Chapter 41: The Visit
Master Luo, a first-grade formation master, had rejected Instructor Yan's request.
Instructor Yan had no choice but to settle for less. He searched for formation masters who hadn't reached the ranked grades but had nonetheless studied the Dao of Formations for many years, hoping one of them would accept Mo Hua as a disciple.
Some declined outright, others made vague excuses, and a few agreed—only to demand absurd conditions. Agreeing to those would essentially reduce Mo Hua to a tool or puppet for life, stripped of all freedom. It was no different from selling oneself into servitude.
Instructor Yan spent several days running all over, but his efforts remained fruitless. He returned home and sat alone in silence, letting out a deep sigh.
In a few days, he would have to leave. Time was running out. If he couldn't find a suitable mentor for Mo Hua, the boy's progress in formation cultivation would be severely delayed.
After much deliberation, Instructor Yan seemed to make a firm decision. He sealed Mo Hua's exam paper and placed it carefully into his storage pouch.
As dusk fell, he left Tongxian City and walked southeast toward the outskirts.
To the southeast of Tongxian City was a scenic, secluded mountain. With its elegant beauty and tranquil charm, it felt like a hidden paradise. Nestled in this mountain was a modest estate—no nameplate, no grand entrance—just a small mountain path leading inward.
Instructor Yan stood at the foot of the mountain for a long time, until finally, a dry and aged voice echoed in his ear:
"Come."
The voice seemed to speak directly into his ear—or perhaps into his sea of consciousness.
Instructor Yan grew even more respectful. He straightened his robes, gently patted the storage pouch at his waist, and, with firm resolve, began climbing the mountain.
—
Back in the city, Mo Hua had made up his mind—he was going to drop out of Tongxian Sect.
As an outer sect disciple, his connection with the sect was little more than a transactional relationship—pay spirit stones in exchange for instruction. There was some sentimentality involved, but not much.
Especially now that Instructor Yan was leaving, and with the outer sect no longer offering formation lessons, there was no reason for Mo Hua to stay.
His spiritual root ensured his spiritual energy would never be strong. His cultivation speed would always lag behind others.
Other sect subjects—like body refinement, alchemy, artifact forging, or talisman crafting—were of little value to Mo Hua. They were too basic to help, but too useful to fully ignore. A waste either way.
What Mo Hua wanted—and what could truly offer him a future in the Dao—was formation mastery.
But in the outer sect, aside from Instructor Yan, Mo Hua saw no one else capable of teaching formations.
Big Tiger and his friends were dropping out too.
But their reason wasn't about the curriculum—it was poverty. They simply couldn't afford the rising tuition fees and new costs.
From what Mo Hua had heard, the old sect leader would be stepping down in a few months, and had already stopped managing the sect's affairs. That meant Elder Qian now held all authority—in other words, the Qian Clan held the reins.
The Qian Clan planned to reform the sect. Their methods were flashy and varied, but all shared a single goal: extract more spirit stones.
Whether alchemy, artifact forging, or talisman crafting, the sect now charged additional fees to teach more advanced techniques—fees that hadn't existed before.
Even the cost for passing down cultivation techniques had gone up. Elder Qian's excuse was:
"The sect's inheritances are precious and hard-won. Passing them on must come at a price."
After the reforms, wealthier disciples—especially those from powerful clans—could pay extra to access better training and secret arts.
But the poorer outer sect disciples, particularly rogue cultivators like Mo Hua, got nothing. Worse still, they had to pay more just to remain in the sect.
For such disciples, leaving was the only option.
Thus, through its so-called "reforms," Tongxian Sect had begun purging the poorer disciples—especially rogue cultivators—replacing them with the well-off. Those cast out had no choice but to seek their fortunes alone.
Mo Hua shared his plan to withdraw with his parents.
Father Mo Shan was reluctant, but he understood. This wasn't just Mo Hua's personal struggle—it was a problem faced by every poor cultivator in Tongxian City.
Mother Liu Ruhua didn't mind. She knew how hard her son trained and trusted his judgment. If he chose to leave, it meant the sect no longer had anything to offer. She didn't say much.
