Chapter 594: Foundation

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After that one class on array methods, Old Mister Xun opened his mouth and said:

"Today, we are not learning array methods. I will first teach you something more fundamental."

Mo Hua was slightly surprised.

The other disciples exchanged glances.

They were all children of prominent families, with comprehensive cultivation inheritances. Having seen and heard from a young age, they might not be proficient, but they were familiar with some foundational array method knowledge.

What foundation could there still be to teach?

Old Mister Xun scanned the room and said in a solemn voice:

"I know you all come from prominent families and have good inheritances. You mostly have a grasp of the hundred paths of cultivation..."

"But array methods are different. The foundations you know are just the surface, not even the surface, just a brick or two laid on the foundation."

"If you want to pursue higher achievements in the path of arrays, your foundations are still far from sufficient."

Old Mister Xun glanced at Mo Hua and said, "Today, I will explain the origins and developments of all the array methods in this world for you to listen to..."

The disciples all sat up straight.

Mo Hua's little back also straightened, and he focused on listening.

Old Mister Xun's cloudy gaze sharpened slightly and he slowly said:

"The path of array methods is vast and profound."

"There are many array methods in this world. There are ancient array methods passed down from antiquity, array methods that have gradually evolved and improved, and new array methods innovated by later generations based on the painstaking efforts of those before them..."

"Not only are the array types mixed and the number of arrays numerous, but the array styles are also diverse and varied..."

"Even the same array method will have different variations."

"Within different inheritances, even for the same array method, there will be some differences from the array patterns to the array core, and even to the construction of the array eye."

"Even the simplest Bright Fire Array of the first grade, which only contains three array patterns, has no less than eighteen different drawing methods recorded in the array path records of different schools..."

"This is the first point I want to tell you..."

"The path has no fixed rules, and arrays have no fixed form!"

"What you have learned is the basic array styles that have been standardized and graded by the Path Court and are being widely promoted."

"The Path Court's standardization and grading are based on the most common and general forms of array methods, in order to standardize the form and grade of array methods. This is for standardization, for ease of learning, ease of use, and ease of popularization. Thus, a unified approach has been adopted..."

"To pass the grading, you must learn these 'unified' and 'standardized' array styles."

"Even because of the strictness of the grading and the immense effort invested, one may spend their entire life within these 'standardized' array styles, exhausting their mind and growing old..."

"You will take them as the standard."

"But..."

Old Mister Xun paused for a moment, his gaze suddenly sharp, "You must understand that this is not the essence of array methods, nor is it their original appearance..."

"A hundred errors can occur, array patterns are complex, array principles are chaotic and contradictory. This is the true, original array method..."

"This is the manifestation of the understanding of the myriad things in the world, the comprehension of array methods, and the realization of the Great Path by different eras, different regions, different realms, and different cultivators, from ancient times to the present..."

"Errors are normal."

"Complexity is correct."

"The myriad things in the human world are just that complex..."

"Array methods were originally just chaotic, obscure, and difficult to understand, a manifestation of myriad Great Paths..."

"If you want to seek the true Great Path, only learning the standardized and graded array methods of the Path Court is not enough."

"Those array methods are 'man-made' trimmed, 'man-made' tamed, they are artificially 'corrected', not the original appearance of array methods, nor the true form of the Great Path..."

"The myriad things are strange and wonderful, array methods are vast, encompassing all phenomena."

"Truly top-level array masters must transcend the standardized and graded, and personally see and experience."

"To extract the essence from the crude, to discard the false and keep the true, to observe and derive the traces of the Great Path from countless complex array patterns, and to comprehend the flow of the Great Path from endless variant array methods..."

"From there, comprehend the most real and essential array methods, form one's own array principles, and walk one's own path of proving!"

"This is the foundation of array principles!"

Old Mister Xun's words were impactful.

The disciples seemed to understand yet not understand.

Mo Hua, however, looked shocked.

Similar words, Master seemed to have also said to himself.

However, what Master said and what Old Mister Xun said were slightly different, and the focus was also different...

Master wanted him to walk his own path and form his own "array flow".

