After returning home at night, Mo Hua lay prostrate at his small desk, deep in thought.
After a demon beast died, Mo Hua needed to rush there immediately.
The best solution would be to use a method of communication.
However, after inquiring, Mo Hua learned that methods like sound transmission arrays, sound transmission talismans, or other similar means were not usable by Qi Refining stage cultivators.
So, were there any reconnaissance-type formations?
Mo Hua leaned over his desk, flipping through the "Thousand Formation Catalog" several times under the lamplight, but found no suitable formations.
After staring for a long time, his neck started to ache. Mo Hua leaned back against the wooden chair, thinking deeply.
If such formations really existed, they should be recorded in the "Thousand Formation Catalog."
Reconnaissance formations shouldn't be so scarce that they are kept as family or sect secrets, not widely known.
If they weren't in the catalog, then there was another possibility: these formations were complex formations!
Reconnaissance formations required combinations of different single formations to achieve their effects. Since the "Thousand Formation Catalog" only collected single formations, it was normal for such formations not to be recorded.
"Complex formations..."
Mo Hua sighed. It seemed he needed to consult Master Zhuang.
The next day, Mo Hua went to Bai Zisheng. Since Bai Zisheng's knowledge of formations wasn't extensive, he turned to his sister, Bai Zixi.
Bai Zixi pondered for a moment and said, "No, reconnaissance formations are quite complex. They might not be found among formations below the first-grade, at least not that I've seen."
"Are there any similar formations?"
"What do you mean by similar?"
"Something that could let me know when a formation is triggered, or when a demon beast dies..." Mo Hua thought for a moment and said.
Bai Zixi remained silent.
"Complex formations could work too..." Mo Hua added.
Bai Zixi furrowed her delicate brows like a crescent moon, thought for a moment, and then replied:
"The Mother-Child Formation."
"Sīnán... Mother-Child Formation?"
Mo Hua had never heard of it...
Bai Zixi nodded, "It's a complex formation that can sense spiritual power fluctuations."
Seeing Mo Hua still didn't quite understand, she explained, "When formations are activated or cultivators fight, there are spiritual power fluctuations. With these fluctuations, the formation can sense them."
Mo Hua suddenly realized and asked, "Can you draw this formation?"
"I can't. You should consult Master Zhuang."
"Alright, thank you!" Mo Hua said gratefully.
To receive an answer was already a pleasant surprise. Bai Zixi's knowledge of formations was even broader than Mo Hua had expected.
Mo Hua looked at her admiringly and couldn't help but praise, "Zixi, you know so much!"
"It's nothing special."
Bai Zixi replied casually, but her fair and delicate chin lifted slightly.
Mo Hua then went to find Master Zhuang.
As expected, Master Zhuang was sleeping in his bamboo room. Mo Hua sat on the steps outside the door and waited.
As he waited, he considered what he would ask later.
Before long, a gentle breeze swept through the quiet courtyard, brushing past Mo Hua's shoulder.
Mo Hua knew that Master was awake. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, then went in to see Master Zhuang and explained his purpose.
Master Zhuang raised an eyebrow with interest, "The Mother-Child Formation?"
"Yes, can you teach me, Master?"
Mo Hua looked at Master Zhuang with his clear, dark eyes.
Master Zhuang seemed somewhat hesitant but said, "This is a complex formation. Learning complex formations might be a bit early for you."
"But Master, I've already mastered formations with eight runes. However, reaching nine runes seems a bit distant for now..."
"But with eight runes, it's no longer interesting to draw. That's why I want to learn complex formations."
Master Zhuang's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze held subtle nuances.
Drawing formations with eight runes is no longer interesting...
At the fifth level of Qi Refinement, finding eight-rune formations uninteresting is hard to imagine.
Even he began to feel that his disciple's words were getting a bit absurd.
Master Zhuang cleared his throat and called out, "Old Kui," then beckoned.
Old Kui seemed to understand Master Zhuang's intention and pulled out a book from the shelves behind, placing it in front of Mo Hua.
The cover of the book read: "Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation."
"I previously gave you 'Introduction to Complex Formations,' which is foundational. Study it thoroughly," Master Zhuang said, pointing to the book in front of Mo Hua. "This 'Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation' contains the formation diagram for the Mother-Child Formation. Finish studying 'Basic Understanding of Complex Formations' first, and come to me if you have any doubts."
Mo Hua was overjoyed and asked again, "Master, can I also learn the other formations in this book?"
Master Zhuang looked at Mo Hua meaningfully and said, "You can. As long as you can learn them."
"Thank you, Master. I won't disturb your rest!" Mo Hua happily bowed and left with the book in his arms.
Master Zhuang reclined back on his bamboo chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Old Kui's expression was wooden as he said, "Isn't it a bit too early?"
"Don't worry, it's just complex formations."
Old Kui couldn't help but say, "You gave him the entire 'Complex Formations Compilation.'"
"It's just an introduction."
Old Kui rolled his eyes, "An introduction? Some of those formations inside aren't something Qi Refinement stage cultivators can learn."
Master Zhuang remained silent.
Old Kui frowned, "Do you have a plan?"
"Somewhat." Master Zhuang lay on his bamboo chair, his gaze gradually deepening. "I just want to see what he can achieve by learning them."
Mo Hua took the "Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation" home and couldn't help but start flipping through it.
He had actually finished reading the "Basic Understanding of Complex Formations" that Master Zhuang had given him long ago. He had also "consulted" with Zhang Lan about some knowledge from the books.
However, he merely skimmed through this book, gaining a rough understanding of complex formations. Most of these complex formations he had not personally practiced, so his understanding was only superficial.
Because complex formations were considered beyond his current level, Mo Hua knew he hadn't devoted much effort to them.
But now, Master Zhuang had given him the "Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation" and allowed him to study complex formations. This indicated that in Master Zhuang's eyes, his spiritual awareness was now capable of studying complex formations.
Mo Hua held great respect for Master Zhuang.
Knowing Master Zhuang's vast knowledge and superb formation skills, if he said Mo Hua could learn, then Mo Hua should be able to learn all the formations in this book. Moreover, it shouldn't be considered "beyond his level."
Besides, the title was "Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation." Since it was an introduction, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Mo Hua thought so.
In the "Introduction to Complex Formations Compilation," Mo Hua found the formation diagram for the Mother-Child Formation.
The Mother-Child Formation was a relatively simple Metal-type complex formation.
The formation consisted of two single formations: the Mother Formation, containing eight runes, and the Child Formation, containing only three runes.
The core of the Mother-Child Formation was a commonly used Five Elements formation core, utilizing Metal-type spiritual energy repulsion, to measure whether there were strong spiritual energy fluctuations within a certain range.
Mo Hua briefly examined it and then noted down the formation diagram, planning to practice it several times first.
Because it was his first formal study of drawing complex formations, by the time Mo Hua finished recording all the runes and the formation core structure, it was already past midnight.
Mo Hua lay down on his bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
In the vast white sea of his consciousness, the ancient stone stele emerged.
(End of the Chapter)