Chapter 576: Departure

Unlike Mo Hua's expectation, the Heavenly Mechanism Deception, when splitting his spiritual sense, did not produce a "clone," but a "Dark Shadow."

Neither real nor illusory, shadows upon shadows, like a robe, draped over Mo Hua's body.

This "robe" resembled the Cultivator of Deception's, yet was different.

Pitch black, yet utterly clean.

Free of corruption, free of bloodshed, carrying a hint of eerie purity untouched by worldly dust.

Mo Hua's eyes grew deeper, filled with the chilling black shadows of the Deception Dao, yet not hollow or terrifying—instead, his spiritual sense was internally contained, bright and piercing.

His pupils were pitch-black, containing inner radiance.

He was the master of the Deception Dao, not its enslaved servant.

"This is… my Senior Uncle's Heavenly Mechanism Deception…"

"And also… the true form of the Heavenly Mechanism Deception?"

Mo Hua looked over himself.

The "robe" on his body was only a faint layer, far inferior to his Senior Uncle's, yet he seemed to have…

Truly entered the path?

Entered the Deception Dao?

Mo Hua was startled again, and couldn't help but worry.

Would he really become a "Little Deception Cultivator" in the future…

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then exhaled in relief.

It probably wouldn't come to that…

The Heavenly Mechanism Deception and the Heavenly Mechanism Calculation emerged from the same source, both orthodox, peerless spiritual computation methods.

His Senior Uncle's Heavenly Mechanism Deception was evil and terrifying because he had fallen to demonic corruption—he had twisted it, mixing in demonic techniques and the lingering souls of the wronged dead…

As long as he did not let his spiritual sense fall to demonic corruption, did not transform his spiritual sense into demonic thoughts, did not use demonic thoughts as seeds to parasitize others' Dao hearts…

Merely using Deception Calculation to split his spiritual sense was not "Planting the Demon Seed in the Dao Heart."

Mo Hua relaxed.

His Senior Uncle had fallen to demonic corruption—he was a great demon.

But he was different…

He cultivated orthodox cultivation methods, cultivating orthodox spiritual thoughts.

Still, he must be more careful in the future—must not fall to demonic corruption, must not become a "Little Demon Lord"…

Mo Hua exhaled, then his expression turned excited.

The Heavenly Mechanism Deception splits Dark Shadows, drapes the "robe"—would his speed of drawing arrays increase?

Mo Hua eagerly tried it, activating the Heavenly Mechanism Deception.

In his eyes, the Deception Dao emerged, revealing a deep black-gray hue.

In his spiritual sea, his spiritual sense avatar donned the "robe," splitting into Dark Shadows.

Simultaneously, his spiritual sense flowed at double its previous speed, and his array-drawing speed became as if aided by divine forces—the array patterns flowed with effortless fluidity…

On the ground, spirit ink twisted and connected rapidly, forming the array in haste.

Mo Hua drew with his own hand, while the split Dark Shadow, like an external avatar, sharing the same origin and intent, also helped him draw.

Yet his spiritual sense consumption intensified, like a river bursting its dam, flooding a thousand li.

The rate of spiritual sense depletion was astonishing.

Fortunately, Mo Hua's spiritual sense was extraordinarily deep and refined, so he could still endure it.

Mo Hua gritted his teeth, Dark Shadows piled upon shadows, array patterns racing like galloping horses…

This process, though painful, was brief.

In barely more than ten breaths, the Grade-Two Earth Fire Array was completed!

Yet Mo Hua's spiritual sense was utterly drained—his spiritual sea throbbed painfully, his scalp prickled, and cold sweat broke on his forehead.

Heavenly Mechanism Deception, splitting spiritual sense.

This method of drawing arrays was extremely fast, but the spiritual sense cost was immense.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense, refined to fourteen lines, had previously drawn thirteen-line arrays with ease—but now, after splitting with Deception Dao, he felt exhausted after completion.

Yet Mo Hua was still delighted.

For him, heavy spiritual sense depletion and slight pain in his spiritual sea meant nothing.

Compared to that, completing an array in a dozen or so breaths was already vastly faster than before.

Though still not fast enough to deploy suddenly in battle.

But if he could find a way to buy time, secure a dozen or so breaths of freedom, and silently use spiritual sense to guide ink and lay the array, it was still possible.

