Chapter 881: Proposition

In the evening, Elder Zheng returned to Qian Dao City. Several old acquaintance dao friends came to see him off.

At the banquet, everyone couldn't help but sigh. Some felt regret for Elder Zheng, while others were unwilling and invited him to serve as a guest minister in the world families and sects where they were located.

Elder Zheng politely refused one by one.

After the banquet, everyone said goodbye.

Elder Zheng then returned to his dwelling place, closed his eyes to nourish his spirit, and rested slightly.

When the time came, he packed up all his treasures, array books, and array diagrams. He left the cave mansion where he had lived for decades without looking back and headed towards the city outside.

Riding the carriage, he left the city. Approximately one hour later, he arrived at the Yun Ferry on the border of Qian Xue State.

After boarding this Yun Ferry, transferring three times, and about a month later, he could reach Zhen State.

Elder Zheng originally had no attachments. However, as he was leaving, for some reason, he suddenly felt some concern in his heart.

The face and voice of the young brother he had encountered during the daytime appeared in his mind again.

Elder Zheng sighed in his heart.

Within the prosperous Qian Xue State, which pursued fame and fortune, there was actually still this kind of disciple who was born poor, sincere, and had remarkable comprehension ability.

His previous judgment had been biased.

The Yun Ferry whistle sounded, about to depart.

Elder Zheng stepped forward but suddenly stopped.

"Stepping onto the deck, leaving Qian State, I fear I will never return in this life..."

Elder Zheng's steps were heavy, and he suddenly felt some unease in his heart, as if after this departure, he would miss something important.

He wrinkled his brow, hesitated for a long time, and finally sighed:

"Forget it, I'll wait a few more days and see the end of this Lun Array Assembly before leaving. Zhen State is far away anyway, so these few days don't matter..."

As Elder Zheng thought this, his heart relaxed considerably.

He lifted his head and saw a bright moon hanging on the horizon, its clear light sprinkling across the ground. Occasionally, a clear wind brushed past, accompanied by the clear light.

Time passed, and another day went by.

Tomorrow was the Lun Array Assembly.

At this time, within a closed grand hall on Lun Dao Mountain.

A group of array law elders were gathered together, currently setting the topics for tomorrow's "Lun Array Assembly".

The elders present were all from the various large sects within Qian Xue State, three or four-grade array masters with extraordinary array law attainment.

Although it is said that there were many frictions and secret struggles between the various sects.

However, the status of array masters was relatively transcendent, and they formed a unique circle. Sometimes, they were not too constrained by the views of their sect gates.

Moreover, this time they were setting the topics for the Lun Array Assembly.

This was a big matter, and no one dared to be negligent. They would not put their private grudges on the table.

Therefore, the atmosphere in the grand hall was quite harmonious.

Everyone discussed with each other and selected suitable array laws as the "exam questions" for this Lun Array Assembly.

And to avoid suspicion, the chief examiner this time was an array law master in the Feather Transformation realm from the Tian Shu Pavilion of the Dao Court, known as "Master Wen".

Although the Tian Shu Pavilion belonged to the Dao Court, it only governed array law matters. Compared to the central power organizations of the Dao Court, it was still considered neutral.

Master Wen himself was also from Qian Xue State, and his array law attainment was well-known. Therefore, having him as the chief examiner was not taboo and also convinced everyone.

At this time, the matter of setting the Lun Array topics was also led by Master Wen, carried out in an orderly manner...

"This 'Yi Wood Gen Mountain Array' is good, it can test their ability..."

"Several 'Li Fire Arrays' above sixteen patterns are too deadly and not suitable to encourage. Moreover, if drawn incorrectly, it's very easy to cause a backlash and chaos at the Lun Array Assembly."

"That's right, they are all sect disciples. We should still emphasize cultivating their bodies and nourishing their nature, comprehending the heaven's way, and benefiting production. Perhaps we should test some defense-class array laws..."

"This is a different matter. Killing arrays still need to be tested. Array masters are originally clumsy in actual combat. If we don't test some killing arrays, I fear that when they step into the cultivation world in the future, their means will be too weak, and they will suffer greatly."

"That's for small battles, one on one. It takes time and effort to arrange array laws, which is too troublesome. Array masters naturally suffer losses."

"But big battles are different. All big battles require overall arrangement, forging armor, refining weapons, arranging troops, and setting up arrays. This is the true stage for array masters."

"Hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of people, under the support of array laws, are vast and mighty, killing in all directions, invincible..."

"You're saying this too early. They are all still young disciples. How is it possible for them to command a hundred thousand people to kill?"

"That's right. Moreover, these disciples are all precious darlings of world families. It's unlikely that many will truly go to the battlefield to fight for their lives."

"Then what are they learning array law for? To learn it but not use it? To use it to show off?"

"You are being too extreme..."

"How is this extreme?"

"Okay, okay, everyone, let's focus on the important matter." Someone advised.

"Yes, arguing about this is meaningless. Now we still need to consider the matter of setting topics..."

"In my opinion, let's have half and half..." An elder said, trying to be impartial. "Test half killing arrays and half industry-class array laws."

Someone shook their head: "That's too much. I think four or five is better. Four percent killing arrays and trap arrays, five percent industry array laws, and the remaining one percent to test some profound array laws with theoretical elements."

"Then... what specific ones should we test? These array diagrams have all been tested repeatedly."

"We set topics all year round, so they have naturally all been tested repeatedly. But you need to consider those disciples. Many array laws are new to them."

"That's also true..."

"However, it is indeed a bit tiring to test these."

"How about changing to some new patterns?" An elder proposed.

"What new patterns? Going too far off the outline is not good. In case those disciples suddenly get nervous and can't draw them, we elders who set the topics will be cursed in their hearts, and the old ancestors of those world families and sects might also have some complaints..."

"That is indeed true..."

"Add some array law variations?"

"I don't think that's good..." An elder said. "We are all old fellows, we have learned for so many years and experienced a lot. We are more or less involved in various array law variations."

"Those disciples are different, they are all young kids. They haven't even lived as long as we have in terms of the years they've spent on array law. They only know one or two basic array styles. Testing array law variations is too difficult for them."

"But the sects are all undergoing reforms. We can't have this Lun Array Assembly completely unchanged. Let's just change a little and test one or two array law variations, that's fine."

"Anyway, in this competition, there's room for error. If they can't draw three, they just lose. Even if they can't draw one or two, it doesn't matter."

"I still feel it's a bit too difficult."

"You think too much. Don't forget, this is Qian Xue State, and Qian Xue State is never short of geniuses."

"To win in the Lun Array Assembly, you need some real ability, which may not be possible."

"Then let's do that. We'll pick some first, then let Master Wen review them, and he can decide..."

"That's very good."

Originally, they were just expressing their own opinions.

But opinions are opinions, and the final decision is always made by Master Wen, the chief examiner.

After that, everyone proceeded to select topics according to the set topic chapters and the ideas and directions they had just discussed, one by one.

Starting from sixteen patterns.

The Lun Array Assembly starts testing from sixteen patterns.

This is a threshold used for elimination.

If one doesn't even reach sixteen patterns, they are not qualified to compete with the array law heaven prides of the various sects.

And those who pass sixteen patterns can get a certain ranking.

Although it's not considered high, it can indeed contribute to their sect.

After sixteen patterns, each additional pattern is more difficult than the last.

Every pattern is a big threshold, which can screen out a large number of people.

Especially the last, the gap between eighteen patterns and nineteen patterns is even more like the difference between heaven and earth.

There are basically very few disciples who can draw to nineteen patterns.

Within the Lun Dao grand hall, a crowd of array law elders, some pondering, some flipping through, some struggling, some thinking hard, were picking array laws one by one.

According to the rules, they first made a list, then screened it, and finally presented it to the chief examiner, Master Wen.

Master Wen then decided the topics and sealed them in jade slips.

In this way, the topics were selected by a crowd of elders, and the decision was made by Master Wen.

It was very fair to each other.

And all this needed to be decided the night before the Lun Array Assembly. Until the Lun Array Assembly truly ended, the elders would not leave, which also prevented leaks to a certain extent.

Time passed little by little.

Selecting and deciding topics, starting from sixteen patterns, gradually became more difficult...

After who knows how long, they finally gradually approached the end.

But when selecting the last topic, which was the common one above nineteen patterns, close to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, used for the "seal top" exam question.

Master Wen was still a bit hesitant, going back and forth between several array laws, looking left and right, unable to make up his mind.

Everyone waited quietly.

But after waiting for who knows how long, Master Wen still hadn't decided.

