Chapter 828: Eight Trigrams, Eight Gates

"Hand it to you?" Xia Diansi looked at Mo Hua in surprise. "You're an array master?"

"Don't I look like one?" Mo Hua said.

Xia Diansi sized up Mo Hua, then shook her head slightly.

Mo Hua was simply too young.

True array masters who had mastered their craft, even if not white-haired, were mostly middle-aged.

Some child prodigies in array arts could achieve notable skill at a young age, but their experience was a fatal flaw.

Lacking life experience, they could mostly only talk about arrays on paper.

Dao Ting Si investigations involved practical array problems.

To resolve them, experience often mattered more than talent.

This array was especially complex, fused with the island, involving the attacks and defenses of numerous cultivators—it demanded rich array experience and broad knowledge.

As for Mo Hua…

Xia Diansi stared at Mo Hua, frowning.

If he hadn't said outright he was an array master, no one would have guessed.

Moreover, Foundation Establishment mid-stage—even with some array talent—he could at best draw second-grade low-tier arrays, twelve or thirteen lines max.

Such arrays were useless.

And it wasn't just that…

Xia Diansi sighed. "Setting up arrays and capturing water bandits isn't just about knowing how to draw arrays."

"From the current situation, we'll likely need to custom-make a batch of array media to match the array…"

Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "I have connections for that too!"

"You…" Xia Diansi frowned. "A lone cultivator, aren't you?"

"Yes," Mo Hua nodded. "But I have decent connections—know a few extra people, one of whom happens to be a third-grade artificer."

Xia Diansi fell silent, glancing at Gu Changhuai, who was calmly sipping tea—his demeanor clearly implied he accepted Mo Hua's words. She looked astonished.

Gu Changhuai had a bad temper, a proud and aloof nature, especially with sharp words.

Yet now, he offered not a single objection to Mo Hua's claims.

That meant he trusted Mo Hua's array abilities absolutely…

Xia Diansi was baffled.

What array ability could a Foundation Establishment mid-stage young cultivator possibly have, to earn such trust from Gu Changhuai—a noble-born Jin Dan cultivator serving as a Dao Ting Si Diansi at fifth grade?

Xia Diansi wanted to agree to Mo Hua's request, to see if he truly possessed such array skill.

But this matter was critical.

If it failed, she couldn't explain to her uncle.

Seeing her hesitation, Mo Hua understood and said:

"Sister Xia, how about I spend some time drawing the array diagram first and send it to you? If you think it's fine, then I'll arrange the array media and begin setting up the array."

"This…" Xia Diansi paused, then nodded. "Alright, but we may not have that much time."

"One day—I'll send it to you tomorrow!"

Mo Hua swore firmly.

"One day?"

Xia Diansi looked stunned, doubtful. "That's impossible…"

"One day is enough!" Mo Hua pressed.

Catching the Water Yama was a major matter for him too—he couldn't trust it to anyone else.

Xia Diansi finally nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll wait to see your array diagram."

She left room for doubt—she hadn't truly agreed.

Mo Hua didn't mind, but he remembered something and added: "One more issue… custom-making spirit artifacts may cost a lot of spirit stones."

Xia Diansi said: "Dao Ting Si will reimburse."

Mo Hua's expression brightened. "Good!"

He'd just secured a big order for Master Gu.

After that, Mo Hua wasted no more time, bid farewell, and returned to Grand Void Gate to begin designing the array for hunting the water bandits.

Xia Diansi watched Mo Hua's retreating figure, then turned to Gu Changhuai and asked:

"Are you really comfortable entrusting the array to Mo Hua?"

Gu Changhuai raised an eyebrow slightly.

What else can I do?

I can't draw arrays—so who else would I give it to?

But he wouldn't say such things that boosted Mo Hua's reputation and diminished his own.

"Do you have any trustworthy array masters in Qian Xue Province?" Gu Changhuai asked.

Xia Diansi nodded. "Yes—our own family array master."

"Third grade?"

"Third-grade array masters are hard to hire, and for this, a second-grade is enough," Xia Diansi said.

"Then that's it," Gu Changhuai said coolly. "If a second-grade array master is sufficient, you might as well go straight to Mo Hua. If he can't solve it, others probably can't either."

Xia Diansi froze.

After speaking, Gu Changhuai rose and left.

