Chapter 501: Is the Foot (Part 2)

This was a second-tier illusion array. Just moments ago, I walked into it and immediately went mad, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion—it was terrifying. But this guy, with just a few random kicks, broke it?

Is he messing with me?

When my two junior brothers previously said he broke the array with a single kick, I dismissed it as nonsense. But now?

I witnessed it myself: one kick, and the array stopped; one stomp, and the illusion array vanished.

The immense disparity was driving him insane.

He considered himself an array formation genius, always admired by his fellow students. He had successfully qualified as a one-star array master at a young age and diligently trained his mental fortitude for years. Yet, the moment he entered the second-tier illusion array, he became completely disoriented and was almost driven to vomit blood from the torment.

This guy, on the other hand, simply kicked the illusion array before it even fully activated, and then... the array stopped!

Does he have to be so over-the-top?

Did he conspire with the array, deliberately putting on a show for us?

Just as he was overwhelmed with disbelief, a nervous voice from a junior student in green robes beside him spoke up: "Senior, do you think... he did that on purpose, or was he just kicking randomly?"

"Random kicking? Have you ever seen random kicks break an array?" The senior's mouth twitched, and he felt a sudden dizzy spell.

He had seen random kicks kill people, or cause severe injuries due to disrupted meridians, but who had ever seen random kicks break an array?

Array formations subtly align with the fundamental principles of heaven and earth, making them impregnable. They are intangible, without physical form, similar to the environment itself...

Have you ever seen random kicks shatter the environment?

Therefore...

This was not random kicking at all; it was a purposeful, calculated, and perfectly executed kick! A kick that pinpointed the essence, saw through the origin, perceived the vital point, and found the weak spot!

Otherwise, how could he possibly break an array with a single kick?

"Deliberate? Then... how profound must his mastery of array formations be?" The junior student in white robes' lips were dry. "Even our teacher would find that difficult!"

Their teacher was renowned throughout the entire guild, a formidable four-star array master. Even with such power, it seemed breaking arrays was not so simple for him.

"I don't know either, but if he continues to clear the challenges, we should have a chance to observe something!" The senior said, suppressing his shock.

His discernment was limited; he truly hadn't understood how the other person broke the array. However, if he watched a few more times, he might learn something and find some clues.

Perhaps he could even learn some techniques, and if he encountered such an array again, he could break it easily, just like the other person, and advance to higher realms.

"Continue the challenge? Are you saying he'll attempt the third stage?"

"To be able to break a second-tier illusion array so easily, he must be at least a three-star array master. Of course, he'll continue the challenge..."

"That's true!"

The three of them looked forward in unison. Sure enough, as they had surmised, the young man in the array, who looked listless and on the verge of collapsing, did not retreat or stop after kicking through the illusion array before him. He simply continued to walk forward.

"Once an array reaches the third tier, it becomes difficult to operate solely by absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Usually, spirit stones are placed in the array's foundation to power it. Therefore, the power of such arrays is greater, and their variations are more numerous. Breaking them will likely not be as simple as before."

The senior's expression was grave.

Regardless of whether it's an array formation or anything else, for it to function, it requires power, just like cattle eating grass or people eating food. Nothing can operate continuously without consuming energy.

First-tier and second-tier arrays are low-level; they can be activated and generate power by automatically absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth.

However, reaching the third tier and above, it becomes much more difficult.

Even if they can absorb spiritual energy autonomously, it would require countless years of accumulation to use them even once, just like the Xuan Yuan Grand Array, which accumulated power for a thousand years but was depleted after a single use.

The Array Ocean sees countless people attempting to clear its challenges every year. Relying on autonomous absorption is unlikely; typically, spirit stones are placed in the array's foundation to power them.

With these providing energy, it's like the difference between a horse-drawn carriage and a motor vehicle: the power is greater, the might is stronger, and they are harder to break.

This young man easily broke the first-tier and second-tier arrays just now, but facing a third-tier array powered by spirit stones, it might not be so simple.

As they spoke, the third-tier array activated, and the young man's figure instantly became enveloped in a vast, white environment.

The shadow on the wall seemed to instantly fall into a huge trap, surrounded by sharp energy blades, like petals falling from the sky, filling the scene with an eerie sense of dread.

"Falling to the ground as traps, spiritual energy as weapons... Could it be the Azure Wild Goose Flying Blossom Array?"

His lips trembled, and the senior almost collapsed onto the ground from fright.

"The Azure Wild Goose Flying Blossom Array? What kind of array is that?"

The two junior students looked over.

They were currently just apprentices, there to be assessed as one-star array masters. They were not familiar with many higher-tier arrays, some of which they had never even heard of.

