Chapter 826: The Eight Trigrams, Eight Gates Array
Chapter 826: The Eight Trigrams, Eight Gates Array
"Give it to you?" Xia Dianshi looked at Mo Hua in surprise and couldn't help but ask, "Are you still an array master?"
"Don't I look like one?" Mo Hua replied.
Xia Dianshi sized up Mo Hua and shook her head slightly.
Mo Hua was indeed very young.
A truly accomplished array master, even if they didn't have a head full of white hair, would at least be middle-aged.
Some young geniuses in the field of arrays might have impressive achievements at a young age, but their lack of experience was often a weakness.
Without sufficient life experience, most could only theorize without putting their knowledge into practice.
When it came to handling cases for the Dao Court, the array-related challenges were always practical issues.
Experience often proved to be more important than talent when it came to finding solutions.
The array they were facing this time was rather complex, integrated with the small island, and involved the offense and defense of numerous cultivators. It required even more extensive array experience and knowledge.
As for Mo Hua...
Xia Dianshi stared at him and furrowed her brows.
If he hadn't said it himself, no one would have guessed that he was an array master.
Moreover, at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, even with some talent in arrays, he could probably only draw second-rate, initial-stage arrays with twelve or thirteen lines at most.
Such arrays weren't very useful.
And that wasn't the only issue...
Xia Dianshi sighed, "Deploying arrays and capturing water bandits is not a simple matter of knowing how to draw arrays."
"From the current situation, it seems that we also need to customize a batch of array media to match the array..."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, "I have a way to get my hands on those, too!"
"You..." Xia Dianshi frowned, "Aren't you a wandering cultivator?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "But I get along well with people, and I know a little more than the average cultivator. Among them is a third-rate artifact refiner."
Xia Dianshi fell silent and turned to look at Gu Changhui, only to find him calmly sipping his tea. His attitude seemed to imply that he agreed with what Mo Hua had said, and she couldn't help but be astonished.
Gu Changhui was ill-tempered and proud. His words were often sharp and unfriendly.
Yet now, he didn't show any disagreement or objection to what Mo Hua had said.
This meant that he absolutely trusted Mo Hua, at least in terms of his array abilities...
Xia Dianshi was perplexed.
Just what kind of array capabilities did this mid-Foundation Establishment stage young cultivator possess to make Gu Changhui, who came from a prominent family and served as a Registrar at the fifth-rate Dao Court with his Golden Core cultivation, so convinced?
Xia Dianshi really wanted to agree to Mo Hua's proposal to see if he truly had such array prowess.
But this matter was too important.
If she messed up, she wouldn't be able to explain it to her uncle when she returned.
Mo Hua understood her hesitation and said, "Sister Xia, how about I take some time to draw the array diagram first and send it to you? If you think it's okay, then I'll proceed with customizing the array media and arranging the array."
"Well..." Xia Dianshi pondered for a moment and nodded, "That's fine, but we might not have that much time."
"One day! I'll send it to you tomorrow!" Mo Hua promised.
"One day?"
Xia Dianshi was taken aback, finding it a bit hard to believe, "That might not be enough time..."
"One day is enough!" Mo Hua insisted.
The matter of capturing the Water King of Hell was of great significance to him as well, and he didn't trust anyone else with it.
Xia Dianshi slowly nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for your array diagram."
She left some room for maneuver and didn't give a definite answer.
Mo Hua didn't mind, but then he remembered something else and said, "There's one more problem... Customizing spiritual tools might require quite a lot of spirit stones."
"The Dao Court will reimburse the expenses," Xia Dianshi said.
Mo Hua's face lit up, and he smiled, "Great!"
He had just secured another substantial order for his Master Gu.
After that, Mo Hua didn't waste any more time. He bade farewell and returned to Tai Xu Gate to start designing the array diagram for capturing the water bandits.
Xia Dianshi stared at Mo Hua's departing figure and turned to look at Gu Changhui, asking, "Are you really going to leave the matter of the array to Mo Hua?"
Gu Changhui raised his eyebrows slightly.
What else could he do? He didn't know how to draw arrays, so if not Mo Hua, then who?
But he wouldn't say something that would belittle himself and boost Mo Hua's morale.
"Does your Xia family have a trustworthy array master in Qian Xue State?" Gu Changhui asked.
Xia Dianshi nodded, "Yes, he's an array master cultivated by my Xia family."
"A third-rate one?"
"It's not easy to invite a third-rate array master. Besides, a second-rate one is sufficient for this task," Xia Dianshi said.
