Immortality Through Array Formations

When Mo Hua found Mr. Zhuang, Mr. Zhuang was leisurely taking a nap.

Mo Hua opened the lunch box, which contained beef prepared in various ways, some fresh vegetables, and fruits that were convenient to accompany the wine. The aroma of the meat and the fragrance of the wine slowly began to drift through the air.

Mr. Zhuang opened his eyes, “Reach the fourth level of Qi Refinement, not bad.”

Mo Hua smiled and said, “It’s all thanks to your teachings, sir.”

Mr. Zhuang waved his hand and then slowly sat up, took a sip of wine, sampled a piece of meat, and then leisurely lay back down.

“How’s your study of Formation going?”

“I’ve been attempting to draw a Formation with seven Formation Patterns. I believe my Divine Sense is sufficient, but the Formation still requires more practice.”

Mr. Zhuang’s expression remained unchanged, though his chewing slowed down a bit, and he murmured to himself, “Qi Refinement fourth level, seven Formation Patterns…”

“Sir, should I continue learning Formation in the same way as before?” Mo Hua hesitated for a moment and asked.

“Do you have any doubts?”

Mo Hua shook his head, “Learning by doing, drawing Formations on different Formation media while also bringing out the effects of the Formations, can indeed deepen the understanding of Formations…”

“Then just keep on doing it,” said Mr. Zhuang, “Becoming a first-class or even higher-class Formation Master is difficult but also simple. You just need to keep on drawing Formations, keep drawing, keep drawing… It’s just that very few can really keep it up.”

Mr. Zhuang’s words carried a profound significance.

Mo Hua was reassured and was about to take his leave when suddenly Mr. Zhuang asked:

“Any changes in your Heaven Yan Jue?”

“Uh, my Spiritual Power has grown stronger.”

“With a breakthrough in realm, Spiritual Power naturally becomes stronger. It has nothing to do with the Cultivation Technique,” said Mr. Zhuang.

“Then… my Divine Sense has also grown stronger.”

“With a breakthrough in realm, Divine Sense likewise becomes stronger. It has nothing to do with the Cultivation Technique.”

“I feel that my Divine Sense has a more sensitive control over Spiritual Power…” Halfway through, Mo Hua suddenly became unsure, “Is this also unrelated to the Cultivation Technique?”

For an instant, Mo Hua felt Mr. Zhuang’s gaze sharpen, but on looking again, it seemed as if nothing had changed, and the moment of sharpness was just an illusion.

“Draw a Formation for me to see,” Mr. Zhuang said in an even tone.

“Oh,” Mo Hua took out paper and spread it out, holding the brush, he asked, “Sir, which Formation shall I draw?”

“Draw the Three Talents Formation.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mo Hua had drawn the Three Talents Formation not long ago and remembered it quite well, so he completed it in one go. Mo Hua was quite satisfied with his work but noticed that Mr. Zhuang’s attention didn’t seem to be on the Formation.

“Sir, is there something wrong?”

After pondering for a while, Mr. Zhuang said, “You’ve become faster at drawing Formations.”

“With a breakthrough in realm, doesn’t the speed of drawing Formations increase?” Mo Hua questioned.

“No!” Mr. Zhuang stated emphatically.

“The strength of Divine Sense determines whether you are qualified to learn Formation. Understanding the Formation determines if you can draw the Formation, and the proficiency of a Formation dictates the speed of your drawing. Once one’s proficiency reaches a certain level, the only thing that affects the speed of drawing Formation is the control of Divine Sense.”

“Control of Divine Sense?”

“Correct,” Mr. Zhuang said, “Control of Divine Sense is extremely important in the cultivation methods of Spells, Object Manipulation, Drawing Formation. You are still of humble Cultivation, not having experienced them yet, but you will understand later on.”

Mo Hua, full of anticipation, said, “So, my Cultivation Technique is… quite impressive.”

Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua and hesitated for a moment before saying:

“The Cultivation World is vast and wondrous, with some Cultivation Techniques yielding effects so miraculous they defy the natural order and are beyond one’s wildest dreams. Yours can be considered passable, at least it’s better than the average technique.”

The ever-unobtrusive Old Kui, who had been standing in the corner the entire time, silently rolled his eyes at Mr. Zhuang.

But Mo Hua was already very happy. To be deemed “passable” by the well-informed Mr. Zhuang was, for Mo Hua, quite a compliment.

Mr. Zhuang continued, “That being said, you must understand the principle that one can never be too careful. It’s best not to disclose anything related to your Cultivation to others. If someone were to discover the unique aspects of your technique, they would certainly try to seize it, regardless of your life or death.”

“Mhm, mhm!” Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

Though he had never encountered stories of killing and robbing for treasures or legacies, he had read about them plenty of times and felt deeply about them.

The protruding beam rots first, and the fattened pig gets slaughtered.

“What would you say if someone asked why your Divine Sense is so sharp?” Mr. Zhuang tested Mo Hua.

“Um… maybe I just say I… have an extraordinary talent?” Mo Hua hesitated.

Mr. Zhuang looked pleased, as if he had a teachable pupil.

“Wouldn’t that get you beaten up?” Mo Hua was unsure.

“When you say that, you could make your tone more humble. Even if you get beaten up, it’s better than being captured and tortured for information before being killed, right?” Mr. Zhuang gently persuaded.

Mo Hua felt that made sense, indeed Mr. Zhuang was experienced and knowledgeable.

After finishing the discussion about the technique, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something, “Gentleman, what exactly is a Compound Formation?”

“You’ve seen a Compound Formation?”

“Yes, in the Pill Furnace at Apricot Forest Hall, Old Mr. Feng used the Wood Fire Spirit Control Formation, which is a Compound Formation.”

“Ah, Compound Formations, they are complex to explain…” Mr. Zhuang thought to himself and then gestured to the corner.

Only then did Mo Hua realize that Old Kui had been standing in the corner all along, seemingly without presence or breath, and hence he had not noticed him.

Old Kui retreated behind the bookshelf and after a short while, came back with a thick book, which he handed to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua, upon receiving it, saw that the title page bore the words “Initial Understanding of Compound Formation.”

“This book contains knowledge about Compound Formations, including several basic Formation Diagrams. You can read it to broaden your perspective, but don’t invest too much effort; it’s still too early for you to study this,” Mr. Zhuang advised.

Mo Hua was overjoyed; he had been somewhat embarrassed to disturb Mr. Zhuang’s rest. Now he could begin by studying the book. Later on, he could ask Bai Zixi or Bai Zisheng if he had any questions, and only consult Mr. Zhuang if necessary. This would be much more efficient and would avoid disturbing Mr. Zhuang too much. After all, Mr. Zhuang didn’t have many hobbies, apart from eating and sleeping.

“Thank you, Mr. Zhuang!”

Mo Hua then remembered Old Kui. He looked around and noticed Old Kui had disappeared again. After surveying the area, he realized that Old Kui was actually right beside him.

It seemed that you could only see Old Kui when he wanted to be seen; when he didn’t, you couldn’t see him at all.

It might have been an illusion, or perhaps Old Kui was just exceptionally good at concealing his presence.

Mo Hua handed a Storage Bag to Old Kui; it contained about seven or eight boxes of pine nuts, all specially roasted by Mo Hua’s mother.

Old Kui took the Storage Bag, a trace of pleasure appearing in his eyes…

Although his expression seemed unchanged, Mo Hua felt that his mood could be considered content.

“Gentleman, I won’t disturb your meditation any longer.”

Mo Hua bowed and then happily took his leave.

Mr. Zhuang sighed, “Good child, truly worry-free!”

Then he took another bite of meat, sipped his wine, and lay down leisurely.