Chapter 593: Laying the Foundation
Chapter 593: Laying the Foundation
In the following array lesson, Master Xun began, "Today, we won't be studying arrays. Instead, I'll teach you something more fundamental."
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback.
The other disciples exchanged puzzled glances.
They were all scions of noble families, with access to a wide range of cultivation techniques and knowledge. While they might not be experts, they were certainly familiar with the basics of arrays.
"What else is there to teach at a basic level?" Master Xun scanned the room, his voice solemn. "I know that you come from prestigious families with impressive lineages, and you have a good grasp of various cultivation arts. But when it comes to arrays, what you know is merely scratching the surface—it's like a couple of bricks laid on the foundation."
"If you aspire to reach great heights in the art of arrays, your current foundation is far from sufficient."
Master Xun's peripheral vision caught Mo Hua as he continued, "Today, I shall elucidate the myriad origins and streams of arrays in this world..."
The disciples straightened their postures, paying close attention.
Mo Hua sat up straight, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
A sharp glint flashed in Master Xun's cloudy eyes as he spoke slowly, "The path of arrays is profound and vast. There are numerous arrays in this world, including ancient arrays passed down from antiquity, evolved variants, and new arrays created by later generations building upon their predecessors' efforts."
"Not only are the categories of arrays diverse, but there are also countless types and styles..."
"Even the same array can have different variations. Inherent differences exist in the same array across various lineages, be it in the array patterns, the array core, or even the construction of the array eye."
"Take the simplest example: the first-grade Bright Fire Array, which consists of only three array patterns. According to records from different sects, there are no fewer than eighteen ways to draw this array."
"This leads me to the first point I want you to understand..."
"The Dao has no fixed rules, and arrays have no fixed forms! What you are learning are the standardized basic arrays promulgated by the Court."
"The Court's standardization of arrays, including their categorization and formalization, is merely a means of simplification, making them easier to learn, use, and disseminate. It's a necessary unification to maintain order and facilitate understanding."
"To achieve standardization, you must study these 'uniform' and 'standardized' arrays. Due to the stringent requirements for categorization, you will need to devote your lives to mastering these 'standard' arrays, poring over them until your hair turns gray."
"You will come to revere them as the ultimate truth..."
"However..." Master Xun paused, his gaze turning sharp, "you must understand that this is not the essence of arrays. It is not their true nature."
"The true nature of arrays, passed down through the ages, across different eras, regions, cultivation levels, and practitioners, is one of chaos, complexity, and apparent contradictions. It reflects each cultivator's unique understanding of the heavens, the earth, and the myriad things, their comprehension of arrays, and their manifestation of the Great Dao."
"Imperfections are normal. Complexity is the true nature of things."
"The world and everything in it are intricate and multifaceted."
"Arrays, in their essence, are manifestations of the Great Dao, emerging from the chaos and obscurity of complexity. They are as diverse as the Great Dao itself."
"If you seek the true path, merely studying the Court's standardized arrays will not suffice. Those arrays have been 'man-made', streamlined, and homogenized. They represent a 'correct' version, but they are not the true face of arrays, nor do they capture the true nature of the Great Dao."
"The world is filled with wondrous and bizarre things, and arrays are as vast and varied as the universe itself."
"To become a top-notch array master, you must transcend standardization. You must see with your own eyes and experience it for yourself."
"Distill the essence from the dross, discern truth from falsehood, perceive the traces of the Great Dao within the myriad complex array patterns, and comprehend its flow through the endless variations of arrays..."
"Thus, you will come to understand the most authentic and fundamental nature of arrays, forming your own array principles and walking your own path to enlightenment!"
"This is the foundation of array comprehension!"
...
Master Xun's words resonated with the disciples, leaving them in a state of thoughtful contemplation.
Mo Hua, however, was deeply shaken by his words.
Her master had once spoken to her about similar concepts, but there were differences and nuances in what Master Xun was saying.
Her master encouraged her to forge her own path and develop her unique "array style."
Master Xun, on the other hand, urged her to broaden her horizons, unconstrained by frameworks, and lay a solid foundation by studying the widest range of arrays possible.
Although Mo Hua's current knowledge limited her understanding of the specifics, she could sense that Master Xun's mastery of arrays was exceptionally profound.
"The Dao has no fixed rules, and arrays have no fixed forms..."
Capture its spirit and discard its physical form...
Use arrays as a raft to cross to the other shore, the shore of the Dao. Once you've reached the other shore, discard the raft, attain the Dao, and behold the formlessness of all arrays.
Mo Hua nodded silently.
Master Xun glanced at her and gave a slight nod before continuing, "The arrays in this world are diverse and varied. I shall now elucidate the different categories of arrays that exist..."
"Some of you may already be familiar with a few, but for others, even if you've heard of them, your understanding may not be entirely clear..."
"So pay close attention and commit my words to memory..."
Master Xun's gaze shifted to Mo Hua.
She acknowledged his unspoken message with a series of nods.
Master Xun nodded silently, thinking to himself, "She's quite perceptive..." before continuing in a solemn tone, "In this world, everything is unique, and the Great Dao embedded within them is complex and ever-changing."
