Chapter 39: Grading

Mo Hua frowned.

Something wasn't right...

How could a formation assessment for the third layer of Qi Refinement include a formation containing six array runes? Could the instructor have grabbed the wrong exam paper?

The instructor shouldn't be making such a mistake; could there be some deeper meaning?

By this time, some disciples were already writing feverishly, though most were likely clueless and simply drawing blindly to avoid leaving blanks.

Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and cautioned himself

"Since the instructor chose a formation with six runes, there must be an intention. Perhaps it is to show us the profound depth of the Way of Formations, to ensure we do not become arrogant or conceited..."

After calming his emotions, Mo Hua focused entirely on studying the formation.

The name of the formation was the "Water-Stabilizing Formation." While its purpose wasn't explicitly stated, the annotations were complete. Although the formation contained six runes, the runes themselves were quite simple, and the structure was one the instructor frequently mentioned in class, not particularly obscure.

Even so, it was nearly impossible to memorize the runes, learn the formation, and draw it all within such a short time.

If no one could draw it, the instructor would likely grade based on the degree of completion.

Mo Hua could only try his best to memorize as much as possible and draw as much as he could.

Once he focused on drawing, time flew by. However, when the exam time ended, Mo Hua still hadn't finished. He had drawn a little more than five runes, and since he hadn't carefully checked them, he wasn't sure if there were any errors.

Mo Hua felt a sense of regret and deeply understood that he still had a long way to go in the study of formations.

Once the drawings were finished, they were sent collectively to the Mingde Pavilion on Tongming Peak.

The instructors of the Tongxian Sect would record and grade the assignments here.

The usually solemn Instructor Yan was currently wearing a look of indignation, staring with great dissatisfaction at a middle-aged cultivator dressed in the Daoist robes of a Tongxian Sect Elder.

"Elder Qian, what is the meaning of this? It was stated that only the first two runes of the Water-Stabilizing Formation would be tested. Why are we testing the entire formation?"

"The Way of Formations is profound and vast. I wanted the disciples to realize this early on."

"And then?" Instructor Yan raised an eyebrow.

"And then, they will be discouraged and stop dreaming of becoming formation masters." Elder Qian said indifferently. "A formation with six runes is the threshold for a formation master. A formation of this difficulty is not something these untalented outer sect disciples can learn."

Suppressing his anger, Instructor Yan said, "I am the instructor of the outer sect. Isn't Elder Qian overstepping his bounds a bit?"

"Instructor Yan, these outer sect disciples will never become formation masters. Teaching them is a complete waste of time."

"And what of it?"

Elder Qian's attitude became polite. "Instructor Yan, we are all well aware of your level of formation mastery, and we hold it in high regard. But with your talent, teaching these dull-witted outer sect disciples—most of whom are rogue cultivators at that—don't you feel it is a waste of your abilities?"

"What are you implying?" Instructor Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

Elder Qian said solemnly, "As long as you agree, Instructor Yan, my Qian family is willing to hire you with great honors to become an instructor for our clan, teaching our disciples the study of formations. Whether it be spirit stones, spiritual items, or formation inheritances, as long as you ask, the Qian family will do its utmost to satisfy you."

Instructor Yan's eyelids twitched, but he remained silent.

Elder Qian paused, then continued, "Of course, if you are unwilling to leave the Tongxian Sect, that is fine as well. I can recommend you to enter the inner sect as an Elder to teach the inner sect disciples, or even the direct disciples. At that time, even the sect's direct descendants would have to address you as 'Master.' Your status would be significantly higher than that of an ordinary sect Elder."

Instructor Yan fell silent. After a moment, he said slowly, "And if I refuse?"

Elder Qian's expression turned cold. "Why must you be so stubborn, Instructor Yan?"

"I teach formations to pass on the Dao, not for fame or fortune," Instructor Yan replied.

Elder Qian let out a sneer. "Fine, how noble of you!"

Having said that, he ignored Instructor Yan and swept away with a flick of his sleeve.

Only then did the elderly Instructor Zhou speak up from the side, "Mr. Yan, why must you do this? The Qian family is powerful, and we cannot afford to offend them."

Instructor Yan sighed. "I simply cannot stand it. If this continues, the sect and the great families will conspire together, and those low-level rogue cultivator disciples will have no way to pursue the Dao."

Elderly Instructor Zhou also sighed. "When the old Sect Leader was in power, he could withstand the pressure from the Qian family. Now that the old Sect Leader is aged and nearing retirement, I fear this Tongxian Sect is going to change..."

Instructor Yan was equally filled with worry.

"If you ask me, Elder Qian was quite respectful to you. You have indeed been very dedicated to teaching these outer sect disciples, but what use is it? Very few can walk far on the path of formations. There is a reason why rogue cultivators lack formation masters."

Elderly Instructor Zhou advised, "Don't push it so far that you end up losing your position as an instructor."

Instructor Yan remained unmoved. "As long as I am an instructor, I will do what I must to the very end."

Elderly Instructor Zhou shook his head and said no more.

Instructor Yan sighed again. After calming himself, he opened the formation exam papers on the desk.

Even if the exam question was flawed, he still had to grade them seriously.

Naturally, the results were a complete mess.

Most disciples could only draw one or two runes, and some couldn't draw anything at all, merely scribbling nonsense to get by.

Instructor Yan silently noted the names of these disciples. Not being able to do it was understandable, and drawing as much as one could was acceptable, but scribbling to be perfunctory was not.

There were some who drew relatively well; these were generally disciples from families with better conditions in Tongxian City who had received early training in formations. These disciples could typically draw three runes, which was the limit of the divine sense for an average third-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, making it quite impressive.

Instructor Yan couldn't help but think of Mo Hua. A child from a rogue cultivator background with such extraordinary divine sense talent was rare.

Judging by Mo Hua's progress, he estimated the boy could draw about four runes. If he hadn't been lazy during the summer break, he should be able to draw a bit more than four.

As Instructor Yan was grading, he finally came across Mo Hua's paper. Upon opening it, he froze.

On the paper, five runes were drawn neatly and precisely. Moreover, there were more; the remaining half-rune was clearly rushed due to lack of time, but the brushwork was flawless.

Instructor Yan frowned.

In other words, Mo Hua, at the third layer of Qi Refinement, could draw five and a half runes on his first attempt at the Water-Stabilizing Formation!

Five and a half runes...

This required not only experience and comprehension of formations but also incredibly strong divine sense support.

When Instructor Yan had seen Mo Hua drawing formations before, although he could draw four runes, it was clearly a struggle, and his divine sense was not quite sufficient.

But two months had passed, and he could now draw five and a half runes of the Water-Stabilizing Formation.

If this were true, it meant that not only was Mo Hua born with extraordinary divine sense, but the speed at which his divine sense grew was also inconceivably fast. Aside from the growth of cultivation, there was no known way for a cultivator to rapidly enhance their divine sense.

Instructor Yan held his breath, staring at Mo Hua's paper in disbelief for another look. Only then did he slowly let out a breath, muttering to himself, "This is impossible..."

Hearing this, Elderly Instructor Zhou saw Instructor Yan's dazed expression and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Yan, what happened?"

Instructor Yan snapped back to his senses. His expression shifted slightly, and after a moment of thought, he said, "Some of the disciples' formations were drawn so poorly that I lost my composure for a moment..."

Elderly Instructor Zhou showed an understanding expression. "Teaching these disciples is indeed not easy. Instructor Yan, don't take it too seriously. You must cultivate your temperament and avoid anger..."

Instructor Yan nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Mo Hua's paper, his emotions fluctuating wildly.