Old Mister Xun wanted him to observe widely and extract, not be bound by frameworks, and lay the foundation from the widest range of array methods.

The two seemed to be different paths leading to the same goal.

Regarding the specifics, Mo Hua's current knowledge was limited, and he still couldn't fully grasp it.

But from this speech, Mo Hua could feel that Old Mister Xun's attainment in array methods was absolutely extraordinarily profound!

"The path has no fixed rules, and arrays have no fixed style..."

Grasp its charm, abandon its form...

Use the array as a raft, and the other shore as the path. Once crossed, abandon the raft, gain the path, and the myriad arrays become formless.

Mo Hua silently nodded.

Old Mister Xun glanced at Mo Hua, nodded slightly, and continued:

"The array methods in this world are categorized in a mixed manner."

"Next, I will tell you what categories of array methods there are in this world..."

"Some of you may already know, but for others, even if you know or have heard of them, you may not have a clear understanding..."

"So, listen carefully to the following words and remember them firmly..."

Old Mister Xun glanced at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua understood and nodded repeatedly.

Old Mister Xun silently nodded, thinking "He's quite clever...", then continued solemnly:

"In this world, myriad things are vastly different, and the Great Paths contained within them are also complex and diverse, with myriad changes..."

"These Great Paths manifest as array patterns and are attributed as array methods, thus deriving many completely different array method systems..."

"Chaos, Two Instruments, Three Talents, Four Symbols, Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, Six Harmonies, Seven Stars..."

"These are the eight categories of array methods with a long history, clear lineage, and significant array principles..."

"Below, I will explain them one by one..."

"Chaos and Two Instruments, these two categories of array methods are ancient array methods, meaning they are array methods that ancient cultivators initially summarized, derived, and manifested from the Great Paths of heaven and earth."

"This category of array methods is very old, with simple forms of construction, but the array principles contained within are extremely complex, conforming to the principle of the Great Path being simple yet profound."

"Because the forms are simple, even crude, and the crudeness makes them obscure, it is very difficult for cultivators today to understand."

"The forms are simple and concise, but the divine sense consumed during comprehension is like a vast ocean, and even with painstaking effort, one may not be able to comprehend anything..."

"Precisely because they are so obscure, they are difficult to learn, difficult to solve, and even more difficult to inherit. Thus, the Chaos and Two Instruments categories of array methods have gradually been lost."

"Some existing array methods are just fragments and pieces, being treasured and researched by various Path Courts or various prominent families, but it is very difficult to systematically learn them..."

"Three Talents array methods..."

"Some disciples may have learned the 'Three Talents Array' when they first learned array methods, but that was just for enlightenment purposes and was relatively shallow, not even counting as the surface."

"In other words, that is a 'standardized style' of a foundational array method used for enlightenment by the Path Court..."

"The true Three Talents Array involves the 'heaven', 'earth', and 'human' three talents. The pattern is very large, and the derivation is very broad."

"But your experience is limited, and you are young. It is impossible to experience the infiniteness of the Qian path, the thick virtue of the Kun path, and the treacherous changes of the human path..."

"Let alone the unity of the three talents."

"Hearing this, you should also understand that the heaven, earth, and human three talents are not things that general cultivators can consider. This is the study of the Path Court governing the world..."

"Therefore, the core inheritance of the Three Talents Array is strictly controlled by the Path Court and is not transmitted externally."

"Unless you enter the Path Court in the future, or enter the Path Realm and come into contact with the high-levels of the Path Court, otherwise it is impossible to learn the true essence of the Three Talents Array..."

"Four Symbols array methods..."

"Relatively special, they are the array methods passed down through generations by the wild race cultivators in the barbaric wild lands south of the Nine Provinces."

"This category of array methods is related to some demon beasts with special bloodlines."

"The forms of the array patterns are also more like beast patterns."

"Beast-like, close to demons. Before learning the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams array methods deeply and thoroughly, it is best not to learn the Four Symbols, otherwise it is easy to be biased in one's nature and lose one's humanity."

"Five Elements array methods, there's no need to say more about this."

"Five Elements are the most universal and applicable types of array methods in the cultivation world."

