The next day, Mo Hua finished his class in the preaching room. Just as he was packing his jade slips and books, preparing to return to the disciple dormitory, he looked up and saw a Daoist child waving at him from the doorway.

“Mo Hua, Old Mister Xun wants you to come over.”

Mo Hua was slightly startled, then nodded. “Okay.”

As he walked up the long stone steps of Tai Xu Mountain, Mo Hua always had a bad feeling. He softly asked the Daoist child,

“What’s the matter this time?”

The Daoist child shook his head and honestly replied, “I don’t know.”

“Then is Old Mister Xun angry this time?”

“Angry…” The Daoist child frowned, then shook his head again. “But it doesn’t seem like it. His expression is very serious, as if something big has happened. Elder Xun is even trembling with fear.”

“Elder Xun?”

“Elder Xun Zi You. He’s the grand-grandson of the old ancestor. He serves as an elder in the inner sect.”

Mo Hua nodded slightly, remembering the name.

The Daoist child looked at Mo Hua worriedly. “Anyway, be careful and don’t make the old ancestor angry.”

Mo Hua was a bit puzzled. “I haven’t done anything. How could the old mister’s anger have anything to do with me?”

“Who knows…” The Daoist child, walking in front, suddenly turned his head and whispered, “Mo Hua, I broke that little tiger you gave me again…”

“What did you do?” Mo Hua looked at him silently.

The Daoist child was a bit embarrassed and stammered, “I was playing puppet beast fights with Qing Feng and Ming Yue. The tiger won, but it broke…”

Mo Hua sighed.

The Daoist child looked a bit guilty.

Mo Hua then said, “Then when I have time, I’ll make you another one. If you want to fight beasts, I’ll make you a fiercer one. But you’ll have to provide the materials for the puppets yourself. I’ll draw the array formations…”

The Daoist child’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. “I got some high-quality gold jade. When I have time, I’ll refine it into puppets and then bring it to you to draw the array formations.”

Mo Hua nodded. “Okay.”

The Daoist child looked happy. “Mo Hua, you’re really nice. Next time something happens, I’ll tip you off again.”

As they were talking, the two of them arrived at the Elder Residence.

The Daoist child immediately wiped the smile from his face and respectfully led Mo Hua in front of Old Mister Xun. After performing a bow, he withdrew.

Mo Hua secretly observed Old Mister Xun, noticing that although his expression was a bit complex, he wasn’t overly angry. This made him slowly relax.

“Good day, Old Mister,” Mo Hua said, performing a bow.

Old Mister Xun nodded slightly and said,

“I called you here for no other reason. I just suddenly remembered that I still have some collected insights on array formations. They might be helpful for you learning array formations. Take them and have a look…”

Mo Hua was very surprised. He had thought that Old Mister Xun had discovered his “bad deeds” again and wanted to scold him.

He didn’t expect it to be a good thing.

Mo Hua said with a joyful expression, “Thank you, Old Mister!”

Old Mister Xun took out some dark-colored jade slips and old manuscripts, and handed them all to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua respectfully received them and roughly flipped through them.

The jade slips and manuscripts indeed contained some insights into the path of array formations. Some were related to array eyes, some to array hubs, and some discussed variations in array patterns.

Mo Hua’s peripheral vision caught something, and he was suddenly startled.

He saw two unexpected words:

Array Flow!

Mo Hua’s heart trembled. He quickly picked up the manuscript and his gaze quickly scanned it. Inside the manuscript, there were indeed some insights and understandings of “Array Flow”:

“Array Flow, which is the source of all heavenly array formations. Ten thousand arrays return to one, and one penetrates a hundred.”

“One who achieves great mastery in array formations and thoroughly understands all heavenly array formations can return to the source on their own and summarize the source of array formations.”

“And one who comprehends Array Flow can also transform one into ten thousand, outline and lead, and unify the array formations of ten thousand paths…”

Mo Hua’s heart was shaken.

These words… were very familiar. This wasn’t the first time he had heard them…

Mo Hua looked at Old Mister Xun in a daze and said hoarsely,

“Old Mister, this manuscript is…”

Old Mister Xun said, “It belongs to an old friend.”

