Chapter 538: Extraction
Chapter 540: Extraction
The Five-Element Source Pattern resembled five elongated, multicolored eyes, clustered together like petals.
Within each “eye” were ancient, intricate, and profound markings—both beautiful and eerie, occasionally even blinking, as if they had a life of their own.
The Five-Element Imp had no idea what was happening; its pupils widened in inexplicable fear.
“What’s going on? What’s wrong with me?”
“Where am I?”
“Who am I?”
“What’s on my forehead?”
“I…”
Before the Imp could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred.
The strange, eye-like “source pattern” abruptly opened wide. Inside, its pupil-like markings became vivid and glaring.
Line by line, pattern by pattern, dense array markings—like multicolored ants—emerged from the source pattern. They crawled down from the Imp’s forehead, spreading to its shoulders, limbs, and even its meridians, eventually covering the entire body.
The Five-Element Imp was completely “covered” by these markings.
From the inside out, it was densely packed with array lines.
Its consciousness was entirely devoured by the source pattern, turning it into a true “Five-Element Puppet.”
The Imp had become a puppet.
Its eyes were black and hollow, but the five eyes on its forehead grew brighter and brighter. Finally, they trembled once, and the markings, like pupils, all “looked” toward Mo Hua.
Mo Hua’s expression changed drastically.
He stepped back immediately, withdrawing from the spot.
At the same time, the place where he had just stood was now fully covered by the crawling array markings.
Mo Hua frowned.
This “source pattern” was like a plague. These spreading array lines were like toxins released by the plague. Once they touched a consciousness, they would parasitize, devour, and control it…
Just like the Five-Element Imp.
And now this Imp was completely dominated by the source pattern, having become a “toxic origin” itself.
What made it worse was that this “plague” was now inside his own Sea of Consciousness.
Mo Hua’s expression grew grave.
He manifested a protective array around his feet and attempted to activate the Spirit-Pivot Array on the Imp’s chest.
The Spirit-Pivot Array involved the essence of spiritual power.
It wasn’t a Five-Element array itself, but an extraordinary supreme array. So even though it was suppressed by the markings derived from the Five-Element Source Pattern, it wasn’t destroyed.
With a movement of his Divine Sense, the Spirit-Pivot Array flared to life.
The Imp’s chest glowed a pale blue.
Spiritual threads spread outward like silk, weaving a cocoon to trap the Imp and seal the source pattern inside it.
But while these threads restrained the Imp, they couldn’t suppress the spreading markings.
The Imp was restrained by the threads, unable to move.
Yet the source pattern on its forehead—the five eye-like markings—continued to reproduce, sending out more array lines, eroding the Imp, corroding the threads, and gradually spreading into Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness.
“What do I do?”
Mo Hua’s gaze hardened.
If these markings were allowed to endlessly proliferate, eventually filling his Sea of Consciousness, would he too be parasitized by this source pattern, reduced to a mindless puppet like the Five-Element Imp?
His master had been right.
The Sea of Consciousness was indeed fraught with grave dangers!
And most of them were unpredictable, inscrutable, and hard to grasp.
Mo Hua manipulated the Spirit-Pivot Array to resist the Five-Element Source Pattern while forcing himself to remain calm, thinking frantically for a solution…
This source pattern must have been the result of the Five-Element Sect’s derivative calculation of the Five-Element array flows.
The problem was—they had calculated it.
But had they calculated it correctly, or incorrectly?
What exactly was this thing they had derived?
How could an array inheritance have its own will?
How could it even parasitize?
Was the decline of the Five-Element Sect because they had derived this thing?
Mo Hua’s mind swirled with questions.
For such ancient secrets, his understanding was limited. He temporarily set the thought aside and continued to reason:
The Five-Element Sect used a special derivative method in their array calculations.
They unified all Five-Element arrays, summarized and transformed them, merging many into one, crystallizing into this “source pattern.”
