Chapter 14 – Ji Qingbai
Mo Shan wasn't sure why Ji Qingbai suddenly asked, but he nodded. "You're right, Brother Ji. Hua'er is cultivating in Tongxian Sect and is currently at the second level of Qi Refining."
Ji Qingbai looked a bit incredulous. "Second level of Qi Refining, and he can already draw formation diagrams?"
Mo Shan replied, "That's unlikely. He's only picked up some basics at the sect—just imitating the surface patterns and copying a few strokes."
"You're too modest, Brother Mo," Ji Qingbai said. "Even that's already impressive. The few strokes just now were done with proper form—clearly, the kid's got talent."
Mo Shan laughed, "If that's really the case, then I'll borrow your lucky words."
Ji Qingbai sighed. "Among the younger generation of us demon hunters, let alone real formation masters, even those who understand basic arrays and can draw a few runes are rare. Last year, I went to ask a formation master for help with a few small arrays. Ended up swallowing a bellyful of frustration and still had to smile and flatter him, scared I'd offend the guy."
The more Ji Qingbai thought about it, the more agitated he became. "It was just a simple little array, and he demanded two hundred spirit stones! Not only that, he wanted my niece to dine with him and pour his wine! If we were in Black Mountain, I'd have chopped him in half!"
Mo Shan's face darkened. "Such outrageous behavior?"
"You think? But what could I do?" Ji Qingbai sighed again. "We don't know formation arts, and the next generation isn't learning it either. So whenever we need one, we have to swallow our pride and beg those clan-affiliated array masters. They act all high and mighty, and we still have to smile and grovel."
"Brother Mo," Ji Qingbai looked seriously at Mo Shan, "if Mo Hua really wants to pursue the path of formations, you must let him. If there's any trouble along the way, just come to me. As long as it's within my ability, I'll help without hesitation!"
"You flatter me, Brother Ji," Mo Shan said solemnly. "If the boy truly wants to learn, I will absolutely support him."
Ji Qingbai nodded.
After chatting a while longer about some demon hunting matters, Ji Qingbai said his goodbyes.
Mo Shan personally saw off Ji Qingbai and his son at the door.
After they left, Ji Qingbai led his son to stay at the home of a senior cultivator on the west side of South Street.
On the way, Ji Qingbai advised his son Ji Li:
"Over in Qingxuan City, demon hunting is getting harder by the day. That's why I came to find your Uncle Mo—to check out the inner mountains of Black Mountain. You've got good talent and have reached the seventh level of Qi Refining. It's time you came to broaden your horizons. But as for the demon hunting, your Uncle Mo and I will handle it. Unless it's a life-or-death situation, don't act rashly."
"I understand, Father," Ji Li replied.
"I know you understand, but you're still young. What you don't fully grasp yet is how vicious and cunning beasts can be. You've got the weakest cultivation. If you don't act, you're fine—but the moment you make a wrong move, they'll exploit it and you'll suffer."
Ji Li nodded, then asked curiously, "Father, is Uncle Mo powerful?"
"Of course," Ji Qingbai replied. "He's the most talented demon hunter I've met in all these years—quick-witted, experienced, with excellent instincts. It's a pity, really. We scattered cultivators, once we marry and have kids, all our spirit stones go toward the children's cultivation, and there's little left for ourselves…"
Ji Qingbai sighed. "Otherwise, with his aptitude, he could've reached Foundation Establishment."
Ji Li fell silent. His father could have advanced too, but all the spirit stones went into his cultivation.
Thinking of Foundation Establishment cultivators, Ji Li quietly asked, "How's Grandpa Zheng's health?"
"He's not doing well," Ji Qingbai said sadly. "Uncle Zheng is the only Foundation Establishment elder in the Qingxuan City demon hunters' guild. If he passes… we Qi Refining rogue cultivators will be bullied even more by those clans. The future's just going to get tougher…"
"Does Tongxian City have any Foundation Establishment elders?"
