Chapter 493: The Celestial Monster's Ambush!

Chapter 493: The Celestial Monster's Ambush!

November 17, 2024

After a night's rest, the group set off on their journey the next day.

Along the way, the sixty-six participants of the examination chatted and exchanged ideas. Their relationships were quite harmonious.

For the Array Masters' examination, there was indeed little competition among them. One person's success wouldn't affect another's chances of achieving good results.

From their conversations, it seemed that not many had chosen to cooperate. Most decided to face the challenge alone.

Over the years, everyone had come to realize this. Sometimes, working together was more challenging than going solo, and it was even harder to pass. A single person might even get through by sheer luck.

For two people to pass, they would have to eliminate two Earth Demons.

News of Su Chen and Autumn Stream Rain's cooperation didn't spread. Autumn Stream Rain had some concerns, but they weren't doubts about Su Chen. Instead, she worried that her aunt would scold her if she found out.

Autumn Stream Rain felt anxious and even a bit uneasy. On one hand, she wanted to repay the favor and cooperate with Su Chen, which she believed was the right thing to do. On the other hand, she was also worried.

She knew this eighth-rank Array Master examination was crucial. If she passed, the Qiu Clan would invest more resources in her, and her progress would accelerate.

Thinking of this, she felt a bit regretful.

Su Chen's demonstrated abilities seemed uncertain. This time, it was a real-world application, dealing with vicious demons in the wilderness.

She still had her doubts.

During the journey, Senior You Mingshan from the Array Alliance approached Su Chen.

"For this second stage of the examination, just do your best. It will definitely be challenging, but don't be discouraged if you fail. Your talent in techniques is excellent, even better than mine when I was young.

However, you need to relearn many formation array concepts and gain a deeper understanding. After the eighth-rank examination, follow me for two months; it will be beneficial for you."

As You Mingshan's words reached those around them, they couldn't help but show a hint of envy. Su Chen was directly invited by Senior You Mingshan to study under him.

Su Chen thanked him, feeling that his talent had been recognized, at least in part. But it was only a part.

Many looked forward to the opportunity to study under a senior from the Array Alliance. Su Chen, however, hesitated.

He'd think about it later.

You Mingshan's words made Autumn Stream Rain even more anxious. After all, he had just told Su Chen that he was unlikely to succeed in this examination.

Upon reaching the area for the formation array, everyone sprang into action. Each went to their designated positions.

The seniors from the Array Alliance and other elders moved forward to the front lines to provide assistance.

The Array Masters participating in the eighth-rank examination had two days to set up their arrays.

During this period, their safety was of utmost importance. Many of the Array Masters possessed average martial arts skills.

Even Autumn Stream Rain was only at the intermediate level of a seventh-rank Array Master.

With such skills, she was likely at the bottom among the younger generation of the Qiu Clan.

Since Su Chen and Autumn Stream Rain had decided to cooperate, they naturally had to choose their positions together.

Using the Demon Hunter's Celestial Mandate ability, Su Chen quickly found a nearly perfect location.

This spot revealed traces of many demons passing by. Moreover, these traces indicated that the demons hadn't encountered any trouble here.

This path served as a safe passage for the demons, which they wouldn't easily give up.

On such a route, there was a higher chance of encountering powerful demons like Golden Demons and Earth Demons.

On unfamiliar paths, Golden Demons typically wouldn't venture in without caution.

Most of the time, they would send Minor and Major Demons to scout ahead.

Once they confirmed there were no issues, the powerful demons would proceed.

This was why the examination required such a large number of Minor and Major Demons, a total of one hundred.

There was no other way; those Golden and Earth Demons always sent lower-ranked demons to scout.

There were just that many lower-ranked demons.

After Su Chen selected the position, Autumn Stream Rain disagreed.

"Demons are cautious and suspicious. The routes they choose are usually in complex terrain.

This area is relatively flat, with few hiding spots.

Only low-ranked Minor and Major Demons would pass through here; Golden and Earth Demons wouldn't venture this way.

It's truly..."

Autumn Stream Rain wanted to say that Su Chen was wasting his energy. But remembering that Su Chen had helped her, she held back her words.

