Mo Hua entered the room, greeted Mr. Feng, and then curiously looked at Master Luo.
Mr. Feng said, "Mo Hua, this is Master Luo, a First Grade Array Master from Tongxian City."
Mo Hua was taken aback and hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Master Luo."
Master Luo felt a bit uncomfortable with the courtesy and almost wanted to stand up.
If he wasn't mistaken, the child before him was already a First Grade Array Master.
There is no precedence in learning; the accomplished are revered.
Their array skills were about the same, and he felt unworthy of such courtesy.
But since Mr. Feng was sitting, he couldn't stand up directly, so he just clasped his hands and smiled, "No need for such formality, please sit."
Mo Hua was puzzled, are all First Grade Array Masters so polite?
He had eaten a lot of delicious food before leaving and was now a bit thirsty.
The living room was momentarily silent, somewhat quiet.
Master Luo hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly opened his mouth:
"Mo Hua, is the array in the alchemy hall drawn by you?"
Mo Hua glanced at Mr. Feng, saw him nod slightly, and then said, "I drew it."
Master Luo said, "I noticed that several arrays are ingeniously designed and can even confuse spiritual awareness. Is there any particular technique involved?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and didn't speak.
Master Luo realized his mistake and quickly said, "I was too abrupt, I apologize."
Other people's array insights and inheritances involve secrets, and he shouldn't have asked so rashly.
Usually, he was absorbed in studying arrays and had never seen such usage. He was too interested and couldn't find other topics to talk about, so he asked without thinking.
With peers who are old Array Masters, he could engage in verbal sparring and mind games, but when faced with a child, Master Luo didn't know how to start the conversation.
Mainly, he had never dealt with such a young Array Master before. Generally speaking, someone Mo Hua's age would be doing well to be an array apprentice.
Mo Hua said, "It's okay, I was just thinking about how to explain it."
"In fact, it's not purely an array that isolates spiritual awareness, but using the interplay and arrangement of Five Elements arrays, sometimes overlapping, sometimes interweaving, making the Five Elements' spiritual power either generate or counteract each other, creating a chaotic pattern. When spiritual awareness sweeps over it, it's naturally confused and unable to perceive the things inside clearly..."
Mo Hua patiently explained.
Master Luo suddenly understood, realizing that it didn't deviate from the framework of Five Elements arrays but cleverly used the layout to achieve the effect of confusing spiritual perception. The thought process was unique and the design exquisite.
Master Luo felt enlightened, having never seen such an array construction method before.
"Do you have a mentor?" Master Luo couldn't help asking.
Mo Hua smiled and said calmly, "That's inconvenient to say."
Master Luo nodded, feeling a bit indebted, and took out a book on arrays from his storage bag:
"These are some of my array insights over the years. They aren't profound but are based on experience. They might be useful. I hope you won't disdain them."
Mo Hua politely accepted it, flipped through it briefly, his eyes lighting up, "Thank you, Master Luo!"
The two then chatted briefly about other arrays, both gaining something.
Master Luo was experienced with arrays, familiar with some obscure array patterns, while Mo Hua was intelligent, quick to learn, and had innovative ideas in array construction.
As it was getting late, Mo Hua got up to leave, saying:
"I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Master Luo!"
Master Luo stood to see him off. After Mo Hua left, he couldn't help but sigh.
Mr. Feng took a sip of tea and asked, "What do you think?"
Master Luo sighed, "He indeed has the knowledge and ability of a First Grade Array Master."
Moreover, his knowledge and ability were exceptional, his temperament excellent, he was polite and composed, and didn't withhold his array knowledge.
Master Luo then said wistfully, "The world is vast and full of wonders. This kind of prodigious talent is something I've never seen before..."
Mr. Feng's eyes slightly narrowed, "Since that's the case, I have a request."
Master Luo was puzzled, "Please, go ahead."
"This child, Mo Hua, has great talent, but he is still young. If he encounters difficulties, I hope you can lend a hand."
Master Luo suddenly understood, "You mean the Qian family?"
"Correct."
Master Luo frowned, "It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but I can't oppose the Qian family without reason. Mo Hua is talented, but he has no connection to me, right?"
"No need to oppose the Qian family, just speak up if something happens."
That wasn't difficult, and Master Luo was willing to do it, but he still asked, "I need a reason, right?"
Mr. Feng glanced at him, "Do you want to advance further in array skills?"
Isn't that a given? What Array Master doesn't?
But Mr. Feng was highly respected, so Master Luo couldn't say it directly and only said implicitly, "Of course."
After speaking, Master Luo suddenly paused, "You mean... Mo Hua can help me..."
Mr. Feng nodded.
Master Luo was shocked, then a bit angry, and said coldly:
"Mo Hua indeed has great talent, but he is a First Grade, and so am I. Moreover, he hasn't been certified, while I am a certified First Grade Array Master by the Dao Court."
"Array skills have their strengths. In some areas, he may not surpass me. Even if he has better talent and will surpass me in array skills in the future, that's in the future, not now."
Array Masters have their pride. They don't easily seek help from others, especially not from a child. How would he maintain his dignity?
Master Luo thought this to himself.
Mr. Feng sighed, "You don't understand."
Master Luo frowned, "What is there not to understand?"
"Come with me," Mr. Feng stood up and said to Master Luo.
Master Luo, not understanding, followed Mr. Feng, who led him past a high wall, through the alchemy hall, around several stone paths, to the center of a courtyard.
In the middle of the courtyard stood a large alchemy furnace. It was ancient in design, with elegant cloud patterns.
The courtyard was bustling and busy.
Herbs were sorted into categories around, with alchemists flipping through alchemy books, apprentices grabbing herbs, and several alchemists focusing on controlling the fire and refining pills.
When Master Luo saw the furnace, he had a vague suspicion.
The furnace was too large, which meant that the array on the furnace was extraordinary.
As he got closer and saw the furnace fire, his heart couldn't help but race.
He pointed at the furnace fire, looking at Mr. Feng in disbelief, "This... this furnace fire..."
Mr. Feng nodded.
Master Luo looked at the alchemy furnace again, showing shock:
"Then... this array is..."
Mr. Feng nodded again.
Master Luo stood stunned for a long time, finally murmuring:
"A First Grade Composite Array!"
Master Luo didn't know how he got back.
When he returned to his cave dwelling and stood in his courtyard, he finally came to his senses.
A First Grade Composite Array!
He had never mastered it, and even his fellow disciples and master hadn't been able to draw a First Grade Composite Array during the Qi refining stage.
He recalled that it was in this courtyard that Instructor Yan had asked him to take Mo Hua as a disciple.
And he had casually refused...
Master Luo stood dazed for a long time, then, seeing no one around, couldn't help but slap his mouth:
"Why did I have to be so stupid? Why did I have to say things so definitively? Why didn't I leave some room for maneuver?"
Even if he didn't take him as a disciple, just giving some guidance would have been a great favor.
Master Luo felt bitter, deeply regretting his actions...