Chapter 529: A Contest
Chapter 529: A Contest
Mo Hua followed Mr. Zhuang into the Array Pavilion.
The vast pavilion was grand and opulent, filled with cultivators.
Three elderly men sat at the front, their white hair reflecting their advanced age and profound cultivation. The spiritual power they exuded was oppressively strong.
Golden Core!
This was Mo Hua's first encounter with Golden Core cultivators, and he felt a bit nervous.
However, he soon recalled that he was Mr. Zhuang's disciple, and he couldn't show weakness that would diminish his master's prestige. So, he imitated Mr. Zhuang, lifting his small head high and putting on an arrogant demeanor.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, on the other hand, remained calm and composed.
Coming from a formidable sect, they were not easily impressed by a few Golden Core cultivators.
The Great Elder raised his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. He then stood up, bowed toward Mr. Zhuang from a distance, and said, "Mr. Zhuang."
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Please," the Great Elder said, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Mr. Zhuang walked over and sat on the high platform opposite the three Golden Core cultivators.
Mo Hua and the Bai siblings stood respectfully behind Mr. Zhuang.
After everyone was seated, the Great Elder cut straight to the chase and said, "Mr. Zhuang, shall we begin the discussion?"
Mr. Zhuang replied nonchalantly, "We may proceed."
"Quite the arrogance..." The Great Elder was displeased, but he kept his emotions in check, maintaining a solemn expression. He then addressed the disciples, his voice loud and clear. "Our Five Elements Sect is founded on the principles of array formations."
"Today, we have a distinguished guest who has traveled far to engage in a discussion and exchange knowledge about array formations. It is indeed a fortunate occasion..."
"Since we are delving into arrays, it is only fitting that we follow the traditions set by our ancestors. There are three aspects to our exchange: first, the theory of arrays; second, the structure of arrays; and third, the study of arrays. The theory encompasses all phenomena, while the structure captures the essence of the universe within the array formations, the array patterns, and the array eyes, each complementing the other. As for the study of arrays..."
The Great Elder's introductory speech was dull and lengthy.
Mr. Zhuang, growing a bit weary, interrupted, "Let's skip the formalities."
The Great Elder paused, taken aback, and the other cultivators exchanged surprised glances.
"It's too troublesome," Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "Let's keep it simple..."
His gaze swept across the room, and his tone, though casual, carried a hint of disdain.
"All the Qi Refining disciples present, regardless of whether they are from the Five Elements Sect or not, may begin..."
"Regardless of what we compare, if any one of you can surpass my disciple in any aspect, we will not bother learning this Five Elements Spirit Array."
The Array Pavilion fell into a dead silence.
Then, an uproar filled the hall.
Arrogant!
Too arrogant!
The Great Elder's face turned crimson with anger.
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family's old ancestor, standing beside him, glared coldly.
All the array masters present were indignant.
Mr. Zhuang's words were a blatant show of disrespect not only to the Five Elements Sect but to all the array masters in the Dalishan State!
Mo Hua, standing behind Mr. Zhuang, couldn't help but gape in surprise.
So, this was his master's true nature...
How audacious!
Mo Hua had spent day and night with Mr. Zhuang and had always thought of him as gentle, graceful, kind, and approachable...
On the other hand, Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi were completely unfazed, as if they had expected this.
"Good!"
The Great Elder's anger burned within him, and he grit his teeth.
You're asking for it!
Don't blame us for taking advantage of you!
Among the hundreds of disciples present, there were many proud and talented individuals, including those from prominent families and sects in the Dalishan State, almost all of whom were array geniuses.
Do you really think your three disciples can win against so many of us? Preposterous!
"Who wants to go first?" the Great Elder asked coldly.
A disciple in a blue robe stood up and said, "I may not be talented, but I am willing to exchange insights on array formations with our esteemed guest."
This had been arranged beforehand.
The disciple was nearly a first-grade array master and ranked among the top five array masters among the younger generation of the Five Elements Sect.
The Great Elder nodded slightly and turned to Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang smiled gently and patted Mo Hua's shoulder.
