" The Federation has a history of over ten thousand years and possesses numerous classified documents and materials requiring secret protection. To ensure the absolute security of these documents and materials, I led the presidents of various Inscriptionist Association in developing this Sealed Lock Inscription."
"Each Sealed Lock Inscription is unique in the world, and there is no fixed method to break it. The solver must decipher it individually based on the different patterns of the Sealed Lock Inscription."
"The boxes you just chose each have a Sealed Lock Inscription. Today's test is to break the Sealed Lock Inscription, open the boxes, and take out the contents."
As soon as he finished speaking, the satellite camera next to him gave a close-up shot of the four boxes covered with black cloth.
Wow, the finals really do have the edge; they even used the Sealed Lock Inscription.
[But this is too demanding. There are only a handful of people in the entire StarCraft who can break through the Sealed Lock Inscription, and those are usually guild leaders. How old are these players? How can they achieve this?]
[Will the score be calculated based on the player's progress in solving the puzzle?]
There are 15 minutes left before the final match officially begins.
Xu Jintang and the other three entered the competition venue and took their seats one after another.
"Contestants may remove the black cloth to observe and study the Sealed Lock Inscription on the boxes, but they are prohibited from handling them before the start of the competition. Any violation will be considered cheating in this competition," a staff member reminded them from the side.
Xu Jintang raised his hand and lifted the black cloth.
The surface of the treasure chest was covered in rust, indicating that it had been around for a long time. Above the lock was a shimmering Sealed Lock Inscription, and the array diagram in the center was extremely complex, with intricate and precise lines that were almost impossible to discern with the naked eye.
Xu Jintang lowered his head slightly, bringing it Sealed Lock Inscription, and examined it more carefully.
At this moment, two staff members entered carrying a tray.
A tray was filled with various magical tools. The staff placed the tools on the tables of the four contestants one by one.
Mu Zhongbai then explained, "These are all tools that can help you break through the Sealed Lock Inscription. You can explore how to use them on your own."
Xu Jintang's gaze shifted to the newly laid-out tools.
There was a round, transparent lens that she recognized; it was a kind of magic weapon that could precisely magnify a target object.
There are also a series of tools, such as pliers and flashlight pens, that can be used to help break the Sealed Lock Inscription.
A suspended satellite camera hovered in the air, broadcasting live footage of the scene to the studio.
[How many of these four do you think will successfully break the Sealed Lock Inscription?]
[I bet none, hahaha. This is supposedly the highest-security Sealed Lock Inscription in the entire Federation; it's not so easy to break.]
Breaking the Sealed Lock Inscription is truly difficult. However, if such a talent truly exists, the Federation would definitely recruit them immediately.
Time passed by, second by second.
There was only one minute left before the match started.
Jiang Xiangyang lowered his head first, his eyes fixed on the Sealed Lock Inscription on the treasure chest on his table, looking ready to make a move at any moment.
Xu Jintang rested her chin on her hands, her eyes still glazed over.
It wasn't until a staff member announced, "The competition has begun. The assessment time is limited to twelve hours. During this time, contestants may voluntarily pause the assessment to rest and relax in the outer service area. However, no one is allowed to leave the competition venue before the competition officially ends," that the announcement was made.
As soon as the words were spoken, a countdown timer automatically appeared on the light screen at the front of the competition venue.
After the start of the competition was announced, Jiang Xiangyang and Xue Zhongqi immediately picked up their tools and began to study the Sealed Lock Inscription on the treasure chest.
The other contestant followed suit, picking up tools and getting into research mode.
Xu Jintang, however, first stretched slowly, then yawned, and after dawdling for a while, picked up the round lens beside him and began to study it.
The circular lens is a magical artifact similar to a magnifying glass, with a very high magnification. When aligned with the Sealed Lock Inscription, the core array diagram can be seen much more clearly.
Soon, after the circular lens was infused with spiritual energy, a faint white light immediately began to flicker at the edge of the lens.
Xu Jintang aligned it with the Sealed Lock Inscription on the treasure chest.
The array diagram of the Sealed Lock Inscription, magnified a hundredfold in an instant, appeared before their eyes.
Xu Jintang frowned slightly and lowered his head to carefully examine the array patterns.
To be honest, it's really complicated. Just looking at one of the patterns made her dizzy.
The scene returned to silence.
The three judges exchanged glances, then smiled and declined to go first.
Finally, Mu Zhongbai took the first step, entered the scene, and came to Xu Jintang's side.
He leaned down slightly and glanced at the Sealed Lock Inscription on the treasure chest.
After seeing the patterns clearly, Mu Zhongbai's eyes lit up with interest.
The Sealed Lock Inscription was written by him.
It's considered the most difficult of the four Sealed Lock Inscription.
This girl has really bad luck.