“Old friend?”

“Yes.” Old Mister Xun nodded slightly, his gaze melancholy. “That year, this old friend once visited my Tai Xu Gate as a guest. We sat and discussed the Dao, exchanging insights on array formations. This manuscript was written during that time of exchanging array formations with him, recording some insights and understandings…”

“This old friend…” Old Mister Xun’s expression was calm, his gaze slightly severe, and he slowly said, “His surname was Zhuang.”

Zhuang…

Mo Hua suddenly lost his spirit, standing stunned in place, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

“Master…”

Old Mister Xun saw Mo Hua’s expression. He saw him first startled, then heartbroken, his eyes surging with feelings of intimacy and filial piety, which finally turned into deep loss.

Old Mister Xun also sighed slightly.

He was indeed that person’s disciple…

And the sadness and loss in Mo Hua’s eyes only lasted for a moment, then they all sank to the bottom of his eyes, turning into deep, profound pool water, making it difficult for others to detect.

Mo Hua’s expression was as usual, and he said admiringly,

“Old Mister, your old friend must be a top-notch senior in array formations.”

Old Mister Xun nodded and sighed, “Yes, he is.”

“This senior…” Mo Hua paused slightly, then asked, “Where is he now?”

Old Mister Xun was a bit surprised. He silently looked at Mo Hua, then shook his head:

“In this life, I fear it will be difficult to meet again.”

Mo Hua lowered his head, silent.

Old Mister Xun looked at him, inexplicably feeling a pang of heartache.

He silently sized up Mo Hua in front of him.

Having entered the sect for three years, Mo Hua had grown taller, but his temperament hadn’t changed much.

At the beginning, he only felt that this child was innocent and lovable, serious and diligent in learning array formations, and also had high comprehension. That’s how he saw him.

Later, when he learned that his divine sense talent was extraordinary, he treated him even more like a treasure.

However, now that he knew Mo Hua was that person’s disciple, besides being shocked, Old Mister Xun’s mood was much more complex.

That person bore the absolute learning of deriving and calculating the secrets of heaven. Every action and move had profound calculations and contained immeasurable secrets of heaven.

Now that person’s heavenly secrets were cut off, and the Ruined Realm and Heaven Burial appeared in the world, yet he secretly left a quiet and unknown small disciple, who by chance, entered the Tai Xu Gate…

Did this also contain some deeper meaning?

Old Mister Xun had many thoughts.

After a moment, Mo Hua raised his head, his eyes showing expectation, and softly asked, “Old Mister, this manuscript…”

“Keep it,” Old Mister Xun said gently. “I gave it to you anyway. You should take good care of it and look at it more often.”

Mo Hua tightly grasped the manuscript and said gratefully, “Thank you, Old Mister!”

Old Mister Xun smiled slightly, patted Mo Hua’s shoulder, and said, “Okay, go back now. You still have class in the afternoon.”

“Okay.”

Mo Hua nodded, and then respectfully bowed to Old Mister Xun again. After that, he said goodbye and left, only his back revealing a hint of desolation.

Old Mister Xun sighed.

This frail body might bear a great karma that could be called terrifying…

Some matters, he didn’t point out. He knew what was going on in his heart and let nature take its course.

The important matter was only one.

That was Mo Hua.

No matter what karma he carried, he now wore the Daoist robe of Tai Xu Gate. He was a disciple of Tai Xu Gate.

And in the future, he must always be a disciple of Tai Xu Gate!

Old Mister Xun’s gaze condensed, a trace of sharpness flashing in his eyes. He called out, “Go call Zi You over.”

After a while, Xun Zi You came to see Old Mister Xun.

Old Mister Xun instructed, “Take good care of this child, Mo Hua.”

Xun Zi You was startled. “This, didn’t you instruct me before…”

“This time is different,” Old Mister Xun said faintly. “Before I told you, it’s okay if you break an arm, but it’s not okay if he loses a single hair. That was to urge you to handle things well.”

“Now it’s different. Now this sentence is the real meaning.”

