Chapter 66: Chapter 65: Passing the Official Xuan Master Assessment
RUMBLE!
In the vast, boundless desolation, the only sound was the rustling patter of the downpour. A group of Black-robed Xuan Masters stood with somber faces, as if they had merged with the torrential rain, lost in a world that had fallen silent.
"That little guy’s Lifebound Array Map is actually an Ancient Origin Xuan Array..." Parting her red lips slightly, the black-robed woman, Qingli, murmured to herself.
A wry smile touched the corners of Zuo Song’s mouth as he nodded. "And it seems to be one of the more powerful types of Ancient Origin Xuan Arrays at that! That profound, distant, mysterious, and ancient aura... I have only ever sensed it from a few extremely old Ancient Origin Xuan Arrays!"
"How fortunate! To witness the birth of another unknown Ancient Origin Xuan Array with our own eyes. Since the first Ancient Mysterious Array Map was discovered, nearly six hundred Ancient Profound Arrays have appeared one after another. The emergence of every single one sends an earthquake through the Mystic Master Realm. The last time an Ancient Profound Array appeared was over a hundred years ago. To think this one would manifest here in our Mountain and River City!" Hall’s eyes shone as he clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
"This little fellow is truly a blessing for our Mountain and River City’s Mystic Master Guild!" Zuo Song stroked his white beard, a genuine smile finally reaching his eyes.
A new Ancient Origin Xuan Array had appeared in the Mountain and River City Mystic Master Guild—a tremendous accomplishment. Zuo Song smiled as he watched the white-robed youth. For the first time, the shrewd and cunning old man found this flamboyant young man to be quite pleasing to the eye.
The group of Black-robed Xuan Masters’ eyes gleamed, staring intently at the profound black Array Map beneath the white-robed youth’s feet. They looked like they wanted to pounce on it and study it immediately...
In the world of Mystic Masters, Ancient Origin Xuan Arrays themselves represented mystery and the unknown. Legend had it that they originated from the insights of certain Ancient Powerhouses into the myriad Daos of heaven and earth. These insights were sometimes casually recorded by these powerhouses on stone slabs, steles, or other special objects.
Because written language did not exist in the Ancient Era, these insights were mostly inscribed in a form that was closest to the Origin of the Laws. Some called them Sacred Patterns, others called them Runes, but in the eyes of Mystic Masters, they were Profound Arrays that came closest to the Origin Law. Thus, they were named Ancient Origin Xuan Arrays.
Every Ancient Origin Xuan Array was unique and nearly impossible to replicate. However, it was the trace of Origin Power inherent within them that drove Mystic Masters to madness. If one could comprehend even a sliver of this Origin Power, it would bring immeasurable benefits to the evolution of their own Lifebound Array Map...
To be able to transform an Ancient Origin Xuan Array into one’s Lifebound Array Map was a fortuitous opportunity that countless Mystic Masters dreamed of!
However, Ancient Origin Xuan Arrays were far too rare and difficult to comprehend. Turning one into a Lifebound Array Map was exceptionally difficult. Forcibly attempting its Refinement could even trigger a backlash from the Celestial Dao.
Although these conditions were difficult, they only deterred some. What truly made Mystic Masters gnash their teeth was that every Ancient Origin Xuan Array was one of a kind. Once it was refined into a Lifebound Array Map, others could only study it; no one else could ever refine it into their own.
...
Qin Feng’s chest rose and fell slightly, a cold sweat beading on his forehead. He finally let out a breath of relief after feeling the wildly surging power of the Torrential Rain Xuan Array being suppressed by his Lifebound Array Map.
’I was a bit too arrogant. Bringing out my Lifebound Array Map puts too much strain on the body. My vital energy is being consumed too quickly. It was too risky to manifest my Lifebound Array Map at the Late-stage Martial Arts Fourth Layer!’ Qin Feng silently congratulated himself. In that critical moment, the Mystic Turtle Divine Pill had been a huge help.
The Ten Directions Abyss Destruction Dao Map had a peculiar origin. It was an incomplete Array Map that Qin Feng had discovered on a stele in his previous life while exploring an unknown ancient ruin. Later, seeing that the Dao Map seemed to contain a trace of Origin Dao Intent, Qin Feng decided to turn it into his Lifebound Array Map, cultivating while simultaneously working to complete it.
In his past life, Qin Feng was known as an unrivaled Great Demon, and the main reason for this was this mysterious, ancient Array Map.
At its peak, Qin Feng’s Lifebound Array Map had reached Tier Nine, just one step away from transforming into a Divine Demon Map. Now, however, the Lifebound Array Map was in tatters, severely damaged. At most, it could only exert the power of Tier Three, which was roughly equivalent to a Third-grade Xuan Master.
This was also the source of Qin Feng’s courage, allowing him to dare set up a First-level Mysterious Array with a body at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer. If he didn’t have this Lifebound Array Map to suppress it, he would never have risked deploying such a powerful Profound Array.
The higher the level of a Profound Array, the stronger its backlash. Without a Lifebound Array Map to suppress the Profound Array, a single misstep could lead to the complete annihilation of both body and soul.
Even so, it had been extremely taxing. After deploying the Torrential Rain Xuan Array, Qin Feng’s form blurred, and in an instant, he transformed into a gust of wind and was expelled from the illusory world.
WHOOSH!
In the assessment hall, upon the Crystal Stone Altar, the cross-legged youth’s face was as pale as paper. Suddenly, a ripple of wind stirred above his head. Qin Feng’s eyes snapped open, but the moment they did, a dizzy spell hit him, and he was about to collapse.
Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air. An old man with white hair and a beard, his complexion as ruddy as a baby’s, closed the distance in a few quick strides and caught Qin Feng.
"Young man, you are only at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer Realm. Forcing out your Lifebound Profound Array was too much for you. If not for your strong foundation, you’d probably be unconscious by now. Even so, you’ve consumed a great deal of your vital energy. Don’t move just yet. Rest for a moment. I’ve already sent someone to prepare a medicinal meal to replenish your energy!" Zuo Song’s gaze held a hint of concern, but also a trace of a smile. ’For some reason, seeing this stubborn little guy in a tight spot is actually quite amusing.’
"There’s no need!" Qin Feng struggled to lift his head, wanting to stand up, but his body was too weak. He couldn’t get to his feet just yet.
"Qin Feng, your performance today truly astonished us. Don’t refuse! You’re the prized treasure of our Mountain and River City Mystic Master Guild now. A fifteen-year-old First-Grade Xuan Master, and your Lifebound Array Map is even an Ancient Origin Xuan Array! We can’t let anyone think our Mountain and River City Mystic Master Guild mistreats its geniuses!" A figure rushed in like the wind, and Master Hall’s hearty, aged laughter echoed from the doorway.
Hearing Master Hall’s praise, Qin Feng blinked in astonishment. ’So I’ve really become the talk of the town...’
Just then, figures appeared one after another at the entrance of the assessment hall. Group after group of Black-robed Xuan Masters arrived, wearing friendly smiles and nodding in greeting. Their gazes were full of goodwill. Although their status placed them at the very top of Mountain and River City’s hierarchy—accustomed to others greeting them with respect—the Mystic Master talent this youth had displayed left them no room for condescension. Perhaps one day, this young man would become a Profound Venerable whose achievements in the way of Mystic Masters rivaled those of the Dinghai Xuan Venerable.
