Chapter 40: Intentions

Instructor Yan stared at Mo Hua's exam paper, contemplating for a moment before finally marking a "Grade A" on it.

Instructor Yan continued grading the formations of the other disciples. After a while, remembering something, he pulled out the previous exam papers and upgraded all the other disciples who had received a "Grade B" to "Grade A."

With this, Mo Hua was no longer the only disciple to receive a "Grade A."

After finishing the grading, Instructor Yan sat before his desk in deep thought for a long time, murmuring to himself

"This Tongxian Sect... I probably shouldn't stay here anymore..."

When the formation exam papers were handed out, Mo Hua saw the "Grade A" on his and nodded. However, he couldn't help but wonder curiously: could the other Qi Refinement disciples really draw the Water-Stabilizing Formation...?

That was a formation with six layers of formation patterns, after all.

Mo Hua made a point to ask around and heard that some other disciples had also received a Grade A. Amidst his surprise, he remarked to himself

"There is always a heaven beyond heaven, and a person beyond a person. My formation skills are still not enough; I must never become complacent!"

What Mo Hua did not know was that his "Grade A" was somewhat different from everyone else's.

His "Grade A" was a true "Grade A," whereas the "Grade A" others received was actually inflated by Instructor Yan...

Afterward, Mo Hua planned to continue his cultivation at the Tongxian Sect, studying formations, and then, after some time, consider choosing a cultivation technique. But half a month later, he heard something utterly absurd

"Instructor Yan is leaving the Tongxian Sect. From now on, the outer sect of the Tongxian Sect will no longer teach formations..."

Mo Hua stood frozen on the spot.

Formations... there would be nothing left to learn...

Mo Hua went to find Instructor Yan. Instructor Yan gave Mo Hua a complex look and said nothing, merely telling him to go back for now and come find him again in a few days.

After Mo Hua left, Instructor Yan went to find Manager Mo.

"Is there any news regarding the matter I asked you about?"

Manager Mo handed Instructor Yan a letter. "The person you are looking for is no longer in Tongxian City. Here are some clues, but I cannot guarantee whether they are true or false."

"Thank you."

Manager Mo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you really intend to leave the Tongxian Sect?"

"Not just the Tongxian Sect; I will also be leaving Tongxian City."

"Will you ever come back?"

"It's hard to say," Instructor Yan said with a bitter smile. "As you said, let it be fate."

The words of persuasion were on the tip of Manager Mo's tongue, but after thinking it over, he said nothing. He knew he couldn't stop him.

"Then, what about that kid, Mo Hua? What do you plan to do?" Manager Mo asked. "If you aren't here, no one in the Tongxian Sect will be able to teach him..."

"I have my own plans. That child Mo Hua's talent for formations..."

It was quite terrifying...

Instructor Yan thought silently to himself, but he did not say it explicitly. He merely said, "...His talent is quite good. It would be a great pity if he couldn't study formations. He and I share the bond of instructor and disciple, after all. I will find a way regarding his future."

Manager Mo nodded and looked at his senior brother. He wondered if they would ever meet again after this parting. He had much to say but did not know where to begin.

A cultivator's lifespan is long, and so are partings.

In the end, they remained speechless, sharing a cup of tea as if it were wine.

"Take care!" Manager Mo said.

"Take care!"

Instructor Yan nodded and, under Manager Mo's gaze, left the Youyuan Studio and disappeared into the bustling, noisy streets.

If he could not teach formations, staying in the outer sect of the Tongxian Sect was meaningless. Moreover, Instructor Yan kept the matter of the Spirit Pivot Formation Map in his heart; he would not give up.

Before leaving Tongxian City, the last thing Instructor Yan intended to do was find a formation master for Mo Hua.

He prepared some fine wine and tea gifts and knocked on the door of a cave dwelling on the North Street of Tongxian City.

This cave dwelling was one of the largest on the street, grand, luxurious, and magnificent.

The owner of the dwelling was one of the only two Rank 1 Formation Masters in Tongxian City, surnamed Luo. Most cultivators respectfully addressed him as Master Luo.

Instructor Yan presented the tea gifts and stated his purpose.

Master Luo was quite well-acquainted with Instructor Yan. Upon hearing his intent, he asked in confusion, "Does this child truly possess such talent that Brother Yan has come to plead for him personally?"

Instructor Yan showed Master Luo the "Bright Fire Formation" that Mo Hua had drawn. "This is a formation he drew when he was at the third layer of Qi Refinement."

He did not bring out the "Water-Stabilizing Formation" with five and a half layers of patterns because he did not want to be too ostentatious.

Furthermore, generally speaking, for a third-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, being able to draw a formation with three layers of patterns was already considered extraordinary.

Master Luo's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Indeed, it is quite good!"

