Chapter 472: Fishing

Lu Chengyun handed Mo Hua more scrolls containing array diagrams, array inscriptions, and array explanations.

"These scrolls should help the young master design the core of the Ten Thousand Corpses Revival Array."

Lu Chengyun's gaze revealed no emotion as he added softly:

"I give you three days. Within three days, draw the diagram for the core's design, and we'll discuss it together—extract the essence, discard the dross, refine it several times, and we should be able to construct a complete core pattern."

Three days…

Mo Hua exhaled, slightly uneasy, and bowed:

"As Master Lu wishes."

Mo Hua then left, clutching the array scrolls and books Lu Chengyun had given him, looking "deeply troubled."

Only after Mo Hua had vanished into the distance did Zhang Quan speak in a sly tone:

"Brother Lu, that brat looks utterly unsure of himself."

Lu Chengyun turned to look at him. "If he's unsure, does Brother Zhang feel certain?"

Zhang Quan pulled at his mouth. "Brother Lu, you jest—I don't understand arrays."

Lu Chengyun let out a light snort.

Zhang Quan, still trying to sow doubt, questioned:

"That brat—the young master—can he truly construct the core?"

Lu Chengyun paused, then spoke slowly:

"He has exceptional talent, high comprehension, and surely comes from a prestigious lineage with deep array knowledge…"

"The only issue may be that his exposure to arrays is limited, his experience shallow, and his practical construction skills underdeveloped…"

Lu Chengyun sighed again. "But that's not his fault—he's still young, only over ten years old. Even if he neglects sleep and meals, he can't have drawn many arrays yet…"

"How could his array experience compare to those old array masters who've devoted a hundred years to study?"

"That's why I'm leveraging his strengths and compensating for his weaknesses—he designs the core using his array knowledge, and I oversee it, correct it, and make up for his lack of experience."

Zhang Quan frowned. "Even so, Brother Lu, why don't you design it yourself?"

Lu Chengyun's expression grew slightly cold, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

He thought to himself:

If I could design it myself, why would I entrust it to someone else?

Lu Chengyun glanced at the grand Ten Thousand Corpses Revival Array, his heart trembling slightly.

This is an array approaching the scale of a great array!

The core's structure is nearly that of a great array.

Great arrays and single arrays belong to entirely different array systems.

My spiritual sense is sufficient, but my array knowledge is far too weak.

Without deep array foundations and lineage, without guidance from a master, an ordinary array master has no way to even glimpse the path to great arrays.

Trying to figure it out alone, shut away in isolation, might take decades—and still yield nothing.

Besides, I simply don't have the time.

By the time I figured it out, drew the diagram, constructed the core, and formed the array, the zombies in this mine would have rotted away.

This Zhang Quan isn't even an array master—it's exhausting to talk to him!

Lu Chengyun secretly seethed, but outwardly offered himself an excuse:

"I've delved into the dark path and drawn dark arrays; now, trying to reconstruct the core with orthodox methods is difficult."

Zhang Quan paused, then nodded slowly.

He didn't understand array knowledge at all—he suspected Lu Chengyun was lying, so he listened, half-believing, half-doubting.

But what Lu Chengyun said now, he understood.

If you've drawn dark arrays, you naturally can't draw orthodox ones well.

Orthodox and dark are opposites—simple and clear.

Zhang Quan thought a moment, then asked, puzzled:

"But is the young master's array knowledge truly that extraordinary?"

Lu Chengyun nodded. "Naturally…"

"If not for a superior lineage and masterly guidance, how could someone so young, even with extraordinary talent, become an indeed a first-grade array master?"

Lu Chengyun's expression turned wistful:

"An indeed a first-grade array master, sanctioned by the Dao Court—how many array masters spend their entire lives in scholarly toil, striving endlessly, just to earn such honor?"

"And he's only thirteen years old—he's already an indeed a first-grade array master…"

A flicker of envy passed through Lu Chengyun's eyes.

Why hadn't he been so lucky as to encounter such a lineage? Otherwise, his own array skill wouldn't have stagnated for years, advancing so slowly…

Zhang Quan's eyes also showed a trace of wariness.

"He's an indeed a first-grade array master…"

He knew Mo Hua drew arrays well—but never imagined he was this good.

Then greed stirred within him.

Killing an indeed a first-grade array master would be a waste.

Perhaps he could devise a way to bind him to his side, making him draw arrays for him…

Both men harbored secret intentions, yet outwardly appeared perfectly calm.

Afterward, Lu Chengyun resumed speaking of the Ten Thousand Corpses Array.

Lu Chengyun thought for a moment, his eyes brightening slightly, and said:

"Once this array is perfected, we begin the corpse refinement. Once this corpse is refined, we can command the horde of corpses—then the entire Nan Yue City, even the entire Xiao Huang Province, will be under our control."

