Chapter 388: Thick Earth

In the following days, Mo Hua buried himself in the field maps, studying the changes in the spiritual fields, and comparing them to the current layout to deduce the formation’s structure.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also assisted.

The three of them each took a portion of the maps to reconstruct individually.

After each had done their part, they compared their results and finally had Mo Hua verify and calculate the final structure.

This method saved a lot of effort.

In the spacious main hall, the three of them set up a table, drawing and calculating together.

After five or six days of work, they had preliminarily organized and deduced the formation’s diagram.

This formation indeed contained eleven array patterns.

It was a genuine first-grade eleven-pattern absolute formation!

The patterns were primarily earth-based, but the strokes differed from conventional standardized formations, giving a sense of ancient simplicity and subtle profundity.

The formation core’s structure was far more complex than ordinary first-grade formations.

Bai Zisheng clicked his tongue in amazement:

“This is truly an absolute formation…”

Bai Zixi was also absorbed, unconsciously tracing a few lines with her fair fingers. But as she studied, dizziness came over her; her brows furrowed, and she slowly collapsed.

Mo Hua hurriedly supported her, concerned:

“小 Senior Sister, are you alright?”

Bai Zisheng also asked anxiously:

“Zixi, what’s wrong?”

Bai Zixi came to, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said faintly:

“My divine-sense was overexerted…”

She had never seen an absolute formation before, and Master Zhuang had not taught her. Out of curiosity, she had tried to sketch it in her mind.

She didn’t expect an absolute formation to consume so much divine-sense.

She only comprehended the ninth pattern, and after halfway through the tenth, her divine-sense was nearly exhausted.

Then, Bai Zixi’s beautiful eyes flicked to Mo Hua, curiously asking:

“Can you learn this formation?”

Mo Hua blinked. “I can’t fully learn it either…”

Bai Zixi watched him silently. “Be honest.”

Mo Hua felt a bit embarrassed and said:

“Barely… I can learn a little bit.”

That was enough to count as learning…

Bai Zixi exhaled softly.

Her little junior brother’s divine-sense was already alarmingly deep.

His aptitude for formations was also impressive; he could deduce an absolute formation from mere traces.

No wonder Master valued him so highly.

Seeing Mo Hua’s concerned gaze, warmth blossomed in Bai Zixi’s heart.

In her life, apart from her elder brother and Aunt Xue, no one had looked at her with such clear concern.

Mo Hua was her only junior brother.

The first to call her “Senior Sister.”

She felt a responsibility to fulfill her role as a senior sister.

Hesitating, Bai Zixi reached out her fair hand, patted Mo Hua’s shoulder, and said earnestly:

“You must study formations well.”

Mo Hua had spent a long time with her, learning together, practicing together.

Bai Zixi knew him well.

In other cultivation disciplines, even if Mo Hua studied diligently, he wouldn’t make great progress.

Formations were different.

Perhaps in the future, Mo Hua could rely on formations to carve out his own place among geniuses in the cultivation world.

Relying on himself, he could continue cultivating, seeking the Dao and immortality.

Bai Zixi’s expression softened. Though not as stunning as before, her eyes remained beautiful.

In her ethereal gaze, Mo Hua’s reflection shimmered, filled with care and expectation.

The gaze of a senior sister toward her junior brother.

Mo Hua didn’t know what to say.

Bai Zisheng chimed in teasingly:

“Listen to your senior sister; she’s right!”

Mo Hua gave him a side-eye.

Bai Zisheng didn’t care.

He glanced at the formation diagram. Just looking at it gave him a headache.

Eleven patterns, with divine-sense intensity comparable to a second-grade formation. He couldn’t imagine what it was for.

Frowning, Bai Zisheng realized something and asked Mo Hua:

“The Sun family ancestor… was he a second-grade formation master?”

“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded.

“Then why didn’t he draw a second-grade formation in the spiritual fields? Second-grade formations should be more effective,” Bai Zisheng asked.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and explained:

“Second-grade formations are more powerful, but they require far more spiritual energy to operate and consume more spirit stones. Ordinary Qi-refining cultivators couldn’t afford it.”

“Also, this formation has a special effect. Ordinary second-grade formations don’t have this function.”

“Even if they did, it would have to be a second-grade absolute formation, which is even more difficult…”

Bai Zisheng nodded in understanding. “Then hurry and study it, see if it’s useful.”

“Mm.”

In the following days, Mo Hua began studying this absolute formation.

