Chapter 595: Second Rank

Mo Hua practiced day and night until he had memorized every single array pattern encompassing Chaos and Yin-Yang, Three Talents and Four Symbols, Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, Six Harmonies and Seven Stars.

Mo Hua was already very familiar with the Five Elements array patterns.

He knew the Eight Trigrams only a little.

The Three Talents and Four Symbols, the Six Harmonies and Seven Stars — Mo Hua had just begun to encounter them, and they looked entirely foreign to him.

Chaos and Yin-Yang were ancient array patterns, their inscriptions partially damaged and disjointed; Mo Hua understood them even less.

But whether familiar or not, whether comprehensible or not, even if he had to memorize them by rote, Mo Hua committed them all firmly to memory.

In half a month, he was already thoroughly familiar with them.

But Laoxiansheng Sect did not test him.

It wasn't until a month later, when Mo Hua had drawn the patterns until the paper was worn thin, that Laoxiansheng Sect finally guessed the time had come and gave him a surprise inspection.

"Draw all the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams array patterns from the 'Grand Void Gate Array Pattern Collection Annotations' — for the Three Talents and Four Symbols, the Six Harmonies and Seven Stars, just draw two patterns from each category…"

Laoxiansheng Sect instructed.

Then he glanced at Mo Hua and slightly raised his long eyebrows — the implication being, "Draw whatever you like…"

Mo Hua immediately nodded, signaling he understood.

He then drew every single array pattern of Chaos and Yin-Yang, Three Talents and Four Symbols, Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, Six Harmonies and Seven Stars.

Because there were so many patterns, he couldn't finish in one hour, so while the other disciples "turned in their papers" and left, Mo Hua kept drawing.

Mo Hua's small face was focused, his brush moving like the wind, confident and unwavering, drawing array patterns without pause; the pile of array paper before him grew higher and higher…

Laoxiansheng Sect's eyelids twitched uncontrollably, his heart filled with disbelief:

"This child… how much has he learned…?"

Could he have learned it all in just one month…?

After an unknown length of time, when Mo Hua rose and respectfully placed a thick stack of array paper — as thick as a textbook — before Laoxiansheng Sect.

Laoxiansheng Sect finally snapped out of his daze.

He paused briefly, then swept his palm across the thick stack, flipping through it; his profound, unfathomable spiritual sense stirred slightly, taking in every single array pattern, and he involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.

A textbook-thick stack — so many patterns — he had truly drawn them all…

And his strokes were precise and neat, his technique mature, not a single correction, not a single error, as if printed — perfectly exact.

How many times must he have practiced for his brushwork to become this solid…?

Laoxiansheng Sect stood frozen, unable to speak for a long time.

"Laoxiansheng Sect?"

A clear voice rang out.

Laoxiansheng Sect looked up and saw Mo Hua's bright, sparkling eyes; after a long while, he sighed faintly and nodded:

"You've learned well."

Mo Hua's face beamed with a smile, and he politely said, "Thank you, Laoxiansheng Sect, for your guidance."

Watching Mo Hua's cheerful and composed expression, Laoxiansheng Sect silently pondered:

"Did I teach too slowly…?"

…

Thus, in the next array class, to give Mo Hua a "reality check," Laoxiansheng Sect finally began teaching second-rank arrays.

"Second-rank arrays differ from first-rank arrays — the second-rank array patterns are composed by combining first-rank patterns, making them more complex and more powerful…"

"Second-rank array patterns are, in a sense, a synthesis and 'Dao-ification' of first-rank patterns; conversely, first-rank patterns are actually derived by deconstructing complex second-rank patterns…"

…

Laoxiansheng Sect spoke with solemn, meticulous precision.

The other disciples frowned, struggling to follow.

Some were even more confused.

Laoxiansheng Sect had always been known for his "cautious" teaching style, emphasizing "step-by-step progression…"

Why, out of nowhere, had he suddenly begun teaching second-rank arrays…?

Only Mo Hua listened with keen interest.

He had already learned to draw second-rank arrays and understood some of the underlying principles.

The array doctrines Laoxiansheng Sect explained were partly familiar to him, but some principles were entirely new — so by the end of the lecture, he gained much insight.

After finishing, Laoxiansheng Sect distributed an array diagram.

It was a second-rank, ten-pattern Jin Guang array.