And this was only the beginning…

He had split only one Dark Shadow, worn only one thin layer of robe.

If in the future he could split ten thousand Dark Shadows, with robes covering sky and earth, wouldn't he be able to…

Create a grand array with a single thought?

This idea startled even Mo Hua himself.

Immediately, he quelled his thoughts.

"Must not reach too high…"

First, steadily strengthen his spiritual sense, study spiritual computation methods, practice spiritual ink control, construct Grade-Two arrays, then gradually improve, make them better, faster…

Continuously shorten the time to draw arrays on the ground…

Until, in the heat of battle, at the critical moment, he could form an array in an instant and turn the tide of combat.

This is what I should be doing right now.

The idea of transforming a single thought into a great array—such an outrageous notion—must still be buried deep in my heart…

Thus, Mo Hua's planning was essentially complete.

He had the spirit ink, and he had mastered the array.

Staying any longer would teach him little more…

Mo Hua sighed.

Though reluctant, he knew it was time to leave…

He would go to Qianzhou to study.

Otherwise, his cultivation would stagnate, his arrays would remain stagnant, and his cultivation resources would be scarce…

He might never cultivate an ultimate divine consciousness or ascend to the pinnacle of array Dao.

And he could never possibly rescue his master…

…

Two months from now, a Yun Du will depart from the neighboring second-class Qingyuan Prefecture, traveling south to north, passing through Kun, Dui, and Qian Prefectures, finally arriving at Kanzhou in the north.

Mo Hua will board the Yun Du, departing from Lizhou and disembarking at Qianzhou along the way.

This information was given to Mo Hua by Zhou Zhangsi.

Zhou Zhangsi, the Zhangsi of Tongxian City, knew more about these Yun Du routes than Mo Hua did.

At the same time, he gave Mo Hua a Yun Du Token, made of white jade, exquisitely luxurious.

The Yun Du Token was equivalent to a ticket for the Yun Du.

Mo Hua couldn't help asking, "Zhangsi, this must be very expensive…"

Zhou Zhangsi nodded, "It's not cheap…"

Mainly because it's hard to get.

Without connections, you can't obtain a cross-prefecture Yun Du.

Inside and out, it costs a lot of spirit stones.

"But it doesn't matter…" Zhou Zhangsi sipped his tea, "It can be reimbursed…"

Mo Hua blinked in surprise, "Even this can be reimbursed?"

"What's that?" Zhou Zhangsi shook his head. "In places like Dao Ting Si, all sorts of odd, irregular expenses can be reimbursed—sending you to Qianzhou to enroll is a proper matter. Why wouldn't it be reimbursed?"

"But I'm not part of Dao Ting Si…"

"How aren't you?" Zhou Zhangsi frowned. "You have a bronze waist token from Tongxian City. Even if you're unofficial, you're still one of us."

Mo Hua then remembered.

Originally, Uncle Zhang Lan had given him a bronze waist token.

He'd only ever used it as a prop—he hadn't touched it in ages, so it slipped his mind.

"Your waist token should have plenty of merit points. If you're short on spirit stones or spirit items in Qianzhou, you can exchange them for emergency supplies…"

"But unless you absolutely must, don't use them."

"Once your cultivation advances and you meet higher-level Dao Ting Si cultivators, these merit points will be extremely useful…"

Zhou Zhangsi warned.

"What kind of use?" Mo Hua asked.

Zhou Zhangsi replied frankly, "I'm not high-ranking in Dao Ting Si. I don't know."

Mo Hua fell silent, then nodded. "Alright…"

Zhou Zhangsi thought for a moment, then lowered his voice:

"Even so, you can use the bronze waist token, but don't rely on it too much. After all, you're unofficial—if you cause trouble, no one will cover for you…"

Mo Hua froze, then nodded, understanding.

With the bronze waist token, he was barely considered a "one of us" in Dao Ting Si…

But conversely, when you needed it, you were "one of us"; when you didn't, you were "unofficial"…

Zhou Zhangsi clearly favored Mo Hua—he'd given him every piece of advice he should and shouldn't have.

Then he sipped his tea again, speaking slowly:

"You're going to Qianxue Prefecture to study, to improve your cultivation, broaden your horizons, and refine your arrays…"

"Qianxue Prefecture gathers prodigies from all prefectures. If you make a name for yourself there, you'll bring glory to Great Heishan Prefecture."

