"In ancient times, the epochs can be divvied up into three: Ancient Times, Ancient Era, and the Initial Era.
The Ancient Times refer to the distant past, extending from ten thousand to one hundred thousand years ago.
The Ancient Era is the ancient of the Ancient Times.
The Initial Era marks the beginnings of cultural inheritance and is the starting point of the Ancient Era, a time like the opening of Chaos.
The ancient runes comprise those from both the Ancient Times and the Ancient Era, while the Netherworld Runes are another type from the Ancient Era; combining these two types of runes can derive certain Initial Era Secret Techniques."
"Thus, once an array incorporates the transformation of these two types of runes, it signifies that the array has entered a new realm of mastery."
"My fellow cultivators, my understanding of arrays, Zhuge Chunqiu, is nearly at the rune research level of the Ancient Era. I believe I can claim victory in this contest, especially as the two mystic-level geniuses have withdrawn. What guidance can you offer?"
The voice of Zhuge Chunqiu resonated throughout the entire Array Platform void.
He had always been rather low-profile. Still, the moment Zhou Yan decided to withdraw, he suddenly spoke at length, even deliberately explaining the definition of runes to the gathered prodigious cultivators. This stirred an inexplicable feeling in Zhou Yan, who was about to leave.
"He came prepared. Even if I were to set up an array, he would still have explained all this beforehand to make others wary. It seems that not only Wu Ji and I understand that there’s a problem here,"
Zhou Yan mused, yet another doubt simultaneously arose—should there be a hidden agenda behind the Holy Daughter’s marital selection, why then would the Saint make it so apparent?
Moreover, given his relationship with Yao, if there were a conspiracy, wouldn’t Yao be aware of it?
If Yao truly didn’t know, how could he be involved in managing it? What initially seemed straightforward was now turning complicated.
Zhou Yan’s intelligence was exceptional. He could extrapolate various possibilities, but these were, after all, mere extrapolations. Speaking probabilistically, the most likely truth remained a conjecture and couldn’t be taken as fact.
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yan decided not to overthink but to take things one step at a time.
By disregarding the mysteries of the array, the corresponding levels in Artifact Refining and Alchemy would also decline somewhat; nonetheless, his current ability to refine top-grade soul devices and soul pills was still sufficient to stand out among his peers.
Zhou Yan considered this as he observed the configurations and changes on the Array Platform.
There indeed weren’t many cultivators on the platform challenging Zhuge Chunqiu for the title of foremost in the Array Dao.
Everything seemed without suspense, but just then, a mysterious tremor appeared in the void, and Wu Ji, who had left earlier, flew back.
Not just Wu Ji, but following him were Kong Ji and Wuxu Saint, and also several other Saint-Level figures unknown to Zhou Yan all arrived.
Suddenly, the void was filled with powerful Holy Forces; a group of eight Saints stood together like a regiment, aloft in the clouds above, peering down.
"This is what you call a genius from Guanghan South Mansion? Quite disappointing. A contest for the Holy Daughter’s hand in marriage via array formation, and yet there are those who dare to withdraw. For such self-proclaimed geniuses, we Saints typically execute them decisively, leaving no room for mercy.
Lacking even the spirit to compete, how can they be considered geniuses?"
This group of eight Saints, each with unrestrained long hair billowing, held an air of utmost superiority.
From the sky, two more Saints flew over—none other than Yao and Fairy Die.
"My Taoist friends, this competition, the Holy Daughter’s marital selection, is merely about participation. As for the comparison in array methods, perhaps some geniuses cherish their insufficient skills and choose not to demonstrate them; this just indicates that they do possess talent,"
The eight Saints, all without exception in dark robes with ancient runes flowing on them, held themselves even higher than Yao and Fairy Die.
"Oh? Since Saint Yao you say so, you see promise in these individuals? In that case, I, Illusion Saint, will make a bet with you. I hear the Holy Daughter’s Life Soul is extraordinary, and only geniuses can participate in marrying her, right?"
Yao’s expression darkened slightly, before he calmly responded.
"Alright, now that the competitions between the Carefree East Prefecture and Haoran West Residence have concluded, coincidently, the least talented disciples of mine and Spirit Saint, each has secured a place in the top ten, albeit at lower ranks. However, I feel they are considerably stronger than these geniuses of yours."
"Perhaps it is best if they join your camp and add some honor to you."
The Illusion Saint, a youth clad in black, had a slightly sinister smile on his face. He spoke lightly, but his words carried an overtone of condescendence, showing little respect for Yao.
Within the Array Platform, Yao’s disciple Qian Xi watched this scene, her beautiful fists clenched tight, her complexion turning slightly pale.
"Can Carefree East Prefecture and Haoran West Prefecture also intervene in the genius competition of Guanghan South Mansion?"
Yao’s face expressed his displeasure.
"No, Saint Yao, you are mistaken. It is participation in the Holy Daughter’s suitors contest, not an intervention in the competition of Guanghan South Mansion."
The Illusion Saint replied with a smile.
The Spirit Saint remained silent, his icy demeanor indicating that he saw everything and agreed.
The other six saints from the East and West Mansions observed coldly, showing no intention of getting involved.
"Do you intend to interfere with the grand genius contest?"
Fairy Die asked with a frown and a cold voice.
"No, certainly not. The eight saints were invited by me, from Yaochi. The truth is, this contest has disappointed me in terms of candidates for the Holy Daughter’s suitor, prompting me to bring in exceptional talents from outside. After all, if they join Nine Origin Heavenly City, everyone will be disciples of the same school. Getting to know each other in advance wouldn’t hurt."
Yaochi Saint stepped out from the void and explained.
His words eased the tense atmosphere that had been building.
However, none of this was pleasing.
Because of what the Yaochi Saint did, almost all the geniuses on the Array Platform felt disgraced.
This was a disdain for all the geniuses.
Yet, many geniuses felt powerless, because they knew that their performance at the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb was indeed poor—although there were other factors at play in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb, poor performance was still poor; influences are not excuses or justifications.
"Since—since this is the wish of Yaochi Saint, for the sake of the Holy Daughter’s suitor contest, I, Saint Yao, have nothing more to say."
Saint Yao’s expression was displeased, but he did not erupt. Instead, he spoke in a subdued voice.
"The Array Dao contest, this time it is Zhuge Chunqiu in the first place. The other rankings will be derived by the Ancient Array and naturally engraved on it for everyone to see for themselves. The following contest will be held tomorrow."
Fairy Die said coldly.
"Wait, the Array Dao is the great Tao, and the great Tao tolerates no negligence. The reason I had Kong Ji and Wu Xu, the Double Saints, bring Ji Wu here was clearly for a purpose."
Yaochi Saint declared authoritatively.
Zhou Yan felt a jolt in his heart, and just then, he saw Wu Ji giving him a detached glance. That look unexpectedly carried a hint of apology.
Zhou Yan could not be mistaken, there really was a trace of apology in Wu Ji’s eyes.
"Ji Wu." Yaochi Saint suddenly spoke.
Wu Ji stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"You have abandoned the Array Dao contest on your own, and you will face the punishment of Blood Refining and Soul Burning. Do you accept this?!"
Yaochi Saint asked sternly and ruthlessly.
"Whatever Yaochi Saint decrees, it so shall be."
Wu Ji responded calmly.