"Study it yourselves, reflect on it, see how much you can grasp, then try drawing it — next class…"

Laoxiansheng Sect had intended to say, "... submit it next class."

But halfway through, he paused, realizing Mo Hua was watching him with eager anticipation…

Laoxiansheng Sect pondered for a moment, understanding Mo Hua's intent; after a hesitation, he changed his words with a complex expression:

"Submit it to me before class ends…"

Then he added, "Draw as much as you can — no need to force it…"

The other disciples frowned in distress.

Mo Hua's brush danced like a dragon.

At the end of class, Mo Hua handed Laoxiansheng Sect a complete, second-rank, ten-pattern "Jin Guang array."

Though he had expected it, seeing this second-rank, ten-pattern array — clearly just learned, yet already so proficient — Laoxiansheng Sect's heart trembled slightly.

He finally understood.

"So that's how it is…"

"At such a young age… already able to draw a second-rank array… no wonder…"

In the eyes of Old Master Xun, a flash of sharpness appeared.

"Looks like I can go even faster…"

……

Two days later, Mo Hua arrived for his array class full of anticipation; as soon as he stepped inside, Old Master Xun waved him over.

Mo Hua was puzzled.

Old Master Xun pointed to a small table beside him and said, "From now on, you sit here."

Mo Hua froze, then whispered, "Mr., is this appropriate?"

Old Master Xun nodded. "Perfectly appropriate!"

Mo Hua sat down nervously on that small table, close to Old Master Xun—and from now on, it was his alone, his "exclusive" seat.

Right under Old Master Xun's watchful eyes.

The other disciples looked at Mo Hua with pity and sympathy.

"Poor Mo Hua…"

"He's been marked by Old Master Xun…"

"He's really unlucky…"

"He'll have to sit right under the old master's gaze every class—just thinking about it makes my heart go cold…"

Old Master Xun's ears twitched slightly; his gaze sharpened as he named a few names: "Cheng Mo… Sister Situ, Wen Xuan…"

"…If you wish, you may also sit beside Mo Hua."

Cheng Mo and the other disciples shuddered, immediately clamping their mouths shut, burying their heads on their desks, pretending to be turtles.

Old Master Xun gave a faint cold snort.

Then the class began.

Mo Hua noticed his lecture notes were different from those of the other disciples.

The other disciples still focused on first-rank arrays, progressing step by step toward understanding second-rank arrays.

But before Mo Hua lay an authentic second-rank, eleven-line Bagua array.

The lecture notes were extremely detailed.

Old Master Xun's lectures still primarily addressed the other disciples.

But occasionally he touched on second-rank arrays, briefly explaining to Mo Hua the essential principles of second-rank arrays.

This way, he could accommodate both ordinary disciples and Mo Hua, this severely "over-advanced" student.

Mo Hua felt deeply moved, and began to hold Old Master Xun in high esteem.

From then on, Old Master Xun taught this way.

The others studied first-rank arrays.

Mo Hua studied second-rank arrays.

Starting from eleven lines, covering both the Five Elements and Bagua types of second-rank arrays, Old Master Xun proceeded methodically, steadily, presenting array after array for Mo Hua to learn thoroughly.

This was a rare opportunity; Mo Hua sat beside Old Master Xun, studying second-rank arrays above eleven lines with utmost seriousness.

Old Master Xun, who had been closely observing Mo Hua, grew more and more astonished.

Too fast…

Old Master Xun knew Mo Hua had never studied Bagua arrays, so his instruction focused primarily on second-rank Bagua arrays.

Yet these arrays—Mo Hua had never seen or learned them before—but after just a few glances, he seemed to grasp their essence.

After drawing them a few times, his strokes already showed structure.

If he slept on it and drew again the next day, his technique was already highly refined.

After a while, it even began to carry the flavor of "thousands of hammer strikes," "flawless mastery"…

This was only for Bagua arrays; the Five Elements arrays were even more absurd.

Old Master Xun knew that among the eight array types, Mo Hua had studied and excelled at only Five Elements arrays.

But "excelled"… wasn't supposed to mean this kind of "excelled"…

For Bagua arrays he hadn't learned, Mo Hua at least frowned, pondered several times, before drawing them passably.

But for second-rank, eleven-line Five Elements arrays he'd never seen, Mo Hua barely glanced at them—already he had the framework in mind, and his brushwork was immediately competent…

This was mastery through repetition.