Zhang Quan's eyes also glinted with cold light as he exclaimed excitedly:

"I leave everything to Brother Lu!"

The two exchanged glances, both brimming with ambition.

"But before that," after a pause, Lu Chengyun shifted tone, his gaze deepening, "I wish to borrow your ancestral portrait for a look."

Zhang Quan froze, his smile slowly fading. "Didn't you already see it before, Brother Lu?"

"Your Zhang family ancestors were peerless in grandeur—I wish to admire them once more," Lu Chengyun said politely.

Zhang Quan snorted inwardly.

Admire?

More like he's tasted blood and wants more.

"This ancestral portrait—I just got it back..." Zhang Quan declined gently.

"I only need it for half a month."

"But..."

Lu Chengyun said: "I'll give you an extra ten percent of the walking corpses and iron corpses in the Ten Thousand Corpses Array."

Zhang Quan's eyes lit up, and he bargained:

"Twenty percent!"

Lu Chengyun's gaze sharpened. After a moment of silence, he slowly said: "Fine."

The deal was sealed.

Zhang Quan pulled out the ancestral portrait, reluctantly handing it to Lu Chengyun. "This portrait was badly damaged by that brat—it's lost much of its vital energy. It'll probably need to be nourished with human offerings..."

Lu Chengyun smiled. "Don't worry, Brother Zhang. Nourishing the portrait? I have more than enough offerings. I'll never neglect your Zhang ancestors."

"Besides, I've already prepared a powerful tonic..."

Lu Chengyun gave a cryptic smile.

Zhang Quan didn't know what he intended, and frowned...

Zhang Quan had no idea what he wanted to do and frowned...

After returning to his room, Mo Hua spent nearly an hour—studying the array diagrams and texts—constructing the spiritual core diagram of the Ten Thousand Corpses Array.

After completing it, Mo Hua thought for a moment, then burned it.

Then he drew another one—similar in layout but riddled with errors and flaws in the core structure.

Afterwards he redrew a new one, with a similar underlying structure, but the details of the array-eye composition were once again riddled with errors and omissions.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mo Hua finished it.

After finishing, Mo Hua began slacking off.

On the surface, he appeared deep in thought; in truth, he was just loafing...

He spent his days slumped over the table, staring at piles of array diagrams, texts, and patterns, flipping through them, sketching, scribbling, erasing, his brow tightly furrowed.

But inside, he was thinking: What's for lunch? Has Little Tiger sent word? Has Little Sister replied?

What is the Ten Thousand Corpses Array for? What's inside the bronze coffin? Where exactly is the Ling Shu Array...?

All of this was watched by Lu Chengyun.

He didn't know Mo Hua's true thoughts—he only thought Mo Hua was diligent and responsible.

Lu Chengyun gave Mo Hua three days.

Mo Hua loafed for three days.

On the evening of the final day, Mo Hua nervously handed Lu Chengyun the flawed core diagram.

Lu Chengyun glanced at it, first stunned.

The overall layout of the core was indeed correct.

It bore the shadow of a grand array's structure.

But after several more looks, he frowned.

The details were riddled with errors.

The arrangement of the array patterns, the central structure, the flow and transformation of spiritual energy—all were clumsy, the conception awkward.

"His array experience is still insufficient..."

Lu Chengyun sighed inwardly.

He pointed out several errors to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua feigned sudden understanding and exclaimed: "No wonder you're the head of the Lu family!"

Then he lowered his voice, disheartened:

"I'm afraid I can't draw this core properly..."

Lu Chengyun comforted him: "You're still young. To reach this level as an arrayist is already rare as phoenix feathers."

"Constructing a restored array core is never easy."

"Don't lose heart. Don't despair. Revise it a few more times—you'll surely create a flawless, complete core diagram."

"You need not be discouraged, nor downcast. Revise it a few more times, and you will surely be able to construct a complete and thorough array-eye diagram."

Lu Chengyun smiled gently. "Of course."

Mo Hua seemed to regain confidence and nodded:

"Alright, I'll work harder, fix the gaps, and try to produce another version!"

Lu Chengyun felt greatly relieved.

Lu Chengyun felt greatly comforted.

His heart settled even more firmly on his judgment of Mo Hua.

Clever by nature, high in comprehension, diligent in learning formations, but after all still a child's disposition, too quick to trust others.

His formation inheritance was extraordinary, his formation knowledge was deep, but his practical experience with formations was insufficient, and his method of constructing formations was unpracticed.

He had talent, he had knowledge, but he lacked practice and tempering.

In every sense of the word, he was a fine seedling.

But in the end, he was still only a seedling…

Lu Chengyun's gaze shifted slightly, and he set his heart at ease.

(End of chapter)