Techniques and Dao

Chapter 32 Immortal Array Erosion
"Pollution?" Xuanwen asked in surprise. "What pollution did you say?"

Just then, Tianjizi suddenly struck Huasheng with a palm strike, catching him off guard. Before Huasheng could react, he was sent flying and crashed to the ground.

"Speak! What happened! Are you the one causing trouble?" Tianjizi shouted, staring at Huasheng.

Hua Sheng got up and retorted, "What do you mean!"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun shouted at Tian Ji Zi, "Don't go too far! What does this situation have to do with Hua Sheng?"

Tianjizi said, "We were all trapped in this stone box just now, so why is it that only he knows how to get out?"

Hua Sheng was taken aback and said, "I can't remember, and I don't know why..."

"I'll teach you to spout nonsense!"

Tianjizi leaped into the air and threw a punch at Hua Sheng. Taishang Xiaojun flew in front of Hua Sheng to block, and with a bang, Tianjizi's fist struck Taishang Xiaojun's palm.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun took a step back and said, "Tian Ji Zi, you've gone too far! You claim Hua Sheng was behind it, but do you have any evidence?"

Tianjizi pointed at Huasheng and said, "If I say it's him, then it's him!"

"So you're trying to frame me?" Taishang Xiaojun didn't back down an inch.

Hua Sheng stood up, rolled up his Taoist robe sleeves, and said, "Alright! Since that's the case, let's have a contest. We'll have to have one sooner or later anyway!"

Suddenly, a gust of cold air flew out from the side and rushed straight towards Tianjizi, who had no choice but to use his hands to defend himself. However, due to the strong cold wind, half of Tianjizi's Taoist robe froze into an icicle.

"Are you guys ever going to stop?!" It turned out to be the Frost Curse cast by Mieying. "Tianjizi, since you look down on this ant, why bother with him now? If you're so capable, take me out of here!"

Tianjizi flicked his sleeve and said, "We can't get out now unless this game ends."

"You mean, to complete this cleverly designed game?"

Xuanwen asked, "Lucky one, how did you know you could get out after completing this round? Oh, right, you guessed it by skill."

Tianjizi glared at Xuanwen. He slowly walked to Xue Taiji's side and said, "I have participated in the Tianmu Trial for ten years. Although I have never encountered this situation before, I think there is only one possibility."

Mie Ying asked, "What?"

Tianjizi said, "Most of the trials in the Tianmu Trial are immortal formations. They are combinations of many immortal incantations. You are all very familiar with immortal incantations. If you mispronounce an incantation, it will become ineffective."

"That's natural."

"What would happen if two different magical spells, such as the Cloud Riding Technique and the Water Control Technique, were cast in combination?"

Mieying said, "That's normal. Isn't that how it is when gods bring rain?"

"Even if the spells are cast in a series of different incantations, they will not interfere with each other or cause errors. This is because magic itself is a pure and clean art."

Mieying said, "That's right. Otherwise, things would be in chaos."

"Combining different immortal techniques is like putting some ironware into a pile of wood. Although the two can be put close together, the wood is still wood and the metal is still metal," Tianjizi continued. "The immortal array of the Tianmu Trial is the same. The spells we cast in the immortal array are like placing objects in a wooden house."

Xuanwen said, "That's true."

Tianjizi stepped forward, pointed to the blood-stained Taiji on the ground, and said, "But do you know what has happened now?"

Xuanwen asked, "What?"

"A burning torch is thrown into this wooden hut. The trial participant is inside this hut, so what we are seeing is that the internal environment of this hut is rapidly deteriorating."

"It looks like the magic has been corrupted by something?"

"What we are seeing is something that has never happened in the five hundred years of the Tianmu Trial."

Tianjizi's words implied that something was eroding the cleverness of the game and taking over the situation. His words carried a chilling undertone.

Everyone could sense that the "thing" that was eroding the immortal array was up to no good.

From everyone's eyes, Hua Sheng realized that the idea of ​​immortal arts being corrupted was something that was being heard of for the first time, not only by himself but by everyone else.

But Tianjizi's conjecture seems to be the best explanation for the current problem.

If the magic itself can be corrupted, then the magic array formed by combining multiple magics will naturally be eroded as well. This has never happened in the past five hundred years, but that doesn't mean it will never happen.

