Chapter 1428: Temp - Chapter 1426: Third-Grade Assessment
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Chapter 1426: Third-Grade Assessment
“A major cultivation project…”
Manager Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. He flipped through the recent business records and various intelligence reports once more but found no clues whatsoever.
Manager Zhao’s brows gradually furrowed.
“Was I wrong… There’s no major project.”
“Or perhaps… even I am not allowed to catch the slightest whiff of it?”
Manager Zhao’s thumb, adorned with a gold and jade ring, tapped rhythmically on the desk, his expression darkening: “Trying to bypass me, Zhao Dongming, for a project…”
Mo Hua returned to the minor blessed land and began pondering another matter.
The Third-Grade Formation Master assessment.
He could tell that Manager Zhao was somewhat reluctant to involve him in the underground matter anymore.
Probably afraid that if someone else went down with him, they might end up dead in the earth.
Mo Hua sighed, feeling helpless.
These people, claiming to be seasoned tomb raiders, were all blinded by greed, none of them could withstand death. It ended up causing Manager Zhao to misunderstand him, leaving him unable to go down into the tombs to search for formations and earn extra money.
Since he couldn’t go tomb raiding, the possibility of “striking it rich” was gone.
He could only rely on drawing formations for a stable, albeit modest, income.
In terms of formations, to draw Third-Grade formations, he must first pass the Dao Court’s Third-Grade formation assessment.
However, Mo Hua wasn’t entirely confident about whether he could pass the Third-Grade formation assessment at the moment.
His formation skill had actually reached the mid-level of Third-Grade. He had mostly learned and practiced quite proficiently some basic Third-Grade formations meant for “examination purposes,” especially those given by his little senior sister.
The probability of passing the Dao Court’s “assessment” was roughly around ninety percent.
Mo Hua felt that was a bit too low.
After all, with only a ninety percent success rate, there was still a ten percent chance of failing the assessment.
This risk of failure lay in the “breadth” of formations.
If, on the day of the assessment, some examiner had a sudden whim and set some extremely obscure, niche Third-Grade formations…
If he couldn’t draw them, that would be quite troublesome.
While he could learn on the spot, calculating and learning in real-time would take time. If he delayed too long and exceeded the assessment time limit, passing would still be impossible.
This probability wasn’t high, but it wasn’t impossible. According to Mo Hua’s estimation, it was about a one in ten chance.
But his time was precious. Preparing for the Formation Master grading also required some effort. If he failed, it would be a significant waste of time.
Therefore, regarding the Third-Grade Formation Master assessment, he either shouldn’t take it, or if he did, it would be best to raise the success rate to over ninety-eight percent for Mo Hua to feel somewhat assured.
Ultimately, it was because Mo Hua wasn’t that confident in his current Third-Grade formation mastery.
Third-Grade formation diagrams were too scarce. He currently didn’t have many in his possession, preventing him from practicing in a “sea of formations” style like he did with Second-Grade formations.
The foundation in formations was crucial. If the foundation wasn’t solid, it would be like the earth shaking and mountains collapsing.
Only with sufficient practice and a solid enough foundation could one have sufficient confidence.
Without enough practice, Mo Hua always felt a bit “unconfident,” as if he were a Third-Grade “sham” Formation Master.
Therefore, in the future, he still needed to find ways to obtain a “vast quantity” of Third-Grade formation diagrams and use extensive practice to solidify his foundation.
But before that, preparations for the Third-Grade Formation Master assessment must also begin.
The problem, however, was that the situation regarding the Third-Grade Formation Master grading assessment seemed rather complex.
The examination itself might be fair, but the process of “registering” for it is not.
Mo Hua had previously asked Manager Zhao and learned that the slots for registering as a Third-Grade Formation Master were actually limited. Even if you were highly skilled, if no one registered you, it wouldn’t matter.
Moreover, if you lacked any family background or connections, you wouldn’t even know where the threshold for Third-Grade Formation Master qualification lay.
Especially in Kun Province, a place Mo Hua was unfamiliar with, he had no “insiders” within the Earth Sect or the major clans.
