Chapter 542: Intimidation
Chapter 542: Intimidation
including first-rate and above, a complete set of Five Elements Ultimate Formation inheritances!
Moreover, it was the ancient legacy of the Five Elements Peak, once a top-notch array sect!
Mo Hua was thrilled.
Master Zhuang waited for Mo Hua to calm down before he smiled faintly, "Of course, it's not that simple..."
"I knew it..." Mo Hua muttered to himself, then after some thought, he asked Master Zhuang, "Master, this foundation must be well-hidden, right?"
Master Zhuang nodded, his voice grave, "To obtain the legacy of the Five Elements Peak, is no easy task..."
"First, as I mentioned earlier, you need a way to suppress the 'Source Pattern'. If you can't suppress it, trying to derive it will undoubtedly result in being parasitized by the 'Source Pattern', leading to death."
"Even if you can suppress it, you must be extremely cautious."
"This 'Source Pattern' is too ancient, containing infinite spiritual consciousness and computational power. We can't know what kind of mutation it has undergone."
"The Five Elements Peak, in its heyday, had immense influence, countless array masters, and profound knowledge of arrays, yet they were still unable to control it."
"So, if you truly want to comprehend and derive the 'Source Pattern', you must be cautious to the utmost and ensure you have absolute confidence!"
Master Zhuang's expression was solemn.
Mo Hua nodded seriously, his face determined, "Master, I will be cautious, and know when to back down!"
Master Zhuang couldn't help but smile. He continued, "The second requirement is also related to spiritual consciousness."
"The 'Source Pattern' involves derivation, which consumes a massive amount of spiritual consciousness."
"Moreover, it's a reverse derivation of a 'Source Pattern' that has accumulated countless computations. Thus, the requirements for spiritual consciousness are extremely high."
Master Zhuang glanced at the "Five Elements Array Flow Chart" once more, his gaze fixed on the five colorful "Source Patterns" with their eyes tightly closed, his eyes deep and mysterious, as he slowly spoke,
"This 'Source Pattern' encompasses all the array techniques of the Five Elements Peak, including the Five Elements Spirit Array, like an array technique 'Daoist Canon'."
"However, most of the arrays within are encrypted through array pattern variations."
"Without sufficient spiritual consciousness, you won't be able to derive them."
"With your current level of spiritual consciousness, even if you attempt to derive them, you will only see the tip of the iceberg..."
"As for the rest of the 'Daoist Canon', which is infinite, you will have to wait until your cultivation and spiritual consciousness improve before you can discover and understand them."
Master Zhuang folded the array flow chart and handed it to Mo Hua.
"This 'Source Pattern' encompasses the myriad phenomena of the Five Elements..."
"...It is the core array technique legacy of the Five Elements Peak. In the entire cultivation world, it can be considered a rare and priceless treasure."
"You must keep it safe and never reveal it, or you will surely attract covetous glances."
Mo Hua felt the weight of the chart in his hands, as if it weighed a thousand pounds, and nodded solemnly.
Master Zhuang patted Mo Hua's head, feeling slightly relieved.
"There's one more thing..." Master Zhuang added, "The Five Elements Spirit Array needs to be renamed."
"Renamed?" Mo Hua was taken aback, "Isn't the name good?"
Although he felt that the Five Elements Spirit Array lacked grandeur and sophistication, resembling a common array technique with a rustic name, he didn't think it warranted a change.
Master Zhuang shook his head with a smile, "Array technique names usually involve the principles of the array, so they are not chosen lightly."
"The Five Elements Spirit Array includes the character 'spirit', which may sound ordinary, but to those who understand arrays, it implies that this array technique involves the essence of the Five Elements' spiritual power and is vastly different from ordinary arrays."
"I'm asking you to rename it because I want to avoid any association with the Five Elements Peak."
"The Five Elements Spirit Array is closely related to the Five Elements Peak. If you know this array, it will inevitably suggest a connection to the sect."
"It's like wearing your wealth openly and inviting trouble."
"In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, you are carrying a treasure, and by revealing its name, you are flaunting it openly."
