Chapter 388: Shortcut

Mo Hua still had one doubt.

"But, Master, isn't land not suitable to be used as an array medium?"

Generally, array masters would not use earth as the medium for array formations.

This is because the soil quality is either loose and soft or damp. Furthermore, due to erosion from dry winds, it is susceptible to loss and it is difficult for it to maintain a fixed shape over time, making it unsuitable to bear array patterns.

Mr. Zhuang corrected him, "It's not that it's unsuitable as an array medium, it's just that the majority of array masters cannot use it as an array medium."

"When you can't do something, you don't understand it. Over time, the majority of array masters all think that land is not suitable as an array medium."

Mo Hua thought for a while and said weakly,

"Then how does land bear array patterns?"

He still didn't quite understand.

"What is the essence of array patterns in an array formation?" Mr. Zhuang asked.

"It is the concrete form of the spiritual power flow track," Mo Hua answered.

He had learned divine sense derivation and calculation, drawn large arrays, and controlled the spiritual power flow within the array patterns using the array's core, so his understanding was quite profound.

Mr. Zhuang nodded. "Do you still remember what I told you before? Some array masters only know how to follow the map, drawing array patterns strictly according to the array diagram, not daring to add or subtract a single stroke. But the array formation they draw still has no effect."

"This is because it only has form, but no inherent spiritual power flow. Therefore, the array formation they draw is just an empty shell."

"And some array masters don't adhere to form. They draw naturally, and the array formation is naturally formed."

"This is because this kind of array master is communicating with the Great Dao using their divine sense and controlling the spiritual power flow with array patterns, not being rigid about drawing the array patterns."

Mo Hua suddenly understood, lost in thought for a moment.

Mr. Zhuang laughed, "Understood?"

Mo Hua frowned, thinking as he spoke,

"The array medium needs to bear array patterns, but what it actually bears is not array patterns, but the spiritual power that the array patterns communicate."

"Abandon the physical form and seek the origin."

"Array patterns are just the surface appearance of the array formation, while the inherent spiritual power flow is the essence of the array formation."

"So, when using 'earth' as the array medium, what the earth needs to bear is actually the inherent spiritual power, not just the surface array patterns."

"As long as the spiritual power of the array formation fits with the earth, and the array patterns are one with the earth, then even if the land is dry, wet, or eroded, the array formation will still exist."

The more Mo Hua spoke, the clearer his thoughts became, and his eyes also shone brightly.

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, silently sighing in his heart.

"Understanding at one point, this is the comprehension of array formations, and... the affinity with the Great Dao."

"Master, is that so?"

Mo Hua asked with bright eyes.

Mr. Zhuang nodded, "Correct."

Mo Hua smiled happily. Immediately, he had another doubt.

"This principle should also be understood by not a few array masters, right? Why haven't I seen other array masters use 'earth' as an array medium?"

Mo Hua subsequently added, "...Except for the Sun family elder."

Mr. Zhuang said, "The principle is understood, but to actually do it is completely different."

"Very difficult?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded. "These principles, even if you understand them, then what? How do you make the land bear spiritual power? How do you make the array patterns one with the earth? How do you even draw the array formation? What kind of array formation do you draw?"

"Principles all sound simple, but to actually do them is extremely difficult, even to the point of having no way to start."

Mo Hua nodded, as if deep in thought. A moment later, his eyes lit up again.

"So, the key is still this set of Hou Tu Array?"

Mr. Zhuang's eyebrows raised slightly, indicating for Mo Hua to continue.

Mo Hua continued to think and said,

"This set of Hou Tu Array, since it is the 'Hou De Zai Wu' array formation, it contains the way of the earth, and the array formation itself is also based on using 'earth' as the array medium."

"Conversely, learning this set of array formations is learning to use 'earth' as the array medium. Comprehending the array formation is comprehending the 'Hou De Zai Wu' way of the earth."

"Learning the array formation and comprehending the Great Dao will naturally allow the earth to bear spiritual power and make the array patterns one with the earth."

Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly. "Not bad."

Mo Hua smiled shyly. "Master teaches well!"

Mr. Zhuang lost his smile slightly, shook his head, and then said slowly,

"Cultivators comprehend the Dao, emphasizing only perception, which is inevitably illusory and vague, flowing into form without substance."

"And array formations are the manifestation of the Heavenly Dao, a bridge between cultivators and the illusory Heavenly Dao."

"Comprehending array formations and using array formations, combining the virtual and the real, allows for true comprehension of the Great Dao."

"Array masters exhaust array formations and approach the Dao. Obtaining the Dao allows for longevity..."

