"Is it really this formal?" Ji Jue asked in astonishment.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
Lou Feng looked over and asked, "Since receiving the Chosen's blessing, how many people had endured day and night of grinding hardship, burning the midnight oil as they clawed their way upward—was it not all for this day?
"How many people had spent most of their lives unable to step through that door? Do you dare say that achieving everything you have today was effortless?"
Ji Jue had nothing to say.
Who had not experienced the hardships of Embers?
Even those personally chosen by Superior Virtue had still been worked half to death, hadn't they?
For every apprentice, becoming an Artisan held immense significance. It was not merely about an Artisan's status, authority, or even their rights within Embers.
It was more like a coming-of-age ceremony.
Before this, apprentices had lived under the protection of their teachers and workshops. Now, they would become Artisans, regarded as Chosen of Embers qualified to face storms alone and bear all consequences.
There would no longer be excuses or reasons.
From this day onward, they would shoulder their lineage and inheritance, truly standing on their own.
How could anyone not take it seriously?
Ji Jue took a deep breath and stepped forward.
At that moment, countless gazes fell upon him from atop the stairs. Passing staff members and hurriedly arriving Artisans all looked their way, studying their faces. When their eyes fell upon the scar on Ji Jue's face, they seemed to suddenly understand.
Amid their surprise and confusion, their expressions changed.
Or they nodded in greeting.
It was as though everyone had suddenly turned to look, yet no one spoke. Instead, they silently made way for them.
They ascended the stairs.
At the entrance, the two people surrounded by