The few people he knew mostly had “negative relationships” with him—they wouldn’t harm him, but that was about it.
The slots for this examination weren’t as straightforward as they seemed.
Mo Hua had no leads, so he went to ask his little senior sister again, but she also knew very little about the formation examination.
Because given her status, she didn’t need to take exams at all.
If his little senior sister wished, Heavenly Pivot Pavilion would eagerly deliver the Heavenly Pivot Ring to her.
People couldn’t be compared.
Mo Hua had no choice and could only go ask True Person Rong.
True Person Rong, this Feathered Ascension Great Power, was Mo Hua’s greatest “connection” in Kun Province.
Mo Hua had already received many favors from True Person Rong, so unless necessary, he truly didn’t want to trouble her again.
But if he genuinely needed True Person Rong’s help, Mo Hua wouldn’t be overly polite and put himself in a difficult position.
Upon hearing this, True Person Rong was somewhat surprised. “Third-Grade Formation Master examination? Do you have the ability of a Third-Grade Formation Master now?”
Mo Hua said, “A little, not much. I want to try taking the exam.”
True Person Rong looked at Mo Hua and sighed inwardly.
Golden Core early stage… and a Third-Grade Formation Master?
But considering he was Zi Xi’s junior brother and possibly that person’s disciple, it wasn’t so shocking.
True Person Rong nodded. “It can be arranged.”
A slot for the Third-Grade Formation Master examination was rare, but for a cultivator of True Person Rong’s status, it wasn’t impossible to obtain.
However, Mo Hua didn’t rejoice too soon, because things definitely weren’t that simple.
Sure enough, True Person Rong looked at Mo Hua and added, “But… you have to sign a Spirit Contract and sell yourself to the Earth Sect.”
Mo Hua was slightly stunned. “Is it that serious? Even requiring a Spirit Contract?”
True Person Rong nodded. “You’re a Formation Master, so you should know that Formation Masters hold high status. Especially Third-Grade Formation Masters.”
“A Third-Grade Formation Master means at least a cultivator of Golden Core mid-stage or above.”
“It also means not only painstaking cultivation to reach Golden Core mid-stage but also spending immense effort to develop remarkable proficiency in formations.”
“Therefore, any Formation Master who reaches Third-Grade can be considered a ‘major figure’ in their region.”
“For a Formation Master, once they pass the Third-Grade examination, it’s akin to a carp leaping through the dragon gate.”
“In the major clans of Kun Province, even within the Earth Sect itself, Third-Grade Formation Masters hold a place and wield considerable influence.”
“But since it’s like leaping through the dragon gate, the ‘slots’ for the Third-Grade examination are the ‘tickets’ to the dragon gate, naturally extremely valuable. Most are monopolized by the Earth Sect and the great clans, not easily given out.”
Mo Hua nodded slowly and said, “The Earth Sect and the clans monopolize the slots to recruit Third-Grade Formation Masters?”
True Person Rong said, “Exactly. Whether it’s the Earth Sect or other Kun Province clans, they prefer to give slots to their own people. Once someone passes the examination and becomes a Third-Grade Formation Master, it strengthens their own faction.”
“As for others…” True Person Rong glanced at Mo Hua, meaning especially outsiders like him, “if you want to occupy a quota and take the exam for this status, you must sign a Spirit Contract with these major factions, serve them for a certain number of years.”
“Otherwise, these major factions like the Earth Sect would never waste their precious quotas on you.”
“After all, the Third-Grade Heavenly Pivot Rings issued by the Dao Court are also limited in number.”
“One Heavenly Pivot Ring is equivalent to the status of a formation master; they can’t be handed out casually.”
Mo Hua frowned, “This seems somewhat different from the rules in Qianxue Prefecture Boundary.”
When he was in Qianxue Prefecture Boundary, although the quota for rank determination was limited, it was still relatively lenient.
If you had the ability, even without any vested interests, some talent-appreciating patriarchs and elders were quite willing to do you a favor and let you take the rank determination exam.
