Next, the Elder Practitioner brought up an interesting topic regarding the Array Master level assessment and corresponding privileges set by the Magic Circle Masters Guild. The Array Master is divided into nine levels. Those who pass the entry-level assessment are generally classified as Level One Array Masters. Advancement beyond this level is not based on examinations but rather on their works and contributions to the Magic Circle Masters Guild, which grants them recognition and eligibility for promotion.
This castle-like building also has restricted access based on levels. Level One and Two Array Masters are only allowed on the first floor, where resources are tailored for these lower-level Array Masters. The main resources available include methods to enhance Divine Sense cultivation, materials identification, refining, fusion, and basic Rune pairing literature. Additionally, senior Array Masters regularly conduct lectures to improve their skills.
Level Three, Four, and Fifth-Level Array Masters can access the second floor. Here, they can reference more advanced Runes and gain insights specifically related to Refining Materials analysis and substitution. Some Premium Materials are even presented for Array Masters to identify their authenticity. In fact, Array Masters at this level form the backbone of the Magic Circle Masters Guild. Many mainstream formations in circulation originate from this group of Array Masters.
At this moment, Sikong Hong'en, who had led Xunuo here, said, "This time Zhang Daoist was exceptionally rated as a Level Three Array Master. While it is indeed fortunate, there is still a slight regret. If it weren't for Zhang Daoist exhausting his Mind Power during the formation process, his level could have been even higher, allowing for a quicker promotion to Fifth-Level Array Master. At that point, he would enjoy even greater benefits."
Xunuo's eyes lit up; he hadn't expected to start at such a high point upon entering the Magic Circle Masters Guild. However, he still asked in confusion, "What further distinctions exist for a Fifth-Level Array Master on this floor?"
Sikong Hong'en chuckled mysteriously and replied, "Here they are treated like everyone else; however, once in Mars City, they have the authority to use the Concentration Fire Chamber."
Curious about what the Concentration Fire Chamber was, Xunuo pressed for more information.
Sikong Hong'en glanced at the Elderly man and smiled. "Let Qin Yuping Dao Brother explain this to you personally; he is an expert with experience using the Concentration Fire Chamber."
The Elder Practitioner scoffed lightly and said, "You bring me into this just when it gets interesting; that's quite ungracious of you."
Xunuo then noticed that although everyone present wore Crimson Robes, the number of blue flags embroidered on their left chests varied. Some had three flags, others four; only Qin Yuping had five flags on his chest. Realizing this significance, Xunuo quickly bowed to Qin Yuping for guidance.
Qin Yuping shot Sikong Hong'en a glance before continuing his explanation without being swayed by him.
Array Masters of Level Six and above can enter the third floor. The primary work of Array Masters at this level involves comprehending new formations and restoring lost ones. The third floor contains numerous ancient formation fragments available for these Array Masters' reference. Any new formations derived or ancient formations restored through their insights will be co-owned by both parties with profits shared equally. As for the Concentration Fire Chamber mentioned by Sikong Hong'en, it is a unique Geothermal Chamber designed specifically for crafting powerful formations.
The Magic Circle Masters Guild has five such Geothermal Chambers. Within these chambers, crafting artifacts can double one's Mind Power, which is extremely beneficial for creating certain complex formations. After considering this, Xunuo thought that the Concentration Fire Chamber might not be particularly useful for him and decided not to dwell on it.
At this point, Qin Yuping emphasized the White Tower located in the center of the Magic Circle Masters Guild courtyard. This tall tower serves as the headquarters of the Magic Circle Masters Guild and houses rare materials and ancient rubbings collected over the years. The White Tower itself is a formation that only a few top-tier Foundation Stage Cultivators from the Magic Circle Masters Guild can enter; other Cultivators are not permitted access.
Xunuo's heart raced as he heard about the Magic Circle Masters Guild and the Foundation Stage Cultivator. He reminded himself to stay away from the White Tower. He had no confidence in revealing his true identity in front of a Foundation Stage Cultivator in front of.
Then, Qin Yuping presented him with a crimson robe, confirming Xunuo's status within the Magic Circle Masters Guild. He quickly donned the robe, proving his identity. Looking down at the three small green flags on his chest, a look of realization crossed his face.
Sikong Hong'en smiled and said, "I spent eight years increasing my flags to three, while Zhang Daoist has saved several years. However, such things cannot be envied."
Xunuo chuckled, "I also suffered greatly for this."
The group then introduced Xunuo to some rules regarding Array Master promotions before dispersing.
Sikong Hong'en led Xunuo to a room and said, "This is your room. Unlike the Three Star Underground City, you won't need to pay here. As long as you remain in Three Star City, this room will be reserved for you." After leaving his contact information, he took his leave.
