A Book as a Ladder

Ma Feifei truly discovered that he and Xun Ling were quite destined for each other. From the moment he arrived in Yong'an City, he encountered Xun Ling on the street. Later, Li Chenzhou's arrest was also related to Xun Ling. Now, Ma Feifei took the initiative to enter Yong'an Prefecture to find Xun Ling and found him directly. It felt as if fate had ordained him to meet Xun Ling. "Is Master Scribe Xun about to break through to the Fourth-rank Author?" The authors outside couldn't help but exclaim in surprise upon hearing the voice coming from inside.

"Of course! Master Scribe Xun has already written Epic-grade- quality book, qualifying him to become Fourth-rank Author. Now he just needs to find a Fourth-rank Author to fight. If he can hold out for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea without losing, then he can become Fourth-rank Author," a book author in the crowd said with an envious look.

There are nine ranks of authors, with each three ranks forming a stage. Third-rank Author are called junior authors. Authors of this level can generally only produce books of Yellow Quality or lower. This type of author accounts for the vast majority of authors in Yong'an Prefecture.

The second stage is from the fourth to the sixth rank. Authors of this level are called elite authors, and they can produce books of Legendary-grade quality.

The last category consists of authors of grades seven to nine. These authors are known as god-level authors because they can write books of Mythic-grade quality.

Not only did the quality of the books written by authors at different stages vary, but their status also differed greatly. It can be said that authors below the fourth rank did not receive much preferential treatment. After all, this was a world where authors were respected. Authors were noble, but because there were too many authors, lower-ranking authors were worthless and naturally did not receive much respect.

Therefore, becoming a high-ranking author is the goal that every author strives for. Only when authors are no longer below the third rank can they gain more respect and better treatment in this world.

Xun Ling has now written an Epic-grade- quality book, which has qualified him to become Fourth-rank Author. He only needs to find an author of fourth rank or above to have a book-writing contest, and then he can step into the ranks of Fourth-rank Author.

Ma Feifei listened intently to the discussions among the authors around him and finally understood the reasons behind it all. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Xun Ling for writing such an Epic-grade book.

It's worth noting that he's been in the Azure Dragon Continent for almost two years now. Apart from writing one book of Blue Quality, all the books on the Bookstore's shelves were obtained through the system, which is quite a sad story.

"It's highly likely that he benefited from the materials," Ma Feifei pouted, saying that he would never believe Xun Ling had the ability to write an Epic-grade- quality book.

Suddenly, a series of hurried sounds came from inside, followed by pushing and shoving. Ma Feifei felt a force pushing him outwards.

As people moved out, an empty seat appeared inside. A middle-aged man in flowing white robes walked out, holding a red book in his hands. Who else could it be but Xun Ling?

After not seeing him for many days, Xun Ling's face was full of high spirits. Looking at the crowd surrounding him, he held up the Epic-grade- quality book in his hand and said loudly, "I, Xun, am not talented, but I have the honor of writing an Epic-grade- quality book. May I ask if there are any authors of the fourth rank or above who are willing to fight with me? If successful, I will reward you handsomely."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, but no one dared to step forward and respond.

Authors of the fourth rank or above are considered elite authors. These authors don't have time to wander around aimlessly all day, so it's hard to find a single author of the fourth rank or above among them.

Ma Feifei glanced at Xun Ling furtively, his eyes darting around, then suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "This author is willing to give it a try."

Instantly, everyone's attention was focused on Ma Feifei, including Xun Ling. However, because Ma Feifei had changed his appearance and physique, even Xun Ling did not recognize Ma Feifei.

"May I ask what rank this Master Scribe is? "Xun Ling asked with a smile.

Ma Feifei pursed her lips, said nothing, and directly took out a black book from her spatial ring.

Legendary-grade!

Oh my god!

This would probably require Sixth-Rank Author to write, right?

This person looks young and mediocre, but I never expected him to be of such high rank, capable of writing a Legendary-grade book.

Could it be dyed? Some people expressed disbelief, saying that someone who could write a book of Legendary-grade quality would be among the most famous in Yong'an Prefecture, or at least well-known, but no one had ever seen Ma Feifei.

Even Xun Ling was surprised, looking at the Legendary-grade book in Ma Feifei's hand with doubt, questioning its authenticity.

Ma Feifei wasn't annoyed. With a slight thought, the book instantly lit up, and a beam of pure white light slowly flew out from it.

Book Spirit!

What pure power!

Exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd as they stared in utter astonishment at the Book Spirit in Ma Feifei's hand.

It's actually Legendary-grade book.

Xun Ling was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "I have offended you greatly, and I hope you will forgive me Master Scribe."

Ma Feifei calmly put away the Book Spirit and stored the book in his spatial ring, saying indifferently, "Now am I qualified to have a book duel with you?"

"Yes, of course, please come in, Master Scribe." Xun Ling stepped aside in an invitation, respectfully inviting Ma Feifei inside.

Ma Feifei strolled inside, hands behind his back, basking in the admiring gazes of the crowd.

Upon entering, one finds a very large hall, surrounded by tables and chairs laden with fruit and tea, and filled with scholars dressed in the Sage's Robe.

In the center was a fighting arena, with a small table on each side, upon which were placed writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Maids stood by to serve, their bodies wrapped in flowing robes, exuding fragrance. The beautiful maids made Ma Feifei unable to resist glancing at them frequently.

"Master Scribe, please!" Xun Ling, already filled with excitement at becoming Fourth-rank Author, spoke with a slight tremor of fear, and was extremely respectful to Ma Feifei.

Ma Feifei suddenly sighed, "I've never seen you this respectful when you were working for this book's master."

What does Master Scribe mean by that? Xun Ling was a little puzzled; he didn't understand what Ma Feifei meant by those words.

Ma Feifei shook his head, offering no explanation, and said instead: Let's begin.

"Yes, Master Scribe! "Xun Ling replied respectfully, then leaped onto the arena, stood in the center, and bowed to Ma Feifei —this was the Master Calligrapher's salute.

Ma Feifei didn't understand these things, but he knew he should go up. However, he didn't jump up directly, but slowly tried to walk up step by step.

What does he want to do? Go up there?

It seems so.

This Master Scribe is indeed extraordinary; even the way he enters the writing contest is different from ours.

But will he be able to get up there?

Just as everyone was discussing this, Ma Feifei finally arrived at the foot of the arena, only to discover a very embarrassing situation: there were no steps to climb up...

However, he remained calm. With a thought, a Blue Quality book flew to his feet, Ma Feifei stepped on it.

My goodness! Using books as a ladder! Some of the authors looked surprised, seemingly not expecting Ma Feifei to dare to use books as a ladder.

"What's so surprising? It's just a blue book. We could do it if we wanted to." Most people, however, looked at it with disdain and said, "What's the big deal?"

Another Yellow Quality book flew out, hovering in the air until it landed at Ma Feifei's feet, where Ma Feifei stepped on it again.

Yellow books! This caused even more people to gasp in surprise. Yellow Quality books were already the best books that authors below the fourth rank could write, and they were usually treated like treasures. But Ma Feifei actually used them as steps to climb on?

Just as everyone was still shocked that Ma Feifei had stepped on the Yellow Quality book, a red book flew out and landed at Ma Feifei's feet.

Oh my god!

Epic-grade!