Chapter 488: The Array Master's Evaluation

Chapter 488: The Array Master's Evaluation

November 11th, 2024

If one is proficient in the Jade Essence Pill Crafting Technique, the Sealing Array can be an extremely effective yet low-cost formation.

When combined with human ambushes, it can be utilized in many advantageous ways.

Of course, the reason for choosing the Sealing Array for today's assessment is likely due to its simplicity.

Compared to many other formations, the difficulty of the Array Pattern indeed falls into the simpler category.

It seems that this assessment for Ninth Rank Array Masters has been lenient throughout.

As long as you can set up the formation and make it operational, the Array Alliance will recognize you as an Array Master.

That's how Su Chen currently feels.

Even with average talent, one should be able to pass this assessment after years of diligent study.

The others around him began to take action.

Those middle-aged and elderly individuals seemed to be more skilled.

Although passing the Eighth Rank assessment is difficult, they should be able to get through this Ninth Rank evaluation.

In less than half an hour, Su Chen had already completed his setup.

The others didn't take too long either.

Setting up formations on such a flat ground wasn't that challenging in the first place.

Moreover, it was just the Sealing Array.

After an hour, most of the people present had already finished.

Su Chen noticed that the senior called You Mingshan went to one person's side and asked if he wanted to make any adjustments.

You Mingshan didn't say this to anyone else; he only approached that person.

Upon hearing this reminder, the man immediately realized his mistake.

He quickly went to fix some issues.

Otherwise, his Sealing Array would definitely fail to operate.

After the crowd stopped, several Assessors stepped into the formation, triggering its activation.

They evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the entire formation.

Out of the twenty-three people present, twenty managed to successfully activate their formations.

Only three failed to do so.

These three were very young, and they seemed to be there just for fun, hoping to get lucky.

Regarding the Dao of Formations, they had not delved deep enough and only had a superficial understanding.

At this level, the Array Alliance wouldn't let them pass.

Soon, after examining everyone's formations, it was time for the Assessors to evaluate and score them.

In addition to the formations they set up, they also considered the answers to the previous questions. The total score from both would determine if they could be certified as Ninth Rank Array Masters.

Su Chen understood that although twenty people managed to set up operational formations, many of them had issues with their Sealing Arrays.

The Sealing Arrays they set up failed to significantly block auditory and olfactory senses, not even reaching the effectiveness of a normal formation.

Such a formation, even if operational, would be useless.

However, since they eventually succeeded in setting it up, and assuming they pass the basic knowledge test, the Assessors were willing to let them pass.

If their fundamental knowledge was also lacking, the Assessors could not approve their certification.

With the title of Ninth Rank Array Masters, they might misguide younger generations in smaller cities.

In the following time, while the Assessors were scoring, their attendants were tallying the results.

This process should take about half an hour.

Su Chen took the time to carefully observe how others set up their formations.

Apart from himself, everyone else followed the same approach when setting up their formations.

They pursued the Array Pattern without pause.

It seemed that the current path of formation mastery emphasized this method.

Su Chen didn't think this approach was inherently wrong; it was just a different perspective.

However, upon closely examining others' Sealing Arrays, he couldn't help but feel amused.

In truth, the requirements for the Sealing Array were high. While it was simple, it must not have any flaws.

Even if it only blocked one-tenth of auditory and olfactory senses, and not six or seven-tenths, such a formation would still be useless.

Enemies trapped in the formation could still hear external sounds and smells, easily exposing their position.

Where was the concealment and sealing effect then?

The path of formations indeed seemed challenging.

Half an hour passed, and the Assessors finally finished their evaluations.

You Mingshan, as the main examiner, stood up and announced the results.

He only announced the names of those who passed, implying that those whose names were not called failed.

Su Chen's name was the sixth to be called.

In total, fourteen people passed the Ninth Rank assessment.

This meant that six out of the twenty who successfully set up their formations were eliminated.

Most likely, their formations were mediocre, and their answers to the questions were not outstanding either.

Therefore, they could not obtain the title of Ninth Rank Array Masters.

After announcing the names, You Mingshan began to evaluate each person who passed.

"Xie Liu, you achieved the highest comprehensive score among the Array Masters.

Your answers were concise, fluent, and demonstrated your unique insights.

It is evident that your foundation is solid.

Although the eighth rank is out of reach, the title of a ninth-rank Array Master is still respectable.