"It's, it's... a killing array!"

The senior's voice trembled.

"A killing array?" They simultaneously shuddered, and the two junior students almost bit their tongues.

Among array formations, illusion arrays and killing arrays were the most terrifying. This guy encountered both; his luck must be truly awful.

The illusion array was already so terrifying that the senior almost couldn't escape. What about a killing array? This guy didn't take a jade token; he wouldn't be killed inside, would he?

"Is this killing array very... powerful?"

Suppressing his shock, the junior student in white robes' voice trembled.

"The Azure Wild Goose Flying Blossom Array is a peak third-tier killing array, said to have been created fifteen hundred years ago by someone named Shen Qinghong. It features 'traps upon landing' and 'blossoms filling the sky,' allowing people to die in a beautiful environment without any pain... This array once killed a powerful expert at the Second Realm of Transcendent Mortal, and is known as the most powerful third-tier array... What do you think, is it powerful or not?"

His voice was hoarse; the senior didn't know if he was scared or simply nervous.

"Killed a Transcendent Mortal Second Realm expert? Th-this... is already comparable to a fourth-tier array!" Their pupils contracted.

First-tier arrays can kill Tongxuan Realm experts; second-tier arrays can kill Half-Grandmaster or even Grandmaster experts; third-tier arrays can contend with Supremes. Beyond that, for Half-Transcendent Mortals or even Transcendent Mortals, they are basically powerless.

This killing array actually managed to kill a Transcendent Mortal Second Realm expert. Compared to some four-star arrays, it might even be stronger, not weaker... Its terrifying power is unimaginable!

Even hearing it with their own ears, they found it hard to believe.

"Then... will he be in danger?"

The junior student in green robes couldn't help but ask.

"That's hard to say. It depends on his strength and his means of survival. If both are mediocre, then there's only one outcome... death!"

The senior shook his head, intending to continue speaking, but suddenly frowned. "Look, the array has activated!"

As he spoke, the spiritual energy blades on the wall suddenly revealed a ferocious side, like countless arrows rapidly approaching from all directions, simultaneously surging towards the young man.

The power of these energy blades was immense; even a Supreme expert would inevitably suffer grievous internal injuries and find them difficult to resist.

"Let's see how he resists. If it were me, I'd definitely avoid the sharp edge first, then look for the escape route..."

Putting himself in the young man's shoes, the senior was wondering how the other person would evade this calamity, when he saw that unremarkable "foot" rise again.

He kicked towards the sky full of flying blossoms.

"This... isn't he asking for death?"

Seeing this guy still using that move, the three of them simultaneously went crazy.

Confinement arrays and illusion arrays posed no mortal danger, so a kick might be acceptable. But this was a killing array, with energy blades like countless razor blades, stabbing into one's body—no one could withstand that. And he was kicking it with his foot...

I wanted to ask, what was he thinking?

With a frantic expression, he thought that even if this guy didn't die, his leg would be sliced to nothing, when he saw the entire array suddenly stiffen.

With a rumble, the sky-filling energy blades dissipated. The grand array, originally infinitely powerful and capable of killing people at any moment, melted away like ice and snow, disappearing completely, never to be seen again.

The young man's figure reappeared before everyone.

"The array is broken?"

"He, he... succeeded again?"

The three looked at each other, as if struck by lightning.

"Another single-kick array break. What on earth is happening..."

The senior twitched, feeling breathless, almost suffocating.

He had thought that during the second stage, the movements were too fast to see clearly, and that if he was allowed to watch a bit longer, he could figure out the other person's array-breaking techniques and perhaps learn a thing or two. But now it seemed... he had been overthinking it!

Breaking an array with a single kick... such an eccentric move was useless no matter how many times he watched it!

It was simply impossible to learn...

"Not only that, look... he seems to be attempting the fourth stage now?"

The junior student in green robes said.

Hearing this, the remaining two looked again and indeed saw the young man, whose figure was now visible, shake his head, as if sighing that the array was too weak, and then walked towards the fourth stage.

Passing the fourth stage meant successfully qualifying as a four-star array master...

A guy under twenty, testing as a four-star array master?

Who was it who just said he couldn't even pass the first stage? Who looked down on him?

All three felt their bodies stiffen, almost losing their minds.

While the three were overwhelmed with shock, outside the Array Ocean Corridor, in a small incense burner, four long incense sticks simultaneously lit up, their smoke drifting, giving a sense of tranquility.

"President Zheng, what do you mean? You knew my three students were challenging the Array Ocean today, yet you let that guy go in and disrupt things?"

Standing before the long incense sticks, a white-bearded elder glared and rebuked.

