After the Lotus Festival, Mo Hua continued to study array formation with Mr. Zhuang, along with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi.
Although all three were apprentices, they studied different things. Mo Hua focused solely on array formation, while Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi learned everything—cultivation, array formation, alchemy, talisman crafting, and artifact forging.
Their questions for Mr. Zhuang covered a wide range, not limited to array formation but all aspects of cultivation as well.
Among these, Mo Hua could only understand the queries related to array formation; the rest were mostly beyond his comprehension.
As an independent cultivator with limited background, he could study array formation thanks to his exceptional spiritual sense and having a Dao Stele in his mind, allowing him to practice without needing spirit stones. Other paths of cultivation seemed out of reach for him.
Although he didn't understand much else, Mo Hua kept those queries in mind. Even if he didn't grasp them immediately, he retained some impression, sparing himself future confusion in the unpredictable world of cultivation.
Mo Hua learned much from the Bai siblings and had to admit that they were far superior in talent and understanding, be it in their cultivation foundations or their proficiency in array formation.
They were what one might call "favored by the heavens."
Mo Hua admired Bai Zixi greatly.
Their relationship had been somewhat formal initially, but after roaming the markets together during the Lotus Festival, Bai Zisheng started to interact more casually with Mo Hua, often chatting and occasionally bickering.
In front of strangers, Bai Zisheng was the talented and handsome scion of a great family, composed and confident.
Once familiar, Bai Zisheng seemed more like a competitive child, somewhat loquacious. Though diligent in his daily practices, he liked to chat with Mo Hua whenever he had free time.
"Mo Hua, when can we see another Demon Hunter Play?"
"During the festivals."
"Mo Hua, what techniques do Demon Hunters use when hunting demonic beasts?"
"Whatever works."
"Mo Hua, can I come along on a hunt sometime..."
"I'm not a Demon Hunter; I don't hunt demons."
"Mo Hua..."
"..."
Sometimes Mo Hua would respond a few times, but if Bai Zisheng asked too many questions, Mo Hua would eventually stop responding.
Seeing Mo Hua's lack of response, Bai Zisheng would sneak peeks at the array books Mo Hua was reading. Initially cautious when they were not close, Bai Zisheng was now more relaxed.
"The Six Harmonies Array Discourse? Not bad, you're learning fast. Don't you understand the meaning of 'array hub'?"
Mo Hua honestly didn't understand and nodded.
Bai Zisheng said proudly, "Do you want to know?"
Mo Hua silently looked at him, genuinely curious but slightly disdainful of Bai Zisheng's smug expression.
"There will be a Demon Hunter Play on the seventh of next month," Mo Hua slowly said.
Bai Zisheng's expression brightened.
"But I'm not taking you," Mo Hua added.
Bai Zisheng choked, "Then I won't tell you what the 'array hub' means."
"I can ask the master."
Bai Zisheng fell silent, struggling internally before compromising, "Then I'll tell you what the 'array hub' means, and you take me to see the Demon Hunter Play!"
"No need, I'll just ask the master," Mo Hua refused.
Bai Zisheng scratched his head in frustration, "The master is very busy, and he explains things so profoundly that you might not understand as a beginner."
Though Mo Hua was slightly annoyed by being called a beginner, Bai Zisheng spoke the truth.
Master Zhuang's expertise in array formation was so advanced that what seemed trivial to him could be baffling to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua said begrudgingly, "Alright, I agree, but if you can't explain clearly, I still won't take you."
Bai Zisheng was overjoyed, hastily explaining, "The array hub is the core of an array, connecting the array patterns and conducting spiritual energy... Imagine a cultivator, where the qi sea is like the array eye, the array hub like the meridians, the array patterns like the collaterals, and the array medium like the body that holds the meridians. A cultivator's spiritual energy flows from the qi sea, through the main meridians, fills the collaterals, and forms techniques. Similarly, the spiritual energy of an array flows from the array eye, through the array hub, activating the array patterns, allowing the array to function..."
After Bai Zisheng finished, Mo Hua understood and couldn't
help but glance at him.
Without a solid foundation, one couldn't explain so clearly and simply. It showed that Bai Zisheng indeed had a strong foundation in array formation, though sometimes he talked a bit too much...
Mo Hua couldn't help asking, "Do you always talk like this to others?"
"With whom?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment, "Um... the disciples in your family?"
Bai Zisheng scoffed, "I don't bother with them."
Mo Hua was curious, "Why not?"
"I don't like the look in their eyes."
Bai Zisheng's expression cooled, "Some are sycophantic, some are jealous, some are disdainful, and some are indifferent. I find it annoying and don't bother with them."
Mo Hua was taken aback; he hadn't expected the usually straightforward Bai Zisheng to be so perceptive.
After finishing, Bai Zisheng returned to his usual demeanor, "I've explained the meaning of the 'array hub.' Now you have to take me to the Demon Hunter Play on the seventh!"
"Alright, alright," Mo Hua said resignedly, then added, "I need to practice array formation now, don't talk to me for the next hour."
Bai Zisheng waved his hand, "Go ahead, no one's stopping you."
Mo Hua then took out the "Tripartite Array" and started drawing.
This was an array Mr. Zhuang had Mo Hua practice drawing recently. After several days of practice, Mo Hua could somewhat manage to draw it, though he still made mistakes and his technique was not very refined.
Bai Zixi elegantly read her book, Mo Hua concentrated on his array drawing, and the bamboo pavilion fell silent.
Bai Zisheng meditated for a while, glanced at Bai Zixi, then at Mo Hua, and tried to continue meditating. Eventually, he couldn't resist and peeked at Mo Hua's array drawing.
As he watched, Bai Zisheng's expression grew serious, several times he seemed to want to speak, but he held back.
He lost interest in cultivating, staring intently at the array Mo Hua was drawing, his eyes not blinking.
Originally reading, Bai Zixi noticed Bai Zisheng's unusual behavior, gently tugged at his sleeve to get him to focus on his cultivation, but Bai Zisheng was oblivious.
Bai Zixi followed his gaze and also couldn't take her eyes off the array Mo Hua was drawing.
Absorbed in his work, Mo Hua didn't notice and continued drawing.
When he finished the Tripartite Array, he looked up to see Bai Zisheng's wide eyes and turned to see Bai Zixi's eyes, clear and luminous as autumn waters.