Jun Wu arrived at the Formation Association building the following day. Standing before the magnificent three-story structure, he didn't hesitate and walked inside.
Since he had decided to create his personal force, he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
A grand lobby greeted him, with a beautiful lady seated behind the counter. Most of the people in the lobby were elderly men and women.
His youthful appearance immediately caught everyone's attention. Feeling their gazes on him, Jun Wu paid them no mind and walked toward the counter.
"What is such a young kid doing in the association?"
"Who knows? Perhaps he's a disciple of one of the association elders."
"Whatever the case, it has nothing to do with us. Let's focus on breaking through to become Grade-1 Formation Masters."
Most of them were half-step Grade-1 Formation Masters, struggling to find an opportunity to advance.
Finding a complete inheritance on array formations was extremely difficult. Those who possessed one were typically from powerful aristocratic clans.
Standing before the beautiful lady behind the counter, Jun Wu said calmly, "I want to take the exam for a Grade-1 Array Formation Master."
"Hmm?" The lady blinked, looking at Jun Wu with shock and confusion.
"Did you just say you want to take the exam for a Grade-1 Array Formation Master?" she asked, astonished.
It was the first time she had seen someone as young as Jun Wu come to the association for such an exam.
Most candidates were middle-aged men and women, and even they rarely passed.
Before Jun Wu could respond, the people in the lobby rose to their feet and stared at him in disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"You want to take the exam for a Grade-1 Array Formation Master?"
"How is that possible?"
"I don't believe it!"
"This boy must be here to cause trouble."
In no time, a crowd had gathered around Jun Wu, eyeing him with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. The previously quiet lobby was now buzzing with loud chatter.
"What's going on here? Why is everyone shouting?" A thick and domineering voice cut through the noise.
"Elder Shi!"
The crowd exclaimed and immediately fell silent.
Standing behind Elder Shi were a young man in his early twenties and a beautiful girl, both wearing expressions of pride.
One of the half-step Formation Masters quickly explained the situation to Elder Shi.
Disdain filled Elder Shi's face as he turned to Jun Wu. "Boy, who are you, and why have you come to cause trouble in the association?"
To him, it was impossible for someone so young to be a Grade-1 Array Formation Master. Jun Wu must have come to stir up trouble.
Even Elder Shi's two exceptional disciples, both in their twenties, were still far from achieving Grade-1 mastery. How could a boy under twenty claim such a feat?
"I'm Jun Wu, and I haven't come to cause any trouble. I just want to take the Grade-1 Array Formation exam. Is that too much to ask?" Jun Wu's voice was cold, and his frustration was evident.
Just because they couldn't achieve something didn't mean others couldn't either.
"So, you're the bastard from the Jun aristocratic clan," Elder Shi sneered. His disdain deepened. "If you're not here to cause trouble, how could a bastard like you learn to become a Grade-1 Array Formation Master?"
Jun Wu wasn't fazed by being called a bastard. He stared at Elder Shi and demanded coldly, "What does how I learned array formation have to do with you? Just administer the damn exam, and you'll see for yourself."
His irritation was palpable. Instead of allowing him to take the exam, they were accusing him of causing trouble.
"Why should we, when we know you're lying? Leave now before I lose my patience and attack you!" Elder Shi barked.
"Why don't you try forcing me?" Jun Wu retorted, folding his arms across his chest. "I came here for the exam. Let's see who stops me."
The bold statement caused murmurs among the half-step Formation Masters.
"Could he actually be here for the exam?"
"Maybe. Why would he go to such lengths if he wasn't serious?"
"That's true. It doesn't make sense to cause trouble here. We should let him take the exam, and if he's lying, we can punish him afterward."
Hearing the whispers, Elder Shi frowned. He was affiliated with the Gao aristocratic clan and couldn't allow the Jun clan's influence to grow.
Whether Jun Wu was lying or not, he didn't care. He had to stop him.
"There are no other elders in the association to conduct the exam, and as the only elder here, I say you can't take it. Let's see what you'll do now," Elder Shi declared firmly, his disdain unwavering.
"Elder Shi, why don't you let him take the exam? We're all curious to see if he's telling the truth. If he's lying, you can punish him however you like," an old half-step Formation Master suggested.
Elder Shi's face darkened as he snapped, "I said no."
The entire lobby gasped in surprise. Why was Elder Shi so insistent on not letting Jun Wu take the exam?
Realizing Elder Shi's bias, the crowd sighed and returned to their seats.
Jun Wu clenched his fists in anger. Would he have to leave without taking the exam?
He was frustrated. With Elder Shi targeting him, it was clear he wouldn't be able to take the exam in Silver Star City. He'd have to travel to another city, which would disrupt his plans.
He needed the fame of becoming an Array Formation Master to attract people to his cause. Without it, his plans would be delayed.
Just as he was about to lose hope, the old half-step Formation Master spoke again.
"Perhaps you could go to Mystic City and participate in the Array Formation Competition starting in half a month," he suggested out of pity, though he doubted Jun Wu had what it took to join.
"Hah! How could he join the competition? It's meant for the best of the best, not some trash relying on his clan's name," the young man behind Elder Shi scoffed disdainfully.
Jun Wu didn't even spare him a glance. Instead, he thanked the old man and left the association hall.
Where better to gain fame than through competition?
"I must join the competition," Jun Wu resolved firmly.