Chapter 600: Great Array

Returning to his disciple dwelling, Mo Hua closed the well door and impatiently used his divine sense to examine his Tai Xu Order, which now granted him cultivation privileges.

Inside the Tai Xu Order was a blank white space, but now densely packed with writing. Some of it consisted of cultivation courses, sect rules, and so on, which were already present. However, now, like ink sketches taking shape and powder colors naturally forming, two large columns of text had been added to the empty spaces of the Tai Xu Order. One column was the reward list, and the other was the merit list.

The reward list recorded various sect tasks. Hung tasks would be rewarded with merits. Above them were densely packed with text, indicating the task's purpose, roughly explaining the task content, location, danger level, rewarded merit points, and so on. It also listed the requirements for accepting the reward, such as the cultivator's realm, merit methods, Dao methods, whether they specialized in alchemy or array formations, etc.

The merit list displayed the various rewards that could be exchanged with sect merits. There were merit methods, Dao methods, array diagrams, pill formulas, refining tool manuals, and other secret cultivation inheritances of the Tai Xu Gate. There were also spiritual tools, pills, heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and other rare cultivation materials. To make it convenient for disciples to consult, some spiritual tools like knives and swords, spiritual pills and wondrous medicines, and some heavenly materials and earthly treasures like lingzhi, lingcao, furong, and xianshen, even had small watercolor illustrations attached. They looked intuitive and beautiful, showing great consideration. Mo Hua guessed that this merit list must have been designed by some female elder within the sect.

At the same time, he was endlessly puzzled in his heart. How exactly were these things within the Tai Xu Order created? This somewhat violated his common sense of cultivation. He had never seen these things before. These seemed to be things that could only be contacted at the Foundation Establishment stage, and not just any Foundation Establishment, but disciples of a major inheritance like the Tai Xu Gate would only have this "sect order." But what exactly was the principle behind this sect order?

"Heaven and earth are all Dao, myriad things and myriad phenomena, the ten thousand great Daos, simplifying complexity, manifesting as arrays..." "So perhaps, this is also some kind of array?" Mo Hua pondered for a long time, then shook his head. He couldn't figure out what array logic could be used to construct this strange but extremely wonderful merit list within a small order token. Using ink to condense into text, transmitting messages. Also using powder ink to illusion into pictures, with abundant colors. But according to Mo Hua's intuition, these should all just be appearances. This was probably a type of array he had never seen or learned before. It required a very special set of array patterns, array hubs, and array eyes to constitute the underlying basic array framework.

Mo Hua frowned, and suddenly his mind stirred. "Or... should I derive it once?" See if he could calculate something from the Tai Xu Order. When he first entered the sect, Mo Hua also peeked at the Tai Xu Order. But at that time, his permission was extremely low, and his divine sense was isolated by the Tai Xu Order. Coupled with his shallow array vision, he couldn't see anything. Now, he had been following Old Mister Xun and had studied arrays for nearly half a year. His divine sense was stronger, his array attainments were deeper, and his array experience was also broader. And at this time, Old Mister Xun had given him "permission" again.

Mo Hua's eyes brightened, and he immediately sat up straight. His divine sense sank into the Tai Xu Order, examining the various texts and ink changes within the order. At the same time, his divine thought operated rapidly, according to the methods of heavenly secrets derivation, to peek at the true nature beneath the texts and pictures.

The texts of the Tai Xu Order gradually blurred, and the colorful patterns appeared as double images. The appearances of the Tai Xu Order dissolved bit by bit, revealing vaguely its true nature. Vaguely, Mo Hua glimpsed a trace of a clue. The ink texts and watercolor pictures were indeed just appearances. The essence of these texts and pictures were array patterns. All texts and pictures were composed of simple, unified, though rigid but orderly array patterns, sorted and arranged, combined and changed. And these array patterns were uniformly controlled by array hubs. All array hubs were neat and strict, and like hundreds of rivers returning to the sea, they all returned to the same total, majestic big array hub. This big array hub was extremely complex and vast. Outside, it was covered with layers of profound and dense array pattern "outer garments", forming an unbreakable array barrier.