Mo Hua stepped forward, his voice crisp as he declared, "I'll do it!"
Although it was within expectations, the Great Elder still asked, "What about your senior brothers and sisters? Won't they be participating?"
Facing the Golden Core cultivators, Mo Hua couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
"I can't lose face for my master..."
"I can't lose face for my master..."
Mo Hua repeated these words twice in his mind, then imitated Mr. Zhuang's posture, holding his head high and pretending to be "arrogant."
"You're not worthy of comparing with my senior brother and sister yet!"
"You have to get past me first!"
A mere child, and yet so full of himself!
The disciples from various sects and clans present grew even angrier.
However, the three Golden Core cultivators remained calm, their expressions serene.
Although Mo Hua's words were arrogant, it was clear that he was nervous and lacked confidence. His bold front couldn't hide his apprehension in front of these old foxes.
The three Golden Core ancestors thus underestimated Mo Hua a little.
The Great Elder looked at Mr. Zhuang and asked, "Mr. Zhuang, what will be the subject of the contest?"
Mr. Zhuang replied casually, "Anything."
The Great Elder coldly hmphed in his mind, "Good! Then we shall follow the rules of the Five Elements Sect!"
"First, we'll compare first-grade array formations!"
Let's skip the theoretical discussion, which is tedious, and go straight to drawing array formations. The true skills lie in the brushwork. We'll start with a first-grade array formation to test the waters and see how capable this little array master is.
"It will be the Heavy Water Array. You will have one hour to draw it, and we will compare the results."
After speaking, the Great Elder glanced at Mo Hua and asked, "What do you think, young brother?"
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment.
Heavy Water Array?
What kind of array is that? I don't think I've learned that one...
But as long as it's a first-grade array, it shouldn't be a problem...
Mo Hua nodded, "Alright."
The Great Elder nodded slightly.
Although it was a test, there were still rules to follow.
This Heavy Water Array was a first-grade array formation treasured by the Five Elements Sect. Its function was obscure, not widely known, and not many people had learned it. Moreover, it was quite challenging to master.
If this little disciple of Mr. Zhuang had learned it, then there was nothing they could do but admit that his knowledge of arrays was indeed extensive.
The outcome of the contest would determine the winner.
But if he didn't know it, then he would most likely lose.
An hour was simply not enough time to learn and draw the array.
The Great Elder snorted coldly.
Originally, testing them on this specific array could be considered "unfair."
But now, with Mr. Zhuang's arrogant words, the Great Elder could use this unconventional test without any qualms of unfairness.
Mo Hua and the blue-robed disciple of the Five Elements Sect took their places in the center, each sitting at a table several yards apart, with an array obscuring their vision and spiritual sense.
Of course, with three Golden Core cultivators and over ten Foundation Establishment cultivators present, there was no room for any trickery.
After a while, someone distributed the array diagrams.
Mo Hua frowned as he looked at the diagram he received.
Heavy Water Array...
He hadn't learned this one before.
The array patterns were somewhat obscure, and while the array core was simple, it required a slightly higher level of spiritual power, nine patterns or just shy of ten.
Overall, the difficulty was similar to that of a first-grade Melting Fire Array.
After assessing the array, Mo Hua calmed himself and even felt a bit happy.
He never expected that he would get to learn a new array during this contest...
What a bonus!
Mo Hua focused intently, studying the Heavy Water Array, memorizing the array core, and committing the array patterns to memory while mentally simulating the trajectory of spiritual power.
On the other side, the blue-robed disciple had already started drawing.
As the Heavy Water Array was a treasured array of the Five Elements Sect, he had learned it beforehand. In the past few days, the Great Elder had personally guided him, and he had practiced it repeatedly until he had mastered it completely.
It was as if the examiner had leaked the test questions and allowed him to memorize the answers over ten times.
So, when it came to drawing the Heavy Water Array, he was extremely proficient.
While Mo Hua studied the diagram, the blue-robed disciple worked on the array.
The Great Elder watched intently from above, nodding slightly.
He could now confirm that this little array master had never learned the Heavy Water Array before!
Excellent!
