Chapter 373: First-Rank
Chapter 373: First-Rank
Mo Hua was awakened by the bells of the Cangyun Sect.
He blinked his eyes groggily, then realized that he was taking the assessment for the rank of First-Rank Formation Master. There was only a short time left before the exam ended.
Mo Hua reviewed his answers once more and, finding no issues, rested his head on the desk, waiting to submit his paper.
The desk was smooth and cool, and resting his head on it felt quite comfortable.
However, the examiner kept staring at him, making Mo Hua feel a little uneasy.
But since he was the examiner, it seemed reasonable for him to do so.
After a while, the bell rang again, signaling the end of the exam.
One by one, the formation masters sealed their answer scrolls and submitted them to the examiner.
Mo Hua followed suit, blending in with the crowd as he handed in his answers.
Although Mo Hua tried to keep a low profile, many formation masters still directed their gazes at him along the way.
Even the examiner, who had been stern-faced, seemed to focus solely on him, as if he had something to say but was holding back.
This left Mo Hua perplexed.
He hadn't done anything, had he?
Could it be because he fell asleep during the exam?
After submitting his answers, Mo Hua left the Hall of Inquiry and suddenly felt a sense of relief.
The assessment itself wasn't tiring, and he had finished answering quickly.
It was the constant staring from others that had been exhausting.
Mo Hua had strong spiritual sense, so he could perceive whenever someone looked at him.
Each time someone glanced his way, his spiritual sense would react, and over time, it became quite draining.
After the exam, Mo Hua stayed at the Cangyun Sect for three more days.
During this period, the examiners from the Celestial Pivot Tower would review the answers, scrutinize the formations, and ultimately decide on the number of First-Rank Formation Masters.
With nothing much to do, Mo Hua practiced his formation techniques or accompanied his father, Mo Shan, to explore Qingshan City. Whenever they came across something interesting, they would buy it, thinking of bringing gifts back for Mo Hua's mother.
Two days later, the answer scrolls had all been reviewed.
In the closed-off grand hall, the scrolls that were temporarily marked as First-Rank were placed together.
There were several examination rooms for the ranking assessment, and each room had an examiner. At this time, the examiners gathered to discuss and finalize the rankings:
"This Zhao Cheng from Qingxuan City is 196 years old. His brushwork is skilled and mature. In my opinion, he deserves the First-Rank," one examiner said.
"He's a bit too conservative and lacks flexibility. I don't think he's that exceptional," another examiner commented.
"How about Yang Xu from QingShan City? He's only 86 years old, but his foundation in formation techniques is profound. A true young talent," a third examiner suggested.
"The Yang family does have a solid foundation, but 86 years old is a bit too young. Let's give more of the spots to the older formation masters," someone else said.
"How many spots do we have left?"
"Not many. Several influential families pulled some strings to secure a few spots, and there are also some reserved for the various sects. Additionally, there are two spots donated by Golden Core cultivators who wanted to support their juniors," an examiner informed the group.
"All in all, we have less than five spots left."
"Tough decisions to make," one of the examiners sighed.
"What else can we do? We can't afford to offend those who pulled strings from above, but we also can't ignore our duties," another examiner replied.
...
The examiners discussed the matter further.
Among them, a stern-faced examiner with a rigid expression stared at a particular answer scroll without saying a word, his face filled with disbelief.
"Brother Zhao, what are you looking at?" one of the examiners asked curiously.
Examiner Zhao snapped out of his daze and slowly opened the scroll in his hand, saying, "Look at this formation..."
The others leaned in to take a look, and they were all astonished.
"What exquisite brushwork!"
"His foundation is truly profound!"
"It flows like a stream, completed in one go. He even has a hint of a master's style..."
"Indeed, it's remarkable!"
...
After the initial praise, one of the examiners asked, "How did we miss such a superb formation?"
"Why isn't this level of mastery included in the list for First-Rank?"
A middle-aged examiner smiled bitterly and said, "I was the one who removed it from the list."
The others frowned and asked, "Why?"
The middle-aged examiner pointed to the name written at the top of the scroll. "Guess how old this formation master is?"
The name written there was "Mo Hua."
The examiners exchanged glances, and they all began to speculate.
"With such a profound foundation, he must be at least a hundred or two hundred years old, right?"
"I guess over two hundred..."