Because he had drawn countless first-rank Five Elements arrays, he understood the principles of Five Elements arrays with extraordinary depth, his foundation too solid—so learning second-rank Five Elements arrays came at an astonishing pace.

But just how many first-rank Five Elements arrays could he have drawn?

How many could a fifteen-year-old cultivator possibly have drawn?

And how deeply could he have understood them?

Even the chief array master who had constructed a first-rank Five Elements grand array might have only this level of understanding…

This child couldn't possibly have built a Five Elements grand array…

Old Master Xun frowned inwardly.

What puzzled Old Master Xun most was Mo Hua's spiritual sense.

For a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, Mo Hua's spiritual sense was far too profound, and seemed exceptionally resilient, even somewhat… inexhaustible…

When drawing arrays, it appeared endless…

This was unreasonable.

The child's spiritual sense was hazy, as if veiled by something…

Old Master Xun was intensely curious; for the first time in years, he wanted to break protocol and forcibly probe the child's secrets with his own spiritual sense.

But in the end, he held back.

This is the sect's rule, and also its bottom line.

After a period of inner turmoil, Laoxiansheng Sect's elder came to peace with it.

In this world, there are always some cultivators born with extraordinary talent, great fortune, or exceptional intellect—so long as they devote themselves wholeheartedly to the Dao, keep their minds pure, and avoid the wrong path, that is enough.

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder glanced at Mo Hua, whose eyes were clear and whose heart was wholly devoted to learning, and nodded silently.

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder then let Mo Hua study freely.

Mo Hua, for his part, focused entirely on his studies, learning one after another the various second-rank Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays.

His foundation in array arts grew ever more solid.

The number of second-rank arrays he mastered also increased steadily…

There was one thing Laoxiansheng Sect's elder did not say.

These arrays were originally meant to be exchanged for sect contributions.

But Laoxiansheng Sect's elder wanted to see just how fast Mo Hua could learn—and a few mere second-rank arrays were, in his eyes, trivial matters, so he never mentioned it to Mo Hua.

As Mo Hua learned more and faster, the difficulty of the arrays he studied gradually rose from eleven lines to twelve lines…

Finally, Mo Hua completed learning all the common twelve-line Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays.

After that came… thirteen lines.

"Thirteen lines…"

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder fell into a daze.

So fast…

This… has already reached the threshold of a second-rank junior array master…

This is already the limit of a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator's spiritual sense and array ability…

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder's gaze toward Mo Hua changed completely.

He realized he had still underestimated this little one…

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder frowned in thought, then silently made up his mind.

Given how far things had come, he truly wanted to see whether Mo Hua would master the second-rank thirteen-line arrays outright.

"Here are the thirteen-line second-rank arrays: The Rain Transformation Array, the Minor Fire Dispersion Array, the Moistening Earth Array, and the Water Marsh Array."

"These arrays include both Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays—they are the most commonly tested arrays in the second-rank junior array master grading examination."

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder said.

Thirteen-line grading examination arrays!

Mo Hua's spirit lifted.

Finally, new thirteen-line arrays to study! And grading arrays at that!

The most difficult array he had mastered so far was merely the second-rank thirteen-line Earthfire Array.

Mo Hua stared at the arrays, then asked curiously:

"Mr. Laoxiansheng, these arrays seem to have little offensive power…"

Unlike my Earthfire Array, which can kill a dozen human traffickers at once…

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder nodded. "These are all cultivation-related production arrays—either used to cultivate spiritual plants, or to enhance furnace fire and alchemical flames for pill refining and artifact forging."

"The Dao Court does not encourage cultivators to use arrays for killing and warfare, so most grading examinations rely on cultivation production arrays…"

Laoxiansheng Sect's elder sighed.

"Yet even these arrays ultimately fail to spread widely…"

Mo Hua nodded in agreement.

Xiancheng—no, not just Xiancheng; all the lower-tier Xianchengs he had passed through during his travels applied arrays with extreme crudeness.

Arrays benefit all living things.

But among these "all living things," the vast majority of cultivators in this world are not included.

Seeing Mo Hua frown with a "concerned for the world" air, Laoxiansheng Sect's elder, rare as it was, smiled slightly and instructed:

"Study well."

"Mm-hmm."

Mo Hua nodded.

