Chapter 396: Deterrence

He does recognize array patterns, but when put together, he simply doesn't recognize the full array. The core of this array is very strange, beyond his knowledge of array methods, and he cannot understand it. How could this array's 'eye' be based on other array methods? And how could this array method, clearly only first-grade, contain eleven array patterns? Sun Yi's vision went dark for a moment, his mind in a turmoil.

Turning his thoughts, he again wondered: "Is this boy deceiving me? Did he give me a fake array method?" Sun Yi speculated in his heart, then dismissed the idea. Impossible... Although he couldn't understand it, he vaguely felt that this was indeed a complete, and very profound, array method. It was more likely that this was an array method left behind by his Sun family's ancestor!

If that were the case, it would be normal for him not to understand it. Because this was an array method passed down by his ancestor. His own array method skills were far behind his ancestor's, so it was natural that he couldn't learn it. But what he found unacceptable was that he couldn't learn this array method, yet this young array master surnamed Mo could? He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while this boy was only in the Qi Refining stage. Being able to draw the array method left by the ancestor, didn't that mean this boy's array method level was already comparable to his Sun family's ancestor?

Sun Yi's heart was filled with immense waves, and he muttered, "Impossible..."

Beside him, Sun Ze, seeing his father completely stunned the moment he looked at the array method, his expression constantly changing, quietly called out, "Dad..."

Sun Yi snapped back to reality, still with a lingering fear. Sun Ze asked, "Dad, is this the array method?" Sun Yi frowned, slowly nodded, then shook his head again. "Dad, what do you mean?" Sun Ze didn't understand.

Sun Yi didn't speak. He couldn't say in front of so many people that he couldn't understand or learn it, and was therefore unsure... Sun Ze, thinking deeply, probed, "How about we capture this boy and interrogate him?" Sun Ze gently clenched his fist, "His mouth, no matter how tough, is not as tough as a fist. Just beat him once, and he'll confess everything."

Sun Yi was somewhat hesitant. From the other side came Mo Hua's clear voice, "The array method has been given to you, you should let us pass, right? People who break their word will not come to a good end!" "Dad..." Sun Ze also urged.

Sun Yi furrowed his brows, his expression showing struggle. He didn't dare, but he was also unwilling. If this child truly had such high array method skills, then he absolutely wouldn't dare make a move. But to just let them go like this, he was very unwilling. He had previously thought of first tricking the array method out of him, then capturing Mo Hua and forcing him to marry into the Sun family and work for them. But at that time, he thought Mo Hua only had good talent, and his array method level wouldn't be higher than his own. Now seeing this array method, he suddenly realized he had underestimated this young cultivator. At the same time, he had also vastly overestimated himself. He had previously mocked that this boy absolutely couldn't learn his Sun family ancestor's array method, but now it seemed the one who truly couldn't learn it was himself...

Even though he was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, could he really draw such an array method? Sun Yi still didn't believe it. Is this boy deceiving me? Sun Yi frowned and asked, "Boy, did you learn this array method?"

Mo Hua nodded, "Somewhat." Sun Yi's eyelids twitched. He pondered for a moment, then his face suddenly sank again, and with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "This array is my Sun family's ancestral array, not to be passed on. Since you have learned it, you are now a member of my Sun family and need to enter my Sun family and work for them to repay their favor." Repaying favor was false, keeping the talent was true. Sun Yi decided to gamble once.

He thought of a principle. His ancestor's array method was so profound that he probably wouldn't be able to learn it in his lifetime. He couldn't learn it, but this boy should be able to. Even if he couldn't, it didn't matter. Just based on his array method talent, he wanted to make him marry into the Sun family and have children with the Sun family bloodline. Array method geniuses were not easy to come by. He wanted to keep this boy's array method talent within the Sun family and pass it down through the Sun family bloodline generation after generation. So, regardless of whether this little array master had learned this array method or not, he had to keep him today.

Sun Yi saying this was going back on his word and tearing off his facade. The Sun family cultivators stirred restlessly. The spirit farmers gripped their knives and spears, their expressions wary. Ding Da Chuan also cursed angrily, "A dignified family head, his words are worthless, just like farts!" Sun Yi just coldly laughed and didn't respond. He only looked at Mo Hua and asked loudly, "Little brother, what do you think? If you enter my Sun family, the Sun family will certainly treat you well."

