NOVEL WEB Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Spiritual Arrays
Liu Bai's desire to study spiritual arrays wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. After returning to the Liu Domain, he formally brought up the matter with his father, Liu Qingtian. As a result, he met the Liu Clan's resident spiritual array expert the very next day.
Standing before him was an elder—not just anyone, but a Rank One Spiritual Array Master. Despite his rank being the lowest among array masters, his status was exceedingly high. Even Liu Qingtian, the Domain Chief, treated him with utmost courtesy.
"This is Mr. Wu Yuan, the array master in service to our Liu Clan. From now on, he will teach you the fundamentals of spiritual arrays," Liu Qingtian said with a smile, pointing at the old man.
"Liu Bai greets Mr. Wu," Liu Bai responded politely with a cupped-fist salute, showing not the slightest trace of arrogance expected of a young master.
The elder Wu Yuan merely nodded faintly in return. He didn't speak much, and a trace of pride could be seen between his brows.
Liu Bai didn't take offense.
To be honest, the only reason he sought a spiritual array master was to learn the foundational knowledge. As for specific formations, the Liu Domain's archives contained many. If it weren't for certain prerequisites, he might already be more advanced in spiritual arrays than this old man before him.
"You'd better learn well," Liu Qingtian warned. "Mr. Wu Yuan is known for his strictness. Even though you're my son, if he decides you lack the talent, he won't continue teaching you just because of your identity. Do you understand?"
Liu Qingtian was well aware that although his eldest son usually appeared calm and easygoing, there was an inexplicable pride in his heart, a sense of innate superiority that made him look down on others.
Though Wu Yuan hadn't shown outright arrogance just now, Liu Qingtian knew Liu Bai must have noticed it. If Liu Bai suddenly lost his temper, Liu Qingtian feared he'd have to step in and clean up the mess. Thus, he offered an early warning.
Liu Bai turned and smiled. "Don't worry, Father. I'll do my best."
The Northern Spiritual Academy's curriculum was quite extensive, but one thing it didn't teach was anything related to spiritual arrays. Furthermore, the Northern Spiritual Realm was remote, and array masters were few and far between.
This led to even a Rank One Spiritual Array Master like Wu Yuan enjoying status far above that of ordinary cultivators. Even the Domain Lord had to show him respect.
Watching his father leave, Liu Bai maintained his smile and turned to Wu Yuan. "Please have a seat, Mr. Wu."
Wu Yuan nodded. After sitting down, he said stiffly, "I hear from the Domain Lord that you wish to study spiritual arrays. So let me ask: What do you know of them?"
"Absolutely nothing," Liu Bai answered bluntly.
Wu Yuan's expression froze, and his face darkened further.
A complete novice? Is this kid here to mess with me? Just wasting my time?
Still, remembering the youth's identity, Wu Yuan suppressed his irritation. Regardless of whether the kid succeeded or failed, as long as he fulfilled his obligation to teach, the reward Liu Qingtian had promised couldn't be denied. With that thought, his expression softened.
"Then let us begin with the basics of what a spiritual array is…"
Adjusting his mood, Wu Yuan adopted a more professional demeanor and said, "A spiritual array, in simple terms, is the arrangement of spiritual energy in a special resonance pattern, triggering the natural spiritual qi of heaven and earth to achieve offensive or defensive effects."
"However, achieving this resonance is extraordinarily complicated and difficult."
"In lower planes, array formations are relatively easy to construct, since the energy there is not as dense and complex as in the Great Thousand World. In comparison, the spiritual arrays of the Great Thousand World are far more advanced and intricate."
Wu Yuan extended his hand. His palm was surprisingly long and slender, oddly mismatched with his aged appearance.
Liu Bai focused intently on the hand. He watched as spiritual energy rapidly gathered at Wu Yuan's fingertips, forming five intricate and delicate spiritual seals that hovered in the air.
These seals were incredibly complex and emitted a unique wave of energy. Around them, the ambient spiritual qi of the world seemed to quietly stir.
"These are spiritual seals the foundation of any spiritual array."
Liu Bai nodded. Although he had read the original work, it only offered textual explanations. He couldn't learn much from that alone, and he couldn't rely solely on his imagination to utilize his system. So at this moment, he remained fully attentive.
Seeing Liu Bai's serious expression, a hint of a smile crossed Wu Yuan's face.
Just a little brat. You think I can't handle you?
He flicked his finger, and the five spiritual seals shot outward, seemingly vanishing into the air like raindrops dissolving into the sea.
