Chapter 376: Supreme Divine Sense
Chapter 376: Supreme Divine Sense
A few days later, Mo Hua and his companions arrived at Shangtai City.
Shangtai City was just a small immortal city, even smaller than Tongxian City, and there were fewer foundation cultivators within its walls.
The streets were not bustling, and the passing cultivators were dressed poorly, their faces bearing a look of worry and hardship.
Mo Hua sighed softly.
It seemed that not only were the loose cultivators in Tongxian City struggling, but loose cultivators across the land faced similar, if not more, difficulties.
The group found an inn to rest for the night.
Mister Zhuang asked to speak with Mo Hua privately.
Mo Hua sat respectfully on a small stool, listening intently to his master's words.
Mister Zhuang asked gently, "Do you know what you should focus on during this journey?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment before replying, "To study array formations?"
"And besides that?" Mister Zhuang prompted.
"Um..." Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then asked, "Foundation building?"
Mister Zhuang nodded. "You are different from ordinary people and also from ordinary array masters. The cultivation technique you practice is the Heavenly Deviation Technique, and its bottleneck lies in array formations."
"Your array formations and cultivation are actually interconnected."
"If you don't master array formations, you won't be able to unravel mystical arrays, break through bottlenecks, and advance your cultivation."
"And without advancing your cultivation, you won't be able to break through to higher realms, nor will you be able to learn more advanced array formations..."
"More importantly, the array formations you need to learn are far more profound than what others study. Learning ordinary array formations won't help you unravel mystical arrays or break through bottlenecks..."
Mo Hua nodded; he had expected as much.
If he wanted to become a grand array master, he must also become a grand cultivator, and vice versa.
"Master, what should I do before I attempt foundation building?" Mo Hua asked. "Should I continue studying array formations?"
Mister Zhuang nodded. "That's right."
"But... what kind of array formations should I study?" Mo Hua asked, perplexed.
He had already learned the first-grade ten-pattern Reverse Spirit Formation and the Five Elements Demon-Slaying Grand Formation.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "Can I learn second-grade array formations?"
Mister Zhuang saw through his disciple's thoughts and shook his head with a smile. "No..."
Mo Hua looked disappointed.
Mister Zhuang explained, "The composition of spiritual power in second-grade array formations is completely different from first-grade ones. Unless your cultivation advances to the foundation-building stage and you attain the spiritual power akin to liquid mercury, you won't be able to learn second-grade array formations."
"Then... should I continue studying grand formations?" Mo Hua asked.
Mister Zhuang's expression held a hint of amusement as he replied, "How many grand formations do you think there are for you to learn? First-grade grand formations are already rare, and most of them are closely guarded secrets passed down through the ages. I don't have many in my possession..."
"Moreover, even if you learn them, how will you build grand formations?"
"The resources and manpower required for grand formations are immense."
"Unless a great demon appears and threatens Tongxian City, and the people there trust you and are willing to join forces with you, you wouldn't have been able to establish the Five Elements Demon-Slaying Grand Formation."
Mo Hua was taken aback and fell silent as he considered the truth of his master's words.
Indeed, the cost and risk of constructing grand formations were exorbitant, and within this state, only a handful of powers could afford to do so.
These powers had either already built grand formations or, if they hadn't, would never consider entrusting the task to Mo Hua, a thirteen-year-old array master.
They wouldn't believe that a young array master like him could serve as the chief array master for a grand formation.
Mo Hua scratched his head. "So, what else can I learn?"
Mister Zhuang said, "Do you remember the supreme formations I told you about?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded. "Array formations of the first-grade nine-pattern and above, deviating from the norms of the Path of Arrays, requiring an extraordinary level of spiritual sense and a profound understanding of array formations—these are known as supreme formations."
Mister Zhuang affirmed, "While supreme formations are out of reach for other array masters, they are a necessity for you. You can learn them, and you must."
Mo Hua had been hoping to study even more challenging array formations, but he hesitated and meekly asked, "Master, if I don't learn supreme formations, can I still attempt foundation building...?"
Mister Zhuang's expression was amused. "Generally speaking, your current level of spiritual sense and array formation skills are already sufficient for foundation building."
Mo Hua's face lit up with joy.
However, Mister Zhuang continued, "...but merely achieving foundation building is not enough."
Mo Hua blinked. "Is it because my spiritual sense isn't strong enough...?"
Mister Zhuang nodded. "Compared to cultivators of the same realm, your spiritual sense is already quite powerful. However, it's still not enough."
Mo Hua asked, "Then how strong does it need to be to be considered enough?"
Mister Zhuang's gaze turned slightly solemn as he slowly said, "At least above nine patterns..."