Merging many into one…
Though it was a single pattern, it contained almost all the Five-Element arrays passed down in the sect.
These array markings followed its will.
And now, it was releasing these markings…
The source pattern was a toxic origin. Were the derivative “compiled” markings within it the toxins?
To stop the source pattern from spreading, one would need to reverse the process, deriving the markings back into the source pattern?
This method of derivation—was it unique to the Five-Element Sect?
The one recorded in their doctrinal arrays, the method of unifying array flows?
Mo Hua frowned.
He was unsure, but had no other choice; he had to try.
The “eyes” of the source pattern kept spinning, and the markings flowed out, creeping into Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness.
All these array markings were first-grade.
The source pattern contained more than just first-grade arrays, but its spread seemed gradual.
Until the first-grade markings were fully released, the second-grade couldn’t emerge…
Fortunately, if second-grade markings appeared, Mo Hua would be powerless.
Without delay, he focused and began deriving the sinuous, snake-like array markings according to his plan.
Mo Hua concentrated, deriving quickly.
In a short time, he derived a small portion of the Five-Element array markings.
Having derived them, what next?
Mo Hua frowned and extended his Divine Sense to sense these array lines.
They weren’t dead.
Nor fixed.
Their lines resembled ink strokes, as if alive.
His Divine Sense could control and reshape them.
Mo Hua hesitated, then used his Divine Sense to control a small portion, altering their shapes, twisting the array formations.
He made the formations conform to his derived method of unification.
The instant the formations changed, the markings stopped spreading.
Not only that, they began to shrink and condense.
As if time reversed, the markings retracted exactly as they had extended.
Mo Hua’s spirit lifted.
This method worked!
To untie a knot, one must follow its maker.
The Five-Element Sect’s source pattern still required their derivative method to restrain it.
Without delay, Mo Hua pushed his Divine Sense to the extreme. Like the sect’s ancestors, he painstakingly unified the array markings, deriving them into a single “source.”
Though just a small step, it was the first step on the path of derivation.
The markings shrank little by little…
The source pattern trembled violently. Its five-colored eyes contorted, exuding anger.
It hadn’t expected anyone to oppose it.
The sect’s ancestors were long dead.
It didn’t anticipate that thousands of years later, someone could master this derivative method and suppress its markings!
The source pattern fixed its gaze on Mo Hua.
More and more markings poured out, growing dense.
But Mo Hua’s derivation became increasingly skillful.
His understanding of the Five-Element arrays was exceptional. Within the first-grade array scope, even if he didn’t surpass the sect’s ancestors, he wasn’t far behind.
Combined with his peak thirteenth-mark Divine Sense and the Heavenly-Derivation Technique, Mo Hua derived at incredible speed.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the markings spread and contracted simultaneously, locked in a stalemate.
Mo Hua derived faster and faster. During this process, his understanding of the sect’s secret derivative method deepened, and his application grew more adept.
Finally, the spread of the source pattern couldn’t keep up with his derivation.
The spreading markings began to retract.
Step by step, Mo Hua derived and unified.
Like a small fisherman, he drew in fish leaping out of the pond…
The markings gradually shrank, ultimately condensing into one, resealed within the source pattern.
The Five-Element Source Pattern’s eyes dimmed, their glow restrained.
The Imp, now a puppet, was silent.
The Sea of Consciousness suddenly quieted.
Mo Hua collapsed to the ground, exhaling deeply.
He had derived a large amount of Five-Element array markings in a short time, exhausting himself.
But at least he had restrained the spread of the source pattern.
Mo Hua relaxed, about to rest, but suddenly felt a sinking sensation in his heart. Looking up, he saw the Imp cracking bit by bit, as if its spiritual shell couldn’t bear the burden.
At the same time, the source pattern’s five eyes darkened.
The five source markings gradually bulged.
It seemed as if something was trying to break free from the eyes…
Mo Hua sensed a terrifying aura.
It was the presence of an extremely powerful and malevolent consciousness.
