Chapter 827: Eight Trigrams Eight Gates

"Give it to you?" Xia Diansi looked at Mo Hua with surprise and couldn't help but say, "Are you an array master too?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Mo Hua replied.

Xia Diansi sized up Mo Hua and shook her head slightly.

Mo Hua was truly too young for his age.

Array masters who had truly learned the craft, even if they didn't have a full head of white hair, were mostly middle-aged or older.

Some array path prodigies, although young, could achieve decent array techniques, but their lack of experience was a major drawback.

With insufficient experience, they often only knew the theory.

The cases handled by the Dao Court Si that involved array techniques were all real-world problems.

To solve them effectively, experience was often more important than talent.

This time, the array technique encountered was relatively complex, integrated with a small island, and involved the attack and defense of numerous cultivators, making rich array technique experience and insight even more crucial.

As for Mo Hua...

Xia Diansi stared at Mo Hua, frowning.

If he hadn't said it himself, others would basically not be able to tell that he was an array master.

Moreover, at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage, even if he had some array technique talent, he could at most draw some initial-level second-grade array techniques with twelve or thirteen patterns.

That kind of array technique was not useful.

And not only that...

Xia Diansi sighed, "Setting up array techniques to catch water bandits is not as simple as just knowing how to draw them."

"From the current situation, it's estimated that we still need to customize a batch of array media to match the array technique..."

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, "I have a way for this too!"

"You..." Xia Diansi frowned, "Aren't you a loose cultivator?"

"Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "But my connections are still pretty good, I know people, a little bit more, among which there happens to be a third-grade weapon refiner."

Xia Diansi was silent, turned her head to look at Gu Changhuai, and found that Gu Changhuai was calmly drinking tea, his attitude suggesting he was tacitly approving of Mo Hua's words, which immediately surprised her.

Gu Changhuai was a person with a bad temper and a proud nature, especially his sharp tongue.

But now, when Mo Hua spoke, he didn't show the slightest opposition or objection.

This explained that he had absolute trust in Mo Hua, at least in terms of his array technique ability...

Xia Diansi was very puzzled.

What kind of array technique ability could a small cultivator in the Foundation Establishment mid-stage possess to make Gu Changhuai, a Gold Core cultivator from an aristocratic family background serving as a Diansi in the fifth-grade Dao Court Si, so convinced?

Xia Diansi really wanted to agree to Mo Hua and see if he truly had such array technique strength.

But this matter was crucially important.

If it was messed up, she might not be able to explain it to her uncle when she went back.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Mo Hua was also very understanding, thought for a bit, and then said:

"Sister Xia, how about I take some time to draw the array diagram first and send it to you to see? If you feel it's no problem, then I'll go customize the array cores and start arranging and setting up the array technique."

"This..." Xia Diansi pondered for a moment and nodded, "That's okay, but perhaps there isn't that much time."

"One day is enough, I'll send it to you tomorrow!"

Mo Hua swore.

"One day?"

Xia Diansi looked astonished and said with some disbelief, "That's not enough time, is it?"

"One day is just enough!" Mo Hua tried his best to persuade her.

Catching the water Yanluo was a matter of great importance to him, and he wasn't at ease entrusting it to others.

Xia Diansi then slowly nodded, "Okay then, I'll look at it after you finish drawing the array diagram."

She left some room, not considering it a true agreement.

Mo Hua didn't mind either, but he thought of something and said again: "There's still one problem...Customizing spiritual tools might require quite a few spirit stones."

Xia Diansi said: "The Dao Court Si will reimburse you."

Mo Hua's expression brightened, and he laughed, "Good!"

He had once again secured a large order for Master Gu's side.

After that, Mo Hua no longer wasted time, said goodbye, and returned to Tai Xu Gate to start designing the array diagram to surround and hunt the water bandits.

Xia Diansi gazed at Mo Hua's departing figure, turned her head to look at Gu Changhuai, and asked:

"Are you really at ease entrusting the array technique matter to Mo Hua?"

Gu Changhuai raised his eyebrows slightly.

What else?

I don't know how to draw either, so who else would I entrust it to?

But he wouldn't say such words that elevated Mo Hua's status and diminished his own.

"Does your Xia family have a trustworthy array master in the Qian Xue state boundary?" Gu Changhuai asked.

Xia Diansi nodded, "Yes, they are array masters raised by my Xia family."

"Third-grade?"

"Third-grade array masters are not easy to invite, and for this kind of matter, second-grade is enough," Xia Diansi said.

"That's it," Gu Changhuai said lightly, "If it's just a second-grade array master, you might as well directly find Mo Hua. If he can't solve it, the probability is high that others won't be able to either."