"So, you deserve this Yun Du Token."

Mo Hua was moved, yet felt a heavy sense of responsibility, so he asked quietly:

"What if… I don't make any name for myself?"

Zhou Zhangsi gave him a light glare. "Do you think prodigies from all prefectures are cabbage?"

"Prodigies—children of heaven—are not something you can easily surpass."

"In Qianzhou, where sects abound and prodigies gather, failing to make a name is normal. If you actually do make one, that's the real miracle…"

"Besides, 'making a name' comes in all sizes…"

"You're currently at Foundation Establishment early stage. If you return from Qianzhou at Foundation Establishment late stage—even if only mid-stage—isn't that 'making a name'?"

"Or, you're currently a rank-one array master. If you become a rank-two array master after going to Qianzhou, isn't that 'making a name'—and a big one at that?"

"So don't feel pressured…" Zhou Zhangsi said. "Qianzhou has many geniuses, but what does that have to do with us?"

"No matter how high their cultivation, they won't protect us. No matter how skilled their arrays, they won't draw for us…"

"Similarly, no matter how well you learn, they won't necessarily treat you as a 'treasure'…"

"So just go and study. As long as you learn something—no matter how small—it brings glory to the prefecture, and we'll all be proud of you!"

Mo Hua felt considerably relieved and smiled: "Thank you, Zhou Zhangsi!"

Zhou Zhangsi nodded slightly, his mood cheerful, and resumed sipping his tea.

Hearing Zhou Zhangsi mention "second-grade array master," Mo Hua asked again: "Zhou Zhangsi, can one determine a second-grade array master here in Xiancheng?"

"Second-grade array master?" Zhou Zhangsi paused, then shook his head. "No."

"A second-grade prefecture lacks the authority to determine a second-grade array master—only at least third-grade prefectures can do so…"

"Oh." Mo Hua nodded.

Zhou Zhangsi lifted his teacup, about to take a sip, when he suddenly froze—the cup trembled in his hand. "You… you're a second-grade array master?"

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then shook his head.

A beginner second-grade array master must master the thirteen-mark array of second-grade level.

Though Mo Hua found this not difficult, he had only learned one second-grade Earth-Fire Array so far—he still had some distance to go before truly becoming a beginner second-grade array master.

So he could not yet be called a second-grade array master.

"Not yet. I was just asking." Mo Hua said.

Zhou Zhangsi nodded slightly, calming his emotions.

Just asking… scared me half to death…

I thought so—second-grade array master? That's too absurd…

At fifteen, a first-grade array master is already extraordinary; if he became a second-grade array master too, it would be… almost inhuman…

Afterwards, Zhou Zhangsi handed Mo Hua the Yun Du Token, instructing him to guard it well—the departure of Yun Du would occur on the first day of the second month, and he must not be late.

Mo Hua held the cold Yun Du Token, feeling its weight—and a quiet loneliness.

"So I really… have to leave…"

He would have to bid farewell to Xiancheng, to his parents, to family and friends, and journey to an unfamiliar prefecture, walking an unknown Dao path…

Mo Hua felt guilt rise within him.

Especially toward his parents.

But he had to go to Qian Province…

Mo Hua sighed.

In the days that followed, Mo Hua mostly stayed at home, keeping his parents company.

Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua also hated to let Mo Hua go—but cultivators pursue the Dao; with such an opportunity, no matter how hard it was to part, they had to let go.

Still, their hearts could not help but ache with longing and sorrow.

Mo Shan reduced his trips into the mountains to hunt demons, spending more time at home with Mo Hua.

Liu Ruhua cooked many delicious meals for Mo Hua.

She also packed his belongings, stuffing his storage pouch with dried meat, fruit preserves, and fermented rice wine.

And no small amount of spirit stones.

Mo Hua refused, but could not argue his way out—he took only half.

He wanted his parents to keep some spirit stones, to cultivate well, and someday reach Foundation Establishment, even form a Jin Dan, and live happily.

When the packing was nearly done, Liu Ruhua suddenly remembered something and brought out a wooden box, handing it to Mo Hua.

