Chapter 528: The Life Gate

Mo Hua began studying the Wuxing Sect's mountain-protection array.

But this array, being a second-grade array—indeed, a second-grade major array—left Mo Hua with no foundation; actually studying it was still extremely difficult.

Yet after prolonged contemplation, Mo Hua began to discern a few principles.

A second-grade array differs from a first-grade array.

Its array patterns are more complex, more profound; the spiritual energy required to activate it is stronger, and the fundamental nature of the spiritual energy flowing within it differs essentially from that of a first-grade array.

This difference is somewhat like the distinction between Qi Condensation spiritual energy and Foundation Establishment spiritual energy.

Qi Condensation spiritual energy remains gaseous.

Foundation Establishment spiritual energy, however, is like mercury.

Spiritual energy like mercury means it is condensed into a liquid, like quicksilver.

The spiritual energy of a second-grade major array is precisely like this.

Even spiritual perception calculations won't work.

Although Mo Hua's spiritual perception had reached the peak of thirteen patterns, the limit of early Foundation Establishment, the array patterns of a second-grade array differ qualitatively from those of a first-grade array.

Thus, after calculation, the array patterns that surfaced in his mind-sea were a dense, intricate, deep tangle of lines—utterly incomprehensible.

Fortunately, although the array patterns were hard to understand, the core structure of the array was largely interconnected.

Mo Hua could not deduce the specific array patterns, but by analogy with the Wuxing Demon-Slaying Array and drawing on experience, he could still deduce the basic layout of a second-grade Wuxing mountain-protection array.

After several days, Mo Hua gained a superficial, rudimentary understanding of the skeleton of the mountain-protection array.

But the more specific, deeper details of the array remained unknown to him.

Yet these were enough.

At least Mo Hua now had a preliminary grasp and understanding of the Wuxing mountain-protection array.

The Wuxing mountain-protection array, as its name suggests, is primarily defensive.

The many individual arrays connected in parallel are overwhelmingly Earth and Wood five-element arrays, along with second-grade Metal arrays.

Their purpose is to reinforce the sect, protect its disciples, and repel external enemies.

As Mr. Zhuang said, in a third-grade state, to construct such a second-grade array means that no matter what force attacks, once the array is activated, one is essentially invincible.

There is a restriction imposed by the Heavenly Dao array.

Within the third-grade state, given Mo Hua's limited cultivation experience, he could not imagine any way to break this mountain-protection array.

Moreover, Mo Hua discovered another issue.

This array seemed to have been renovated.

The Wuxing Sect had engaged in massive construction—building caves and palaces—which disturbed the sect's foundation and naturally affected the array.

Now, this Wuxing mountain-protection array appeared to have been altered in many places.

Mo Hua went to ask Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang nodded and sighed:

"Indeed, they don't value the array left by their Laozu…"

Mo Hua glanced at Mo Hua and asked:

"How's your research going?"

Mo Hua told Mr. Zhuang everything he had figured out about the array patterns, the core structure, and some of the array's structural principles.

Mr. Zhuang nodded and praised:

"You've observed well."

Mo Hua chuckled.

Mr. Zhuang asked again: "Do you still remember the Life Gate?"

Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded.

He remembered Mr. Zhuang saying that in the principles of arrays, where there is life, there is death; where there is death, there is life.

When dismantling an array through the Reverse-Spirit Array, that is the "death" within array principles; yet within the death-state of a dismantled array, a thread of life remains—that is the "Life Gate" of the array.

Thinking of this, Mo Hua was startled and whispered:

"Master, you're not planning to dismantle the Wuxing Sect's array, are you…?"

Mr. Zhuang paused, then laughed involuntarily:

"Where did you get that idea…? Dismantling an array causes massive destruction, harms the Heavenly Dao—how could one use it so casually?"

Mr. Zhuang drew a mountain diagram on paper, tracing several lines along the mountain's contours, and instructed:

"This is the main core pathway of the Wuxing mountain-protection array. Memorize it."

"When the array is active, a Life Gate will appear on the core."

"This section, though a second-grade core, resembles the layout of the Wuxing Demon-Slaying Array, and your spiritual perception is sufficient—you should be able to calculate the Life Gate yourself…"

"Understood, Master," Mo Hua nodded.

Yet he felt some doubt.

Why did his master want him to calculate the Life Gate?