The Great Elder was delighted.
They had taken the lead from the start.
They should be able to win this first round.
After this little array master lost, it would be the turn of his senior siblings.
He wanted to see just how skilled Mr. Zhuang's esteemed disciples truly were.
...
Time passed slowly...
Half an hour later.
The blue-robed disciple had completed most of the array.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, had finished studying the Heavy Water Array and was now ready to start drawing.
As soon as Mo Hua began, the Great Elder noticed and thought to himself: "He must have realized that time is running out, so he's just going for it now."
The Great Elder understood.
Back when he took the array master assessment, he had done the same when faced with an array he didn't know.
With time almost up, one couldn't afford to submit a blank answer.
Just draw whatever you can.
Maybe you'll even get a few array patterns right...
The Great Elder, having been in a similar situation, empathized.
But as he watched, he was slightly surprised: "This little array master... Aside from anything else, his brushwork and the aura he exudes while drawing the array are quite impressive..."
Another half-hour passed.
The blue-robed disciple had put down his brush and was carefully inspecting his work. He nodded in satisfaction.
The array was complete, and the array patterns flowed smoothly.
It had everything it needed.
Although there were some minor flaws, they were like tiny blemishes on fine jade, not affecting the overall quality.
He had performed exceptionally well, not disappointing the Great Elder's expectations!
The blue-robed disciple was proud of his accomplishment.
On the other side, Mo Hua had also finished drawing and was inspecting his work. He shook his head slightly.
It was his first attempt, and his brushwork lacked fluency. He could only strictly follow the diagram, resulting in a rigid and uninspired array that lacked the essence of the array.
But it would have to do.
Both of them sealed their arrays and submitted their answers.
The two sealed arrays were then presented to the Great Elder and the other two Golden Core cultivators.
The Great Elder looked at Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang said, "You may begin."
The Great Elder nodded and first examined the array submitted by his sect's disciple.
A single glance was enough to put him at ease.
It was well-drawn!
In fact, it was even better than when he had taught it to the disciple himself.
The disciple had clearly put in a lot of effort.
Then, the Great Elder eagerly unsealed Mo Hua's array.
However, after just one glance, his eyebrows furrowed.
Where was the array? Why was there only a diagram?
He flipped through the pages and was surprised again.
There were two identical diagrams?
After careful inspection, he realized that one of them had fresh ink and a slightly different shade, but the brushwork was so precise that the array patterns were identical, as if they were printed from the same mold. At first glance, they appeared to be two copies of the same diagram.
The Great Elder's heart skipped a beat.
Did this little array master draw the array exactly like the diagram? Was he cheating?
But how could he possibly cheat right under the noses of three Golden Core cultivators?
The Great Elder examined it again, carefully verifying its authenticity, and had to admit that the precise and meticulous array patterns were indeed drawn by the young cultivator...
The Great Elder took a deep breath and regarded Mo Hua with a more solemn expression.
To be able to draw it to such a degree, he must have practiced this array countless times.
And to master such an obscure array to this level...
Indeed, as Mr. Zhuang's disciple, he had something special.
"Making a fool of me?"
What a despicable character!
Talented but immoral!
Elder Chen thought to himself, his impression of Mo Hua worsening.
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family's old ancestor were also secretly astonished when they saw the array Mo Hua had drawn.
"Although it's a bit rigid and lacks flair, with a hint of craftsmanship, it's still impressive for someone so young to be able to draw it with such precision."
At the very least, it was better than the array drawn by the disciple of the Five Elements Sect.
Elder Chen then compared it with the Heavy Water Array drawn by the blue-robed disciple and sighed softly.
While their disciple's array was well-drawn, it was just that—well-drawn. There were still some flaws in the brushwork.
It didn't seem so obvious until the comparison.
When it came to arrays, it was clear as day which was superior.
In front of so many array masters, especially with Mr. Zhuang present, Elder Chen could only admit defeat.
"This round..."
Elder Chen paused, trying to recall the young array master's name. It was as if this name was easily overlooked and hard to remember.
"...Mo Hua, wins by a slight margin."
Mo Hua's face lit up with joy.
