Following the guard inside the large store, Arya entered a vast open space where many people with different auras could be seen. At the center of the grand hall, there was an information counter. To the left, a large wall attracted the attention of several individuals, though Arya couldn't determine its purpose. On the right side of the hall, three entrances led to different sections of the establishment.

Although no one openly released their aura, Arya could feel the suffocating presence of powerful cultivators. Looking around, he quickly realized that he was the weakest person in the room. Even the guard leading him was stronger than him, making him wonder about the strength of the others present.

Reaching the counter, the guard called over a female attendant. "Room for inspection for pass allowance," he said.

The lady gave Arya a quick glance, nodded, and handed the guard a key card. Without further words, the guard motioned for Arya to follow him once again.

"Here, take this key card and proceed through the middle path. This will allow you to obtain your pass after an inspection. I'll be waiting here at the entrance," the guard instructed.

Arya accepted the card but couldn't help his curiosity. "What about the other two paths? Where do they lead?"

The guard smirked. "The left path leads to the auction house, and the right one is for important business dealings involving Gold Rank Seed Masters or transactions worth more than a red coin."

"Gold Rank Seed Master?" Arya asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"Ah, I figured you wouldn't know. The ranking system classifies the strength of Seed Masters and Weapon Masters. Only cultivators above level 30 receive a rank pass. Since it's not always practical to display one's Seed Stone for identification, these rank passes allow for easy recognition. Starting from the Three-Ringed Master level, one earns their first rank pass. You'll learn more about it once you get your pass. Now, go on."

Without delaying any further, Arya entered the middle passage. After walking for a couple of minutes, he arrived at a quiet room where a middle-aged man sat in a meditative posture. Two boxes rested beside him, and in front of him stood a transparent stone similar to the one used by his elder to determine elemental affinity. Seeing it, Arya instinctively suppressed his water attribute, fearing discovery.

Sensing Arya's presence, the elder opened his eyes and asked, "Are you here for promotion or pass allowance?"

"Pass allowance," Arya replied, handing over the key card.

The elder didn't move his hands; instead, the key card floated toward him, taken by an invisible force. Arya tensed up, wary of the powerful cultivator. He knew that experts like this elder possessed numerous means to uncover his dual elements and Blood Seed.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Place your hand on the stone. It will verify if you already have a pass or if any restrictions are placed on you. If the stone does not react, you may receive your pass."

Arya felt relieved—it seemed the stone wasn't used to check elemental attributes. He placed his hand on it, continuing to suppress his second element. However, he understood that if this stone could detect elements, suppressing them would be futile. Fortunately, the stone remained unresponsive.

The elder waved his hand. "What is your current level?"

"Twenty-two, Elder," Arya replied respectfully. He knew that someone of the elder's strength could easily gauge his true level, yet the man had chosen to ask, showing a level of respect for him.

Nodding, the elder explained, "There are six rank passes, from lowest to highest: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Master, and Grandmaster. One receives their first rank pass upon reaching Three-Ringed Master Rank."

With another wave of his hand, the left box opened, and a card floated toward Arya. He caught it and inspected it. The card resembled a tarot card, with a question mark in the middle and the word 'Unranked' inscribed below it. The other side bore the Trade Alliance's emblem—a shopkeeper standing inside a store.

"Since you haven't met the minimum requirements for a ranked pass, you receive an Unranked Pass. Anyone below Three Rings is issued this type of pass. You may return here for a promotion once you qualify or visit any Trade Alliance branch to upgrade it."

Curious, Arya asked, "You mentioned six rank passes, but from Three-Ring to Nine-Ring, there are seven levels. What about Nine-Ringed Masters?"

The elder chuckled. "Ah, you caught that. Those who reach Nine Rings do not need passes or identification. Their name and title alone are sufficient. Upon reaching Seven Rings and mastering your domain or weapon, you will be granted a title."

"Thank you for the information, Elder. May I take my leave?"

The elder scrutinized Arya before speaking. "You have no master, do you?"

Arya was caught off guard but quickly responded, "No, I don't have a master yet." Normally, one would receive a master upon joining an academy, but Arya had already abandoned that idea.

The elder nodded. "Even without a master, your physical strength is impressive for your level. You're a good Weapon Master. If you ever have questions regarding Weapon Mastery, you can find me here. Few people understand the craft well, and information about it is both scarce and expensive."

Arya bowed slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Elder."

As he exited the room, he exhaled deeply, finally relaxing after maintaining tension the entire time. Though he had many questions, he refrained from asking them all at once.

Outside, he saw the same guard waiting at the entrance. "Did you get your pass?"

"Yes, here." Arya showed him the Unranked Pass.

The guard inspected it briefly and nodded. "Now that you're officially recognized, you can enjoy your time here. I'll return to my post."

"Wait," Arya called out. "Could you give me a brief introduction to this shop so I can find what I need more easily?"

The guard smirked. "For that, ask the attendants at the counter. They're here to assist you. I'm off."

With that, the guard walked away. Arya chuckled to himself. He had thought they had grown somewhat friendly, but clearly, the guard didn't see it the same way. It made sense—people here only befriended those of similar standing. Even though the guard was just one Seed Ring ahead of him, he still didn't take Arya seriously.

"What's he so proud about?" Arya muttered. The guard seemed to be around nineteen or twenty years old, yet he was still below level 40—far from an elite young cultivator. However, he still had time to grow.

In this world, anyone who reached Four Rings before the age of twenty-five was considered an elite young cultivator. Even those working as guards here were well compensated, as any job associated with the Trade Alliance ensured high pay.

Arya approached the counter and was about to ask for information when a burly man abruptly placed his pass on the counter.

"Two tasks complete. Here are the items. Submit them and hand over the reward," the man demanded.

Arya glanced at his pass—it was Silver Rank. This meant the man standing before him was a Four-Ringed Master, nearly as strong as the elder who had come to recruit talent at the Four-Village Competition.

With that realization, Arya decided it was best not to get in the way of the robust man's business.