https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-883-The-Monster-Thanks-to-the-generous-support-from-the-Young-Master-/12828697/
Chapter 882: Advanced
Chapter 882: Advanced
The Array contest was conducted in the form of a grand array examination, with a rule of three failures leading to disqualification.
If a contestant failed to draw or drew incorrectly three different array problems, they were deemed to have lost and were asked to leave the examination hall. This rule provided some room for error.
After all, the study of arrays was vast and profound, encompassing a wide range of categories and diverse forms, with various lineages and traditions. Even the most outstanding disciples couldn't guarantee that they would correctly draw every array without a single mistake.
For example, a disciple with the ability to draw nineteen-line arrays might be disqualified if they made a mistake on a sixteen-line array due to a flawed lineage or a momentary slip. This would be a significant loss.
The grand array contest, while a competition, was fundamentally a selection process. Its purpose was to identify truly exceptional array masters.
To avoid such unfortunate situations, the "three-strike rule" was gradually adopted. This rule allowed the examination to test the disciples' array knowledge, foundational skills, ability to draw arrays, mental fortitude, and perseverance while also providing some leeway for errors.
The grand array contest started with sixteen-line arrays and progressed one line at a time. Each line represented a level, and contestants had to draw a certain number of arrays at each level. A contestant who failed three arrays was eliminated. The final rankings were determined by the order in which contestants were eliminated.
The last contestant standing would be the champion of the grand array contest.
Currently, the first level being tested was the sixteen-line array.
A sixteen-line array was a mid-tier Second Rank array. Mo Hua's brush moved fluidly, and he quickly completed several sixteen-line arrays. After finishing, he carefully checked his work to ensure there were no mistakes. Satisfied, he sat upright and closed his eyes to rest.
Xun Laoshi had advised that the array examination was a long and grueling process, a significant test of mental fortitude. It was a marathon, and every moment of rest was crucial for recovering mental energy.
Soon, many other disciples also finished their arrays and began meditating to rest.
This was the grand array contest for the late Foundation Stage cultivators in Qianxue Province, where many geniuses gathered. The examination questions were not particularly difficult for most contestants, and those who had reached this stage were unlikely to struggle with sixteen-line arrays.
Of course, there were always exceptions. Some disciples began to scratch their heads, others turned pale with frustration, and a few even covered their faces in despair.
Some had sufficient mental fortitude but lacked the array skills, while others had the skills but not the mental fortitude to withstand the continuous strain. Some simply couldn't handle the pressure of such a significant examination and performed poorly.
Under the watchful eyes of the audience, the pressure was even greater, and their performance suffered. After a few strokes, their hands began to tremble, and their minds went blank. They quickly used up their three chances and were forced to leave the examination hall with their heads hung low.
Their mentors watched helplessly, clenching their fists and sighing in frustration.
Thus, a small number of disciples were eliminated in the sixteen-line array examination. Some had already made one or two mistakes and had little room for error in the subsequent rounds.
About a third of the contestants had not made any mistakes, including Mo Hua.
Mo Hua remained calm and composed, even as a few of his peers were eliminated. This scene did not go unnoticed by those who knew him.
The younger disciples of Tai Xu Sect, his seniors, familiar elders, and friends like Wenren Wan and Gu Changhuai all breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, he held his ground...
They knew Mo Hua had good array skills, but the grand array examination was a different story. With so many eyes on him, the pressure was immense, and his opponents were all older and more advanced cultivators from various sects.
They feared Mo Hua might crack under the pressure and make a mistake, leading to a quick elimination.
Thankfully, he managed to hold on...
Passing the sixteen-line array was a significant achievement. At least he would have a respectable ranking, and it wouldn't be embarrassing to talk about.
Many people silently thought to themselves.
After the sixteen-line array, the next level was the seventeen-line array. There was a brief rest period of about half an hour.
This schedule was generous for Mo Hua, and he used the time to fully recover his mental energy.
After the half-hour break, the seventeen-line array examination began.
The difficulty level increased significantly. A sixteen-line array was a mid-tier Second Rank array, while a seventeen-line array was a high-tier Second Rank array. This was a significant hurdle, and mastering a high-tier Second Rank array at the Foundation Stage was considered a mark of genius.
In the entire cultivation world, only a few array masters could achieve this at the Foundation Stage.
In the examination hall, the number of eliminated contestants increased noticeably. Many struggled to find solutions, scratching their heads in frustration.
But arrays were unforgiving. No matter how hard they tried, if they didn't know the solution, they couldn't draw it, especially under the pressure of an examination with limited time.
These disciples could only sigh and give up.
