Chapter 482: The Terrifying Illusion Array

The books in the Array Masters Guild were not as numerous as those in the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, and over seventy percent of them were below the level of two-star array masters, already fully comprehended, so they were optional reading.

Thus, collecting them was very simple; it took only about an hour to imprint them all in his mind.

With enough books, he formed the third and fourth layers of the Heavenly Dao Array again.

Another hour later, having fully learned them, Zhang Xuan rubbed his slightly tired brow and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.

Having quickly absorbed so many books and continuously studied two layers of the Heavenly Dao Array, even though he had reached Half-Step Mortal Transcendence, he still felt dizzy and pale.

However, even if it was hard, it was worth it.

In terms of knowledge of arrays, he might not be able to compare with President Zheng before, but when it came to setting up arrays, the latter was certainly far from his match.

More importantly...

"So this is what it means to carve an array disk; the Spirit Gathering Array is indeed not easy..."

At this moment, he had a deeper understanding of array disks and knew why President Zheng was so angry when asked to complete one within an hour.

An array disk involves carving a large array into a palm-sized space while also integrating with the environment; the difficulty is imaginable.

Especially the Spirit Gathering Array, which gathers spiritual energy and prevents shocks, making it more difficult to carve than other arrays. The other party's claim of half a month was indeed the fastest possible.

"However, using ordinary methods to carve an array disk is indeed very difficult. But if I use the method described in the Heavenly Dao Array, it will be much simpler!"

Ordinary arrays require strict adherence to the array diagram and integration with the environment to succeed, a tedious process. One wrong cut could cause the entire array to collapse and become waste.

The Heavenly Dao Array, on the other hand, emphasizes coherence, smooth flow of energy, and the principle that the greatest truth is the simplest.

For the same array and the same diagram, using the carving method of the Heavenly Dao Array makes it several times simpler.

"The Array Sea should be ready; let's go take a look!"

Shaking his head, no longer dwelling on the issue of array disks, Zhang Xuan walked out of the library.

Having finished learning what needed to be learned and gaining a deeper understanding of arrays, it was time to try the so-called Array Sea and also take the exam to become an array master.

...

"The Array Sea is just a name, not an actual sea, but a corridor located on the third floor of the Array Masters Guild. Countless arrays are arranged there. Once inside, one must always be aware of the danger of being trapped, enchanted, or even... killed!"

"Because... all kinds of arrays are present here, including killing arrays."

"But don't worry. Each examinee holds a life-saving array talisman. If they encounter a life-threatening danger they cannot escape, they can crush it, and the array will naturally stop attacking!"

At the entrance of the Array Sea corridor, a young man looked around and addressed the two junior disciples behind him.

All three were taught by the same teacher. The latter two were taking the exam for the first time to become array masters, while the senior was taking the exam for two-star.

At this moment, the two junior disciples were slightly nervous, their lips pale and palms sweaty.

"Don't be nervous. In a moment, I'll go through the first level first to show you. Remember, the arrays each person encounters are random and not the same. My experience can only be used as a reference, not copied... Understand?"

The senior said.

"Senior, rest assured, we will pay attention!"

"We will strive to pass the first level and not disappoint the teacher!"

The two junior disciples clenched their fists.

"Good. Now I'll break through it for you to see. Pay attention: no matter what array you encounter, don't act rashly or impatiently. Analyze calmly to find the life gate and break through in one go!"

Seeing their humble attitude, the senior nodded with satisfaction. After speaking, he turned and strode into the Array Sea corridor before him.

Buzz!

As soon as he stepped inside, mist appeared, and the array manifested before him, trapping him completely.

The first level of the Array Sea: first-grade arrays!

"That wall..." The two looked over simultaneously.

One wall of the corridor was made of special crystal, clearly reflecting the situation of the person breaking through.

The senior's figure was reflected on the wall, his brows furrowed as he looked around.

To break an array, one must first know what array it is, where the life gate and death gate are, and where the weaknesses lie... Without finding these, no matter how strong one's strength, it is useless.

Whoosh!

The senior produced a compass in his palm, looked down, took three steps left, three steps right, moving forward while testing the array's reactions.

After an unknown amount of time, his eyes suddenly lit up as if he had discovered something. He smiled lightly, identified a direction, and strode forward.

At the same time, he gathered power in his palm and struck forward.

Whoosh!

With a roar, the mist before him vanished, and his figure reappeared before the two, exactly as the senior.

"See? This is the first level. As long as you analyze carefully, find the source and direction of spiritual energy and the changes after being touched, you can determine what kind of array it is. Then confirm your position, find the life gate... and the array will be solved!"

Having passed the first level, the senior did not continue to the second. Instead, he turned around and explained again to the two.

