Although displeased in his heart, Elder Zhen also knew that Array-Martial Artists did not hold the same allure as Alchemists.

An Array-Martial Artist could indeed unleash powerful combat strength, but their cultivation speed was slow, requiring immense innate talent and unyielding patience.

Alchemists were entirely different. As long as one could cross the threshold and master the craft, they could refine pills to continuously temper their constitution and promote the growth of their Spiritual Qi-a self-sustaining, virtuous cycle.

Furthermore, that old rascal Elder Huo had actually used high-grade pills to entice Tang Yan. Elder Zhen felt deeply frustrated; the conditions he could offer simply paled in comparison.

"An Alchemist's path is grand indeed, but I wish to learn Array-Martial Arts," Tang Yan said, shifting the direction of the conversation as he declared his intent.

"What?"

Not only was Elder Huo struck dumb, but even Elder Zhen's eyes widened as he stared intently at Tang Yan, trying to discern if the youth was joking.

Yet, they quickly realized Tang Yan's expression was dead serious. He was not lying.

"Little fellow, are you truly willing to learn Array-Martial Arts?" Elder Zhen's eyes lit up.

"Yes!" Tang Yan nodded.

"Kid, you must think this through!" Elder Huo grew anxious. How could such a prime seedling choose Array-Martial Arts? Was this not wandering down a stray path?

"Thank you for your high regard, Elder Huo. It is just that, for now, I find myself more interested in Array-Martial Arts. With genuine interest and focused effort, my cultivation speed should be very fast," Tang Yan politely declined.

"Alright, Old Huo. Since Tang Yan wishes to study Array-Martial Arts under me, do not force the matter. Go back and rest. I must take my disciple to enter the gates of learning." Elder Zhen patted his old friend's shoulder with a beaming smile. Paying no further heed to Elder Huo, he eagerly hoisted Tang Yan up, and with a flash of movement, vanished from the spot.

"That old bastard has all the luck! He must have stepped in dog shit today!" Watching Elder Zhen's departing figure, Elder Huo discarded all decorum and cursed loudly.

Within a few breaths, Elder Zhen brought Tang Yan to a secluded compound.

"Array Pavilion." Spotting the plaque above the entrance, Tang Yan followed the elder inside.

Navigating through several winding corridors, they arrived at a grand hall. Bright lanterns illuminated the space as clearly as daylight, making the vast place appear exceptionally empty.

"An exceptional Alchemist can refine high-grade pills, treasures that countless experts desperately covet.

If you become an Alchemist, your status will be revered across the world. Others will owe you immense favors just for accepting your pills.

Some will offer you high-grade martial techniques, while others will throw their lives away at your bidding. You can walk freely beneath the heavens; even within the ruthless, blood-soaked sects of the Demonic Path, you would still be treated as an honored guest.

Conversely, Array-Martial Arts is excruciatingly difficult to cultivate. Even if you reach the Mahayana stage, you will never possess the vast web of connections an Alchemist commands.

Furthermore, the array diagrams required for our path are exceptionally rare to find.

Weighing the two, choosing the path of an Alchemist is clearly more promising." Elder Zhen stood with his hands tucked behind his back, his gaze deep and profound as he calmly watched Tang Yan. "Can you tell me why you chose Array-Martial Arts?"

Tang Yan pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly. "An Alchemist's path possesses many advantages, just as you said, Elder Zhen. However, Array-Martial Arts has its own supreme marvels.

Though I have yet to study the craft, the first-grade formation you displayed earlier possessed remarkable might.

When integrated with one's martial path, Array-Martial Arts can double a cultivator's combat strength.

An Alchemist's power stems partly from the adoration of outsiders; it is prominent in terms of external influence.

An Array-Martial Artist, however, tempers their own body and soul to become stronger from within.

I prefer the feeling of absolute control over my own power. That is why I chose Array-Martial Arts."

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Elder Zhen's eyes. He had not expected such a young youth to possess such profound insight.

"Hahaha!" Elder Zhen burst into a delighted laugh, his face beaming with praise. "Your understanding is flawless. An Array-Martial Artist cultivates the self to forge absolute strength. A true master of our craft can easily challenge opponents across realms, never bowing to the whims of others!"

At this moment, Elder Zhen found himself looking at Tang Yan with immense fondness.

