CHAPTER 24: ARRAY COMPETITION.

For the next two days, Jun Wu did not leave the inn. Apart from occasional conversations with Xinyue and his younger brother, he did not leave his room, studying array formation.

The ancient being’s knowledge was vastly different from current array formation. Thus, he was preparing himself, not for competition, but for what lay ahead.

Finally, it was the day of the competition.

Mystic City was bustling with crowds and new faces appearing everywhere.

Everyone was talking about the Array Formation Competition. For such a large competition, every array formation apprentice and array master throughout the Soaring Cloud Region came to witness such a grand event.

For an array formation master, it was the best chance to find a disciple and pass on their knowledge.

The knowledge of array formation came from the ruins, and every time books and manuals on array formation were found, they were always treated like rare gems.

Therefore, without a master to pass on his knowledge, it was very difficult to progress on the path of array formation.

Walking on the bustling street, many young and old array formation apprentices wore expressions filled with confidence and hope.

Most came here to find the right master or be noticed by powerful clans. It was a chance to change their lives for good.

Among the throng of people, Jun Wu walked calmly without any change in his expression. Unlike most apprentices, he was different.

This was the stage to make his mark.

He arrived at the competition venue and was stopped by a guard.

"Please, show us your pass," the guard said in a deep, cold voice.

He showed them his pass, and he was allowed into the venue. The venue was a massive hall with tables and chairs.

When he entered, most of the apprentices turned their heads and looked in his direction.

"What!"

Various gasps echoed in the hall. Jun Wu’s young face shocked them. Most of them were in their twenties and thirties, while some were in their forties and fifties.

Looking at a boy who was not even twenty left them dumbfounded for a moment.

"Did he enter the wrong hall?" a voice couldn’t help but ask.

"That’s impossible. The guards would have stopped him if that were the case."

"So... he’s an apprentice..."

"For him to be an apprentice at such a young age, he must have a powerful master."

The apprentices discussed among themselves, their faces filled with envy and jealousy while also having sharp glints in their eyes.

To Jun Wu, this had nothing to do with him. He picked a random seat and sat, waiting for the competition to start.

Slowly, many apprentices arrived, and the massive hall gradually filled up. Just then, a young man in his early twenties entered, and he immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Dressed in an expensive blue silk robe, he walked proudly to the front. He stopped at the foremost seat and looked at the woman who was seated on it.

Without uttering a word, the woman left the seat in large strides. Everyone knew the young man, and it wouldn’t be wise to be on his bad side because of a seat.

"Ah! With him here, he’s going to win the competition."

"Indeed. I heard his master is a powerful array formation master."

"What should we do now?"

"Nothing."

While the apprentices were discussing him, the door opened, and a beautiful woman entered the hall.

"What! She is also participating?" a voice exclaimed.

"I can’t believe this..."

"I thought her clan was not interested in the association competition."

At the front seat, the young man looked at the beautiful woman with a sharp glint in his eyes. He sneered and averted his gaze.

The beautiful woman elegantly took a seat from one of the empty spots. She sat quietly, without bothering about the gossip around her.

"The two rising stars. We are doomed to get nothing in this competition."

"Ah! What bad luck."

"I heard the next competition will be in another ten years."

Jun Wu listened to the gossip around him in fascination. He looked at the two rising stars and chuckled inwardly.

After another few minutes, another batch of apprentices arrived, but they did not cause any sensation like the two rising stars of Mystic City.

Now, the hall was almost full. All chatter from the apprentices had reduced as they all sat in their seats, wearing tense expressions.

Creak!

The side door at the front was pushed open, and five elders from the array formation association entered.

Their faces were cold, devoid of any expression. They took their seats, and the old man at the center opened his mouth and announced,

"The competition is going to start. Anyone found speaking will be sent out immediately."

Instantly, all the apprentices held their breath as they waited quietly for the competition to begin.

The only woman among the elders stood up. "There will be three stages to the competition. This is the first stage."

With her announcement, the side door was pushed open, and many attendants entered.

Swiftly, they began to distribute two scrolls, ink, and brushes to the apprentices. One of the scrolls contained an array formation diagram, while the other was empty.

When all the apprentices had been given their test scrolls, the woman continued.

"In your hand is an array diagram with many errors. To pass this stage, you must correct at least three of the errors."

"You have one hour to find and correct the errors. You may start."

The moment she finished speaking, the apprentices sprang into action and took the array diagram.

Jun Wu unhurriedly took the array diagram and looked at it. A deep frown appeared on his face when he saw the diagram.

He sighed and shook his head. He reached out his hand, picked up his ink brush, dipped it inside the ink, and began to draw.

To him, the complicated array diagrams were full of errors that almost blinded his eyes. He did not need to think, his hand danced swiftly on the scroll.

*****