103: Advanced footwork, array assessment

At the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion, seeing the young man flash over, the Elder couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Is the footwork you're using Eight Extremes Pulse?"

Lin Yuan's expression subtly changed, and he admitted, "Yes, it is."

"What Martial Skill did you choose? Let this old man have a look."

"It's this one."

"Electric Light Pulse Kick? Good boy, along with Tongbei Fist and Eight Extremes Pulse, all the Martial Skills you Cultivate are related to the Meridians."

"That's right, this Disciple's Meridians are different from ordinary people, which is why I Cultivate these Martial Skills."

"Heh heh, there's no problem with this leg technique and fist technique, but as for this footwork, do you feel it's too weak?"

"Is Elder referring to Eight Extremes Pulse? After all, it's just a Yellow Rank Martial Skill. Its Rank and upper limit are set, so it's indeed a bit inferior to the other two."

"No, Eight Extremes Pulse is not as simple as you think."

"Oh? Why does Elder say that?"

"This Martial Skill is divided into a basic chapter and an advanced chapter. What you've Cultivated is merely the basic chapter."

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed: "According to you, the advanced chapter is of a higher Rank?"

The Elder stroked his beard: "Yes, the advanced version of Eight Extremes Pulse is a Profound Rank Martial Skill. Do you want to learn it?"

"This..."

Lin Yuan bit his lip and honestly said, "Of course this Disciple wants to learn. May I ask if Elder can teach it to me?"

There is a significant difference between Profound Rank Martial Skills and Yellow Rank Martial Skills. If one can comprehend the advanced version of the footwork, it can not only speed up travel but also greatly increase combat power.

The Elder chuckled: "Yes, I can, but you need to agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

"The Array Pavilion's annual enrollment assessment is about to begin. If you can participate in the assessment in this old man's Disciple's name and successfully pass, I will impart the advanced chapter to you."

"Array Pavilion? Are you referring to the Array Pavilion of Cloud Art Peak?"

"Exactly. The Array Pavilion specializes in teaching the Dao of arrays. Since you possess such superb talent in Cultivation, your talent in the Dao of arrays surely won't be weak."

"That's not necessarily true, after all, the Dao of arrays is different from the Dao of Cultivation, and what is learned is also different."

"Young people should believe in themselves. How can you know you can't do it if you don't try?"

Lin Yuan feigned contemplation for a moment, then finally nodded solemnly: "Alright, since Elder trusts this Disciple so much, then this Junior will agree to your condition and give it a try at the Array Pavilion."

The Elder beamed with joy: "The boy is straightforward enough. This old man won't hide anything. The day you pass the assessment, come directly to this place to find me, and I will fulfill my promise."

"Alright, Senior, then how do I participate in the assessment using your name?"

"Just say you are Thirteenth Elder's Disciple."

"Thirteenth Elder... I understand."

"Mm, the assessment will be in three days. These two days, you can learn a bit about the basic information of the Dao of arrays to prepare."

"Alright, then this Disciple will take his leave first."

"Go."

As the young man's figure gradually faded, the Elder softly murmured, "Old Man Gu, Old Man Gu, you keep complaining to this old man that our Cloud Ripple Sect's Dao of arrays is declining. Well, this time, this old man will give you a big gift, letting you witness what a true Prodigy of the Dao of arrays is."

The reason he was so certain that the other party possessed talent in the Dao of arrays was because the Lin family's ancestors and several strong individuals who had mastered Tongbei Fist were all Grand Masters of the Dao of arrays.

If Lin Yuan could make Tongbei Fist produce several sounds, his talent in the Dao of arrays certainly wouldn't be far off.

Even if he couldn't reach the Grand Master level, becoming a Great Master would surely be simple.

...

Cloud Sovereign Peak.

Inside the Immortal Cave.

To prepare for the Array Pavilion assessment, Lin Yuan bid farewell to the Elder and returned directly to his room, took out the Dao of arrays annotations from Song Mian's Storage Pouch, and began to read them carefully.

With his Comprehension Ability, he quickly gained a general understanding of the Dao of arrays.

Today, Lu Yichan also packed all her belongings, left her Immortal Cave, and moved into his residence.

Thus, all five women moved in together. He was busy researching the Dao of arrays while also Cultivating with his beloved wives.

Three days later, the time for the assessment arrived as scheduled.

In the early morning, as the sky began to lighten, Lin Yuan walked out of his bedroom feeling refreshed and set off for Cloud Art Peak.

On the towering and majestic peak, stood four grand pavilions.

Above the main entrance of each pavilion hung a plaque, inscribed with the characters for Array, Pill, Artifact, and Talisman, respectively.

Since he was to participate in the Array Pavilion assessment, he naturally chose the pavilion with the 'Array' character on its plaque and descended towards its main entrance.

At this moment, dozens of Disciples were already standing and waiting around.

"They must all be here to participate in the assessment," Lin Yuan muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping around. He didn't see any familiar figures, so he closed his eyes and began to quietly Cultivate.

Soon after, a gray-robed Elder suddenly appeared at the entrance of the pavilion and announced loudly to the crowd: "Everyone, I am Valley Cheng, the Pavilion Master of the Array Pavilion. Today's Array Pavilion assessment will be presided over by me."

Pavilion Master of the Array Pavilion!

Upon hearing this, the Disciples' expressions became solemn, and their faces grew focused.

Within Cloud Art Peak, the Pavilion Master held the highest status apart from the Peak Master, and they dared not be negligent.

"Without further ado, Disciples who wish to participate in the assessment, follow me into the Array Pavilion."

The Elder was quick to speak, turning and walking into the pavilion.

Everyone followed suit.

Soon, they arrived in a classroom.

Dozens of desks and chairs were arranged there. Under the Elder's instruction, each Disciple chose a seat and sat down.

Lin Yuan chose the window seat in the last row.

"The content of this assessment is very simple: it is to draw array patterns. You only need to completely outline an array pattern within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, and you will pass the assessment."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded secretly.

The content of the Array Pavilion assessment was the same every year. They had all known about it beforehand, so almost everyone who dared to come and take the exam had confidence in passing.

"Do any of you have any questions?"

The Elder asked, and seeing no one speak, he announced: "Alright, then this assessment officially..."

Before he could finish, a light and clear voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Pavilion Master, please wait!"

A pair of fair, tender feet in sandals first appeared at the doorway, followed by a gentle and beautiful long-haired girl, who rushed in with a fragrant breeze, revealing herself to everyone's sight.

What a beautiful little girl!

The sudden appearance of the charming girl instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Sorry, Pavilion Master, I'm late. Can I still participate in the assessment now?"

The girl scratched the back of her neck, asking with a slight apology.

The Elder said helplessly: "Yes, you can. Find a seat and sit down."

Not to mention that it hadn't even started yet, even if the assessment was already underway, given her noble status, he would have no choice but to let her participate.

"Okay!"

Zhao Cailian quickly found a chair and sat down, panting slightly. At the same time, she sensed someone in the adjacent seat and instinctively turned her head to look.

Her gaze met Lin Yuan's.