Chapter 40: The Plan
Instructor Yan stared at Mo Hua's test paper for a moment before finally writing the character "A" on it.
Then, he continued grading the other disciples' array tests. After a while, something occurred to him—he went back, dug out the earlier papers, and bumped all the "B" grades to "A".
Now, Mo Hua wasn't the only one with an "A".
Once all the grading was complete, Instructor Yan sat in silence for a long while. He muttered under his breath:
"Looks like I can't stay at Tongxian Sect any longer…"
When the graded array tests were returned, Mo Hua glanced at the big "A" on his paper and nodded in satisfaction. But curiosity stirred in his heart:
Could other Qi Refining stage disciples really draw a Water-Fixing Array...?
This was a formation with six array patterns, after all.
He made a few inquiries and found that some other disciples had also received an "A". He was surprised, but also humbled:
"There's always someone better out there. My array skills still have a long way to go—I mustn't get arrogant!"
But what Mo Hua didn't know… was that his "A" wasn't quite the same as the others'.
His "A" was the real deal.
Theirs… had been watered down by Instructor Yan.
Mo Hua intended to stay in the Tongxian Sect a while longer to continue learning formations. He planned to choose a cultivation technique after some time.
But half a month later, he heard something absolutely absurd:
"Instructor Yan is leaving Tongxian Sect. The outer sect will no longer be teaching formations…"
Mo Hua stood there, stunned.
No more formation lessons...?!
He immediately went to find Instructor Yan. The instructor gave Mo Hua a complicated look but said nothing, only telling him to go home and return in a few days.
After Mo Hua left, Instructor Yan went to find Steward Mo.
"Any news on that thing I asked you to look into?"
Steward Mo handed him a letter.
"The person you're looking for isn't in Tongxian City anymore. This is a clue about their whereabouts—but I can't guarantee its accuracy."
"Thanks."
Steward Mo hesitated before asking,
"You're really planning to leave the Tongxian Sect?"
"Not just the sect. I'll be leaving Tongxian City altogether."
"Will you be coming back?"
"Hard to say." Instructor Yan gave a bitter smile. "Like you said… I'll leave it to fate."
Steward Mo had a bunch of things he wanted to say, but in the end, he said nothing. He knew he wouldn't be able to change his friend's mind.
"What about that kid, Mo Hua? What will you do with him?" Steward Mo asked. "If you leave, no one in Tongxian Sect can teach him formations…"
"I've already made arrangements. That kid's talent in formations…"
...is terrifying...
Instructor Yan thought silently but only said,
"He's quite gifted. It'd be a shame to waste that. I'm still his teacher—I'll find a way."
Steward Mo nodded. He looked at his senior brother, not knowing if they'd ever meet again after this farewell. A thousand words stuck in his throat, none of them finding their way out.
Cultivators live long lives—but their partings are longer still.
In the end, with nothing left to say, they raised their cups in a silent toast, using tea instead of wine.
"Take care," said Steward Mo.
"You too."
Instructor Yan nodded, then turned and walked out of Youyuan Hall, disappearing into the bustling street beyond.
There was no point staying in the sect's outer circle if he could no longer teach formations.
And he had never let go of the matter regarding the Spirit Nexus Array Diagram—he would not give up.
Before leaving Tongxian City, he had one last task:
Find a formation master for Mo Hua.
He prepared fine tea and wine, and knocked on the door of a grand estate on North Street.
It was one of the largest and most luxurious mansions in the city, resplendent and imposing.
Its owner was one of only two first-rank formation masters in Tongxian City—Master Luo. Most cultivators respectfully referred to him as Grandmaster Luo.
Instructor Yan presented the tea and stated his purpose.
Master Luo, who had a decent relationship with Instructor Yan, raised an eyebrow.
"This child must be something special, for you to come plead in person."
Instructor Yan handed over Mo Hua's drawing of the Brightfire Array.
"He drew this when he was at Qi Refining Level 3."
