The Quest for Immortality

Yan Jiaoxi asked, ”Is there a Qi Cultivation cultivator at the third level who can draw Array formations in this world?”

Pang Steward pondered and replied, ”Naturally, there should be. The cultivation world is vast, and there are countless prodigies. I believe there are people born with the ability to draw Array formations, though these are just rumors as I have never seen it myself.”

”Even those with exceptional talents, despite being disloyal and betraying their masters... ahem, born into Array families and learning from a young age, can also draw simple Array formations containing three Array patterns by the time they reach the third level of Qi Cultivation.”

”And those major families and sects, with their profound inheritances, definitely have their share of geniuses in Array formations, they just don’t show off.”

Yan Jiaoxi said, ”If that’s the case, it’s not impossible for Mo Hua to be able to draw Array formations at the third level of Qi Cultivation.”

Pang Steward was reluctant to admit it but had to at this point.

His Brother Yan, though stubborn, was always meticulous and accurate in his judgment.

”If that’s really the case, it would be remarkable. Why don’t you take him as a disciple?” Pang Steward thought for a moment and continued, ”This kid is indeed a good seedling. Why don’t you formally accept him as your disciple? It would also be good to pass down the Array techniques your master taught you.”

Yan Jiaoxi hadn’t considered this before, and was somewhat moved by the idea, but after careful consideration, he shook his head:

”The sect is in ruins, and the remaining Array techniques are just incomplete and fragmented. What’s there to pass on? Taking him as a disciple would just be misleading the young, not to mention my master’s unfulfilled wishes and the lack of clues about that person; I have no interest in inquiring about other matters.”

Pang Steward wanted to persuade further, but Yan Jiaoxi just waved his hand.

Pang Steward sighed, ”Well, I won’t persuade you anymore, since you never listen. As for Mo Hua, this kid...”

”Don’t tell anyone for now. Trees that stand out in the forest are bound to be destroyed by the wind, and that has always been the case. Besides, he’s still young and must not develop a sense of pride, or he will surely stray from the right path.”

Pang Steward agreed, ”That’s true.”

Yan Jiaoxi continued, ”Don’t let him take any more Array formation orders from here either. Just find some excuse about poor business management.”

Although it was indeed poor business management, when said out loud, Pang Steward still felt it was a blow to his dignity, and corrected:

”That’s not poor management, that’s a laissez-faire approach to business, leaving it all to fate!”

”And why stop him from drawing Array formations, earning spirit stones, and supporting his family?”

Yan Jiaoxi frowned, ”At the third level of Qi Cultivation, even if he can draw Array formations, how much spiritual sense can he have? Drawing too much will overly deplete his spiritual sense, leaving lasting harm and damaging the foundation of his sea of consciousness.”

”And he’s still young, now is the time to solidify his foundation in cultivation, not just Array formations. He needs to understand all aspects of cultivation, especially his cultivation level. He mustn’t sacrifice his future for short-term gains...”

Pang Steward said, ”The family situation of independent cultivators is not that affluent, and they often don’t have enough spirit stones.”

”Even if they are poor, they cannot disregard the future...”

”Do you know how poor ordinary independent cultivators really are?”

Pang Steward’s expression became serious for once.

Yan Jiaoxi seeing Pang Steward’s serious expression, his brow furrowed slightly.

Pang Steward solemnly said, ”I know you had a tough childhood despite having a family; being born out of wedlock, you were not valued by your family. Later, after joining the sect and being meticulously taught by your master, you worked hard and made some progress in Array formations, which improved your situation a bit. But even if your situation was not the best, you had a family to rely on, at least you had food and clothing, and life was worry-free, if not ideal.”

”People often say that the path of cultivation is arduous,” Pang Steward sighed, ”I have been in Tongxian City for over a decade since leaving the sect, and having interacted with many independent cultivators, I realized that although people say cultivation is tough, the degree of difficulty varies greatly.”

”Ordinary independent cultivators struggle to make a living, and just being able to support their families is already an achievement. Some

are injured by the fires in weapon forging, others lose an arm to demonic beasts while hunting, and those who sell their spiritual power to help others with chores often suffer minor damage to their meridians. If they fall ill or get injured, without spirit stones for treatment, whether they can survive depends entirely on luck.”

”If they can survive, that’s great; if not, they die. The worst is hanging on by a thread, spending spirit stones and draining their entire family. What can they do? They just want to survive.”

Having said all this in one breath, Pang Steward poured himself a cup of tea and gulped it down.

Yan Jiaoxi fell silent for a moment, then sighed with an apologetic tone:

”I hadn’t considered that.”

Pang Steward gave him a look.

Yan Jiaoxi thought for a moment, then said to Pang Steward, ”Give me the list of Array formations from here.”

”What do you need the list for?” Pang Steward asked, puzzled, but still got up and fetched a book from behind the counter, handing it to Yan Jiaoxi.

Yan Jiaoxi took the list of Array formations, looked through it once, then picked up a pen on the table and marked several formations, noting the sequence on the back of each.

”What are you doing?” Pang Steward asked.

Yan Jiaoxi explained, ”Next time Mo Hua comes, you let him draw the Array formations I’ve marked on the list in the order I’ve noted. This way, he’ll learn more solidly. Later, when I have time, I’ll give him some guidance at the sect, which is better than him learning haphazardly.”

”By doing this, he can earn some spirit stones by drawing Array formations to support his family, and he’ll also learn some proper techniques in Array formations.”

After finishing his explanation, Yan Jiaoxi added, ”Another thing, don’t let him draw too many Array formations. Receiving three or four a month is enough. Otherwise, if his spiritual sense is overly depleted, it will damage his sea of consciousness, leaving a serious problem.”

Pang Steward looked at the list in his hand and then at Yan Jiaoxi, his expression complicated, ”Are you really not planning to take him as a disciple?”

Yan Jiaoxi shook his head, then stood up and reiterated before leaving, ”Just don’t forget to follow the order I’ve marked.”

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Pang Steward watched his retreating figure, unable to speak for a long while, only letting out a helpless sigh.

Suddenly, Pang Steward remembered something and called out to Yan Jiaoxi.

Yan Jiaoxi turned to look at him.

Pang Steward hesitated for a moment before saying, ”There’s one thing you might have gotten wrong...”

Yan Jiaoxi frowned, ”What’s wrong?”

”When Mo Hua came with the Blazing Fire Array, he was only at the second level of Qi Cultivation. If these Array formations are indeed drawn by him, that means...”

Pang Steward paused, choosing his words carefully:

”He might have been able to draw Array formations already at the second level of Qi Cultivation!”

Yan Jiaoxi’s pupils contracted, showing a look of disbelief.