True Person Rong said, “That’s natural, but Qian Province and Kun Province are, after all, two completely different major provinces.”
“Qianxue Prefecture Boundary is a holy land for cultivation sects. No matter how profit-driven they are, they still value academic atmosphere to some extent, and there are many experts who appreciate talent.”
“Moreover, in Qianxue Prefecture Boundary, there are too many major sects and great families, and they are close to the Dao Court, so naturally, there are more quotas.”
“But Kun Province is different.”
“In Kun Province, the Earth Sect dominates alone. Many families made their fortunes through monopolies, and cultivation resources are highly concentrated.”
“Often, they don’t care whether you have talent; they care more about whether your talent can be used by them.”
“If it serves them, your talent is considered talent. Otherwise, no matter how talented you are, to them, it’s not only useless but also a potential threat.”
“So, if you want to take the rank determination exam here in Kun Province, without attaching yourself to some connections, working for the powerful families, and binding interests together, no one is willing to give you this opportunity.”
Mo Hua understood: “Resources are too monopolized; it all depends on the whims of the major sects and powerful families. If you don’t do it, there are plenty of others who will. You may have talent, but under heaven, talented people are everywhere; you’re not indispensable.”
True Person Rong nodded, “Exactly.”
Mo Hua asked, “Are there no exceptions?”
True Person Rong thought for a moment and said, “Unless your skills are so extraordinary that they defy the heavens, capable of drawing formations no one else can, and even have the ability to lead the construction of major formations, then the Earth Sect might consider doing things your way.”
Mo Hua’s expression turned somewhat odd.
True Person Rong was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and said quietly, “Don’t tell me you’ve also led the construction of major formations?”
Mo Hua nodded.
True Person Rong silently looked at Mo Hua, expressionless, thinking to herself, I’m telling you the truth, and you’re bragging to me?
Mo Hua could only sigh, “I was joking; how could I possibly lead the construction of major formations?”
Seeing Mo Hua’s “honest” attitude, True Person Rong nodded.
Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked again: “Then it seems there’s no problem… mutual exchange of interests. I sign a Spirit Contract with the Earth Sect, take the rank determination exam, and then help the Earth Sect draw formations for a few years. Wouldn’t that work?”
After all, whether he draws for Manager Zhao at Fortune Pavilion or for the Earth Sect, it’s all the same—no difference.
Moreover, he had previously considered becoming a “Guest Elder” for the Earth Sect.
Now, by signing a “Spirit Contract” with the Earth Sect, he might even be able to move directly into the Earth Sect and search for… secrets within.
Mo Hua’s eyes brightened slightly.
True Person Rong had spent some time with Mo Hua by now and had come to understand some of his habits.
Whenever she saw Mo Hua’s eyes light up, she could usually guess that he was probably thinking about something unreliable again.
True Person Rong sighed. “Don’t overthink it. A Spirit Contract isn’t something so easy to sign—it offers very little freedom.”
“As a Guest Elder, the Earth Sect imposes few restrictions on you, but if you sign a Spirit Contract, you’ll essentially be ‘selling your life’ to the Earth Sect.”
“Besides, how could it possibly be just a few years? For something this important, it’s at least fifty years, starting from there.”
Mo Hua was stunned when he heard this.
Fifty years… and that was just the minimum.
This Spirit Contract was practically no different from a contract of servitude.
Mo Hua asked, “Are there no loopholes to exploit?”
True Person Rong replied, “The Earth Sect is the number one major sect in Kun Province. With so many elders keeping watch, how could they possibly let you exploit any loopholes?”
Mo Hua thought it over and realized she was right.
True Person Rong said calmly, “If it were any other matter, I could say a word, and the Earth Sect wouldn’t refuse. But the certification of a Third-Grade Formation Master involves significant interests. Without paying some price, the Earth Sect won’t agree.”
This wasn’t just a matter of giving out a spot.
It was about “replacing” someone else’s spot.
How could the one being replaced possibly accept it willingly?
When it came to entangled interests, things were always troublesome, even bloody.