"It's possible to be under a hundred years old. After all, there are countless geniuses among formation masters," someone else said.
The middle-aged examiner slowly said, "Thirteen years old."
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
"How old?"
"Thirteen."
"You must be joking."
"At thirteen years old, how many formations could he have drawn and how many formation manuals could he have read?"
"A hundred and thirty would be more believable..."
Examiner Zhao sighed, "He's thirteen."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Really thirteen years old?"
"That's impossible."
"Who are you trying to fool?"
"Did he draw this himself? Could someone else have written it for him?"
"How could there be a proxy with an examiner present?"
"Who was the examiner for this person?"
Examiner Zhao, with his serious expression and rigid face, calmly replied, "It was me."
At this, everyone fell silent.
One of the examiners asked, "Brother Zhao, did he really draw this formation himself?"
Examiner Zhao smiled bitterly, "Yes."
He didn't want to believe it either, but the formation was right in front of him, leaving him no choice but to accept it.
Previously, he had only intended to flip through Mo Hua's scroll to see what nonsense he had scribbled. If it truly made no sense, he would have reported it to the Celestial Pivot Tower and held the local court responsible.
But he never expected that the formation would make him feel ashamed...
Another examiner asked the middle-aged examiner, "Since that's the case, why did you specifically remove him when he drew so well?"
The middle-aged examiner said helplessly, "He's too young... We have to consider carefully before granting First-Rank to a formation master under a hundred years old, let alone one who's only thirteen..."
"If we really give him First-Rank, others will definitely say that we have some hidden agenda," another examiner added.
One examiner nodded, "I would think the same. I'd suspect there's some hidden agenda even without others saying it."
"It's a pity... The formation is drawn so well. I can only admire and admit my own inferiority," someone said with a hint of regret.
However, Examiner Zhao spoke up in a low voice, "Give him the First-Rank."
The other examiners were taken aback by his statement.
The middle-aged examiners frowned and said, "If we give him First-Rank, it will definitely arouse suspicion and invite criticism. If the Celestial Pivot Tower investigates, it will bring us a lot of trouble."
"And he's too young. He'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. There's no need to rush it now," another examiner added.
But Examiner Zhao insisted, "Not giving him First-Rank will bring us even more trouble."
The middle-aged examiner furrowed his brows and asked, "What do you mean, Brother Zhao?"
Examiner Zhao slowly explained, "As we all know, learning formation techniques requires a teacher's guidance. Without the instruction of a renowned master, one's progress will be severely hindered.
"That's just the first reason," Examiner Zhao said, raising his index finger.
"The second reason," he continued, raising a second finger, "is that we also cannot afford to offend this child."
The group was taken aback, but soon realized the implication.
At only thirteen years old, he had achieved the level of a First-Rank Formation Master. His talent was astonishing.
If he became a Second-Rank or higher in the future, and he held a grudge, dug up old records, and held them accountable, who could bear such consequences?
"And there's one more thing," Examiner Zhao added.
"What is it?" the others asked, puzzled.
Examiner Zhao fell silent for a moment before sighing bitterly. "Most of the time during the exam, he was asleep..."
The examiners were bewildered by this statement.
"Asleep?"
"How could he be asleep during the exam? That's outrageous!"
Seeing their confusion, Examiner Zhao explained, "In other words, he completed the First-Rank formation, which was supposed to be the assessment, in a very short time. Then, out of boredom, he slept through the rest of the exam until it ended..."
As the examiners pondered his words, the realization hit them, and they felt a chill in their hearts.
Who was this person? Was this even possible for a human?
Where did this little prodigy come from...
"Therefore," Examiner Zhao said, looking around at the group, "we must grant him the First-Rank."
The examiners exchanged glances, at a loss for words.
At this point, there was no other option but to grant him the First-Rank.
One of the examiners sighed and murmured, "Thirteen years old... He's probably the youngest First-Rank Formation Master in Black Mountain State for nearly a thousand years..."
...
The next day, when the results were announced, Mo Hua found his name on the First-Rank list.
He was delighted.
"Tongxian City, Mo Hua, First-Rank Formation Master."
The list only included the candidates' places of origin and names, with no other information.
Mo Hua didn't shout in excitement, so the formation masters around him were unaware that he had passed the assessment and become a First-Rank Formation Master.
After the initial joy, Mo Hua felt both surprised and unsurprised.
