Chapter 489: The Eighth-Rank Array Master Assessment Begins

Chapter 489: The Eighth-Rank Array Master Assessment Begins

November 13, 2024

The number of participants far exceeded that of the Ninth-Rank Array Master assessment.

It was common knowledge that the title of Ninth-Rank Array Master held little significance.

Most with even a slight ambition would set their sights on the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment.

Moreover, the Array Alliance's assessments did not follow a gradual progression.

It wasn't necessary to pass the Ninth-Rank assessment before attempting the Eighth-Rank one.

If one had confidence in their abilities, they could even start with the Sixth or Fifth-Rank assessments.

As long as they had the capability, they were free to participate.

Before noon, the assessors for today's assessment had already arrived.

Compared to the previous day, there were twelve assessors for the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment.

With more participants, it was only natural to have more assessors.

Master You Mingshan was also among them.

After the assessors arrived, they began calling out names.

All those who had registered for the Eighth-Rank assessment moved to the other side after their names were called.

With over two hundred people, it would take quite some time to call out all the names.

For this Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment, Su Chen had also registered.

He had previously participated in the Ninth-Rank Array Master assessment to gain some experience.

At that time, he hadn't realized the insignificance of the Ninth-Rank assessment.

Since there was still an opportunity, he naturally wanted to give the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment a try.

The assessors continued to call out names one by one.

One name, "Autumn Stream Rain," caught Su Chen's attention.

The Autumn family was not very common, and due to Autumn Frost's influence, Su Chen had an inexplicable fondness for the Autumn surname.

Looking at the young man named Autumn Stream Rain, Su Chen noticed his handsome features, with eyebrows like willow branches and clear, bright eyes.

Su Chen felt that his appearance resembled Autumn Frost to some extent.

He lacked a hint of her graceful elegance.

He seemed to be around the same age as Su Chen, perhaps a few years younger.

Perhaps there was some connection between him and Autumn Frost.

Su Chen thought to himself, but without any clear reason, decided to greet him.

His relationship with Autumn Frost was somewhat distant.

Only her brother, Autumn Xing Tian, knew about this on the Autumn family's side.

The roll call continued, and as they approached two hundred names, they finally called out Su Chen's pseudonym.

Having registered late, he was naturally called out much later.

"Disciple Su Xing has arrived," Su Chen responded and then moved to the side.

All disciples participating in the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment had to go to that side.

Upon seeing Su Chen's figure, Master You Mingshan called out to him.

A hint of helplessness was evident in his smile as he said, "It seems you, my young friend, are either listening to advice or not. You're told that you have the potential to become an Eighth-Rank Array Master, and just two days later, you're here attempting the Eighth-Rank assessment.

But you should listen to advice in its entirety.

I advised you to calmly reflect and correct your misguided ideas, then you might have a chance.

With so many misconceptions, you're unlikely to pass this Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment.

Go back and observe this time instead of participating."

After speaking, Master You Mingshan gestured to the person calling out names, instructing them to cross out Su Chen's name.

Seeing this, Su Chen hurried forward.

"Senior, it wasn't easy for Junior to come here.

Even if I need to calm down and study again, please allow Junior to participate in this Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment.

Consider it a valuable experience."

Su Chen felt that Senior You Mingshan didn't harbor ill intentions.

Thus, his words were polite and respectful.

Hearing this, Master You Mingshan hesitated for a moment before shaking his head helplessly.

"Do as you please. If you want to give it a try, then go ahead.

But you must maintain your composure. After this failure, don't let it affect your mental stability.

You do have some talent in array techniques.

If you study correctly, you can reach the Eighth-Rank in the future."

Su Chen nodded in response.

Those around him, some older, looked at him with envy.

Some of them had already attempted the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment seven or eight times.

Master You Mingshan, however, had directly stated that Su Chen would undoubtedly attain the Eighth-Rank in the future.

Why not? I'm just being honest.

You have the potential, but this time, it's unlikely you'll succeed.

Go and give it your best shot."

Su Chen nodded again.

The younger participants, upon hearing this, looked at Su Chen with disdain.

They believed in their abilities and were confident in passing the Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment.

One of them, implying that Su Chen had no chance this time.

