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Chapter 530: Who Else is There?
Chapter 530: Who Else is There?
"What now?"
The three elders began communicating via divine sense.
"Our Five Elements Sect has already taken the lead, but we've lost twice in a row. It wouldn't be wise to continue. It's time for the Array Mystical Gate and the genius of the Shen family to show their skills."
The tone of the Great Elder was subtle.
While Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family elder didn't speak, they understood.
The Five Elements Sect had nothing left to offer.
Among the Qi Refining disciples, the two who had just competed were already the best they could present, yet they were effortlessly defeated by the young array master.
Unless they sent out a first or second-grade Foundation Establishment disciple, the remaining mediocre disciples of the Five Elements Sect would only embarrass themselves further.
However, to send a Foundation Establishment disciple would be blatantly bullying the young array master, and they would lose even more face if word got out.
"Great Elder, rest assured. Chu promises to keep his word."
Chu Zhangmen exuded an air of confidence.
"Next, let a disciple from my Array Mystical Gate face this young array master."
The Array Mystical Gate was different from the Five Elements Sect.
While the latter had declined, the former was gradually flourishing.
Within the sect were several array geniuses, their talents surpassing that of Chu Zhangmen in his heyday.
Chu Zhangmen glanced at the grand hall, where Mo Hua sat casually at a table, and said, "Little brother, let's compete in first-grade arrays once more."
"First-grade arrays?" Mo Hua asked, confused. "Haven't we already done that?"
"This time, we won't compare who draws it better or faster, but rather who draws the more complex array... "
A gleam flashed in Chu Zhangmen's eyes as he continued, "My Array Mystical Gate will send out a disciple, and you two will each draw an array. Whoever's array is more intricate, requiring stronger divine sense and incorporating more array patterns, will be the winner."
Mo Hua nodded. "Who will be my opponent?"
From the crowd, a disciple clad in the robes of the Five Elements Sect but bearing the insignia of the Array Mystical Gate stepped forward.
Their original plan was to have the array prodigies pretend to be disciples of the Five Elements Sect, but since Mr. Zhuang had already seen through their scheme, and everyone present had discerning eyes, continuing the charade would only make them look foolish.
The disciple who stepped forward had a handsome appearance and introduced himself, "My name is Chu Xuan, a direct disciple of the Array Mystical Gate."
Mo Hua also bowed politely and introduced himself, "Mo Hua."
He then added, "...I'm also a direct disciple of my master!" feeling that this statement added to his prestige.
However, Chu Xuan thought he was being a bit childish and shook his head slightly.
The two of them then began drawing their arrays.
Chu Xuan was confident and his brushstrokes were steady and graceful.
On the other hand, Mo Hua hesitated.
Whoever draws the more complex array? So, which array should he draw? Should it be the Reverse Spirit Array, a first-grade array with ten patterns, the Thick Earth Array with eleven patterns, or the Ling Shu Array with twelve patterns? If he drew an array that was only slightly challenging, he might not win.
But if he drew something too difficult, he would be showing off too much.
It would be best to keep his true strength a bit hidden...
Mo Hua secretly observed Chu Xuan, thinking that as long as he drew something slightly more complex than his opponent, it would be enough. This Chu Xuan seemed polite and his demeanor was quite appropriate.
If he won by a small margin, it would leave some face for his opponent.
Drawing something too difficult would make their gap in skill too obvious, which wouldn't be polite.
Mo Hua was considering things carefully, trying to be considerate.
But how could he know what level of array his opponent could draw? Mo Hua thought for a moment, and his eyes lit up.
He could deduce it!
Since they were drawing their arrays separately, sneaking a few glances wouldn't be considered cheating.
Mo Hua glanced at Chu Xuan and activated his divine sense, making some calculations. Soon, he had a rough idea.
Although he didn't know which array Chu Xuan was drawing, by tracing the trajectory of his spiritual power, he estimated that it was an array with nine or more patterns, very close to ten, but not quite there yet.
There was a hint of an ultimate array in it.
Just a hint.
Mo Hua drew ultimate arrays every day, so he was very sensitive to the aura they emitted.
This disciple, Chu Xuan, was drawing an array that was close to an ultimate array, but it wasn't quite there.
Nevertheless, it was impressive.
Mo Hua recognized that Chu Xuan was one of the most talented first-grade array masters he had ever encountered.
Such talent should be encouraged, and he shouldn't be discouraged too much.
Little Mo Hua had a soft spot for talented individuals, and he nodded slightly as he began drawing his own array.
...
In the main hall, the Great Elder looked at Chu Xuan with surprise.
"Is that... the Spring Revival Array?"
Chu Zhangmen nodded, "Indeed."
"The Spring Revival Array is your Array Mystical Gate's inherited ultimate array, a first-grade array with ten patterns, isn't it?" The Shen family elder also frowned.
