Mo Hua didn’t understand why Mr. Zhuang was asking this.
Mr. Zhuang sighed internally and said, “How can the breakthrough from the fifth to the sixth level of Qi Refinement compensate for the difference in Divine Sense between the eighth and ninth Formation Patterns?”
“Isn’t there only one realm difference?”
“The difference between the ninth level of Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment is also only one realm.”
Mo Hua gave a sheepish smile.
Mr. Zhuang patiently explained, “Within each major realm, the closer you are to the end, the slower the improvement of cultivation and Divine Sense, and the greater the chasm between realms.”
“So the gap between the eighth and ninth Formation Patterns is larger than the previous gaps?” asked Mo Hua.
Mr. Zhuang nodded and said, “Generally speaking, for a Formation Master, nine Formation Patterns are usually the limit.”
“The instant completion of the ninth Formation Pattern places extremely high demands on your technique in Drawing Formation, memory of the Formation Diagram, understanding of the Formation Pivot, and the strength and control of your Divine Sense…”
“The gap from the eighth to the ninth Formation Patterns seems only a small step, but the disparity is vast. Some Formation Masters linger at this threshold their whole lives, just one step away from advancing, yet that one step might never be taken.”
Mr. Zhuang was quite emotional.
Mo Hua felt a bit anxious. He wouldn’t also have to struggle with this threshold his entire life, would he?
Seeing through Mo Hua’s thoughts, Mr. Zhuang tapped his forehead and said, “How old are you to be in such a hurry? Just go home with peace of mind, and practice by drawing more; that’s all.”
As Mr. Zhuang said this, Mo Hua felt reassured.
All he had to do was to keep practicing the Formation diligently. Sometimes, the simplest method was the best.
Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
After Mo Hua took his leave, a light breeze stirred in the bamboo room, and Old Kui appeared behind Mr. Zhuang, asking curiously, “How long will this threshold take him?”
Mr. Zhuang replied, “At least three or four days, or at most half a month.”
Old Kui fell silent, but finally couldn’t help but say, “You call this a threshold?”
Ten days to half a month to overcome it, that’s hardly a threshold, not even a stumbling block…
Mr. Zhuang spoke indifferently, “The breakthrough in cultivation has unlocked the shackles on his Divine Sense, relaxing the limit on its growth. Right now, his Divine Sense is insufficient. After about ten days of practicing the Formation, once his Divine Sense has strengthened, those nine Formation Patterns won’t be difficult.”
Old Kui was speechless.
Mr. Zhuang raised an eyebrow, “To other cultivators, nine Formation Patterns indeed represent a threshold, but for this kid Mo Hua who has practiced too many Formations, this so-called threshold really isn’t anything significant.”
Old Kui said displeased, “So why did you say all that nonsense earlier?”
The look on Mr. Zhuang’s face turned playful, and he cracked a slight smile:
“I was just teasing him to keep him from becoming arrogant.”
After returning home, Mo Hua earnestly followed Mr. Zhuang’s advice, keeping his mind steady and heart at peace while he practiced the Formation.
After some practice, he indeed felt his Divine Sense grow stronger, and he could add a few more strokes to the Golden Armor Formation Patterns.
Inspired, Mo Hua’s spirits lifted, and he continued drawing.
And so, each day his Divine Sense became a bit stronger, and each day he added a bit more to the Formation Patterns.
After ten days, Mo Hua naturally completed the Golden Armor Formation; it felt as if the melon had ripened off the vine, everything coming to fruition effortlessly.
But Mo Hua furrowed his brow.
It didn’t seem as difficult as Mr. Zhuang had described.
Wasn’t there supposed to be a threshold between the eighth and ninth Formation Patterns? Where was the threshold?
Mo Hua reflected carefully but still could not recall anything that constituted a threshold.
“What’s going on?”
Mo Hua was perplexed, his frown deepening.
So much for the promised threshold…