Chapter 473: A Difficult Task
Chapter 473: A Difficult Task
In a beautifully adorned stone chamber, Mo Hua sensed Lu Chengyun's spiritual sense probing him, so he pretended to be engrossed in designing the array's focal point.
Once Lu Chengyun's spiritual sense withdrew, Mo Hua set aside the array diagram and began doodling little tigers on the paper to pass the time.
As he drew, his mind turned to the purpose of the Ten Thousand Corpse Array.
What was it truly for?
Refining corpses? But what kind of corpses?
Based on the current array formation and the flow of spiritual energy, it seemed that the array was designed to utilize a vast amount of demonic energy to refine walking corpses and iron corpses on a large scale and in a batch process.
From the Zhang family to the Lu family.
The corpse refining process had evolved from a small-scale workshop to a large-family-style operation, with a higher array content, scaled-up, and industrialized process.
In a short period, the Ten Thousand Corpse Array could produce a significant number of zombies.
But was that all there was to it?
How would the refined walking corpses and iron corpses be controlled?
And what could be achieved with a large number of refined zombies?
Surely Lu Chengyun didn't intend to abandon his position as the family head and establish a Corpse Demon Sect, becoming its leader?
Or did he, like the Qian family's ancestor, intend to secretly use zombies for pillaging and eliminating dissent to solidify the Lu family's power and territory?
Mo Hua's thoughts turned to the massive bronze coffin within the Ten Thousand Corpse Repeated Array.
The partial array diagram provided by Lu Chengyun did not explain the function of that coffin.
Nor was it included in the array core system designed by Mo Hua.
Mo Hua frowned.
"What is that bronze coffin for?"
"And what lies within it?"
Afraid that he might have overlooked something crucial, Mo Hua retraced every detail of his interactions with Lu Chengyun.
As he did so, his expression froze.
He recalled Lu Chengyun's words:
"Please, Mister Mo, help me refine corpses..."
"Not iron corpses..."
"...but a stronger zombie that surpasses even the iron corpses."
Based on the principles of the Spirit Pivot Array.
Lu Chengyun intended to control the iron corpses with walking corpses and then use an even stronger zombie to control the iron corpses.
With this layered control, no matter how many zombies he refined, he could dominate them with his own power.
In that case, the "stronger zombie" that dominated the iron corpses and controlled the horde must be the one refined using the Ten Thousand Corpse Repeated Array.
It was likely hidden within the bronze coffin at the center of the array.
Mo Hua thought about it repeatedly and felt that he had more or less guessed correctly.
The Ten Thousand Corpse Repeated Array was adorned with numerous evil arrays.
These evil arrays were also categorized, connecting the wooden coffins of the walking corpses to the iron coffins of the iron corpses through blood-colored array patterns, which in turn were connected to the central bronze coffin.
This conformed to the principle of progressive layering and decentralized control of the Spirit Pivot Array.
Lu Chengyun might deceive him, but the array would not.
Regardless of what Lu Chengyun said, the array was what it was, and its true nature could not be hidden.
What the array revealed was the truth.
Mo Hua nodded.
Based on the principles and structure of the array, he had more or less deduced Lu Chengyun's intentions for the array.
At the same time, Mo Hua's eyes lit up.
The zombie within the bronze coffin controlled the iron corpses, which in turn controlled the walking corpses.
Then the Spirit Pivot Array within the bronze coffin must have the highest authority.
In that case, the final Spirit Pivot Array diagram must be hidden within the bronze coffin!
"I need to find a way to get my hands on that final array diagram..."
Mo Hua muttered to himself, his chin resting on his hands.
...
Mo Hua had designed the array core for the Ten Thousand Corpse Array long ago.
However, he had deliberately made a few changes, modifying a little each time before seeking "advice" from Lu Chengyun, only to make further improvements afterward.
Lu Chengyun was only half-knowledgeable about the design of the core for a grand array.
