Chapter 513: Oxen and Horses

Chapter 515: Oxen and Horses

First came the design of the mine.

This large-scale mine needed not only to open the mountains and connect the terrain but also to establish a rigorously structured and fully functional array system.

Which mountains to open, how to connect them.

Which arrays to construct, how to arrange them.

All of this had to be carefully considered.

Mo Hua first referred to historical maps of mines, studying the structure of several mines, large and small, outside Nanyue City.

Then he consulted the elders of several noble families and sects.

These elders’ clans or sects also had mining operations.

They had experience managing cultivation-related businesses, guarding mines, or even participating in their construction.

When Mo Hua asked them, none held back any knowledge.

It was both to provide some benefits for these impoverished mining cultivators and to show gratitude for the life-saving favor of Mo Hua suppressing the Corpse King and quelling the plague of corpses.

After familiarizing himself with the mine structures, Mo Hua spent several days drafting a large-scale array blueprint.

Inside the mine, a grand array was neither necessary nor feasible.

Grand arrays are immense and unified.

But the arrays in a mine are fragmented.

They need to serve multiple functions, be as simple, sturdy, and durable as possible, and be easy to repair if damaged.

If he had made a grand array, once it broke, after Mo Hua left, almost no one could fix it.

Therefore, the arrays in the mine were merely clusters of smaller arrays, including some simple single-use arrays.

Simple, foundational, and practical.

Yet the workload was far from small.

At the same time, Mo Hua incorporated the underlying structure of the Five Elements Demon-Slaying Grand Array, using the principles of the Five Elements’ interactions to streamline and optimize these scattered arrays.

This made the arrays clearer and more concise, while removing redundant arrays and reducing some costs.

Although many arrays were used in the mine, their difficulty was not high.

Mo Hua didn’t even need to show them to Mister Zhuang; he only showed them to Bai Zixi. The two of them checked the array patterns, organized the array pivots, and filled in gaps—it was enough to complete the design.

Then he took them to the Dao Court’s array masters for discussion, after which everything was finalized.

Many arrays were involved. Although Mo Hua was fast at drawing arrays, one person alone couldn’t complete everything, so the Dao Court array masters helped.

They all agreed.

After Mo Hua left, an elder array master sighed in admiration: “These arrays are well constructed…”

A young array master, puzzled, asked, “They’re just ordinary arrays, nothing special, right?”

The elder glared at him: “You don’t understand. To use ordinary arrays well is the hardest part.”

He pointed to the array diagrams on the table: “These arrays may seem simple, but their layouts are concise and complementary. Add one and it’s excessive, remove one and it’s insufficient. To achieve this requires a deep foundation and solid basics…”

The elder praised Mo Hua at length.

The young array master nodded but remained skeptical.

After all, simple arrays are just simple arrays; even used skillfully, they are still just ordinary.

The elder shook his head.

Yun Shaoye, looking at the arrays, was silent, frowning in thought.

He was a second-rank array master, with a profound family legacy, so he saw deeper.

These arrays looked simple, yet they had grandeur, as if derived from… a grand array?

Grand arrays simplify the complex into the whole; these arrays, conversely, simplify the complex.

The design was ingenious, but…

Yun Shaoye couldn’t understand why only basic and simple arrays were used.

Why not stronger, first-rank, or even higher arrays?

A few days later, when Mo Hua began drawing arrays, Yun Shaoye shyly approached him.

Mo Hua was focused on drawing, and seeing Yun Shaoye, he curiously asked:

“Yun Shaoye, what’s on your mind?”

In Nanyue City, he was the only second-rank array master among the Dao Court’s forces, and also very young, so Mo Hua knew him.

But previously, during the Corpse Tide, time was urgent, and they hadn’t spoken much, so they weren’t familiar.

Yun Shaoye, caught by Mo Hua’s innocent, wide eyes, was somewhat flustered but finally composed himself and asked his question:

“These arrays—there must be better choices, right? Why did you choose the most basic ones?”

Mo Hua said: “Because these arrays are meant to be used.”

“Used?” Yun Shaoye was slightly stunned.

Mo Hua nodded: “My master taught me, arrays must be practical…”

“The arrays in this world may look a certain way on paper, but in practice, situations vary greatly.”

Yun Shaoye thought for a moment.

Mo Hua sighed slightly and continued: “This is a mine. The arrays inside are for mining cultivators.”

“They are very poor.”

“Using advanced arrays would be more effective, but if they broke, no one could repair them.”

“Even if they could repair them, they couldn’t afford it.”

“So simple, durable, sturdy, and easy-to-repair arrays are the best for them.”

Yun Shaoye was stunned.

No one had ever spoken to him like this.

All array masters pursued higher, more complex arrays to improve their skill and future prospects.

Almost no one considered teaching ordinary cultivators the most basic arrays…

He had never realized it himself.

Suddenly, Yun Shaoye felt a little embarrassed.

Mo Hua noticed and was surprised.

He had expected Yun Shaoye, a young second-rank array master, to be proud and aloof, but he turned out so shy and tender-skinned.

Probably had stayed in his family, rarely venturing out.