But the moment the seals disappeared, Liu Bai suddenly felt a wave of cold air sweep in, and flakes of snow began appearing out of nowhere. The snow touched his skin with a piercing chill.
Liu Bai let out a soft sound of surprise, eyes narrowing. He barely managed to perceive that the cold air before him was slightly distorted. Faint lines of light wove together nearly imperceptible and at the end of each line was one of those five spiritual seals...
"Spiritual seals form the foundation of the array, while the array diagram dictates its function. Only by combining the two can the full power of a spiritual array be realized," Wu Yuan continued.
"To construct a spiritual array, one must have absolute control over the spiritual seals. Any minor fluctuation or mismatched resonance could cause the array to fail. In some cases, a failed array can cause spiritual backlash…"
"In severe instances, your life may be forfeit. So unless your fundamentals are solid, do not act recklessly you'll only be hurting yourself."
Liu Bai nodded. It seemed Wu Yuan, despite his arrogance, was still quite principled. At the very least, he understood the concept of doing a job properly in exchange for payment.
"In general, the more powerful the spiritual array, the more seals are required, and the more difficult it becomes to control them…"
Wu Yuan paused, then said, "As a Rank One Spiritual Array Master, my limit is controlling twenty spiritual seals at once. Any more, and I lose control."
"From what I've heard, those who are above Rank Five, the true masters of arrays, can manipulate hundreds or even thousands of seals with a flick of the wrist. The power they unleash can reduce even Divine Soul Realm experts to dust."
To this last remark, Liu Bai simply smiled.
When it came to the rank and power of spiritual array masters, he probably understood far more than Wu Yuan.
After all, a Rank Five spiritual array even a single one was enough to suppress a Three Sovereign Disaster Realm expert, let alone someone in the Divine Soul Realm. Clearly, Wu Yuan had only heard of such things; he'd likely never seen one with his own eyes.
"As mentioned, spiritual seals are the foundation, and the array diagram is the operational blueprint…"
"Forming an array is incredibly complex. In simple terms, it's like constructing a vast project. The spiritual seals are the foundation stones and sources of energy, while the array diagram is the architectural blueprint that directs that energy. Without a complete blueprint, construction is impossible."
At this point, Wu Yuan glanced at Liu Bai and handed him a jade slip. "This contains some basic knowledge of spiritual arrays, including a method to cultivate spiritual seals. Try it and see if you can manifest one."
"In a way, this is the most fundamental test for a beginner."
"If you find the process clumsy and unresponsive, that means you lack sensitivity to spiritual seals in other words, you don't have the talent for it."
As for array diagrams, Wu Yuan didn't mention them. Whether it was because he felt it was too early to pass such knowledge on to Liu Bai, or because it wasn't part of the agreement he made with Liu Qingtian, no one knew.
Liu Bai didn't mind. He took the jade slip and began reading without hesitation.
Wu Yuan didn't show any reaction to this. He just watched in silence. In his eyes, Liu Bai was nothing more than a young master chasing a passing fancy. Maybe after three minutes, he'd lose interest and give up.
And sure enough, it seemed his assumption was correct. After just a few minutes, the Liu Domain's young master opened his eyes as if he had already exited the cultivation state.
Wu Yuan sneered coldly in his heart, his expression calm as he said, "Did you feel the spiritual energy moving sluggishly? It seems my guess was right. You lack sensitivity to spiritual seals, meaning you don't have the talent—"
Before he could finish speaking, Wu Yuan found himself unable to continue.
Because at that moment, he saw Liu Bai raise his palm. Scarlet spiritual energy surged from his palm, and one by one, spiritual seals emerged, floating an inch above his hand like graceful swimming fish.
"One seal, two… three… seven… ten…"
"Ten spiritual seals?! How is this possible?!"
Wu Yuan was utterly dumbfounded.
How long had it even been? Most people would've just finished reading the method for forming spiritual seals, and yet this young master had already learned it and formed ten of them at once?!
Liu Bai's expression remained calm, as if this were perfectly normal.
"Mr. Wu, would you say I have some talent in the path of spiritual arrays? Am I qualified to become a spiritual array master?"
Wu Yuan's mouth twitched violently. He suspected this brat was doing it on purpose!
"Ahem… yes, yes. The Young Lord's talent is extraordinary. I'm sure you'll become a powerful spiritual array master in the future."
