After the Lotus Festival, Mo Hua continued to learn formations from Master Zhuang, with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi joining him.
Although all three were apprentices, they studied different things. Mo Hua focused mainly on formations, as that was all he could learn.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, on the other hand, learned a variety of subjects besides cultivation: formations, alchemy, talismans, and artifact refining were all part of their studies.
Their daily questions to Master Zhuang covered a wide range, not just about formations but also various aspects of cultivation. Mo Hua could grasp a thing or two related to formations, but most other topics left him completely puzzled.
As a wandering cultivator, his foundation was weak. His ability to learn formations came from his exceptional spiritual consciousness and the Dao stele in his mind, which allowed him to practice formations without spending spiritual stones. However, when it came to other fields of cultivation, he had no idea where to begin.
Nevertheless, Mo Hua silently remembered these questions. Even if he didn't understand them at the moment, he at least had some impression so that he wouldn't be completely lost in the future.
The cultivation world was full of twists and turns. Who knew what situations he might encounter in the future? Having more knowledge could only be beneficial.
Mo Hua learned a lot from the Bai siblings. He had to admit that in terms of talent and comprehension, they surpassed him by far—whether in their cultivation foundations, formation skills, or many other aspects.
The so-called "pride of heaven" from the prestigious families probably referred to people like them.
Mo Hua admired Bai Zixi a lot.
As for Bai Zisheng, besides admiration, there was also a hint of disdain.
The three of them weren't very familiar with each other at first, so there was some awkwardness in their interactions. However, since they strolled together during the Lotus Festival, Bai Zisheng and Mo Hua's relationship became more casual. Whenever they had free time, Bai Zisheng would chat with Mo Hua, and occasionally they would argue.
In front of strangers, Bai Zisheng was the proud scion of a prestigious family—gifted, handsome, and composed.
Once they became familiar, Bai Zisheng seemed more like a competitive child who enjoyed talking. While diligent in his daily cultivation and studies, he liked chatting with Mo Hua whenever he had the chance.
"Mo Hua, when can we see that Demon-Hunting Play again?"
"During festivals."
"Mo Hua, what kind of Dao techniques do your Demon-Hunters use when they hunt demonic beasts?"
"We use whatever is needed."
"Mo Hua, when you're hunting demonic beasts, can you take me along?"
"I'm not a Demon-Hunter, so I don't hunt demons."
"Mo Hua..."
"...".
Sometimes Mo Hua would reply briefly, but if Bai Zisheng asked too many questions, Mo Hua would ignore him.
When Bai Zisheng noticed Mo Hua ignoring him, he would sneak peeks at Mo Hua's formation books. Before they were familiar, Bai Zisheng had been quite restrained, but now things were different.
"'The Compendium of Six Harmonies Formations'? Not bad, not bad, you're learning quite fast. Do you understand what 'Six Harmonies Formations' means?"
Mo Hua honestly shook his head, not understanding.
Bai Zisheng grinned smugly, "Do you want to know?"
Mo Hua silently looked at him, indeed curious, but somewhat unimpressed by Bai Zisheng's smug look.
"Next month on the seventh, there will be the Demon-Hunting Play," Mo Hua said slowly.
Bai Zisheng's face lit up.
"But I won't take you," Mo Hua added.
Bai Zisheng choked, "Then I won't tell you what 'Six Harmonies Formations' means."
"I can ask Master Zhuang," Mo Hua replied.
Bai Zisheng had no more words. After some inner struggle, he compromised, "Then I'll tell you what 'Six Harmonies Formations' means, and you take me to see the Demon-Hunting Play!"
"No need, I'll ask Master Zhuang," Mo Hua refused.
Bai Zisheng scratched his head in frustration. "Master is very busy. You don't need to bother him with these trivial questions. Besides, Master speaks in such profound terms that you might not understand, just beginning as you are."
Although Mo Hua wasn't thrilled with being referred to as just beginning, what Bai Zisheng said was indeed true.
Master Zhuang's proficiency in formations was high. Things that seemed trivial to him were completely unfamiliar to Mo Hua, who might need a long time to comprehend them.
Mo Hua reluctantly agreed, "Alright, I promise you. But if you don't understand, I won't take you."
Bai Zisheng was overjoyed and quickly replied, "Don't worry, among the disciples in my family, except for Zixi, no one is better at formations than me."
Then Bai Zisheng eagerly explained, "The central hub of a formation, the 'Formation Core', connects the formation patterns and channels spiritual energy..."
"Using an analogy with cultivators, the formation's 'Eye' is like the sea of qi, the 'Formation Core' is like the meridians, the formation patterns are like the collateral vessels, and the 'Formation Medium' is like the body that carries the meridians. The cultivator's spiritual energy flows out from the sea of qi, passes through the core meridians, fills the collateral vessels, condenses into Dao techniques. Similarly, a formation's spiritual energy flows out from the Eye, through the Formation Core, activates the patterns, and thereby the formation can exert its effects..."
After Bai Zisheng finished, Mo Hua understood and couldn't help but glance at Bai Zisheng.
If Bai Zisheng couldn't explain things clearly without sufficient understanding, it wouldn't have been so easy to understand. This showed that Bai Zisheng's foundation in formations was indeed very solid, although he did tend to be a bit verbose at times...
Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "Do you always talk like this with others?"
"With who?" Bai Zisheng pondered for a moment, "Hmm... with the disciples from my family?"
Bai Zisheng looked disdainful, "I can't be bothered with them."
Mo Hua was curious, "Why?"
"They look at me with either flattery, jealousy, disdain, or indifference. I don't like their gazes," Bai Zisheng's expression turned cold.
Mo Hua was taken aback. He hadn't expected that Bai Zisheng, who seemed carefree, could be so sensitive.
After saying that, Bai Zisheng returned to his usual expression, "I've explained the meaning of 'Formation Core' to you clearly. You have to take me to see the Demon-Hunting Play on the seventh!"
"Alright," Mo Hua sighed helplessly, then added, "I need to practice formations now. Don't talk to me for an hour."
"Sure, practice away. I won't bother you," Bai Zisheng waved his hand.
Mo Hua then took out the book "Three Realms Formation" and started drawing.
This was a formation that Master Zhuang had asked Mo Hua to draw before. After several days of practice, Mo Hua could barely draw it, but it was prone to mistakes, and his brushwork wasn't very skilled.
Bai Zixi read elegantly, Mo Hua focused on drawing formations, and the bamboo pavilion instantly quieted down.
After meditating for a while, Bai Zisheng glanced at Bai Zixi, then at Mo Hua. He endured his impatience and continued to meditate and cultivate for a while, but eventually couldn't resist sneaking a peek at Mo Hua's formation drawing.
As he watched, Bai Zisheng's expression became serious. Several times he wanted to say something but ultimately held back.
Even so, he couldn't concentrate on cultivation anymore, his eyes fixed on Mo Hua's drawing, not blinking once.
Bai Zixi, who had been reading quietly, noticed Bai Zisheng's unusual behavior. She lightly tugged at his sleeve, hoping to get him to focus on cultivation, but Bai Zisheng was oblivious.
Slightly annoyed by Bai Zisheng's distraction, Bai Zixi followed his gaze and saw the formation Mo Hua was drawing. For a moment, she couldn't look away either.
Mo Hua, completely absorbed in his task, didn't notice their intense focus and continued to draw the formation.
When he finished drawing the Three Realms Formation and looked up, he saw Bai Zisheng's widened eyes and then turned to see Bai Zixi's clear, watery eyes.
(End of the Chapter)