Chapter 544: The Enigmatic Heaven
Chapter 544: The Enigmatic Heaven
One day, Mo Hua continued his usual cultivation when his Qi Sea suddenly trembled, filling up on its own.
Mo Hua's face lit up with joy.
Having reached the ninth layer, his spiritual power was now overflowing.
He had reached the threshold of foundation building!
The abundant spiritual power condensed in his Qi Sea, flowing and gradually congealing as if veiled in a layer of mist, damp and moist.
This was a sign of spiritual power becoming as fluid as mercury, a prerequisite for foundation building.
"Spiritual power like mercury, leading to foundation building."
However, before the spiritual power could be refined to such a state, he needed to break through a bottleneck.
This bottleneck varied from person to person and mainly depended on their cultivation technique and spiritual roots.
Mo Hua's cultivation technique was the Tian Yan Jue.
Thus, according to the Tian Yan Jue, the bottleneck for foundation building lay in the sea of consciousness.
Indeed, after a short while, the overflowing spiritual power transformed into misty spiritual threads that flowed out from the Qi Sea, traveled along his meridians, converged at the Baihui acupoint, and then seeped inward into Mo Hua's sea of consciousness.
The spiritual power that entered his sea of consciousness transformed into fine strands that began to weave into a formation.
This scene was not unfamiliar to Mo Hua.
When he had broken through from the early Qi Refining stage to the middle stage and then from the middle stage to the late stage, he had experienced this before.
This time was no different.
The spiritual threads sketched out patterns, forming enigmatic arrays that covered his sea of consciousness.
Mo Hua's only concern was that this array might surpass the first-grade nine-pattern and condense into ten patterns or even more, an ultimate array that he had never seen or studied before.
If that were the case, breaking through the bottleneck by deciphering the array would be extremely challenging.
Even his desire to build a foundation would become much more arduous.
Mo Hua watched the spiritual threads with a bit of trepidation, seeing them weave like embroidery, sketching out one enigmatic array after another. After a moment, he breathed a sigh of relief...
They were just replicated arrays, and they were all relatively simple.
With his current proficiency in formations, unraveling these replicated arrays was still well within his capabilities.
Fortunately, his master had taught him a lot of profound knowledge about formations, instructing him to establish himself with formations and seek enlightenment through his spiritual sense. As a result, his understanding of formations far surpassed that of an ordinary first-grade formation master.
Otherwise, even just unraveling replicated arrays would have been tricky.
If he wanted to smoothly build his foundation, he estimated that he would have to go through a lot more trouble.
Hard work would always pay off.
Mo Hua felt relieved in his heart.
However, after a while, his expression froze, and his face grew increasingly solemn.
"Something's wrong..."
The enigmatic arrays continued to generate...
And there was no sign of them stopping.
One replicated array after another slowly derived and connected, forming a vast network.
The number of enigmatic arrays increased, layer upon layer, piece by piece, like snowflakes in the depths of winter, piling up and covering his entire sea of consciousness.
When the generation of the arrays finally ceased, Mo Hua's mouth hung open, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"What... What is this?"
The spiritual power, like countless silken threads, had woven an entire world of formations, resembling a gigantic cocoon that completely and utterly enveloped his sea of consciousness.
"Is this... a grand formation composed of enigmatic arrays?!" Mo Hua's mind and spirit were equally shaken.
The grand formation resembled a cocoon, shrouding his sea of consciousness.
Was he to either bind himself within a cocoon or break free and become a butterfly? Mo Hua remained silent for a long time, at a loss for words.
This was... too outrageous...
How could there be such a bottleneck for foundation building?
Mo Hua glanced at the enormous enigmatic array once more, his spiritual sense sweeping over it. He roughly counted the arrays within, and his eyes widened in shock.
The grand formation contained at least several tens of thousands of enigmatic arrays, if not hundreds of thousands!
Did he have to unravel each and every one of these arrays?
How long would that take?
Mo Hua furrowed his brows and attempted to unravel a few of the enigmatic arrays.
While the arrays were not particularly difficult, their sheer number was overwhelming!
Mo Hua made a rough estimation.
