Chapter 498: Conversation with Su Chen

Chapter 498: Conversation with Su Chen

November 22, 2024

Upon returning to her tent, Autumn Stream Rain noticed her younger sister-in-law waiting for her.

Lost in her thoughts, she couldn't help but feel a hint of embarrassment when she saw Qiu Yinan.

Qiu Yinan noticed her expression and immediately understood the reason.

This time, however, she was quite satisfied.

"The examination will involve a change in location, and the arrangements will be made next month.

You should have a month to rest and recover.

Prepare well, and when you come back next month, you should perform even better than this time."

Qiu Yinan didn't ask any further questions, but in her words, she directly brought up the matter of the Array Master Examination.

"What about Senior Brother Su?

He's injured, and if he's not fully recovered by next month..."

Hearing her sister-in-law's words, Autumn Stream Rain couldn't help but start questioning.

But upon hearing this, Qiu Yinan smiled and shook her head.

"You should focus on yourself, child.

Su Xing has passed this examination, and his ranking will directly soar.

He doesn't need to worry about the Eighth Rank Examination.

After last night's incident, he will at least be recognized as a Seventh Rank Array Master by the Array Alliance."

Autumn Stream Rain was not surprised by this statement; instead, she felt it was only natural.

Indeed, the previous night, when facing the Celestial Monster, Su Chen's formations had withstood the challenge.

The title of an Eighth Rank Array Master no longer seemed fitting for Su Chen.

Thinking about herself, Autumn Stream Rain felt a twinge of shame.

She was known as the most talented Array Master in the Qiu family.

But in front of Su Chen, she felt inadequate.

Even though Su Chen was only a few years older, his mastery of formations was so profound that he could easily be her teacher.

Furthermore, during last night's rescue, Autumn Stream Rain had witnessed Su Chen's Martial Path prowess.

His Martial Path skills were also quite impressive.

All these factors combined, further emphasized Su Chen's extraordinary abilities.

"You spent so much time in the tent today. What did you two talk about?"

After discussing the matter at hand, Qiu Yinan asked Autumn Stream Rain about their conversation.

Autumn Stream Rain didn't hide anything from her sister-in-law.

She knew that Qiu Yinan's thoughts were a bit heavy.

If she lied, it would only lead to more unnecessary worries.

So, in front of Qiu Yinan, Autumn Stream Rain shared everything.

When Qiu Yinan learned that they had talked about Qiuerong Shuang and that Su Chen admired her, she let out several cold huffs.

"In our vast Qiu family, it's as if Qiuerong Shuang is the only one that matters.

People from various sects always mention how remarkable Qiuerong Shuang is when they speak of our family.

It's as if all the achievements of our family are solely hers."

Hearing her sister-in-law's complaints, Autumn Stream Rain didn't dare to say much.

She just listened, knowing that Qiu Yinan didn't like Qiuerong Shuang.

But Qiuerong Shuang was undeniably exceptional.

"If Qiuerong Shuang is so capable, she should solve all the problems our family is facing.

With the impact on our clan's medicinal pills, why doesn't she address the issue with the Jade Stone Pills?

Given the vast resources she consumes, her achievements should be expected.

I don't know what all the fuss is about."

In front of Autumn Stream Rain, Qiu Yinan continued her complaints, expressing various grievances.

In reality, after reaching the Transformation Realm, Qiuerong Shuang often didn't rely on the Qiu family for resources.

The Qiu family didn't possess most of the scarce resources she needed.

The Celestial Treasures she required were mostly acquired through her own efforts.

Moreover, a warrior's strength wasn't solely dependent on resources.

While resources were essential, they didn't guarantee an increase in power.

If resources were the only factor, then the descendants of powerful warriors would all become masters.

However, the truth was that many descendants of renowned masters were mediocre.

Using resources could only elevate one's power to the Seventh or Sixth Rank at most.

Not to mention reaching the Fifth Rank or the Transformation Realm like Qiuerong Shuang; that would change the world's power dynamics.

Autumn Stream Rain's mind was occupied with her own concerns, and she didn't pay much attention to her sister-in-law's complaints.

She was well aware of Qiuerong Shuang's abilities and prowess.

Her feelings towards Qiuerong Shuang were primarily of respect.

However, in terms of blood ties, Qiu Yinan was closer.

Autumn Stream Rain's father had entrusted her care to Qiu Yinan.

Over in the tent, Su Chen had indeed slept enough.

