Corrections

Mo Hua frowned.

Something wasn't right...

Why would the array technique assessment for Qi Refining Level Three include an array technique containing six Array Patterns? Could the Instructor have taken the wrong exam paper?

The Instructor probably would not make such a mistake. Could there be some other deeper meaning?

By now, some disciples were already writing furiously. But they most likely knew nothing at all and, unable to leave their papers blank, were drawing blindly with their eyes shut.

Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and reminded himself:

"Since the Instructor has chosen an array technique with six Array Patterns for the test, there must be a reason. Perhaps he wants us to understand that the path of array techniques is vast and profound, so that we do not become arrogant and conceited..."

After calming himself, Mo Hua began to study the array technique intently.

The array technique was called the Water-Fixing Array. Its purpose was not stated, but its annotations were complete. Though it contained six Array Patterns, the patterns themselves were fairly simple, and their structure was often discussed by the Instructor in class. It was not particularly obscure.

Even so, it was still unlikely that they could memorize the Array Patterns, learn to draw the array technique, and then draw it out completely within such a short time.

If no one could finish drawing it, the Instructor would probably grade them according to how complete their array techniques were.

Mo Hua could only try his best to remember as much as he could and draw however much he was able.

Once he focused on drawing the array technique, time passed swiftly. Yet when the examination ended, Mo Hua still had not finished. He had drawn a little more than five Array Patterns, and he had not carefully checked those five patterns either, so he did not know whether there were any errors.

Mo Hua felt somewhat regretful, and he deeply understood that he still had a long road ahead of him in array techniques.

After the array techniques were finished, they were all sent to Mingde Building on Clear-Connecting Peak.

The Instructors of the Immortal Gate all registered here and graded coursework.

Instructor Yan, who had always been stern, now wore an angry expression as he looked with considerable displeasure at the middle-aged cultivator before him, dressed in an Immortal Gate elder's Daoist robe.

"Elder Qian, what does this mean? Wasn't the test supposed to cover only the first two Array Patterns of the Water-Fixing Array? Why were they tested on the entire array technique?"

"The path of array techniques is vast and profound. I merely wished for the disciples to understand that in advance."

"And then?" Instructor Yan raised a brow.

"And then they will retreat when faced with difficulty and stop dreaming of becoming Array Masters."

Elder Qian said blandly, "An array technique with six Array Patterns is the threshold for an Array Master. An array technique of such difficulty is not something these talentless Outer Sect disciples can learn."

Suppressing his anger, Instructor Yan said, "I am the Outer Sect Instructor. Isn't Elder Qian meddling a little too broadly?"

"Instructor Yan, these Outer Sect disciples cannot become Array Masters. Teaching them is entirely a waste of time."

"So what?"

Elder Qian's attitude turned courteous. "Instructor Yan, we all know your attainments in array techniques, and we admire them greatly. But with your abilities, teaching these dull-witted Outer Sect disciples—especially when most are Rogue Cultivators—don't you feel your talents are being wasted?"

"What do you mean?" Instructor Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

Elder Qian said solemnly, "So long as Instructor Yan agrees, my Qian Family is willing to hire you with generous gifts as an Instructor for the Qian Family, to teach our younger generation to delve into array techniques. Whether it is Spirit Stones, spiritual items, or certain array technique inheritances, as long as you name them, my Qian Family will do our utmost to satisfy you."

Instructor Yan's eyelids twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

After pausing, Elder Qian continued, "Of course, if you are unwilling to leave the Immortal Gate, that is also fine. I can recommend you for the Inner Sect as an elder, where you may teach array techniques to Inner Sect disciples, or even to those direct disciples. At that time, the Sect's direct disciples will all have to address you as Mr. Yan. Your status will be far higher than that of an ordinary Sect elder."

Instructor Yan fell silent. Only after a moment did he slowly say, "What if I refuse?"

Elder Qian's face turned cold. "Instructor Yan, why must you be so stubborn?"

"I teach array techniques to pass on the Dao to others, not for fame and profit," Instructor Yan said.

Elder Qian gave a derisive snort. "Fine. You are so lofty!"

