Chapter 145: Classification

When Mò Huà saw Mr. Zhuāng again, his small face showed a touch of resentment.

"Sir, didn't you say there was a threshold for me?"

Mr. Zhuāng smiled and said casually, "There is a threshold, perhaps you crossed it unintentionally."

"Then am I a first-grade array master now?"

"It's not that simple."

Mr. Zhuāng found a more comfortable position to lie on the bamboo chair and explained to Mò Huà:

"Being able to draw nine array patterns only means you've crossed the first-grade threshold. You still need to learn more, draw more, learn more first-grade array methods, and thoroughly master the method of seamlessly connecting the nine array patterns with a single thought. Only then can you be considered to have the strength of a first-grade array master."

Mò Huà could hear the hidden meaning in Mr. Zhuāng's words. "Having the strength of a first-grade array master but not the title of a first-grade array master?"

Mr. Zhuāng nodded, "The title is determined by the Dào Court."

"Dào Court? Not the Dào Court Division?"

"The Dào Court Division is governed by the Dào Court. It has no array masters within it, so what ability does it have to grade array masters?"

Mr. Zhuāng said with a deep gaze, "The Dào Court is located in the central Dào State of the Jiǔ Provinces, with Seven Pavilions named after the Seven Stars. Among the Seven Pavilions, the Tiān Shū Pavilion is responsible for judging the grades of all array masters above the first grade in the Jiǔ Provinces. Every few years, the Tiān Shū Pavilion will send cultivators to each state boundary of the Jiǔ Provinces to grade array masters."

"Tiān Shū Pavilion..."

Mò Huà's heart was shocked.

The Dào Court was high above and far out of reach. This name, Tiān Shū Pavilion, was also the first time he had heard it.

"Is it very difficult to get graded?" Mò Huà couldn't help but ask.

Mr. Zhuāng nodded and said, "It's considered difficult. One is difficult in the assessment, and the other is difficult in the quotas."

Mò Huà didn't quite understand.

Mr. Zhuāng said, "Assessment relies on array methods, quotas rely on connections."

Mò Huà frowned, "Grading array masters isn't based on the level of array methods, but still requires connections?"

Mr. Zhuāng gave a slight, scornful smile, "The grade of an array master is based on the level of array methods, but the person who grades you is a human. As long as it's related to people, it naturally requires connections."

"What kind of connections are needed?"

"You need either a prominent family background, or extraordinary parents, or you have many spirit stones. If you go through things smoothly, your connections will naturally also be broad."

Mò Huà was stunned. How could a rogue cultivator like him, with no power, no influence, and not many spirit stones, get graded?

Mò Huà weakly asked, "Will there be quotas for rogue cultivators?"

"It's not completely impossible, there will be a few in total. As for whether you can be selected, it just depends on your fate."

Saying it depends on fate actually just means it depends on your life.

Mò Huà frowned and said, "Then, in that case, all array masters are within great families and sects. Among lower-level cultivators, array masters are just breaking through the layer..."

Mr. Zhuāng's eyes held a deep and lingering meaning as he looked at Mò Huà and said faintly:

"This is just right."

Mò Huà was stunned, a faint chill surging up from the bottom of his heart.

Mr. Zhuāng gently rubbed Mò Huà's head, "These are all external matters, don't worry too much."

Mò Huà couldn't possibly not worry. After a pause, he still couldn't help but ask:

"Then sir, what if I'm unlucky and can never get graded?"

Mr. Zhuāng slowly sat up. The lazy exhaustion in his eyes disappeared, and a sharp edge was slightly revealed, showing an air of overlooking in the plainness:

"Array masters seek the way of heaven and thoroughly understand the myriad principles. They are not defined by any worldly matters, nor are they judged by any cultivators."

"The Dào Court can give grades, but what they grade is their grades, the grades of power and profit."

"What array masters truly seek is not the grade of rights, but should be the character of the great way of heaven and earth!"

Mò Huà's heart was shocked. For a moment, his divine sense brightened, and he felt suddenly enlightened.

"Many thanks for your teaching, sir."