Almost like a high-grade Dao-Sin…
This Divine-Sense was extraordinarily strong.
And it harbored intense malice toward Mo Hua.
Even a trace of its aura made Mo Hua’s mind waver, his thoughts unsettled, his Sea of Consciousness in sharp pain, as if on the verge of breaking…
“Is this source pattern trying to shatter my Sea of Consciousness?”
Mo Hua was shocked.
At that moment, an ancient and profound aura suddenly surged.
This aura filled Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness and entwined with his Divine Sense, as if protecting him, preventing any external evil from causing harm.
In the center of his Sea of Consciousness, a Dao Monument stood tall and immovable, vast and profound, suppressing all malevolence!
The bizarre, terrifying aura vanished instantly!
As the Dao Monument appeared, the Five-Element Source Pattern trembled like a ghost. Its “eyes” quivered; the pupil-like array lines shook.
It immediately retracted, gathering its aura, deriving some array markings to restore the Imp’s limbs, then attempted to flee!
Mo Hua’s anger flared.
“Trying to run?!”
Enduring the pain, he tightened his expression, using the Flowing-Water Step. A few flashes brought him close to the Imp, and his hand reached for the five eyes!
His body carried the aura of the Dao Monument.
The source pattern panicked, immediately “closing its eyes,” retracting into the Imp’s forehead.
But it was too late.
Mo Hua’s hand was swift; he grabbed it.
The source pattern roared in anger, trying to resist.
But with the Dao Monument supporting him, Mo Hua’s aura was terrifying. The moment the source pattern “opened its eyes,” it shrank back in fear, tightly shutting them.
Mo Hua sneered, “Despicable thing!”
The source pattern trembled, angry but too afraid to open its eyes.
With the source pattern subdued, the Dao Monument slowly vanished from Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness.
It seemed the Dao Monument didn’t care about minor scuffles; Mo Hua could handle it himself.
But if the source pattern tried to bully by size, that wasn’t allowed.
With the Dao Monument backing him, Mo Hua straightened.
He held the palm-sized Five-Element Source Pattern in his hand, kneading, pinching, and stretching it, venting his frustration.
Seeing no reaction, he began to examine it carefully.
The closed source pattern resembled a jade pendant: firm but not hard, neither cold nor warm, partly solid, partly ethereal.
It was the condensation of Divine Sense.
The crystallization of the Five-Element Sect’s mental computation.
Generally, a Divine-Sense body, though vividly shaped, is still somewhat hazy, like a gaseous illusion. Even Mo Hua, whose body had solidified, still retained a trace of this ethereal quality.
It looked like a real person, but wasn’t truly real.
But this Source Pattern was almost tangible.
Infinite “etherealness” becomes “substance”…
From infinite “virtual” to “real”…
Mo Hua frowned.
From virtual to real—could this be the path to strengthening Divine-Sense? The very route one must walk to prove the Dao with Divine-Sense?
He shook his head, deciding to ask his master later.
For now, the pressing question was how to handle this Source Pattern.
It seemed to hide many secrets.
It was both a formation flow, the pinnacle inheritance of formation arts, extremely precious.
At the same time, it must also conceal the truth behind the Five Elements Sect’s decline.
Most importantly, within the Source Pattern was that powerful and strange aura.
What exactly was this aura?
And why could this inheritance “come alive,” generate derived formations, parasitize Divine-Sense, and control Little ghost?
Mo Hua pondered for a long time but remained baffled, sighing:
“I really need to read more books.”
“Knowledge of cultivation is part of a cultivator’s strength.”
He examined the jade-like Source Pattern in his hand, troubled:
“Where should this Source Pattern be placed?”
Not in his Sea of Consciousness, that was for sure.
This Source Pattern was like a plague—it could generate itself, consume and parasitize, and contained unknown malevolent intent. Even with the Dao Monument suppressing it, it was far too dangerous.
A wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall.
