Chapter 593: Yi Wood Gen Mountain

Mr. Xun stood with his hands behind his back; with a single glance, the four arrays on the array plate dissolved completely, leaving no trace.

He walked straight out of the Lecture Hall, following the jade-paved avenue through the center of Grand Void Gate, alone toward the back mountain.

All disciples along the way bowed deeply and greeted:

"Mr. Xun, good day."

Mr. Xun merely nodded to each one: "Good."

Upon reaching the back mountain, all inner-disciple elders, even the true-transmission elders, bowed deeply and greeted:

"Mr. Xun, good day."

Mr. Xun gave only a slight nod in return.

Back in the elders' quarters, Mr. Xun brewed a cup of tea and called out to the doorway: "Go fetch me a record of origin."

A young acolyte outside bowed his hands:

"Yes, Ancestor."

Then Mr. Xun sat alone in his room, sipping tea, reading a scroll, frowning as he pondered something.

The elders' quarters were empty, silent, devoid of all things.

Only a table and a meditation cushion remained.

The tea's flavor was bland and pure.

Yet Mr. Xun found nothing amiss.

After a stick of incense had burned, the acolyte respectfully presented Mr. Xun with a record of origin.

Mr. Xun nodded and took it, his cloudy gaze sweeping over it.

"Lizhou, second-class Tongxian City, free cultivator…"

"Mid-low grade spiritual root…"

"A free cultivator… with a mid-low grade spiritual root…"

Mr. Xun felt a faint surprise, then nodded slightly: "Accepting talent without rigid standards—still some progress."

Mr. Xun looked further down and saw the special skills section, which read: "Skilled in array arts."

He pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Indeed, not bad…"

A disciple from Lizhou, traveling ten thousand miles to study here…

"Truly admirable…"

Mr. Xun's expression softened with quiet reflection, his gaze sharpening slightly, lost in thought…

…

Mo Hua was eating in the disciples' quarters, surrounded by many fellow disciples.

After more than a month since enrollment, Mo Hua was adorable, spoke pleasantly, and radiated innocent charm—his popularity was decent, and he had grown quite familiar with the fellow disciples of Taiyi Quarters.

Disciples from noble families focused solely on cultivation and matured late.

Though most were seventeen or eighteen, they were inexperienced, unfamiliar with the world's dangers, and not yet at the stage of chasing fame or profit—so none were deeply scheming, and they valued brotherhood among disciples.

One disciple said to Mo Hua:

"Mo Hua, be careful."

"You've landed yourself in trouble…"

"Mr. Xun is stingy…"

Another disciple made a "shh" gesture: "Are you trying to die? Daring to speak ill of Mr. Xun…"

"I'm just saying it here—he can't hear me, right?"

"Hard to say…"

"Even if he hears… what can he do?"

"Then you'll soon experience firsthand the 'vast profundity' of array arts…"

"Exactly—Mr. Xun will take special interest in you, teach you the hardest, most difficult arrays; even if your mental sea dries up and your hair falls out, you still won't learn them…"

"There's such a thing as a bonus?!"

"Of course…"

The disciple paused mid-sentence, stunned—he realized an inappropriate remark had slipped into the conversation…

He silently turned to look at Mo Hua, unsure what to say.

Mo Hua asked softly: "Will Mr. Xun teach really difficult array arts…?"

The disciple's expression twisted oddly: "Mo Hua, why do you sound… excited?"

"No no!" Mo Hua shook his head quickly.

"Liar—your eyes are shining!"

"Exactly!"

"My eyes are just like this!" Mo Hua insisted.

"… "

"Still…" one disciple asked curiously, "Mo Hua, why are your array drawings so good?"

Mo Hua blushed: "Good? It's just average…"

Someone, envious and bitter, gritted his teeth:

"Humility helps progress, but excessive humility invites a beating!"

Mo Hua said: "I'm just a bit better at arrays—that's why I got in with a mid-low grade spiritual root…"

"Mid-low grade?!"

All disciples present were stunned.

