No one dared to answer. The disciples in the hall all looked towards the three Golden Core Elders sitting above them. The expressions of the three Golden Core Elders were gloomy. They had clearly underestimated this Junior Formation Master. Their initial plan had been to use the disciples of the Five Elements Sect to deal with this Junior Formation Master, as a test. Then, the Formation Mysterious Sect and the Shen Family would send out their talented disciples to handle the brother and sister who were like dazzling dragons and radiant phoenixes. But now, they were close to being defeated by this "test water" Junior Formation Master... Whether it was due to naturally strong Divine Sense or a heritage in the art of Formations, this Junior Formation Master was a tough nut to crack. The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family transmitted a message, "What should we do?" The Chief Elder’s gaze shifted as he said in a deep voice, "At this point, this competition is no longer just about the loss or gain of a single sect; it’s about the honor and disgrace of an entire state boundary. In our Dali Mountain State boundary, Formation geniuses are plentiful. If we even fail to defeat this Junior Formation Master, wouldn’t that be a huge embarrassment?" Sect Leader Chu and the Old Ancestor of the Shen Family frowned. What the Chief Elder said was deliberately alarmist to drag them into this. But they couldn’t deny it either. That was indeed the fact. However, Sect Leader Chu had reservations, "Even if we win against this Junior Formation Master, there are still his senior brothers and sisters..." "Otherwise," the Chief Elder’s eyes flashed with a thought, "I suspect that this Mr. Zhuang might be bluffing..." "This young Cultivator already has an astonishing talent." "Such talented Formation Masters are not cabbages; they can’t be found just anywhere." "Even if his senior brothers and sisters are stronger than him, I estimate they can’t be that much stronger..." Sect Leader Chu and the Old Ancestor of the Shen Family both nodded. When put that way, it really did make some sense. Once the bow has been drawn, there’s no turning back. At this point, they had to bite the bullet and press on. "Being capable of a First-grade Ultimate Formation means the foundation within the realm of first-grade Formations must be extremely deep. Any further tests on our part are unlikely to give us any chance of winning." "Many of our earlier arrangements are now redundant." "We can only test with some more unconventional methods..." ... After discussing through Divine Sense transmission, the Chief Elder then addressed Mo Hua: "Junior Gentleman..." His form of address also became a few degrees more respectful. Being able to draw a First-grade Ultimate Formation in the Qi-refining Realm, he was as deserving of the title "Gentleman" as Mr. Zhuang. "Do you understand how to decipher Formations?" asked the Chief Elder. Mo Hua nodded, "Somewhat." Sect Leader Chu nodded. Then, another disciple stepped forward from the crowd and with a cupped fist salute said, "Junior Chu He, with only average accomplishments in Formation arts but a fondness for ’Formation Explanation’. I have a bit of insight, although my skills are not refined. I would like to ask for guidance from this Junior Formation Master." Indeed, Formation Explanation is a niche art within Formations. Apart from descendants of Noble Clans or Sect disciples who have inherited Formation methods, few Formation Masters spend time studying Formation Explanation. Most Cultivators focus on breaking Formations rather than explaining them. Breaking a Formation is noisy but straightforward, whereas explaining a Formation is discreet but complex and profound. Although Mo Hua was very adept at Formation Explanation and used it quite often, having mastered it thoroughly, he also remembered what Mr. Zhuang had said. Mr. Zhuang had stated that Formation Explanation was a way for Formation Masters to "augment intelligence" and "recreate," difficult and niche, with few learners. Now, Mo Hua knew that what Mr. Zhuang called "augment intelligence" and "recreation" was definitely not the same as what ordinary people would consider. In truth, Formation Masters proficient in Formation Explanation are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. The Examination posed by the Chief Elder was also extremely straightforward. Explain a Compound Formation. See who gets it right and who does it faster. Mo Hua felt rather unenthusiastic upon seeing the Compound Formation. It was indeed too simple. It was just a Compound Formation consisting of three Single Formations, with only one of them being a nine-pattern Formation, while the others were a seven-pattern and an eight-pattern Formation. This didn’t even qualify as an appetizer. Mo Hua looked up. The Formation Pavilion was bustling with many more disciples. Continuing this competition, who knew when