After thinking, Mo Hua went again to Mr. Zhuang’s mountain residence, passed through the small bamboo forest, and arrived at the pond’s edge, ready to practice on the fish in the pond as usual.
The foolish fish in the pond were leisurely swimming, totally unaware of what was about to happen.
Mo Hua focused his mind, channeled his Spiritual Power, and moments later, the deep red but small Fireball Technique took shape.
Following that, Mo Hua pointed, and the peculiar fireball moved with his intent, swiftly plunging into the pond.
A low explosion sounded.
In an instant, the pond water evaporated, the aquatic plants charred, and only scorched fishbones remained of the fish in the pond.
Mo Hua was stunned, his mouth gradually dropping open.
The power of this Fireball Technique was so great…
This level of power was completely beyond his expectations.
He then suddenly wondered, “The pond has been blown to this state, I wonder if Mr. Zhuang will be angry…”
As Mo Hua was at a loss for what to do, he turned and saw Old Kui silently standing behind him, looking at the pond with an unexpectedly calm expression.
“Grandpa Gui… this…”
Old Kui said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter.”
Then, with a wave of Old Kui’s sleeve, the scenery in front of them flickered like ripples receding, and everything was restored to its original state.
The pond was still clear, the aquatic plants remained lush, and the fish continued to swim slowly as if nothing had happened.
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief.
“Where did you learn this Fireball Technique from?” Old Kui asked.
Mo Hua took out the Understanding of Fireball Technique from his Storage Bag and handed it to Old Kui, “I got it from the hands of evil cultivators.”
Old Kui took it, glanced at it once, and then nodded, “Not bad.”
Mo Hua was delighted—Old Kui thought it was not bad, so the Fireball Technique must indeed be quite good.
Mo Hua then asked, “But the fireball technique I cultivated seems somewhat unconventional…”
“Unconventional?”
Old Kui was slightly surprised and said, “Show it to me again.”
Mo Hua looked at the spotlessly clear pond before him, hesitating to start.
Old Kui said, “You need not worry.”
Mo Hua was then reassured and cast the Fireball Technique once more toward the pond.
A deep red fireball formed at Mo Hua’s fingertips, and with a whoosh, it shot towards the pond.
This time, however, there was no explosion.
The fireball cast by Mo Hua flew into the pond, and the entire space around the pond began to distort, eventually dissolving the fireball as if nothing had happened.
Mo Hua was shocked.
What level of spell could have such an effect?
Seeing Mo Hua’s astonished expression, a hint of a smile that was not easy to detect appeared in Old Kui’s eyes, and then he said to Mo Hua:
“It’s unorthodox, but it’s still a Fireball Technique.”
Mo Hua then asked, “Will there be any problems with using it?”
Old Kui shook his head, “No problems.”
Mo Hua was relieved, but then felt puzzled again, “Why did the color darken and the fireball shrink?”
This question was beyond Mo Hua’s own understanding, and even if he had figured it out, it might not be correct, so he might as well ask Old Kui directly.
Old Kui, with his profound knowledge of spells, surely knew the secret behind it.
Without a second thought, Old Kui replied:
“It’s because you condensed the spell with your Divine Sense.”
“Divine Sense condensing?”
Old Kui nodded, “The meridian map you saw is the method for condensing spells with Divine Sense. The more complex the meridians, the greater the consumption of Divine Sense, and the stronger the condensed spell.”
“It’s similar to a Formation…” Mo Hua remarked.
“The ways of the Heavenly Dao are different but lead to the same destination,” Old Kui said lightly.
“But when I saw that pale-faced evil cultivator casting the Fireball Technique, it was just more powerful. The color wasn’t as dark, and the fireball wasn’t as small…”
“Your Divine Senses are different,” Old Kui stated succinctly.
After thinking for a moment, Mo Hua said, “Is it because my Divine Sense is too strong?”
Old Kui nodded, “A Divine Sense that has achieved Foundation Establishment will naturally condense spells that are different.”
This completely reassured Mo Hua.
Once he practiced the Fireball Technique to a higher proficiency, with the Concealment Technique for hiding, the Water Passing Step for self-defense, the Water Prison Technique for trapping enemies, and the Fireball Technique for attacking, his capabilities would be greatly enhanced.
“Thank you for the guidance, Grandpa Gui,” Mo Hua said with gratitude.
Old Kui’s expression remained stoic, “I haven’t provided much guidance.”
Mo Hua just smiled and kept Old Kui’s kindness in his heart.
As Old Kui turned to leave, he suddenly asked, “Would you like to play a game of chess?”
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. Unless there was idle time, Old Kui rarely took the initiative to invite him for a game of chess.
Mo Hua nodded and replied, “Sure!”
Beneath the gentle breeze of the bamboo forest by the compact chessboard,
Mo Hua and Old Kui played a match that was again hard to break away from; yet after such a long time, neither’s chess skills had improved at all.
As the sunset dipped below the horizon and dusk approached, Mo Hua had to return home, and it was only then that he stood up to bid farewell to Old Kui.
At the moment of parting, a rare hint of reluctance appeared on Old Kui’s usually impassive face.
Not just Old Kui; these days, Mr. Zhuang occasionally also showed moments of melancholy and distraction.
A guess formed in Mo Hua’s heart.
Mr. Zhuang… might be leaving Tongxian City soon…
Perhaps Mo Hua would no longer be able to ask the gentleman for his wisdom.