Celestial Expansion Technique

When Mo Hua found Mr. Zhuang, he was leisurely taking a nap.

Mo Hua opened the food box, which contained various preparations of beef, some refreshing vegetables, and some fruits that went well with wine. The aroma of meat and wine slowly wafted out.

Mr. Zhuang opened his eyes, "Fourth level of Qi Refining, not bad."

Mo Hua smiled and said, "Thanks to your teachings, sir."

Mr. Zhuang waved his hand, then leisurely sat up, took a sip of wine, tasted a piece of meat, and then lay back down, relaxed.

"How's your study of formations?"

"I'm already attempting to draw formations with seven patterns. My spiritual consciousness should be sufficient, but I still need more practice with the formations themselves."

Mr. Zhuang's expression didn't change, but his chewing slowed slightly. He murmured to himself, "Fourth level of Qi Refining, and already attempting seven-pattern formations..."

"Sir, should I continue learning formations as I have been?" Mo Hua hesitated for a moment and asked.

"Do you have any doubts?"

Mo Hua shook his head, "Learning by doing, drawing formations on different mediums and utilizing their effects does deepen my understanding of formations..."

"Then keep doing it," Mr. Zhuang said. "Becoming a first-rank or even higher-rank formation master is as difficult as it is simple. Just keep drawing formations, over and over... few people can really persevere, though."

Mr. Zhuang's words were quite profound.

Mo Hua felt reassured and was about to take his leave when Mr. Zhuang suddenly asked:

"Has there been any change in your Celestial Expansion Technique?"

"Well, my spiritual energy has strengthened."

"When you break through a level, your spiritual energy naturally becomes stronger, unrelated to the technique," Mr. Zhuang said.

"Then... my spiritual consciousness has also strengthened."

"Breaking through a level also naturally strengthens your spiritual consciousness, unrelated to the technique."

"I feel that my control over spiritual energy with my spiritual consciousness has become more sensitive..." Mo Hua said halfway, then suddenly felt uncertain, "Is this also unrelated to the technique?"

For a moment, Mo Hua thought Mr. Zhuang's gaze seemed sharper, but when he looked again, it seemed unchanged, as if the momentary impression was just a mistake.

"Draw a formation for me to see," Mr. Zhuang said calmly.

"Okay," Mo Hua took out paper, spread it, and held his brush, "Sir, which formation should I draw?"

"Draw a Three Talents Formation."

"Alright."

Mo Hua had recently drawn the Three Talents Formation and remembered it well, so he completed it in one go. He felt satisfied, but when he looked at Mr. Zhuang, he noticed his attention wasn't on the formation.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

After some thought, Mr. Zhuang said, "Your formation drawing speed has increased."

"Doesn't breaking through a level naturally make drawing formations faster?" Mo Hua asked.

"No!" Mr. Zhuang said firmly.

"The strength of your spiritual consciousness determines whether you qualify to learn formations, your understanding of formations determines whether you can draw them, and your proficiency determines your drawing speed. Once you reach a certain proficiency level, the only thing that can affect your drawing speed is the control of your spiritual consciousness."

"The control of spiritual consciousness?"

"Yes," Mr. Zhuang said, "In cultivation methods like spells, object manipulation, and formation drawing, the control of spiritual consciousness is crucial. You haven't encountered this yet due to your low cultivation level, but you'll understand in the future."

Mo Hua looked forward eagerly, "So, is this technique quite powerful?"

Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua, hesitated, and then said:

"The cultivation world is vast and full of wonders. Some techniques have effects that can defy the heavens and change fate, beyond imagination. Yours can be considered decent, at least better than ordinary techniques."

The ever-inconspicuous Old Kui, who had been standing silently in the corner, silently rolled his eyes at Mr. Zhuang.

But Mo Hua was already very happy. For someone as knowledgeable as Mr. Zhuang to say his technique was "not bad" was already very good for Mo Hua.

Mr. Zhuang continued, "Even so, you must understand the principle of being cautious of others. It's best not to tell others about your cultivation techniques. If someone discovers the uniqueness of your technique, they will certainly try to steal it, disregarding your life or death."

"Yes, yes!" Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

Although he hadn't encountered such situations himself, he had read many stories about killing for treasures or inheritances, so he deeply understood.

"The rafters that stick out rot first, and a fat pig will be slaughtered."

"So if someone asks why your spiritual consciousness is so sharp, what will you say?" Mr. Zhuang tested Mo Hua.

"Um... I'll say I have... a natural gift?" Mo Hua hesitated.

Mr. Zhuang showed a look of "you can be taught."

"Won't I get beaten for saying that?" Mo Hua was unsure.

"You can say it humbly. Even if you get beaten, it's better than being caught, tortured, and then killed," Mr. Zhuang gently advised.

Mo Hua found this very reasonable. Indeed, Mr. Zhuang was knowledgeable.

After discussing the cultivation technique, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something. "Sir, what exactly is a compound formation?"

"You've seen a compound formation?"

"Yes, Mr. Feng at Wondrous Pavilion uses the Wood-Fire Spirit Control Formation in his alchemy furnace, which is a compound formation."

"A compound formation, huh? That's a bit complicated to explain..."

Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment, then gestured to the corner.

Only then did Mo Hua notice that Old Kui had been standing in the corner all along, without revealing any presence, so he hadn't noticed him before.

Old Kui moved behind the bookshelf and soon came out with a thick book, which he handed to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua took it and saw that the title page of the book read "Introduction to Composite Formations."

"This book contains knowledge about composite arrays and a few basic compound formation diagrams. You can read it to broaden your horizons, but don't spend too much time on it. It's still too early for you to learn this."

Mo Hua was delighted. He had felt a bit guilty about disturbing Mr. Zhuang's rest. Now, he could study the book first and then ask Bai Zixi or Bai Zisheng if he had questions. If there were still things he didn't understand, he could consult Mr. Zhuang, making his learning more efficient and disturbing Mr. Zhuang less. After all, Mr. Zhuang didn't have many hobbies besides eating and sleeping.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhuang!"

Mo Hua then remembered Old Kui, looked around, and found that Old Kui had disappeared again. After scanning the area, he realized Old Kui was right next to him.

It seemed that when Old Kui wanted you to see him, you would; when he didn't, you wouldn't.

Perhaps it was an illusion, or maybe Old Kui's ability to hide his presence was just that good.

Mo Hua handed a storage bag to Old Kui, which contained about seven or eight boxes of pine nuts that his mother had specially roasted.

Old Kui accepted the storage bag, his eyes showing a hint of pleasure...

Although Old Kui's expression didn't change, Mo Hua felt he was in a good mood.

"Sir, I won't disturb your contemplation any longer."

Mo Hua bowed and happily withdrew.

Mr. Zhuang sighed, "What a good child, so worry-free!"

Then he took another bite of meat, a sip of wine, and leisurely lay down again.

(End of the Chapter)