Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Instructor Yan asked, “Is there a cultivator in the world who can draw formations at the third level of Qi Refinement?”

Fatty Steward pondered and then said,

“Given the vastness of the cultivation world, there are countless gifted individuals. If you tell me that some people are born capable of drawing formations, I would believe it. It’s just that these are all rumors, as I have never witnessed it myself.”

“Even those with exceptional talent, who forget their roots and betray their masters… ahem, I mean those born into Formation Method Aristocrat families who learn formation methods from a young age can draw simple formations that contain three Formation Patterns by the time they reach the third level of Qi Refinement.”

“Moreover, the large Noble Clans and Sects have an inheritance that is many times deeper, and among their disciples, there are undoubtedly geniuses in formation methods, they just don’t show off typically.”

Instructor Yan said, “If that’s the case, it’s not impossible for Mo Hua to be able to draw formations at the third level of Qi Refinement.”

Fatty Steward didn’t want to admit it, but at this point, he had to.

His Senior Brother Yan, although stubborn, always had a meticulous mind and accurate judgment.

“If that’s really the case, it would be incredible. Don’t you want to take on a disciple?”

After thinking it over, Fatty Steward continued, “If you ask me, this child is indeed a good seedling. Why don’t you officially take him as your apprentice? That way, you can also pass down the formation methods that your master passed on to you.”

Instructor Yan had not considered the matter, and upon hearing this, he seemed somewhat tempted, but after careful thought, he still shook his head and said,

“The Sect is in ruins, and those formations that are left are nothing but broken patterns and fragments. What’s there to pass on? Taking him as a disciple would only be misleading the youth. Besides, Master’s unfulfilled wish remains, and there’s still no clue about that person. I have no interest in other matters.”

Fatty Steward wanted to persuade him further, but Instructor Yan just waved his hand.

Fatty Steward sighed, “Fine, I won’t persuade you any more; you wouldn’t listen anyway. But about the Mo Hua child…”

“Don’t mention it to anyone for the time being. ‘The tree that sticks out gets the wind’—that’s been the truth since ancient times. Besides, he’s still young; we can’t let him develop a sense of pride, or he’ll certainly go astray in the future.”

Fatty Steward agreed, “That’s true.”

Instructor Yan continued, “Don’t let him take on any more Formation Painting tasks here either. Just find some excuse about business not doing well or whatever.”

Although it was indeed not doing well, Fatty Steward still felt humiliated to have it pointed out and corrected him,

“It’s not that the business is not doing well, it’s called ‘Buddhist-style business operations,’ we leave everything to fate!”

“Moreover, the child is properly drawing formations, earning Spirit Stones, and supplementing his family’s income. Why should he not continue?”

Instructor Yan frowned and said, “At the third level of Qi Refinement, even if he can draw formations, how much Divine Sense could he have? Drawing too much will overexert his Divine Sense, inevitably leading to future problems and damaging the foundation of his Sea of Consciousness.”

“Besides, he is still young and should be solidifying his foundation in Tao Cultivation. It’s not just formation methods; he needs to understand the broader aspects of cultivation, especially his Cultivation. He should not neglect it for small profits…”

Fatty Steward said, “Loose Cultivators aren’t that well-off, and they barely have enough Spirit Stones as it is.”

“Even in poverty, one should not disregard the future…”

“Do you have any idea how poor ordinary Loose Cultivators really are?”

Fatty Steward’s expression became rarely serious.

Seeing Fatty Steward’s demeanor, Instructor Yan also knitted his brows slightly.

Fatty Steward solemnly said, “I know your own upbringing was not easy. Although you had a Clan, you were an illegitimate child, not valued by the family. Later, when you joined a Sect and Master earnestly taught you, you worked hard and made progress in formation methods, and things got somewhat better for you. But even if your circumstances were poor, you had the support of a Clan; at least you had food and clothing without worries, and endured nothing more than dissatisfaction.”

“`

“People often say that the path of Tao cultivation is arduous,” Fatty Steward sighed, “I have been in Tongxian City for over a decade since leaving the Sect, and after dealing with numerous Loose Cultivators, I’ve realized that although people often talk about its hardships, the degree of those hardships can be worlds apart.”

“Ordinary Loose Cultivators struggle to make a living, and their modest earnings barely suffice to support their families. Artifact refiners get burned by Fireburn until half of their body is charred; those hunting Monster Beasts lose an arm to the creatures; and those who sell their Spiritual Power to do menial tasks often suffer some damage to their body’s meridians. Once they fall ill or get injured, they have no Spirit Stones for treatment, and whether they pull through depends entirely on whether fate is on their side.”

“Best case scenario, they make it through; worst case, they perish, but the truly unfortunate linger on with half a life, continuing to deplete their entire family’s reserves of Spirit Stones. What can they do? They’re just trying to survive.”

“Indeed, a Cultivator can’t ignore the future, but these lower-ranked Loose Cultivators can’t even manage the present, let alone worry about the future.”

Having said all this in one breath, Fatty Steward poured himself a cup of tea and gulped it down.

Instructor Yan fell into silence for a moment before emitting a sigh, his voice laced with apology:

“That was inconsiderate of me.”

Fatty Steward gave him a sidelong glance.

After a moment of contemplation, Instructor Yan said to Fatty Steward, “Hand me the list of Formation names you have here.”

“What do you want the list for?” Fatty Steward asked, puzzled, but he still got up and took a book from behind the counter, handing it to Instructor Yan.

Instructor Yan took the book of Formation names, skimmed through it, then he picked up a pen from the table and circled several Formations, numbering them in sequence behind their names.

“What are you doing…”

Instructor Yan explained, “Next time Mo Hua comes, let him draw the Formations in the order I’ve marked on the list. By progressing step by step, he will learn more solidly. Later, when I give him some pointers at the Sect, it’ll be better than if he were to blindly learn on his own.”

“This way, he can earn some Spirit Stones by Drawing Formations, helping to support his family, and will also learn something substantial about Formation Patterns.”

After finishing his explanation, Instructor Yan added, “One more thing, don’t let him draw too many Formations. Receiving three or four every half month is enough. Otherwise, if he overexerts his Divine Sense, he could harm his Sea of Consciousness and that would leave him with serious problems.”

Fatty Steward looked at the list in his hand, then at Instructor Yan, with a complex expression and asked, “Do you really have no plans to take him as a disciple?”

Instructor Yan simply shook his head, stood up, and as he was about to leave, he repeated once more, “Don’t forget to have him draw in the order I marked.”

With that, he walked away without looking back.

Fatty Steward watched his retreating figure and couldn’t find the words to say, just letting out a helpless sigh.

Suddenly, something occurred to Fatty Steward, and he called out to Instructor Yan.

Instructor Yan turned to look at him.

Fatty Steward thought for a moment, then said, “There’s one thing… you might have gotten wrong…”

Instructor Yan frowned, “What did I get wrong?”

“When Mo Hua brought over the Bright Fire Formation, he was only at the second level of Qi Refinement. If these Formations were really painted by him, then that means…”

Fatty Steward paused, choosing his words carefully:

“He might have been able to draw Formations at the second level of Qi Refinement!”

Instructor Yan’s pupils contracted, showing an expression of disbelief.