/*unedited*/

When habit was formed it would be hard to change it. This is true when it comes to normal people. As a mortal, Ai Ji is used to drawing blueprints before crafting. This habit of hers has caught s.h.i.+n Jiao's attention, unlike most crafter who relies on their inspiration to make things. She would always draw her thoughts.

So s.h.i.+n Jiao taught her how to make mental blueprints. Though she can already do this yet, she would feel fulfilled upon drawing on paper blueprints for her crafts.

No one expected that the young woman would draw something on a paper. As craftsmen, they would use mental blueprints before crafting. Cultivators are able to make mental blueprints with their almost photographic memory by using Qi. So the action of Ai Ji is new to them, and some showed a sneer on their faces.

"What is that little girl doing?"

"She is truly just a mortal. Didn't she know that because of her drawings someone would copy her work in that instant and she would lose her credibility?"

"She is just a foolish girl. I wonder what kind of foolish master she got."

The people on the stage began to clamor and say their opinions. Many of them have the same mentality as Guang Lobai, racist that discriminates against mortals.

But suddenly their expression turned solemn as they accidentally sweep their spiritual Qi on the table. Upon seeing Ai Ji's drawing, they were dumbfounded.

"How is that an artifact? That's clearly some gibberish thing. It didn't even make sense how that thing works."

The elders thought as they became more curious about what Ai Ji is doing.

s.h.i.+n Jiao, on the other hand, is calmly separating the materials for the artifact in his mind. His goal today is to pa.s.s the artificer exam and don't want to grab the limelight from his disciple. He already knows that if these old geezers can see the artifact she would make, they would become more curious and even fawn on her. As he, himself, is also awed by her talent in crafting.

Not long later, Ai Ji finished more than 20 paper drawings of something very incomprehensible. And with a satisfied expression, she then flashed a beautiful smile.

Her master already told her about segregating parts and combining them one by one. The concept of line upon line is deeply carved in her subconscious as this is her only weapon against those who would try to steal her creation.

She then turns her gaze to the furnace and frowns. The way of crafting her master taught her doesn't even need the use of a furnace. But she could not show it in front of these old people. So she tried to think of another way.

Then her gaze turns towards s.h.i.+n Jiao's direction and an astonished expression showed in her face.

She can clearly see her master using the furnace to craft.

"How can master do that? He clearly told me about…" suddenly her mind props up an idea.

Array Formation…

With the use of concealment array, she can pretend to be crafted using the furnace.

Then she saw s.h.i.+n Jiao throwing her a wink as he knows that she has gotten the crux of things.

"Master is so crafty, Hihihi… Thanks, master." Ai Ji thought as she also throws s.h.i.+n Jiao a wink.

But she immediately blushed upon realizing what she did.

s.h.i.+n Jiao looks at her with interest.

"This little girl is becoming bolder, hahaha… Cute… really cute." s.h.i.+n Jiao thought as he smiled.

When Ai Ji saw s.h.i.+n Jiao smiling, she felt blood rus.h.i.+ng to her face and even her ears turned red.

"Concentrate, I need to finish these parts." Ai Ji thought as she forcefully calms her rapidly beating heart.

Time rapidly went by, and on Ai Ji's table lays many different crafted parts. This made the elders of the a.s.sociation felt more confused. No matter how hard they try they could not find what those things are for.

"That mortal girl is just playing around. How can that be an artifact? If ever she is able to make that into something, then how can it be st.u.r.dy enough to withstand powerful attacks as a defensive artifact? Foolish too foolish."

No one ever expected something from a mere mortal craftsman, so they turned their attention to others as their curiosity has immediately vanished after seeing the pile of 'junk' on Ai Ji's table.

Meanwhile, s.h.i.+n Jiao, on the other hand, crafted a simple reflective s.h.i.+eld. The s.h.i.+eld would be able to absorb kinetic energy and turn them into source energy to power the s.h.i.+eld's laser reflectors. Although it is actually not an artifact as artifacts needed the essence of Qi to function, the thing that s.h.i.+n Jiao crafted can be called a false artifact. Because it is through the power of science that it can copy the usage of an artifact. So judging from its functions, the s.h.i.+eld is enough to be called a low-level artifact.