But this formation seemed unusual.

Practicing it during the day brought little progress.

At night, contemplating it on the Dao Monument allowed him to sense the flow of energy within the formation, gaining deeper insight.

After several days, Mo Hua could fully sketch the formation on the Dao Monument.

But by day, once on paper, the formation seemed to lose its essence.

The divine-sense was indeed consumed, and the patterns were correct.

But on paper, the formation appeared only as a shell, devoid of spirit, and he couldn’t perceive the energy flow.

The three of them were puzzled.

Bai Zisheng rested his chin on his hand: “Could it be that our deduction was wrong?”

Bai Zixi shook her head: “No.”

“Then we drew it wrong?” Bai Zisheng guessed, but quickly dismissed it. “No, it’s not wrong.”

Mo Hua’s formations were always precise. They had all checked thoroughly and found no mistakes.

The three of them exchanged glances.

Mo Hua sighed: “Looks like we’ll have to ask Master.”

…

Master Zhuang was in the courtyard, sitting on a bamboo chair, basking in the sun.

It seemed to be the same chair from Forgetful Meditation Abode. Master Zhuang was sentimental and had brought it along.

In the spacious courtyard, Master Zhuang had his eyes closed, either resting or contemplating the Dao.

Mo Hua didn’t disturb him, standing by and waiting.

Soon, Master Zhuang opened his eyes and beckoned him over.

Mo Hua brightened and presented the formation he had drawn.

Master Zhuang took a glance, slightly surprised, and said approvingly:

“Not bad.”

“Master, is this the formation?”

“Yes,” Master Zhuang nodded.

Mo Hua’s face lit up. His deduction had been correct.

“Then why, even though I drew it, does it seem to have no effect?”

“That’s because…” Master Zhuang smiled faintly. “You don’t know the formation’s name yet.”

Mo Hua paused. “Name?”

The Sun family’s records didn’t mention it, or rather, the family had no inheritance of this absolute formation. Naturally, they wouldn’t know its name.

“There’s no record in Qianjia Town either.”

“Master, what’s the name of this formation?” Mo Hua asked.

Master Zhuang didn’t keep him waiting:

“This formation is called… the Thick Earth Formation.”

“Thick Earth?”

Master Zhuang nodded slightly.

Mo Hua was puzzled. “Why that name?”

Master Zhuang’s gaze grew serious, speaking with deep meaning:

“This formation embodies the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth.”

“Heaven’s movement is vigorous, achieving self-strengthening without rest; Earth’s condition is receptive, nurturing all things with virtue.”

“The formation is called the Thick Earth Formation, taking the ‘thick’ from ‘nurturing all things with virtue’.”

Master Zhuang looked at the endless spiritual fields and the ripening spiritual rice, sighing:

“Heaven gives birth to all things, Earth nourishes all things.”

“Heaven is Dao, and Earth is also Dao.”

“The Thick Earth Formation embodies the Earth’s way of nurturing all things. It enriches the land, nourishing all life.”

Mo Hua suddenly understood, then frowned:

“But how does that relate to the formation not working?”

“Think carefully,” Master Zhuang said, not answering directly.

After pondering, Mo Hua said slowly:

“Thick Earth Formation… so it requires ‘Earth’ as the medium?”

Master Zhuang nodded:

“More accurately, it requires ‘ground’ as the medium.”

“The medium is often overlooked, even by formation masters, who think it’s just a carrier…”

“But formations are holistic; the medium is inseparable and contains formation principles itself.”

“Especially when the medium is ‘ground’; it’s a reflection of Dao understanding. Not all formation masters can grasp it.”

“The heavens cover, the earth carries.”

“Cultivators live in this world with their heads under Heaven and feet on Earth.”

“If you learn the Thick Earth Formation, comprehending the principle of ‘nurturing all things,’ knowing how to use ‘Earth’ as the medium, then any formation you draw will have a carrier.”

“The formation medium will no longer limit you.”

Master Zhuang’s eyes gleamed with expectation.

Mo Hua was enlightened and deeply moved.

He had thought this formation merely nourished the land, but the principles it contained were profound.

Within things lies formation; within formation lies Dao.

Earth’s condition is receptive, nurturing all things.

The land that supports all life can also carry formations.

Understanding the Thick Earth Formation reveals the principle, allowing all the boundless earth to serve as a medium.

Heaven’s coverage, Earth’s reach—anywhere can hold a formation!