1604

 **Chapter 1604: Blowing Up the Rune Master Association**

The architecture of the Rune Master Association was extremely irregular. From the outside, it looked like a huge rune. To those unfamiliar with runes, it appeared crooked and unsightly. However, those with an affinity for runes could appreciate its charm. Because it was indeed a rune, containing the meaning of "enlightenment" or "awakening." Those with an affinity for runes would resonate with this main rune.

Wang Xing explained, "The first test of the Rune Master Association is to resonate with their architecture." 

"If you resonate with it, it means you are qualified to join the Rune Master Association."

Lin Muyu asked wordlessly, "But this could lead to mistakes. Some people have an affinity for runes but may not resonate. Judging if someone is suitable to study runes based solely on one rune seems too arbitrary!"

Wang Xing continued, "That's true, so this is only the first test. The Rune Master Association will have more detailed tests afterwards."

"But in reality, if you can't resonate, even if later tests show you have an affinity for runes, that affinity won't be very strong."

"Those people don't really need to become rune masters. Studying runes is not simple and can even affect one's cultivation."

Lin Muyu naturally understood the reasoning. Time is limited, so if you know your affinity is not strong, forcibly studying runes is meaningless. Many say that runes are versatile tools, but reality is not so rosy.

The two arrived at the square in front of the Rune Master Association, and Wang Xing said, "Junior Brother Lin, you can try it."

He naturally knew that Lin Muyu could trigger a resonance. The strength of the runes Lin Muyu had displayed far surpassed his own.

He just wanted to see what level of resonance Lin Muyu would trigger. The stronger one's affinity, the more intense the resonance would be.

Wang Xing continued, "The resonance will summon thunder. One thunderclap indicates an ordinary affinity, three thunderclaps a superior affinity, and nine thunderclaps an extraordinary affinity."

"Supposedly there are more thunderclaps beyond nine, but no one has witnessed it."

Lin Muyu asked, "How do I resonate?"

"It's simple, just channel your soul force into it."

Even with Wang Xing as the introducer, which skipped many steps, this basic test still had to be done.

Following Wang Xing's instructions, Lin Muyu channeled his soul force into the Rune Master Association's architecture.

The rune immediately radiated light and began vibrating, followed by a thunderclap.

"So fast!"

"Junior Brother Lin, your soul is truly powerful!"

Wang Xing was shaken. When channeling soul force, the speed of resonance varied. Generally, the stronger one's soul force, the faster the resonance.

Lin Muyu triggering a resonance was expected. But this speed was too fast.

It took less than a second from channeling his soul force to the thunderclap.

Wang Xing recalled when he had triggered the resonance years ago. It had taken him about five minutes to summon the first thunderclap.

Five minutes versus less than a second - the difference was immense.

The thunderclap exploded in the city, but the residents were unfazed. They knew someone was resonating with the Rune Master Association's rune.

But what happened next made everyone question life itself.

That first thunderclap was just the beginning of something magical.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thunderclaps rang out one after another.

The sky suddenly darkened, covered in dense thunderclouds that churned and roiled. Incessant thunderclaps echoed as countless lightning snakes danced through the clouds.

The thunderclaps never stopped, growing faster and more frequent.

Wang Xing was completely dumbfounded. He had said one thunderclap was a pass, three was superior, and nine was an extraordinary affinity.

But Lin Muyu went far beyond nine - eighteen, thirty-six, he couldn't even count anymore, it was at least in the hundreds.

He even wondered if these thunderclaps were caused by Lin Muyu or if it was simply thundering.

People from the Rune Master Association rushed out in alarm.

Suddenly someone shouted, "Watch out!"

Crack!

A bolt of lightning struck the Rune Master Association's architecture.

With a tremendous boom, the crooked rune building shattered, collapsing into rubble.

Figures flew out from inside, each with a powerful aura - some God Kings, some Lesser God Sovereigns.

Finally, a God Sovereign emerged as well.

"What happened?"

"Why did it explode just like that?"

"What's with those thunderclouds in the sky?"

These people were either in secluded meditation studying runes or in deep contemplation, unaware of the earlier thunderclaps.

The thunderclouds in the sky also dissipated in an instant, leaving no trace.

The group hovered in the air, looking dazed.

Lin Muyu glanced at the God Sovereign, whose sleeve was also embroidered with a rune representing the number 'four'.

This was a fourth-level rune master, the same as the head of the Wang family.

The other rune masters were either second or third level, with none higher.

Lin Muyu had an ominous guess - the fifth-level rune blade might no longer be here.

The rune blade had been identified as fifth-level, but here the highest rune master was only fourth-level.

This meant the identification was likely not done by anyone present.

The rune blade was probably no longer here.

Wang Xing came to Lin Muyu's side. "He is the elder in charge of this branch."

The Rune Master Association had a main branch as well as countless sub-branches.

The sub-branches were further divided into lower and higher tiers.

Each sub-branch was overseen by an elder.

This city was in a lower region, so the Rune Master Association here was naturally just a lower sub-branch, led by a God Sovereign fourth-level rune master elder.

His level was equivalent to the head of the Wang family.

The other rune masters were either second or third level.

Lin Muyu saw the information displayed - Xu Shan, fourth-level rune master, first-level God Sovereign.

When Lin Muyu saw his name, he wondered if Xu Shan was related to Ancestor Xu.

After all, they shared the same surname Xu.

But the surname Xu was extremely common, so it was likely just a coincidence.

Xu Shan also realized what had happened and turned to look at Lin Muyu.

His eyes lit up, as if gazing at a priceless treasure. "Kid, was that resonance triggered by you?"

To trigger nine thunderclaps meant an extraordinary affinity. Lin Muyu had triggered an unknown number far beyond nine, shattering the Rune Master Association's building in the process.

His affinity had reached a legendary, almost unbelievable level.

Compared to that, destroying a sub-branch's building was trivial.

Such a building could be rebuilt in no time.

Xu Shan hurried over to Lin Muyu. "Child, have you studied runes before?"

Lin Muyu admitted honestly, "I've been self-studying for about twenty years."

He was referring to the time he spent in the Human Emperor Cultivation World, which amounted to over 6,000 days or nearly twenty years.

Xu Shan nodded repeatedly. "Self-studied for twenty years, so you should be able to draw runes. How many runes have you mastered?"

Lin Muyu thought for a moment. "I've mastered most of the basic runes and dozens of advanced runes."

Xu Shan's expression changed instantly, his voice rising sharply by ten degrees. "You said what?"