Path of Alchemy Mastery-Chapter 288 - 289: Tribulation Void Mysterious Array

"What the hell is the Tribulation Void Mysterious Array?" Mu Can had never seen Wang Cai wear such a solemn expression before.

"Ai, even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Just know that this kind of maze array is very difficult to break and also quite dangerous to attempt."

Wang Cai didn’t refuse to explain to Mu Can out of unwillingness but because it was a very difficult task to clarify the intricacies of arrays to someone completely unversed in them.

"How about you at least fill me in on the situation? What kind of array is it?" Once again feeling disdained by the dog, Mu Can decided he wouldn’t stand for it any longer. Couldn’t this dog show him a little respect?

"Alright, alright, you win," Wang Cai conceded reluctantly and began to explain.

Maze arrays are among the more commonly used types, mainly designed to disorient those who enter them, typically employed to guard something or to keep a place undisturbed by outsiders.

There are primarily two types of maze arrays: the Confusion Array and the Confusion Killing Array. Just as their names imply, the Confusion Array’s sole purpose is to entrap and mislead one from finding the correct path. In contrast, the Confusion Killing Array is far more terrifying. It’s filled with various deadly mechanisms, and one wrong step could lead to death.

"This Tribulation Void Mysterious Array is a classic example of a Confusion Killing Array, but there’s something strange; although the Qiankun Compass indicates that it’s definitely the Tribulation Void Mysterious Array, it doesn’t seem to hold any danger. Very strange." Wang Cai trusted the Compass’s judgment, which showed no sign of danger within the array.

"This Compass is called the Qiankun Compass?" Mu Can wanted to learn about arrays and needed a good Compass. Although this one looked unimpressive, dark, and dingy, it perfectly suited Mu Can’s taste.

One should be like this Compass: dazzling brilliance concealed within, unassuming yet profound.

"What are you up to?" Wang Cai suddenly felt a glint in Mu Can’s eyes and tightly gripped the Compass with both paws, fearing Mu Can would snatch it away.

"What’s this about? Do I look like someone who’d steal from a dog?"

If he were to take it, he’d find a justifiable reason to claim this treasure for himself. Of course, Mu Can wouldn’t admit he was looking for a treasure.

"Sigh, actually, my old master did say that if you can quickly grasp the basics of array methods, then you can have this Qiankun Compass. Right now, I’m just holding onto it for him," said Wang Cai with a sigh.

The dog was sharper than human beings; how could it fail to see Mu Can’s longing for the Compass? freeweɓnøvel.com

"Good, once this is over, help me unlock the third layer of the Reincarnation Pearl. I want to properly study the way of arrays."

Mu Can said this, indicating that he would need to schedule his studies of arrays very soon.

"Yes, that way you’d also inherit the mantle of the old master. As the disciple of a Heavenly Dao thief, it would be too shameful if you didn’t even have a basic grasp of arrays."

Having said that, Wang Cai bent down again and carefully observed the patterns on the Compass.

"Here it is, look at this." After observing for a while, Wang Cai suddenly pointed out a spot on the diagram and opened the discussion.

"What is this?" The array diagram seemed as incomprehensible as an oracle script to Mu Can.

"Forget you don’t understand any of this. First, take a look – what does this diagram resemble?"

Mu Can had already noticed one trait about Wang Cai: whenever there was a chance to teach Mu Can, the dog got unreasonably excited, overflowing with happiness.

"Resemble what? Isn’t this just an array diagram?" Mu Can had seen array diagrams before, but they had always been completed ahead of time, unlike this one which seemed to form automatically upon encountering an array.

"Right, this is an array diagram, and that’s the impressive thing about the Qiankun Compass. For any regular array, the Qiankun Compass can directly project an array diagram. Having the array diagram provides a significant advantage in breaking the array," Wang Cai said, gazing steadily at the Compass.

This precious item had been the old Heavenly Dao thief’s companion for a lengthy period. Had the master not achieved such profound understanding and mastery of arrays later on, the Compass would not have been handed over to Wang Cai for safekeeping.

"Uh-huh, I know this is an array diagram. Is there something wrong with it?" Mu Can was still obviously curious. The Qiankun Compass was indeed a fascinating magic treasure. Even Mu Can, an outsider, could clearly see his position within the array, and underneath the array diagram were corresponding real-world locations. His location was right next to a large tree.

"This array diagram is definitely different from any you’ve seen before because it doesn’t have an Array Eye on it."

After hearing Wang Cai put it like that, Mu Can suddenly realized: all arrays have an Array Eye, which is inherent to an array diagram, illustrating the principle operation of the array and locating the Array Eye.

However, the array diagram in front of him was clearly different, lacking the most critical aspect – the Array Eye.

"If the Qiankun Compass isn’t wrong, then there’s only one possibility," Wang Cai said, pretending to be profound.

"What’s the possibility?" Mu Can asked in a timely manner, playing along.

This damn dog, if Mu Can didn’t ask, probably wouldn’t explain.

"That is, this particular array does not have an Array Eye, or to put it another way, every spot in this array could function as an Array Eye."

"Every spot is an Array Eye?"

Mu Can looked around, assessing the environment. The first time he realized he had been going in circles was next to this large tree. Afterwards, leaving marks confirmed his suspicion.

Naturally, he had regarded this large tree as the Array Eye of the array, but the reality differed from his assumption. If Wang Cai said the Qiankun Compass wasn’t wrong, then the cause must lie within the array itself.

"Why would this happen?" Mu Can had only a limited understanding of arrays and couldn’t imagine why an array without an Array Eye could still be effective.

"It’s simple. Originally, there was a natural magic array here, but someone hid a Magic Treasure within it, which concealed the true Array Eye of the array," Wang Cai shared his conjecture.

Though it was conjecture, the behavior of the Compass led Wang Cai to be nearly certain that his guess was very close to the truth.

Only this could explain such a major alteration in a naturally formed array. It had undergone an accidental change, the array had lost its lethal power but no longer had an Array Eye, making it even harder to break.

"So, what do we do?" Mu Can had no solution and could only entrust the task of breaking the array to Wang Cai.

"Simple, break the array with brute force."