Instructor Yan stared at Mo Hua's exam paper, pondering for a moment before marking it with an "A".
Continuing to grade other disciples' formations, after a while, he recalled something. He retrieved previous papers and upgraded those who had received lower grades like "B" to "A".
This way, there were more disciples who achieved an "A", not just Mo Hua.
After finishing grading, Instructor Yan sat at his desk, lost in thought for a long time, murmuring to himself:
"Tongxian sect probably can't hold on much longer..."
When the formation exam papers were handed out, Mo Hua saw the "A" on his paper, nodded to himself, but curiosity lingered. Could other Qi Refining disciples really draw the Water-fixing Formation?
This was a formation with six patterns.
Mo Hua intentionally inquired and heard that some other disciples had also received an "A". Surprised, he also felt:
"There are heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people. My formation skills are still lacking; I mustn't become complacent!"
What Mo Hua didn't know was that his "A" was a genuine "A", while others' "A"s were actually inflated by Instructor Yan.
Later, Mo Hua planned to continue his cultivation in Tongxian sect, learning formations, and then, after some time, consider choosing a cultivation technique. However, half a month later, he heard an unbelievable rumor:
"Instructor Yan is leaving Tongxian sect. From now on, the outer sect of Tongxian sect will no longer teach formations..."
Mo Hua stood dumbfounded.
No more formation learning...
Mo Hua sought out Instructor Yan, who looked at him with complex emotions, saying something that made Mo Hua return home first and come back in a few days.
After Mo Hua left, Instructor Yan sought out Manager Mo.
"Do you have any news about what I asked for?"
Manager Mo handed Instructor Yan a letter. "The person you're looking for isn't in Tongxian city anymore. Here's a clue, but I can't vouch for its authenticity."
"Thank you."
Manager Mo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Are you really planning to leave Tongxian sect?"
"Not just Tongxian sect, I'll leave Tongxian city as well."
"Will you come back?"
"It's hard to say," Instructor Yan sighed. "As you said, let's go with the flow."
Manager Mo had words of persuasion ready but refrained from saying them. He knew he couldn't change Instructor Yan's mind.
"Well, what about Mo Hua? What are your plans for him?" Manager Mo asked. "If you're not here, there's no one in Tongxian sect who can teach him..."
"I have plans for him. Mo Hua's talent in formations..."
Is quite terrifying...
Instructor Yan thought silently, but he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he said, "...His talent is good enough. It's a pity he can't learn formations from me. I have some responsibilities as his instructor and mentor. I'll figure out what to do."
Manager Mo nodded, looking at his senior brother. Unsure if they would meet again after this separation, he had many things to say but didn't know where to start.
Cultivators had long lives, and farewells were even longer.
In the end, they exchanged no words, opting for tea instead of wine, and shared a cup.
"Take care," Manager Mo said.
"Take care."
Instructor Yan nodded and left Destiny Pavilion, disappearing into the bustling streets.
Teaching formations would be meaningless in Tongxian sect's outer sect without him. Moreover, the matter of the Ling Shu Formation Diagram was always on Instructor Yan's mind; he wouldn't give up on it.
Before leaving Tongxian city, Instructor Yan's final task was to find a formation master for Mo Hua.
He prepared some fine wine and tea gifts, knocking on the door of a large cave mansion on North Street in Tongxian city.
This cave mansion was one of the largest and most magnificent on the street, belonging to one of Tongxian city's only two Grand Masters of formations. His surname was Luo, and ordinary cultivators respectfully addressed him as Master Luo.
Instructor Yan presented his tea gift, stating his purpose.
Master Luo, who had a good relationship with Instructor Yan, was puzzled. "Does this child truly have such talent to make Instructor Yan personally plead on his behalf?"
Instructor Yan showed Master Luo the "Minghuo Formation" that Mo Hua had drawn when he was at the third level of Qi Refining.
He didn't bring out Mo Hua's "Water-fixing Formation," which had five and a half patterns, because he didn't want to attract too much attention.
Generally speaking, being able to draw a formation with three patterns at the third level of Qi Refining was already considered outstanding.
