Cultivation Online

”Are you going to take the level 5 assessment immediately, too?” one of the judges asked Yuan after he passed the level 4 assessment.

”If I fail it, how long do I have to wait for a second chance?” Yuan asked, just in case.

”You will need to wait six months before you can attempt another assessment if you fail.”

”Oh… In that case, I’ll wait a little longer before I take the assessment. By the way, I can borrow manuals of level 5 array symbols from the Array Masters’ Association, correct?”

The judge sitting in the middle nodded and said, ”As long as you are part of our Array Masters’ Association, we will naturally help you reach the next rank. Since you show promise, I am willing to give you personal lessons. What do you think? I am a Level 6 Array Master, so I definitely qualify to teach you.”

Yuan nodded and said, ”I will humbly accept your offer, Senior.”

”My name’s Hao Chen, but you can just call me Senior Hao.”

”Yes, Senior Hao!”

”Are you busy right now?” Hao Chen then asked.

”No.”

”Good, then we’ll begin your lecture now. Follow me.”

Yuan nodded and followed the old man to a room located near the peak of the building.

”I can’t believe Senior Hao took a liking to that young man so quickly,” said one of the other two judges after they left.

”Senior Hao has a keen eye for talents. Did you not see how swiftly and perfectly that young man created the array symbols? He’ll become a formidable Array Master in the near future.”

Meanwhile, inside Hao Chen’s room, he handed Yuan several books, including one that had all level 5 array symbols. ”Honestly, there really isn’t much to teach when it comes to array symbols, as it primarily depends on each individual’s memorization ability,” Hao Chen explained. ”Once you’ve memorized the symbols, the rest is just practice. This is why most Array Masters don’t necessarily need a master—they only require the right resources to advance their skills.”

”That said, if you have any questions, you can ask me. I’ll be studying array symbols myself.” Hao Chen sat in his seat and began studying level 7 array symbols.

Yuan also began studying Level 5 array symbols. Thanks to his experience as an immortal, his memorization ability was extraordinarily powerful, allowing him to memorize complex symbols with ease. Additionally, his formidable soul strength significantly enhanced his capacity to learn and comprehend details more quickly, hence why soul cultivation techniques are exceptionally rare and sought after.

About a week later, Yuan memorized all level 5 array symbols, and he began practicing writing them. Hao Chen was greatly shocked by how swiftly Yuan had memorized the array symbols.

’There’s no way he actually memorized everything from scratch in less than a week. He must’ve already memorized a portion of level 5 array symbols prior to coming here,’ Hao Chen thought to himself.

’Still… his array symbols are too beautiful. That level of mastery requires tens of thousands of years of experience to achieve, so how can someone seemingly so young achieve it?’

Hao Chen gave Yuan three level 5 formations to study, each requiring the combination of around 500 level 5 array symbols to complete.

”Alright, I am ready to take the level 5 assessment,” Yuan said to Hao Chen a few days later.

Hao Chen stared at him with wide eyes and said, ”Just how strong is your soul strength? It’s only been a little over a week, you know? I was expecting your company for at least a few months.”

Yuan shook his head with a smile, ”I don’t have that much time.”

”Why the rush?”

”I need to join the Array Tower as soon as possible.”

”The Array Tower, huh? I used to work with them, but due to my lack of talents, I was forced to leave after just a hundred years. I didn’t want to admit it back then, but alas, the Array Masters there are a different breed—sort of like you.”

Sometime later, Yuan went downstairs with Hao Chen to take the level 5 assessment.

The other two judges showed up a little later.

”You’re taking the level 5 assessment already? It’s only been a week,” one of them said to Yuan.

”I was already familiar with level 5 array symbols. I just needed a little more time to be confident in the assessment,” said Yuan.

’I knew it…’ Hao Chen sighed inwardly after hearing this.

”Alright.”

Sometime later, Hao Chen said, ”The level 5 assessment will be a little different compared to your previous trials.”

”For the first trial, you’ll need to create a level 5 defensive formation, and it must withstand the strength of a cultivator at the Divine King realm. You have five minutes to create the formation. You have a minute to prepare.”

One of the level 5 formations that Hao Chen gave to Yuan to study happened to be a defensive formation, and Yuan decided to use it for the trial.

Two minutes later, Yuan created a defensive formation in front of him and said, ”It’s done.”

”Very well. I will now attack it with the strength of a Divine King.”

Hao Chen attacked the formation with a simple attack, which bounced right off the defensive formation.

”You pass. For the second trial, you must create a level 5 offensive formation, and it must have a certain level of power. You have ten minutes for this test and one minute to prepare.”

Another formation Hao Chen gave Yuan to study also happened to be an offensive formation, almost as if he was purposefully helping Yuan prepare for the level 5 assessment.

After spending six minutes creating the formation, Yuan said, ”I am finished.”

Hao Chen retrieved a white talisman and tossed it inside his formation.

”Attack it.”

Yuan nodded and activated the formation. In an instant, swords composed entirely of concentrated spiritual energy materialized around the room, their edges gleaming with power. The swords moved with precision, launching toward the talisman.

A barrier appeared around the talisman in an attempt to protect it, but the barrier was instantly shattered by the swords.

”Good. Now, onto the final test,” Hao Chen said.