Chapter 43: Seeking Knowledge
Chapter 43: Seeking Knowledge
Mo Shan and his wife were delighted to hear that Mo Hua had been introduced by Yan Jiaoxi and had taken a master who was an expert in array formations.
Mo Shan had some initial concerns, but after much thought, he felt there was nothing to worry about.
Yan Jiaoxi had been teaching at Tongxian Gate for many years and had a good reputation. Naturally, someone endorsed by him would also be extraordinary.
The Mo family were just ordinary rogue cultivators. They had no spirit stones or family wealth, so there was no reason to suspect that anyone would have ulterior motives towards them.
Moreover, they might not even have the opportunity to meet an array master of such stature. This was indeed a rare opportunity.
Mo Hua was now studying array formations and living at home, which made Liu Ruhua happy as she could see her son every day and cook for him.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast prepared by his mother, Mo Hua set off towards the southeast mountain to visit Master Zhuang and seek his tutelage.
As Mo Hua approached the foot of the mountain, he walked along a small path that led to the bamboo gate. That was when he noticed a plaque hanging in front of the courtyard that read "Zuo Wang Ju" (Abode of Forgetting Self)
. He wondered why he hadn't noticed it the day before.
Mo Hua entered Zuo Wang Ju and found Master Zhuang sitting idly by the pool, with his head propped up by one hand while the other held a fishing rod—a simple bamboo stick with an empty line, devoid of any bait.
Mo Hua leaned forward to look into the pool and realized there weren't any fish in it.
He felt that Master Zhuang might have had some deeper meaning behind this, so he looked up at him again. However, it seemed that Master Zhuang wasn't fishing at all; he was just dozing off with his head propped up.
Fortunately, the old man from yesterday spotted Mo Hua and called him over. "The master often takes naps. When he's sleeping, just leave him be, and don't disturb him."
"Oh, okay," Mo Hua nodded, not quite understanding but agreeing nonetheless.
The old man introduced himself, "I'm the housekeeper here, taking care of the master's daily needs. You can call me Kui Lao."
Mo Hua politely addressed him, "Grandpa Kui."
Kui Lao glanced at Mo Hua but said nothing. Instead, he took out a chessboard and asked, "Do you know how to play chess?"
Mo Hua looked at the board. "Is this the Five Elements Chess?"
There were many types of chess played in the cultivation world, including the Bagua Chess, Five Elements Chess, Tian Yuan Chess, and San Cai Chess. Five Elements Chess was one of the simplest and most popular games used to teach cultivation concepts to children, helping them memorize the relationships of the five elements.
The rules were quite simple. Each player had two types of chess pieces, and the board would randomly generate different elemental pieces. Once flipped over, the pieces would reveal their attribute. Pieces that were mutually generating according to the five elements were stronger, and those that were mutually overcoming could capture each other.
It was a simple, fun, and thought-provoking game, perfect for cultivating children's intelligence.
Mo Hua didn't mind playing Five Elements Chess himself, but seeing the weathered-looking Kui Lao play it was something else...
Seeming to read Mo Hua's mind, Kui Lao said, "Do you think Five Elements Chess is too simple?"
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, then lied through his teeth, "The Tao that is pursued is simplicity. Returning to simplicity and nature, the simpler things are often the most profound."
Kui Lao was stunned. After a moment of thought, he exclaimed, "What a great reason! The next time I play chess with someone, I'll use this line!"
Mo Hua: "..."
And so, Mo Hua started playing chess with Kui Lao.
At first, Mo Hua thought Kui Lao must be an expert at the game, so he focused intently. However, after a few rounds, he realized that Kui Lao was evenly matched with him—neither of them had the upper hand. Relieved, they both enjoyed the game without any pressure.
Before they knew it, it was already noon, and Mo Hua suddenly remembered why he had come here in the first place...
Master Zhuang had been dozing by the pool, and after sleeping for half the morning, he opened his eyes, glanced at the sun, and nodded, "It's time for lunch."
And so, after spending the entire morning playing chess and wasting half the day, Mo Hua mooched another meal.
The food was prepared by Kui Lao and consisted of meat, vegetables, and rice, filled with spiritual energy but questionable in taste.
Kui Lao didn't seem like he was skilled in cooking.
However, Master Zhuang didn't seem to mind. He ate his fill, turning the food into blood and energy. Sensations of taste were all illusions. No matter the flavor of the food, each bite and swallow was serene and elegant, as if he was consuming not grains but the very essence of the heavens and earth.