At this moment, Sun Yuantian walked to the other side and glanced at the Sealed Lock Inscription on Xu Jintang's treasure chest without making a sound.
His brows furrowed immediately.
The Sealed Lock Inscription was created by Elder Mu himself; even he would have to spend a considerable amount of time breaking it.
He shook his head and sighed softly.
It seems like Miss Qian's chances in this match are slim.
As time passed, the four contestants gradually became focused.
Sun Yuantian, with his hands behind his back and a solemn expression, approached Xue Zhongqi.
The treasure Sealed Lock Inscription Xue Zhongqi drew had the lowest difficulty level of the four, but even with the lowest difficulty, it was still very difficult to break.
He shook his head again.
The outcome of this final round is indeed difficult to predict.
No wonder there are so few viewers watching the Inscription Master Competition; it lasts for twelve hours straight, who can stand that long?
[Hahaha, I'm leaving now. I'll check back for the results closer to the end.]
[I need to cultivate now, I'll just hang it next to me as background music.]
The live stream, which was quite popular at the beginning of the competition, gradually became quiet as time went on.
Apart from a few professional inscription specialists who came to study and research, most of the other onlookers who were just there for the fun left immediately.
Xu Jintang examined the round lens for a long time, clarifying every pattern of the array. Then she rubbed her neck, put down the lens, closed her eyes, and began to silently recall the entire array diagram in her mind.
To completely break the Sealed Lock Inscription, one must first memorize every single pattern on the entire array diagram.
But this is clearly very difficult to do.
A few seconds later, Xu Jintang rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on, and reopened his eyes.
I thought I had memorized the entire array diagram, but now I can't even picture the specific patterns in my mind.
There was no other way but to take a deep breath and start memorizing again.
An hour passed quickly.
The competition venue was very quiet, and the four contestants were still engrossed in their studies.
This is Xu Jintang's tenth time reciting the core array diagram of the Sealed Lock Inscription.
Compared to the previous times when he couldn't remember anything at all, this time Xu Jintang could vaguely remember the main patterns.
"Phew..." She rubbed her temples; her head was already starting to ache.
"The creator of this Sealed Lock Inscription is at least ten times stronger than you. With your current level, breaking this Sealed Lock Inscription is simply impossible." Jin Xiaobao's voice suddenly rang in his mind.
Xu Jintang frowned and replied telepathically, "Do you have a way to solve this?"
Jin Xiaobao continued, "Of course I do. But why should I help you?"
"What do you want?" Xu Jintang asked.
Jin Xiaobao chuckled, "I want the Starlight Copper on this treasure chest."
Xu Jintang hesitated for a moment, then reached out and touched the bronze outer shell of the treasure chest.
She hadn't even realized that the treasure chest was made of Starlight Copper.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Jintang suddenly raised his hand.
Mu Zhongbai, who was in charge of proctoring the exam, noticed her movement and immediately looked over. "What is it?"
"If I can break the Sealed Lock Inscription on the treasure chest, can I keep it?" Xu Jintang asked bluntly.
Mu Zhongbai's expression froze for a moment, "This..."
He snapped out of his reverie and chuckled, "If you can break the Sealed Lock Inscription, I can find you ten more treasure chests than just one."
Throughout the entire Federation, there are no more than two people capable of breaking the Sealed Lock Inscription, and they are all figures at the level of the president of the Inscriptionist Association.
Qian Duoduo is so young. If she can reach the level of the presidents of various associations, what's a treasure chest to her?
With those words in mind, Xu Jintang felt more confident.
She immediately replied to Jin Xiaobao telepathically, "Did you hear that? I can find you ten treasure chests."
"Hmph, then you wait a bit." Jin Xiaobao gave a haughty snort, then disappeared without a trace, no one knew what he was doing.
Xu Jintang's gaze returned to the Sealed Lock Inscription. After thinking for a moment, he picked up the round lens and continued to observe the array patterns within.
Time continued to fly by.
Two hours later, Jiang Xiangyang, Xue Zhongqi, and another contestant put down their tools and headed towards the service area.
Xu Jintang recited the array diagram again, and feeling his brain getting tired, he put down his tools, stretched, and got up to walk towards the service area.
Xue Zhongqi grabbed a drink and sat down next to her, asking in a low voice, "Class monitor, how's your progress?"
"Not very good." Xu Jintang shook his head.
"Even you are helpless; I doubt anyone can solve this exam question," Xue Zhongqi remarked.
After chatting, the two sat down to rest on opposite sides.
The drinks offered at the service area have a special effect of refreshing and invigorating the mind.
After drinking a cold beverage, Xu Jintang felt much of the fatigue in his mind dissipate.
Just then, Jin Xiaobao's voice rang out. "I've got it all sorted out!"
Chapter 138