"Teacher, Teacher, what... what Formation is this?" Seeing the tattoo of a large tree emitting a blue glow on Master Yang’s arm, Heavenly Emperor Xiao gasped in amazement and respectfully inquired.
"This is the Spirit Gathering Array." Master Yang slammed his fist into the ground. As his fist made contact, the tree tattoo on his arm glowed, and a Formation finally materialized beneath his feet. The pattern on the ground glowed with the same blue light as the tattoo. As it appeared, the surrounding Spiritual Energy began to converge on the spot.
"So this is the Spirit Gathering Array."
"Then, what rank of Formation is it?"
"I’ve seen a Second Rank Formation before, but its glow wasn’t nearly this intense."
The various kings and concubines from the surrounding countries all looked on in astonishment.
"Withdraw!" Master Yang bellowed. The Formation on the ground vanished, once again becoming the blue tree tattoo on his arm.
"A Third Rank Formation—the Great Spirit Gathering Array," Master Yang said with a laugh.
His words left the crowd even more stunned.
"It’s actually a Third Rank Formation!"
"As expected of Master Yang, his skill is extraordinary!"
"I don’t think an Array Master capable of wielding a Third Rank Formation has ever appeared in our region’s history."
They discussed this animatedly, their words and gazes filled with admiration for Master Yang.
However, there wasn’t a hint of joy on Master Yang’s face.
He has some self-awareness, at least, Wu Tian watched the scene quietly, muttering to himself. Not a single flicker of emotion on Master Yang’s face escaped his notice. His eyes were sharp, unlike those of the Human Clan.
"Oh, so this guy knows his own limits!" the little one loudly repeated Wu Tian’s words.
"What did you say!" Heavenly Emperor Xiao demanded angrily. Several other emperors and princes turned to glare at Wu Tian and the little one with hostile gazes.
"Stop barking," Wu Tian said with a frown. "Listening to a dog bark constantly is quite annoying."
"What do you mean by that?" Heavenly Emperor Xiao clenched his teeth. Did Wu Tian just call me a dog? In what way do I resemble a dog?
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" Xiao Shimin felt deeply humiliated. If my son is a dog, then what does that make me? He spoke coldly, "I was willing to overlook this because of your relationship with the Queen of Xiuyuan Country and Master Yang’s plea on your behalf. But what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to make an enemy of my Heavenly King Country?"
Si’er stepped in front of Wu Tian and declared, "So be it. We will be enemies."
What?
The crowd was aghast. Si’er, the Queen of Xiuyuan Country, was disregarding the welfare of her nation for one man? She was willing to go to war for him, even if it meant the destruction of her country? How could they not be shocked?
At that moment, Yang Ziwei suddenly spoke up. "Enough." He then began to walk, step by step, toward Wu Tian.
Heavenly Emperor Xiao muttered to himself. Looks like Teacher is angry now!
However, when Yang Ziwei reached Wu Tian, he asked with extreme politeness, "Sir, did you happen to notice something amiss?"
Wu Tian didn’t even blink. He replied nonchalantly, "You’ve already realized there’s a problem with your Formation yourself, haven’t you?"
Hearing this, Yang Ziwei’s expression shifted. Surprise filled his eyes, but he still nodded. "Yes, yes, that is correct."
"Teacher, why aren’t you angry?" Heavenly Emperor Xiao couldn’t help but ask, seeing that the situation was not unfolding as he had expected.
"Shut up!" Yang Ziwei roared. He had been tolerating Xiao Shimin and his son for the sake of the Array Masters Guild’s greater plans, but at this moment, he could no longer hold back. His sudden shout startled the surrounding kings and concubines.
"Teacher... you... why did you... scold me?" Heavenly Emperor Xiao looked sullen, completely baffled by what was happening.
"Array Masters must not be insulted!" Yang Ziwei said furiously. "To insult one Array Master is to insult all of us! Only we Array Masters are allowed to criticize one another. Outsiders have no right!"
What? At these words, everyone’s expression changed dramatically. The meaning was simple: Wu Tian was an Array Master.
In an instant, the expressions on every face became a sight to behold. Some stared with wide, vacant eyes. Others’ mouths hung open in disbelief, drool trickling down their chins.
"He... He’s an Array Master?" Heavenly Emperor Xiao’s face was a mask of incredulity. He couldn’t believe it. He himself had been overjoyed just to be accepted as a disciple by an Array Master. And Wu Tian? He was *already* an Array Master? No! No! NO! Heavenly Emperor Xiao’s legs began to tremble, not from fear, but from sheer rage.
Yang Ziwei ignored everyone else. Instead, he turned to Wu Tian and bowed respectfully with clasped hands. "I know where I went wrong, but I do not know how to correct it. Could you please enlighten me?"
Yang Ziwei had set aside his pride. For an Array Master, the pursuit of the Dao was everything; to learn the way in the morning and die by evening was a worthy end. His humble posture stunned the onlookers yet again, making them wonder if they were still dreaming.
Yang Ziwei was capable enough to establish his own branch of the Array Masters’ Guild, so one could only imagine the status he held within the main organization. He likely even had connections to its upper echelons.
"The Great Spirit Gathering Array is not a Third Rank Formation. It’s Fifth Rank," Wu Tian said, recalling something his friend Lei Ming had once told him. "The fact that you can only manifest it at the Third Rank shows that your method is flawed."
"Indeed, indeed," Yang Ziwei nodded. He bowed deeply again, his tone pleading as he asked, "May I be so bold as to ask, sir, where exactly does the flaw lie?"
Wu Tian chuckled. "Is this really the right place? Tonight is a banquet that Xiao Shimin prepared in your honor. If I start explaining, it will take some time. Are you sure you want to leave him hanging?"
"Of course, it’s alright!" Yang Ziwei exclaimed, turning to cast a cold glance at Xiao Shimin. I only gave him face earlier because I still need his help to establish the Array Masters’ Guild here. But if he dares to hinder my progress on the path of an Array Master, I won’t hesitate to drop all pretenses of courtesy. Xiao Shimin could only manage a bitter smile, not daring to say a word.
"Good." Wu Tian nodded. Since things had come to this, he got straight to the point. "In my opinion, your mistake lies with your materials. You inscribed the Formation onto your arm..."
Wu Tian launched into a long explanation, leaving the onlookers completely bewildered. They couldn’t understand a single word and began to feel dizzy just from listening.
Yang Ziwei, however, was a different story. His face lit up with successive flashes of comprehension. He nodded vigorously, occasionally exclaiming, "Indeed, indeed, that’s exactly it!"
"Brilliant, brilliant! Sir, your explanation is magnificent!" Yang Ziwei exclaimed. "Listening to your words has been more enlightening than ten years of solitary study!"
I never expected to encounter such an expert on a trip to this remote region, Yang Ziwei thought in amazement.
This scene was like a slap in the face to Xiao Shimin and Heavenly Emperor Xiao. Their cheeks burned with humiliation.
Concubine Yu felt the same way. She had never imagined Wu Tian would be an Array Master even more skilled than Master Yang. Her emotions were a complicated mess. Could Heavenly Emperor Xiao, a man of noble and royal birth, truly be inferior to some boy from the backwoods?