He was Wang Haoxun, a four-star array master of the Array Master Guild and a guild elder.

He was also the teacher of the "senior" and "junior students" mentioned earlier.

It had been decided a month ago that his three students would challenge the Array Ocean today. Who knew that as soon as the President arrived, he would insist on inserting someone? He had thought it would be his student Xiao Wu, who was also due to be assessed as a three-star array master...

Who would have thought it would be someone he had never seen before.

Regardless of whether he had seen him or not, it would be fine if he had real ability. But look at that lazy attitude, that demeanor as if he could fall asleep at any moment...

Could such a person really challenge the Array Ocean?

If he could succeed, the sun would rise from the west!

"Elder Wang, why are you so anxious? Having one more person challenge the Array Ocean is also good for your students!" President Zheng shook his head.

"If he can pass, then it's naturally a good thing. But look at his demeanor; if he fails, won't it put psychological pressure on my students? How will they challenge it afterward?" Wang Haoxun snorted.

Challenging the Array Ocean not only requires understanding and techniques for arrays, but mental fortitude is also very important. Otherwise, when encountering illusion arrays or similar ones, one can easily break down and be exploited.

If a fellow challenger performs well, his own students might be encouraged and also achieve good results. But if the performance is too poor, their minds will be affected, and they certainly won't achieve good results.

"Allowing him to cut in and challenge the Array Ocean means I naturally know something about his strength, so don't worry..."

As President Zheng offered reassurance, before he could finish speaking, he saw the first long incense stick before him tremble and extinguish.

These were called Array Ocean Incense sticks, refined in conjunction with the Array Ocean Corridor. Whenever someone entered a challenge, they would automatically light up.

Each incense stick burned for exactly one hour from lighting to extinguishing. If it didn't extinguish automatically during this time, it meant the challenger hadn't successfully broken the array. Conversely, if it did, it meant they had passed that stage of the assessment.

When it extinguished automatically, the array inside would also automatically shut down.

It was for this reason that the senior had said that even if one was trapped and couldn't get out, there would be no danger to life.

The Array Ocean Incense sticks represented time and could also control the activation and deactivation of arrays. There were a total of four, indicating the four stages of the corridor.

Now that the first one had extinguished, it meant someone had passed the first stage of the assessment.

"Well? Passed successfully, anything else to say?" President Zheng glanced at it and smiled.

"Hmph, my students went in so much earlier than him, it might have been them who passed!" Wang Haoxun snorted.

An extinguished incense stick meant someone had successfully completed a stage, but it wouldn't show who specifically.

That drowsy guy had just gone in a moment ago, two minutes at most. How could he have succeeded? It must have been one of his students.

"This... is also possible!"

President Zheng was momentarily stunned, then nodded as well.

Although he had seen Zhang Xuan set up arrays very quickly, he had never seen how he broke them, so he couldn't be sure.

Even if the first stage was a first-tier array, it was impossible for him to break it in such a short time, let alone the other guy.

"If it's your student, since they passed, there's even less to worry about..."

Shaking his head, President Zheng smiled. Before he could finish speaking, he saw the second long incense stick before him tremble and suddenly extinguish.

"Passed the second stage?"

He was startled.

They just passed the first stage less than a minute ago, and now the second stage is over too?

How could it be so fast?

"Is this still... your student?" President Zheng asked, his face contorted in a strange expression.

Wang Haoxun's face stiffened.

He knew very well the level of his own students' abilities. Even if they could pass a stage, it would take at least ten to twenty minutes, or even longer.

Less than a minute, and before the array had barely even activated, they had already broken through...

That was simply too fast!

Snap!

While he was still hesitating, he saw the third long incense stick before him also tremble and extinguish.

"The third stage is over too?"

Wang Haoxun almost cried from fright on the spot.

Even with great expectations at this point, he knew it was absolutely impossible for his three "students" to achieve this.

Among these three, one was attempting to become a two-star array master, and two were attempting one-star. The person before them, who had easily passed the third stage, only indicated that someone else was challenging the array.

"Was it that guy from before?"

Eyes wide, Wang Haoxun and President Zheng beside him exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of exasperation.

It wasn't strange that someone passed the third stage, but rather... the speed was simply too fast.

The first and second stages were simple, and breaking them easily was understandable. But by the third stage, they were all powered by spirit stones. Even if they wanted to break them, it wouldn't be that easy. How could someone do it so quickly... continuously?

"Three stages passed so quickly... This guy couldn't possibly pass the fourth stage too, could he?"

After their shock, they all simultaneously looked at the last long incense stick.

This represented the fourth stage, and also a fourth-tier array. If he passed this too, it would be truly terrifying.

