Secrets of the Universe

Five minutes after they arrived at the barrier, Aydin, Jake, and Kris, the one from Alyssa's group, were engaged in an interesting conversation.

After reading Jake's question, Aydin had understood that Jake was a fellow beginner on the [Array Path].

He started to introduce Jake to the path as he fiddled with the array set by the Legendary Caelein.

Touching the surface of the array and letting its energy pulsate, Aydin divulged, "Most people think of arrays as just barriers. They can never understand the complexities of each array. They know nothing of terms like Array nodes, materials, stacking and the different techniques of constructing an array."

The conversation had then turned into a lecture as he went on, "It is the same case with most array masters. They can never understand the works of their fellow masters. That is why the most important skill of a master is his ability to analyze."

As Aydin kept talking, he moved around the walls, checking for a specific point.

It was unknown what he was looking for, but he seemed to employ a simple method of tapping on the array to look for it.

Ten minutes went by and Aydin found it.

He cheered, "Ahah! Do you guys see this?"

To show them what he was talking about, Aydin allowed them to tap on the beautiful array.

Jake softly hit the array and the energy pulsated in a rebounding circle. Jake could feel a certain connection to the circle as it expanded.

However, in less than a second, the connection got cut. Using the knowledge he had read, he managed to decipher what was happening but still let Aydin explain, as it was more convenient.

"An Array node. If we look at the array from above, which is impossible, we get a shape. The vertices of this shape represent the array nodes. The important points in an array that holds it together." explain Aydin.

"The nodes are complicated but from analyzing it, we can always find a lot of things. For instance--"

Tapping on the node, Aydin tried to suck out the energy. Of course, he was only able to suck a bit, but it was enough for him.

The energy he sucked was unlike [Elemental Spirit Essence] and was extremely warm to his body, which furthered his guess as they could only be one form of energy with the same exact property.

"---the material. The most efficient arrays are the ones that take time and require materials, special items, not solely depending on the creator's energy. The one used in this case is light in nature and warm to the human hand, which could only mean one thing---"

Among them, Kris interjected, "---Holy Crystals…."

He was getting more interested and even considered walking the [Array Path].

"Yes, holy crystals. My guess is that it was multiple invaluable holy crystals that Legend Caelein placed in the array nodes, not just this one. This is also why the Netherans can't come out. Moreover, from the fact that humans can only go in through the front gate, it appears that he stacked two formations on each other," informed Aydin.

"The reason I'm looking for the node is because of its difficulty to construct…." trailed Aydin.

He noticed that Kris wasn't getting it, so he used an analogy, "Think of the nodes as tall pillars supporting the array. Also, then picture it being fixed into the array by hinges, more precisely, door hinges. This would make it a bit loose and have a definite lifespan."

Aydin tapped his fingers on the blue veil surrounding the array node. 

When got something, he explained his next course of action, "The picture in your head tells you that the pillar can never be perfectly fit enough. Hence, when relating to arrays, the best gaps to find are the ones closer to the array nodes."

Getting lost in the moment, Aydin explained his full technique, "What I did was to just try to find a pulse that is weak. At that particular coordinate point is our gap. Well, not exactly. Just like the analogy I gave, we just need to push it a bit."

This time Aydin got serious!

He picked up a broken long stick from the grass and softly applied pressure on the point.

Like magic at work, the point opened in a slow manner and stopped when it had reached a size just right enough for humans to enter.

Nevertheless, after the gap expanded, it showed a deeper shade of blue inside, indicating another barrier.

Kris caught on quickly, "This is the second array right? The one you said prevents humans from crossing? How do we bypass this?"

Aydin also nodded his head at the situation, "The 'human barrier' array was built from the inside. So, we can't find a gap, not without entirely bringing down the first array."

After a thought lighted in his head, Aydin snapped his fingers, "Oh, that's it. I bet Legend Caelein didn't put much effort into the second array. Se we just need something to upset its calm state. Doing that, we can make a gap for ourselves."

Kris obeyed Aydin's words and carefully stretched his hand into the gap. When he reached the other barrier, he shot out an energy blast from his hand.

*Boom!*

When the dust settled, instead of a gap appearing on the inner barrier, Kris's hand was set aflame by the barrier.

"The defense mechanism, marvelous. I'm sure if he had not died Legen Caelein would have reached a sagely level on the [Array Path], enough to be the best on the planet!" awed Aydin.

Meanwhile, Jake stayed silent as he observed the defense mechanisms of the barrier.

Just like Aydin, he had reached the same conclusion but was always late to arrive at that, showing his inexperience on the path.

However, he had a way to bypass the inner array, going by Aydin's method.

Jake moved from his spot and pushed a grim Kris away. 

Thinking as he acted, he stretched forth his arm, 'He said upset the calm state. I need to watch out for two things. The first is the timer for the defense mechanism. It only acts up after an attack had been released and executed. So, my attack needs to last long and be constant. The second is the nature of the attack. Judging by the fire defense mechanism. I can't use an ice-attributed attack, which leaves me with only one option.'

Jake gathered his lightning element to his palm. He weakened the output and softly placed his palm on the barrier 

'Lightning is a destructive element. It is enough to upset the array. I just need to dictate my vibration.'

*Shzzzz!*

Electric sparks coiled on his palm like snakes. As soon as he placed his palm on the barrier, he lost control like a boat in the big sea.

It took a few seconds to gain back control, then he counter-attacked!

Jake pressed his palm on the barrier. Every time the barrier tried to take control, he pressed further, gathering momentum.

It could be said that Jake was utilizing the insights he had gotten from his sword technique.

After a few more minutes of this 'tug of war', Jake won and a small dot appeared on the barrier.

Beside him, Aydin stretched his hand and used the stick to expand the gap, "It is done!"