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Master Luo, a First-Grade Array Master, refused Instructor Yan's request.

Instructor Yan could only settle for the next best thing, seeking out Array Masters who had not attained a grade but had studied the Dao of Arrays for many years, hoping they would take Mo Hua as a disciple.

Some refused outright. Some hemmed and hawed. Others agreed, but their demands were far too excessive. Once accepted, Mo Hua would be treated as a tool and puppet for the rest of his life, with no freedom whatsoever—it would be no different from selling himself.

Instructor Yan traveled about for many days without success. Returning to his residence, he sat alone and sighed.

He would be leaving in a few days, and time was running short. If he could not find a suitable teacher, Mo Hua's progress in cultivating Array Techniques would likely be delayed.

After turning it over in his mind, Instructor Yan finally seemed to make up his mind. He sealed Mo Hua's exam papers and placed them separately in his Storage Bag.

At dusk, Instructor Yan left Immortal City and headed straight southeast beyond the city.

To the southeast of Immortal City stood a mountain peak—beautiful and secluded, with magnificent scenery and a charm all its own. Nestled among the hills was a mountain dwelling courtyard, without a plaque or even a proper gate, with only a narrow mountain path leading into the residence.

Instructor Yan stood at the foot of the mountain. After a long while, a dry, gaunt voice sounded beside his ear.

"Please."

The voice seemed to be at his ear, yet it also seemed to echo through his Sea of Consciousness.

Instructor Yan's expression grew even more humble. He straightened his Daoist Robe, patted the Storage Bag at his waist, and climbed the mountain with resolute steps.

As for Mo Hua, he planned to withdraw from Immortal Gate.

Mo Hua was originally an Outer Sect disciple. His relationship with the sect was merely a straightforward exchange—Spirit Stones paid for cultivation lessons. There was some sentiment involved, but not much.

Especially now that Instructor Yan was leaving and the Outer Sect would no longer teach Array Techniques, there was no point in Mo Hua staying.

His Spirit Root destined his lingli to never be particularly strong, nor his cultivation speed particularly fast.

The other subjects taught by the sect—body tempering, alchemy, artifact refining, talisman-making, and the like—were somewhat tasteless to Mo Hua: useless to learn, yet a pity to abandon.

The only thing Mo Hua wanted to learn, and the only path that offered him prospects in cultivation, was Array Techniques.

But within the Outer Sect, apart from Instructor Yan, Mo Hua did not believe anyone else could teach him Array Techniques.

Da Hu and the other two were withdrawing as well.

But they were not leaving because of the instructors. Their families were simply too poor to afford the sect tuition and all the newly added fees.

From what Mo Hua understood, the old Sect Master would step down in a few months and cease involving himself in the sect's day-to-day affairs. Thus, Elder Qian now called the shots in the sect—or, in other words, the Qian Family did.

The Qian Family intended to reform the sect. Their methods came in all shapes and sizes, but the central point was to collect more Spirit Stones.

Whether it was classes in alchemy, artifact refining, or talismans, they had previously taught only the basics. Now they would also teach more advanced material, but all of it required additional Spirit Stones.

Even the inheritance fee for cultivation methods had been newly added by Elder Qian, under the pretext that "the sect's inheritance is hard-won, and passing it on comes at a price."

After the Qian Family's reforms, disciples from clans or wealthy families could spend more Spirit Stones to obtain better inheritances.

But the lower-class cultivators among the Outer Sect disciples, especially Rogue Cultivators, could scarcely learn anything at all, while still having to pay more Spirit Stones than before as sect tuition.

For Rogue Cultivator disciples like them, withdrawing was their only choice.

Thus, through reform, Immortal Gate gradually weeded out poor disciples from the lowest ranks based on their family circumstances. These lowly Rogue Cultivator disciples could no longer cultivate at the sect, and as for their future path of cultivation, they could only fend for themselves and hope for the best.

Mo Hua told his parents of his plans to withdraw. Mo Shan did not quite agree, but he knew there was no way around it. This was not Mo Hua's problem alone, but the problem of all the lower-class Rogue Cultivators in Immortal City.

Liu Ruhua did not mind. She knew Mo Hua cultivated diligently and had a mind of his own. Since he had decided to withdraw, it had to mean there was nothing left for him to learn in the sect, so she said nothing.

The Eatery was doing good business now. Even if her son stayed home and did nothing, she could easily support him.

And so, Mo Hua, at the third level of Qi Refining, withdrew from Immortal Gate.

Mo Hua went to the sect to complete the withdrawal procedures, then received half a year's worth of refunded tuition from the sect—some fifty or sixty Spirit Stones.

