Chapter 24: The Path of Seeking Dao
When Mo Hua went to see the plump steward again, he was told the market had changed.
The Flame Array and the Solid Earth Array were no longer being purchased by Youyuan Studio.
Mo Hua looked completely baffled. "The Flame Array is used for lighting, and the Solid Earth Array is used for construction. Unless everyone in Tongxian City suddenly moved out, how could there be no demand?"
The steward inwardly groaned—Mo Hua being too smart wasn't always a good thing. Too hard to fool. He gave up on making excuses; the more he made, the harder they were to justify. He simply waved his hand and said:
"How should I know? That's just the market. I can't do anything about it!"
Mo Hua was speechless. He hadn't even saved up half the spirit stones he needed for cultivation techniques. So he asked, "Then what arrays are you buying?"
The steward coughed and pulled out a formation diagram. On the cover were four characters: Goldstone Formation Diagram.
"We're buying Goldstone Arrays now. It also has four array patterns, not much different from the Solid Earth Array."
Mo Hua looked at the diagram. "Manager, what's the Goldstone Array used for?"
The steward replied, "Kinda similar to the Solid Earth Array. Both are used to reinforce walls, doors, and windows of residences or caves. One reinforces wood and soil, the other reinforces stone and metal."
Mo Hua frowned. "If it's similar to the Solid Earth Array, and that one's not selling, why is this one in demand?"
The steward glared at him. "That's just how the market is, kid—don't ask so many questions!"
"And does this one still pay three spirit stones per array?"
It should have…
The steward winced but still raised the price.
"This one's technically worth three spirit stones too. But it's been in short supply lately, so the price went up a bit. One finished copy now pays four spirit stones. But we're only taking five every half month."
"In short supply" but you're not taking more? Mo Hua found the logic fishy. Still, it was Youyuan Studio's business—none of his concern. As long as he could earn spirit stones, he was good.
If he completed all five arrays successfully, that'd be twenty spirit stones every half-month—quite a handsome profit.
"Alright. Deal!"
The steward breathed a sigh of relief and pulled a storage pouch from under the counter—as if he had it prepared in advance—and handed it over.
Mo Hua checked the contents: the Goldstone Formation Diagram and five sets of paper and ink. After confirming everything, he bowed and took his leave.
Just as he was about to step out, the steward suddenly called out:
"Mo Hua."
Mo Hua turned around.
The steward hesitated, then asked, "Do you think this array is hard?"
Mo Hua considered it. It also had four array patterns and was similar to the Solid Earth Array. Not particularly difficult.
"Not too bad."
He walked a few more steps, then turned back and added,
"My brother should be able to draw it too."
"Oh," the steward looked at him with a complicated expression and nodded. "Draw it well."
"Oh, and one more thing," the steward called out again.
"My surname is Mo, as in Mo Shengqi (Doesn't Get Angry). Just call me Manager Mo."
Mo Hua nodded. "Alright, Manager Mo. I'll remember."
Back at Tongxian Sect, Mo Hua spent his spare time studying the Goldstone Array. Since it was similar to the Solid Earth Array, and he'd previously asked Instructor Yan about that one, it wasn't too hard to understand.
One day before class, Instructor Yan had the previously graded array homework distributed. On Mo Hua's array diagram was a single character: B.
Mo Hua looked left, looked right, then compared it to the sect's Array Formation Guide. He hadn't made a single mistake. Why only a B?
He was confused.
A nearby disciple caught sight of the "B" and exclaimed,
"Whoa! Mo Hua, you only got a B?"
Mo Hua glanced at his paper, which had a "C" on it, and said nothing.
The disciple quickly covered up his "C" with his hand, laughed sheepishly, and asked,
"How'd you only get a B?"
Mo Hua also looked puzzled. "I didn't draw anything wrong. I don't know why it wasn't higher."
"If you didn't mess up, why would Instructor give you just a B?"
Mo Hua handed him his paper. "Can you see any mistakes?"
The disciple replied confidently,
"If I could tell, I wouldn't have gotten a C!"
The other nearby disciples craned their necks to look at Mo Hua's diagram.
"I don't see anything wrong with it."
"Mo Hua, did you somehow offend Instructor?"
"Careful! He might punish you!"
"But Instructor Yan's not that kind of person, right…"
Before the words were finished, Instructor Yan entered the cultivation room. Everyone instantly retracted their necks like startled quail, sitting still and quiet as mice.
Instructor Yan began class as usual. At the end, he said,
"Cultivation is like rowing upstream—if you're not advancing, you're falling behind. The way of formations is no different. You must not grow lazy, lest you waste your time and talent."
He swept his stern gaze across the room. Finally, he looked straight at Mo Hua and said:
"Mo Hua, come with me."
"Yes." Mo Hua stood up respectfully and followed Instructor Yan out of the cultivation room.
Once they were gone, the room erupted:
"Oh no, Mo Hua's done for."
"Instructor said someone was slacking—was he talking about Mo Hua?"
"I've been slacking too! Why didn't Instructor call me out?"
"You? You're not even in the same league as Mo Hua. His formations are amazing—Instructor clearly values him."
"Good thing I'm not the one Instructor values… please don't value me!"
Mo Hua followed Instructor Yan out of the room, past the alchemy room, the artifact refining room, and finally out of Tongxuan Peak.
The whole way, Instructor Yan said nothing. He only nodded or greeted briefly if someone along the way saluted him.
Eventually, they arrived at Instructor Yan's private residence on Tongming Peak.
Tongming Peak was where the sect master, elders, instructors, and inner disciples lived. It was Mo Hua's first time there, and the environment was indeed tranquil and beautiful. Many courtyards were filled with vibrant spiritual flowers and herbs, and even a few colorful spirit beasts like golden pheasants were strolling leisurely.
Only here on Tongming Peak could pheasants stroll so casually. On Tongxuan Peak, they'd be roast meat before sunrise.
Mo Hua suddenly recalled that charred chicken leg Twin Tigers had given him.
Outside Instructor Yan's home, there was a formation. A small Bagua disk was mounted on the door—clearly something Instructor Yan had set up himself. No other courtyards had this.
Instructor Yan traced a few symbols on the Bagua disk. A flash of light passed across the door, and it opened.
Once inside, Instructor Yan sat down at his desk and went straight to the point:
"Do you want to become a formation master?"
Mo Hua replied humbly, "My talent is limited. I fear I'm not worthy to be one."
Instructor Yan frowned. "Whether you want to or not is one thing. Whether you have the talent is another. Don't lose your heart just because of fear of the outcome. All living things must die someday—does that mean we stop living altogether?"
Mo Hua straightened and said earnestly,
"I want to become a formation master!"
"Why?"
"Cultivation is hard. Formations can provide a living."
"And?"
"Cultivators seek the Heavenly Dao to ascend. Understanding formations is a path to grasping the Dao."
Instructor Yan frowned. "The Heavenly Dao is remote and intangible. A cultivator may spend their whole life without even catching a glimpse of its shadow."
Mo Hua answered,
"As you said: the Dao is attained by Heaven, but sought by man. Since we cultivate to seek the Heavenly Dao, we must never lose the heart of seeking, whether or not we ever attain it."
Instructor Yan was silent for a while, then nodded.
"From now on, after every class, come see me here."
"For today, you may go."
"Yes." Mo Hua didn't quite understand but bowed and took his leave.
Instructor Yan watched him go, then after a long pause, let out a breath and said:
"…A good seedling indeed."
(End of Chapter)