Mo Hua, however, shook his head, "Your Sun family is too small, it probably cannot accommodate me." Sun Yi was startled, then laughed, "Our Sun family is very big, it's enough for you to live!" Mo Hua said reservedly, "I am also a person with identity." Such a young age, what identity? Sun Yi chuckled coldly in his heart, while on the surface he falsely laughed, "No matter what identity, our Sun family can accommodate you."

"Really?" Mo Hua smiled faintly, took out a ring, and put it on his fair and tender little hand. The ring was made of white jade inlaid with gold, ancient and luxurious. On it were engraved nine star marks, symbolizing the nine grades of array methods. On the star marks was a point of starlight, symbolizing a true first-grade array master recognized by the Dao Court. Sun Yi's smile disappeared, his pupils violently shaking. "Tian Shu Ring?!"

Sun Ze didn't know why his father was so shocked, and puzzled, "What is a Tian Shu Ring?" Sun Yi's voice trembled, "Tian Shu Ring... he... he is a first-grade array master..."

At these words, all the Sun family cultivators gasped, their faces showing expressions of disbelief. The Sun family had array method inheritance, although not extensive, they still had some. Within the family, there were also many array masters. They deeply knew the difficulty of array master grading. In remote states, array masters who could pass grading were rare. Even the family head Sun Yi, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, had not yet been graded to first-grade. But now this little cultivator, only ten-something years old, was actually a first-grade array master?! Even if he had been learning array methods since he was in the womb, that was impossible... That was a first-grade array master. Array masters without grading were only considered "self-proclaimed" array masters. Only after the assessment and grading by the Tian Shu Pavilion of the Dao Court were they considered to have truly entered the ranks of array masters. In other words, once an array master was graded, standing behind them was the Tian Shu Pavilion, one of the seven central pavilions of the Dao Court. Their identity and status were vastly different from ordinary cultivators, like a fish transforming into a dragon.

"Is that really a Tian Shu Ring?" "How would I know?" "The family head says it is, so it must be..." The Sun family cultivators lowered their voices and whispered among themselves. Most of the array masters in the Sun family, let alone grading, didn't even have the qualifications to participate in grading, so they had naturally never seen a Tian Shu Ring.

Sun Ze also quietly asked, "Dad, is that really a Tian Shu Ring?" Sun Yi, still with a shocked expression, slowly nodded. Relying on his identity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a semi-array master, he had visited several first-grade array masters and seen the rings they wore – the Tian Shu graded rings of white jade inlaid with gold. At that time, he was both envious and jealous, so the impression was very deep. Sun Yi dreamed of the day he could pass grading and have his own Tian Shu Ring. Yet he never thought that he hadn't been graded, and now this little cultivator, only ten-something years old, already had a Tian Shu Ring in his hand.

"He didn't steal it, did he?" Sun Ze asked again. Sun Yi's brows furrowed again. He thought it should be stolen, but deep down he vaguely felt it was impossible. Array masters regarded the Tian Shu Ring as their life; how could it be easily stolen? It was even more impossible for someone to steal a Tian Shu Ring and openly flaunt it.

Sun Yi looked at Mo Hua again. Mo Hua's fair little hand, wearing such a solemn and luxurious ring, looked somewhat unbelievable. But this Tian Shu Ring did match his aura. And his demeanor and temperament when wearing the ring indeed suggested that of a first-grade array master. Sun Ze's gaze was greedy, a cold light flashed, and he said in a low voice, "Dad, let's snatch the ring!"

This time Sun Yi couldn't hold back and slapped him directly. "Are you trying to die?!" Sun Ze was stunned by the slap, his eyes blank, not knowing what taboo he had committed. Sun Yi gritted his teeth and explained in a low voice, "You damn it, you're not a mountain bandit, not a robber, you're a family cultivator! You have a name, a surname, family property, such a big mansion built in Qianjia Town, and every cultivator in the family is recorded by the Dao Court officials. You damn it, did you eat a bear's heart and a leopard's guts? You dare to rob a first-grade array master's Tian Shu Ring? A first-grade array master is recognized by the Tian Shu Pavilion, and behind them stands the central Dao Court! If you rob a Tian Shu Ring, you are offending the Tian Shu Pavilion, you are rebelling against the Dao Court. If the higher-ups investigate, it's possible they will copy and behead the entire Sun family!"

Sun Yi became more and more angry as he spoke and slapped Sun Ze again. Sun Ze was greatly shocked and dared not speak. Sun Yi's anger gradually subsided, he sighed deeply, and said with a look of fear, "This little cultivator, our Sun family cannot afford to offend..."