After withdrawing, the biggest problem was cultivation methods.

Mo Shan promised to use his Monster Hunter connections to ask around for a cultivation method suitable for Mo Hua, but it would take some time.

The other problem was Array Techniques.

Without the sect's instruction, Mo Hua could only study on his own—or find an Array Master and become his disciple.

But Mo Hua also knew that it was difficult for a Rogue Cultivator to take an Array Master as a teacher. Not every Array Master was like Instructor Yan, broad-minded and willing to impart knowledge and teach.

Mo Hua wanted to find time to visit Instructor Yan and thank him for his meticulous guidance over this period. But he did not know where Instructor Yan lived. Just as he was considering asking Manager Mo, Instructor Yan came to find him.

After several days apart, Instructor Yan looked somewhat weary, as though he had been running about over some matter.

Mo Hua respectfully bowed to Instructor Yan. Instructor Yan nodded, then asked, "Do you still want to learn Array Techniques?"

Mo Hua nodded.

Instructor Yan gave Mo Hua an approving look, then said, "Come with me."

Mo Hua followed Instructor Yan outside Immortal City, to a mountain peak in the southeast.

Mo Hua remembered Da Hu and the others mentioning that this mountain seemed to have been bought by someone for secluded cultivation, barring other cultivators from coming and going.

There were no monsters in these mountains, nor any precious spirit herbs, let alone a Spirit Mine. Its only advantages were the beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings.

Immortal City had many Rogue Cultivators, all worn down by the rush of making a living. They had no time to linger over mountain views, so ordinary cultivators rarely came here.

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Instructor Yan brought Mo Hua to the foot of the mountain and said, "A reclusive teacher lives on this mountain. I met him by chance. Ordinarily, I would not come disturb him, but I will be leaving in a few days, so I brought you here to meet him."

"Does this gentleman know Array Techniques?"

Instructor Yan nodded. "Indeed. This gentleman's attainments in Array Techniques are extremely profound."

"Is he a First-Grade Array Master?" Mo Hua asked curiously.

"I don't know his exact grade, but he is at least First-Grade."

Mo Hua was filled with solemn respect.

A First-Grade Array Master was already extraordinary. Anything above First-Grade was beyond what Mo Hua even dared imagine.

Yet Mo Hua was curious. He wondered what Array Techniques above First-Grade were like...

Were they truly as the rumors claimed—possessing the power to steal creation itself and remake heaven and earth?

"Why does this gentleman live in such a remote place? Is it because he dislikes noise?" Mo Hua asked again.

"The gentleman is naturally indifferent to worldly matters and dislikes mundane affairs, so he does not wish to be disturbed. Few people ever come to this mountain peak."

Instructor Yan looked at Mo Hua. "You've already guessed why I brought you here, haven't you?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Is it so this gentleman can take me as his disciple?"

Instructor Yan nodded. "You guessed correctly. There is not much more I can teach you, so I hope the gentleman can offer you some guidance."

"You've already taught me many things." Mo Hua said gratefully.

"What I can teach you is far inferior to what this gentleman can."

"But..."

Instructor Yan shook his head. "You're still young, so you don't fully understand. The more you see in the future, the more you will realize how vast and profound Array Techniques are. They are far beyond the comprehension of mere Qi Refining cultivators, or even Foundation Establishment cultivators. Your Divine Consciousness is exceptional, your comprehension is good, and you are diligent as well. You are fine material for learning Array Techniques, so you must cherish this rare gift and never betray your own talent."

"I brought you here today to call upon him because I hope you can enter this gentleman's tutelage. He is indifferent by nature and unwilling to accept disciples. It would still be good if you could become even a registered disciple. Even if you only learned a few scraps of the surface, it would allow you to go farther down the path of Array Techniques."

Instructor Yan pointed ahead. Before them lay a mountain path, winding up toward the mountainside. Clouds and mist curled around the mountainside, and within them stood a simple yet mysterious courtyard gate.

Instructor Yan instructed him, "Go up the mountain by yourself. You must be respectful. Whatever the gentleman asks, answer truthfully. If he accepts you as his disciple, it will be your fortunate destiny. If he does not, there is no need to lose heart. It will only mean that your destined fortune has not yet arrived."

Mo Hua nodded earnestly, then could not help glancing at Instructor Yan.

"Instructor..."

"Go." Instructor Yan said nothing more, merely waving his hand.

Mo Hua hesitated for a while. In the end, he took small steps up the mountain, his retreating figure resolute.