"In the ancient times, Five Elements array methods already had their origins, but at the initial stage, they were very minor. Only after the research and development of generations of cultivators did they reach such a large scale and so many Five Elements array styles."

"The greatest contributor to the development of Five Elements array methods is the former Five Elements Sect."

"However, it is a pity that the Five Elements Sect suddenly declined, and the remaining several branches live in remote corners, not seeking progress, just muddling through life. It is difficult for them to achieve the prominence they once had..."

"But even though the Five Elements Sect has declined and nearly disappeared without a trace, the Five Elements array methods have been widely promoted and spread, pervading the world's Nine Provinces, and are widely applied in various cultivation categories..."

"It's just that some core inheritances are probably without successors."

Old Mister Xun expressed some regret.

Mo Hua blinked, pretending not to know anything.

The old foundation of the Five Elements Sect, that "Five Elements Source Patterns", was now on him.

He had also learned the Five Elements Absolute Array.

But he absolutely could not say it.

"Keep silent and make a fortune..."

Mo Hua silently warned himself.

After regretting, Old Mister Xun continued:

"Six Harmonies array methods..."

"This array method is somewhat special and can be simply divided into two categories. One category is biased towards mysterious array methods, emphasizing the matching of yin and yang and the harmony of heavenly stems; the other category is the Six Yaos array methods, with three yin and three yang, and the hexagram yaos generating each other..."

"Six Harmonies category array methods are relatively obscure, especially the Six Yaos. If a mistake is made, it is very easy for the heart and spirit to lose control, for unknown heavenly demons and evil gods to plant demonic thoughts, and thus fall into the demonic path."

"Six Harmonies array methods are not easy to learn..."

"And then there are the Seven Stars array methods..."

"Seven Stars array methods are based on the pattern of the seven stars of the Big Dipper, namely Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang, condensing heavenly phenomena and star patterns to form array methods."

"The Seven Pavilions of the Path Court are named after the seven stars of the Big Dipper."

"Therefore, the orthodox inheritance of the Seven Stars array methods is in the seven pavilions at the center of the Path Court, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau which is parallel to the seven pavilions."

"This category of array methods observes heavenly phenomena and derives heavenly secrets. When learned profoundly, one can control the power of the stars..."

"Although similar to the Three Talents Array, this kind belongs to the Path Court's secret array methods. In this life, you most likely will not have the opportunity to learn it, and even if you do, you probably cannot learn it..."

"Moreover, the Seven Stars Array involves heavenly phenomena and derivation, which is extremely profound. This is something that not just general cultivators, but even general array masters can comprehend."

"Of course, there's no need to worry. Although the Seven Stars array methods are important, they are also a side door. General array masters cannot learn them, so they are not included in the category of array styles for array master grading."

"Finally, there is the Eight Trigrams array."

"Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, especially important, widely applicable, good effect, great power, are the two categories of array methods that must be tested for array master grading."

"Eight Trigrams array is based on the Five Elements array, but it covers a wider range, includes more, and the array principles are also more profound. But if learned well, it is sufficient for a lifetime of use."

"Eight Trigrams array methods will also be the main category of array methods you will learn next."

"Specifics, I will not go into detail now. When I transmit the array methods later, I will teach you gradually..."

"Besides these eight categories, there are also some special categories of array methods, such as the 'Three Enclosures' array which has the same source as the Seven Stars, and the 'Nine Nether' array which has the same style as the 'Six Yaos'..."

"These array methods are even more obscure and are secret hidden array methods. You don't know where they are hidden. Which cultivation families, sects, or lost Path Courts, or rarely visited forbidden lands..."

"Above are the categories of array methods in this world known as 'manifest learning'."

"I tell you all this to broaden your horizons, increase your knowledge, and not let you aim too high."

"You eat your meals one bite at a time, and array methods must also be learned one by one."

"Three Talents, Four Symbols, Six Harmonies, Seven Stars, including some obscure array categories, you temporarily cannot learn them all, and you don't need to spend too much effort."

"The urgent task at hand is to learn the most foundational and practical Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arrays well."

"But..."

Old Mister Xun changed his words again.