Seeing that Autumn Stream Rain was gone, he resumed his disguise and stepped out to get some fresh air.

When You Mingshan and the other Array Masters saw Su Chen, they immediately approached him.

They invited Su Chen to their central tent for a chat.

Su Chen didn't refuse; these masters of the Array Alliance were genuinely decent people.

Additionally, Su Chen was curious to hear their assessment of his formation skills.

Last night, thankfully, the Array was set up in advance.

It was only then that they managed to gain some advantages in hindering the Celestial Monster.

The Beast Confinement Array he set up truly trapped the Celestial Monster.

Su Chen felt that he wasn't too bad.

He just didn't know what level this Array would be in the eyes of Array Masters.

He sat down in the tent.

After a moment, Master You Mingshan personally brought Su Chen a cup of tea.

This made Su Chen feel a little embarrassed.

He stood up repeatedly, showing his respect.

As the tea was brewed, the conversation naturally began in earnest.

The gazes of the Array Masters all fell upon Su Chen.

They opened the conversation by discussing some Array concepts.

This time, Master You Mingshan didn't say that Su Chen's concept was problematic; instead, he asked Su Chen how he had come up with his ideas.

What was the basis for his thoughts?

Su Chen explained his Array concept, starting from the most fundamental principle.

In the Array tomes left behind by Immortal Tranquil Wave, the most basic concept was the Formless Principle.

All Array formations had no fixed patterns.

Although Arrays were intricate, a slight mistake could make them difficult to execute.

But more often than not, the reason was that Array Masters didn't fully understand the core principles.

For example, within the Beast Confinement Array, there were numerous Array patterns, intricate and complex.

But among these patterns, some were merely Illusory Patterns.

These Illusory Patterns, as Su Chen named them, were a class of patterns whose presence or absence didn't affect the execution of the Beast Confinement Array.

They only influenced the strength of the Array.

Their function was somewhat similar to the Illusory Constraints in mechanisms, which could affect the mechanism's strength but wouldn't determine whether the mechanism could function.

Su Chen focused on these Illusory Patterns.

By incorporating other Arrays, he allowed the patterns of other Arrays to simultaneously serve as the Illusory Patterns of the Beast Confinement Array.

This not only reinforced the Beast Confinement Array but also brought about the effects of other Arrays to assist.

The surrounding Array Masters listened with utmost seriousness.

They never imagined that Arrays could be set up in such a manner.

It turned out that the core of Array overlap lay in this concept.

Especially when Su Chen introduced the idea of Illusory Patterns, it caused their minds to be in complete turmoil.

After so many years of reaching the Fifth Rank Formation Master level, they believed their understanding of Arrays had become profound.

Superficial concepts were already thoroughly understood.

What they were currently researching were the finer details.

For instance, the thickness and curvature of Array patterns.

These details undoubtedly affected the Array, but the extent of their impact was genuinely difficult to gauge.

To be more direct, when a chef cooks, extending the cooking time by a little wouldn't have a significant impact.

A quantitative change leading to a qualitative change—a slight alteration wouldn't bring about substantial concrete changes to the entire Array.

Many times, the details they researched could be considered a waste of time.

Inside the central tent, several Array Masters quickly set up a simple Bright Movement Array.

The Bright Movement Array was a commonly used Array for Array research.

Its function was to emit a relatively bright light.

By adjusting and moving the Array, one could clearly observe the changes in the Array.

If the Array couldn't execute, its light would extinguish.

If the Bright Movement Array's strength decreased, it would dim.

With increased strength, it would brighten.

Therefore, Array Masters often employed this Bright Movement Array to test certain techniques.

For observation purposes, it was exceptionally clear and evident.

After setting up the Array, Master You Mingshan asked Su Chen to provide some genuine guidance.

In the Bright Movement Array before them, which were Illusory Patterns and which were Actual Patterns?

They had just understood Su Chen's words, but in practical application, they were still unclear about their issues.

They didn't have a complete understanding of Illusory and Actual Patterns.

Su Chen didn't hesitate and immediately began adjusting the Bright Movement Array.

In the places they deemed absolutely untouchable, Su Chen deliberately disconnected those points.

Subsequently, the light emitted by the entire Bright Movement Array gradually dimmed.

Throughout the process, everyone watched very clearly.

Even after disconnecting those points, the Bright Movement Array continued to operate.

Su Chen kept adjusting while explaining.

Beside him, Master Cui also followed Su Chen's example, using his understanding to disconnect an Array pattern at a certain position.

