Chapter 531: Who else?

“What to do?”

The Great Elder and the two others began transmitting their divine sense.

“Our Five Elements Sect has already taken the lead and lost two matches in a row. It’s not suitable for us to fight again. Next, it should be Array Profound Gate and the Shen family's favored ones who show their skills…”

The Great Elder spoke subtly.

Sect Master Chu and the Shen family elder knew clearly in their hearts.

The Five Elements Sect was out of options.

Among the Qi Refining disciples, the two who just competed were already considered the most presentable, but they were defeated effortlessly by that young array master.

Unless they sent out disciples at the first or second stage of Foundation Building.

Otherwise, the remaining mediocre disciples of the Five Elements Sect would only lose face if they went up.

But sending out Foundation Building cultivators would be completely bullying the weak with the strong, which was shameless. Saying that would be even more embarrassing.

“Great Elder, rest assured, what was promised, I, Chu, will deliver.”

Sect Master Chu looked at ease.

“Next, let the disciples of our Array Profound Gate meet this young array master.”

Array Profound Gate was different from Five Elements Sect.

Five Elements Sect was in decline, but Array Profound Gate was gradually prospering.

There were several array law geniuses in the sect whose talent was not inferior to his own in those years.

Sect Master Chu looked at Mo Hua, who was sitting leisurely at the desk in the great hall, and slowly said:

“Little brother, let's compare a grade one array law again.”

“Grade one array law?” Mo Hua was doubtful, “Didn't we already compare?”

“This time we won't compare who draws well, nor who draws fast. We'll compare who draws the most difficult…”

A sharp light flashed in Sect Master Chu's eyes, “Our Array Profound Gate will send out one disciple. You two will each draw an array law. Whoever's array law is more difficult, requires stronger divine sense, and contains more array patterns wins.”

Mo Hua nodded, “Who is coming?”

In the crowd, a disciple of Array Profound Gate wearing a Five Elements Sect robe stepped forward.

They had plotted before, wanting a crowd of array law geniuses to pretend to be Five Elements Sect disciples to compete.

But since being pointed out by Mr. Zhuang, everyone present was clear-eyed. Continuing to pretend would only be self-deception and self-inflicted trouble.

This disciple was handsome and talented. He cupped his hands and said:

“I am Chu Xuan, a direct disciple of Array Profound Gate.”

Mo Hua also cupped his small hands and said: “Mo Hua.”

Then he felt that without a suffix, he lacked a bit of momentum, so he added: “…is my master's direct disciple!”

He felt that this statement was already imposing enough.

Chu Xuan, however, felt he was somewhat childish and couldn't help but shake his head.

After that, the two began to draw array laws.

Chu Xuan drew confidently, his pen moving like a god.

Mo Hua, however, was conflicted.

Compare who draws the most difficult?

Then which kind of difficult array law should he draw?

Is it the grade one ten-pattern Reverse Spirit Array, the grade one eleven-pattern Thick Earth Array, or the grade one twelve-pattern Spirit Pivot Array?

Drawing something generally difficult might not win.

Drawing something too difficult might be a bit too showy.

It's better to hide one's true strength a little…

Mo Hua secretly assessed Chu Xuan, calculating in his heart that he only needed to draw something slightly more difficult than him. This Chu Xuan was still quite polite, and his demeanor was proper.

Draw something a little more difficult, win by a small margin, and leave him some face.

Drawing something too difficult and making the gap too large would be impolite.

Mo Hua considered very thoughtfully.

But how did he know what difficulty of array law the other person could draw?

Mo Hua thought for a moment, his eyes slightly brightening.

He could derive and calculate a bit.

Anyway, they were each drawing their own, stealing a few glances wouldn't count as cheating.

Mo Hua then looked at Chu Xuan, his divine sense slightly moved, a slight derivation and calculation, and his heart became clear.

Although he didn't know what array law he was drawing, based on the trajectory of spiritual power, it was probably above nine patterns, very close to ten patterns, but still not ten patterns.

It had a little bit of the flavor of an absolute array.

