Chapter 922: Dao and Ranks
Chapter 922: Dao and Ranks
Elder Zheng patiently explained the concept to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua nodded slowly, deep in thought, "So, a Second Rank Array Master can also activate a Third Rank Array?"
"In theory, yes, but the conditions are quite stringent," Elder Zheng said, "Firstly, this type of array must be designed and constructed with the intention of reducing the rank and increasing efficiency through 'Rank Reduction' from the very beginning."
"Secondly, a Second Rank Array Master like you cannot create this type of array, they can only use it at most."
"After all, it's a Third Rank Array, and if your cultivation base is insufficient, even if you can use it, the effectiveness will be greatly reduced."
"Furthermore, the requirement for using the array is a Divine Perception that matches your cultivation base."
"The rank of the array you can use depends on your cultivation base. Even with Rank Reduction, a Third Rank Array still requires a Divine Perception at the Foundation Establishment Apex stage, which is still too difficult for ordinary cultivators."
"Most cultivators, even with a Foundation Establishment Apex cultivation base, won't have the Divine Perception of that stage if they don't study arrays and train their Divine Perception."
"Therefore, it's almost impossible to use a tiny bit of a Third Rank Array at the Foundation Establishment stage, and even if you can, the effectiveness of the array will be very weak, making it not very meaningful."
"But..."
Elder Zheng glanced at Mo Hua, paused for a moment, and then asked, understanding Mo Hua's intention, "Are you thinking of trying to activate the Lightning Magnetic Array Disk you obtained through 'killing and robbing'?"
"I didn't kill anyone!" Mo Hua emphasized again, "And it wasn't killing and robbing."
He was a proper cultivator and usually didn't engage in such improper actions.
Unless it was absolutely necessary.
Elder Zheng didn't seem to mind, and after a brief pause, he said, "Although the conditions for using a Rank Reduction array are stringent, your talent is so exceptional that you unexpectedly meet all the requirements..."
Especially since his Divine Perception had surpassed three stages, which was truly incomprehensible.
Even now, Elder Zheng was still amazed when he thought about it.
Sometimes, he even had the urge to knock on Mo Hua's head to see what was inside, wondering how he could have the Divine Perception of the Foundation Establishment Apex stage while still at the mid-stage.
"The Lightning Magnetic Array works on microscopic lightning and magnetism, which is different from ordinary arrays. It doesn't focus on power or spirit energy scale, and using Rank Reduction won't have much impact."
"However, since you're only at the Second Rank, even if you activate the Lightning Magnetic Array Disk, you can only activate a tiny portion, and the true effectiveness of the lightning and magnetism won't be fully realized..."
Mo Hua nodded, "A tiny bit is enough."
He wasn't entirely relying on the Lightning Magnetic Array Disk.
The Lightning Magnetic Array Disk was just a stepping stone; his true reliance was on the Secondary Lightning Source Pattern he obtained from Origin Return, which was the 'Lightning Magnetic Puppet'.
"It's good that you understand," Elder Zheng said.
Smart children don't need too many restrictions; letting them explore and learn on their own can lead to pleasant surprises.
Of course, it would be even better if this 'surprise' didn't turn into a 'shock'...
Elder Zheng glanced at Mo Hua silently, then after a moment of thought, he took out a jade slip, infused it with his Divine Perception, recorded some words within, and handed it to Mo Hua.
"I've recorded some insights on Rank Reduction into this jade slip; you can read it in your free time. I won't say more about the rest."
Mo Hua was delighted, took the jade slip, and thanked him, "Thank you, Senior!"
After discussing arrays and obtaining the jade slip, and with the tea finished, Elder Zheng was about to leave, so Mo Hua stood up to bid farewell.
"Mo Hua."
Elder Zheng suddenly called out, his eyes showing contemplation as if he wanted to say something but had some concerns.
"Senior, is there something else?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.
Elder Zheng paused for a moment, sighed, and slowly said, "Rank Reduction is not something that orthodox Array Masters would do. Most Array Masters in the world seek a higher level of Array Dao and wouldn't lower their rank to use lower-ranked arrays."
"But you should know that Rank Reduction is not a shortcut or a way to lower one's standards. It is a Dao in itself."
"This world contains both low and high-ranked items. Arrays are no exception, especially grand and large-scale arrays."
"First Rank, Second Rank, Third Rank, and even higher-ranked arrays are coordinated and work together in grand arrays."
"Just like in this world, cultivators at the Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and even Ascension to Immortality stages coexist in the same world."
"The principles of heaven and earth encompass everything and accommodate all beings, benefiting all living beings."
