we’ll be able to see those from our province in the top 10 this year.”

The number of comments under the list of participants quickly increased on the forum.

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