Others who made mistakes and used up their three chances could only regret not practicing more and not drawing more often.
It was just a matter of a few more strokes...
Some disciples' mental energy was completely drained, and they collapsed, being taken away by the examiners for medical attention...
...
The situation became more tense.
The seventeen-line array examination was much longer than the sixteen-line array. The atmosphere in the examination hall grew tense and oppressive, and more and more contestants were forced to leave.
Mo Hua, however, continued to draw arrays calmly, oblivious to the pressure.
Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Murong Caiyun, Wenren Wan, and all those who knew Mo Hua were on edge.
"Come on, little senior brother..."
"Mo Hua..."
"Just hold on..."
They were deeply concerned for Mo Hua, their hearts pounding with anxiety.
But many other disciples, who were not particularly interested in the arrays and had no one from their sect competing, found the examination tedious and boring.
"Formation arts are truly boring..."
"I don’t even know what they’re drawing."
"It’s so oppressive, my scalp tingles just looking at it."
"People start clutching their heads and turning pale while drawing. Is it really that painful?" someone asked, puzzled.
"Try drawing formations yourself. Not many, just three a day. You’ll know the pain after just one."
"I’m too lazy to do that."
"So boring, how long does this take?"
"Who knows, maybe a day..."
"So long... It’s tough for them, a brush, some ink, and a pile of formations to draw all day..."
"You know nothing."
"I’m too lazy to understand..."
Outside the Grand Formation Arena, some disciples who were just there for the spectacle gradually left.
Those who remained were mostly true experts in formations, determined to follow the path of a formation master.
Or, they were disciples concerned about their sect’s honor, watching their peers or seniors compete on the stage.
The experts watched with admiration. Those concerned about their sect watched with anxiety.
Time slowly passed.
Inside the Grand Formation Arena, the formation geniuses from various sects endured immense pressure, drawing formations one after another with great difficulty.
The process was extremely arduous and long.
Outside the arena, some found it boring and left, while others, including external cultivators, came in to observe.
Ren Wan was holding her son Yu, both of them staring intently at the ink drawings on the stage.
Just then, a deep but gentle voice sounded:
"Wan."
Ren Wan was startled and looked up, seeing a tall and handsome middle-aged man standing beside her. She exclaimed in surprise:
"Father."
The man had a stern but kind face, and several high-ranking elders followed behind him. He was Ren Wan’s father, the current head of the Ren family, Ren Jingxuan.
Yu poked his head out from Ren Wan’s arms, his eyes sparkling, and chirped, "Grandpa."
Ren Jingxuan smiled at Yu, but he felt a subtle unease. Yu’s eyes were too lively and cheerful, which only made his worries grow.
On the high platform, the head of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Ce, and the head of the Gu family, Gu Shouyan, stood up and came down to greet him, showing their respect:
"Brother Ren."
"Brothers Shangguan and Gu," Ren Jingxuan said with a bow, "I’m late, I apologize."
"Brother Ren, please don’t be so formal. Please take your seat."
"Thank you."
Ren Jingxuan followed the two to the upper seats.
After they were seated, they exchanged a few pleasantries.
Ren Jingxuan then turned his gaze to the arena, where he saw disciples from various sects diligently drawing formations.
These disciples were drawing high-tier Second Rank formations, and even as the head of a clan, he couldn’t help but marvel:
"Qianxue Province is truly a place where cultivators come to learn. In the various families and clans, disciples who can draw mid-tier Second Rank formations at the Foundation Establishment stage are few and far between. Yet, in Qianxue Province, such talented disciples can fill this vast arena. It’s truly breathtaking."
"The path of the Dao is unceasing, the land is blessed, and the people are outstanding. The reputation is well-deserved..."
Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan nodded in agreement.
As heads of their respective families, they understood the value of talent.
In the myriad paths of cultivation, formation arts are crucial.
If not for this, busy clan leaders like them wouldn’t take the time to attend the Dao Discussion Conference to watch disciples compete in formation arts.
Second Rank formations might not be much.
But it depends on who is drawing them.
A Golden Core cultivator drawing a Second Rank formation is one thing, but a Foundation Establishment cultivator drawing a high-tier Second Rank formation is a true genius.
Geniuses mean the future.
These talented disciples might not be famous now, but in the near future, some of them might achieve mastery in formation arts, enter the Celestial Pivot Pavilion, and be revered as formation masters.
One day, one of these disciples might accumulate great knowledge, thoroughly understand the Dao, and become a grandmaster of formation arts, standing alone for ages, revered by millions.
If they don’t pay attention now and form good relationships, they might miss their chance to connect with such powerful figures in the future.
