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Chapter 311: Easy Array
𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪Shaking his head, Hui focused on the array. He drew closer, reaching out his qi to connect to it. Unlike Fu Liyus array, the one in Bai Xue trembled, unstable. Holes opened in the array, only to close up the next moment, and bits of the spell collapsed into runes at the edges, bleeding out into Bai Xues qi. Even as the spell deteriorated, it desperately healed itself, but it was obvious it could only hold on for so long. It cant handle the power of Bai Xues great circle fourth-stage cultivation. It was only meant to deal with the power of a second, or maybe third stage cultivator. If I was infected by this array at the fifth stage, it would probably directly collapse.
But how did they infect Bai Xue?
He searched deeper, pouring all his focus into the spell. The delicate spell began to evaporate under the dual assault of Bai Xues energy and Huis focus, and he carefully retreated, allowing it to reform for a moment before continuing. Its fortunate for me that its such a vivacious array, but the extent to which it self-heals is concerning. Though at the same time, it bodes well for the soul array I have, if thats common for soul arrays. I dont want that array to fall apart before the promised ten years.
The array suddenly grew stronger. Hui opened his eyes, startled. Bai Xue looked back at him, equally startled, wine cup held to her lips. Huh?
Hui frowned at her. Youre drinking while I Wait. The array refreshed when she drank it. Is the spell somehow mixed into the liquor? He reached out and snatched the cup from Bai Xues hands.
I poured a cup for you, you know, Bai Xue said, bemused.
Ignoring her, Hui sent a strand of his qi into the wine at the same time as he watched the array. The wine stirred gently, the spirit aura in its depths brought to the front by Huis qi. Its spirit wine, but Im still not seeing
No, no, come on, Hui! Array, come out!
The wines spiritual essence stirred, and a single rune appeared in the depths of the cup. The array shone at the same time, and a rune-shaped hole opened in its ragged edge, waiting for the wines rune to fill it.
Bai Xue blinked. What is that?
Theres an array inside you. The wine is refreshing it I suspect it collects inside you when you drink the wine, Hui explained.
Ying Lin glanced at a cup sitting on the table and swallowed. Good thing I copied Master and didnt drink it!
Should I dispel it? Bai Xue asked. Inside her dantian, her qi suddenly surged, searching. With the array called up by Huis qi, she easily found the array and quickly isolated it with her qi.
Hui furrowed his brows. I Bai Xue, if youd be willing could I study the array inside you and attempt to alter it? Im researching soul-based arrays, and I
Hmm, Im willing. Youll have to tell me more about your research later. Perhaps I could help, Bai Xue offered.
Hui hesitated. Bai Xue, Im a wanted man. You
Bai Xue waved her hand. If we bow to All-Heavens every whim, we might as well be a tributary clan. Bai Clan has maintained its role as a neutral clan for longer than any other clan. We wont bow and scrape to every tyrant clan that comes along and decides to suppress the region.
Has this happened before? Hui asked.
Has a sect attempted to conquer the region? Only every other century, Bai Xue said lightly.
Huis brows furrowed. Actually, thats a good point. If sects attempt to conquer the region all the time, and All-Heavens Sect has existed for so long, then All-Heavens Sect I didnt get the impression that it was a new sect. Or a newly large sect. Why is it attempting to conquer the region now?
Bai Xue leaned in conspiratorially. All-Heavens Sect has been ruled by its Patriarch since its founding. However, I heard the Patriarch recentlythat is, about a century ago, hit a snag in his cultivation. He suffered a deep injury and had to retreat into sequestered cultivation in order to recover himself. Since then, the Peak Lords have been running rampant, doing whatever they like. A few years back, the Patriarch briefly woke. Disliking the chaos his sect had descended into, he announced that he would select a Sect Master to rule the sect in his absence. The various Peak Lords have been consolidating their power and growing their strength, gathering allies in order to please the Patriarch when he next awakens or, more realistically, to gain such power over the sect that the Patriarch has no option but to select them as the ruler.
That explains it. Then, as I suspected, they attacked Starbound Sect more out of a desire to further their political aspirations than for any so-called righteous reasons, Hui muttered under his breath.
Bai Xue spread her hands. Its unfortunate, truly. You have my apologies, but well, Bai Clan cant afford to stick its neck out. Were better protected politically than Starbound Sect, but at the end of the day, a mantis cannot stand up to a carriage.
I understand, Elder Sister, Hui said. I knew I couldnt count on the Bai Clan for open protection. I already understood that long ago. Still, his chest tightened a bit. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. For now, lets figure out this array.
A gasp caught his ear. Hui glanced up, focus broken. Ying Min stood before them, her eyes narrowed, a smirk on her face. You two openly? In the middle of the banquet?