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise. "Above nine patterns... is that the mid-stage of foundation building?"
"I remember," Mo Hua nodded.
Mister Zhuang's expression turned solemn as he said, "Foundation establishment is the first major breakthrough. After the breakthrough, one's spiritual power undergoes a qualitative change, and their spiritual sense doubles."
"So, before foundation establishment, one must lay a solid foundation."
"If you lag behind before foundation establishment, you will fall far behind afterward. Moreover, the gap will only widen as you progress in your cultivation."
"Many cultivators neglect their foundation and blindly pursue quick progress, hastily rushing into foundation establishment. This results in a lack of depth, and although they may shine brightly at the beginning, they soon fade into mediocrity. Therefore, mere foundation establishment is not enough; one must choose their path wisely, establish a solid foundation, and then forge their Daoist foundation."
"Is my path... the path of the spiritual sense?" Mo Hua asked, recalling what Mister Zhuang had told him about attaining enlightenment through spiritual sense.
Mister Zhuang nodded. "The shortcomings of your physical body and spiritual root are difficult to make up for, and you will never be able to compare to those heaven's pride. However, your spiritual sense has the potential to surpass them all, leaving all your peers in the dust..."
"That is why I want you to enhance your spiritual sense to the utmost before attempting foundation establishment."
"If you can achieve a spiritual sense of thirteen patterns or more during the early stage of foundation establishment, your spiritual sense will double after the breakthrough, possibly propelling you directly into the late stage of foundation establishment!"
As Mister Zhuang spoke, he felt a tremor in his own heart.
To possess a spiritual sense comparable to that of a late-stage foundation establishment cultivator right after entering the initial stage—that would be a true monstrous genius.
The power of a spiritual sense was subtle and not as direct or overwhelming as spiritual power or blood essence. However, that was only because most cultivators' spiritual senses were not strong enough.
When a spiritual sense reached the pinnacle of power, it would become an absolutely terrifying force.
A supreme spiritual sense, reigning over all, was a power that could make all things and beings in the world submit and tremble in fear.
Although Mo Hua didn't know exactly how powerful that was, he was still left speechless by the prospect.
After a moment, he asked eagerly, "Then how can I enhance my spiritual sense beyond thirteen patterns...?"
Mister Zhuang snapped out of his reverie, his eyes flashing as he said, "The same old method—a tedious one... Draw array formations."
To comprehend array formations was to temper one's spiritual sense.
This was something other array masters couldn't do, but Mister Zhuang knew that Mo Hua could.
There was an opportunity hidden within Mo Hua that even Mister Zhuang couldn't see clearly.
Mo Hua had drawn array formations countless times, far more than any other array master. He must have spent day and night diligently practicing array formations.
This was something that most array masters couldn't achieve.
Moreover, it seemed that Mo Hua's spiritual sense grew more with each practice than that of other array masters.
It was as if he had comprehended something profound in the process.
As long as he continued to practice array formations, especially those that were profound and demanding of his spiritual sense, Mo Hua's spiritual sense would continue to grow.
"The Five Elements Demon-Slaying Grand Formation is an eleven-pattern first-grade grand formation," Mister Zhuang continued.
Mo Hua was taken aback, but then he understood that it made sense.
He had long suspected that Mister Zhuang had deceived him...
Not exactly deceived, but at least withheld some information and not told him the whole truth.
"In other words, your current spiritual sense is also at eleven patterns," Mister Zhuang explained.
"An eleven-pattern spiritual sense is slightly stronger than that of a cultivator who has just entered foundation establishment, or even some cultivators in the early stage of foundation establishment with shallow cultivation."
"Now that you're at eleven patterns, the ten-pattern Reverse Spirit Formation doesn't offer much in terms of improving your spiritual sense."
"You can practice eleven-pattern grand formations, but without the opportunity to actually draw them, it won't be very beneficial..."
"Moreover, drawing the core of a grand formation takes too much time, making it inefficient for tempering your spiritual sense."
"Therefore, you should seek out supreme array formations of eleven patterns or above to study. This will enhance your understanding of array formations and further temper your spiritual sense through their use."
"The only bottleneck of the Heavenly Deviation Technique is array formations, and the key to array formations lies in one's spiritual sense..."
Mister Zhuang looked deeply into Mo Hua's eyes as he said, "The stronger your spiritual sense, the better your understanding of array formations will be. The better your understanding of array formations, the smoother your cultivation will be, and the further you will progress on the path to longevity..."
"Hence, you must cultivate your spiritual sense to the utmost."
"In the future, use your supreme spiritual sense to attain enlightenment on your path!"
(End of Chapter)
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