16 Standard Knight Examination (IV)

"I don't know what Divine Obstruction is, Teacher only told me that this was an obstruction skill." Long Haochen replied, showing a somewhat confused look.

Nalan Shu took a deep breath, calmed himself, and muttered: "No mistake, it is without a doubt Divine Obstruction. Xin'er, I have not seen Divine Obstruction only once. Whether they are Retribution Knights or Guardian Knights, once one's at the level of a Radiant Knight, they will all practice this skill. If it wasn't for Divine Obstruction, Haochen wouldn't be able to defend against your earlier attack. No wonder... It's no wonder that Senior Xingyu would let him challenge a knight to battle. With Divine Obstruction, withstanding a knight's attacks for a quarter of an hour is not impossible.

"The threshold to Divine Obstruction is, without a doubt, the grade of Radiant Knight; but this is merely our Knight Temple's threshold, it is not the threshold for the study of the ability. Provided one has the inborn talent, enough ability, and the necessary reaction speed, a 6th step knight can pass any ability onto him, but this premise needs the authorization of our Temple Knights to be done. There was formerly a great knight who, because of his great merits, got the authorization to break this rule and was able to pass on certain techniques."

Nalan Shu was an Earth Knight, so he knew much more than Li Xin in regard to the skill Divine Obstruction. But because of that, he was even more shaken.

Divine Obstruction is a skill that can be easily described. It enables one to momentarily transform his defense. Simply said, it causes one's defense to become like an iron rock, so that only attacks that exceed the defensive power of the skill can break through it. However, if the attacks use weapons of the same volume and hardness as an iron rock when attacking, it cannot possibly break that defense.

Divine Obstruction is like the process of the transformation of an ore of iron into a bar of iron. It is easily explained, but extremely hard to do because it takes a lot of talent.

Though, if Divine Obstruction is trained to a certain level, it can use at least a part of the power of the opponent's attack to become its own force to be used for attack, as well as defense. Practiced to its utmost potential, Divine Obstruction's defensive power was worthy of being called "Divine".

To possibly break Divine Obstruction's defense, one must have at least three times the spiritual energy of the user of Divine Obstruction.

Long Haochen didn't know what startled these two people before him, and simply asked, "Master Nalan, can we consider that I have passed the examination?"

"Of course you passed. Wait a moment, I have to look for the thing Senior Xingyu wanted you to bring back." Nalan Shu turned around and left, but he didn't show signs of having calmed down yet.

Li Xin looked at Long Haochen as if he was some kind of monster. "Little brother, tell me, what was that skill that you used to repel my Lightning Thrust?"

Long Haochen shook his head and answered, "No, no! I only used pure physical force."

"You broke my Lightning Stab with only your physical power?!" Li Xin couldn't help raising her voice. She, naturally, didn't know that Long Haochen's attack had been enhanced a lot. Over the last year, the torment in the owl-ant's nest didn't go to waste. In addition to that, he had been soaking in the hot spring and had his spiritual energy's twelve standards enhanced, and its impurities dispelled. That year of practice equaled at least three years of practice for an ordinary person.

After a short time, Nalan Shu came back, and handed two things over to Long Haochen: a circular badge with a sword and a shield engraved on it, and a golden-yellow gem, the size of an egg.

"This is your insignia of a Standard Knight. On it, there is a star that symbolizes the fact that you are 1st ranked. Once there are ten stars, you will be able to, once more, take an examination. This Awakening Stone is something Senior Xingyu told you to bring back. You must keep it well."

"Thank you."

After receiving these two items, Long Haochen respectfully saluted Nalan Shu.

Nalan Shu asked, "Should I have Xin'er accompany you out of Haoyue Hall?"

Long Haochen shook his head, and answered, "No. Teacher gave me another task to accomplish. I should hurry up."

Nalan Shu didn't insist and asked Li Xin to accompany him to the entrance.

"Elder Sister Li Xin, how do I get to the Adventurer's Guild?" Long Haochen asked Li Xin, right before leaving.

Li Xin replied: "The Adventurer's Guild isn't far from here. Look, go to the front and then turn to the right. After about a kilometer, there will be an intersection where you should finally turn left."

"Thank you, Elder Sister Li Xin, I am glad to have met you. I have to go first. Hall Master Nalan Shu, goodbye."

After bidding farewell to them both, Long Haochen took the route given to him by Li Xin.

Looking at his departing figure, Li Xin couldn't help asking Nalan Shu, "Uncle Nalan, where does that little guy come from‽ It is impossible to find another such outstanding talent of his age in our Knight Temple. And how could he learn Divine Obstruction? What kind of person is his teacher?"

Nalan Shu let out a sigh, shaking his head, and replied, "I cannot tell you that yet. All you need to know is that the fact that he already learnt Divine Obstruction is in accordance with the rules of our Temple. In the near future, I expect that it is unthinkable that our Haoyue Hall will stay unknown. Xin'er, did you see, you are not the only genius in this world! You have to practice seriously; otherwise, you will fail the Alliance's Demon Hunt Selection Competition in four years."

Li Xin quietly nodded, "I wonder when I'll see that pretty little brother again."

Nalan Shu revealed a smile. "There is something I can tell you; in two years, he will come back. He will at least stay for the duration of the Demon Hunt of the Alliance."

Long Haochen moved according to the directions given to him by Li Xin and quickly found the place of his second task, the Adventurer's Guild.

Compared to that place, the Haoyue Knight Temple was rather calm. The surroundings of the Adventurer's Guild were in a total mess. Numerous people came in and out of that place and people dressed in every kind of outfit could be seen.

His eyes were shining since he had already found the place he was looking for. Not far from the left side, on a counter, were assignments that were being taken.

By chance, there was someone at the counter. Long Haochen advanced towards it and looked at a woman in her twenties. "Elder Sister, I want to receive a task."

"Ah?" The young woman at the counter saw someone who was only a head taller than the counter. She couldn't help being distracted by Long Haochen's pretty face.

"Haha, our Adventurer's Guild really accepts anyone! Even this little thing ran looking for an assignment, it's really hilarious." A severe voice resounded near them.

Long Haochen turned his head around, only to see a strong-statured, full-bearded man laughing as he looked at him with a face full of disdain

Long Haochen wrinkled his brows, not understanding what was up with him, and asked once more to the young woman. "Elder Sister, I want to receive a task."

The youth behind the counter looked at him, full of curiosity. "Little Brother, what kind of task would you like to receive?"

Without letting Long Haochen have the time to speak, the loud voice already rang for a second time, "What 'little brother'? She is clearly a 'little sister.' Little Sister, how about this uncle buys some great lollipops for you, haha—"

That straightforward man's speech caused a stream of laughter in his surroundings.

"I want to receive a 2nd step assignment. The best would be one that consists of the killing of magical beasts."

She answered, with a little awkward tone, "Little brother, I'm afraid that it is impossible. 2nd step assignments require you to be at the 2nd step in a vocation to be received."

Long Haochen wrinkled his brows even more. The girl's answer wasn't very satisfying.

"Then, quickly go back home to suck the breasts of your mother. Or is it that you don't know if she still has milk to give you? If she still has some, how about letting me drink two sips of it? Looking at your pretty appearance, I guess your mother shouldn't be bad. It's even greater if you have an older sister!"

It was the same voice. Hearing it again, Long Haochen's expression suddenly became cold.