Afterwards, every now and then, someone would approach Mo Shan through Mo Hua to request him to inscribe formations. Interestingly, all these requests were exclusively for the Iron Armor Formation on Vine Armor.
Mo Shan handled these matters himself. Mo Hua only needed to inscribe the formations, which wasn't too troublesome, and it didn't require any fanfare.
The Iron Armor Formation consisted of only six formation patterns. For Mo Hua, it posed no difficulty, and he could finish it very quickly. Occasionally, when someone requested, he would inscribe the formations as a side task, not wasting much time.
For inscribing one set of Iron Armor Formation, he could earn five spirit stones along with half a bottle of spirit ink.
Mo Hua accumulated some spirit stones and spirit ink this way. Unfortunately, the spirit ink was all of the gold-stone attribute, suitable only for inscribing gold-element formations. It couldn't be used for other types of formations.
The Iron Armor Formation, containing only six formation patterns, was suitable for mid Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and was mainly used by novice demon hunters.
Senior cultivators like Mo Shan in the late Foundation Establishment stage had no use for it at all. Faced with high-grade demon beasts in the late Core Formation stage, even Vine Armor inscribed with the Iron Armor Formation was as weak as paper and provided little additional strength.
However, among demon hunters, those in the mid Foundation Establishment stage made up the majority. Every year, new cultivators became demon hunters, and they were the ones who needed the Iron Armor Formation the most.
Although the strength of the Iron Armor Formation could only withstand an extra blow from demon attacks, that extra blow often meant the difference between minor and severe injuries, or even life and death.
Mo Hua wanted to inscribe more Iron Armor Formations so that young demon hunters like Da Hu could suffer fewer injuries.
For ordinary independents, they could endure minor injuries, but enduring severe injuries made life very difficult. If they unfortunately died, it would be a disaster for their entire family.
Among the demon hunters in Tongxian City, those who had a relationship with Mo Shan were few. Most demon hunters wouldn't specially request someone to inscribe formations because formations were difficult to inscribe and formation masters were hard to hire—they couldn't afford the spirit stones required. Therefore, the number of demon hunters actually requesting Mo Hua to inscribe Iron Armor Formations was not high.
On this day, after finishing dinner, Mo Hua was flipping through formation books in his room when he heard someone arrive. Mo Shan warmly greeted the guest, and Mo Hua couldn't help but feel curious.
Mo Shan was usually generous and had many friends, but this level of warmth was something Mo Hua hadn't seen before.
After a while, Mo Shan called out for Mo Hua to come and meet the guest.
Mo Hua lifted the door curtain and saw an elderly cultivator with a long beard, sitting solemnly in the middle of a wooden chair. This Elder Yu, with his long beard, wore the attire of an ordinary demon hunter, had a serious expression that carried authority without anger, and didn't seem easy to get along with.
Mo Shan said, "This is Elder Yu. Hua, greet Elder Yu."
Elder Yu? The Elder of the Demon Hunter Hall?
Mo Hua politely greeted him, and only then did he realize that Elder Yu emitted a deep aura, exuding a faint oppressive force all around him. Mo Hua tried to probe with his spiritual sense but found that he couldn't perceive Elder Yu clearly; he could only vaguely sense a presence sitting there.
While Mo Hua probed with his spiritual sense, Elder Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness as he glanced at Mo Hua.
Foundation Establishment stage cultivator! And not just an ordinary one!
Just from his spiritual sense, he was much stronger than Mo Hua!
Mo Shan patted Mo Hua's head and said, "Hua, Elder Yu has something to discuss with you. You two talk. I'll go help your mother tidy up."
"What could Elder Yu have to discuss with me?"
Mo Hua was puzzled but nodded nonetheless.
After Mo Shan left, Elder Yu got straight to the point:
"I heard from Mo Shan that you can inscribe the Iron Armor Formation?"
Elder Yu's voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a hint of severity that seemed habitual.
"Yes," Mo Hua replied.
Elder Yu nodded slightly. "That's good. I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Elder, please go ahead."
Elder Yu inwardly nodded. Previously, he had heard about Mo Shan's son, who despite his young age, was already a formation master. He didn't believe it at first, considering it too far-fetched.
As more people mentioned it, he began to believe it somewhat, but deep down, he felt that young talents often became arrogant, especially formation masters. Those he had encountered were all lofty and proud, regardless of their actual skill levels.
Initially, he hadn't held a particularly good impression of Mo Hua. However, now he found Mo Hua to be handsome, polite, and his demeanor had softened considerably.
"I intend for you to help inscribe a batch of formations, all Iron Armor Formations on Vine Armor. By the time of the Demon Hunt Festival, I want each young demon hunter to have a set. This way, when they go demon hunting, there's some assurance for their safety."
Mo Hua suddenly realized that the Demon Hunt Festival was approaching, and soon there would be another group of young cultivators becoming demon hunters.
Elder Yu was an elder of the Demon Hunter Hall, responsible for upholding the rules and ensuring the safety of demon hunters, especially those inexperienced youths who hadn't faced the ferocity of demon beasts. They were currently in need of protection as newcomers, but in twenty or thirty years, they might become the backbone of demon hunters.
"How many sets do you need?"
"About a hundred sets," Elder Yu replied.
"A hundred sets..."
Mo Hua was surprised. This would keep him busy for quite a while.
"Is that acceptable?" Elder Yu asked cautiously.
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment. "When do you need these formations?"
Elder Yu pondered briefly. "Before the Demon Hunt Festival, which should give us about three months."
Three months was ample time. Mo Hua nodded. "That's no problem."
Elder Yu relaxed slightly. He had noticed Mo Hua's low cultivation realm, limited spiritual sense, and uncertain mental fortitude. He was concerned that Mo Hua might not finish inscribing so many formations within three months.
Seeing Mo Hua's confident demeanor now, he felt somewhat reassured that Mo Hua wasn't lying—at least not entirely.
Even if Mo Hua couldn't finish all one hundred sets, completing seventy to eighty percent would still be acceptable.
After hesitating for a moment and thinking it over, Elder Yu said:
"I heard from Mo Shan that you usually charge five spirit stones per set of Iron Armor Formation for others. These cultivators have a relationship with your father, so it's reasonable to ask for a lower fee. However, for these one hundred sets, I won't consider these relationships. I'll pay you eight spirit stones per set as remuneration. How does that sound?"
Eight spirit stones wasn't a large amount, considering formation masters had limited spiritual senses and could only inscribe a limited number of formations per day. Naturally, they preferred higher payments for the formations they inscribed.
Normally, this rate was unattainable for hiring formation masters.
However, this was already Elder Yu's maximum limit. While the demon hunting business was lucrative, the whole family lived as poor independents, relying on his efforts for everything, and everything required spirit stones. Offering eight spirit stones per set was the highest price he could afford.
"Eight spirit stones..." Mo Hua frowned.
Seeing Mo Hua's expression, Elder Yu's face remained unchanged, but he felt a bit disheartened.
Formation masters were indeed difficult to deal with.
Elder Yu silently thought to himself.
(End of the Chapter)