Array Innovation: From Chaos to Logic

The "standardization, modularization" reform in Room Bing of the Artifact Refining Hall has yielded remarkable results. Like a boulder cast into a lake, the ripples it created quickly spread to every corner of Jin'ao Island. Every day, a continuous stream of disciples, some curious, some skeptical, and some genuinely seeking knowledge, came to observe the efficiently running production line and the stable, almost identical "standard issue" flying swords and magic treasures. Data is the most powerful language; when tangible output and success rates were presented, more and more Jie Sect disciples began to seriously consider Researcher Xuanyuanzi's "heretical" theories.

This trend naturally extended to the Array Court, which, adjacent to the Artifact Refining Hall, was another important pillar of the Jie Sect.

The Array Court, as its name suggests, is where all kinds of arrays are studied, deployed, and deciphered. Primordial Era arrays are all-encompassing, ranging from small-scale spirit gathering, defense, and concealment, to large-scale enemy trapping, killing, and even world-altering, with infinite profundity. However, the study and deployment of arrays, both in the Jie Sect and throughout the Primordial Era, have been considered one of the fields most reliant on talent, experience, and "intuition." Array diagrams are complex, a slight deviation in the placement of formation bases can lead to a thousand-mile error, and energy guidance requires extremely precise control. Success or failure often carries a touch of "metaphysics," making it difficult to teach and even more difficult to popularize on a large scale.

One day, the Deputy Head of the Array Court, Wuyun Xian, a tall and thin Daoist with a calm demeanor and eyes that often carried a look of deduction and calculation, voluntarily came to Lin Xuan's temporary research quiet room. Unlike the initial coldness from Lady Shiji of the Artifact Refining Hall, Wuyun Xian's attitude was more cautious and pragmatic.

"Researcher Xuanyuanzi," Wuyun Xian cupped his hands in greeting, getting straight to the point, "I have heard about the matters in the Artifact Refining Hall, and I am deeply impressed. My Array Court has recently been troubled by a certain issue, and I have come to seek your advice. Do you have any profound insights into the Dao of arrays?"

Lin Xuan returned the bow and invited Wuyun Xian to sit. "Fellow Daoist Wu Yun is too kind. I dare not claim profound insights; we are merely exploring together. What is the difficulty?"

Wuyun Xian took out a jade slip and activated it with his magic power, displaying a complex array diagram in the air. Lines crisscrossed, nodes were densely packed, and spiritual light flowed. It was a simplified deduction diagram of a well-known mountain-protecting array of the Jie Sect – the "Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation." Although this array was far inferior to the complete version of the Three Goddesses, it possessed the effects of confusion, enemy trapping, and magic power depletion, making it a common array for guarding important immortal abodes.

"It is this array," Wuyun Xian said, pointing to the diagram with a slight frown. "This array's power is considerable, but its deployment is extremely cumbersome and requires a high level of skill from the deployer. Especially the core changes of 'winding paths leading to secluded spots' and 'weak water eroding spirits,' the energy node connections require extreme precision. Any slight deviation will, at best, greatly reduce its power, and at worst, cause the array to backlash. Among the disciples in my court, fewer than ten can independently and perfectly deploy this array. Furthermore, each deployment takes a long time, making it difficult to respond to sudden situations. I wonder if your 'standardization' and 'modularization' ideas are applicable to this array..."

His question was very specific, both seeking advice and carrying a hint of a test. The Dao of arrays, even more so than artifact refining, was abstract and subtle, by no means a simple matter of assembling parts.

Lin Xuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he concentrated and carefully observed the array diagram in the air. Under his [Insight Technique] and his modern scientific training, this array diagram, which others found profoundly mysterious and difficult to understand, was gradually deconstructed into energy flow paths, the interactions between nodes, and the functional divisions of different areas.

He watched for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. He had a plan in mind and looked up at Wuyun Xian, his eyes flashing with confidence. "Fellow Daoist Wu Yun, the Dao of arrays, in my opinion, is not an art of 'chaos' but a science of 'logic'!"

"A science of logic?" Wuyun Xian was startled. He had never heard such a statement before.