After all, in the cultivation world, the Dao is unpredictable, and nothing is impossible.
As Ren Jingxuan, Shangguan Ce, and Gu Shouyan sipped tea and chatted, they also kept their eyes on the arena, looking for outstanding disciples in formation arts.
Their attention was mostly on the top-ranked disciples in the center of the arena.
These top-ranked disciples were from the four major sects.
The one in the lead was a handsome and cautious genius from the Qian Dao Sect, the Shen family.
Another was a sharp-featured, graceful genius from the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Xiao family, whose brushwork was as sharp as a sword.
The Dragon Cauldron Sect had a genius from the Ao family, with a rugged appearance, but his talent in formations was not to be underestimated.
The last one was a female disciple named Duanmu Xue from the Ten Thousand Skies Sect, with a refined and stern demeanor, not much of a talker, but with a profound spiritual consciousness.
The heads of the families had already noted these disciples.
After all, disciples with special talents in formations couldn’t remain unknown; they were the “darlings” of various factions.
But forming connections with these geniuses wasn’t easy.
After all, there were “more wolves than meat,” with countless families eyeing these shining stars.
Even though the Ren and Shangguan families were Fifth Rank families, they had little competitive edge.
The Gu family had even less to offer.
Gu Shouyan could only watch.
These formation geniuses from the four major sects had little to do with the “pure stream” Gu family, which was stuck at the Fifth Rank and lacked strong connections.
Outside the four major sects, there were also some disciples with good talent in formations.
But compared to the top geniuses from the four major sects, they were clearly inferior.
However, even if they weren’t top-tier, they were still first-rate.
First-rate geniuses were still geniuses and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Ren Jingxuan and Shangguan Ce were both silently selecting candidates, planning to send gifts to these formation geniuses after the event to build good relationships and form positive connections.
Both of them were at the Feathered Ascension stage, with powerful divine consciousness. After a few sweeps, they had a general idea of the situation.
The Seventeen-strip examination was still ongoing and wouldn't be over anytime soon. The family heads relaxed a bit, starting to chat and drink tea.
Ren Jingxuan glanced over and saw his daughter, Ren Wan, sitting at the edge of the high platform with Yu'er, seemingly distant from the rest of the Shangguan family. This made him feel uneasy.
This daughter, he had always pampered her since she was a child. But it was clear she wasn't happy after marrying into the Shangguan family.
Ren Jingxuan's gaze hardened. "Shangguan brother, has my daughter caused any trouble since marrying into the Shangguan family?"
Shangguan Ce replied calmly, "Wan'er is respectful and gentle; she hasn't caused any trouble."
Just as he finished speaking, a light laugh echoed. It came from the green-robed female elder from the Shen family.
Ren Jingxuan frowned.
Before he could say anything, a Feathered Ascension elder from the Shangguan family reprimanded the female elder, "The family head is speaking; you must not interrupt."
This Feathered Ascension elder, Shangguan Wang, had deep creases on his face. He was a powerful elder in the Shangguan family and had even competed for the position of family head with Shangguan Ce.
Even though he lost, his influence within the Shangguan family remained significant.
Shangguan Wang pretended to reprimand her but was actually hinting at something. "Be mindful of the setting; we can discuss this later."
The female elder murmured, "Yes..."
Ren Jingxuan's eyebrows arched. He couldn't miss their intentions. "Elder Wang, has my daughter committed any mistakes?"
Shangguan Wang looked troubled.
Ren Jingxuan said, "Elder Wang, feel free to speak."
Shangguan Wang's gaze darkened. "If we're talking about major mistakes, there are none. However, Lady Wan'er's behavior is rather capricious..."
"As a Shangguan family daughter-in-law, she spends most of her time at the Gu family. She is overly indulgent with the main branch's Young Master Yu'er, raising him in the Taixu Sect without clear intentions."
"Her business management is poor, with many bad debts."
"She has privately withheld a significant amount of spirit stones."
"Her actions lack stability, and she hasn't fulfilled her duties as a wife to Young Master Yi."
He listed Ren Wan's indiscretions, embellishing them for effect. Some were true, but most, like her business management and the withholding of spirit stones, were exaggerated versions of common family issues, turned into faults.
Even minor disagreements between spouses became fodder for gossip.
Others from the Shangguan family, especially those close to Shangguan Wang, chimed in to agree.
Ren Wan, unable to defend herself, turned pale.
Ren Jingxuan's frown deepened.
"These aren't the worst parts..." Shangguan Wang's expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "The most egregious act was a few years ago, when she persuaded Young Master Yi to use the Shangguan family's extensive connections to force an unrelated disciple into the Eight Great Sects."
