After leaving the inn, Shui and Alicia headed straight for the Array Association, which was near the centre of the city. Although there were no legal restrictions on who could get closer to the centre of Paraj, there was an obvious increase in the quality of goods and services as well as the status of the people. Even so, Shui's pair still stood out. All of the spectators couldn't help but glance at the handsome young scholar who walked by with a splendid beauty by his side. Those who recognised Alicia, wondered who the man beside her was.
Several took a step forward in their attempts to start a conversation, but Alicia's secret guards sent a clear message to those persons with their intimidating aura. Of course there were those who tried to force the issue, but then Shui would hit them with a glance that induced bone-chilling fear. None of them could explain why they were so afraid of him, but they all decided to 'let them go' this time. Thanks to this, it was a peaceful trip.
The Array Association was located on a large estate with one tall pagoda and several smaller buildings, similar to the arrangement of a minor sect or academy. Usually you would have to show relevant ID or pay a fee to enter, but Shui could enter freely with Alicia by his side. And from the whispers of the ones who watched her walk by, Shui finally got a good idea of her background.
"Could that be?"
"I think so. ... from the Sphere clan."
"You mean the one that's famous for having at least one master in every field."
"That's the one. ...for her to be here. I think her brother came as well."
"Is that the one beside her?"
"No. I don't know who he is but it doesn't look like his status loses out."
It wasn't much information, but it allowed him to get a better idea about her. Although rare, it was possible for clans with strong foundations to produce several different types of talents. In the same generation, it was possible that there would be a potential array master, forge master, a body cultivator and a spiritualist, but naturally the resources needed for any of these paths was no joke so only a particularly wealthy clan would be able to support such a collection of talents.
Of course, if he really wanted to, he could find out much more than this, but he didn't see a point in showing that much interest. Even if fate caused their paths to intersect, he didn't think he would see her again after he left the city.
Little did he know, Alicia thought the same thing, but she wasn't willing to let things end up like that.
'Every time we meet I'm more and more certain of how little I know about him. It's like I keep trying to peel off a layer, only for there to be another layer behind it. I feel that I'll never get bored as long as he's around, so I have to find a way to bring him with me. First, I must examine the relationship between him and that girl from yesterday.'
Strangely, both of them now had the same intention of meeting Emily as they kept walking together towards the tall pagoda at the centre of the estate. Once they reached the entrance, the guards stationed there briefly saluted to Alicia before allowing them in. Shui wouldn't have minded if they parted there, but she showed no sign of leaving to take care of her own business.
'Well, I guess I might as well appreciate her help.'
If it wasn't for Alicia, Shui knew that he would have had much more trouble finding and entering this place so he didn't try to push her away.
This building was where tier qualification tests were held, in addition to important meetings concerning array masters. There were three floors, separated based on the ranking of the array masters that could freely enter them. The first floor was for array masters of tiers 1-3, the second floor was for array masters of tiers 4-6, while the third floor was reserved for array masters with high official positions in the Array Association and those who were on the Alterna Array Master Ranking.
Some would joke about the fact that the third floor wasn't for array masters of tiers 7-9, but such figures were legends to begin with.
With Alicia's lead, Shui quickly reached the main examination room on the first floor. Since the exam wasn't for public eyes, only a few spectators could be spotted near the entrance. Those spectators glanced at Alicia and Shui, but after a nod of acknowledgement they went back to looking at the ongoing exam.
"Oh, it seems we made it in time for the finale," said Alicia.
The tier qualification exam was generally split into one written portion and two practical portions. The first practical test, was about deciphering an array made by the examiner. With her skillset, this was no trouble for Emily, and since one only needed to perform very well on two of the three portions to pass, she was almost guaranteed to get her official recognition. However, she, along with her fellow competitors, had no intention of taking it easy.
The next evaluation of the Alterna Array Master Minor Ranking was fast approaching, so these rising stars were eager for a chance to prove themselves worthy of the honour. In fact, among the test takers were those who were already well known to have a high chance of making the list, and Emily had also placed herself in that group with her shocking skills, especially after it was revealed that she solved the Myriad Flower Pavilion puzzle. At first, she was underestimated because she was the youngest among the group, but now she was a serious threat.
For the second practical exam, they needed to construct a tier 3 array in five hours. Usually it was fine to try constructing an array that you weren't confident in as points were given for technical difficulty, but that wasn't an option for the elites in the group. If they wanted to surpass their seniors who were already on the Minor Ranking or were considered to be on the same level as the ones that were, then they couldn't allow themselves to fail.
Some chose to play on the safe side with an array that they were confident they could perfectly construct in a short time, while others chose the most difficult array in their arsenal that had a success rate above 50%. Emily was in the latter group and chose the array that her master had been famous for, the hundred mirror army array. It was an array that could produce clones with the same cultivation as the one who activated it. The clones would only possess the intelligence to process basic requests and it had to be powered by the one who activated it, but it was still an exceptional way of boosting one's quantitative advantage. This array was once used in bulk against a beast wave to delay the evolved beasts' onslaught with a wall of clones; this played a big role in her master Nikolai later getting a position on the Minor Ranking.
In addition to its fame, this array was also the last thing that her master was able to teach her, so Emily felt a sentimental attachment to it as well.
'Don't worry, master. I'll definitely make you proud as your disciple.'