Chapter 528: Who Else
Chapter 530: Who Else
“What should we do?”
The three Grand Elders began transmitting their voices through Divine Sense.
“Our Five Elements Sect has already gone first, and having lost two consecutive rounds, we are not suited to fight anymore. Next up should be the Zhenxuan Sect, to test their prodigies against Shen Family’s talents…”
The Grand Elder spoke tactfully.
Sect Leader Chu and the elder from the Shen family understood immediately.
The Five Elements Sect was out of options.
Among the Qi-Refining disciples, those two were already the best they had—and yet they were effortlessly defeated by that young array master.
Unless a Foundation Establishment disciple, first or second rank, stepped up.
Otherwise, sending the remaining weaklings would only bring shame.
But letting a Foundation Establishment disciple fight would be blatant bullying, and saying so would be even more embarrassing.
“Grand Elder, rest assured. What I promise, I deliver,” Sect Leader Chu said, composed and confident.
“Next, let a disciple from the Zhenxuan Sect meet this little array master.”
The Zhenxuan Sect differed from the declining Five Elements Sect.
Though the Five Elements Sect was fading, the Zhenxuan Sect was rising.
There were several array prodigies in the sect, whose talent surpassed even what he himself had possessed in his youth.
Sect Leader Chu glanced at Mo Hua, sitting leisurely at the table in the main hall, and slowly said:
“Little brother, let’s compare first-rank arrays again.”
“First-rank arrays?” Mo Hua asked in confusion. “Haven’t we already compared?”
“This time, we won’t compare who draws better or faster. We’ll compare who draws the more difficult array…”
A gleam of brilliance flashed in Sect Leader Chu’s eyes. “I will send a disciple from the Zhenxuan Sect. Each of you will draw an array. Whichever array is harder, requires stronger Divine Sense, and contains more array patterns, wins.”
Mo Hua nodded. “Who will it be?”
From the crowd, a Zhenxuan Sect disciple in Five Elements Sect robes stepped forward.
Earlier, they had plotted to disguise several prodigies as Five Elements Sect disciples to compete.
But now that Mister Zhuang had revealed the scheme, and with everyone present being sharp-eyed, continuing the disguise would only be self-deception.
The disciple, handsome and well-mannered, cupped his hands.
“I am Chu Xuan, direct disciple of the Zhenxuan Sect.”
Mo Hua also cupped his hands. “Mo Hua…”
He paused, feeling it lacked impact, then added: “…direct disciple of my master!”
He thought this sounded imposing enough.
Chu Xuan, however, found it a bit childish and shook his head slightly.
The two then began drawing their arrays.
Chu Xuan worked with confidence, his brush moving as if guided by divine hands.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, hesitated.
Harder… but what level should he draw at?
A first-rank ten-pattern Spirit-Reversal Array, a first-rank eleven-pattern Profound-Earth Array, or a first-rank twelve-pattern Spirit-Pivot Array?
Drawing too simple might lose.
Drawing too complex might be ostentatious.
True strength is better kept subtle…
Mo Hua discreetly studied Chu Xuan, planning to draw just slightly more difficult than him—enough to win while giving him some face.
But how could he know what level Chu Xuan would draw?
Mo Hua paused, then a light shone in his eyes.
He could calculate it.
After all, they were drawing separately; glancing at his work wasn’t cheating.
Mo Hua observed Chu Xuan, moved his Divine Sense slightly, calculated briefly, and understood.
Though he didn’t know the exact array, the spiritual energy pattern suggested it was above nine patterns, close to ten, but not quite.
It had a hint of an Absolute Array.
But just a hint.
Mo Hua drew Absolute Arrays daily, so he was sensitive to their aura.
This disciple Chu Xuan was drawing an array close to an Absolute Array, but not quite absolute.
Still, very impressive.
One of the most talented first-rank array masters Mo Hua had ever seen.
Such talent should be nurtured, not crushed.
The little Mo Hua felt a sense of “cherishing talent” and nodded slightly, beginning his own array.
…
In the main hall, the Grand Elders watched Chu Xuan, somewhat surprised.
“This is… the Withered Wood Reborn Array?”
Sect Leader Chu nodded. “Correct.”
“The Withered Wood Reborn Array is your Zhenxuan Sect’s ancestral first-rank ten-pattern Absolute Array?” the Shen Family elder frowned.
Sect Leader Chu sighed. “The ancestral version is absolute, but what Xuan’er drew is not.”
