Immortal Dao is dead, I am the mastermind behind it all.

"is that so?"

"Yes! Yes! That's it!"

"No, no, this formation shouldn't be used... Oh, right, right..."

Inside the cave, facing the grand formation set up by True Lord Yanzhen, Shen Moyan scratched his head in frustration.

This array pattern is far too complex, many times more difficult than a teleportation array that crosses states.

"I was able to create the teleportation array before by imprinting the array patterns."

"This is equivalent to copying someone else's work and then selecting a suitable teleportation array pattern through numerous experiments, without grasping the essence of the array pattern at all."

Shen Moyan suddenly realized.

His desire to comprehend and break through the essence of the Wild Goose Formation True Lord's formation in one go is truly a pipe dream.

"Working in isolation is not advisable, even if I have the achievement of being an 'outsider'."

Through this period of seclusion, Shen Moyan has figured out the limits of self-study.

"Looks like I still need to find a renowned mentor."

Shen Moyan got up and stretched.

The array diagrams around him were mentally stored into his storage ring.

After attaching a concealment talisman to himself that could shield him from detection by the Gui Cang Realm, he stepped out of the cave.

Fly to Guangzhou, outside Xianshou City.

Shen Moyan walked on the clouds, looking down at the renowned City of Immortality below.

Xianshou City is not a traditional, majestic city; it has no towering city walls or bustling markets.

Some are countless courtyards nestled against the mountains and beside the water, and towers scattered about, each subtly connected to the earth's veins, forming an invisible array that covers the heavens and the earth.

The sky was ablaze with colorful lights, and all sorts of flying boats and swords shuttled back and forth in perfect order.

A faint spiritual mist and intricate runes filled the air; taking a breath of it made one feel refreshed and greatly beneficial to spiritual enlightenment.

"As expected of Feiguang Prefecture, the legendary holy land of immortality." Shen Moyan nodded slightly.

Flying light, flying light, let me offer you a cup of wine.

Throughout Feiguang Prefecture, there are many elderly cultivators, most of whom have given up hope of advancement and retired from the central prefecture to live out their remaining years here.

Shen Moyan chose this place because he valued its strong array-based atmosphere and relatively relaxed environment.

The Holy Court's control over this area is not as strong as that of the core states, and various powerful families are scattered throughout.

Within Feiguang Prefecture, the Formation Pavilion is a significant force, known for its inclusiveness and open-mindedness.

He descended from the clouds and arrived in front of a magnificent cluster of buildings in the west of the city.

Jade as the base, glazed tiles as the roof.

Shen Moyan found a secluded corner and sank his consciousness into his palm.

The Nine Songs Seal on the back of his hand glowed faintly as his consciousness connected to the vast Nine Songs Network.

Ignoring the noisy forums and official announcements, Shen Moyan went straight to the "Recruitment of Employees" section.

The selection criteria are set as follows: Flying to Guangzhou, Array Dao, Apprentice, and Rogue Cultivator.

The light screen swirled, and countless pieces of information flashed by.

Soon, a recruitment notice caught his attention:

Announcement from the Outer Pavilion of the Array Formation Hall.

We are sincerely recruiting independent cultivators of array formations. Apprentices and novice array masters are also welcome. The minimum cultivation level is Transcendent Realm.

Requirements include familiarity with basic array principles, the ability to independently craft low-level array plates, a resilient spirit, good patience, and the ability to pass the assessment.

The benefits include access to the first three floors of the Outer Pavilion's Scripture Library, the right to use the Earth Fire Chamber and the Array Testing Platform, a monthly stipend of spirit stones, and the opportunity for outstanding performers to receive guidance from the Inner Pavilion's Array Masters.

"The terms are fair enough." Shen Moyan's heart stirred slightly.

This formation pavilion seems to value practical ability more than background, which suits him perfectly.

As long as one can receive guidance from a master of array formations, it would be worthwhile to work temporarily for the Array Formation Pavilion.

He immediately used his divine sense to condense a heavily disguised resume and project it over.

He wrote on his resume that he was a rogue cultivator named Shen Moyan who accidentally obtained a fragment of an ancient array master's manual, taught himself the basics, was skilled in refining low-level spirit-gathering and concealing array plates, and wanted to seek a master to further his studies, etc.

Finally, he also included a summary of his essential insights into the basic principles of array formation.

It demonstrates skill sufficiently without being overly sensational.

Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Jiuge.com responded:

"Fellow Daoist Shen, your resume has been reviewed. You may participate in the assessment at the Array Formation Training Hall outside the Array Formation Pavilion at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow. Latecomers will not be accepted."

