Chapter 706 - Array Masters' Association
"So this is the Array Masters' Association… The building is a lot more ordinary than it looks from afar." Yuan was used to seeing extravagant and luxurious buildings, so he was a little surprised to see the Array Masters' Association looking so plain.
"Let's go inside, shall we?"
Upon entering the building, Yuan could see a long line that snaked around the first floor, taking up half of the floor's space. At glance, these people appeared to be waiting to buy something from the front desk, but they were all given a piece of paper before getting sent to the second floor.
Yuan looked around to find someone that appeared to work there and approached him.
"Hello, where can I buy array techniques?"
"You mean array combinations? Are you an Array Master?" The man asked him.
"Yes, I know a few arrays." Yuan nodded.
"Just because you know a few arrays doesn't make you an Array Master, kid." The man sneered, and he continued, "In order to be officially considered an Array Master, you must pass the Array Master Assessment. Only when you have the badge of an official Array Master can you buy array combinations from our Array Masters' Association."
"So I have to join the association before I can purchase array combinations?" Yuan raised his eyebrows.
"What's the difference between this and joining a sect for their techniques?"
"I think you're misunderstanding something. We're not recruiting you to join us. The Array Masters' Association has the authority to give others the identification of an Array Master. You can sign up to join us if you wish, but it's not a requirement. There are many Array Masters out there that aren't part of our association, and there is no punishment for not wanting to join us."
"However, if you don't take the assessment and become an official Array Master, you're not considered a real Array Master, and most places that sell array combinations require you to be an official Array Master."
"Is that so… Then where do I sign up for this Array Master Assessment?" Yuan then asked.
The man pointed at the long queue in the store.
"I figured…" Yuan sighed.
"Well, I am going to take this assessment. You guys don't have to wait with me if you don't want to." He said to Chu Liuxiang and the others.
"Where are we going to go? We have nowhere else to go. But even if I do, I'd rather stay here with you." Chu Liuxiang shrugged.
"Then I am going to rest for a bit. Call me if you need me, Young Master." Feng Yuxiang said before turning into a ball of flame and entering his body.
"It's a little bit crowded here, so I will also rest for now." Lan Yingying said as she turned into a bracelet.
Only Xiao Hua, Chu Liuxiang, and Min Li remained.
Thus, they began waiting in the queue.
As they waited, Yuan would notice the people coming back down from the upper floors, and most of them had disappointed looks on their faces.
Clearly, they went upstairs to take the assessment.
And within the hour they waited, Yuan counted 22 people, but only 2 of them appeared to be happy with their result.
'The assessment is probably going to be difficult, especially for someone like me, who learned about arrays only a week ago…' Yuan sighed inwardly.
Once they reached the front, the middle-aged man sitting behind the desk asked him, "What's your name? And how old are you?"
"Yuan, 18 years old."
"Cultivation?"
"Second Level Spirit Lord."
"..."
The middle-aged man looked up and stared at Yuan with a look of disbelief on his face.
However, he didn't immediately believe Yuan's words, so he had to check himself using his divine sense to probe Yuan's aura.
'What the fuck!? He's really a Spirit Lord! And he's only 18 years old? Who is this monster?!' The middle-aged man cried inwardly after confirming Yuan's claims as a Spirit Lord.
"A-And how long have you studied arrays?" He asked after a moment of silence.
"Not long. It's probably been a week since I learned about arrays," said Yuan.
"A week…?"
If it were not for Yuan's cultivation base being higher than his own, the middle-aged man would've cursed him out loud before kicking him out of the building.
After all, there was simply no way for someone to become an Array Master after studying arrays for a week. If that was possible, everybody would be an Array Master by now.
"Anyways… Take this paper and go to the second floor for your assessment."
"Thank you."
Yuan accepted the paper and began making his way upstairs.
The middle-aged man shook his head after Yuan left. If it weren't so risky to kick Yuan out because of his talents and mysterious background, he would've done so without a heartbeat.
'Whatever. He's no longer my problem.'
Meanwhile, Yuan had to stand in line again because there was another line for assessments.
Moreover, the line seemed to be moving at a much slower pace.
After two hours of painful waiting, they finally reached the front of the line.
Five more minutes later, the door in front of them opened, and a young woman came running out, her eyes pouring with tears.
"Next."
An aloof voice resounded the next moment, and Yuan entered the door with the others following behind him.
Inside the room was a long table with three people sitting behind— a stubborn-looking old man, a handsome man, and a beautiful but bored-looking woman.
"Boy, where do you think you are? This isn't the place for you to show off your girlfriends." The handsome man said to him when he saw the beauties following him.
"We'll wait for you outside…" Chu Liuxiang said to him before leaving the room, followed by Min Li and Xiao Hua.
"Now then, let us see your paper."
Yuan approached the table and handed them his paper.
The three judges' eyes widened with shock when they saw Yuan's cultivation base.
'Spirit Lord at 18 years old? No wonder why he's surrounded by beauties!' The handsome man cried inwardly.