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Chapter 499: The Sixth Rank Array Master!
Chapter 499: The Sixth Rank Array Master!
2024-11-23
Su Chen never expected the Array Master Examination to be this complicated.
Honestly, Su Chen was reluctant to wait another month.
His primary focus was on his Martial Path cultivation.
He came to participate in these examinations to gauge his Formation Array skills.
Secondly, he wanted to see if he could gain some inspiration from them.
But after arriving here, he realized that the Array Alliance and other Array Masters had significant differences in their Formation Array knowledge.
As for the Sixth Rank Array Master being protected by the Array Alliance, Su Chen did not take it to heart.
The reason was simple; Su Chen understood it clearly.
Fan Chengyan was known as Fan Ba Dao, and her very nature was to disregard the rules that others had to follow.
Whether or not he was under the Array Alliance's protection, she would still target him.
If he was injured by her, he might even lose his life.
To her, it was just a matter of punishment and paying a price.
But this price would never be her life.
Unless Su Chen obtained the title of a Sixth Rank Array Master, the Array Alliance would never go to war with Fan Chengyan for his sake.
That was impossible.
Therefore, Su Chen would not place his hopes on the Array Alliance.
In a month's time, he could focus on his own matters first.
If he had the time, he would come back next month to retake the Eighth Rank Array Master Examination.
If not, he would consider it a direct withdrawal.
With this in mind, Su Chen was about to inform Master You Mingshan and the others before leaving.
But as he stepped out of the tavern, he encountered someone from the Array Alliance delivering a message.
It was then that Su Chen learned he had been evaluated as a Sixth Rank Array Master.
The Eighth Rank Examination was supposed to be retaken.
Yet, he had directly obtained the title of a Sixth Rank Array Master.
At the Array Alliance's courtyard, a high platform had been erected.
This was a standard procedure during the annual announcement of Array Master qualifications.
In fact, this also showed that the Eighth Rank Array Masters would have a formal ceremony.
As for the Ninth Rank Array Masters, they were simply given a document and dismissed.
By noon, the platform's construction was complete.
The surrounding area was already filled with the citizens of Pebble City.
An Array Master from the Array Alliance ascended the platform.
He began to read a document.
This document contained some decisions made by the Array Alliance regarding the recent events.
In a sense, the Array Alliance was an organization jointly supported by the people of Jin State.
Unlike many other organizations, the Array Alliance did not only have to account for its internal affairs.
The Array Alliance was different; any decision they made would be publicly announced.
This was to demonstrate their fairness and transparency.
This was why the Array Alliance was held in such high regard.
There were no mysterious or strange things; everything was as it seemed.
The Array Master on the platform announced the list of those who had gained the opportunity to cultivate within the Array Alliance.
Those whose names were called could cultivate within the Array Alliance under the guidance of Array Masters for a year.
This news had been announced to the examinees previously.
This time, it was a declaration to the people of Pebble City and Jin State.
Below the platform, no one voiced any objections.
Without these people to stop the Eighth Rank Examination, many would have perished.
This contribution warranted this treatment.
After the announcements, the Array Master on the platform continued speaking.
He declared the names of those who had been evaluated early as Eighth Rank Array Masters.
This time, aside from Su Chen, two others had been evaluated as Eighth Rank.
They were also quick to act.
When the demons attacked, they had already set up their Formation Arrays.
And the arrays they laid out trapped the demons that came to harass them.
In total, three people obtained the identity of an Eighth Rank Array Master.
The three of them ascended the platform and received the Eighth Rank Array Master's robe and document from the Array Alliance.
Many people below the platform were dissatisfied with this result.
Some did not expect there to be a demon ambush.
They intended to think carefully before acting, but the demons had arrived before they could finish setting up their arrays.
Someone from the crowd shouted for fairness.
This was an unexpected event.
The Array Master on the platform glared at them.
"We wish for a life without unexpected events.
But in reality, almost everything is influenced by the unexpected.
If you successfully set up an extremely difficult array, can you also question if it was a coincidence?
You succeeded twice, but you question if it was a coincidence twice."
"To believe that others' success is merely a stroke of luck, such a mindset will not take you far."
Upon hearing the criticism from the Array Master, those who had spoken fell silent.
The Array Masters of the Spiritual Array Alliance generally held a high level of prestige.
Moreover, this Array Master's words were reasonable.
Even if there were unexpected factors, why should they not be considered in the evaluation? In this world, there are countless matters where unexpected elements play a role.
These individuals who were evaluated as Eighth Rank Array Masters must possess some extraordinary abilities.
If they lacked the capability, even if they had set up the arrays in advance, they would not have been able to stop the demons.
Perhaps they would have been overwhelmed by the demons in an instant.
The situation that night was urgent, and those who helped at that time would surely be remembered by the Alliance, and they would be rewarded.
On the elevated platform, several Array Masters stepped forward and draped the Eighth Rank Formation Master robes over them.
The treatment they received was envied by many below the platform.
After obtaining the identity of Eighth Rank Array Masters, their path of array cultivation would become much easier in the future.
In the Jin State, there were many regions that required the assistance of Array Masters every year.
Some ancient arrays needed to be rested, and some strategic points were disturbed by demons, necessitating the deployment of arrays for defense.
Only by attaining the identity of an Eighth Rank Array Master could one qualify to participate in these tasks.
Engaging in these operations was not only about harvesting resources.
Each time, the Alliance's masters would lead the team.
By following the masters, one's array skills would undoubtedly improve.
During these missions, any doubts could be clarified immediately.
Such treatment was something others could only dream of.
The identity of an Eighth Rank Array Master was so valuable for a reason—it brought not only status but also hope.
To attain the Eighth Rank, the Sixth Rank might seem out of reach, but the Seventh Rank was no longer a distant dream.