Xun Zi You: “…”

He was stunned for a long time, then frowned and weakly said, “Old ancestor, what is this child’s identity that you value him so much…”

“You don’t need to worry about it,” Old Mister Xun looked at Xun Zi You, his gaze heavy, his voice low. “You only need to know that he is important to my Tai Xu Gate, even possibly…”

Old Mister Xun paused for a moment, then slowly said,

“…My Tai Xu Gate’s Dao lineage!”

Xun Zi You was suddenly startled, his heart trembling.

Dao lineage?!

Xun Zi You’s eyelids twitched. He wanted to say, “Aren’t you exaggerating?” He was just a small cultivator in the Foundation Building stage. No matter how good his talent was, or how special his identity, it was absolutely impossible for him to be related to Tai Xu Gate’s Dao lineage.

Tai Xu Gate was one of the eight great sects in Gan State, with deep foundations and a long history.

If traced back, before the three sects were divided, it was one of the few colossal entities in Gan State.

What did this kind of Dao lineage have to do with a small cultivator?

Xun Zi You couldn’t understand.

But he knew that the old ancestor was a serious person and never spoke falsely.

If he said it concerned the Dao lineage, then there must be a very deep karma involved.

Xun Zi You had a serious face and bowed. “Old ancestor, I understand.”

Old Mister Xun nodded slightly.

“But…” Xun Zi You thought for a moment, then added, “This child seems to have some grudges with the Duan Jin Gate. Should I step forward…”

“No need.” Old Mister Xun shook his head. “I told you to take care of him, not to protect him one-sidedly.”

“He cannot be injured, but besides that, whether it’s the Duan Jin Gate or other sects, matters between disciples should be resolved by themselves. There’s no need to intervene too much.”

Xun Zi You understood the old ancestor’s meaning and asked again, “What if it’s the high-level members of Duan Jin Gate…”

Old Mister Xun said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here for everything.”

Xun Zi You finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With the old ancestor’s words, he had much more confidence.

“Go,” Old Mister Xun waved his hand. “Don’t be careless. If something really happens…”

Old Mister Xun thought for a moment, and to urge him, he said something more ruthless. “I’ll just strike you out of the family genealogy…”

Xun Zi You’s scalp went numb, and he felt silly.

Can you just casually make such a joke about me?!

“Old ancestor, are you serious…”

Old Mister Xun looked at him silently. Xun Zi You knew better and said with a bitter expression,

“Yes.”

After leaving the Elder Residence, Xun Zi You took a long breath.

He had a premonition that his temporary “bodyguard” role was likely to become “permanent” and he would be a long-term bodyguard.

He probably wouldn’t have peaceful days after this.

Mo Hua finished his class in the afternoon and had dinner with Yu Er. Then he returned to the disciple dormitory.

As soon as he entered the room, Mo Hua took out all the manuscripts Old Mister Xun had given him.

Especially the manuscript related to “Array Flow”.

Mo Hua read this manuscript carefully and thoroughly, his expression a bit desolate.

This was indeed Master’s manuscript.

Although there were some differences, the insights into “Array Flow” that Master had imparted to him back in Li Mountain City’s Five Elements Sect seemed to be from the same source.

Mister Zhuang’s immortal demeanor and bone structure, his free and unrestrained spirit, and his warm as water expression appeared in Mo Hua’s mind again.

Mo Hua was lost in thought for a long time before finally sighing deeply.

He read the manuscript again.

This was a manuscript from a discussion of the Dao.

The descriptions of “Array Flow” in it were more detailed and profound than what Master had initially told him.

Mo Hua read for a while and found that he couldn’t understand it.

Strictly speaking, he hadn’t learned Array Flow yet.

Although the “source pattern” manifested from the Five Elements Array Flow of the Five Elements Sect’s Dao lineage was in his hands, he didn’t actually know what that strange evil-eye-like “source pattern” essentially was…

And the cultivators who could summarize Array Flow were all without exception array masters who had cultivated some kind of array formation to great mastery.

So it wasn’t strange that he couldn’t understand this Array Flow manuscript.

