Teaching others formations, Mo Hua went to ask Mr. Zhuang about it.
Mr. Zhuang didn't mind, "What I teach you, you can teach to others, as long as you are willing."
Mo Hua was delighted, "Thank you, sir!"
Mr. Zhuang ate meat and drank wine, looking content. Suddenly, he curiously asked:
"Teaching others, isn't it troublesome for you?"
"Instructor Yan Xiji once told his disciples, 'Formations are like water; only by passing them down can they endure for a long time.'"
Mr. Zhuang looked slightly surprised.
Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang again and said, "Master, you have imparted formations to me. This is passing down the knowledge. Though my learning is shallow and my skill limited, within my abilities, I also wish to pass on these formations. Only then can I honor your guidance and ensure that the way of formations endures."
"Endures..." Mr. Zhuang lightly tapped the armrest of his bamboo chair with his slender fingers. "Endures, but how?"
Mo Hua furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, and slowly said:
"Formations are the manifestation of the rules of the heavens. Learning formations is understanding the way of the heavens, drawing formations is practicing the way of the heavens, and teaching formations is passing down the way of the heavens. Cultivators seek longevity and eternal life; the enduring nature of formations implies the continuous flow of the heavens..."
Mr. Zhuang's eyes brightened, nodding. "Well said. The Dao gives birth to all things, and the Dao transforms all things."
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua again. "Whatever happens in the future, don't forget your original intention."
"Yes, sir!"
After Mo Hua left, Mr. Zhuang lay back on his bamboo chair, raising his right hand and gazing at his palm.
Now his hand was empty, devoid of spiritual power, unable to draw formations, unable to hold anything.
"Passing down..." Mr. Zhuang's gaze deepened, tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Mr. Zhuang allowed Mo Hua to pass on the formations, and Mo Hua also breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if Zhou Er is still young, learning some formations from him, even if only simple ones, will ensure a meal in the future.
Mo Hua continued to prepare for entering the Great Black Mountain.
He had learned the method of traps and knew the tricks of setting traps.
In the days that followed, Mo Hua used the remaining spirit ink to draw five Earthfire formations and some miscellaneous small formations that might be useful temporarily.
He also indirectly learned about the rules and taboos outside the Great Black Mountain from Mo Shan's mouth, as well as the basic process and methods of demon hunters hunting demon beasts.
With the preparations in place, Mo Hua found Da Hu and the others.
Da Hu and the others had gradually matured and become more stable, though traces of youth still lingered in their eyes and brows.
They entered the Great Black Mountain, suffered injuries, shed blood, and silently shed tears. Now they had gradually adapted to the life of demon hunters. Although they couldn't act alone, they could at least help the hunting team. After killing demon beasts, they could also share some spirit stones.
However, these spirit stones were still a drop in the bucket for their rough lives.
Da Hu and the others had just returned home to recuperate after hunting demon beasts with the hunting team, and they would venture into the mountains again in a few days.
Mo Hua came to find them, and they were very happy.
"I have something to discuss with you."
Mo Hua chewed on the sweet and sour wild fruits given by Meng Da Niang, puffing out his cheeks and saying.
Da Hu and the others were stunned, "What's the matter?"
"I want to go to the Great Black Mountain too!" Mo Hua said.
Da Hu and the others stared blankly, shaking their heads like a rattle drum.
"No, no, no!"
Da Hu said, "The Great Black Mountain is very dangerous; you can't go!"
"Yeah, you're only at the fifth level of Qi cultivation, you can't go."
"And you're not a physical cultivator. What if you get injured?" Xiao Hu worried.
"Yeah, you're physically weak and can't afford to get hurt!"
Da Hu thought about the bloody wound on his chest and glanced at Mo Hua's frail body.
He could endure injuries, but if Mo Hua were struck by a demon beast, he would probably perish on the spot.
The more Da Hu thought about it, the more afraid he became, his tone firm: "You can't go!"
Mo Hua scratched his head, saying, "It's okay, you guys can relax."
Shuang Hu couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to do in the Great Black Mountain?"
"Hunting demons!"
Da Hu and the others were startled, becoming even more determined to prevent Mo Hua from going.
"If you won't let me go, I'll sneak off on my own. Wouldn't that be even more dangerous?" Mo Hua said.
Of course, he was just saying that. The Great Black Mountain was so perilous that going alone would undoubtedly be seeking death.
Da Hu and the others were in a dilemma.
"Even as demon hunters, are you still not earning much spirit stone?" Mo Hua seized the opportunity to say.
The three didn't want to admit it, but nodded reluctantly.
"I have a method to hunt demon beasts, but I need the three of you to help," Mo Hua said.
"What method do you have?" Xiao Hu couldn't help but ask.
"Formations! I'll set up formations to lure the demon beasts in, first severely injuring them with explosions, and then you three finish them off."
"But..." Da Hu still worried about Mo Hua.
"I'll set up the formations and then hide aside. When the demon beasts are injured by the explosions, you finish them off. I won't be in danger," Mo Hua planned.
"But can formations really injure demon beasts..."
"Don't worry, I'll set up multiple formations. Even if they can't kill the demon beasts, they will be severely injured."
Originally, he had prepared these to deal with Qian Xing, but Qian Xing was unreliable and scared silly. Now it was perfect for dealing with demon beasts.
Da Hu and the others looked at each other. They believed in Mo Hua's formations, but still had concerns.
"Don't you want your mother to live a better life?" Mo Hua struck a chord.
Da Hu and the others fell silent. Of course, they wanted that.
Their mother, Meng Da Niang had suffered a lot to raise the three of them. Sometimes she hid alone to wipe away tears so the children wouldn't see.
Da Hu and the others lowered their heads, their eyes turning slightly red.
Mo Hua sighed and patted their shoulders. "Don't worry, I won't do anything uncertain."
Xiao Hu hesitated, "Are you really sure?"
"We'll go to the outer mountains tomorrow or the day after to find a weaker demon beast to try it out. If it works, that's great. If not, we can escape."
"We can escape, but can you..." Shuang Hu hinted at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua looked pleased. "I've specially learned body techniques. Don't worry, demon beasts can't hurt me."
"What body technique?"
"The person who taught me forbids me to say."
"Who taught you?"
"A passing, anonymous, kind uncle." Mo Hua answered seriously.
Da Hu looked at Mo Hua suspiciously. "Could he be a fraud?"
"No way, this technique is really powerful."
The three exchanged glances and finally compromised.
"Alright, we'll take you to the outer mountains, but only once. If anything happens, you must run," they agreed.
Mo Hua nodded quickly. "Don't worry, my life is in my hands; I won't lose it."
So, two days later, just as dawn was breaking, Mo Hua met with Da Hu and the others outside Tong Xian City.
They set off together towards the demon-infested Great Black Mountain.
(End of the Chapter)