"You have a mid-low grade spiritual root?!"

"No wonder I thought your spiritual energy was so weak…"

"Your blood qi is a bit weak too…"

"Your Dao foundation isn't solid either…"

"And you're not even tall…"

Mo Hua frowned, "That's enough…"

You can mention blood qi and spiritual energy, but is it okay to comment on my height?

Other disciples laughed awkwardly.

Someone murmured in confusion, "Wait, even if you're good at formation arts, a mid-low grade spiritual root shouldn't be allowed to enter, right…"

"That's true—my family's Laozu tried to get a direct descendant with a high-high grade spiritual root into the Grand Void Gate, and he used every connection he had and still failed…"

"Even high-high grade couldn't get in, let alone mid-low grade…"

"Mid-low grade… entering the Eight Great Sects…"

The group's gaze toward Mo Hua grew strange…

After a while, several disciples walked straight over and stood before Mo Hua, eyes bright, bowing with clasped fists:

"Cheng Mo, from the Cheng family of Qian Province—let's be friends!"

"Sister Situ Jian, from the Sister Situ family of Li Province—I'll be the number one great swordsman in the Nine Provinces, greetings!"

"Wen family of Qian Province…"

"Gen Province…"

…

Mo Hua was stunned.

He thought they'd come over with hostile intent, ready to fight.

But they came to… be friends?

What does that mean?

If Mo Hua remembered correctly, he'd said "mid-low grade" spiritual root, not "high-high grade"…

Could it be that the Grand Void Gate's spiritual root ranking is reversed?

Is mid-low grade better than high-high grade?

Mo Hua was deeply confused.

From afar, disciples whispered quietly, their voices faint but still reaching Mo Hua's ears.

"He's just a mid-low grade spiritual root—why are you trying to befriend him?"

"Do you even understand?"

"If he were truly just mid-low grade, how could he even enter the Grand Void Gate's gates?"

"Anyone who enters the Grand Void Gate isn't simple at all."

"Exactly."

"Besides, if he has a mid-low grade spiritual root but still entered the Eight Great Sects, he's either an absurdly talented cultivator—or his background is incredibly deep, his connections incredibly strong!"

"That's right… mid-low grade…"

"And his Dao foundation is so shallow…"

"Think about it—he still got in…"

"How deep must his background be! How strong must his connections be!!"

Upon realizing this, all disciples regarded Mo Hua with solemn respect.

"He's probably the illegitimate son of some great elder—maybe even has ties to the Grand Void Gate's Laozu…"

"If that were true, his spiritual root wouldn't be this poor…"

"You don't understand—spiritual root inheritance isn't 100% guaranteed; there are always anomalies…"

"Parents with low-grade spiritual roots can give birth to a child with high-grade roots; even high-grade roots sometimes produce mid-low grade offspring…"

"It's just very rare…"

"Now that you mention it, mid-low grade… might actually be possible…"

"That makes sense…"

Mo Hua's expression was complex, utterly speechless, and he insisted:

"I'm truly just a lone cultivator…"

The disciples paused, then nodded slowly, "Mm-hmm."

But their faces all carried the same knowing, unspoken look: "We understand, but we won't say it."

"Don't worry—we'll keep it secret for you…"

"We won't tell anyone…"

Mo Hua sighed, helpless inside.

Another disciple worriedly added:

"Mo Hua, even though your background… cough…"

The disciple gave a meaningful look, "is just a lone cultivator…"

"…you still can't offend Master Xun. His seniority is immense—he doesn't even always give the Sect Master face…"

"You've just entered the sect; your time here is long. If you anger Master Xun, you'll be forced to draw formations every day—your future will be unbearable…"

Mo Hua thanked him, "Thank you."

But inside, he muttered, "I wonder if Master Xun will 'teach' me even harder formations…"

He now had no more "difficult" arrays left to learn.

His spiritual sense had stagnated at fourteen lines, unable to improve for a long time...

Mr. Xun…

Mo Hua's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered inwardly:

"What if I just nap again in class tomorrow?"

