Chapter 770: The Trials of the Eternal Star Alliance

In the temporary settlement area of the Eternal Star Alliance:

The place was filled with countless cosmic planets and stars waiting for settlement. Among them was the Silverleaf Team Alliance, waiting anxiously.

“Leader, how is it? Have you received any news?”

“When will the Eternal Star Alliance settle us?”

Having been here for a month, although they had been provided for in all their needs, they still couldn’t help but be nervous.

“Don’t worry, there should be results soon.” Garrick comforted everyone. He had already received the news that the Eternal Star Alliance’s recruitment campaign was over. The next matter should be their settlement and assessment.

Sure enough, a few hours later, a notification came through their virtual intercoms.

“It’s here!”

“Wait, how come yours is different? Are we being categorized by level?”

“Indeed. I’m being called to server 019. What about you, Leader?”

“I’ve been notified to come to server 05.”

“I wonder what it’s about.”

“We’ll see…”

With their assessments approaching, they each wished the others good luck as they entered the virtual world.

This wide-scale assessment not only included the cosmic elites but everyone who had reached Tier 4 and above. Those at lower levels were notified that a separate testing campaign would follow after the first batch.

—

Entering Eternal Star Server 05, Garrick arrived in a vast white world. Aside from people from other cosmic teams, there were no landmarks in the area.

“What do we do now?”

Unsure how the settlement process worked, everyone could only wait for everyone else to arrive.

Fortunately, it didn’t take too long. After just a dozen minutes, as Server 05 reached full capacity, a notification panel appeared before them with instructions.

“What? We need to engrave at least 3 runic patterns before we pass? How is this possible?” Garrick couldn’t help but complain.

Having been in the Eternal Star Alliance for a month, he had also tried to earn money from runic engraving. Unfortunately, it was a thankless work. It would take him a day just to engrave one, much less three!

“You should still try. I heard this is the highest-paid group of people in the Eternal Star Alliance. Getting invited to this server means you have potential.” A person beside him said.

“Oh? How did you know?”

“You should read the rest of the terms first. The benefits were listed together with the instructions.”

Scrolling further in the panel, Garrick finally saw the so-called benefits.

According to the table, those who passed this assessment would be qualified to join Eternal Time Server 01, where they could earn hundreds of millions of contribution points each day.

These contribution points could be used externally and buy anything in the Eternal Star Alliance market.

“Hiss… This is truly generous.” Hundreds of millions of contribution points each day? Who couldn’t be tempted?

“You just need to pass first…”

Forget about the actual test of engraving at least three runic patterns in a day; just the requirement to get invited to the server was harsh enough. Not only did one need to be at least a Tier 6 powerhouse, but they also needed a soul and void purity of 95%.

“I can do this!” Garrick cheered himself on. Since he was invited in the first place, he should have a chance. Imagining an income of hundreds of millions each day, he tuned in to the utmost concentration, trying everything in his power.

Unfortunately, when luck was not on his side, no matter how hard he worked, it was all for nothing. Much less engraving 3; he couldn’t even complete 1 by the end of the day.

“Damn! This is too difficult.” Looking at the failing mark before him, Garrick felt dejected.

[Failed!]

[Please proceed to the next assessment.]

—

Kicked out of the virtual server, Garrick’s face was full of defeat.

“Leader, what happened to you? Did you fail your assessment?”

“I failed. What about you? How was your assessment?”

“We failed, too. We were assessed on our academic and professional potential. In the end, we’re only eligible to attend the third- and second-tier universities? We aren’t even qualified to attend the first-tier university. What a joke!”

The first-, second-, and third-tier universities were for civilians and those whose talent was below S potential. Knowing they weren’t talented enough, they could accept not getting into the main university, but could they at least get into the first-tier university?

“How could that be? Aren’t you at least Tier 5 and 6 professionals? How could you fail so miserably?” Garrick asked in puzzlement.

“The exam is just too hard. You’ll understand once you take it.”

“That’s right. Leader, this should be part of the second assessment. See how you do.”

“Just be careful not to explode in anger.”

“Alright…”

Feeling a bad premonition, Garrick accepted the second assessment, where he was sent to Server 021.