"These connections belong to the Shangguan family, but the person forced into the Eight Great Sects has no ties to the Shangguan family, the Ren family, or even the Gu family."
"This is truly unacceptable."
The Eight Great Sects were extremely prestigious. The connections and favors Ren Wan used to get Mo Hua into the Eight Great Sects were more significant than Mo Hua realized.
Moreover, Mo Hua's talent was far below the Taixu Sect's entry requirements. This made the favor even more costly.
Ren Wan never mentioned these costs to Mo Hua, fearing he would feel burdened. But these favors were taken from the Shangguan family.
Had they been used properly, they could have secured spots for two or even three Shangguan family disciples, who were just short of the requirements, in the Eight Great Sects.
Now, those spots were gone.
The Eight Great Sects! They were the top sects in Qianxue Province, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many cultivators.
But they were given away.
This decision secretly offended many in the Shangguan family, and Ren Wan fell out of favor.
Ren Jingxuan had only heard rumors about these events but didn't know the details. As the family head, he had many responsibilities. Moreover, since Ren Wan had married into the Shangguan family, and the relationship between the Ren and Shangguan families was never good, he found it difficult to intervene.
Ren Jingxuan looked at Ren Wan and asked sternly, "Wan'er, is this true?"
"Yes..." Ren Wan lowered her head, biting her lip, but insisted, "Mo Hua saved Yu'er, so I..."
Mo Hua?
Ren Jingxuan was momentarily stunned, realizing this must be the disciple Ren Wan had pushed into the Eight Great Sects...
On the other side, Shangguan Wang countered, "How did a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator save Young Master Yu'er, whom even the Gu family and the Dao Court couldn't rescue?"
Ren Wan was taken aback. "It was a matter of chance..."
"Chance?" Shangguan Wang said coldly. "Do you believe in chance, Miss Wan?"
Ren Wan couldn't answer. She truly didn't know the details. She had always been lenient with Mo Hua and never asked for specifics.
Shangguan Wang sighed, disappointed. "Do you know what they say outside?"
"Outside, they say that the Shangguan family's main branch daughter-in-law picked up a ‘wild child’ from somewhere, treated him like her own, and went to great lengths to get him into the Eight Great Sects..."
This speculation was vicious.
Ren Wan's face turned pale, then flushed red.
Gu Changhuai, who had been watching from the side, finally couldn't hold back. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, angrily shouting at Shangguan Wang, "You're full of shit!"
Shangguan Wang's gaze turned icy.
Gu Shou, the family head, immediately reprimanded him. "Changhuai, show some respect!"
"Family head..."
Gu Changhuai wanted to say more, but seeing Gu Shou shake his head slightly, he swallowed his words.
But he couldn't bear to see his cousin suffer. He bowed to Ren Jingxuan and said, "I investigated Yu'er's incident. While there was some luck involved, Mo Hua did save Yu'er."
"As for why my cousin sent Mo Hua to the Taixu Sect:
- If Yu'er is involved, there was some luck, but Mo Hua genuinely saved him.
- My cousin also sent Mo Hua to the Taixu Sect to repay a debt, and because Mo Hua has exceptional talent in array formations..."
Shangguan Wang asked, "How exceptional?"
Gu Changhuai replied, "The Taixu Sect's ancient patriarch personally taught him array formations..."
Shangguan Wang sneered, "Don't think I don't know. The Taixu Sect's ancient patriarch is highly respected and follows the sect's teachings. Most Taixu Sect disciples receive personal instruction in array formations from him.
Gu Changhuai was momentarily stunned, falling silent.
"Moreover, formation talent isn’t something you can just talk about; it’s something you have to prove," Shangguan Wang sneered, pointing downward. "The disciples in the training ground are the ones with true formation talent. Can you guarantee that this Mo Hua will be qualified to participate in the Formation Debate Conference in three years?"
Gu Changhuai was taken aback for a moment, then he relaxed, his gaze sharp. "There’s no need to wait three years..."
He pointed downward as well. "He’s already participating this year!"
Everyone followed his finger and saw a young, handsome disciple in the corner of the training ground, meticulously drawing an array.
There was an immediate stir among the crowd.
Some had already heard about this, but most of the Shangguan, Wenren, and even some of the Gu family cultivators had no idea and couldn’t believe it.
"Participating in the Formation Debate Conference at the Middle Foundation stage?"
"This child has such great talent?"
"Must be the old ancestor’s favor; otherwise, there’s no way he’d get a spot..."
"Even so, that’s still impressive..."