Mo Hua's divine sense seemed small and thin in front of this array hub. As his sea of consciousness gradually dried up, the derivation stopped here. With his limited divine sense, Mo Hua couldn't calculate more things. But he was greatly shocked by this. "This can't be... another big array, right?!" A big array constructed by the Tai Xu Order!! All disciples of the Tai Xu Gate, every Tai Xu Order, was an array "terminal", which was then uniformly summarized and connected to the Tai Xu Gate's big array hub with an imprint "core sequence". Therefore, all disciples of the Tai Xu Gate could achieve "message" sharing and divine sense manifestation of text and transmission of letters by relying on the Tai Xu Order. This was a completely different kind of big array. Different from the Five Elements Slaughter Demon big array, the Five Elements Protect Mountain big array, this kind of external, powerful, majestic big array. The Tai Xu Order's big array was within a square inch, constructing a majestic and all-encompassing sea of messages and a flood of divine thought.

This... was also a kind of great Dao in heaven and earth? Mo Hua's eyes widened, endlessly shocked. Afterwards, he couldn't help but silently think in his heart: That is to say... if he learned this big array... deciphered the array hub barrier, controlled the "core array hub" of the big array... wouldn't it be... able to eavesdrop on all the transmissions of the elders and disciples within the Tai Xu Gate? Be able to peek at all the core secrets of the Tai Xu Gate? Moreover, controlling this big array, didn't it also mean... he could tamper with the Tai Xu "permissions"? He could give himself "release authority"? Even directly manually modify his own "merit values"? What sect supreme treasures, innate spiritual objects, divine thought sword arts, he could exchange for whatever he wanted? Unlimited merit values, can't spend them all in a lifetime?!

Mo Hua opened his mouth wide. Evil little thoughts, like bamboo shoots after rain, one after another, popped up incessantly. Afterwards, he shook his head and solemnly said: "No good!" "I am now a proper little disciple of the Tai Xu Gate, I have principles, I cannot do things that damage the sect's interests and steal the sect's authority!" "Greed is a major taboo in cultivation!"

But his little heart was still a bit restless. He couldn't steal from the Tai Xu Gate, but... Mo Hua's thoughts turned rapidly. This set of array systems, since the Tai Xu Gate was using it, it meant that in Qian Xue state, other sects were very likely also using it. Pushing it further... Even as long as the forces were large enough, the inheritance long enough, and the foundation deep enough, sects were very likely to have this set of big arrays that transmitted messages, rewarded and punished, and promoted. Even if it wasn't a big array, it was at least a complex array. The scale might be different, but the array type, framework logic, and underlying structure were necessarily the same.

He still didn't know this set of arrays. But now the Tai Xu Order was placed in front of him, waiting for his arrays to improve, his divine sense to be stronger, and his heavenly secrets derivation to be more proficient. Sooner or later, one day, he would be able to derive this entire set of array systems. Mo Hua couldn't help but feel joyful in his heart, and then he thought: "I am a disciple of the Tai Xu Gate, I cannot do bad things to the Tai Xu Gate..." "But, other sects... I am not their disciple..." "Some righteous sects also don't do good things..." "What's more, this world still has demons and heretics, evil sects and corpse gates..." "Suppose I comprehend this set of big arrays in the future..." Mo Hua narrowed his eyes with a smile on his face, like a little fox, and hummed lightly in his heart: "You sects, you'd better not offend me..." "Otherwise, if I pick up your sect orders in the future, you will 'enjoy great fortune'..."

Of course, it was still a bit early. Mo Hua put away his thoughts and began to plan step by step. Meals were eaten one bite at a time, and roads were walked one step at a time. He would research the Tai Xu Order slowly. Now, he should first accept sect rewards, earn merits, exchange for arrays, and enhance his divine sense. After he saved more merits and raised his permissions, he would go to the higher-grade merit list inside and see if there were any Tai Xu divine thought transformation sword true arts. And... arrays that could "reverse life and death". Mo Hua's gaze was firm.