Moreover, signing a contract of servitude for over fifty years was indeed a bit outrageous. Mo Hua himself didn’t even know how much longer he could stay in Kun Province.
Mo Hua nodded. “Then I’ll think it over some more.”
True Person Rong also said, “Think it through carefully. If you truly wish to sign a Spirit Contract with the Earth Sect, I’ll speak to her about it.”
True Person Rong didn’t mention that this Spirit Contract wasn’t something just anyone could sign if they wanted to.
Although it had the suspicion of being a “contract of servitude,” countless cultivators outside would jump at the chance to sell themselves to the Earth Sect, toiling like oxen and horses just to secure a position—yet they had no such opportunity.
The Earth Sect was powerful and simply looked down on ordinary talents.
However, Mo Hua’s situation was special after all. Even if it was out of consideration for Zixi, True Person Rong had to be cautious.
For the next several days, Mo Hua pondered this question.
Should he just sell himself to the Earth Sect, stay there for fifty or even a hundred years, and perhaps one day get a chance to study the Sovereign Earth Diagram?
But after thinking it over, he decided against it.
Mainly, he was worried about Little Senior Sister.
If he sold himself to the Earth Sect, what would happen to Little Senior Sister?
With no one to study formations with her, Little Senior Sister would surely feel lonely.
After some thought, Mo Hua decided to give up on the contract of servitude and see if he could find another way to secure a spot and take the exam for the Third-Grade Heavenly Pivot Ring.
Three days later, Mo Hua went to the Sword Debate Dao Arena in the Eastern District again.
He sparred with Wu Gui, Jin An, and Zhu Xian once more.
This time, however, it was an “open” duel, with quite a few spectators watching.
In Houtu City, private duels among cultivators were strictly forbidden, but a group of young masters from prominent families, with nothing to do all day, couldn’t be left without a place to fight.
Thus, such relatively legal and safe arenas became the main venues for many young masters to spar and duel.
Some idle cultivators who enjoyed a good spectacle would often gather to watch the matches.
As a result, the culture of dueling was quite prevalent in Houtu City.
Wu Gui and the other two had repeatedly lost to Mo Hua, thoroughly humiliating themselves. At first, they tried to keep it hidden, but after losing too many Spirit stones and growing desperate, they simply made the duels “public,” allowing more people to watch.
Even if it meant facing even more ridicule.
But with so many eyes watching, they could always find flaws in Mo Hua’s techniques, and only by identifying these flaws could they devise countermeasures.
Thus, during Mo Hua’s duels, many held Image-Retaining Diagrams, meticulously recording every detail of his battles to later study and analyze carefully.
These were minor scenes to Mo Hua, and he paid them no mind.
He still used the Fireball Technique to defeat Wu Gui and his two companions, eliciting gasps of admiration from the crowd.
Cultivators who used the Fireball Technique were nothing new, but those who could wield it to the level Mo Hua did were truly rare.
Even the cultivators of Houtu City had never seen such skill.
After several such matches, Mo Hua gained a bit of a reputation in the Eastern District’s Sword Debate Dao Arena.
Mo Hua planned to challenge Wu Gui a few more times, then find an opportunity to ask them whether the noble families had any quotas for Third-Grade Formation qualification assessments.
Judging by their surnames alone—Wu Gui, Jin An, and Zhu Xian—they were likely members of major noble families within Kun Province.
They probably had access to more information.
However, on this particular day, just as Mo Hua finished a duel and was about to leave the Sword Debate Dao Arena, he spotted a familiar figure in white tucked away in a secluded corner of the arena.
This figure was huddled with a group of cultivators, acting furtively, as if up to something.
Puzzled, Mo Hua suppressed his aura, moved without a sound, and quietly approached. Peering down, he discovered that the group was actually organizing a betting pool.
On the betting table was a drawing of a face.
The face was ugly and somewhat abstract, with the character “Mo” written beside it. It was clear that the person who drew it harbored some personal resentment.
Mo Hua’s expression turned subtle.
These people were actually betting Spirit stones on him.