Yun Shaoye seemed to hesitate, wanting to say something, but his thoughts were mostly written on his face.

Mo Hua saw and asked: “Do you want to ask something?”

After a pause, Yun Shaoye spoke apologetically: “Perhaps it’s a bit forward…”

“Go ahead,” Mo Hua said.

He finally asked:

“The arrays on the Corpse King—did you draw them? Are they… absolute arrays?”

Mo Hua nodded honestly: “Yes!”

Although he had guessed, Yun Shaoye was still shocked.

Other cultivators, and even some array masters, might not understand the significance of an absolute array.

Qi-Refiner, eighth level.

Mastering a first-rank, twelve-pattern absolute array.

This defied conventional wisdom for an array master.

Yun Shaoye felt somewhat disheartened.

In the Yun family, even across the entire prefecture, he was considered a genius in arrays.

Yet now he realized:

Even among geniuses, there are immense differences.

Some are prodigies bordering on the uncanny.

He looked at Mo Hua’s youthful face and sighed.

This was a little prodigy.

Seeing Yun Shaoye’s expression, Mo Hua asked softly:

“Do you know what array this is?”

Yun Shaoye honestly shook his head: “Which array?”

“The Spiritual-Pivot Array,” Mo Hua said.

“Spiritual-Pivot Array…”

Yun Shaoye repeated it a few times, nodding in admiration: “Truly an absolute array. Even the name is extraordinary…”

“Well…” Mo Hua blinked teasingly: “Do you want to learn it?”

Yun Shaoye’s heart skipped a beat, his mouth opening in surprise.

He thought Mo Hua was teasing, but seeing his clear gaze, he suppressed his excitement and nodded slowly: “Yes…”

No array master can resist the allure of an array.

Mo Hua smiled: “Then I’ll teach you.”

Yun Shaoye was even more surprised: “You’re willing to teach me?”

“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded. “Arrays need to be passed down to endure. If treasured selfishly, even the most precious arrays will eventually vanish.”

“Once lost, even the rarest array is useless.”

“Since you want to learn, I’ll teach you. But you must promise not to use it for evil.”

Yun Shaoye eagerly nodded: “I promise!”

“There’s one more thing…” Mo Hua continued. “Once you learn it, you’ll help me with something.”

“Help?” Yun Shaoye was taken aback.

“Yes!” Mo Hua’s eyes sparkled. “I’m building something controlled by the Spiritual-Pivot Array. One person can’t handle it all; I need your help.”

This was planned long ago.

Human effort has limits.

Even though he was skilled in arrays, many things couldn’t be done alone and would take much time.

With help, it’s different.

Moreover, this required the Spiritual-Pivot Array.

A first-rank, twelve-pattern absolute array with complex patterns and high divine-sense requirements. Few in Nanyue City could learn it.

But Yun Shaoye should be able to.

He was a second-rank array master, a prodigy with sufficient divine-sense and comprehension.

Mo Hua had had him in mind for some time.

Now that he offered, Mo Hua could conveniently enlist his help.

“Sure…” Yun Shaoye thought, curious: “But what exactly do you need help with?”

“Drawing arrays.”

“The mine arrays?”

“And some others; you’ll see later…”

Mo Hua left him in suspense.

Thus, Yun Shaoye naturally became Mo Hua’s “assistant.”

The mine required preliminary arrays, constructing the array framework, and filling in basic arrays.

Then the zombies would open the mine.

After excavation, the remaining arrays would be completed.

The arrays were varied.

They included defensive arrays, earth-stabilizing arrays, lighting arrays, ventilation arrays, purification arrays, and temporary arrays for monster encounters, like the Golden Blade Array or Earth Prison Array.

Mo Hua taught him the Spiritual-Pivot Array.

Yun Shaoye studied while occasionally helping draw arrays.

Being a second-rank array master, he drew first-rank arrays quickly.

But what shocked him was that Mo Hua drew even faster!

He still needed to consult the diagrams and confirm the patterns,

Yet Mo Hua drew entirely from memory. His pale wrist moved with skill, each stroke forming precise array patterns, seemingly effortless yet orderly, with a special divine aura.

How many times had he drawn this…

Yun Shaoye was amazed, though also relieved.

Even with talent, this kind of painstaking effort was beyond most array masters.

Days passed.

Yun Shaoye’s learning of the Spiritual-Pivot Array was slow.

His divine-sense limited him; he could only practice a few times a day, so the patterns were unfamiliar, and comprehension was slower.

What he could complete in a week, Mo Hua could do in a day or two.

Progress was naturally slower.

When Mo Hua had free time, he also asked Yun Shaoye about second-rank formation theory.

Mo Hua’s current skill already far exceeded that of a first-rank Formation master.

Yet Absolute formations seemed entirely different from second-grade formations.

Mo Hua wanted to know what the threshold was for second-grade formation masters and second-grade formations.

Young Master Yun Shaoye reciprocated the favor wholeheartedly, patiently explaining:

“At second grade, both formation masters and formations are divided into three tiers: low, middle, and high, corresponding to the early, middle, and late stages of Foundation Establishment.”

