“Ziyue, to learn arrays, you must first understand what they are and how they work,” Duocai said helplessly, looking at Ziyue, who was holding a book and quill, her face full of anticipation.
In the end, Duocai was still called out of bed.
Ziyue saw Duocai not coming, no matter how she called from the doorway.
She instantly teleported with magic to Duocai's bedside.
Then, she directly pulled Duocai up...
“Simply put, an array is a way this world's rules of operation manifest,”
“The patterns of an array are all ways of depicting these rules,”
“Thus achieving an effect the user desires,”
While explaining, Duocai used magic to draw the corresponding array patterns in front of Ziyue.
“Arrays can be constructed directly with magic, but this requires extremely precise magical control. Although difficult, it can be formed instantly when needed.”
“Another way is to arrange arrays using magically imbued items. The amulet and array disc I gave you are examples of this. They require preparation beforehand, but the advantage is that their power is somewhat stronger than the previous method.”
“The magic we use now is also similar,”
“It is cast according to a spell or a certain medium.”
“Ziyue, have you noticed that the magical energy in the Library is a bit more abundant than in other places?”
Duocai finished speaking and then looked at Ziyue, asking.
Ziyue listened and then carefully sensed it.
It was indeed higher than the magical concentration outside.
“You felt it, right? That’s because I set up a Ju Ling Array here in the Library. The patterns and gems on the Library floor are the patterns of this array,” Duocai said, motioning for Ziyue to look at the Library floor patterns.
“Next, I’ll explain the meaning of each symbol, the changes brought by different positions, and after combination...”
Just like that, he lectured from morning until noon.
Ziyue's learning ability was truly strong.
What was originally planned for two days of content was finished in just one morning.
She could even extrapolate in some areas.
Although this was very basic array knowledge.
It was quite outrageous, terrifyingly so.
As expected of the embodiment of magic.
“Alright, Ziyue, once you fully understand the arrays I just explained, you can try to set them up,” Duocai said, taking a sip of tea to relieve his dry throat, speaking to Ziyue.
“Okay, Duocai, these arrays are truly amazing,” Ziyue said excitedly, looking at the array knowledge she had just recorded.
“Yes, I also found it incredibly amazing the first time I encountered arrays,” Duocai said, recalling his first encounter with arrays after hearing Ziyue’s words.
He was also like that, full of curiosity.
Never mind, let's think about what to eat. I'm hungry.
“Ziyue, is there anything to eat at home? It’s time to eat. Are you hungry?” Duocai asked Ziyue, rubbing his stomach.
“Hmm, probably not. Sui Long played a bit too wildly yesterday and went to bed very late. He’s still not awake,” Ziyue replied, looking at her book without looking up much.
“Alright, do you want anything to eat? I’ll go buy some. Where’s Sui Long?” Duocai asked, looking at Ziyue, who was staring at her book without moving.
“Hmm, buy me two cupcakes, please,” Ziyue replied.
“Got it!”
“Oh, hello, Duocai, would you like some cupcakes?” Bi Qi asked, looking at Duocai as he entered through the door.
“Hello, Bi Qi. I came to buy food. Ziyue woke me up early this morning, and I haven't eaten a single bite since. I'm starving,” Duocai complained helplessly to Bi Qi.
“Then how about some freshly baked cupcakes?” Bi Qi said, presenting a plate of cupcakes.
“Good, I’ll take 3 of each flavor,” Duocai said, looking at the cupcakes in front of him, feeling his mouth water.
Then he took out a gem and gave it to Bi Qi.
“Thank you for your patronage. Here are the cupcakes you wanted, and here is your change,” Bi Qi instantly brought out the cupcakes.
Gems still had high purchasing power here in Ponyville.
“See you, Bi Qi. I’ll come find you to play when I have time,” Duocai said to Bi Qi, holding the cupcakes with magic.
“See you, Duocai,” Bi Qi replied.
After leaving Sugarcube Corner,
Duocai thought about buying something else.
Hmm, I’ll go buy some apple juice. The last time I drank a cup at Sweet Apple Acres, it was indeed very delicious.
Hmm, no time like the present.
“Hi, Applejack, do you still have apple juice?” Duocai walked to Sweet Apple Acres and asked Applejack, who was selling apples at the entrance.
“Yes, darling, how much do you want?” Applejack replied.
“Hmm, a barrel,” Duocai pondered for a moment, then decided to start with a barrel.
“Are you sure? Apple juice can’t be kept for too long; it won’t taste good after a while,” Applejack said in surprise when she heard Duocai wanted a barrel.