Ying Lin frowned at her, confused. What is Master doing? Is it something wrong? Isnt he just investigating his friends body? Theres nothing wrong with helping a friend.
Does Young Miss have a problem with it? Bai Xue asked evenly, unbothered. She gave Hui a look from the corner of her eyes and subtly gestured with her fingers. Go ahead. Ill handle this.
Hui nodded. He closed his eyes, ignoring Ying Min, and chased after the array. Cautious, he left a strand of mental energy to watch Bai Xue, unable to fully look away.
Do Ithis is untoward! Utterly scandalous! That you dareyou ought to be ejected from the banquet! Ying Min protested.
As if you werent falling all over that man over there, Bai Xue replied flatly, bored.
You dare compare Bai Xue to a servant? Ying Min snapped, looking down her nose at Bai Xue.
I would never do that, Bai Xue said, smirking.
Across the banquet hall, Mo Gonglu stood. Fu Liyu leaned forward, interested in the sudden drama.
Catching a glimpse of Mo Gonglu approaching, Ying Min grew bolder. She reached out and grabbed Bai Xues veil, throwing it back. Hiding your face, I bet youre hideous
Bai Xue smiled back at her.
Ying Min froze, struck dumb.
Mo Gonglu visibly trembled, his eyes wide. His jaw dropped, and he stepped forward without a thought, immediately forgetting Ying Min. He put a hand to the side of Bai Xues head and touched a lock of her hair lovingly. Beauty what have you been sitting to the side for? Come, come. Let us drink together. Shall I recite poetry?
Hui snorted. Bai Xue has this handled. He released the small amount of mental energy outside himself and turned his attention entirely to the array.
Inside Bai Xue, Hui circled the array. Comparing this to Fu Liyus array its different. If I had to say, instead of accepting energy and doing something with it, it seems to send energy? And theres none of the locking mechanisms Fu Liyus array had. That might be because Bai Xues level is too high, but I suspect that its a fundamental difference. In fact, Fu Liyus array was almost parasitic. Embedded deeply inside her, the array had become a part of her dantian, almost inseparable, sealing the remnant auras into her. This array, in comparison, is slapdash and thrown together, nowhere near at the same level of sophistication.
He extended his mental energy into the array. The second his mental energy entered it, the world expanded. He saw the banquet hall from a dozen angles. A hidden array appeared inside each person invited to the banquet, visible only to Hui. He cast his vision around and caught sight of Mo Gonglu. As expected. Mo Gonglu has one of these arrays as well. This banquet isnt for Mo Gonglus benefit, but will bring him low.
Do the other girls deserve to have their qi taken? They dont, but how will I stop them all from getting their arrays activated? I could change them all from here, but theyll notice, and I cant afford to alert Fu Renyi that Ive discovered his arrays. If he activates them suddenly before I'm done, I'm screwed. Hui bit his lip, then retracted his mental energy, turning back to Bai Xues array.
What if I alter Bai Xues array to accept qi instead? Leave it connected to the rest of the arrays, but reverse it? If I can give her control over the entire spell array, too, she can choose not to steal all the qi from all the other girls. Plus, that way I dont get the credit for whatever happens here!
Good, good. Xiao Hui cannot afford to make a splash! I need to keep a low profile. Its fine if Bai Xue decides to up and rescue a roomful of women, but if a wanted man does it, All-Heavens Sect will come down on my head!
Hui drew out more qi, pouring it into the array. With the array isolated by Bai Xues qi, he quickly took control over it. The runes swirled before him, utterly meaningless. If only they were talisman marks. Then Id be able to easily easily
What if I draw talisman marks over the runes? Can I alter the array by adding a talisman layer on top of it? Hui lifted a strand of qi and carefully drew a talisman mark over it. The mark glowed, and the array glowed in sync.
His eyes glittered. He lifted his hand and began to draw, rapidly scribbling over the array. I dont need to alter the spell itself to reverse it. If I take the energy it sends out and instead send that back into Bai Xue there we go! As for control another talisman over the array to connect Bai Xues mental energy into the array. She can handle it from there.
Huis connection to the array jostled as he slapped the final touches into the array. Hui pushed through it, forcing himself to continue. Even as Bai Xues qi stirred, disrupting his, he fought back and finished the talisman. Only when the final stroke landed did he retreat.
Hui slammed back into his body with a jolt. He sagged back, exhausted, mental energy spent, his qi wavering off-sync. What happened?
Bai Xue stood over him. She glanced down and smiled, releasing her hand. Ying Min stood back, hand to her cheek, and Mo Gonglu had Bai Xue by the throat, his eyes wide with rage.
Dont worry, Xiao Xiao. Ive got this handled, Bai Xue said, winking.
No such thing, Mo Gonglu growled. You scum, daring to touch my Ying Min!
Hui blinked. No what happened?