—

Entering Eternal Star Server 021, Garrick was asked to choose the profession he was most proficient in.

“This time, let’s see how I ace this assessment,” Garrick smirked. Although he was somewhat of a brute, he was still a Tier 7 professional forger.

Choosing the Forging profession, he began to be tested on his theoretical knowledge. As he answered question after question, his smirk slowly turned into beads of sweat.

At first, he felt insulted to be tested as a Tier 6 professional forger, but as question after question strayed from his knowledge, Garrick’s eyes turned red.

“How is this an exam for a Tier 6 professional? Why would I need to study these technological and energy mechanics? I’m a Forging Professional! I just smash and piece materials together!”

Before he even knew it, time was up, and his score didn’t even reach 30%, meaning he failed miserably.

As the environment shifted, he was tested again on his practical skills.

“Damn, now it’s time to show my skill. I’ll let you see what a real forger is!”

Unfortunately, the result once again sent him reeling.

[Evaluation: Average. No fault, no innovation. Do you want to try again?]

“Try again? Try my ass.”

The thing he demonstrated was the most proficient skill in his arsenal. If it were rated average, he could only imagine what would happen if he tried again.

After declining another session, he received a final verdict.

[Unqualified. Suggested to attend First Tier University for 10 years before trying again.]

“First tier? Not even the main university?! Is the Eternal Star Alliance mocking me on purpose?”

—

Kicked out once again, Garrick could only stare blankly outside.

“How is it, Leader? Have you passed the assessment?”

“No. From the look of you, it seems you also failed.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry, Leader. We finally found out why the assessment was so difficult. The people of the Eternal Star Alliance are just freaks.”

“Passing those tests was basically impossible.”

“Oh? Why?” Coming to his senses, Garrick asked why the assessment was so difficult.

“In the Eternal Star Alliance, the evaluation of different professions is very comprehensive. It’s not just about crafting a product at the right tier, but also mastering the corresponding knowledge.”

“That’s right. I heard that the previous cosmic elites who took the test had their professional grade downgraded by at least one level; some even fell two or three levels.”

“I see. So that’s how it is! No wonder I failed. What about you guys? Did you finish your assessment? How was the result?”

“We failed again. As of now, we’re assigned to territorial construction and management. There will be further assessments later on, but they’re basically for job assignment.”

“Don’t worry, boss. Given your strength, even if you failed, you can still join the expedition team.”

“Expedition team? Not bad.” Garrick smiled in relief. He didn’t want to join those miscellaneous jobs in the first place. A guaranteed spot on the expedition team was exactly what he wanted.

With little pressure, he took the next assessment with a light heart.

—

Soon, upon arriving at the next assessment server, Garrick was tested on his ability to follow building blueprints, craft various runic components, etc.

“Isn’t this testing whether I’m qualified to join the Eternal Military Outpost construction team?”

Reading that the pay was above average with a maximum safety index, Garrick didn’t react. Even if he passed, he wouldn’t accept the job assignment.

Having already decided to join the expedition force, he finished the assessment haphazardly.

Leaving the virtual server, he saw the crowd from a few days ago already thinning out. With people assigned to different jobs and positions, the stagnant territorial cluster began to flow again.

From various supplies being transported, populations being relocated, and places being assigned, the place was as lively as a beehive.

“Leader, it’s time for us to say goodbye. We were assigned to another Forbidden Zone.”

“We can’t follow you anymore, Leader. We don’t have much strength and can only hold you back…”

Although they were in the Tier 6 realm and qualified to join the expedition, they knew their own strength and abilities. They weren’t proficient at fighting or killing. Even if they joined Garrick, they could only hold him back.

“Don’t worry, I understand. As long as you live well, I’m already happy. However, if you have any grievances, make sure to tell me. No matter how much I have to pay, I’ll make sure you get justice.”

“Thank you, Leader…”

After thanking Garrick, everyone bowed and left.

Watching their backs, Garrick couldn’t help but feel emotional.

From now on, he was no longer the high-and-mighty leader who protected everyone, but one of the cogs in the machine that kept the Eternal Star Alliance moving forward.

“It’s time to take the last assessment…”