Master Luo's eyes lit up as he nodded, "Indeed, not bad!"
After examining the Minghuo Formation, Master Luo asked, "Do you know which family's disciple he is? Qian family? An family? Or Chen family?"
Instructor Yan remained silent for a moment before saying, "He's not from a family; he's just a wandering cultivator."
Master Luo fell silent and his interest diminished.
Instructor Yan tentatively asked, "Master, do you have any concerns?"
"A wandering cultivator is not easy to teach..." Master Luo replied.
" Brother Luo..."
Master Luo waved his hand, saying, "Yan, my friend, I understand everything you've said, but taking in a wandering cultivator as an apprentice is quite troublesome. You should understand that."
"This child Mo Hua is young but well-behaved and diligent. His talent in formations is also exceptionally high. With your guidance, Master Luo, his future in formations is boundless." Instructor Yan earnestly pleaded.
"It's not that simple," Master Luo sighed, saying:
"Setting aside his talent and comprehension, can he afford the apprentice fee? Each disciple I take has to pay a substantial fee. If he can't pay or pays less, how can I justify it to the other disciples? Even if they don't say anything, they'll surely harbor resentment, thinking I'm biased and unfair."
"Not only the apprentice fee, but the materials for learning formations—ink, paper, inkstone—all cost spiritual stones. Can a wandering cultivator afford all that?"
"And even if he succeeds in learning and becomes a formation master, he'll only have two paths: to depend on a family or to depend on a sect. If he doesn't depend on either, his cultivation and formation learning will be extremely difficult. If he does depend on one, it's akin to selling himself; he'll lose his name, origin, and parents. How could he possibly look at me as his master then?"
"So, no matter what, taking him as an apprentice or disciple holds no benefit for me."
After Master Luo finished, he sat back and sipped his tea.
Instructor Yan remained silent. He understood and had no arguments. Originally, he had thought Mo Hua's exceptional talent would make Master Luo reconsider, but now it seemed he had oversimplified things.
Indeed, it made sense that a wandering cultivator wouldn't have a formation master...
Instructor Yan looked crestfallen.
Seeing this, Master Luo sighed again and softened his tone, "If he had any family background, even if it were a distant or branch one, I could consider it. But with a wandering cultivator, there are too many concerns. I simply don't have the energy..."
"Forming a master-apprentice relationship with a wandering cultivator is too difficult!" Master Luo lamented.
Instructor Yan wanted to try again but heard Master Luo say, "Forget about whether he can draw three patterns; I wouldn't even accept him if he could draw four or five patterns at the third level of Qi Refining."
Instructor Yan's hand paused halfway as he reluctantly returned the formation diagram.
"Brother Luo, is there really no way?" he asked.
"My friend Yan, you're welcome here anytime for discussions, but on this matter, there's no room for negotiation."
"Brother Luo..." Instructor Yan had nothing more to say, only sighing, "I hope you won't regret this in the future."
"Many cultivators have said the same to me, but to this day, I've never regretted my decisions!"
With nothing more to say, the two finished their tea in silence.
After Instructor Yan left, Master Luo sat in the room. A disciple poured tea for him and asked softly, "Master, if someone really can draw the Minghuo Formation at the third level of Qi Refining, his talent is truly exceptional."
"Yes," Master Luo took a sip of tea and said, "But talent alone, what does it amount to? Cultivation doesn't just depend on talent. Many brilliant young cultivators end up fading into obscurity. Spiritual stones, inheritance, family background—these are all crucial. Without them, talent is like a rootless plant, destined to wither sooner or later."
"But, Master, if you were to give him some guidance, wouldn't he owe you some gratitude?"
"You're simplifying human nature too much," Master Luo shook his head. "Wandering cultivators are often impoverished and hot-headed. If something goes wrong, they're quick to hold grudges. These conflicts over gains and losses are too common. If that happens, not only will there be no gratitude, but there might even be enmity. Why should I wade into such troubled waters?"
"What Master says is true, but it's still a pity to waste such talent."
"It is a pity," Master Luo set down his tea cup and sighed, "But such is fate. We cannot force it."
(End of Chapter)