Chapter 528: The Array Pavilion
Chapter 528: The Array Pavilion
Taking the lead? Putting on a show? Saving face?
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of the situation.
"Master, what should I do?" Mo Hua asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
"It's simple," Master Zhuang replied with a gentle smile. "You just have to compete with them. If you win, you'll have the opportunity to learn the Five Elements Spirit Array."
"A first-grade array?" Mo Hua clarified.
"Yes, first-grade," Master Zhuang confirmed.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up at the challenge.
When it came to first-grade arrays, he feared no one, except perhaps Master Zhuang himself.
But he would not be complacent.
"Master, what if the Five Elements Sect plays dirty and I lose?" Mo Hua asked, his expression turning serious.
He didn't mind losing himself, but he was concerned about his master's reputation.
Personal victories and defeats were insignificant in the grand scheme of things. While the Five Elements Supreme Array was important, he knew that he would eventually master it in time.
The crucial issue was that if he lost, his master would lose face.
And that was a matter of grave importance!
Master Zhuang's heart warmed at his disciple's words, and he raised an eyebrow, "Rest assured, as my disciple, how could they possibly beat you?"
There was a subtle depth to his words, and Mo Hua found himself nodding in agreement. However, he still seemed a bit hesitant, indicating that he had some reservations.
Master Zhuang's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, "Do you remember what I told you before?"
Mo Hua was perplexed, unsure which words his master was referring to.
Master Zhuang feigned a look of regret and sighed, "Back when I went to the Five Elements Sect to learn this supreme array, I was unable to due to various reasons, and as a result, I was disdained and lost face..."
"I cannot take revenge for what happened back then."
"Now, I'm counting on you to help me regain that lost face..."
Disdained and humiliated? Mo Hua's face tightened, and his eyes sparkled with determination, "Master, rest assured! I will definitely help you regain your standing and crush them thoroughly!"
"And then we'll learn their sect's ultimate technique and infuriate them even more!"
Master Zhuang couldn't help but smile proudly, "Yes, crush them and then infuriate them!"
Outside the door, the old man, Kui, shook his head at their words. Even at their age, they were still acting like children, sulking and craving victory.
Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked, "Master, should I hold back?"
Master Zhuang shook his head, "On the contrary, you should be even more arrogant."
"Arrogant?" Mo Hua echoed.
"Indeed," Master Zhuang affirmed. "Use the set of pretentious skills I taught you before."
"Pretentious?" Mo Hua's memory failed him momentarily.
Master Zhuang proceeded to demonstrate the demeanor once more.
He shed his gentle expression, his eyebrows turning sharp and his gaze turning cold and indifferent. With a dignified lift of his head, he exuded an aura akin to a priceless sword being unsheathed after centuries of seclusion. His presence commanded respect, resembling a majestic dragon looking down upon the world.
His bearing and demeanor were so intense that it was difficult to look directly at him.
Master Zhuang quickly retracted his aura, his expression softening once more, "Do you remember now?"
"Yes, Master," Mo Hua replied, his eyes shining with understanding.
He lifted his chin, placed his hands on his waist, and wore an air of arrogance on his delicate young face, as if no one else mattered.
However, instead of resembling a dragon, he looked more like a fierce little tiger.
Master Zhuang couldn't help but ruffle Mo Hua's hair affectionately, "Not quite there, but it will do for now. Keep practicing this in the future."
"Yes, Master!" Mo Hua replied obediently.
Kui, witnessing the interaction between master and disciple, could only shake his head in dismay...
Master Zhuang gave Mo Hua further instructions, "In a few days, you will take the lead and stand in for your senior martial brothers and sisters. Anyone who wants to compete with them will have to defeat you first."
With his master's explanation, Mo Hua understood, "So, I'm the threshold?"
Anyone who wanted to enter and challenge his senior martial brothers and sisters would first have to step over this threshold—him.
Master Zhuang nodded in approval.
This child was indeed clever.
Bai Zisheng, standing by, felt a bit uneasy, "Master, my array skills are not as good as Little Junior Brother's..."
Bai Zisheng was self-aware. Although he was the senior brother, his array skills were far inferior to Mo Hua's.
If someone could defeat Mo Hua, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against them.
Bai Zixi, on the other hand, was in a better position. Her array skills, while not on par with Mo Hua's, were still quite advanced.
But he, Bai Zisheng, would be the weak link.
Master Zhuang smiled gently, "It doesn't matter. Your little junior brother's threshold is a very high one..."
Moreover, it was a "high" that was unattainably high.
Master Zhuang recalled Mo Hua's array skills back when he was still in the Qi Refining Stage, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe even now.
Mo Hua beamed at his master's praise.
...