"True great matters in the world must be related to all living beings, profoundly affecting cultivators from the Qi Condensation stage to Ascension to Immortality, from low to high ranks."
"Ascension to Immortality is a high cultivation base, but even with strong cultivation, a single person's power is still limited."
"Arrays are like people. Sometimes, high-ranked arrays alone may not truly benefit all living beings."
"To create a grand array, one must encompass countless arrays, regardless of rank."
"To accomplish great deeds, one must also gather all forces, paying attention to every stage from Qi Condensation to Ascension to Immortality."
Elder Zheng looked deeply at Mo Hua, "These are just some casual words, but..."
"Your talent is too strong, and you've learned arrays... too quickly. I'm afraid that if you keep learning higher and higher, you might ignore some fundamental issues..."
Mo Hua was stunned, his expression filled with contemplation.
He couldn't help but recall the words his mother had said to him long ago when he first started learning arrays and was forging a stove for her: "Not just Array Masters, but all cultivators are the same. When people strive for higher levels, they won't look down."
At that time, he had felt a mix of emotions when he heard these words.
Now, recalling them, he felt a sense of alertness.
"Am I, in my pursuit of higher levels, unknowingly forgetting to look down?"
Mo Hua furrowed his brows.
Elder Zheng was surprised and pleased to see Mo Hua's contemplative expression.
Indeed, if one didn't have the Dao Heart, no amount of explanation would make them understand, but if they did, a slight nudge would be enough for them to comprehend.
...
After bidding farewell to Elder Zheng and returning to the disciples' residence, Mo Hua sat on a meditation cushion, deep in thought.
Elder Zheng might have just had a sudden idea and was kindly offering guidance, but these words left a deep impression on Mo Hua.
Cultivators pursue the Dao, each level a step towards the ultimate goal.
Cultivation, Array Formations, Pills, Artifact Refinement, and Talismans all have their respective ranks. Cultivators follow this ranking system, climbing higher with each step.
With each step and every rank they surpass, they become superior to others.
While levels and cultivation strength may vary, this ranking system seems like a man-made construct, arbitrarily dividing the path.
His master had once mentioned this to him.
The ranking system is a man-made rule, a limitation imposed on the Dao, not the Dao itself.
Cultivators spend their lives pursuing these ranks.
After diligent cultivation and surpassing a rank, their strength increases, their skills improve, but... does their essence change?
Are high-ranking cultivators humans, and low-ranking cultivators something less?
Does a higher level make one superior, allowing them to look down upon, disregard, disdain, and even exploit, oppress, and slaughter lower-ranking cultivators?
More importantly, the ranking system is a man-made rule.
Following such rules, will the end of the ranking system truly lead to the Dao? Can it truly make one immortal?
Doubts arose in Mo Hua's heart.
For the first time, the concept of ranks began to fade from his mind.
Simultaneously, he gained a glimmer of enlightenment.
Cultivators should seek the Dao, not ranks.
Second Rank, condensed from the First Rank.
Foundation Establishment, achieved through Qi Refinement.
The Great Dao encompasses all things, so there's no need to strictly adhere to ranks.
One shouldn't only learn high-ranking Array Formations while neglecting the applications of lower-ranked ones.
Even more so, one shouldn't solely pursue higher realms while ignoring the countless lives below.
Mo Hua's thoughts shifted: "But the problem is, this realm's rank seems like something that can't be ignored..."
Although the rules are man-made, they have been passed down for tens of thousands of years, forming an inherent cultivation system.
To cultivate step by step and gain greater power, one must follow this framework.
With his current cultivation and understanding, he couldn't break free from it.
He had to follow the established path, step by step, towards higher realms.
Array Formations from First Rank to Second Rank, and from Second Rank to Third Rank... Cultivation is the same, from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment, from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, and then to Ascension...
But...
"If I keep climbing higher, always following this framework, will I become like other high-ranking cultivators, looking down on others with my powerful cultivation?"
"Wouldn't this make me seek ranks instead of the Dao?"
This was not impossible.
Mo Hua knew that the environment could change a person.
If one day he truly held a high position for a long time, it would be hard to say if his thoughts would deviate from his initial intentions or if he would forget his current insights.
"When people climb higher, they don't look down..."
His mother's words echoed in Mo Hua's mind.
He pondered for a moment, thinking to himself:
"As long as I remember these words, no matter how high my realm or strong my cultivation, I'll always remember to look down. That should be enough..."
"When my cultivation is high enough to reach the heavens, and I still remember to look down, perhaps then I'll truly understand what the Dao and immortality are."
Cultivation is a step-by-step process, and these thoughts and insights, seemingly insignificant, will settle in his heart, laying the foundation for his future pursuit of the Dao and longevity.
