Chapter 1403: Valuable
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Chapter 1401: Valuable
Fortune Pavilion was the largest merchant hall on the entire nearby street.
As soon as Mo Hua stepped inside, two beautiful attendants bowed to him, their faces like peach blossoms, their figures as soft as spring water.
Looking up, he saw carved beams and painted rafters, with jade paving the floor.
Inside the hall stood two pillars, carved entirely from raw spirit stone ore. One engraved with an imposing God of Wealth, exuding opulence. While the other with various treasure-gathering spirit beasts, auspicious cloud patterns, and ganoderma motifs adorning the surface, their brilliance dazzling to the eye.
Even Xiao Ju couldn’t help but secretly click her tongue in amazement.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen grand scenes before, but she had rarely seen such “nouveau riche” décor.
Typically, aristocratic families, high-ranking clans, and reclusive masters favored understated luxury and restraint. They wouldn’t flaunt wealth so ostentatiously.
But this was a merchant hall, open for business, seeking prosperity and flowing wealth, so naturally it would appear as lavish and extravagant as possible.
Fortune Pavilion pursued worldly riches.
Mo Hua brought Xiao Ju inside and glanced around. The hall was spacious, filled with spiritual artifacts, talismans, pills, various cultivation techniques, Daoist arts, scrolls, and books—everything one could imagine.
As a major merchant hall, it sold a bit of everything, and it was obvious at a glance that nothing here came cheap.
Not far away, there was even a flying spirit boat on display, carved entirely from refined jade, adorned with pearls, inlaid with agate, and lined with the fur of high-grade premium exotic beasts.
At a glance, it was clear this wasn’t meant for ordinary cultivators.
In fact, even if an ordinary cultivator worked without eating or drinking for an entire lifetime, they might not afford even a single piece of agate on that vessel.
Xiao Ju secretly tugged at Mo Hua’s sleeve, glanced around, and whispered softly:
“Do you really have spirit stones? If not, forget it, let’s just go back… the orange tree can grow a bit slower…”
Big merchant halls like this were all snobbish, judging people by appearances, and spending here required a massive amount of spirit stones.
If Mo Hua ended up exposing himself as a poor pauper, it would be quite embarrassing.
Xiao Ju didn’t want him to lose face.
Mo Hua smiled and said, “It’s fine. Just follow me.”
Xiao Ju mumbled and trailed behind Mo Hua.
Inside Fortune Pavilion, different counters sold different kinds of spiritual goods, dazzling to the eye.
Mo Hua ignored everything else and walked straight ahead, stopping before the relatively quietest counter, the formation counter.
The pavilion had a grand and luxurious atmosphere, clearly catering to “high-end” clientele. Though all who came were wealthy, the overall foot traffic wasn’t too heavy.
Among all the counters, the formation counter was the quietest.
In fact, when Mo Hua approached the formation counter, there wasn’t a single customer in sight. Only a shopkeeper in a dark gold brocade robe was resting with his eyes closed in a redwood rocking chair in front of the counter.
As Mo Hua drew near, the shopkeeper opened his eyes, glanced at Mo Hua, noted his youthful face and the little girl accompanying him, and sensed not a hint of “wealth” about him. He assumed Mo Hua didn’t have many spirit stones and closed his eyes again.
Seeing this, Mo Hua released a trace of Golden Core pressure.
The shopkeeper’s eyes snapped open. He sat upright, his expression instantly changing from indifferent to warm, piling on a smile as he said:
“My eyesight has failed me, I failed to recognize that you were a Golden Core cultivator. My apologies, my apologies…”
“May I ask, are you here to purchase formations, or…?”
Mo Hua said, “I am a formation master. I have business to discuss.”
The shopkeeper exclaimed in surprise, “Young friend, you are not only at the Golden Core realm at such a young age, but could it be you also have attainments in formation field?”
Mo Hua nodded. “I know a little.”
The shopkeeper hurriedly asked, “Have you been officially graded by the Dao Court? Do you carry a Heavenly Pivot Ring?”
Mo Hua showed his ring.
The moment the shopkeeper saw it, his heart jolted.