Xia Diansi was slightly stunned.

After Gu Changhuai finished speaking, he stood up and left.

Xia Diansi silently watched Gu Changhuai leave, her expression slightly moved.

She had previously thought that Mo Hua was Gu Changhuai's nephew or something, which was why Gu Changhuai, despite his bad temper, still tried to tolerate him.

But now it seemed the situation was not the same at all.

Gu Changhuai very likely greatly valued this child, Mo Hua, even treating him as an equal...

Although she said that, she couldn't possibly really entrust the key to exterminating the water bandits to Mo Hua, this small cultivator she had only met a few times.

After going back, Xia Diansi also contacted a few second-grade array masters from the Xia family.

She didn't specifically explain what the matter was, she just showed them the array technique diagram near the small island.

But before these Xia family array masters could figure out any clues, Mo Hua had already handed the planned array diagram to Xia Diansi through Gu Changhuai.

Xia Diansi only glanced at it, and her pupils immediately constricted.

Taking advantage of Mo Hua's free time after class, she specially arranged to meet him in Tai Xu City.

Mo Hua explained some of his array technique ideas to her:

"I went back and spent some time researching, conveniently checked some array technique classics, and also consulted and confirmed with the sect teacher..."

"The array technique on the small island is a special kind of Eight Trigrams Eight Doors array."

"This array technique follows the positions of the Post-Heaven Eight Trigrams, Li above, Kan below, Zhen left, Dui right, Xun Kun as shoulders, Gen Qian as feet. Each trigram corresponds to a position, and each position is set with a corresponding Eight Trigrams array, as well as a door."

"With this array technique forming a barrier, it has the triple functions of defense, trapping, and escaping."

"If the enemy doesn't attack, this set of array techniques is used for defense."

"If the enemy breaks the array technique and attacks, the array technique is activated, the positions are confused, the Eight Trigrams circulate, and it will borrow the array technique patterns to trap the enemy."

"Even if the enemy cannot be trapped in the end, they can still escape."

"This set of array techniques leaves eight doors. The eight doors circulate, and the birth door changes constantly. In other words, it is equivalent to having eight birth doors, enough for them to escape alive in the chaos."

"Therefore, to break this array technique, there are three key points: one is to find a way to break in, two is to not be trapped, and three is to block the birth door and not let people escape..."

Mo Hua spoke clearly and narrated leisurely.

Xia Diansi looked at Mo Hua somewhat in a daze.

She also understood some array techniques, and compared to Gu Changhuai, she was actually quite a bit stronger.

She could mostly draw some common second-grade mid-level array techniques.

She could also draw a few second-grade high-level ones, but not many, and her strokes were a bit rusty.

But listening to Mo Hua's words at this time, she actually felt that her own second-grade array techniques seemed to have been learned in vain...

This kind of understanding of array techniques required practicing second-grade array techniques to a sufficient level of proficiency, especially researching the theory of Eight Trigrams array techniques thoroughly enough.

Otherwise, not to mention deducing the circulation of the birth door, just recognizing the Eight Trigrams array techniques within would take quite some effort.

Xia Diansi then believed that Mo Hua was not lying.

But at the same time, she also found it a bit hard to believe.

When did the array technique level of the sect disciples in the Qian Xue state boundary become this high?

This level, even in Dao State, could be considered an array path prodigy among ten thousand.

Even in the Xia family, which had a long inheritance and deep foundation, disciples of this age who could research array techniques to this level were few and far between.

Xia Diansi was in a daze for a moment and sighed.

She turned her head back, looked at Mo Hua solemnly again, nodded, and said:

"Okay, I'll leave the array technique matter to you, but for customizing spiritual tools, there's only three days' time, can your side make it?"

Mo Hua said: "Time is a bit tight, but it should be enough."

Xia Diansi nodded and said: "I'll go gather manpower, if your side is fine, we'll take action in three days."

"Okay!" Mo Hua nodded.

After that, Mo Hua discussed some details about the array technique with Xia Diansi, and then returned to the sect.

After returning to the sect, the first thing he did was ask for leave from Old Mister Xun.

Old Mister Xun seemed to know something and didn't ask more, just admonished Mo Hua: "Be careful and don't take risks."

"Okay, Old Mister."

Mo Hua promised.

This time, he was following behind the Dao Court and participating, so he didn't need to take risks himself.

After asking for leave, Mo Hua went to Gu Shan City and found Master Gu.

"There's a big order, we need to refine some spiritual tools like iron chains, water nets, and traps. Within two days, as many as possible."

