Mo Hua frowned.
"This doesn't seem right..."
Why would they test a formation technique with six formation patterns for a Qi Refining Stage 3 assessment? Could the instructor have picked up the wrong exam paper?
The instructor shouldn't make such mistakes. Could there be another reason behind this?
By now, some disciples were already busy writing hastily. Most likely, they didn't understand much and couldn't leave the paper blank, so they were blindly drawing with their eyes closed.
Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and reminded himself:
"Since the instructor chose to test us on a formation with six patterns, there must be a purpose behind it. Perhaps it's to show us the profoundness of formation techniques, so that we don't become arrogant."
After calming his mind, Mo Hua focused on studying the formation.
The formation was named "Fixed Water Formation," without specifying its use, but with complete annotations. Although the formation contained six patterns, they were relatively simple, and the structure was similar to what the instructor often lectured about, not too unfamiliar.
However, even so, it was almost impossible to memorize the patterns, learn to draw the formation, and actually complete it in a short time.
If everyone struggled to draw it, the instructor would likely grade based on the completeness of the formation.
Mo Hua could only do his best to memorize as much as he could.
Once he began focusing on drawing the formation, time passed quickly. However, when the exam time ended, Mo Hua hadn't finished drawing. He managed to draw a bit more than five of the formation patterns, but he hadn't checked them carefully and wasn't sure if there were any mistakes.
Mo Hua felt a bit regretful and realized deeply that he still had a long way to go in formations.
After completing the formation, all exams were submitted to the Mingde Hall of Tongming Peak.
The instructors of Tongxian sect would review and grade them there.
Normally serious, Instructor Yan now wore a displeased expression, looking somewhat dissatisfied at a middle-aged cultivator in the robe of a Tongxian sect elder.
"Elder Qian, what does this mean? Weren't we supposed to test only the first two patterns of the Fixed Water Formation? Why test the entire formation?"
"The path of formations is vast and profound. I wanted the disciples to understand this early," Elder Qian replied calmly.
"And then?" Instructor Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Then, they will realize its difficulty and give up any vain thoughts of becoming formation masters," Elder Qian said lightly. "A formation with six patterns is the threshold of a formation master. Such a difficult formation is not something these mediocre outer disciples can learn."
Suppressing his anger, Instructor Yan said, "As an outer disciple instructor, isn't Elder Qian overstepping?"
"Instructor Yan, these outer disciples cannot become formation masters. Teaching them is a waste of time."
"And so what?" Instructor Yan's tone turned impolite.
"Instructor Yan, with your talent in formations, which we deeply admire. With just a word from you, my Qian family is willing to offer a generous reward to invite you as our instructor. Whether it's spirit stones, spiritual items, or even some formation legacies, as long as you speak, my Qian family will do its best to satisfy."
Instructor Yan's eyelids twitched, remaining silent.
After a moment, he slowly said, "What if I refuse?"
Elder Qian's face turned cold. "Instructor Yan, why must you be so stubborn?"
"I teach formations to impart knowledge, not for personal gain," Instructor Yan said.
Elder Qian sneered, "Fine, you're aloof."
With that, he ignored Instructor Yan and swept away his sleeves and left.
Nearby, Senior Instructor Zhou then said, "Mr. Yan, why push this? The Qian family is powerful, and we can't afford to offend them."
Instructor Yan sighed, "I just can't stand it. If this continues, the sect and the clans will merge into one, leaving no path for the lower-level scattered cultivators who aspire to cultivate."
Senior Instructor Zhou also sighed, "During the tenure of the old sect master, he could withstand the pressure from the Qian family. Now that the old sect master is aging and about to step down, Tongxian sect might change..."
Instructor Yan's worries deepened.
"In my opinion, Elder Qian has shown you some respect. You've put in a lot of effort teaching these outer disciples, but what good does it do? Few can go far on the path of formations. It makes sense that scattered cultivators without formation masters have no future."
Senior Zhou advised, "Don't end up being unable to even keep your position as an instructor."
Instructor Yan remained unmoved, "As long as I am an instructor, I will do what needs to be done."
Senior Zhou shook his head and said no more.
Instructor Yan sighed again, then composed himself and opened the formation exam papers on the table.
Despite the flawed exam questions, he still needed to grade them seriously.
Naturally, the grading results were a mess.
Most disciples could only draw one or two formation patterns, and some couldn't draw any at all, resorting to drawing random scribbles to bluff their way through.
Instructor Yan silently noted down the names of these disciples. While it was understandable how much they could draw, they couldn't afford to doodle.
Some did relatively well; they were usually from families in Tongxian City with better conditions and had started learning formations early. These disciples could generally draw three formation patterns, which was the limit of a Qi Refining Stage 3 cultivator's spiritual awareness, already quite impressive.
Instructor Yan couldn't help but think of Mo Hua, a child born in wandering cultivators' family with exceptional spiritual awareness.
Judging by Mo Hua's progress, he estimated Mo Hua could draw around four formation patterns, maybe more if he hadn't been lazy during summer vacation.
As Instructor Yan graded, he finally saw Mo Hua's paper and froze upon opening it.
Neatly drawn on the paper were five and a half formation patterns. The latter half was evidently rushed due to time constraints, but the strokes were flawless.
Instructor Yan furrowed his brow.
In other words, Mo Hua, at the Qi Refining Stage 3, managed to draw five and a half patterns in his first attempt at the Fixed Water Formation!
Five and a half patterns...
This not only required experience and understanding of formations but also strong spiritual support.
Previously, when Instructor Yan saw Mo Hua draw formations, he could barely manage four patterns, and even then, it seemed strained due to insufficient spiritual awareness.
Yet, after two months, Mo Hua had managed to draw five and a half patterns of the Fixed Water Formation.
If this were true, it indicated that Mo Hua not only had exceptional innate spiritual awareness but also an unbelievably fast rate of spiritual awareness growth. Besides cultivation advancement, there was no rapid method for a cultivator to enhance their spiritual awareness.
Instructor Yan held his breath, staring at Mo Hua's paper in disbelief, then slowly exhaled and muttered to himself, "This is impossible..."
Senior Instructor Zhou, upon hearing this, saw Instructor Yan's distracted state and asked, "Mr. Yan, what's wrong?"
Instructor Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his expression flickering. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Some disciples' formations were drawn so poorly, I momentarily lost composure..."
Senior Instructor Zhou showed an understanding expression. "Teaching these disciples is indeed not easy. Instructor Yan, don't take it too seriously. Remember to cultivate inner peace..."
Instructor Yan nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Mo Hua's paper, his emotions turbulent and unsettled.
(End of the Chapter)