He paused, explaining calmly:
“First-rank ten-pattern arrays require Foundation Establishment Divine Sense to learn.”
“A Qi-Refining disciple doesn’t have that, so they can’t learn it at all.”
“Therefore, successive generations of Zhenxuan Sect ancestors worked to simplify this Absolute Array so that Qi-Refining disciples could learn it.”
“Four generations of sect leaders spent countless efforts, and now in my generation, we’ve finally achieved some results.”
His tone was calm, but his face betrayed restrained pride, clearly very pleased.
“Now this array, though weaker, is extremely close to the Absolute Array.”
“More importantly, Qi-Refining disciples can truly learn it.”
“The only caveat is that the Divine Sense required is extremely high, surpassing ordinary first-rank nine-pattern arrays. The difficulty is considerable…”
Sect Leader Chu stroked his beard, sighing.
Though his words were humble, anyone could tell he was showing off.
The Shen Family elder shook his head.
The Grand Elders were envious, jealous, and a bit bitter.
Zhenxuan Sect’s array standards were soaring.
The Five Elements Sect, by contrast, declined… neglecting arrays, relying on mundane prosperity, their glory faded, and decline was inevitable.
Yet they felt slightly reassured.
A Qi-Refining disciple, nearly capable of a first-rank ten-pattern array, peak Divine Sense in Qi-Refining… this contest was highly likely to succeed.
The Five Elements Sect’s legacy might yet be preserved.
The three upper-seat Golden Core Elders each had their own thoughts.
Mister Zhuang remained calm, unmoved.
In the center of the hall, Mo Hua and Chu Xuan each drew their arrays.
After an unknown duration, both finished, sealed their arrays, and submitted them.
The Grand Elder first examined Chu Xuan’s “Withered Wood Reborn Array,” his expression filled with awe.
It was a “pseudo-Absolute Array.”
A near-Absolute first-rank array.
A ladder for Qi-Refining disciples to touch arrays beyond their rank.
A Qi-Refining disciple capable of drawing this array must naturally be gifted.
But simplifying it and making it usable reflected a sect’s array heritage.
However, for the current Five Elements Sect, it meant nothing…
The Grand Elder sighed, then glanced at Mo Hua’s array. Just one look made his hands tremble…
Sect Leader Chu and the Shen Family elder noticed the Grand Elder’s reaction, looked over, and their eyes shifted from his shocked face to the array in his hands, all hearts jolting.
Ten patterns!
An Absolute Array?!
This little kid can draw an Absolute Array?!
And it’s not a simplified version.
It’s genuine, complete, with ten patterns!
The three faces grew serious.
“This is… an Absolute Array?”
“First-rank ten-pattern, undoubtedly Absolute Array.”
“What Absolute Array?”
Sect Leader Chu frowned. “Our Zhenxuan Sect has no such legacy, so we can’t tell…”
The Shen Family elder transmitted through Divine Sense, voice trembling:
“To draw a first-rank ten-pattern array… does this mean this little kid, only Qi-Refining, has Foundation Establishment Divine Sense?”
Sect Leader Chu’s heart skipped a beat.
Cultivation has limits.
Qi-Refining cultivators refine spiritual energy to form Divine Sense, constrained by Heaven’s Dao.
He had never seen a Qi-Refining disciple possess Foundation Establishment-level Divine Sense.
At most, it’s only heard of in near-legend.
The Grand Elder pondered, then shook his head. “Not necessarily…”
“How so?” Sect Leader Chu asked.
The Grand Elder frowned. “Qi-Refining to Foundation Establishment Divine Sense isn’t so easy. Even Mister Zhuang, a prodigy, never broke through in Divine Sense…”
“I suspect this young disciple can draw a first-rank ten-pattern array because, like Mister Zhuang, he learned that legacy!”
The Shen Family elder asked, “What legacy?”
The Grand Elder’s gaze grew solemn. “The innate highest legacy of array arts, which integrates all array sources and streams, achieving total comprehension!”
Sect Leader Chu and the Shen Family elder drew in sharp breaths.
The Grand Elder’s heart sank.
He had misjudged!
He had thought this young array master was only for opening the battle. Even as a first-rank array master, his skill would be average, not worthy of Mister Zhuang’s special attention.
Now, it was a huge mistake!
This young array master’s array talent was extraordinary, and his array power extremely strong!
He could even receive Mister Zhuang’s authentic, supreme innate array legacy!
Clearly, this young master was highly favored by Mister Zhuang.