Mo Hua nodded, his eyes shining brightly.
When he came back to his senses, he realized he had something to do.
"Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk!"
This was the real task at hand.
Mo Hua focused his thoughts and continued studying the Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk.
He carefully read through the Array insights given by Elder Zheng from start to finish and simulated it in his mind before starting to manipulate the Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk in front of him.
The Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk had a jade base, edged with red gold, and engraved with silver threads. It was densely covered in magnetic patterns, making it an intricate construction.
This should be a Third Rank Array Disk.
However, due to the limited Array skills of the deceased Mr. Yuan, the Array Disk had undergone a rank reduction process, so its actual rank was between Second and Third Rank, making it a "quasi-Third Rank."
This was a reflection of Mr. Yuan's insufficient abilities, but it also benefited Mo Hua.
Mo Hua began to follow Elder Zheng's instructions, using the Second Rank Array Eye within the disk to forcefully activate the Third Rank Array Disk.
As Elder Zheng had said, this was an unconventional method.
Even with Mo Hua's Divine Perception reaching the peak of the nineteenth rank, activating the disk was extremely taxing.
Moreover, the consumption of Spirit Stones was immense. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of Spirit Stones flowed like water into the Array Disk, and the consumption continued...
Mo Hua felt a twinge of pain.
If he failed, all these Spirit Stones would be wasted.
However, for the sake of studying the Lightning-Magnetic Array and his Lifesoul Artifact, these Spirit Stones had to be spent.
Fortunately, the Array itself had been designed by others following the standard guidelines, and he only needed to activate it simply, so the difficulty wasn't too high.
The Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk did not disappoint Mo Hua.
After an incense stick's worth of time, it trembled slightly, emitting a faint blue lightning-magnetic glow. A strand of secondary thunder current with a clear "command" seeped into the Guest Scholar Token along the Array Disk, connecting a small section of fixed magnetic patterns.
With Mo Hua's current Divine Perception, he couldn't fully activate this Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk. This was the best the disk could do.
But it was enough.
The bottom layer of the Sect Token, related to the Merit Vault, had the most intricate magnetic patterns, resembling "bricks" forming a fortress protecting its inner secrets.
This was a sturdy Primordial Magnetic fortress.
Mo Hua didn't intend to breach this "fortress."
Of course, with his abilities, he couldn't breach it either.
His Lightning-Magnetic Puppet could only "tamper," lacking offensive and defensive capabilities.
Therefore, he needed to use the "quasi-Third Rank" Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk to generate a lightning-magnetic current with a "dissolving" command, creating a small opening in this "fortress."
This way, the Lightning-Magnetic Puppet could pass through this "opening," bypassing the magnetic defense, and infiltrating the Demon Sect's core Merit Vault.
The combination of the Lightning-Magnetic Array for offense and defense, along with the Lightning-Magnetic Puppet for infiltration, was perfect.
Under Mo Hua's control, the Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk generated a subtle secondary lightning flow, like an arrow, following the predetermined Primordial Magnetic Pattern, and shot out, striking the "wall" formed by the Magnetic Patterns at the lowest level of the Demon Sect.
In an instant, the electric glow and Primordial Magnetism resonated.
However, the entire process occurred within the microscopic Lightning-Magnetic realm, and aside from Mo Hua, who silently manipulated everything, no one else noticed this wondrous and subtle phenomenon.
Soon, the solid Magnetic Pattern wall, akin to a fortress, had a small gap blasted open by the secondary lightning flow from the Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk, like an arrow.
The Lightning-Magnetic Puppet immediately slipped through this gap with a "squeak" and infiltrated the Demon Sect's Merit Vault, leaving behind only a faint trail of electric patterns.
"Success!"
Mo Hua's eyes lit up.
This was the first time he had successfully activated the Lightning-Magnetic Array Disk, marking his first step as a "legitimate" Lightning-Magnetic Array Master.
This attempt also laid the initial foundation in his mind for combining the Lightning-Magnetic Array Technique with the Lightning-Magnetic Puppet, complementing each other for Lightning-Magnetic offense, defense, and infiltration.
As the Lightning-Magnetic Puppet infiltrated the "Magnetic City," Mo Hua officially got to work.
Generally, such obvious attacks and infiltrations would be noticed by other Lightning-Magnetic Array Masters.
But Mr. Yuan was already dead, and no one was maintaining the Demon Sect's Lightning-Magnetic Array. Moreover, the Guest Scholar Token, which served as the interface for the Primordial Magnetic Array Technique, was right in Mo Hua's hands.
Mo Hua, being both a thief and a bodyguard, had no reservations.