"Well then… since you've already mastered the spiritual seal method, go ahead and keep practicing. I recall the Domain Lord mentioned he had something else to discuss with me, so I'll take my leave for now…"
Without waiting for a response, Wu Yuan fled from Liu Bai's courtyard in an utterly flustered state.
Liu Bai didn't trouble him further. Instead, as he watched Wu Yuan's retreating figure, a mischievous smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Retracting his gaze, Liu Bai waved his hand, and a translucent screen appeared before him visible only to himself.
-----
Player: Liu Bai
Cultivation Level: Peak Spiritual Movement Realm
Class: Spiritual Array Master
Spiritual Pulse: None
Cultivation Techniques:
Blazing Sun Art (Fourth Layer 0/2000)
Fundamentals of Spiritual Arrays (Greater Mastery, 0/500)
Skills:
Common-Grade High-level: Wind-Breaking Finger (Greater Mastery)
Spirit-Grade Low Level: Blaze Step (Greater Mastery, 0/1500)
Spirit-Grade High-level: Great Sun Burning Sea Palm (Minor Mastery 0/1200)
Arrays: None
EXP: 620
Beast Soul Points: 11
----
The Fundamentals of Spiritual Arrays was the content from the jade slip Wu Yuan had given him earlier. Perhaps because it only contained basic knowledge, the system's evaluation of it was relatively low. Entry required only 10 EXP; Minor Mastery, 50 EXP; Greater Mastery, 100 EXP.
After upgrading it to the Greater Mastery level, Liu Bai could already form twenty-five spiritual seals. What limited him from progressing further wasn't his cultivation level but his spiritual energy reserves.
At his current Spiritual Movement realm Stage cultivation, twenty-five seals were already his upper limit. After all, although spiritual arrays mainly relied on one's spiritual energy to amplify the surrounding ambient energy to achieve offensive or defensive effects, they still placed great demand on the caster's personal reserves. Otherwise, as Wu Yuan had said, the formation could lose control.
By Liu Bai's estimation, if he could raise his cultivation to the Spiritual Wheel Stage, he should be able to form up to thirty spiritual seals.
According to the description in Fundamentals of Spiritual Arrays, a Rank One spiritual array required at least fifteen seals, while Rank two arrays generally required over twenty one, with the exact number depending on the array diagram.
This meant that if Liu Bai had an array diagram, he could already set up a Rank Two spiritual array.
Of course… that was assuming he had a diagram.
At that thought, Liu Bai flipped his hand and retrieved a scarlet jade slip from his Mustard Seed Bracelet. It radiated heat like molten fire jade.
This was a Rank One array diagram he had previously retrieved from the Liu Clan's archive: the Flame Serpent Spirit-Breaking Array!
"Ding! Rank One Spiritual Array Diagram detected. Would you like to register it?"
"Register!"
"Ding! Registration complete. Please check the system interface."
-----
Player: Liu Bai
Cultivation Level: Peak Spiritual Movement Realm
Class: Spiritual Array Master
Spiritual Pulse: None
Cultivation Techniques:
Blazing Sun Art (Fourth Layer 0/2000)
Fundamentals of Spiritual Arrays (Greater Mastery, 0/500)
Skills:
Flame Serpent Spirit-Breaking Array (Not Started 0/50)
EXP: 620
Beast Soul Points: 11
-----
He hadn't expected that even a Rank One spiritual array would require 50 EXP just to get started quite a bit more than Fundamentals of Spiritual Arrays but it was still far cheaper than upgrading his cultivation, so Liu Bai didn't hesitate. He immediately upgraded it to the Greater Mastery level, the system's highest.
-----
Flame Serpent Spirit-Breaking Array (Greater Mastery)
EXP: 170
Beast Soul Points: 11
-----
The Flame Serpent Spirit-Breaking Array, a Rank One spiritual array, required 50 EXP to begin, 100 for Minor Mastery, and 300 for Greater Mastery. It had power comparable to an early Spiritual Wheel Realm cultivator. Liu Bai hadn't expected it would take so little EXP to fully master, making it an extremely cost-effective option for him right now.
"However, this array only needs the basic minimum of fifteen seals. Its power tops out at the early Spiritual Wheel Realm. Plus, it requires time to set up during battle, so while its raw strength is sufficient, it does have some obvious flaws. Unless I can elevate my array path to the Heart Array realm, its practical use remains limited."
Looking at the numbers on the Status screen, Liu Bai sighed and shook his head slightly.
"Still not enough EXP…"
.....
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