Chapter 66: Thousand Formations
When Mo Hua arrived at Mister Zhuang's mountain abode, the Bai siblings were already there, sitting beneath a tree by the pond, reading and cultivating beside a small stone table. Aunt Xue, as usual, did not enter the abode; she waited quietly outside.
The moment Bai Zisheng saw Mo Hua, he tossed his book aside and dashed over with excitement.
Mo Hua handed him one of the small food boxes and a little pot of fruit wine. "Eat it later, you just had breakfast."
With his mouth stuffed full of meat, Bai Zisheng mumbled contentedly, "It's fine, I told Aunt Xue I didn't have much of an appetite this morning, so I didn't eat much."
Mo Hua shook his head helplessly, then passed some pastries and osmanthus wine-brew to Bai Zixi. She thanked him with a clear, pleasant voice, then took small, elegant bites of the pastries, sipping the wine-brew with refined grace.
Mo Hua glanced between the two siblings and thought, Same bloodline, same parents... how can their eating manners be worlds apart?
Bai Zisheng used to at least pretend to act like a composed young heir of a noble family. But after becoming familiar with Mo Hua, all pretense vanished. Now, the way he devoured food like a hungry puppy was truly an insult to his handsome looks.
Mo Hua also brought food and wine for Mister Zhuang and Old Kui before beginning to ask questions about formation dispelling.
The simple ones he had already asked Bai Zisheng, so what remained were difficult problems he couldn't figure out with just his own cultivation knowledge, things like how to use a formation eye or core to unravel an array, the fundamental principles behind dispelling formations, or how to handle formations whose structure couldn't be understood.
Mister Zhuang looked pleased with Mo Hua's questions. "The fact that you're asking these means you've carefully read all the classics I gave you."
"Dispelling formations through the formation eye is extremely difficult. The art of reversing spirit-gathering runes is hard to learn and even harder to master usually secret techniques of noble families, rarely taught outside. Even if you learn it, using it is another matter. Because every formation's spirit-gathering runes differ, using reversal techniques requires adapting to each specific formation. A tiny mistake can cause the array's spiritual energy to spiral out of control, destroying the formation, and quite possibly, the cultivator with it."
"As for using the formation core to dispel, you needn't even consider that. Only third-rank formation masters or higher can attempt it. To use the core, one must have profound knowledge of formation structures across various clans, sects, and schools. Without that, facing an unfamiliar system leaves you with no starting point."
"So for you, focus on dispelling through formation runes. It may look complicated, but it's the most basic—and the simplest—method."
"Oh, oh," Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.
"Tell me, Mo Hua, for a formation master, is it better to pursue specialization or diversity?" Mister Zhuang suddenly asked.
Mo Hua hesitated, then replied softly, "Isn't it best to both be well-versed in many kinds yet still proficient in each?"
A mature cultivator's dream, having both.
Mister Zhuang chuckled. "The Great Dao is infinite, but one's life is not. To study broadly and master everything, that's wishful thinking. Most formation masters must choose: either specialize deeply in one system, valuing precision over breadth, or learn widely, valuing breadth over precision."
"Then… I suppose it's better to specialize in one," Mo Hua reasoned.
"Oh? And why is that?" Mister Zhuang asked with a smile.
"Formations are vast and profound. If you try to learn everything, you'll only skim the surface. But if you focus on one branch and master it fully, you can understand others through analogy. That's how one grasps the true essence of formations, and won't be helpless when facing complex or obscure ones."
Mister Zhuang nodded approvingly. "Well said. That's why family lineages in formation arts value precision and avoid excess diversity."
Mo Hua felt he understood a little, but still wasn't sure what this had to do with him.
"In truth," Mister Zhuang continued, "not just noble families, all proper formation traditions emphasize specialization. Learn one system thoroughly before exploring others." He paused, then looked at Mo Hua again. "But you're an exception. You must learn broadly, not specialize."
Mo Hua blinked in surprise, thinking for a moment. "Because of the cultivation art?"
Mister Zhuang's eyes showed approval. "Correct. Since you practice the Celestial Evolution Art, your breakthroughs require unraveling the mystery puzzle formations within your Sea of Consciousness. Only by solving those can your cultivation continue, your realm advance, your foundation remain firm. If you can't solve them, everything stops there."
"And to solve those mystery puzzle formations, you need to learn a vast variety of runes and formations. Many aren't difficult, they just depend on whether you know the relevant runes or not. If you do, the solution is easy. But if you don't, no matter how talented you are, no amount of comprehension will help."
"As the saying goes: 'Even the cleverest cook can't make a meal without rice.' A mystery puzzle formation you've never seen before, even the greatest formation master can do nothing with it."
Mo Hua nodded in dawning realization, then scratched his head. "Then, Teacher… what should I do?"
Mister Zhuang handed him a book. On the cover were four ancient characters:
"Compendium of a Thousand Formations."
Mo Hua opened it, inside was a dense catalog of all sorts of formations, strange and fascinating. All were below first-rank; most had fewer than nine runes, with only a few reaching nine.
Most were based on the Five Elements, though some had odd, unfamiliar effects Mo Hua had never seen before.
Mo Hua gaped. "This is…"
"This book contains all formations below first-rank, their names, grades, and uses. Read through it. If any interest you, find the corresponding formation diagrams on the first floor of the library."
"I've already taught you the basics of formation study. You can learn these on your own now. If anything confuses you, ask me. Just remember one thing , any diagrams you borrow must be returned. Don't lose them. That's important."
Mo Hua nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher."
"Good. Go on, then." Mister Zhuang waved a hand.
Mo Hua bowed respectfully, carefully tucked the Compendium of a Thousand Formations into his robe, and turned to leave, only for Mister Zhuang to call out again.
"Mo Hua." Mister Zhuang hesitated, then said softly, "I should have chosen a safer cultivation art for you, one that wouldn't make progress so troublesome… That was my oversight."
Old Kui, who had been resting with eyes closed, opened them slightly and looked at Mister Zhuang in faint surprise.
Mo Hua froze for a moment, then smiled shyly. "My family's poor, Teacher. I can't afford many spirit stones or spiritual materials. This art doesn't require those to break through, it's perfect for me. In my eyes, the art you chose is already the best in the world."
"Is that so…"
Mister Zhuang looked at Mo Hua's young, handsome face—his eyes clear and sincere—and couldn't help but smile. His usual carefree demeanor returned, though his tone had grown gentler.
"Go study your formations."
Mo Hua bowed once more, then scurried off with quick little steps.
(End of Chapter)