Mo Hua had already communicated with Master Gu beforehand, so Master Gu was not surprised at this time, just asked: "Very urgent?"

"Very urgent."

"Okay."

Master Gu nodded, then instructed below, "All the people in the refining workshop, stop what you're doing, follow Young Master's instructions, and rush to produce this batch of spiritual tools and array cores day and night."

"These two days, the fire will not be extinguished, and there will always be someone in front of the furnace."

A group of burly refining disciples all responded:

"Yes!"

They owed a favor to Mo Hua's refining workshop.

If Mo Hua hadn't brought them the method of refining tools, they would still be like before, not having steady work and even having difficulty getting enough to eat.

At this time, they had work to do every day, and their hands were much more abundant, able to eat some meat and drink some wine, all thanks to Mo Hua.

Therefore, upon hearing Mo Hua asking for their help, everyone was energized.

Moreover, this was itself a big business, and if it was completed, they could also earn quite a few spirit stones.

The refining workshop was bustling with activity for a time.

Everyone rushed to work wholeheartedly. Two days later, they had refined a total of more than 150 sets of array cores and spiritual tools.

Mo Hua then drew array techniques on them overnight.

Because these array cores and spiritual tools were of different sizes, the engraved array techniques varied in shape and grade, so the actual number wasn't really over a hundred.

But despite this, if not a hundred, there were still eighty or ninety.

Mo Hua drew for a full day and night, drawing until his head was dizzy and swollen, his divine sense almost depleted several times, and his sea of consciousness even faintly ached.

Fortunately, he still managed to finish in time.

After refining the array techniques, Mo Hua checked them one by one, confirmed there were no problems, and then informed Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi also came to the refining workshop to verify them. She found that the array cores were fine, the array techniques were precise, each stroke and painting was like it was carved by a mold, and not a bit could be added or subtracted, which also made her feel emotional.

But she also didn't quite understand:

"It's normal for spiritual tools refined with a mold to be identical, but how are these array techniques also identical in every stroke and painting?"

Because they were all drawn by the same person...

Mo Hua said silently in his heart.

But on the surface, he still said: "Perhaps it's because the array masters who drew these array techniques were all from the same master."

"So that's how it is..."

Xia Diansi nodded.

She basically didn't think that these array techniques were drawn by Mo Hua alone in such a short time.

The array techniques and spiritual tools were all prepared, and Xia Diansi's manpower was also gathered.

With everything ready, three days later, they took action under the cover of night and set off for Yan Shui River.

Mo Hua also naturally followed.

Xia Diansi didn't really want to bring Mo Hua, "This time it's a melee with water bandits, it's relatively dangerous, you shouldn't come."

"If I don't come, who will guide you?" Mo Hua asked.

"This..." Xia Diansi hesitated for a moment, then asked with half-belief and half-doubt, "That little river god? Can it guide us?"

"Didn't you see?" Mo Hua said, "If you don't see it, how can it lead the way for you?"

Xia Diansi was speechless.

Although she roughly remembered the path at that time, now that a big battle was imminent, there could be no negligence, and relying solely on her memory was after all not too reliable.

"Okay then, you can come, but you must pay attention to your own safety," Xia Diansi compromised.

"Good! Sister Xia, don't worry," Mo Hua said.

He himself had already made full preparations. Unless there was an accident, there shouldn't be any problems.

Gu Changhuai, who was at the side, didn't advise him either.

He and Mo Hua were also considered "old acquaintances" and knew Mo Hua's nature. As long as this kid wanted to do something, he wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal, so advising him was useless.

As for Mo Hua's safety...

Gu Changhuai still clearly remembered how Fire Buddha died.

After everything was in order, everyone hurried through the night and arrived at a desolate ferry on the bank of Yan Shui River.

Not long after, teams of cultivators arrived one after another.

They wore black clothes, covered their faces, had deep breaths, and steady steps. After arriving at the ferry in batches, they saluted Xia Diansi.

These were cultivators from the Xia family.

To cover their tracks, they didn't act together but scattered first. They waited until night fell and then gathered at the ferry in batches.

After a while, quite a few cultivators had gathered nearby.

There were an estimated three hundred or more.

Among them, more than two hundred were from the Xia family.

Another less than one hundred were from the Gu family.

These people, without exception, all had water attribute spiritual roots, were proficient in water nature techniques and Dao methods, and had certain water skills.

Finding people wasn't difficult, but finding cultivators with water spiritual roots and certain water skills was difficult.

Among the Gu family, there were probably only about eighty people who met the standards for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The others either didn't meet the conditions or had other tasks and couldn't come.