After this, go back and accept a few disciples.

If you encounter any issues, write to me."

This person named Xie Liu has gray hair and is of a certain age.

Here, he has participated in the eighth-rank Array Master examination sixteen times.

He has failed all sixteen times.

No wonder You Mingshan is so familiar with him.

Following the order of the names just recited, You Mingshan gave an evaluation for each person.

There were many people around.

Compared to the live examination for the ninth rank, the onlookers seemed to prefer listening to You Mingshan's evaluations.

Su Chen's name was mentioned sixth, and he guessed that he was ranked sixth.

Calculating it, it wasn't a good rank.

You should know that Xie Liu, the first on the list, has never passed the eighth-rank Array Master examination.

"Su Xing, you're twenty-six this year, right?"

Finally, it was Su Chen's turn. This time, You Mingshan started by asking about Su Chen's age.

Hearing this, Su Chen bowed to him.

He then introduced himself briefly.

After confirming Su Chen's age, You Mingshan, the assessor, continued.

"At your age, you are still considered young for your entire life.

But for a novice Array Master, you are not young."

You Mingshan's initial evaluation wasn't very positive, but Su Chen acknowledged this assessment.

He did start learning Array Techniques a bit late.

It was only due to his unusual Heavenly Providence ability that he had achieved some minor success in Array Techniques.

If he had relied solely on his own understanding and practice, he would be far from achieving this.

Su Chen was clear about his own abilities and did not have an inflated ego.

After saying this, You Mingshan didn't pause for long and continued.

"Although it's a bit late for a beginner, your ability to draw Array Diagrams is still commendable.

The Sealing Array you set up has a stable foundation and smooth patterns.

As a young Array Master, this is already impressive.

However, your understanding of the fundamental concepts of many Array Techniques is somewhat skewed.

I really want to ask who your Array Techniques mentor is?

He somewhat led you astray.

You do have some talent. Clarify your thoughts and get rid of those misconceptions.

You have the potential to become an eighth-rank Array Master."

The first half of You Mingshan's speech was not a high evaluation for Su Chen.

But when he spoke the latter part, it was high praise.

Hearing this, the people around couldn't help but glance at Su Chen a few more times.

Being directly praised by You Mingshan, there was a chance to become an eighth-rank Array Master.

An eighth-rank Array Master is completely different from a ninth-rank Array Master.

Only an eighth-rank Array Master has truly entered the path of Array Techniques.

For a ninth-rank Array Master, there are hardly any onlookers.

Those who were ranked before Su Chen, did any of them receive such praise from You Mingshan?

Xie Liu and the others, the advice You Mingshan gave them was to return to their hometowns and their respective sects.

He advised them to guide and teach their juniors, and accept a few disciples.

To see if any of their disciples would become accomplished.

The correct version is available at 69shu! 6=9+shu_bar first release of this novel.

Only for Su Chen, You Mingshan's words suggested that he should delve deeper.

Comparing the two, the difference was even more apparent.

Su Chen also noticed the gazes of the others.

Those few who were ranked ahead of him were looking at him with a hint of envy.

Many of them were in their forties or fifties, and some even in their sixties or seventies.

After immersing themselves in the path of Array Techniques for most of their lives, they still hadn't received this recognition.

For most people, they were advised to give up on the eighth-rank Array Master examination.

Once, they thought that the Array Alliance discouraged everyone.

Perhaps they weren't very encouraging.

Looking at it now, they didn't receive much encouragement.

For someone like Su Chen, the Array Alliance's Array Masters didn't discourage him.

At this moment, several people in the venue felt a sense of relief.

The obsessions in their hearts seemed to be released at this moment.

"Of course, my words come with a precondition. You need to change some of your preconceived notions.

Your understanding of the path of Array Techniques has too many assumptions and is unrealistic.

If you want to make progress in Array Techniques, you must change.

At the very least, you need to diligently practice your techniques and skills.

Your grasp of Array Patterns is still fragmented.

The Sealing Array, as a basic Array Technique, may not show the disparity.

But for more complex Array Techniques, with more intricate positioning, the gap will become evident.

So, take your time and reflect.

If you have any questions, feel free to come and find me at the Array Alliance headquarters."

"You Mingshan was quite enthusiastic and even directly offered his help to Su Chen if he had any questions."

"Currently, only Su Chen could receive such a promise."