He was surprised that there really weren't any underhanded dealings involved.
However, he wasn't surprised by the result, as the exam had been quite simple, and becoming a First-Rank Formation Master wasn't particularly difficult for him at this point.
His father, Mo Shan, was truly happy for him.
Although he had known about Mo Hua's capabilities as a First-Rank Formation Master, having it officially recognized by the Dao Court made a difference.
Mo Shan hosted a banquet at the Shan Lou in Qingshan City to thank and celebrate with the accompanying executives from the Dao Court.
The executives felt honored to be part of this occasion.
They could also consider this trip a successful one, as they had enjoyed good food and sightseeing, and now one of their members had successfully achieved the First-Rank.
After the celebration, they would return to the Cangyun Sect to pack up before heading home.
Interestingly, just before their departure, Mo Hua encountered the examiner who had proctored his exam.
Mo Hua approached him, greeted him with a bow, and was about to ask how he should address him, when the examiner introduced himself. "My surname is Zhao, and I am the Academic Director of the Tianxu Cabinet."
Mo Hua didn't know what position the Academic Director of the Tianxu Cabinet held, but he respectfully replied, "Director Zhao."
Director Zhao said, "I have a personal request to make of you."
"Please go ahead, Director."
"Follow me."
Director Zhao led Mo Hua to a spacious hall, laid out some formation paper, took out a brush and ink, and asked Mo Hua, "May I ask you to draw the Melting Fire Formation for me again?"
Mo Hua was puzzled. "Is this a subsequent assessment for First-Rank Formation Masters?"
Director Zhao shook his head. "No, it's a personal request."
Mo Hua relaxed and nodded. He then took the brush and, with fluid movements, quickly finished drawing the Melting Fire Formation.
Despite expecting a remarkable performance, Director Zhao was still moved by what he witnessed.
That day, when the child had been drawing with the brush, he had indeed been creating a formation...
However, his brushstrokes were so skilled and natural, and he was so young, that it had looked like a child's random scribbles.
His effortless mastery was a manifestation of a First-Rank formation at its pinnacle.
How high was this child's comprehension, and how many times had he practiced drawing formations...
Director Zhao's emotions were stirred, and he could only sigh inwardly, "There are always higher heavens and stronger people..."
Director Zhao's attitude became more solemn, and he even added a touch of respect as he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, young friend."
Mo Hua didn't know what he was being thanked for, but he waved his hand habitually and said, "You're too kind, Director."
Director Zhao nodded slightly, his eyes full of appreciation. Then he said, "Until we meet again in the future."
Mo Hua also bid farewell and then left with his father, Mo Shan, in the Dao Court's carriage, departing from the Cangyun Sect and beginning their journey home.
Director Zhao stood on a peak of the Cangyun Sect, watching the carriage carrying Mo Hua disappear into the distance. His thoughts were unknown.
After a while, a disciple of the Tianxu Cabinet came to invite Director Zhao to the Hall of Inquiry for a meeting.
Director Zhao nodded but didn't move immediately.
The disciple was puzzled and followed Director Zhao's gaze to the carriage, which was about to vanish from view in the mountains. He asked curiously, "Director, is this young Formation Master Mo really that amazing?"
This disciple was also from the Zhao family and had some connection with Director Zhao, which was why Director Zhao had brought him along for this assessment trip as a form of training.
Director Zhao nodded. "He is the most talented formation master I have ever seen."
The disciple was taken aback and frowned. "Impossible. He can't be more talented than our Zhao family's seventh young master, right...?"
The disciple was unconvinced. "The seventh young master became a First-Rank at the age of twenty. If it weren't for our ancestor asking him to take some time to mature, he could have taken the assessment earlier. Even if he didn't achieve it at thirteen, he could have become a First-Rank Formation Master by the age of fifteen."
"Moreover, our Zhao family has a deep foundation in formation studies, and the seventh young master had to learn many things from a young age, which slowed down his progress in achieving the First-Rank."
"When it comes to talent and prospects in formations, this Mo Hua may not necessarily be better than our seventh young master..."
"You don't understand." Director Zhao shook his head.
The disciple asked, "What don't I understand?"
Director Zhao looked into the distance and sighed. "The seventh young master achieved the First-Rank because he could. But for this child, we can only grant him the First-Rank..."
...
(End of Chapter)
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