Chapter 220: Chapter 219 Coming and Going_1
However, that would be something to consider after the New Year had passed.
Recently, there had been many things to deal with, which had been quite distracting, and drawing Formations had also been quite tiring. At least for this New Year, Mo Hua could relax a bit and not have to worry too much.
But Mo Hua soon realized that even without considering cultivation and Formations, there were still many things to be busy with.
Because there were gifts to give and return.
Moreover, many of those gifts required Mo Hua to deliver, and many needed Mo Hua to reciprocate.
Previously, he was just an obscure little cultivator, and naturally, there was nothing to be concerned about.
But now, having become a somewhat renowned Junior Formation Master, and knowing many cultivators, some exchanges had become unavoidable.
For instance, the old Court Leader from the Taoist Court had sent him a Jade Pendant, and the An Family had sent some fine wine and Spiritual Meat, along with other smaller clans who had also sent over some New Year gifts.
None were particularly valuable, but they were all tokens of goodwill.
Mo Hua then sought out some familiar clans and cultivators with whom he had deeper relationships and personally visited to express his thanks.
For example, the Court Leader and Old Master An, both prominent cultivators within Tongxian City, had given gifts, so Mo Hua simply couldn’t avoid returning the favor.
Mo Hua had also brought some gifts.
These gifts were relatively simple, casually purchased with Flower Spirit Stones, but not so simple was the fact that he had inscribed each of them with Formations.
For example, a lantern with the character “Fortune” had the Bright Fire Formation drawn inside it, which, once lit, caused the character to emit a dazzling light. There was also a small Screen with the Cold Air Formation and a blanket with the Warm Air Formation among other items.
Neither extravagant nor ordinary, they were practical, and while they seemed simple, they clearly showed careful thought.
This fitted his status as a Junior Formation Master perfectly, and most importantly, it matched his financial capacity—he didn’t have that many Spirit Stones to spend on expensive gifts.
The old Court Leader and Old Master An were both very pleased.
Other cultivators were already content with receiving a reciprocated gift from Mo Hua, and seeing that the gifts contained Formations personally drawn by Mo Hua made them even more delighted.
Mo Hua also brought some gifts for Master Chen.
With the New Year approaching, Master Chen was still busy in the Refinery Shop, and all the Artifact Refiners were making Spiritual Artifacts. It was likely they wouldn’t finish until New Year’s Eve, after which they could relax and celebrate the New Year.
Even though it was hard, the Spirit Stones they earned from selling the Spiritual Artifacts were substantial, so they didn’t feel it was too much of a hardship.
Master Chen, having no children and only Dazhu as his disciple, cared even less.
Mo Hua brought Master Chen plenty of delicious food and several jars of fine wine, which made Master Chen smile from ear to ear.
“This wine is good, having wine is enough!”
Living alone, accompanied by wine and meat, that too was a way to celebrate the New Year.
For many years, that was how Master Chen had spent his New Year, and he didn’t feel lonely. Besides, after the New Year, a heap of disciples would visit to pay their respects; it would be quite lively then.
After chatting with Master Chen for a few moments, Master Chen asked:
“Do you want a Spiritual Artifact?”
“What kind of Spiritual Artifact?”
“Anything will do, just don’t choose a sword. That’s more challenging to refine, and I’m not very good at it.”
“Like a saber, spear, staff, or club?”
Master Chen nodded. “Thanks to your Refining Furnace, my skill in Artifact Refining has greatly improved recently. I can refine a first-grade Spiritual Artifact now. Choose one, and I’ll refine it for you, to protect yourself with.”
Mo Hua thought for a moment but still didn’t know what to choose.
“I’m not a Body Cultivator, so choosing these doesn’t seem very useful for me…”
“No matter,” Master Chen said with a smile. “The main thing is, I’m eager to refine more Spiritual Artifacts and practice my skill.”
Mo Hua didn’t know what to say…
“Then you won’t help others refine?”
“Some people have asked me to refine for them, but those are not urgent; it makes no difference sooner or later. I’ll refine one for you first.”