Mo Hua's eyes widened in realization, and he nodded repeatedly, "Master is right!"
"It's best to make a fortune quietly!"
"Although we are from a reputable university, too much flamboyance can attract jealousy and unwanted trouble."
"Moreover, that Elder has advanced age and a narrow mind. If he finds out that I've learned their sect's signature array, he might die of anger. To prevent that, I won't tell him!"
Mo Hua said thoughtfully.
Master Zhuang chuckled, then after a moment's thought, he added, "In the cultivation world, everything happens for a reason, and every gain has its cost. Although you obtained this 'Source Pattern' through your own abilities, it can also be considered a blessing from the ancestors of the Five Elements Peak."
"In the future, if there's an opportunity, you can repay this debt of gratitude by doing something virtuous for the lineage of the Five Elements Peak, but not now..."
"Mhm." Mo Hua nodded, "I understand."
Then he asked, "Master, if we change the name of the Five Elements Spirit Array... what should we change it to?"
Master Zhuang replied gently, "That's for you to decide. There are very few array masters who know this technique, so having this technique is your unique advantage. If you choose an unpleasant name, it's your own doing."
Mo Hua furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
This was indeed a serious matter that required careful consideration and couldn't be taken lightly.
However, there was no rush at the moment.
The immediate priority was to see if he could suppress the 'Source Pattern' and derive all the Five Elements arrays from it, as he had originally planned.
After bidding Master Zhuang farewell, Mo Hua returned to his room and began to contemplate the 'Source Pattern'.
So, Mo Hua set up some isolation formations around him to prevent anyone from sensing what he was doing. He also laid down control formations to stop himself from running amok if he ended up being parasitized by the 'Source Pattern'.
The formations in the room were like a dense spider web.
Mo Hua clapped his hands, feeling much more at ease.
However, he still felt uneasy and went to knock on his neighbor's door.
Bai Zixi opened the door, looking at Mo Hua with confusion.
"Senior sister, if I act abnormally later, stop me and then go get Master," Mo Hua instructed.
Bai Zixi's eyes lit up. "Should I knock you out again?"
Mo Hua's head hurt at the thought, but he gritted his teeth and nodded. "Yes, but... can you do it a little more gently this time?"
"I'll be gentle," Bai Zixi assured him with a nod.
Having made the request, Mo Hua returned to his room and placed the 'Five Elements Array Flow Chart' that contained the mutated 'Source Pattern' in front of him.
He was about to open it but hesitated again, thinking that he could be even more cautious...
Mo Hua checked the time and saw that it was already hai hour (9-11 pm)
. It wouldn't be long before it turned zi hour (11 pm-1 am)
.
When zi hour arrived, the Dao Stele appeared in his sea of consciousness.
With the support of the Dao Stele, he began to contemplate the 'Source Pattern'.
"Sharpening the axe will not hinder cutting firewood," he muttered to himself, deciding to wait a little longer.
Mo Hua sat cross-legged and began to calm his mind and gather his spirit.
As soon as zi hour arrived, Mo Hua opened his eyes, opened the chart, and focused his mind on contemplating and deriving the array.
The 'Source Pattern' had its eyes closed, appearing no different from a regular array flow.
It was a source flow derived from countless arrays.
Following the Five Elements Sect's method of derivation, Mo Hua began to reverse-derive the pattern.
Indeed, at the edges of his sea of consciousness, some array patterns slowly emerged from the 'Source Pattern', detaching and transforming into complete arrays.
These arrays were familiar to Mo Hua.
They were common first-rate Five Elements arrays.
Although the inheritance was ancient, and there were some differences in the brushwork and array patterns, they were largely the same.
Mo Hua's spirit was uplifted by this discovery.
His master was right; reverse-derivation was indeed feasible.
This 'Source Pattern' was like a Daoist Canon, a treasure trove of countless Five Elements arrays.
As long as he learned how to derive it, he could reverse-engineer and obtain various Five Elements array charts.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he continued to derive the pattern.
His sea of consciousness was silent as he focused without any distractions.
He spent half the night deriving and finally understood another key point.