Though thirteen-line arrays were the most difficult Mo Hua had studied, they were clearly not the limit of his fourteen-line transformative spiritual sense.

He lacked only array diagrams—not spiritual sense.

The Five Elements Array Flow Diagram could have solved this problem, but deciphering it depended too much on luck—Mo Hua's highest-level deciphered array had been the thirteen-line Earthfire Array.

Everything else was a pile of "rotten fish and spoiled shrimp."

Since Laoxiansheng Sect's elder began teaching him arrays, Mo Hua had disdainfully tossed the Five Elements Array Flow Diagram into a corner of his Nanzi Ring to gather dust.

He would decipher it slowly when he had time later.

Now he had no time—he must learn the thirteen-line grading arrays.

Ordinary second-rank thirteen-line arrays were not ultimate arrays and did not involve deeper, more obscure Dao comprehension, so while difficult, they were not insurmountable.

Especially given Mo Hua's abundant spiritual sense.

He lacked only time.

Practice these arrays dozens or hundreds of times, until flawless, and mastery would come naturally, as water flows downhill.

Mo Hua began with the Five Elements arrays: The Rain Transformation Array and the Moistening Earth Array.

Five Elements arrays were learned quickly—Mo Hua grasped them preliminarily in one or two days, then spent five or six more days perfecting them until he could recite them by heart.

He even used his spiritual sense to command ink, drawing arrays on the ground behind the disciples' quarters.

Spring wind turns to rain, moistening the earth in silence.

Mo Hua seemed to faintly sense the warm, gentle breath of the mountain soil, and the great earth's Dao essence — something one could perceive no matter where they were, so long as their feet touched the ground;

The great earth's Dao essence grew clearer and clearer within Mo Hua's divine sense.

Mo Hua nodded, quite satisfied.

After that came the trigram-type arrays, the Lesser Departing Fire Array and the Water Marsh Array.

The Lesser Departing Fire Array, similar to the Molten Fire Array, was drawn inside pill furnaces and artifact furnaces to refine medicinal properties and temper spiritual weapons.

As for the Water Marsh Array, Mo Hua actually had no idea — he guessed it was for raising crocodiles.

Trigram-type arrays were a bit harder.

But draw an array a hundred times, and its meaning reveals itself.

There was no array that couldn't be solved by drawing it a few more times.

If ten times wouldn't do, then a hundred; if a hundred wouldn't do, then a thousand.

Anyway, so long as there was time, one could draw without limit on the Dao Stele.

Moreover, trigram arrays were not absolute arrays — they were nowhere near that difficult.

Half a month later, Mo Hua could draw them very skillfully, and even laying them out with divine sense posed no problem.

At this point, Mo Hua had finished learning all four second-grade thirteen-pattern arrays.

Mo Hua told Mr. Xun about this matter.

Mr. Xun's reaction was noticeably a beat slow; the look in his eyes as he gazed at Mo Hua held a trace of disbelief.

"Learned… them all?"

He knew Mo Hua learned quickly, and estimated that given time, Mo Hua could learn one or two.

But it shouldn't be — and ought not to be — that in such a short span, all four beginner second-grade thirteen-pattern arrays had been learned.

All learned…

That meant, after some review and a bit of preparation, one could even go take the rank assessment…

The rank of a beginner second-grade array master.

Fifteen years old, early Foundation Establishment, beginner second-grade array master…

This was already the absolute limit for early Foundation Establishment.

At most, one could learn a few more thirteen-pattern arrays.

Beyond that, there was nothing left to teach — what would there be to instruct?

Mo Hua then revealed his small, small ambition:

"Mr. Xun, are there fourteen-pattern arrays to learn…"

Like a kitten eyeing a little fish, Mo Hua licked his lips.

After this period of相处, Mo Hua knew Mr. Xun was a profound, unfathomable expert, and also an elder of high virtue and great prestige.

Moreover, he had been teaching Mo Hua arrays all along, bearing the grace of transmitting the Dao and imparting knowledge, so there were some things that needn't be hidden from him.

"Are there fourteen-pattern arrays to learn…"

Mr. Xun's body visibly trembled; he looked at Mo Hua, and his clouded gaze suddenly sharpened.

Fourteen patterns?!

This child's divine sense… has exceeded the grade?!

Finally finished writing~

Wishing everyone a happy New Year's Day again~

(End of chapter)