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his gaze deep and full of expectation.

"Exhaust array formations and approach the Dao..."

Mo Hua silently repeated it once, his gaze clear, his expression more resolute.

He nodded and bowed solemnly,

"Master, disciple will remember!"

After Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, his originally somewhat deep gaze became weary and lazy again. Then he waved his hand and said,

"Learn the Hou Tu Array more. See how much you can comprehend. If you have any doubts, come find me again."

"Okay!"

Mo Hua ran off to practice array formations again.

In the courtyard, the mountain wind blew.

Old Kui silently appeared behind Mr. Zhuang, frowning as he said, "You want to teach such deep things?"

"If he can learn, why not teach him?"

Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment and then sighed.

"I originally just wanted him to try and find an array formation, to practice the method of derivation and calculation. I would tell him the original reason when he truly couldn't find it."

"I didn't expect him to actually find it himself."

"Even deriving the array diagram..."

"These things, although relatively difficult, since he can learn them, there is naturally no reason not to teach them."

"There isn't much time. I also want to teach him more things..."

Old Kui's eyebrows raised slightly. "Have you calculated everything?"

"Not really." Mr. Zhuang shook his head. "It just happened. Before, I didn't think that the Earth Sect's ultimate array would actually be hidden here."

After speaking, Mr. Zhuang's gaze shifted slightly. "I don't know if it's my good luck, or if this child Mo Hua has good fortune."

The Earth Sect's ultimate array might not be a general array formation.

Old Kui was somewhat doubtful. "Which branch of the Earth Sect has the surname Sun?"

"Surname is just that, a title, not to be taken as truth," Mr. Zhuang said faintly.

Old Kui nodded, his eyes slightly lifted, looking at the continuous spiritual fields, sighing somewhat.

"Although it doesn't penetrate heaven, it can 'penetrate the earth'. Such array formation attainment, even if it's only second-grade, I don't think it's a general figure."

"Such a figure actually died with a shattered sea of consciousness..."

Mr. Zhuang's gaze also slightly condensed, but he didn't say anything.

Old Kui looked at Mr. Zhuang again. "Will Mo Hua learning this ultimate array not cause any trouble?"

Mr. Zhuang said indifferently, "What trouble could there be?"

"This ultimate array is a secret transmission of the Earth Sect."

Mr. Zhuang snorted. "If they can't learn it, can't others learn it?"

"Furthermore, without stealing or robbing, if fat meat falls in front of your eyes, why not eat it? If heaven bestows something and you don't take it, you will suffer its blame." Mr. Zhuang spoke with conviction.

"What if the Earth Sect finds trouble?"

"Rest assured, I've already thought of a good method."

Old Kui was somewhat doubtful. "Is it a proper method?"

"As long as it's useful, why worry about whether it's proper or not?" Mr. Zhuang had a calm expression. "Furthermore, the Earth Sect is in Kun State. Kun State is tens of thousands of miles away from here. It's not even certain if we'll meet."

Old Kui said faintly, "As long as you have it in mind."

The courtyard was quiet for a while, and the two people didn't say anything to each other.

A moment later, Old Kui spoke again.

"They're chasing after you."

Mr. Zhuang wasn't surprised. "With such a big commotion in Tongxian City, if the cabinet elders still can't figure it out, they should simply resign and go home to retire."

"What do you intend to do?" Old Kui asked.

Mr. Zhuang lay on the bamboo chair, looking at the changing clouds, and said indifferently,

"Nothing. I'll do what I should do."

"Aren't you afraid they'll catch up?"

"They can calculate, and I can also calculate. Every time I calculate one step further, they will need at least one or two years to catch up to me."

"That strange Daoist, he won't let you go either," Old Kui said.

Mr. Zhuang smiled indifferently. "He never planned to let me go in the first place."

"He has more tricks than you, and he has entered the demonic path, being titled 'Daoist'. His Dao Heart has been successfully planted with demons, and his methods are even more unrestrained and unscrupulous," Old Kui said woodenly.

"After so many years, the enmity of our master's sect should come to a conclusion," Mr. Zhuang said.

Old Kui sneered. "What conclusion? If you meet him, you'll have a hundred deaths with no life..."

Old Kui was about to say something more, but Mr. Zhuang interrupted him.

"Rest assured..."

Mr. Zhuang looked at the sky, his gaze distant, and said melancholily,

"Everything is planned out."

His face showed neither sorrow nor joy, his gaze was calm, without birth or death.

Thanks to Ku Hai San Ren, Chen Feng Yue Jing Wo Sheng, fanvc, and KenHG for their rewards.