If he could unravel ten arrays per day, it would still take him about a decade or two to completely unravel this "self-binding cocoon" of enigmatic arrays.
Mo Hua worked at it for a while longer, then lifted his head to survey the arrays before him, sighing deeply as a sense of powerlessness washed over him.
Before him lay an endless sea of formations.
And the few arrays he had just unraveled were but a drop in the ocean.
Just thinking about the countless arrays that remained filled Mo Hua with dread.
But that wasn't even the most troublesome part.
If these enigmatic arrays formed a grand formation, the most challenging aspect would be its formation core.
He had no idea what structure the formation core of these enigmatic arrays would have or how to unravel it.
This was simply not a task that one person could accomplish.
Constructing a grand formation required immense manpower, and unraveling it would demand even more spiritual sense and computational power.
After all, unraveling a formation was far more complicated than creating one...
"What should I do?" Mo Hua frowned.
Aside from unraveling the formation, the only other approach he could think of was "collapse."
He had completely collapsed the Five Elements Beast-Slaying Grand Formation by using a reverse spirit formation, leaving not a single tile intact.
However, the problem now was that this grand formation was in his sea of consciousness.
If he collapsed the grand formation, he would likely destroy himself along with it.
Mo Hua sighed again.
"I guess I have no choice but to ask my master..."
...
The next day, Mo Hua hurried to find Master Zhuang without delay.
Master Zhuang was drinking tea when he heard Mo Hua's words and paused for a moment before slowly lifting his head. "A grand formation?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded. "There are so many of them, covering my entire sea of consciousness. The formation patterns are intricate, and the spiritual threads are densely packed, like a light blue cocoon..."
Master Zhuang's pupils constricted at the mention of a cocoon.
"A cocoon..." Mo Hua nodded again, then asked worriedly, "Master, can I still build my foundation?"
Master Zhuang's gaze turned slightly solemn, but he soon smiled gently and said in a soothing tone, "When has foundation building ever been easy?"
"Bottlenecks are called bottlenecks precisely because they are impeded by the Great Dao, making them difficult to surpass. Otherwise, everyone in this world would be able to cultivate smoothly without obstacles."
"Cultivators seek only the Great Dao and do not concern themselves with success or failure."
"The things you must do remain the same, so do not let gains and losses make you hesitate."
Mo Hua's heart suddenly felt enlightened, and his doubts dissipated.
That's right, worrying is useless...
If this bottleneck truly takes a decade or two to overcome, then so be it. Would he rather not unravel the array, not break through, and remain a Qi Refining cultivator for life?
There's no point in hesitating over a decision that has already been made.
In the end, what needs to be done remains the same.
As an array master, he only needs to focus wholeheartedly on studying and unraveling arrays.
Do not let the difficulty, success or failure, or gains and losses disturb your heart.
Mo Hua's anxious heart, which had been stirred by the prospect of Foundation Establishment, gradually calmed, his breath evening out, and his gaze growing firm.
Master Zhuang felt relieved and nodded slightly, a gentle smile on his face as he said:
"Good, it's excellent that you understand. However, there's no need to rush. Completely unraveling the enigmatic array won't take that long..."
"Yes, Master!"
After their conversation, Mo Hua stood up and bid farewell to his master. He was about to leave to ponder over the enigmatic array further, but Master Zhuang suddenly called out to him, pausing for a moment before saying:
"Mo Hua, draw a portion of the enigmatic array and let me see it."
Mo Hua was puzzled but did as instructed, taking out paper and a brush to draw a portion of the enigmatic array and its array core.
Master Zhuang nodded, "Good."
After Mo Hua left, Master Zhuang's expression grew solemn as he studied the portion of the enigmatic array that Mo Hua had drawn.
Kui Lao appeared and, after glancing at the array, furrowed his brows.
"What is this?"
"You don't know?" Master Zhuang asked, his eyes unfocused.
Kui Lao's gaze turned somber as he shook his head. "I've never seen anything like it."
Despite it being a first-grade array and an enigmatic array, in all his years of cultivation experience, he had no recollection of anything similar.