A four-star array master under twenty... Most importantly, with such a fast challenge speed, how profound must his understanding of array formations be to achieve that?

In the past, it would have been unimaginable.

Hum...

While they were still wondering, the fourth long incense stick trembled, looking as if it would extinguish at any moment. However, it eventually stopped shaking and continued to burn.

"It didn't extinguish... It seems he didn't pass the fourth stage. A four-star array isn't so easy to pass!"

Seeing the incense stick tremble but not extinguish, knowing that the person inside had certainly attempted to pass but failed, Wang Haoxun shook his head.

That guy's challenge speed earlier had startled him, making him think that even a fourth-tier array could be easily broken through. Now it seemed it wasn't that easy.

That's right, for a fourth-tier array, even he couldn't guarantee breaking every single one, let alone a young fellow under twenty.

If that were the case, it would be truly defying common sense.

"Becoming a three-star array master on his first assessment is already quite good..."

President Zheng was also momentarily stunned, feeling a slight disappointment.

Looking at that guy's speed in setting up a two-star spirit gathering array, he had thought his understanding of array formations was no weaker than his own. Now it seemed it was still a bit lacking.

However, being so young and already reaching three stars, with good training in the future, challenging for four stars, or even five stars, was not impossible.

"Didn't pass the fourth stage? It seems... Master Zhang isn't omnipotent after all..."

Behind the two, Pavilion Master Sai, seeing that the fourth incense stick hadn't extinguished, also shook his head.

He had previously thought that this guy challenging the Array Ocean would cause a great commotion, like the Floating Goblet Game. Now it seemed he had worried too much.

At such a young age, being a Master Teacher and proficient in appraising treasures was already defying common sense. To say he could even reach four stars as an array master, even he found it hard to believe...

He secretly let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to go to the corridor entrance to wait for the young man to emerge, he felt the ground shake.

Rumble!

A sound like a grinding mill crushing something echoed, akin to an earthquake.

"What's wrong?"

Their expressions darkened, and everyone looked around. Even President Zheng frowned, unsure of what was happening.

While they were still confused, the warm, gentle feeling of the entire hall immediately vanished, replaced by the biting cold of winter.

Crack!

At the same moment, the fourth long incense stick before them suddenly extinguished... followed immediately by a sharp crack from the incense burner below, which split open with a large fissure.

"Was it... the grand array that maintained the Array Ocean Corridor and kept the guild eternally spring-like... that was broken?"

Seeing this, President Zheng felt dizzy, and he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

The Array Ocean Corridor contained countless arrays. For these arrays to trigger randomly, they required a grand array to sustain them.

And this grand array was the same one that kept the guild eternally spring-like.

Now the warm, gentle feeling was gone, and the incense burner was cracked... There was only one possibility: that this array... was no longer functioning, having been broken by someone!

This was a fifth-tier grand array... originally set up by powerful experts sent specifically from headquarters. Who did this?

In an instant, everyone's faces were contorted with exasperation.

"Could it be... Master Zhang?"

Their bodies trembling, President Zheng and Pavilion Master Sai both had a figure flash through their minds.

The core of this grand array was deep within the Array Ocean Corridor. Currently, only this guy had reached the fourth stage, near its location... Besides him, they couldn't think of anyone else who could have done it.

"If it really was him... how did he break this array? And what method did he use?"

President Zheng's face was blank.

Breaking an array required skill. What kind of skill could allow him to break arrays so quickly, even... a fifth-tier array?

While they were still in shock, several figures walked out. They were the three students who had entered the assessment earlier.

With the grand array that maintained the corridor's operation broken, the assessment could no longer continue. It was useless for them to remain, so they came out.

"What happened?" Wang Haoxun went to meet them.

"The person who just went in... broke all the arrays..."

The senior trembled and said.

"All broken? So fast?"

President Zheng couldn't help but step forward. "How exactly did he break them? Did he use Grandmaster Hong Bei's Star Chasing Array Breaking Method, Grandmaster Nanyang's Aura Seeking Array Breaking Method, or the Energy Accumulation Array Breaking Method left by Senior Sai Yang, the Five Elements Array Master? Only these three methods could achieve such speed..."

"Ah... President!"

Seeing the highest-ranking person in the guild personally question him, the senior was startled, his face turning pale. "Reporting to the President, he, he didn't use any of those three..."

"Didn't use them? Then what did he use? These are already the most profound array-breaking methods I know..."

President Zheng frowned.

These were already the most powerful array-breaking methods he knew. Could there be something he didn't know?

"He used..."

The senior's face was distorted, filled with devastation and madness.

"...His foot!"