Mo Hua thought for a moment and said with concern:

"Master, is the Wuxing Sect planning to use the array against us?"

Mr. Zhuang paused slightly, then patted Mo Hua's head. "Don't worry—it's just being cautious."

Seeing Mo Hua still uneasy, Mr. Zhuang explained:

"Second-grade arrays aren't found everywhere; this is a rare opportunity. I'm using it to teach you key points about second-grade arrays…"

Mo Hua's eyes brightened slightly, and he thanked:

"Thank you, Master!"

Mr. Zhu nodded in approval, then taught some key points of second-rank great arrays.

There were no specific diagrams—only array pivots, array eyes, and broad conceptual directions.

Mo Hua listened with great interest.

He had already constructed a first-rank great array.

Second-rank great arrays don't involve specific array techniques; purely from the principles of arrays, he could understand them.

He just didn't know if he'd ever get the chance to actually construct a second-rank great array.

After finishing his teaching, Mr. Zhu instructed:

"Remember these words well. When you have time, think deeply about them, then go observe the Wuxing Sect's great arrays and verify them yourself."

"And that segment of array pivot I marked—you must calculate it repeatedly to find the life gate."

Mr. Zhu's expression grew serious.

Mo Hua didn't understand why, but he nodded earnestly.

From then on, Mo Hua followed Mr. Zhu's teachings and began observing the Wuxing Sect's second-rank great arrays.

At every spare moment, he began calculating the segment of great array pivot Mr. Zhu had pointed out on the mountainside.

From the ever-flowing array pivot, he searched for the ever-changing life gate…

When Mo Hua had observed enough and calculated with mastery,

Mr. Zhu summoned Master Liao and said:

"We've rested enough. You may now fulfill your promise."

Master Liao froze.

Promise…

It naturally referred to the agreement allowing Mr. Zhu's disciple to learn the Wuxing Absolute Array.

Master Liao smiled politely: "It's still early. Senior, perhaps you should rest a few more days. I still need to consult with the Inner Sect elders…"

Mr. Zhu spoke calmly:

"What I just said was notification, not consultation."

Master Liao, face flushed, still tried to delay—but suddenly his heart sank. He looked up and saw Mr. Zhu's gaze inwardly contained, the man himself like an unrivaled blade, aura majestic and utterly supreme.

No spiritual energy fluctuated. No magical traces appeared.

Yet an overwhelming pressure filled the air.

It made him unable to summon even a shred of resistance.

In Mr. Zhu's eyes, it seemed as if countless sword blades lurked, capable of piercing straight through Master Liao's core, filling him with dread, forcing him to bow his head, unable to look directly.

Moments later, everything vanished.

No aura. No pressure.

A gentle breeze passed. Nothing remained.

Master Liao, however, was drenched in cold sweat, his voice trembling:

"Senior, forgive me—I'll… immediately report to the Grand Elder…"

…

Master Liao retreated in panic, then went to the rear mountain cave dwelling to report the matter to the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder slammed his fist on the table in fury. "This is too much!"

"Spiritual awareness pressure!"

"Do they really think the Wuxing Sect has no one?!"

Master Liao silently thought: The Wuxing Sect really does have no one…

Yet he felt not the slightest resentment.

He simply didn't understand.

That man had no spiritual energy, and his soul sea was shattered—how could he still wield such terrifying spiritual awareness pressure?

It seemed he didn't even need to move—just one glance at him, and he would die of a shattered heart and burst gallbladder!

Master Liao was still shaken.

This was still when the man was fallen, his cultivation and power reduced to less than one-tenth—what would he have been like in his prime?

No wonder so many had gone to such lengths, with such caution and cunning, to deal with him…

This man was truly terrifying!

Master Liao calmed himself and asked about the matter at hand:

"Grand Elder, what should we do now?"

The Grand Elder glanced at Master Liao with indifference, expressionless but inwardly irritated:

"Every time something happens, you ask what you should do—where's the slightest air of a sect leader?"

"How can you ever shoulder great responsibility and revive the Wuxing Sect?"

The Grand Elder said: "Delay…"

Before he finished speaking, Master Liao sighed bitterly and interrupted: "We can't delay anymore…"

One glance from that man, and my heart trembles.

If we delay further and he glances at me again, I won't just be terrified—I'll shatter my Dao heart.

How could we possibly dare to delay?

The Grand Elder frowned.