Su Chen was still inferior to them.

After the roll call ended, the Array Alliance members began explaining the relevant rules.

The Eighth-Rank Array Master assessment still consisted of two stages.

The assessment would be based on the performance in both stages to determine if one could pass.

Su Chen listened attentively.

The assessments in both stages would be conducted in a location closer to the front lines.

The rules were explained, and the members of the Array Alliance continued to elaborate on some regulations.

The rules were in place to prevent cheating and ensure fairness.

These regulations were designed to safeguard everyone's safety.

The closer one got to the frontlines, the more dangerous it became.

While many Array Masters possessed Martial Arts foundations, some even had impressive Martial Power.

However, there were always some Array Masters who lacked Martial Arts proficiency.

They were all wholeheartedly dedicated to the study of Array Techniques.

Such individuals encountering demons could be quite dangerous.

At this moment, the rules being explained to everyone were for their protection, to prevent injuries from demon attacks.

By the third hour of the Snake, all preparations were complete.

The group departed from the north gate of Pishi City, heading northwest.

Fifty li was a relatively short distance for those with Martial Arts prowess.

Those without Martial Arts skills could find alternative means of transportation, such as horse-drawn carriages.

Regardless, they needed to arrive before the afternoon Rooster hour.

Su Chen and the others with Martial Arts skills arrived within half a day.

Moreover, they traveled at a leisurely pace.

If they had chosen to rush, they could have arrived in two quarters of an hour.

Upon reaching the designated location, Su Chen and the group set up a temporary camp to rest.

The specific area for the Array setup had not been disclosed to everyone yet.

This was to prevent unfair advantages, as some individuals might have prior knowledge of the terrain and prepare in advance.

However, at this moment, Su Chen understood why they had come here for the examination.

There were other purposes as well.

The Array Alliance had chosen a testing ground with defensive needs.

Here, the Array setup for the examination would remain after the test.

It was designed to defend against sneak attacks from demons.

Thanks to the annual examinations, many passes along the Jin Kingdom's borders were already protected by Arrays.

While these Arrays might not be exceptionally powerful, they could effectively prevent small and large demons, and even Golden Demons, from intruding.

Other Transcendent Masters only needed to focus on Earth Demons and Celestial Monsters, creatures with formidable power.

Through these methods, Su Chen also understood why the Jin Kingdom seemed to have fewer issues with small and large demons.

Recalling his time in the Zhou Kingdom, small demons would occasionally sneak into the city, causing chaos.

They would turn the entire city upside down.

While small demons might not be powerful, they were experts at hiding, making them difficult to find.

Especially Cat Demons, with their exceptional night vision, would often launch sneak attacks at night.

On the Jin Kingdom's side, many passes were protected by Arrays.

Annoying small and large demons couldn't get through.

The Jin Kingdom's Warriors didn't need to expend too much effort against these small and large demons.

After resting at the camp for a few hours, the group gathered, engaging in discussions.

The study of Array Techniques had many depths.

Some techniques could only be understood through practical application.

The examination for Eighth Rank Array Masters was not a screening test.

So-called screening tests had fixed elimination rates or allowed a specific number of participants to pass.

Under such conditions, the participants competed against each other.

The better their opponents, the more challenging it was to pass.

Competition naturally created rifts in relationships.

However, the Array Alliance's examinations were not like that.

As long as you could meet the Alliance's requirements for an Eighth Rank Array Master, you would pass this examination.

With a hundred participants, if a hundred could meet the standards, they would all pass.

Similarly, for the Array Masters taking the examination, if none of them met the standards, none would pass.

It was precisely because of these rules that everyone got along harmoniously.

Discussing Array-related topics didn't require secrecy.

Su Chen listened to their discussions, comparing their words with his own understanding.

But as they debated, some of them seemed to be arguing.

They were arguing over who was right.

Some of them noticed Su Chen.

"Who among us can be considered a talented Eighth Rank Array Master?" one of them asked, pointing at Su Chen.

They even called out Su Chen's name, asking him to judge who was right and who was wrong.

Su Chen merely smiled at their banter.

Here, Su Chen felt that they didn't harbor any ill intentions.

It was probably because of You Mingshan's previous evaluation of me that made some of them jealous," Su Chen thought.

