Immortality Through Array Formations

Mo Hua first went to the Merit Pavilion to find the Merit Elder for materials for the Second Grade Formation.

The Merit Elder treated other disciples with an official and businesslike demeanor, yet whenever he saw Mo Hua, he always felt a sense of novelty and couldn't help but take an extra look.

He glanced at Mo Hua's Taixu Token and asked, surprised, "You are now... qualified to take on a Second Grade Primary Rank Formation?"

Mo Hua nodded, but thought to himself: I could have taken it on long ago! Not just Second Grade Primary Rank, but Middle-level Formations too—I'm capable of those as well! It's just you won't let me take them! The necessity of himself "stooping," "condescending," to paint the mere Ten Patterns of the Second Grade Formations, Mo Hua still felt slight discontent.

However, the Merit Elder couldn't help marveling, "That's incredible…" Even within the Taixu Gate, where there was no shortage of Formation geniuses, the ability to undertake Second Grade Formation tasks so soon after joining, even if it was just Ten Patterns, wasn't easy.

Moreover, Mo Hua was young and looked even younger.

"But that's not right..." the Merit Elder frowned again, "You haven't had your assessment yet…" The assessment for becoming a Formation Master was, after all, a big deal. It benefitted the Sect as well, as it could improve the Sect's ranking and, in turn, affect the Taixu Gate's share of the Spiritual mines within the Qianxue State Boundary.

The Merit Elder was puzzled. The names of disciples who passed the Formation Master assessment were supposed to be sent to the Merit Pavilion—he should have seen them, yet he had no recollection of Mo Hua's name on the list. Because Elder Master Xun had changed his permissions, Mo Hua stood tall, unafraid of being scrutinized. Even if there were to be blame, it would first be cast upon Elder Master Xun.

Mo Hua honestly replied, "No."

"Then this…" The Merit Elder frowned, and then he suddenly had a realization and asked, "Is this another backdoor opened by Elder Master Xun for you?"

Mo Hua nodded, "Yes!" The Merit Elder sighed. It was complete lawlessness, disregarding the Sect's rules entirely—how could such changes be made so arbitrarily? But considering it was Elder Master Xun who made the change... It was hard to argue whether this truly went against the Sect's rules...

The Merit Elder felt helpless and inwardly complained about Elder Master Xun's favoritism, feeling he was too indulgent with this child. Without an assessment, he had given him the title and let him take on Second Grade tasks. This would invariably do more harm than good to the child, akin to pulling up seedlings to help them grow... The Merit Elder couldn't help but grumble internally.

Mo Hua observed him for a while and then softly asked, "Elder, what are you pondering?" Hand over the Formation materials to me already... Why are you daydreaming...

The Merit Elder then came to his senses, hesitated for a moment, but still let out a sigh and gave Mo Hua the ink and Formation Diagrams he needed, thinking to himself: Well, I can't concern myself with Elder Master Xun's plans... But Second Grade Formations aren't so easy to draw. Without an assessment, taking on Second Grade Formation tasks could lead to trouble sooner or later. I hope this child won't fail to complete the task and become a laughingstock...

However, he soon thought that, for a young man full of vigor, enduring some hardship would be beneficial—it could temper his character and let him realize that Formations are not that simple... Having this thought, the Merit Elder was put at ease.

Mo Hua, with the materials in hand, went back and started on the painting. He could draw a First Grade Fireworks Formation with his eyes closed. But this Fireworks Formation seemed a bit different; the Formation Patterns had been changed, with some variations added. Although they were simple and rough, it was evident that the person who modified the Formation had limited skill but had done so with great care.

According to the attached notes, the Fireworks Formation was meant for a lantern. As the lantern ascended, the Formation would be activated, bursting into dazzling fireworks, like thousands upon thousands of pear trees in full bloom—a sight too beautiful for words. There were also words on it—some romantic poetry.

Mo Hua understood that this was a lantern specifically designed by some male disciple within the Sect to woo a female disciple.

Mo Hua snorted, "Quite the romantic setup..." Such a Formation was entry-level for Second Grade, rarely used, and those who were certified Second Grade Formation Masters disdained to draw it for a mere seven or eight Merit Points. Mo Hua felt the same disdain. But with no choice, being under the eaves, he had to bow his head and start from the lowest level of Formations.

Fortunately, the Formation was far too simple. In his spare time, Mo Hua quickly finished drawing and didn't waste much time. At dusk, he submitted the Formation to the Merit Pavilion. The Merit Elder saw Mo Hua and appeared taken aback, worriedly asking, "What happened, did you make a mistake?" You've come back so soon. Did you mess up and have come for more paper and ink? It couldn't possibly be that you've already finished in such a short time...

Mo Hua was somewhat speechless, "Elder, can't you have a little faith in me..." It was just a Second Grade Ten Patterns Formation. Mo Hua couldn't think of how he would have screwed up unless he had gotten drunk on fruit wine... But there was very little alcohol in fruit wine, and he couldn't get drunk from it. "I've finished!" Standing on tiptoe at the slightly high counter, Mo Hua looked up and puffed out his chest.

The Merit Elder looked surprised. He finished? He opened Mo Hua's Storage Bag and checked the Formation within, finding everything done without the slightest error, with the handwriting dignified and the Formation Patterns beautiful, clearly done with great care and not at all as if done hastily or carelessly...

The Merit Elder looked at Mo Hua suspiciously, "Did you paint this yourself?"

"Not exactly," Mo Hua shook his head, "I used Merit Points to hire some senior brothers and sisters to help me paint." The Merit Elder was taken aback, and he actually gave serious consideration to whether what Mo Hua had said was true...