Chapter 209: Identity

Master Luo said: "I heard there's an unknown first-grade array master in Xiancheng who had some grievances with the Qian family. Is that why Young Master Qian asked me to come?"

Master Qian sighed: "Master Luo, you see clearly. We're all array masters, and we all know how rare a first-grade rank is, so unless absolutely forced, we don't want to tear up the face and make everyone embarrassed."

"Then what does Young Master Qian intend to do?"

Master Qian said: "Regardless of what happened before, my Qian family is willing to befriend him. Any amount of spirit stones is negotiable. If he refuses, we only ask that he take no side and not oppose my Qian family—we'll still treat him with courtesy. But if this array master truly refuses to show any mercy, then my Qian family will have no choice but to tear up the face."

Master Luo nodded. "To go this far, Young Master Qian has done all that's humanly possible."

"Do you know this array master's origins?" Master Qian asked.

Master Luo shook his head. "I've never interacted with him, nor have I ever heard of such a person."

Master Qian felt a hint of disappointment—he had assumed that since this was a first-grade array master, he must have some connection to Master Luo.

"Do you have any clues?" Master Luo asked.

Master Qian then recounted what he knew: the array master had used several first-grade array diagrams, and might have taken a disciple, who was called the "Little Array Master"—though it was unknown whether he was a registered or a direct disciple.

"These are the array diagrams drawn by the Little Array Master."

Master Qian handed the diagrams to Master Luo.

Master Luo took them, glanced once, and nodded in praise: "Well drawn."

"Master Luo, can you discern his lineage?" asked an array master.

Master Luo paused in thought, then shook his head. "They're all basic Five Elements arrays—not rare, and they don't involve any sect or clan transmissions. Nothing can be deduced."

Everyone felt a touch of disappointment and began speculating wildly about the array master's origins.

Master Luo continued flipping through the diagrams in his hand.

Little Array Master? No idea how old he is, but his array talent is truly remarkable.

As he flipped, his brow furrowed, as if pondering something; after a moment, he dipped his finger in tea and began drawing on the table.

Tea water traced simple array patterns on the crimson tabletop.

Master Luo drew it several times, his expression growing ever more solemn, even bordering on disbelief.

Seeing this, Master Qian asked: "Master Luo, have you discovered something?"

Master Luo opened his mouth but hesitated, then said: "Nothing."

Yet his face still showed confusion; he dipped his finger again and drew the pattern several more times on the table before slowly asking:

"Are you certain these diagrams were drawn by the Little Array Master?"

Master Qian looked over and saw Master Luo holding a stack of diagrams—the top one was a Cold Qi Array.

This Cold Qi Array was an original, not a rubbing; the brushwork was fresh, likely drawn recently. Since it was a Cold Qi Array, it was probably painted there to lower the temperature.

Master Qian nodded: "Yes, it was indeed drawn by the Little Array Master."

Master Luo tapped the table, pondered a moment, then said: "If I'm not mistaken, the one who drew this array is a first-grade array master."

All array masters were stunned, exchanging glances.

"But the Cold Qi Array isn't a first-grade array. Why would you say that, Master Luo?" Master Qian frowned.

"The Cold Qi Array isn't first-grade, but look at these array lines—centered on the array pivot, unified from start to finish in a single stroke, yet still with energy to spare. This shows an extremely deep understanding of the pivot and immense spiritual awareness—only then could the brush move so effortlessly."

Master Luo pointed to the tea stains on the table. "I just tried drawing this Cold Qi Array the same way—several times. Afterward, I found it drained spiritual awareness completely. Only a first-grade array master could produce this."

Master Qian immediately took out paper and brush and copied the Cold Qi Array's brushwork.

When he finished, his expression turned grim.

Following this method—using the pivot as the core, guiding the array lines in one continuous stroke—the array could be drawn quickly, but spiritual awareness was consumed at an alarming rate!

Only an array master who could produce nine array lines—whether fully first-grade or at least half-step first-grade—could manage this.

Other array masters began copying the Cold Qi Array in the same way.

Some barely managed to finish; others fell short by a few strokes, their spiritual awareness exhausted; some couldn't even complete half.

Everyone's expressions turned incredulous.

"So does that mean the Little Array Master is actually a first-grade array master?"

"Absolutely… absurd!"

"Array crafting isn't a child's game. How could someone so young reach first-grade? It's impossible…"

The array masters murmured among themselves.

Master Luo cleared his throat softly; the chatter faded, and all eyes turned to him.

"The cultivation world is vast, and talents abound. It's not impossible for someone young to reach first-grade—our horizons are simply too narrow." Master Luo said.

Everyone sighed in agreement.

Master Luo, seeing their uneasy expressions, added: "Besides, this is only speculation. The truth still needs verification."

Master Qian also said: "True. This matter still needs investigation."

Though he said so, deep down he already suspected Master Luo might be right.

The Little Array Master might truly be capable of drawing first-grade arrays.

This brushwork—single-stroke, concise, refined—seemed simple, but revealed true mastery. At least, if he tried drawing it himself without copying, he couldn't do it.

And he was already a half-step first-grade array master.

The others continued murmuring; Master Luo sat quietly sipping tea.

As he said, the cultivation world was vast—there were all kinds of talents.

The gap between hermits and clans was immense; even between small clans and great aristocratic houses, the chasm was enormous.

A genius from a backwater might dazzle his region, but across the entire cultivation world, he might be nothing special.

And even if he were the greatest genius, what did it matter to him?

Master Luo's composure remained unshaken.

"By the way, what's the Little Array Master's name?" Master Luo suddenly remembered to ask.

Master Qian said: "I don't know his full name, only that his surname is Mo."

"Mo…?"

Master Luo nodded. "Without Mo, no array can be formed—it is indeed a fitting surname for an array master."

Master Luo sipped tea, and memories from long ago rose and sank in his mind.

"Mo… it feels strangely familiar…"

He vaguely recalled a day two years ago when Instructor Yan came to his door, begging him to take a student as his disciple.

What had Instructor Yan said?

Master Luo thought for a moment, then remembered Instructor Yan's helpless expression and pleading words:

"Mo Hua is young, but he is obedient, sensible, diligent, and hardworking—his talent for arrays is extraordinary. If Brother Luo gives him even a little guidance, his future in arraycraft will be limitless…"

Master Luo's heart jolted.

Could it really be that coincidental…?

He tried to reassure himself—it was probably just the same surname. How many coincidences could there be in this world?

But both bore the surname Mo, both studied arrays, and both possessed extraordinary talent…

Master Luo took a deep breath and calmed himself.

Even if it were the same person, it didn't matter—it was merely an exceptional talent in arraycraft.

He was merely a first-rank array master at barely sixteen!

I, Master Luo, will not regret it!

Master Luo sipped tea, but found the once sweet brew now bitter on his tongue…