Amidst the crowd's envy, these newly-appointed Eighth Rank Array Masters descended from the platform.
But on the platform, the Array Master continued, taking out his documents and reading aloud.
"During this examination, we encountered numerous crises.
Amidst these crises, Disciple Su Xing, demonstrated exceptional performance.
His array skills were of the highest caliber, his techniques precise, his layouts well-thought-out, and his thinking clear.
His overall strength far surpassed that of most Array Masters.
Taking this opportunity, after deliberations with multiple Fifth Rank Array Masters of the Alliance,
it is decided to bestow upon Su Xing the identity of a Sixth Rank Array Master."
Before the words could settle, a wave of gasps and exclamations filled the venue.
The result of the Eighth Rank Array Master examination was the selection of a Sixth Rank Array Master, skipping the Seventh Rank entirely.
Even the citizens of Pebble City, who had witnessed these examinations year after year, couldn't help but marvel at this turn of events.
The crowd below the platform looked around, trying to identify Su Xing.
However, compared to the Eighth Rank Array Master identity they had just received, there was far less skepticism regarding Su Chen's new status.
When he surpassed them slightly, they were jealous.
But when he leaped ahead by a whole rank, they could only look up to him.
The identity of a Sixth Rank Array Master was something most Array Masters could only dream of achieving in their entire lives.
However, the techniques required to set up formations also demand a significant amount of energy to practice, observe, and comprehend.
At such a young age, could he truly master those skills?
As Su Chen descended from the platform, many people seemed to have doubts once again.
They had some uncertainties in their minds.
But these doubts were suppressed, and no one voiced them.
The eighth-rank examination might have surprises, but this surprise wouldn't allow someone to leapfrog to the status of a sixth-rank formation master.
After Su Chen obtained this status, among the many people present, those with doubts whispered their discussions.
Su Chen did not linger outside the Array Alliance's headquarters.
Being stared at wasn't an enjoyable experience.
Su Chen was preparing to visit the Array Alliance to consult with the formation masters.
But with the current crowd, it was more appropriate to wait until the crowd dispersed before approaching them.
After leaving, Su Chen returned to the tavern to rest.
It was only after seeing Su Chen leave that the crowd began to relax a little.
"Does he really have the abilities of a sixth-rank formation master?
Looking at his appearance, it doesn't seem quite right."
"During the eighth-rank formation master's assessment, what did he do to directly obtain the sixth-rank status?"
Everyone was voicing their own inner doubts.
It was a somewhat mild form of doubt, an indirect suspicion.
Hearing these words, Autumn Stream Rain, who usually didn't like to get involved in such matters, couldn't help but speak up this time.
"If the beast confinement array you set up can also trap the Celestial Monster, then you can also obtain the status of a sixth-rank formation master.
If you don't believe it, you can go ask the masters at the Array Alliance.
If not for Su Xing's beast confinement array trapping the Celestial Monster, who knows how many people would have died that night.
You thought that night, only the Earth Demons came to attack?"
Autumn Stream Rain's words were a bit blunt.
It even carried a hint of rebuttal towards the others.
Hearing this, the others were slightly surprised.
They genuinely didn't know about the Celestial Monster's attack that night.
They only knew about the Earth Demons' sneak attack.
To avoid causing panic, the Array Alliance also didn't announce this information publicly.
At this moment, some people in the room even felt a shiver run down their spines.
This was a lingering fear in their hearts.
Although the Earth Demons and the Celestial Monster seemed to be separated by a thin line, the gap between them was enormous.
It was like the difference between a fifth-rank and a Transcendent Realm cultivator.
A thin line separated them, but the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.
If the Celestial Monster had truly killed its way to their front that night, they would have been waiting for death.
"If his formation can indeed trap the Celestial Monster, then this sixth-rank status is well-deserved."
"Indeed, having such abilities is not a problem."
Although Autumn Stream Rain's words were somewhat blunt, the others didn't seem to take offense.
No one argued back.
Being able to control the Celestial Monster and ensure everyone's safety, this status of a sixth-rank formation master, was appropriate and well-deserved.
Autumn Stream Rain didn't linger here, and after witnessing the ceremony of identity conferment, she left with her younger cousin.
On their way back, a hint of slight melancholy appeared on her face.
Ever since returning to Pebble City, she didn't know how to approach Su Chen.
After not seeking out Su Chen for a few days, Su Chen also didn't take the initiative to talk to her.
This situation made Autumn Stream Rain feel even more uncomfortable.
Every time she saw Su Chen, a small expectation rose in her heart, only to be crushed in the end.
"Autumn Stream Rain, it seems like you haven't had much interaction with Su Xing lately? Is there some disagreement? Take the time to visit him; his injuries should be recovering."
Walking beside her, Qiu Yinan sensed the situation.
She asked with concern.
At this point, she no longer opposed the relationship between Autumn Stream Rain and Su Chen, and even offered some support.
Regardless of whether Autumn Stream Rain could take that step closer to Su Chen, it would be beneficial and harmless to her.
Su Chen's innate talent in formations, Qiu Yinan had witnessed the astonishment of those formation masters.
Even if there was no romantic relationship between Autumn Stream Rain and Su Chen, she could still learn a lot of useful formation knowledge from him.
Hearing her younger cousin's inquiry, the melancholy on Autumn Stream Rain's face deepened.
"Su Xing's physique is doing well; there's no need for me to worry.
Look, cousin, when others came today, I was still a little injured.
I'm recovering well~"
Autumn Stream Rain also wanted to visit Su Chen, but she felt a bit stifled inside.
The words reached her lips, and she unconsciously spoke with a hint of melancholy.
Qiu Yinan naturally noticed this, but she didn't probe further.
Instead, she changed the topic and continued to talk about Su Chen.
(End of Chapter)
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