But only a little bit.

Mo Hua drew absolute arrays every day, so he was very sensitive to their aura.

This disciple named Chu Xuan drew an array law very close to an absolute array, but it wasn't yet an absolute array.

However, it was already very good.

This was one of the most talented grade one array masters Mo Hua had seen so far.

This kind of array master should be encouraged and not dealt too big a blow.

Little Mo Hua developed a heart of "cherishing talent", nodded slightly, and began to draw his own array law.

Above the great hall, the Great Elder looked at Chu Xuan, somewhat surprised.

“This is… Withered Tree Meets Spring Array?”

Sect Master Chu nodded, “Correct.”

“Withered Tree Meets Spring Array, is that ancestral grade one ten-pattern absolute array of your Array Profound Gate?” The Shen family old ancestor also wrinkled his brow.

Sect Master Chu sighed, “The ancestral one is an absolute array, but the one Xuan'er is drawing doesn't count as one.”

He paused for a moment, calmly explaining: “A grade one ten-pattern array requires Foundation Building divine sense to learn.”

“Qi Refining disciples don't have Foundation Building divine sense, so they fundamentally cannot learn it.”

“Therefore, our successive old ancestors of Array Profound Gate have all been painstakingly researching how to simplify this absolute array so that disciples during the Qi Refining period can also learn it.”

“After four generations of sect masters and countless efforts, in my generation, we finally had some results.”

Sect Master Chu's tone was flat, but there was a suppressed self-pride on his face, obviously extremely proud.

“Now, although the effect of this array law is slightly weakened, it is already infinitely close to an absolute array.”

“More importantly, Qi Refining disciples can really learn it.”

“However, the divine sense requirement is extremely high, higher than general grade one nine-pattern array laws, and the difficulty is also extremely high…”

Sect Master Chu stroked his beard and sighed.

Although his words were humble, anyone could see he was showing off.

But there was nothing they could do about it.

The Shen family old ancestor shook his head.

The Great Elder was both envious and jealous, and somewhat heartbroken.

The array law standard of Array Profound Gate was flourishing day by day.

The Five Elements Sect, however, was getting worse with each generation… Not emphasizing array law and relying on civil engineering for prosperity, the rise and fall would eventually lead to decline.

At the same time, he was also somewhat relieved.

Qi Refining cultivators, infinitely close to an absolute array's grade one array law, peak grade one nine-patterns, Qi Refining limit divine sense… The chances of winning this match were extremely high.

The inheritance of the Five Elements Sect might also be preserved.

The three Golden Core old ancestors on the seats each had their own thoughts.

Mr. Zhuang's attitude was calm, undisturbed.

In the middle of the great hall, Mo Hua and the other person were each drawing array laws.

After some unknown time, both finished drawing the array laws, sealed them, and handed them up.

The Great Elder first looked at the "Withered Tree Meets Spring Array" drawn by Chu Xuan, his expression emotional, sighing endlessly.

This was a "pseudo absolute array".

A grade one array law close to an absolute array.

It was a ladder for Qi Refining cultivators to touch the absolute array beyond their grade.

A Qi Refining cultivator who could draw this array law was naturally extraordinarily talented.

But being able to simplify and apply this array law was the embodiment of a sect's array law foundation.

But these had nothing to do with the current Five Elements Sect…

The Great Elder sighed, and immediately opened the array law drawn by Mo Hua. He only looked at it for a moment, and his hands couldn't help but tremble slightly…

Sect Master Chu and the Shen family old ancestor on the side noticed the Great Elder's strangeness and all looked over. Their gaze shifted from the Great Elder's shocked expression to the array law in his hand, and they were all shaken, their eyebrows wildly jumping.

Ten patterns!

Absolute array?

Could this young child draw an absolute array?!!

Moreover, it wasn't a simplified version of an absolute array.

It was a genuine one, exactly the same, containing a ten-pattern absolute array!

The expressions of the three became solemn.

“This is… an absolute array?”

“Grade one ten patterns, undoubtedly an absolute array.”

“What absolute array?”