Mo Hua admired Master Zhuang's demeanor, finding it truly appropriate and carefree, and he couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
Mo Hua wanted to emulate Master Zhuang's way of eating, slowly and gracefully, but he just couldn't pull it off. It felt awkward, so he eventually gave up and just focused on eating his meal earnestly.
After the meal, Master Zhuang finally seemed to remember why Mo Hua had come and led him to a bamboo pavilion in the courtyard.
The pavilion was surrounded by a refreshing breeze and the rustling of bamboo leaves.
"I've taken disciples before, but what they learned is different from what you're seeking. It's hard to make a general comparison," Master Zhuang said. "Let me first assess your current level of understanding in formations."
Master Zhuang proceeded to ask Mo Hua several questions, to which Mo Hua responded one by one.
After hearing Mo Hua's answers, Master Zhuang fell into deep thought for a moment before retrieving a thick tome and handing it to Mo Hua, offering guidance:
"Your foundational knowledge about arrays is rather lacking, and what you've learned so far are mostly basic array patterns that are fragmented and incomplete. With such an unstable foundation, it will be difficult for you to comprehend more profound arrays in the future, and your path in the art of arrays won't go far."
Master Zhuang passed the tome to Mo Hua, saying, "You still need to start from the very basics. This book contains the fundamental theories of arrays in the cultivation world, encompassing different sects, attributes, and lineages. First, memorize these, and try to understand them. If there's anything you can't comprehend, feel free to ask me. Once your foundation in array theories is solid, I will teach you how to draw arrays."
Mo Hua took the hefty tome, titled Source Theory of Arrays, and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Master!"
Master Zhuang waved his hand dismissively. "Feel free to find a comfortable spot in the yard to study. I'm going to take a nap now."
After bidding farewell, Mo Hua found a shady spot under a tree, lay down on the soft grass, and began to delve into the tome.
The Source Theory began by expounding on how ancient immortals observed the heavens and the earth, deriving an understanding of the Dao from the evolution of all things in nature, and manifesting this understanding into arrays. By operating these arrays, one could emulate the workings of the heavens and attain unfathomable power.
Among the myriad cultivation paths, the art of arrays was the most direct and fundamental way to comprehend the Dao, but it also had the strictest requirements for one's spiritual sense.
Array masters were classified into nine grades, with the ninth grade being the most revered. Beyond the ninth grade was the mythical realm of immortal array masters, known as "Transcendent Array Sages," a term that implied an otherworldly level of mastery.
However, no one had achieved true immortality in nearly 20,000 years, and thus, the existence of immortal array masters remained a legend. No one knew what heavenly-altering arrays crafted by these mythical masters would look like.
Not only were immortal array masters unheard of, but there were also no records of ninth-grade array masters. Even eighth-grade masters were considered legendary, and the only known array masters were a few sixth and seventh-grade masters, who were already unreachable figures—powerful elders of ancient sects, influential clans, or the highest authorities in the cultivation world.
The records became more abundant for fifth to third-grade array masters, but they tapered off after that, indicating that only those who made unprecedented breakthroughs in the art of arrays would be deemed worthy of being documented.
After a historical overview, the tome delved into the various schools of thought in arrays and provided concise analyses of array terminology.
Different sects, clans, and regions had vastly different array traditions. Even within the same array lineage, there could be multiple smaller branches, each with subtle differences in how they studied, researched, applied, and ultimately benefited from arrays.
Major powers guarded their core array techniques as secrets, leading to a situation where array techniques flourished in diversity but remained confined within their respective sects.
Arrays could be categorized into various types, including the Two-Yin Array, Three-Talent Array, Four-Symbol Array, Five-Element Array, Six-Harmony Array, Seven-Star Array, and Eight-Trigram Array. Among these, the Five-Element Array and Eight-Trigram Array were the most widespread, while each of the other types had its unique applications.
...
Mo Hua spent most of the day skimming through the Source Theory of Arrays, and by the end of his reading, he felt both enlightened and humbled.
For Mo Hua, even attaining the rank of a first-grade array master would be challenging, let alone aspiring for the mythical seventh, eighth, or ninth grades. The path of arrays was like a vast ocean, and he, having barely dipped his toes into its waters, was but a grain of sand in its depths.
(End of Chapter)
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