"About a mile north, the terrain there is much more complex.

Those demon beasts love to launch sneak attacks on us from such intricate terrain.

Su Chen, you don't understand the nature of demons.

When we study array knowledge, we usually learn about the nature of demons as well.

So, we should still set up the array in that area."

Hearing Qiu Xiuyu's advice, Su Chen also shared his own judgment.

He was quite insistent.

Hearing this, Qiu Xiuyu's face showed some helplessness.

From the beginning, she felt that Su Chen lacked understanding of array knowledge.

Now, it's not just array knowledge.

His knowledge of dealing with demons is also far from sufficient.

Setting up an array here is very likely to be ineffective.

Seeing Qiu Xiuyu's silence, Su Chen didn't force the issue.

He let her go and set up the array at the position she chose.

He arranged the array himself.

Fearing that she might overthink things, Su Chen patiently explained.

Although they chose to cooperate, they were already somewhat incompatible from the start.

Before leaving, Qiu Xiuyu gave Su Chen some reminders.

"Su Chen, the reason the Array Alliance set up the first stage of the examination is actually for this moment.

They want us to practice setting up arrays on rugged terrain.

In other words, we should use it right now.

The Array Alliance has already hinted at the demons' route, and we can see that from here."

Su Chen nodded, not arguing.

He simply replied that he still wanted to give it a try.

The two parted ways and began setting up arrays according to their own ideas.

Su Chen calmed down and observed his surroundings while considering the array setup.

In fact, relying on his Demon Hunter ability, Su Chen detected celestial demon auras in the western frontline, not too far away.

These celestial demons didn't approach and maintained their distance, possibly blocked by the warriors of Jin Kingdom.

Feeling that the celestial demons weren't moving, Su Chen didn't bother with them anymore.

He began setting up arrays according to the current terrain.

For the second stage of the examination, the results were based on the number of demon corpses.

Injuring demons and letting them escape would yield no results.

Trapping demons in an array was better than letting them escape.

Under these rules, binding arrays and similar arrays were sure to be useful.

If a demon fell into such an array, it would be unable to escape.

After pondering for a while, Su Chen had some ideas in mind.

A single binding array wasn't very effective.

Demons trapped in it would roar and howl.

Once several demons were trapped by the array, these sounds would immediately alert other demons.

For this situation, many array masters would set up additional arrays at other positions to block them.

When demons were trapped and howled, other demons would scatter and flee.

The key point they grasped was this moment of scattering and fleeing.

At this moment, the demons were still somewhat panicked.

When they scattered, their paths would become chaotic.

And the arrays set up at other positions would come into play at this time.

To some extent, they were using multiple arrays in combination, forming a larger array.

Their method relied heavily on luck.

If their luck wasn't good, the harvest would indeed be small.

The bigger drawback was that they could only target one wave of demons each night.

As long as there was a demon trapped in the binding array, its cries would drive away other demons nearby.

Su Chen's choice was to use an isolation array, a beast confinement array, and a confusion array in combination.

The isolation array could isolate the aura within the array.

Within the isolation array, roars and screams couldn't escape no matter what.

In this regard, the array wouldn't be limited to one use per night.

Inside the isolation array, he added the beast confinement array.

Once the demons entered, they wouldn't be able to escape.

Additionally, he increased the confusion array within, causing the trapped demons to fall into a daze.

This was mainly to prevent unexpected accidents.

It wasn't easy for accidents to occur when the demons were in a daze.

Furthermore, the confusion array had a restraining effect on those demons.

After making his decision, Su Chen didn't hesitate.

He immediately started setting up the arrays.

The main array was the beast confinement array, the foundation of the entire setup.

It required the highest level of strength.

If the beast confinement array's strength wasn't sufficient, the demons could easily break through and escape.

Su Chen's idea wasn't the biggest challenge.

The greater difficulty lay in combining three arrays.

Ordinary array masters couldn't even manage one array, let alone combine them.

The array paths, the array foundation, and how to solidify them were all crucial.

These were the issues that needed to be addressed when superimposing arrays.

