Chapter 74: The Heavenly Dao Technique
Chapter 74: The Heavenly Dao Technique
Mo Hua found Mr. Zhuang as he was taking a leisurely rest.
Mo Hua opened the lunch box, which contained beef prepared in various styles, along with some refreshing vegetables and fruits that would go well with alcohol. The aroma of the food and wine slowly filled the air.
Mr. Zhuang opened his eyes. "You've reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Good job."
Mo Hua smiled. "Thanks to your guidance, sir."
Mr. Zhuang waved his hand and slowly sat up. He took a sip of wine and tasted the meat before lying down again, looking completely relaxed.
"How's your progress with array formations?"
"I've been trying to create array formations with seven array patterns. My spiritual sense should be sufficient, but I still need to practice more to perfect the formations."
Mr. Zhuang's expression remained unchanged, but his chewing slowed down as he muttered, "Fourth level of Qi Refinement and seven array patterns..."
"Sir, should I continue learning array formations as before?" Mo Hua asked after a moment of hesitation.
"Do you have any doubts?"
Mo Hua shook his head. "Learning by doing and practicing arrays on different media while applying their effects can indeed deepen one's understanding of formations..."
"Then just keep at it," Mr. Zhuang said. "Becoming a first-rate array master, or even higher, is difficult yet simple at the same time. All you need to do is persist in drawing array formations, again and again. It's just that not many people can truly stick with it."
Mr. Zhuang's words carried a hint of profound meaning.
Mo Hua's worries faded, and just as he was about to take his leave, Mr. Zhuang suddenly asked, "Have there been any changes with your Heavenly Dao Technique?"
"Yes, my spiritual power has become stronger."
"It's normal for your spiritual power to increase when you break through to a new realm. It has nothing to do with your cultivation technique," Mr. Zhuang said.
"Then... my spiritual sense has also improved."
"Breaking through to a new realm will naturally enhance your spiritual sense. It's unrelated to your cultivation technique."
"I feel like my spiritual sense is more adept at controlling my spiritual power..." Mo Hua trailed off, suddenly unsure, "...is this also unrelated to my cultivation technique?"
For a fleeting moment, Mo Hua felt like Mr. Zhuang's gaze had sharpened, but when he looked again, it seemed unchanged. Perhaps that brief instant had just been his imagination.
"Draw an array formation for me," Mr. Zhuang said calmly.
"Oh," Mo Hua took out some paper, spread it out, and held a brush, asking, "Which type of array formation would you like, sir?"
"Draw a Three Talents Array."
"Yes, sir."
Mo Hua had practiced the Three Talents Array not long ago and remembered it well, so he completed it in one go. He was fairly satisfied with his work, but when he looked at Mr. Zhuang, he noticed that the latter's attention didn't seem to be on the array formation.
"Sir, is there something wrong with it?"
Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment before replying, "Your speed of drawing array formations has increased."
"Isn't it normal for my speed to increase after breaking through to a new realm?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.
"No!" Mr. Zhuang denied it emphatically.
"The strength of one's spiritual sense determines whether one is qualified to learn array formations. One's understanding of formations determines whether they can successfully draw them. Only when one has reached a certain level of proficiency will their speed of drawing formations improve, and at that point, the only factor influencing their speed is the control of their spiritual sense."
"Control of the spiritual sense?"
"Indeed," Mr. Zhuang said, "In the path of cultivation, the control of one's spiritual sense is extremely important in various practices, such as spells, controlling objects, and drawing arrays. Your cultivation level is still low, so you haven't encountered this aspect yet, but you will understand in the future."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up with anticipation. "So, is my cultivation technique still... pretty powerful?"
Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua and hesitated before answering, "In the vast world of cultivation, there are all sorts of extraordinary techniques. Some are so powerful that they can defy the heavens and change fate in ways one couldn't even imagine. Your technique is decent, at least better than most common techniques."
Mr. Zhuang continued, "That being said, it's important to always be vigilant. It's best not to discuss your cultivation practices with others. If someone discovers the uniqueness of your cultivation technique, they will surely try to seize it, regardless of your life or death."
"Yes, yes!" Mo Hua nodded vigorously.
While he hadn't personally encountered any incidents of murder for treasure or inheritance, he had read about them countless times in stories, so he understood the gravity of the situation all too well.
As the saying goes, 'a protruding beam will rot,' and 'a fattened pig is destined for slaughter.'
"Then, what if someone asks why your spiritual sense is so keen? What will you say?" Mr. Zhuang posed a question to test Mo Hua's wit.
"Umm... should I say that I have... extraordinary talent?" Mo Hua replied hesitantly.
Mr. Zhuang wore an expression that seemed to say, 'this child can be taught.'
"Won't that make me a target for bullies?" Mo Hua asked, unsure.
"When you say this, you can be humble in your tone. Even if you get beaten up, it's still better than being captured, tortured, and killed, right?" Mr. Zhuang reasoned gently.
Mo Hua found his logic compelling. Indeed, Mr. Zhuang's wealth of experience shone through once more.
After discussing cultivation techniques, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something. "Sir, what exactly is a 'fu array'?"
"You've seen a fu array?"
"Yes, Mr. Feng from the Xinglin Pavilion uses a Wood-Fire Spirit Control Array, which is a type of fu array, in his pill furnace."
"Ah, a fu array... That's a complicated topic," Mr. Zhuang said, then gestured toward the corner of the room.
Only then did Mo Hua notice Guai Lao, who had been standing inconspicuously in the corner, his presence completely veiled by his lack of aura.
Guai Lao retreated behind a bookshelf and soon reappeared with a thick book, which he handed to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua took the book and saw the title, 'An Introduction to Fu Arrays,' written on the inside cover.
"This book contains knowledge about fu arrays, including several basic fu array diagrams as examples. You can browse through it to broaden your horizons, but don't spend too much time on it. It's too early for you to study this in depth," Mr. Zhuang instructed.
Mo Hua was thrilled. He had initially felt guilty for disturbing Mr. Zhuang's rest, but now he could study the book on his own and consult Bai Zixi or Bai Zisheng if he had any questions. He could then seek further guidance from Mr. Zhuang if necessary, making the most of his time and causing minimal disruption to Mr. Zhuang's leisure. After all, Mr. Zhuang's interests were limited to eating and sleeping.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhuang!"
Mo Hua then turned his attention to Guai Lao, looking around for him but failing to spot him again. After a moment, he realized that Guai Lao was actually right beside him.
It seemed that Guai Lao could make himself visible or invisible at will; when he wanted Mo Hua to see him, he could, and when he didn't, he blended seamlessly into the surroundings.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, or maybe Guai Lao was exceptionally skilled at concealing his aura.
Mo Hua handed a storage bag to Guai Lao, which contained seven or eight boxes of pine nuts specially roasted by his mother.
As Guai Lao accepted the bag, a hint of pleasure flashed in his eyes...
Although his expression remained unchanged, Mo Hua sensed that he was indeed pleased.
"Sir, I won't disturb your meditation any further." Mo Hua bowed and happily took his leave.
Mr. Zhuang heaved a sigh and remarked, "What a good child. So considerate!"
He took another bite of meat, sipped his wine, and lay back leisurely.
(End of Chapter)
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