Chapter 228: The Path to Foundation Establishment
Mo Hua was completely dumbfounded.
To become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, one must first possess the Divine-Sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet to possess that Divine-Sense, one must already have reached Foundation Establishment.
As the saying goes, "The skilled swimmer drowns, and the skilled rider falls."
What was once his advantage—his abnormally strong Divine-Sense—had now turned into an obstacle.
He silently reviewed the ways to strengthen his Divine-Sense.
First, his current cultivation was at the seventh layer of Qi-Refining. Advancing to the eighth and ninth layers would naturally enhance his Divine-Sense.
Second, he could continue practicing formations on the Dao Stele.
Drawing formations ordinarily helped temper Divine-Sense and allowed gradual growth. That was precisely why formation masters possessed stronger Divine-Sense than ordinary cultivators.
However, when he practiced on the Dao Stele, his mind became crystal clear, as if enlightened; thus, his Divine-Sense improved even more markedly.
Beyond that, Mo Hua could not think of any other methods to enhance it.
He asked cautiously, "Sir, is it truly possible for me to possess the Divine-Sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator before reaching Foundation Establishment?"
"How would you know if you never try?"
A glint flashed in Mister Zhuang's eyes. "Judging by the speed of your Divine-Sense growth, it is not impossible."
Mo Hua nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in his heart. "Sir, is there no other way to strengthen Divine-Sense?"
Then his eyes brightened. "What about the Visualization Diagrams you mentioned before?"
"Visualization Diagrams…" Mister Zhuang paused, his gaze deepening. "They are exceedingly rare and often conceal hidden dangers. Unless absolutely necessary, you should not touch them, let alone rely upon them."
Mo Hua felt a chill run down his spine.
Mister Zhuang continued, "Aside from that, there are no other reliable methods. You can only depend on practicing formations, learning and training diligently. Although, what you practice can differ somewhat."
He drew from his robe a thin booklet and an ancient formation diagram. "This is the Collected Discourses on Formation Dissolution, and this is a rather special formation."
Mo Hua blinked. "Sir, did you prepare these beforehand?"
Otherwise, how could he have produced them so promptly?
Mister Zhuang sighed lightly. The child was far too perceptive.
"Preparation is the foundation of success, and the lack of it leads to failure. The same principle applies to learning," Mister Zhuang instructed.
Mo Hua nodded in agreement. Hunting demons was the same, adequate preparation ensured measured responses.
Pointing to the Collected Discourses on Formation Dissolution, Mister Zhuang said, "This book concerns the art of unweaving formations. It contains intricate principles, more difficult than the last one I gave you. Take it home, study it carefully, and practice dissolving formations when you can."
"Drawing formations tempers Divine-Sense; dissolving them does so even more effectively."
Mo Hua turned to the other diagram. "And this formation?"
"This one too is for honing your Divine-Sense."
Mo Hua studied it and frowned. "It seems… incomplete?"
Mister Zhuang nodded. "Incomplete is sufficient. The complete one is beyond your ability to reproduce."
"Beyond my ability?" Mo Hua examined it again and was startled. "Sir, is this a first-grade formation? Why are there nine and a half formation lines?"
Wasn't it said that a first-grade single formation could have at most nine lines?
Mister Zhuang's expression grew solemn.
"Do you remember what I told you before? The Dao Court's grading system follows its own conventions, yet the Heavenly Dao contains anomalies beyond human classification."
"Nine lines make a first grade, ten lines a second. A first-grade formation containing ten lines is a Heavenly anomaly."
"This Spirit-Reversal Formation contains ten first-grade lines, it is one such anomaly, existing outside the Dao Court's formal tradition."
Mo Hua was profoundly shocked. It was his first encounter with such a mysterious inheritance.
He gazed upon the Spirit-Reversal Formation with reverence.
The parchment was ancient, the patterns obscure, the pivot arcane. A single glance conveyed unfathomable profundity. Indeed, as Mister Zhuang had said, it carried the unpredictable variance of the Heavenly Dao itself.
Moreover, one corner of the formation was missing, giving it an air of weighty antiquity.
Mo Hua asked carefully, "Was the missing section lost during transmission?"
"No," Mister Zhuang said casually. "I just tore it off."
"Ah…" Mo Hua's thoughts scattered.
