Chapter 56: A Change in Perspective
After the Lotus Festival, Mo Hua continued to study formations under Mister Zhuang, with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi joining him.
Though all three were apprentices, what they studied differed. Mo Hua mainly learned formation arts—and could only learn formation arts.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, however, learned a bit of everything. Besides cultivation, they studied formations, alchemy, talisman arts, and artifact refinement.
The questions they posed to Mister Zhuang each day were equally wide-ranging—not only about formations, but on every aspect of cultivation as well.
Among those questions, only the ones related to formations did Mo Hua understand even a little. The rest left him completely baffled.
Rogue cultivators naturally had weak foundations. Mo Hua could learn formation arts only because he had lived two lives, possessed an exceptional Divine-Sense, and had the Dao Stele within his mind—allowing him to practice formations without spending spirit stones. As for other cultivation disciplines, even if he wished to learn them, he had no means to begin.
Still, though Mo Hua didn't understand those subjects, he silently remembered everything. Even if he didn't grasp them for now, at least he'd have some impression—so that he wouldn't be utterly lost if such topics arose in the future.
The cultivation world was full of treachery and change. Who could predict what he might face later? Knowing a little more could never be a bad thing.
From the Bai siblings, Mo Hua learned a great deal—and had to admit that both of them possessed far superior talent and comprehension than himself. Whether in cultivation foundation, formation skill, or countless other aspects, he was far behind.
So this was what people meant by the so-called "Heaven's Chosen" of noble clans.
Toward Bai Zixi, Mo Hua felt genuine admiration.
Toward Bai Zisheng, along with that admiration… came just a touch of exasperation.
When the three had first met, their interactions had been polite but restrained.
But ever since they went out together during the Lotus Festival, Bai Zisheng had grown more casual with Mo Hua—often chatting idly, occasionally bickering for fun.
In front of strangers, Bai Zisheng was the image of a refined young genius—talented, handsome, and composed.
But once familiar, he was simply a competitive, talkative boy. Though diligent in cultivation and study, the moment he had free time, he sought Mo Hua out to talk.
"Mo Hua, when will that Demon Play performance be shown again?"
"During the next festival."
"Mo Hua, when your monster hunters fight beasts, what kinds of Dao arts do they use?"
"Whatever works."
"Mo Hua, next time you go hunting beasts, can you take me with you—?"
"I'm not even a monster hunter yet. I don't hunt."
"Mo Hua—"
"…"
Sometimes Mo Hua would respond briefly; other times, when Bai Zisheng talked too much, Mo Hua simply ignored him.
When Mo Hua ignored him, Bai Zisheng would sneak glances at the formation books Mo Hua was reading. Back when they were still unfamiliar, Bai Zisheng had been more reserved—but not anymore.
"The Theory of Six-Runes Formation Nodes? Not bad, not bad—you're progressing fast. You don't understand what a formation node is, do you?"
Mo Hua really didn't. He nodded honestly.
Bai Zisheng puffed up proudly. "Want to know?"
Mo Hua looked at him silently. He did want to know—but Bai Zisheng's smug face made it difficult to admit it.
"There'll be another Demon Play on the seventh day of next month," Mo Hua said slowly.
Bai Zisheng's eyes lit up.
"But I'm not taking you," Mo Hua added.
Bai Zisheng choked. "Then I'm not telling you what a formation node means!"
"I can just ask Mister Zhuang."
That left Bai Zisheng speechless. After some internal struggle, he compromised: "Fine! I'll tell you what it means—but you have to take me to see the Demon Play!"
"No need. I'll just ask Mister Zhuang," Mo Hua refused.
Bai Zisheng scratched his head in frustration. "Mister Zhuang is busy! No need to bother him with small questions. Besides, he explains things so profoundly that you—a beginner—might not even understand them yet."
Though the word "beginner" made Mo Hua slightly unhappy, what Bai Zisheng said was true.
Mister Zhuang's mastery of formation arts was so deep that things he considered trivial might take Mo Hua a long time to comprehend.
Mo Hua said with a hint of reluctance, "Fine. I'll agree. But if your explanation makes no sense, I'm still not taking you."
Bai Zisheng beamed. "Don't worry! Among all the clan disciples, aside from Zixi, none have studied formations better than I have!"
Then he eagerly began explaining:
"The formation node is the core hub of a formation, used to connect formation lines and channel spiritual power…"
"Think of it like this: in a cultivator's body, the formation's eye is the Qi Sea, the node is the meridians, the formation lines are the smaller veins, and the formation medium is the flesh that carries them all. A cultivator's spiritual power flows from the Qi Sea through the main meridians, filling the smaller veins and manifesting Dao arts. Likewise, a formation's power flows from the formation's eye through its node to activate its lines—only then does the formation take effect…"
Once Bai Zisheng finished, Mo Hua understood immediately, and couldn't help glancing at him.
To explain something so clearly and accessibly showed real understanding. Bai Zisheng's foundation in formation arts was indeed solid... if only he talked a little less.
Mo Hua asked curiously, "Do you always talk like this with other people?"
"With who?"
"Hmm… your clan's other disciples?"
Bai Zisheng looked disdainful. "I can't be bothered with them."
"Why?" Mo Hua asked.
"I don't like the way they look at me," Bai Zisheng said, his tone turning cold. "Some are sycophantic, some jealous, some disdainful, some indifferent. I don't like any of it."
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the seemingly carefree Bai Zisheng to be so perceptive.
After finishing, Bai Zisheng's expression returned to normal. "Anyway, I've explained what a formation node is! On the seventh, you're taking me to see the Demon Play!"
"Fine, fine," Mo Hua said helplessly. Then added, "I'm going to practice formations now. Don't talk to me for an hour."
Bai Zisheng waved dismissively. "Go ahead, no one's stopping you."
Mo Hua took out The Three Talents Formation and began drawing.
It was a formation Mister Zhuang had assigned him earlier. After several days of practice, Mo Hua could barely complete it—but still made frequent mistakes, and his brushwork wasn't yet smooth.
Bai Zixi read gracefully beside them; Mo Hua focused on his drawing. The bamboo pavilion soon fell into quiet.
Bai Zisheng meditated for a while, glanced at Bai Zixi, then at Mo Hua, tried to settle back into cultivation… and finally couldn't resist sneaking a peek at Mo Hua's drawing.
As he watched, his expression gradually turned serious. Several times he looked ready to speak—but in the end, held his tongue.
He couldn't focus on his own cultivation anymore, staring intently at Mo Hua's brush as it traced formation lines, not blinking once.
Bai Zixi, who had been reading, noticed his strange behavior and gently tugged his sleeve, urging him to focus—but Bai Zisheng didn't even notice.
Bai Zixi frowned slightly, then followed his gaze—and when she saw Mo Hua's formation drawing, she too couldn't look away.
Completely absorbed, Mo Hua remained unaware, continuing his meticulous work.
When he finally finished the Three Talents Formation and looked up, he found Bai Zisheng staring with wide eyes—and Bai Zixi's gaze as clear and luminous as autumn water.
(End of Chapter)