When Mo Hua saw Mr. Zhuang again, there was a hint of melancholy on his young face.
"Mr. Zhuang, isn't there supposed to be a threshold?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled and casually replied, "There is a threshold, but perhaps you inadvertently crossed it."
"Then, am I considered a First Rank Array Master now?"
"It's not that simple."
Mr. Zhuang reclined comfortably on his bamboo chair and explained to Mo Hua, "Being able to draw nine array patterns means you've crossed the threshold into the First Rank. But you still need to study more, draw more, learn more about First Rank array methods, and fully grasp the method of effortlessly creating the nine array patterns, to truly possess the strength of a First Rank Array Master."
Mo Hua sensed there was more to Mr. Zhuang's words. "Having the strength of a First Rank Array Master, but not the title of one?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "Titles are determined by the Dao Court."
"The Tribunal is governed by the Dao Court. Since there are no array masters inside, what capability do they have to assign ranks to array masters?"
Mr. Zhuang's gaze deepened. "The Dao Court sits in the central Daozhou of the Nine Provinces, naming seven pavilions after the Seven Stars. Among them, the Tian Shu Pavilion is responsible for determining the ranks of all array masters above the First Rank in the Nine Provinces. Every few years, the Tian Shu Pavilion sends cultivators to the borders of various provinces to assign ranks to array masters."
"The Tian Shu Pavilion..."
Mo Hua was shaken.
The Dao Court was lofty and distant to him, and now, the Tian Shu Pavilion—it was his first time hearing about them.
Note: It has been already introduced before in Chapter 2.
"Is it very difficult to be ranked?" Mo Hua couldn't help asking.
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "It's considered difficult. First, there's the assessment, and second, there's the limited number of positions."
Mo Hua didn't quite understand.
Mr. Zhuang continued, "Assessment relies on array formations, while positions rely on connections."
Mo Hua frowned. "Are array masters' ranks not determined solely based on their array skills? Do they also depend on connections?"
Mr. Zhuang sneered, "An array master's rank is based on their array skill level, but the one assigning the rank is a person. As long as it involves people, connections naturally come into play."
"What kind of connections are needed then..."
"Either a prestigious family background, extraordinary parents, or ample spiritual stones to grease the wheels and expand your network."
Mo Hua was stunned. As a wandering cultivator without power or much spiritual wealth, wouldn't he have no chance of getting ranked?
Mo Hua hesitantly asked, "Would wandering cultivators have any chance?"
"It's not impossible for one or two, but there will always be a few. Whether you can be selected depends on your fate."
To say it depends on fate was essentially saying it depends on luck.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows. "Doesn't that mean array masters are all within noble sects? There's only a few array masters among lower-level cultivators..."
Mr. Zhuang's eyes became profound, looking at Mo Hua lightly and saying, "Exactly."
Mo Hua was taken aback, feeling a faint chill in his heart.
Mr. Zhuang gently rubbed Mo Hua's head. "These are external matters. Don't worry too much about them."
Mo Hua couldn't help but worry. After a pause, he asked again, "Then, what if I'm unlucky and never get ranked?"
Mr. Zhuang slowly sat up, his eyes showing a trace of sharpness amidst weariness, revealing a hint of disdain in his calm demeanor:
"Array masters seek the Dao of Heaven, comprehend all principles, not defined by any worldly matters, nor judged by any cultivator."
"The Dao Court can assign ranks, but they rank their power and privileges."
"What array masters truly seek is not the rank of power, but the workings of Heavenly Dao!"
Mo Hua was deeply shaken, and for a moment, his mind became clear, feeling suddenly enlightened.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
Mo Hua respectfully stood up and bowed deeply to Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang nodded, then added casually, "However, getting ranked by the Dao Court does make a difference. With a rank, your status changes. You can speak more assertively, find things easier to handle, and even get spiritual stones for free without hesitation..."
Mo Hua was once again shocked, thinking that Mr. Zhuang was indeed quite... practical.
"But what if I can't get ranked?" Mo Hua asked weakly.
Mr. Zhuang glanced faintly at Mo Hua. "No rush."
"Not rush to get ranked?"
"No rush if you can't."
"Oh..." Mo Hua paused, then asked, "So, if I try to get ranked and fail, what then?"
Mr. Zhuang gently rubbed Mo Hua's hair again. "If you can't get ranked, you can always aim for the Second Rank."
Mo Hua was stunned. "Second Rank?"
"The First Rank might restrict you, but the Second Rank won't. The Tian Shu Pavilion isn't entirely foolish. They might overlook some First Rank candidates, but not those who qualify for the Second Rank. Even without a prestigious background, if your array skills qualify for the Second Rank, the Tian Shu Pavilion wouldn't dare provoke you."
Mr. Zhuang smiled faintly. "If you truly have the skills of a Second Rank Array Master, but the Tian Shu Pavilion refuses to rank you, you can stand at their doorstep and criticize their elders for being blind."
Mo Hua whispered, "What cultivation level are the elders of the Tian Shu Pavilion..."
"It's hard to say. They should all be Void Stage..."
Mo Hua was wide-eyed. Void Stage? He hadn't even heard of that.
Mo Hua glanced at Mr. Zhuang and quietly asked, "Have you ever criticized the elders?"
Standing at their doorstep and criticizing their elders...
If Mr. Zhuang hadn't done that, how would he be so familiar?
"I've never criticized anyone," Mr. Zhuang said.
Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang again.
With an air of immortality and grace, even while lying down, he exuded a relaxed and carefree demeanor.
Mo Hua thought to himself: Mr. Zhuang didn't seem like someone who would criticize others, but one couldn't be sure.
Then Mr. Zhuang lightly tapped Mo Hua's head.
"Are you trying to figure me out?"
Mo Hua grinned and said, "But, Master, by the time I become a Second Rank Array Master, won't it take forever?"
Mr. Zhuang said, "First Rank is difficult, and there's only one rank. Second Rank is different, divided into initial, intermediate, and advanced stages. Each stage shows a significant difference in array skills."
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua. "With your abilities, as long as you lay a good foundation and work hard, becoming an initial stage Second Rank Array Master shouldn't be difficult."
Mo Hua's spirits lifted again, feeling a new pursuit.
But he still had a question, "Why is the Second Rank divided into initial, intermediate, and advanced stages, while the First Rank isn't?"
According to Mr. Zhuang, even the First Rank could be divided into three stages.
Novice apprentices and array masters who haven't achieved the rank, and First Rank Array Masters who have.
Current First Rank Array Masters could actually be considered high-level First Rank Array Masters.
"What do you think?" Mr. Zhuang asked.
Mo Hua frowned in thought. "Is it about thresholds?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded, saying lightly, "Raising the threshold means fewer cultivators below can cross it."
(End of the Chapter)