After that, Mo Hua began to accept tasks. He remembered Old Mister Xun's entrustment and didn't aim too high, at the beginning, he only accepted "entry" tasks. The so-called "accepting" tasks was actually a two-way process. It required both Mo Hua to apply and others to agree. In the Tai Xu Order, he could manifest text with his divine sense. There were numerous tasks on the reward list, densely packed. If he wanted to apply to accept a task, he would manifest his name with his divine sense below the task. His name contained some basic information about the disciples, including realm cultivation, practiced merit methods, skilled Dao methods, the grades of arrays, pills, talismans, tools, and so on. Disciples could decide which information to display. Cultivators who issued tasks would see this information and consider carefully, based on the situation, whether to agree to let you accept the task. If both sides agreed, it would be considered a contract.

Mo Hua, who was still a "newcomer" who had received backdoor permission from Old Mister Xun to open his Tai Xu privileges in advance, was repeatedly frustrated when accepting tasks in the Tai Xu Order – even if they were just some entry tasks.

Looking at the mountain gate... others didn't want him, saying he was too young, and his height and appearance were more "small", which would make the Tai Xu Gate accused of employing child labor, which was not good for its reputation.

Sweeping the Dao field... Mo Hua did sweep it once. The sect's affairs officer thought he swept too slowly, and seeing his small arms and legs, didn't bear to let him sweep, so after that, they simply didn't let him accept.

Refining tools, refining pills, refining talismans, Mo Hua wouldn't do these. Other rewards, he couldn't accept even more. So in the end, Mo Hua could only draw arrays. "Let's just draw arrays..." Mo Hua, who had originally wanted to experience other tasks, could only put down his thoughts and focus on drawing arrays.

But he still thought too simply. The sect's tasks were essentially a kind of "reward". These rewards were released by other nearby sects within the Tai Xu Gate, or departments of the Dao Court, and other associated forces, as well as individual cultivators. If there was a demand, a reward would be issued. If others had array demands, you could draw them. It wasn't that you could draw whatever you wanted.

This was originally nothing. Mo Hua was extremely proficient in generally used Five Elements arrays and Eight Trigrams arrays, and also considered skilled in them. In the Tai Xu Order, for most of the second-grade initial level to some initial level or higher array-related "rewards", Mo Hua had the ability to undertake, and even "more than enough". But he simply couldn't accept them! The cultivators who issued the rewards simply didn't choose him! Because for array-related rewards, they looked at the Dao Court's grading standards for arrays. Competing with Mo Hua were all pure "second-grade initial level" and "second-grade middle level" array masters. These array masters were all senior brothers and sisters who were several grades above him. While Mo Hua himself had only passed the first-grade array master grading, holding the title of "first-grade array master", others simply didn't look at him. Even if Mo Hua marked himself as "skilled in arrays", absolutely no one believed it. Full of skills, with nowhere to use them. Mo Hua sighed helplessly. He could only turn back and accept some "small orders" for first-grade arrays.

These small orders were all first-grade arrays, and basically no one accepted them because the merits given were too few, and second-grade array masters looked down on them. The majority of first-grade array masters were just entry disciples, and most of them hadn't even opened the permissions of the Tai Xu Order. So this type of order was only accepted by a very small number of senior brothers and sisters who were just learning second-grade arrays, taking them as practice. Mo Hua, with the name of "first-grade array master" graded by the Dao Court, used it to accept rewards for first-grade arrays, which seemed very "weighty". He also wasn't polite, his divine sense quickly swept over, and whenever there were rewards with the words "first-grade arrays", he clicked on it and left his big name: "Mo Hua!"