Then an elder laughed and said: "Master Wen, this is your first time as the chief examiner, right?"

Master Wen, who had a middle-aged appearance, a gentle expression, and always handled matters seriously, nodded, "Precisely."

The elder then said: "Master Wen, there's no need to struggle with this last topic. It was originally just for preventing unforeseen circumstances, for keeping a bottom line. For so many years, no one has been able to draw this one..."

"Not to mention this last topic, even the several nineteen-pattern array laws before it, very few disciples can finish drawing them."

"You need to know that these disciples are mostly in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and there aren't many at the peak of Foundation Establishment."

"Their divine sense is at most eighteen patterns, nineteen patterns. This is already very remarkable."

"Plus, this is a 'big exam'."

"From the initial sixteen patterns, drawing all the way up, it's a test of their dao heart, divine sense, and perseverance. They also need to withstand the pressure of being watched by tens of thousands of people. The further they go, the more tired and difficult it becomes, very hard."

"These disciples, from world family origins, were raised in places of honor and optimal conditions. Basically, they can't hold on until that time."

"It's rare for anyone to be able to persevere from beginning to end, complete one or two nineteen-pattern array laws."

"Not to mention being able to draw to this last topic."

Master Wen asked: "Never?"

"Never." That elder said.

An old array law elder beside him continued, "This 'seal top' array law has a purpose."

"This topic is not actually used for testing, but to tell the disciples that there are mountains outside of mountains, and skies outside of skies. The array law is vast, and there is no end to learning. They cannot finish drawing the array laws in this world, and they cannot learn many array laws."

"As array masters, they need to maintain a humble heart, cannot have pride in their hearts, and need to climb forever."

"Therefore, for this last array law, just pick a difficult one and put it in, there's no need to struggle too much."

Master Wen nodded, following the flow.

But he handled matters seriously and had some obsessive-compulsive disorder. He wouldn't do things "casually". Whatever he chose had to have some principles. Once he wanted to choose, he couldn't help but struggle.

This delay, another incense time passed.

Everyone was silently looking at him.

Master Wen came back to his senses, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But he still couldn't be "casual". He thought for a moment. Since this last array law was not drawn by disciples and was used to "seal the top", the standard was just one word: "difficult".

The most difficult part of array law lies in the dao.

He then, according to his own intention, picked the most profound and obscure array law among the crowd, even involving the changes at the bottom level of spiritual power, and put it in.

Up to now, the topics had all been set.

Master Wen checked everything from beginning to end again, then sealed all the "set topics" and covered them with a seal pattern.

The setting of the Lun Array Assembly topics was then complete.

Everyone was very happy.

"Finally finished..."

"Can rest now."

"Tomorrow is the last Lun Dao Assembly. After tomorrow, this Lun Dao Assembly will also end."

"Array law is the most stable. You know it or you don't."

"Tomorrow, just stay steady and compete. After that, it will really be settled, no need to worry anymore."

"Actually, now, it's basically all over."

Everyone chatted as they walked towards the outside.

Master Wen, as the chief examiner, then said: "Everyone has worked hard. I brought some wine from Dao State, and I have also asked people to prepare a table of superior spiritual food. Please all do me the honor of tasting this fine wine and good food to relieve your fatigue."

Although this was his first time as the chief examiner, he still understood this aspect of human relationships.

And no one present would refuse to give face to an array law master from the Tian Shu Pavilion.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't even have this opportunity to befriend someone like Master Wen.

Moreover, after a busy day, drinking some wine to relieve fatigue was naturally the best thing.

Everyone successively cupped their hands and said:

"Master Wen is too polite."

"That's great, then we will trouble Master Wen."

"We respectfully obey."

"Master Wen's kind intention is hard to come by..."

So Master Wen called people to set up a wine banquet in the side hall. Everyone raised their cups and exchanged greetings, chatting about array law insights and interesting matters.

After the wine banquet, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

The night was quiet, and the moon was peaceful.

Everyone slept soundly. At this time, they still completely did not know what they would experience tomorrow...

After a night passed, the sky just dawned the next day.

A wisp of fish belly white shone into Tai Xu Mountain.

In the disciple's residence, Mo Hua, who practiced array law all night as usual, opened his eyes. The morning glow was reflected in his clear eyes.

Today was the day of the Lun Dao Assembly.

