Chapter 531: Anyone Else?

"What should we do?"

The three Grand Elders began transmitting their voices by divine sense.

"Our Wuxing Sect has already taken the lead and lost two rounds in a row. It's not fitting to fight again. It's time for the Zhenxuan Gate and the Shen family's prodigies to show their skill…"

The Grand Elder spoke tactfully.

But Sect Leader Chu and the Shen family elder both understood perfectly well.

The Wuxing Sect had simply run out of options.

Among their Qi Refining disciples, those two from earlier were already the best they could put forward, and they had been defeated by that little array master without the slightest effort.

Unless they sent out Foundation Establishment first-rank or second-rank disciples.

Otherwise, the remaining runts and strays of the Wuxing Sect going up would only mean disgrace.

But sending Foundation Establishment disciples would be outright bullying of the weak, utterly shameless. That sort of thing would be even more disgraceful if word got out.

"Grand Elder, rest assured. What I promised, I, Chu, will deliver."

Sect Leader Chu wore an expression of easy confidence.

"Next, let the disciples of my Zhenxuan Gate have a go at this little array master."

The Zhenxuan Gate was different from the Wuxing Sect.

The Wuxing Sect had fallen into decline, but the Zhenxuan Gate was gradually flourishing.

Within the sect there were several array-talents whose gifts were, if anything, even greater than his own had been back in the day.

Sect Leader Chu glanced at Mo Hua, who sat at a desk in the great hall, leisurely and carefree, and spoke slowly:

"Little brother, let us compare first-rank arrays once more."

"First-rank arrays?" Mo Hua was puzzled. "Didn't we already compare?"

"This time we won't compare who draws better, nor who draws faster, but who draws the harder one…"

A glint of sharpness flashed in Sect Leader Chu's eyes. "My Zhenxuan Gate will send out one disciple. Each of you will draw an array. Whoever's array is harder, requires stronger divine sense, and contains more array patterns, wins."

Mo Hua nodded. "Who's coming?"

From the crowd, a Zhenxuan Gate disciple wearing a Wuxing Sect Daoist robe stepped forward.

Earlier they had plotted to have a group of array prodigies disguise themselves as Wuxing Sect disciples for the contest.

But since Mr. Zhuang had seen through their scheme, and everyone present was sharp-eyed, continuing the pretense would only be deceiving themselves and asking for trouble.

The disciple, a fine-looking young man, cupped his hands and said:

"I am Chu Xuan, personal disciple of the Zhenxuan Gate."

Mo Hua also cupped his small hands. "Mo Hua."

Then, feeling that without a title it lacked a bit of grandeur, he added: "... is my master's personal disciple!"

He felt this way of putting it was already imposing enough.

Chu Xuan, however, thought him a touch childish and could not help shaking his head.

After that, the two began to draw their arrays.

Chu Xuan was fully confident, his brush moving as if guided by the gods.

Mo Hua, on the other hand, was caught in a dilemma.

Compare who draws the harder one?

Then just how difficult an array should he draw?

Should it be the first-rank ten-pattern Spirit-Reversing Array, the first-rank eleven-pattern Thick Earth Array, or the first-rank twelve-pattern Spirit Pivot Array?

If he drew one of ordinary difficulty, he might not win.

If he drew one too difficult, it would be a bit too showy.

True strength was still better kept somewhat hidden…

Mo Hua stole a glance at Chu Xuan, calculating inwardly. He only needed to draw something a little harder than Chu Xuan's. This fellow called Chu Xuan was fairly polite, and his speech and bearing were quite proper.

Draw something a bit harder, win by a bit, and leave him some face.

Drawing something far too hard would make the gap between them too obvious, and that would be discourteous.

Mo Hua considered things very considerately.

But how was he to know what level of difficulty Chu Xuan could draw?

Mo Hua thought briefly, and a faint light shone in his eyes.

He could divine it.

In any case, each was drawing on his own; sneaking a few glances didn't count as cheating.

Mo Hua therefore looked at Chu Xuan, stirred his divine sense slightly, performed a brief divination, and understood in his heart.

