Immortality Through Array Formations

Translator: 549690339

Mo Hua furrowed his brow.

Something isn’t right…

How could the Qi Refinement third level Formation examination include a Formation containing six Formation Patterns? Could the Instructor have taken the wrong test paper?

The Instructor shouldn’t make this kind of mistake; could there be some other profound meaning?

At this moment, several disciples were already writing feverishly, but the likelihood was that they knew nothing and couldn’t leave it blank, so they were blindly drawing with their eyes closed.

Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and cautioned himself,

“If the Instructor has chosen a Formation with six Formation Patterns to test us, there must be an intention behind it. Perhaps he wants us to realize the profound and vast nature of the way of Formations, to keep us from developing an arrogant and complacent mindset…”

After calming his mind, Mo Hua concentrated on studying the Formation.

The Formation was named “Water Controlling Formation,” its use wasn’t specified, but the annotations were complete. Although the Formation contained six Formation Patterns, the Patterns were fairly simple. The structure was also commonly discussed in class by the Instructor; it was not unfamiliar.

However, despite this, it was still unlikely to memorize the Formation Patterns, learn to draw the Formation, and then actually draw the Formation all in a short time.

If no one could draw it, the Instructor would likely grade based on the completeness of the Formation.

Mo Hua could only try to memorize as much as he could and draw whatever he was able to.

Once he concentrated on Drawing Formation, time flew by quickly, but when the exam time ended, Mo Hua still hadn’t finished. He had drawn just over five Formation Patterns, and he hadn’t carefully checked the five he had drawn, unsure if there were any errors.

Mo Hua felt a bit regretful and also deeply realized that he still had a long way to go in the art of Formation.

When the Formation drawing was finished, it was sent to Mingde Building on Tongming Peak.

All Instructors from Tongxian Gate recorded and graded coursework there.

The usually strict Instructor Yan was now showing a displeased expression, looking rather unhappy at a middle-aged Cultivator dressed in the Taoist Robe of an Elder from Tongxian Gate:

“Elder Qian, what is the meaning of this? Wasn’t it agreed that only the first two Patterns of the Water Controlling Formation would be tested, why did you test the entire Formation?”

“The way of Formations is profound and vast; I just wanted to make the disciples understand this early on.”

“And then?” Instructor Yan raised an eyebrow.

“Then, they will understand the difficulties and withdraw, no longer foolishly aspiring to become Formation Masters.”

Elder Qian said indifferently, “A Formation with six Formation Patterns is the threshold for being a Formation Master. A Formation of such difficulty is not something these talentless Outer Gate disciples can learn.”

Instructor Yan, suppressing his anger, said, “I’m the Outer Gate Instructor; isn’t Elder Qian being a bit overreaching?”

“Instructor Yan, these Outer Gate disciples, they will not become Formation Masters; teaching them is a complete waste of time.”

“So what?”

Elder Qian’s manner became more polite, “Instructor Yan, we are all clear about your level of Formation skills and hold it in high esteem. But with your talent, teaching these slow-witted Outer Gate disciples, especially since most of them are Loose Cultivators, don’t you feel that it beneath you?”

“What do you mean?” Instructor Yan’s gaze sharpened.

Elder Qian spoke solemnly, “If Instructor Yan agrees, my Qian Family is willing to offer a generous reward to hire you as an Instructor for my Clan, to teach our offspring the study of Formations. Whether it’s Spirit Stones, Spiritual Objects, or some Formation legacies, just say the word, and my Qian Family will do our utmost to meet your requirements.”

Instructor Yan’s eyelids twitched slightly, and he remained silent.

Elder Qian paused, then continued, “Of course, if you don’t wish to leave Tongxian Gate, that’s also fine. I can recommend you to enter the Inner Gate and become an Elder, teaching the Inner Sect Disciples about Formations, or even teaching those true disciples. At that time, the direct disciples of the Sect will have to respectfully address you as ‘Gentleman.’ Your status will be much higher than that of an ordinary Elder of the Sect.”

Instructor Yan fell silent, and after a moment, slowly said, “What if I refuse?”

Elder Qian’s expression turned cold, “Why must Instructor Yan be so stubborn?”

“I teach Formations to pass on the knowledge to others, not for these worldly gains.” Instructor Yan replied.