And he also needed to set out to participate in the great array dao competition.

Before leaving, he specifically went to the elder's residence, visited Old Mister Xun, and asked for advice:

"Old Mister, is there anything else I need to pay special attention to?"

"No need."

Old Mister Xun said.

At this point, there was nothing else to pay attention to.

Mo Hua was still a bit nervous inside.

After all, it was the Lun Array Assembly, and it was so grand. It was his first time participating, so he always felt a bit uneasy in his heart.

Seeing his appearance, Old Mister Xun said: "Just restrain yourself a bit, don't be happy with winning, don't be sad with losing. Perform with some composure, and don't worry too much about anything else, as long as you draw the array law well."

"Just draw the array law?"

"Yes," Old Mister Xun nodded, "Just keep drawing to the end."

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, nodded, "Okay, Old Mister, I understand."

"Go ahead." Old Mister Xun said.

"Okay." Mo Hua saluted, then set off.

Old Mister Xun looked at Mo Hua's retreating figure. A glimmer of light bloomed in his muddy eyes.

This day had finally arrived...

Mo Hua left Tai Xu Gate and went directly to Lun Dao Mountain.

This was also Old Mister Xun's instruction, letting him go alone quietly.

Upon arriving at Lun Dao Mountain, what caught his eye was a grand scene. People were like a tide, and horses were like wandering dragons.

Many cultivators gathered at Lun Dao Mountain, a very large spectacle.

However, compared to the Lun Sword Assembly, this scene was actually a bit smaller.

The Lun Sword Assembly was a true competition of sword fighting laws, with knife winds and sword rain, water and fire techniques, superior dao laws, killing interwoven, and it was splendid.

The spectacle was extremely good.

Regardless of their cultivation level, those who could watch the excitement watched the excitement, and those who could watch the nuances watched the nuances. Everyone could watch very happily.

But the Dan, Array, Fu, and Qi Lun Dao Assemblies were different. The content was dull, and if you didn't understand the nuances, you often wouldn't see anything splendid.

Especially array law.

Array law was dry and profound.

Most cultivators who didn't understand array law got a headache when they saw abstract array patterns. Watching cultivators draw array law would make them feel extremely bored.

But this was Qian Xue State, with deep inheritance. More or less all the disciples understood some array law.

And this was also the last field of the Lun Dao Assembly, related to the sect's ranking order, which was very important.

Therefore, there were actually quite a few cultivators who came to watch.

At this time, these cultivators were all stopped outside.

They could not enter the venue for the first time.

The disciples participating in the Lun Array Assembly would have priority to enter Lun Dao Mountain.

Mo Hua just mixed in with this group of disciples.

In his hand, he held a Lun Dao jade slip given to him by Old Mister Xun. This jade slip represented a spot in the Lun Array.

Moreover, it was an invitation spot exempt from testing.

This spot was very precious.

Because the Lun Array Assembly was originally dull and the spectacle was not good, this time reforms were made, and the process was simplified.

Some selections were all prepared beforehand.

The selection would have various thresholds, such as cultivation, array master grade, elder recommendations, initial tests, and so on.

This was to ensure that those who could participate in the Lun Array Assembly were all elites of the various sects.

And Mo Hua's "spot" could directly exempt him from these tedious processes and participate in the final "array law big exam".

Each sect was only given a few of these spots.

Sects ranked lower didn't even have one.

Mo Hua then held this heavy jade slip and followed the team into Lun Dao Mountain.

There were elders at the mountain entrance who stopped them and checked them one by one. After confirming there were no mistakes, they were allowed to pass.

The long team was solemn and quiet, slowly moving forward.

When it was Mo Hua's turn, he walked forward and handed the Lun Dao jade slip to the checking elder.

The elder saw Mo Hua and was obviously stunned for a moment. He doubtfully took the jade slip from his hand, checked it several times, and even called people to check it several more times, still finding it hard to understand.

Finally, he shook his head and let Mo Hua in, but he couldn't help thinking in his heart:

"What does Tai Xu Gate mean by this? Have they thoroughly given up? They are stuffing all sorts of disciples into the Lun Dao Assembly..."

And Mo Hua didn't think so much. With a calm face, he walked into Lun Dao Mountain.

An hour later, all the disciples participating in the Lun Array Assembly entered the dao field.

The mountain gate of Lun Dao Mountain was then opened wide.