A Book as a Ladder

Ma Feifei really did seem to have a fated connection with Xun Ling. From the moment he first arrived in Yong'an City, he had run into Xun Ling on the street. Later, Li Chenzhou's arrest had also involved Xun Ling, and now that Ma Feifei had come to Yong'an Prefecture looking for him, he had found him immediately. It felt as though fate had brought them together.

"Is Master Scribe Xun trying to advance to Fourth-rank Author?" The authors outside heard the voice from within and couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.

"Of course. Master Scribe Xun has already written an Epic-grade book, so he qualifies to become a Fourth-rank Author. Now he just needs to challenge a Fourth-rank Author. If he can hold out for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea without being defeated, he'll become a Fourth-rank Author." An author in the crowd spoke with envy.

There were nine ranks of authors, divided into three stages of three ranks each. Authors of the first through third ranks were called junior authors. Authors of this level could generally write books no better than Yellow Quality, and they made up the vast majority of authors in Yong'an Prefecture.

The second stage comprised the fourth through sixth ranks. Authors of these ranks were known as elite authors, and the best among them could write Legendary-grade books.

The final stage comprised the seventh through ninth ranks. These authors were known as divine authors because they could write Mythic-grade books.

Authors of different stages not only produced books of varying quality, but also enjoyed vastly different status. Authors below the fourth rank received little preferential treatment. After all, this was a world where authors were revered, but there were so many of them that low-ranking authors were worth little and