Mo Hua indeed wanted to forge an “Eighteen-Foot Steel Spear” or an “Azure Dragon Crescent Blade” of the sort, but even if he managed to forge one, he wouldn’t have any use for it, seeing as he was not a Body Cultivator.
“Then could you forge something for my father?”
“Don’t rush this matter; Elder Yu from Taoist Court has made arrangements already; there is no need for you to worry.”
Master Chen then said, “If all else fails, I can forge a small knife for you, suitable for cutting beef or peeling fruit.”
Mo Hua’s expression was complex. “I’ll think about it some more.”
To rarely forge a first-rate Spiritual Artifact, it should at the very least be something serious, not some fruit knife…
Master Chen nodded, “Alright, let me know once you’ve decided.”
After saying goodbye to Master Chen, Mo Hua went to visit Old Mr. Feng.
Previously, Old Mr. Feng only held consultations at Apricot Forest Hall and never made house calls apart from his medical practice.
Now that the Alchemist’s Business was established, Old Mr. Feng would come over whenever he had free time. Some ill Cultivators would even find their way to the Alchemist’s Business, asking Old Mr. Feng to see patients or concoct Pill.
Old Mr. Feng was in the neighboring Alchemist’s Business, counting Pills, organizing Pill Recipes, and also verifying the quality of the Pills produced.
Mo Hua brought his annual gifts to Old Mr. Feng, who in turn stuffed a bunch of Pills into Mo Hua’s hands.
There were Pills for treating fire and water poison, for warding off miasma, for clearing the mind and focusing the spirit, Fasting Pills to satiate hunger, Hemostatic Pills to stop bleeding, and a few Small Rejuvenation Pills for emergency life-saving.
Each type of Pill was sorted neatly, labeled, and their uses detailed.
Mo Hua thanked Old Mr. Feng and was about to leave when Old Mr. Feng called him back and gave him a bottle of Pills.
Sniffing the bottle, Mo Hua asked,
“Grandpa Feng, what kind of Pills are these? They smell sour and sweet, quite pleasant.”
“Those are Digestion Pills, used for aiding diet and digestion. I fear you might overeat and hurt your stomach, so take a few after meals. If you’re ever peckish, they can also serve as snacks.”
Mo Hua happily said, “Thank you, Grandpa Feng.”
After the busy exchange of gifts, Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the bustle was nearly over, only to receive annual presents sent by Master Luo’s messenger.
A red-gold storage box sat in the courtyard of Mo Hua’s house, indicating a generous gift just by its appearance.
Opening it, Mo Hua was surprised.
Inside were not only gifts from Master Luo but, unexpectedly, also presents from Master Qian…
It seemed he didn’t want others to know, so he had sent them over under the guise of Master Luo’s name.
The gifts from Master Luo were proper and related to Formations.
Master Qian’s gifts, however, were much more valuable, covering everything one could need for eating, wearing, and daily life. Probably, he wanted to apologize and express his attitude toward Mo Hua.
After thinking it over, Mo Hua decided to accept them.
He had no direct quarrel with Master Qian, and forming a good connection was beneficial. Besides, he might need Master Qian’s help with some matters later.
Since Master Luo had sent a gift, Mo Hua also prepared some and personally went to thank him in person.
Master Luo was much older than him, adhering to this basic etiquette.
Master Luo’s cave dwelling was one of the most luxurious in Tongxian City, splendid and magnificent.
There were many Cloud Carriages at the entrance, belonging to various clan scions and stewards who came to present gifts.
However, since Master Luo was a first-rate Formation Master, the threshold was quite high, so either they couldn’t see him at all, or they had to wait in line outside for an audience.
The crowded carriages and grand scale outside the entrance broadened Mo Hua’s horizons.
The status of Formation Masters was indeed high, especially those who were officially rated by the Taoist Court.
But with so many people outside, Mo Hua estimated he couldn’t even get through the door.
Just as Mo Hua was considering whether to return later and come back another day, he was spotted by a disciple of Master Luo.