“My cultivation is only in the early Foundation Establishment stage, so my mastery as a formation master only reaches the low tier of second grade.”

“Second-grade formations are equally difficult to learn; they require significant time and effort.”

“Generally, a formation master’s skill lags behind their own cultivation level.”

“For example, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator is only a first-grade formation master; mid-stage Foundation Establishment corresponds to low-tier second-grade mastery; late-stage Foundation Establishment corresponds to mid-tier second-grade…”

“Someone like me, in the early Foundation Establishment stage, can already reach low-tier second-grade formation mastery, which is considered…”

Young Master Yun intended to say “genius,” but glancing at Mo Hua, he said instead: “…pretty good.”

Mo Hua asked curiously, “Can a Qi-Refining cultivator become a second-grade formation master?”

Young Master Yun shook his head. “No.”

“Because their Divine Sense isn’t strong enough?”

“Usually it’s because their Divine Sense isn’t enough, and there’s another reason: spiritual power.”

“Spiritual power?”

“Yes,” Young Master Yun explained. “Between Qi-Refining and Foundation Establishment, Divine Sense differs in quantity, but spiritual power differs in quality. Likewise, first- and second-grade formations differ not just in formation principles, but also in the quality of spiritual power required to operate them.”

“So, Qi-Refining cultivators can’t learn second-grade formations.”

Mo Hua felt a twinge of regret.

He had hoped that if his Divine Sense were strong enough, he might try learning a second-grade formation.

It seemed the Heavenly Dao’s grade restrictions were strict.

Within the same grade, one could advance faster than others, but no matter how far, one couldn’t surpass the grade…

The Reverse-Spirit Formation, Profound-Earth Formation, and Spiritual-Pivot Formation—though these Absolute formations exceeded the usual standards—still fell under first-grade formations, not second-grade.

Essentially, they weren’t truly “beyond-grade,” but could be considered seriously above one’s tier…

Mo Hua nodded, gaining a clearer understanding of the concept of grade.

He then asked some other questions, which Young Master Yun answered one by one.

Mo Hua was sincere, Yun had little worldly experience and no scheming, and both being formation masters, their conversation became friendly and congenial.

Mo Hua taught Young Master Yun the Spiritual-Pivot Formation.

Grateful and unsure how to repay him, Yun secretly taught Mo Hua some of the Yun family’s heirloom formations.

Mo Hua felt a bit uneasy. “Is that alright?”

Young Master Yun winked. “Just don’t say I taught you.”

Mo Hua paused. That sounded familiar—like Uncle Zhang Lan.

When he learned Zhang family’s Flowing-Water Step, Zhang Lan had similarly instructed him…

After some time, the early-stage formations in the mine were completed, and Yun had a rough grasp of the Spiritual-Pivot Formation.

Mo Hua then awakened the Corpse King, instructing it to lead the Iron Corpses and tens of thousands of walking corpses out of the corpse mine and into various mines.

The zombies, spread across the mountains, obeyed Mo Hua’s command, moving into the mines in an orderly fashion, chiseling tunnels.

The scene was both strange and harmonious.

To prevent the zombies from rebelling, all mine cultivators stayed in Tōngxiān City.

Daoist soldiers were stationed around the perimeter.

Several deeply-cultivated Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Yang Jishan, kept watch, wary of the Corpse King rebelling, attacking its master, and becoming a Dao-Sin.

Within the mines, chaos returned—but this time, the laborers weren’t human cultivators, but zombies.

Their movements were mechanical and repetitive, striking pick after pick, chip by chip, excavating the mines.

They were carving out a home for future generations, a place to eat, dress warmly, and live safely…

Under Mo Hua’s control, the Corpse King no longer transformed, the Iron Corpses obeyed orders, and all walking corpses worked dutifully.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

After more than a month, the mines were completed.

The tunnels connected multiple mines, were vast, spacious, and sturdy; the air was purified, making it safer and slightly more comfortable.

Mo Hua then ordered the zombies to return to the corpse mine to rest.

Formation masters from the Dao Court completed the subsequent formations in the mines according to Mo Hua’s design.

These formations were simple; whether Mo Hua drew them or not made little difference.

He needed to focus on other things.

Mo Hua called Young Master Yun to a workshop in the city.

In the spacious courtyard, wooden models of oxen and horses made from hardwood were displayed.

Young Master Yun looked puzzled. “These are…”

“Puppets,” Mo Hua said. “Draw the Spiritual-Pivot Formation on them, and they can be controlled by Divine Sense to transport ore, reducing miners’ labor and increasing mining efficiency…”

Young Master Yun’s eyes brightened. “So this is the help you wanted from me?”

“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded. “Many Spiritual-Pivot Formations need to be drawn. I can’t finish it alone, so I need your help.”

Younger Master Yun nodded slightly, feeling moved.

This was true mastery—learning a formation and applying it to benefit others…

He had never done something like this before.

“Alright!” Yun said happily.

Then he asked curiously, “Do these puppets have a name?”

“They do!” Mo Hua smiled brightly. “You can call them ‘Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse’!”