Though he didn't know what array Chu Xuan was drawing, judging from the trajectory of his spiritual power, it was roughly above nine patterns, very close to ten, but still not quite ten.

There was a faint hint of an absolute array about it.

But only a faint hint.

Mo Hua drew absolute arrays every day, so he was very sensitive to their aura.

The array this disciple called Chu Xuan was drawing came very close to an absolute array, but still didn't quite qualify as one.

Still, it was already very impressive.

This was one of the most gifted first-rank array masters Mo Hua had encountered to date.

Such an array master should be properly encouraged; he couldn't be dealt too heavy a blow.

The little Mo Hua developed a heart for "cherishing talent," gave a slight nod, and began to draw his own array.

……

In the great hall, the Grand Elder looked at Chu Xuan with some surprise.

"This is... the Withered Tree Revives Spring Array?"

Sect Leader Chu nodded. "Correct."

"The Withered Tree Revives Spring Array — the peerless first-grade, ten-pattern array passed down through the generations of your Formation Mystic Gate?" The Shen family patriarch also furrowed his brow.

Sect Leader Chu sighed. "What was passed down is a peerless array, but what Xuan'er drew doesn't quite count as one."

He paused briefly, then explained calmly:

"A first-grade, ten-pattern array requires Foundation Establishment divine sense to learn."

"Qi Refining disciples don't have Foundation Establishment divine sense, so they simply can't learn it."

"Therefore, every generation of our Formation Mystic Gate's patriarchs has devoted themselves to studying how to simplify this peerless array so that even Qi Refining disciples could learn it."

"It took four successive generations of sect leaders, countless efforts, and by the time it reached my generation, we finally had some results."

Sect Leader Chu's tone was plain, but his face bore a pride he could not suppress — clearly extremely pleased with himself.

"Although this array's efficacy is somewhat weaker now, it is already infinitely close to a peerless array."

"More importantly, Qi Refining disciples truly can learn it."

"It's just that the divine sense requirement is extremely high — higher than ordinary first-grade, nine-pattern arrays by a notch, and the difficulty is also extremely high..."

Sect Leader Chu stroked his beard and sighed with feeling.

Though his words were modest, anyone could tell he was showing off.

But even if they could tell, there was nothing to be done about it.

The Shen family patriarch shook his head.

The Grand Elder was both envious and jealous, and a little heartbroken.

The Formation Mystic Gate's array standards were flourishing day by day.

But the Wuxing Sect was declining with every generation... neglecting arrays, building its foundation on construction, its glory fading — sooner or later it would fall into decline.

At the same time, he felt a little reassured.

A Qi Refining cultivator, a first-grade array infinitely close to a peerless array, the peak of first-grade nine-pattern, the absolute limit of Qi Refining divine sense... in this contest, the odds of winning were very high.

The Wuxing Sect's inheritance might also be preserved.

The three Jin Dan patriarchs seated above each had their own thoughts.

Mr. Zhuang's attitude was calm, undisturbed.

In the middle of the great hall, Mo Hua and the other person each drew their arrays.

After an unknown amount of time, the two finished their arrays simultaneously, sealed them, and handed them up.

The Grand Elder first looked at the Withered Tree Revives Spring Array Chu Xuan had drawn, his expression full of feeling, full of astonishment.

This was a "pseudo peerless array."

A first-grade array approaching a peerless array.

It was a ladder for Qi Refining cultivators to touch the peerless arrays beyond their grade.

A Qi Refining cultivator who could draw this array was naturally of extraordinary talent.

But to be able to simplify this array and put it to use — that was the true embodiment of a sect's array heritage.

However, all of this had nothing to do with the current Wuxing Sect...

The Grand Elder sighed, then flipped open the array Mo Hua had drawn. After just one glance, his hands couldn't help but tremble...

Sect Leader Chu and the Shen family patriarch beside him noticed the Grand Elder's strangeness and also looked over. Their gazes shifted from the Grand Elder's stunned expression to the array in his hands, and both felt a jolt in their hearts, their brows twitching wildly.

Ten patterns!

A peerless array?