Of course, it was just jealousy, and they weren't doing anything malicious.

Jealousy was a common emotion, and Su Chen didn't think they had any character flaws.

It was just that he wasn't very familiar with them, so the banter felt a bit inappropriate.

Their jealousy was something they could keep hidden more carefully.

At the hour of the Rooster, the Array Alliance members arrived to notify them.

All the participants had already gathered.

Led by the Array Alliance's attendants, they walked a distance of about six li west of the camp.

Elder You Mingshan and the others were already waiting there.

Before them was a steep cliff.

Su Chen looked around and realized he was at the bottom of the cliff.

The nearly vertical cliff before him was about twenty zhang high, almost vertical to the ground.

"Usually, no demons would infiltrate from this direction."

Many demons couldn't endure the challenge of this high cliff.

A slight misstep, and even a powerful demon would be severely injured.

But recently, more and more demons have been daring to infiltrate from here.

The first task for the eighth-rank Array Master examination is to set up a Thorn Array at this location."

The Thorn Array was a familiar array to Su Chen.

Setting up the Thorn Array here would be quite a torment for those demons.

After struggling to climb down, they would be pricked by the Thorn Array.

Covered in wounds, they could only retreat.

Su Chen could imagine the fate of those demons.

However, Su Chen didn't feel any sympathy for the demons.

In the eyes of demons, humans were one of their food sources.

Many people had died under the fangs of demons, and sympathizing with them was absurd.

"Everyone, find a spot and leave a mark.

After marking, you can return."

"Think carefully in your mind, and when you come tomorrow, consider how to set up the array."

Elder You Mingshan's words prompted many to start searching for a spot.

The Thorn Array set up by each person had to be at least two zhang wide.

After finding their spots, everyone marked and claimed their territory.

Most participants valued this spot for the examination.

The flatter the terrain, the easier it was to set up the array, and the higher the chances of success.

Especially for those who had taken the examination several times, they were very particular about flatter terrain.

Some even argued over a spot.

In such cases, the Assessors of the Array Alliance would mediate the conflict.

They would follow the order of registration, those who registered first would choose first.

Su Chen observed that those arguing were mostly middle-aged or elderly Array Masters.

Compared to them, the younger Array Masters were indeed more carefree.

Instead of arguing and fighting over spots, it was better to focus on improving one's abilities.

Su Chen looked around and casually chose a spot.

Just as he finished marking, he noticed that Autumn Stream Rain had chosen a spot next to him.

She must have casually chosen a spot as well, not an intentional move.

Upon closer inspection, Su Chen felt that she resembled Autumn Frost.

Especially their eyebrows and eyes, there seemed to be a familial resemblance.

Su Chen thought so in his heart, but he didn't interrupt them.

It would be strange to interrupt them for no reason, and they might find it annoying.

Moreover, after going to the northern frontlines with Autumn Frost, Su Chen felt that the Autumn family must hold a high status.

For a junior from such a prominent family to initiate a conversation, they might think he was seeking connections for personal gain.

After choosing their spots, the Assessors came to register them.

Tomorrow, each person could only set up a Thorn Array in their chosen spot.

During this process, most of them diligently memorized the terrain.

After returning today, they would carefully calculate and simulate in their minds.

Tomorrow, they would start the task.

The Assessors passed by, recording and saying a few words.

When they reached Su Chen, Elder You Mingshan smiled and said,

"You're quite generous, knowing this is just a training session, and intentionally choosing a challenging terrain.

With your current foundation, the array you set up will likely not function.

But it's not bad, it's a tempering experience for you.

"Next year at this time, you should have no issues becoming an eighth-rank Array Master."

Elder You Mingshan had a good impression of Su Chen.

He and the other Assessors felt that Su Chen intentionally chose a difficult spot, not competing with others.

After Elder You Mingshan's praise, the other Assessors also praised Su Chen.

For those arguing over spots, two Assessors showed disdain.

Hearing this, Elder You Mingshan spoke up for them.

"They've had it tough, the eighth-rank Array Master examination has blocked them for too many years.

To pass the eighth-rank Array Master examination, they can only do their best and achieve what they can.

Understand them, look at their age, they're not young anymore."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end