Elder Qian sneered, “Fine, how lofty of you!”

Having said that, he no longer paid attention to Instructor Yan and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Old Instructor Zhou then said, “Mr. Yan, why bother? The Qian Family is powerful, and we cannot afford to offend them.”

Instructor Yan sighed, “I just can’t stand it. If things go on like this, the Sect and the Clans will be colluding, and those lower-level Loose Cultivator disciples will have no way to pursue their Tao Cultivation.”

Old Instructor Zhou also sighed, “When the old Sect Leader was in power, he could withstand the pressure from the Qian Family, but now that he is getting old and about to step down, I fear Tongxian Gate is about to change…”

Instructor Yan was also full of worry.

“In my opinion, Elder Qian has shown you quite a bit of courtesy. You indeed put a lot of effort into teaching these Outer Gate disciples, but what’s the use? Very few of them can go far on the path of Formation Art. It’s not without reason that Loose Cultivators lack Formation Masters,” Old Instructor Zhou advised.

“Don’t end up in a position where you can’t even be an instructor,” he continued.

Instructor Yan remained unmoved, “As long as I am an instructor, I will see to it that what needs to be done is done to the end.”

Old Instructor Zhou shook his head, saying no more.

After sighing once more, Instructor Yan steadied his emotions before opening the Formation examination papers on his desk.

Even if there were mistakes in the exam questions, he still needed to mark them diligently.

Naturally, the result was a complete mess.

Most disciples could only draw one or two Formation Patterns, while some couldn’t draw at all, carelessly scribbling some nonsense to bluff their way through.

Instructor Yan silently noted down these disciples’ names. Not knowing was understandable, whatever they could draw was what it was, but aimlessly drawing something as a pretense was unacceptable.

Then there were those whose drawings were better, typically from families in Tongxian City with better conditions, who had an early enlightenment in Formation Art. These disciples could usually draw three Formation Patterns, which was also the limit for the Divine Sense of an average Qi Refinement third level Cultivator—already considered very good.

Instructor Yan couldn’t help thinking of Mo Hua. A child like Mo Hua, who was of Loose Cultivator background and had a rare innate talent for Divine Sense, was indeed scarce.

Based on Mo Hua’s progress, he estimated that about four Formation Patterns could be drawn, and if Mo Hua hadn’t been lazy over the summer break, maybe a little more than four.

Grading as he went, Instructor Yan finally came upon Mo Hua’s paper and was taken aback upon opening it.

The paper neatly displayed five and a half Formation Patterns, and there was more—half of a Formation Pattern at the end was clearly rushed and a bit sloppy, but the technique was without any problems.

Instructor Yan furrowed his brow.

This meant that Mo Hua, at the Qi Refinement third level, could draw five and a half Formation Patterns in the first attempt at a Water Controlling Formation!

Five and a half Formation Patterns…

This required not only experience and insight into Formation Art but also a strong Divine Sense to support it.

Instructor Yan had seen Mo Hua Drawing Formations before—although capable of drawing four Formation Patterns, it had seemed somewhat strained, as the Divine Sense was not broad enough.

But two months had passed, and it turned out that Mo Hua could now draw five and a half Formation Patterns in the Water Controlling Formation.

If this were indeed true, it would indicate that not only was Mo Hua’s innate Divine Sense exceptional, but the speed of its growth was also astonishingly fast. Besides the increase in Cultivation, Cultivators had no quick way to enhance their Divine Sense.

Holding his breath, Instructor Yan stared unbelieving at Mo Hua’s paper for another look before finally exhaling slowly, muttering, “This can’t be possible…”

Upon hearing these words, Old Instructor Zhou noticed Instructor Yan’s dazed expression and couldn’t help asking, “Mr. Yan, what has happened?”

Instructor Yan came back to his senses, his expression slightly changing as he pondered for a moment before saying, “Some disciples’ drawings of the Formation Art are just too absurd, I momentarily lost my composure…”

Old Instructor Zhou showed understanding, “Teaching these disciples really isn’t easy, Instructor Yan, you shouldn’t take it too seriously. You must cultivate your own character and temperament, not letting anger affect you…”

Instructor Yan nodded, but his eyes were still fixed on Mo Hua’s paper, his mind in turmoil.