Chapter 47: Origins
Chapter 47: Origins
After several days, Mo Hua became quite proficient in the Meditation Technique. His spiritual sense recovered at more than double the previous speed after entering a meditative state. Originally, it would take half a day to finish drawing an array, but now it only took two or three cups of tea worth of time.
However, as he continued to deepen his understanding of the meditation technique, he felt that his progress had stagnated.
This was probably what Mr. Zhuang meant when he said that meditation required a calm mind. If there weren't any significant changes in one's mental state over a period of time, the effects of meditation wouldn't strengthen. It required persistence over a long period for the effects of meditation to gradually improve.
This was a gradual process, and one couldn't rush it in a short amount of time.
Thanks to the meditation technique, Mo Hua was able to draw more arrays each day, and the rate at which his spiritual sense grew also increased slightly.
For almost a month afterward, Mo Hua spent most of his time studying array formations with Mr. Zhuang.
Sometimes, when Mr. Zhuang felt lazy, he would give Mo Hua a few days off.
Mo Hua took the opportunity to visit Youyuan Hall and look for Mo Guanshi. He said that he was going to be studying array formations with a teacher and wouldn't have time to help Youyuan Hall draw arrays anymore.
Mo Guanshi was not surprised. He just glanced at Mo Hua and asked, "Wasn't it your brother who drew the array?"
Mo Hua scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.
Mo Guanshi sighed and looked at Mo Hua, saying, "In my life, I've never seen a child with as much talent as you. Regardless, study hard."
"Okay, Mo Guanshi!"
Mo Guanshi paused for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed, but he still quietly said, "In the future, if... cough cough... I mean, if there's ever something I need your help with, you'll help me out, won't you...?"
"Guanshi, don't worry. With the relationship between us, these things are easy to discuss." Mo Hua patted his chest confidently.
Mo Guanshi smiled wryly, saying, "You're quite bold," but his expression clearly showed that he was much happier.
Mo Hua thought for a moment and then asked, "Where did Yan Jiaoxue go? Do you know, Mo Guanshi?"
Mo Guanshi fell silent and then sighed. "This is his personal matter, and it concerns the sect. I'm not in a position to tell you. If you still want to know when you're older, I'll tell you then."
Mo Hua nodded silently.
After Dai Hu and the other two left the sect, they also had more free time.
When they had nothing to do, they would come to find Mo Hua to play. Occasionally, when the restaurant was busy, they would help out and then enjoy a bowl of hot beef noodles. Liu Ruhua would even let them take some other snacks home.
From time to time, when Mo Shan was at home, he would guide them in some martial arts and Taoist techniques.
The techniques of cultivators were divided into two categories: spells and martial arts.
Spiritual cultivators practiced spells, while physical cultivators trained in martial arts.
Martial arts techniques used spiritual power to activate the potential of the physical body, allowing it to explode with powerful force and manifest the attributes of the spiritual power itself in close-quarters combat.
For example, Mo Shan was skilled in the Fiery Fist technique. When he made a move, his punches were swift and fierce, surrounded by red fire-attributed spiritual power, making them quite formidable.
Dai Hu and the other two followed Mo Shan in their body tempering, and their fists danced with vigor. Mo Hua watched them with envy.
Unfortunately, Mo Hua lacked the talent for body tempering, so he couldn't learn any of these martial arts techniques. Even if he wanted to learn offensive techniques in the future, he would likely have to follow the path of a spiritual cultivator and learn spells.
Spells involved using spiritual sense to manipulate spiritual power and condense it into a spell, allowing for long-range attacks without the need for close combat.
Dai Hu and the others studied diligently, as they were already close to reaching the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. Once they reached that level, they would enter the Great Black Mountain and become demon hunters.
The Great Black Mountain was treacherous, and the demons within were ferocious. If one's skills were not refined, entering the mountain to hunt demons could mean risking one's life. Therefore, they dared not slack off in their training.
The restaurant's business also improved day by day. As time went on, its reputation grew, and even wealthy cultivators from Beidajie would specifically travel from north to south across Tongxian City to eat a plate of beef and drink a jar of brewed rice wine.
