151 Chapter 1309: Vicious’ Awakening (1/2)

While his comprehension of formations was still limited at 7-star, his foundations were firm because he had studied the Heaven's Path Formation Art. If required to, as long as he studied the formation blueprint carefully, he would be able to set up basic grade-8 primary formations with ease.

”Alright!”

The supporting formation was a specialized formation to augment the transmission range of the Jade Communication Token, and it was not really a confidential secret or that sort, so Chen Leyao did not have to hold it back from Zhang Xuan. With a flick of her wrist, she passed a formation blueprint over.

Zhang Xuan took the blueprint and began studying it.

To make an analogy to his previous world, if the Jade Communication Token could be viewed as a cell phone, the formation would be a cell towers, serving to strengthen the transmission signals so that the message would be able to travel a greater distance.

As simple as it sounded in theory, it was not that easy to carry it out in practice.

It's a grade-8 primary formation, and with my current comprehension of formations, I should be able to set it up easily. Zhang Xuan frowned. However… I'll still take around three days, and the work required for that will be highly intensive. That'll be too troublesome.

While his comprehension of formations was already on par with most 8-star low-tier formation masters, there were simply too many aspects that one had to take note of when setting up the formation. The slightest mistake in the amplification of the transmission signal could very well destroy the structure of the Communication Jade Token, so it was imperative to be absolutely careful in every single one of the details. As a preliminary estimate, Zhang Xuan deemed that it would take at least three days for him to finish setting it up.

Three days just to set up a formation… that was too extravagant!

Knowing that he was limited by his understanding of formations, Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment before coming up with a plan. Looks like it's time for me to take the 8-star formation master examination!

It was due to his lack of understanding of formations that resulted in his inability to effectively set up the formation. However, as long as he could clear the 8-star formation master examination and access the books about grade-8 formations, he should be able to reduce the time required significantly.

Noticing Zhang Xuan's frown, Chen Leyao asked, ”Is Zhang shi able to set up the formation?”

”I'm still a little lacking.” Zhang Xuan shook his head before asking with a smile, ”Right, do you know where I can take the 8-star formation master examination in the Sanctum of Sages? I would like to first take the examination before studying how I can set up the supporting formation. I think it would be safer this way.”

As the highest training institute of the Master Teacher Continent, the Sanctum of Sages were bound to house branches of other occupations. Otherwise, how would the students of other occupations advance their skills here?

Most importantly of all, master teachers had to clear the prerequisite for their supporting occupations before they could take the master teacher examination.

”Everything related to the examination of supporting occupations and the sort can be found in the Hall of Erudition. I have looked into the matter previously, so I know its rough location. Why don't I show you there?” Chen Leyao answered with a smile.

”I'll be troubling you then.”

Through the identity token, he had also gained a rough idea of how the Sanctum of Sages functioned. It was divided into multiple halls, each of them serving a different purpose. However, the structure still differed significantly from that of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy and the Combat Master Hall.

The Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy and Combat Master Hall were divided into respective occupation schools or cultivation divisions, such as the Beast Tamer School and Apothecary School for the former, and Martial Arts Division and Soul Division for the latter.

On the other hand, the Sanctum of Sages mainly consisted of Five Halls, and they had nothing to do with occupations or the sort.

They were namely: Attainment, Solidarity, Propriety, Erudition, and Integrity!1

Hall of Attainment 2 , the place where teachers taught and student learned as well as where the impartation of knowledge, learning of techniques, and inheritance of culture took place.

Hall of Solidarity, a training ground with all kinds of trials in order to temper one against the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe. It served to promote camaraderie and cooperation among fellow students.

Hall of Propriety, the area where duels and battles were conducted.

Hall of Erudition, where occupation examinations were conducted and cultivation technique manuals were stored, the place where students would unlock their wisdom.

Hall of Integrity, the place where students reinforced their state of mind and tempered their character.

Attainment, Solidarity, Propriety, Erudition, and Integrity 3 ; Graciousness, Altruism, Respect, Frugality, and Tolerance 4 . These were the five pillars of the Sanctum of Sages.

Students who had come here to cultivate not only had to be strong—more importantly, they had to be principled and cultured.

”Zhang shi, you are too courteous!” Chen Leyao nodded before leading the way forward.

The Hall of Erudition, despite being termed as a hall, was not an actual building. Rather, like the Ten Schools of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, it referred to an entire branch of the academy.

Just the type of occupational examination grounds numbered more than a hundred.

The duo proceeded forward swiftly, and roughly ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance. The first thing that they saw was a massive wall that was crafted using some unknown material, and carved at the center was a massive character that induced warmth and tranquility in one.

智 (Erudition).

This calligraphy… looks very familiar… Zhang Xuan unwittingly halted his footsteps.

The calligraphy for the '智 (Erudition)' character was vastly different from that of the 'Sanctum of Sages' plaque at the entrance. Even though it did not emanate an overwhelming aura, it created a conception of vastness that was as high as the heavens, as broad as a seemingly endless plain. This reflected the broad-mindedness of the one who had left behind the calligraphy, the great dreams that he harbored for the world.

While Zhang Xuan was still bewildered by the sense of familiarity he felt from the painting, a voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

”This is… Kong shi's writing!”

”Vicious, you are awake?” Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

The person was no one other than Vicious, who had fallen into a dormant state for nearly an entire month after consuming the other Vicious of the Marshlands.

”Yes. Fortunately, I have managed to assimilate that fellow into me!” Vicious replied with a slightly agitated voice.

”How are you feeling? Is there any advancement in your cultivation?” Zhang Xuan asked.

Vicious was his trump card, so if the other party's strength grew, it would indubitably be beneficial to him.

”Master, after fusing together with my head and my eyes, my strength has grown by leaps and bounds. In my current state, even Saint 7-dan cultivators won't be a match for me,” Vicious replied proudly.