Chapter 114: Fireball
So this… was a spell?
Mo Hua's eyes widened in awe.
Just by circulating spiritual power along specific meridians and using Divine-Sense to guide it outward, it could condense into spells of different attributes, each with a power far beyond what he'd expected.
The pond rippled violently, then stilled.
Only the scattered droplets along the shore and the charred water plants floating on the surface bore witness to what had just happened.
Old Kui nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Mo Hua scratched his head. "Grandpa Kui, what should I practice next?"
"The same thing."
"The same thing?"
"Yes," Old Kui replied. "Practice this one a hundred times. Feel it out properly."
"Feel what exactly?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. When you've done it a hundred times, you'll understand naturally."
Mo Hua looked bewildered.
Old Kui added, "It's like formation drawing. Skill comes from practice. Draw enough of them, and you'll start to feel certain truths, things that can't really be explained in words."
"Oh." Mo Hua nodded in dawning comprehension.
"Can I practice here, then?" he asked shyly.
He couldn't exactly go home and do it, what if he burned the house down?
Practicing alone in the mountains wasn't exactly safe either.
"No problem," Grandpa Kui said calmly.
Mo Hua hesitated. "But… if I damage the pond or the plants here, won't that be bad?"
Old Kui gave him a serene glance, then waved his sleeve lightly.
Mo Hua didn't even see what happened, he merely blinked, and the water stains by the pond had vanished, the scorched plants had regrown, and the fish were once again swimming leisurely beneath the surface.
It was as if nothing had ever happened, as if he had never cast that Fireball Spell at all.
Mo Hua stood frozen in place.
"No problem," Old Kui said faintly.
...
For the next few days, Mo Hua spent most of his time at Mister Zhuang's residence.
If Mister Zhuang was awake, Mo Hua would go greet him and ask a few questions. If the old man was asleep, he'd head to the bamboo grove beside the pond to practice the Fireball Spell.
He'd already grasped the basic principle, and after a few days of repetition, he was getting used to it.
However, the power of each fireball, its speed, and its accuracy varied slightly every time.
Just as Grandpa Kui had said, these nuances couldn't be taught, they had to be felt through constant practice.
So he kept practicing by the pond.
One fireball after another blasted into the water, sending waves surging and water plants flying, while the fish darted about in panic.
Thankfully, Grandpa Kui restored the pond after each session, otherwise, Mo Hua would've blown it dry long ago.
...
One day, while he was mid-practice, Mo Hua noticed a small head peeking around the corner.
"Bai Zisheng?"
Seeing that it was only Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng crept over curiously. "What're you playing at?"
"It's not playing. I'm practicing a spell," Mo Hua corrected him.
Bai Zisheng's eyes lit up. "You're learning spells now? What kind? Show me!"
Mo Hua raised his hand and cast another Fireball Spell.
Boom!
The pond exploded with spray.
Bai Zisheng's enthusiasm wilted. He pouted. "Just a Fireball Spell?"
"What's wrong with Fireball?" Mo Hua said defensively.
"It's fine, I guess," Bai Zisheng replied with mock sympathy. "I just thought you'd learn something… impressive."
"Like what?"
"Well… oh right, your spiritual power's too weak. Even if you learned stronger ones, you couldn't use them anyway," Bai Zisheng said casually.
Mo Hua rolled his eyes. "Did you finish your homework yet?"
"No…" Bai Zisheng deflated immediately. "I heard noises over here, so I came to see. I'll have to head back soon."
He looked around and asked, "You're practicing here, doesn't that disturb Mister Zhuang?"
Mo Hua shook his head. "I asked Grandpa Kui. He said it's fine, Mister Zhuang's place is far enough, it's quiet there."
Bai Zisheng nodded, glancing at Mo Hua with envy. "Mister Zhuang really treats you well…"
"Doesn't he treat you guys well too? You and Mister Zhuang are even somewhat connected, aren't you?" Mo Hua asked curiously.
Bai Zisheng waved it off. "You wouldn't understand…" He hesitated, then didn't explain further.
He and Zixi both respected and feared Mister Zhuang deeply. Even when they went to ask questions, they did so with utmost caution.
Practicing Fireball Spells right next to his courtyard, though? Unthinkable.
"You guys must be up to something. Feeling guilty, that's why you're afraid of him, right?" Mo Hua said suspiciously.
Bai Zisheng snorted. "As if I had that kind of ability."
"Fair point." Mo Hua nodded.
Bai Zisheng changed the subject. "So, did Grandpa Kui teach you this Fireball Spell?"
"Yeah."
"That's all he taught you?"
"You don't get it. The right spell is better than a bunch of fancy ones," Mo Hua said, imitating Grandpa Kui's calm, worldly tone.
Bai Zisheng thought for a moment and nodded. "True."
Mo Hua asked, "Is Grandpa Kui really strong?"
"I… think so?" Bai Zisheng said uncertainly.
"So you don't know either."
Bai Zisheng gave an awkward laugh.
"Go finish your homework," Mo Hua said, waving him off. "You're distracting me."
Bai Zisheng didn't want to leave, homework was boring.
"I could give you some pointers."
"You? You don't even know spells," Mo Hua said, surprised.
Bai Zisheng frowned. "You don't have to eat the pig to know how it runs! I train in martial arts, but I still know a few things about spells."
That was fair, after all, the Bai Clan had deep roots.
"Cast it again," Bai Zisheng said.
Mo Hua nodded and unleashed another Fireball Spell.
Boom!
Another pond explosion.
"Hmm… still a bit weak," Bai Zisheng commented.
"Because my spiritual power's too low?"
"Not entirely. Spell strength depends on your proficiency. The more proficient you are, the stronger it becomes. Even with the same power used, mastery can amplify the effect."
Mo Hua nodded earnestly. "So what exactly counts as proficiency?"
"Got your meridian diagram?"
Mo Hua unrolled it.
Bai Zisheng pointed. "Basically, it's about precision. If you can circulate spiritual power exactly through these meridians and acupoints each time, your spell will naturally grow stronger."
"Of course, perfect precision isn't realistic, we're human, not puppets. Just being close enough will do," Bai Zisheng added.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up with realization, and he asked several more questions.
Bai Zisheng, thrilled to finally play the teacher, proudly lectured for a while...
Until a paper ball came whizzing out of nowhere and smacked him squarely on the head.
Mo Hua picked it up and unrolled it. It was a quick ink sketch of a little face—just a few lines and dots—but it looked distinctly angry.
Bai Zisheng paled. "Uh-oh. Zixi's mad. I told her I'd just come see you for a bit… guess I stayed too long."
He leapt up, blurting, "You keep practicing!" before sprinting off like a startled rabbit.
Mo Hua blinked, then chuckled to himself.
After that, he practiced carefully as Bai Zisheng had advised, controlling his spiritual power with precision.
Sure enough, the Fireball Spell grew stronger.
When he finally completed a hundred repetitions, he had fully mastered it.
Mo Hua went to find Old Kui. "Grandpa Kui! I've done it a hundred times!"
Grandpa Kui nodded. "So, you've mastered it?"
"I have!"
"Good," Grandpa Kui said with a faint smile. "Then I'll officially begin teaching you now."
"Eh?"
Mo Hua froze. "Didn't you already teach me?"
Grandpa Kui said blandly,
"I haven't taught you yet. Fireball Spells aren't worth teaching."
(End of Chapter)