Chapter 334: Chapter 332: A Sudden Change_1

Outside a gloomy and profound second-grade monster beast’s lair, Mo Hua sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, pushing his Divine Sense to its limits, sensing the traces of Spiritual Power inside the lair.

An hour later, Mo Hua opened his eyes and shook his head, “Nothing.”

A few Foundation Building Cultivators then surrounded Mo Hua, and according to the map’s indications, they moved towards the next monster beast lair.

After searching several lairs like this, Zhang Lan finally couldn’t hold back and asked Leader Yang in a lowered voice:

“How can you tell?”

Zhang Lan had come along as well.

Although he was a Qi Refinement Cultivator, he was after all a Supervisor of the Taoist Court and came from a Noble Clan. Even if he encountered second-grade monster beasts, he had some means to protect himself, so he had followed along.

“How else can you tell?” Leader Yang also whispered, “Of course, it’s by using Divine Sense.”

“Nonsense, do you need to tell me that?” Zhang Lan replied irritably, “I’m asking how Divine Sense can detect traces of formations.”

“If the Divine Sense is strong enough, that will do.”

“What do you call strong enough?”

“Foundation Establishment… isn’t this kid’s Divine Sense already at the Foundation Establishment stage?”

“You are also at the Foundation Establishment stage of Divine Sense, can you see anything?” Zhang Lan doubted.

“That’s natural…” Leader Yang said with a guilty conscience.

Zhang Lan glanced at him, “Lying will condemn you to a lifetime of bachelorhood.”

Leader Yang was stunned, unable to help saying, “You’re damn harsh! How can you say something so malicious?”

“Can you really see anything?” Zhang Lan asked again.

Leader Yang weighed this in his heart for a long time and felt that compared with a lifetime’s big matter, this little bit of face he was fighting for in front of Zhang Lan was really insignificant.

Leader Yang then honestly admitted, “Can’t see it…”

Zhang Lan looked at Leader Yang with contempt.

Leader Yang returned a disdainful look, “You didn’t see it either.”

“I’m a Qi Refinement cultivator. It’s normal for me not to see it. You are at the Foundation Establishment stage; it’s a disgrace for you not to see it!” Zhang Lan stated confidently.

“Just a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, not ashamed but proud of it, bravo Zhang Lan. You really are shameless!” Leader Yang said with disdain.

This kind of mockery had no devastating effect on Zhang Lan anymore.

Zhang Lan remained composed and then doubted again:

“If it’s not because of Divine Sense, what else could it be?”

Leader Yang stroked his chin, pondering for a moment, and slowly said, “Is it because Mo Hua is a Formation Master?”

Because he is a Formation Master who deals with formations all year round, drawing Formation Patterns every day, so it’s normal for his Divine Sense to perceive traces of the formations.

Zhang Lan nodded slightly, feeling there was some reason to it.

“But,” Leader Yang doubted himself,

“Can other Formation Masters really perceive it?”

This is a monster beast’s lair, filled with surging Monster Qi, mixed with various kinds of Blood Qi and demonic power, enough to mask all traces of Spiritual Power.

With his Foundation Establishment stage Divine Sense, he couldn’t discern anything inside the lair.

Even if other Formation Masters were stronger than him, they wouldn’t be that much stronger.

But Mo Hua was different. Whether there were formations inside the lair or not, his expression was very certain, even resolute.

This showed that his Divine Sense had scrutinized the lair very clearly, and his perception of the existence of formations was as clear as day.

Zhang Lan frowned and thought about it, but still couldn’t figure it out. He decided not to think about it anymore, muttering:

“He probably learned some odd and bizarre things…”

Zhang Lan had grown accustomed to this.

Especially in terms of formations, he used to be able to “advise” Mo Hua a few words, but now compared to Mo Hua, he has already become a “illiterate” in formations…

If he was an illiterate, then Yang Jiyong didn’t need to think about it; he was definitely a big illiterate.

For two formation “illiterates” to consider such a question was really overestimating themselves.

Zhang Lan demeaned Yang Jiyong in his heart again, and this made him feel a little better.

After searching a few more lairs, they arrived at a desolate cave. Mo Hua released his Divine Sense, suddenly showing a startled expression.

Everyone’s expressions became serious, “Did you find something?”

Mo Hua looked up, his eyes slightly bright, “There is a formation!”

There really was one!

Everyone was delighted and asked, “Which formation is it?”

“Hold on,” Mo Hua said, “Let me take a look.”

After saying that, Mo Hua began to release his Divine Sense. Following the Spiritual Power trajectory of the formation, he calculated the Formation Patterns, stroke by stroke sketching the complete pattern in the empty Sea of Consciousness, in order to determine the type of formation.

Two hours later, Mo Hua opened his eyes again, took out paper and pen, and briefly drew out several passages in the cave as well as the formations laid out along them.

“We don’t have much time; I haven’t calculated everything. There could still be oversights in the formation, but you can refer to this for a look,” he said.

Elder Yu and others didn’t understand the first thing about formations, so they didn’t get much from the conversation but felt that Mo Hua was really reliable; he could solve any formation problems.

Zhang Lan and Leader Yang, however, exchanged a look, each with a trace of astonishment in their eyes.

“Calculate”? What did that mean?

They had never heard that formations could be “calculated.”

How do you calculate a formation?

They were born into Noble Clans. Even if they didn’t master formations, the foundation laid by their families, along with what they absorbed over time, meant they knew some basic principles about formations.