Master Liao stood silently, not daring to breathe. After a moment, he slowly said:

"Shall we just let them learn?"

"No!"

The Grand Elder said firmly.

He glanced at Elder Liao, his gaze icy, "They absolutely cannot learn it!"

"I've said it before—this formation art, even if it rots, must rot within our Wuxing Sect!"

"Even if no one learns it, even if it is lost forever, it must not fall into outsider hands!"

Elder Liao looked troubled, "Then…"

They couldn't let them learn, yet dared not truly forbid it.

Their Wuxing Sect couldn't afford to offend that man…

The Grand Elder understood the difficulty; his cloudy eyes flickered slightly. "We set some trials."

Trials?

Elder Liao hesitated, "There doesn't seem to be such a rule within the sect…"

"There is now," the Grand Elder said calmly.

No wonder he was the Grand Elder—lived long, had thick skin.

Elder Liao inwardly grumbled, then asked:

"But these trials… how will they be conducted? Who will be tested? Mr. Zhuang, or his disciples?"

The Grand Elder's gaze turned cold. "Can't you use your brain? That man named Zhuang… who can test him? Who is worthy to test him?"

Elder Liao's gaze grew slightly cold, but he did not anger—only nodded slightly.

Then it must be his disciples.

"Grand Elder, what do you plan… how will you test them?"

The Grand Elder said gravely, "Hold a Dao Debate."

"A Dao Debate… will it be about formations?"

The Grand Elder nodded.

Elder Liao hesitated, "But who will compete?"

The Grand Elder frowned:

"The elders and instructors inside the sect are out—this would clearly be bullying the young. That Zhuang man would never agree. If so… only the disciples can compete in formations…"

"The inner-disciple students will compete…"

"The man's disciple must defeat all of our Wuxing Sect's inner-disciple students in formation skill before he may learn our sect's supreme formation—the Five Elements Spirit Formation!"

Elder Liao whispered, "Grand Elder, are you serious?"

The Grand Elder's expression darkened.

Elder Liao reminded him, "Never mind other things—his young disciple is already a first-grade formation master…"

A genuine first-grade formation master…

None of our Wuxing Sect's inner-disciple students have achieved first-grade status while still at Qi Refining stage.

How can we compete?

Are you trying to make him publicly humiliate our Wuxing Sect?

And then hand him our own face to slap…

Elder Liao was speechless.

But the Grand Elder shook his head. "No!"

Elder Liao didn't understand.

The Grand Elder countered, "Aren't there some disciples within the inner sect who have reached first-grade level but have repeatedly failed to be graded?"

Elder Liao nodded. "There are."

The Grand Elder exhaled. "Good."

Elder Liao asked, "Are you suggesting…"

The Grand Elder pondered, "The Dao Court's grading has fixed quotas—its waters run deep and shallow."

"In remote areas, formation masters are few, so grading is lenient, and their skill levels are often lacking."

"Meanwhile, some noble family youths and young cultivators, eager for the title of prodigy, use connections to secure a first-grade rating—even if their skill is subpar."

"Such first-grade ratings are heavily diluted."

Elder Liao frowned. "Are you saying that young Master Mo is one of these?"

The Grand Elder slowly nodded. "Even if he didn't use connections, he likely earned his first-grade rating in some remote backwater."

The Grand Elder added, "Our Wuxing Sect is different."

"The Dali Mountain Prefecture has many sects founded on formation arts; this region was once a hub of formation mastery. Though times have changed, the foundation remains, and there are still many formation masters."

"To be graded in this prefecture is extremely difficult!"

"Even achieving first-grade status is as hard as climbing to heaven."

"Because grading isn't against peers—it's against all Qi Refining, and even some Foundation Establishment, formation masters, selecting only the best."

"Others have trained longer than you, possess stronger spiritual senses, have spent years immersed in formations, and have drawn far more arrays than you—how could these ordinary disciples possibly compete?"

"So it's natural they remain ungraded."

"But don't assume that because they're ungraded, their formation skill is poor."

"In some small Xianchengs, second-grade prefectures, they are already genuine first-grade formation masters."

"Therefore, some of our sect's ungraded disciples, in terms of actual formation ability, may not be inferior to that little disciple of Zhuang's who has already been graded!"

The Grand Elder's words were logical and convincing, and Elder Liao's mind cleared.

