Dao Tablet
Since Mo Hua could remember things, this Dao Tablet appeared in his sea of consciousness, accompanied by some vague memories.
In those memories, Mo Hua lived a brief life in another world without spiritual energy.
In that life, Mo Hua came from an ordinary family but studied hard and did well in school. He got into university, majoring in fine arts, with a passion for studying traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy.
After graduating, he joined a large company as a graphic designer, working overtime relentlessly, and died from overwork in his twenties.
As a student, he studied hard, and after graduation, he spent his entire life in tension and anxiety.
When he came to his senses, he found that he had lived his life in a confused manner and died unexpectedly.
In the moments before death, the experiences of his lifetime flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
Looking back on his life, he realized that he hadn't done anything truly valuable: he hadn't been filial to his parents, hadn't pursued ideals, hadn't had dreams, hadn't experienced love, and hadn't seen the world's vast scenery...
These memories were blurry, and sometimes Mo Hua couldn't distinguish between what was real and what wasn't.
Is life a dream of a butterfly, or is a butterfly dreaming of life?
Author Note: This is a reference of Zhuangzi's Dream Butterfly, in which he wondered whether he was a man dreaming of being a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of being a man.
As time passed, Mo Hua stopped worrying about it.
The past was past and now, he is only ten years old, living in a world of cultivation.
And he is a cultivator.
A cultivator who can comprehend the Dao, dominate the Nine Provinces, pluck the sun and moon with a raise of his hand, and bury the stars with a wave!
Of course, he could also be just a Qi Refining cultivator for his whole life, unable to fly, incapable of martial arts, barely able to use spells, and only live a humble life...
Without the Dao Tablet, Mo Hua reckoned he would probably be the latter.
The Dao Tablet hovered in Mo Hua's sea of consciousness.
It was broad, ancient, and oddly shaped, seemingly ethereal yet exuding a vast and profound aura that floated and flickered. At times, it seemed as desolate as empty darkness, devoid of everything...
On the ethereal surface of the tablet, array formations could be drawn, and each time Mo Hua drew an array formation, his spiritual consciousness would strengthen.
Among the myriad professions of cultivation, array formations were supreme!
Array formations were the most difficult category to study in the cultivation world, and the most important aspect of learning array formations was spiritual consciousness!
Array formations were composed of array patterns, which were patterns drawn by ancient cultivators who painstakingly comprehended the Dao and then copied them down.
The lines of array formations resembled ancient and simple scripts, yet they also resembled minimalist paintings, containing boundless mysteries.
While drawing array formations, Mo Hua communicated with the mysteries of the Dao in his sea of consciousness, consuming vast amounts of spiritual consciousness.
For cultivators, insufficient spiritual consciousness prevented them from drawing array formations; otherwise, it could lead to spiritual exhaustion or even the shattering of the sea of consciousness, resulting in death. To become an array master, one must continuously study and practice various array formations.
Therefore, array formations were difficult to learn and practice, and array masters are prone to drawing array formations forcefully with insufficient spiritual consciousness, leading to the collapse of their sea of consciousness and death.
Whenever Mo Hua drew array formations on the Dao Tablet, it would consume spiritual consciousness. However, when he erased the completed array formations, his spiritual consciousness would return, replenishing Mo Hua's spiritual awareness.
From existence to non-existence, and then from non-existence to existence again, it was as profound as the Dao itself.
Simultaneously, with each array formation Mo Hua drew, his spiritual consciousness would increase slightly. Though minimal, it did indeed grow.
As far as Mo Hua knew, there were no cultivation techniques specifically for enhancing spiritual consciousness in the cultivation world; most enhancements relied on breakthroughs in realm.
Therefore, even though the increase in spiritual consciousness is minimal, it is extremely rare.
As long as Mo Hua continued to draw array formations on the Dao Tablet, he could improve his proficiency in array formations. Moreover, as long as he continued to draw array formations, his spiritual consciousness would continue to strengthen.
With stronger spiritual consciousness, Mo Hua could learn more advanced and powerful array formations.