Upon entering the room, Xunuo found it small but furnished with simple tables, chairs, and cabinets. A window faced the courtyard where the White Tower stood. On one cabinet, a white light screen caught Xunuo's attention.
He approached and touched it with a finger. With a flicker, dense tiny characters appeared on the screen. Upon closer inspection, Xunuo realized it was a catalog of various books and rubbings related to magical formations. The sheer number exceeded his imagination, with some even being rare editions rumored from outside.
Xunuo eagerly tapped on one of the rare editions. Instantly, a flood of information surged into his mind. In moments, that rare edition was imprinted in Xunuo's Sea of Consciousness.
His purpose for joining the Magic Circle Masters Guild was to find a place to exchange knowledge about magical formations and seek answers to his questions. He never expected such good fortune; some of these rubbings and texts were nearly impossible to obtain outside. Temporarily setting aside all other matters, Xunuo focused intently on these texts and rubbings.
A month later, Xunuo stepped out of his room and began exploring the second floor. The castle-like structure was immense, its return-shaped layout giving it an endless feel. Inside were not only numerous independent rooms for Array Masters but also many public spaces for material identification, formation appraisal, rune practice, divine sense enhancement, and various discussion rooms.
After spending several months at the Magic Circle Masters Guild, Xunuo came to an amusing conclusion that left him both laughing and crying. He had collected and purchased several refining materials for the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation along the way. He believed that since the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation derived from the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation, these materials should be interchangeable.
However, through months of learning and exchanging ideas at the Magic Circle Masters Guild, Xunuo realized that his foundational knowledge was lacking. He had made a fundamental mistake.
It was true that the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation stemmed from the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation. It wasn't wrong to say that the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation was a simplified version of it. However, this simplified formation also required simplified materials.
In simple terms, using materials from the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation on the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation could enhance its power. But using materials meant for the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation on the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation would not yield a successful refinement of that formation.
An easy example would be that you can build a doghouse out of redwood, but you cannot use reeds to construct the beams of a temple.
As a result, Xunuo's plan to refine the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation fell through. At least in the short term, it was impossible to achieve. Moreover, based on recent findings, Xunuo determined that the materials for the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation were significantly greater in quantity compared to the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation, yet the price was dozens of times higher.
This price was beyond what Xunuo could afford. Thus, Xunuo had no choice but to temporarily abandon the idea of refining the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation and focus on the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation instead. The Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation would serve only as a backup, with efforts directed towards analyzing its materials and Runes. This way, the difficulty would be somewhat reduced.
Another matter was that the Magic Circle Masters Guild had certain requirements for its Array Masters. First and second-level Array Masters had to pay annual fees to maintain their qualifications within the Magic Circle Masters Guild. Third to Fifth-Level Array Masters were exempt from fees but were required to complete tasks assigned by the Magic Circle Masters Guild to improve their rank standards.
These tasks varied widely; some involved teaching lower-level Array Masters, while others required assisting higher-level Array Masters in refining rare materials. The most common tasks involved producing finished array formations for sale at the Magic Array Shop. Xunuo knew that what he lacked most at present was practical experience. Therefore, he took on five or six tasks related to refining array formations and headed directly to Mars City’s Geothermal Chamber.
These tasks involved refining multi-attribute, single-function array formations. Such tasks posed little difficulty for Xunuo. However, the materials and Runes for these formations varied greatly, providing significant learning value for him. The purpose of Xunuo's practice outweighed the rewards from completing these tasks. After a month, he completed this batch of array formations.
The release of tasks occurred simultaneously in Three Star City and Mars City, allowing them to be claimed in either location. Xunuo then accepted another batch of slightly more challenging tasks and continued his work in the Geothermal Chamber.
Although the Geothermal Chamber lacked Spiritual Veins, it possessed fire veins. For Xunuo, who had a Fire Root as a Cultivator, being there was not much different from being in Spiritual Veins. Thus, refining array formations in this environment also served as a process of enhancing his cultivation and magical power.
Xunuo's immediate goal while immersed in this work was to accumulate experience for refining the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation. Furthermore, these tasks not only provided points that could help Array Masters advance but also offered rewards from the Array City that issued them. Currently, Xunuo could not rely on selling pills to accumulate spirit stones for purchasing materials for the Reversed Five Elements Four Kill Formation; he could only focus on array formations.
After nearly a year of honing his skills in refining array formations, Xunuo had gained some recognition within the Three Star City Array Master Guild. However, he remained unaware of this as he spent each day in the Geothermal Chamber. It was only when he went out to accept new tasks that he noticed others looking at him with increasing intensity, leaving him puzzled.
Second update: Readers are welcome to actively share their thoughts! The review section is too quiet...
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