"See if Mr. Xun will punish me by assigning even 'harder' arrays?"

…

The next day, Mo Hua found he no longer needed to sleep.

Because Mr. Xun had indeed treated him specially…

In class, Mr. Xun handed each student a booklet on array theory, containing the essentials of a Rank-One Nine-Line Melt-Gold Array, followed by the array diagram.

Only Mo Hua received none.

Mr. Xun handed Mo Hua a different booklet and said sternly:

"To learn arrays, you must be solid—foundation is most important."

"The better your talent, the more vital your foundation."

"You will study this…"

The other disciples cast sympathetic glances at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua kept a serious little face, but secretly rejoiced inside.

"There's an array to learn!"

He quickly opened the booklet and found inside a Rank-One Five-Element Composite Array of Metal and Fire.

Mo Hua had never seen this composite array before, but its structure was not complex; moreover, being a Five-Element Array, he could see through it at a glance.

It was indeed a bit difficult.

But only a little bit…

A difficulty just enough to be a speck in the teeth.

Mo Hua was slightly disappointed, but still carefully read through the booklet, organized and recorded the knowledge points he had not learned before, then began drawing the array.

Mr. Xun lectured above; Mo Hua drew below.

By the time Mr. Xun finished lecturing and the other disciples began drawing, Mo Hua had already finished—calmly watching them scratch their heads and rack their brains…

Mr. Xun's eyelid twitched.

But his expression remained solemn, and he said nothing.

In the next class, the other disciples still studied Rank-One Five-Element Arrays, while Mo Hua's became harder—this time, a Three-Element Five-Element Composite Array.

Still only Rank-One.

Mo Hua, as always, finished quickly…

And afterward, each time it grew slightly harder, but never by much…

…

After the difficulty increased four or five times…

Finally, Mo Hua encountered unfamiliar array lines.

This was an array system related to the Five Elements, yet distinct from them:

The Eight Trigrams Array!

The Five Elements are: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.

The Eight Trigrams are: Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Dui, representing Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Mountain, Thunder, Marsh, Wind.

The Eight Trigrams Array partially overlaps with the Five Elements, but its underlying principles and cosmic laws are broader and more complex.

Moreover, the Eight Trigrams Array incorporates principles of Yin-Yang duality and Six Lines, though it does not directly generate Yin-Yang power or Six-Line forms—it uses them as a framework to derive different array logics upon the Five-Element base.

Compared to each other, Five-Element Arrays are slightly simpler but far more versatile and the most common in the cultivation world.

The Eight Trigrams Array, by contrast, has diverged, covers a wider scope, and contains deeper, more esoteric internal logic.

Mo Hua had seen this in the array textbook given to him upon entering the Grand Void Gate: *Simple Introduction to Array Fundamentals*.

Mo Hua had read this array book whenever he had spare time; within less than half a month, he had worn it out.

Unfortunately, *Simple Introduction to Array Fundamentals* was, after all, an introductory text—its content remained far too basic.

Mo Hua could not learn anything deeper; it only contained simple Eight Trigrams principles, with no complete Eight Trigrams array lines or formed Eight Trigrams Arrays.

Mo Hua wanted to learn, but had no way to do so.

But now, "food" was being fed right to his mouth!

The booklet Mr. Xun gave him contained a Five-Element Eight-Trigrams Composite Array, integrating both systems.

This composite array was a form Mo Hua had never seen—it merged two entirely different array categories.

One was the Five-Element Array: Yi Wood Array.

The other was the Eight Trigrams Array: Gen Mountain Array.

Thus, the full name of this composite array was the Yi Wood Gen Mountain Composite Array.

Between the composite components were also mixed some other minor arrays and fragmented array lines, but these were not essential.

Based on experience, Mo Hua guessed this Yi Wood Gen Mountain Composite Array was used on mountains to cultivate spirit trees, spirit plants, and spirit herbs—the "Wood"-type spirit objects.

Gen stabilizes the mountain; Wood nourishes the things.