In the following days, the Five Elements Sect seemed calm on the surface, but beneath it, there was a flurry of activity. Disciples came and went, delivering messages and negotiating in secret...
Elder Liao was busy receiving guests and seeing them off.
The elders were constantly on the move.
Strange disciples, unknown to the sect, began to appear quietly within the Five Elements Sect...
Sitting by the window, Master Zhuang observed all of this with a calm and unperturbed demeanor.
A few days later, Elder Liao came to invite Master Zhuang and his disciples, bowing respectfully, "The discussion meeting is about to begin. Please, Master Zhuang and your esteemed disciples, accompany me to the Array Pavilion."
Master Zhuang nodded slightly and stood up, turning to Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng, and Bai Zixi, "Let's go."
...
Discussion Meeting—a grand gathering where cultivators exchanged insights and knowledge.
It was also a general term used for various meetings among cultivators.
Cultivators would gather to discuss cultivation techniques, scholarly pursuits, artifact refining, pill concoction, array formations, and even the taming of spiritual beasts and pets like cats and dogs.
The Five Elements Sect's discussion meeting was primarily focused on the study and verification of array formations.
The Array Pavilion was a special building within the sect dedicated to the collection and preservation of array-related artifacts, such as array scrolls, diagrams, rare inks, ancient brushes, and precious array papers.
It was a confidential location and served as one of the sect's important venues for cultivation discussions.
The Five Elements Sect had once established its reputation through its array formations, and now, with the focus on earth and wood elements, the Array Pavilion was constructed on a grand and lavish scale.
The Array Pavilion consisted of four stories.
The discussion meeting was held on the most spacious floor, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colors.
The tables and writing tools were already prepared, and the disciples of the Five Elements Sect had taken their seats.
At the head of the gathering were the Great Elder, Elder Liao, as well as several other elders and guests of honor.
The Great Elder, who had been in seclusion for a long time, had finally emerged.
Seated beside the Great Elder were two elderly men dressed in luxurious robes and adorned with golden crowns and jade ornaments. Their auras were thick and powerful, indicating that they were Golden Core cultivators.
At that moment, the Great Elder was speaking in a low voice to these two elders, "...This person is surnamed Zhuang, and his background is quite impressive. I won't go into the details..."
"It's because of an agreement made by our ancestors, and we must abide by it..."
"But our sect has fallen from its former glory, and now we are being bullied and disrespected..."
"...They covet our Five Elements Sect's supreme array formation that has been passed down through the generations..."
"I implore you, my two old friends, to lend the Five Elements Sect your strength!"
The Great Elder deliberately portrayed himself as pitiful, his words filled with sincerity.
These old fellows are cunning! The older they get, the more worldly they become.
They only care about their own interests and are as stingy as ever.
Elder Liao cupped his hands and said, "Elder Chu, Brother Shen, I will definitely offer a generous reward if we succeed..."
Hidden within his sleeves, Elder Liao discreetly formed the number of spirit stones with his fingers, ensuring that the two elders could see his gesture.
The two elders' eyes lit up at the sight.
The elder with the surname Shen was the grand elder of the Shen family, a well-known array formation clan from nearby Sishui City. He possessed the cultivation base of the early Golden Core stage.
His originally cold and indifferent expression immediately transformed into a smile, and his tone became more familiar:
"Elder Liao, you're too kind. I couldn't possibly accept such a gift..."
Elder Shen then continued with a serious expression:
"With the unification of the Dao Court, cultivators must abide by the laws. No matter how influential someone may be, they must follow the rules. As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon cannot oppress the local snakes. Rest assured, Elder Liao, I will ensure fairness in this matter!"
He was the grand elder of the Shen family, a powerful clan with numerous disciples and a high consumption of spirit stones. They could always use more resources.
While cursing them in his mind as "greedy old men," Elder Liao forced a smile and cupped his hands, praising Elder Shen, "Brother Shen, you truly have a benevolent heart. I admire you for that!"
On the other side, Elder Chu, dressed in elegant robes, fell into a thoughtful silence before speaking again after a moment of deliberation:
"Brother, I don't want those spirit stones."
Not wanting the spirit stones...
Instead of feeling happy, Elder Liao's heart sank.
Not wanting the spirit stones didn't mean he didn't want anything at all.
It was highly likely that the amount of spirit stones didn't meet his expectations.
This Elder Chu was the honorary grand master of the Zhen Xuan Sect, a highly respected elder who had already retired from his position but still held immense influence within the sect.
The Zhen Xuan Sect specialized in array formations and didn't place as much importance on spirit stones.
As expected, Elder Chu continued, "It's not easy for your Five Elements Sect to earn spirit stones. I wouldn't feel right taking them from you when you're already in a difficult situation..."
Elder Shen, standing beside him, felt displeased.
