Chapter 519: Sishui River

Chapter 521: Sishui River

South of Nanyue City lay the borders of Second-Grade Sishui Prefecture.

The Sishui River ran through the entire land, connecting the terrain seamlessly.

Its winding waters followed the riverbed, murmuring as they flowed into the distance.

Mo Hua, weary from drawing formations, lifted the curtain and leaned out to look at the green mountains and clear waters, the faintly rolling waves, and felt an ease of mind and spirit.

After a while, he withdrew his gaze and sat back calmly in the carriage.

Outside, Old Kui cracked pine nuts, the shells clinking as he drove the carriage.

Inside, Bai Zisheng was meditating, Bai Zixi quietly reading.

Mister Zhuang reclined on a blanket, eyes closed in a gentle nap, graceful and relaxed.

Yet his aura had grown weaker.

Mo Hua frowned, worry gnawing at him.

Since leaving Nanyue City, Mister Zhuang’s health had seemed to decline day by day. Though his gaze remained as warm and carefree as ever, his complexion was visibly poorer, and he rested for longer each day.

Mo Hua had asked if he felt unwell.

Mister Zhuang had just patted Mo Hua’s head and smiled, saying he was fine and there was no need to worry.

But his aura did not convey “fine.”

Mo Hua could only sigh silently.

It was now the Wei hour; midday had passed, and the sunlight made one languid.

Mo Hua brewed a pot of tea.

The tea leaves were a gift from Elder Su. The brew was fresh and mellow. Mo Hua added some spirit herbs, mountain ginseng, and jade dates, meant to regulate a cultivator’s blood and nourish the meridians.

Though it might not do much for Mister Zhuang, it was a gesture of care.

When the tea was ready, its aroma filled the carriage.

Mo Hua poured a cup for Mister Zhuang first, then for his Little Senior Brother and Little Senior Sister.

Finally, he poured one for himself, sipping slowly.

Bai Zisheng, feeling the afternoon drowsiness and thirst, drank his cup in one gulp, chewing it like a cow chewing peonies.

Bai Zixi, like Mo Hua, sipped delicately, her posture elegant, savoring it slowly.

Mister Zhuang, catching the scent, slowly opened his eyes, smiled faintly, and drank. His eyes brightened, and he seemed more spirited.

Mo Hua poured another cup for him, then looked at the scenery outside and suddenly asked,

“Master, where exactly are we going?”

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi stopped drinking and looked toward Mister Zhuang as well.

Seeing their three pairs of bright eyes, Mister Zhuang’s mind felt at ease. After a brief pause, he said,

“South, to the Dali Mountain Prefecture.”

“Dali Mountain?”

Mo Hua murmured, then asked,

“Will I be able to establish a Foundation there?”

Mister Zhuang nodded slightly.

“When your cultivation reaches the ninth level of Qi Refining and your Divine-Sense reaches fourteen threads, you can establish a Foundation. Cultivation comes naturally, step by step—no need to rush. But reaching fourteen threads in Divine-Sense is no easy matter…”

Mister Zhuang sighed slightly in thought.

Not just “no easy matter”…

For a Qi Refining cultivator, it was extraordinarily rare. Even among the records of genius cultivators in historical Daoist texts, there were almost no precedents for fourteen-thread Divine-Sense at this stage…

Mister Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his mind heavy.

Mo Hua, still concerned about establishing a Foundation, asked,

“Master, if we go to Dali Mountain Prefecture, will my Divine-Sense break through to fourteen threads?”

Mister Zhuang did not give a definite answer.

“There’s only the opportunity.”

Mo Hua’s eyes brightened.

“So, there’s a first-grade thirteen-thread absolute formation in Dali Mountain Prefecture?”

According to Mister Zhuang, by comprehending and practicing an absolute formation, one could enhance Divine-Sense. The more difficult the formation, the stronger the Divine-Sense required, and the deeper the training for the Sea of Consciousness, thus the faster the growth of Divine-Sense.

Mo Hua’s Divine-Sense had now reached the peak of thirteen threads.

Though he practiced the Profound-Earth Formation and Spirit-Pivot Formation daily, as he became more proficient, the growth of his Divine-Sense slowed.

It was time to seek out a thirteen-thread formation to learn.

Mister Zhuang nodded.

It seemed he had planned this all along.

Mo Hua’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Master, what kind of absolute formation is at Dali Mountain?”

Mister Zhuang shook his head.

“Not one…”

Mo Hua blinked.

Mister Zhuang paused, a faint smile on his lips.

“Five.”

Mo Hua’s heart jolted in surprise.

“Five?”

He looked at Mister Zhuang, puzzled.

“Five… wouldn’t that be too common?”

