Chapter 130: The Si Nan

That night, after returning home, Mo Hua leaned over his small desk, lost in deep thought.

After the beast died, Mo Hua had to arrive at the scene immediately.

The best solution would be to use voice transmission.

But after asking around, Mo Hua learned that voice transmission arrays, voice transmission talismans, or other voice transmission methods were not usable by Qi Condensation cultivators.

Are there any reconnaissance arrays?

Mo Hua leaned on his desk, illuminated by lamplight, flipping through the Thousand Array Compendium several times but found no suitable array.

After staring too long, his neck grew stiff; he tilted his small head back and rested it against the wooden chair's backrest, pondering.

If such arrays truly existed, the Thousand Array Compendium should have similar records.

Reconnaissance arrays shouldn't be so rare that sects or clans hoard them and keep them secret.

If the Compendium doesn't have them, then there's another possibility: these are compound arrays.

Reconnaissance arrays require combinations of different single arrays to function, and the Thousand Array Compendium only collects single arrays, so its absence of such records is perfectly normal.

"Compound arrays…"

Mo Hua sighed; it seemed he still had to consult Master Zhuang.

The next day, Mo Hua went to Zuo Wang Ju and first sought out Bai Zisheng.

Bai Zisheng's array knowledge wasn't extensive, so he looked helplessly toward his sister, Bai Zixi.

Bai Zixi thought for a moment and said, "No, reconnaissance arrays are complex; they may not exist among rank-one or lower arrays—at least, I've never seen one."

"What about similar ones?"

"What do you mean by similar?"

"Like something that lets me know when an array is triggered, or when a beast dies…" Mo Hua said after thinking.

Bai Zixi fell silent.

"Even a compound array would do…" Mo Hua added.

Bai Zixi's moonlike delicate brows furrowed slightly; after a brief pause, her long eyelashes fluttered as she answered:

"The Si Nan Zimu Array."

"Si Nan… Zimu Array?"

Mo Hua had never heard of it…

Bai Zixi nodded. "It's a compound array that can sense spiritual energy fluctuations."

Seeing Mo Hua still didn't understand, she explained: "When an array activates or cultivators fight, spiritual energy fluctuations occur. The array detects those fluctuations."

Mo Hua suddenly understood and asked, "Can you draw this array?"

"No, you must ask Master Zhuang."

"Thank you!" Mo Hua said.

Getting an answer was already a pleasant surprise—Bai Zixi's array experience was far deeper than Mo Hua had imagined.

Mo Hua gazed at her with admiration and couldn't help praising:

"Zixi, you know so much!"

"It's nothing special."

Bai Zixi spoke lightly, but her fair, delicate chin lifted slightly.

Mo Hua then went to find Master Zhuang.

Master Zhuang was indeed napping in the bamboo room; Mo Hua sat on the steps outside the door and waited.

While waiting, Mo Hua considered what he would ask.

Soon, a gentle breeze stirred in the silent hallway, brushing past Mo Hua's shoulder.

Mo Hua knew Master Zhuang had awakened; he stood up, straightened his clothes, entered, and explained his purpose.

Master Zhuang raised an eyebrow, intrigued:

"The Si Nan Zimu Array?"

"Yes, Master, can you teach me?"

Mo Hua's dark, clear eyes fixed on Master Zhuang.

Master Zhuang found it hard to refuse, but still said:

"That's a compound array—you're still too early to learn compound arrays."

Mo Hua replied, "Master, I can already draw arrays with eight array lines, but reaching nine is still far off—I doubt I'll manage it anytime soon…"

"But drawing eight-line arrays has become boring, so I want to learn compound arrays."

Master Zhuang's expression didn't change, but his eyes grew subtly peculiar.

Eight-line arrays… have become boring?

At Qi Condensation fifth layer, drawing eight-line arrays and still finding them boring?

Even he thought his young disciple was gradually becoming absurd.

Master Zhuang cleared his throat and called, "Gui Lao," then waved his hand.

Gui Lao seemed to understand Master Zhuang's intent; he pulled a book from the back shelf and placed it before Mo Hua.

The book's cover read: Introduction to Compound Arrays.

"I previously gave you the Basic Treatise on Compound Arrays—that's the foundation; study it well."

Master Zhuang pointed to the book before Mo Hua and said, "This Introduction to Compound Arrays contains the Si Nan Zimu Array diagram. Finish the Basic Treatise before studying it, and come back if you have questions."

Mo Hua was overjoyed and asked further:

"Master, can I also learn the other compound arrays in this book?"

Master Zhuang looked at Mo Hua with deep meaning and said, "Yes—as long as you can master them, you may learn them all."

"Thank you, Mr. I won't disturb your rest anymore!"

Mo Hua bowed happily, then left the bamboo chamber, clutching the book.

Mr. Zhuang lay back on the bamboo chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Master Kui said flatly, "Isn't that a bit early?"

"Don't worry, it's just a replication array."

Master Kui couldn't help saying, "You gave him the entire volume of the 'Collected Replication Arrays'."

"Just the introductory part."

Master Kui rolled his eyes. "What introductory part? Some of the arrays inside aren't even learnable by Qi Condensation cultivators."

Mr. Zhuang remained silent.

Master Kui frowned. "Are you planning something?"

"In a way," Mr. Zhuang said, lying on the bamboo chair, his gaze growing distant:

"I just want to see—left to his own devices—just how far he can go."

Mo Hua brought the 'Introductory Collected Replication Arrays' home and couldn't help flipping through it.

He had already finished reading the 'Initial Explanation of Replication Arrays' that Mr. Zhuang gave him, and even "consulted" Zhang Lan on some of its knowledge.

But with this book, Mo Hua had read it hastily, without deep understanding—merely gaining a general sense of replication array knowledge. He had never personally drawn most of the arrays inside, so he only knew the surface.

Since replication arrays were considered "beyond curriculum," Mo Hua knew his array skills weren't sufficient, so he hadn't devoted much thought to them.

But now Mr. Zhuang had given him the 'Collected Replication Arrays' and permitted him to study replication arrays, meaning Mr. Zhuang believed his spiritual sense was ready to explore them.

Mo Hua deeply trusted Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang had broad knowledge and exceptional array mastery; if he said Mo Hua could learn it, then the replication arrays in this book should all be within his reach—and not "beyond curriculum."

Besides, the title was 'Introductory Collected Replication Arrays.' If it was introductory, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Mo Hua thought so.

Mo Hua found the diagram of the Si Nan Qin Zimu Array in the 'Introductory Collected Replication Arrays.'

The Si Nan Qin Zimu Array was a relatively simple Metal-element replication array.

It consisted of two single arrays: the Si Nan Mother Array, containing eight array lines, and the Si Nan Child Array, containing only three array lines.

The array pivot of the Si Nan Qin Zimu Array was a commonly used Five Elements pivot, structurally exploiting Metal-element spiritual power's attraction and repulsion to detect strong spiritual fluctuations within a certain range.

Mo Hua only glanced briefly at it, memorized the diagram, and planned to practice drawing it a few times first.

Since this was his first time formally learning to draw a replication array, by the time he had memorized all the array lines and pivot mechanisms, it was past midnight.

Mo Hua lay on his bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

In the empty white expanse of his spiritual sea, an ancient Dao stele emerged.