Spirit Array

Afterward, Mo Hua continued drawing the Earth Stabilizing Array for two months.

Whenever he encountered difficulties with the array, he would seek guidance from Instructor Yan. Instructor Yan was known for his strictness and high expectations, but he was always thorough and patient when addressing his students' questions, explaining everything in detail.

Although Instructor Yan believed Mo Hua's foundational skills were not yet solid and that it was premature for him to delve into advanced arrays, he never hesitated to answer Mo Hua's questions. This generosity with his time made Mo Hua very grateful.

Sometimes, Mo Hua would skip classes to secretly draw arrays and earn spirit stones. Instructor Yan never pursued the matter too harshly; he would simply remind Mo Hua: "A cultivator can have specialties, but they shouldn't be too narrow. Some techniques might not be mastered, but they should be understood. Otherwise, once you graduate and leave the sect to venture into the cultivation world, gaps in your knowledge could lead to pitfalls."

Mo Hua humbly accepted this advice and benefited greatly from it.

Currently, however, he had no spirit stones to learn new techniques, so he had to continue skipping classes and drawing arrays to save up some spirit stones.

A single Earth Stabilizing Array, consisting of four array patterns, could earn him two spirit stones. Thanks to this, Mo Hua was able to save spirit stones at a faster rate.

One day, two months later, Mo Hua went to the manager's office as usual to deliver an order. Upon entering, he noticed that there was an unfamiliar middle-aged man in a blue Taoist robe drinking tea in the usually quiet Pavilion Study.

The man's back seemed familiar, and when he turned around, Mo Hua was stunned.

The man in the blue Taoist robe was Instructor Yan…

Mo Hua suddenly felt like he had been caught skipping class.

"Mo Hua?"

Instructor Yan also saw Mo Hua and was a bit surprised.

The plump manager, who was sitting opposite Instructor Yan and pouring tea for him, looked up and was also surprised, "You two know each other?"

Instructor Yan replied, "He's one of my students at Tongxian Sect."

Mo Hua bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Instructor!"

Instructor Yan nodded in acknowledgment and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Before Mo Hua could answer, the plump manager explained, "He runs errands for his elder brother, who draws arrays for our array pavilion. Once they're done, he delivers them here."

Instructor Yan nodded and did not ask further.

Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief, then handed the array over to the plump manager and took the spirit stones. He quickly said, "Disciple will take his leave now and not disturb you any further, Instructor."

Instructor Yan seemed to have business with the plump manager and, seeing Mo Hua being so considerate, nodded and said, "Head back to the sect early and stay safe on the road."

Mo Hua respectfully agreed, bowed, and left the array pavilion.

Watching Mo Hua's back, the plump manager said to Instructor Yan, "This kid is quite polite and very smart. You're lucky to have such a good student."

Instructor Yan gave a slight "hmm" in response and then asked, "You said his elder brother draws arrays for you?"

The plump manager took out the Earth Stabilizing Array that Mo Hua had handed over and showed it to Instructor Yan. "It's quite well-drawn."

Instructor Yan was slightly taken aback to see the Earth Stabilizing Array and said, "This was drawn by his elder brother?"

"Who else?" the plump manager replied, "Do you think he could have drawn it himself? At his age, even if he exhausted his spiritual sense, he couldn't produce a complete array."

Instructor Yan nodded, recalling that Mo Hua had asked him about the Earth Stabilizing Array. It seemed likely that he had seen his elder brother drawing it, became curious, and then came to him with questions.

"Having a thirst for knowledge in array formations is a good thing," Instructor Yan thought to himself. "If he can maintain this mindset, he might achieve something significant in array formations in the future."

With that thought, Instructor Yan didn't pursue the matter further. He glanced around the secluded and quiet shop and then looked at the plump manager. "Do you plan to spend your life like this?"

The plump manager replied, "You and I practiced together, so you should know me well. I'm not like you. Now you're an instructor at Tongxian Sect, with remarkable skills in array formations, just a step away from becoming a first-rank array master. Once you achieve that, you'll have connections, status, and plenty of spirit stones in Tongxian City, and the sect will surely give you an elder's position."

"As for me," the plump manager took a sip of tea, "I'm content with muddling through each day. I've only dabbled in array formations and lack the patience for cultivation. I'm satisfied with living a relaxed life. Don't look down on me; look at those busy itinerant cultivators on the streets. They can only dream of such leisurely days."

Instructor Yan remained silent.

The plump manager looked at Instructor Yan and sighed helplessly, "Alright, what do you want me to help you with?"

Instructor Yan said solemnly, "Help me find the 'Spirit Array Diagram'."

The plump manager rubbed his temples, "After all these years, you still haven't given up. If you ask me, you're not getting any younger; it's time to find a companion and settle down."

"Personal matters are trivial; passing on array formations is paramount."

"And even if you find it, what then? Our grandmaster couldn't master it, nor could our master. Do you think you can? A first-rank array with twelve array patterns is unheard of! First-rank array masters only need to know nine patterns, and you haven't even become a first-rank array master yet. What good would the Spirit Array Diagram do you? You might not master it even on your deathbed."

Instructor Yan remained silent.

The plump manager tried to persuade him earnestly, "Senior Brother, let it go. Besides, you can't even find it. The person who betrayed our sect and stole the array has been missing for years, with no trace found even by the Dao Court. What can you do as an array master who isn't adept at Daoist techniques?"

Instructor Yan was unmoved and said hoarsely, "My master was immensely kind to me, and everything I know about array formations was taught by him. Now that he's gone, the sect is broken, and the array is lost, I can't eat or sleep in peace. If I can retrieve the array and pass it on, fulfilling my master's last wish, nothing else matters."

Instructor Yan looked at the plump manager and said, "I know you like a peaceful life. I won't ask you to do much. Just let me know if you find any clues about the 'Spirit Array Diagram'. The rest is up to me."

"How do you know there will be clues about the 'Spirit Array Diagram' in Tongxian City?" The plump manager frowned.

Instructor Yan remained silent.

The plump manager waved his hand, "Alright, knowing more does me no good. I'll help you with this, but let me remind you, you might end up with nothing despite all your efforts."

Feeling troubled again, the plump manager couldn't help but add, "I still think you should focus on finding a companion and having a child. Even if you don't find the diagram, your child can continue the search, so you won't die alone. Do it while you're still not too old, find a companion..."

"The tea has gone cold. I'm leaving."

Instructor Yan stood up, brushed his sleeves, and left, ignoring the plump manager's rambling behind him.

(End of the chapter)