Reverse-derivation was related to the strength of one's spiritual consciousness.
The stronger one's spiritual consciousness, the higher the grade of the Five Elements array that could be derived.
With his current level of thirteen marks, the array patterns he could derive were below that level.
He couldn't 'decode' arrays above thirteen marks.
As for what specific arrays he could derive, it was a matter of chance.
So far, the arrays he had derived from the 'Source Pattern' were all related to the Five Elements, but they were diverse, including arrays with three to four marks and first-rate nine-mark arrays.
It was like drawing lots, and whatever he drew was what he got, with no apparent pattern.
Mo Hua frowned.
According to his deduction, deriving the 'Source Pattern' and the array flow was a massive undertaking. Such a significant 'cultivation project' must have a structure and rules.
These array patterns must be organized according to a specific sequence and framework to form the 'Source Pattern', and they couldn't be random.
However, Mo Hua couldn't figure it out at the moment and could only leave it for future contemplation.
Mo Hua couldn't help but marvel at the thousands of years of heritage encapsulated in the 'Source Pattern'.
Just how many arrays were contained within it?
What would it be like if he completely derived and 'decoded' it?
What if he learned all the arrays within?
If he could both set up arrays and derive them, wouldn't he be like a human-shaped 'Source Pattern'?
Mo Hua's thoughts wandered as he anticipated the possibilities.
As he thought about it, he started to feel sleepy, as if deriving the pattern for so long had exhausted him and consumed a lot of his spiritual energy.
Mo Hua's eyelids drooped, and he began to nod off, his little head bobbing up and down.
"I should take a nap," he thought.
But then he jolted awake.
Why was he feeling sleepy? He never felt drowsy in his sea of consciousness or in front of the Dao Stele!
"Something's wrong!"
Mo Hua opened his eyes and saw that the 'Source Pattern' on the 'Five Elements Array Flow Chart' had opened its eyes at some point!
Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat, and he became fully alert, examining his sea of consciousness with his spiritual sense.
Indeed, there were dense array patterns in his sea of consciousness!
This 'Source Pattern' was acting up again, taking advantage of his derivation process and the excessive consumption of his spiritual sense to derive a soil-type sleep array to make him feel drowsy and fall asleep.
At the same time, its array patterns, like ants or tentacles, had secretly infiltrated his sea of consciousness!
"It wants to parasitize me again?" Mo Hua's eyes narrowed.
No, that wasn't right!
Mo Hua followed the array patterns and was shocked to find that the 'Source Pattern's' target wasn't him but the Dao Stele!
"It dares to target the Dao Stele?" he thought, his eyebrows knitting together.
Then, his expression turned solemn as he realized, "No, it wants... to assimilate with the Dao Stele?"
Mo Hua suddenly understood.
The Dao Stele was ethereal and in harmony with the Great Dao, carrying the aura of the Great Dao.
Who do you think you are?" Mo Hua raised his eyebrows and tried to use the derivation method to recalculate the array patterns, forcing the Source Pattern back into the Five Elements Array Flow Chart.
However, his derivation was still a little slow, and several colorful array patterns had already spread along Mo Hua's sea of consciousness, climbing onto the central Dao Stele.
The colorful array patterns imprinted themselves onto the ethereal surface of the Dao Stele.
The "eyes" of the Source Pattern suddenly widened.
The ancient and simple Daoist aura made it tremble, but it also seemed to excite it immensely.
It was gradually erased by the Dao, but at the same time, it was also approaching the source of the Dao, transforming bit by bit...
Mo Hua tried to suppress the array patterns with his derivation method, but his spiritual consciousness was limited, and his speed was still too slow...
Mo Hua's heart sank slightly.
Just then, a desolate aura suddenly emerged from the Dao Stele.
This aura was also ancient and simple, but it was more domineering, possessing a chilling and lifeless intent to wipe out all existence.
On the Dao Stele, the bloody array pattern lit up!
It was the immortal rune that Mo Hua had recorded from the crack in the heavens when he triggered the heavenly tribulation by destroying the grand formation, killing Feng Wei, and activating the heavenly formation.