Moreover, some arrays could even conflict with each other.

If one didn't consider these factors, all previous efforts would be for naught.

Su Chen didn't feel too anxious about this. After all, he had some mastery over the Way of Arrays.

Furthermore, he had studied the array techniques left behind by Immortal Tranquil Wave.

Superimposing array patterns was a unique feature of the arrays left by the immortal.

It could also be said that it was a very important basic skill.

In this regard, it was vastly different from the Way of Arrays learned by others.

By now, it was past noon.

Everyone had brought their own provisions, so hunger wasn't an issue.

They were to stay here until the third hour of the night, which was when their time would be fully utilized.

For Su Chen, this time frame was quite comfortable.

If things went smoothly, he would be able to finish setting up all the arrays before nightfall today.

Speeding up his actions, Su Chen focused on his work.

During this time, Autumn Stream Rain came by.

She wanted to give Su Chen some reminders, but seeing that he had already set up so many arrays, she shook her head helplessly and left.

The position of her array wasn't far from Su Chen's.

A quarter of an hour was more than enough time to travel back and forth.

But Su Chen still believed in the principles he had learned.

According to the evaluation criteria left by Immortal Tranquil Wave, his array prowess could only be considered slightly accomplished.

However, Su Chen felt that even this slightly accomplished prowess was not bad.

After all, in the first stage of the examination, many people couldn't even set up a normal array.

Immortal Tranquil Wave's evaluation of array prowess was indeed too harsh.

The books mentioned array fusion and array miniaturization, but Su Chen hadn't delved into these peculiar techniques yet.

But for setting up arrays, he was fully capable.

As night fell, Su Chen had finished setting up the Beast Confinement Array and the Isolation Array.

He was halfway through setting up the Confusion Array.

Su Chen ate something and then continued working on the Confusion Array.

Su Chen planned to finish this array today and not delay any further.

With so many powerful experts guarding the frontlines, Su Chen believed that not many demons would be able to infiltrate.

Starting early didn't make much difference.

But leaving a small tail behind felt troublesome.

After finishing, Su Chen decided to check on Autumn Stream Rain's side.

If he could help, he would lend a hand.

She was a good person, and she was also a relative of Qiuerong Shuang.

Helping her was only natural.

At the third quarter of the night, Su Chen had completed all the arrays.

The inner diameter of the entire array was about thirty meters, covering the entire path.

With the help of some bushes for cover, the array's position was concealed.

After everything was done, Su Chen finally relaxed and activated the entire array.

Today was a bit tiring, but tomorrow he could rest well.

He sat down to rest and ate something.

As he hesitated, his gaze involuntarily turned to the front.

On the frontlines, there was a group of demons standing off against the warriors of Jin Kingdom.

Among this group of demons, there were Celestial Monsters.

Had they been in a standoff since daytime until now? Despite the many experts on the frontlines, Su Chen still felt worried.

This group of demons hadn't moved from their position, as if they were in a standoff.

Or perhaps they were lying in wait at a certain location.

If this group of demons was indeed lying in wait, they would definitely launch a sneak attack once the night fully descended.

For everyone, this would be a major issue.

With this thought, Su Chen decided to go talk to the senior experts guarding the frontlines.

He wanted to see why this group of demons hadn't moved.

As he was thinking, Su Chen sensed that this group of demons was quickly moving towards the rear.

Su Chen's guess was correct; this group of demons wasn't in a standoff with the Jin Kingdom's experts.

Their position was behind the defending warriors!

They had been quietly waiting, biding their time until nightfall to strike! Among this group of demons, there were Celestial Monsters.

This tactic was most likely devised by the Celestial Monsters, as the other Earth Demons didn't have such capabilities.

The Array Alliance had been conducting the second stage examination for Eighth Rank Array Masters here.

And the time period was always at the end of May.

The clever Celestial Monsters had sensed this pattern.

This ambush was specifically targeting the array masters.

The array masters here didn't possess superior strength.

With the Celestial Monsters leading them, it was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep.

The Celestial Monsters, leading the group of demons, moved swiftly.

They even split into three small teams, scattering as they approached.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end