Chapter 39: Marking
Chapter 39: Marking
Mo Hua frowned.
Something wasn't quite right...
Why would the assessment for the third layer of Qi Refining include a formation that contained six path formation patterns? Did the instructor hand out the wrong papers?
Instructors shouldn't make such mistakes; perhaps there was another reason for this.
Some disciples had already started writing furiously, most likely unaware of the situation and not wanting to leave the page blank. They were drawing blindly, their eyes closed.
Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and reminded himself,
"There must be a reason the instructor gave us a formation with six path formation patterns. Perhaps it's to show us the vast and profound nature of the art of formations, to prevent us from becoming arrogant and complacent..."
Calming himself, Mo Hua focused on studying the formation.
The formation was called the "Calm Water Formation," and while its purpose wasn't stated, the annotations were comprehensive. Although it included six path formation patterns, the patterns themselves were fairly simple, and the structure was one that the instructor often mentioned in class, so it wasn't obscure.
However, even so, it was unlikely that anyone could both memorize the formation patterns and learn to draw the formation in a short period of time.
If none of the disciples could complete the formation, the instructor would probably grade them based on how much of the formation they had finished.
Mo Hua could only try to memorize as much as he could and draw whatever portion he could recall.
When he focused on drawing the formation, time passed quickly. But even when the exam time ended, Mo Hua was still not finished. He had drawn a little over five of the formation patterns and hadn't had time to check them for errors.
Mo Hua felt a bit disappointed and deeply realized that he still had a long way to go when it came to formations.
After the formations were completed, they were sent to the Mingde Building on Tongming Peak for marking.
This was where the instructors from Tongxian Gate would mark the assignments.
Instructor Yan, usually stern, now wore a displeased expression as he glared at a middle-aged cultivator wearing the elder's robe of the Tongxian Gate:
"Elder Qian, what is the meaning of this? Wasn't it agreed that only the first two formation patterns of the Calm Water Formation would be tested? Why is the entire formation being examined?"
"The way of formations is vast and profound. I want the disciples to understand this from the beginning," Elder Qian replied.
"And then?" Instructor Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Then, they will realize the difficulty and give up on their fantasies of becoming formation masters," Elder Qian said calmly. "A formation with six path formation patterns is the threshold for a formation master. A formation of this difficulty is not something these untalented outer sect disciples can learn."
Instructor Yan suppressed his anger. "I am the instructor for the outer sect. Isn't Elder Qian overstepping his boundaries a bit?"
"Instructor Yan, these outer sect disciples will never become formation masters. Teaching them is a waste of your time," Elder Qian said.
"And what of it?"
Elder Qian's attitude softened. "Instructor Yan, your skill in formations is well-known to us, and we deeply admire it. But with your talent, teaching these dull-witted outer sect disciples, most of whom are loose cultivators—don't you think it's a waste of your abilities?"
Instructor Yan's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"
Elder Qian spoke solemnly, "As long as Instructor Yan agrees, my Qian family is willing to offer a generous invitation for you to become a teacher for my family, instructing my descendants in the art of formations. Whether it's spiritual stones, spiritual objects, or formation technique legacies, whatever you desire, my Qian family will do our best to satisfy your requests."
Instructor Yan's eyelid twitched, but he remained silent.
Elder Qian paused before continuing, "Of course, if you don't wish to leave Tongxian Gate, that's fine too. I can recommend you to become an inner sect elder, teaching formations to the inner sect disciples, or even the direct descendants. At that time, the direct descendants of the sect will address you as 'Master,' and your status will be much higher than that of a typical elder."
Instructor Yan fell silent for a moment before replying, "What if I disagree?"
Elder Qian's expression turned cold. "Instructor Yan, why be so stubborn?"
"I teach formations to pass on knowledge, not for fame or wealth," Instructor Yan said.
Elder Qian scoffed, "Fine, be proud then!"
With that, he turned and left without another word.
Elder Zhou also sighed, "When the previous sect leader was in power, he could withstand the pressure from the Qian family. But now, with his old age and impending retirement, I'm afraid things will change in the Tongxian Sect..."
Instructor Yan's worries deepened.
"To be fair, Elder Qian has treated you with respect. You've been dedicated to teaching these outer sect disciples, but what's the point? Very few of them will go far on the path of formations. There's a reason why loose cultivators rarely become formation masters."
Instructor Zhou advised, "Don't push it too far and end up losing your position as an instructor."
Instructor Yan remained steadfast, "As long as I am an instructor, I will fulfill my duties to the end."
Elder Zhou shook his head and said no more.
Instructor Yan sighed once more, calming his emotions before opening the exam papers on the desk in front of him.
Even if there was an error with the exam question, he would still mark them diligently.
Of course, the results were, as expected, a mess.
Most disciples could only draw one or two formation patterns, and some didn't even understand the basics, scribbling random things to get by.
Instructor Yan silently noted down the names of these disciples. It was understandable if they didn't know how to draw the formation, but scribbling randomly to fill the page was unacceptable.
Some of the drawings were better, mostly from disciples who came from well-off families in Tongxian City and had an early start with formation awakening. These disciples could usually draw three formation patterns, which was already the limit for a Qi Refining cultivator's spiritual sense. It was quite impressive.
Instructor Yan couldn't help but think of Mo Hua. Like Mo Hua, there were few children with such exceptional spiritual sense among loose cultivators.
Based on Mo Hua's progress, he estimated that he could draw about four and a half formation patterns. If he hadn't slacked off during the summer break, he might have been able to do even better.
As Instructor Yan continued marking, he finally came across Mo Hua's paper. He was stunned as he opened it.
Neatly drawn on the paper were five complete formation patterns, and there was more. The last half formation pattern was clearly rushed due to time constraints, but the brushwork was still flawless.
Instructor Yan furrowed his brows.
This meant that Mo Hua, at the third layer of Qi Refining, had drawn five and a half formation patterns on his first attempt at the Calm Water Formation!
Five and a half formation patterns...
This required not only experience and understanding of formations but also an exceptionally strong spiritual sense.
Instructor Yan had seen Mo Hua draw formations before, and while he could draw four formation patterns, it seemed somewhat forced, and his spiritual sense wasn't quite sufficient.
But in just two months, Mo Hua had made astonishing progress and could now draw five and a half formation patterns of the Calm Water Formation.
If this was true, it meant that Mo Hua was not only born with an extraordinary spiritual sense but also had an unbelievably fast rate of growth. Aside from the increase in cultivation, there was no known method for cultivators to rapidly enhance their spiritual sense.
Instructor Yan held his breath, staring at Mo Hua's paper in disbelief. He slowly exhaled and murmured, "This is impossible..."
Elder Zhou, hearing this, noticed Instructor Yan's dazed expression and asked, "Instructor Yan, what's wrong?"
Instructor Yan snapped back to reality, his expression flickering as he paused for a moment before replying, "Some of the disciples' formations are simply unacceptable. I lost my temper for a moment..."
Elder Zhou offered an understanding nod, "Teaching these disciples is no easy task. Instructor Yan, don't take it too hard. Focus on cultivating your temperament and keeping your emotions in check."
Instructor Yan nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Mo Hua's paper, his thoughts in turmoil.
(End of Chapter)
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