After walking through several streets, Zhang Xuan finally arrived at the location where the formation master examination was held.
Pushing open the doors, Zhang Xuan saw that the main hall was extremely quiet. There were only a few people inside, a stark contrast to the bustling scene outside the Formation Master Guild.
"The Sanctum of Sages doesn't recruit too many people every year, and those who are able to get into the Sanctum of Sages have certain specialties and capabilities. Unless they are taking the examination, there aren't many people who come here," Chen Leyao explained.
"It's good that there are fewer people around. I prefer peace and quiet!"
Zhang Xuan replied with a smile.
In the past, the examination had always been packed with people, and there had to be a queue for everything. In fact, even those who wished to enter the examination would have to obtain the required qualifications first, making it extremely troublesome.
This suited his quiet personality.
"Are the two of you here to take the formation master examination?"
Upon arriving at the front desk, a receptionist in her thirties walked up to them with a smile on her face. There was a 6-star formation master emblem embroidered on her chest.
"Un. I would like to take the 8-star formation master examination," Zhang Xuan replied.
"8-star?"
The receptionist was taken aback. "You?"
"That's right." Zhang Xuan nodded.
Along the way, he had learned that the Master Teacher Continent was extremely strict on the management of secret manuals. Only those who had reached a certain rank would be able to view the corresponding books.
If he wanted to study grade-8 formations, he would have to pass the examination first.
Even though he was only a Seven Star formation master at the moment, he had already assimilated all of the knowledge into his body, so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to clear the examination.
"Pardon me, but you are still too young. I was a little surprised."
The receptionist smiled awkwardly. "May I know if you have brought your Seven Star emblem? I'll help you apply for it! "
"Here!"
With a flick of his wrist, Zhang Xuan passed his Seven Star Formation Master emblem over.
Back then, when he displayed his prowess as a formation master at the Qiu Wu Palace, President Han had already applied for it on his behalf.
The receptionist took the emblem from Zhang Xuan, took a look at the name, and flipped open a book. After a moment of browsing, she nodded in bewilderment. "Based on the records, Zhang Shi, it hasn't even been two months since you took the Seven Star formation master examination. Why are you taking the 8-star formation master examination so soon?"
Most Seven Star cultivators would require at least several decades of accumulation to take the 8-star formation master examination. Yet, this fellow had only taken two months, and he was already taking the 8-star formation master examination? Wasn't this a little too fast?
"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded.
"Alright, I've already applied for you. Please follow me …"
After receiving Zhang Xuan's confirmation, the waitress busied herself for a while longer before nodding her head and leading the way.
Those who were able to enter the Sanctum of Sages were either from prestigious clans or talented individuals. Zhang Xuan was just a waiter, so he dared not show the slightest bit of disrespect to the other party.
Soon, he arrived at a room, and he bowed to an elder. "Elder Su, I am Zhang Xuan, Zhang Shi. I am here to take the 8-star formation master examination!"
On the chest of the elder was the emblem of a formation master. There were eight shining stars on the emblem, and his cultivation was perfect. If he didn't display it, it would be impossible to tell what level he was at.
At the very least, his cultivation was at Saint 7-dan.
"Kong Shi once said that he would teach everyone regardless of their background, and all scholars in the world could become his students. As such, the Sanctum of Sages has many occupations on top of master teachers. That young man over there is likely to be a formation master instead of a master teacher! "
After taking a look, Zhang Xuan thought.
After going through the introduction on the identity token, he had gained quite a bit of understanding of the Sanctum of Sages.
While master teachers could be considered as supporting occupations, those who were truly proficient in a single aspect or even reach the peak were still the corresponding occupations.
Take formation masters for example. Back then, Pavilion Master Wu had also been a formation master as a supporting occupation, so his mastery of formations wasn't too weak. However, compared to President Han, his mastery of formations paled in comparison.
Master teachers couldn't possibly be omniscient and omnipotent.
This was especially so for those who had reached pinnacle.
As such, the teachers who taught supporting occupations in the Sanctum of Sages were usually the top experts of their respective occupations, not just master teachers.
This way, the students would be able to learn more meticulously.
