Afterwards, Mo Hua continued to draw the Earth Solidification Array, which he did for two months.
Whenever he encountered something unclear in the array, he would consult Yan Jiaoxi. Yan Jiaoxi, a stern man with high standards, was always generous in sharing knowledge, explaining in detail and with earnest.
Yan Jiaoxi felt it was too early for Mo Hua to delve into these advanced arrays without a solid foundation, but he patiently explained whenever Mo Hua asked, earning Mo Hua's deep gratitude.
Sometimes, Mo Hua skipped classes to secretly draw arrays for spirit stones, and Yan Jiaoxi did not pursue it too strictly, only advising Mo Hua: "A cultivator can specialize, but shouldn't be overly biased. Some techniques might be unknown to you, but you must at least be aware of them, to avoid pitfalls after graduating from the sect and venturing into the cultivation world."
Mo Hua humbly accepted the teaching and benefited greatly.
Now, lacking spirit stones for his cultivation techniques, he continued to skip classes to draw arrays and gather spirit stones.
Each Earth Solidification Array, with its four array patterns, could earn him two spirit stones, speeding up his collection significantly.
Two months later, on a routine day, Mo Hua went to the steward to deliver an order, but upon entering, he found the usually quiet Destiny's Shop occupied by a middle-aged man in a blue Daoist robe, drinking tea.
The man's back seemed familiar, and upon turning around, Mo Hua was startled.
Mo Hua suddenly felt like he had been caught skipping class.
"Mo Hua?"
Yan Jiaoxi also saw Mo Hua, expressing surprise.
The steward, sitting across from Yan Jiaoxi and pouring tea, looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "You know each other?"
Yan Jiaoxi replied, "He is one of my students from the Tongxian Sect."
Mo Hua bowed respectfully, "Disciple pays respects to the instructor!"
Yan Jiaoxi nodded in acknowledgment and asked, "What brings you here?"
Before Mo Hua could reply, the steward explained, "He's running errands for his brother, who draws arrays for our Array Pavilion. Once completed, he delivers them."
Yan Jiaoxi nodded, asking no further.
Relieved, Mo Hua handed over the array to the steward, took the spirit stones, and quickly excused himself, "Disciple must leave now, not to disturb the instructor."
Yan Jiaoxi seemed to have matters to discuss with the steward and, seeing Mo Hua's tact, nodded approvingly, "Head back to the sect early and be safe on the road."
Mo Hua bowed respectfully and left the Array Pavilion.
The steward, watching Mo Hua's departure, said to Yan Jiaoxi, "That boy is very polite and clever. You're lucky to have such a good disciple."
Yan Jiaoxi hummed softly, then inquired, "You said his brother draws the arrays for you?"
The steward presented the Earth Solidification Array Mo Hua had delivered, remarking, "It's quite well done."
Yan Jiaoxi was surprised, "This was drawn by his brother?"
"What else?" the steward replied, "You don't think he could draw a complete array at his age, do you? Even if he drained all his spiritual sense."
Yan Jiaoxi nodded, remembering that Mo Hua had consulted him about the Earth Solidification Array, likely after seeing his brother work on it and developing questions.
"Having a thirst for knowledge in arrays is good," Yan Jiaoxi thought silently. "If he maintains this mindset, he might truly excel in array cultivation."
Yan Jiaoxi let the matter rest and surveyed the quiet, deserted shop before turning to the steward, "Is this how you want to live your life?"
The steward, sipping tea, responded, "We both pursued cultivation together; you know my disposition. I'm not like you; you're now an instructor at Tongxian Sect with profound expertise in arrays, close to becoming a first-grade array master. When you achieve that, you'll have connections, status, and abundant spirit stones here in Tongxian City, and the sect will surely offer you an elder's position."
"As for me," the steward continued, "I'm content with living day by day, only superficially engaged in arrays and not fond of solitude in cultivation. Just getting by each day satisfies me. Don't look down on me; consider those independent cultivators bustling on the streets. This leisurely life is beyond their reach."
Yan Jiaoxi fell silent.
The steward, seeing Yan Jiaoxi's silence, sighed, "Tell me, what do you need my help with?"
Yan
Jiaoxi solemnly requested, "Help me find the 'Spiritual Pivot Array Diagram.'"
The steward massaged his temples, "After all these years, you still haven't given up. In my opinion, you're not getting any younger. It's time to find a partner and settle down."
"Personal matters are trivial compared to the inheritance of array techniques."
"Even if you find it, what then? Our grandmaster couldn't master it, nor could our master. Do you think you can? A first-grade array requires understanding twelve array patterns, and you're not even a first-grade master yet. How will the Spiritual Pivot Array Diagram help you? You might not master it even in your lifetime."
Yan Jiaoxi remained silent.
The steward, trying to persuade him, added, "Brother, let it go. Besides, you can't even find it. That traitor left the sect and stole the techniques years ago without a trace, and even the Dao Court can't track him down. You're an array master, not skilled in Daoist techniques; what can you do?"
Yan Jiaoxi was unmoved, "My master treated me with great kindness; all my array techniques were passed down from him. Now that my master is gone and the sect shattered, the techniques lost, I can't rest easy. If I can recover the techniques and continue the legacy, nothing else matters."
"I know you prefer comfort and won't ask much of you. Just let me know if you hear anything about the 'Spiritual Pivot Array Diagram.' You needn't worry about the rest."
"How do you know there might be clues about the 'Spiritual Pivot Array Diagram' in Tongxian City?" the steward frowned.
Yan Jiaoxi remained silent.
The steward waved his hand, "Alright, knowing too much is not good for me either. I'll help you, but I also kindly remind you, you might still end up with nothing in the end."
Feeling troubled yet unable to hold back, the steward continued, "If I were you, I'd rather spend some effort finding a partner, have a child. Even if you can't find it, your child might continue the search, ensuring you don't die alone and miserable. While you're still not too old, find a partner, just find one, so you don't end up regretting later..."
"The tea has cooled; I'm leaving."
Yan Jiaoxi rose, brushed off his sleeves, and walked away, ignoring the steward's continuous chatter behind him.