Even Wenren Jingxuan was somewhat surprised, giving Mo Hua a longer look, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Shangguan Wang’s heart skipped a beat.
He immediately realized he had miscalculated.
He had inadvertently handed the “spear” to the other side, stabbing himself in the process.
Mostly, he hadn’t anticipated that someone at the Middle Foundation stage would participate in the Formation Debate Conference, which was almost absurd.
But he had lived for many years, navigating the intricate power plays within noble families, and his experience was vast. He had long learned to remain unperturbed by such situations.
At this moment, he maintained his composure, sneering, "His formation talent is indeed good, but so what? Participating in the Formation Debate Conference now is like pulling up seedlings to help them grow. It would be a miracle if he manages to complete the sixteen-pattern array."
"Besides, that’s not the point."
"Does he have the Shangguan surname? The Wenren surname? Or the Gu surname?"
"None of those! No one knows where this child came from."
"There are so many geniuses; why did the young lady go to such lengths to send this child to the Eight Great Sects?"
"Fine, let’s say it’s to repay a debt, I believe it, but will others?"
"Can this explanation silence the gossip? Can it stop the idle talk? Can it protect the reputation of our Shangguan family?"
Shangguan Wang glanced around, speaking even more bluntly, "Some noble families are even spreading rumors..."
"Our Shangguan family’s young lady... had a child out of wedlock..."
Bang!
Wenren Jingxuan slammed the table to pieces, his gaze as cold as frost. "Elder Wang, be careful what you say."
Shangguan Wang, who had almost become the family head and still harbored such ambitions, was not intimidated. Instead, he feigned sincerity, sighing, "These words damage our Shangguan family’s reputation, and they hurt my ears, but what can I do? People will talk..."
Wenren Jingxuan glanced coldly at Shangguan Ce.
Shangguan Ce then spoke slowly, "Enough. The clear will be clear, and the murky will be murky. Let’s not mention this again."
Gu Shouyan added, "We are here to observe the Formation Debate Conference, not to spread idle gossip."
Wenren Jingxuan didn’t speak, but his expression was grim.
Shangguan Wang knew when to stop.
Although there had been a bit of an incident, his goal was largely achieved.
He had smeared Shangguan Ce’s daughter-in-law and planted a thorn in the hearts of Shangguan Ce and Wenren Jingxuan.
Only Wenren Wan, who had been subjected to cold ridicule and slander, was pale and tightly holding her child, Yu'er, her expression bleak and silent.
Yu'er wanted to comfort her mother but wiped away her tears, unsure what to say.
Gu Changhuai was heartbroken but helpless.
...
Amidst the political machinations of the noble families, the seventeen-pattern array competition in the training ground was nearing its end.
Mo Hua put down his brush, checked his work several times, and then sat down to meditate, restoring his divine consciousness.
Around him, many disciples had already been eliminated and left the field.
Another half-hour passed, and the time was up.
The seventeen-pattern test was over.
Many examiners descended into the field, beginning to review the answers, determining correctness and deciding who would advance.
Those who hadn’t completed the array, or had made mistakes, or hadn’t noticed their own mistakes, were pointed out by the examiners and asked to leave.
Some disciples, though defeated, remained in their seats, unwilling to leave.
The examiners then ordered them to be forcibly removed.
This resulted in even more eliminations.
Soon, an examiner approached Mo Hua.
Seeing Mo Hua’s young age and low cultivation, and his seemingly stubborn sitting in place, the examiner assumed he had failed and was reluctant to leave.
But when he saw the nearly flawless array on Mo Hua’s answer sheet, with not a single mistake, he was stunned.
The examiner rubbed his eyes, frowned, and carefully rechecked the answer sheet, the question, and the array itself, confirming that everything was perfect. He then shook his head in amazement.
"This child’s work is truly remarkable..."
"Passed."
The examiner left a red mark, signifying Mo Hua’s advancement, and then continued forward.
But after just a few steps, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Wait..."
No, no, no...
The examiner’s frown deepened, his thoughts becoming muddled. After a moment of contemplation, he realized what was amiss.
"Seventeen-pattern array?"
"Middle Foundation stage, drawing a seventeen-pattern array?"
"Seventeen-pattern..."
Seventeen...
Seventeen-pattern, that means...
The examiner’s eyes widened.
This is... a Middle Foundation stage cultivator drawing an array that only a High Foundation stage cultivator can draw?!
This means...
This child’s divine consciousness has surpassed his cultivation level?!
Surpassed...
Only array masters would understand the significance of this.
The examiner was stunned for a moment, feeling his scalp tingle and a chill run down his spine, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Dammit, I wasn’t paying attention, and a prodigy appeared...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