This little child can draw a peerless array?!

And not a simplified version of a peerless array.

It was the genuine article — not a stroke off, containing all ten array patterns of a peerless array!

The expressions of all three grew solemn.

"This is... a peerless array?"

"First-grade, ten-pattern — undoubtedly a peerless array."

"What peerless array?"

Sect Leader Chu frowned. "Our Formation Mystic Gate has no such inheritance — we can't make it out..."

The Grand Elder and the Shen family patriarch also wore puzzled expressions.

The Shen family patriarch transmitted his voice through divine sense, his voice trembling:

"Being able to draw a first-grade, ten-pattern array — doesn't that mean this little child, despite only having Qi Refining cultivation, possesses Foundation Establishment divine sense?"

Sect Leader Chu's heart leaped with shock.

The Dao of cultivation has great limits.

Qi Refining cultivators cultivate Qi Refining spiritual power and condense Qi Refining divine sense — this is the shackles of Heaven's Dao.

In his entire life, he had never seen a Qi Refining cultivator who possessed Foundation Establishment-stage divine sense.

At most he had only heard of it.

And that was the kind of hearing that was nearly legend.

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Not necessarily..."

"What do you mean?" Sect Leader Chu asked.

The Grand Elder frowned in thought: "Qi Refining realm, Foundation Establishment divine sense — how could it be that easy? Even Mr. Zhuang back in the day, with his heaven-bestowed talent, never broke through his realm in divine sense..."

"I suspect the reason this little cultivator knows a first-grade, ten-pattern array is that, like Mr. Zhuang, he learned that inheritance!"

The Shen family patriarch couldn't help but ask: "What inheritance?"

The Grand Elder's gaze turned solemn. "That art can unify and comprehend all origins of arrays, achieving mastery over one to understand them all—the supreme inheritance of the primordial Dao of arrays!"

Master Chu and the Shen Patriarch both drew in a sharp breath.

The Grand Elder's heart sank.

I misjudged him!

He had previously thought this young arrayist was merely someone Master Zhuang sent ahead as a decoy—even if a Rank One arrayist, his strength was merely average, and he certainly wasn't valued by the teacher.

Now it was clear: he was utterly wrong!

This young arrayist possesses extraordinary array mastery and immense array strength!

He has even earned Master Zhuang's instruction in that orthodox, supreme primordial array inheritance!

Clearly, this young arrayist is deeply favored by Master Zhuang.

Yet this young arrayist is still a junior disciple; above him are an older brother and sister.

If he can draw a Rank One Ten-Stripe array, what about his senior siblings?

Could they draw Eleven-Stripe… or even Twelve-Stripe arrays?

The Grand Elder broke into a cold sweat.

No wonder this Zhuang is so arrogant!

He truly has the right to be.

Sitting below, Mo Hua, seeing them dawdle, asked: "Well?"

The Grand Elder's lips twitched, and he said bitterly:

"Chu Xuan's array: The Withered Tree Blooms Again, Rank One Nine-Stripe peak…"

"Mo Hua's array: Rank One Ten-Stripe…"

"Mo Hua… wins."

Rank One Ten-Stripe?!

Chu Xuan, who had been certain of victory, leapt to his feet, staring at Mo Hua in utter disbelief.

The other disciples began murmuring among themselves:

"Rank One is nine stripes—how can there be a Rank One Ten-Stripe array?"

"You don't even know that?"

"You're from the Wuxing Sect, aren't you…"

"Just quit learning arrays…"

"Rank One Ten-Stripe is an ultimate array—an advanced technique beyond standard curriculum, usually unattainable."

"But he's only Qi Condensation—how can he learn a Ten-Stripe array?"

"How should I know?"

"Go ask him yourself?"

One disciple whispered: "Didn't you see the Grand Elder's face? Like a pig's kidney—he's clearly unhappy. Who dares ask now and provoke him?"

"You're dead. The Grand Elder is a Jin Dan—he'll hear every word you say…"

The disciple turned pale, covering his face with his sleeve, hoping the Grand Elder wouldn't notice him.