He didn't show the Water-Fixing Array with five-and-a-half patterns—he didn't want to be too flashy.
Besides, at Qi Refining Level 3, drawing an array with three complete patterns already qualified as top-tier talent.
Master Luo's eyes lit up as he examined the diagram.
"Not bad at all."
Then he asked,
"Which family does this child belong to? The Qians? The Ans? The Chens?"
Instructor Yan hesitated, then said,
"He's not from a family. He's a rogue cultivator."
The interest in Master Luo's eyes immediately cooled.
Instructor Yan cautiously asked,
"Do you have concerns, Master Luo?"
"Rogue cultivators… are hard to teach," Master Luo replied bluntly.
"Brother Luo…"
"You know how complicated it is to take on a rogue cultivator as a student." Master Luo waved his hand. "You've seen it yourself."
"The child's young but clever, diligent, and extraordinarily gifted. If you just give him a little guidance—"
"It's not about talent," Master Luo sighed. "It's about rules. The entry gift for apprenticeship—can he even afford it?"
He began pacing slowly.
"I'm not greedy for that gift. But there are standards. Every student I've ever taken paid handsomely. If I let this one pay less or nothing, how would I explain it to the others? Even if they said nothing, there'd be resentment—they'd think I was playing favorites."
"And that's not all. Paper, brushes, ink, materials—everything about learning formations costs spirit stones. Can a rogue cultivator afford that?"
"Even if he becomes a formation master, he'll still only have two paths: join a clan or join a sect. If he chooses either, he'll effectively be selling himself—his name, background, and even his parents won't be his anymore. And then what use would he have for me as his teacher?"
"No matter how you spin it, there's no benefit for me in taking him on."
He took a sip of tea.
Instructor Yan sat in silence. Everything Master Luo said… was true. There was no arguing against it.
He had only hoped that Mo Hua's immense talent would sway Luo. Now he realized—he'd been too optimistic.
No wonder there are no rogue formation masters...
He looked deeply disappointed.
Master Luo sighed again, voice softening.
"If he had even a minor family background, even a distant branch, I could accept him. But a rogue... too many concerns. I don't have the energy."
"It's too hard… for a rogue to become a formation master."
Instructor Yan wasn't ready to give up.
"Mo Hua's talent is truly exceptional…" he said, reaching for the five-and-a-half-pattern Water-Fixing Array.
But before he could fully take it out, Master Luo cut him off:
"Even if he can draw four or five patterns at Qi Refining Level 3—I still wouldn't take him."
Instructor Yan froze, then reluctantly put the diagram away.
"Is there really no way, Brother Luo?"
"You're welcome here anytime, to chat or discuss the Dao—but on this matter, there's nothing more to say."
Instructor Yan could only sigh.
"Just don't regret it in the future."
"Many cultivators have said that to me," Master Luo replied calmly. "Not once have I regretted it."
They had nothing more to say. Master Luo lifted his cup to indicate the conversation was over.
Instructor Yan stood and left, disappointed.
After he left, one of Master Luo's disciples poured him more tea and whispered,
"Master, if he truly drew the Brightfire Array at Qi Refining Level 3, that's quite an impressive talent."
"Yes," Master Luo sipped his tea. "But so what? Cultivation isn't just about talent. How many geniuses have faded into mediocrity? Spirit stones, heritage, background—these are just as vital. Without them, talent is like a flower without roots. It will wither."
"But if Master offered a little guidance, he'd surely be grateful…"
Master Luo shook his head.
"You're thinking too simply. Rogue cultivators often come from hardship. Many carry grudges. One wrong move, and they'll turn on you. That whole 'give a grain and they resent you for not giving a sack' thing? Happens all the time. Why should I get involved?"
"Master is wise… Still, such talent—it's a shame."
"Yes… a shame." Master Luo set down his cup and sighed.
"But that's fate. You can't force it."
(End of Chapter)