Array Symbol Basics

Zhou Qing pondered Chen Qingxuan's words.

His claim that cultivation pursued for the sake of power would lead one into demonic ways struck Zhou Qing as rather novel. Yet by Zhou Qing's own understanding of cultivation, it made a great deal of sense.

Because he had mastered the ability to sense magnetic fields and could minutely perceive the fluctuations of spiritual energy, Zhou Qing's cultivation had always gone straight to the essence.

In his view, a cultivator's process of refining energy was essentially the continuous tuning of spiritual energy through one's own electromagnetic signals, causing the spiritual energy to resonate with the cultivator's mind. Cultivators used this resonance to control spiritual energy.

Thus, the nature of spiritual energy was inevitably influenced by the mind. Once one harbored thoughts of seeking power and wielding the authority of life and death, spiritual energy would naturally become aggressive in accordance with one's mind.

However, Chen Qingxuan's concern that cultivators lacked sufficient time left him somewhat puzzled.

Zhou Qing asked, "Martial Uncle, a cultivator may circulate energy for no more than two hours a day, for any more would be harmful. The rest of the time can be spent studying spells and arrays. So long as one keeps one's thoughts pure, it seems there should be no hindrance to cultivation."

Chen Qingxuan smiled. "You have only cultivated for so long. In the end, you know too little of cultivation's hardships."

"The essence of circulating energy lies in compressing spiritual energy within the body. The farther one progresses, the more difficult and dangerous it becomes. This is especially true when breaking through a realm. When spiritual energy is compressed to its limit, if it cannot be contained, it will erupt and damage the vital points and meridians. Every year, disciples perish at this stage."

"Moreover, cultivation is not merely about refining energy; there is also the refinement of the mind. After many years of exploration, our Azure Cloud Sect's Sect Leader True Person devised a cultivation regimen: half the day spent refining energy, half the day sitting in meditation to clear the mind, then using the evening to feast with fellow cultivators and release the pent-up gloom in one's heart."

"Only, this regimen still requires further refinement, so it has not yet been implemented. But this alone shows that cultivators truly have very little time left over in a day."

So that was how it was.

Zhou Qing silently nodded. "This disciple understands."

Chen Qingxuan walked over to the bookshelf, selected a thick thread-bound book from within, and handed it to Zhou Qing. "You may take this book back and study it yourself."

Zhou Qing accepted the book and saw the words written on its cover: Array Symbol Basics.

He could not help but stare blankly. "Martial Uncle, did you not say..."

Chen Qingxuan stopped him. "With your temperament, once the principles have been made clear to you, that is enough. I am not worried that you will stray onto a crooked path."

"Besides, this book contains only highly theoretical material on array cultivation and does not involve practical operations. There is no fear that you will become obsessed with it. Read through it a few times when you are free; it will be good to lay some foundations for yourself."

Zhou Qing casually flipped through a few pages and found them filled with strange symbols. He had seen some of them before on the Spirit Realm Network, but most were unfamiliar. The book explained every symbol and described their effects and functions in detail.

Zhou Qing flipped to the end and checked the numbering, then said in surprise, "There are actually more than two thousand array symbols!"

Chen Qingxuan smiled. "And you think that is a lot? Our Azure Cloud Sect's Esoteric Division has mastered more than six thousand array symbols. It is said that those Dao Palaces possess over thirty thousand. The ones in your hands are merely the most basic, and they are also the symbols our Azure Cloud Sect has explored most thoroughly, with meanings that are relatively certain."

"These array symbols may be regarded as the language of the Heavenly Dao. When each of them is written in a prescribed manner, it is like issuing commands to the spiritual energy between Heaven and Earth, producing certain effects. That is the essence of arrays and Talismans."

"Array masters and talisman masters are people who study the language of Heaven and Earth, and attempt to command Heaven and Earth through that language."

"Yet the meanings of these languages of Heaven and Earth are not distinct. Their meanings can only be defined through long years of exploration. Our Azure Cloud Sect's Esoteric Division has existed for twelve hundred years, yet we have only explored these two thousand-odd symbols with relative clarity."

Zhou Qing asked curiously, "What about the other four thousand-odd symbols?"

Chen Qingxuan smiled. "They can barely be used, but their precise meanings are unclear."

Well then, as long as the code runs, that is enough. As for why it runs, no one knows.

Zhou Qing shook his head with an amused smile.

After chatting with Chen Qingxuan a while longer, Zhou Qing finally took his leave.

He walked down the mountain path, recalling Chen Qingxuan's words as he went, feeling that he had benefited greatly from the lesson.

When he was nearing the foot of the mountain, he suddenly heard a burst of shouting from the direction of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and could not help looking over.

A group of people was arguing in front of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

With one glance, Zhou Qing spotted Yuan Hongying among them.

This young woman had a particular fondness for red dresses. Although the sect had issued standard Daoist robes that could ward off both cold and heat, she would rather wear the clothes she had brought from the mortal world.

At that moment, Yuan Hongying was facing Fang Yuhe and the others' scolding with a face full of grievance. But the other side had strength in numbers and consisted of Senior Apprentices who had joined the sect years ago, while she was a lone young woman. She was clearly struggling to cope.

After a brief thought, Zhou Qing understood the reason behind it. He sneered and strolled over.

"Senior Apprentice!"

The moment Yuan Hongying saw Zhou Qing approaching, she cried out in delight, then quickly ran to his side.

Zhou Qing asked, "What is all this commotion about?"

Yuan Hongying said, "This junior sister received an assignment from Senior Apprentice and rushed to the Spirit Garden today, only to discover that Senior Sister Lin Hongyu had received the same assignment. But the Spirit Garden task requires only one person."

"So this junior sister came with Senior Sister Lin Hongyu to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to verify it. Who would have thought that Senior Apprentice Fang Yuhe would be here as well? Without bothering to distinguish black from white, he rebuked this junior sister for falsely claiming the task. We were in the midst of arguing when Senior Apprentice arrived."

The situation was just as Zhou Qing had guessed. He said, "The assignment receipts issued by the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall all bear the Senior Apprentices' Aura. They need only retrieve the receipt and inspect it. Why argue?"

Yuan Hongying said aggrievedly, "The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall has already investigated it. The task indeed belongs to this junior sister, yet Senior Apprentice Fang Yuhe refuses to acknowledge it."

Zhou Qing turned his gaze toward Fang Yuhe. Besides the usual lackeys who accompanied him, there was also a woman with a gentle demeanor and an awkward expression standing beside him.

He guessed that this woman was Lin Hongyu, who had received the same assignment as Yuan Hongying.

Zhou Qing said, "Brother Fang, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall has already established the facts, yet you refuse to acknowledge them. How is this any different from forcibly seizing what belongs to another? The Discipline Hall is right up there. Must we make a trip there?"

Fang Yuhe's expression darkened. "I clearly accepted this assignment myself. It could not possibly belong to someone else. There must have been some mistake somewhere!"

Zhou Qing smiled. "Everyone makes mistakes. Brother Fang need not take it too much to heart."

Fang Yuhe's gaze turned grim. "Are you saying that after being a Senior Apprentice for six years, I could still make a mistake even in accepting an assignment?"

Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow, smiling without quite smiling. "Brother Fang, I do not care whether the mistake was yours or someone else's. In any case, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall has already determined that the assignment belongs to Junior Sister Yuan."

"Go back and find the mistake yourself. Do not delay our business. If you insist on making trouble without reason, we will have no choice but to go to the Discipline Hall and settle the matter."