…

Chu Xuan's emotions churned, his expression shifting—frustration, resentment, then finally a sigh. He shed his arrogance and bowed respectfully to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua returned the bow, silently nodding in his heart.

This Chu Xuan has good character—he truly is cultivable material.

Inside the Array Repository, there was some noise; after a while, it quieted slightly, and Mo Hua began his soul-searching question again:

"What else are we comparing?"

No one dared answer.

All the disciples turned their eyes to the three Jin Dan Patriarchs seated above.

The three Jin Dan Patriarchs wore grim expressions.

They had severely underestimated this young arrayist.

Their original plan was to use Wuxing Sect disciples to test the waters against this young arrayist.

Then, the Zhenxuan Sect and the Shen family would send their prodigies to confront the noble brother and sister.

But now, they were being crushed by this "test" young arrayist…

Whether through innate divine sense or through receiving array inheritance, this young arrayist is a formidable opponent.

The Shen Patriarch whispered: "What do we do?"

The Grand Elder's gaze shifted, and he said gravely:

"At this point, this contest is no longer about the gains or losses of one sect or one clan—it's about the honor of our entire Dali Mountain Realm. Our realm gathers array prodigies from all corners—if we cannot defeat this young arrayist, won't we become a laughingstock?"

Master Chu and the Shen Patriarch frowned.

The Grand Elder's words were meant to drag them into the fray, deliberately exaggerating the stakes.

Yet they had no rebuttal.

Because it was indeed true.

Master Chu hesitated, "Even if we defeat this young arrayist, there are still his senior siblings…"

"Not so," the Grand Elder's eyes flashed. "I suspect Master Zhuang is bluffing…"

"This young cultivator's talent is already astonishing."

"Such a gifted arrayist isn't as common as cabbages—how could there be so many?"

"Even if his senior siblings are stronger than him, they can't be much stronger…"

Master Chu and the Shen family's ancestral elder both nodded.

Now that you mention it, there is some logic to it.

Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back; at this point, we must grit our teeth and press on.

"If he can draw a First-Grade Ultimate Array, his foundation within the scope of First-Grade Arrays must be extraordinarily profound—we stand no chance if we test him further."

"All our previous arrangements are useless now."

"We can only test him on obscure branches…"

……

After whispering among themselves, the Grand Elder asked Mo Hua:

"Young Master…"

His tone of address had grown even more respectful.

To have drawn a First-Grade Ultimate Array at the Qi Refinement realm, like Master Zhuang, he deserves the title "Master."

"Do you understand array dismantling?" asked the Grand Elder.

Mo Hua nodded. "A little."

Master Chu nodded.

From the crowd, another disciple stepped forward, bowing:

"Disciple Chu He, my array skills are mediocre, but I specialize in 'array dismantling' and have gained some insight—though my art is crude, I wish to learn from this Young Master."

Array dismantling is indeed an obscure branch of array art.

Outside of noble houses or sects with array lineages, few array masters bother studying dismantling.

Most cultivators prefer breaking arrays over dismantling them.

Breaking arrays is loud and crude, but simple; dismantling is subtle and recondite, yet complex and profound.

Mo Hua was adept at dismantling arrays and used it often—he had long since mastered it thoroughly.

But he remembered what Master Zhuang had said: that dismantling was an array master's way of "enhancing wisdom" and "pastime," difficult and obscure, studied by few.

Mo Hua now understood that Master Zhuang's "enhancing wisdom" and "pastime" were certainly not the same as ordinary people's.

In truth, array masters who truly mastered dismantling were as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns.

The dismantling challenge proposed by the Grand Elder was simple.

Dismantle a First-Grade Compound Array.

Whoever solves it correctly and quickly wins.

When Mo Hua saw the Compound Array, he grew bored.

It was truly too simple.

It consisted of only three Single Arrays, and among them, only one had nine patterns—the other two had seven and eight patterns respectively.

This wasn't even an appetizer.

Mo Hua looked up.

The Array Repository was bustling with many disciples.

If we continue like this, who knows how long this will drag on.

We need to finish this even faster.

