CHAPTER 33: NO ONE CAME CLOSE.

Listening to his question, everyone was stunned.

Indeed, with his age, if he had claimed he was a Grade 1 Array Formation Master, no one would have believed him.

Elder Feng opened his mouth to refute his claim and once again, Jun Wu did not let him speak as he continued.

"Besides, I’ve not taken the Grade 1 Array Formation Master exam. So, I’m not a Grade 1 Array Formation Master... yet."

Jun Wu locked his gaze with Elder Feng, waiting for him to speak. His journey to the Mystic City was not for some old narrow-minded man to hinder his growth.

He wouldn’t allow what happened in the Silver Star City to repeat itself. Anyone that dares to stand in his way would be put in their place.

This included the Array Formation Association Elders.

Looking at the calm and confident Jun Wu, both Elder Shen and Elder Kang exchanged subtle glances.

Before Elder Shen could speak, a loud voice came from the back.

"So what?!" Ma Long shouted. "You cheated and you must be removed from the competition."

Jun Wu turned and looked at him from head to toe, disdain playing on his lips.

"Idiot!"

Too lazy to exchange words with such a fool, he turned and looked at the elders, waiting for their decision.

Being called an idiot irked Ma Long to no end. He gritted his teeth and thick veins protruded from his forehead.

He opened his mouth to refute him, but when he saw the look on the other apprentices’ faces, he closed his mouth. His mind boiled in rage.

’You just wait... I will make your life hell.’

Now, everyone in the arena was quiet. Although most of them were fans of Ma Long and Yuan Lan, they could not deny the obvious.

Everything Jun Wu said was on point. Since he had not taken the Grade 1 Array Formation Master examination, he was nothing but an Array Formation apprentice.

Besides, his age spoke volumes. Who would believe such a boy was already a Grade 1 Array Formation Master without seeing his badge?

Many, even seeing his badge, would not believe him. This spoke of how young he was compared to others.

Additionally, he did not cheat throughout the test. Everything depended on his capability.

With all this, the audience quietly waited for the decision of the Association.

Hmm! Hmm!

Elder Shen cleared her throat, unbothered by the unsightly expression on Elder Feng’s face.

"You’re right. You did not break any rules. Your array points will be added to your score," she announced.

Beside her, Elder Kang smiled at Jun Wu. "Hahaha. Congratulations. After this competition, don’t hesitate to come to the association to take the promotional exam."

"Thank you," Jun Wu responded humbly with a light smile on his face.

Quickly, the other two elders congratulated him for his success in setting up a complete Grade 1 Array Formation.

Watching the elders smiling and greeting Jun Wu, Elder Feng could not contain his rage and left the field in large strides.

However, no one cared about him.

Anyone with a bit of sense knew going against such a talent was not the right decision.

After the greetings, Jun Wu returned to his spot without caring about all the various gazes directed at him.

Yuan Lan looked at him with a conflicted expression.

This was supposed to be her time, the chance for her clan to prove to the world their clan was more superior to the association. Yet...

Shaking her head, she moved forward to set up her formation.

The audience watched her and some couldn’t help but pity her. Many people believed she would have become the top winner of this competition, but against such a monster...

She and all the apprentices stood no chance.

Thirty minutes later, she was done setting up her array formation and the elders came forward to evaluate her.

"Well done!" Elder Shen said with an encouraging smile. "You got five nodes wrong."

Yuan Lan nodded, not surprised by the result. This was the best she could do at her current stage. She still had a long way to go to connect all the nodes without an error.

After her, the apprentices stepped forward one after the other to show their level in setting up array formations.

No one came close to Yuan Lan’s level. Most of them had over 10 errors in their array formations.

When it was time for Ma Long to set up his array formation, the arena was charged with anticipation.

"How many errors do you think he will have?"

"Three at most."

"Impossible. Are you saying he will beat Yuan Lan?"

While the audience debated the number Ma Long would have in his array, Elder Kai sat with a pensive expression inside the VIP Section.

The prideful smile on his face had long vanished. He stared at Ma Long with a sharp gaze, monitoring his movements.

He might have lost to that monster — that could still be accepted. But he must not lose to the Yuan clan.

Watching his behaviour, no one made fun of him. Everyone realized how important the situation was.

Back on the field, Ma Long’s hands were sweaty, feeling all the gazes on his body. From the corner of his eyes, he could faintly see his master’s eyes.

All this put a lot of pressure on him.

Taking a deep breath, he began to set up the formation. Gone was his pride and confidence. Right now, all he could think of was not disappointing his master.

Forty minutes later, he wiped off the bead of sweat from his forehead and declared he was done.

The elders came forward and began to check his work. At first, Elder Feng had an encouraging smile on his face, but slowly it faded and turned into a frown.

Five minutes later, all the elders had completed their evaluation and turned to Elder Feng to make the announcement.

Ma Long held his breath as he looked at Elder Feng.

With a cold, expressionless face, Elder Feng declared,

"There are five node errors."