Chapter 210: Identity
Master Luo said, "I heard that in Tōngxiān City, there is an unknown first-grade formation master who has some enmity with the Qian family. Brother Qian, is that why you invited me here?"
Master Qian sighed. "Master Luo's insight is sharp as always. We are all formation masters and understand how rare a first-grade formation master truly is. Unless there is no other choice, I would rather not make enemies of our own kind. Such conflicts only bring humiliation to both sides."
Master Luo nodded slightly. "Then what does Brother Qian intend to do?"
Master Qian replied, "No matter what has happened before, my Qian family is willing to make peace and befriend this person. As for spirit stones or other compensation, we can discuss those freely. If that is not possible, we only hope that he does not side against us. Even neutrality would be enough. Should he insist on opposing the Qian family, however, then we will have no choice but to bare our fangs."
Master Luo inclined his head. "To take things to such lengths already shows great restraint and sincerity on your part, Brother Qian."
Master Qian then asked, "Master Luo, do you happen to know where this formation master hails from?"
Master Luo shook his head. "I have never met him, nor have I heard of such a person before."
Master Qian's expression dimmed. He had hoped that, since the man was a first-grade formation master, there might be some prior acquaintance between them.
"Do you have any clues?" Master Luo asked.
Master Qian then shared what he knew: that the mysterious formation master had used several first-grade formations and possibly taken a disciple known as the Little Formation Master. Whether that disciple was formally initiated or simply a named student remained uncertain.
"These are some of the formations drawn by that little one."
He passed several formation diagrams to Master Luo.
Master Luo received them, studied them briefly, and nodded with approval. "Remarkably well drawn."
"Can you tell which school or lineage he belongs to?" one of the formation masters asked.
Master Luo pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "They are all basic Five Elements formations, neither rare nor indicative of any sect or family lineage. Nothing can be discerned from these alone."
The others sighed in disappointment and began speculating among themselves about the unknown master's origins.
Master Luo, however, continued to examine the scrolls in silence.
A little formation master… He wondered how young the child might be. The technique and control were indeed impressive.
As he flipped through the diagrams, his brow gradually furrowed. After a moment's thought, he dipped his fingertip into his tea and began sketching something upon the lacquered red table.
Simple formation lines shimmered briefly in the thin layer of tea.
Master Luo drew the same pattern several times. With each repetition, his expression grew heavier, tinged with disbelief.
Master Qian noticed this and asked, "Master Luo, have you discovered something?"
Master Luo hesitated, then forced a neutral tone. "Nothing of consequence."
Yet confusion still lingered in his eyes. After redrawing the pattern several more times, he finally asked slowly,
"These formations, are you certain they were drawn by that Little Formation Master?"
Master Qian looked over. In Master Luo's hand was a small stack of scrolls, the topmost being a Cold Energy Array.
This array was an original, not a copy. The brushwork was fresh, likely drawn quite recently, apparently for cooling purposes.
Master Qian nodded. "Indeed. That array was drawn by the little one himself."
Master Luo tapped his finger against the table, then said after a long pause, "If my judgment is correct, the person who drew this array is a First-Grade Formation Master."
The room fell silent.
Every formation master present stared at one another in astonishment.
"But the Cold Energy Array isn't a first-grade formation," Master Qian said with a frown. "Why do you say that?"
"True," Master Luo replied, "the Cold Energy Array is not a first-grade formation. However, observe the pattern, its core is guided by a precise Formation Pivot, and the brushwork flows seamlessly from start to finish in a single unbroken motion, yet still retains controlled force. That level of mastery indicates profound understanding of the formation's core and a divine sense of exceptional strength. Only someone truly skilled could draw with such ease."
He gestured to the faint tea traces on the table. "I just tried to replicate the array using this technique. It consumes immense divine sense. Without reaching the first-grade level, one could not possibly complete it."
Hearing this, Master Qian immediately took up a brush and paper, copying the technique stroke for stroke.
When he finished, his expression changed dramatically.
Following the pivot-based structure, he completed the pattern in one continuous motion. The speed was astonishing, but the drain on his divine sense was enormous.
Even a formation master near first-grade—capable of sustaining nine full formation lines—would struggle to execute this.
The others, intrigued, tried as well.
Some barely managed to finish; some ran out of divine sense midway; others could only complete half before faltering.
A murmur spread through the room.
"Then… does that mean that Little Formation Master is himself a first-grade formation master?"
"Impossible! Absurd!"
"How could a mere child have reached such a level? Formations are not child's play! To enter the first-grade realm requires years—decades—of accumulation!"
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
Master Luo cleared his throat softly, and the noise subsided. All eyes turned toward him.
"The cultivation world is vast," he said calmly. "There is no shortage of prodigies. A youth ascending to first-grade at a tender age is unlikely, but not impossible. Perhaps we are simply limited by our provincial perspective."
At that, the room fell silent, several people sighing softly in reluctant awe.
Seeing their unease, Master Luo continued, "Of course, this remains a conjecture. We must still verify the truth."
Master Qian nodded. "Indeed. This matter must be investigated carefully."
Despite his words, he too felt a growing certainty that Master Luo was right.
That "Little Formation Master" very likely could draw first-grade formations.
The brushwork was deceptively simple yet profoundly refined, each line concise and precise, embodying true mastery. Even for him, a near first-grade formation master, reproducing it authentically without imitation would be impossible.
Discussion resumed among the others, while Master Luo quietly drank his tea.
As he had said, the cultivation world was immense; geniuses appeared everywhere.
The gap between rogue cultivators and noble families was vast, and between small clans and great lineages, even greater.
What a small city might call a prodigy could seem ordinary when measured against the true breadth of the world.
And in any case, what did another's genius have to do with him?
Master Luo remained tranquil.
Then, as an afterthought, he asked, "By the way, what is this Little Formation Master's name?"
Master Qian replied, "His full name is unknown. Only that his surname is Mo."
(TN: Mo=Ink; Hua=Painting; Mo Hua = Ink Painting)
"Mo…" Master Luo repeated softly. "A fine surname for a formation master. After all, without ink, there can be no formation."
He took another sip of tea. Memories stirred faintly within his Sea of Consciousness.
"Mo… why does that sound so familiar?"
Then he recalled a scene from two years prior, when Instructor Yan had visited him to request that he take on a student.
What had Instructor Yan said that day?
He remembered clearly the man's pleading expression and earnest words:
"Mo Hua is still young, but he is clever, diligent, and exceptionally gifted in formation arts. With just a bit of your guidance, Brother Luo, his future in the Dao of Formations will be limitless…"
Master Luo's heart gave a violent jolt.
It couldn't be… could it?
No. Surely just a coincidence. There must be countless people with the surname Mo.
Still… both named Mo, both gifted in formations, both monstrously talented…
Master Luo drew a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
Even if it were the same person, what of it? So what if he was a prodigy?
So what if he had become a first-grade formation master at barely a dozen years of age?
He, Master Luo, would not regret his decision.
He took another sip of tea... only to realize that the once-fragrant brew had turned bitter on his tongue.
(End of Chapter)