The Lightning-Magnetic Puppet infiltrated the Merit Vault, and through it, Mo Hua could sense the dense Magnetic Patterns in front of him, as orderly as "tofu blocks."
Mo Hua was now quite proficient in annotating Magnetic Patterns.
These dense, fixed Magnetic Patterns were instantly converted into text by Mo Hua within a few breaths:
"Blood Lotus Technique, third layer, entry-level cultivation technique, absorbs others' fresh blood, integrates it with one's own blood energy, can circulate up to twelve times... Requires Demon Merit Points: 100."
"Blood Lotus Fruit, required for cultivating the Blood Lotus Technique, nourished with human blood, one fruit every three years. Demon Merit Points: 20..."
"Ten-year-old Blood Lotus Fruit, nourished with human blood, grown for ten years... Demon Merit Points: 200."
"Blood Sucking Blade, second-rank evil artifact, kills and absorbs blood, becoming stronger with each kill. This is a standardized evil artifact derived from the Demon Dao's supreme treasure, the Sky Devouring Blood Blade... Demon Merit Points: 40."
"..."
The list went on, filled with various cultivation techniques and items of the Demon Sect.
"It's indeed the Demon Sect's Merit Vault."
"Could the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram be hidden inside?"
Mo Hua wondered.
If the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array, a top-tier array with divine beast power, was indeed hidden in the Demon Sect's treasure trove, it would save him a lot of trouble.
He might even find a lead on his Lifesoul Artifact.
Mo Hua silently recited in his heart:
"Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram, Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram... It must be here, it must be here..."
After reciting this a few times, Mo Hua began to "search" through the Magnetic Patterns one by one.
Each Magnetic Pattern was "decoded" by Mo Hua into text and then recorded on a jade slip.
The Demon Sect members were completely unaware that their most precious Merit Vault was being slowly "spied on" by Mo Hua.
This blood-sucking Demon Sect, whose origins were unknown, had quite a collection of Merit items, and Mo Hua had to search and "decode" them one by one, as he couldn't skim through them, making it a time-consuming process.
After half a month of this, Mo Hua had deciphered most of the Demon Sect's Merit Vault, recording many items and techniques.
Most of the techniques and items were related to demonic cultivation and were of no use to Mo Hua.
A small portion belonged to the righteous path, probably obtained through murder and robbery, and they were not of high rank or rarity compared to the deep-rooted Merit Scriptures of the Fifth-Rank Great Void Sect, so Mo Hua didn't pay much attention to them.
Among these, there was no sign of the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram.
As the remaining items dwindled, Mo Hua couldn't help but feel anxious.
If he couldn't find the Azure Dragon Array Diagram in this Merit Vault, obtaining his Lifesoul Artifact would become incredibly difficult.
His only option would be to find a way to kill the Demon Sect's late-stage Golden Core leader, who possessed the Azure Dragon Array and had unfathomable strength.
This would increase the difficulty by several times.
In the Third-Rank State Border, killing such a powerful demon at the Golden Core realm would be an impossible task for Mo Hua, who was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
"Let me take a break... Let me save some effort..."
"Give me the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram..."
Mo Hua hoped in his heart.
But the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram never appeared in the Demon Sect's Merit Vault.
Mo Hua could only be patient and continue searching and decoding.
He decoded item after item until he reached the last one.
This item had the highest encryption level, and from its appearance, it seemed to be an "Array Formation," causing Mo Hua's heart to skip a beat, and he couldn't help but feel a bit excited.
"Azure Dragon Array Diagram, Azure Dragon Array Diagram..."
Mo Hua silently muttered to himself twice before beginning the decryption process.
The decryption took a little time.
Finally, the item name, consisting of three words, appeared before Mo Hua.
As expected, it wasn't the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram.
Mo Hua's anxious heart finally calmed down.
"Indeed, there's no such thing as a free lunch..."
Since the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Array Diagram was so precious, and Mr. Tu had spent the lives of countless Demon Valley cultivators researching it, it was unlikely to fall into Mo Hua's hands so easily.
Mo Hua sighed, disappointed as he decoded the last three words and took a look, only to suddenly freeze in surprise.
For a moment, he thought he had misread it.
This was...
"Reverse Spirit Ultimate Array?!"
Below the name of the array, followed by a line of annotation:
"Second-Rank Twentieth Rank, an unconventional array diagram, contains a certain amount of spirit power law, extremely difficult to comprehend, effect and usage unknown. Demon Merit Points: 3,000..."
Mo Hua slowly inhaled a breath of cool air.
He never expected that the last item hidden in the Demon Sect's Merit Vault would turn out to be...
The Reverse Spirit Ultimate Array of the Second-Rank Twentieth Rank?!
(End of Chapter)
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