Master Luo had a sleepless night. The next day, he found several formation masters from Tongxian City and gave them a few instructions. Then, he went to the Qian Family and found Master Qian.
"I've spoken to them all. In the future, they must not trouble Mo Hua again. It's also best not to engage in disputes with the Demon hunters."
Master Qian frowned, "Master Luo, this..."
Master Luo interrupted, "Brother Qian, what are your plans?"
"Are you referring to Mo Hua?"
"Yes."
Master Qian hesitated, "Originally, I intended to befriend him. If he could serve our Qian Family, that would be ideal. If not, I hoped he would stay out of our affairs. If that's not possible, then we would have to take harsher measures. Once actions are taken, life and death are destined, beyond my control."
Master Qian conveyed his thoughts on Qian Hong to Master Luo.
Master Luo sneered, "But Qian Hong has already taken direct action, intending to put Mo Hua in a deadly situation."
Master Qian was taken aback, then sighed, "He is the family head, and I am powerless."
Regarding matters of the Qian Family, decisions were naturally made by the family head. Although he was a formation master and an elder, his status didn't allow him to influence the family head's decisions.
Master Luo's gaze sharpened, "Have you considered your way out?"
"A way out?"
"If the Qian Family continues smoothly, you can continue as an elder of the Qian Family. But if the Qian Family falls, where will you go?"
Master Qian frowned unhappily, "Master, your words are off. The Qian Family has been entrenched in Tongxian City for many years. How could we possibly fall?"
Master Luo drank his tea without speaking.
Master Qian pondered deeply, feeling a chill in his heart. He softened his tone and said quietly,
"I am an elder of the Qian Family and also a formation master of the clan. I receive preferential treatment from the clan and cannot act against the family's interests."
Master Luo pointed out, "You are a formation master, and that's why the family treats you well. If you weren't a formation master, would the Qian Family still favor you?"
Master Qian's heart trembled.
He had long known this, but being in a high position, he had never deeply considered it.
Master Qian had interacted with various practitioners of the Qian Family, from those who guarded the house to those who served tea, and even those who served diligently.
These were all disciples of the Qian Family, but had they all received preferential treatment?
If he weren't a formation master, he might not be any better than them.
The reason he received everything he had now was ultimately because he was a formation master.
Master Luo continued, "As a formation master, even if the Qian Family weakens, you would still receive preferential treatment. Without being a formation master, even if the Qian Family were strong, you might not necessarily benefit."
Master Qian fell silent for a moment and said softly, "Please clarify, Master Luo."
Master Luo raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is the most important thing for a formation master?"
Master Qian thought deeply for a moment and replied, "Is it the family and its heritage?"
Master Luo looked disappointed, sighed, and tapped the table with his finger,
"It's formations!"
"A formation master should study formations and seek higher achievements in formations. If you were a second-grade formation master, would you care about these minor matters during the Qi Refining period?"
Master Qian hesitated, "But these formations are not easy to learn..."
He certainly understood the importance of formations, but without family support and without a formation inheritance, how could he learn formations?
Master Luo glanced at him and said,
"You are already considered a first-grade formation master. You don't need to rely too much on the family. The Qian Family doesn't have much higher inheritance in formations. What you need to do now is find a way to advance further in formations."
"Master Luo's words make sense. But how can I progress further?" Master Qian said.
Master Luo didn't directly respond.
Master Qian connected the dots between their previous and current conversations, suddenly enlightened, and slowly said, "Mo Hua?"
Master Luo nodded.
"But what does this have to do with Mo Hua?" Master Qian asked, puzzled.
Master Luo remained silent for a while, then sighed deeply with some reluctance, "I must admit, Mo Hua's level in formations surpasses mine."
Master Qian widened his eyes, "Are you joking?"
Master Luo's expression turned cold.
Only then did Master Qian realize his slip of the tongue; formation masters are proud and wouldn't joke about such matters.
"But... but how is that possible? How old is he?" Master Qian couldn't believe it.
"Regardless of his age, facts are facts. The cultivation world is vast, filled with countless astonishing geniuses. It's normal for us to have limited encounters," Master Luo explained.
Master Luo paused, then added, "Moreover, the younger he is, the greater his future prospects in formations. His achievements in formations could be limitless."
Master Qian furrowed his brows uncomfortably and couldn't help but snort coldly, "Even if he becomes a second-grade formation master in the future, I don't want to fawn over him and be dependent on him!"
"You fool!" Master Luo muttered under his breath, "Who told you to be dependent? What you should do is establish some good relations. In the future, he might offer you a few pointers in formations out of goodwill."
"Formations don't fear hardship; they fear taking the wrong path. If he becomes a high-grade formation master, a few words from him could clear up your confusion and save you from many detours."
"Fawning? You're this old, with wrinkles on your face. You're not a charming young girl; why would anyone care if you fawn over them?"
Master Qian felt a bit embarrassed at these words, but upon careful consideration, he found Master Luo's words reasonable.
In Tongxian City, reaching the pinnacle as a first-grade formation master was already difficult. Without a proper inheritance or guidance from a second-grade formation master, many higher-level formations were currently beyond his comprehension. If Mo Hua could indeed go further and become a second-grade formation master, receiving a few words of guidance in formations from him could be equivalent to saving him years of arduous study.
As for pride, Master Luo paid it no mind. What did he have left to care about? Compared to the grand path of formations, these matters were insignificant.
"But..." Master Qian hesitated, "What if the Qian Family wants to harm him, and I, as a formation master of the Qian Family, become the target of his resentment?"
"Don't worry," Master Luo assured, "I've met Mo Hua. He has excellent character and reasoning. As long as you don't provoke him, he won't hold a grudge against you."
Having lived for over a hundred years, Master Luo had a keen eye for people.
Master Qian nodded and then frowned, "So, what should I do?"
He couldn't directly betray the Qian Family...
"Do nothing," Master Luo said.
"Nothing?" Master Qian was stunned.
"Stay out of the Qian Family's disputes, especially regarding Mo Hua. Prepare a gift, and I'll deliver it on your behalf, explaining the situation. He won't blame you," Master Luo advised.
Master Qian pondered for a while and then sighed with relief, "That would be best. I appreciate your help, Master Luo."
This way, everyone would benefit, and he wouldn't be caught in a dilemma.
The next day, he found Qian Hong. Though he didn't explicitly state it, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Qian Hong's failure to heed his advice and acting on his own to harm Mo Hua.
Qian Hong was displeased, and their conversation ended on a sour note.
Qian Hong was reluctant to ask Master Qian for help again, but at the same time, he didn't dare offend him too much.
As an elder and soon-to-be first-grade formation master, Master Qian held considerable sway within the clan.
If he pushed Master Qian too far, causing him to ally with other elders against him, Qian Hong's position as family head would be in jeopardy.
Currently, Master Qian was the only first-grade formation master in the Qian Family. However, there were many potential candidates for the position of family head, not just Qian Hong.
Using this incident, Master Qian gradually distanced himself from Qian Hong.
(End of the Chapter)