Chapter 21: Spirit Core Array
Mo Hua continued practicing the Earth-Stabilizing Array for another two months.
Whenever he encountered something he didn't understand in the arrays, he'd seek out Instructor Yan. Though stern and strict in both demeanor and teaching, Instructor Yan always answered questions thoroughly, without holding anything back. His explanations were detailed and earnest.
Instructor Yan also believed that Mo Hua's foundations were still shaky, and that diving into such advanced arrays was a bit premature. Even so, whenever Mo Hua came to ask, he never grew impatient, which made Mo Hua deeply grateful.
Sometimes, when Mo Hua skipped class to secretly draw arrays and earn spirit stones, Instructor Yan wouldn't push the issue. He would simply remind him:
"A cultivator may have a specialty, but should never be too lopsided. Some arts you may not practice, but you must at least understand them. Otherwise, when you graduate and leave the sect to roam the cultivation world, blind spots in your understanding could cost you dearly."
Mo Hua took the advice to heart—and greatly benefited from it.
But right now, he didn't even have the spirit stones to learn a proper technique, so he had no choice but to keep skipping classes and drawing arrays to save up.
Each Earth-Stabilizing Array consisted of four patterns and could earn him two spirit stones. Thanks to this, Mo Hua's savings were growing quickly.
Two months later, Mo Hua was once again delivering completed arrays to the plump steward. But as he entered the usually quiet Fated Treasures Pavilion, he spotted a middle-aged man in a blue Daoist robe drinking tea.
The man had his back turned, but his figure looked oddly familiar. When he turned around, Mo Hua was stunned.
The man in the blue robe… was Instructor Yan.
A sudden sense of "getting caught cutting class" washed over Mo Hua.
"Mo Hua?"
Instructor Yan recognized him as well, sounding a bit surprised.
The steward, sitting across from Instructor Yan and pouring him tea, also looked up in surprise. "You two know each other?"
Instructor Yan replied, "He's one of my disciples at Tongxian Sect."
Mo Hua quickly bowed and greeted him. "Disciple greets Instructor!"
Instructor Yan nodded and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Before Mo Hua could answer, the steward jumped in: "He's running errands for his elder brother. His brother draws arrays for us, and he delivers them."
Instructor Yan nodded, not pressing the matter further.
Mo Hua let out a sigh of relief, then handed over the completed arrays, collected his spirit stones, and said, "I'll take my leave now. I won't disturb you further, Instructor."
Instructor Yan seemed to be here for business with the steward. Seeing Mo Hua so tactful, he nodded and said, "Head back to the sect early. Be careful on the road."
Mo Hua respectfully acknowledged, gave a parting salute, and left the array shop.
The steward watched him go, then said to Instructor Yan:
"That kid's pretty polite—and clever too. You're lucky to have a good disciple."
Instructor Yan gave a faint "Mm", then asked, "You said his elder brother draws arrays for you?"
The steward took out one of the Earth-Stabilizing Arrays Mo Hua had delivered and handed it over. "Not bad work."
Seeing that it was an Earth-Stabilizing Array, Instructor Yan was momentarily stunned. "His elder brother drew this?"
"What else?" the steward said. "You think he did it? At his age, even if he drained all his divine sense, he couldn't draw a complete array."
Instructor Yan nodded. He recalled Mo Hua asking him about the Earth-Stabilizing Array. It must've been after seeing his brother draw it that he developed questions and came to him for help.
"Curiosity in arrays is a good thing," Instructor Yan thought. "If he can maintain this mindset, he might really accomplish something in the field one day."
With that thought, he didn't dwell on it. He glanced around the lonely, quiet shop and looked back at the steward.
"You really plan to live like this for the rest of your life?"
The steward replied, "We trained in the same sect—you should know me well. I'm not like you. You're now a teaching instructor at Tongxian Sect, your array skills are excellent, and you're just one step away from becoming a genuine First-Grade Array Master. Once you cross that threshold, you'll have everything—connections, status, and spirit stones. Tongxian Sect will definitely grant you the title of Elder."
"As for me..." The steward took a sip of tea. "I'm just the go-with-the-flow type. I dabbled in arrays, lacked the patience for cultivation, and I'm perfectly happy coasting through each day. Don't look down on me—look at the wandering cultivators out there, running themselves ragged. This kind of leisurely life is something they can only dream of."
Instructor Yan said nothing.
The steward sighed and asked, "Alright, tell me—what do you need my help with?"
Instructor Yan said seriously, "Help me find the Spirit Core Array Diagram."
The steward rubbed his temples. "You're still not over that after all these years? Honestly, you're not young anymore. It's time to find a Dao companion and live a normal life."
"Personal matters are small. Array inheritance is far more important."
"What if you do find it? Your grandmaster couldn't master it. Your master couldn't either. And you think you can? A First-Grade array with twelve patterns? That's ridiculous! A First-Grade Array Master only needs to master nine. You're not even a First-Grade yet—what good is the Spirit Core Array Diagram? You might not even master it before you're in the grave!"
Instructor Yan remained silent.
The steward tried again, more earnestly this time. "Senior brother, let it go. Besides, you won't find it. That guy who betrayed the sect and stole the array—there's been no trace of him for years. Even the Dao Court couldn't find anything. You're an array cultivator, not some Daoist adept. What could you possibly do?"
But Instructor Yan wasn't swayed. His voice turned hoarse.
"My master treated me with immense kindness. Everything I know about arrays, I learned from him. Now he's gone, the sect has fallen, and the array has been lost. I can't sleep at night thinking about it. As long as I can recover that array and pass it on—fulfill my master's last wish—then nothing else matters."
He looked at the steward again and added:
"I know you like the quiet life. I won't ask too much. Just keep an ear out—if there's any news about the Spirit Core Array Diagram, let me know. That's all I ask."
The steward frowned. "How do you know there's a lead in Tongxian City?"
Instructor Yan didn't answer.
The steward waved his hand. "Alright, fine. Knowing too much won't help me either. I'll agree to help, but let me give you a kind warning—you could put your heart and soul into this and still come up with nothing."
Feeling the burden already, the steward couldn't help but grumble:
"If you ask me, you'd be better off finding a Dao companion and having a kid. Even if you don't find it, maybe your child could carry on the search. At least you wouldn't die all alone. You're not that old yet—just find one Dao partner, for Heaven's sake, before—"
"The tea's cold. I'm leaving."
Instructor Yan stood up, swept his sleeve, and walked out, ignoring the steward's nagging voice behind him.
(End of Chapter)