Chapter 490: A Hint for Autumn Stream Rain

Chapter 490: A Hint for Autumn Stream Rain

November 14, 2024

After You Mingshan's words, the assessors present became slightly more restrained.

Once the registration was complete, everyone had to leave.

Even if they wanted to wait here, it was not possible.

On the way back, many remained silent.

In their minds, they recalled the terrain of the area they had chosen.

Combining the terrain, they contemplated the best layout and preparations.

Those with experience had brought paper and brushes in advance.

On the return journey, they sat directly in their carriages.

As they hurried back, they sketched the terrain they had memorized.

Compared to their nervousness, Su Chen felt much calmer.

Although Su Chen wasn't particularly skilled in array techniques, he was confident in setting up the Thorn Array.

After resting at the camp for the night, the group set off again at the third hour of the day.

The array masters without martial arts abilities had to leave earlier, departing at the second hour.

Summer had arrived, and the days were getting brighter earlier.

After the third hour, the sky would naturally brighten.

Su Chen joined the crowd and headed towards yesterday's location.

Unlike yesterday, today, upon reaching the spot, a large crowd of spectators was already waiting.

There were indeed many people who had come to spectate.

The reason there weren't many spectators yesterday was that the array layout locations hadn't been announced.

After the announcement, these onlookers naturally came to watch.

Over two hundred people were participating in the eighth-rank array master assessment.

Each had their family, friends, sect elders, and fellow disciples.

Even with just these people, the number was already quite large.

Additionally, there were many sects who had sent representatives to observe.

If some small families or solitary cultivators performed exceptionally, these sects would be willing to recruit them.

Many sects were in need of array masters, and even an eighth-rank array master was highly sought after.

After all, achieving the eighth rank was not an easy feat.

Su Chen overheard that out of the two hundred participants, having thirty pass would be considered a great outcome.

For every nine people, only one would likely succeed.

The crowd dispersed to their chosen locations.

At the fourth hour, the eighth-rank array master assessment officially began.

With the assessor's announcement, everyone started to take action.

Having already observed the terrain the day before, many didn't hesitate and began working immediately.

They were given four hours to set up the array.

The Thorn Array wasn't particularly complex. Both inside and outside the array had offensive capabilities.

It was precisely because it didn't have many intricacies and had both internal and external effects that the Thorn Array seemed simple.

Upon touching the edge of the array, one would experience intense pain.

For Su Chen, setting up the Thorn Array would only take half an hour to complete.

However, the Thorn Array they were tasked with creating was moderately wide, about two meters.

It was considered a medium-range array and needed to have practical combat significance.

Therefore, it required slightly more time.

But for Su Chen, it wasn't a significant challenge.

Su Chen's chosen location was a rugged slope.

The pits and depressions within directly affected the smoothness of the array's patterns.

Calm and focused, Su Chen didn't find it impossible to complete.

The key to this type of array was to adjust the curvature based on the slope.

It sounded simple, but many array masters struggled to understand this concept.

Even if they could comprehend it, their techniques often fell short of the required standards.

However, Su Chen had already overcome these difficulties on his own.

Now, it was time to put his knowledge into practice.

The tools and materials needed for array setup were provided by the Array Alliance.

Su Chen dedicated himself fully, without any distractions.

The others were equally focused and immersed in their work.

Meanwhile, the spectators around chatted and discussed what they saw.

The information of those participating in the eighth-rank array master assessment was registered with the Array Alliance.

During registration, the Array Alliance would ask if they could disclose their information to others.

At this moment, the various factions present could inquire about the participants' identities if they were interested in recruiting them.

If they could find out, it meant that the individual was likely open to being recruited by other factions.

The spectators' discussions became increasingly lively.

In the northeast area, a crowd had gathered.

The reason for the crowd was the presence of an eighth-rank array master who was explaining the array to those around him.

Array masters possessed a high level of expertise, making it challenging for outsiders to understand.

All they could do was observe who worked with agility and confidence.

However, with the explanations from this eighth-rank array master, many previously incomprehensible aspects became clear.

