Chapter 370: Establishing Rank

First-rank, twelve runes!

Mo Hua was taken aback. He never expected that Instructor Yan’s sect possessed a first-rank formation with twelve runes.

The Reverse-Spirit Formation that Master Zhuang had taught him was only a first-rank, ten-sigil formation.

As for the Five-Element Demon-Slaying Grand Formation, although Master Zhuang hadn’t explicitly said, Mo Hua guessed that the Divine-Sense required for its formation core would not exceed eleven runes.

Now, hearing from Manager Mo, he learned of a first-rank, twelve-sigil formation—and apparently, it was a single formation.

“Spirit-Core Formation…”

Mo Hua silently memorized the name, then curiously asked:

“Does this formation have anything special that requires twelve runes of Divine-Sense…?”

Manager Mo shook his head with a wry smile. “No one has learned it, so naturally no one knows.”

Mo Hua nodded, then began pondering quietly:

“Spirit-Core Formation… doesn’t sound like a Five-Element formation. There’s the word ‘Spirit,’ so it must involve spiritual energy, probably similar to a ‘Gathering-Spirit Formation’ or ‘Reverse-Spirit Formation,’ controlling the flow or concentration of spiritual energy…”

“And the word ‘Core’ in the name either refers to using spiritual energy as a pivot, or points to a unique feature of the formation core itself.”

“Single formations usually have simple cores, but this one requires twelve runes of Divine-Sense… could it be because the core’s structure is unusually complex?”

…

Mo Hua muttered to himself for quite a while, lost in thought.

Manager Mo listened in astonishment.

He hadn’t said anything—just the name of a formation—and Mo Hua was already able to extrapolate so much…

Much of it was beyond his understanding.

Manager Mo’s heart sank slightly.

The Way of Formations truly is profound and boundless. Mo Hua’s level of mastery is indeed unfathomable. No wonder even Master Luo admires him…

After pondering for a long time, Mo Hua still couldn’t draw a definite conclusion.

From just a formation name, there was only so much one could deduce.

He asked, “Manager Mo, do you know where Instructor Yan went?”

Snapping back to reality, Manager Mo thought for a moment, then pulled a slip of paper from his storage pouch and handed it to Mo Hua. On it was a single line:

“Xiao Huang Prefecture, Nanyue City.”

“This is what I managed to find out. A former acquaintance of the sect in the east of the prefecture saw that traitor who betrayed his master and destroyed his sect in a fairy city called Nanyue in Xiao Huang Prefecture.”

“I’ve informed Senior Brother Yan of this. If my guess is correct, he likely went to Nanyue City as well.”

Mo Hua nodded and carefully pocketed the note.

Manager Mo thought for a moment longer, then asked hesitantly:

“Mo Hua, I have a personal favor… If you pass through there and meet Senior Brother Yan, I hope you can help him a bit.”

Mo Hua’s expression turned serious. “Don’t worry, Manager Mo. I will make sure to help Instructor Yan deal with that traitor.”

“No…” Manager Mo shook his head.

Mo Hua was startled. “What do you mean, not?”

“I’m not asking you to catch anyone. I want you to persuade him—to find a Dao companion, to settle down and start a life…” Manager Mo said helplessly.

Mo Hua was momentarily confused.

Manager Mo sighed. “Senior Brother Yan actually has a good talent…”

“Of course, not comparable to yours…” Manager Mo glanced at Mo Hua, then continued:

“If he devoted himself to studying formations, he could at least become a first-rank formation master, serve as an outer sect elder—it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“A first-rank formation master is already considered extraordinary in most prefectures…”

His tone carried a hint of envy.

Mo Hua nodded. When he first started learning formations, his dream was to become a first-rank formation master.

Manager Mo sighed again. “But Senior Brother Yan has been troubled these years, unable to calm his mind. That’s why he can’t overcome that threshold.”

“He entered the sect early and has deep feelings for the Master, so I understand why he can’t let go. But he can’t let a single-minded desire for revenge ruin his whole life.”

“Even if the great vengeance is achieved, he’ll be left alone, with white hair, and hardly any further achievements in formations.”

“If you meet him, persuade him. Let him take care of himself. Even if he avenges, the Master is already gone, the sect is dispersed, and the past will fade. But he himself must find a way to live well…”

Manager Mo spoke sincerely, his tone tinged with helplessness:

“He might not listen to me, but perhaps he’ll listen to you.”

Mo Hua nodded, moved by Manager Mo’s genuine concern for Instructor Yan, and agreed:

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him.”

Manager Mo’s face brightened.

When Mo Hua was about to leave, he handed him several boxes of fine pastries, tucking them into Mo Hua’s arms:

“Take these with you and try them.”

Mo Hua couldn’t refuse and accepted them.

After Mo Hua left, Manager Mo sat alone, pouring tea for himself. After a few sips, he murmured wistfully:

“Senior Brother, don’t think I’m meddling…”

“I told Mo Hua about the Spirit-Core Formation, don’t blame me.”

“The sect is gone, and this formation is no longer a secret anyway.”

He fell silent for a moment, gazing at the swirling tea, then said slowly:

“Besides, I want to know if anyone could really learn this absurd twelve-sigil first-rank formation…”

…

Mo Hua departed, keeping “Nanyue City” firmly in mind.

