Chapter 736: Array Stream Manuscript

The next day, after finishing his class in the Preaching Room, Mo Hua was packing up his jade slips and books, preparing to return to the disciples' residence, when he looked up and saw a Dao boy at the door beckoning to him.

"Mo Hua, Elder Xun is calling for you."

Mo Hua was slightly startled, then nodded. "Alright."

Walking along the long mountain steps of Grand Void Mountain, Mo Hua had a vague sense of foreboding, so he asked the Dao boy in a low voice:

"What is it this time?"

The Dao boy shook his head and said honestly, "I don't know."

"Then is Elder Xun angry this time?"

"He is angry…" The Dao boy frowned, then shook his head again. "But it doesn't seem like it. His expression is very solemn, like something major has happened. Even Elder Xun Ziyou is trembling with fear."

"Elder Xun?"

"Elder Xun Ziyou, the Old Ancestor's great-great-grandson, serves as an elder in the Inner Gate."

Mo Hua nodded slightly, committing the name to memory.

These words… sounded very familiar. It wasn't the first time he had heard them…

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a good thing.

"Mm." Elder Xun nodded slightly, his gaze wistful. "Back then, this old friend once visited my Grand Void Gate as a guest. He sat with me discussing the Dao and exchanging insights on array formations. This manuscript records some of the reflections and understandings I noted down when we were exchanging array insights with him…"

Mo Hua nodded. "Alright."

Mo Hua was very surprised. He had thought Elder Xun had caught him doing some "mischief" again and wanted to give him a scolding.

The Dao boy felt a little guilty.

Elder Xun said, "This belonged to an old friend."

……

"Who knows…" The Dao boy walked ahead, then suddenly turned his head and said softly, "Mo Hua, the little tiger you gave me—I broke it again…"

"An old friend?"

The Dao boy looked a little embarrassed and muttered, "I was playing puppet beast-fighting with Qingfeng and Mingyue. The tiger won, but it broke…"

Elder Xun read Mo Hua's expression clearly: first stunned, then heartache, then a surge of affectionate reverence in his eyes, and finally all of it turning into deep disappointment.

Mo Hua said happily, "Thank you, Elder!"

"And those who comprehend Array Stream can also use one to transform into ten thousand, grasping the key points and commanding all array formations under heaven…"

The Dao boy's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. "I got some fine Jin Yu. When I have time, I'll refine them into puppets and bring them to you to draw arrays on."

Mo Hua glanced at Elder Xun somewhat dazedly and said hoarsely:

"Elder, this manuscript is…"

Mo Hua accepted it respectfully and flipped through it briefly.

Mo Hua was a little puzzled. "I didn't do anything. If the Elder is angry, what does it have to do with me?"

Mo Hua's heart trembled. He quickly picked up the manuscript, swept his gaze over it rapidly, and saw that it indeed recorded some reflections and understandings on "Array Stream":

"Array Stream is the source and flow of all array formations under heaven. Ten thousand arrays return to one; master one and all become clear."

The Dao boy glanced at Mo Hua worriedly. "Anyway, be careful. Don't make the Old Ancestor angry."

Mo Hua stole a glance at Elder Xun and saw that although his expression was somewhat complicated, he wasn't truly angry. Only then did he slowly let out a breath of relief.

Mo Hua's peripheral vision caught something, and he suddenly froze.

Mo Hua then said, "When I have time, I'll make you another one. If you want to fight beasts, I'll make you a fiercer one. But you'll have to provide the puppet materials yourself, and I'll draw the arrays…"

As they chatted, the two arrived at the Elders' Residence.

He saw two unexpected characters:

Array Stream!

The Dao boy immediately restrained his smile, respectfully led Mo Hua before Elder Xun, bowed, and then withdrew.

Zhuang…

The Dao boy beamed. "Mo Hua, you're so nice. Next time something happens, I'll tip you off again."

Elder Xun nodded slightly and said:

"Those who have achieved mastery in array formations comprehend all arrays under heaven, can return to the source on their own, and consolidate the source and flow of array formations."

"Greetings, Elder." Mo Hua bowed.

Mo Hua sighed.

As expected, both the jade slips and the manuscript contained reflections on the Dao of arrays—some touching on array eyes, some on array pivots, and others discussing variations in array patterns.

Elder Xun took out several dark-colored jade slips and some old manuscripts, and handed them all to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's heart jolted.

"I called you here for no other reason. I just suddenly remembered I still had some collected insights on array formations that might be of some help to your study of arrays. Take them and have a look…"

"What did you do?" Mo Hua stared at him silently.

"Master…"

Elder Xun also sighed faintly.

"This old friend…" Elder Xun's expression was calm, his gaze slightly solemn, and he said slowly, "His surname was Zhuang."

Mo Hua was suddenly lost in thought, frozen on the spot, his heart a tangled mix of emotions.

He was undoubtedly that person's disciple…

And the sadness and disappointment in Mo Hua's eyes lasted only a moment before sinking to the depths, turning into a profound pool of water that was hard for anyone to detect.

Mo Hua's expression was as usual, and he said admiringly:

"Elder, this old friend of yours must have been a supreme master of array formations."