Thus, it was easy for Mo Hua to pull the wool over his eyes.
After making alterations four or five times, Mo Hua finally handed over the array core diagram that he had initially designed in just one hour.
Lu Chengyun was overjoyed.
He abandoned his pretenses of gentility and burst into loud laughter, his eyes gleaming with sinister ambition in the dim candlelight of the chamber.
After a moment, he suppressed his excitement and once again donned a gentle expression, smiling as he praised Mo Hua, "Mister Mo, you truly haven't disappointed me!"
Mo Hua smiled shyly, "It's all thanks to your guidance, Family Head Lu."
Lu Chengyun also spoke sincerely, "It's because of your innate talent and profound knowledge of arrays that you were able to complete such a complex array core design in such a short time."
Mo Hua felt a bit embarrassed.
He had only spent an hour on the initial design, but he had dragged out the process for over ten days, and Lu Chengyun was still delighted.
Mo Hua thought for a moment, feigning hesitation.
Lu Chengyun, being perceptive, asked, "Is there something on your mind, Mister Mo?"
After some hesitation, Mo Hua replied with a troubled expression, "Family Head Lu, may I ask a favor? I would like to draw this array core myself."
Lu Chengyun was slightly taken aback, his gaze sharpening as he fell silent.
Mo Hua put on an eager and earnest demeanor, reflecting, "In these past days, I've realized that my understanding of arrays still has many shortcomings, and my array designs are full of flaws..."
"So, I want to draw this array core with my own hands to put my learning into practice and see if it can improve my comprehension of arrays..."
Mo Hua stole a glance at Lu Chengyun and quickly added, "Of course, this array is of great importance, and if it's inconvenient for you, then forget I mentioned it."
Lu Chengyun's thoughts raced, and he suddenly smiled, nodding, "This kind of array core is complex, not only in its design but also in its actual drawing. It's both challenging and arduous."
"It's wonderful that you're willing to help, Mister Mo."
Mo Hua also relaxed, smiling, "Mo Hua will not disappoint your expectations!"
Lu Chengyun smiled and nodded.
Otherwise, he would have scorned such a menial task.
The focal point was located near the bronze coffin, and by offering to draw it, he now had a reason to approach the coffin and steal the final Spirit Pivot Array diagram.
However, this opportunity was hard to come by.
The bronze coffin was tightly sealed, never opened, and did not reveal a trace of any array patterns.
Mo Hua had no choice but to start stalling.
With a serious expression on his young face, he began to draw, but his strokes were casual. As he drew, he deliberately made a few mistakes and then erased them to redraw.
After all, he was wasting the Lu family's spiritual ink, and Mo Hua didn't feel the slightest bit guilty about it.
But no matter how he dawdled, he couldn't avoid making some progress.
Mo Hua had no choice but to draw slowly, adding a little more each day to give Lu Chengyun a glimpse of hope.
Lu Chengyun was a bit anxious, but he didn't rush Mo Hua.
After all, this type of focal point was indeed complex and not easy to draw.
Even if he were to draw it himself, it might not be much better than Mo Hua's work...
And so, time passed day by day.
Mo Hua's focal point gradually improved, but the bronze coffin remained unopened, and the opportunity he sought eluded him.
The bronze coffin was tightly sealed, not revealing a hint of spiritual energy.
Mo Hua wanted to deduce the array patterns, but he couldn't.
And during the day, Lu Chengyun was always watching him, and at night, the mural was closed, preventing Mo Hua from entering...
The final Spirit Pivot Array was right before his eyes, yet he couldn't see it.
Mo Hua felt helpless.
Just when he was at a loss, one morning, Lu Chengyun unexpectedly opened the bronze coffin right before his eyes, as if he were about to draw something inside.
The instant the coffin opened, a subtle array energy emanated from within.
Mo Hua's spirits lifted.
It was indeed the Spirit Pivot Array!
And unlike the Spirit Pivot Array on the iron corpses or walking corpses, this array's energy was more intense and its spiritual mechanism more complete.