Thinking of Instructor Yan’s trust in him, his expectations, and the slightly desolate figure when they parted, Mo Hua’s mood grew heavy.

He didn’t know where Instructor Yan was now, if he was faring well, or if he had encountered difficulties.

Had he found the traitor who murdered his master, or would he face danger…

But worrying now wouldn’t help; he hoped he could truly meet Instructor Yan someday. Mo Hua sighed.

Then he thought of another matter:

He had initially learned formations to become a first-rank formation master. Now, as he prepared to set out on his travels, should he attempt to establish his rank?

He went to ask Master Zhuang.

Master Zhuang was unsurprised and nodded: “You can try.”

“Really?” Mo Hua suddenly felt nervous. “What if I fail?”

“Go take it whenever you like. Pass or fail doesn’t matter.”

Master Zhuang spoke casually, but in his heart he thought:

“You’re already a chief formation master of a first-rank grand formation. How could an ordinary first-rank formation assessment be impossible for you?”

“With formations, good or bad is obvious. An expert can tell at a glance.”

“Even if there were foul play in the assessment, they wouldn’t dare touch your position.”

“If they actually dared to ignore your merit and revoke your first-rank status, they’d face consequences they couldn’t handle…”

…

Mo Hua nodded, thinking that it made sense. An ordinary first-rank assessment indeed wasn’t something to worry about.

“When should I take the assessment?”

He knew nothing about the process.

“Before you set out on your travels, it must be completed,” Master Zhuang said.

“Can’t it be done while traveling?”

“No,” Master Zhuang shook his head patiently. “The assessment for establishing rank follows a recommendation system and has quotas by prefecture.”

“To take the rank assessment, you need a recommendation letter. Each prefecture and city has a set quota for first-rank formation masters. Some places have more spots, some fewer.”

“You are in Tongxian City. With a recommendation, once you establish rank, you take Tongxian’s spot.”

“Outside, you’d be in unfamiliar territory. First, no one may be willing to recommend you. Second, if you succeed elsewhere, you take another city’s spot. Others wouldn’t be happy about that…”

“Such a hassle…” Mo Hua remembered Master Zhuang’s previous words and asked, “Is all this just to set a barrier for profit?”

“In part, yes.”

“And the rest?”

Master Zhuang considered speaking but chose not to explain, simply saying:

“You’ll understand in time. Knowing now won’t help.”

Mo Hua nodded, half-understanding, then asked: “How are the quotas decided?”

Master Zhuang sighed: “That depends on the wealth of the prefecture, the number of prominent families and sects, networks, and so on. The poorer the prefecture and the weaker its formation inheritance, the fewer the spots. To become a first-rank formation master, one must work harder.”

“Conversely, places with deep foundations or entrenched power have many spots each year, making it easier to become a first-rank formation master.”

Mo Hua was astonished. “This really… isn’t very fair.”

Master Zhuang said: “The Way of Heaven is fair. The formations are there—either you can do it or you can’t. The unfairness comes from people. Some who are capable can’t get the title, while some who aren’t can still hold it…”

Mo Hua pondered, then quietly asked: “Who should I ask for a recommendation?”

“Dao Court Division, local families, sects, or other recognized first-rank authorities can recommend you.”

“You… should go through the Dao Court Division. You have a bronze badge from them, right? Your division would be happy to recommend you.”

Master Zhuang instructed.

Mo Hua was surprised. “Master, you knew about the badge too?”

Master Zhuang’s expression remained calm. “Such small matters, if you want to know, you naturally will.”

Mo Hua silently marveled. Master Zhuang really is unfathomable.

“Also,” Master Zhuang said, rubbing Mo Hua’s hair with his long fingers, “now you call me ‘Master,’ not ‘Sir.’”

“Oh…”

Mo Hua realized and sheepishly smiled. He had gotten used to calling him “Sir” and hadn’t switched yet.

“Master!”

Mo Hua’s voice was clear and bright.

Master Zhuang closed his eyes slightly, his expression relaxed, nodding gently.

Afterward, Mo Hua went to see Chief Zhou.

Hearing that Mo Hua wanted to take the first-rank formation assessment, Chief Zhou agreed without hesitation.

If Mo Hua could be recommended by the Dao Court Division and establish rank successfully, he would gain prestige.

Even if he failed, Chief Zhou would still be happy to help.

Though in Chief Zhou’s heart, Mo Hua’s mastery made failure impossible.

Still, he understood that these rank assessments were complex.

The Dao Court doesn’t determine the rank based on formations alone—it’s about the formation master’s rank, influenced by intertwined interests.

Unless one has unparalleled connections, no one can predict the result.

Chief Zhou was only a chief of a small fairy city. He had some influence, but couldn’t reach the central Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, so he could only recommend; everything else depended on Mo Hua.

He checked the relevant documents and wrote a recommendation letter by hand, then told Mo Hua:

“On October 26, in the second-rank Heishan Prefecture, there will be a rank assessment at Cangyun Sect in Qingshan City. I’ll send someone to take you there.”

Mo Hua nodded.

October 26—just seven days away. The date was near.

“Looks like Master… Master, even scheduled the assessment timing…”

Mo Hua thought silently.