Sect Master Chu frowned, “Our Array Profound Gate doesn't have this kind of inheritance, I can't identify it…”

The Great Elder and the Shen family old ancestor also had bewildered expressions.

The Shen family old ancestor transmitted his divine sense, his voice trembling: “Being able to draw a grade one ten-pattern array law, doesn't that mean this young child, who is only at Qi Refining cultivation, has Foundation Building divine sense?”

Sect Master Chu's heart pounded.

Cultivation had a great limit.

Qi Refining cultivators cultivated qi spiritual power and condensed qi divine sense. This was a Heavenly Way shackle.

He had lived a lifetime and had never seen a Qi Refining cultivator who could possess Foundation Building period divine sense.

At most, he had only heard of it.

And it was the kind of rumor that was almost legendary.

The Great Elder pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “Not necessarily…”

“How do you say that?” asked Sect Master Chu.

The Great Elder frowned and pondered: “Foundation Building divine sense in the Qi Refining realm, how could it be that easy? Even Mr. Zhuang, with his heaven-defying talent in those years, his divine sense didn't break through realms at once…”

“I guess this young cultivator can draw grade one ten-pattern array laws because, like Mr. Zhuang, he learned that door inheritance!”

The Shen family old ancestor couldn't help but ask: “What inheritance?”

The Great Elder's gaze was solemn, “That door is the source of all array laws, integrating everything, understanding one thing leads to understanding a hundred things, the innate array dao supreme inheritance!”

Sect Master Chu and the Shen family old ancestor both gasped.

The Great Elder's heart also sank.

He had misjudged!

He had previously thought that this young array master was only used by Mr. Zhuang to take the lead, even if he was a grade one array master, his strength was only moderately strong, and he might not necessarily be valued by Mr. Zhuang.

Now it seemed he was greatly mistaken!

This young array master's array law attainment was extremely high, and his array law strength was extremely strong!

Moreover, he could even receive that orthodox, supreme innate array dao inheritance from Mr. Zhuang!

It was evident that this young array master was extremely favored by Mr. Zhuang.

And this young array master was only a young junior brother. Above him, he still had a pair of senior brother and sister.

If he could draw a grade one ten-pattern array law, then what about his senior brother and sister?

Could they draw eleven patterns, or even… twelve patterns?

Cold sweat streamed down the Great Elder's back.

No wonder this person named Zhuang was so arrogant!

He indeed had the capital to be arrogant.

Mo Hua, who was sitting below, saw them hesitating and asked: “How is it?”

The corner of the Great Elder's mouth twitched slightly, and he said bitterly:

“Chu Xuan drew the Withered Tree Meets Spring Array, peak grade one nine-patterns…”

“Mo Hua drew a grade one ten-pattern array law…”

“Mo Hua… wins.”

Grade one ten patterns?!!

Chu Xuan, who had originally thought victory was in hand, stood up directly, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Mo Hua.

The other disciples also discussed animatedly:

“Aren't grade one arrays only up to nine patterns? How can there be a grade one ten-pattern array law?”

“You don't even know this?”

“Are you from the Five Elements Sect?”

“Don't learn array law anymore…”

“A grade one ten-pattern array is an absolute array, an ultra-grade array law, generally impossible to learn.”

“But he's only at Qi Refining? How can he learn a ten-pattern array law?”

“How would I know?”

“Why don't you go and ask?”

A disciple secretly said: “Don't you see the Great Elder's face, it's like a pig's liver? He's obviously unhappy. Who dares to go and ask at this time and touch his taboo?”

“You're really determined to die. The Great Elder is a Golden Core. He can definitely hear your words…”

That disciple's face turned pale, and he covered his face with his sleeve, hoping the Great Elder couldn't see him.

Chu Xuan's mood fluctuated, his expression changing between defeat and unwillingness. Finally, he sighed, put away his arrogance, and humbly bowed to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua also returned the bow, silently nodding in his heart.

This Chu Xuan had a good character and was indeed a malleable talent.