Xia Diansi silently watched him depart, her expression subtly shifting.

She had previously assumed Mo Hua was Gu Changhuai's nephew or distant relative, so despite Gu Changhuai's bad temper, he still made efforts to accommodate him.

But now it seemed the situation was entirely different.

Gu Changhuai likely held great regard for Mo Hua, even treating him as an equal…

Even so, she could not possibly entrust the key to eliminating the water bandits to Mo Hua, a young cultivator she had met only a few times.

After returning, Xia Diansi contacted several second-rank array masters from the Xia family.

She did not clarify exactly what they were to do, only showed them the array diagrams of the area around the small island.

But before these Xia family array masters could make any headway, Mo Hua had already passed, through Gu Changhuai, the planned array diagram to Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi glanced at it once, and her pupils contracted sharply.

Taking advantage of Mo Hua's free time after class, she arranged to meet him in Tai Xu City.

Mo Hua explained some of his array concepts to her:

"I spent some time studying after returning, consulted several array classics, and confirmed everything with the sect's instructors…"

"The array on the island is a special Eight Trigrams Eight Gates array."

"This array follows the Post-Heaven Eight Trigrams orientation: Li at the top, Kan at the bottom, Zhen on the left, Dui on the right, Xun and Kun as the shoulders, Gen and Qian as the feet; each trigram corresponds to a direction, each direction has its own Eight Trigrams array and a gate."

"With this array, a barrier is constructed that simultaneously serves defensive, trapping, and escape functions."

"If the enemy cannot break in, this array functions as a defense."

"If the enemy breaks through and enters, the array activates, scrambling the directions, circulating the trigrams, and using the array's structure to trap them."

"Even if they ultimately cannot be trapped, escape remains possible."

"This array leaves eight gates. The eight gates rotate, and the Life Gate constantly shifts—in other words, there are effectively eight Life Gates, sufficient for them to escape the chaos."

"Therefore, to break this array, there are three critical points: first, find a way to break in; second, avoid being trapped; third, block the Life Gates so no one can escape…"

Mo Hua spoke clearly and eloquently.

Xia Diansi stared at Mo Hua, momentarily stunned.

She understood some array theory herself—actually far better than Gu Changhuai.

She could draw most common second-rank intermediate arrays.

She could also draw a few second-rank high-level arrays, though she knew few, and her brushwork was somewhat clumsy.

Yet hearing Mo Hua's explanation, she felt as if her own second-rank array knowledge had been learned in vain…

Such understanding of arrays required mastery of second-rank arrays, especially a thorough grasp of Eight Trigrams array theory.

Otherwise, not even identifying which Eight Trigrams arrays were present would be difficult, let alone deducing the shifting Life Gates.

Only then did Xia Diansi believe Mo Hua was not lying.

But at the same time, she found it hard to believe.

When had the array skill of disciples from the Qianxue Prefecture sects reached this level?

This level of skill, even in Daozhou, would qualify him as a rare array prodigy.

Even within the long-established and deeply rooted Xia family, few youths of this age had advanced their array studies to such a degree.

Xia Diansi remained motionless for a moment, then sighed.

She turned back, looked solemnly at Mo Hua once more, and nodded:

"Very well. I entrust the array to you—but the custom spirit weapons must be completed within three days. Can you manage?"

Mo Hua said: "The time is tight, but it should be possible."

Xia Diansi nodded: "I'll gather the personnel. If you're ready, we'll act in three days."

"Mm!" Mo Hua nodded.

…

Afterwards, Mo Hua discussed further array details with Xia Diansi, then returned to the sect.

Upon returning to the sect, his first act was to request leave from Mr. Xun.

Mr. Xun seemed to know something, asked no questions, only warned Mo Hua: "Stay safe. Don't take risks."

"Understood, Mr. Xun."

Mo Hua replied.

He was merely tagging along behind the Dao Court; he had no need to take risks himself.

After securing leave, Mo Hua went to Gushan City and found Master Gu.

"There's a major order: forge iron chains, water nets, traps, and similar spirit weapons—more than you can make within two days."

Mo Hua had already informed Master Gu beforehand; thus, Master Gu was not surprised, only asked: "Is it urgent?"

"Very urgent."

"Understood."

