Chapter 23: Talent
Instructor Yan asked, "Is it possible for a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining to draw array formations?"
"Well, theoretically, yes," the plump steward mused, then added,
"The cultivation world is vast, and geniuses are as countless as stars. If you told me someone was born able to draw arrays, I'd probably believe it. Though it's all hearsay—I've never seen it with my own eyes."
"Even that prodigy who forgot his roots and betrayed his master and sect… ahem, he was born into an array formation clan. He started learning arrays from a young age, so by the third level of Qi Refining, he could draw simple formations with three array patterns."
"And let's not forget the major clans and sects—who knows how deep their legacies go? They surely have array geniuses among their disciples too. It's just that they rarely show it publicly."
Instructor Yan said, "If that's the case, then Mo Hua being able to draw formations at Qi Refining level three… isn't impossible."
The steward didn't want to admit it, but at this point, he had no choice.
This Senior Brother Yan—though stubborn—was always meticulous and sharp-eyed.
"If it's really true, then that's quite something. Are you going to take a disciple?"
The steward paused and continued, "If you ask me, that kid is a promising seedling. Why don't you formally take him as your disciple? It'd be a good way to pass on the formations your master taught you."
Instructor Yan hadn't considered that. At the suggestion, he was clearly tempted. But after thinking carefully, he shook his head and said:
"The sect is in decline. What's left of our formations are mostly fragmented scripts and broken patterns. What's there to pass down? Taking him as a disciple would only delay him on the path. Besides, my master's final wish is still unfulfilled. That traitor remains untraceable—I can't bring myself to focus on anything else."
The steward wanted to persuade him further, but Instructor Yan simply waved it off.
The steward sighed. "Fine, I won't nag. Not like you ever listen. But what about the kid, Mo Hua?"
"Don't tell anyone for now. 'A tree that stands above the forest will be the first to feel the wind'—it's an ancient truth. He's still young. If we let him grow arrogant, he might stray from the right path."
The steward agreed. "That's true."
Instructor Yan continued, "And stop giving him array orders here. Just say business is bad or something."
Though business was bad, being called out on it bruised the steward's pride. He corrected,
"It's not 'bad business,' it's laissez-faire spiritual commerce. Sales depend on fate!"
"Besides, he's doing fine—drawing arrays, earning spirit stones, helping his family. Why stop him?"
Instructor Yan frowned. "He's only at the third layer of Qi Refining. Even if he can draw arrays, how much divine sense could he possibly have? Drawing too many will deplete his mind and damage the foundation of his sea of consciousness."
"And he's still young. Now is the time to build a solid foundation—not just in formations, but in all aspects of cultivation. Especially his core cultivation. He can't sacrifice long-term growth for short-term gains."
The steward countered, "Rogue cultivators don't exactly live comfortably, you know. Spirit stones are always in short supply."
"Even so, you can't just ignore the future..."
"Do you even know how poor the average rogue cultivator is?"
For once, the steward's face grew serious.
Instructor Yan, noticing his expression, furrowed his brows slightly.
The steward solemnly said, "I know you didn't have it easy growing up. You had a family, but as a concubine-born child, you weren't valued. You later joined a sect and received your master's personal guidance. You worked hard, improved in array formations, and things slowly got better. Even if your early days were rough, you still had a family name, had food and clothes, and weren't in danger of starving. Maybe your life wasn't ideal—but you were never in real hardship."
"People always say cultivating is hard," the steward sighed, "but after spending ten years here in Tongxian City and meeting all kinds of rogue cultivators, I realized something—not all hardships are equal."
"Most rogue cultivators struggle just to get by. Their income barely covers their needs. A blacksmith might get half his body scorched by furnace fire. A demon hunter might lose an arm to a beast. Those who sell spiritual energy for manual labor often have damaged meridians. And if they get sick or injured, they don't have spirit stones for healing. Whether they live or die depends on whether the heavens feel merciful."
"If they survive, great. If they don't—well, some cling to life, burning through their family's savings until they drag everyone down with them. But what else can they do? They just want to live."
"Sure, cultivators need to plan for the future. But these people… they're too busy surviving the present to even think that far ahead."
The steward finished his speech and poured himself a cup of tea, downing it in one go.
Instructor Yan fell silent, then after a moment, sighed and said sincerely:
"…I was being shortsighted."
The steward rolled his eyes.
After a brief pause, Instructor Yan said, "Give me your registry of array commissions."
"What for?" the steward asked, puzzled. But he still dutifully went behind the counter and brought out a ledger, handing it to Instructor Yan.
Instructor Yan took it, flipped through it quickly, then picked up a brush and marked several arrays, numbering them in sequence.
"…What are you doing?"
"I've listed a few arrays," Instructor Yan said. "Next time Mo Hua comes, have him draw them in this order. Step by step, he'll build a stronger foundation. I'll give him some additional guidance back at the sect. That'll be better than letting him flail around on his own."
"This way, he can still earn some spirit stones to help his family, while learning formation properly and systematically."
After speaking, he added, "One more thing—don't give him too many to draw. Three or four per half month is enough. If his divine sense is depleted too much, it'll damage his consciousness and leave serious consequences."
The steward looked at the marked registry, then at Instructor Yan. His expression was complicated. "You really don't want to take him as a disciple?"
Instructor Yan just shook his head, then stood up. Before leaving, he repeated once more,
"Make sure he draws them in the order I marked."
And with that, he left without looking back.
The steward watched his retreating figure, speechless for a long time. In the end, he sighed helplessly.
Then suddenly, a thought struck him, and he called out, "Yan!"
Instructor Yan turned to look.
The steward hesitated, then said, "There's one thing… you might have gotten wrong."
Instructor Yan frowned. "What?"
"When Mo Hua brought the Flame Array," the steward said slowly, "he was only at the second level of Qi Refining. If these formations were really drawn by him, then that means…"
The steward paused, weighing his words, then continued:
"…It means he was already drawing array formations at Qi Refining level two!"
Instructor Yan's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief.
(End of Chapter)