Elder Liao praised:

"Not surprising for the Senior Elder—your deliberations are thorough!"

"Now that you mention it, that first-rank junior array master may not be all that skilled—can be graded, perhaps just lucky..."

Liao Zhǎngmén pondered again:

"It makes sense. Array masters rely on talent, but it's also a craft where practice breeds mastery and diligence compensates for lack of talent. That junior array master is barely ten or so—even if he'd been drawing arrays since before birth, day and night, how many could he possibly have drawn?"

"Fewer arrays drawn, shallower understanding."

"No matter how high the talent, without rigorous practice, it's still a castle in the air—unsustainable."

These words struck home with the Senior Elder.

The Senior Elder nodded approvingly, but warned:

"Even so, don't grow careless. Even a lion fights a rabbit with full strength—don't underestimate him..."

Liao Zhǎngmén bowed his hands. "The Senior Elder speaks wisely."

Then he frowned. "That junior array master is easy to handle, but his senior brother and sister..."

Thinking of that pair—deeply cultivated, peerless elemental roots, celestial demeanor—the Senior Elder's expression turned utterly solemn.

After a moment, the Senior Elder sighed and said slowly:

"If that's the case, we must seek outside help..."

"Outside help?"

The Senior Elder nodded. "Across Da Li Mountain Province, many array sects and clans have long-standing ties with our Wuxing Sect. Their ranks include many promising talents with extraordinary array comprehension. We'll borrow them to bolster our standing and crush that man's arrogance!"

"Can they defeat that pair of siblings?"

"If we gather every array prodigy from Da Li Mountain Province, it should be no problem..."

Liao Zhǎngmén nodded, then asked curiously:

"But can they defeat Master Zhuang from back then?"

The Senior Elder snorted. "Don't even think about it. No matter how gifted they are, they won't beat that man..."

The Senior Elder's gaze held fear as he reluctantly admitted:

"How many Master Zhuangs are there in this world?"

Liao Zhǎngmén still hesitated. "Won't they see through it?"

The Senior Elder shook his head. "They're guests from afar, not Wuxing Sect members—how could anyone tell who's ours?"

"Then, can we even persuade these prodigies to come?"

"Offer them incentives."

"The cost will likely be high..."

"Problems solvable with spirit stones aren't problems."

Liao Zhǎngmén winced at the expense but nodded.

After finalizing the plan, the Senior Elder exhaled and said coldly:

"At the Dao Debate, we'll compete in array skills. If that man's disciples can't outmatch our Wuxing Sect members, given his arrogant nature, he won't dare shamelessly ask to learn our sect's ultimate arrays..."

Liao Zhǎngmén remained uneasy:

"Will that man accept such an obvious scheme?"

The Senior Elder sneered. "If he wants his disciples to learn our Wuxing Sect's ultimate arrays, he must accept!"

"We haven't refused anything—we merely made a reasonable request."

"How can he claim the right to learn our ultimate arrays if he can't beat our disciples?"

"In other words, if he can't beat our disciples, even if he tries to learn the ultimate arrays, he'll fail anyway!"

"I'm saying this to save both our times—it's for the good of the Wuxing Sect, and for his good too..."

The Senior Elder wore an air of noble righteousness.

Liao Zhǎngmén inwardly sneered.

The older you get, the thicker your skin becomes.

It's because of old corrupt worms like you, full of schemes, that the Wuxing Sect has gradually declined.

But he had no other option.

He just didn't know whether Master Zhuang would agree...

Liao Zhǎngmén, uneasy, sought out Master Zhuang and explained the situation.

To his surprise, Master Zhuang showed no shock or anger—still calm, he nodded and said:

"Fine!"

Liao Zhǎngmén felt immense relief.

As long as he agreed.

He could now consider himself accountable.

Yet to him, Master Zhuang grew even more mysterious and inscrutable.

He couldn't fathom what Master Zhuang was thinking—or what his true plans were...

After Liao Zhǎngmén took his leave, Master Zhuang summoned Mo Hua and the other two.

"In a few days, you'll compete in array skills against Wuxing Sect disciples..."

"No—not you..." Master Zhuang looked at Mo Hua and smiled faintly. "Mo Hua, you'll be the one to compete."

Master Zhuang wore an expression of anticipation:

"You lead off—just hold the ground for your senior brother and sister."

"Also boost your master's prestige..."

(End of Chapter)