Mò Huà stood up respectfully and deeply bowed to Mr. Zhuāng.

Mr. Zhuāng nodded, and then said casually again, "However, the grades set by the Dào Court, if you can get them, you should still try to get them."

"Ah?" Mò Huà was stunned.

"With the grades set by the Dào Court, your identity is different. It's easier to speak later, and more convenient to do things. Cats and dogs won't jump around in front of you, and they even give spirit stones for free. You shouldn't refuse something free..."

Mò Huà's heart was shocked again. He thought that Mr. Zhuāng was indeed quite... practical.

"Then what if I can't get the grade?" Mò Huà asked weakly again.

Mr. Zhuāng glanced faintly at Mò Huà, "No rush."

"Not urgent to get graded?"

"It's not urgent even if you don't get it."

"Ugh..."

Mr. Zhuāng said, "How old are you? When you go to get graded, the people assessing with you will either be middle-aged cultivators or white-haired old men. They are more urgent than you, so what are you rushing for?"

"Oh." Thinking like this, Mò Huà did feel a lot more relaxed.

"But what if I can never get it?"

Mò Huà became serious.

Mr. Zhuāng couldn't help but rub Mò Huà's hair again, "If you can never get it, then just go and get the second grade directly."

Mò Huà was stunned, "Second grade?"

"The first grade will be stuck, but the second grade won't. The Tiān Shū Pavilion isn't completely stupid. Getting stuck at the first grade is one thing, everyone turns a blind eye. But the second grade is different. If the array method level reaches the second grade, even if there is no prominent background, they are definitely not ordinary people. The Tiān Shū Pavilion also wouldn't dare to provoke them casually."

Mr. Zhuāng said with a smile that wasn't a smile, "If you truly have the level of a second-grade array master, and the Tiān Shū Pavilion is still unwilling to give you a grade, you can stand at the door of the Tiān Shū Pavilion, point at the plaque, and scold their pavilion elders for being blind."

Mò Huà asked softly, "What is the cultivation level of the Tiān Shū Pavilion pavilion elders?"

"It's hard to say, at least a Cave Void, right?"

Mò Huà's mouth opened wide. What Cave Void? He had never even heard of it.

Mò Huà looked at Mr. Zhuāng and asked quietly, "Sir, you haven't scolded the pavilion elders, have you?"

Standing at someone's door and scolding their pavilion elders.

If Mr. Zhuāng hadn't done it, how would he be so familiar with it?

"I never scold people," Mr. Zhuāng said.

Mò Huà sized up Mr. Zhuāng again.

He had an immortal aura, elegant demeanor, and even when lying down, he had an air of nonchalance and freedom.

Mò Huà thought to himself, Mr. Zhuāng's appearance indeed doesn't look like someone who would scold others, but it's hard to say what the reality is.

Then, Mò Huà's head was gently tapped by Mr. Zhuāng.

"Are you arranging me in your heart?"

Mò Huà chuckled and then said:

"But sir, it will be the year of the monkey and month of the horse before I become a second-grade array master."

Mr. Zhuāng said, "Being a first-grade array master is difficult, and it's only the first grade. Being a second-grade array master is different. It's divided into junior, middle, and high tiers. With every step you cross, the level of array methods will have a disparity."

Mr. Zhuāng looked at Mò Huà, "With your ability, as long as you can build a foundation and put in some effort, becoming a second-grade initial tier array master should not be difficult."

Mò Huà's spirit vibrated, and he felt that he had a goal again.

But he still had one doubt: "Why is the second grade divided into junior, middle, and high tiers, while the first grade is not?"

According to what Mr. Zhuāng said, the first grade could actually also be divided into three tiers.

Apprentices who haven't entered the grade, array masters, and first-grade array masters who have entered the grade.

Now, first-grade array masters can actually be considered high-tier first-grade array masters.

"What do you think?" Mr. Zhuāng asked.

Mò Huà frowned and thought for a bit, "Is it the threshold?"

Mr. Zhuāng nodded and said faintly, "Raise the threshold high, and the cultivators below won't be able to step over it."