He couldn’t bury a trap in his own Sea of Consciousness.
If not there, it had to be stored externally.
A Divine-Sense storage object?
The divine altar could work.
But the altar belonged to the Five Elements Sect, and he couldn’t take it away. Storing the Source Pattern there would be pointless.
Moreover, the Source Pattern already had its own will, had entered his Sea of Consciousness, had seen the Dao Monument—it could not be allowed to escape.
Even if he couldn’t “kill” it or “consume” it, it had to be under his control.
Storage…
Mo Hua rested his chin on his hand, thinking, when suddenly his eyes lit up.
The visualization chart!
Zhang Quan’s ancestral master chart could store Divine-Sense.
After Mo Hua “consumed” Zhang Quan’s family of zombie ancestors, elders, and disciples, what remained was a blank ancestral chart—without the master.
This empty ancestral chart could perhaps store the Five Elements Source Pattern.
“But how to place it?”
Mo Hua had little experience, so he decided to experiment.
His Divine-Sense withdrew from his Sea of Consciousness, and his awareness gradually awakened.
In front of the divine altar, Mo Hua slowly opened his eyes.
Bai Zixi first brightened, then her expression darkened slightly, her delicate hand forming a knife-hand poised behind Mo Hua’s head, ready to knock him down at any misstep.
Bai Zisheng nearby looked grave as well.
Feeling the strange atmosphere, Mo Hua whispered:
“Little Senior Sister, what’s wrong…”
Bai Zixi gazed into Mo Hua’s eyes. Seeing the clarity reflected in his water-like eyes, she nodded gently:
“It’s you, Junior Brother.”
Bai Zisheng exhaled in relief, then suddenly remembered something and asked hurriedly:
“Have you mastered the Five Elements Spiritual Formation?”
Mo Hua smiled and nodded.
Bai Zisheng rejoiced, but then asked with curiosity:
“What exactly did you encounter in there that took so long? And just now…”
Bai Zixi’s expression darkened slightly. “We’ll talk outside.”
Bai Zisheng immediately agreed. “Right, let’s go out first.”
“Wait,” Mo Hua said. “I still have something…”
He opened his storage pouch, feeling around until he finally found, in the corner, the blank, crumpled ancestral chart, stained with incense ash and footprints.
He opened the ancestral chart, just as he was considering how to store the Source Pattern inside, he felt a sudden pain in his Sea of Consciousness.
The Source Pattern, impatient, darted out from his Sea of Consciousness and leapt into the blank chart.
It clearly didn’t want to stay in his Sea of Consciousness for even a moment…
The Five Elements Source Pattern was now stored in the visualization chart.
On the blank chart, five-colored lights burst forth, clearly forming five colored streaks, encompassing the Five Elements formations and containing the elemental source itself.
The chart thus became a “Five Elements Formation Flow Chart,” containing the historical formations of the sect and the top-tier inheritance!
In an instant, the chart’s aura changed dramatically.
A subtle, profound, and thick Five Elements energy radiated outward, spreading from the Visualization Pavilion to the surroundings.
Ordinary disciples of the Five Elements Sect noticed nothing.
But the sect leaders and elders were visibly shaken.
“What is this?!”
“Such dense Five Elements energy!”
“Profound, ancient, and extraordinarily mysterious!”
“The Five Elements Sect… has this kind of inheritance?”
“What inheritance is this?”
…
The Grand Elder on the third floor, sipping tea, felt his pupils constrict.
The closer he was, the more clearly he sensed it.
The divine altar?!
What’s happening?
What has occurred?
His heart shuddered. He suddenly rose, intending to go to the fourth floor to see what had happened…
Beside him, Mister Zhuang’s expression also changed slightly. He stared blankly, murmuring in his heart:
“The Five Elements origin…”
“What has this boy, Mo Hua, found…?”
“He hasn’t really taken all the Five Elements Sect’s centuries of formation foundations, has he…?”