Bai Zisheng felt a bit guilty, then slightly annoyed, feeling that he had lost his momentum. He straightened his chest, raised his head, and glared at Mo Hua.
"They probably have another motive for becoming apprentices..."
Mo Hua thought to himself. Ignoring Bai Zisheng, he resumed reading the introductory formation book, "An Elementary Guide to the Five Elements Formations."
Today, he wanted to finish this book and had some questions to ask Mr. Zhuang in the evening. If he continued chatting, he wouldn't be able to finish.
Bai Zisheng, finding himself unwelcomed, was at a loss for what to do, so he and Bai Zixi sat aside, holding spirit stones, and began to meditate and cultivate.
As they cultivated, a faint blue aura surrounded them, indicating that they were already at the late stage of Qi Refining, judging by the richness of their spiritual energy.
Mo Hua was secretly amazed. Indeed, the foundations of aristocratic families were different from those of ordinary cultivators. Though Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi were only two or three years older than Mo Hua, their cultivation was already four or five minor realms higher.
Moreover, based on Bai Zisheng's earlier remarks, it was clear that both had high talent and skill in formations.
Mo Hua thought to himself, "There are always people better than you. You mustn't be arrogant but should also not be discouraged. Just diligently cultivate and study formations."
He quickly calmed his mind and continued to focus on reading the formation book.
A cool breeze stirred the leaves, rippled the pond, and then everything returned to tranquility.
Mr. Zhuang's small courtyard originally had only one disciple, but now there were three.
Mo Hua had become the least noticeable among the three registered disciples, with the lowest cultivation and seemingly the poorest aptitude.
Mo Hua finished reading "An Elementary Guide to the Five Elements Formations" and asked Mr. Zhuang his questions. By then, the sky was near dusk, the mountains bathed in the glow of the setting sun—it was time to go home.
Bidding farewell to Mr. Zhuang, and also to the Bai siblings at the intersection, Mo Hua slung his storage bag over his shoulder and descended the mountain path, bathed in the sunset.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi took a different mountain path. On the way, Bai Zisheng couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Xue, can you tell what kind of spiritual root Mo Hua has?"
Aunt Xue hesitated for a moment and said, "Judging by his spiritual energy fluctuations, he should have minor five elements spiritual roots. His spiritual energy is thin, and his aptitude is below average. Moreover, it seems he hasn't formally learned any cultivation methods."
"Ordinary minor five elements spiritual roots, below-average aptitude, reading an introductory formation book..."
Bai Zisheng muttered, then asked, "With our kind of talent, Mr. Zhuang only accepted us as registered disciples, and that was also because of our mother. What merits does that kid Mo Hua have to be accepted as a registered disciple?"
Aunt Xue furrowed her brow, recalling Mo Hua's behavior, and said, "Mr. Zhuang's actions are unconventional; he doesn't necessarily choose disciples based solely on talent."
She continued, "Moreover, the path of cultivation is long; it's not just about speed. Mo Hua is likely from a loose cultivator background. Loose cultivators differ greatly from those in aristocratic families. They lack heritage and foundations, and whether in cultivation or formations, they start late and progress slowly, unable to compare with children from aristocratic families."
Bai Zisheng asked, "Is there really such a big gap between loose cultivators and aristocratic families?"
"The difference is immense, more than you can imagine," Aunt Xue sighed. "Even a seemingly insignificant technique or formation manual from an aristocratic family can be a treasured heirloom for a loose cultivator. The introductory texts we use in the Bai family for enlightenment are something an ordinary loose cultivator might never encounter in their lifetime."
Bai Zisheng was secretly amazed.
Aunt Xue then advised, "Regardless of Mo Hua's background, you are now half-comrades. Do not look down on him or quarrel with him. Mind your words, or you might incur Mr. Zhuang's displeasure."
"I understand, Aunt Xue," Bai Zisheng replied, half understanding.
The next day, the Bai siblings ascended the mountain at dawn and studied with Mo Hua under Mr. Zhuang.
Old Master Kui placed two more stone tables under the large locust tree, adjacent to Mo Hua's small table.