What kind of power could be capable of eroding a celestial array? Is it another kind of celestial technique, or something else entirely?
The crowd clearly did not know the reason, let alone where this thing came from.

"Erosion? What does erosion mean? Does it mean that the magic array used to seize the game has been deliberately destroyed?" Mie Ying asked.

Tianjizi said, "I don't know if it was done by someone." As he spoke, Tianjizi glanced at Huasheng.

Xuanwen said, "That means that this year's Heavenly Eye Trial was originally supposed to be three rounds in a row, with no rest time reserved for the participants. So when we were teleported directly here from the Divine Calculation Bureau, the third round of the trial had already begun. But we didn't realize at first that the immortal array for this round had been damaged."

He thought for a moment and said, "That's not right. If there's a problem with this clever box game, there's no way the immortal masters outside the immortal formation would be completely unaware."

“The initial stage of erosion can be divided into external and internal,” Tianjizi said.

Xuanwen said, "You mean like an apple? The kind that looks perfect on the outside, but when you take a bite, you find that the inside is rotten?"

"Don't make it sound so disgusting," Mieying shouted.

Xuanwen said, "So, those on the outside might not even notice. By the time they realize it, we'll already be gone, along with the formation..."

Tianjizi said, "It should be said that as the trial goes on for longer, it will be only a matter of time before the supervising immortal master discovers that there is a problem with the clever box seizure. But even if a problem is discovered, he will not dare to rashly dismantle the immortal formation."

Mie Ying stamped his foot and said, "How about I try to poke a hole in the sky? This place won't trap me!"

"No! Mieying, you mustn't act rashly!" Hua Sheng stepped forward. "If the Immortal Array is destroyed, we're like being in a crumbling skyscraper. If we destroy it further, the whole thing might collapse. I think the only way to survive is for us to find our own way out. No, we should say obtain the Victorious Buddha's Path Guide and complete this cleverly designed game!"

Tenkiko ignored Hana Mori's words.

However, Taishang Xiaojun expressed his support, saying, "I think Huasheng is absolutely right. Since this Heavenly Eye Trial Immortal Array has an entrance, it must also have an exit. Although the process and rules may have changed, as long as we find Shengfo's guide, the Trial Immortal Array will naturally end and help us escape this place."

But at this moment, a feeling of unease suddenly welled up in Hua Sheng's heart. This feeling first emerged when he was still locked in the stone box at his feet. No, if it weren't for the single bed and desk in that place, it would probably be more accurate to call it a "stone coffin." But what puzzled Hua Sheng the most was that he felt, subconsciously, that he should indeed recognize this place.

He had found the exit to open the "sarcophagus" based on intuition. So he had seen this place before. And this feeling of unease had suddenly intensified now.

Because he discovered that this corrupted immortal array was exhibiting an astonishing coincidence. Or to put it another way, there were certain "patterns" that shouldn't exist within it.

This pattern shouldn't exist in the first place. But the more Hanamori thought about it, the more unsettling it became.

That's the change in the immortal array, and it seems to be related to something strange! That's "one's own perspective".

This strange thought was something he had just suddenly realized.

The current Magic Academy was clearly created to confine them. During his time living in the Magic Academy, Hua Sheng had traversed most of the academy, but not every corner.

For example, Qi Guang's dormitory.

He only learned of Qi Guang's existence at the end of the Divine Calculation Bureau because of Mie Ying's attack on other trial participants.

Before this, he might have passed by the outer wall of Qi Guang's dormitory on ordinary days, but he had never actually gone inside. To Hua Sheng, the inside was nothing at all. But now, what was being revealed was a unique kind of "nothingness".

After careful consideration, Hua Sheng discovered that wherever he had never seen before, a "black space" would appear in this fake magic academy.

Therefore, the arrangement of his own dormitory was relatively complete. However, there were places in the dormitory that he was unaware of, such as when Tai Shang Xiao Jun changed the flower to blue. Because he did not notice, the flower was still the light yellow he perceived it to be.

All these differences seemed to have an astonishing coincidence with his own will. No, this could not be a coincidence; it should be a connection. This greatly surprised him and made him vaguely uneasy. Although Taishang Xiaojun had tried to defend him just now, Tianjizi's words might not have been wrong. Moreover, because of the Supreme Fortune, even if Tianjizi guessed wildly, he would be infinitely close to the final truth.