Business at their family restaurant was going well. Even if Mo Hua stayed home and did nothing, she could easily support him.
And so, Mo Hua—at only Qi Refining stage three—withdrew from Tongxian Sect.
He handled the withdrawal procedures with minimal fuss and even received a refund of about fifty to sixty spirit stones, representing the tuition for the next six months.
But now came his biggest problem: cultivation methods.
Mo Shan agreed to help by reaching out to his contacts among demon hunters, hoping to find a suitable manual for Mo Hua. That would take some time.
The next issue was formations.
Without the sect's guidance, Mo Hua would have to learn on his own—or find a master willing to take him in.
But Mo Hua knew how hard that was for a rogue cultivator. Not every formation master was as generous and open-hearted as Instructor Yan.
He wanted to visit Instructor Yan and thank him personally for everything he'd taught him. But he didn't know where the instructor lived.
Just as he was about to go ask Steward Mo, Instructor Yan found him first.
It had only been a few days, but Instructor Yan already looked worn out—like he'd been busy running around for something important.
Mo Hua respectfully greeted him with a bow. Instructor Yan nodded and asked:
"Do you still wish to study formations?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Instructor Yan gave him a look of approval and said:
"Come with me."
Mo Hua followed him to a mountain southeast of Tongxian City.
He remembered Big Tiger and the others saying that someone had bought this mountain for seclusion. It was off-limits to other cultivators.
There were no spirit beasts here, no precious herbs, and no spiritual mines—just beautiful scenery and rare tranquility.
Most rogue cultivators in Tongxian City lived hard lives and had no interest in mountain scenery. So few ever came here.
At the foot of the mountain, Instructor Yan said:
"A reclusive master lives here—someone I met by chance. Normally, I wouldn't disturb him, but since I'm leaving in a few days, I brought you to meet him."
"Is this master skilled in formations?" Mo Hua asked.
Instructor Yan nodded. "Yes. His attainments in formations are extremely high."
"Is he a first-grade formation master?" Mo Hua asked, curious.
"I don't know his exact rank. But at the very least, he's first-grade."
Mo Hua was filled with respect.
A first-grade formation master was already incredible. Anything above that… Mo Hua didn't even dare imagine.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder—what kind of power did higher-grade formations hold?
Could they really reshape the heavens, alter fate, as the rumors claimed?
"Why does this master live in such a remote place? Is it because he dislikes noise?" Mo Hua asked.
"He's a quiet man, uninterested in worldly matters. He doesn't like to be disturbed. This mountain is rarely visited, which suits him."
Instructor Yan looked at Mo Hua and said:
"You've probably guessed why I brought you here."
Mo Hua nodded. "You want this master to take me in as a disciple?"
Instructor Yan nodded. "Correct. There's little more I can teach you. I hope this master will guide you further."
"But you've already taught me so much," Mo Hua said gratefully.
"What I can teach is nothing compared to what he can."
"But…"
Instructor Yan shook his head. "You're still young. One day, as you see more of the world, you'll realize just how deep and vast formation Dao truly is—far beyond the grasp of mere Qi Refining or even Foundation Establishment cultivators. Your spiritual sense is exceptional. You're talented and hardworking. You're a rare seedling for formations. You must treasure this gift and never waste your potential."
"Today I bring you here in hopes that he'll accept you. He's reclusive and rarely takes students. But even if you only become a registered disciple, or learn a sliver of his knowledge, it could take you far."
Instructor Yan pointed ahead. A narrow mountain path stretched upward toward the misty mountainside, where a modest yet mysterious gate stood hidden in the clouds.
He gave Mo Hua a few final words:
"Go up alone. Be respectful. Answer honestly if he asks anything. If he accepts you as a disciple, then it is your destiny. If not, don't be discouraged—it just means your fate has not yet arrived."
Mo Hua nodded solemnly and then gave Instructor Yan a long, thoughtful look.
"Instructor…"
"Go on," Instructor Yan said, waving him forward without another word.
Mo Hua hesitated briefly… but then took his first steps, climbing the mountain with a determined back.
(End of Chapter)