CHAPTER 822: CHAPTER 822 BLASTING THE MAP

"Huh? An error?"

Sikong Jing looked somewhat surprised at the second Soldier Killing Assessment Map in front of him.

He didn’t see any issues from top to bottom; if there were any, it was just that he hadn’t done it perfectly.

Hence, Sikong Jing furrowed his brow and asked, "Captain Hua, could you point out where the error is?"

His tone was consultative, filled with humility.

In response, Hua Meixi’s expression stiffened, thinking to herself:

Who knows where the mistake is; the second map is one of the final assessment contents, secretly given to me by the Soldier Formation Instructor of the East Dominator Branch for study, and I haven’t figured it out yet.

Of course, Hua Meixi wouldn’t say that, as it would be too embarrassing.

"If the assessment map is correct, each star point will emit light, just like the first one just now."

"Since it didn’t emit light, it’s wrong."

Having said that, she coldly smiled and put away the Soldier Killing Assessment Map, her mood finally improved.

"In any case, communicating with me about Soldier Killing Arrays is impossible for you."

With a look of smug satisfaction on her face, she finally turned the tables.

Finally, Hua Meixi shook the Blood Refining Soldier Killing Map that Sikong Jing gave her.

"Though I don’t like you much, you can rest assured."

"I’ll definitely use your Soldier Killing Map to gain the support of the East Dominator Branch to thoroughly clear your name."

After saying this, Hua Meixi looked again at Hua Lidian and said, "The person you’re optimistic about is just so-so."

Then, she turned around and disappeared.

She came to find Sikong Jing to take the Blood Refining Soldier Killing Map back to report. If it weren’t for Sikong Jing’s overconfidence, she would have left as soon as she got it, without going through all this trouble.

Before leaving, Hua Meixi did not forget to scorn Hua Lidian and take a jab at Sikong Jing.

Even after she left completely, Sikong Jing still furrowed his brow.

At this time, Hua Lidian came over and said, "Brother Sikong, don’t be too disheartened. Being a Soldier Formation Master is very difficult, and you’ve just started and already mastered a Soldier Killing Array, which is very impressive."

Of course, he thought Sikong Jing was severely affected by the recent mistake in solving the problem.

"In the future, when you reach the Central Plains, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn."

"I’ve also learned about Soldier Formation Masters. They indeed require constant effort to study various foundational military formations and the use of different soldier types’ auras; otherwise, it’s hard to achieve great talent."

Hua Lidian was trying to guide gently, naturally hoping Sikong Jing wouldn’t be discouraged and, at the same time, remain humble and diligent.

However, just at that moment, Sikong Jing suddenly looked up.

"There’s no mistake..."

"If there’s a mistake, it’s with the array diagram that was used for the assessment, or the problem setter is too weak."

After finishing, Sikong Jing’s eyes flashed with brilliance; it wasn’t arrogance but the result of long consideration.

He had acquired the Qianyuan Soldier Killing Map, which was even modified and strengthened by Su Old Demon. It contained the most profound understanding of the Military Dao in the Central Plains, and Sikong Jing was about to master the second level of it.

Moreover, he had created the Wild Beast Soldier Killing Formation, so how could he make such a mistake just now?

The assessment...

Simply put, it’s not truly something belonging to powerful Soldier Formation Masters; it’s for apprentices.

Although the foundation is important, the Qianyuan Soldier Killing Map is full of foundational principles, filled with Su Old Demon’s understanding. Therefore, Sikong Jing was very certain that he didn’t make any mistake just now.

Hua Lidian was surprised by what he heard. Could Sikong Jing be overconfident?

...

Meanwhile, Hua Meixi landed by a small lake not far from the Immortal Treasures Building, where her Nu Hua Team members were waiting.

"Captain."

The group welcomed her, among which a member curiously asked, "Captain Hua, what kind of existence is Sikong Jing’s Soldier Killing Map? Is he like we previously guessed, having started learning Soldier Killing Arrays from a young age?"

As previously mentioned, the notion that he started learning from a young age was deduced by the Nu Hua Team members.

It wasn’t just Hua Meixi’s speculation alone.

Upon hearing this question, Hua Meixi’s good mood from turning the tables instantly soured a bit. She slowly said, "Sikong Jing says he has been working with Soldier Killing Maps for less than four months..."

"What? Impossible!" All the Nu Hua Team members were astonished at this, exclaiming it was impossible.

"There shouldn’t be any falsification. Sikong Jing’s military talent is indeed very strong, but he is too arrogant. He even said he wanted to teach me how to use the Soldier Killing Array, as if he wanted to be my mentor."

Even though Hua Meixi had to admit Sikong Jing’s military talent, she spoke the latter part through gritted teeth.

The Nu Hua Team members, who were stunned, were also quite angry that Sikong Jing was indeed too arrogant.

"It’s alright; I’ve already put him down a peg to let him know how difficult the Soldier Killing Array is."

Hua Meixi said this, raising her chin slightly, and then described what had happened with the two Soldier Killing Assessment Maps.

"He completed the first one very quickly, likely because it was quite similar to his Blood Refining Soldier Killing Map."

"He failed as soon as the second one appeared. Look at it..."

Saying this, Hua Meixi immediately took out the erroneous second assessment map Sikong Jing had completed, then using True Qi, projected it in front of the Nu Hua Team members and said, "Not a single star light! It’s completely wrong."

All the Nu Hua Team members nodded at each other.

If there were even a slight correctness, even just a corner, it would glow in that corner’s light.

In the end, the entire map, completed by Sikong Jing, didn’t emit a single light.

"No matter how wrong we are, we could at least light up a corner. But he didn’t even manage that."

"Apparently, he was just relying on dumb luck, and when he encountered a truly challenging one... huh?"

Hua Meixi kept pointing at the second assessment map, continuing to disparage Sikong Jing.

But at that moment, her words suddenly stuck, and then she couldn’t help but widen her eyes, slowly turning incredulous.

She intended to say that he couldn’t answer when faced with genuine difficulty, but instead... was struck speechless.

The Nu Hua Team members also widened their eyes, staring disbelievingly at the star points on the Soldier Killing Assessment Map.

Suddenly, the star points brightened one after another, radiating outward from the center of the Soldier Killing Assessment Map until the brightness was almost blinding, and finally... Boom!

While everyone was puzzled, the assessment map suddenly exploded, instantly turning into fragments of black jade dust.

And the star light that had lit up also faded away after its brightest point.

When the area by the small lake was completely dim again, Hua Meixi and the Nu Hua Team members were left dumbfounded, staring at the scattered black jade assessment map fragments, looking at each other in astonishment.

Suddenly, a member hoarsely uttered, "Explosive diagram!"

With those two words, everyone, including Hua Meixi, started trembling violently.

The so-called "explosive diagram" happens when an examinee produces an answer beyond the capability of the "assessment map’s creator."

In other words, Sikong Jing’s answer just now surpassed the capability range of the questioner. If the full score during the assessment was one hundred, the examinee’s solution would fully light up the map.

If the examinee’s answer exceeds one hundred points, the map would... directly explode because he was even more adept than the question setter.