The three children each focused on their cultivation and studies, seeking answers from Mr. Zhuang in the evening.
The Bai siblings were more advanced than Mo Hua in both cultivation and formation knowledge. Many of their questions were beyond Mo Hua's understanding, but Mr. Zhuang often provided brief but precise answers that hit the mark.
Although Mo Hua didn't fully grasp everything, he still benefited greatly from these exchanges.
Mo Hua thought that having the Bai siblings as fellow disciples was a good thing; otherwise, he wouldn't have encountered many of the questions they asked, let alone know what to ask.
Now, with someone else asking questions and Mr. Zhuang providing answers, all Mo Hua had to do was listen carefully.
Thus, the three of them became Mr. Zhuang's registered disciples, their daily routine consisting of individual cultivation, drawing formation patterns, and consulting Mr. Zhuang for answers before returning home.
The three didn't talk much during the day. Mo Hua was focused on his studies and had no time for idle chatter.
Bai Zisheng was somewhat arrogant. Since Mo Hua didn't initiate conversations with him, he naturally didn't talk to Mo Hua either. Bai Zixi was rather aloof and didn't like to talk much.
This routine continued for a month until one evening when Da Hu and his friends found Mo Hua, inviting him to enjoy the festivities of the Lotus Festival.
The Lotus Festival was a small but lively celebration.
It was said to commemorate a meritorious cultivator from Tongxian City, marked by the burning of incense and lighting of the precious Nine-Curve Lotus Lantern, sending thoughts and memories afar.
Having spent the day drawing formation patterns and exhausting his spiritual consciousness—having used the meditation technique twice, which was not advisable to use again—Mo Hua had no other plans, so he went out to enjoy the festivities with his three friends.
As they passed the far-left side of the street, they noticed a newly built cave residence. It was in a rather remote location, covering a large area, likely having bought several adjacent houses and rebuilt them.
The gate of the cave residence had no plaque and was made of bluish-grey bricks, looking understated. Yet, it stood out among the humble houses of the loose cultivators.
Mo Hua asked, puzzled, "When did this cave residence appear here?"
Xiao Hu replied, "You haven't been around this area for a while, so you don't know. This residence has been here for a month."
Xiao Hu looked at the towering walls of the cave residence and marveled, "How many spirit stones would it take to build this place?"
"How many indeed..." Da Hu counted on his fingers but couldn't figure it out. Finally, he scratched his head, "Thousands, if not tens of thousands of spirit stones..."
"Probably tens of thousands..."
"Tens of thousands of spirit stones... I could never save up that much in my lifetime..."
"Can't you have some ambition?"
"If you have ambition, can you save up that much?"
Shuang Hu said, "I said to have ambition; I didn't say you must save up that many spirit stones. Most of those who aspire to become immortals never actually do and just end up dead..."
Da Hu and Xiao Hu nodded in agreement, finding the reasoning sound.
Shuang Hu then curiously asked, "This place is so remote, far from the market, and only ordinary loose cultivators live here. Who would build such a large cave residence here? Too many spirit stones to spend?"
"Exactly, if I had that many spirit stones, I'd build such a large cave residence too."
"So, who do you think owns this cave residence?" Shuang Hu turned to Mo Hua, "Mo Hua, do you know?"
Mo Hua shook his head, "How would I know?"
Just as they were speaking, the gate of the cave residence opened.
Out walked a handsome boy, a cute and delicate girl, and a veiled, graceful female cultivator.
Mo Hua instantly recognized them as the Bai siblings and Aunt Xue.
The Bai siblings also saw Mo Hua and his friends. Bai Zisheng exclaimed, "Mo Hua?"
The three friends turned to look at Mo Hua, who was also stunned. He didn't expect the cave residence to belong to the Bai siblings.
Bai Zisheng asked, "What are you doing here?"
Mo Hua replied, "I'm out enjoying the festival."
"Festival?"
Bai Zisheng seemed to hear the term for the first time, his expression lighting up with excitement as he eagerly looked at Aunt Xue.
Bai Zixi's eyes also sparkled, her gaze was like autumn water, looking towards Aunt Xue.
(End of the chapter)