An absolute formation should be rare. How could there suddenly be five?

Mister Zhuang smiled faintly.

“Guess why.”

Mo Hua squinted, chin resting on his hand, thinking.

“Five… is it related to the Five Elements?”

Mister Zhuang nodded, satisfied.

“Yes. It’s a set of Five-Element absolute formations: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. Each element has a formation, but the principles are the same. So five formations make one set.”

Mo Hua felt a ticklish excitement, like a kitten’s paws on his heart.

He wanted to know everything—formation design, pattern, core structure, and function.

But his biggest question remained.

“Master…”

Hesitating, he asked,

“Even if I learn a first-grade thirteen-thread formation and practice daily, my Divine-Sense might still not break the bottleneck to fourteen threads for mid-stage Foundation Establishment…”

This he had realized recently.

The later stages of Divine-Sense growth were slower and more difficult.

He was at the peak of thirteen threads; the gap to fourteen seemed tiny, but that threshold was like a chasm.

The Divine-Sense he cultivated daily with formations was like a cup of water, which vanished instantly in the chasm.

Filling it and breaking through the bottleneck—who knew how long it would take…

Twelve-thread absolute formations offered limited enhancement. Even a thirteen-thread formation wouldn’t help much more.

Mister Zhuang’s gaze hardened slightly.

“Enhancing Divine-Sense is only one aspect. Even if your Divine-Sense cannot reach fourteen threads, this formation must be learned to establish a Foundation at thirteen threads.”

Mo Hua shivered slightly.

“Master, is this formation special?”

Mister Zhuang didn’t answer directly, but asked,

“Mo Hua, do you think you and Zisheng and Zixi are the same?”

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi looked at Mo Hua, puzzled.

Mo Hua scratched his head.

“There are too many differences… The only thing in common is that we’re your disciples.”

“Senior brother and sister, they come from families, with good talent, spiritual roots, and inheritance?”

Mo Hua said weakly.

Mister Zhuang nodded, sighing.

“You may not feel it now, but in the wider cultivation world, you’ll understand. Family, roots, inheritance—they are cold, cruel barriers, separating the upper-class families from the common cultivators. What some family disciples can do, scattered cultivators cannot. They can walk roads you cannot.”

“They are born with good spiritual roots, no worries about sustenance, abundant spiritual stones and resources—they only need to cultivate. If something goes wrong, others solve it; their cultivation path is planned for them.”

Mister Zhuang’s eyes softened with care as he looked at Mo Hua.

“But not you. Your future path depends on yourself; spiritual stones must be earned by yourself; if you offend someone, no one shields you; trouble must be resolved by you…”

“But your formation talent is exceptional, and your comprehension high. In the future, you will intersect with geniuses from great families, sects, and even the central Dao Court, competing at the highest level. In such contests, without a family or sect, you are at a huge disadvantage.”

“You can’t even refine your body—future dangers will be great…”

Mo Hua’s expression darkened.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi looked at him with concern.

Bai Zisheng thought for a moment, then resolved silently:

“Master, rest assured. I am the senior brother. I will protect our little junior brother! He is our disciple, part of the Bai family—I will not let anyone bully him!”

Mister Zhuang was surprised, but also gratified.

The Bai family… could still raise such a child. Truly rare.

He patted Bai Zisheng’s shoulder.

“It is enough that you care…”

His words were subtle, leaving some unsaid. In great families, warmth is not guaranteed. The Bai family was no different.

Even Zisheng and Zixi might not always be safe in the future.

Mister Zhuang’s gaze shifted to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua frowned in thought. His clear eyes blinked, then brightened as he asked,

“Master, does what you just said have to do with the formation I’m about to learn?”

Mister Zhuang felt moved.

“What a clever child—understands at once. Yes.”

Outside the window, the Sishui flowed endlessly, winding into the distance.

Mister Zhuang said,

“The geniuses of the Nine Provinces are countless, like fish crossing the river…”

“But without exception, they cultivate their own methods, learn their own Dao, and all their strength enhances their offensive power. They compete fiercely, striving to suppress other geniuses.”

“This is extremely difficult. One needs outstanding spiritual roots, deep family heritage, unique opportunities, a solid foundation, powerful Dao techniques, and supreme spiritual tools to surpass peers and become a true prodigy.”

He glanced at Mo Hua.

“But you cannot do that.”

Mister Zhuang listed Mo Hua’s shortcomings:

“Your spiritual roots are weak, your background poor, your body naturally frail, your spiritual tools simple. Your technique is special, but does not increase your spiritual power. Only your formation talent is superior.”