One day, Mo Hua could use this to become a powerful array master.
The position of an array master was very respected; even an ordinary one who had not reached the first rank can earn substantial spirit stones by drawing array formations for others.
Once one became an array master and created various profound array formations, he established a foundation for oneself and now could continue cultivation, not being just a Qi Refining cultivator for life.
Mo Hua silently reflected.
But becoming an array master was equally difficult.
Array formations were difficult to learn, and becoming an array master is challenging.
Among the categories of cultivation established by the Dao Court, the recognition of array masters is the strictest and most rigorous.
Array formations are composed of array patterns. Basic array formations include only one array pattern. With each additional array pattern, the array formation's rank increases, enhancing its effectiveness but also greatly increasing the required spiritual consciousness.
Drawing one to five array patterns can qualify one as an apprentice in array formations.
Drawing six to eight array patterns can be called an array master. However, such array masters are only considered ordinary and do not rank among the recognized grades of the Dao Court.
Only by drawing nine array patterns and passing the Dao Court's definitive rank assessment can one become a true first-grade array master.
For Qi Refining stage cultivators, becoming a first-grade array master is almost like reaching the heavens in one step.
A first-grade array master is basically a guest of honor in major families and sects. Even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators dare not easily offend them. Even if they do nothing, they receive monthly spirit stone allowances from the Dao Court's Tian Shu Pavilion. Countless young and beautiful female cultivators will step through the door to vie for Dao companionship.
However, becoming a first-grade array master is not only about diligence but also about fate.
Unlucky individuals may face quota restrictions in their state or region, meaning that even with mastery of first-grade array formations, they may not secure a quota for the next assessment.
Some array masters spend their entire lives in examinations, achieving nothing.
Countless low-level cultivators exhaust their efforts, aging with white hair, never achieving their lifelong dream of becoming a first-grade array master.
The so-called quota restrictions by the Dao Court are often just excuses made by large families and sects. They need the title of a first-grade array master to enhance the prestige of their direct disciples or heirs, making them the focus of attention as geniuses.
Those low-level cultivators who exhaust their hearts and blood to become first-grade array masters are merely dust beneath their feet.
It was already night. Mo Hua lay in his disciple's dormitory, but his consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness, continuously drawing array formations on the Dao Tablet.
The array formation Mo Hua drew was called the Twin Element Formation, containing two array patterns and considered one of the basic array formations.
However, Mo Hua had never successfully drawn this formation before.
Among early-stage Qi Refining disciples outside the sect, very few could master an array formation with a single array pattern due to insufficient spiritual consciousness.
But Mo Hua was already familiar with single array patterns, drawing them effortlessly.
Mo Hua desired to learn more difficult array formations. Therefore, every night, he practiced the Twin Element Formation containing two array patterns on the Dao Tablet.
After dozens of repeated nights of practice and persistent efforts, Mo Hua finally succeeded.
For array masters, each array pattern is a threshold. Adding another array pattern means climbing another step.
Mo Hua's ability to draw two array patterns meant that his spiritual consciousness and array formation proficiency had surpassed those of cultivators his age.
Among the outer disciples of the Dao Court at the early Qi Refining stage, his level of array formations was probably unique.
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief. As the hour of the Rabbit approached, his consciousness left his sea of consciousness, and Mo Hua opened his eyes.
Author Note: In Chinese Zodiac the hour of the Rabbit is the time between 5-7am
Despite drawing array formations all night, Mo Hua's consciousness remained clear, and he did not feel tired, as if he had just slept peacefully.
He pushed open the window, and the morning sun shone on his clear and fair face.
Outside the window, the morning sun rose, painting the sky with rosy hues.
Ten-year-old Mo Hua sighed lightly, gazing at the scenery in the sky with a determined look in his eyes.
As long as he continued to practice array formations tirelessly, constantly honing his spiritual consciousness, he would surely become a first-grade array master one day.
At that time, like the rising sun, he would take a big step towards seeking immortality and Dao comprehension.
Never again would he be merely a Qi Refining cultivator for his whole life!
(End of the chapter)