"That's the point," Gu Changhui said indifferently, "If it's just a second-rate array master, you might as well go directly to Mo Hua. If he can't solve it, it's highly likely that others won't be able to either."
Xia Dianshi was stunned for a moment.
After saying this, Gu Changhui got up and left.
Xia Dianshi silently watched him leave, her expression slightly stirred.
She had previously thought that Mo Hua was Gu Changhui's nephew, which was why Gu Changhui tolerated him despite his bad temper.
But now, it seemed that the situation was quite different.
Gu Changhui might value this young cultivator, Mo Hua, a lot and even treat him as an equal...
However, she couldn't possibly entrust the crucial task of exterminating the water bandits to Mo Hua, a young cultivator whom she had only met a few times.
After returning, Xia Dianshi also contacted several second-rate array masters from the Xia family.
Without going into specifics, she only showed them the array diagram near the small island.
But before these Xia family array masters could come up with any ideas, Mo Hua had already sent the planned array diagram to Xia Dianshi through Gu Changhui.
Xia Dianshi only took one glance and her pupils contracted.
Taking advantage of Mo Hua's free time after class, she specially arranged to meet him in Tai Xu City.
Mo Hua explained his array concept to her:
"I took some time to research and also consulted some array classics and the teachings of the sect.
"The array on the small island is a special type of Eight Trigrams, Eight Gates Array.
"This array follows the post-heaven bagua orientation, with Li at the top, Kan at the bottom, Zhen on the left, Dui on the right, Xun and Kun as the shoulders, and Gen and Qian as the feet. Each trigram corresponds to a direction, and each direction is set with a corresponding Eight Trigrams Array, as well as a gate.
"With this array, we can construct a barrier that serves three purposes: defense, entrapment, and escape."
"If the enemy can't break through, then this array becomes our defense," Mo Hua explained.
"And if they do breach the array and get inside, the array will activate, confusing their sense of direction with the rotating bagua, trapping them within its layout."
"Even if we ultimately fail to contain them, it will still provide an opportunity for escape."
"This array has eight gates. With the constant rotation of the gates, the life gate keeps changing, providing them with eight paths to escape and ascend to the heavens amidst the chaos."
"Therefore, to break this array, there are three key points to consider: first, find a way to break through; second, don't get trapped; and third, block the life gate and prevent their escape..."
Mo Hua's explanation was clear and concise, leaving Xia Dianshi staring at him in a daze.
She, too, had some knowledge of arrays, and her understanding far surpassed that of Gu Changhui.
She could draw many common intermediate second-grade arrays and a few high-grade second-grade ones, although her skill in the latter was limited, and her strokes were somewhat clumsy.
But as she listened to Mo Hua, she felt as though all her knowledge of second-grade arrays was for naught...
To truly understand this array, one would need to have a deep mastery of second-grade arrays and an exceptionally thorough understanding of the theory of the Eight Trigrams Arrays.
Otherwise, even recognizing the individual Eight Trigrams Arrays within the grand array, let alone predicting the rotation of the life gate, would be a formidable task.
Only then did Xia Dianshi truly believe that Mo Hua hadn't been boasting.
However, at the same time, she also found it hard to believe.
When had the array formation skills of the disciples from the Qian Xue State's Jie Zong Sect reached such a high level?
Even in the Dao Province, cultivators with such skills would be considered one-in-ten-thousand array formation geniuses.
Even the Xia family, with its long history and deep heritage, had only a handful of disciples who had achieved such a profound understanding of arrays at Mo Hua's age.
Xia Dianshi paused, a mix of emotions flitting across her face, before she finally sighed.
Turning back to Mo Hua, she examined him solemnly and nodded, "Alright, I'll leave the array to you. But we only have three days to customize the spirit tools. Will you be able to make it in time?"
"It's a bit tight, but I should manage," Mo Hua replied.
Xia Dianshi inclined her head. "I'll gather the manpower. If you're ready on your end, we'll begin in three days."
"Okay!" Mo Hua nodded.
...
After discussing some of the array's details with Xia Dianshi, Mo Hua returned to his sect.
Upon his return, the first thing he did was to request a leave of absence from Elder Xun.
Elder Xun seemed to sense something, for he did not ask any questions but simply reminded Mo Hua, "Be careful and don't take unnecessary risks."
"Yes, Elder," Mo Hua agreed.
After all, he was just tagging along with the Dao Court on this mission, and there was no need for him to take the lead in any dangerous endeavors.
Once his leave was approved, Mo Hua made his way to Gu City, where he met with Master Gu.