The blue-robed disciple, on the other hand, had a gloomy expression, unable to understand how he had lost and where he had fallen short.
After finishing the array, Mo Hua warmed up and no longer felt nervous.
Winning the first round had earned his master some face.
Moreover, he had also learned a new array, the Heavy Water Array, for free from the Five Elements Sect.
Mo Hua was quite satisfied and looked forward to the next round even more.
In the splendid and grand Array Pavilion filled with cultivators...
Mo Hua leaned on the high table, swinging his legs gently, his eyes sparkling as he asked, "What's next?"
Elder Chen's eyebrows twitched as he felt a subtle pressure coming from the innocent and lively Mo Hua.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought for a moment before saying solemnly, "We'll compare speed!"
Mo Hua was taken aback but soon understood.
It was a competition to see who could draw faster.
The speed of an array master's brushwork was also crucial.
The faster one could draw arrays, the more arrays they could create, which was advantageous in various situations, such as constructing large-scale cultivation projects, production, and battles involving magical artifacts and cultivators.
Wherever arrays were applied, speed mattered.
Especially during confrontations between array masters, if one took too long to set up their arrays, they might as well forget about deploying them...
However, speed was one of Mo Hua's strengths.
The Heavenly Deviation Technique enhanced his control over spiritual power.
Back in Tongxian City, when constructing the artifact and elixir forges, as well as the Five Element Demon-Slaying Grand Array afterward, Mo Hua had worked with the efficiency of ten people.
Not to mention now, after his enlightenment of the Ling Shu Array.
"Bring it on!"
Mo Hua said eagerly.
He wondered if the Five Elements Sect would let him learn another array for free.
Elder Chen frowned, feeling that something was amiss, but he could only grit his teeth and wave his hand.
From the crowd, a disciple in a golden robe walked out and sat down opposite Mo Hua.
Tall and slender, with slightly raised eyebrows, he exuded an air of arrogance.
The array diagrams were distributed.
Mo Hua glanced at his diagram and felt a bit disappointed.
It was the Sharp Gold Array.
He had already learned this array.
He wouldn't be able to learn a new array for free this time...
Mo Hua felt a bit regretful.
Since he already knew this array, he wouldn't waste any time and would finish it quickly...
After Elder Chen announced the start, Mo Hua and the golden-robed disciple began drawing simultaneously.
The golden-robed disciple was fast.
His spiritual root was unique, favoring gold-type spiritual power, so he was exceptionally adept at drawing gold-type arrays, twice as fast as others.
In the entire Five Elements Sect, no disciple could draw gold-type arrays faster than him.
This had earned him Elder Chen's favor.
The golden-robed disciple was full of confidence as he swiftly brushed his pen across the paper...
But before he could finish drawing a few array patterns, a crisp and youthful voice rang out, "I'm done!"
The golden-robed disciple's hand trembled, and his brush left a blot of golden ink on the paper.
However, he didn't have time to worry about that.
He stiffly turned his neck and saw Mo Hua sitting in his chair, gently swaying his body, eagerly waiting to submit his work.
The golden-robed disciple was incredulous.
How long had it been?
He had already finished?
As Mo Hua's completed array was presented, Elder Chen's expression turned even graver.
It was flawless, undeniably the Sharp Gold Array.
Elder Chen was stunned.
Even Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family's old ancestor were dumbfounded.
It was too fast.
They had only seen Mo Hua dip his brush in ink, make a few strokes, and then casually finish the Sharp Gold Array...
This was a first-grade array.
Could a first-grade array master really draw a first-grade array this quickly?
Was this really the standard of a first-grade array master?
The three Golden Core cultivators remained silent for a long time, unable to utter a word.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, was getting bored waiting and asked, "What's next?"
He wanted to finish the contest quickly, regain his master's prestige, and then learn the first-grade thirteen-pattern supreme array.
"What's next?" Mo Hua's voice was crisp, with a hint of composure.
At this moment, not only Elder Chen but also Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family's old ancestor faintly felt a sense of pressure coming from the young cultivator in front of them...
(End of Chapter)
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