After a while, the Tai Xu Order trembled slightly, seemingly with a prompt. Mo Hua's divine sense took a look, and indeed, some reward applications had been accepted, while some "shortsighted" ones still rejected him. Mo Hua hummed once. Today you ignore me, tomorrow you will not be able to climb high enough to reach me! It wasn't because "the tiger has fallen into the plains", who would accept the rewards for these first-grade arrays ah?

Then Mo Hua swept the "rewards list" again and applied for several more first-grade array rewards. After a while, several were agreed to, and several were rejected. Mo Hua counted them, totaling only six sets of first-grade array rewards. He still wanted to receive some more, but his divine sense moved and no text manifested. Mo Hua thought for a bit and roughly understood. This was the upper limit for rewards. A disciple could only accept a maximum of six sets of rewards at a time. Mo Hua felt a bit of pity. "But six sets is also okay, let's draw them first..."

Mo Hua put the Tai Xu Order into his storage bag, then got up and left his disciple dwelling, and according to the Tai Xu Gate map in his mind, found the location of the "Merit Pavilion". The Tai Xu's Merit Pavilion was the place that managed the merit system, used to uniformly handle the issuance of rewards, acceptance of rewards, and matters related to receiving rewards. Sect rewards were to be accepted in the Tai Xu Order. But some necessary procedures and the receipt of rewards had to be done in person at the Merit Pavilion. Drawing arrays was also the same. Mo Hua went to the Merit Pavilion to receive the pens, ink, paper, and basic array diagrams. Of course, for simple arrays or arrays with special requirements, others would provide the array diagrams. For slightly more difficult or rare arrays, the person drawing the arrays had to find ways to get the array diagrams themselves.

Inside the Merit Pavilion, there were many disciples coming and going, busy. Mo Hua waited in line for a while, and when it was his turn, he ran to the counter, showed his Tai Xu Order, and said: "Elder, I am here to accept array rewards." The Merit Elder was also an old grandpa, with white and gray hair, but chubby. He verified Mo Hua's Tai Xu Order. Although he had some doubts, he still took out six storage bags and handed them to Mo Hua. Inside the storage bags were the pens, ink, and array diagrams to be used for the rewards. Mo Hua received the storage bags, turned around, and was about to leave.

"Wait..." The Merit Elder stared at Mo Hua for a glance and couldn't help but ask: "How old are you?" "Fifteen!" "Fifteen..." The Merit Elder frowned, "Then you should have just entered, less than a year, how can you use the Tai Xu Order to accept tasks?" Mo Hua pushed everything to Old Mister Xun, "Old Mister Xun told me to do tasks, earn merits, and learn arrays!" The Merit Elder was startled, "Old Mister Xun?" Strange... Didn't that old man always stick to the rules? How did he start breaking them? The Merit Elder stared at Mo Hua again, seeing his small stature and carrying six storage bags, couldn't help but ask: "Can you finish drawing six sets of arrays for me?" "Yes!" Mo Hua said, "I draw arrays very fast!" Draw arrays fast? So small, how fast can he draw? The Merit Elder shook his head, didn't ask anything else, waved his hand, "Alright, go draw, don't be greedy, otherwise you won't finish the tasks and your reputation will be bad..." "Yes, Elder." Mo Hua promised.

The Merit Elder watched Mo Hua leave, not taking it to heart. But after an hour, Mo Hua came back again and put six storage bags on the table. "Elder, I have finished drawing." The Merit Elder was startled. Finished drawing? He spread out the storage bags, and inside were indeed all first-grade arrays. Some used paper as a medium, and some used array disks or spiritual tool embryos as array mediums. Every set of arrays was neat and strict, conforming to the standards, without the slightest deviation. "Really drew so fast..." The Merit Elder was a bit surprised, but thinking about it, he didn't feel anything. After all, they were just first-grade arrays. The Merit Elder swept with his divine sense and nodded, "Indeed, they are all completed. Six sets of first-grade arrays, a total of nineteen points of merit, already added to your Tai Xu Order."

