Chapter 472: Slacking Off
Chapter 472: Slacking Off
Lu Chengyun handed Mo Hua several more scrolls containing array diagrams, array patterns, and instructions on dismantling arrays.
"These scrolls should be of assistance to Young Master Mo in creating the array core for the Myriad Corpse Revival Array."
Lu Chengyun's expression was unreadable as he continued in a flat tone, "I'll give Young Master three days. Within that time, draw up a formation diagram for the formation core, and we shall discuss it. We'll take the best parts and discard the rest, refining the design until we have a complete formation core diagram."
Three days...
Mo Hua let out a sigh of relief, but he also felt a bit apprehensive. He cupped his fists and replied, "As you say, Lord Lu."
Mo Hua gathered the scrolls and books that Lu Chengyun had given him and left with a worried expression on his face.
It wasn't until Mo Hua was out of sight that Zhang Quan spoke up with a sinister smile, "Brother Lu, that little brat looks unsure of himself."
Lu Chengyun turned to glance at him, "If he's unsure, does Brother Zhang have confidence instead?"
Zhang Quan twisted his mouth, "Brother Lu jokes. I don't understand arrays..."
Lu Chengyun gave a soft hum.
Zhang Quan, with a mischievous intent, voiced his doubt, "This little brat... I mean, Young Master, can he really create the array core?"
Lu Chengyun pondered for a moment before slowly answering, "He has exceptional talent, high comprehension skills, and must surely come from a renowned lineage with deep knowledge in arrays..."
"The only issue is probably his limited experience in arrays due to his young age and lack of exposure. He might not have sufficient practical experience in creating arrays."
Lu Chengyun sighed, "But it's not his fault. After all, he's still young. At this age, even if he dedicates all his time to it, he can only draw so many arrays..."
"How can his experience compare to those array masters who have spent over a hundred years studying them?"
"That's why I'm combining our strengths. He can design the array core with his knowledge, and I'll oversee and correct his work, making up for his lack of practical experience."
Zhang Quan frowned, "Even so, Brother Lu, why don't you design it yourself?"
A hint of coldness flashed in Lu Chengyun's eyes, and his gaze turned slightly displeased.
In his heart, he thought: If I could design it myself, why would I rely on others?
Lu Chengyun glanced at the grand Myriad Corpse Revival Array and felt a sense of awe.
This was almost a grand array!
The array core design was akin to that of a grand array.
Grand arrays and single arrays were entirely different systems.
While his spiritual sense was sufficient, his knowledge of arrays was lacking.
Without a profound foundation and heritage in arrays, and without guidance from a master, it would be impossible for an ordinary array master to even glimpse the path of grand arrays.
Even with decades of solitary research, one might not be able to grasp the intricacies.
Moreover, he didn't have that kind of time.
By the time he figured it out, drew the diagrams, formed the array core, and established the array, the zombies in this mine would probably have rotted away.
This Zhang Quan wasn't an array master, and it was tedious to explain these things to him!
Lu Chengyun felt resentful, but he still gave an excuse, "I've ventured into the dark arts and crafted dark arrays. It's challenging to recreate an array core using orthodox methods."
Zhang Quan was slightly taken aback by his words and nodded unconsciously.
As he didn't understand the intricacies of array knowledge, he felt that Lu Chengyun might be deceiving him, so he listened with a mixture of belief and skepticism.
However, he understood what Lu Chengyun said now.
Having delved into dark arrays, it would indeed be difficult to create orthodox arrays.
The dichotomy between righteousness and evil was simple to comprehend.
Zhang Quan thought for a moment and then asked, confused, "But is Young Master Mo's array knowledge truly that extraordinary?"
Lu Chengyun nodded, "Of course..."
"If he didn't have a good lineage and guidance from a master, how could he, no matter how talented, become a first-rate array master at such a young age?"
After speaking, Lu Chengyun's expression turned wistful, "The first-rate array masters recognized by the Dao Court are those who have dedicated their lives to studying arrays, poring over ancient texts, and delving deep into the mysteries of arrays."
"And he's already a first-rate array master at the age of thirteen..."
A hint of jealousy flickered in Lu Chengyun's eyes.
He couldn't help but feel envious of Mo Hua's good fortune in finding such excellent tutelage. Otherwise, his own array skills wouldn't have stagnated for so many years with slow progress...
Zhang Quan's eyes also revealed a trace of wariness.
"So he's a first-rate array master..."
He had known that Mo Hua was skilled in arrays, but he hadn't expected him to be this good.
Immediately, a greedy thought emerged in Zhang Quan's mind.
Killing a first-rate array master would be such a waste.
He wondered if there was a way to keep him by his side and make him create arrays for his benefit...
