Chapter 66: Chapter Sixty-Six: Thousand Arrays

When Mo Hua arrived at Mr. Zhuang's mountain dwelling, the Bai siblings had already arrived and were reading and cultivating beneath a tree by the pond. Miss Xue usually did not enter the dwelling but waited outside the gate.

Bai Zisheng saw Mo Hua, dropped the book in his hand, and ran over eagerly.

Mo Hua handed him a small food box and a small flask of fruit wine. "Eat this later—you just finished breakfast."

Bai Zisheng, mouth stuffed with meat, looked utterly satisfied. "No problem. I told Miss Xue I had no appetite, so I ate little this morning."

Mo Hua then passed the pastries and osmanthus wine to Bai Zi Xi, who thanked him in a clear, melodious voice, then ate the pastries in small bites and sipped the wine with elegant grace.

Mo Hua glanced at Bai Zisheng, then at Bai Zi Xi, thinking: how could siblings be so different in their eating manners?

Bai Zisheng had once pretended to be a refined noble disciple, but after growing familiar with Mo Hua, he no longer cared for decorum—this dog-like scrabbling at food wasted his handsome looks.

Mo Hua also delivered some food and wine to Mr. Zhuang and Old Puppet, then began asking about dismantling arrays.

He had already asked Bai Zisheng about some basic questions; the remaining ones were more difficult, beyond what his own cultivation knowledge could resolve.

For instance: how to dismantle an array using the array's core and pivot; what the fundamental principle of dismantling arrays is; how to dismantle an array when its pattern is incomprehensible.

Mr. Zhuang was quite pleased with Mo Hua's questions. "Asking these shows you've carefully studied the texts I gave you."

"Dismantling an array via its core is extremely difficult. Reversing spirit patterns is hard to learn and even harder to master, and they're always secret family transmissions—not easily shared. Even if you learn them, they're hard to use. Because the spirit-collecting patterns of different arrays vary, reversing spirit patterns must be adapted to each specific array, and the subtleties are exceedingly hard to grasp. Using spirit-collecting patterns to dismantle an array, however, easily causes the array's spiritual energy to spiral out of control, destroying the array and risking the cultivator's life."

"Don't even consider dismantling via the pivot unless you're at least a third-grade array master. Dismantling via the pivot demands profound array knowledge and thorough study of the structural systems of arrays from every noble family, sect, and school. Otherwise, faced with an entirely unfamiliar array system, you'd have no starting point."

"So for you, just focus on dismantling via array patterns. Though it seems complex, dismantling via patterns is the most fundamental and simplest method."

"Oh oh." Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

"Mo Hua," Mr. Zhuang suddenly asked, "in your view, is it better for an array master to specialize deeply or to study broadly?"

"Isn't it best to study widely and yet achieve mastery in all…?" Mo Hua answered weakly.

Choosing both is the mark of a mature cultivator.

Mr. Zhuang smiled. "The Dao is boundless, but life is finite. To study widely and master everything—where is such fortune to be found? Most array masters make choices: either specialize deeply in one array type, seeking precision over breadth; or absorb widely, seeking breadth over precision."

"Then it must be better to specialize in one type of array," Mo Hua said.

"Why?" Mr. Zhuang asked with interest.

"Arrays are vast and profound. If you seek breadth alone, you'll only ever learn the surface. But if you specialize in one type, you can then extend your understanding to others—that's how you grasp the true essence of arrays. Later, when you encounter deep and obscure arrays, you won't be at a loss."

Mr. Zhuang nodded. "Well said. That's why noble families pass down array teachings, valuing precision and avoiding breadth."

Mo Hua understood a little, but still didn't see how this applied to him.

"It's not just noble families—all orthodox array lineages value specialization over breadth. First, master one type thoroughly, then study others," Mr. Zhuang said, pausing slightly as he looked at Mo Hua. "But you're different. You must study broadly now—you cannot specialize in just one type."

Mo Hua blinked, then pondered. "Is it because of the technique?"

Mr. Zhuang's eyes lit with approval. "Correct. You've learned the Great Expansion Scripture. When you break through the realm, you must dismantle a riddle array—only by solving it can you continue cultivating, increase your cultivation, and elevate your realm. Without solving it, your foundation collapses, and all your cultivation is empty talk."

"And to solve riddle arrays, you must know enough array patterns and enough array types. Many riddle arrays aren't difficult—they simply depend on whether you know the relevant patterns and arrays. If you know them, dismantling is easy. If you don't, even the highest array天赋 won't help."

"As the saying goes: even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. A riddle array you've never encountered—even the most skilled array master cannot begin to dismantle."

Mo Hua suddenly understood, then scratched his head. "Then, Master, what should I do?"

Mr. Zhuang handed Mo Hua a text. On its pages were written four ancient, dignified characters:

《Thousand Arrays Collection》

Mo Hua opened it and found the book densely recorded hundreds of bizarre arrays—all below first grade, most with nine or fewer array patterns, a few containing exactly nine.

Most were五行-type arrays; some had strange, unfamiliar functions Mo Hua had never seen.

Mo Hua's mouth opened wide. "This is…"

"It's a collection of arrays below first grade, listing their names, grades, and uses. Browse it yourself. If you find one you want to learn, go to the first floor of the library and find the corresponding array diagram."

"I've taught you the basics of arrays—you can learn on your own now. If you have questions, come ask me. But remember: return every diagram you've studied. Don't lose them. This is essential."

"I've taught you all the basics of array formations. You can study them on your own from here, and come ask me if there's anything you don't understand. Just one thing—remember to return any array diagrams you've borrowed, and don't lose them. Keep that firmly in mind."

"Your student remembers," Mo Hua nodded solemnly.

"Go then," Mr. Zhuang waved.

Mo Hua bowed deeply to Mr. Zhuang, cherished and valued the 《Thousand Arrays Collection》 tucked against his chest, and rose to leave—when Mr. Zhuang called him back.

"Mo Hua," Mr. Zhuang hesitated, then said: "I should have chosen you a more stable technique—one that wouldn't require such elaborate effort to break through. This was my oversight."

The Old Puppet, who had been meditating with closed eyes, opened them, surprised to see Mr. Zhuang.

Mo Hua looked stunned, then smiled shyly at Mr. Zhuang. "My family is ordinary, and I have little spirit stone. This technique requires no spirit items to break through, and uses little spirit stone—it's perfect for me. In my eyes, Master's choice is already the finest technique in the world."

Mr. Kui, who had been resting with his eyes closed the whole time, opened them and glanced at Mr. Zhuang with a hint of surprise.

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua's youthful, handsome face—his clear, black-and-white eyes honest and sincere—and smiled faintly. His demeanor returned to its former ease, yet his voice grew even gentler. "Go learn arrays."

"My family's circumstances are modest, and we don't have abundant spirit stones. This cultivation method requires no spiritual materials to break through, and it doesn't use many spirit stones either—for a student like me, it couldn't be more fitting. At least in this student's eyes, the cultivation method you chose, Mr., is already the finest cultivation method in the world."

"Is that so…"

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua's young and handsome face, at his clear, sincere black-and-white eyes, and couldn't help but smile. His expression returned to its former easygoing air, though his voice grew even gentler:

"Go study your formations."

Mo Hua obediently bowed, then scampered off on his short legs.