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Chapter 27: Understanding the Array
Chapter 27: Understanding the Array
As expected, Zhao Xuhe eventually sold the Nine Metamorphosis Dragon Art to Lv Yang for 1,500 Contribution Points.
That’s just how people are when they’re in debt.
After obtaining the Nine Metamorphosis Dragon Art, Lv Yang immediately returned to his Cultivation Cave. He memorized every word of the cultivation technique before carefully storing it away.
"Pity I can’t cultivate it now."
His body turned into a blood shadow, his cultivation stagnant at the late-stage Refining Qi. Even if he wanted to dissipate his cultivation, it was impossible—this life was a lost cause.
Still, Lv Yang had no intention of rushing to his death.
Time was precious. Even with the Ten Thousand Lives Scroll, he wouldn’t waste it recklessly. Without cultivation, he could still progress in other ways.
With that thought, he retrieved the Formation Treasure Manual from Qingchen Immortaless’s storage pouch.
That’s right—he’d focus on array techniques!
In the cultivation world, mastery of any of the Four Arts—arrays, artifacts, elixirs, or talismans—elevated one to elite status. Qingchen Immortaless was a prime example: a brilliant array master who could even fuse formations into treasures. Too bad her taste in men was terrible. She’d fallen for heartless bastards twice, leading to tragic endings in both lives.
Opening the Formation Treasure Manual, the preface on the first page made Lv Yang sigh.
"A formation-treasure combines arrays and treasures, two as one. This art is the culmination of my life’s work."
"To learn this path, both talent and effort are indispensable."
After the preface came pages dense with intricate patterns, each annotated with explanations.
"Arrays begin with formation runes. Drawing these runes is like sketching the heavens and earth, borrowing their mysteries. Yet the cosmos holds infinite secrets, nearly impossible to grasp, let alone convert into runes. Only those with extraordinary insight can master this art."
"Good. Now that you understand the basics…"
"Turn to page three and try this simple example to apply what you’ve learned."
Page three revealed an absurdly complex diagram.
"This is the array diagram?"
Lv Yang stroked his chin. Solving it meant identifying the runes’ composition to deduce the array’s function. Runes were the foundation—whether an array worked depended on their harmonious arrangement, avoiding conflicts and forming a complete circuit.
"Fascinating."
Confident, he smirked. This didn’t seem too hard. "With my talent and effort, a basic array diagram? I’ll crack it for sure!"
A month later…
Lv Yang sat motionless on his Reed Meditation Cushion, surrounded by piles of drafts filled with calculations. His blood shadow flickered weakly.
Suddenly, a glimmer of spiritual light sparked from his fingertips.
"Did it work!?"
He shot up, eyes blazing with joy. After double-checking his rune assembly, confusion crept in:
"Wait… why did it work?"
"How does this even function?"
After a month of agony, he’d solved it—but didn’t understand why. The frustration was maddening.
Over the next month, his comprehension deepened.
In short, arrays were like programming. Mastering them meant sifting through the chaotic "code" of heaven and earth to extract usable fragments. But unlike code, arrays demanded innate talent.
It was like panning for gold in a shit mountain. Without skill, you’d end up buried in crap instead of gold.
"At least I found something."
Sighing, Lv Yang dove back into his studies. Weeks passed before he finally deciphered the diagram.
"It’s an illumination array!"
"Within its range, light banishes concealment techniques. No offensive or defensive power, though."
His face was gaunt, eyes bloodshot, yet triumphant. He flipped to page three.
"Actually, it’s normal not to solve it. This exercise humbles you, teaching patience. Don’t aim too high."
Lv Yang: "…"
"Beast! A total beast!"
He hurled the book to the ground. There was no doubt now—this manual was written by a Holy Sect array master with a sadistic streak.
After calming down, he picked it up again.
Life didn’t care about preferences. To survive, he’d grit his teeth and push on.
Further study revealed his talent wasn’t terrible.
As the manual noted, page three’s diagram was never meant for beginners. That’s why he’d hit a wall for two months. The upside? Simpler arrays now came easier. Stuck spots took days to resolve, restoring his confidence.
Years passed without notice in the cave, time flying by.
Twenty years, to be exact.
Lv Yang tuned out the world, obsessed with arrays. He even skipped paying rent for his Cultivation Cave, retreating to the Outer Sect. Without cultivation needs, he’d embraced a carefree, jobless life.
Every few years, a new Chosen One would rise in the Outer Sect, mirroring Xiao Shiye’s luck. Each would seize a widely known Holy Sect treasure before vanishing, along with greedy disciples hoping to piggyback on their fortune.
"Another fishing expedition by that senior."
Hearing such news always unsettled Lv Yang. After Xiao Shiye’s example, he kept far clear of Chosen Ones. He couldn’t fight them—only avoid them.
As for Zhao Xuhe, he’d reached late-stage Refining Qi, becoming a renowned True Transmission of the Holy Sect. Alas, a failed Foundation Building Stage breakthrough years ago led to his demise.
Lv Yang merely sighed at the news, unbothered.
What truly thrilled him was mastering the Formation Treasure Manual after two decades.
Now, in his cave, his fading blood shadow focused on a Sword Core. His form dimmed—his lifespan drained by the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation’s side effects. At forty, death loomed.
Yet he carved runes relentlessly, ignoring his impending end. Interrupting inspiration would be a greater waste.
"I get it! Wait, no—wrong!"
"Ah, right! No… damn it, still wrong!"
As his blood shadow frayed, on the brink of oblivion, his eyes snapped open.
"Ha! I did it!"
The runes around the Sword Core ignited, forming a perfect circuit. His laughter echoed through the cave—then fell silent.
"Ten Thousand Lives Scroll!"
(End of Chapter)
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