Master Gu nodded and immediately gave orders: "All smiths in the forging guild, stop what you're doing. Follow Young Master's instructions—work day and night to produce this batch of spirit weapons and array coal."

"Keep the fires burning. Never leave the furnaces unattended."

A group of tall forging disciples responded in unison:

"Yes!"

Mo Hua had done the forging guild a great favor.

Without Mo Hua bringing them forging opportunities, they would still be as they were before—unable to secure work, barely able to eat.

Now they had work every day, their hands were full, they could even afford wine and meat on occasion—all thanks to Mo Hua.

So when Mo Hua asked for their help, everyone gave their all.

Moreover, this was a major order; completing it would earn them plenty of spirit stones.

The forging guild was suddenly bustling with activity.

Everyone worked feverishly to meet the deadline, and two days later, they forged a total of over one hundred and fifty sets of array-coal and spiritual artifacts.

Mo Hua spent the entire night painting arrays onto them.

Because these array-coal and spiritual artifacts varied in size, the engraved arrays differed in form and rank, so in reality, there was no need to paint over a hundred full arrays.

But even so, there were still about eighty to ninety.

Mo Hua painted nonstop for a full day and night, until his head spun and his spiritual sense neared exhaustion, his soul sea throbbing faintly with pain.

Fortunately, he finished in time.

After the arrays were forged, Mo Hua inspected them once more, confirmed there were no flaws, then informed Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi came to the artifact forge and verified them herself; she found the array-coal exquisite, the arrays precise, every stroke identical to a mold-carved pattern, not a single line could be added or removed, and she felt a deep sense of awe.

Yet she also had a question:

"It's normal for molds to produce identical spiritual artifacts, but how are all these arrays exactly the same, stroke by stroke?"

Because they were all painted by the same person…

Mo Hua thought silently.

But outwardly, he said, "Perhaps because all the array masters who painted these were trained by the same master…"

"So that's how it is…"

Xia Diansi nodded.

She never imagined these arrays had been painted by Mo Hua alone in such a short time.

With the arrays and spiritual artifacts ready, Xia Diansi's personnel were also assembled.

All preparations complete, three days later, under cover of night, the group set out for Yan Shui River.

Mo Hua naturally went with them.

Xia Diansi didn't want to bring Mo Hua along: "This mission involves a chaotic battle with river bandits—it's dangerous. You'd better not come."

"If I don't come, who will guide you?" Mo Hua asked.

"This…" Xia Diansi hesitated, then asked skeptically, "That little river god? Can it guide us?"

"You can't see it," Mo Hua said. "If you can't see it, how can it lead you?"

Xia Diansi had no reply.

Though she roughly remembered the route, with battle imminent, she couldn't afford even the slightest error—her memory alone was too unreliable.

"Fine, come along," Xia Diansi conceded. "But watch your own safety."

"Got it! Sister Xia, don't worry," Mo Hua said.

He had made complete preparations; unless something extraordinary happened, there would be no problem.

Gu Changhuai stood nearby, saying nothing.

He and Mo Hua had a long-standing relationship; he knew Mo Hua's nature—if this boy set his mind on something, he wouldn't stop until he achieved it, and no amount of persuasion would change that.

As for Mo Hua's safety…

Gu Changhuai still remembered clearly how Huo Fotuo had died.

Once everything was settled, the group traveled through the night until they reached a desolate ferry landing on the banks of Yan Shui River.

Soon after, squads of cultivators arrived one after another.

They wore black robes, masked their faces, radiated deep spiritual energy, and moved with steady steps; after arriving at the ferry in batches, they bowed to Xia Diansi.

These were cultivators from the Xia family.

To avoid drawing attention, they had dispersed beforehand and only gathered in batches at the ferry once night fell.

After a while, many cultivators had already gathered nearby.

Roughly three hundred or more.

Over two hundred were from the Xia family.

The remaining fewer than one hundred were from the Gu family.

All of them, without exception, possessed water-element spiritual roots, excelled in water-based cultivation methods and Dao arts, and were skilled in water manipulation.

Finding people wasn't hard, but selecting only those with water-element spiritual roots and some water affinity was extremely difficult.

Among the Gu family, only about eighty Foundation Establishment cultivators met the criteria.

Others either didn't qualify or were assigned to other missions and couldn't come.

The Xia family was far stronger.

