[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain":3,"chapter-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-45":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Notes on Cultivation at Wulong Mountain",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2272950,4440,"Chapter 45: Chapter Forty-Four: Crafting the Array Disc","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou held the jade disc gifted by Wei Hongqing and, following the incantations in the Array Scripture, etched array symbols with true qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carved a deep groove on the left, a shallow one on the right, then a faint, almost invisible line above, and dragged it straight downward, looping it around the back of the jade disc to return to the upper symbol, then splitting left and right—the left circle as the sun, the half-circle as the moon, connecting at the bottom with wavelike lines...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Array Scripture, the left side represents one entity: heaven, yang, the sun, worthy of reverence, or the soul; the right side represents one entity: earth, yin, fit for service, or the corporeal spirit; their union above signifies good and evil, right and wrong, the arbiter of fate...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purpose of etching is to construct a microcosm of heaven and earth upon the jade disc—this microcosm is the array symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The array symbol is complex, comprising dozens of strokes; when etching with true qi, one must not interrupt—not the trace, but the flow of true qi—and the process drains immense energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though completing the array symbol took but one night, Liu Xiaolou felt as if he had suffered a grave illness—his true qi exhausted, his face pale, his eyes dull—and he collapsed into sleep for three full days before recovering slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xingde Jun would not let him rest further; array disc crafting demands seamless continuity, to be completed while the array symbol’s heaven-and-earth still remains “unaged,” or else it becomes a lifeless object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no choice, Liu Xiaolou clutched spirit stones to replenish his true qi and pressed on through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, he had to infuse various materials into the jade disc—the channels for infusion being the etched array lines; though called channels, they were in truth the storage dwellings for the materials, akin to the pools within the body’s acupoints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was another delicate task: each material had to be introduced strictly according to the Scripture’s instructions, never touching another, each following its own path, entering its own gate. Some etched channels required passage of five or six, even seven or eight materials; forcing so many substances through such narrow, parallel routes, ensuring none would interfere with the others during the disc’s future operation—its difficulty was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if one erred, one had to cleanse the channels anew with true qi and reintroduce fresh materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou spent over half a month on this step, restarting and redoing the process seven times before finally succeeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third step required stabilizing the array with earth fire and nurturing it with spiritual power—the so-called fusion of water and fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Guan had ready earth fire, located in the alchemy chamber; as for spiritual power, only spirit stones could provide it. Xingde Jun had no spirit stones, so Liu Xiaolou had to supply them—this was only proper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade disc floated midair above the earth fire vent, with a spirit stone affixed above it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White flames burned beneath the disc, while pale green vapor rose from the spirit stone above; where the white flame and green vapor met, a rainbow formed. The jade disc slowly rotated within the rainbow, its mystery beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou sat cross-legged at the earth fire vent, cultivating the alchemy; on the fifth day, distant tremors echoed through the mountains, causing him to lose focus for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun gestured to him to concentrate, then left the alchemy chamber and gazed down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a giant deity, over a zhang tall, was capturing several fleeing cultivators; soon he seized them, clenching them in his palm, and strode away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From below the mountain came a shout: “All mountains, do not panic! Qingyu Sect is making an arrest—none of your business!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun leapt to a high vantage to observe—it was Hou Zhishi of Qingyu Sect loudly announcing his presence; as the towering deity departed, Hou Zhishi’s voice faded into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Qingyu Sect’s Divine Strike technique—no one knew which inner sect disciple had unleashed it, yet the spectacle was astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great sects truly are formidable! Xingde Jun sighed, his heart growing heavy, then returned to the alchemy chamber and signaled Liu Xiaolou to focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the seventh day of crafting, Liu Xiaolou, as the Scripture instructed, bit his tongue and spat a jet of blood onto the array disc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the final step in array disc crafting: establishing a mind-spirit connection. Once completed, the disc could be summoned at will—and only its master could control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou caressed the array disc, glowing with spiritual radiance, filled with boundless joy—then was immediately engulfed by overwhelming drowsiness and collapsed into deep sleep once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From gathering materials, to mixing, etching the array symbol, infusing materials, to final nurturing—it had taken three full months, an entire winter, truly no small feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And nurturing the array disc had consumed five spirit stones, leaving Liu Xiaolou heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never anticipated such costs when he first set out, but the deed was done: alongside the Mysterious Incense and the Three Xuan Swords, he now possessed the Lin Yuan Xuan Shi Array—a valuable added safeguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After awakening, Liu Xiaolou activated the array disc; instantly, a small courtyard materialized on the courtyard of Xingde Guan, identical to the one where Su Xing lived in the Zhou estate: white walls encircled lush green bamboo, a pond shimmered emerald, pavilions were exquisitely crafted, and candlelight flickered within the side chambers, radiating opulence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this tiny courtyard was a prison—once inside, escape was nearly impossible, and one must never enter the side chamber, or else one would lose all control—no jesting matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun entered the illusionary array to test it, emerged flushed and embarrassed, and scolded: “Can’t you be serious? I thought you’d joined some refined sect—turns out you’re into... Don’t ever say I taught you this method again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou paid no mind: “Master, I’ve said before—techniques have no high or low...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun waved him off: “Enough, enough—don’t repeat that nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou awaited Xingde Jun’s evaluation: “How is my array?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun replied candidly: “No extraordinary talent, but not poor either. To craft an array disc this well on your first try is rare indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou beamed: “So... it succeeded?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun nodded: “It succeeded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou sighed in awe: “Truly not easy. This array disc is worth no less than twenty spirit stones! Tonight, we feast well—no sleep till drunk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Taoyuan mountains were rich in produce—wild boar, deer, rabbits, pheasants everywhere; Liu Xiaolou prepared a lavish feast, uncorked Xingde Jun’s hidden wine, and drank heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they ate and drank, Xingde Jun asked about Liu Xiaolou’s plans; Liu Xiaolou replied: “As a cultivator, cultivation must come first. I’ve held the sect leadership for over a year, yet I remain at Qi Refining Third Layer—unfit for my position. I intend to enter seclusion and strive swiftly toward Qi Refining Fourth Layer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun approved: “Cultivation comes first—that is the right path. The array disc is done. Leave tomorrow morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “I’ve taken great liking to you, Master. I wish to enter seclusion here at Xingde Guan—should I encounter difficulties, I may seek your guidance. May I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingde Jun shook his head: “I have matters of my own—I won’t be on the mountain. Return home. If fate allows, come again someday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the host refused, Liu Xiaolou had no recourse—he drained the entire jar of spirit wine, lest he leave with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Liu Xiaolou took his leave; Xingde Jun handed him a wooden box: “Xiaolou, our bond transcends age. As we part, I give you this—do not open it now. Wait until you return to your mountain. Agreed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou accepted the gift, ashamed: “I have nothing worthy to give you in return. May I leave you two spirit stones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how Liu Xiaolou pleaded, Xingde Jun refused the spirit stones; after parting, Liu Xiaolou hummed a mountain tune as he descended, returning to Xiangxi.\u003C\u002Fp>",1345,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b347a07e35a754890541f18ce687103a3339589f2e14d8f77d8d9e399ce18c70","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-46","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-44",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]