Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 436: Three Possibilities

“The Epoch Immortal had poor naming sense. He coined the name ‘Early Heaven Bagua,’ while I came up with the other three Bagua names. Aren’t mine much better?” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s contributions to the Bagua Theory extended beyond giving moral support; she was even involved in the crucial naming process.

Lu Yang went against his conscience and nodded. “...Indeed. The three other names are...remarkably easy to understand.”

“The Bagua Theory is considered an orthodox temporal spell. Saying that it encompasses all phenomena is not an exaggeration. Early Heaven Bagua observes the past, Today Heaven Bagua governs the present, and Tomorrow Heaven Bagua divines the future. These three represent the past, present, and future, forming an integral whole.

“Later Heaven Bagua represents the unpredictable distant future, predicting mere possibilities. It’s the hardest to master; even The Epoch Immortal dared not claim he could foresee the distant future due to too many variable factors.

“Arrays based on Bagua Theory are planned with a temporal aspect, making them nearly impossible for cultivators of the same level to decipher.”

Hearing the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s explanation, Lu Yang felt that the Bagua Theory’s prestige had been salvaged.

“No wonder the great array masters have been endlessly debating about Early Heaven and Later Heaven Bagua without any results. It’s because they haven’t even grasped the fundamentals!” Lu Yang unwittingly solved a conundrum that had plagued the array community for three hundred thousand years.

Putting aside the application of the Early Heaven Bagua and Later Heaven Bagua, they weren’t even in the right direction. This was a theory about temporal spells. If Lu Yang were to publish his research findings, it would shake the entire array community; even Grandpa Ba, an expert in arrays, would have to serve tea to Lu Yang. Temporal spells were cryptic and abstruse, one of the hardest spells to learn in the world.

Even someone as talented as the Everlasting Immortal Fairy had only managed to learn Weather Forecast.

And even someone as talented as Lu Yang had only managed to learn to “predict futures that would never come to pass.”

At the moment, the various great array masters were arguing over what kind of array was set up in Hanshui City and what its foundational principles were.

“Enough! All of you, stop arguing!”

Provincial Governor Lü’s roar finally cowed the array masters into silence. If I let them continue like this, they’ll still be squabbling by the time the Great Yu cultivators activate the array. It’s not like their bickering has yielded any result.

“Master Fang, you’re a master in Early Heaven Bagua. According to your theory, what is the purpose of the Great Yu cultivators’ array, and how should we break it?”

Master Fang had three wisps of white beard that accentuated his sage-like demeanor. “I have yet to discern the purpose of the array in the city. But the key to breaking the array lies in its core. In my opinion, the core is at Hundred Flowers Restaurant. The topmost priority now is to seal off the restaurant. If there are malevolent ghosts within the restaurant, it will confirm my conjecture!”

Provincial Governor Lü turned to another array master. “Master Miao, you’re a master in Later Heaven Bagua. According to your assessment, what is the purpose of the Great Yu cultivators’ array, and how should we break it?”

“The array in Hanshui City has the ability to reverse Later Heaven and invert yin and yang, though it’s uncertain what it’s trying to invert. The key to breaking it is the core, but what puzzles me is that the position of the core is at the Corpse-Driving Sect’s entrance. A malevolent ghost that acts as the array core should be there. Perhaps it has concealment capabilities and is hiding right under the Corpse-Driving Sect’s nose!”

Master Miao was unaware, but Provincial Governor Lü knew that with Huang Ming as a mole in the Corpse-Driving Sect, planting a malevolent ghost as the array core there wouldn’t be a problem.

“And you, Master Ren? Didn’t you say that this is neither a Later Heaven nor Early Heaven array, but an attempt by the Great Yu cultivators to overturn yin and yang?”

“Verily. With an imbalance in yin and yang, legions of ghosts will march, plunging the city into chaos. What we don’t yet know is whether the Great Yu cultivators intend to take advantage of this. For now, the top priority is to speed up the extermination of the malevolent ghosts.”