"Yes. Elder Yu. His temper isn't great, but he protects his own. The demon hunter guild here survives thanks to him. Those clans wouldn't dare push their luck too far. If things get too bad, you should come to Tongxian City. Find a Dao partner and settle down here. That'll give me peace of mind."
Ji Li, still young, blushed. "Dad, that's a bit early to talk about…"
Ji Qingbai chuckled, "Not early at all. Things like this, the earlier you plan, the better."
Ji Li quickly changed the subject. "That little brother from Uncle Mo's house, Mo Hua—do you think he could really become a formation master?"
"No idea," Ji Qingbai frowned. "It's not easy to become one. From apprentice to unranked formation master, and only then can you apply for first rank."
"First off, even becoming an apprentice is tough. We scattered cultivators don't have any inheritance. To learn formations, you need to find a proper formation master to take you in."
"Don't sects also teach formations?" Ji Li asked.
"Barely," Ji Qingbai replied. "What sects teach is just the surface-level stuff. It's so you know formations exist—not so you can become a formation master."
Ji Li was shocked. He already thought what he learned in the sect was crazy difficult, and that was just the basics?
"To find a real formation master to teach you? Easier said than done. Those guys have their noses in the clouds, and their thresholds are higher than the heavens. Begging them to take a student costs everything you've got."
Ji Qingbai grew angrier the more he spoke. "Formations are already hard enough. No inheritance, no teacher—how could anyone possibly learn it?"
He shook his head.
"Once you become an apprentice, are you considered a formation master then?" Ji Li asked.
"Becoming an apprentice is just the start. You'll have to endure years of study and constant practice before you even begin to qualify as a real formation master. And that's just for the unranked level. To get ranked, you need even more time and recognition. The ranking is done personally by the Dao Court. That's another major hurdle… Some people never get ranked their whole life."
Ji Li felt his scalp go numb. "Can Mo Hua really make it?"
"I hope so," Ji Qingbai sighed. "Even if it's wishful thinking, at least it's something to hope for."
Meanwhile, Mo Hua returned home and continued practicing the Bright Flame Array. A few days later, he had completed all the diagrams. He was far more proficient this time—ten attempts, nine successes—netting eight spirit stones.
On the last day before the New Year, Mo Hua visited Youyuan Studio and handed over his work to the chubby manager in exchange for spirit stones.
The chubby manager was quite pleased with what Mo Hua submitted.
"Now this is the standard you should be at, since you've officially become an apprentice!"
When settling the payment, he gave Mo Hua ten spirit stones—two of them as a holiday bonus. "A little New Year's gift. It's not much, but better than nothing!"
It might not have been much to the manager, but to Mo Hua, it was no small sum.
Delighted, Mo Hua complimented him with well-crafted lines like, "May the manager grow mighty and achieve ever-greater brilliance."
The manager was all smiles.
The next day was New Year's Eve. Mo Hua's family of three celebrated joyfully.
The customs of New Year in the cultivation world were quite similar to those from Mo Hua's past life, though with their own twists.
For instance, couplets glowed, the cloud patterns on the "fortune" characters floated around, and mythical beasts in the New Year paintings would glare at you—and sometimes even snort in disdain. It was all very amusing.
The New Year's Eve dinner was the grandest meal of the year. There was meat. Dishes rarely seen throughout the year were piled onto the table.
Mo Hua had a wonderful holiday. After spending a few days playing with friends, he resumed drawing arrays for Youyuan Studio.
Thanks to tireless effort, he could now draw the Bright Flame Array with his eyes closed. Ten diagrams in just three days, with a success rate still over ninety percent.
By the fifteenth day of the first month—the day before he officially entered Tongxian Sect—Mo Hua had earned nearly fifty spirit stones.
After dinner, Mo Hua began packing for his journey to the sect. Meanwhile, Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua were discussing tuition arrangements.
(End of Chapter)