In the days that followed, the first-year students gradually settled into a steady rhythm of academy life.
Amid this calm routine, Chen Junting—despite his earlier declaration of wanting to be a "hands-off boss"—fulfilled his duties as Class One's Chief Monitor with quiet authority. Any troublemakers in the class were swiftly subdued, not by words, but by overwhelming strength.
Beneath this surface tranquility, however, Dai Huabin remained a persistent ripple—resentful,unconvinced, and seething with envy. His name became one of the few topics of gossip among students.
Challenges in the Soul Arena were frequent.
And Chen Junting never declined.
"Walk in standing—leave lying down" became the defining phrase of Dai Huabin's first year.
This only stoked the flames of jealousy in Dai Huabin's eyes.
But Chen Junting paid him no mind.
Meanwhile, Wang Yan and Mujin's theoretical instruction intensified.
They delved into the tactical differences between solo and team combat, teaching students to adapt strategies based on real-time conditions. Lessons covered identifying soul beast traits and behaviors, understanding the diversity and complexity of martial souls, and exploring cultivation methods tailored to one's unique martial soul to accelerate growth.
Every Soul Arena session—whether individual duels or team exercises—served as both training and trial, honing the ability to find optimal responses in unpredictable battles.
Though uneventful, these days were crucial for accumulating experience and refining skill. The students matured steadily, learning to seek breakthroughs within stillness.
Everyone's life was rich with purpose.
Huo Yuhao, for instance, shuttled between the Martial Soul and Soul Engineering Departments. His cultivation hadn't lagged—hovering just shy of Level 20—and in soul engineering, he'd already earned the playful nickname "half a rank ahead."
As for Chen Junting, he seized every advantage of the Life Gold's benefits to cultivate both soul power and spiritual strength. His studies of soul engineering arrays, magical runes, and ancient formation techniques never slackened.
Time flew like an arrow; days slipped away like water.
In the blink of an eye, seven months had passed unnoticed.
Only one month remained until the holiday break.
Dormitory Building, Room 161.
Night cloaked the campus, but Chen Junting lay wide awake—his gaze fixed intently on the Seven Kill Sword in his hands.
Even Dugu Xin, now seated on his bed, held his breath, afraid the slightest movement might disturb him.
At this moment, the Seven Kill Sword was no longer a weapon—but a tool for inscribing an array.
"Begin," Electrolux's aged voice echoed in his mind, laced with anticipation. In his eyes, this was the most promising attempt yet.
"Understood."
Chen Junting cleared his mind of all distractions, gripped the hilt firmly, and began his Nth attempt.
He took a deep breath, regulated his soul power, and immersed his consciousness entirely in the tip of the blade. Guided by his will and flowing spiritual energy, the sword danced through the air, tracing exquisite arcs that left behind glowing, ethereal lines. These lines coalesced into intricate runes—twisting, spinning, as if alive—slowly assembling into a cohesive formation.
Sweat beaded on Chen Junting's brow, but he ignored it. His entire focus remained locked on the blade and the emerging array.
He knew: the slightest lapse could shatter everything. His arm moved with unwavering steadiness—every thrust, every sweep perfectly calibrated in force and speed.
As the final rune took shape, the array seemed to awaken. Ambient energy surged violently. Beams of light raced along the sword-carved paths, weaving into a radiant net. Chen Junting watched, breath held, as the net solidified into a vast, translucent array diagram.
He exhaled in relief.
Just as quiet joy bloomed in his chest—a faint tremor rippled from the array's center.
Instantly alert, Chen Junting's eyes sharpened.
At his silent cue, Dugu Xin activated his martial soul. His serpentine tail coiled, two yellow soul rings hovering around him, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Chen Junting stared at the quivering array, realizing a flaw had surfaced. He channeled soul power to stabilize it—but the shaking intensified. The array's light flickered erratically.
His expression turned grave. If he didn't fix it now, the entire formation would collapse.
Without hesitation, Chen Junting poured all his soul power into the sword. His blade swept again, etching a cascade of reinforcing runes along the array's perimeter.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, hitting the floor with a soft plink—startlingly loud in the silent dorm.
Finally, after a blinding flash of light, the trembling ceased. The array stilled. Peace returned.
Exhausted, Chen Junting sank to the floor—but his eyes shone with triumph.
The array had held.
In his spiritual sea, Electrolux's voice rang out:
"Congratulations. You've created your first array."
"Electrolux, I couldn't have done it without your guidance," Chen Junting replied, humble despite his joy.
Indeed, only through countless trials—and Electrolux's patient instruction—had he succeeded.
And this array…
He named it the Gathering Yuan Array. (T/N: Alt. name - Gathering Energy Array)
Though its range spanned only one meter in radius, it was undeniably a success.
The Gathering Yuan Array subtly drew in ambient energy from the surroundings, doubling its density within the formation—creating an ideal micro-environment for cultivation. Naturally, this caused the energy within a ten-meter radius to thin slightly—but unless one specifically scanned for it, the change was imperceptible.
This was normal. After all, concentrated energy didn't appear from nothing.
Seeing the situation stabilize and no danger present, Dugu Xin deactivated his martial soul. He stared at the glowing array on the floor, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
He stood, about to ask—but before he realized it, he'd already stepped into the array's range. The sudden doubling of ambient spiritual energy sent a subtle jolt through him.
"Is this what you've been working on all this time!?"
Chen Junting smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yes. This is an array. And this one… I call it the Gathering Yuan Array."
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T/N: Explanation of the Gathering Yuan Array/Gathering Energy Array. It gathers the 'Energy of Heaven and Earth' (a common translation of 'Yuan Qi', meaning 'Origin Energy') of the environment around where it's set up. Basically, any ambient energy available is absorbed and concentrated into a smaller area for more efficient absorption.
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