Chu Zhangmen sighed, "The inherited array is an ultimate array, but the one Chu Xuan is drawing isn't."
He paused and explained calmly, "A first-grade array with ten patterns requires the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator to learn."
"Qi Refining disciples don't have the necessary divine sense, so they can't learn it."
"Therefore, the previous generations of elders in my Array Mystical Gate have been diligently researching how to simplify this ultimate array so that Qi Refining cultivators can learn it as well."
"Over four generations of Zhangmen, countless efforts have been made, and in my generation, we have finally achieved some results."
Although Chu Zhangmen's tone was calm, he couldn't hide the pride on his face, clearly proud of this achievement.
"Now, although this array's effectiveness is slightly weaker, it has already infinitely approached the ultimate array."
"More importantly, Qi Refining cultivators can truly learn it."
"It's just that the requirements for divine sense are extremely high, higher than a typical first-grade nine-pattern array, and the difficulty is also extremely high..."
As Chu Zhangmen stroked his beard, there was a hint of admiration in his tone.
Although his words were humble, anyone could see that he was boasting.
But there was nothing anyone could do about it.
The Shen family elder shook his head.
The Great Elder felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and a hint of sourness.
The Array Mystical Gate's array standards were improving day by day.
However, the Five Elements Sect was declining generation by generation... By neglecting the importance of arrays and focusing on earth and wood, their glory would eventually fade and they would fall into a state of desolation.
At the same time, he felt a bit relieved.
A first-grade array infinitely approaching an ultimate array, with nine patterns at the peak of Qi Refining cultivator's divine sense... The odds of winning this competition were extremely high.
There was a good chance that the Five Elements Sect's inheritance could be preserved.
The three Golden Core elders sitting above had their own thoughts.
Mr. Zhuang remained calm and unperturbed.
In the middle of the grand hall, Mo Hua and Chu Xuan were drawing their arrays.
After an unknown amount of time, both of them finished drawing their arrays and sealed them before handing them over.
An almost-ultimate first-grade array.
It served as a ladder for Qi Refining cultivators, allowing them to touch upon the realm of ultimate arrays beyond the first grade.
The cultivator who could draw such an array must possess extraordinary natural talent.
However, it was the ability to simplify and utilize this array that truly reflected the depth of a sect's understanding of arrays.
But all of this had nothing to do with the Five Elements Sect anymore...
The Great Elder sighed and turned to the array drawn by Mo Hua. He only needed a glance before his hands began to tremble involuntarily...
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family elder, noticing the Great Elder's reaction, also looked over. Their gazes shifted from the Great Elder's astonished expression to the array in his hands, and their hearts skipped a beat as their eyebrows twitched in surprise.
Ten patterns!
An ultimate array?!
Could this little brat have drawn an ultimate array?!
Moreover, it wasn't a simplified version.
It was the real deal, not a single stroke missing, an ultimate array containing ten array patterns!
The expressions of the three elders turned solemn.
"Is this... an ultimate array?"
"A first-grade array with ten patterns, undoubtedly an ultimate array."
"What ultimate array is this?"
Chu Zhangmen frowned, "Our Array Mystical Gate has no such legacy, so I can't tell..."
The Great Elder and the Shen family elder also looked puzzled.
The Shen family elder transmitted his voice through divine sense, his voice trembling, "Could drawing a first-grade ten-pattern array mean that this little brat has the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator despite only having the cultivation of Qi Refining?"
Chu Zhangmen's heart raced with shock.
There were limits to cultivation.
Qi Refining cultivators refined their qi and spiritual power, cultivating their divine sense. This was the way of the heavens.
In his entire life, he had never heard of a Qi Refining cultivator possessing the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
At most, he had only heard rumors.
And even those rumors were almost legendary.
The Great Elder pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Not necessarily..."
"How so?" Chu Zhangmen asked.
The Great Elder frowned and said, "It's not that easy to have the divine sense of Foundation Establishment at the Qi Refining stage. Even Mr. Zhuang, with his exceptional talent, didn't have a divine sense that broke through the boundary..."
"I guess this young cultivator's ability to draw a first-grade ten-pattern array is because he learned that legacy, just like Mr. Zhuang!"
The Shen family elder asked, "What legacy?"
The Great Elder's eyes turned solemn, "That legacy, which integrates all the origins of array formations, allowing one to understand all by understanding one, the supreme legacy of the innate array path!"
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family elder both sucked in a breath of cold air.
The Great Elder's heart also sank.
He had misjudged!
He had thought that this young array master was just a pawn for Mr. Zhuang, and even if he was a first-grade array master, his strength would only be moderately strong, and Mr. Zhuang might not value him that much.
Now it seemed that he was completely wrong!
This young array master had a profound understanding of arrays and exceptional array prowess!
