After returning home at night, Mo Hua lay in front of his small desk, deep in thought.
When a demonic beast died, Mo Hua needed to be there immediately.
The best way would be to transmit sound.
But after inquiring, he learned that transmission arrays, transmission talismans, or other sound transmission methods were not usable by Qi cultivators.
Was there any kind of reconnaissance array?
Mo Hua lay on his desk, flipping through the "Thousand Arrays Compendium" under the lamplight, but couldn't find any suitable arrays.
After reading for a long time, his neck felt a bit sore. He leaned back against the wooden chair, contemplating.
If such an array existed, it should be recorded in the "Thousand Arrays Compendium."
Reconnaissance arrays shouldn't be so rare that families or sects would keep them secret and not share them.
Reconnaissance arrays might require the combination of different single arrays to achieve the desired effect. Since the "Thousand Arrays Compendium" collected only single arrays, it made sense that it wouldn't include such arrays.
"Composite array..."
Mo Hua sighed. It seemed he still needed to consult Mr. Zhuang.
The next day, Mo Hua went to the Sit and Forget Abode to find Bai Zisheng first.
Bai Zisheng's knowledge of arrays wasn't extensive, so he looked to his sister, Bai Zixi, for help.
Bai Zixi thought for a moment and said, "There aren't any. Reconnaissance arrays are quite complex, and you might not find them below the first grade. At least, I haven't seen any."
"Are there any similar ones?"
"In what way similar?"
"Something that could let me know if an array was triggered or a demonic beast died..." Mo Hua pondered before replying.
Bai Zixi remained silent.
"A composite array would be fine too..." Mo Hua added.
Bai Zixi's delicate brows furrowed slightly. After a brief thought, her long eyelashes fluttered as she answered, "Si Nan Mother-Child Array."
"Si Nan... Mother-Child Array?"
(Note: "Si Nan" refers to an ancient Chinese term for a type of compass. Specifically, it was an early form of a directional device, often featuring a spoon-shaped lodestone that would indicate south.)
Mo Hua had never heard of it...
Bai Zixi nodded, "It's a composite array that can sense spiritual power fluctuations."
Seeing Mo Hua still not quite understanding, she explained, "When the array is activated or when cultivators fight, there will be spiritual power fluctuations. With these fluctuations, the array can sense them."
Mo Hua suddenly understood and asked, "Can you draw this array?"
"I can't. You'll need to ask Mr. Zhuang."
"Alright, thank you!" Mo Hua said.
Getting an answer was an unexpected surprise. Bai Zixi's knowledge of arrays was much more extensive than Mo Hua had imagined.
Mo Hua looked at her with admiration and couldn't help but praise, "Zixi, you know so much!"
"Just average."
Bai Zixi responded lightly, but her fair and delicate chin couldn't help but lift a little.
Mo Hua then went to find Mr. Zhuang.
Sure enough, Mr. Zhuang was napping in the bamboo room. Mo Hua sat on the steps at the entrance, waiting.
As he waited, Mo Hua thought about what to ask next.
After a while, a gentle breeze blew through the quiet hall, brushing over Mo Hua's shoulder.
Mo Hua knew that Mr. Zhuang had awakened. He stood up, tidied his clothes, and went in to see Mr. Zhuang, explaining his purpose.
Mr. Zhuang raised his eyebrows with interest, "Si Nan Mother-Child Array?"
"Yes, sir. Can you teach me?"
Mo Hua's clear, dark eyes looked at Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang found it hard to refuse, but he still said, "This is a composite array. It's a bit early for you to learn composite arrays."
Mo Hua replied, "Sir, I can already draw arrays with eight patterns, but drawing nine patterns is still out of reach. It seems unlikely to achieve in the short term..."
"But drawing eight patterns is no longer interesting, so I want to learn composite arrays."
Mr. Zhuang's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes showed a subtle change.
Drawing eight patterns... and finding it uninteresting...
Even he found his young disciple's words increasingly outlandish.
Mr. Zhuang coughed and called out, "Elder Gui," then gestured with his hand.
Elder Gui seemed to understand Mr. Zhuang's meaning. He took a book from the back shelf and placed it in front of Mo Hua.
The book's cover read: "Introductory Composite Arrays Collection."
"I gave you a book called 'Basic Composite Arrays' before. That was the foundation. Study it more."
After speaking, Mr. Zhuang pointed to the book in front of Mo Hua and said, "This 'Introductory Composite Arrays Collection' contains the Si Nan Mother-Child Array. Study 'Basic Composite Arrays' thoroughly first. If you don't understand, come ask me."
Mo Hua was overjoyed and then asked, "Sir, can I learn the other composite arrays in this book as well?"
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua with a meaningful expression, "Yes, as long as you can learn them, you can study them."
"Thank you, sir. I won't disturb your rest any longer!"
Mo Hua happily bowed and left the bamboo room with the book.
Mr. Zhuang lay back on his bamboo chair, closing his eyes to rest.
Elder Gui, with a wooden expression, said, "Isn't it a bit early?"
"Don't worry. It's just composite arrays."
Elder Gui couldn't help but say, "You gave him an entire 'Composite Arrays Collection.'"
"It's just introductory."
Elder Gui rolled his eyes, "What's introductory about it? Some of the arrays in there aren't even suitable for Qi cultivators."
Mr. Zhuang remained silent.
Elder Gui frowned, "Do you have some plan in mind?"
"Sort of." Mr. Zhuang lay on the bamboo chair, his gaze gradually deepening, "I just want to see, let him learn on his own, and see how far he can go..."
Mo Hua took the "Introductory Composite Arrays Collection" home and couldn't wait to start reading.
The "Basic Composite Arrays" given by Mr. Zhuang before, Mo Hua had actually finished. He even "consulted" Zhang Lan about some of the knowledge in the book.
However, Mo Hua had read the book in a hasty manner, not seeking a thorough understanding, just gaining a general idea of composite arrays. Most of the composite arrays in it, he hadn't drawn himself, so he only knew a little.
Since composite arrays were considered "advanced," Mo Hua knew his array skills weren't up to par, so he hadn't put much effort into it.
But now that Mr. Zhuang had given him the "Composite Arrays Collection" and allowed him to study composite arrays, it showed that in Mr. Zhuang's eyes, his spiritual sense was ready to explore composite arrays.
Mo Hua had great confidence in Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang was knowledgeable and exceptional in arrays. If he said Mo Hua could learn, then the composite arrays in this book should be within his capability and not considered "advanced."
Moreover, the book was titled "Introductory Composite Arrays Collection," so it shouldn't be too difficult.
With this in mind, Mo Hua started reading the "Introductory Composite Arrays Collection" and found the diagram for the Si Nan Mother-Child Array.
The Si Nan Mother-Child Array was a relatively simple metal-type composite array.
The array consisted of two single arrays: the Si Nan Mother Array, containing eight patterns, and the Si Nan Child Array, containing only three patterns.
The array's hub was a widely used Five Elements Array hub, utilizing the repulsion of metal spiritual power to detect significant spiritual power fluctuations within a certain range.
Mo Hua glanced over the general structure, memorized the array diagram, and planned to practice drawing it a few times.
Since it was his first time formally learning to draw composite arrays, it was already past midnight by the time Mo Hua memorized all the patterns and array hub structures.
Mo Hua lay down on his bed and closed his eyes to sleep.
In his sea of consciousness, a simple and ancient Dao stele emerged.