This was a Heavenly Pivot Ring with six star marks, representing a Second-Grade High-Tier Formation Master.
Mo Hua had obtained this ring when he graduated from the Great Void Sect, at the insistence of Old Master Xun, who had him take the certification exam along the way.
For Mo Hua, the difficulty wasn’t particularly high.
Unfortunately, after receiving this Heavenly Pivot Ring, it had been left to gather dust, never put to use.
Back in his hometown, Tongxian City, he simply had no need for it. His identity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator alone was enough to astonish Elder Yu and the others.
And in Tongxian City, there likely wasn’t even a single Second-Grade Formation Master.
No one there had any concept of what a Second-Grade High Tier Formation Master status truly meant.
In the Great Wilderness, the ring was even more useless.
The Great Wilderness was at war with the Dao Court—showing this Dao Court’s Heavenly Pivot Ring to barbarian cultivators would only expose his background.
Only now, in Kun Province, a land flourishing with powerful clans, could this ring finally be of use.
And indeed, after seeing it, the shopkeeper’s expression changed drastically.
He looked at the ring with shock, then at Mo Hua’s appearance and age, before scrambling off his rocking chair and cupping his hands respectfully toward Mo Hua:
“I failed to recognize a master before my eyes, my apologies, my apologies…”
He quickly rang a bell. “Someone, escort the young master to the second floor!”
The bell rang crisply, and soon a graceful attendant approached Mo Hua, bowed, and said softly:
“Please, come upstairs, young master.”
Mo Hua merely nodded faintly.
Seeing that Mo Hua was young and vigorous, yet remained as calm as still water in front of such a beautiful woman, showing not a trace of emotion, the shopkeeper dared not underestimate him further. He smiled obsequiously and said,
“Young master, please.”
Accompanied by the maidservant, Mo Hua and Xiao Ju stepped onto the jade staircase, walked across the soft spiritual beast fur carpet, and ascended to the second floor of Fortune Pavilion.
The second floor consisted of private rooms, even quieter than the first floor. Painted screens depicted landscapes, beaded curtains hanging elegantly, and the faint fragrance of incense and cosmetics filled the air.
Two beautiful attendants poured tea for Mo Hua and Xiao Ju. Their every smile and gesture was graceful and flawless, yet their garments were semi-transparent, their bodies soft as jade, subtly stirring the heart.
Of course, Mo Hua remained completely unmoved.
At his current level, only things that could be eaten—great evil spirit entities, monstrous demons, and malevolent evil gods—could stir his heart.
On the other hand, Xiao Ju, this little girl, was so stirred that she couldn’t sit still. Her eyes darted around, looking at the pretty attendants, focusing on where their clothes were thinnest, even looking as if she couldn’t wait to reach out and touch them to test their texture.
Being just a little girl, she did this openly and without any reservation.
Mo Hua didn’t know how to scold her.
Seeing Mo Hua uninterested, the shopkeeper waved his hand, dismissing the attendants.
They bowed and left obediently.
Xiao Ju looked disappointed.
The shopkeeper in the dark-gold robe smiled and said, “My surname is Zhao. I serve as the Fourth Manager of Fortune Pavilion, overseeing formation-related trade. May I know how to address you, young master?”
Mo Hua replied, “My surname is Mo.”
He said nothing more, and Manager Zhao tactfully refrained from asking further. Instead, he said, “Young Master Mo, may I take another look at your Heavenly Pivot Ring?”
Mo Hua glanced at Manager Zhao indifferently.
For no apparent reason, Manager Zhao felt an inexplicable pressure and smiled, “It’s just pavilion protocol, we need to verify its authenticity. I hope you understand.”
Mo Hua said nothing and handed over the ring.
Manager Zhao quickly stood up, took out a clean silk handkerchief, and respectfully received it with both hands. He placed it on the table and examined it carefully.
Seeing the starlight flowing across it, the Heavenly Pivot shining brightly, all six star marks perfectly aligned, and the certification seal accurate—it was indeed Second-Grade High-tier—he finally relaxed.
He then returned the Heavenly Pivot Ring to Mo Hua with both hands.