Mo Hua had barely studied Eight Trigrams array lines; to learn this composite array, he would have to start from scratch with the Gen lineage of Eight Trigrams lines.

New array! New array lines!

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he immediately began studying.

Mr. Xun was lecturing on stage when his peripheral vision caught Mo Hua; seeing the boy's serious, focused expression as he began studying the lecture notes, he nodded slightly.

But then Mr. Xun froze again.

He realized that for this Yi Wood Gen Mountain Compound Array, Mo Hua seemed to be learning starting from the "Gen" line of array patterns…

Mr. Xun was slightly puzzled.

"Has he never studied the Eight Trigrams Array Method?"

"That's impossible…"

"No matter how little he's learned, he shouldn't need to start from the array patterns…"

Mr. Xun frowned.

"Who taught him arrays? How could his studies be so lopsided?"

He is extremely proficient in the First-Rank Five Elements Arrays.

Beyond that, his foundation in other array categories is probably very weak…

He hasn't even learned the Eight Trigrams array patterns, let alone the rarer Three Talents, Four Symbols, Six Lines, or Seven Stars array categories…

Mr. Xun shook his head, somewhat disappointed.

Excellent talent, but his foundation is too thin, and his horizons too narrow.

The person who taught him arrays seems to have wanted him to learn advanced material, so they force-fed him nothing but Five Elements Arrays, causing his studies to become severely skewed…

Mr. Xun felt regret but said nothing.

He continued lecturing as usual, and let Mo Hua study arrays on his own without interference.

When the lesson ended, the other disciples submitted their assigned "homework" from the lecture notes.

Mo Hua didn't move—he was still studying and attempting to draw the Yi Wood Gen Mountain Compound Array.

Mr. Xun did not reprimand him; he waited patiently.

After submitting their homework, the other disciples glanced sympathetically at Mo Hua, who was still furiously writing under Mr. Xun's "pressure," and sighed.

But they could do nothing, so they quietly withdrew.

The lecture hall now held only Mr. Xun and Mo Hua.

Mr. Xun looked at Mo Hua, feeling a pang of regret.

Yet within less than an incense stick's time, Mo Hua suddenly stopped writing, let out a long breath, then respectfully presented a sheet of array paper to Mr. Xun.

Mr. Xun froze.

What is this child submitting?

If he couldn't finish, he should keep drawing—otherwise, take it home to study, practice, and submit it once improved.

What could he possibly be submitting now?

A patchwork mess of half-drawn array fragments?

Mr. Xun, slightly annoyed, took the array paper—and his eyelids twitched sharply.

Yi Wood Gen Mountain Compound Array…

This was a neat, perfect, flawless, one-stroke-unchanged Yi Wood Gen Mountain Compound Array!

Mr. Xun's gaze narrowed.

"This child… drew this?!"

Starting from the array patterns, in under an hour, he'd drawn a compound array he'd never encountered before—one containing Eight Trigrams array techniques…

Learned and drawn on the spot?

Mr. Xun's hand trembled slightly; his gaze at Mo Hua grew complex and unreadable.

"You…"

Mr. Xun paused, then slowly asked: "Have you studied the Eight Trigrams Array Method?"

Mo Hua nodded honestly, "No, I only know the Five Elements Arrays…"

He knew some Absolute Arrays outside the Five Elements, but those were not convenient to mention…

Mr. Xun fell silent for a long while, then slowly nodded. "I understand. Go back now…"

Mo Hua bowed respectfully:

"Greetings, Master. Your disciple takes his leave…"

After speaking, Mo Hua exhaled, then felt joy at having learned a new array—his steps grew lighter, his small head held high as he left the lecture hall.

Inside the lecture hall.

Mr. Xun stood silently, staring at the Yi Wood Gen Mountain Compound Array drawn by Mo Hua, his emotions long unsettled.

After a long while, he let out a faint sigh and murmured in thought:

"It seems… I must change my teaching method…"

"I want to see how fast this child can learn…"

Only one chapter today—take a rest.

Tomorrow is New Year's Day—I'll add another chapter.

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