Mo Hua was completely dumbfounded.
To become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, one must possess Foundation Establishment consciousness, and he must have Foundation Establishment consciousness to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator...
As the saying goes, "Good swimmers drown, good riders fall."
Originally, it was a good thing that his consciousness was strong, but now it had become an obstacle.
Mo Hua silently counted the ways to enhance his consciousness:
Firstly, his current realm was at the seventh level of Qi-refining. When his cultivation breaks through to the eighth and ninth levels of Qi-refining, his consciousness will also increase.
Secondly, he could practice array formations on the Dao Stele.
Normal array formations can exercise consciousness, and consciousness grows to a certain extent. This is why array masters have stronger consciousness than ordinary cultivators.
However, when drawing array formations on the Dao Stele, with clear thoughts and a vague sense of enlightenment, the enhancement of consciousness becomes more apparent.
Apart from this, Mo Hua couldn't think of any other ways to enhance his consciousness.
Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, is it really possible for me to possess Foundation Establishment consciousness before Foundation Establishment?"
"How would you know without trying? With the current rate of growth of your consciousness, it's not impossible," Mr. Zhuang said, his gaze flickering slightly.
Mo Hua nodded, but he was still not very sure. "Teacher, are there any other methods to enhance consciousness?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment, his eyes lighting up. "For example, the visualization diagram you mentioned."
"The visualization diagram..." Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment, his gaze becoming serious. "Visualization diagrams are very rare and contain hidden dangers. It's best not to touch them unless absolutely necessary, and even then, you shouldn't rely on them."
Mo Hua's heart trembled.
Mr. Zhuang continued, "There are no other good methods. You can only rely on practicing array formations more. However, what you practice can be different."
Mr. Zhuang took out a booklet and an ancient array diagram from his sleeve. "This is the 'Collection of Array Solutions,' and a special array diagram."
Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang. "Teacher, did you prepare these in advance?"
Otherwise, how could he have taken them out of his sleeve right after mentioning them...
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua helplessly. This child was too clever.
"Prepare for everything in advance, or you'll end up wasting opportunities. Teaching and learning are the same," Mr. Zhuang advised.
Mo Hua nodded in agreement. Hunting monsters was the same; you had to be fully prepared to handle situations properly.
Mr. Zhuang pointed to the "Collection of Array Solutions" and said, "This is a book on array solutions, which records some complex principles. It's more difficult than the one I gave you before. Take it back and study it carefully, and practice solving arrays when you have time."
"Drawing array formations can exercise consciousness, and so can solving them, with even better results."
Mo Hua looked at the other array diagram and asked, "What about this array diagram?"
"This array diagram is also for exercising your consciousness."
Mo Hua looked at the array diagram, puzzled. "This array diagram seems to be incomplete?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded. "It's enough that it's incomplete; you wouldn't be able to draw the complete one."
"Can't draw it?" Mo Hua looked at it carefully and was surprised. "Teacher, is this a First-Class array formation? Why are there only nine and a half array patterns?"
Isn't it said that a First-Class single array can only contain up to nine array patterns?
Mr. Zhuang's gaze became slightly serious.
"Do you remember when I told you that the ranks in the Dao Court are determined by their own rules, while the Heavenly Dao has its own uniqueness and doesn't operate according to human standards?"
"Nine patterns are First-Class, ten patterns are Second-Class, and the First-Class with ten patterns is the uniqueness of the Heavenly Dao!"
"This inverse spiritual array contains ten First-Class array patterns, which are the uniqueness of the Heavenly Dao and are not within the inheritance norms of the Dao Court array formations."
Mo Hua was shocked. It was his first time encountering such profound array inheritance.
Mo Hua's expression became serious, his gaze solemn, as he looked carefully at the array diagram of the inverse spiritual array.
The paper was ancient, the array patterns obscure, and the array core cryptic. Just a glance made it feel inexplicably profound.
Just as Mr. Zhuang said, it was filled with a sense of uniqueness derived from the evolution of the Heavenly Dao.
Moreover, the array diagram was also incomplete, emphasizing its deep and profound origin.
Mo Hua cautiously asked, "Was this array diagram damaged during the inheritance?"
"It's not." Mr. Zhuang casually remarked, "I just tore it."
"Ah..." Mo Hua's thoughts were momentarily in disarray.
"The complete Inverse Spiritual Array is too difficult. If you can't learn it, I tore off a corner, leaving nine and a half array patterns for you to learn more easily."
Mo Hua didn't know what to say for a moment.
He didn't know whether to say Mr. Zhuang was considerate or if his actions were always unexpected.