And he was only the junior brother. Above him were a senior brother and sister.
If he can draw a first-rank ten-pattern array, what about his seniors?
Could they draw eleven patterns, or even… twelve patterns?
The Grand Elder broke out in cold sweat.
No wonder this Mister Zhuang was so arrogant!
And he indeed had the capital for it.
Mo Hua, sitting below, saw their hesitation and asked, “Well?”
The Grand Elder twitched his lips, bitterly saying:
“Chu Xuan drew the Withered Wood Reborn Array, peak of first-rank nine patterns…”
“Mo Hua drew the first-rank ten-pattern array…”
“Mo Hua… wins.”
First-rank ten patterns?!
Chu Xuan, who had thought victory was assured, stood up, staring at Mo Hua in disbelief.
Other disciples murmured:
“Isn’t first-rank supposed to be nine patterns? How is there a ten-pattern first-rank array?”
“You didn’t even know this?”
“You’re from the Five Elements Sect, right…”
“Stop learning arrays…”
“First-rank ten patterns is an Absolute Array, beyond normal study.”
“But he’s only Qi-Refining, how could he learn a ten-pattern array?”
“How would I know?”
“Go ask him?”
One disciple whispered: “Didn’t you see the Grand Elder’s face? Like a pig’s kidney. Clearly unhappy. Who dares ask now, risk ruffling his brows?”
The disciple’s face paled, covering his face with his sleeve, hoping the Grand Elder wouldn’t notice him.
…
Chu Xuan’s emotions surged, his expression shifting between frustration and unwillingness. Finally, he sighed, shedding the arrogance from his face, and humbly bowed to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua returned the bow, silently nodding in his heart.
This Chu Xuan had a good temperament—he was indeed a disciple with potential.
The Hidden Array Pavilion was still a little noisy. After a while, as it quieted down, Mo Hua resumed his “soul interrogation”:
“Who else wants to compare?”
No one dared respond.
All the disciples present looked toward the three Golden Core elders seated at the front.
The three elders wore grim expressions.
They had clearly underestimated this little array master.
The original plan had been to use the Five Elements Sect disciples to deal with this small array master, just to test the waters.
Then the Array Profundity Sect and the Shen family would send out their genius disciples to deal with the dazzling siblings.
But now, the “test waters” little array master was about to completely overwhelm them…
Whether by innate Divine Sense or inherited array skills, this little array master was a tough opponent.
The Shen Family Patriarch transmitted a message: “What do we do?”
The Grand Elder’s eyes flicked, and he said gravely:
“At this point, this contest is no longer merely about a sect’s gain or loss—it concerns the honor of an entire prefecture. The entire Dali Mountain Prefecture is filled with array prodigies. If we can’t even handle this little array master, wouldn’t we be laughed at?”
Chu Sect Master and the Shen Patriarch frowned.
The Grand Elder’s words were meant to drag them into action, deliberately alarmist.
But they couldn’t argue—because it was true.
Chu Sect Master hesitated, “Even if we beat this little array master, there are still his senior siblings…”
“Perhaps not,” the Grand Elder said, eyes flicking, “I suspect Mister Zhuang may be bluffing…”
“This little cultivator already has astonishing talent.”
“A genius array master like this isn’t common. He can’t have many disciples of equal caliber.”
“Even if his senior siblings are stronger than him, they probably aren’t that much stronger…”
Chu Sect Master and the Shen Patriarch both nodded.
Indeed, that made sense.
No turning back now—they had to bite the bullet and face it.
“Since he can master a First-Rank Absolute Formation, his foundation within the First-Rank array realm must be profound. Testing him further would likely yield little chance of success.”
“Many of our prior arrangements won’t work anymore.”
“We can only test some unconventional methods…”
…
After exchanging thoughts via Divine Sense, the Grand Elder asked Mo Hua:
“Little Master…”
He spoke with slightly more respect now.
To create a First-Rank Absolute Formation at the Qi-Refining stage, like Mister Zhuang, deserved the title “Master.”
“Do you understand array-breaking?” the Grand Elder asked.
Mo Hua nodded, “A little.”
Chu Sect Master nodded.
From the crowd, another disciple stepped forward, bowing:
“I am Chu He. My array skill is average, but I have some understanding of array-breaking. I am not proficient and wish to learn from this little Master.”
Array-breaking was indeed a niche art.
Outside of great families or sects with array inheritances, few array masters would bother with it.
Ordinary cultivators break arrays more than solve them.