With that, he ignored Instructor Yan, flicked his sleeve, and left.

Only then did Instructor Zhou, standing nearby, say, "Mr. Yan, why must you do this? The Qian Family is powerful, and we cannot afford to offend them."

Instructor Yan sighed. "I simply cannot stand it. If this continues, the Sect and the Lineages will wallow in the same mire. Those Rogue Cultivator disciples at the bottom will have no path even if they wish to cultivate the Dao."

Instructor Zhou also sighed. "When the old Sect Master was still in office, he could withstand the Qian Family's pressure. Now the old Sect Master is advanced in years and about to step down. This Immortal Gate is likely to become a different place..."

Instructor Yan was likewise filled with worry.

"If you ask me, Elder Qian has already treated you with courtesy. You have indeed taught these Outer Sect disciples with great dedication, but what use is it? Very few of them can travel far on the path of array techniques. There are no Array Masters among Rogue Cultivators for good reason."

Instructor Zhou advised, "Don't make such a fuss that, in the end, you cannot even remain an Instructor."

Instructor Yan remained unmoved. "So long as I am an Instructor for even one day, I will carry through with what I ought to do."

Instructor Zhou shook his head and said no more.

Instructor Yan sighed again. After calming himself, he finally opened the array technique examination papers on the desk before him.

Even if there had been an error in the exam question, he still had to grade them seriously.

Naturally, the results of the grading were a complete mess.

Most disciples could only draw one or two Array Patterns. Some could not draw anything at all and simply scribbled a jumble of nonsense to muddle through.

Instructor Yan silently noted down all these disciples' names. Not knowing was understandable; they could draw as much as they were capable of. But they could not draw random things as a perfunctory excuse.

There were also some who drew fairly well. They generally came from better-off families in Immortal City and had received earlier instruction in array techniques since childhood. Such disciples could generally draw three Array Patterns, which was already the limit of an ordinary Qi Refining Level Three cultivator's divine sense. That was already quite good.

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Instructor Yan could not help thinking of Mo Hua. A child like Mo Hua, born a Rogue Cultivator yet endowed with extraordinary divine sense, was rare indeed.

Judging by Mo Hua's progress, he could probably draw around four Array Patterns. If he had not been lazy during the summer break, he should be able to draw somewhat more than four.

As Instructor Yan graded paper after paper, he finally came upon Mo Hua's. When he opened it, he froze.

Five Array Patterns had been drawn neatly and precisely on the paper, and there was even more than that. The latter half of the sixth Array Pattern was clearly rushed because time had run out and was somewhat rough, but there was nothing wrong with the brushwork either.

Instructor Yan frowned.

In other words, Mo Hua, at Qi Refining Level Three, had been able to draw five and a half Array Patterns on his first attempt at the Water-Fixing Array!

Five and a half Array Patterns...

This required not only experience and comprehension of array techniques, but also exceedingly powerful divine sense to support it.

Instructor Yan had previously watched Mo Hua draw array techniques. Although he could draw four Array Patterns, it had clearly been somewhat strenuous, and his divine sense had not been abundant enough.

Yet two months later, he could already draw five and a half Array Patterns of the Water-Fixing Array.

If that was truly the case, it meant that not only was Mo Hua's divine sense extraordinary by nature, but its rate of growth was also astonishingly fast. Apart from an increase in cultivation, cultivators had no means of rapidly strengthening their divine sense.

Instructor Yan held his breath and stared at Mo Hua's paper again in disbelief. Only then did he slowly let out a breath and mutter, "This is impossible..."

Seeing Instructor Yan look so distracted, Instructor Zhou could not help asking, "Mr. Yan, what happened?"

Instructor Yan came back to himself. His expression shifted slightly, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "Some disciples drew their array techniques far too poorly. I lost my composure for a moment..."

Instructor Zhou revealed an understanding expression. "Teaching these disciples truly is not easy. Instructor Yan, do not take it too seriously. You should cultivate your character and temperament, and do not let your anger stir your liver..."

Instructor Yan nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Mo Hua's paper, his thoughts surging and churning beyond control.