Mo Hua took the ring and casually put it on his finger.
Manager Zhao was both envious and amazed, praising him:
“Young Master Mo, you are truly outstanding at such a young age—not only breaking through to Golden Core, but achieving such profound mastery in formations, even passing the Dao Court’s strict Second-Grade High-tier certification… truly remarkable, truly remarkable!”
His praise was sincere.
Yet Mo Hua’s expression remained calm.
Despite Zhao’s enthusiastic compliments, he felt no sense of accomplishment at all.
Seeing this, Zhao grew even more convinced that Mo Hua was extraordinary, unmoved by praise or beauty.
Manager Zhao clapped his hands and said. “Bring the Dragon Mist Tea!”
After a while, a maid brought two teacups adorned with gilded entwined lotus patterns. The tea inside was fragrant and refreshing, with mist swirling like a dragon.
Mo Hua took a sip and was initially impressed, but upon careful reflection, he found the aroma abundant but the water’s essence lacking. It was nowhere near as good as the tea Xiao Ju brewed.
Manager Zhao asked, “Young Master Mo, what brings you our Fortune Pavilion?”
Mo Hua did not hide his intentions. Putting down the teacup, he said, “I’ve just arrived in Kun Province and am short on funds. I wonder if your pavilion needs a Formation Master to draw formations?”
Manager Zhao nodded. “Naturally. Ordinary formation masters are one thing, but those above second grade—especially Second Grade High-tier or above—are scarce wherever you go.”
“May I ask, young master, do you wish to join Fortune Pavilion as a resident formation elder, or simply take temporary commissions?” “Manager Zhao inquired further.
“Temporary,” Mo Hua replied.
“Long-term or short-term?” Manager Zhao asked again.
Mo Hua asked in return, “What’s the difference?”
“Long-term naturally involves signing a long-term spiritual contract. You would receive an additional ten percent share, but there would be less freedom.”
“For short-term employment, you sign a short-term spiritual contract. The share is slightly lower, but you’ll have more freedom. Payment and goods are settled cleanly, with few obligations.”
Manager Zhao explained.
“Short-term will do,” Mo Hua said.
Manager Zhao was not surprised and nodded. “May I ask what kind of formations you specialize in or which categories you’re proficient in?”
Mo Hua replied, “What do you have?”
Manager Zhao guessed that this Young Master Mo might be young and not very experienced in formations, needing to see the formations before deciding. He then pulled out several formation diagrams and jade slips from the counter and said:
“These are a batch of formation diagrams urgently needed by our Fortune Pavilion over the past two months, ranging from Second Grade mid-tier to Second Grade high-tier. The payment for drawing formations starts at ten thousand spirit stones and goes up to eighty or ninety thousand, even one hundred thousand per formation, though those are very rare…”
“Please have a look, Young Master.” Manager Zhao handed the formation diagrams to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua swept his gaze over them and casually picked out several of the most expensive ones. “These.”
Manager Zhao’s eyelids twitched. “Young Master Mo, are you certain?”
The ones Mo Hua selected were basically the most expensive Second Grade high-tier formations, and naturally, also the most difficult.
Under normal circumstances, very few formation masters dared to take on such work. The failure rate was too high, requiring both time and effort. If one failed, they would incur losses, making it not worth the risk.
Mo Hua still nodded calmly, confirming, “These ones.”
Manager Zhao couldn’t tell whether Mo Hua was exceptionally skilled and confident or just putting on airs. After a moment’s thought, he still nodded.
“Very well!”
Mo Hua asked, “Do I need to pay a deposit?”
“No need,” Manager Zhao said. “I’ll draft a spiritual contract shortly for your review. If you have no objections, you can stamp it with your Heavenly Pivot Ring. Once it takes effect, our agreement will be considered complete.”
Mo Hua was slightly surprised.
The Heavenly Pivot Ring could be used as a seal? He had never used it that way before.
Seeing his reaction, Manager Zhao felt a bit doubtful.
This young master didn’t even know such basic knowledge… could he be a fake?
But the Heavenly Pivot Ring itself was genuine; that much couldn’t be faked.