Clean and efficient.

The next day at dawn, Shen Moyan appeared precisely in front of the massive gatehouse of the Array Pavilion.

Today he changed into an ordinary blue Taoist robe, and his aura was concealed at the early stage of the Transcendent Realm.

After handing over the assessment certificate received from Jiuge.com, a deacon with an expressionless face led him inside.

After passing through several corridors, a vast open-air plaza suddenly opens up before you.

The ground of the training ground was paved with some kind of dark metal, engraved with countless intricate array patterns, and faintly emitted powerful energy fluctuations.

At this moment, dozens of cultivators, men and women, young and old, had gathered in the square. Most of them were at the early stage of the Transcendent Realm, and their expressions were tense yet expectant.

The assessment was conducted by an elderly man in a purple robe with a stern face but sharp, eagle-like eyes, who called himself Elder Sun Haifeng.

"The first test item is formation identification."

With a wave of his sleeve, Elder Sun conjured up dozens of illusory arrays of varying light and complexity in the sky above the plaza.

"Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, point out the location of the life gate and the key point of the formation in three or more basic formation combinations."

This was no challenge for Shen Moyan.

He didn't even need to use the Heavenly Demon Eye; he could do it simply by relying on the profound knowledge he had accumulated from analyzing the inter-state formation in Langya Prefecture.

A glance at it is like looking at the lines on the palm of your hand.

He randomly selected three mid-level difficulty phantoms, tapped them lightly with his fingertip, accurately reported their positions, and even added a comment on the redundancy of the formation.

A faint hint of surprise flashed across Elder Sun's usually placid face, and he nodded slightly.

"The second part of the assessment is formation."

Each person is given a set of standard materials and is required to refine a "Minor Five Elements Trapping Array" array plate with specified effects on the spot within one hour.

Shen Moyan's skillful technique allowed him to ignite the earth's fire, temper the material, and inscribe array patterns with fluid grace.

Not only does it fully meet the requirements, but it has also been optimized in the details, making the array plate start up faster and the spiritual energy consumption lower.

He deliberately controlled his speed and execution, maintaining a level that was slightly above average, demonstrating his ability without being too flashy.

In the end, of the more than fifty people who participated in the assessment, only a handful passed, and Shen Moyan was among them.

"From this day forward, you seven will be the outer cultivators of my Array Formation Pavilion."

Elder Sun's gaze swept over everyone, and he spoke solemnly.

"To enter my Array Formation Pavilion, one must drip one's soul blood, sign a contract, strictly abide by the pavilion's rules, and refrain from passing on the pavilion's secrets."

A golden contract rune containing binding force floated in the air.

Having learned from Cen Bolang's example, Shen Moyan subtly activated his divine sense and secretly began to circulate the "Scripture of Detachment from All Forms".

Concealing his presence with a concealment talisman, a trace of Heavenly Demon True Blood was forced out from his body, staining the runes and leaving a hidden door to the contract.

Seeing that everyone had successfully signed the contracts, Elder Sun was relieved.

"The way of formations lies in diligence. I wish you all a speedy attainment of the Grandmaster level and entry into the Cabinet."

After the formalities were completed, a deacon led the seven outer monks to the accommodation and the scripture library.

Walking inside the Array Pavilion, Shen Moyan kept his eyes straight ahead, his divine sense spreading out like a spider web, sensing the profound foundation of this array-based power.

The immense power of the earth veins emanating from deep underground, the fluctuations of the protective array appearing in the air, and even the subtle inscriptions on some pillars and artificial hills that appear to be decorations but are actually nodes of the array.

Everything filled him with admiration.

"We've finally taken this step."

Shen Moyan sighed inwardly.

Now he can systematically learn the array system of this world.

At the same time, it can also leverage the resources and channels of the Formation Pavilion to better conceal itself and secretly make arrangements.

After receiving a token representing his identity and a jade slip explaining the formation in the Sutra Repository, Shen Moyan was assigned to a quiet room with a spirit-gathering formation.

He sat cross-legged, holding the jade slip in his hand, immersing his consciousness in it.

A vast array of basic theories on formations, detailed explanations of runes, and material illustrations come rushing in.

Unlike his previous simple self-realization, this is a systematic body of knowledge.

If you need guidance, there are skilled practitioners waiting in the pavilion, which is very convenient.

All of these factors have been of immeasurable value to him in perfecting his understanding of array formations, especially in comprehending the array formations on the "Kuafu Face" in Langya Prefecture.

"Just wait, Lord Wild Goose Formation."

"This great battle is going to be very exciting."

A glint of anticipation flashed in Shen Moyan's eyes.