it would end. It needed to be "quickly resolved" once again. So, while that disciple named Chu He was still explaining the first Formation, Mo Hua had already swiftly and effortlessly completed his explanation. Then he casually said, "I’m done." The Chief Elder and the others were startled once more, their hearts becoming somewhat numb by now. Explore more at freewebnovel Mo Hua had undeniably won the Formation Explanation. Mo Hua said bluntly, "Just come at me, and make it quick. I’m short on time..." He was eager to learn the Five Elements Spirit Formation and then focus on Foundation Establishment. His words came across as rather arrogant. Everyone present was angry. Soon, disciples who were not satisfied stood up to challenge Mo Hua in Formations. Yet no matter what they tried, they were quickly defeated. When it came to Formations alone, none of the First-grade Formation Masters present were a match for him. Gradually, everyone present lost their anger, replaced only with gravity. A tinge of panic began to surface in their hearts. He was skilled at drawing Formations, quick at it, knew Ultimate Formations of the First-grade, and was an expert at Formation Explanation. He could even be considered impeccable... In the Dali Mountain State boundary, disciples of Formation Masters gathered from all around, but surely not one of them could defeat this young cultivator... 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦 The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family no longer kept his own counsel and instructed, "Shen Wen." A disciple stood out, his eyes blazing, as if he had been holding back for a long time. "I’ll compete with you in Calculation!" The Chief Elder was greatly surprised, and Sect Leader Chu was also shaken. Even Mr. Zhuang appeared slightly astonished. The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family sighed deeply. This was his trump card, something he had hoped to keep hidden. Originally, he did not want to reveal it. Shen Wen was his great-grandson, born with keen Divine Sense and meticulous thoughts. By chance, he had been taken in by a Great Formation Master and taught the Divine Sense Calculation Method. The Great Formation Master had instructed him that Formation Calculation was a matter of secrecy, not to be disclosed, and he should be careful not to let any information leak out. Thus, he had always kept his lips sealed. But now, at the critical moment, he had no choice but to reveal it. Calculation, huh... This Golden Core Cultivator, a High-Grade Second Rank Formation Master himself, did not know this Formation knowledge. Perhaps this Junior Formation Master would at last... The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family’s thoughts were interrupted halfway when he heard Mo Hua casually say, "Okay." The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family’s recently eased heart was clenched with tension again. No way... You, this child, know Divine Sense Calculation too? Thus, the Old Ancestor of the Shen Family quickly found out that not only did Mo Hua know it, but he also performed the calculations quickly and accurately, with a relaxed and effortless demeanor. The two were simultaneously calculating the Spiritual Power trajectories of a Formation. Just as Shen began his calculations, Mo Hua had already finished. Shen was defeated quickly and thoroughly, his face a complete loss of soul. Similarly, Mo Hua started asking again, "Anything else to compete in?" The entire place fell deathly silent. Seeing no one speaking, Mo Hua changed his question, "Anyone else?" All the disciples were pale-faced. Even the three Golden Core Elders were too shocked to speak. They had never imagined that what was supposed to be a grand event would conclude so swiftly. This Junior Formation Master, merely sitting quietly at the desk, became an impregnable gate, against whom none could prevail, truly defeating all the genius Formation Masters of the entire state boundary... Just like Mr. Zhuang years ago... No, there were some differences. The Chief Elder’s painful memories surfaced one after another. Mr. Zhuang in those days was like a sharp sword bared for all to see, one they couldn’t look at directly. But this Junior Formation Master surnamed Mo, he had a reserved edge, a congenial temperament, like a naturally formed uncut jade. He was simply an evil monster! ... The Formation Pavilion was silent for a long time, and an eerie stillness fell among the disciples. The three Golden Core Elders were also at a loss. After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Zhuang slowly stood up and said indifferently, "Are we done competing?" The Chief Elder’s heart quivered, but he couldn’t find the words to reply. Mr. Zhuang gave him a look, and with an unquestionable tone, said, "The winner has been decided. Tomorrow, we shall come to the Formation Pavilion to learn the Five Element Ultimate Formation!"