"I have a big order for you," he told his master. "I need you to forge some spirit tools like iron chains, water nets, and traps within two days. The more, the better."
Master Gu, having already discussed this matter with Mo Hua beforehand, was not surprised. He simply asked, "Is it urgent?"
"Very," Mo Hua confirmed.
"Alright, leave it to me," Master Gu nodded. Turning to his disciples, he instructed, "Everyone, drop what you're doing. Follow Young Master Mo's instructions and work day and night to complete this order of spirit tools and array coal."
"For the next two days, keep the fires burning and ensure someone is always manning the furnaces."
The burly disciples of the forge unanimously replied, "Yes!"
They were grateful to Mo Hua, as it was thanks to him that they now had a steady stream of business and could eat their fill every day, even indulging in the occasional meat and wine.
Thus, when Mo Hua asked for their help, they spared no effort.
Moreover, this was a substantial order, and completing it would earn them a significant amount of spirit stones.
The forge buzzed with activity as everyone worked tirelessly to meet the deadline.
In just two days, they managed to produce a total of over 150 sets of array coal and spirit tools.
Mo Hua then spent the entire night inscribing the necessary arrays on the tools.
Since the array coal and spirit tools varied in size, and the arrays inscribed on them differed in form and grade, he didn't need to draw over a hundred unique arrays.
Nevertheless, there were still at least eighty or ninety arrays to be drawn.
Mo Hua worked tirelessly for an entire day and night, his head throbbing and his spiritual sense nearly depleted, his sea of consciousness aching from the strain.
Thankfully, he managed to finish the task at hand.
After inspecting the arrays to ensure they were flawless, Mo Hua informed Xia Dianshi.
Xia Dianshi came to the forge to inspect the spirit tools and array coal herself. She was impressed by the quality of the spirit tools and the precision of the arrays, each stroke identical to the ones on the mold, neither adding nor subtracting the slightest bit.
However, she was puzzled by one thing.
"It's normal for spirit tools forged using the same mold to be identical," she said. "But how is it that even the arrays, each stroke and line, are exactly the same?"
Because they were drawn by the same person... Mo Hua thought to himself.
Aloud, he replied, "Perhaps it's because the array masters who drew these arrays were all disciples of the same master..."
"I see..." Xia Dianshi nodded, never imagining that Mo Hua had single-handedly drawn all these arrays in such a short time.
With the arrays and spirit tools ready, Xia Dianshi had also assembled her team.
On the third night, under the cover of darkness, they set off for the Yan Shui River.
Mo Hua, of course, went with them.
Xia Dianshi was reluctant to bring Mo Hua along. "This mission involves fighting with the water bandits, and it could be dangerous. It's better if you don't come."
"Then who will guide you if I don't come?" Mo Hua asked.
Xia Dianshi hesitated for a moment before asking doubtfully, "Can that little river god guide us if I can't see it?"
"How can it guide you if you can't see it?" Mo Hua countered.
Xia Dianshi fell silent.
Although she vaguely remembered the route from her previous trip, with a major battle imminent, they couldn't afford any negligence. Relying solely on her memory might not be dependable.
"Alright, you can come along, but be mindful of your safety." Xia Dianshi reluctantly agreed.
"Great! Sister Xia, don't worry," Mo Hua assured her.
He had made thorough preparations, and unless something unexpected happened, there shouldn't be any problems.
Gu Changhui, standing by, didn't offer any objections.
He and Mo Hua had a long history, and he knew Mo Hua's temperament well. Whenever this young man set his mind on something, he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal, so there was no point in trying to dissuade him.
As for Mo Hua's safety...
Gu Changhui still vividly remembered how Huo Fotuo had met his end.
Once everything was set, the group embarked on their journey under the cover of night, arriving at a desolate ferry crossing on the Yan Shui River.
Before long, groups of cultivators began to gather.
Dressed in black and masked, they exuded profound auras and moved with steady footsteps. They greeted Xia Dianshi in batches upon reaching the ferry crossing.
These were the cultivators from the Xia family.
To avoid drawing attention, they hadn't traveled together but had instead dispersed beforehand, only gathering at the crossing under the cover of night.
Soon, nearly three hundred cultivators assembled nearby.
Among them, over two hundred were from the Xia family.
The rest, less than a hundred, belonged to the Gu family.
Without exception, all of them possessed water-attributed spirit roots and were proficient in water-style techniques, spells, and a certain degree of swimming ability.
Finding people with these qualifications wasn't difficult, but finding those with water-attributed spirit roots and adequate swimming skills was a challenging task.