"Precisely!" Lin Xuan stood up and began to sketch in the blank space next to the array diagram, using his magic power as a brush. "Fellow Daoist, please look. Any array, no matter how complex, is composed of several basic elements: formation bases (energy sources and stabilizers), formation patterns (energy transmission paths), formation nodes (energy convergence and conversion points), and formation eyes (core control hubs)."

As he spoke, he began to dismantle the array diagram of the "Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation," marking the formation bases with different colored light dots, the main energy circuits with lines, and the key nodes with prominent circles.

"The traditional method of deploying arrays requires the deployer to have a holistic, intuitive grasp of the entire array, like painting a freehand landscape, emphasizing its spirit and charm, but making precise replication difficult," Lin Xuan's tone shifted. "However, if we adopt a 'logicalization' and 'modularization' approach, we can transform it into drawing an 'engineering blueprint'!"

He elaborated in detail: "First, extreme standardization of formation bases and formation flags. Design 'standard formation bases' and 'standard formation flags' with unified specifications and standard energy circuits. Like molds in artifact refining, they ensure stable performance and unified interfaces for each basic unit. During deployment, there is no need for temporary refining or adjustment; they can be used directly."

"Second, functional modularization of array diagrams. Decompose the 'Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation' into several core functional modules. For example: 'Illusion Module' (responsible for illusions and path distortion), 'Weak Water Module' (responsible for magic power erosion), 'Defense Module' (responsible for resisting external attacks), and 'Energy Coordination Module' (responsible for balancing energy supply to each module). Each module has its own formation base combination and energy circuit design, and there are standard 'interface' protocols between modules to ensure smooth energy flow without mutual interference."

"Third, establish 'deployment algorithms' and 'construction manuals'," Lin Xuan introduced a concept that stunned Wuyun Xian. "That is, summarize the deployment process into a set of strict, step-by-step 'algorithms.' Step one: determine the terrain's spiritual energy distribution and select the optimal formation eye position. Step two: accurately place the 'Energy Coordination Module' formation bases according to the coordinates marked in the manual. Step three: sequentially connect and activate the 'Illusion,' 'Weak Water,' and 'Defense' modules... Each step has clear standards for distance, angle, and energy injection. It's like building a palace: first, lay the foundation, then erect the frame, and finally, decorate. In this way, even disciples with a shallow understanding of arrays can successfully deploy a qualified grand array by strictly following the 'construction manual'!"

Wuyun Xian listened, his breathing quickening. He had never imagined that profound arrays could be broken down into such clear steps, like ordinary artisans building a house!

Lin Xuan finally pointed to several complex and error-prone energy flow nodes in the array diagram. "As for the core change areas you mentioned, we can apply the 'pre-packaged core formation disk' technology. The most complex and precise node circuits will be pre-refined and solidified by experts onto specially made 'core formation disks.' During deployment, you only need to place the formation disk in the designated position and connect it to the module interface. This is equivalent to pre-making the most difficult 'chips,' and the user only needs to 'plug and play'!"

In a single discourse, arrays were brought down from the ethereal realm of "metaphysics" to the ground of "engineering." It was as if thunder struck in Wuyun Xian's mind. Many long-standing problems that had troubled him, such as how to quickly train new array masters, how to ensure the stability of large-scale array deployment, and how to achieve rapid deployment and withdrawal of arrays, seemed to find a glimmer of hope for a solution under this "logicalized" system!

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Wuyun Xian suddenly stood up, his face flushed with excitement. "Researcher, this method of yours is simply opening up a clear path to the heavens for my Array Court! If it can truly be realized, the array deployment abilities of my Jie Sect disciples will surely undergo a qualitative leap!"

He eagerly grabbed Lin Xuan. "Please, Researcher, accompany me to the Array Court. We will begin immediately, using this 'Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation' as a pilot to verify this unprecedented concept!"

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded. He knew that the innovation in arrays might be even more profound than that in artifact refining. When array deployment is no longer the patent of a few geniuses but becomes a "technology" that can be standardized and mass-produced, what terrifying improvement will the overall strength of the Jie Sect achieve?

Another quiet revolution began in the Array Court. Xuanyuanzi's scientific fire began to ignite one of the most profound domains of the Primordial Era.