Instructor Yan conducted the class as usual and said at the end of the lesson:
“Cultivating the Tao is like sailing against the current; if you do not advance, you will fall back. The way of formations is the same, you all must not slack off and waste your time and talent for nothing.”
After saying this, Instructor Yan looked around sternly, finally turning her gaze to Mo Hua and said, “Mo Hua, come with me.”
“Yes.” Mo Hua stood up respectfully and followed Instructor Yan out of the cultivation room.
Seeing Instructor Yan leave, the disciples in the room gathered their heads together again:
“It’s over, it’s over, Mo Hua is done for now.”
“The instructor mentioned some people slacking off; was he referring to Mo Hua?”
“But I’m slacking off too, why didn’t the instructor come for me?”
“Can you compare with Mo Hua? Mo Hua’s formation paintings are so good, he’s highly regarded by the instructor.”
“I’m glad the instructor doesn’t regard me highly; please never regard me highly…”
Mo Hua followed Instructor Yan, leaving the cultivation room, passing by the Pill Room and Refining Room, and finally left Tongxuan Peak.
All along the way, Instructor Yan said nothing. Only when disciples or other instructors and Sect Elders greeted them, did she either nod her head or clasp her hands in response.
Instructor Yan took Mo Hua all the way to her residence located on Tongming Peak.
Tongming Peak was where the Sect Leader, Elders, instructors, and Inner Sect Disciples lived and cultivated. It was Mo Hua’s first visit; indeed, the environment was much quieter and more beautiful. Many courtyards had brightly colored Spirit Flowers and Spirit Grass, and there were also Spirit Beasts like the Colorful Chicken taking leisurely strolls.
Only on Tongming Peak could these few Colorful Chickens stroll so leisurely; on Tongxuan Peak, they would definitely not see the sun the next day.
Mo Hua thought of the charred chicken leg Shuanghu had given him.
There was a Formation outside Instructor Yan’s residence, and there was a small Bagua Plate on the door. This must have been set up by Instructor Yan herself, as the doors of other courtyards and residences did not have one.
Instructor Yan ran her finger over the Bagua Plate a few times, a flash of light appeared on the door, and it opened.
Once inside the house, Instructor Yan sat in front of the desk and directly asked Mo Hua:
“Do you want to become a Formation Master?”
Mo Hua replied modestly, “Disciple’s aptitude is limited; I’m afraid I can’t become a Formation Master.”
Instructor Yan frowned and said, “Wanting to and having the talent are two different matters. Don’t just look at the outcome and lose your original intention. Every creature under heaven is destined to die, should they therefore not live at all?”
Upon hearing this, Mo Hua said solemnly, “Disciple wants to become a Formation Master!”
“Why do you want to?”
“The path of cultivation is tough. Formations can provide a means of livelihood.”
“And?”
“Cultivators seek the Heavenly Dao to become immortals, and understanding formations can lead to comprehending the Heavenly Dao.”
Instructor Yan frowned and said, “The Heavenly Dao is distant and elusive; cultivators might spend their entire lives unable to glimpse even a corner of it.”
Mo Hua responded, “As the Instructor has said, the path to enlightenment lies in heaven, but the pursuit of it lies within us. Since cultivators are seeking the Heavenly Dao, no matter whether they ultimately achieve enlightenment or not, they must not lose the heart of pursuit.”
Instructor Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded, “From now on, come to me after every class. You may go back today.”
“Yes.” Mo Hua was confused but still bowed respectfully and took his leave.
Instructor Yan watched Mo Hua leave and after a long while exhaled:
“He’s a promising seed indeed.”