Mo Hua was delighted and entered the Tai Xu with his divine sense. He indeed found a small number under his name: Nineteen. This meant that he had already earned nineteen points of merit. "Alright, you..." The Merit Elder originally wanted to say "you can leave", but Mo Hua immediately said: "Elder, wait..." Mo Hua's divine sense sank into the Tai Xu Order, and a moment later, he lifted his head, handed the Tai Xu Order to the Merit Elder, "I'll accept several more..." The Merit Elder's eyelids twitched slightly. This little kid didn't follow the rules... Where could he accept tasks like this? And you're so young, accepting so many arrays, aren't you afraid of excessive consumption of divine sense... The Merit Elder hesitated for a moment, seeing Mo Hua full of energy and not looking tired, so he didn't say anything and handed several more storage bags to Mo Hua. Mo Hua walked away happily. The Merit Elder watched him leave and also silently remembered his name on the Tai Xu Order.

After that, Mo Hua continued to draw arrays. But the merit value of first-grade arrays was too low, mostly around three or four points, and it was too slow to accumulate. While the arrays he wanted to exchange for, such as fifteen-pattern and sixteen-pattern arrays, each set of array diagrams required several hundred merits. Fortunately, Mo Hua drew fast, and at the beginning, the progress was not bad. But gradually, his plan to save merits was stuck again. One reason was that he still had to attend cultivation classes, so it was impossible to draw every day. Even when he did draw, it was at most one hour. He also had to practice the fifteen-pattern Rain Ze array to enhance his divine sense, so he didn't have much time. Another reason was that in the Tai Xu Order, there were increasingly fewer rewards for first-grade arrays. Tai Xu Gate disciples were all above Foundation Establishment, so the demand for first-grade arrays was originally not much. Mo Hua drew extremely fast, five or six sets at a time, and accepted many, so very quickly, the rewards for first-grade arrays were almost accepted by him. What was left was scattered, maybe only one or two rewards a day. Mo Hua wasn't necessarily able to accept them either. Calculating, the income was only two or three points of merit a day. Like a turtle crawling. Saving for a year, he might not be able to exchange for one set of fifteen-pattern arrays. Mo Hua sighed, furrowed his brows, and thought: "No good, this is too slow, I need to find a way to do some other tasks, quickly save merits, and exchange for arrays..." "But how to do it..."

Mo Hua was at a loss for ideas for a while, so he just sank his divine sense into the Tai Xu Order, flipped through the "rewards list", researched for many days, and finally discovered a reliable method. His realm was low, and his seniority was shallow, so he couldn't accept rewards. But, he could "mix" rewards! Some rewards could not be completed by one person. After being accepted by a leading disciple, three or four disciples would be grouped together to complete it. After completion, the merit values would be allocated according to contributions. There would be some differences, but not big ones. Mo Hua looked at some difficult tasks, with rewards of several hundred, if he "mixed" in, he could at least get a good few dozen points of merit. This was equivalent to drawing first-grade arrays for a month. Mo Hua's eyes brightened, and he did it as he said. On the Tai Xu Order's rewards list, some recruitment messages would be attached. Someone had accepted a reward and needed to recruit people to complete it together. Mo Hua flipped back and forth, searched for a long time, his divine sense was numb, and finally found a task suitable for him to "mix" in on a recruitment message: "Fifth month ninth day, second-grade Dian Cang state, pursuing a criminal cultivator..." "This criminal cultivator is proficient in arrays, good at setting up arrays, not easy to deal with." "Need to invite a fellow array master to assist, second-grade initial level is best, if the arrays are exquisite and have self-protection power, first-grade is also acceptable..." "After the matter is successful, merits will be allocated according to contributions, starting from one hundred points..."

Mo Hua looked carefully again. "Have self-protection power", "first-grade is also acceptable"... Wasn't this just talking about him? And starting from one hundred points of merit! Mo Hua was joyful in his heart, and then properly left his name on the recruitment: "Mo Hua." Afterwards, he thought for a bit and added in the back: "Will conceal, has self-protection power..." "Very skilled in arrays!"

(End of this chapter)