Plans

Instructor Yan stared at Mo Hua's test paper for a moment, then wrote the character "A" on it.

Instructor Yan continued grading the other disciples' array techniques. After a while, as though remembering something, he pulled out the earlier papers again and raised every disciple who had received a "B" to an "A."

That way, Mo Hua was no longer the only disciple to receive an "A."

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

"This Immortal Gate... probably can't be stayed in any longer..."

When the array technique papers were handed out, Mo Hua saw the "A" written on his paper and nodded. Yet he was also curious. Could the other Qi Refining Stage disciples truly draw the Water-Fixing Array...

This was an array technique with six array patterns.

Mo Hua deliberately asked around and heard that several other disciples had also received As. Surprised, he could not help but sigh:

"There are heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people. My array technique level is still far from enough—I absolutely must not become smug!"

But what Mo Hua did not know was that his "A" was somewhat different from everyone else's "A."

His "A" was a genuine "A," while the others' As had actually 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 an outrageously absurd piece of news:

"Instructor Yan is leaving the Immortal Gate. From now on, the Immortal Gate Outer Sect will no longer teach array techniques..."

Mo Hua stood rooted to 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, only telling Mo Hua to go back first and come find him again in a few days.

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

"Is there 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 true."

"Thank you."

Manager Mo hesitated before asking, "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 in the future?"

"Hard to say." Instructor Yan gave a bitter smile. "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 would not be able to persuade him.

"Then what about that boy Mo Hua? What do you plan to do?" Manager Mo asked. "If you're gone, no one in the Immortal Gate will be able to teach him..."

"I have my own plans. That child Mo Hua's talent for array techniques..."

Was rather terrifying...

Instructor Yan silently thought, but he did not say it aloud. He merely said, "...His talent is quite good. It would be too great a pity if he could not study array techniques. We have, after all, 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 partings were even longer.

In the end, they could only look at each other in silence, so they used tea in place of wine and shared a cup.

"Take care," Manager Mo said.

"Take care!"

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

There was no meaning in remaining in the Immortal Gate 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 his heart and 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 door of a Cave Abode on North Street in Immortal City.

This Cave Abode was one of the largest on the street, splendid and imposing, magnificent and luxurious.

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

Instructor Yan presented his tea gifts and explained his purpose.

Master Luo had a fairly close friendship with Instructor Yan. Hearing this, he asked in confusion, "Does this child truly possess such talent that Elder Yan came 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 at Qi Refining Level Three."

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

Moreover, generally speaking, if someone at Qi Refining Level Three could draw an array technique with three array patterns, their ability in array techniques was already considered outstanding.

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

Master Luo examined the Bright Fire Formation Diagram once and asked, "Which Lineage is this child from? The Qian Family? The An Family? Or the Chen Family?"

Instructor Yan fell silent for a moment. "He is not from a Lineage. He is merely a Rogue Cultivator."

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

Instructor Yan probed, "Does Master Luo have some concerns?"

"Rogue Cultivators are difficult to teach..." Master Luo said.

"Brother Luo..."

Master Luo waved his hand. "Brother Yan, I understand everything you've said. But surely you know how troublesome it is to accept a Rogue Cultivator as an apprentice."

"Mo Hua may be young, but he is obedient and sensible, diligent and hardworking. His talent in array techniques is also extraordinarily high. So long as Brother Luo gives him a little guidance, his future in array techniques will surely be limitless," Instructor Yan said earnestly.

"That is not the issue." Master Luo sighed and said:

"Leaving aside this child's natural talent and comprehension, can he even afford the apprenticeship fee?"

Master Luo rose to his feet and slowly paced around. "It is not that I covet such fees. But accepting masters and disciples has always required rules. I have accepted so many disciples, and every one of them paid a considerable apprenticeship fee. If he alone cannot afford it, or pays less, how am I supposed to explain that to the others? Even if they do not dare say anything aloud, they will surely harbor grievances in their hearts, believing me partial and unable to keep the bowl of water level."

"Nor is it only the apprenticeship fee. The brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones needed to study array techniques—what among them does not cost Spirit Stones? Can a Rogue Cultivator's family fortune support such expenses?"

"And even if he succeeds in learning and becomes an Array Master someday, he will still have only two roads to take: either attach himself to a Lineage, or attach himself to a sect. If he attaches himself to neither, cultivation and studying array techniques will become a struggle at every step. But if he does attach himself, it amounts to selling himself. His name, origins, and even his parents will all be cast aside. His body will no longer be his own—how could there still be room in his eyes for a master like me?"

"So no matter what, whether I take him as an apprentice or a disciple, there is not the slightest benefit in it for me."

After speaking, 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 way to refute it. He had only thought that, given Mo Hua's exceptional talent, Master Luo would at least consider it. Now, however, it seemed he had thought matters too simply.

There truly was a reason why Rogue Cultivators produced no Array Masters...

Instructor Yan looked dejected.

Seeing this, Master Luo also sighed, his tone softening. "If he had even a Lineage background, even if he were merely from a collateral branch or a side branch, I could accept him. But Rogue Cultivators are different. There are too many concerns, and I do not have the energy for it..."

"It is too difficult for a Rogue Cultivator to become an Array Master!" Master Luo lamented.

Instructor Yan still wanted to fight for it once more. "That child Mo Hua's talent for array techniques is truly without equal..." As he spoke, he prepared to take out the Water-Fixing Array Mo Hua had drawn with five and a half array patterns.

But halfway through, he heard Master Luo say, "Do not say that he can draw three array patterns. Even if he could draw four or five array patterns at Qi Refining Level Three, I still would not accept him."

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

"Brother Luo, is there truly no way?"

"Brother Yan, you may come here whenever you wish 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 only sighed. "Do not regret it in the future."

"Many cultivators have said the same to me, yet Luo has not regretted anything to this day!"

The two had nothing more to say. Master Luo lifted his tea to send his guest away.

Instructor Yan sighed, his expression disappointed, and rose to take his leave.

After Instructor Yan left, Master Luo sat in the room. A disciple poured him tea and quietly asked, "Master, if he truly drew the Bright Fire Formation at Qi Refining Level Three, then his talent is indeed remarkable."

"Yes." Master Luo raised his cup, took a sip, and said, "But what can great talent accomplish? Cultivating the Dao does not depend on talent alone. How many people are astonishingly gifted in their youth, only to fade into the common crowd in the end? Spirit Stones, inheritances, family background—every one of these is important. Without them, talent is merely grass and trees without roots, bound to wither sooner or later."

"But if Master gave him a few pointers, he would at least bear gratitude for Master's kindness..."

Master Luo shook his head. "You think human hearts too simple. Rogue Cultivators come from poverty, and their temperaments are often extreme. With the slightest misstep, they can easily harbor resentment. There are too many cases where a pint of kindness earns gratitude, but a bushel earns enmity. When the time comes, not only will there be no gratitude, there may instead be hatred. Why should I wade into such muddy waters?"

"Master speaks wisely. Still, talent of this kind is truly somewhat regrettable."

"It is regrettable," Master Luo said, setting down his teacup with a sigh. "But this is fate. It cannot be forced."