Plans

Instructor Yan stared at Mo Hua's exam paper, pondering for a moment before finally marking a "Grade A" on it.

Instructor Yan then went on to grade the other disciples' Array Techniques. After a while, as if remembering something, he pulled out the earlier papers again and raised all the other disciples who had received Grade B to Grade A.

This way, Mo Hua would not be the only disciple to receive a Grade A.

After finishing the grading, Instructor Yan sat before his desk in deep thought for a long while, muttering to himself:

"This Immortal Gate... I probably can't stay here any longer..."

When the Array Technique papers were handed back, Mo Hua saw the "Grade A" written on his paper and nodded. Yet he was curious—could the other Qi Refining disciples truly draw the Water-Fixing Array...

This was an Array Technique with six Array Patterns.

Mo Hua made a point of asking around. When he heard that some other disciples had also received Grade A, he was surprised, but also sighed:

"There are heavens beyond heaven, and people beyond people. My Array Technique proficiency is still not enough—I absolutely must not become complacent!"

What Mo Hua did not know was that his Grade A was somewhat different from everyone else's.

His Grade A was truly a Grade A, while the Grade As others received had, in fact, been watered down by Instructor Yan...

Afterward, Mo Hua planned to continue cultivating at the Immortal Gate and studying Array Techniques. Then, after some time, he would consider choosing a cultivation method. But half a month later, he heard something utterly outrageous:

"Instructor Yan is leaving the Immortal Gate. From now on, the Immortal Gate's Outer Sect will no longer teach Array Techniques..."

Mo Hua stood frozen on the spot.

There would be no more Array Techniques to learn...

Mo Hua went to find Instructor Yan. Instructor Yan gave him a complicated look but said nothing, merely telling Mo Hua to return first and come find him again in a few days.

After Mo Hua left, Instructor Yan went to find Manager Mo.

"Any news about the matter I asked you to handle?"

Manager Mo handed Instructor Yan a letter. "The person you're looking for is no longer in Immortal City. This contains clues about him, but I can't guarantee whether they're real."

"Many thanks."

Manager Mo hesitated, but still asked, "Have you truly decided to leave the Immortal Gate?"

"Not just the Immortal Gate. I'll also be leaving Immortal City."

"Will you come back someday?"

"Hard to say." Instructor Yan gave a bitter laugh. "As you said, let fate decide."

Manager Mo had words of persuasion on the tip of his tongue, but after thinking it over, he said nothing. He knew he could not persuade him.

"Then what about that boy Mo Hua? What are you planning to do?" Manager Mo asked. "If you're gone, there won't be anyone in the Immortal Gate who can teach him..."

"I have my own plans. That child Mo Hua's talent for Array Techniques..."

Was quite terrifying...

Instructor Yan silently added in his heart, but he did not say it aloud. He only said, "...his talent is fairly good. It would be too great a pity if he couldn't learn Array Techniques. At least we share the bond of instructor and disciple. I'll find a way to handle what comes next."

Manager Mo nodded. Looking at the senior martial brother before him, he did not know whether they would ever meet again after this parting. His heart was full of words, yet he did not know where to begin.

Cultivators had long lifespans, and their farewells were longer still.

In the end, they could only look at each other in silence, then use tea in place of wine and share a cup.

"Take care," Manager Mo said.

"Take care!"

Instructor Yan nodded. Under Manager Mo's gaze, he left Fate Pavilion and vanished into the bustling, prosperous streets.

There was no point in remaining in the Immortal Gate's Outer Sect if he could no longer teach Array Techniques. Besides, Instructor Yan had always kept the matter of the Spirit Pivot Formation Diagram in mind. He would not give up on it.

Before leaving Immortal City, the final thing Instructor Yan needed to do was find an Array Technique teacher for Mo Hua.

He prepared some fine wine and tea gifts, then knocked on the gate of a Cave Abode on North Street in Immortal City.

This Cave Abode was one of the largest on the street, extravagant and imposing, grand and magnificent.

Its owner was one of Immortal City's only two First-Grade Array Masters. His surname was Luo, and cultivators generally addressed him respectfully as Master Luo.

Instructor Yan presented his tea gifts and explained his purpose.

Master Luo was rather well acquainted with Instructor Yan. Hearing this, he asked in puzzlement, "Does this child truly possess such talent that Brother Yan has come personally to plead for him?"

Instructor Yan showed Master Luo the Bright Fire Formation Mo Hua had drawn. "This was an Array Technique he drew when he was at the third level of Qi Refining."

He did not take out the Water-Fixing Array Mo Hua had drawn with five and a half Array Patterns, because he did not wish to attract too much attention.

Moreover, generally speaking, for someone at the third level of Qi Refining to draw an Array Technique with three Array Patterns already meant their attainments in Array Techniques were exceptional.

Master Luo's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "It is indeed quite good!"

