Mo Hua shook his head, "If heaven has bestowed me with talents, they must be useful somehow."
An Xiaofu was puzzled, "Useful for what?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment, unable to articulate the specifics regarding culinary skills. He said, "Your family runs a culinary tower, and with such a refined palate, how could that not be useful?"
An Xiaofu sighed, "Our family operates the culinary tower out of necessity, actually..."
"Necessity?" Mo Hua asked.
Seeing that it was still early and the meat was delicious, and seldom did anyone talk to him, An Xiaofu took a bite of meat, drank some fruit wine, and began chatting with Mo Hua:
"Initially, the An Family engaged in artifact forging and alchemy. Later, unable to compete with the Qian Family, our industries declined. We could only rely on ancestral property to operate the Spiritual Cuisine Tower..."
"My grandfather didn't like running the culinary tower. He still wanted to focus on forging artifacts and alchemy, finding the culinary business rather shameful."
...
"Isn't the culinary tower good?" Mo Hua was puzzled.
"I think it's pretty good, but my grandfather doesn't." An Xiaofu muttered, "Besides, in cultivation, there are hierarchies among different professions."
An Xiaofu counted on his fingers:
"Firstly, there's Formation Arrays, the most difficult to learn and most widely used; Array Masters are highly regarded everywhere. Secondly, Alchemy, Artifact Forging, and Talisman Crafting are also considered respectable."
"Other categories like Spiritual Cuisine, Spiritual Plants, Weaving, Craftsmanship, and Demon Hunting aren't really esteemed."
"I hope you won't be offended by what I'm saying." An Xiaofu added weakly, "Many cultivators from prominent families and sects look down on professions like Spiritual Cuisine and Demon Hunting, considering them only fit for low-tier wanderers."
Mo Hua understood this perspective but felt somewhat dismissive, "If cultivators don't engage in Spiritual Plants, Spiritual Cuisine, or Weaving, what would they eat or wear? Without these things, what's there to be arrogant about?"
An Xiaofu nodded, "Exactly!"
An Xiaofu loved food and believed that eating was the most important, so anything related to it was crucial.
Liu Ruhua prepared several other dishes, including demon meat and wild vegetables from the mountains. Though the ingredients were common, the flavors were excellent and very distinctive.
An Xiaofu, cheeks bulging, ate heartily and couldn't help but praise, "Mo Hua, your mother's cooking is really delicious."
Mo Hua was even happier to be praised than himself, "Naturally!"
After finishing their meal, they bid farewell to each other.
Mo Hua watched An Xiaofu's departing figure and couldn't help but ponder:
What can a good palate be used for?
To become a culinary master? To open a culinary tower?
But the An Family already operated the Spiritual Cuisine Tower...
Mo Hua had some faint ideas in his mind, but he needed to consider them more thoroughly.
Qian Shunzhi had been gathering information for several days and finally had some clues. He went to report to the family head, Qian Hong.
"Recently, a new cave mansion was built in the south of the city, with a plaque that reads 'Bai Mansion'. Inside lives a veiled woman with two young cultivators, a boy and a girl, but it's unknown if she's proficient in formation arrays."
Qian Hong's eyes flashed with apprehension. "These are descendants of major clans traveling. We can't afford to provoke them, and they won't help those demon hunters either. Anything else?"
Qian Shunzhi continued, "An elderly cultivator passed through, unclear about his origins, and left Tongxian City a few days later. Several middle-aged array masters also came, staying in an inn, with some connections to local families..."
After pondering for a moment, Qian Hong said coldly, "None of this is right. Go back and investigate further."
Seeing Qian Hong's cautious expression, Qian Shunzhi took out several formation diagrams and handed them over.
"Among the demon hunters is a young array master. These formations were drawn by him; some are genuine formations created by him, while others are copies I obtained."
Qian Hong took a glance, somewhat disappointed. "These are all ordinary formations, not even first-rate."
Though not an array master himself, he could still recognize different formations.
These formations varied in age and style. Though skillfully drawn, most consisted of five or six lines.
For a young cultivator of about ten years old to draw five or six lines was already exceptionally talented. It was no wonder he was called "Little Array Master."
However, what the Qian family sought was not this young array master but the mysterious first-rate array master.
"Deploy more personnel and continue the search," Qian Hong ordered.
"Yes."
Qian Shunzhi bowed respectfully and was about to leave but was called back by Qian Hong.
After a moment of contemplation, Qian Hong handed her several formation diagrams, saying, "Take these to Master Qian and see if he can find any clues from them."
Qian Shunzhi accepted respectfully and handed the diagrams and their copies to Master Qian.
Master Qian was currently in the Qian family's library, discussing matters with several array masters.
Some of these array masters were from the Qian family, some had close ties to them, and a few had been invited despite not having deep connections.
In a city as large as Tongxian, with few array masters, they inevitably knew each other.
As the largest and wealthiest family in Tongxian City, the Qian family naturally didn't want to lose face.
A first-rate array master was not an unknown figure and could not be completely unrelated to various families.
Master Qian had gathered these array masters from Tongxian City to inquire if anyone had any clues or connections.
But after discussing for half a day, they still had no leads.
That first-rate array master seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, and no one knew his origins.
Just as everyone was at a loss, Qian Shunzhi entered with the formation diagrams.
Master Qian took the diagrams, frowned, and passed them around to the other array masters.
"Can anyone discern anything from these?" Master Qian asked.
"These formations are drawn quite well."
"They are very methodical."
"The brushwork is extremely skilled, indicating a solid foundation."
"Unfortunately, they are only low-level formations, with five or six lines. It's hard to tell..."
The array masters discussed one after another.
The last slender-looking array master pondered and said, "If these formations are indeed from that young array master, then he must have some connection with the first-rate array master."
Other array masters nodded in agreement. "Without connections, at such a young age, he couldn't draw formations so well."
As they continued discussing, a disciple from the Qian family entered respectfully, "Master Luo has arrived."
Master Qian immediately stood up, and the other array masters followed suit, walking to the door and bowing respectfully to the visitor.
"Hello, Master Luo!"
The visitor was Master Luo, one of the few first-rate array masters officially recognized by the Daoist Court of Tongxian City.
The other first-rate array masters in Tongxian City were already elderly and preferred seclusion, rarely socializing. Only Master Luo occasionally ventured out.
Master Luo returned the greetings politely, "Everyone is too kind."
He then turned to Master Qian, "Master Qian, it's been a while."
Master Qian quickly declined, "I dare not. Before Master Luo, how could I accept the title of 'Master'?"
Master Luo chuckled, "Brother Qian, you're too modest. With your mastery of formations, promotion to the first-rate is just a matter of time."
Master Luo entered the main hall, took his seat at the head, and the other array masters sat accordingly.
A maid from the Qian family served tea.
Master Qian said, "This is the Yunwu Tea from Lufeng, fresh and vibrant. Please enjoy, Master Luo."
Master Luo's eyes lit up as he lifted the lid of the cup. The tea fragrance rose like mist. After sipping, its sweet and refreshing taste penetrated his heart and spleen. He nodded approvingly, "Excellent tea!"
After seating themselves and enjoying tea, they began discussing the main business.
(End of the Chapter)