Chapter 531: The Immortal Celestial Array Sect
Chapter 531: The Immortal Celestial Array Sect
The discussion conference came to an end with Mo Hua dominating and trouncing the Five Elements Sect.
Mr. Zhuang left the Array Pavilion with calm and graceful strides, his expression as indifferent and aloof as ever, yet carrying a hint of nonchalance.
It seemed that such a minor incident was not worth his attention.
But Mo Hua knew his master too well and understood that despite his seemingly calm demeanor, he was actually quite pleased.
Mo Hua shared in his master's happiness and felt that the trip had been worthwhile. He straightened his back and followed proudly behind Mr. Zhuang.
Seeing his junior disciple's impressive performance, Bai Zisheng nodded slightly, feeling proud.
Bai Zixi also glanced at Mo Hua, her eyes like still waters, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
...
The master and his disciples returned to their guest room after leaving the Array Pavilion.
Mr. Zhuang praised Mo Hua, "Well done!"
Mo Hua smiled broadly and replied, "It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Master!"
Mr. Zhuang was in a pleasant mood. Having an obedient disciple made all the difference.
"Rest today, and tomorrow we'll go learn the Five Elements Spirit Array," Mr. Zhuang said.
"Yes!" Mo Hua nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Then he suddenly remembered something and became worried. "Master, will the Five Elements Sect let me learn the Five Elements Spirit Array?"
Mr. Zhuang's gaze turned slightly icy. "I've already given them enough face, considering the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect..."
"They set the rules, they made the exam, and they were allowed to seek help. Despite all that, they still lost decisively."
"If they go back on their word now and don't uphold the agreement from back then, I won't show any mercy."
Mo Hua felt relieved, but he still had some concerns. "Even if they let me learn it, they'll probably try to make things difficult for me."
Mr. Zhuang nodded. "That's to be expected. However, as long as they don't go too far, I won't bother with such underhanded tactics."
Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua and gently patted his small shoulder. "You'll encounter many more of these petty schemes in the future. Learn to deal with them yourself."
"Yes, Master," Mo Hua nodded.
Mr. Zhuang's expression turned slightly weary, and he closed his eyes for a moment to rest his mind before continuing, "Tomorrow, you and your senior siblings will go to the Array Pavilion to see if you can comprehend the Five Elements Spirit Array."
After finishing his instructions, Mr. Zhuang looked at Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi and said, "Mo Hua has sufficient spiritual sense to learn the thirteen-patterned array."
"As for you two, try using the method I taught you, even though your spiritual sense isn't sufficient."
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi nodded respectfully in agreement.
Mo Hua's expression stirred as if he wanted to say something but ultimately held back.
However, his hesitation didn't escape Mr. Zhuang's notice.
After giving his instructions, Mr. Zhuang paused as the disciples turned to leave, then called out to Mo Hua once more. "Mo Hua."
Mo Hua turned back at the threshold, confusion in his eyes. "Master?"
Mr. Zhuang beckoned him closer.
Mo Hua walked up to his master.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Zhuang asked, "Do you... have something you want to ask?"
Mo Hua hesitated before shaking his head.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze softened as if he had seen through Mo Hua's thoughts. "Go ahead and ask if there's something on your mind."
Mo Hua knew he couldn't hide anything from his master, so he asked softly, "Master, what exactly did you teach my senior siblings?"
"Are you curious?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded. He was indeed very curious.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze turned thoughtful, and instead of answering directly, he asked, "Why didn't you ask me about it before?"
Mo Hua replied honestly, "Master, you are far-sighted and have your plans. If there's something you can tell me, you definitely would. If you don't, it's probably better for me not to know."
Mr. Zhuang was slightly taken aback, then a warm feeling spread within him, like a spring stream bathed in sunshine.
Mr. Zhuang's eyes softened, and he asked Mo Hua gently, "Don't you think I'm favoring your senior siblings?"
Mo Hua shook his head. "Master has already treated me very, very well!"
Everything that could be taught, even things beyond the curriculum, and things that shouldn't be taught, had been taught to him.
Usually, he asked the most questions.
And Master always answered them patiently and in great detail.
His senior siblings mostly treated Master with reverence.
But Master treated him with closeness.
Thinking about it, Mo Hua felt that Master actually favored him more.
Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang, his eyes clear and pure, reflecting the amber-like dependence and trust.
Mr. Zhuang's eyes glistened with unspeakable emotions.
He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Mo Hua, what I'm about to tell you next, you must remember clearly and never mention it to anyone."
Mo Hua's heart trembled, and he nodded solemnly.
Mr. Zhuang made a hand seal and waved lightly.
There seemed to be no change in their surroundings.
But Mo Hua felt that the space within this house, spanning several feet, had somehow been isolated.
It was as if both sound and cause and effect had been cut off.
Mr. Zhuang said solemnly, "The Heretical Path..."
Mo Hua's expression changed, and his pupils contracted.