"The longer one can endure within the Nine Nether Fire Sea, the stronger their Mental Power.

While your time inside passed our trial, whether you possess true affinity for spiritual formations can only be proven through practice.

Now, I shall instruct you on the fundamental layout of formations.

Array-Martial Arts involves embedding formations into the martial path, using precise arrangements to amplify one's power. You can view Array-Martial Arts as a grand edifice; each individual component that constructs it is called an Array Point!

An Array Point is the baseline foundation of Array-Martial Arts. If you can condense a single Array Point within twenty-four hours, you meet the baseline requirement to cultivate this path.

If you can condense one within twelve hours, it proves you possess extraordinary innate talent. With dedicated cultivation, you will undoubtedly shine brilliantly in this domain in the future."

Tang Yan nodded slightly. The shorter the time required to condense an Array Point, the higher one's natural talent.

"This is the novice manual for Array-Martial Arts. Study it well here. Once you have condensed your first Array Point, I will return." Elder Zhen placed down a jade slip and swept out of the hall.

Tang Yan picked up the jade slip. With a sweep of his consciousness, a series of incantations flowed directly into his mind.

A quarter of an hour later, Tang Yan had committed the incantations to memory and began to scrutinize the meaning of every syllable.

"Using Mental Power to govern Spiritual Qi, condensing it into an Array Point, and then linking them to form an Array Momentum... This craft is indeed incomparably profound."

Having experienced two lifetimes, Tang Yan held a massive advantage in both cognitive insight and comprehension.

The obscure and difficult incantations were systematically unraveled, layer by layer, under his heaven-defying talent.

The True Qi within his body surged like a rising tide. Guided by a powerful strand of his spiritual will, the True Qi coalesced in mid-air, gradually shaping into a faint blue point of light.

Tang Yan gazed at the blue dot. It was deep and sapphire-like, its surface rippling with a soft, beautiful luster.

With a mere thought, the Array Point drifted gracefully through the air.

Tang Yan found this highly intriguing. He practiced manipulating it for about a quarter of an hour before finally coming to a halt.

"The manual states that the more Array Points an Array-Martial Artist can condense, the higher the grade of the spiritual formation they can deploy.

I wonder what my current limit is?

I have only just condensed my first point. Would attempting to form more right now be too rushed?"

He hesitated for a brief moment, but his burning curiosity ultimately won out. Gathering his focus, his vast True Qi surged forth once more. Suddenly, two more blue Array Points manifested in mid-air.

This was largely due to Tang Yan's extensive experience in manipulating the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame. As a natural spiritual flame, the complexity required to govern it was far greater than dealing with these basic Array Points.

Before long, a third Array Point was successfully refined by Tang Yan.

Another quarter of an hour passed, and a fourth Array Point danced before him, pulsing as if imbued with a life of its own.

...

Elder Zhen had barely stepped outside the grand hall when he saw his old friend rushing back toward him in a fit of lingering anger.

"Old Zhen, has that kid lost his mind? Why on earth did he choose to become an Array-Martial Artist?" Elder Huo grumbled the moment they met.

He had intended to return to his quarters to rest, but the more he thought about it along the way, the more infuriated he became. He was convinced Tang Yan had simply suffered a temporary lapse in judgment.

"Calm yourself, Old Huo. The two of us have resided in the Azure Dragon Academy for centuries. Is everything we do not for the academy's prosperity? Why fuss over such a minor detail? If Tang Yan achieves greatness in Array-Martial Arts in the future, it will benefit us all equally," Elder Zhen consoled him.

"Hmph, you certainly talk a good game!" Elder Huo spat. He then asked, "Where is the boy?"

"I have passed him the novice mental cultivation method. If he can sense the properties of the formation and refine a single Array Point within twelve hours, I can safely pass down my ultimate techniques to him." A trace of amusement danced in Elder Zhen's eyes.

"Array-Martial Arts is even harder to practice than alchemy. To refine an Array Point within a single day is already the mark of a formation genius.

If one can achieve it within six hours, they are a rare prodigy.

I doubt the kid can even make sense of the incantations just yet." Elder Huo chuckled, stepping into the hall as he peered toward the corner where Tang Yan sat.

Yet, the moment his eyes fell upon the scene within, Elder Huo's jaw dropped instantly, his entire expression freezing in absolute shock.