The young cultivator looked about ten years old, with delicate features that made him appear both obedient and adorable. However, lying on the ground, covered in dirt, he looked quite messy.
"Whose child is this, playing around here?"
Master Ban was momentarily stunned, quietly approaching and following the young cultivator's gaze. He discovered that the boy was staring at the foundation stone below, which seemed to be reserved for drawing array patterns.
What was a child doing looking at this foundation stone?
Master Ban didn't quite understand and leaned over to examine it for a while. He saw nothing special besides dirt and stone. At that moment, he heard the boy speak:
"Are you Master Ban?"
Master Ban was taken aback. "Do you know me?"
"Yes, my name is Mo Hua. Elder Yu sent me."
Mo Hua stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
Master Ban approached and gently patted his back, brushing off the dust while curiously asking, "What did Elder Yu send you here for?"
"Elder Yu asked me to take a look."
"Look at what?"
Mo Hua chuckled but didn't answer.
He was here to see where the arrays should be drawn, whether the planned array diagrams complied with the standards, and if the rooms built by the craftmasters would interfere with the array layout.
However, Elder Yu had instructed him not to reveal that he could draw arrays to prevent anyone with ill intentions from harming him, especially fearing that the Qian family might retaliate if they found out.
Seeing Mo Hua's silence, Master Ban had a guess in his mind.
He probably thought the child had sneaked over to play because it looked lively here but was afraid of being scolded, so he used Elder Yu as an excuse.
Thinking about it, what could Elder Yu expect a child to do?
But from the boy's tone, he seemed very familiar with Elder Yu. If not a relative, he was likely another demon hunter's child.
As long as he wasn't from the Qian family, it was fine.
Master Ban was relieved and kindly reminded, "Play for a bit and then go back. There's nothing much to see here, and it's somewhat dangerous for a child."
Mo Hua nodded, "I'll just take a look and go back soon."
Master Ban didn't bother with him anymore, having plenty of tasks to keep him busy. With so many craftsmen and demon hunters around, so many eyes watching, no real danger would come to a child.
Master Ban focused on his work. After a while, he looked up and saw Mo Hua was still there.
Mo Hua was strolling slowly along a half-built wall, his hands behind his back, examining everything while muttering about some patterns and wood stones.
Several demon hunters were nearby, neither stopping him nor watching him, seemingly accustomed to the boy's actions.
Master Ban was puzzled. What exactly was this kid doing?
Why was no one managing him?
Could he be Elder Yu's beloved grandson, making the demon hunters too afraid to intervene?
Master Ban speculated in his mind.
"Mo... Hua?" Master Ban remembered the boy's name and called out.
After calling, he realized that since the boy's surname was Mo, he shouldn't be Elder Yu's grandson.
Mo Hua heard Master Ban and waved at him. Then he lightly leaped, floating down from the wall like a leaf.
Master Ban was secretly astonished. If nothing else, this movement skill was extraordinary.
"Why haven't you gone home yet?" Master Ban asked.
"I'll leave soon."
"Alright." Master Ban nodded, casually picked a few bricks, piled them up, and sat down.
He had been busy for a while and could use a rest.
Mo Hua mimicked him, hugging a brick and placing it on the ground, sitting beside Master Ban.
"Master Ban, do you want some wine?"
Mo Hua took out a bottle of fruit wine from his storage bag, not very strong but just right to quench thirst.
Master Ban was a bit thirsty but hesitated, seeing that Mo Hua was just a child. "That wouldn't be appropriate..."
Mo Hua said, "Our family runs a restaurant. We have plenty of wine, and this is homemade. Try it?"
Curious, Master Ban took a sip and nodded in praise, "It's fragrant and refreshing, perfect for quenching thirst!"
"Right?" Mo Hua laughed happily.
This wine was brewed by his mother, of course, it was delicious. Mo Hua thought Master Ban must be a connoisseur.
In this aspect, Elder Yu's taste was a bit lacking. He only liked strong liquor and couldn't appreciate the sweetness of this fruit wine.
Mo Hua asked, "Master Ban, do all craftsmen have earth and wood spiritual roots?"
Mo Hua was curious. He had just used his spiritual sense to scan and found that these craftsmen's spiritual power was mostly brown, with hints of green.
This was because their spiritual roots were earth-based with some wood attributes, and they practiced earth and wood techniques.
Master Ban, having drunk Mo Hua's wine and now with some free time, explained, "Generally, earth and wood spiritual roots are best for craftsmen. Besides that, water-earth, metal-earth, and metal-wood can also work. Building with earth and wood, dealing with soil and stone, requires the corresponding spiritual power for shaping, carving, and engraving. With the right spiritual roots, the work is much more efficient."
Mo Hua listened, nodding repeatedly.
Master Ban took another sip of wine to moisten his throat and continued, "It's not just us craftsmen. Other cultivation paths are similar. For example, alchemy and artifact forging require fire spiritual roots. Culinary arts too, though fire quality doesn't need to be high, but it's necessary..."
"For other examples, sailing requires water spiritual roots, spiritual planting needs wood or water roots, building tombs needs metal or earth roots, and escorting goods is best with wind roots, and so on. Spiritual roots are crucial..."
From this conversation, Mo Hua learned a lot.
The vastness of the cultivation world was incredible, with so many diverse cultivators, engaged in various cultivation paths, living rich and colorful lives...
He wondered if he would ever travel across the nine regions, experiencing the different customs and meeting the various cultivators.
Mo Hua thought with some longing.
After chatting, the wine was finished, and Master Ban had to get back to work. He said, "It's getting late. I need to be busy. You should go back soon, don't worry your parents."
Mo Hua had seen enough and had a good understanding, so he waved, "Goodbye, Master Ban."
Master Ban continued supervising the construction progress, focused, soon forgetting about Mo Hua.
A few days later, he met Elder Yu. After discussing the planning of the artifact workshop, he was about to leave when he suddenly remembered and asked:
"I met a child named Mo Hua earlier. Do you know him?"
"Mo Hua?" Elder Yu nodded, "I sent him to take a look."
"What did you ask him to look at?" Master Ban frowned.
Elder Yu was about to explain but stopped, smiling, "Nothing much, just letting him take a look."
Master Ban wasn't pleased, puzzled, "Is he your relative?"
If only he were my relative...
Elder Yu thought silently, then shook his head, "No, just an ordinary child. Let him do what he wants. You don't need to worry."
Master Ban couldn't help but grumble internally.
Let him do what he wants, just an ordinary child?
You wouldn't be this lenient with your own grandson...
Master Ban shook his head but, knowing Elder Yu didn't want to elaborate, didn't press further, and resumed discussing the artifact workshop.