Fang Hao followed the deacon through several corridors to a spacious open-air courtyard at the back of the Recruitnt Hall. In the center of the courtyard stood several stone platforms of varying sizes and materials, all covered in basic Formation patterns. This was clearly the venue for the practical assessnt of Formation skills.
Several Cultivators were already waiting by the side. An elderly man dressed in a light-green robe stood with his hands behind his back. He had a lean face and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s. His aura was profound—he was surprisingly a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator! A unique Formation emblem was embroidered on his chest, signifying his status as a Formation master.
"Master Zhao, this is Fellow Daoist Fang Hao. He has passed the initial evaluation and is here for the practical assessnt," the deacon said, bowing respectfully to the green-robed elder.
Master Zhao’s gaze was like lightning as it swept over Fang Hao, an invisible pressure descending upon him. Neither humble nor arrogant, Fang Hao cupped his hands in greeting: "Junior Fang Hao greets Master Zhao."
"Mm." Master Zhao nodded slightly, his voice calm but carrying an unquestionable authority. "The path of Formations values Foundations, but values adaptability even more. Today’s assessnt has three stages. For the first stage, within the ti it takes for an incense stick to burn, you must set up the defensive Formation you are most proficient in on this stone platform. It must be able to withstand a full-strength strike from a Late Foundation Establishnt Stage Cultivator."
He pointed to an ordinary bluestone platform nearby, about ten feet in diater.
Fang Hao nodded and walked to the platform. He did not choose a complex or profound Formation, but instead opted for the most basic yet Foundation-testing "Five Elents Rotation Formation." Though it seed simple, the cycles of creation and destruction within the Five Elents were infinite, and its defensive power varied greatly depending on the creator’s level of attainnt.
His hands flew into motion, spiritual energy flickering at his fingertips. One by one, low-grade Spirit Stones were precisely embedded into the pre-set grooves of the stone platform. Simultaneously, using his finger as a brush, he quickly and steadily sketched and supplented the Formation patterns. His movents were as smooth as flowing water without the slightest hesitation, and his control over spiritual energy was refined to the absolute peak.
In less than half the ti it takes for an incense stick to burn, a simple Formation with circulating light and five-colored Qi had taken shape. Fang Hao struck in the final hand seal, and the Formation’s light curtain stabilized, emitting a solid defensive pulse.
A flash of approval crossed Master Zhao’s eyes. With a flick of his finger, a sharp golden finger-wind shot toward the light curtain!
Bang!
The light curtain trembled slightly, ripples spreading across it, yet it steadily took the hit. Its light did not dim but instead intensified as the Five Elents rotated, cleverly neutralizing the force of the attack.
"Not bad. A solid Foundation and precise spiritual energy control. You pass the first stage," Master Zhao nodded. "For the second stage, the Formation on this stone platform is incomplete; it is part of a Confinent Formation. Within half the ti it takes for an incense stick to burn, find three core flaws and manipulate them to make the Formation fail temporarily."
This ti it was a more complex obsidian platform. The Formation patterns on it were fragnted, and the energy flow was murky.
Fang Hao activated his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes, carefully observing the flow of the patterns and the energy nodes. Combining this with the vast knowledge from the Myriad Manifestations Array Interpretation, he quickly identified three key nodes where energy was stagnating or leaking due to the damage. He did not force the Formation open; instead, he took out several small Formation Flags and precisely inserted them near the nodes, using his own spiritual energy as a guide to gently nudge them.
Weng~!
The light curtain of the damaged Formation fluctuated. The originally murky energy flow instantly beca chaotic, the light curtain flickered a few tis, and it actually vanished for a brief breath of ti!
"Sharp insight and a clever solution that avoids conventional ruts. You pass the second stage." The look of approval in Master Zhao’s eyes grew stronger. "The third stage is the final one. I will control this ’Ever-Changing Formation Plate’ to manifest three different elental attacks. You must instantly set up a corresponding counter-Formation before the attack hits. You have three breaths of ti for each."
