Ch 25 - Array Art

Xu Ming opened the door into the main bedroom of his abode.

After entering, he was greeted with a pleasant wooden interior with aesthetic decorations, a row of bookshelves and a comfortable woolen bed. It suited the image that he had of Elder Qin.

Upon further inspection, there was an array inscribed in the area next to the bed, near the cultivation mattress. Xu Ming recognised this array - it was a 4th Tier Qi Gathering Array. This was a pleasant surprise to Xu Ming, because in order to inscribe any array of the 4th Tier, you would have to invite an array master, who wasn't inferior in status to a nascent soul expert.

Who knows how Elder Qin managed to get this array set up? Xu Ming started up the array immediately, and felt the difference in quality. This array not only helped increase the density of Qi, but also helped in comprehension, and calmed the cultivator. According to what he read, each tier of Qi Gathering Array was anywhere from 100-150% more effective than the last.

This meant that a day of cultivation under this array would easily mean 4-5 days of cultivation under his old Tier-2 Qi Gathering Array. No doubt, there were more factors to cultivation than simply the density of Qi, but it couldn't hurt to have it regardless.

Looking around, he cleaned up the dusty bookshelves and arranged them back in their original spots. While looking through, he found more volumes of the alchemy book that Elder Qin recommended to Xu Ming.

Xu Ming read through some of the contents and decided to keep it for later. Through the corner of his eyes, he noticed a small bump on the corner of the bed. Intrigued, he went to have a look at it.

He uncovered the mattress and pulled out a small wooden box from under the bed frame. He dusted the box first, and then opened it.

Inside there were three small volumes of a book and a note that read, "To Xu Ming."

Now, he was really intrigued.

Xu Ming opened the letter, which read -

"To Xu Ming, my protege:

If you are opening this letter, then I presume that you have decided to inherit my mantle. You must also be filled with questions about the recent events that have been happening.

While I cannot explain directly, I also do not wish to maintain this illusion of secrecy. Alas, I cannot help it, and must admit to the truth in a roundabout manner - I am leaving on a journey to find a cure. This journey may take a lifetime to complete, and I may never find it. However, I have no regrets, and I carry this mission with pride.

Xu Ming! My dear disciple, I have a matter to admit. I am indeed an alchemist, but that is not my true profession. Although I have an alchemist's background and my lineage indeed proves that, I have in my youth, inherited the lineage of a powerful profession. I have trained in this art for several decades, and have attained the rank of an Array Master following this inheritance.

Now, I pass this powerful art onto you. Feel free to practice it if you have an interest in the art of arrays. The array arts of Mount Silos are not considered weak - even among the entirety of the outer wilds. This distinction of course, you will learn when you have the ability to learn it.

I'm afraid that's all I have left to say. My dear disciple, do not be undetermined. Seek the truth with passion, and find the way with pride, and uncover all mysteries with joy. Even if we never meet again, I am still content at heart.

- Elder Qin. "

Xu Ming felt various emotions bubble up within him after reading this letter, and looked at the unassuming books inside the box.

Even if he didn't have an interest in arrays, he would at least dedicate a few hours to learn it in respect for Elder Qin.

Opening the first volume, Xu Ming didn't have many expectations, but suddenly felt the earth below him shrink, and he fell from his position towards the boundless void below without even having an opportunity to scream.

While in free fall, a series of words appeared in the great boundless void ahead of him. Xu Ming took some time to get used to the feeling of falling, and only then looked at the words.

"What is an array?", the words asked.

Then, he felt four options appear in his mind.

"An array is a tool that helps you achieve an purpose."

"An array is a formation of sorts."

"An array deals with the runes of law."

"An array is anything you want it to be."

Xu Ming wanted to choose the first option, but he didn't get the chance to do it before all the options merged together.

"An array is all of these things, and helps you do all of these things. Remember, all things can be made into an array, and it can be made on all things. It can help you achieve all things, and all things are possible within an array.", the boundless void begun shrinking as these words etched itself in Xu King's soul.

The falling stopped. The void returned to normal, and Xu Ming saw the familiar surroundings again when he opened his eyes. On the first page of the book, he saw the words, "This page is an array. If you've experienced the initiation of the Mount Silos Sect, then you have the potential to deal in the art of the array, and therefore may read the book. However if you have felt nothing, then you will not comprehend the text within, and it is advised to turn back at this juncture."

Xu Ming took a moment to catch his breath, and calmed down first before absorbing the details of the text.

Apparently, this set of array knowledge belonged to the Mount Silos Sect, wherever it was. What he did not anticipate was the amount of strain it had on his mental energy, and he felt both dizzy and sleepy at the same time after experiencing the initiation.

Xu Ming did not immediately begin reading the book, but went to the alchemy lab and started making a pill.

Xu Ming whistled and spoke, "Pill 117, one set. Counter 0."

The alchemical arms started up with a slow creaking noise as it started bring a set of herbs to where Xu Ming stood.

Xu Ming did not stay idle and immediately started preparing the base foundation liquid. This liquid in particular was a special one, and was called the replenish solution, which was created by a mixture of several herbs and animal matter in a specific ratio. It was mainly used to serve as a foundation of creation of replenishing pills.

Xu Ming controlled the heat skillfully with one hand, and focused his eyes and mind on the task at hand. He cut the soul flower in front of him, making sure not to include any of its thorns, and put it into the mixture. Then, he grinded a few other herbs together and placed the mixture in the cauldron. The preparation of these ingredients was very important, and if placed in any wrong order, could result in a void pill, having no medicinal benefits. Lastly, he put in the heart of a lazy-eyed lizard, which melted into the solution.

Xu Ming monitored the solution for several minutes before determining that the time was enough. Then, he picked up a common reagent and poured it into the cauldron.

"16 Forms of Alchemy - Condense!", Xu Ming poured his qi into the cauldron which prompted it to emit several runes in the air, condensing the thick alchemical gases and medicinal aroma into a few thin white blobs.

Xu Ming picked up these round pills and put them into a bottle, except for one, which he ate immediately. The pill was a soul replenishing pill, a common 2nd Tier pill used to recover from both soul injuries and replenish mental energy.

In theory, one could stay awake forever if you ate enough of these pills and rested your body well enough. However, the creation of these pills wasn't easy - and the ingredients were fairly expensive. Besides, Xu Ming once heard that after the formation of the nascent soul, one would naturally attain the condition of never having to sleep or eat.

Xu Ming closed his eyes and started meditating to properly absorb the pill, and only after a few minutes, started feeling better. After ten minutes, he had completely recovered, and only then, he took out the book from earlier.

Xu Ming opened the first page of the book, but it didn't have any effect on him anymore. Perhaps the initiation had been completed, and therefore it wasn't necessary for him. He turned the page over, and saw the words, "Tier 1 Array - Qi Gathering Array."

Suddenly, Xu Ming fell into a trance again as he fell into a strange world where he saw a man in front of him making an array with some materials.