"Theory of Formation Sources" could only be read at Mr. Zhuang's place and was not allowed to be taken away.
For the next few days, Mo Hua arrived early at Mr. Zhuang's secluded residence, finding a quiet and comfortable spot to read alone.
Whenever he had questions, he quietly noted them down and waited for Mr. Zhuang to finish his nap before seeking his guidance. Mr. Zhuang answered every question, often resolving Mo Hua's doubts with just a few words, greatly impressing him.
In just a few days, Mo Hua's understanding of formations had significantly expanded.
Mr. and Mrs. Mo wanted to visit Mr. Zhuang to express their gratitude, but Mr. Zhuang declined, citing his preference for solitude and lack of interest in socializing. He appreciated their gesture but insisted they need not visit.
Despite his words, the Mo couple couldn't shake their feeling of unease.
Mr. Mo then went hunting in the mountains and slaughtered a wild buffalo. Mrs. Liu marinated and stewed the beef to perfection, preparing various snacks for Mo Hua to take along. She instructed him, "Since Mr. Zhuang prefers solitude, we won't disturb him. However, we should still offer some modest gifts. Spiritual stones or the like may not be necessary for Mr. Zhuang, but these food items, though humble, represent our goodwill. Give them to Mr. Zhuang, and I hope he doesn't disdain them."
"Okay." Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
When Mo Hua presented the food box to Mr. Zhuang, he couldn't help feeling a bit nervous.
Judging by Mr. Zhuang's demeanor, he must have tasted various delicacies before, and these ordinary offerings from ordinary cultivators might not please him.
However, when Mr. Zhuang received the food box, he seemed quite intrigued. He tasted a few pieces of beef and nodded slightly.
Although it was meat from a low-grade wild demon beast without spiritual energy, the unique cooking method combined the aroma of wild buffalo meat with spicy spices, creating a unique and unexperienced wild charm.
It was Mr. Zhuang's first time tasting this kind of beef, prompting him to eat a few more pieces and save some for drinking.
Mo Hua also gave some snacks to Old Kui. Old Kui received the snacks with some surprise but didn't show any displeasure either after tasting a few bites.
Seeing both had accepted the gifts and tasted them personally without any apparent dissatisfaction, Mo Hua finally relaxed.
Mrs. Liu was also pleased. Whenever she had time, she prepared various styles of dishes for Mo Hua to deliver to Mr. Zhuang and Old Kui.
There were many types of demon beasts in the mountains, each with its own unique taste. While Mrs. Liu was usually busy with her restaurant affairs, she focused on studying cooking during her leisure time, experimenting with different cooking methods and seasonings for the meat hunted by Mr. Mo, resulting in various flavors.
Some flavors were excellent, while others were not easily accepted. Mrs. Liu would pick out the better-tasting ones for Mo Hua to bring to Mr. Zhuang.
Old Kui particularly enjoyed snacks and, according to Mo Hua's observation, preferred crispy snacks, especially enjoying them while playing chess. So Mrs. Liu made some crispy fruits and pastries, which Mo Hua delivered to Old Kui every now and then.
Over time, Mr. Zhuang became accustomed to Mrs. Liu's cooking and gradually lost interest in Old Kui's dishes.
One day, Mo Hua again brought braised pork and snacks to Mr. Zhuang and Old Kui. After spending the day reading and consulting a few questions, he bid farewell and returned home.
As the evening fell, Mr. Zhuang sat by the pond, watching the sunset in the sky. He enjoyed his beef and drank some wine, looking quite relaxed.
Old Kui sat on the side, enjoying his snacks and playing chess with himself. After a moment, he glanced at Mr. Zhuang and said:
"Your Qi Sea is shattered. You can eat other things, but don't overindulge. Don't neglect the medicinal meals I prepare."
Mr. Zhuang responded indifferently, "A broken mirror cannot be pieced back together, spilled water cannot be recovered. Since my Qi Sea is already shattered, eating anything is futile. It's better to eat something that makes oneself happy."
Old Kui couldn't be bothered to argue with him. After a while, he suddenly asked, "Is it really that delicious?"
Mr. Zhuang picked up another piece of meat and savored it carefully. "The taste is quite unique."
Old Kui frowned. "What kind of delicacies haven't you eaten in your life? Why are you suddenly craving these now?"
"Well, indeed."
Mr. Zhuang showed an amused expression, his eyes revealing a worldly cynicism:
"I've grown tired of exotic delicacies. These simple things, though humble, carry simple intentions. That's what makes them most precious."
"Oh," Old Kui replied absentmindedly, still focused on the chessboard. He picked up a pastry and nibbled on it.
Mr. Zhuang watched him and suddenly asked, "You can't really taste the flavor, can you? Why are you eating these?"
Old Kui remained focused on the chessboard for a moment before replying, "I chew to hear the sound."
With that said, he picked up another pastry and crunched it.
Half a month later, Mo Hua had almost finished reading "Theory of Formation Sources," and Mr. Zhuang began teaching him formation theory.
Mr. Zhuang's teachings on formations were broader and more obscure than those of Master Yan. They were filled with terms and concepts Mo Hua had never heard of before, making his progress slow.
Mr. Zhuang seemed indifferent, whether Mo Hua learned quickly or slowly, whether he excelled or struggled.
However, perhaps due to overindulging in beef, Mr. Zhuang felt uneasy and asked Mo Hua:
"What kind of formation master do you want to become?"
Mo Hua thought about saying he wanted to become a First Grade Formation Master, but he realized this goal might seem too modest to Mr. Zhuang. Moreover, he didn't know what types of formation masters existed. So, he honestly replied:
"Disciple doesn't know what kind of formation master I can become."
Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment before saying, "Your spiritual roots are not exceptional. Even with no shortage of spiritual stones and techniques, reaching the Golden Core stage is not easy. Your realm determines the upper limit of a formation master. Despite having good perception, you started too late and lack a foundation in understanding various formation theories. Children from prestigious families are exposed to such knowledge from a young age, making them familiar with advanced formations. You lack this background. Even if you start now, you'll progress much slower."
"I used to teach disciples by first teaching formation theory, having them memorize the myriad schools and theories of the cultivation world, laying a solid foundation. This makes it easier for them to integrate and comprehend more advanced formations in the future."
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his expression tinged with some regret, but he continued frankly:
"But perhaps you may not go far. Being a Third Grade Formation Master might already be your limit. Thus, teaching you in the same manner as before would just be wasting time, offering no benefit to you."
Mo Hua looked crestfallen, feeling somewhat lost.
But upon reflection, even becoming a Second Grade Formation Master would bring him joy. After all, in the entire City of Transcendence, First Grade Formation Masters were few and far between.
He almost let himself get carried away by Mr. Zhuang's words...
Mo Hua thought for a moment and said earnestly, "The heavens and earth have their own arrangements. Disciple only needs to focus on learning formations. Whatever level I can reach is what it is. Focusing too much on gains and losses will only lead to losing oneself. I humbly ask Master for guidance."
Mr. Zhuang looked slightly surprised, silently observing Mo Hua before calmly saying:
"You're right. Man plans, heaven decides. One should not dwell on gains and losses and lose inner peace. In that case, I'll change my teaching approach tomorrow."
(End of the Chapter)