Nothing happened in the surroundings.
"The Eccentric, Zi Xi and Zi Sheng's mother, and I all come from the same sect; we are fellow disciples of the same master."
"Now, you, Zi Sheng, and Zi Xi are also disciples of this sect."
"This sect has a long heritage."
"I am the forty-ninth generation sect leader of this sect."
"But I cannot tell you the name of this sect, nor can you ever know it."
"This sect's legacy is vast, and among the most important and orthodox teachings is a formation legacy. It is the very same legacy I taught your senior siblings..."
"This legacy is called—"
Mr. Zhuang's expression turned solemn as he enunciated each word carefully: "The Immortal Celestial Array Sect!"
Mo Hua was taken aback, "Immortal Celestial Array?"
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "Not Immortal Celestial... "
He picked up a brush and wrote the character 'Immortal' on a piece of paper, "It's Immortal Celestial."
Immortal Celestial...
Mo Hua looked incredulous, "As in, the immortality of 'Immortal'?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, "This legacy is top secret. Outsiders may have heard of it, but they have never seen the original text, so they assume that this legacy is the 'Immortal Celestial Array Sect', but its true name is the 'Immortal Celestial Array Sect'!"
"The Immortal Celestial Array Sect encompasses the source of all heavenly formations."
"Since the beginning of time, immortals have attained enlightenment and inscribed the essence of the Dao, giving rise to myriad formations in the universe. Thus, all formations in the world originate from the Dao and ultimately return to it, all stemming from a unified source."
"The Immortal Celestial Array Sect encapsulates the source of all formations in the world."
"By understanding one, you understand a hundred, and by learning one, you know a thousand. All formations lead to one."
"After mastering the Immortal Celestial Array, you will be able to comprehend the source of most formations in the world. Learning new formations will become much easier, and you may even surpass the limitations of spiritual sense, allowing you to fathom formations that normally require an exceptionally high level of spiritual sense and are extremely challenging."
Mo Hua's mouth hung open in astonishment.
This wasn't just a legacy; it was like a cheat code given by the heavens.
"Of course," Mr. Zhuang continued, "the Immortal Celestial Array is profound and immensely powerful, but it is also incredibly difficult to learn. It demands an extraordinarily high level of comprehension and talent."
"Your senior siblings can learn this legacy, but you cannot."
"Is it because my spiritual root is inferior?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.
"Yes, but not entirely." Mr. Zhuang replied, "A poor spiritual root may hinder your progress, but it won't prevent you from learning it altogether. In your case, however, you must not learn it!"
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze turned obscure, and he cautioned, "Remember this well: you must never learn it!"
"This legacy entails enormous karma. You must not be involved, at least not with your current cultivation level. Even if you reach the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stage one day, you must still stay away from this karma!"
Not even at the Core Formation stage...
Mo Hua's eyes shone with determination as he nodded solemnly, "Master, I understand!"
Mr. Zhuang looked into Mo Hua's eyes, ensuring that he truly listened and remembered, before finally relaxing a little.
"There's another reason..."
Mr. Zhuang went on, "You shouldn't learn the Immortal Celestial Array, or rather... you don't need to learn it."
Now, Mo Hua was truly confused.
Mr. Zhuang sighed, "The Immortal Celestial Array encompasses the source of all formations, allowing you to understand a hundred formations by learning one, and its power rivals the workings of creation. These statements were passed down by our ancestors..."
"Our ancestors could be lying!" Mo Hua exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he understood.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze softened with satisfaction, and he nodded, "Those words were indeed passed down by our ancestors, but it's unclear how much of it is true and how much is false."
"For now, it seems that the Immortal Celestial Array does enhance one's understanding of formations, and the 'understanding a hundred by learning one' part is accurate."
"However, as you delve deeper into its mysteries and attain higher levels of comprehension, who knows what will happen."
"Moreover, even if the Immortal Celestial Array contains the source of all formations, it is still ultimately a 'Dao' discovered by others."
"The only difference is that this 'person' may be an immortal."
"Whether it is an immortal or not, and what kind of immortal, is hard to say..."
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua with anticipation in his eyes, "Zi Sheng and Zi Xi need to learn the Immortal Celestial Array to enhance their understanding of formations because they have ample talent but lack sufficient spiritual sense. They must rely on this method to learn advanced formations."
"But you are different..."
"Your spiritual sense surpasses that of anyone else."
"You can rely on your own spiritual sense to learn, practice, and comprehend formations on your own. It may be more challenging and arduous, requiring more time and effort, but what you gain will truly be yours, and your understanding will be even deeper."
"Don't be biased by the Immortal Celestial Array."
"Don't try to comprehend the source of all formations in the world without first mastering the heavenly formations."
"Otherwise, all your understanding of formations will be like a castle in the air, and what you think is the source may not be the true source at all."
"You must learn to create your own formations and forge your own path..."