The Xia family was much stronger.

Although this was in the Qian Xue state boundary, the Xia family's connections still allowed them to gather more than two hundred people, and their cultivations were not bad, and their experience was also rich.

"More than three hundred, that should be enough..."

Mo Hua said silently in his heart.

But Xia Diansi was unmoved, seemingly still waiting for something.

Mo Hua then said strangely: "Sister Xia, are there still people coming?"

Xia Diansi originally didn't let Mo Hua call her "sister," but after being called that many times, she got used to it and didn't care about the titles for a while.

She nodded, "There are still people coming."

Mo Hua frowned, somewhat not understanding.

Who else would come?

But Xia Diansi didn't say, so he could only wait silently. After a while, shadows moved in the dark night, and another group of cultivators arrived.

This group of cultivators traveled quietly through the night, rushing straight to the ferry.

Xia Diansi's expression was as usual, obviously having expected them long ago.

When they walked to the front of the ferry, the person leading them took off his face covering, revealed his face, and saluted Xia Diansi with a bow, "Greetings, Diansi Xia."

This person was very young, in the Foundation Establishment peak cultivation.

Mo Hua glanced at his face, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

This person was unexpectedly...

Xiao Tianquan?!

That direct descendant heavenly prodigy of the Xiao family who was earning merits in the Dao Court Si, Xiao Tianquan!

Mo Hua's thoughts were somewhat chaotic for a time.

"How could it be Xiao Tianquan? Did he betray the Xiao family? No..."

Mo Hua again sized up the people behind Xiao Tianquan and found that their eyebrows, eyes, temperament, and every move all carried obvious Dao Court Si style.

These people were all executive officers of the Xiao family.

Mo Hua's eyelids twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but look towards Gu Changhuai at the side.

Gu Changhuai frowned, his gaze heavy, obviously not expecting these helpers to be from the Xiao family.

Xia Diansi nodded slightly, asked: "Are all the people here?"

Xiao Tianquan respectfully said: "Replying to Diansi's words, the one hundred and twelve people from the Xiao family have all arrived, respectfully awaiting Diansi's instructions."

"Good," Xia Diansi nodded, "You all know the plan. Later everyone will board the ships and follow me to the depths of Yan Shui River to surround and annihilate the water bandits and eliminate this scourge."

Xiao Tianquan cupped his hands and said: "Obey orders!"

After that, he raised his head and looked at Gu Changhuai with a sharp gaze, but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned around to convey commands to the Xiao family cultivators.

Gu Changhuai's face sank, and he also didn't say a word.

After that, everyone moved. The Xia family cultivators launched spiritual boats into the water, totaling more than thirty ships.

Then everyone boarded the ships in an orderly manner according to the instructions.

Xia Diansi's ship was in the front, and Gu Changhuai was also with her.

Mo Hua needed to lead the way, so he was also on this ship.

Xiao Tianquan, on the other hand, obviously also wanted to board the ship with Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Trouble Executive Officer Xiao, please lead the people from the Xiao family and bring up the rear."

Xiao Tianquan understood and nodded, cupped his hands, said "Yes," and then went to the back ship.

Everyone boarded the ships, and the more than thirty spiritual boats then set off quietly under the cover of night.

Mo Hua pointed the way in front.

All the other cultivators followed behind.

The night was quiet, and the water surface was calm, with only the gurgling sound of water flowing as the ships moved forward.

They were silent all the way. When they were halfway there, Gu Changhuai finally couldn't help but ask Xia Diansi:

"How could it be the Xiao family?"

His voice wasn't loud, carrying doubt, and also a trace of questioning.

Mo Hua immediately perked up his ears.

"What about the Xiao family?"

Xia Diansi's tone was flat, not thinking much of it.

Gu Changhuai frowned, "You really don't know?"

Gui Shui Gate and the Xiao family were originally grasshoppers on the same rope, closely tied to each other.

Xia Diansi was silent for a moment, obviously having some things she couldn't say.

But looking at Gu Changhuai's clear and questioning eyes, she thought for a while and finally slowly opened her mouth:

"The Xiao family has already defected to my Xia family..."

"This matter, from the beginning, was the Xiao family secretly reporting many improper behaviors of Gui Shui Gate to my uncle, and only then did the Dao Court investigate Gui Shui Gate head-on."

Gu Changhuai's gaze trembled.

Mo Hua, who was eavesdropping in front, also slightly inhaled a cool breath.

Good heavens, this internal spy from the Xiao family unexpectedly "switched sides."

Before, they were still "intimate" with Gui Shui Gate, and in a backhand, they stabbed them with a knife...