“Direct confrontation gives you no advantage. Some rare cultivation resources can only be obtained through direct competition. You cannot compete like them. You cannot rely on your own offensive power.”

“You must have offensive means, but cannot rely on them as your main path. You cannot rely on your own strength to suppress the prodigies. You must take another path: not main offense, but support of offense…”

“Support of offense?”

Mo Hua froze, not understanding.

Mister Zhuang explained:

“Simply put, it’s enhancing the power of others’ Dao techniques.”

Mo Hua began to understand, though still puzzled. Main offense, support of offense—what’s the difference?

Mister Zhuang smiled faintly, meaningfully:

“If you specialize in offense, you compete with other prodigies—they are your enemies. They won’t treat you well.”

“But if you support offense, you help them compete with others. They must respect you.”

“The stronger your means of supporting combat and killing, the less anyone dares to offend you.”

“In this way, even without a prestigious family, any prominent Clan can become your support. Even without a sect, any sect can serve as your backing.”

“In the profit-driven, status-conscious cultivation forces, among the many prodigies with exceptional spiritual roots and Dao techniques, you too will have a place!”

Mister Zhuang sighed.

“The rafter that sticks out, rots first .”

“You don’t need to stick out, and you can’t stick out.”

“Learn to hide in the shadows, learn to leverage others’ strength, navigate the major powers like a fish in water, and play both sides. Only then can you advance steadily in cultivation, understand formations, and seek the true Dao…”

After speaking, Mister Zhuang’s expression carried some melancholy.

When he was young, he hadn’t understood this principle.

He had relied solely on suppressing his peers, relying on talent and pride, looking down on the world—but rigidity breaks easily, and he suffered greatly…

Mo Hua suddenly understood.

Support combat, avoid the spotlight, hide in the shadows, learn to leverage others.

Only then can one find footing among the heavily fortified, interest-driven, and fiercely competitive cultivation forces.

His master had actually considered his future so far ahead…

Mo Hua’s heart stirred with gratitude.

But these things were still premature.

Never mind competing with prodigies—he hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment yet.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked:

“Master, the Five Elements Absolute Formation in the Dali Mountain Prefecture—is that a formation for supporting combat?”

Mister Zhuang nodded. “The Five Elements Absolute Formation is, at its core, a reinforcement of the Five Elements spiritual power.”

Reinforcement of Five Elements spiritual power!

Mo Hua’s eyes brightened. He wanted to ask more details, but Mister Zhuang smiled faintly, teasing:

“You’ll see when the time comes.”

Mo Hua pouted.

But he didn’t dare grumble internally.

If he did, Mister Zhuang would surely know and tap his head.

So he asked something else instead:

“Master, what grade is Dali Mountain Prefecture?”

“Third-grade.”

Mo Hua was surprised—it was third-grade!

“Does that mean there will be Golden Core cultivators?”

Mister Zhuang nodded. “There are, but not many. Dali Mountain is a relatively remote third-grade prefecture; cultivation resources are scarce. Though it ranks third-grade, it can’t sustain many Golden Core cultivators…”

“Only some of the larger families and sects have Golden Core figures stationed there.”

“Ordinary cultivators still focus mainly on Qi-Refining and Foundation Establishment.”

“Oh.” Mo Hua nodded.

He wanted to ask more about the Five Elements Absolute Formation and Dali Mountain Prefecture, but saw Mister Zhuang’s expression was weary, seeming tired, so he asked with concern:

“Master, why don’t you rest for a while?”

Mister Zhuang glanced outside, a trace of emotion in his eyes:

“It’s fine. Later—there’s a Dragon-Spring Waterfall ahead. I want to see it.”

“Master, have you been here before?” Mo Hua asked.

Mister Zhuang nodded, his expression tinged with nostalgia:

“I have… but it was… a very, very long time ago…”

A very, very long time ago…

Just how long ago was that?

Master didn’t look that old…

Mo Hua murmured to himself.

He looked up again, noticing Mister Zhuang’s spirit seemed low, his gaze a little dim, lost in thought.

“Master, how far to the Dragon-Spring Waterfall?”

Mo Hua asked softly.

Mister Zhuang came back to himself, thinking briefly:

“About one more hour, I’d say…”

Mo Hua considered and said, “Then Master, you should sleep for a while. When it’s time, I’ll wake you.”

Mister Zhuang was momentarily surprised, then felt relieved and obediently said:

“All right.”

He closed his eyes peacefully and fell asleep soundly.

Mo Hua sat upright, keeping track of time while gazing out the window.

He wanted to see what the Dragon-Spring Waterfall his master mentioned looked like.

Inside the carriage, all was quiet; outside, the waters roared.

The carriage followed the swift current southward, moving steadily forward…