"You want to take the 8-star formation master teacher examination?" After looking through the information, Elder Su couldn't help but frown. "To take the 8-star formation master teacher examination, one's cultivation must reach Grand Dominion realm. You are only at Leaving Aperture realm primary stage, so how can you possibly set up a corresponding formation?"
Formation masters were considered as one of the Upper Nine Paths occupations, and they had extremely strict requirements on one's cultivation.
Zhang Xuan didn't try to hide it, so the other party was able to see through it with a single glance.
"Reporting to Elder Su, even though Zhang Shi is only at Leaving Aperture realm primary stage, his fighting prowess isn't beneath that of a Grand Dominion realm primary stage cultivator," Chen Leyao interjected.
"If you really possess such strength, I'll take you to the Steps of Formations."
Elder Su nodded.
Having been in the Sanctum of Sages for a very long time, he had seen all kinds of geniuses. If Zhang Xuan really possessed such capabilities, it wouldn't be too surprising for him to clear the examination based on his cultivation.
"Thank you, Elder Su. May I know how the examination is conducted?"
Hearing that it was fine, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.
If Zhang Xuan really had to reach Grand Dominion realm primary stage before he could take the examination, he would have to look for high-tier spirit stones and cultivation technique manuals. In other words, it would take him a few more days.
"We do have a formation here that is used to assess one's fighting prowess!" The elder shook his head helplessly. "However, it's a pity that the King Of Destruction came over to take the examination and damaged it. We haven't had the time to fix it yet!"
"The King Of Destruction?"
Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
"Indeed. There's a genius who managed to enter the Sanctum of Sages a few years ago. In a single year, he took the examination for three supporting occupations, and he caused a huge ruckus in all of them. This is his third time taking the 8-star formation master examination. Sigh, upon seeing him, all of the elders immediately rushed over, fearing that he would destroy the Steps of Formations …"
Elder Su rubbed his glabella in distress. The King Of Destruction seemed to be a huge headache to him.
"A huge ruckus? May I know how the King Of Destruction does it? "Zhang Xuan asked curiously.
In the past, he had often caused damage in the examinations, so he was much more mature now. Putting aside everything else, just the Mountain Gate alone was fine.
"How does he do it?" Elder Su's beard puffed up in anger. "I won't say much about the other occupations, but in the past three times, he has destroyed at least one thing each time. The first time, he destroyed a formation plate that I had spent two months inscribing. The second time, he destroyed a chamber … This is the third time. I thought that it was just a test of strength, but he ended up destroying a formation that tests combat prowess. The King Of Destruction … "
"To destroy the same place thrice … How infuriating!" Zhang Xuan's mouth fell open in shock.
Even though he had also caused damage, he had only done it once at the same location. For him to do it three times in a row, it was indeed too much.
There was dignity in destroying something, but if he were to destroy a place … he would surely have a headache as well.
"Indeed. It's one thing to take the examination, but there's no need to destroy it … Whenever I see such a person, I get angry!" Elder Su waved his hands angrily and slammed his palm on the table.
"I also hate such people who cause damage on purpose. But of course … it's fine if it's unintentional!"
Zhang Xuan could empathize with the situation.
It was truly infuriating to cause damage on purpose. It was fortunate that he hadn't done it intentionally in the past.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore!" The more he spoke, the angrier Elder Su became, and he shook his head. If not for the fact that he was so angry, he wouldn't have dared to nag at a student.
After venting his anger, he looked at Zhang Xuan once more and nodded in satisfaction. "You're not bad!"
Usually, when other students heard him speaking ill of the King Of Destruction, they would always cower submissively, not daring to breathe too loudly. Yet, this fellow seemed to be not bad at all. Not only was he not afraid of the King Of Destruction, he even expressed his disdain for him.
Zhang Xuan's goodwill toward him grew.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Xuan said, "Why don't you make some preparations? I'll test your strength right now!"
"Test my strength? Didn't Elder Su say that the formation for the examination is broken? How do you intend to test me? "
Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.
"Simple. I'll suppress my cultivation to Grand Dominion realm primary stage, and you'll have to fight with me. If you can withstand three blows from me, I'll consider it as your test!" Elder Su said with a smile.