But despite disconnecting an inconspicuous position, the Bright Movement Array directly malfunctioned.

Seeing this, Su Chen explained it to them once more.

It sounded simple, but it was challenging to execute.

Su Chen's description of the entire process taught them a valuable lesson.

But when it came to actually applying it, they found it more challenging than it seemed.

The conversation lasted until the late hours of the night.

Seeing Su Chen repeatedly drinking tea, the others understood.

Su Chen was exhausted from explaining to them.

Moreover, Su Chen had been injured the night before, and with the late hour, they didn't want to burden him further with more teachings.

You Mingshan spoke up, expressing his gratitude to Su Chen.

He also suggested that Su Chen should return, as his injuries had just healed.

They would be heading back to Pebble City tomorrow.

There would be more opportunities to exchange ideas with Su Chen.

Su Chen returned to his tent to rest.

As they watched Su Chen leave, the Array Masters couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

They attempted to recreate the arrays, but their results were inconsistent, sometimes correct and sometimes wrong.

It was evident that they had not fully grasped the Illusory Patterns that Su Chen had explained.

These hours of instruction had not been enough for them to master the techniques.

Being trapped here for so long, everyone present felt a hint of disappointment.

But after the initial disappointment, they couldn't help but marvel.

You Mingshan, in particular, recalled his previous words and found them somewhat amusing.

"When this child participated in the Ninth Rank Examination, I gave him some reminders.

I told him that his understanding of arrays was biased and misguided.

During the Eighth Rank Examination, I even suggested that he should give up.

Fortunately, he persisted, or I would have made a grave mistake."

You Mingshan's face carried a hint of self-reproach.

Amidst the self-reproach, there was also a tinge of helplessness.

This time, the surrounding Array Masters offered comfort, refraining from overly emotional words.

"It's said that geniuses are often misunderstood at first.

Just like Su Xing, it's normal that we didn't understand him initially.

After all, we aren't geniuses in arrays like him, so there's no need to be too harsh on ourselves."

Master Cui, standing nearby, offered words of solace to You Mingshan.

Looking across the world, even including the Chu State, these Array Masters were undoubtedly considered geniuses.

But in this world, there were even greater geniuses above geniuses.

The Array Masters, immersed in the path of arrays and having spent many years in the Array Alliance, had encountered numerous array geniuses.

Yet, even after seeing so many array geniuses, none had left them as awe-struck as Su Chen did this time.

This time, their understanding of arrays had reached a whole new level.

"If Su Xing's knowledge of arrays were a bit broader, I feel he could be considered a Fifth Rank Formation Master.

His learning in arrays seems somewhat one-dimensional."

The assessment from the nearby Array Master was quite accurate.

Su Chen's array knowledge came from the Immortal Tranquil Wave's tomes.

His knowledge base was indeed narrower than others.

The types of arrays he could set up were far fewer than those of other Array Masters.

One could say he lacked in breadth, but in precision, Su Chen excelled.

"When we return to the Array Alliance, let's offer him some guidance.

Perhaps the future of the Array Alliance will rest on his shoulders."

The Array Masters no longer discussed taking Su Chen as their disciple.

Su Chen's explanations that night had left them feeling embarrassed.

If they couldn't grasp the teachings he offered, it would be inappropriate to seek to become his master.

This realization made them feel a sense of shame.

Being a master didn't necessarily mean surpassing one's disciple or knowing more than them.

But Su Chen wasn't their disciple whom they had raised from a young age.

It was his exceptional talent that made them consider taking him as their disciple.

Without sufficient talent and understanding, it would be absurd to ask him to be their disciple.

As Array Masters of the Array Alliance, they still possessed a sense of shame.

They knew better than to make such an unreasonable request in front of Su Chen.

The night passed.

The participants of the Array Master Examination all returned to Pebble City.

On his way back, Su Chen learned from others about the events of that fateful night.

The border defense forces, where they were stationed, had been questioned by the Jin State court.

Array Masters held a prestigious position in the Jin State.

Yet, that night, the border defense forces had allowed a group of Celestial Monsters to pass through without detection.

It was only natural for the court to hold them accountable for this oversight.

In the presence of others, Qiuerong Shuang seemed somewhat restrained.

She would converse with Su Chen, but their conversations were formal or perfunctory.

Upon returning to Pebble City, everyone stayed in the city, awaiting the resumption of the Eighth Rank Examination the following month.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end