Within the Gu family, only about eighty cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage met these criteria and were available for this mission.
The others either didn't meet the requirements or were already occupied with other tasks.
The Xia family, on the other hand, had a much easier time gathering people.
Even though they were in Qian Xue State, the Xia family's influence allowed them to gather over two hundred cultivators, each with impressive cultivation levels and abundant experience.
"Three hundred should be enough..." Mo Hua thought to himself.
However, Xia Dianshi remained unperturbed, as if she was still waiting for something.
Puzzled, Mo Hua asked, "Sister Xia, are we expecting more people?"
Xia Dianshi had initially objected to Mo Hua calling her "Sister," but after hearing it repeatedly from him, she had gotten used to it and no longer bothered correcting him. She nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, more are coming."
Mo Hua frowned, confused.
Who else could be joining them?
Since Xia Dianshi didn't elaborate, he could only wait silently. Soon, figures emerged from the darkness, and another group of cultivators approached the ferry crossing.
This group moved stealthily, heading straight for the crossing.
Xia Dianshi's expression remained unchanged, indicating that she had anticipated their arrival.
When they reached the crossing, the leader removed his mask, revealing a young man at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. He bowed and greeted Xia Dianshi, "Greetings, Xia Dianshi."
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed as he recognized the young man's face.
It was...
Shaotianquan?!
The direct descendant of the Xiao family, renowned for his achievements in the Dao Court!
Mo Hua's thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the situation.
"How could it be Shaotianquan? Did he betray the Xiao family? No, that doesn't seem right..."
Mo Hua scrutinized the cultivators behind Shaotianquan, noticing that their demeanor, mannerisms, and even the way they carried themselves bore the unmistakable imprint of the Dao Court.
These people were all executives of the Xiao family.
Mo Hua's eyelids twitched as he glanced at Gu Changhui, who stood by with a furrowed brow and a grave expression. Clearly, he, too, was surprised to see that their reinforcements were from the Xiao family.
Xia Dianshi, however, nodded slightly and asked, "Is everyone here now?"
Shaotianquan respectfully replied, "Yes, Xia Dianshi. One hundred and twelve people from the Xiao family are present and awaiting your orders."
"Good." Xia Dianshi nodded. "You all know the plan. We will now board the boats and set off for the depths of the Yan Shui River to surround and eliminate the water bandits, eradicating this scourge once and for all."
Shaotianquan bowed and said, "As you command!"
He then turned to Gu Changhui, his eyes sharp and probing, before turning away and relaying orders to the Xiao family cultivators.
Gu Changhui maintained a solemn expression, choosing to remain silent.
The group then set off. The Xia family cultivators brought out over thirty spirit boats and placed them in the water. Everyone boarded the boats in an orderly fashion.
Xia Dianshi and Gu Changhui rode in the lead boat, accompanied by Mo Hua, who was there to guide them.
Shaotianquan also seemed to intend to board the same boat as Xia Dianshi.
Xia Dianshi hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "I would trouble Executive Shaotian to lead the Xiao family cultivators and bring up the rear."
Realizing her intention, Shaotianquan nodded and agreed, "Yes, I understand." He then went to one of the boats at the back.
Once everyone was onboard, the thirty-plus spirit boats quietly set off under the cover of night.
Mo Hua took the lead, guiding the way, while the others followed closely behind.
The night was serene, and the river's surface was calm, with only the gentle sound of the current accompanying their journey.
As they sailed in silence, Gu Changhui eventually broke the quiet, his voice filled with confusion and a hint of accusation, "Why is it the Xiao family?"
Mo Hua pricked up his ears, curious to hear Xia Dianshi's response.
"What's wrong with the Xiao family?" Xia Dianshi asked, her tone indifferent.
Gu Changhui furrowed his brows, "You really don't know?"
The Xiao family and the Gui Water Gate were like two peas in a pod, closely tied together.
Xia Dianshi fell silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant to speak further.
However, seeing the confusion and doubt in Gu Changhui's clear eyes, she pondered for a moment before finally relenting and explaining, "The Xiao family has already pledged their allegiance to my Xia family..."
"At the beginning of this matter, it was the Xiao family who secretly reported the Gui Water Gate's misdeeds to my uncle, which led the Dao Court to investigate them."
Gu Changhui's eyes widened slightly at this revelation.
Mo Hua, eavesdropping from the front of the boat, also drew in a quiet breath.
What a twist! This insider from the Xiao family had essentially "defected" and turned against them.
Before, they had been cozying up to the Gui Water Gate, and now they had stabbed them in the back...
(End of Chapter)
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