Elder Zhang gave an instruction, and a Nine-Grid tray was placed in front of every contestant.
Inside each grid sat a square piece of rare metal, and each piece varied in color.
Elder Zhang continued, "The requirement for the skill assessment is very simple: complete nine different core array manufacturing techniques across these nine pieces of metal."
"For the sake of fairness, all questions were randomly drawn and established by this head referee just now along with the other judges, and none of you are allowed to use your own engraving knives. You can only use the one in your tray."
"Question one: thirty drill holes; question two: fifty evenly arranged Multiple Curved Lines; question three..."
Elder Zhang recited the questions one by one, progressing from easy to difficult.
The expressions of several contestants began to grow somewhat ugly.
None of the nine questions in this skill assessment were simple, and the metal chosen for each question was completely unsuited for the corresponding task. The final question was complex purely for the sake of complexity, possessing no practical significance whatsoever.
Elder Zhang said leisurely, "Your time limit for the assessment is only a quarter of an hour, and bottom elimination will be carried out based on the number of questions you complete."
The faces of the several contestants grew even more troubled.
Even for a Level 7 Soul Engineer, completing these nine complex skill questions within a quarter of an hour was by no means easy.
"The skill assessment begins."
At the order, all contestants simultaneously began the tense assessment, racing against time.
Elder Zhang returned to the referee's bench, his attention once again falling upon Huo Qiu'er. Her performance still caught all the referees by surprise.
Huo Qiu'er's brows were slightly furrowed as she conscientiously worked on her assessment