“It’s fine, Ziyue, Sui Long, and I will drink it together. Look, I even bought some cupcakes. Want to join us?” Duocai said to Applejack after hearing her.
“Then that’s no problem, but I won’t come over. I’m selling apples here today,” Applejack refused apologetically.
“Then give me some apples. Hmm, Applejack, I need you to lend me a cart,” Duocai said to Applejack, looking at the pile of things he had bought.
“No problem,” Applejack said happily.
Then Duocai pulled the cart, carrying the pile of delicious food he had bought, ready to go back.
“Ziyue. I’m back! Come quickly and help me. I have, um, a bit too much to carry.”
“Oh my goodness, Duocai, how much did you buy?” Ziyue said in shock, looking at the huge pile of things at the doorway, blocking it completely.
Then she used magic to pick up a pile of food from the doorway and moved it inside the house.
“Uh, I just bought a little extra,” Duocai said, entering from the doorway, a little embarrassed.
“A little?” Ziyue looked at the food piled up to half of the Library and seemed to not quite understand the word “little.”
On the way back, Duocai saw a market.
There were so many delicious things at the market, which greatly increased his appetite.
So, he couldn’t resist.
“Never mind those details. Oh, you must be hungry too. Come and try the cupcakes Bi Qi made, and the apple juice. They’re delicious,” Duocai said, taking them out from behind him and handing them to Ziyue.
“Hmm, they are indeed quite tasty, but if you buy all these things, they’ll go bad if you don’t finish them,” Ziyue said to Duocai while eating a cupcake.
“Hmm, you’re right, huh?” Duocai said, feeling a bit flushed as he looked at the half-room full of food after hearing Ziyue’s words. He really did buy a bit too much.
Perhaps he should make a refrigerator? It would be a good chance to see if frozen apple juice tastes even better.
Thinking of this, Duocai said to Ziyue,
“Ziyue, I’ll teach you how to try using different array combinations. I’ll make a refrigerator,” Duocai said, taking out the gems Zhen Qi had given him earlier.
“Combined arrays?” Ziyue asked.
“Yes, using two or more arrays, carved onto the same item, to form a composite effect,” Duocai said to Ziyue, looking for the items he needed.
“I’m going to make one now; you can watch and learn,” Duocai said.
“Hmm, okay,” Ziyue said, feeling a bit excited.
There was new knowledge to learn again.
First, make a long cabinet.
Then, make a few shelves.
After that, he could start carving the arrays.
Let me tell you something here, Ziyue,
The material used to carve an array also affects its lifespan.
This one will be fine for a while.
What I’m going to make this time is a cabinet that can preserve food.
So, first, I need to carve a Frost Array.
Then, embed a Ju Ling Array inside the Frost Array. This will allow the array to operate continuously on its own.
Duocai formed array patterns on the cabinet with magic while teaching Ziyue how to carve arrays.
Then, on the uppermost layer, he carved an Isolation Array to prevent the cold air and the Ju Ling Array’s magic from leaking out.
Finally, he embedded a Control Array on the Isolation Array to adjust the output power of the array.
Lastly, he carved the corresponding patterns into the gems and placed them on the core nodes of the combined array.
And it was done! A new refrigerator was freshly made.
This should last about a year and a half without any problems.
“How about it, Ziyue? Do you understand arrays better now? A cabinet that can refrigerate food and make it last longer is complete,”
“Hmm, I’ve already written everything down. I’ll study it carefully,” Ziyue replied, still writing.
“Alright, let’s eat. Where’s Sui Long? Come eat with us, there’s so much delicious food here,” Duocai said, diving into the food after he was done.
“Oh, good morning, Ziyue! Wow, so much delicious food! Is it a holiday today?” Sui Long said, coming down from the second floor and seeing the pile of food below.
“Come on, Sui Long, let’s eat together,” Duocai said to Sui Long.
“Okay,” Sui Long replied.
“Ziyue, aren’t you going to eat?” Duocai said, looking at Ziyue, who was still looking at her notes.
“Don’t mind her. Ziyue always forgets to eat when she’s reading. In Canterlot, other ponies called her a bookworm,” Sui Long said, eating cupcakes one after another.
“Oh, Sui Long, I am not a bookworm!” Ziyue rolled her eyes at Sui Long after hearing him.
“Haha, Ziyue, I think Sui Long is right. Come eat with us. Learning requires a balance of work and rest. Proper rest allows for better learning,” Duocai said to Ziyue with a smile.
“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” Ziyue put down her book.
Ziyue said helplessly to Duocai and began to enjoy the delicious food.