Mo Hua returned to the Daoist room and sat down. A group of disciples immediately gathered around, craning their necks.
"Mo Hua, Mo Hua, what did the instructor want with you?"
"Did the instructor punish you?"
Mo Hua truthfully replied, "The instructor asked me to meet him every day after class."
One disciple said, "It must be because you were slacking off in formations. The instructor is angry and wants you to practice formations every day to avoid regressing."
Another disciple sympathized, "That's really tough. You have to draw formations under the instructor's watch every day."
"Yeah, it's tough. I get nervous when the instructor just looks at me, let alone watching me draw formations..."
Mo Hua sighed.
Seeing this, the other disciples began to comfort Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's sigh wasn't because he had to draw formations under the instructor's watch, but because meeting the instructor every day would leave him little time to earn spirit stones by drawing formations for the Formation Pavilion.
However, since the instructor asked if he wanted to become a formation master, he would likely offer some guidance, which was a good thing.
The next day after class, Mo Hua went to Instructor Yan's residence on Tongming Peak as scheduled.
Instructor Yan got straight to the point, placing a scroll titled "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory" in front of Mo Hua.
"The path of formations requires a solid foundation to go far. This foundation includes not only mastering basic formation patterns, brushwork proficiency, and stable spiritual consciousness, but also understanding the theories of formation studies in the cultivation world."
"The so-called formation theory is the summary of insights and theoretical understandings of myriad formations by countless formation masters, seeking the unchanging principles within the ever-changing formations."
"Some cultivators can draw formations well but know nothing about theory. Once they reach advanced levels, they find themselves in a fog, unable to progress further in the path of formations."
"I am one step away from becoming a first-rank formation master. The sect's heritage is largely lost, so I can't teach you advanced formation theories. Our teaching can't compare to that of major families and sects. However, given your current level, this should suffice."
Mo Hua straightened his posture, showing greater respect, "Please instruct me, Instructor."
Instructor Yan nodded, opened the "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory," and said:
"This treatise records some basic principles of formations, such as the concept of 'Heaven is round, Earth is square,' the eight trigrams positions, the five elements' interactions, and the structures of single formations, compound formations, and grand formations..."
"Formations are the manifestations of the laws of heaven and earth. An outer circle and inner square symbolize the 'Heaven is round, Earth is square' concept. The positions of different formation patterns follow the principles of the eight trigrams, and the interactions of different attribute patterns follow the five elements' theory. A single formation is a single array, multiple single formations combined are compound formations, and a large number of single and compound formations linked together form a grand formation..."
"A grand formation is extremely powerful. The so-called sect-protecting grand formations belong to this category. A grand formation includes hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of formations, created by dozens or hundreds of formation masters working together. Only highly accomplished formation masters can serve as the lead formation master, directing the design and carving of the grand formation..."
"Becoming a lead formation master and designing a grand formation is the lifelong aspiration of many formation masters."
Instructor Yan sighed a bit as he spoke, then continued, "But that's a long way off. Even becoming an ordinary first-rank formation master is no easy feat."
Mo Hua listened with a sense of yearning. Even a single formation was already very mysterious. What would it be like to see a grand formation containing myriad formations activated?
Instructor Yan, looking both hesitant and solemn, handed the "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory" to Mo Hua, saying:
"Take this introductory Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory with you and study it well. Remember, you must not share it with anyone or mention it to anyone else."
Instructor Yan then explained some basic theories related to formations before allowing Mo Hua to leave.
Mo Hua returned to the disciples' quarters, holding the thin booklet of "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory" in his hands, feeling its significant weight. For the first time, he realized the importance of passing down cultivation knowledge. Without guidance, these theories could take a lifetime to understand on one's own.
Being just an ordinary disciple, Mo Hua felt deeply grateful for Instructor Yan's dedicated efforts.
Mo Hua calmed himself and began to read the treatise word by word, noting down anything he didn't understand to ask the instructor the next day.
Before bed, Mo Hua took out the "Golden Stone Formation Diagram," memorizing the patterns within it. Closing his eyes, he entered his spiritual sea and practiced drawing the Golden Stone Formation on the stone tablet.
The Golden Stone Formation only had four patterns, not overly difficult, but it required time to become familiar with and practice.
Thanks to the "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory," Mo Hua found his thoughts much clearer while drawing the Golden Stone Formation diagram.
Understanding why the four patterns were positioned towards the west, as the west corresponds to the metal element, which aligns with the attributes of the Golden Stone Formation, he also realized that the specific drawing methods involved many considerations related to the trigrams.
Previously, Mo Hua had only followed the diagram without knowing why it was drawn that way. Now, he had a deeper understanding.
The next day, Mo Hua went to Tongming Peak.
Instructor Yan asked Mo Hua some questions from the "Elementary Treatise on Formation Theory." Mo Hua answered them one by one. Confirming that Mo Hua had seriously read the "Treatise on Formation Theory," Instructor Yan nodded with satisfaction.
Mo Hua then presented the questions he had noted down. Instructor Yan answered each one, visibly more relieved.
On the third day, Instructor Yan used specific formations as examples to explain some basic formation theories to Mo Hua.
He started with several formations involving a single pattern, including the Minghuo Array that Mo Hua had drawn before, as well as a few formations Mo Hua hadn't encountered. Next were the formations with two patterns, none of which Mo Hua had seen before, and he listened attentively.
Among the four-pattern formations, Instructor Yan first discussed the Earth Stabilizing Formation, which Mo Hua had previously consulted him about. Though Mo Hua had become quite proficient in it, listening to the instructor's explanation, he realized he had previously understood only the surface without grasping the underlying principles.
After explaining the Earth Stabilizing Formation, Instructor Yan mentioned the Golden Stone Formation:
"The Golden Stone Formation is similar in function to the Earth Stabilizing Formation. Among the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—earth can generate metal. So, when cultivators build caves and residences, they use the Earth Stabilizing Formation to reinforce the foundation and the Golden Stone Formation to strengthen the structure. Due to the earth generating metal, the effects of the formations are enhanced. These two formations can be understood in relation to each other..."
Mo Hua felt a sudden clarity.
Instructor Yan lectured for an hour, then assigned some homework, asking Mo Hua to find examples of formations' interactions according to the five elements, and then dismissed him.
Returning to the disciples' quarters, Mo Hua couldn't shake a sense of oddity.
Among the examples Instructor Yan used, many were formations Mo Hua had drawn for the Formation Pavilion.
The Minghuo Array and Earth Stabilizing Formation were obvious, and the Golden Stone Formation was what the chubby manager had asked him to draw. Today, the instructor specifically explained the Golden Stone Formation diagram to him. Although it was to illustrate the interactions of the five elements, it still seemed too coincidental.
"Could there be some connection between the instructor and the chubby manager? Has the instructor already found out that the formations for Destiny Pavilion were all drawn by me?"
Mo Hua pondered silently.
(End of the Chapter)