Chapter 220: Visits and Exchanges
Still, all of that would have to wait until after the New Year.
Recently, things had been hectic and noisy, and Mo Hua had been exhausted from drawing formations. At the very least, during the New Year, he could finally relax a little without thinking too much about cultivation or formations.
However, Mo Hua soon realized that even without thinking about cultivation or formations, there were still plenty of matters requiring his attention, foremost among them was sending and returning gifts.
Many of these gifts had to be delivered by Mo Hua himself, and many had to be reciprocated personally as well.
Before, when he was merely an obscure minor cultivator, no one paid him much mind, and there was no need for such formalities.
Now, however, he was a small but reputable formation master. He knew more cultivators, and social exchanges were unavoidable.
For instance, the Division Chief from the Dao Court Division had sent him a jade pendant; the An family had sent fine wine and spirit meat; several smaller families had also sent modest New Year's gifts.
None of them were particularly precious, but each carried sincere intent.
Mo Hua thus selected several families and cultivators he was more familiar with—those with whom he shared deeper ties—and went door to door to express his gratitude.
Notably, both the old Chief from the Dao Court Division and Old Master An were highly esteemed figures in Tōngxiān City. Since they had sent gifts, it would have been improper for Mo Hua not to reciprocate.
Mo Hua's return gifts were simple items he had purchased with spirit stones, but each contained something special: an array personally drawn by him.
A "Blessing" lantern with a Bright Flame Array inside, which would glow in splendid colors when lit; a small screen with a Cold Energy Array to exude refreshing chill; a blanket inscribed with a Warming Array for winter comfort, and so forth.
They were not luxurious, but they were practical, thoughtful, and perfectly suited to his status as a young formation master. Most importantly, they fit within his financial means, Mo Hua did not possess the wealth to buy lavish gifts.
Both the Old Chief and Old Master An were delighted upon receiving them.
The other cultivators who received Mo Hua's gifts were even more thrilled. To receive a personal array from Mo Hua himself was already more than they expected.
Mo Hua also brought gifts to Master Chen.
As the year's end approached, Master Chen remained busy in the Artifact Refinery. The craftsmen there were still forging spiritual tools, likely working until the eve of the New Year before they could finally rest.
Though it was hard work, the extra spirit stones from the sales made it worthwhile.
Master Chen, having no wife or children and only one apprentice, Dazhu, didn't mind the solitude.
Mo Hua brought him plenty of good food and several jars of fine wine. Master Chen's grin nearly split his face.
"These wines are fine. Wine alone is enough for the New Year!"
For a man living alone, good food and drink were companionship enough. He had spent many years like this and never felt lonely. Besides, once the New Year began, his disciples would visit to pay their respects, making things lively enough.
After chatting for a while, Master Chen suddenly asked,
"Want a spiritual artifact?"
"What kind of artifact?"
"Anything you like, just don't pick a sword. Too tricky. I can't refine those well."
"You mean things like blades, spears, staves?"
Master Chen nodded. "Thanks to that furnace you gave me, my craftsmanship has improved a lot. I can now refine first-grade spiritual artifacts. Pick one, I'll make it for you to use for protection."
Mo Hua thought for a while, but he truly didn't know what to choose.
"I'm not a body cultivator. Those won't be much use to me…"
"No matter," Master Chen said with a chuckle. "Honestly, my hands just itch to forge more things."
Mo Hua was speechless.
"Don't you take commissions from others?" he asked.
"I do, but those aren't urgent. I can handle them later. Let me make yours first."
Mo Hua was tempted to ask for something dramatic—like a Zhangba Steel-Tipped Spear or a Green Dragon Crescent Blade—but those would be utterly impractical for him.
"Then perhaps forge one for my father instead?"
"No need. Elder Yu already has arrangements for him. You needn't worry about that."
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Master Chen smiled. "If nothing else, I'll forge you a small knife. Good for slicing meat or peeling fruit."
Mo Hua's expression was complicated. "I'll… think about it."
A first-grade spiritual artifact turned into a fruit knife... it somehow didn't feel quite right.
Master Chen nodded. "Alright, tell me when you decide."
Mo Hua then went to visit Elder Feng.
Before, Elder Feng had only worked at the Apricot Medicinal Hall, rarely leaving his clinic except to treat patients.
Now that the Alchemy Workshop had been completed, he often visited to oversee it. Many cultivators even sought him out there to be treated or to request pills.
Mo Hua found him checking through medicinal pills and prescriptions, testing batches for quality.
Mo Hua presented his New Year's gift, and Elder Feng immediately stuffed a pile of pills into his hands in return: detoxifying pills, anti-miasma pills, mind-calming pills, fasting pills, hemostatic pills, and even a few life-saving Small Recovery Pills.
Each bottle was neatly labeled with its name and purpose.
After Mo Hua thanked him and prepared to leave, Elder Feng stopped him again and pressed another vial into his hand.
Mo Hua sniffed it curiously. "Grandpa Feng, what's this one? It smells sweet and sour."
"Digestive pills," Elder Feng said. "For your stomach. I'm worried you eat too much and hurt yourself. Take a few after meals, or as snacks if you get peckish."
Mo Hua smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa Feng!"
After several days of gift-giving and returning, Mo Hua finally felt some relief... until yet another delivery arrived.
This time, it came from Master Luo, though the storage chest—bright red and gilded—was so large and ornate it nearly filled Mo Hua's courtyard.
Upon opening it, Mo Hua was stunned.
Inside were not only Master Luo's gifts but also some from Master Qian.
It seemed the latter had chosen to send his gifts quietly under Master Luo's name to avoid public notice.
Master Luo's gifts were modest and all related to formations.
Master Qian's, however, were far more luxurious: fine clothes, delicacies, and assorted treasures. Clearly, this was an unspoken apology and gesture of goodwill.
Mo Hua thought for a while, then accepted them.
He had no direct enmity with Master Qian; it was better to turn a page and form a friendly tie. Moreover, he might need Master Qian's help in the future.
Since Master Luo had sent gifts, Mo Hua also prepared some in return and personally went to visit him.
Master Luo was far older, and proper etiquette demanded a personal visit.
His residence was one of the grandest in Tōngxiān City, opulent, elegant, and magnificent.
Outside stood numerous cloud-carriages, belonging to cultivators and stewards from various families delivering gifts.
However, as Master Luo was a first-grade formation master, his threshold was high. Most visitors either could not gain entrance or had to line up and wait for an audience.
The crowd of carriages and people was immense, the sight dazzling to behold.
So this was the true status of a certified formation master of the Dao Court, prestige beyond compare.
Yet with so many people waiting, Mo Hua suspected he might not even get through the gate.
Just as he considered returning and trying another day, one of Master Luo's disciples spotted him.
(End of Chapter)