In the Array Pavilion, it was somewhat noisy. After a while, it quieted down slightly, and Mo Hua began his soul-searching interrogation again:

“What else to compare?”

No one dared to answer.

All the disciples present looked towards the three Golden Core old ancestors on the seats.

The three Golden Core old ancestors had gloomy expressions.

They had obviously underestimated this young array master.

The previous arrangement was to use the disciples of the Five Elements Sect to cope with this young array master and test the waters.

Then Array Profound Gate and the Shen family would send out their genius disciples to deal with that pair of phoenix-like brother and sister.

But now, they were almost beaten to a pulp by this "testing the waters" young array master…

Whether it was his strong innate divine sense or the inheritance of the array dao he had learned, this young array master was a tough nut to crack.

The Shen family old ancestor transmitted his divine sense and said: “What to do?”

The Great Elder's gaze turned, and he said solemnly:

“As things stand, this competition is no longer about the gains and losses of one sect or one gate, but about the honor and disgrace of an entire state and realm. Our entire Great Li Mountain state boundary's array law geniuses are gathered here. If we can't even take down this young array master, won't we make fools of ourselves?”

Sect Master Chu and the Shen family old ancestor frowned.

The Great Elder's words were meant to drag them into the water and were deliberately alarmist.

But they were unable to refute.

Because this was indeed the truth.

Sect Master Chu still had some worries, “Even if we win against this young array master, there are still his senior brother and senior sister…”

“Not so.” A light flashed in the Great Elder's eyes, “I guess this Mr. Zhuang might be bluffing…”

“This young cultivator's talent is already shocking.”

“This kind of talented array master is not cabbage. There aren't that many.”

“Even if his senior brother and sister are stronger than him, it's estimated they won't be much stronger…”

Sect Master Chu and the Shen family old ancestor both nodded.

Saying that, there was indeed some reason.

The arrow was already on the string, there was no turning back. As things stood, no matter what, they had to brace themselves.

“Since both can draw grade one absolute arrays, then within the scope of grade one array law, their foundation must be extremely deep. If we test them further, there is no chance of winning.”

“Many of the previous arrangements are useless.”

“We can only test some side branches…”

After discussing through divine sense transmission, the Great Elder then asked Mo Hua:

“Young mister…”

His address had also become a bit more respectful.

Someone who could draw a grade one absolute array in the Qi Refining realm, like Mr. Zhuang, deserved the title of "mister".

“Do you understand array breaking?” asked the Great Elder.

Mo Hua nodded, “Slightly.”

Sect Master Chu nodded.

In the crowd, another disciple walked out, cupped his hands, and said:

“Junior Chu He, my array law attainment is mediocre, but I am good at the 'array breaking' path. I have some shallow insights and have not refined my learning. I am willing to ask this young mister for guidance.”

Array breaking was indeed a side branch of array arts.

Except for disciples of world families or sects with array law inheritance, very few array masters would spend time researching array breaking.

General cultivators break arrays rather than solve them.

Breaking arrays is impactful but simple and crude. Solving arrays is subtle but complex and profound.

Although Mo Hua solved arrays very smoothly and used them very often, it was already ingrained in his mind.

But he also remembered Mr. Zhuang's words. At that time, Mr. Zhuang said that solving arrays was an array master's way of "benefiting intelligence" and "pastime", difficult and a side branch, and very few learned it.

Mo Hua now knew that the "benefiting intelligence" and "pastime" Mr. Zhuang spoke of were definitely not the same as for ordinary people.

In fact, array masters proficient in solving arrays were also as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

The Great Elder's proposed test topic for solving arrays was also very simple.

Solving a grade one compound array.

See who solves it correctly and who solves it faster.

When Mo Hua saw the compound array, he immediately lost some interest.

It was indeed too simple.

A compound array containing only three single arrays, and among them, only one array law was nine patterns, the remaining two were one seven-pattern and one eight-pattern.

This didn't even count as an appetizer.

Mo Hua looked up.

The Array Pavilion was bustling, and there were still many disciples.

If they continued to compare like this, who knew when it would end?

He wanted to have another "quick battle, quick decision".

