The candidates listened expressionlessly as the examiners announced the results, answering like candles guttering in the wind, handing in their papers with breaths thin as wisps of silk, then shuffling toward the dining hall like walking corpses.
"How many did you get right?"
Everyone shook their heads with bitter smiles.
In every previous exam, they had only missed a few questions.
"Why do we have to study such antiquated things?"
"Exactly. Things like astrology and star fate are really not that useful."
"Don't speak carelessly. Since the Heaven Momentum Sect tested it, and even placed it as the final subject, there must be a reason. Besides, every Grand Fate Arts Master must study Stellar Fate Arts."
"Duan Tianji, you must have ranked first in astrology. Can you tell us why we study it?"
Several hundred candidates turned to Duan Tianji.
After pondering for a moment, Duan Tianji's golden eyes flickered several times. "To be honest, astrology is vast and profound. I was merely forced by the elders to swallow it whole without chewing, so I can only offer a rough explanation."
"I once heard Martial Uncle Liu say that Stellar Fate Arts are the great usefulness within uselessness. They seem overly ancient and grand, yet they actually contain the deepest principles of the Great Dao. Or rather, ordinary Fate Arts are merely extensions of Stellar Fate Arts, while Stellar Fate Arts stand closest to the Great Dao. If one wishes to advance to Beyond-Rank, one absolutely cannot avoid Stellar Fate Arts."
"Second, certain special Fate Arts, spells, or Momentum Configurations require Stellar Fate Arts. The Heaven Momentum Sect likely tests astrology because of its greatest Grand Momentum Configuration, the Ten Suns and Hundred Moons Suppressing-Heaven Stars. Only those proficient in Stellar Fate Arts can use and refine this Grand Momentum