This also required advance setup and should not be detected.
If used against Monster Beasts, its destructiveness is too great; after the collapse, most of the Monster Beasts turned to ash, and the remains could not be sold for a good price.
It was basically a business that ran at a loss.
To use it against Cultivators, the target could not be too smart, or too wary of oneself, and ideally should not know one is a Formation Master, to catch them by surprise.
Otherwise, the opponent might not fall for the trap.
Also, after the Compound Formation Collapse, the range of the Life-gate was relatively small, just one or two feet of space—insufficient for a person to survive.
For now, this Life-gate was still of no use to him.
Mo Hua sighed.
Thinking this way, the conditions for using Formation Collapse were indeed demanding.
The Calculation was complex, the preparation time long, the Life-gate narrow, and the opponent ideally should be a fool, and if not a fool, at least not too clever.
Indeed, the more powerful the force, the more limitations it has.
Mo Hua lamented.
However, even if there are many restrictions, having powerful strength is always better than not having any.
One shouldn’t be too greedy.
Mo Hua nodded, packed up everything, prepared to leave and took one last look at that small grass.
The surrounding soil, rocks, and vegetation had been annihilated by the Formation Collapse, leaving a desolate scene.
Only that small grass remained, tender yet resilient, swaying in the wind as if containing endless vitality.
Mo Hua was entranced as he looked and suddenly had an epiphany.
Mr. Zhuang was right, this world, the principles of the Heavenly Dao fully embody both life and death, death and life.
-----------------
In the days that followed, Mo Hua would visit Mr. Zhuang every day to seek his guidance on various issues.
Sometimes it was indeed because of doubts about Formations that he needed Mr. Zhuang’s advice;
other times it was because his mother had made some delicious food, which he would take to Mr. Zhuang to try;
and when he truly had nothing else to do, he would go chat with Mr. Zhuang about the local customs and stories of Tongxian City and the various customs of the Tao Cultivation states.
Then, when he had the time, he would also play chess with Old Kui.
Playing the simple and intellectual game of Five Elements Chess required no great effort, and the two of them enjoyed it immensely.
Mo Hua cherished this period of time deeply.
Because he knew that perhaps in half a year, maybe just a month, Mr. Zhuang would leave.
The cultivation world was boundless, and the path of Tao cultivation was lengthy.
Once gone for years, with such a long road ahead, it might not be possible to meet again.
Whenever he thought about this, Mo Hua’s expression would be filled with desolation.
Mr. Zhuang would then gently pat his head, "Practice diligently, and there will eventually be a day when we meet again."
Mo Hua nodded seriously.
Encounters are fate, gatherings are fate, and partings are also a kind of destiny.
After an encounter comes a departure, and only after parting can there be a reunion.
The carefree Bai Zisheng also sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat unusual, and he asked Mo Hua, "Is Mr. Zhuang leaving?"
"En," Mo Hua did not hide it from him.
A complex expression appeared on Bai Zisheng’s face, while Bai Zixi’s expression remained unchanged, but her eyes also dimmed a bit.
"When the gentleman leaves, will you be leaving as well?"
Mo Hua inquired.
Bai Zisheng seemed haughty but had the heart of a chivalrous man and had treated him well, while Bai Zixi had helped him a lot, sharing her knowledge and experiences with him about the path of cultivation.
Even though they were all but nominal disciples, they were still half of the same sect, and Mo Hua still treasured this friendship.
A look of dejection came over Bai Zisheng, "Probably..."
They visited Mr. Zhuang in the hope that he would take them as his direct disciples. As long as Mr. Zhuang left, no matter what, they would have to depart as well.
Even if they wanted to stay here, Aunt Xue would not agree to it.
The atmosphere turned a bit somber for a time.
Mo Hua then brought out the wine, meat, and pastries made by his mother, saying, "The path of cultivation is long, and if we’re destined, we’ll meet again."
"En."
Bai Zisheng nodded, but his expression was still listless, and the beef he ate tasted flavorless.
Bai Zixi said nothing, just tasted a few pastries and found them less sweet than before.