What did that mean? Was asking for spirit stones akin to taking advantage of their plight? However, despite his long life, he maintained his composure, and his wrinkled face remained expressionless, concealing his emotions.
Elder Liao frowned and said, "Then, Elder Chu..."
Elder Chu continued, "I only ask to borrow the array diagram of your Five Elements Mountain Protecting Grand Array for a look..."
Elder Liao's expression changed drastically, and he quickly refused, "Absolutely not! That's out of the question!"
The array diagram of the Five Elements Mountain Protecting Grand Array?
Are you dreaming? The array diagram was their most closely guarded secret. Giving it to him would be like laying bare all their secrets.
You old fool!
Elder Liao cursed in his mind.
Elder Shen, standing beside him, also chimed in with a mocking tone, "Spirit stones are but worldly possessions, while array formations are the foundation of our cultivation. Obtaining some spirit stones is already more than enough. Asking for their core secrets is truly shameless..."
Elder Chu remained unperturbed and began to bargain, "I only wish to view the first-grade array."
"Not even the first-grade array is allowed."
"I won't look at the actual array diagram, just the simplified version."
"Elder Chu, please don't make things difficult for me..."
Elder Chu's expression turned stern as he said, "Brother, do you not trust me?"
"This isn't a matter of trust..."
Elder Chu understood Elder Liao's concerns and explained, "The first-grade grand array and the second-grade grand array are vastly different in complexity and array patterns. Even if there are some similarities in the array cores, the essence of these two types of arrays is completely different..."
"Your Five Elements Sect has deployed a second-grade grand array."
"I only want to view the first-grade array diagram, which won't affect your Five Elements Sect in any significant way."
Elder Liao hesitated, "This..."
Elder Chu sighed and said with a sense of longing, "In my life, I have no other desires except to admire various array diagrams."
"Now that your Five Elements Sect is facing a crisis, I am stepping forward to help you out of our sects' past friendship..."
"Making such a small request, and yet you, my brother, are hesitating and refusing me. You are truly disappointing me..."
Elder Chu's expression carried a hint of disappointment.
However, Elder Liao understood that this was a tactic to gain the upper hand in the negotiation. By refusing to show the array diagram, Elder Chu would simply stand by and not help the Five Elements Sect.
The crucial point was that the Zhen Xuan Sect specialized in array formations and possessed considerable strength.
While the Five Elements Sect was declining, the Zhen Xuan Sect was thriving, and among their disciples were numerous array formation geniuses.
Without Elder Chu's assistance, the outcome of the competition was uncertain.
Relying solely on the disciples of the Five Elements Sect and the geniuses from the Shen family and a few other clans might not be enough to surpass the talented disciples of Master Zhuang.
After a moment of contemplation, Elder Liao gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! For the sake of the centuries-old friendship between our sects, I agree to your request!"
Elder Chu's face lit up with joy.
Elder Liao continued, "However, you can only view the array diagram here in the Array Pavilion, and you will only have two days. You are not allowed to take it away."
Elder Chu frowned, "What can I understand in just two days?"
Although it was a first-grade array, it was still a grand array...
The array patterns were intricate, the array cores profound, and there were numerous sub-arrays.
Even though he was a Golden Core cultivator, he was only a second-grade high-level array master. He didn't have much confidence in fully grasping a first-grade grand array within two days.
Elder Chu thought for a moment and realized that it wasn't a matter of having some grasp but rather having absolutely no grasp at all...
"Three days!"
Elder Chu said, "I will take a glance at this grand array diagram in three days!"
Elder Liao cursed in his mind again.
Three days?
Was that considered a glance?
Your glance is quite long, isn't it? "Two days!" Elder Liao said.
Elder Chu immediately pushed further, "Two and a half days!"
Elder Liao firmly refused, "It's two days! If that's not acceptable, then forget it. I'll find someone else..."
"Alright!" Elder Chu immediately agreed. "Two days! Just two days!"
Elder Shen, standing by, couldn't help but comment in a disinterested tone, "You are both Golden Core cultivators and grand elders of your sects. Why are you haggling over such trivial benefits like street vendors in the market? It's truly unbecoming..."
Although his words were sarcastic, he actually regretted his decision deeply.
The man and woman following behind must be the renowned siblings. Their majestic and flawless auras indeed resembled a dragon and a phoenix.
As for the last one...
The three elders couldn't help but pause in surprise.
He looks so young! Despite knowing beforehand about the young, first-grade array master, they still found it unbelievable upon seeing him in person.
He's too young...
Is this really the first-grade array master?
You must be joking...
They had discussed the matter with great seriousness, only to find that the opponent was just a child.
Wouldn't competing against him be akin to bullying?
(End of Chapter)
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