"A Ten-Pattern First-Class array formation should be very precious. Why did you tear it up so casually?" Mo Hua asked softly.
"Even ordinary cultivators can't learn it. Keeping it would just gather dust." Mr. Zhuang said, "Study well. If you learn these nine and a half array patterns, I'll give you a complete set."
"Okay, Teacher!"
Then Mo Hua remembered, "Inverse Spiritual Array." These three words sounded somewhat familiar. After pondering for a moment, his eyes lit up, and he asked:
"The Inverse Spiritual Array, is it used to solve array eyes?"
The array eyes of array formations are usually gathered spiritual arrays, and to solve them, you need to use the Inverse Spiritual Array.
But Mo Hua had flipped through many array books before and hadn't seen any records of the Inverse Spiritual Array.
It only mentioned that the Inverse Spiritual Array was a profound type of array pattern, mostly passed down within prominent families skilled in arrays and rarely shared outside.
Mo Hua now understood that the Ten-Pattern First-Class, the uniqueness of the Heavenly Dao, was passed down by major clans, which was why it wasn't recorded in ordinary array books.
Mr. Zhuang nodded. "So these two things are actually one thing—array solving."
"Solving arrays to exercise consciousness, one is learning array solving to solve array patterns, and the other is learning the Inverse Spiritual Array to solve array eyes. They lead to the same goal through different paths."
Mo Hua suddenly realized, feeling amazed. Mr. Zhuang indeed had far-reaching considerations.
Next, all he had to do was concentrate on practicing array solving to hone his consciousness.
As long as his consciousness was strong enough, he would have hope in Foundation Establishment.
"By the way, Teacher," Mo Hua still had a doubt and asked, "Apart from 'intellectual pastime' and exercising consciousness, does array solving have any other practical uses?"
Mo Hua adhered to the principle of "learning for practical application." He felt that what he learned should ideally be put to use, or else it would be in vain.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze carried a hint of amusement. "Array solving is naturally used to crack array formations."
"Isn't it possible to break array formations with force or spiritual power? What advantages does array solving have?" Mo Hua asked.
"Breaking formations is too crude, and it makes too much noise."
Mr. Zhuang seemed somewhat disdainful. He continued, "Solving arrays is more sophisticated, and the methods are very subtle. Others won't know, and you can dismantle someone else's array formation without them noticing."
Mo Hua nodded, somewhat understanding.
"There's one more thing," Mr. Zhuang added, "Solving arrays not only cracks their formations but also breaks the Dao Heart of the opponent."
"The Dao Heart?"
"The array formations that other array masters are proud of, when you unravel them one array pattern at a time, their Dao Hearts will be shaken. Those with weak Dao Hearts may even collapse directly."
Mr. Zhuang smiled faintly, a hint of cunning on his elegant face.
Mo Hua looked at him strangely. "Teacher, did you often do this kind of thing before..."
Mr. Zhuang used his slender fingers to ruffle Mo Hua's hair. "You are asking too many questions."
Mo Hua chuckled.
Mr. Zhuang waved his hand. "Go and study well. A skilled array master not only needs to know how to draw arrays but also needs to be proficient in array solving."
"Okay, Teacher!"
Mo Hua carefully put away the "Collection of Array Solutions" and the incomplete Inverse Spiritual Array into his storage bag, then bowed to Mr. Zhuang and left.
Mr. Zhuang watched Mo Hua go, unable to help shaking his head, sighing, "This disciple is not easy to teach..."
Old Kui appeared next to him, his expression calm. "You've chosen a good technique."
Mr. Zhuang detected the sarcasm in his tone but didn't mind. Instead, he said, "If he aspires to be an array master, consciousness is the most important thing. Hone your consciousness, and it will not only facilitate learning array formations but also make it easier to break through realms. It's a win-win situation."
"Have you ever seen a cultivator who hasn't reached Foundation Establishment but has Foundation Establishment consciousness?"
"The records mention it, but I haven't seen one..."
Mr. Zhuang's gaze passed through the corridor, over the courtyard, and settled on Mo Hua, who was speaking with the Bai siblings under the big locust tree.
"So I also want to see it with my own eyes."
Old Kui's gaze narrowed slightly. "It's not an easy thing to do."
"I know that naturally, but I underestimated this technique before. This Heavenly Expansion Technique, as long as you can break through, it's worth paying any price."
Old Kui was slightly surprised to hear this.
Mr. Zhuang's gaze became distant, staring at Mo Hua, his eyes gradually deepening.
"Heavenly Expansion, Heavenly Expansion... The evolution of the Heavenly Dao..."
(End of the chapter)