"This belonged to Gu Diansi—he left it on the table one day while drinking at the eatery and forgot to take it. The next day we heard he'd left Xiancheng and returned to the Zhang family. We couldn't return it to him…"

"Gu Diansi probably won't come back. Keep it. If you ever meet him again, give it to him."

Mo Hua blinked. "A wooden box?"

He took it and examined it—it was an ordinary wooden box, but made of sturdy material, sealed with an array, its contents unknown.

"All right, Mother. I'll keep it for now, and return it to Uncle Zhang when I meet him."

Yet he still felt puzzled.

Uncle Zhang Lan, though somewhat idle and lazy, fond of slacking off, was actually meticulous—he wasn't the type to misplace things…

Why would he leave this wooden box at an eatery?

Mo Hua glanced at the box, then suddenly froze.

The box was sealed with an array.

This array was a beginner-level Fu Array—simple, plain—the very same basic Fu Array from the first book he'd studied: "Beginner's Guide to Fu Arrays."

The first time he met Zhang Lan, he'd used this exact array to ask him a question…

Only he and Uncle Zhang Lan knew about this.

"Is this wooden box… left for me by Uncle Zhang?"

Mo Hua was puzzled.

He studied the array again—it looked terrible…

The lines were poorly drawn…

Mo Hua could tell the artist had tried hard to draw the array, but his array foundation was abysmal…

Mo Hua was fairly certain now.

It was Uncle Zhang Lan's handiwork.

"Why did Uncle Zhang deliberately seal this box with this Fu Array? What is he hiding?"

Mo Hua grew curious. After thinking it over, he decided to open it.

He tapped a finger, stirred his spiritual sense slightly, ink markings appeared—and instantly, the Fu Array on the box dissolved, the lid opened.

Inside the box lay a scroll.

The scroll was old, as if hand-copied.

The title page bore no writing.

But inside were obscure meridian diagrams and detailed text; others might not understand, but Mo Hua saw at a glance that this was…

A second-grade Secret Technique: Flowing Water Step!

This was Uncle Zhang Lan's… legacy to me…

Mo Hua froze, then was deeply moved.

He flipped to the end of the manual and found a line of small characters; though the handwriting had been deliberately blurred, Mo Hua, skilled in arrays and familiar with brushwork, could still tell it was Zhang Lan's script:

"Clan-preserving art—do not disgrace it."

"Left by a passing, unknown, kind uncle."

Mo Hua felt warmth in his heart and smiled brightly.

He silently treasured Zhang Lan's kindness, resolving that if he ever met Uncle Zhang again, he would repay him with a great gift.

Then Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

This martial step technique had helped him immensely, relieving his urgent need.

A spiritual cultivator without a martial step is like a meat bun without legs—everyone can take a bite, and there's no escaping.

Choosing and learning a new martial step would be troublesome, and the results would surely be poor.

Like arrays, whether it's a cultivation technique, spell, or martial step, all must follow a coherent lineage.

First-grade, second-grade, third-grade—progressing from shallow to deep, step by step.

Learning this way yields twice the result with half the effort, builds a solid foundation, deepens comprehension, and enhances effectiveness.

With the second-grade Flowing Water Step, even if he went to Qian Province and faced Foundation Establishment geniuses, he would have sufficient means to protect himself!

Mo Hua exhaled in relief.

Then he began learning the second-grade Flowing Water Step.

Mo Hua had mastered the first-grade Flowing Water Step thoroughly, so learning the second-grade was not difficult.

As time passed, Mo Hua's Flowing Water Step gradually reached the level of second-grade Foundation Establishment.

And the second-grade Flowing Water Step, compared to the first, contained far more variations and was vastly more complex.

But Mo Hua had not yet fully grasped all the variations of the second-grade Flowing Water Step when he learned of something that left him stunned…

Instructor Yan was getting married!

This news came from Instructor Yan himself.

Manager Mo, seeing Mo Hua's expression, nodded, "When I heard this news, I looked just like you…"

"Who is Instructor Yan marrying?" Mo Hua asked involuntarily.

"That woman—the one we saw that day, with her hair tied back, no makeup, not particularly beautiful, but with an elegant, intellectual aura…"

Manager Mo spoke in one long breath.

Mo Hua remembered.

That composed, serene female array master…

Now that he thought of it, she and Instructor Yan suited each other well.