“Let’s keep it for now. Later, when my array formation attainment is higher, I’ll study it properly…”

Mo Hua nodded slightly, then carefully and reverently placed the Array Flow manuscript into his storage ring.

These were Master’s things.

Mo Hua cherished them very much.

And Old Mister Xun…

Mo Hua didn’t expect that Old Mister Xun had actually discussed the Dao and array formations with Master.

If so, did Old Mister Xun and Master have other connections?

Mo Hua’s heart stirred, and he suddenly realized.

Things like “Array Flow” were obviously not something he could learn now.

Perhaps Old Mister Xun giving him Master’s Array Flow manuscript and intentionally or unintentionally pointing out that it was a manuscript of “an old friend surnamed Zhuang” was a test?

“Did the old mister guess that Master is my Master?”

Mo Hua muttered in his heart.

However, this didn’t seem to be a big deal…

There seemed to be quite a few people who knew about this.

Not to mention Shibo, there was also Little Shijie’s mother, who was his Shishu, and Senior Si Tu from Xuan Ji Valley, as well as those Feather Transformation cultivators he had seen briefly during the changes in Li Mountain City.

They were all “great cultivators,” with deep cultivation and busy schedules.

He was just an inconspicuous small cultivator. He estimated that they would forget about him soon.

Since Old Mister Xun had sat opposite Master and discussed the Dao, presumably there was no enmity between them, and he shouldn’t have any malice towards him.

At least Mo Hua didn’t feel any malice.

Moreover, the old mister had even given him Master’s Array Flow manuscript.

He was usually very good to him and had also shown him the grace of transmitting the Dao and imparting knowledge.

Old Mister Xun was a great good person!

Mo Hua nodded.

He would now wholeheartedly learn array formations, and if he had the opportunity in the future, he would repay a little of his kindness.

A drop of water’s grace should be repaid with a spring.

This was the principle of conduct his mother had taught him.

After clearing his mind, Mo Hua flipped through array books for a while and learned array formations. When it was Zi Shi, his divine sense sank into the Dao Stele again, and he continued to practice array formations.

He wanted to find a way to practice array formations more and temper his divine sense.

Since he couldn’t go out now, he could only rely on this kind of clumsy method to temper his divine sense.

He would strive to break through the seal of the laws of the heavenly path earlier, promote his divine sense to eighteen patterns, and learn more powerful array formations.

So, he learned array formations peacefully for several days without incident.

He had been to Refine Demon Mountain several times and tested the effects of the Five Elements Source Armor several times. He had also formulated several sets of strategies for hunting demons, so he temporarily didn’t go again.

But on this day, while eating in the dining hall, Cheng Mo suddenly walked over with a bruised face.

Mo Hua was startled. “Cheng Mo, were you slapped by a bear again?”

“I’m not an idiot. If I get slapped once, how can I get slapped a second time…” Cheng Mo mumbled, then his expression showed some anger. “It’s that group of bastards from Duan Jin Gate.”

Mo Hua’s gaze condensed slightly. “Duan Jin Gate?”

“Yes.” Cheng Mo sat down, also followed Mo Hua’s example, bit a chicken leg, and mumbled, “Little Shixiong, you haven’t entered the mountain these days, so you don’t know. Duan Jin Gate is causing trouble for us…”

“That group of little bastards is looking for trouble with us every few days.”

“They don’t dare to fight us head-on. They sneak around the side and wait for us to kill demon beasts. Then they swarm up to snatch them.”

“If we don’t kill demon beasts, they just hover around like flies.”

Mo Hua frowned. “There are also rules inside Refine Demon Mountain, aren’t there? Why are they so arrogant? Don’t those elders manage them?”

Cheng Mo said, “They do manage them, but it’s useless. Those jerks from Duan Jin Gate are used to quibbling and are shameless.”

“They always say that the demon beasts were killed by them, that we were the first to act, and that they are innocent…”

“Those elders from Duan Jin Gate are also very protective.”

“If the disciples from Duan Jin Gate take advantage, they just gloss over it and say that they are all just children, and fighting is a common matter, so there’s no need to bicker.”