Both men harbored secret intentions, but on the surface, they remained nonchalant.
Subsequently, Lu Chengyun brought up the topic of the Myriad Corpse Array again.
The two men exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with ambitious gleams.
"However, before that," Lu Chengyun's tone shifted after a moment, his eyes deepening with a hidden agenda, "I wish to borrow the ancestral master portrait from Brother Zhang."
Zhang Quan was taken aback, his smile fading slightly. "Brother Lu, didn't you already take a look at it before?"
"The ancestors of the Zhang family are unparalleled, and I wish to admire them once more," Lu Chengyun replied politely.
Zhang Quan snorted coldly in his heart.
Admire?
He must have tasted the benefits and wanted more.
"I just retrieved this ancestral portrait..." Zhang Quan reluctantly declined.
"I'll only borrow it for half a month," Lu Chengyun said.
"But..."
"I'll give Zhang brother an additional ten percent of the walking corpses and iron corpses in the Myriad Corpse Array," Lu Chengyun offered.
Zhang Quan's eyes lit up, and he bargained, "Twenty percent!"
Lu Chengyun's eyes narrowed, and after a moment of silence, he slowly agreed, "Alright!"
The deal was struck.
Zhang Quan reluctantly took out the ancestral portrait and handed it to Lu Chengyun. "This portrait was damaged quite a bit by that little brat, and its vitality is greatly diminished. I'm afraid it will need to be nourished with human essence..."
Lu Chengyun smiled and assured him, "Brother Zhang, rest assured, I'm only borrowing it to nourish the portrait. I have plenty of sacrificial offerings, and I will definitely not mistreat the Zhang family's ancestor."
"Moreover, I've already prepared a great tonic..."
Lu Chengyun revealed a mysterious smile.
Zhang Quan didn't know what he was up to, and he frowned slightly...
...
After returning to his room, Mo Hua spent about an hour studying the array diagrams and books before he finished constructing the spirit array eye diagram for the Myriad Corpse Array.
Once he was done, Mo Hua thought for a moment and then burned the diagram.
He then drew another one, similar in its basic structure but riddled with errors and mistakes in the details.
This one was much simpler.
Mo Hua finished the new diagram in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
After that, Mo Hua started slacking off.
He appeared to be deep in thought, but in reality, he was goofing off...
He lay on the table, flipping through a stack of array diagrams, books, and patterns, scribbling and making modifications. His brows were furrowed, but his mind was elsewhere, thinking about what to eat for lunch, if there was any news from Xiao Hu, and if Xiao Jie had replied.
He paid little attention to the purpose of the Myriad Corpse Array, what was inside the bronze coffin, or where the Spirit Pivot Array was...
Lu Chengyun saw all of this, unaware of Mo Hua's true thoughts. He only thought that Mo Hua was diligent and responsible.
Lu Chengyun had given Mo Hua three days.
And Mo Hua took full advantage of those three days to slack off.
It was only on the last evening that Mo Hua reluctantly presented the flawed array eye diagram to Lu Chengyun, his expression feigning anxiety.
Lu Chengyun took one look and was initially impressed.
The overall structure of the array eye was indeed impressive and reminiscent of a grand array.
However, as he studied it further, his brows furrowed.
There were too many mistakes in the details.
The specific array pattern arrangements, the construction of the central pivot, and the flow of spiritual energy were all clumsy and amateurish.
"His experience with arrays is indeed lacking..." Lu Chengyun sighed inwardly.
He pointed out a few of the mistakes to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua pretended to have an epiphany and exclaimed, "As expected of Lord Lu!"
Then he added in a dejected tone, "I'm afraid I won't be able to draw this array eye properly..."
Lu Chengyun consoled him, "You're still young, and what you've achieved is already rare among array masters. It's not easy to recreate the array eye of a revival array."
"Don't be discouraged or disheartened. With a few more revisions, you'll definitely be able to create a perfect and complete array eye diagram."
Mo Hua blinked, "Really?"
Lu Chengyun nodded gently, "Of course."
Mo Hua seemed to regain his confidence and nodded determinedly, "Alright, I'll try harder, fix the mistakes, and strive to create another version!"
Lu Chengyun felt relieved.
His assessment of Mo Hua was further confirmed.
Mo Hua was clever, had high comprehension skills, and studied arrays diligently. However, he still had a child's heart and was too trusting of others.
He came from an extraordinary array lineage and had profound array knowledge, but his experience and skill in creating arrays were lacking.
He had talent and knowledge but lacked practice and refinement.
In every sense, he was a promising seed.
But, he was only a seed...
Lu Chengyun's eyes flickered, and he set his mind at ease.
(End of Chapter)
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