The immortal rune's aura emerged, and a scarlet heavenly tribulation appeared on the Dao Stele.
The thunderbolts flickered, and in just an instant, they obliterated all the array patterns that had spread across the Dao Stele!
The Source Pattern was severely damaged, its "eyes" trembling in shock and fear.
Immortal rune?
Heavenly tribulation?
If the Dao Stele represented the all-encompassing Great Dao...
Then, the heavenly tribulation signified the pure "kill Dao," erasing all existence.
The Source Pattern never expected that Mo Hua's sea of consciousness would contain an immortal rune, inscribed with heavenly tribulation, hiding a terrifying calamity!
The Source Pattern retreated with lightning speed and shrank back into the Five Elements Array Flow Chart.
Its "eyes" were now squeezed shut even tighter, as if condensed into a thin line, trembling incessantly, not daring to open them even a sliver, for fear of witnessing something terrifying once again.
Mo Hua was left speechless.
"You're just asking for a beating, aren't you? You never learn your lesson..."
The Source Pattern didn't dare to be angry anymore and could only hide in the chart, pretending to be dead.
Mo Hua shook his head but also breathed a sigh of relief.
With the suppression of the Dao Stele and the intimidation of the immortal rune, this Five Elements "Source Pattern" should be thoroughly subdued and wouldn't dare to have any more mischievous thoughts.
From now on, it would be much safer for him to derive the Five Elements array patterns.
However, at the same time, Mo Hua also had a new question:
What is the relationship between the immortal rune and the Source Pattern?
Is the immortal rune also a more advanced form of "Source Pattern"?
If that's the case...
By deriving the "Source Pattern," I can obtain the Five Elements array methods compiled within it...
Then, if one day, when my spiritual consciousness becomes powerful enough, and I can derive the "immortal rune," what will I be able to deduce from it?
Heavenly tribulation?
Thunder formation?
Mo Hua's little heart thumped wildly.
However, these were just speculations, and he couldn't be sure at the moment.
He would have to wait until his cultivation level was higher, his spiritual consciousness was stronger, and his understanding of formations was deeper to verify these theories...
Mo Hua sighed.
My cultivation level is still not high enough, and my spiritual consciousness is still not strong enough...
Looks like I need to hurry up and work harder on my cultivation, so I can reach the Foundation Establishment stage soon.
There are so many powerful formations waiting for me to learn!
Mo Hua felt invigorated and nodded.
...
On the other hand, the elder stood in front of the shrine, his eyebrows furrowed.
While Mo Hua and his group felt discouraged, and Master Zhuang suffered a setback, the elder felt greatly relieved and proud for a few days.
However, a few days later, he started feeling that something wasn't quite right.
Master Zhuang... is someone who calculates without leaving any margin for error. He doesn't seem like the type to fail so easily...
As for his three disciples.
He didn't know much about the sibling pair, so he put them aside for now.
As for that young master Mo, he was indeed exceptionally talented and showed remarkable potential in formations, but his biggest problem was his lack of virtue!
He's too cunning and has a wicked heart!
Would such a young formation master really feel discouraged just because he couldn't learn a formation?
Or, with his talent, if he couldn't learn anything at all, that would be truly abnormal...
The elder felt that he might have been played by Master Zhuang and his disciple.
The crucial point was that he had believed it to be true!
The elder's blood boiled with anger.
He lit incense in front of the shrine once again.
This time, the incense burned normally, calmly, and completely.
However, the elder's frown deepened.
The absence of any abnormalities meant there were no hints or clues.
Where was the hint? Where was that little ghost that lived in the shrine? Where did it go?
The elder examined the shrine for a while longer and suddenly paused.
The shrine seemed normal, but there was a dark spot at the bottom, as if... a door was missing?
Who destroyed the door of the shrine? Could it be...
The shrine contained the legacy of the Five Elements Peak.
The door of the shrine was destroyed, and the little ghost inside was gone.
The elder's heart skipped a beat as an unbelievable thought emerged:
"Could our Five Elements Peak's secrets have been stolen?"
"No, it can't be..."
(End of Chapter)
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