Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty-Six: A Change of Perspective

After the Lotus Festival, Mo Hua continued going to Mr. Zhuang to study array techniques, with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zi Xi joining him as well.

Though all three were apprentices, what they studied differed: Mo Hua focused primarily on array techniques, and could study only array techniques.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zi Xi studied everything—beyond cultivation, they touched on arrays, pill refining, talisman crafting, and weapon forging.

Their daily questions to Mr. Zhuang covered a wide range: not just array-related matters, but also every aspect of cultivation.

Of these questions, only those related to arrays did Mo Hua understand even a little; the rest he largely had no grasp of at all.

As a lone cultivator, his foundation was inherently weak; he could learn arrays only because, in his two lifetimes, his spiritual sense was exceptional and he carried a Dao Stele in his mind, allowing him to practice arrays without spending spirit stones. As for other cultivation disciplines, he had no way to even begin learning them.

Still, though Mo Hua didn't understand these questions, he silently memorized them—even if he couldn't grasp them yet, he retained some impression, so he wouldn't be utterly lost when encountering them later.

The cultivation world is full of twists and turns; who knows what situations he might face in the future? Knowing more is never a bad thing.

Mo Hua learned much from the Bai siblings and had to admit that, in talent and comprehension, both far surpassed him—whether in cultivation foundation, array skill, or many other areas, Mo Hua was vastly inferior.

The so-called "children of heaven" among aristocratic families must be just like this.

Mo Hua greatly admired Bai Zi Xi.

As for Bai Zisheng, he admired him, yet also felt a slight disdain.

The three had not been close before, and their interactions had been somewhat stiff.

But since their joint outing after the Lotus Festival, Bai Zisheng and Mo Hua's relationship had grown relaxed; Bai Zisheng would often seek Mo Hua out to chat, sometimes even bickering with him.

In front of strangers, Bai Zisheng was the aristocratic prodigy—exceptionally gifted, handsome, and composed.

Once familiar, he resembled more a competitive child, somewhat talkative. Though diligent in cultivation and study, whenever he had free time, he loved to chat with Mo Hua.

"Mo Hua, when can we see the Beast Fight Show again?"

"During festivals."

"Mo Hua, when hunters kill beasts here, what Dao methods do they usually use?"

"Whatever works."

"Mo Hua, can you take me along when you hunt beasts…"

"I'm not a beast hunter yet. I don't know how to hunt beasts."

"Mo Hua…"

"..."

Sometimes Mo Hua would answer a few words; sometimes, when Bai Zisheng asked too much, Mo Hua simply ignored him.

When Mo Hua ignored him, Bai Zisheng would sneak glances at the array book Mo Hua was reading. When they weren't familiar, Bai Zisheng had been very reserved; now, not so much.

"'Treatise on the Six Directions Array Nexus'? Not bad, not bad—you're learning fast. Don't you understand what 'array nexus' means?"

Mo Hua truly didn't understand, and nodded honestly.

Bai Zisheng grinned. "Want to know?"

Mo Hua stared at him silently—he did want to know, but found Bai Zisheng's smug expression slightly contemptible.

"The Beast Fight Show is on the seventh day of next month," Mo Hua said slowly.

Bai Zisheng's face lit up.

"But I won't take you." Mo Hua added.

Bai Zisheng choked. "Then I won't tell you what 'array nexus' means."

"I can ask Mr. Zhuang."

Bai Zisheng had no reply. After internal struggle, he conceded: "Fine—I'll tell you what 'array nexus' means, if you take me to the Beast Fight Show!"

"No need. I'll ask Mr. Zhuang." Mo Hua refused.

Bai Zisheng scratched his head in agitation. "Mr. Zhuang is busy. Such minor questions don't warrant disturbing him—and he explains things too abstractly. You're just starting out; you might not understand him."

Though the word "starting out" annoyed Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng was right.

Mr. Zhuang's array mastery was profound; what he considered simple and trivial, Mo Hua—having never encountered it—might ponder for a long time to grasp.

Mo Hua reluctantly said, "Alright, I agree. But if you can't explain it clearly, I won't take you."

Bai Zisheng beamed. "Don't worry—among the family disciples, except for Zi Xi, no one understands arrays better than I do."

Then Bai Zisheng eagerly explained:

"The array nexus is the central hub of an array, used to connect array patterns and transmit spiritual energy…"

"Using a cultivator as an analogy: the array eye is like the dantian, the array nexus like the meridians, the array patterns like the collateral channels, and the array medium is the physical body that carries the meridians. A cultivator's spiritual energy flows from the dantian, through core meridians, fills the collateral channels, and coalesces into Dao techniques. Similarly, an array's energy emerges from the array eye, passes through the array nexus, activates the array patterns, and only then does the array produce effect…"

After Bai Zisheng finished, Mo Hua understood, and glanced at him.

Without sufficient understanding, one couldn't explain it so clearly—this proved Bai Zisheng's array foundation was indeed solid, though sometimes he talked too much…

Mo Hua couldn't help asking, "Do you talk like this to everyone?"

"To whom?"

Mo Hua thought a moment. "Hmm… your family's disciples?"

Bai Zisheng sneered. "I don't bother with them."

Mo Hua asked curiously, "Why?"

"I hate their looks."

Bai Zisheng's expression turned cold. "Either fawning, or jealous, or contemptuous, or indifferent. I can't stand it, so I ignore them."

Mo Hua paused, surprised—he hadn't expected someone as carefree-seeming as Bai Zisheng to be so perceptive.

Bai Zisheng immediately returned to his usual demeanor. "I've explained 'array nexus' to you. You're taking me to the Beast Fight Show on the seventh!"

"Alright, alright," Mo Hua sighed. Then he added:

"I'm going to practice arrays. Don't speak to me for an hour."

Bai Zisheng waved his hand. "Go ahead, go ahead. No one's stopping you."

Mo Hua pulled out 'The Three Talents Array' and began drawing.

This was the array that Mr. Zhuang had previously asked Mo Hua to draw. After several days of practice, Mo Hua could barely draw it, but he made mistakes easily, and his brushwork was not very practiced.

Bai Zi Xi read elegantly, Mo Hua focused on drawing the array, and the bamboo pavilion instantly fell quiet.

Bai Zisheng meditated for a while, looked at Bai Zi Xi, then looked at Mo Hua, restrained himself and meditated again for a while, but finally couldn't help it and secretly peeked at Mo Hua drawing the array.

As he watched, Bai Zisheng's expression grew solemn. Several times he wanted to say something, but in the end held back.

He just had no mind to cultivate either, staring at the array under Mo Hua's brush without blinking.

Bai Zi Xi had originally been reading. Seeing Bai Zisheng's odd behavior, she gently tugged his sleeve, wanting him to focus on cultivating, but Bai Zisheng didn't notice at all.

Bai Zi Xi was slightly annoyed. Following Bai Zisheng's gaze, she also saw the array Mo Hua was drawing, and in an instant couldn't look away either.

Mo Hua, fully concentrated, didn't notice and kept drawing the array on his own.

When he finished drawing the Three Talents Array and looked up, he saw Bai Zisheng's wide eyes. Turning his head, he also saw Bai Zi Xi's autumn-water-like, sparkling eyes.