Master Zhao waved his sleeve, and a tal Formation Plate about a foot square, covered in countless tiny holes, floated up. It emitted a heart-palpitating energy fluctuation.
"Begin!"
As soon as Master Zhao spoke, red light flashed violently on the Formation Plate. Dozens of blazing fire arrows whistled out, lunging straight for Fang Hao!
Fang Hao’s gaze sharpened, his hands moving like shadows. Several water-attribute Spirit Stones and Formation Flags were instantly thrown out, sketching blue Formation patterns in mid-air!
"Mystic Water Barrier, rise!"
Almost the instant the fire arrows reached him, a blue wall of light rippling with water appeared out of thin air! Water and fire collided with a sizzling sound, and the fire arrows were all swallowed by the water wall!
"First wave, pass!" Master Zhao did not stop. The Formation Plate flashed with green light, and countless shadows of tough vines appeared out of nowhere, coiling toward him like venomous snakes!
Fang Hao’s hand techniques changed again as earth-yellow Spirit Stones and Formation Flags flew!
"Quicksand Trap Formation, rise!"
The ground seed to turn into quicksand. The vine shadows sank into it, their movents imdiately becoming sluggish and their power greatly reduced!
"Second wave, pass!" A sharp glint flashed in Master Zhao’s eyes as the third wave of attacks followed imdiately! This ti, it was countless incredibly sharp golden wind blades, cutting in from all directions without distinction! They were fast and covered a wide area!
Fang Hao took a deep breath. This ti, he did not use a single-attribute Formation. Instead, he used both hands, weaving fire and earth dual-system spiritual energy!
"Lava Bulwark, rise!"
A circular barrier composed of churning lava and solid earth and stone rose instantly! The wind blades slashed against the barrier, making a piercing grinding sound and sending sparks flying, yet they could not break through the defense!
All three waves of attacks were perfectly countered! Furthermore, Fang Hao’s Formation-setting speed was extrely fast, with almost all being completed within two breaths!
The attacks stopped, and the courtyard fell into silence. The several Cultivators waiting nearby were already staring in dumbfounded shock.
Master Zhao clapped his hands in praise, a clear smile finally appearing on his face. "Good! Instant Formation creation, proper use of elental counters, and even more rarely, remaining calm in the face of danger with ticulous thought! Little Friend Ning’s attainnt in Formations far exceeds that of an ordinary Foundation Establishnt Cultivator. In ti, you will surely beco a great talent! You pass the third stage!"
He took out a pale golden token and handed it to Fang Hao. "Congratulations, Little Friend Ning, on passing the assessnt. This is our Seventh Prince’s Mansion’s ’Yellow Rank High-Grade Retainer’ token. With this token, you can freely enter and exit most areas of the outer city, receive a corresponding monthly salary, and consult so of the Formation texts in the mansion’s Library Pavilion. I hope you will cultivate diligently and serve the mansion soon."
"Thank you, Master Zhao!" Fang Hao took the token. It felt warm to the touch. The front was engraved with the words "Seventh Prince’s Mansion," while the back bore the title "Guest Official," his na "Fang Hao," and complex anti-counterfeiting Formation patterns.
A Yellow Rank High-Grade Retainer! This starting point was even higher than he had expected. It seed the Formation strength he had displayed had indeed been recognized.
"Guest Official Ning, please follow to handle the follow-up matters and collect your identity credentials and this month’s salary." The deacon’s attitude was now even more respectful.
Fang Hao nodded and followed the deacon out of the courtyard. He glanced back at the grand depths of the prince’s mansion, knowing in his heart that this was only the beginning. Obtaining the status of a Guest Official ant he had temporary protection, but it also ant he had officially stepped into the massive whirlpool that was the Seventh Prince’s Mansion.
Next, how to establish himself in the mansion, use its resources to increase his strength, and simultaneously avoid the hidden arrows of the Gongming Family would be his new challenges. But regardless, he had finally gained a preliminary foothold in Tianqing City.
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