“If Duan Jin Gate suffers a loss, they just accuse us of not managing well and our disciples being uneducated, etc…”

“Several of our elders from Tai Xu Gate are not eloquent and have been angered quite a bit.”

“So, after all the back and forth, the disciples of Duan Jin Gate still do as they please and do these underhanded things…”

Cheng Mo sighed. “So, rules are only useful to people with face. If someone is shameless, rules are useless.”

When Cheng Mo said this, he let out a cold laugh, but pulled the wound on his face and bared his teeth in pain.

However, it was a good thing he was a body cultivator with thick skin and strong flesh. This little injury was nothing.

Cheng Mo bit into another piece of meat and continued,

“My injury just now happened this morning while hunting demons. I was being stalked by the disciples of Duan Jin Gate again. I really couldn’t stand it, so I fought with them.”

“Don’t look at my miserable appearance, but they are even more miserable.”

“Several people’s legs were broken by me.”

“However, I estimate it’s useless. They will still dare to do it next time.”

Mo Hua’s brows furrowed slightly, and he said to Cheng Mo, “Next time during the training, I’ll go into the mountain and take a look too.”

“Don’t.” Cheng Mo immediately refused. “You should still wholeheartedly draw array formations. You are the Little Shixiong. Why would you need to deal with these little bastards personally?”

Cheng Mo knew that Mo Hua had been drawing array formations every day these past few days and was quite busy, so he didn’t want to disturb him.

Moreover, the trouble caused by Duan Jin Gate was all done by disciples at the mid-stage of Foundation Building, who were in the same batch as them.

There was still no need for Mo Hua to take action.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and also nodded. “Okay.”

He indeed didn’t have time recently.

Because he vaguely felt that the restrictions of the heavenly path laws in his sea of consciousness seemed to have loosened quite a bit.

Perhaps his realm was high, which wasn’t too outrageous.

Or perhaps the heavenly path laws were quickly “full,” so they were gradually dissipating.

Mo Hua always felt that perhaps in not long, his divine sense would be able to reach eighteen patterns.

The matters of Refine Demon Mountain could just be handled by Cheng Mo and the others.

Although Cheng Mo looked rough and was indeed a rough person, he was still resourceful.

Moreover, he had been with Mo Hua for so long and had rich experience. He had also learned quite a few “sinister” methods.

Dealing with the arrogant and overbearing disciples of Duan Jin Gate who only knew how to bully the weak was more than enough.

So, with Cheng Mo leading the team, the disciples of Tai Xu Gate openly fought and secretly battled with the disciples of Duan Jin Gate in the same batch within Refine Demon Mountain.

After a month passed like this, Cheng Mo came to see Mo Hua again, his expression somewhat dejected.

It wasn’t that they didn’t win.

They won, but it was useless.

“That group of turtle bastards from Duan Jin Gate are really like beasts. When they enter Refine Demon Mountain, they don’t do anything but stare at our Tai Xu Gate and snatch our demon beasts.”

“At first, they still fought with us head-on several times. Later, they discovered that we wore Ke Jin Armor and they couldn’t win, so they simply stopped fighting.”

“They’re like flies. When we hunt demons, they just harass us.”

“When we fight back, they just run.”

Cheng Mo was disgusted.

“The tickets to Refine Demon Mountain cost one hundred merits. They’d rather do nothing all day and still spend one hundred merits to harass us and do this kind of cheap thing that harms others and doesn’t benefit themselves.”

“Although we’re not afraid of them, being harassed by them prevents us from refining demons and earning merits, so we can’t really count as winning…”

Cheng Mo sighed, feeling somewhat vexed.

Mo Hua’s gaze sank slightly.

This Duan Jin Gate was indeed cheap enough.

“It’s nothing…” Mo Hua took a sip of fruit wine, thought for a moment, and said indifferently, “They are being cheap because they haven’t been thoroughly beaten and scared yet.”

“Hit them hard several times, hurt their bones, and they’ll know the pain, then they won’t be cheap anymore…”

Mo Hua’s gaze was slightly cold.