Especially for those factions interested in recruiting array masters, this was invaluable.

"Formation arrays are a delicate art, and sometimes it's better to take your time to ensure precision.

When an eighth-rank array master makes a mistake in setting up an array, even a fifth-rank array master might not be able to pinpoint the error.

Often, a single mistake can render all previous efforts futile.

It's a waste of manpower and resources."

Hearing this, many of the onlookers around were somewhat perplexed.

A fifth-rank array master is essentially the top-tier array master in Jin Kingdom.

Could they not even spot issues in an array set up by an eighth-rank array master?

Noticing the confusion among the crowd, the eighth-rank array master didn't hide anything.

"If it's a simple array, then it's not difficult to identify the issues.

But in practical application, the array patterns, their curves, and various details can affect the precision of the array and determine whether it can function properly.

For a fifth-rank array master to find problems, they need to calm down and examine every detail carefully.

With such leisure, a fifth-rank master could already set up a new array from scratch."

The people around nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

This statement was indeed reasonable.

Sometimes, it's better to start over than to look for problems.

As the eighth-rank array master continued speaking, the onlookers listened attentively.

"I won't hide it from you all; to identify issues in an array at a glance, one would need an incredibly high level of talent.

It is said that the Array Alliance requires fourth-rank array masters to identify mistakes in problematic arrays within half an hour.

In Jin Kingdom, we only have nine fourth-rank array masters.

Think about it, how difficult is that?

Therefore, when setting up arrays, one must be cautious and meticulous.

Avoiding mistakes is the top priority, while speed is a secondary concern.

Unless an array master is in danger and needs to rely on the array for self-preservation."

With the explanations from the eighth-rank array master, the spectators gradually became more knowledgeable.

Su Chen, who was relatively quick, soon became a negative example.

Some onlookers even pointed at Su Chen and talked about his issues.

Upon hearing this, someone immediately laughed and refuted, "Don't underestimate others. This person's name is Su Xing.

Master You once praised him, saying that he has talent, and he is likely to pass the eighth-rank array master examination in the future."

"That's talking about the future, not this time.

Master You had advised him not to participate, but he rushed through it so quickly that who knows how many mistakes he made."

There wasn't much discussion about Su Chen among the onlookers.

Su Chen didn't reveal any other information to others, indicating that he wasn't willing to rely on other powers.

If Su Chen had intended to do so, many powers would have been willing to recruit him.

After all, many recognized his potential after Master You's evaluation.

The spectators continued discussing others.

Meanwhile, Su Chen had reached the final stage of setting up his array.

Observing the progress of others around him, Su Chen slightly slowed down to avoid standing out too much.

He turned his gaze to Autumn Creek Rain beside him.

Her thorn array was only about halfway done.

She was still meticulously drawing the array patterns.

Her position was right next to Su Chen, and the rugged terrain made it challenging to work in a large area.

Her technique seemed decent, and her strokes were steady when drawing the array patterns.

Throughout the process, her thinking was very clear.

The thorn array's foundation was stable, and it wouldn't malfunction due to the uneven terrain.

However, in the short time Su Chen observed her, he noticed something amiss.

The array patterns on the right side of Autumn Creek Rain's array were clearly inaccurate.

On a flat surface, that wouldn't be an issue.

But on such rugged terrain, the array patterns would collapse.

This minor error would cause problems as soon as the array was activated.

Seeing Autumn Creek Rain's concentration, Su Chen didn't interrupt her.

He could adjust this issue later.

He would remind her after she finished everything.

During this array examination, the participating array masters were allowed to interact and discuss.

The Array Alliance had explained the reason for this.

If someone immediately understood how to correct their array after a few pointers from others during the examination, then they would undoubtedly have exceptional talent and should pass the test.

In fact, most people wouldn't be able to learn from others' guidance, no matter how much they tried.

Can array patterns be learned just by listening to others' advice?

Many array masters, despite their extensive practice, still struggled with their drawing techniques.

Of course, mutual discussions were allowed, but they couldn't accept help from others in setting up their arrays.

Time passed by, minute by minute.

After completing their arrays, they still had to wait here.