Su Chen expressed his gratitude and said no more.

You Mingshan continued to evaluate the others, and all those who passed the Ninth Rank Examination received his assessment.

But none of those who came after him received such high praise from Su Chen.

There were several young people, and You Mingshan suggested that they not obsess over formation arrays.

The elderly were allowed to take on disciples and teach the young ones.

Only Su Chen was advised to take it further and thoroughly clarify his thoughts.

After the assessment, a certificate was issued.

The Ninth Rank Array Master certificate signed by the Array Alliance was handed to each participant.

The certificate was quite exquisite, but it was just that—exquisite. Aside from its exquisite appearance, there wasn't much else to it.

The Ninth Rank Array Masters didn't even have a robe.

To prove one's identity outside, one couldn't possibly show the certificate to others every day.

This felt a bit silly.

Array Masters of the Eighth Rank and above had specially made robes from the Array Alliance.

Wearing the robe, others would know that you were an esteemed Array Master.

The Ninth Rank Examination was over, and in his heart, Su Chen carefully thought about You Mingshan's guidance.

But deep down, he had his own ideas.

You Mingshan's guidance was, in fact, a difference in philosophy.

From his initiation to his entry, his formation array knowledge was passed down from Immortal Tranquil Wave.

Su Chen didn't want to discuss the pros and cons.

He merely shared his observations, stating that both formation array deployment methods had their strengths and weaknesses.

It wasn't that one method had all the advantages while the other had all the disadvantages.

The two formation array deployment methods didn't differ much in their core principles.

It was just that the array patterns and their operational forms were different.

Since this was the case, Su Chen didn't want to change anything.

He had the formation array manuals passed down by Immortal Tranquil Wave, why would he abandon what was close and seek what was far? Why would he start learning other things from scratch?

But this Array Alliance intrigued Su Chen.

Here, Su Chen had already heard many useful things, and the atmosphere of the Alliance was quite good.

What he lacked was practical experience in using formation arrays.

If he could join the Array Alliance, he should be able to gain plenty of opportunities for practical experience.

This set of array techniques was highly effective in many situations.

There were over thirty types of conventional formation arrays, and even within these conventional arrays, variations could be applied.

In practical applications, formation arrays could bring about numerous benefits.

They could even assist in cultivation, providing a boost similar to that of pills.

The rarity of Array Masters, coupled with the peculiar effects of formation arrays, was why they were so highly regarded.

Su Chen had just broken through to the Fifth Stage Intermediate not long ago, and his cultivation required consolidation.

This period of time was truly beneficial for him to stay and thoroughly study the art of formation arrays.

The Ninth Rank Array Master Examination had concluded two days ago.

Today was the day of the Eighth Rank Array Master Examination.

It was also from today that the Array Masters' festival truly began.

The Ninth Rank Array Master Examination had hardly any participants, let alone spectators.

The location of that examination was still next to Pishi City, and even with such proximity, there weren't many spectators.

Today's Eighth Rank Array Master Examination wasn't held outside Pishi City.

Instead, one had to travel fifty li northwest, closer to the border.

The Eighth Rank Array Master Examination directly tested one's practical application.

This was truly worlds apart from the Ninth Rank Array Master Examination.

The Ninth Rank Array Masters only needed to set up their formation array on flat ground.

There would also be some questioning, and one could pass with a slightly above-average performance.

But the Eighth Rank Array Masters required you to directly apply your skills.

Near the wild border, the terrain was unpredictable, making it difficult to determine a suitable location.

They would assign you a piece of land and let you set up your formation array.

In such a situation, the difficulty of the Ninth Rank Array Master Examination was, at most, one-tenth of the difficulty of the Eighth Rank Examination, which actually made the Ninth Rank Examination seem more challenging.

Ordinary people who wanted to spectate had basically already set off yesterday.

Ordinary people needed half a day to travel fifty li, but it was indeed possible.

So, the common folk would depart early to ensure they could comfortably watch the real competition.

Along the way, the Array Alliance had arranged for warriors to provide protection.

This was to prevent ordinary people from encountering demons on the road.

The closer one got to the wild border, the higher the possibility of encountering demons.

Ordinary people could easily get injured by minor demons, so protection was necessary.

At the north gate of Pishi City.

Those who came to participate in the Eighth Rank Array Master Examination gathered here.

Su Chen looked around and saw at least two hundred people.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end