Exchanges

However, this was something to be dealt with after the New Year celebrations.

Recently, there had been many things to do, a lot of hustle and bustle, and Mo Hua had been quite exhausted from drawing array formations. At least for this New Year, he could relax a bit without worrying too much.

But Mo Hua soon discovered that even if he didn't consider cultivation and array formations, there were still many things to keep him busy.

This was because of the need to give and return gifts.

And many of these gifts required Mo Hua to deliver personally, and many required him to reciprocate.

Previously, he was just an ordinary, unknown minor cultivator, naturally not needing to worry about such things.

But now he was a slightly famous junior array master, knowing many cultivators, and certain social interactions had become unavoidable.

For instance, the old master of the Dao Court gave him a jade pendant, the An family sent some fine wine and spiritual meat, and other smaller families also sent various New Year gifts.

None of these gifts were particularly valuable, but they all carried sincere intentions.

Mo Hua thus visited familiar families or cultivators with whom he had deep connections, to thank them in person.

For example, the old master of the Dao Court and the elder of the An family, both of whom held significant status within Tongxian City. Since they had sent gifts, it was impossible for Mo Hua not to return the gesture.

Mo Hua also brought some gifts.

These gifts were simple, bought with spiritual stones, but they were special because he had drawn array formations on them.

For instance, a lantern with the character "Fu" (fortune) had a fire array drawn inside, which would emit brilliant light once lit. There were also small screens with cold arrays and blankets with warm arrays, and so on.

These gifts were not luxurious, but very practical. Although they seemed simple, they clearly had thought put into them.

They suited his identity as a junior array master and, most importantly, matched his financial capacity—he didn't have many spiritual stones to buy expensive gifts for others.

The old master and Elder An were both very pleased.

Other cultivators who received Mo Hua's return gifts were already satisfied, and seeing that the gifts contained array formations personally drawn by Mo Hua, they were even more delighted.

Mo Hua also sent some gifts to Master Chen.

With the New Year approaching, Master Chen was still busy at the artifact workshop, along with other artifact masters crafting spiritual artifacts. They would likely finish their work by New Year's Eve and then enjoy the celebrations.

Although it was hard work, selling the spiritual artifacts would earn them a good amount of spiritual stones, so they didn't mind the effort.

Master Chen, with no wife or children and only one apprentice, Da Zhu, didn't mind much either.

Mo Hua brought a lot of delicious food and several jars of fine wine, making Master Chen beam with joy.

"This wine is great, having wine is enough!"

Alone, with meat and wine as company, it was still a celebration.

Master Chen had spent many years like this and didn't feel lonely. Moreover, after the New Year, many apprentices would come to visit and wish him well, making it lively.

Mo Hua chatted with Master Chen for a while, and then Master Chen said:

"Do you want a spiritual artifact?"

"What kind of spiritual artifact?"

"Anything you want, just preferably not a sword; those are harder to craft, and I'm not very good at them."

"A knife, spear, staff, or something like that?"

Master Chen nodded, "Thanks to this new artifact furnace, my crafting skills have greatly improved recently, and I can now craft first-grade spiritual artifacts. Choose one, and I'll make it for you to use for self-defense."

Mo Hua thought about it but still couldn't decide.

"I'm not a physical cultivator, so these won't be much use to me..."

"No worries." Master Chen smiled, "Mainly, I'm just itching to craft more spiritual artifacts and try my hand at them."

Mo Hua didn't know what to say...

"Won't you craft for others?"

"People have asked, but those aren't urgent. I can do them anytime. Let me craft one for you first."

Mo Hua wanted a "Zhang Ba Snake Spear" or "Green Dragon Crescent Blade," but even if those were crafted, he wouldn't be able to use them since he wasn't a physical cultivator.

"Then, can you craft one for my father?"

"No need to worry about that; Elder Yu has it covered. You don't need to trouble yourself with that."

Mo Hua frowned.

Master Chen said, "If nothing else, I'll craft you a small knife. You can use it to cut beef or peel fruit."

Mo Hua's expression turned complex. "I'll think about it."

It was rare to craft a first-grade spiritual weapon; at the very least, it should be something more proper. Crafting a fruit knife seemed a bit trivial...

Master Chen nodded, "Alright, let me know once you've decided."

Mo Hua took his leave from Master Chen and then visited Mr. Feng.

Previously, Mr. Feng only provided consultations at the Xinglin Hall and never went out except for medical consultations.

Now that the alchemy workshop was completed, Mr. Feng often visited it. Some ill cultivators would even come to the workshop to seek Mr. Feng for treatment and alchemy.

Mr. Feng was at the alchemy workshop next door, counting the medicinal pills, organizing prescriptions, and checking the quality of the pills.

Mo Hua delivered his New Year gift to Mr. Feng, who in turn gave Mo Hua a bunch of pills.

There were pills for treating fire and water toxins, anti-miasma pills, mind-clearing and focus-enhancing pills, hunger-suppressing fasting pills, hemostatic pills, and several life-saving little revival pills.

Each type of pill was neatly categorized, labeled with its use.

Mo Hua thanked Mr. Feng, and just as he was about to leave, Mr. Feng called him back and handed him another bottle of pills.

Mo Hua sniffed it and asked, "Grandpa Feng, what kind of pills are these? They smell sour and sweet."

"Digestive pills, for aiding digestion. I'm worried you might overeat and upset your stomach. Take a few after meals. You can also have some as a snack if you get peckish."

Mo Hua happily said, "Thank you, Grandpa Feng."

After a period of busy gift-giving and returning, Mo Hua finally felt relieved, thinking he had almost finished. Then he received another New Year gift sent by Master Luo's messenger.

The gift was placed in Mo Hua's courtyard, stored in a vermilion, gold-trimmed storage box, looking very generous.

When Mo Hua opened it, he was surprised.

Inside, apart from Master Luo's gift, there were also gifts from Master Qian...

Probably to avoid being noticed, they had been sent under Master Luo's name.

Master Luo's gifts were quite standard, mostly related to arrays.

Master Qian's gifts were much more valuable, including various items for daily use, indicating an apology and an expression of goodwill.

After some thought, Mo Hua accepted them.

He had no direct conflict with Master Qian, and forming a good relationship could be beneficial since he might need Master Qian's help in the future.

Since Master Luo had sent gifts, Mo Hua also prepared some gifts and went to visit and thank him personally.

Master Luo was much older than him, so this was basic courtesy.

Master Luo's abode was one of the most luxurious in Tongxian City, grand and opulent.

Many carriages and cloud chariots were parked at the entrance, brought by family members or stewards delivering gifts.

However, as Master Luo was a first-grade array master with high standards, most of them either couldn't get in or had to queue up outside, waiting for Master Luo to meet them.

The crowded scene at the entrance was an eye-opener for Mo Hua.

Indeed, the status of an array master was high, especially a first-grade array master certified by the Dao Court.

There were so many people outside that Mo Hua doubted he could even get in.

As he was considering whether to return in a few days, one of Master Luo's disciples noticed him.

(End of the Chapter)