However, Hua Sheng couldn't voice this thought at the moment. Doing so would only bring trouble upon herself and wouldn't help her escape her predicament. On the contrary, it would only isolate her for no reason. Even if Tai Shang Xiao Jun believed in her, what about Xuan Wen? And then there was Mie Ying. She had told Mie Ying about the idea that might defeat Tian Ji Zi; would Mie Ying stop trusting her because of that? Then all her efforts so far would be in vain.

Absolutely not! Absolutely not! I've overcome countless challenges in the Candlelight Battle and the Divine Calculation Game, and I'm only a stone's throw away from the Path of the Victorious Buddha. Even if the trial game malfunctions, as long as there's a glimmer of hope, I must not give up.

To prepare for the worst, I must defeat Tianjizi!
I want to be the first mortal to win the Heavenly Eye Trial!

Moreover, if you obtain the Victorious Buddha's Pass and leave this place, you can also meet the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong!

This is almost a dream that Hanamori could only realize in her imagination since she was a child.

Since that's the case, I must play the Heavenly Eye Trial game to the very end! Even if there are some dangers in this game, I'll still take the gamble!
Hua Sheng secretly made up her mind.

He just couldn't understand why this strange situation was related to him. He had never been to Saint Pingning before, let alone the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

If something is eroding the immortal array, could that thing be Hua Sheng "himself"? But he is just an ordinary person, what ability does he have to erode the immortal array set up by the gods?
If it's not myself, then who is it?

Besides himself, Tianjizi and Taishang Xiaojun are both immortals. Mieying is a spirit-destroying bird, and Xuanwen is a warhorse spirit, both being immortal spirits. There's also Qi Guang, who, like himself, is human. But Qi Guang clearly grew up in Shengpingning, and his ancestors were there. Moreover, like Rongping, he was a victim of this cleverly designed box scheme. Among these people, who is the culprit who corrupted the immortal array?
Furthermore, what is the purpose of erosion?
Qi Guang and Rong Ping are probably in grave danger now. Where were they taken?
Damn it! Hua Sheng felt that his mind was in complete chaos.

"Then, what should we do with the remaining porcelain boxes?" Xuanwen's words interrupted Huasheng's thoughts.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun said, "It seems that if we want to get out of here, we must continue to open these porcelain boxes."

Beside the blood-red Tai Chi symbol are the eight trial porcelain boxes: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui.

The "Qian" box had already been opened, and the "Gen" and "Dui" boxes were both opened by Tianjizi and were empty. The "Kun" box was opened by Qi Guang, and the strange beast Qiongqi appeared and captured Qi Guang. Qiongqi itself was blinded, and it brought with it a female doll with its eyeballs gouged out.

What do these represent? What signals are they conveying? The remaining four porcelain boxes are named "Zhen," "Xun," "Kan," and "Li." In terms of trigrams, Zhen represents thunder, Xun represents wind, Kan represents water, and Li represents fire.

"Let me open it." Tianjizi stepped forward and raised his hand to open the "Zhen" box.

Because of what had just happened, everyone involuntarily took a step back and bent over, fearing that some monster might rush out of the box.

However, after waiting for a long time, no sound came.

"What? It's empty?" Mieying asked.

“No,” Tianjizi said slowly, “it cannot be opened. It seems to be locked by something.”

"Locked? Then how could it have been opened just now?" Mieying asked.

Tianjizi walked to the "Xun" box and raised his hand to open it. Everyone held their breath, staring at the porcelain box.

But then Tianjizi said, "It's still locked, it can't be opened."

Then Tianjizi tried the "Kan" and "Li" boxes in turn. They were also locked.

"What does it mean that it's locked?" Xuanwen asked. "Does it mean that the wrong person opened it?"

Mie Ying flew to the farthest point and shouted, "You...who among you will try?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun conjured a blanket from his hand, covered the female doll with it, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "Come on down!"

"No! Wait!" Hua Sheng said, interrupting Tai Shang Xiao Jun, "Let me try!"

Hua Sheng thought to himself that since Tian Jizi said this matter was related to him, perhaps only by trying it himself could he find out the reason.