"Indeed..." Master Zhuang murmured, "I thought I would never encounter this kind of array again in my lifetime..."
Kui Lao's expression turned grave. "What exactly is this array?"
"This array is called..."
Master Zhuang fell silent for a long moment, his eyes filled with conflict, before he finally spoke:
"The Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array!"
Kui Lao's eyes widened in shock. "The Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array?!"
Master Zhuang nodded with a bitter smile.
The Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array...
Kui Lao's expression shifted, as if he wanted to say something but ultimately held back, only able to stare in bewilderment as he muttered:
"How could it be...?"
How could it be the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array...
Kui Lao's brows furrowed, and instead of probing further, he asked:
"What is so special about this Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array compared to ordinary enigmatic arrays?"
Master Zhuang shook his head. "It's not the same..."
"Enigmatic arrays can form grand arrays, but this grand array is merely a collection of simple enigmatic arrays. It has the scale of a grand array but lacks its framework. Strictly speaking, it's not truly a grand array..."
Master Zhuang glanced again at the array Mo Hua had drawn and sighed.
"The Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array is different..."
"It is an extremely unique grand array..."
"So unique that one cannot fathom the true nature of this array."
"The existing Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array seals away unknown secrets..."
"The Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array contains heavenly mysteries..."
"The array principles involved are bizarre and extraordinary..."
Master Zhuang stared at Kui Lao, his gaze questioning yet also introspective:
"Enigmatic arrays are merely puzzles to be solved. How can they form a grand array?"
"And how can they form such a grand array?"
"All grand arrays integrate countless arrays, emphasizing a common root and source. There are those that focus on killing, trapping, or defense."
"So, what arrays does the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array integrate? What is its common root and source? What is it advocating? Is it merely about the 'enigma'?"
"And what kind of person would have the ability, the audacity, and the powerful spiritual sense to construct an Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array?"
"Why would someone create the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array?"
...
Master Zhuang fell into deep thought, and suddenly, his eyes widened as he muttered to himself, "I was wrong. I misunderstood from the very beginning..."
"There's a major problem with the Tian Yan Jue cultivation technique!"
"To construct the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array within one's sea of consciousness..."
"This technique might not be meant for humans at all..."
"Perhaps it truly is meant for some kind of 'monster' in the literal sense..."
"Who created this technique?"
"Or perhaps, could it be that this technique wasn't created by a human at all?"
"Could a human, through a cultivation technique, construct the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array within their sea of consciousness?"
Master Zhuang's brows furrowed deeper.
Ancient cultivation technique...
Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array...
Heavenly Deviation...
"The Great Dao has fifty paths, forty-nine are deviations, and humans follow one..."
He felt that he had somehow glimpsed something, but as soon as he tried to think about it in detail, it became a haze, as if he had fallen into the "Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array."
"Never mind..."
Master Zhuang sighed.
He didn't have much time left to ponder these questions.
The more pressing issue was Mo Hua...
"Can the Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array be unraveled?" Kui Lao asked.
"Although it's called Enigmatic Heaven, it's still an enigmatic array, and only a first-grade one at that. With Mo Hua's array mastery, he can unravel it, but..."
But it might indeed take a decade or so.
It was very possible that decades would pass before he succeeded.
"We need to think of a way..."
Master Zhuang fell silent, his eyes flickering with calculation as he pondered the heavens' will. After a long while, he seemed to find a glimmer of hope.
This glimmer was extremely subtle and extremely dangerous.
However, it was a chance he could grasp.
Master Zhuang heaved a sigh of relief, lifting his head to gaze at the sky with a bitter smile.
Man's plans could never compare to heaven's designs.
He had originally planned everything, but an unexpected situation had still occurred...
Now, he would have to go through even more trouble.
"I originally wanted to witness Mo Hua's Foundation Establishment with my own eyes and fulfill my heart's wish. But now, it seems that I won't have time..."
My journey ends here...
Master Zhuang's eyes held a hint of melancholy, but soon, his expression turned serene.
What was meant to come would come...
Kui Lao watched him silently, his gaze inscrutable, before gradually fading into the darkness.
...
