Chapter 74: Celestial Evolution Art
When Mo Hua arrived, Mister Zhuang was resting leisurely, half-dozing.
Mo Hua opened the food box—inside were various styles of cooked beef, some light vegetables, and a few fruits suited for wine. The aroma of meat and wine slowly drifted through the air.
Mister Zhuang opened his eyes and said lazily, "Qi-Refining Fourth Layer. Not bad."
Mo Hua smiled. "It's all thanks to your teachings, teacher."
Mister Zhuang waved a hand dismissively, sat up unhurriedly, took a sip of wine, tried a bite of meat, and then reclined again with that same ease.
"How's your study of formations going?"
"I've started trying to draw formations with seven array runes. My Divine-Sense should be strong enough now, though I still need more practice before I can do it smoothly."
Mister Zhuang's expression didn't change, though his chewing slowed a little. Inwardly, he murmured, Qi-Refining Fourth Layer… seven array runes, huh…
"Sir," Mo Hua hesitated, "should I continue learning formations the same way as before?"
"Do you have doubts?"
Mo Hua shook his head. "Learning by doing—painting formations on different mediums and using them for practical effects—really does deepen my understanding of formations…"
"Then keep doing it," said Mister Zhuang. "To become a first-grade, or even higher-grade formation master, it's both difficult and simple. Just keep drawing formations. Draw and draw… endlessly. Few can truly persist in that."
His tone carried a subtle depth.
Mo Hua felt reassured and was about to take his leave when Mister Zhuang suddenly asked,
"Has there been any change in your Celestial Evolution Art?"
"Hmm… my spiritual power feels stronger."
"When your realm advances, spiritual power naturally strengthens. That's unrelated to your cultivation art," said Mister Zhuang.
"Then… my Divine-Sense also seems stronger."
"That too improves with a breakthrough, not the art's doing."
"I feel my Divine-Sense controls spiritual power more delicately…" Mo Hua trailed off, uncertain. "Is that also unrelated?"
For an instant, Mister Zhuang's eyes seemed to flash sharply, but the next moment, they were as calm as ever, perhaps it was just an illusion.
"Draw a formation for me," Mister Zhuang said evenly.
"Oh," Mo Hua spread out a sheet of paper, holding his brush. "Sir, which formation should I draw?"
"Draw a Three Talents Array."
"Yes, sir."
Mo Hua had drawn it recently and still remembered the pattern well, so he finished it in one go. He was quite satisfied, but when he looked up, Mister Zhuang's attention didn't seem fixed on the array itself.
"Mister, is something wrong with it?"
After a moment's thought, Mister Zhuang said, "Your drawing speed has increased."
"Doesn't that just happen naturally after a realm breakthrough?" Mo Hua asked.
"No," Mister Zhuang replied firmly.
"The strength of your Divine-Sense determines whether you're even qualified to learn formations. Your understanding of formations determines whether you can draw them at all. Only your familiarity—your skill—affects drawing speed. Once your familiarity reaches a certain level, the only thing that can further affect your speed is your Divine-Sense's control power."
"Divine-Sense control power?"
"Indeed," Mister Zhuang said. "In spellcasting, object manipulation, and formation drawing—control over one's Divine-Sense is essential. You're still at a low stage and haven't encountered this deeply yet. You'll understand later."
Mo Hua's eyes shone. "Then… does that mean my cultivation art is pretty amazing?"
Mister Zhuang glanced at him and hesitated.
"The cultivation world is vast, full of wonders. Some arts truly defy heaven itself. Yours… well, it's decent. Better than average."
Old Kui, who'd been standing quietly in the corner, silently rolled his eyes.
But Mo Hua's grin bloomed bright—to him, "decent" from the knowledgeable Mister Zhuang was already high praise.
Mister Zhuang continued, "Still, you must remember, a heart wary of others must never be absent. Anything related to your own cultivation, keep it private. If others discover something special about your art, they'll try to take it, and your life."
"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua nodded vigorously.
He'd read enough stories of 'killing for treasures or inheritance' to understand the message.
The tree that stands out is the first to be felled; the fattened pig is the first to be slaughtered.
"If someone asks why your Divine-Sense is so keenly sharp," Mister Zhuang tested, "what would you say?"
"Uh… maybe… say I was born with extraordinary talent?" Mo Hua said, unsure.
Mister Zhuang gave him a satisfied look, like a teacher proud of a bright pupil.
Mo Hua blinked. "Wouldn't people hit me if I said that?"
"When you say it, use a modest tone," Mister Zhuang advised patiently. "Even if you do get hit, it's better than being captured, tortured, and killed."
Mo Hua nodded, utterly convinced, as expected, Mister Zhuang's experience was unparalleled.
Then Mo Hua suddenly remembered something. "Sir, what exactly is a compound formation?"
"You've seen one?"
"Mm. Elder Feng at the Apricot Medicinal Hall has one in his alchemy furnace, the Wood-Fire Spirit-Control Array. It's a compound formation."
"Ah, compound formations… that's a troublesome topic…" Mister Zhuang mused.
Then he gestured toward the corner.
Only now did Mo Hua realize Old Kui had been standing there the whole time, completely concealing his presence.
Old Kui stepped behind a bookshelf, rummaged a moment, and brought out a thick book, which he handed to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua received it—the title on the cover read "Introduction to Compound Formations."
"This book records the principles of compound formations," said Mister Zhuang. "It even includes several basic diagrams. You may read it to broaden your knowledge, but don't invest too much effort yet. It's too early for you."
Mo Hua's eyes sparkled. He'd originally felt bad about disturbing Mister Zhuang's rest, but now he could study the book first, ask Bai Zixi or Bai Zisheng if he didn't understand, and only come back to Mister Zhuang when truly necessary. Efficient and considerate—perfect!
After all, Mister Zhuang didn't have many hobbies… beyond eating and sleeping.
"Thank you, Teacher Zhuang!"
Mo Hua looked around, intending to thank Old Kui too, but the old figure had vanished. After scanning again, he realized Old Kui was actually standing right beside him.
It seemed that when Old Kui wanted to be seen, you could see him; when he didn't, you simply couldn't.
Perhaps it was an illusion, or perhaps his ability to conceal his aura was simply that profound.
Mo Hua handed him a storage pouch filled with seven or eight boxes of roasted pine nuts—specially made by his mother.
Old Kui accepted it, and though his expression didn't change, Mo Hua somehow felt he was pleased.
"Sir , I won't disturb your cultivation."
Mo Hua bowed and left cheerfully.
Mister Zhuang sighed softly. "What a good kid… truly worry-free."
Then he took another bite of meat, a sip of wine, and reclined back into his peaceful nap.
(End of Chapter)