Just a whiff of its energy was enough to deduce that these array patterns were more complex and involved a more profound spiritual power structure.
Mo Hua's curiosity was piqued.
He really wanted to take a peek...
On the other hand, Lu Chengyun had already started drawing an array.
He was using a bone pen with a bristle tip made from human hair, dipped in human blood, and his eyes shone with a sinister green light as he drew an unknown array within the bronze coffin.
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Was this how one drew a demonic array? Was Lu Chengyun using the methods of a demonic array to draw the first-grade twelve-patterned Spirit Pivot Array?
Beside them, Zhang Quan noticed Mo Hua's distraction and coldly rebuked him:
"Hurry up and draw, don't waste time!"
Mo Hua's temper flared.
You asked me to draw, so now I won't draw at all!
Mo Hua thought for a moment, then simply threw down the brush in his hand and boldly walked behind Lu Chengyun, poking his little head out to watch Lu Chengyun drawing the array.
Since he was now an accomplice in Lu Chengyun's scheme, he could consider himself on the same side.
There was no harm in watching him draw the array.
Even if he angered Lu Chengyun, he could always use his young age and innocence as an excuse.
After all, he really was young.
Lu Chengyun was focused on drawing the array and seemed to be unaware of Mo Hua's actions.
With a few quick glances, Mo Hua was able to get a general idea of what was inside the bronze coffin.
Within the bronze coffin was another smaller coffin, also made of bronze.
It was a coffin within a coffin.
The outer one was the bronze coffin, and inside was the smaller bronze coffin.
The larger coffin had been opened, but the smaller one within remained closed.
Inside the smaller coffin was likely the zombie that Lu Chengyun had mentioned, the one that surpassed even the iron corpses in power.
However, Mo Hua couldn't see it.
He could only see the arrays that Lu Chengyun was drawing inside the larger coffin and on the smaller coffin.
The pattern of this array was indeed the highest-authority Spirit Pivot Array! Having already memorized the lower-level Spirit Pivot Arrays on the walking corpses and iron corpses, Mo Hua immediately recognized it.
At the same time, Zhang Quan, seeing that Lu Chengyun was completely absorbed and oblivious to his surroundings, called out to him, worried that the array patterns might be exposed:
"Brother Lu!"
This shout interrupted Lu Chengyun's state of complete focus, rendering the array patterns he had been drawing useless.
Lu Chengyun came back to his senses and shot Zhang Quan a displeased glance before noticing Mo Hua standing behind him.
Lu Chengyun's expression turned slightly solemn, but he did not get angry. Instead, he smiled and asked:
"Little Master, do you want to see this array?"
Mo Hua nodded honestly, "Yes."
If it weren't for this array, he wouldn't have come to Nan Yue City.
Lu Chengyun pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright!"
Mo Hua was surprised, "You're really going to let me see it?"
Lu Chengyun laughed, "Of course. I promised that if you helped me draw the array, I would show you this top-secret array diagram."
Mo Hua was delighted, "Head of the Lu family, you truly keep your word!"
Lu Chengyun flipped his right hand, and a thin booklet appeared in his hand. The booklet was ancient, seemingly aged, with creases all over it.
Lu Chengyun carefully opened the booklet.
Inscribed within were the complete, first-grade, twelve-patterned, extremely complex, and profound Spirit Pivot Array diagrams, with hierarchical control and varying authority! Mo Hua's little heart was pounding with excitement.
Lu Chengyun's eyes shone with deep meaning as he asked:
"What do you think, Little Master?"
Mo Hua was startled, then reacted.
His expression first showed excitement and obsession, then he examined the array with a look of disbelief. He furrowed his brows in deep thought, and after a long while, he seemed to have suffered a blow, looking dejected and sighing softly, "This array... is so difficult, I can't understand it..."
Even as he said he couldn't understand it, he was quickly memorizing the array patterns in his mind...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
