Chapter 73: Taking A Trial After Six Months… Black Market…

Hearing his question, the instructor looked at Kranos with slight surprise. After thinking for a moment, she responded,

“This delves into the true study of arrays. According to research, array lines are a form of language—one capable of harnessing mana and breathing life into formations. However, understanding even a single ’word’ of this language is nearly impossible.”

She continued with a small smile, “Fortunately, over time, we’ve managed to decipher a few ’words’ and understand certain patterns. That’s why we’re able to construct some basic arrays today.”

Kranos was inwardly shocked, but he quickly composed himself and asked, “Where can I find books on this array language?”

At that, the instructor chuckled lightly.

“Such books are exceedingly rare. Finding them in the academy library is almost impossible. However, it’s said that fragments—pages—occasionally appear in black markets.”

After giving that subtle nudge, she waved him off. Even mentioning the black market had already pushed the limits of what the academy permitted, and she didn’t want to risk violating its rules.

Kranos sighed and left the hall.

Just as he was heading back to his dorm, he encountered a familiar face—it was Javil. Upon seeing Kranos, Javil’s face lit up with a smile, but that expression soon turned to a frown when he noticed Kranos was still at the third stage of Foundation Establishment.

“Fourth Brother, being too absorbed in side professions will affect your cultivation growth,” he advised earnestly.

Kranos gave a wry smile. He’d been so focused on arrays that he had forgotten to raise his cultivation level outwardly.

“I’ve just been busy over the past few days, Brother. I’ll shift my focus to cultivation now.”

Javil nodded in approval, then asked with concern,

“How is your progress with arrays coming along?”

Though he prioritized personal strength over external tools, he still understood the importance of arrays.

“I’ve just barely grasped the basics. Nothing much to talk about,” Kranos replied humbly. He felt there was no need to boast about his achievements.

Javil nodded once again. After a few more casual exchanges, the two prepared to part ways. But just before Javil turned to leave, Kranos stopped him.

“Second Brother… do you know anything about the black market?”

“Black market?” Javil was momentarily stunned. He thought for a bit, then his eyes lit up as if recalling something.

“I overheard the seniors talking once. Apparently, in about five months—just before we undertake the academy trials—a black market event is held.”

Kranos smiled slightly but also frowned in puzzlement.

“Trials?”

“Yes,” Javil replied, then explained,

“After enrolling in the academy, every six months we’re required to undertake trials. Failure to participate—or failure in general—can even lead to expulsion in some cases.”

Kranos immediately understood.

After thanking Javil, he rushed back to his dorm.

He hadn’t known about the upcoming trial, and without preparation, it could spell trouble. Now that he was aware, he needed to begin planning his countermeasures immediately.

Back in his room, Kranos wasted no time. He began cultivating the techniques he had purchased earlier. He made a clear plan:

Spend the next three months mastering those techniques,

Use one month to study and decode array cores,

And dedicate the fifth month to searching for an array language page in the black market.

With that in mind, Kranos entered seclusion and began his intense training.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, more than four months had gone by.

Kranos finally opened his eyes and smiled faintly. He had made immense progress. His cultivation had already reached the seventh stage of the Golden Core Realm, and he was nearing the eighth. His Time Cultivation had similarly reached the fourth stage of the Time Core Realm.

Without hesitation, he calmed his mind. An array pen appeared in his hand along with nearly a hundred array papers—mostly Rank One, with a select few Rank Two sheets.

He began drawing.

This time, he had a specific purpose: to analyze whether he could identify similar runes across different types of arrays. For example, if certain runes in defensive arrays also appeared in offensive arrays, he could narrow his study and accelerate his comprehension of array runes.

Stroke by stroke, Kranos filled the papers. As time passed, his understanding of array theory deepened.

A full month went by.

He successfully deciphered several array runes, though he couldn’t yet identify their precise functions.

From his earlier deductions, he had concluded that array cores were like words, while array runes were the letters of the array language.

If he could understand the letters, then the day he created a time-based array of his own wouldn’t be far off.

Stretching slightly, Kranos stood up from his meditative posture. He found himself enjoying the solitude of seclusion more and more.

Without delay, he vanished from the room.

Back when he first arrived at the academy, he had memorized the general location of Javil’s residence. After making a rough estimate and asking a few people along the way, he finally arrived at the place.

Javil’s house was similar to his own. Kranos knocked on the formation-protected barrier at the entrance. A few minutes later, Javil appeared, his body drenched in sweat—it was clear he had just finished training.

Upon seeing him, Javil was slightly surprised.

Before he could ask anything, Kranos cupped his fists and said,

“Second Brother, I’d like you to accompany me to the black market. There are a few things I want to buy.”

Javil’s expression darkened immediately.

“Fourth Brother, you should know how dangerous the black market is. Even Golden Core cultivators are considered small fries there, let alone us in the Foundation Establishment realm.”

He shook his head firmly, clearly rejecting the idea.

Kranos sighed, then added,

“We’ll just stay near the outskirts of the market. That way, we won’t run into any high-level cultivators.”

Javil hesitated, visibly conflicted. His brows furrowed as he weighed the risks.

Seeing this, Kranos delivered the final push. “Who knows… we might come across a rare, heaven-defying cultivation technique.”

He knew his second brother’s weakness—Javil was a training maniac. With this one line, he saw Javil’s hesitation vanish as his eyes began to glow.

“You’re right, Fourth Brother,” Javil nodded firmly.

“Let’s head to the black market. But we need to be extremely cautious and stay low-profile. If we draw attention from dangerous cultivators, it could be the end of us.”

Javil’s expression was solemn, but the spark of excitement had already ignited within him.

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