Master Luo looked over the Bright Fire Formation diagram, then asked, "Which family is this child from? The Qian Family? The An Family? Or the Chen Family?"

Instructor Yan was silent for a moment. "He is not from a family. He is merely a Rogue Cultivator."

Master Luo said nothing, and the interest in his eyes faded considerably.

Instructor Yan probed, "Does Master have some concern?"

"Rogue cultivators are hard to teach..." Master Luo said.

"Brother Luo..."

Master Luo waved a hand. "Brother Yan, I understand everything you've said. But you should know how troublesome it is to take a rogue cultivator as an apprentice."

"Mo Hua may be young, but he is well-behaved and sensible, diligent and hardworking. His talent for Array Techniques is exceptionally high. With just a little guidance from Brother Luo, his prospects in Array Techniques will surely be boundless," Instructor Yan said earnestly.

"That's not the issue." Master Luo sighed. "Leaving aside the child's talent and comprehension, can he even afford the tuition gift required for apprenticeship?"

Master Luo rose and slowly paced about. "It's not that I covet such tuition gifts. But taking a master and accepting disciples has always required rules. I have accepted so many disciples, and every one of them paid a considerable tuition gift. If he alone cannot afford it, or pays less, how am I supposed to explain that to the others? They may not dare say anything aloud, but there will surely be resentment in their hearts. They'll think me biased, unable to keep the bowl level for everyone."

"Nor is it only the apprenticeship gift. Brushes, ink, paper, inkstones—everything needed to study Array Techniques costs Spirit Stones. Can a rogue cultivator's family fortune sustain that?"

"And even if he succeeds in his studies and becomes an Array Master someday, he will still have only two paths: either attach himself to a clan, or attach himself to a sect. If he attaches himself to neither, then both cultivation and the study of Array Techniques will be difficult at every step. But if he does attach himself, it amounts to selling himself away. His own name, origins, and even parents will be cast aside. With his life no longer in his own hands, how could he still have room in his eyes for a master like me?"

"So no matter what, whether I take him as an apprentice or a disciple, it brings me no benefit whatsoever."

After saying this, Master Luo sat down and took a sip of tea.

Instructor Yan also fell silent. He understood everything Master Luo had said and had no grounds to refute it. At first, he had only thought that, given Mo Hua's extraordinary talent, Master Luo would at least consider it. Now it seemed he had made the matter far too simple.

There truly was a reason rogue cultivators produced no Array Masters...

Instructor Yan looked despondent.

Seeing this, Master Luo also sighed and softened his tone. "If he had even a clan background—whether from a collateral line or a branch family—I could take him in. But rogue cultivators are different. There are too many concerns, and I do not have the energy for it..."

"It is too hard for a rogue cultivator to become an Array Master!" Master Luo lamented.

Instructor Yan still wanted to make one last attempt. "Mo Hua's talent in Array Techniques truly is without equal..." As he spoke, he reached for the Water-Fixing Array Mo Hua had drawn with five and a half Array Patterns.

But before he could take it out, Master Luo said, "Don't say he can draw three Array Patterns. Even if he could draw four or five Array Patterns at the third level of Qi Refining, I still would not accept him."

Instructor Yan's hand stopped. Left with no choice, he could only put the array back.

"Brother Luo, is there truly no way?"

"Brother Yan, you may come to me anytime to discuss the Dao or chat. But on this matter alone, there is no room for negotiation."

"Brother Luo..." Instructor Yan had nothing more to say. He merely sighed. "Just don't regret it in the future."

"Many cultivators have said the same to me, but Luo has yet to regret anything!"

The two had no more words for each other. Master Luo lifted his tea, signaling his guest to leave.

Instructor Yan sighed, looking disappointed as he rose to take his leave.

After Instructor Yan left, Master Luo remained seated in the room. A disciple poured him tea and asked quietly, "Master, if someone at the third level of Qi Refining can truly draw the Bright Fire Formation, then that talent is indeed remarkable."

"Yes." Master Luo raised his tea and took a sip. "But what does high talent amount to? The Dao is not pursued through talent alone. How many people were astonishingly gifted in their youth, only to fade into the crowd in the end? Spirit Stones, inheritances, family background—each of these is important. Without them, talent is merely grass and trees without roots; sooner or later, it will wither."

"But if Master offered him a few pointers, he would at least be grateful for Master's kindness..."

Master Luo shook his head. "You think the human heart too simply. Rogue cultivators are born into poverty, and their temperaments are often extreme. One small misstep, and they easily harbor resentment. There are too many cases of a cup of rice earning gratitude while a bushel earns hatred. When the time comes, not only will there be no gratitude—there may instead be enmity. Why should I wade into such muddy waters?"

"Master speaks wisely. Still, such talent is truly a pity."

"It is a pity." Master Luo set down his teacup and sighed. "But that is fate. It cannot be forced."