Chapter 1427 - 1427: The One Outside the Competition

"There is no array without flaws in this world."

This was the truth Jiang Cheng learned when he drew the system Tier One Array Skill back in the day.

Some arrays appear completely self-contained, but that's simply because those attempting to break them lack the skill to find the flaws.

His array skill level, however, is quite adequate.

The last time in the Land of Dao Extinction during the Refining Heart Dao, his array skill took a leap forward from thin air.

He broke through to Eighth-Grade Dao Array level in one fell swoop, just a step away from becoming a Ninth-grade Dao Array Master.

In the Primordial Immortal Realm, it's hard to find anyone with a greater understanding of arrays than him.

During the sporadic battles, he changed his original martial artist perspective.

He began to observe the Illusion Realm from the perspective of an Array Master.

Gradually sensing certain underlying threads of this illusion.

Among those present, he alone could achieve this.

Because this is a faculty unique to a Daoist Array Master.

This Secret Realm Array, used by the Celestial Palace as the competition venue, was indeed of the Eighth-grade.

Others, even if they dabbled in arrays and even cultivated the Array Rule, lacked the Daoist practice to touch the internal essence of this Great Array.

Through the appearance of the Secret Realm, Jiang Cheng 'saw' the crisscrossing, winding threads.

He also saw countless star points meandering along the webs.

They were so chaotic, showing no regularity whatsoever.

Yet Jiang Cheng quickly made a discovery.

This time, he stayed in the Illusion Realm for an exceptionally long period.

Long enough for many Daoist Venerables to disperse the first cloud of Yin, Yun Ting Daoist Saint dispersed the sixth cloud, and Qiu Yuxuan dispersed five.

He was still in the third Secret Realm, carefully perceiving.

Outside, discussions gradually arose again.

"Why hasn't Elder Jiang dispersed the third cloud of Yin yet?"

"Indeed, has he run into trouble?"

"Logically, he should at least be at the sixth cloud by now."

"Curious and strange..."

Listening to the buzzing discussions of the surrounding immortals, the already displeased Prince Yun and other Divine Monarchs couldn't help but step forward.

"Humph, those previous times were mere luck."

"Now he's running short, revealing his true level."

"What do you expect from a Daoist Venerable, to overturn the heavens?"

"Is this the hero you'd count on to bring glory to the Celestial Palace? Does he really qualify?"

"Someone like Qiu Yuxuan truly does."

"But unfortunately, there's only one Qiu Yuxuan; not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can compare to her."

"Don't force a double pride..."

They really held it in.

Already annoyed by Jiang Cheng, this brat had stolen all the limelight right from the start.

Now, Brother Cheng finally showed a 'decline', giving them a rare chance to release their taunting output.

Hearing the Divine Monarchs' words, many immortals couldn't help but become skeptical.

"Could Elder Jiang truly be faltering?"

"It's possible."

"Qiu Yuxuan's passage through the Heaven-Ascending Secret Realm, becoming Emperor Sword Star Lord, was a clear demonstration of talent recognized by all."

"But Jiang Cheng, apart from the rumored Thirteen Layer of Sword Dao, hasn't performed any groundbreaking genius feats."

"Indeed, he's not as convincing as Qiu Yuxuan."

Just as they were evenly engaged in these discussions, Jiang Cheng in the competition finally dispersed the third cloud of Yin, passing through the third Illusion Realm.

The crowd collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's quite impressive after all."

"Indeed, other Daoist Venerables are still within the second Illusion Realm, while he has broken through the third."

"While not as good as Qiu Yuxuan and falling behind the Daoist Saints, he still stands out remarkably."

"Absolutely, the outstanding among Daoist Venerables, a true top talent."

As they continued speaking, they gradually revealed expressions of puzzlement.

Many unconsciously closed their mouths.

Even the few Divine Monarchs who had been mocking Jiang Cheng were somewhat bewildered.

"What's going on?"

"Why hasn't he faced the fourth Illusion Realm attack yet?"

In this first-round selection match, Illusion Realm attacks come one after another.

After finishing one, the next arrives within ten seconds, offering hardly any respite.

But now, it's been a full half minute since Jiang Cheng completed the previous Illusion Realm.

He was still not enveloped by the next cloud of Yin.

This was very strange.

But looking at the field, others were still fiercely competing, except this Brother began wandering around.

He even sheathed his sword.

With hands behind his back, he ambled, looking around here and there.

Almost as if he weren't competing, as if he was out for a stroll.

Occasionally passing by immortals engaged in their competitions.

The first round forbids striking others; he just happened to be casually observing.

With time passing, an increasing number of immortals noticed his anomaly.

The Divine Monarchs who had been mocking Brother Cheng earlier finally identified the issue.

"The reason he hasn't faced Illusion Realm attacks is because he avoided all the clouds of Yin."

"It looks like he's walking around freely, yet there's substantial mystery involved."

"Every cloud of Yin about to fall on him, pulling him into the Illusion Realm, ends up missing him at the last moment."

"This isn't a coincidence; he deliberately managed to do it!"

"Can such a thing be done?"

"That kid must be seeing ghosts!"

Even the three Celestial Emperors couldn't help but look at each other.

"Inside, people can't see the clouds of Yin nor can they sense impending attack signs."

"Flying around chaotically inside still cannot escape the coverage of the clouds of Yin."

"How does he anticipate the timing and position of the cloud overhead?"

"That's a question for him to answer."

Emperor Xiu coldly remarked, "I knew this kid was adept at speculating, he must have found some loophole with special means."

No matter how wild their imagination was, they couldn't picture Brother Cheng as an Eighth-Grade Dao Array Master.

That was even more incredible than a Daoist Saint.

The Celestial Palace publicly had dozens of Daoist Saints, yet only two Eighth-Grade Dao Array Masters.

The live scene outside had already become turbulent again.

Whether Yun Ting Daoist Saint, Meng Wu Daoist Saint, or Qiu Yuxuan, at that moment no one was paying them any attention.

All eyes moved with Jiang Cheng's figure.

"Isn't this just too miraculous?"

"It's the first time seeing something like this."

"Even the Daoist Saints can only honestly face these Illusion Realms, yet he is the only one not needing to compete."

"He is clearly still within the field, yet he seems to transcend the competition rules!"

"Indeed, entirely unique throughout!"

"How is this done?"

"No matter how it's done, being able to find a loophole at the Divine Communication Assembly is a remarkable ability itself."

"Exactly, this feels like stepping out of a maze, outshining everybody else!"

Once this conclusion emerged, the previously diminished Brother Cheng quickly received the adoration of the entire scene.

"I said it, when he spent so much time in the third Illusion Realm, there must have been a reason."

"It wasn't a lack of power; he was busy finding loopholes!"

"A true master, operating on a distinct level."