"The complete Spirit-Reversal Formation is too difficult. You would not manage it, so I tore away one corner, leaving nine and a half lines, suitable for your study."
Mo Hua was momentarily speechless.
He could not decide whether to praise Mister Zhuang's thoughtfulness or lament his startling decisiveness.
"Isn't a ten-line first-grade formation extremely precious? You just tore it?" he asked softly.
"Most cultivators cannot comprehend it anyway. Better that it not collect dust in my chest," Mister Zhuang replied. "Master the nine and a half lines first. Once you do, I shall give you a complete version."
"Yes, Sir!"
Then Mo Hua's eyes lit up again. "Wait—Spirit-Reversal Formation… is it used to dissolve a formation's core?"
Typically, the core of a formation was a Spirit-Gathering Array, and the way to undo it was indeed through a Spirit-Reversal Formation.
Yet, none of the formation books Mo Hua had read ever contained such a record.
He now understood why... ten-line first-grade formations, anomalies of the Heavenly Dao, the heritage of great clans. No wonder they were omitted from ordinary manuals.
Mister Zhuang nodded. "So you see, these two studies are in fact one, the study of dissolution."
"To temper Divine-Sense through dissolution, you must first learn to unravel formation lines, then to unmake the core itself through the Spirit-Reversal Formation. Two paths leading to the same end."
Mo Hua's eyes widened with understanding. As expected of Mister Zhuang, his foresight was profound.
From now on, he only needed to focus on mastering dissolution and tempering his Divine-Sense.
Once it grew strong enough, Foundation Establishment would be within reach.
"Mister," Mo Hua asked again, "besides being an 'intellectual exercise' or for tempering Divine-Sense, does dissolution have any real practical use?"
Ever the pragmatist, he believed that learning must have application, otherwise it was wasted effort.
Mister Zhuang's lips curved subtly. "The purpose of dissolution is naturally to dismantle formations."
"One can break formations by brute force or spiritual power too, right? What advantage does dissolution hold?"
"Breaking is crude and noisy," Mister Zhuang said disdainfully. "Dissolution is refined and silent. You can unravel another's formation without them ever realizing it."
Mo Hua nodded thoughtfully.
"There is more," Mister Zhuang added. "To dissolve another's formation is not only to dismantle their work, it can also shatter their Dao Heart."
"Dao Heart?"
"When a formation master's proudest creation is unraveled by your hand, line by line, his Dao Heart falters. The weak-willed may even see it collapse entirely."
A sly smile tugged at the corners of Mister Zhuang's handsome face.
Mo Hua gave him a puzzled look. "Sir… you've done this before, haven't you?"
Mister Zhuang ruffled his hair with a long finger. "Nosy as ever."
Mo Hua chuckled sheepishly.
"Go and study," Mister Zhuang waved. "A true formation master must excel in both drawing and dissolution."
"Yes, Sir!"
Mo Hua carefully stored the Collected Discourses on Formation Dissolution and the incomplete Spirit-Reversal Formation into his Storage Pouch, then bowed and took his leave.
Watching him depart, Mister Zhuang sighed. "This disciple… is becoming increasingly hard to teach."
Old Kui appeared beside him, his expression calm. "You chose an interesting method."
Mister Zhuang heard the faint mockery in his tone but remained unfazed.
"For one who aspires to mastery of formations, Divine-Sense is paramount. Refining it facilitates both formation study and realm advancement, two gains with one effort."
"Have you ever seen a cultivator who possessed the Divine-Sense of Foundation Establishment before reaching that stage?"
"The records mention such cases, though I have not witnessed one myself."
Mister Zhuang's gaze drifted beyond the corridor and courtyard, settling with faint expectation beneath the great pagoda tree, where Mo Hua was chatting with the Bai siblings.
"That is why I wish to witness it personally."
Old Kui's eyes narrowed. "It will not be easy."
"I know," Mister Zhuang replied softly. "Yet I had underestimated this art before. The Celestial Evolution Art... if one can truly break through with it, no price would be too high."
Old Kui was mildly astonished.
Mister Zhuang's gaze grew distant and profound, lingering on Mo Hua's silhouette.
"Celestial Evolution… the evolution of Heaven's Dao itself…"
(End of Chapter)