“Probably a noble young master from a great clan, inexperienced in the ways of the world and lacking in transactional knowledge…”
As Manager Zhao was thinking this, Mo Hua suddenly asked, “Does your Fortune Pavilion have any Third-Grade formation commissions?”
Upon hearing this, Manager Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, his expression changed, and his gaze turned serious as he asked, “Young master, could it be… you also know Third-Grade formations?”
Seeing Manager Zhao’s unusual reaction, Mo Hua shook his head and said:
“I’m still learning. Unfortunately, my divine sense isn’t strong enough yet, so I haven’t grasped the method. But I have a senior sister with considerable mastery in formations, she’s proficient in third-grade formations, so I thought I’d ask.”
Manager Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, “Does she have a third-grade Heavenly Pivot Ring?”
“Is a Heavenly Pivot Ring necessary?” Mo Hua inquired.
Manager Zhao nodded. “It is absolutely necessary. The person doesn’t need to come, but the ring must be used to stamp the contract.”
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Fearing misunderstanding, Manager Zhao patiently explained:
“The Heavenly Pivot Ring is extremely important. It is not only a formation master’s identity token but also an official certification issued by the Dao Court.”
“Anyone eligible to take the Heavenly Pivot grading examination has already had their identity and background verified. And anyone who passes the formation master assessment undoubtedly possesses real ability.”
“When the Dao Court issues a Heavenly Pivot Ring, it is essentially vouching for the formation master in the name of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion.”
“Each ring is specially made and contains the formation master’s identity authentication. Once stamped, it is equivalent to the formation master’s personal signature.”
“The information within that ‘signature’ isn’t known to outsiders, but the Dao Court keeps records.”
“If any problems arise, one can report directly to the Dao Court Office. The Heavenly Pivot Pavilion will investigate and handle the matter, and compensate for any related losses.”
“Thus, for businesses like ours dealing in formations, recognizing the ring alone is sufficient.”
“In fact, many times, we recognize the ring, not the person. The person may be absent, but the ring cannot be missing…”
Manager Zhao stroked his small mustache as he explained.
Mo Hua found this somewhat surprising. After thinking it over, he nodded.
This method of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion was quite clever.
The Heavenly Pivot Ring was essentially equivalent to the formation master themselves. Where the ring was, the person was. The ring embodied the formation master’s credibility.
Conversely, a formation master without a Heavenly Pivot Ring was like an unregistered individual in the cultivation world. Their identity ambiguous and far less likely to be trusted in normal transactions.
Thus, any formation master who wanted proper respect and convenience would inevitably seek recognition from the Dao Court and obtain a Heavenly Pivot Ring as proof of identity.
The difference between having a ring and not having one was immense.
At the same time, by doing this, the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion not only vouched for formation masters, regulated their behavior, and enhanced their prestige…
It also effectively bound them to its own faction, placing them under the Dao Court’s control.
Mo Hua then asked curiously:
“What if… there were a formation expert with extremely high skill, capable of drawing very advanced formations, would your Fortune Pavilion hire them?”
Manager Zhao looked at Mo Hua silently, thinking, The ‘expert’ you’re talking about… isn’t yourself, is it?
But upon reconsideration, seeing Mo Hua’s youthful appearance and handsome looks, he dismissed the thought.
Those who could rely on their looks to make a living rarely devoted themselves to studying formations.
Moreover, formations were different from other cultivation paths, they consumed both divine sense and time. Anyone with real proficiency in formations had typically spent over a hundred years painstakingly studying them. How could someone so young possess such skill?
Manager Zhao sighed. “Young Master, forgive me for speaking bluntly. You’re still young and may not understand the dangers of the human heart. In this world, being capable doesn’t necessarily make one trustworthy.”
“Sometimes, the more capable a person is, the more dangerous they are…”
“You probably haven’t encountered such people,” he continued, looking at Mo Hua. “The kind who are highly skilled in formations but harbor malicious intent—scheming with layers upon layers of cunning. They help you draw formations but secretly tamper with them…”
(TN: Manger Zhou hit the bullseye)
“And because their skill is so high, you can’t detect anything wrong.”