"When these Daos manifest as array patterns and are categorized as arrays, they give rise to numerous distinct array systems..."
"Chaos, Yin and Yang, the Three Powers, the Four Symbols, the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams, the Six Unions, and the Seven Stars..."
"These are eight ancient and long-standing categories of arrays with clear lineages and prominent array principles."
"I shall now explain each of them in detail..."
...
"The Chaos and Yin-Yang arrays are ancient arrays, created by ancient cultivators who derived them from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.
"The simplicity in their design encapsulates profound truths, and the amount of spiritual sense required to fathom them is immense. One could ponder them for a long time and still not necessarily grasp their essence..."
"It is precisely because of this abstruseness that they are difficult to learn, decipher, and inherit. Thus, the Chaos and Two-Yin arrays have gradually been lost to time."
"Some of the remaining fragments of these arrays are treasured and studied by the various Courts or noble families, but it is challenging to approach them systematically..."
...
"Trigram Arrays..."
"Some disciples may have come across the 'Three Powers Array' when they first started learning about arrays, but that is merely an introductory concept and is quite rudimentary; it barely even scratches the surface."
"In other words, it is one of the foundational 'fixed forms' taught by the Court."
"The true Three Powers Array concerns the 'Heaven', 'Earth', and 'Human' powers, encompassing a grand scheme and extensive derivatives."
"However, given your limited experiences and young age, it is impossible for you to comprehend the infinite nature of the 'Heaven' power, the profound virtue of the 'Earth' power, and the ever-changing nature of the 'Human' power..."
"Not to mention the unity of the Three Powers."
"From what I've said, you should understand that the Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity are not something that ordinary cultivators can contemplate. This is the knowledge that the Court uses to govern the world..."
"Hence, the core inheritance of the Three Powers Array is strictly controlled by the Court and is not passed on externally."
"Unless you join the Court in the future or enter the Dao Province and come into contact with the Court's higher echelons, you will not be able to learn the true essence of the Three Powers Array..."
...
"Four Symbols Arrays..."
"These arrays are rather unique and have been passed down through the generations by the wild tribes south of the Nine Provinces, in the untamed lands."
"This type of array is associated with some special-blooded demonic beasts."
"The array patterns also resemble beast marks more than other arrays."
"Beasts are akin to demons. Before one has a deep understanding of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays, it is best not to delve into the Four Symbols arrays, as it may easily lead to an imbalance in one's mental state and a loss of humanity."
...
"As for the Five Elements Arrays, there is no need to elaborate further."
"The Five Elements are the most prevalent and applicable type of arrays in the cultivation world."
"The Five Elements Arrays originated in ancient times, but they were initially quite rudimentary. It is only through the research and development of generations of cultivators that they have now reached such a large scale and diversity."
"The sect that contributed the most to the development of the Five Elements Arrays was the Five Elements Sect."
"It's just a pity that the Five Elements Sect suddenly declined, and the few remaining branches are tucked away in a corner, content with their mediocrity and lacking the ambition to strive for past glories..."
"Even though the Five Elements Sect has faded into obscurity, the Five Elements Arrays have spread far and wide, reaching all corners of the Nine Provinces and finding application in various cultivation paths..."
"However, it is likely that some of the core inheritances have since been lost."
Master Xun sighed with a hint of regret.
Mo Hua blinked, feigning ignorance.
The secret of the Five Elements Sect, that "Five Elements Origin Pattern," was currently on her person.
She had also learned the Five Elements Supreme Array.
But of course, she couldn't possibly reveal that.
"Let's keep this hush-hush..."
Mo Hua silently reminded herself.
After expressing his regret, Master Xun continued, "Six Unions Arrays..."
"This type of array is rather special and can be broadly categorized into two types. One focuses on the esoteric, emphasizing the harmony of Yin and Yang and the confluence of the Celestial Stems. The other is the Six Yao arrays, involving three Yin and three Yang, with the Yao lines generating and nourishing each other..."
"The Six Unions arrays are relatively niche, especially the Six Yao, which can easily lead to a deviation in one's mental state, leaving one vulnerable to demonic thoughts planted by unknown heavenly demons or evil spirits, thus causing one to fall into the demonic path."
"It's best to avoid studying the Six Unions arrays unless absolutely necessary..."
...
"And finally, the Seven Stars Arrays..."
"The Seven Stars Arrays are based on the Big Dipper's seven stars: Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang. They utilize star patterns derived from celestial phenomena to form arrays."
"The Court's Seven Pavilions are named after the Big Dipper's seven stars."
"Hence, the orthodox inheritance of the Seven Stars Arrays is within the Seven Pavilions of the Court's central authority and the Imperial Astronomy Department, which stands alongside the Seven Pavilions."
"These arrays involve observing celestial phenomena and calculating heavenly secrets. When mastered, one can harness the power of the stars..."
"However, like the Three Powers Arrays, this is a Court secret, and it is highly unlikely that you will have the opportunity to learn it in this lifetime. Even if you did, you probably wouldn't be able to grasp it..."