Elder Xun nodded and sighed. "Yes."

"This elder…," Mo Hua paused slightly, then asked, "Where is he now?"

Elder Xun Ziyou was taken aback, silently glanced at Mo Hua, and shook his head:

"In this lifetime, it's unlikely we'll meet again."

Mo Hua lowered his head and remained silent.

Elder Xun Ziyou looked on, inexplicably feeling a pang of pity.

He silently studied the Mo Hua before him.

Three years since entering the sect, Mo Hua had grown taller, but his demeanor hadn't changed much.

At first, he'd simply thought the boy innocent and charming, diligent and hardworking in learning arrays, with exceptional insight—so he'd taken a liking to him.

Later, when he learned the boy's spiritual sense talent was beyond comprehension, he'd treated him like a treasure.

But now, knowing Mo Hua was that man's disciple, Elder Xun Ziyou, though stunned, felt far more complicated emotions.

That man possessed the supreme art of Heavenly Mechanism Calculation; every move he made carried profound planning, secretly containing unfathomable heavenly patterns.

Now that man's heavenly patterns have been severed, the Void's Final Burial has appeared, yet he secretly left behind an obscure little disciple who, by chance, became a disciple of Grand Void Gate…

Does this not conceal some deeper meaning?

Elder Xun Ziyou's thoughts churned.

After a moment, Mo Hua raised his head, eyes filled with hope, and asked softly: "Elder, this manuscript…"

"Keep it," Elder Xun Ziyou said gently. "It was meant for you. Hold onto it well, and read it often."

Mo Hua clutched the manuscript tightly and thanked him: "Thank you, Elder!"

Elder Xun Ziyou smiled slightly, patted Mo Hua's shoulder, and said: "Alright, go back. You have class this afternoon."

"Mm."

Mo Hua nodded, bowed respectfully to Elder Xun Ziyou, then took his leave—his silhouette slightly forlorn.

Elder Xun Ziyou sighed.

Within this thin, frail frame may lie a karmic burden so terrifying…

Some things he did not spell out, but he understood them well—let nature take its course.

There is only one important thing.

That is Mo Hua.

No matter what karmic ties he carries, he now wears the robes of Grand Void Gate—he is a disciple of Grand Void Gate.

And from now on, he must always be a disciple of Grand Void Gate!

Elder Xun Ziyou's gaze sharpened, a flash of steel in his eyes, and called out: "Bring Ziyou to me."

After a while, Elder Xun Ziyou arrived to see Elder Xun Ziyou.

Elder Xun Ziyou instructed: "Take good care of this boy, Mo Hua."

Elder Xun Ziyou blinked in surprise. "But… didn't you already give me that order before…?"

"This time is different," Elder Xun Ziyou said coolly. "Before, when I told you it was fine if you lost an arm, but not a single hair from him, I was urging you to do your duty well."

"Now it's different. Now that statement is literal."

Elder Xun Ziyou: "…."

He stared blankly for a long moment, then frowned weakly: "Ancestor, just what is this boy's identity that you value him so deeply…?"

"Don't ask," Elder Xun Ziyou said, gazing at Elder Xun Ziyou with solemn eyes and a low voice. "You only need to know: he is of vital importance to Grand Void Gate—perhaps even crucial to…"

Elder Xun Ziyou paused, then slowly said:

"... our sect's Dao heritage!"

Elder Xun Ziyou froze, his heart trembling.

Dao heritage?!

Elder Xun Ziyou's eyelids twitched—he was about to say, "Are you exaggerating?"—a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, no matter how talented or special his background, could never possibly be tied to Grand Void Gate's Dao heritage.

Grand Void Gate was one of the Eight Great Sects of Qian Province, with deep roots and ancient history.

Tracing back to before the Three Sects split, it was among the few colossal powers in Qian Province.

How could such a Dao heritage be tied to a mere young cultivator?

Elder Xun Ziyou could not fathom it.

But he knew his Ancestor was serious and never lied.

If he said it concerned the Dao heritage, then there must be profound karmic ties involved.

Elder Xun Ziyou straightened, bowed deeply: "Ancestor, I understand."

Elder Xun Ziyou gave a slight nod.

"But…" Elder Xun Ziyou hesitated, then added, "this boy seems to have some tension with Duanjin Gate—should I intervene…?"

"No," Elder Xun Ziyou shook his head. "I told you to watch over him, not to shield him blindly."

"He must not be harmed—but beyond that, whether it's Duanjin Gate or any other sect, disputes among disciples must be resolved by themselves. Do not interfere excessively."

Elder Xun Ziyou understood his Ancestor's meaning, then asked: "What if Duanjin Gate's senior members…"

Elder Xun Ziyou said: "Don't worry. I'll handle everything."

Elder Xun Ziyou finally exhaled in relief.

With his Ancestor's word, he felt far more confident.

"Go," Elder Xun Ziyou waved his hand. "Don't be careless. If anything truly happens…"

dengbidmxswqqxswyifan

shuyueepzwqqwxwxsguan

xs007zhuikereadw23zw