Under normal circumstances, if the formation for testing one's strength was broken, one wouldn't be able to take the examination. However, he couldn't blame himself for finding the young man before him pleasing to the eye.
This could be considered as an exception.
"Sure!"
Zhang Xuan had been wondering what kind of examination it would be, but hearing those words, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Alright, let's do it here then!"
Standing up, Elder Su walked over to the center of the hall.
The hall was extremely spacious, more than enough for him to test his strength.
Geji! Geji!
Suppressing his aura, Elder Su suppressed his cultivation to Grand Dominion realm primary stage. With a light wave of his hand, he said, "You can use your full strength. While this is just a test to see if you possess the strength of a Grand Dominion realm expert, I won't go easy on you."
"I'll do my best!"
Zhang Xuan nodded grimly.
While the other party had suppressed his cultivation, there was a good chance that he was a Saint 7-dan expert. Be it his eye of discernment or reflexes, there was no doubt that the other party was far stronger than Zhang Yunfeng.
Hu!
With a stomp on the ground, Zhang Xuan's silhouette warped into the shape of a 'zhi' before darting toward Elder Su.
The Treading Steps of the Heavens was a Saint intermediate-tier battle technique that the Qingyuan Empire Combat Master Hall had learned. It allowed one to constantly change one's position to prevent the other party from launching a sneak attack.
This move was a little complicated, and very few people would use it in a duel against experts. However, under Zhang Xuan's feet, he was able to move at incredible speeds.
"Not bad!"
Elder Su's eyes lit up in excitement.
He had thought that the other party was only a Leaving Aperture realm primary stage cultivator, but it was indeed an exaggeration to say that the other party possessed strength comparable to a Grand Dominion realm expert.
Weng!
A surge of energy burst forth from Zhang Xuan's body, forming a Dominion with a diameter of five meters.
Tz la!
Enveloped by the Dominion, Zhang Xuan's Treading Steps of the Heavens immediately slowed to a crawl, as if he had fallen into a swamp.
"I'm going to make my move now. My first move, Dragon-Elephant Palm! It's formed by fusing the might of the dragon and elephant together with my Dominion, so I'll have to be careful! "
Zhang Xuan was very pleased to see the young man grumbling and hating the King Of Destruction. Even though he had not shown any mercy to the other party, he had still tried to hint in his words that he hoped that the other party wouldn't get injured.
"Don't worry, I'll give it my all!"
Hearing that the other party was powerful, Zhang Xuan's blood immediately began boiling. He swiftly executed the Unbounded Voyager.
Through his battle with a true Grand Dominion realm expert, he had come to realize that a Dominion was a kind of binding force, similar to a rope. Once one got used to exerting strength in one direction, the other direction would become slightly weaker.
The reason why Zhang Xuan intentionally moved in a zigzag pattern earlier was to draw the other party's attention to his left and right. Coupled with the Unbounded Voyager, he was able to catch Elder Su off guard. Before the other party could react, he was already standing before Elder Su.
With a flick of his wrist, Zhang Xuan raised his palm to meet the other party's attack.
The other party had said that the Dragon-Elephant Palm was infused with the might of the dragon and elephant, and the other party had already used the Heavenly Demon Great Sorrow Palm.
Hong long!
The two palms collided.
"What?"
Not expecting the other party to arrive so quickly and execute such a ferocious palm art, Elder Su narrowed his eyes in astonishment. Before he could even say a word, he suddenly felt an overwhelming might surging toward him.
"How can he be so powerful?"
As if he had been struck by a comet, Elder Su's lips twitched. He felt as if all of his bones had been shattered, and he was sent flying.
While he was still in midair, he tried to undo the seal on his cultivation, but the other party's palm strike came crashing down on him like a torrential flood, leaving him with no time to even breathe.
Hong long!
His back crashed heavily into the wall of the main hall, creating a massive hole in it.
Kacha! Kacha!
Due to the immense force of the collision, a massive crack extended along the wall all the way to the ceiling.
(Don't forget to vote at the start of the month!)
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