Even though this was within Qian Xue Province, the Xia family mobilized their connections and assembled over two hundred cultivators, each of considerable cultivation and rich experience.

"Three hundred or so should be enough…"

Mo Hua thought silently.

But Xia Diansi remained expressionless, as if still waiting for someone.

Mo Hua asked curiously, "Sister Xia, are more people coming?"

Xia Diansi had originally forbidden Mo Hua from calling her "sister," but after hearing it so often, she'd grown used to it and no longer minded the term.

She nodded. "More are coming."

Mo Hua frowned, puzzled.

Who else could be coming?

But since Xia Diansi wouldn't say, he could only wait silently. After a moment, shadows moved in the darkness—another group of cultivators arrived.

This group moved silently through the night, heading straight for the ferry.

Xia Diansi's expression remained calm, clearly expecting them.

When they reached the ferry, their leader removed his mask, revealing his face, and bowed to Xia Diansi: "Greetings, Xia Diansi."

He was young, with Foundation Establishment peak cultivation.

Mo Hua glanced at his face, his pupils contracting sharply.

This man is…

Xiao Tianquan?!

The Xiao family's true-born prodigy, the one who climbed ranks in Dao Ting Si—the Especially Xiao Tianquan!

Mo Hua's thoughts grew momentarily chaotic.

"How could it be Xiao Tianquan? Did he betray the Xiao family? No…"

Mo Hua studied the people behind Xiao Tianquan again and noticed their facial features, their bearing, every movement bore the unmistakable style of Dao Ting Si.

These people were all Xiao family's Zhisi.

Mo Hua's eyelid twitched, and he couldn't help but glance at Gu Changhuai beside him.

Gu Changhuai frowned, his gaze solemn—he clearly hadn't expected these allies to be from the Xiao family.

Xia Diansi nodded slightly and asked, "Are all present?"

Xiao Tianquan bowed respectfully and replied, "Report, Diansi: One hundred and twelve members of the Xiao family have all arrived, awaiting your orders."

"Good." Xia Diansi nodded. "You all know the plan. Board the boats shortly and follow me deep into the Yan Shui River to exterminate the river bandits and eliminate this plague."

Xiao Tianquan bowed again. "Yes, Diansi!"

Then he raised his head, his gaze sharp as he glanced at Gu Changhuai—but said nothing, turning instead to issue orders to the Xiao sect's cultivators.

Gu Changhuai's face darkened, equally silent.

Soon after, the group moved out; Xia family cultivators launched dozens of spirit boats into the water—over thirty in total.

Then everyone boarded in orderly fashion.

Xia Diansi's boat led the way, and Gu Changhuai boarded with her.

Mo Hua would guide the way, so he boarded this same vessel.

Xiao Tianquan, however, clearly wished to board as well and join Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi hesitated briefly, then said:

"Please, Xiao Zhisi, lead the Xiao family in the rear."

Xiao Tianquan nodded understandingly, bowed, and replied, "Yes," then moved to the rear boats.

All boarded; over thirty spirit boats silently set out under cover of night.

Mo Hua led the way ahead.

All other cultivators followed behind.

The night was serene, the water calm, with only the gentle murmur of the current accompanying the boats forward.

They sailed in silence until halfway, when Gu Changhuai finally couldn't hold back and asked Xia Diansi:

"Why the Xiao family?"

His voice was low, laced with confusion and a hint of accusation.

Mo Hua immediately perked up his ears.

"What's wrong with the Xiao family?"

Xia Diansi's tone was flat, dismissive.

Gu Changhuai frowned. "You truly didn't know?"

The Gui Shui Men and the Xiao family had always been tied together, inseparable.

Xia Diansi fell silent for a moment—clearly, some things could not be spoken.

But seeing Gu Changhuai's clear, questioning gaze, she pondered briefly, then slowly spoke:

"The Xiao family has defected to my Xia family…"

"From the very beginning, it was the Xiao family who secretly reported to my uncle the Gui Shui Men's many transgressions—only then did Dao Ting Si investigate the Gui Shui Men."

Gu Changhuai's gaze trembled.

Mo Hua, eavesdropping ahead, drew in a sharp breath.

Damn, the Xiao family's traitor had actually "switched sides."

Just moments ago they were cozying up to Gui Shui Men—then turned and stabbed them in the back…

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