Hua Sheng reached out and stopped Tai Shang Xiao Jun, then slowly walked to Tian Ji Zi's side.

"Excuse me, could you please move aside?" Hua Sheng said.

Tianjizi didn't move an inch and showed no intention of leaving.

"If the situation just now were to occur, innocent people might be harmed."

Tianjizi said, "You can't hurt me. If anyone is to be hurt, it will only hurt you."

This statement makes sense. Tianjizi possesses supreme divine power, so he will not allow himself to meet with misfortune.

Hua Sheng stopped arguing and reached out to touch the lid of the porcelain box. To her surprise, the porcelain box suddenly began to vibrate and bounce in place, as if something inside was about to burst out.

Hua Sheng withdrew his hand, just about to see what was going on, when he heard Tai Shang Xiao Jun behind him shout, "Quickly look at the other boxes!"

Sure enough, the four porcelain boxes, named "Zhen, Xun, Kan, and Li," all began to vibrate. They not only emitted rapid knocking sounds, but the sounds also grew louder and louder.

"What happened!" Xuanwen shouted.

Just as Hua Sheng was about to look again, a loud bang was heard, the "Zhen" box opened, and a bolt of lightning shot into the sky.

Before anyone could react, three more loud bangs rang out, and the other porcelain boxes that hadn't been touched by the flowers also opened. Then, accompanied by hurricanes, floods, and flames, they flew out from the "Xun," "Kan," and "Li" boxes respectively, soaring into the sky.

Then lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky, followed by a massive flood that surged in from all directions!

"What's going on!" Even though Mieying flew the furthest, she was still soaked by the flood. She used water manipulation techniques in mid-air to defend herself, but the waves grew higher and higher. Mieying shouted, "Where did this water come from! Where did all this water come from!"

The floodwaters poured down from the sky, leaving almost nowhere to hide in the entire Academy of Arts and Sciences. Just as everyone was looking for shelter from the water, a colossal wave, taller than Mount Xuanwu, rolled in.

"No, this place will be filled with floodwater! There's nowhere to hide!" Xuanwen shouted.

Curly-haired Shadowless, bracing himself against the hundreds-of-meters-high waves, cried out, "No! I can't hold on much longer!"

Hua Sheng immediately flew over and used his water manipulation technique, shouting, "Hurry, hurry, as the law commands!"

But the floodwaters rose higher and higher, coming from all directions, making it impossible for anyone to resist.

"You idiot! Don't get in the way!" Mieying shouted at Huasheng, "Mind your own business first!"

"No! I can't abandon you, a girl!" Hua Sheng's forehead veins bulged as he struggled to hold back the floodwaters with his hands.

"Everyone, hide inside the stone box! It's waterproof there!" Taishang Xiaojun shouted.

Hua Sheng shouted to Mie Ying, "Get down here right now!"

Mieying shouted, "You little mole ant, you can't hold on! You'll be swept away by the flood!"

"I'm fine! You go!" Hua Sheng shouted, "I'm just a mole ant, my life is cheap. You, young lady, get out of here!"

Mie Ying was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Don't you dare die!" With that, he flew down to the large stone box below.

As the power of the Shadowbreaker was withdrawn, Hua Sheng felt the force of a giant wave surging towards him. His arms, which he braced with his hands, immediately began to rupture and bleed. A sharp, tearing pain shot through his arms.

He gritted his teeth and struggled to hold on, just one more second! Just one more second!

With a snap, a gash appeared on Hua Sheng's arm, and blood flowed freely. At that moment, he could no longer hold on, and the raging floodwaters immediately surged down, engulfing him.

Hua Sheng almost fainted for a moment. He gritted his teeth, made a sweeping motion with his hand, and shot out of the floodwaters, diving directly into the water below him.

Only then did they see that everyone had already hidden inside the stone box below, with only Tai Shang Xiao Jun shouting from below: "Quick! Hua Sheng! Quick!"

"Hurry, hurry, as the law commands!" Hua Sheng shouted, quickening his descent. The monstrous waves followed closely behind, and the floodwaters had already soaked his shoes.

Just as Hua Sheng rushed into the stone box, Tai Shang Xiao Jun pulled the heavy stone door back. With a muffled thud, everyone was back in the pitch-black cage.

(End of this chapter)