So when the disciple named Chu He was still solving the first array law, Mo Hua had already finished solving the entire thing in three quick steps, and then casually said: “I'm finished.”

The Great Elder and the two others were startled again, and then their hearts were already somewhat numb.

Mo Hua undoubtedly won the array solving as well.

Mo Hua said straightforwardly: “Just send anyone up, be a bit faster, I don't have much time…”

He still wanted to learn the Five Elements absolute array early and then concentrate on Foundation Building.

His words sounded somewhat arrogant.

The expressions of the crowd in the field were angry.

Very quickly, disciples who were not convinced came forward one after another, wanting to compete with Mo Hua in array law.

But no matter what they compared, they were all quickly defeated. In terms of array law alone, almost none of the grade one array masters present could withstand a single move.

Gradually, everyone in the field was no longer angry, only solemn.

A trace of panic floated up in their hearts.

Drawing arrays well, drawing them fast, understanding grade one absolute arrays, proficient in solving arrays.

Even flawless…

In the Great Li Mountain state boundary, array master disciples were gathered. Could it be that truly no one could win against this young cultivator?

The Shen family old ancestor no longer hid his private matters and instructed: “Shen Wen.”

A disciple stepped out, his gaze burning, as if he had been suppressing himself for a long time.

“I will compete with you in derivation and calculation!”

The Great Elder was greatly shocked, and Sect Master Chu was also shaken.

Even Mr. Zhuang showed a trace of surprise.

The Shen family old ancestor sighed deeply.

This was his ultimate trump card.

Originally, he didn't want to expose it.

Shen Wen was his great-grandson, his innate divine sense was keen, his thoughts were meticulous. Later, by chance, he was taken as a disciple by a great array master who transmitted the method of divine sense derivation and calculation to him.

The great array master admonished him that array law derivation and calculation involved secrets, could not be spread outside, and should not be easily leaked.

So he had always kept his mouth shut.

But as things stood, not exposing it wouldn't work.

Derivation and calculation ah…

This Golden Core cultivator, a high-rank grade two array master, did not understand array law knowledge. This young array master, should…

The Shen family old ancestor was halfway through his thought when he heard Mo Hua say calmly: “Okay.”

The Shen family old ancestor had just let out a sigh of relief when his heart rose again.

Could it be…

You, this young child, can even do divine sense derivation and calculation?

Thus, the Shen family old ancestor soon discovered that not only could Mo Hua do it, but he also calculated quickly and accurately, his face full of ease and composure.

The two of them derived and calculated the spiritual power trajectory of the array law together.

Shen Wen had just started calculating when Mo Hua had already finished.

Shen Wen was defeated both quickly and thoroughly, his face full of dejection.

Similarly, Mo Hua began to ask again: “What else to compare?”

The entire field was as silent as a cicada in winter.

Seeing that no one spoke, Mo Hua simply changed the way he asked, “Who else?”

All the disciples had pale faces.

Even the three Golden Core old ancestors were shocked and didn't speak.

They never expected that what was clearly a major play would end so hastily.

This young array master, just by quietly sitting in front of the desk, held the pass alone, impregnable, truly defeating all the genius array masters from their entire state boundary…

Just like Mr. Zhuang in those years, exactly the same…

No, there were still some differences.

The Great Elder's unbearable past events surfaced one by one.

That person named Zhuang in those years was like a sharp, exposed immortal sword, making them unable to look directly at him.

While this young array master named Mo had a restrained sharpness, a gentle temperament, like a naturally formed rough jade.

Simply a monster!

The Array Pavilion was silent for a long time, a deathly silence among the disciples.

The three Golden Core old ancestors were also at a loss.

After some unknown time, Mr. Zhuang slowly stood up and said calmly: “Finished comparing?”

The Great Elder's heart trembled, but he still couldn't utter a word.

Mr. Zhuang looked at him and said in an unquestionable tone: “The winner and loser have been decided. Tomorrow, we will come to the Array Pavilion and learn the Five Elements absolute array!”

(End of this chapter)