He might even have been taught by Mr. Zhuang himself, imparting that orthodox and supreme legacy of the innate array path!
It was evident that this young array master was highly favored by Mr. Zhuang.
And this young man was just the youngest disciple; he still had an older brother and sister.
If this young disciple could draw a first-grade ten-pattern array, what about his older siblings?
Could they draw eleven or even twelve patterns?
The Great Elder broke out in a cold sweat.
No wonder this Mr. Zhuang was so arrogant!
He indeed had the capital to be arrogant.
Mo Hua, sitting below the stage, saw their hesitation and asked, "What's the result?"
The Great Elder's lips twitched, and he said bitterly, "Chu Xuan, the array you drew is the Spring Revival Array, a first-grade nine-pattern peak..."
"Mo Hua, the array you drew is a first-grade ten-pattern..."
"Mo Hua... wins."
First-grade ten-pattern?!
Chu Xuan, who had originally thought he had the winning hand, stood up directly, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Mo Hua.
The other disciples also whispered among themselves:
"Isn't a first-grade array supposed to have nine patterns? How can there be a first-grade ten-pattern array?"
"Don't you even know that?"
"You're from the Five Elements Sect, aren't you..."
"Give up on learning arrays..."
"A first-grade ten-pattern is an ultimate array, an off-the-curriculum array that is generally not taught."
"But he's only at the Qi Refining stage, how could he learn a ten-pattern array?"
"How would I know?"
"Go ask him yourself."
A disciple whispered, "Don't you see the Great Elder's face? It looks like a pig's kidney. He's obviously unhappy. Who would dare to ask him now and risk angering him?"
"You're doomed. The Great Elder is a Golden Core cultivator; he can definitely hear what you're saying..."
The disciple's face turned pale, and he covered his face with his sleeve, hoping the Great Elder wouldn't notice him.
...
Chu Xuan's emotions fluctuated, his expression shifting from disappointment to unwillingness, and finally, he sighed and put away his arrogance, humbly bowing to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua returned the bow, nodding silently in his heart.
This Chu Xuan had a good temperament and was indeed worthy of cultivation.
There was some noise in the Array Pavilion, but after a while, it quieted down, and Mo Hua began his soul-searching interrogation again:
"What else do you want to compete in?"
No one dared to respond.
All the disciples looked at the three Golden Core elders sitting above.
The three Golden Core elders had somber expressions.
They had clearly underestimated this young array master.
Their original plan was to use the disciples of the Five Elements Sect to test this young array master first.
Then, the Array Mystical Gate and the Shen family would send their genius disciples to deal with the talented siblings.
But now, they were about to be overwhelmed by this young array master, whom they had intended to merely test...
Whether it was innate divine sense or the study of the array legacy, this young array master was a formidable opponent.
The Shen family elder transmitted his voice, "What should we do now?"
The Great Elder's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice, "At this point, this competition is no longer about the gains and losses of a single sect or family, but the honor of our entire Dalishan State. Array geniuses gather here, and if we can't even defeat this young array master, won't we become a laughingstock?"
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family elder frowned.
The Great Elder's words were meant to drag them into the water and deliberately exaggerate the situation.
But they couldn't refute it.
Because it was indeed a fact.
Chu Zhangmen had his concerns, "Even if we win against this young array master, there are still his older brother and sister..."
"Not necessarily." The Great Elder's eyes flashed, "I suspect that this Mr. Zhuang is just bluffing..."
"This young cultivator's talent is already remarkable.
Chu Zhangmen and the Shen family elder both nodded.
Indeed, there was some truth to these words.
Having drawn their bows, there was no turning back. No matter what, they would have to grit their teeth and see it through.
"Since he can create a top-tier array, his understanding of first-grade arrays must be extremely profound. We won't have much chance of winning even if we test him in other areas."
"Many of our previous arrangements will be useless now."
"We can only test him on some niche topics..."
...
After communicating through divine sense, the three elders asked Mo Hua, "Little Master..."
Their tone was more respectful than before.
Being able to create a top-tier array at the Qi Refining stage, just like Mr. Zhuang, he deserved the title of "Master."
"Do you understand array dispelling?" The Great Elder asked.
Mo Hua nodded. "Somewhat."
Chu Zhangmen nodded as well.
From the crowd, another disciple stepped forward and cupped his fists. "I am Chu He, a disciple with mediocre skills in arrays. However, I have some insights into the art of array dispelling, and I would like to learn from this young master."
Array dispelling was indeed a niche field.
Aside from disciples from influential families or sects with a legacy in arrays, few array masters would bother to research array dispelling.
Most cultivators preferred to break arrays rather than dispel them, as the former was more straightforward and violent.
Although Mo Hua was skilled in dispelling arrays and had plenty of experience, having mastered this art under Mr. Zhuang's guidance, he still remembered what his master had told him—that array dispelling was a way for array masters to sharpen their minds and pass the time, a challenging and niche path that few chose to pursue.