Breaking arrays is flashy and direct; solving arrays is subtle, complex, and profound.
Mo Hua, though, was already extremely skilled in array-solving, using it frequently, and completely familiar with it.
He also remembered Mister Zhuang’s words: array-solving was an array master’s “intellectual exercise” and “pastime”—difficult, niche, and rarely studied.
Now Mo Hua understood that Mister Zhuang’s “intellectual exercise” and “pastime” were far from ordinary.
Truly proficient array-solvers were extremely rare.
The Grand Elder’s array-solving test was simple:
Solve a First-Rank composite array.
Whoever solved it correctly and fastest would win.
Mo Hua glanced at the composite array and felt bored.
It was indeed too simple.
It contained only three single arrays—one had nine patterns, one seven, one eight.
Barely an appetizer.
Mo Hua looked up.
The Hidden Array Pavilion was crowded with disciples.
If they went on like this, who knew how long it would take.
Better to “end it quickly.”
So, while the disciple Chu He was still solving the first array, Mo Hua finished all three in no time, casually saying:
“I’m done.”
The three elders were stunned, then slowly grew numb.
Array-solving was clearly another victory for Mo Hua.
He said plainly, “Go ahead, anyone. Be quick—I don’t have much time…”
He still wanted to learn the Five Elements Spirit Array early and focus on Foundation Establishment.
His words were arrogantly bold.
The gathered disciples’ faces reddened with anger.
Soon, some disciples stood up, unwilling to accept it, wanting to challenge Mo Hua.
But no matter the comparison, they were swiftly defeated. Among all the First-Rank array masters present, almost none could match him.
Gradually, the anger dissipated, replaced by a heavy solemnity.
A hint of panic arose.
His arrays were excellent, fast, mastered a First-Rank Absolute Formation, and skilled in array-solving.
He was almost invincible…
In Dali Mountain Prefecture, where disciples of array masters gathered, surely not one could defeat this little cultivator…
The Shen Patriarch no longer held back and instructed:
“Shen Wen.”
A disciple stepped forward, eyes blazing, as if suppressing this moment for long.
“I will compete with you in Divine-Sense Derived Calculation!”
The Grand Elder was shocked; Chu Sect Master trembled.
Even Mister Zhuang showed slight surprise.
The Shen Patriarch sighed.
This was his trump card.
Originally, he hadn’t wanted to reveal it.
Shen Wen, his great-grandson, had a naturally sharp Divine Sense, meticulous mind, and by chance had been accepted by a grand array master as a disciple to learn Divine-Sense Derived Calculation.
The grand array master had warned: array calculation involves secrets, not to be shared or leaked casually.
So he had always kept it tightly guarded.
But now, not revealing it was impossible.
Divine-Sense Derived Calculation…
Even this Golden Core cultivator, a second-rank High-level array master, couldn’t do it. Surely this little array master could…
Before the Shen Patriarch finished thinking, Mo Hua said calmly: “Fine.”
The Shen Patriarch’s heart, just relaxed, tightened again.
Impossible…
This little kid could even do Divine-Sense Derived Calculation?
Sure enough, the Shen Patriarch quickly realized Mo Hua not only could, but calculated quickly and accurately, with a calm, effortless demeanor.
They traced the array’s spiritual power together.
Shen Wen barely started before Mo Hua finished.
Shen Wen’s defeat was swift and complete; he looked utterly dejected.
Mo Hua then asked again:
“What else are we comparing?”
Silence.
Seeing no one respond, he changed his phrasing: “Anyone else?”
All the disciples turned pale.
Even the three Golden Core elders were speechless with fear.
They hadn’t expected the main event to conclude so abruptly.
This little array master sat quietly at the desk yet blocked all comers, utterly defeating the talented array disciples of the entire prefecture…
Just like Mister Zhuang back then…
No—slightly different.
The Grand Elder’s haunting memories surfaced.
Mister Zhuang had been like a sharp, dazzling immortal sword, impossible to look at directly.
But this Mo Hua was restrained, approachable, like a natural jade.
An absolute prodigy!
…
The Hidden Array Pavilion fell silent, a dead hush among the disciples.
The three Golden Core elders were helpless.
After some time, Mister Zhuang slowly rose and said calmly:
“All done, I suppose.”
The Grand Elder’s heart skipped, yet he could not speak.
Mister Zhuang glanced at him, commanding: “The outcome is decided. Tomorrow, we shall come to the Hidden Array Pavilion to learn the Five Elements Absolute Formation!”