"Thank you very much." Han Yan took the token and left without looking back.
"Hmph, I want to see, in this Array Dao Hall, who dares teach you the true Array Formation Techniques?" Gan Qiyi looked at Han Yanâs departing figure and secretly sneered in his heart.
Gan Qiyiâs roar echoed throughout the Array Dao Hall, and in several adjacent formation halls, many disciples poked their heads out to glance at Han Yan before quickly retracting them.
This Han Yan truly wonât turn back without hitting the wall; if only listening in, it would be fine, but to actually go and see Gan Qiyi, isnât that just asking for humiliation?
Several instructors also turned their heads, looking at Han Yan through the window, with expressions of caution, clearly wanting to keep a respectful distance.
The commotion from yesterday was too much; as instructors of the Array Dao Hall, none of them wished to offend their colleagues for an outsider, much less offend Gan Qiyi, the head of Array Dao Hall.
Han Yan couldnât be bothered with them and followed Tan Yu to Zhou Wuqingâs formation hall.
"Disciple Han Yan, greets Master Zhou." Han Yan said to the old man who was explaining formations to the disciples in the center of the hall.
The old man had the look of a wise elder, with a kind face. Although his aura wasnât as overbearing as Gan Qiyi, he still possessed an otherworldly temperament, making Han Yan feel somewhat fond of him.
"Take a seat." Zhou Wuqing glanced at Han Yan and said with a troubled expression.
Though he was kind and kept to his teacherâs ethics, holding no prejudice against Han Yan and even had some suspicion towards Tian Wenliang after hearing about the incident with the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array yesterday, feeling a bit sympathetic towards Han Yan and the others. However, being a member of the Array Dao Hall himself, he dared not offend other instructors for the sake of Han Yan, an outsider, thereby isolating himself.
Yet, as Han Yan chose to learn the Array Formation Path from him, he could not shut him out, leaving his mind tangled and confused.
"Where was I just now?" Zhou Wuqing absentmindedly asked the other disciples.
"You were just talking about the Array Formation Path, derived from the Heaven and Earth Rules, with Yin and Yang, the sun and moon," a disciple replied.
"Oh right, I was just there. Letâs continue." Zhou Wuqing snapped back to reality and continued his lecture, drawing diagrams and text of formations as he spoke.
Han Yan listened with great interest, but she soon discovered that Zhou Wuqing was clearly not at ease, with his words becoming somewhat disjointed as he spoke.
Han Yan could see that Zhou Wuqing wasnât intentionally targeting her, but truly had a disturbed mental state because toward the end, even he was sweating profusely, barely able to continue.
"Surely not, Iâm not that much of a plague to cause this," Han Yan smiled bitterly with helplessness.
The reason Zhou Wuqing was so unsettled was clearly due to too many considerations, on one hand, not wanting to lose his position as an instructor, on the other hand, not wanting to offend his peers by teaching her the Array Formation Path.
Only now did Han Yan realize she had underestimated the influence of Gan Qiyi and Tian Wenliang in the Array Dao Hall; her idea of learning the true formation techniques here was too naive.
If it continued like this, even studying for another six months would result in ambiguous knowledge, rarely grasping the essence of formations.
Finally, Zhou Wuqing finished demonstrating the formation, and todayâs lesson came to an end.
"Itâs getting late, everyone disperse. The formation just demonstrated serves as the Foundation Establishment entry, simple as it is, comprehending it thoroughly will greatly benefit your future cultivation of the Array Formation Path. Do not underestimate it, and practice diligently," Zhou Wuqing said to the disciples as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, caused by overthinking.
"Disciple remembers Lord Zhouâs instructions, we dare not slack off." The disciples saluted one by one, then bid farewell and left.
Today, Zhou Wuqing was obviously distracted, his lecture disjointed, and they listened without interest. They too guessed the reason, not daring to complain about Zhou Wuqing, but looking at Han Yan with slightly reproachful eyes.
This Han Yan, like a jinx, if you want to put Tian Wenliang down, find him directly, why trouble Lord Zhou and drag us along too?
Han Yan was not one to think highly of herself and understood that her arrival made it hard for them to properly study formations. So, she was not angry, feeling a bit apologetic instead.
"Iâm sorry, Lord Zhou, I didnât expect my whim would put you in a difficult position." After the other disciples had left, Han Yan stood up and said apologetically to Zhou Wuqing.
Zhou Wuqing was slightly taken aback, having heard of Han Yanâs reputation as a playboy, he never expected an apology. Seeing Han Yanâs sincere expression, Zhou Wuqing felt deeply ashamed.
"Young Master Mu, you speak too seriously, actually, it is I who should apologize." Zhou Wuqing waved his hand, saluted Han Yan, and said shamefully, "As an academy instructor, teaching is my duty. Iâve allowed personal concerns to affect me, leading to restless thinking, which contradicts my teacherâs ethics, wasting valuable time for you as well, which is truly my fault."
Hearing Zhou Wuqingâs words, Han Yan felt a deep respect. In life, who doesnât have some selfish thoughts or concerns? Even the legendary sages couldnât completely avoid them. Zhou Wuqing could realize this, put aside his teacherâs pride, and apologize, which speaks volumes more than people like Tian Wenliang.
"Lord Zhou, please donât be so formal; I understand your difficulties and donât want to make it harder for you. I wonât come tomorrow and will find other ways to study the Array Formation Path." Han Yan quickly helped Zhou Wuqing up and said.
After all, she only needed to learn the basic logic of formations, so it wasnât necessary to come to the Array Dao Hall and further trouble Zhou Wuqing.
If one gives me a foot of respect, I return an extra measure; this is truly Han Yanâs nature.
"Do you really wish to cultivate the Array Formation Path?" Zhou Wuqing looked at Han Yan in surprise; he previously assumed she came to the Array Dao Hall to spite Tian Wenliang, realizing now that everyone had misunderstood.
"Indeed, although I donât get along with Tian Wenliang, it doesnât mean I would waste my cultivation just to spite him," Han Yan nodded and said.
"It seems we all misunderstood you. I was overly concerned before and didnât teach well, which brought disgrace to the title of instructor. Hereâs the plan, todayâs lesson is over, but you come back tomorrow, and I promise to disregard all distractions and properly pass on the Array Formation Path to you." Zhou Wuqing felt even more guilty and firmly said.
"Lord Zhou, thereâs no need to force yourself, Iâll find my own way." Han Yan declined with a polite smile.
(Bai Xianyu takes a short break, sprinkles a bit of salt, and tomorrowâs content will be even more exciting.)