Arrays of Immortality

Chapter 14: Ji Qingbai

Mo Shan wasn't sure why Ji Qingbai suddenly asked, but he nodded and replied, "You're correct, Brother Ji. Hua'er is cultivating at Tongxian Sect and is now at the second layer of the Qi Refining stage."

Ji Qingbai looked somewhat incredulous. "Second layer of Qi Refining, and he can draw formations?"

Mo Shan said, "It's not as impressive as it sounds. He probably just picked up some basics at the sect and imitates the strokes without fully understanding them."

"Mo, you're being too modest. Even so, it's already remarkable. What I saw earlier had clear form and structure, which shows Hua'er has talent," Ji Qingbai replied.

Mo Shan smiled. "If that's the case, I'll take your words as a good omen."

Ji Qingbai sighed and said, "Among our demon hunters, let alone formation masters, even those who can roughly draw a few formation lines are scarce. At the end of last year, I went to hire a formation master to draw some arrays. Not only did I get humiliated, but I also had to put on a smiling face, fearing I'd offend him."

Ji Qingbai grew increasingly agitated as he spoke. "It was just for a simple array, yet he demanded two hundred spirit stones. On top of that, he wanted my niece to accompany him for dinner and pour his wine. If we had been in the Black Mountain, I'd have killed him with one strike!"

Mo Shan's expression darkened. "Such behavior is outrageous."

"Exactly! But what choice do I have?" Ji Qingbai sighed heavily. "We can't draw formations, and the younger generation isn't learning them either. When we need something, we have to swallow our pride and beg those family-backed formation masters, who act high and mighty."

Ji Qingbai then looked at Mo Shan seriously. "Mo, if Hua'er truly wants to learn formations, you must let him pursue it. If there's any difficulty, come to me. As long as it's something I can do, I'll do it without hesitation!"

"You're being too kind, Brother Ji," Mo Shan replied with equal seriousness. "If Hua'er truly wants to learn, I'll ensure he keeps going."

Ji Qingbai nodded with satisfaction.

The two continued chatting about demon hunting until Ji Qingbai finally excused himself. Mo Shan walked Ji Qingbai and his son out.

After leaving Mo Shan's home, Ji Qingbai led his son, Ji Li, toward a senior's residence on the west side of South Street to rest for the night.

On the way, Ji Qingbai spoke to his son. "In Qingxuan City, demon hunting has become increasingly difficult. This time, I came to Mo to discuss venturing into the inner region of the Black Mountain. Your talent is good, and at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, it's time for you to gain experience. But remember, hunting demons is for me and your Uncle Mo to handle. Don't interfere unless absolutely necessary."

Ji Li replied, "Father, I understand."

"I know you say that now, but you're still young and inexperienced. Demonic beasts are ruthless and cunning. With your current cultivation, remaining uninvolved is safer. Once you take action and show a flaw, you'll suffer tremendously."

Ji Li nodded obediently but then asked curiously, "Father, is Uncle Mo's cultivation strong?"

"Of course," Ji Qingbai said with confidence. "Your Uncle Mo is the most talented demon hunter I've ever met. He's gifted, quick to react, and highly experienced. Unfortunately, as Rouge cultivators, we prioritize family. Whatever spirit stones we earn are spent on our children's cultivation, leaving little for ourselves…"

Ji Qingbai sighed. "Otherwise, with his aptitude, he could have had a real chance at reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."

Ji Li fell silent, pondering his father's words. He knew his father's cultivation could advance further as well, but most of their spirit stones had gone toward his own training.

Thinking of Foundation Establishment cultivators, Ji Li asked softly, "What about Elder Zheng's health?"

"Not good," Ji Qingbai replied somberly. "Elder Zheng is the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in Qingxuan City's demon hunting circle. If he passes, us Rouge Qi Refining cultivators will likely face even more oppression from those aristocratic families. Life will only get harder…"

"Does Tongxian City have Foundation Establishment elders?"

"Yes, one named Yu. He's not the kindest, but he protects his own. Thanks to him, Tongxian City's demon hunters have a stronger position, and the families don't dare push too far. If it ever becomes impossible to stay in Qingxuan City, find a partner here in Tongxian City, settle down, and I'll feel more at ease."

Ji Li blushed at the suggestion. "Father, it's too early to talk about that."

Ji Qingbai chuckled. "It's never too early to plan for these things."

Wanting to change the subject, Ji Li asked, "Do you think Mo Hua can really become a formation master?"

"I don't know," Ji Qingbai replied with a furrowed brow. "Becoming a formation master is no easy task. From an apprentice to an unranked formation master and eventually a ranked one—it's a long and difficult road."

Ji Qingbai elaborated, "Just becoming an apprentice is hard enough. As Rouge cultivators without a lineage, to learn formations, you need a formation master to take you as a student."

"Aren't formations also taught in sects?" Ji Li asked.

"That's just the basics," Ji Qingbai replied. "Sects only teach enough for you to know about formations, not to make you a formation master."

Ji Li was astonished. He remembered struggling when learning about formations in his sect and realized now that was merely the surface.

"Finding a formation master as a teacher is nearly impossible. Formation masters are notoriously arrogant, and their standards are sky-high. Even if you offer everything you own, it might not be enough for them to accept you."

Ji Qingbai grew angrier as he spoke. "Formations are hard to learn. Without a lineage or a teacher, how can anyone master them?"

Ji Li asked, "So once you're an apprentice, you can become a formation master?"

"Becoming an apprentice is just the beginning. You must train for years, practicing tirelessly to improve. Only then can you become a formation master—and that's still unranked. To advance, you must earn a reputation and eventually undergo the official ranking process overseen by the Dao Court. That's yet another massive hurdle. Many formation masters die without ever earning a rank."

Ji Li's scalp tingled at the thought. "Then do you think Brother Mo Hua can really become a formation master?"

"Let's hope so," Ji Qingbai sighed. "Maybe I'm dreaming, but it's good to have some hope."

---

Meanwhile, Mo Hua continued to practice the Bright Flame Array. After several days, he completed another batch, this time with nine successful diagrams out of ten, earning eight spirit stones.

On the last day of the year, Mo Hua visited Youyuan Zhai to exchange the arrays for spirit stones. The manager was pleased with Mo Hua's progress and even gave him a small New Year's gift—two extra spirit stones.

The next day was New Year's Eve, and the Mo family spent it joyfully together.

The cultivation world's New Year traditions had many similarities to Mo Hua's memories from his past life, but also intriguing differences. For example, spring couplets glowed with light, the cloud patterns on fu characters shifted, and mythical beasts in New Year paintings stared at you with wide eyes, sometimes even snorting dismissively.

The New Year's Eve feast was the most lavish meal of the year, featuring rare delicacies, including a little meat.

Mo Hua was overjoyed. After playing with his friends for a few days, he resumed creating arrays for Youyuan Zhai.

With constant effort, he could now draw the Bright Flame Array effortlessly, completing ten diagrams in just three days with a success rate above 90%.

By the fifteenth day of the new year—the day before returning to Tongxian Sect—Mo Hua had earned nearly fifty spirit stones.

After dinner, Mo Hua packed his belongings for his return to the sect, while Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua discussed the tuition fees.

(End of Chapter)