After returning, Mo Hua would immerse himself in his sea of consciousness whenever he had free time, unraveling the enigmatic arrays one by one.
Although there were many arrays, he remained calm and patient.
However, as he worked on them, he realized that these enigmatic arrays seemed different from the ones he had encountered before.
The previous arrays had seemed "dead" and rigid, disappearing once solved.
But the current grand array had flowing array patterns, as if they were "alive".
Moreover, large sections of replicated arrays were connected and responded to each other, existing in symbiosis.
He had to target these replicated sections and unravel them in groups.
Otherwise, even after solving a single array, more would continue to generate.
Mo Hua could only seek guidance from Master Zhuang again.
Master Zhuang seemed to have prepared for a long time, handing Mo Hua a thick stack of array books and diagrams, and said:
"The grand array in your sea of consciousness is called the 'Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array'."
"Remember this name and don't tell anyone else."
"These are some records and my own insights about the 'Enigmatic Heaven Grand Array'. Keep them safe and study them well. They should help you with unraveling the arrays..."
Mo Hua felt grateful, but he also sensed something amiss.
It seemed like his master was busy making arrangements for something.
"Master..." Mo Hua said softly.
But Master Zhuang shook his head, stopping him from saying more, and said gently:
"Go now, and study hard."
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, then nodded and left respectfully. However, his young face was filled with lingering worries.
There were some things he knew.
He knew that his master was avoiding someone.
He also knew that his master had mentioned that the destination of this trip was the Five Elements Sect.
Now that they had arrived at the Five Elements Sect and he had learned the Five Elements Spirit Array, what would happen next? His master had not said.
Mo Hua had some guesses long ago, but only now did he realize with a shocked heart that even if he was extremely reluctant, what was meant to come would still come...
Mo Hua's anxiety deepened.
Meanwhile, the Five Elements Sect remained calm and peaceful on the surface.
Until one day, Mo Hua saw a familiar figure.
On this day, Mo Hua was studying array techniques with his senior male and female disciples, when he heard light footsteps. He looked up and saw a graceful figure standing at the door, her face veiled, and her aura cold.
Mo Hua was taken aback, then delighted, "Aunt Xue!"
Aunt Xue smiled upon seeing Mo Hua, her beautiful eyes observing him for a moment before nodding, "It's been a long time. You've grown taller."
Mo Hua's face was wreathed in smiles.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi were also very happy.
After exchanging greetings, Mo Hua asked curiously, "Aunt Xue, why are you here?"
"Yes," Bai Zisheng said, "Didn't Master tell you not to come with us?"
"Master Zhuang asked me to come." Aunt Xue replied.
"Master?"
Mo Hua and the other two disciples exchanged glances, all looking puzzled.
Aunt Xue nodded, "Master Zhuang didn't want me to follow you, but I was worried about your safety, so I secretly trailed behind you from a distance. Master Zhuang knew about it and didn't blame me, so he tacitly approved."
"These past few days, I wanted to write a letter to Madam and inform her of our safety. But as I was about to write, the ink moved on its own, staining the paper and forming the character 'come'."
"I knew then that this was Master Zhuang's intention, that he wanted me to come here..."
"But, why did Master ask you to come?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.
Aunt Xue shook her head, unsure herself.
"Has Master Zhuang been resting well?" she asked.
"Master rested for a while and is currently drinking tea." Mo Hua replied.
Aunt Xue nodded and rose to visit Master Zhuang.
Mo Hua and the other two disciples followed her.
In the elegant and ancient room filled with the aroma of tea, Master Zhuang sat upright with a graceful posture, sipping the clear tea that Mo Hua had brewed for him.
Upon seeing Aunt Xue, Master Zhuang was not surprised.
Aunt Xue bowed respectfully to Master Zhuang, and he nodded in response.
Aunt Xue asked softly, "May I ask why you summoned me here, Master Zhuang?"
Master Zhuang remained silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful as he took in Mo Hua and the other two disciples. Finally, he said slowly:
"Take these three children away with you..."
"Leave the Five Elements Sect, leave Li City, and never return..."
(End of Chapter)
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