Chapter 131: The Array Pivot

Mo Hua began drawing the Si Nan Qin Zimu Fu Array on the Dao Stele.

A single array is drawn starting from the array patterns, with the array pivot connecting and linking the individual patterns; but a compound array must be drawn starting from the array pivot, using the pivot to coordinate and harmonize the different single arrays.

When drawing a single array, the brush may pause slightly, but the spiritual sense must not break.

If the spiritual sense breaks, one cannot connect to the heavenly Dao secrets embedded within the array, the drawing will fail, and the pattern drawn will be rendered void.

According to Mr. Zhuang, array masters call this "one breath completed."

That is, maintaining an unbroken spiritual thread to draw the array in one continuous motion.

A single array must be drawn in one breath, but a compound array is different—it does not require the entire array to be drawn in one breath.

Otherwise, a compound array containing several single arrays—with dozens of patterns—would be impossible for a Qi Condensation cultivator to draw all at once.

The compound array was originally conceived by ancient cultivators who pondered the mysteries of creation, designed to circumvent the limits of a cultivator's spiritual sense and enhance the array's effectiveness.

When cultivators could not increase their spiritual sense or comprehend more patterns, they linked individual arrays together to achieve greater array effects.

This is the compound array.

Thus, the compound array is relatively divisible and combinable: within it, only the array pivot and each single array's spiritual thread need be continuous; the entire compound array need not be drawn in one breath.

Mo Hua's spiritual projection stood before the Dao Stele, using his finger as a brush to begin drawing the array pivot of the Si Nan Qin Zimu Array.

The brushwork of the array pivot differs from that of the patterns, for it must guide spiritual energy and oversee the entire array, so its strokes are broader and more stable, requiring greater spiritual sense.

The highest single array within the Si Nan Qin Zimu Compound Array contains eight patterns; thus, as its pivot, the required spiritual sense must be no less than that of eight patterns.

Although not reaching nine patterns, it consumes more spiritual sense than an ordinary eight-pattern array.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense was just enough to draw this pivot, but it was already taxing.

After completing the pivot, he still had to draw the subsequent arrays; it could not be erased, and spiritual sense could not be rewound, so Mo Hua could only sit in meditation, waiting for his spiritual sense to slowly recover.

This was Mo Hua's first time using meditation technique within his spiritual sea.

Entering stillness and calming the mind were easier here than outside, and faintly, it seemed to resonate with the Dao Stele.

Within his spiritual thread, he sensed an ancient, primordial aura of the Great Dao.

When he probed deeper, there was nothing at all.

Mo Hua frowned, unable to understand.

After a moment, he stopped thinking about it, settled into meditation, and restored his spiritual sense.

Soon, his spiritual sense was full again—recovering far faster than when meditating outside.

He did not know whether it was due to his spiritual sea or the Dao Stele.

With his spiritual sense replenished, Mo Hua continued drawing the array.

After completing the pivot, what followed was drawing the Si Nan mother array and child arrays at specific positions according to the pivot's framework.

The Si Nan mother array contains eight patterns, is a metal-element array, and follows the common structure of the Five Elements arrays—it was not difficult; after a few viewings, Mo Hua could draw it.

The Si Nan child array contains three patterns, even simpler; Mo Hua needed only a glance to know how to draw it.

Mo Hua's brush moved with ease; half an hour later, the complete Si Nan Qin Zimu Compound Array was drawn.

The entire array was more complex than any array Mo Hua had ever drawn before, yet it possessed a intricate, profound beauty.

This is the compound array…

Mo Hua stared, unable to look away, filled with quiet awe.

Indeed, only complex arrays are worth drawing.

The principle of the Si Nan Qin Zimu Array is the linkage of mother and child arrays: when the child array detects a fluctuation in spiritual energy, the mother array responds.

Mo Hua subtly stirred his spiritual sense, activating the child array; within a breath, a point on the mother array began to glow—the glowing point corresponded exactly to the activated Si Nan child array.

Success!

Mo Hua's spirits lifted, his face brightened, but then he frowned again.