Master Luo scanned the Bright Fire Formation diagram and asked, "I wonder which family's disciple he is? The Qian family? The An family, or the Chen family?"

Instructor Yan fell silent for a moment before saying, "He is not from a family; he is merely a rogue cultivator."

Master Luo fell silent, and the interest in his eyes faded considerably.

Instructor Yan tested the waters, "Does Master have some concerns?"

"Rogue cultivators are difficult to teach..." Master Luo said.

"Brother Luo..."

Master Luo waved his hand and said, "Brother Yan, I understand everything you are saying, but you should also know how much trouble it is to take a rogue cultivator as an apprentice."

"Mo Hua is young, but he is well-behaved, sensible, diligent, and hardworking. His talent for formations is also extremely high. With just a little guidance from Brother Luo, his future in formations will surely be limitless," Instructor Yan said sincerely.

"It is not that simple." Master Luo sighed and said

"Setting aside the child's natural talent and comprehension, can he even afford the tuition for becoming an apprentice?"

Master Luo stood up and began to pace slowly. "It is not that I am greedy for such tuition, but apprenticeship has always followed certain rules. I have many disciples, and the tuition each one pays is substantial. If he is the only one who cannot pay, or pays too little, how can I face my other disciples? Even if they do not dare to say anything to my face, they will certainly harbor resentment in their hearts, thinking I am biased and cannot treat everyone equally."

"Not just the tuition for apprenticeship, but even the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for studying formations—everything requires spirit stones. Can a rogue cultivator's meager resources support that?"

"Furthermore, even if he succeeds in the future and becomes a formation master, he will still only have two paths: either to attach himself to a family, or to attach himself to a sect. If he does not attach himself, his cultivation and studies in formations will be fraught with difficulty. If he does attach himself, it is equivalent to selling his soul; he will lose his name, his background, and his parents. He will no longer be his own master, and how could he ever truly respect me as his teacher?"

"Therefore, regardless of whether I take him as an apprentice or a disciple, it brings me no benefit whatsoever."

After Master Luo finished speaking, he sat down and took a sip of tea.

Instructor Yan also remained silent. He understood what Master Luo said and had no way to argue. He had originally thought that since Mo Hua's talent was exceptional, Master Luo might consider it for that reason, but it seemed he had oversimplified things.

It truly made sense why rogue cultivators lacked formation masters...

Instructor Yan looked dejected.

Seeing this, Master Luo also sighed and said in a softened tone, "If he had a family background, even if it were just a collateral or branch line, I could take him in. But rogue cultivators are different; there are too many concerns, and I do not have the energy for it..."

"It is too difficult for a rogue cultivator to become a formation master!" Master Luo lamented.

Instructor Yan wanted to make one last attempt and said, "This child Mo Hua's talent for formations is truly unparalleled..." As he spoke, he moved to bring out the "Water-Stabilizing Formation" with five and a half layers of patterns.

But halfway through, he heard Master Luo say, "Forget about him being able to draw three layers of patterns; even if he could draw four or five layers at the third layer of Qi Refinement, I still would not take him."

Instructor Yan's hand stopped. Helplessly, he could only put the formation diagram back.

"Brother Luo, is there really no way?"

"Brother Yan, you are welcome to come here anytime to discuss the Dao or chat, but regarding this specific matter, there is no room for negotiation."

"Brother Luo..." Instructor Yan had nothing left to say, only sighing, "I only hope you do not regret it in the future."

"Many cultivators have said that to me, but I, Luo, have never regretted it to this day!"

With nothing left to say, Master Luo served tea and saw his guest out.

Instructor Yan sighed, looking disappointed, and rose to take his leave.

After Instructor Yan left, Master Luo sat in the room. A disciple poured tea for him and asked in a low voice, "Master, if he truly can draw the Bright Fire Formation at the third layer of Qi Refinement, then that talent is indeed extraordinary."

"Indeed," Master Luo picked up his tea and took a sip. "But what good is high talent? Cultivation is not solely about talent. How many people were brilliant in their youth, only to eventually fade into mediocrity? Spirit stones, inheritances, family background—each of these is vital. Without them, talent is merely rootless vegetation; it will wither sooner or later."

"But, if Master were to give him some guidance, he would at least owe Master a debt of gratitude..."

Master Luo shook his head. "You think too simply of the human heart. Rogue cultivators come from humble beginnings and often have extreme temperaments. If one is not careful, they easily harbor grudges. There are too many instances of 'a small kindness leading to a great grudge.' If I end up with a grudge instead of gratitude, why should I wade into such muddy waters?"

"What Master says is true, but such talent is truly a pity."

"It is a pity," Master Luo put down his teacup and sighed. "But that is fate; one cannot force it."