“Then, once you use the formation, you’ll suffer terribly, sometimes you won’t even know how you died…”
Mo Hua remained expressionless.
He felt that Manager Zhao probably wasn’t talking about him… but at the same time, it oddly felt like every word was aimed at him.
Manager Zhao sighed with lingering fear.
“Our Fortune Pavilion has suffered greatly from such matters before… We’ve come to despise it deeply. Since then, we only recognize the ring. Formation masters without a ring are neither acknowledged nor trusted.”
Manager Zhou seemed to be recalling past events, still shaken with fear.
Mo Hua didn’t know what to say. After all… some of those things, he had indeed done before.
So he didn’t pursue the topic further.
However, judging by the situation, if he wanted to continue getting by in Kun Province, he would need to find time soon to pass the third-grade formation master assessment.
But that could wait for later.
“Let’s draft the spiritual contract,” Mo Hua said.
Manager Zhao nodded. “Very well, please wait a moment, Young Master Mo.”
After speaking, Manager Zhao waved his hand, instructing a steward to bring a standard spiritual contract. He made a few modifications himself, adding several lines, recording the formation names, along with the terms regarding remuneration and compensation. After signing and pressing his fingerprint, he handed it to Mo Hua, speaking in a respectful tone:
“This is the spiritual contract. Please review it, Young Master. The main terms are standard, identical for all formation masters.”
“Primarily, please verify the formation listings and the spirit stone remuneration…”
“If everything is in order, please use your Heavenly Pivot Ring to stamp it. Once stamped, the contract will take effect.”
Mo Hua took it, glanced through it briefly, and nodded. “Looks fine.” He then used his Heavenly Pivot Ring to stamp the contract.
After that, the contract took effect. Two copies were made, one kept by Fortune Pavilion, the other by Mo Hua.
Manager Zhao also placed all the formation diagrams needed for drawing the formations into a storage bag and handed it to Mo Hua.
After pondering for a moment, Mo Hua suddenly said, “Manager Zhao, may I request an advance of some spirit stones?”
Manager Zhao was taken aback. “An advance?”
Mo Hua nodded. “I’ve just arrived and am short on travel funds. I’ll take an advance first and make up for it later by drawing formations.”
Manager Zhao hesitated.
But Mo Hua was a Golden Core cultivator and wore the Heavenly Pivot Ring, he didn’t seem like someone of ordinary background…
Manager Zhao said, “That’s not in accordance with Fortune Pavilion’s rules. In business, payment is made upon delivery…”
Before he could finish his usual spiel, seeing Mo Hua’s impatient expression, he quickly added:
“However, I do have some standing in the Pavilion. I can make an exception and advance you… two hundred thousand spirit stones…”
Mo Hua’s heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained indifferent. “Only two hundred thousand?”
Manager Zhao felt troubled.
The order in Mo Hua’s hands, even if completed perfectly, would only yield remuneration of around one hundred seventy to one hundred eighty thousand spirit stones.
Two hundred thousand was already excessive.
But seeing Mo Hua’s demeanor, treating Spirit stones as if they were dirt, Manager Zhao couldn’t gauge his background and feared offending him, so he said:
“Then… three hundred thousand?”
Mo Hua immediately replied, “Make it five hundred thousand.”
Not only Manager Zhao, but even Xiao Ju, who was standing nearby, was utterly shocked.
What shocked Xiao Ju even more was that after a moment of thought, Manager Zhao actually nodded and said:
“Fortune Pavilion doesn’t have such a rule, but seeing your extraordinary bearing, young master, I can personally cover the funds and advance you these five hundred thousand Spirit stones…”
Mo Hua nodded. “Many thanks, Manager Zhao.”
Hearing Mo Hua’s thanks, Manager Zhao nodded and ordered, “Someone, bring five hundred thousand spirit stones…”
Xiao Ju, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded. She had secretly saved for many years just to accumulate fifty thousand in private savings.
But this Mo Hua—just by opening his mouth—secured five hundred thousand?!
Was this Mo Hua really that valuable?!