With a wide grin on his face, s.h.i.+n Jiao nods in contentment as the small bronze s.h.i.+eld on his table.

The hour has finally come to judge the crafted items on the table. Some showed a dejected face as they were not able to finish the things they wanted to make. And others are beaming with a contented smile on their faces.

Then the old man suddenly stood up and walk towards the center of the stage.

"Everyone, it's already time. We will now check the items you all have created." The old man said as he nods his head.

Many of the crafting a.s.sistants suddenly approached each table and began asking each of the examiners about their crafted items.

s.h.i.+n Jiao was approached by a lady in her 30's wearing an emblem of a 2nd tier artificer on her left chest. She stood calmly in front of the table and began to scrutinize the s.h.i.+eld.

"What is the function of this s.h.i.+eld." She asked after a while.

"It's a kinetic energy absorber." s.h.i.+n Jiao answered.

The woman suddenly showed a confused look at her expression.

"It absorbs any moving energy that will hit it and convert that energy into a power source." s.h.i.+n Jiao immediately explained.

Upon hearing his explanation, the woman suddenly looks at s.h.i.+n Jiao directly into his eyes and disbelieving expression clearly written all over her face.

"This is impossible! The materials in this table are low-level materials. You cannot make something like that." The woman said with suspicion.

s.h.i.+n Jiao just shrugs his shoulder at the woman's conjecture.

Meanwhile, on the other tables, many have already failed the test as the items they made are not even able to attain the low-level artifact requirement. Though some of them can use Qi yet the defensive and offensive capability is not strong enough.

On Ai Ji's table stood two middle-aged men, this is because at first, the person-in-charge of her table was unable to determine the usage of the crafted item. All he can see are more than 40 pieces of metallic items on the table. But when he looks at it, he suddenly has an idea of what is it but can't get the point.

He wanted to ask Ai Ji, but because she is a mere mortal, his pride overcomes his own judgment and instead asked the person on the other table which has finished judging the other item.

"So what do you think?" the man whispered.

"I think it is an artifact, but how can it be used?"

"I can feel my hair standing on end whenever I go near those things. It's as if a repealing force is pus.h.i.+ng me back."

"Really!?... You're right."

When Ai Ji saw the two discussing she showed a helpless expression. She created these items to empress her master. She didn't care about the reaction of other people.

"Seniors, this junior would just demonstrate the usage of these things. Would that be all right?" Ai Ji asked.

"Wait! Although the area in this hall is huge, however, there are many people here. We don't want to cause an accident." One of the men suddenly said.

"Oh, don't worry, I will just show you how it can be used defensively." Ai Ji said with confidence.

Then she carefully picks up a glove-like thingy on the table and carefully put them on both of her small hands.

Then she slowly looks at the two examiners and said.

"These are the control gloves. They would control the action and what you wanted these small parts wanted to do." Ai Ji said with a smile.

Her gaze turns towards the table where s.h.i.+n Jiao is and saw the woman in front of the table with a dumbfounded look.

"Sigh… I guess master has once again shown his prowess." Ai Ji said to herself as she can't help but heaves a sigh of relief.

The people around them already heard that Ai Ji is going to demonstrate the item she crafted and it has already attracted some attention. This is not due to the item she crafted but due to her status as a mortal.

"If that little mortal girl can craft and artifact then, I'm a total loser. This is just a mere show. She just wanted to shame herself."

"You cannot say, that. Look at the judges, there are already two checking her crafted items."

"Bah… mortals are mortals. It's impossible for them to create an artifact period. It doesn't make any sense."

The people around her clamored as some looks with expectation and others jeered at her creation.

Ai Ji just showed them a confident smile and thought.

"Those who look down upon me look down upon my master. Then, I will show you, what a mere mortal can do…"

Suddenly in front of everyone, something amazing happened that even s.h.i.+n Jiao almost have his jaw drop on the ground.