So while the disciple named Chu He was still working on the first array, Mo Hua had already dismantled all three in a flash, then said casually:

"I'm done."

The three elders froze again, then grew numb inside.

Mo Hua had clearly won the dismantling contest.

Mo Hua said bluntly: "Bring whoever you want—hurry up, I don't have much time…"

He wanted to learn the Five Elements Spirit Array as soon as possible, then focus on Foundation Establishment.

This remark sounded arrogant.

The crowd's expressions turned angry.

Soon, disciples who refused to accept defeat stepped forward to challenge Mo Hua to array contests.

But no matter what they challenged him with, they lost quickly—in pure array skill, not a single First-Grade array master present was his match.

Gradually, all present lost their anger, replaced only by solemnity.

A thread of panic rose in their hearts.

He draws arrays well, draws them fast, knows a First-Grade Ultimate Array, and masters dismantling.

One could say he is flawless…

In the Dali Mountain State, array disciples gather in droves—surely they can't truly have no one who can beat this young cultivator…

The Shen family's ancestral elder no longer held back. He ordered:

"Shen Wen."

A disciple stepped forward, eyes blazing, as if he had suppressed himself for a long time.

"I challenge you to divine calculation!"

The Grand Elder was stunned; Master Chu was shaken.

Even Master Zhuang showed a flicker of surprise.

The Shen family's ancestral elder sighed deeply.

This was his last trump card.

He had never intended to reveal it.

Shen Wen is his great-grandson, born with naturally sharp spiritual sense and meticulous thought; later, by chance, he was taken as a disciple by a great array master who taught him the method of spiritual divine calculation.

The Grand Array Master had warned him that array derivation involved secrets and must not be leaked, nor should word of it be let slip carelessly.

So he had always kept his lips tightly sealed.

But when the moment came, he had no choice but to reveal it.

Derivation…

He himself, a Jin Dan cultivator and a second-rank high-tier array master, did not even know this branch of array learning — surely this little array master must…

The Shen family patriarch had only thought halfway through when he heard Mo Hua say calmly:

"Alright."

The heart the Shen family patriarch had just set down was lifted once more.

Surely not…

You little whelp, you even know divine sense derivation?

And so the Shen family patriarch quickly discovered that Mo Hua not only knew it, but calculated quickly and accurately, looking entirely at ease, with plenty to spare.

The two of them derived the spiritual power trajectories of the array together.

Zhou Tiancheng had barely begun calculating when Mo Hua had already finished.

Zhou Tiancheng was defeated both swiftly and utterly, his face a picture of lost soul and shattered spirit.

Likewise, Mo Hua began to ask once more:

"What else shall we compare?"

The whole hall fell deathly silent.

Seeing that no one spoke, Mo Hua simply changed his question: "Anyone else?"

Every disciple's face turned pale.

Even the three Jin Dan patriarchs were struck dumb with fear.

They had never imagined that what was supposed to be a grand centerpiece would be wrapped up so perfunctorily.

This little array master simply sat quietly at the desk, yet stood like one man holding a pass against ten thousand, truly slaughtering every gifted array master in their entire prefecture until not a single one was left standing…

Exactly like Mr. Zhuang back in the day…

No, there were still some differences.

The Grand Elder's unbearable memories of the past surfaced one by one in his heart.

The one surnamed Zhuang back then had been like an immortal sword with its edge fully bared, impossible for them to look upon directly.

Yet this little array master surnamed Mo kept his edge concealed, his temperament approachable, like a piece of uncarved jade formed by nature.

Simply a monster!

…

The Hidden Array Pavilion remained silent for a long while, a deathly stillness among the disciples.

The three Jin Dan patriarchs were likewise at a loss, with no move to make.

After an unknown length of time, Mr. Zhuang slowly rose and said calmly: "The comparison is over, I take it."

The Grand Elder's heart trembled, yet he could not speak.

Mr. Zhuang glanced at him and said, brooking no objection:

"Victory and defeat have been decided. Tomorrow, we shall come to the Hidden Array Pavilion to learn the Five Elements Absolute Array!"

(End of chapter)