Now, Mo Hua understood that Mr. Zhuang's definition of "sharpening one's mind" and "passing time" was probably very different from that of ordinary people.
In reality, those who were proficient in array dispelling were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns.
The test proposed by the Great Elder regarding array dispelling was also very simple—to dispel a composite array.
It would be a contest to see who could dispel it faster and more accurately.
However, upon seeing the composite array, Mo Hua lost interest.
It was merely a combination of three single arrays, and only one of them was a nine-pattern array, while the other two had seven and eight patterns, respectively.
This wasn't even a proper appetizer.
Mo Hua glanced around the Array Pavilion, which was bustling with disciples.
If they continued with these tests, who knew how long it would take?
They needed to speed things up a bit.
So, while the disciple named Chu He was still working on dispelling the first array, Mo Hua had already finished dispelling all three and casually said, "I'm done."
The three elders were once again taken aback, and their hearts were starting to feel numb.
There was no doubt that Mo Hua had won in array dispelling as well.
Mo Hua bluntly said, "You guys can come at me one by one. Hurry up, I don't have much time..."
He was eager to learn the Five Elements Divine Array soon so that he could focus on his Foundation Establishment.
His words were a bit arrogant.
The disciples in the audience scowled in anger.
Soon, several disciples who couldn't hold back their frustration stepped forward to challenge Mo Hua in various aspects of arrays.
However, no matter what they competed in, they were quickly defeated. In terms of pure array mastery, none of the first-grade array masters present could last more than a few exchanges against him.
Gradually, the anger in the audience turned into solemnity, and a hint of panic crept into their hearts.
This young array master was seemingly invincible—skilled in creating arrays, fast in drawing them, capable of crafting top-tier arrays, and proficient in dispelling them.
With array masters from all over the Great Dalishan State gathered here, could it be that not a single one of them could defeat this young cultivator?
The Shen family elder no longer held back, and he instructed, "Shen Wen."
A disciple with sharp eyes, as if he had been suppressing his emotions for a long time, stepped forward.
"I will compete with you in array derivation!"
The Great Elder was stunned, and Chu Zhangmen was shocked as well.
Even Mr. Zhuang showed a hint of surprise.
The Shen family elder heaved a long sigh.
This was his trump card, which he had been reluctant to reveal.
Shen Wen was his great-grandson, naturally gifted with keen divine sense and a meticulous mind. By chance, he had been accepted as a disciple by a great array master, who taught him the art of array derivation through divine sense.
The great array master had warned him that array derivation was a highly confidential technique and must not be shared with others. He should also be careful not to let anyone suspect that he had learned this skill.
Thus, Shen Wen had kept this secret hidden all this time.
But now, he had no choice but to reveal it.
Array derivation...
Could this young cultivator possibly know this esoteric knowledge as well? The Shen family elder wondered. He himself, a Golden Core cultivator and a second-grade high-level array master, didn't know this technique. Surely this young array master wouldn't...
Before the Shen family elder could finish his thought, Mo Hua calmly replied, "Very well."
The Shen family elder's heart, which had just calmed down, began to race again.
No way...
Could this little brat also know array derivation?
Soon, he discovered that not only did Mo Hua know array derivation, but he was also faster and more accurate than Shen Wen, completing the task with ease.
The two of them derived the trajectory of the spiritual power within the array.
Before Shen Wen had made much progress, Mo Hua had already finished deriving the entire array.
Shen Wen lost quickly and thoroughly, his face filled with dismay.
Once again, Mo Hua asked, "What else do you want to compete in?"
The entire hall fell silent.
Seeing that no one responded, Mo Hua changed his question. "Anyone else?"
All the disciples' faces turned pale.
Even the three Golden Core elders were stunned into silence.
They had never imagined that what was supposed to be the climax of the competition would end so anticlimactically.
This young array master sat quietly at the table, effortlessly defeating all the genius array masters in their state, leaving them utterly defeated...
He was just like Mr. Zhuang back then...
No, there were some differences.
Unpleasant memories flashed through the Great Elder's mind.
Mr. Zhuang, with his dazzling talent, had been like a sharp sword that they couldn't bear to look directly at.
But this young array master, surnamed Mo, was like a polished gem, his sharp edges concealed, his demeanor amicable.
He was truly a monster!
...
Silence filled the Array Pavilion, and the disciples were petrified.
The three Golden Core elders were at a loss for what to do.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Mr. Zhuang slowly stood up and said calmly, "It's over, isn't it?"
The Great Elder's heart trembled, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Mr. Zhuang glanced at him and declared with unquestionable authority, "The winner has been decided. Tomorrow, we will come to the Array Pavilion to learn the Five Elements Divine Array!"
(End of Chapter)
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