Provincial Governor Lü fell silent. Master Ren might not know the repercussions of chaos in the city, but he did. Hanshui City was the core of Wilderness Province. If the city was thrown into turmoil, it would destabilize the heart of the populace and shake the entire province’s national fortune.

“Does any other master have a differing insight?” Provincial Governor Lü scanned the remaining array masters who had yet to speak.

These masters shook their heads. Their views didn’t deviate from the three theories.

Seeing no alternatives, Provincial Governor Lü swiftly came to a decision and began delegating work to everyone. “Resolving the Early Heaven and Later Heaven theories is not difficult. Sect Leader Qiu, please head to Hundred Flowers Restaurant and investigate if there are any anomalies.”

If Hundred Flowers Restaurant was the array core, there would certainly be ferocious ghosts at the level of a Great Ghost King, making it extremely perilous. Provincial Governor Lü was thankful for Qiu Jin’an’s presence. This is a tremendous boon. A dangerous place like the array core would usually require sending three to five Fusion cultivators, but where would I get so many Fusion cultivators to head there? Thank goodness, Qiu Jin’an alone is worth three to five Fusion cultivators.

“Alright, I’ll depart at once.” Qiu Jin’an accepted with composure, completely unfazed by the potential danger he would face if Hundred Flowers Restaurant was the array core.

“As for the Corpse-Driving Sect, since Sect Leader Lu is in seclusion, let Elder Gai conduct a thorough internal investigation!” Provincial Governor Lü summoned a subordinate and dispatched him to the Corpse-Driving Sect with urgent orders.

With Sect Leader Lu in seclusion, Elder Gai held de facto authority. Provincial Governor Lü didn’t send Zhao Po as a messenger due to his low cultivation and speed; it was now a race against time.

Next, he summoned Marshal An Ping of Wilderness Province. “Old An, we can’t just leave the work to the Corpse-Driving Sect’s disciples. Mobilize more manpower to sweep the city. We must resolve Hanshui City’s ghost calamities in the shortest time possible!”

“Roger!”

After all the tasks were delegated, Provincial Governor Lü exhaled, some tension easing from his shoulders. He hadn’t forgotten about Lu Yang and the other three. “Hanshui City is not safe for now. Remain in the estate until this matter concludes. I’ll get Sect Leader Qiu to escort you back then.”

The four volunteered to go out and help eliminate the ghosts, but Provincial Governor Lü adamantly refused. Their statuses were too special, and he would have a tough time explaining to the Dao-Seeking Sect if anything happened. Thus, Lu Yang reluctantly stayed put.

~~~

“What?! You’re saying Huang Ming is a Great Yu cultivator who dispersed his cultivation to cultivate anew?!” Elder Gai’s veins bulged as fury contorted his face.

The back mountains of the Corpse-Driving Sect shook; this was where his true body resided.

Huang Ming is a Great Yu spy, yet he brazenly snatched first place during the sect’s grand tournament? This is a stain on the Corpse-Driving Sect’s reputation! We’ll be a laughing stock if word gets out!

“Provincial Governor Lü told the sect to carry out an internal investigation; he’s giving our sect a chance! We must conduct a strict investigation—no cutting corners!” Elder Gai called for the other three elders and relayed the news. Their outrage mirrored his own, and they were determined to comb the sect from top to bottom to check if Huang Ming had left behind any traps and schemes.

~~~

“Oh, so Meng Tian and Huang Ming are already unreachable. I sense Fusion cultivators exchanging blows outside the city. Was Meng Tian exposed? He fought with Great Xia cultivators and got caught?

“If that’s the case, our plan will be out of the bag soon. We can only strike first.”

In a secret chamber, a figure rose slowly, lips curling into a confident smirk.

And from him radiated a powerful aura that dwarfed even Apex Fusion cultivators.