"Among all array categories, the most fundamental array patterns, you must be familiar with them."

"This is the foundation, and at the same time, it is so that when you encounter strange array methods in the future, even if you don't know the details, you can still discern its array method category through the array patterns, thus knowing how to act and not be at a loss, losing your composure..."

"The most fundamental array patterns of all array categories, I have compiled a copy here. Of course, these are just array patterns, not constituting array methods."

Old Mister Xun handed down a thick copy of lecture notes, one for each person.

Including Mo Hua.

On the title page of the lecture notes was written "Tai Xu Gate Array Patterns Collected Notes".

Mo Hua opened the lecture notes and saw many, many array method patterns that he had never learned or even seen before.

The forms were varied, profound and infinite.

Although they were just array patterns, they were the extremely vast foundation in the path of myriad array methods.

Mo Hua's small heart pounded, and he couldn't help but lift his head to look at Old Mister Xun, his eyes sparkling, even a little dazzling.

Old Mister Xun was startled, and couldn't help but mutter in his heart: "Is he that happy? This child..."

After issuing the lecture notes containing the array patterns of the eight categories of array methods, Old Mister Xun said:

"From today onwards, all the array patterns in this book 'Collected Notes', you must learn and practice them..."

"Gathering sand to form a tower, converging rivers into the sea."

"All array methods in the world are constituted by the most basic array patterns."

"Only by learning array patterns well can you draw array methods well..."

"I will regularly check how many array patterns you have learned..."

"If you are lazy, you will be punished..."

The disciples looked troubled.

Mo Hua, however, looked at the lecture notes in his hand with blooming joy.

"Tai Xu Gate Array Patterns Collected Notes"!

Array patterns of myriad arrays in the world, collected by generations of Tai Xu Gate!

For array masters, this is one of the most fundamental, most complete, and most important inheritances.

Although it was only the first grade, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

No matter how high-end array methods are, they all start from learning the first grade.

Mo Hua regarded this as a treasure and couldn't bear to put it down. After that, every day, as long as he had free time, Mo Hua would hold it in his hand and look at it.

He didn't care about the time, just practicing various array patterns by himself.

When eating, he drew on the table with his fingers; when passing by mountain wilds and grasslands, he drew on the ground;

Before sleeping, he drew on paper, and after sleeping, his divine sense sank into the sea of consciousness and continued to draw on the path stele...

Because they were only first-grade array patterns, they were simple and not effort-consuming to draw.

After drawing on the path stele, his divine sense could backtrack again.

So Mo Hua could practice thousands of array patterns in one night.

He remembered Old Mister Xun's guidance that array patterns were the foundation, and the foundation must be firm.

So even though he was already very familiar with these array patterns, he still continued to draw them over and over again...

Mo Hua wanted to firmly remember every category of array methods and every array pattern in his heart, as clearly as hair, imprinted in his sea of consciousness.

Even integrate them into instinct.

No matter how complex, how obscure, or how easy to confuse array patterns were, as long as he looked at them, he could distinguish the category of array methods they belonged to without thinking twice.

Mo Hua practiced more and became more familiar, and the more familiar he was, the more he practiced...

After practicing a lot, he actually had an illusion of "human and array uniting" in a trance.

As if these array patterns were not external, strange, objective array method patterns, but just a part of his divine thoughts, traces left by his divine sense merging with the Great Path.

This feeling was mysterious and profound.

Mo Hua couldn't quite comprehend it, so he simply ignored it and continued to bury his head and practice one after another.

The Eight Doors array methods, myriad array patterns, were formed one after another under his pen.

They also manifested one after another in his sea of consciousness.

And Mo Hua did not know that in the unawareness, he had also truly begun to lay the foundation for the Great Paths of all heavens' array methods, divine powers, and all phenomena...

Happy New Year's Day everyone (～)

Thank you to Xian Tian Wu Neng, Afila_Uy, Together Cultivate Immortal, Heart Pavilion Inside Sun, Supervisor Wind Envoy, Leek Past Events, PYHuang for the rewards.

There will be one more later, but it will be a little late.

(End of this chapter)