At this moment, Bai Zisheng, who had been holding back his curiosity, finally asked, "Is the book you're reading 'An Introduction to the Five Elements Array'?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Bai Zisheng asked in confusion, "You've been studying under Mr. Zhuang, and you're only up to this point? This is the book our tribe uses to introduce arrays to three and four-year-old children..."
Mo Hua was a little unhappy. He didn't mind the questioning of his own abilities, but he wouldn't tolerate anyone doubting Mr. Zhuang.
Mo Hua retorted, "Then was this book written by a three or four-year-old child?"
Bai Zisheng paused, "Well, no, although these basic array books seem simple, they are compiled by accomplished array masters because they involve important foundational concepts."
"Since they are compiled by those array masters, why shouldn't I read them? The simpler something is, the more profound the principles it contains. The Tao is fundamentally simple, returning to the essence of things. Even high-level arrays are composed of the most basic array patterns."
Mo Hua, imitating Mr. Zhuang, put on an air of profound mystery.
However, due to his limited life experiences, he could only manage to capture three-fourths of Mr. Zhuang's demeanor, but that was more than enough to impress Bai Zisheng.
Bai Zisheng looked at Mo Hua with newfound respect, having finally understood.
But after a moment, he asked in confusion, "Your cultivation level is so low. You seem only two or three years older than me and Zixi, but you're only at the third layer of Qi Refinement. Normally, you should be at the fifth or sixth layer at least, right..."
Mo Hua found this person a bit annoying. When he was well-fed, he tended to talk too much. He seemed more pleasant when his stomach was empty and he didn't have the energy to speak.
Mo Hua didn't feel like paying attention to him, and Xue Yi, feeling apologetic, said, "I apologize for Zisheng's bluntness. May I ask what it's like to be Mr. Zhuang's apprentice? What do you do daily?"
Bai Zisheng wanted to argue, but a glance from Bai Zixi stopped him, and he swallowed his words.
Mo Hua didn't mind and replied, "There's not much to it. I mostly practice cultivation and study on my own. When Mr. Zhuang has free time, I ask him questions, but I make sure not to disturb his sleep."
Bai Zisheng asked, "Is Mr. Zhuang's mastery of arrays truly that high? This place seems rather ordinary, and there don't seem to be any special arrays here. Usually, the residences of array masters are covered in intricate arrays, aren't they?"
Mo Hua countered, "If Mr. Zhuang's array mastery isn't that high, why did you go through so much trouble to become his disciple?"
Bai Zisheng said, "That's of course because..."
"Young Master!" Xue Yi interrupted Bai Zisheng, who realized he had spoken out of turn. He quickly covered it up by saying, "Because I had only heard about it before and hadn't witnessed it personally, so I wanted to ask you."
"Oh~" Mo Hua gave him a suspicious look but didn't say anything else.
I feel like more people are reading the book lately, so I'll just say a few words (^^)
:
First of all, whether the comments are good or bad, I'll read them all, but I may not have time to reply to every single one, so please bear with me.
Generally speaking, it's hard to write a long novel that's exciting from start to finish.
If you want to tell a complete story from beginning to end, some amount of setup is inevitable.
The content that has been updated so far can be strictly considered the "setup phase" of the plot.
I'm laying the groundwork for the world-building, power systems, protagonist, other characters, life at the lower realms, and the emotions of cultivators, among other things.
I try to write these parts in a detailed and interesting way, but I'm aware that some readers may still find them a bit bland. There's not much I can do about that.
After the setup, the plot will gradually unfold.
The world of cultivation will be revealed bit by bit, from the small to the large, from the lower realms to the higher ones, from the micro to the macro.
The protagonist will also grow step by step, building his ability system, meeting new people, engaging in more intriguing events, and gaining clarity on the Tao he seeks.
In fact, I've already written some of the more exciting plot points, but I haven't updated the story to that point yet.
But it shouldn't take too long~
Lastly, as expected, this story will be quite long, so rest assured and enjoy the journey~
I also hope that everyone will be happy reading it. (=^_^=)
Thank you.
(End of Chapter)
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