But even so, he still had to press on firmly, step by step...
For the matter of the Formation Masters, Mo Hua sought out Master Luo.
He was the most famous First Grade Formation Master in Tongxian City, with wide connections and influence. Among the Formation Masters of Tongxian City, he had the highest prestige and most authority.
Mo Hua paid him a visit and briefly explained the situation.
Master Luo looked hesitant, thought for a moment and finally said:
"I will convey Gentleman Little Mo’s intentions to all of Tongxian City’s Formation Masters, but whether they are willing to help will depend on their own decisions."
Master Luo expressed his apology, "Formation Masters hold a special status and are not subject to command. Though I have some reputation, I can’t force them."
Mo Hua understood this and bowed in gratitude: "Then I thank Master Luo for his efforts."
That Master Luo was willing to help was already good news.
When constructing a Large Formation, the most crucial part was the Formation Pivot; other Single Formations, as long as they were drawn to specification, were not too difficult, and didn’t require much from a Formation Master.
After everything was drawn, the main Formation Master would still need to verify everything and make adjustments.
The most difficult part would be undertaken by Mo Hua himself.
The rest of the Formation, as long as there were Formation Masters willing to lend a hand, would be sufficient.
After Mo Hua left, Master Luo gathered the Formation Masters of Tongxian City for tea and casually spoke about the Large Formation.
The younger Formation Masters were mostly excited, eager to participate in the construction of the Large Formation.
For many Formation Masters, being part of a Large Formation construction was a lifelong pursuit.
The elderly Formation Masters remained mostly silent, and after returning home, they scoffed at the idea.
"Too ignorant of how vast the world is..."
"A bunch of loose cultivators and low-level Formation Masters who aren’t even First Grade, and they dream of constructing a Large Formation? Such folly!"
Those Formation Masters, having lived long and seen much, naturally understood the difficulties in establishing a Large Formation—it was not something average Formation Masters could learn, nor something ordinary forces could accomplish.
At the same time, they also harbored envy towards Mo Hua.
These veteran Formation Masters had toiled for so many years, not only failing to become first-grade Formation Masters but even now, in terms of formation skills, they couldn’t compare to a Junior Formation Master who, at best, had studied formations for less than ten years.
They knew that Mo Hua was skilled at Formation Painting, but they also didn’t believe that Mo Hua could truly construct a Large Formation, harboring the thought of watching him fail:
"The child is naïve, getting carried away with his success!"
"He’s stepping too far, he’s bound to stumble..."
They dared not voice these thoughts aloud, but it didn’t prevent them from sneering inwardly.
In the end, about half of the Formation Masters in Tongxian City were willing to stay and help.
This ratio was a bit higher than what Master Luo had anticipated.
With so many Formation Masters, building the Large Formation should barely be possible, that is, if it really could be constructed...
Master Luo then grappled with another problem: should he stay?
He had already found a way out for himself.
The Third Grade Lanshan Sect from the Lanling State Boundary was willing to hire him as an Outer Gate Elder. Although it was just a provisional title, with Instructor salary, he would only truly receive Elder benefits once his Cultivation reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.
This offer couldn’t compare to the treatment Mo Hua received.
After all, whether in terms of formation skills, formation talent, or future formation prospects, he was not just a little behind Mo Hua.
But this way out was good enough.
Having the support of a big tree was pleasant; with Lanshan Sect as his backing, the latter half of his life, if not greatly ambitious, would at least be comfortable.
But was this really enough?
Didn’t he desire to build a first-grade Large Formation?
Master Luo questioned his own heart and found himself brought up short by his own question.
In the face of disaster, it’s human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm; finding an escape route for oneself was normal behavior.
But this was a first-grade Large Formation!
It could be his only chance in a lifetime to witness, even participate in, the construction of such a Formation.
Master Luo sighed.
Only Formation Masters knew how difficult it was to build a Large Formation.
Those older Formation Masters knew, and with his even older experience, he was all the more aware.
Not to mention how difficult it was to design the formation, finding a main Formation Master was a challenge.
The sheer volume of work for the Large Formation itself was also extremely vast.
Such large-scale Tao Cultivation construction projects are usually either directly orchestrated by the Taoist Court or constructed by deeply rooted Family Sects and Clans with a significant commitment of resources.
In any event, it had nothing to do with an ordinary first-grade Formation Master like himself.
He was completely out of his depth.