Forge my own path...
Mo Hua's eyes sparkled as if he had just received a great epiphany.
Despite the ups and downs he had faced, he felt that fate had treated him well.
Memories floated through his mind, evoking a mix of emotions.
Mr. Zhuang sighed and gazed at Mo Hua, his mood gradually calming.
...
The next day, Mr. Zhuang brought Mo Hua and his two senior siblings to the Array Pavilion.
The Array Pavilion was much less crowded now.
The spacious pavilion, with its ornate carvings and paintings, was solemn and majestic. Countless array books and records were neatly arranged, exuding an air of precision and beauty.
They were greeted by the Great Elder and Liao Liao, the leader of the Five Elements Sect.
The Great Elder's face was grim, as if he was still reeling from the events of yesterday.
Even in his dreams, he could hear Mo Hua's challenging questions ringing in his ears: "What else are we comparing?" "Who else is there?" ...
The Great Elder's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
This young array master, with his innocent appearance, was a true monster in the art of arrays—a miniature version of Mr. Zhuang, or perhaps even worse.
The Great Elder felt a pang of sorrow.
The Five Elements Sect had lost, and now their core legacy was about to be passed on to others.
Although the Five Elements Spirit Array with its thirteen patterns was extremely difficult to master, facing Mr. Zhuang and the unpredictable Mo Hua, the Great Elder couldn't help but feel anxious. His face, pale with worry, betrayed a hint of apprehension.
On the other hand, Liao Liao seemed unbothered, as if it didn't matter to him whether or not the Five Elements Sect's ultimate array was learned by others.
Once everyone had arrived, the Great Elder reluctantly gestured and said, "Please."
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
The group ascended the stairs, making their way up the Array Pavilion.
The Array Pavilion of the Five Elements Sect had four floors.
The first floor was spacious, featuring a grand hall, tables, and bookshelves. It served as a repository for first-grade arrays and provided a space for disciples to borrow, study, and contemplate array books and diagrams. It was also used for gatherings and discussions.
The second floor was slightly smaller but exuded an air of antiquity and simplicity. It housed the second-grade array diagrams and was usually not open to the public.
The third floor was even more compact and served as the repository for third-grade arrays.
The furnishings here were somewhat old and shabby, yet the atmosphere was ancient and profound, inspiring a deeper sense of reverence than the ostentatious grandeur of the first floor's hall.
Third-grade arrays!
Mo Hua couldn't help but be impressed by the depth of the Five Elements Sect's heritage.
At his current stage, he hadn't even seen many second-grade arrays, let alone third-grade ones.
He yearned to browse through the third-grade array diagrams, curious about their appearance and complexity.
How many array patterns did they have? How did the array core flow and the array eye construct? How could one learn and activate them, and what effects would they produce?
However, Mo Hua knew that the Great Elder of the Five Elements Sect was notoriously stingy when it came to sharing their array knowledge.
True to his reputation, the Great Elder didn't even allow them to stay and browse.
Leading the group, the Great Elder used his elder token to unlock the floors as they ascended. They bypassed the second and third floors, heading straight for the fourth floor.
First-grade arrays on the first floor, second-grade on the second, and third-grade on the third.
The Five Elements Sect likely didn't possess fourth-grade arrays, so this fourth floor must house their sect's ultimate legacy—the Five Elements Spirit Array, consisting of five complementary arrays.
Mo Hua, standing behind Mr. Zhuang, secretly poked his small head out and looked around.
The fourth floor was even more cramped than the lower floors.
The surroundings were sparsely furnished, with only wooden beams and windows.
In the center was a shrine.
Below the shrine were five meditation cushions.
The walls and floors were inscribed with arrays, but the array patterns were hidden, and the aura they exuded was profound and abstruse, indicating at least a second-grade array, possibly even third-grade...
Mo Hua wouldn't have been surprised if they were fourth-grade.
A sense of awe grew in Mo Hua's heart for the Five Elements Sect.
Even though the current state of the sect was pitiful, with its glorious exterior masking an inner rot, its ancestral heritage was undeniably profound.
The arrays inscribed on this fourth floor, even if they were mediated by ordinary wooden array media, commanded respect and couldn't be taken lightly.
The Great Elder sighed softly, his emotions mixed. After a moment, he composed himself and addressed Mo Hua and the others, "The Five Elements Spirit Array is hidden within this shrine."
"Sit on the meditation cushions and contemplate the shrine. If your comprehension is sufficient, you will be able to perceive the array diagram of the Five Elements Spirit Array."
Contemplate?
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback and glanced at the shrine.
So this shrine was a type of contemplation diagram? By contemplating the shrine, one could learn the Five Elements Spirit Array if their comprehension was high enough?
It probably wasn't that simple...
Mo Hua stole a glance at the Great Elder and noticed a hint of mischief and cunning in his eyes.
Not only stingy but also a crafty old fox...
Mo Hua thought to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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