Chapter 120: Preparations
Chapter 120: Preparations
To teach others about formations, Mo Hua sought advice from Master Zhuang.
Master Zhuang was amenable to the idea. "What I've taught you, you may pass on to others as long as you are willing."
Mo Hua was delighted. "Thank you, Master!"
Master Zhuang, enjoying his meal and wine, looked intrigued and asked, "There's no real benefit to teaching others, is there? Don't you find it troublesome?"
"Instructor Yan once told me that the path of formations is like water. Only by passing on this knowledge can it thrive and endure," Mo Hua replied.
A hint of surprise flashed across Master Zhuang's face.
Mo Hua continued, his gaze fixed on Master Zhuang, "Master, you have imparted the knowledge of formations to me, and this is a form of inheritance. Although my understanding and skill in formations are limited, within my capacity, I wish to pass on these formations to others as well. This way, I won't betray your guidance, and the path of formations will thrive and endure."
"Thrive and endure, you say..." Master Zhuang's slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his bamboo chair. "But what does it matter if it thrives and endures?"
Mo Hua's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered this. After a moment, he replied, "Formations are a manifestation of the rules of the heavenly path. To study formations is to comprehend the heavenly path, to draw formations is to practice the heavenly path, and to teach formations is to pass on the heavenly path. Cultivators seek the path to longevity, and for formations to thrive and endure means the heavenly path will flow forever..."
Master Zhuang's eyes glinted with a spark of approval, and he nodded. "Well said. The Dao gives birth to all things and transforms all things."
He looked at Mo Hua and added, "No matter what happens in the future, don't forget your original aspiration."
"Yes, Master!" Mo Hua replied.
After Mo Hua left, Master Zhuang lay back in his bamboo chair and raised his right hand, staring at his palm.
It was now empty, devoid of spiritual energy, unable to draw formations, and incapable of grasping anything. It was as if he held nothing at all.
"Inheritance, huh..." Master Zhuang's gaze turned deep and carried a hint of bitterness.
With Master Zhuang's permission to teach formations, Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhou'er was still young, but he could learn some formations from him, even if they were just the simple ones. That way, he would be able to make a living in the future.
Mo Hua continued with his preparations for entering Da Hei Mountain.
He had already learned how to make traps and the tricks for setting them up effectively.
Over the next few days, Mo Hua used the remaining spirit ink he had to draw five Earth-Fire Formations and several other minor formations that might come in handy during their expedition.
Through subtle inquiries, he also learned from Mo Shan about the rules, taboos, and general process of hunting demon beasts outside Da Hei Mountain, as well as the methods employed by demon hunters.
With all the preparations in place, Mo Hua sought out the trio of Da Hu, Xiao Hu, and Wei Hu.
The three of them had shed their youthful naivety and now carried themselves with a more mature air, though traces of their adolescence still lingered in their features.
Having ventured into Da Hei Mountain, they had experienced injuries, shed blood, and quietly shed tears. Now, they were gradually adapting to the life of demon hunters. While they couldn't handle things on their own yet, they could at least assist the demon hunting team, and after hunting demon beasts, they would receive a share of the spirit stones.
However, these spirit stones were but a drop in the bucket when faced with the hardships of life.
The trio had just returned from a demon beast hunt with the team and were taking a few days off before venturing into the mountain again.
They were delighted when Mo Hua came to see them.
"I have something to discuss with you," Mo Hua said, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed on the sour-sweet wild fruit that Meng Dan had given him.
The three friends paused, curious. "What is it?"
"I'm going into Da Hei Mountain, too!" Mo Hua declared.
The trio stared at him, mouths agape, shaking their heads in unison like rattles.
"No, no, no!" Da Hu exclaimed. "It's too dangerous in there. You can't go!"
"Yes, you're only at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. It's not safe for you," Xiao Hu added.
"And you're not a Body Refiner. What if you get hurt?" Wei Hu chimed in.
He could withstand injuries himself, but if a demon beast were to strike Mo Hua, he would probably perish instantly.
Da Hu's fears grew, and he spoke with even more determination. "You really can't go!"
Mo Hua scratched his head. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
The twins asked together, "Then why do you want to go into Da Hei Mountain?"
"To hunt demons, of course!" Mo Hua replied.
The mention of hunting demons startled the trio, making them even more opposed to the idea of Mo Hua joining them.
"If you don't let me go, I'll just sneak in by myself, and that would be even more dangerous," Mo Hua argued.
Of course, he had no intention of doing that; venturing into Da Hei Mountain alone would be suicidal.
The three brothers were now in a dilemma.
Mo Hua seized the opportunity and asked, "Now that you're demon hunters, are you still not earning many spirit stones?"
The trio didn't want to admit it, but they nodded.
They had only recently adapted to their roles and could only assist the team, so their share of the spirit stones was meager.
"I have a way to hunt demon beasts, but I need your help," Mo Hua said.
Xiao Hu couldn't contain his curiosity. "What's your plan?"
"Arrays!" Mo Hua exclaimed. "I'll set up arrays to lure the demon beasts, severely injuring them with explosions. Then, the three of you can finish them off."
Da Hu still had his concerns. "But what about you?"
"I'll set up the arrays and hide nearby," Mo Hua explained. "Once the demon beasts are injured by the explosions, you take them out, and then I'll come out. There won't be any danger."
"But can arrays really injure demon beasts...?"
"Don't worry, I'll set up multiple arrays. Even if the explosions don't kill them, the demon beasts will be badly wounded," Mo Hua assured them.
He had originally prepared these arrays to deal with Qian Xing, but since Qian Xing had lost his wits out of fear, they could now be used against demon beasts.
The three brothers exchanged glances, trusting in Mo Hua's arrays but still feeling apprehensive.
"Don't you want Aunt Meng to have a better life?" Mo Hua asked.
The brothers fell silent. Of course, they wanted that.
Aunt Meng had endured many hardships to raise them, and sometimes, when she didn't want the children to see her tears, she would quietly hide and wipe them away alone.
The three brothers lowered their heads, their eyes slightly reddened.
Mo Hua sighed and patted their shoulders. "Don't worry, I won't do anything I'm not confident about."
Xiao Hu hesitated. "Are you really that confident?"
"We can try it tomorrow or the day after," Mo Hua suggested. "We'll go into the outer mountains first and find a weak demon beast to test it on. If it works, great. If not, we can still run away."
"We can escape, but can you?" The twins looked at Mo Hua and asked gently.
"Don't worry, I've specifically learned a body movement technique," Mo Hua boasted. "I assure you, no demon beast can hurt me."
"What kind of body movement technique is it?"
"The person who taught me didn't want me to tell others," Mo Hua said.
"Who taught you?"
"A kind-hearted uncle who happened to pass by. I don't know his name," Mo Hua replied matter-of-factly.
Da Hu looked at Mo Hua skeptically. "He wasn't a swindler, was he?"
"How could he be? This body movement technique is incredible," Mo Hua boasted.
The three brothers glanced at each other and finally relented. "Alright, we'll take you into the outer mountains, but only once. If anything unexpected happens, you must run away."
Mo Hua quickly nodded. "Don't worry, my life is mine to protect, and I won't lose it."
And so, two days later, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Mo Hua met up with the three brothers outside Tongxian City.
They set off together, heading towards the ominous Da Hei Mountain, shrouded in demonic energy.
(End of Chapter)
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