The array had succeeded, but many key points still eluded him.

For instance, what exactly was the array pivot? What function did it serve? Why did activating the child array cause the mother array to resonate? What other changes would occur among the single arrays in other compound arrays…

"I should go ask Mr. Zhuang."

Mo Hua thought to himself, and before dawn broke, he practiced drawing the Si Nan Compound Array several more times on the Dao Stele.

Early the next morning, Mo Hua brought pastries, wild fruits, wine, and pine nuts to visit Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang had recently developed a simpler palate, preferring vegetarian food, saying he wished to "purify his heart and reduce desires."

But wanting to eat vegetarian—isn't that also a "desire"?

Mo Hua did not understand, but wisely said nothing.

"Learned it?"

Mr. Zhuang asked, sipping his small cup of wine, relaxed and at ease.

Mo Hua nodded. "I have!"

Mr. Zhuang's eyelid twitched slightly.

He learns so fast…

It's only been one night.

"Disciple still has some questions, and wishes to seek your guidance, Master."

Mo Hua asked respectfully and obediently.

Mr. Zhuang asked curiously, "What do you wish to ask?"

Mo Hua recounted some of the key questions he had while drawing the Si Nan Compound Array the previous night.

Mr. Zhuang's long fingers tapped lightly on the bamboo chair, pausing in thought, then asked in return:

"What do you think the array pivot is?"

Mo Hua thought, then said, "It is a type of array structure?"

"Yes, but not entirely."

Mo Hua didn't understand.

Mr. Zhuang said, "The array hub of a single array is a kind of array structure, but the array hub of a compound array is more like an array itself."

"An array?"

"Correct. You can think of it as a special kind of array, one with a directional and functional structure."

Mo Hua thought it over carefully, slowly nodded, then asked, "I understand the directional part, but what exactly does the functional part of the array hub refer to?"

"The array hub is the pivot of a compound array. It can control the spiritual energy of the array, and unlike a single array, it coordinates all the array patterns. Its specific functions vary, but the most common ones are controlling the opening and closing, sequence, mutual repulsion, strengthening and suppression, gathering and dispersal of spiritual energy…"

Mo Hua felt dizzy listening, his little brows furrowing together.

Mr. Zhuang couldn't help but laugh. "To put it simply, it controls the order of spiritual energy's operation within the compound array—starting and stopping, moving toward or against each other, strengthening or suppressing, gathering and dispersing."

Mo Hua understood a little, then said:

"Like the Qin Zimu array, which uses the mutual attraction and repulsion of metal-type spiritual energy's magnetism. When the child array moves, the mother array reacts accordingly…"

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he added, "I've repaired a pill furnace for Old Man Feng. The array inside is a wood-fire spiritual control compound array—wood feeds fire, using a wood-type single array to amplify a fire-type single array. Does that count as the 'strengthening' in the array hub's 'strengthening and suppression'?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded approvingly.

Mo Hua thought some more, then couldn't think of anything else. He hadn't come into contact with any other compound arrays.

Mo Hua frowned slightly, and after a moment, thought of another question:

"Mr., what about grand arrays?"

Mr. Zhuang's gaze sharpened, his expression turned solemn, and he said slowly:

"You want to learn grand arrays…"

Mo Hua asked, a little puzzled, "Can't grand arrays be learned?"

Mr. Zhuang paused, his brows lifting, and he laughed at himself:

"Right, they're all arrays. What's there that can't be learned."

Mo Hua face showed expectation.

Mr. Zhuang then gently tapped Mo Hua's forehead. "Don't aim too high. Master what's in front of you first—grand arrays are still a long way off!"

"Oh." Mo Hua covered his head as he spoke.

"Go on, study hard." Mr. Zhuang's gaze was gentle, and he lightly brushed his sleeve.

"Mm! Mr., please rest well. This disciple takes his leave."

Mo Hua nodded, bowed respectfully with cupped fists, and then, under Mr. Zhuang's watching gaze, left the bamboo room.

End of the fifth watch~

Finish updating early, rest early.