"Moreover, the Seven Stars Arrays involve the study of celestial phenomena and calculations, which are incredibly profound. This is not something that ordinary cultivators, let alone regular array masters, can hope to comprehend."
"Of course, there is no need to worry. While the Seven Stars Arrays are important, they are also a niche discipline. Regular array masters won't be able to learn them, so they are not included in the standard array categories for ranking array masters."
...
"And lastly, the Eight Trigrams."
"The Eight Trigrams Array will be the main type of array you will learn from now on."
"I won't go into the specifics here, but I will teach you step by step when I instruct you in the arrays later..."
...
"In addition to these eight categories, there are also some special types of arrays, such as the 'Three Enclosures' array, which originates from the Seven Stars, and the 'Nine Profundities' array, which follows the style of the 'Six Lines'..."
"These arrays are even more esoteric, and they are hidden secrets, so you wouldn't know where they are hidden. They could be in the possession of a secluded cultivation family or sect, a lost sacred ground, or an uninhabited forbidden land..."
...
"The above are the so-called 'well-known' array categories in this world."
"I'm telling you this to broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge, not to let you aim too high."
"You have to take things one step at a time. Just as you eat one mouthful of food at a time, you should also learn one array at a time."
"As for the Three Powers, Four Symbols, Six Unions, and Seven Stars, including some less popular array types, you won't be able to learn them for the time being, so there's no need to spend too much effort on them."
"The most urgent task is to master the most fundamental and practical Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays."
"However..."
Master Xun paused before continuing.
"Among all the array types, you must familiarize yourselves with the most basic array formations."
"This is not only the foundation but also a way for you to identify the category of an unfamiliar array in the future, even if you don't know the specifics. By recognizing the array formations, you can respond accordingly instead of being completely clueless and at a loss for what to do..."
"I have compiled a collection of the most basic array formations for all the array types, which I will distribute to you now. Of course, these are just the formations and do not constitute complete arrays."
Master Xun handed out a thick booklet to each disciple.
It included ink paintings.
On the title page of the booklet was written, "The Grand Array of the Tai Xu Gate."
When Mo Hua opened the booklet, he saw countless array formations that he had never learned or even seen before.
They varied greatly in form and were profoundly mysterious.
Although they were just array formations, they formed the vast foundation of the myriad arrays in the world.
Mo Hua's heart raced as he looked up at Master Xun, his eyes sparkling with excitement, so bright that they were almost dazzling.
Master Xun was taken aback for a moment, and he wondered to himself,
"Is she that happy?"
After distributing the booklets that encompassed the eight categories of arrays, Master Xun said, "Starting today, you will need to study and practice all the array formations in this 'Collection.'
"Many a little makes a mickle; many a drop makes the mighty ocean."
"All arrays in this world are composed of the most basic array formations."
"Only by mastering the array formations can you draw arrays skillfully..."
"I will check your progress regularly to see how many array formations you have learned..."
"If you slack off, there will be punishments..."
The disciples frowned, looking worried.
However, Mo Hua beamed with joy as she looked at the booklet in her hands.
"The Grand Array of the Tai Xu Gate"!
A compilation of array formations from the Tai Xu Gate, a legacy spanning generations!
For an array master, this was one of the most fundamental, comprehensive, and important inheritances.
Although it was only a first-grade collection, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Even the most advanced arrays had to be learned from the basics.
Mo Hua treasured it dearly and couldn't put it down. From then on, whenever she had free time, she would hold it in her hands and study it.
Whenever no one was around, she would practice drawing various array formations.
She drew with her fingers on the table while eating, on the ground as she walked past grassy fields, and on paper before sleeping. After falling asleep, her spiritual sense would sink into her sea of consciousness, and she would continue drawing on the stele of the dao.
Since they were only first-grade array formations, they were simple and effortless to draw.
Once she finished drawing on the stele, her spiritual sense could retrace the formations.
Thus, Mo Hua could practice tens of thousands of array formations in a single night.
She kept Master Xun's guidance in mind—that the array formations were the foundation, and the foundation had to be solid.
So, even though she had already memorized these array formations, she continued to draw them again and again...
Mo Hua wanted to imprint every type and every formation of the arrays firmly in her heart, without the slightest deviation, and engrave them into her sea of consciousness.
She even wanted to make them a part of her instinct.
No matter how complex, obscure, or easily confused the array formations were, as long as she glanced at them, she could differentiate them without thinking and identify the category to which they belonged.
The more Mo Hua practiced, the more proficient she became, and the more proficient she became, the more she practiced...
After practicing countless times, she felt a sense of "unity with the array."
It seemed as though these array formations were not external, unfamiliar, or objective patterns but rather a part of her spiritual sense, her consciousness merging with the traces left by the Great Dao.
This feeling was profoundly mysterious.
Mo Hua couldn't quite comprehend it, so she decided to put it aside and continue practicing tirelessly.
The eight categories of arrays and myriad array formations took shape under her brush, again and again.
They also appeared in her sea of consciousness, time and time again.
What Mo Hua didn't know was that, unknowingly, she had truly begun to lay the foundation for comprehending the infinite arrays and the profound principles of the world...
(End of Chapter)
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