However, in all their years, after interacting with so many Formation Masters, whether from Noble Clans, Sects, or hermits, no matter if they were high-grade or low-grade, learned or specialized, none ever mentioned “calculating.”

They never imagined that they would hear this rare terminology of formations from Mo Hua, who had only reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, whose formations skills were merely at the first grade, and who was just over ten years old.

What exactly had Mo Hua been learning, and who had he been following?!

Zhang Lan and his companion maintained an outward semblance of calm, yet inside, they were beset by a storm of shock and awe.

For the first time, they truly felt the profound and unfathomable nature of the person who had advised Mo Hua on the Formation.

At the same time, in their eyes, the seemingly insignificant Mo Hua had also taken on an air of profundity and mystery…

But now was not the time for such musings.

Capturing the Patriarch of the Qian Family was of utmost importance.

Court Leader Zhou pointed to the map drawn by Mo Hua and said, “These few passages lead to the depths of the lair; the Patriarch of the Qian Family should be hiding inside…”

“We’ll split up to search. If you encounter anything unusual, don’t act rashly. Send a signal, and the rest will converge on your location. We’ll move together once we’ve gathered.”

Everyone nodded, each choosing a path. Before departing, Elder Yu turned his head and tenderly admonished Mo Hua, “Hide yourself well, and be careful.”

“Mm.” Mo Hua nodded, his gaze drifting to Elder Yu’s arm. With concern, he asked, “Elder, your injury… are you alright?”

Previously, Elder Yu had tried to ambush the Patriarch of the Qian Family and sustained an injury from the Patriarch, resulting in the loss of an arm. Though he had been treated by Old Mr. Feng, the injury had left its mark, hindering his movements.

It wasn’t just Elder Yu; many had suffered various injuries during their attempt to surround and kill the Patriarch of the Qian Family.

The current strength of the Patriarch of the Qian Family was unknown, and a confrontation was likely to result in more peril than fortune.

Elder Yu laughed freely and said, “For all the years I’ve opposed the Qian Family, I never dreamed that I would drive the Patriarch to this point. If I can slaughter the Patriarch of the Qian Family, then even if both arms were broken, even at the cost of this old life, it would be worth it.”

The worry in Mo Hua’s eyes deepened.

Elder Yu gently patted his shoulder and sighed, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Mo Hua nodded, watching anxiously as everyone headed deep into the lair, disappearing into the darkness.

Despite knowing the dangers ahead, they all went without looking back.

“Hopefully, nothing goes wrong…”

Mo Hua concealed his form and quietly hid to one side, sighing softly to himself in his heart.

Meanwhile, in the Forgetful Residence at South Mountain.

Mr. Zhuang was not, as usual, reclining leisurely in a bamboo chair but was seated with a dignified and scholarly bearing at a table, sorting through some books and Jade Slips.

“Are these for Mo Hua?”

Old Kui materialized silently at some point, his voice sounding flat.

“Mm.” Mr. Zhuang did not look up, still focused on a codex in his hands. “I’m compiling some thoughts on Formation Patterns for him. After I leave, he will have to study Formations on his own…”

Mr. Zhuang spoke evenly, yet for some reason, his voice carried a tinge of melancholy.

“You’ve never put this much effort into your direct disciples,” noted Old Kui blandly.

At those words, Mr. Zhuang slightly paused, memories of the past surfacing as a bitter smile emerged at the corner of his mouth:

“I’ve never been a qualified master…”

Mr. Zhuang then mocked himself, saying,

“Not only do I not deserve to be a teacher, but I don’t even deserve to be a disciple; otherwise, I wouldn’t have…”

Mr. Zhuang did not finish, but his expression grew even more desolate.

Old Kui remained silent.

“Enough of that; old affairs are clouds passing by. Everything is lost to the past now, and dwelling on it is pointless.”

Mr. Zhuang packed the codices and Jade Slips into a Storage Bag, then stretched out leisurely and lay down.

“What about those two children from the Bai Family?” inquired Old Kui.

After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Zhuang sighed and said,

“Those two… they are indeed good kids.”

He found himself unexpectedly adding, “I wouldn’t have imagined my selfish junior sister could raise such children.”

“Are you really not going to take them as your disciples?” Old Kui asked.

“No!” Mr. Zhuang shook his head decisively, his tone firm:

“With not much time left to live, I naturally wish for some peace before I go, to avoid getting entangled in karma and reducing my worries.”

“They might not give up.”

“And what if they don’t?” Mr. Zhuang said expressionlessly, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, over the mountains, and towards the distant horizon, adding dispassionately,

“The world is vast; it won’t be that easy to meet again. Not all times bring such fate…”

Nor is there always a place with a younger disciple named “Mo Hua,” Mr. Zhuang silently added to himself.

Seeing Mr. Zhuang’s resolve, Old Kui said no more.

With nothing further to say, Mr. Zhuang slowly closed his eyes, wishing to rest a bit longer.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed; he opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, staring for a long time.

“What is it?” Old Kui asked.

Mr. Zhuang’s frown deepened, his voice taking on a grave tone,

“Why is the aura of the Great Dao so turbid?”

Taken aback by his words, Old Kui turned to look at the horizon, his expression becoming one of shock.

“This is…”

Mr. Zhuang stood up slowly, his fingers forming gestures as he Calculated, his face displaying an expression of disbelief.

“A change in the Heavenly Dao?”

His heart fluttered in his chest as he Calculated again, his face growing more incredulous.

“How could it be…” Mr. Zhuang murmured in disbelief, “How could a small Immortal City in a corner of the Nine State provoke a change in the Heavenly Dao?”