He was here to take the exam for two-star array master; one-star was already familiar to him. He had just demonstrated for his juniors to help relieve their psychological pressure.

"Yes!"

Both junior disciples nodded simultaneously.

That was easier said than done. When trapped in an array, with everything around looking the same and no reference points, it was easy to lose direction. Even with a compass, one could only analyze the trajectory of spiritual energy, not confirm one's exact location or what kind of array one was trapped in.

There were thousands of types of first-grade trapping arrays, each with hundreds of subtypes. Without a profound understanding of arrays, it was impossible to break free and walk out.

"Alright, I'll now break through the second level. Whether I succeed or not, you should learn from it as experience!"

After explaining, the senior took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.

Breaking through the first level, as a peak one-star array master, he was fully confident. The second level was much harder.

Whoosh!

With another step, the array of the second level activated. At the same time, a shadow appeared on the wall.

"Why isn't the senior moving?"

Looking over together, the two junior disciples noticed that after entering the second level, the senior's movements were clearly different from before.

Earlier, he had taken out a compass and searched around to confirm the type of array. This time, he stood still as if stunned.

"Oh no, could it be an illusion array?"

The junior disciple in white thought of something and couldn't help saying.

"Illusion array?" The junior disciple in green widened his eyes.

An illusion array interferes with the mind. Once inside, one becomes lost in pre-arranged scenes, unable to extricate oneself. It is more terrifying than a trapping array.

A trapping array is like a cage; even if you know you can't get out, at least your mind is not disturbed, and you remain清醒. But trapped in an illusion array, your mind wanders, you don't know who you are or where you are, and even if you want to escape, there is no way to start.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

As the two were puzzled, the senior in the array turned pale, his face bloodless, his true energy boiling, striking wildly in all directions like a madman.

Pfft!

After an unknown amount of time, as if his true energy was nearly exhausted, he spat out a mouthful of blood, then came to his senses and quickly crushed the jade talisman in his hand.

The mist vanished, and he reappeared before the two, looking utterly dejected.

Breaking through the second level: failed!

"Senior..."

Seeing him approach, no longer as spirited as before but like a defeated rooster, the two junior disciples became even more panicked.

"Failure in the Array Sea is common. I just had bad luck and activated an illusion array..."

Swallowing a pill, his complexion recovered somewhat. Looking at the two junior disciples, the young man smiled awkwardly.

"Indeed, illusion arrays are too difficult..."

The junior disciple in green said.

"If it had been a trapping array this time, the senior would definitely have passed directly and become a two-star array master..." the junior disciple in white said.

"If it were a trapping array, I am indeed confident I would have passed directly!"

Seeing that the two junior disciples had not lost their admiration for him, the senior breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I have done statistics. Over the past ten years, a total of eighty-eight people have come to take the two-star array master exam. Among them, illusion arrays appeared twenty-two times... Unfortunately, no one passed! Those who succeeded mostly encountered trapping arrays, maze arrays, and the like."

"What about killing arrays?"

"Killing arrays?" The senior shook his head. "Then don't even think about succeeding. Once you step in, one wrong move means death. Forget breaking the array; just surviving is good enough..."

"So difficult? Doesn't that mean no one can pass?"

Hearing how terrifying killing arrays were, the two junior disciples became nervous again.

"To tell you the truth, in the Array Sea, encountering killing arrays or illusion arrays, almost no one can succeed. Later, when you go in, once you notice something is wrong, it's best to crush the jade talisman immediately and not struggle in vain!"

The senior said with a serious expression.

"Yes!"

Both junior disciples nodded simultaneously. "Rest assured, senior. If we encounter killing arrays or illusion arrays, we will turn back immediately! Even you couldn't pass, who else could? At least it's hard for anyone in this guild to accomplish..."

Just as the two were praising their talented senior, they saw a young man walking lazily toward the entrance of the Array Sea corridor.

This guy looked even younger than them, probably under twenty, with bloodshot eyes as if he hadn't slept for days, looking very tired.

"Who is this guy? Never seen him before?"

The three were simultaneously startled.

They had been with their teacher in the Array Masters Guild for at least five years. They knew every apprentice and array master, but this one was unfamiliar.

"Probably an apprentice who popped up from somewhere... Clearly, his mental fortitude is poor. He's probably been too scared to sleep for days, that's why he looks like this!"

"Yeah, his eyes are red. Being so scared before entering the Array Sea is quite a spectacle!"

The two junior disciples sneered simultaneously.

They had been nervous earlier and felt embarrassed, but this guy, look at him—disheveled, slack all over. He must have been so scared he couldn't sleep for nights, resulting in this wretched appearance.

"What is the guild doing? Aren't there limited spots each year? How can someone like this come to challenge the Array Sea?"

The senior also frowned.