Su Chen purposely left some unfinished parts, intending to complete them as the time drew near.

During this time, Senior You Mingshan came to observe.

Upon seeing Su Chen's formation array, he shook his head slightly.

The first stage ended at the sixth hour, and it was time for the first phase to conclude.

Su Chen completed his Thorn Array half an hour ahead of schedule.

Looking around, Autumn Stream Rain had also almost finished setting up her formation array.

Seeing this, Su Chen didn't hesitate.

"On the right side of the formation, the array pattern is too flat."

Su Chen spoke softly, his voice low but clear enough for Autumn Stream Rain to hear.

However, she didn't seem to hear him at all, not even turning her head.

Su Chen thought she hadn't heard his reminder.

He repeated himself quietly once more.

This time, Autumn Stream Rain responded.

She turned to look at Su Chen and nodded slightly.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother, but I have my own intentions."

Her polite reply was a way of telling Su Chen that she didn't need his reminder.

Hearing this, Su Chen was slightly taken aback.

Her own intentions? What intentions? Was she trying to make the formation malfunction?

Autumn Stream Rain's response was brief, and she didn't engage in further conversation with Su Chen. She didn't even follow his suggestion to check her array.

She didn't think there was any problem with her Thorn Array.

Seeing this, Su Chen was at a loss.

He had wanted to help the Qiu Clan for the sake of Qiu Yifeng.

But they didn't appreciate it.

If he said more, they might think he had ill intentions.

The assessment time was almost over.

From the fourth to the sixth hour, four hours had passed.

For Su Chen, this time was far too long.

There was a lot of unnecessary time.

Although it was excessive, Su Chen didn't waste it.

He took the opportunity to carefully observe the formation arrays set up by those around him.

From their techniques, he could discern their methods and see if they would be of any use to him.

Overall, the two sides still had different approaches.

The difficulty of their techniques was similar.

Su Chen had learned from Immortal Tranquil Wave a method that required the array pattern to be presented in gradients.

Layer upon layer of gradients allowed the array pattern to release its effects in stages.

This achieved a continuous and seamless effect.

Others, by contrast, maximized the might of their formations with a single, powerful display.

After observing, Su Chen still felt that the difference between the two types of formations was not significant.

The time for setting up the formations had ended.

Next was the verification phase, where the assessors would judge everyone's performance.

The onlookers around them became more serious.

During the formation setup process, even with explanations and guidance, most people were just spectators.

It was only during this final assessment that things got interesting.

Seeing which formations activated successfully and which didn't would be quite the spectacle.

Spectators would often make predictions beforehand, trying to guess who had the better eye for formations.

It felt like a lottery.

Following the instructions, Su Chen, like the others, retreated after activating his formation.

He stood about twenty feet away from his array.

Soon, ten assessors stepped forward.

These ten assessors were not only formation masters but also had impressive martial prowess.

The weakest among them were at the Fifth Stage Perfected Realm.

Six of them were Transcendent Realm experts.

These ten assessors would personally test the Thorn Arrays.

They would see if these arrays could function normally and gauge the level of harm they could inflict.

Each of the ten assessors had to inspect over twenty Thorn Arrays.

Senior You Mingshan may or may not have done it intentionally, but he chose Su Chen's group.

The assessment began, and the ten assessors took turns inspecting the arrays.

They all had bodyguard techniques and wore Supreme Inner Armor.

With this protection, they only felt a slight pain when touching the Thorn Arrays.

They extended their hands into the formations.

Although the formations were activated, many of them didn't seem to function as intended.

The assessors inserted their hands into the arrays without feeling any pain.

Seeing this result, many participants' faces turned pale.

This was almost like a death sentence.

It was called a 'half-death sentence' because there would be another chance later.

Those whose formations didn't function properly had two hours to make adjustments.

After modifying, there would be another verification.

Based on past years' experience, if a formation didn't work initially, it was unlikely to succeed after modifications.

Unless it was a very minor flaw, the formation masters knew it was futile.

Only immediate adjustments might have a chance.

In most cases, it was hopeless.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end