"But…" Mo Hua frowned, deeply puzzled, "how did Instructor Yan even meet her? How did they get to the point of marriage?"

Manager Mo wore an expression that said, "You wouldn't believe it if I told you…"

"This woman's surname is Shen, her given name is Ru, from the Shen family across the provincial border."

"My senior brother went there in person to visit her, saying he wanted to meet her and exchange insights on arrays…"

"Then they talked at length, spent time together, and soon reached the point of discussing marriage…"

Mo Hua's mouth hung open.

In person…?

Was this the same Instructor Yan he knew—the one obsessed with arrays, stern and rigid?

Manager Mo clucked in amazement, "Never judge a person by appearance—I never imagined my senior brother could do something like this. Admirable, admirable…"

Mo Hua was also astonished, yet secretly delighted for Instructor Yan.

Instructor Yan had spent his life wandering in hardship, burdened by the Xiao Lingyin Sect's grudges, hunting the sect's traitor, seeking to recover the sect's legacy, his heart heavy with sorrow.

Now that he had found someone he loved, bound together in marriage, destined to grow old together, it could not be better.

And there would be a wedding feast to eat.

Mo Hua was already mentally planning which delicacies he would enjoy at the feast…

Instructor Yan's engagement came quickly, and his wedding came even faster.

Half a month later, he married in Xiancheng and held the wedding banquet.

Mo Hua joined the celebration, soaked in the joy, and ate his fill.

At the wedding, Mo Hua also met Shen Ru—Instructor Yan's Lady.

Shen Ru wore red, yet even on her wedding day, she wore no heavy makeup, appearing simple and dignified.

Mo Hua went forward to offer his congratulations.

Shen Ru saw Mo Hua's delicate features, his bright, clear, lively eyes, his warm and endearing smile, and felt an instant fondness.

When she heard Instructor Yan say Mo Hua also studied arrays, she valued him even more, specially prepared a large red envelope for him, and praised:

"This child is clever and quick-witted—study hard, and you will surely become a first-grade array master!"

Instructor Yan looked embarrassed and whispered:

"He… is already a first-grade array master…"

Shen Ru froze, turned her head, stared at Instructor Yan in shock, her face filled with disbelief—she could not recover for a long while…

The wedding was lively and joyful.

After the wedding, Manager Mo also looked deeply relieved, as if a long-standing burden had been lifted.

"No wonder you're my senior brother…"

Manager Mo sighed.

When truly determined to do something, he acts with swift decisiveness, leaving no trace of hesitation.

Manager Mo felt a deep emotion, then said to Mo Hua:

"You must learn this well too—when it's time to let go, don't cling; when it's time to grasp, never release!"

Mo Hua blinked in surprise, "Grasp what?"

Manager Mo wore the look of someone who had been there.

"You'll understand when you grow up…"

Mo Hua blinked again, somewhat confused.

…

The days that followed were calm and peaceful like flowing water—but like water, they slipped away bit by bit…

Mo Hua didn't feel much time had passed, yet suddenly it was the day of departure.

Mo Hua felt reluctant, but still packed his belongings and set off on his journey.

Before leaving, Mo Hua earnestly warned Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua:

"Father, Mother, you must cultivate diligently!"

"Don't slack off!"

"The road ahead is long—you must never grow complacent…"

"Reach Foundation Establishment, then Jin Dan…"

"Then live safely, steadily, happily, and for a long, long time…"

"I'll come back to see you after I've mastered arrays in Qianzhou…"

Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua could only smile wryly.

Shouldn't these be the words parents say to their child?

Yet the sorrow of parting was thus somewhat eased.

Afterwards, Mo Hua boarded a carriage, about to leave Xiancheng for Yundu City.

The carriage stopped outside the city.

As when he had left before, many cultivators from Xiancheng came to see him off, their gazes filled with hope and blessing.

Mo Hua smiled and waved to them.

In this world, everyone has their own story, and their own life.

Mo Hua hoped everyone in Xiancheng would live in peace and happiness, and that their life stories would be rich and colorful.

And he himself would now embark on a journey, walk an unknown path, and seek his own Dao…

The carriage slowly moved farther away, leaving Xiancheng behind and entering Great Heishan.

As they passed through Shenshan, Mo Hua suddenly froze, stepped out of the carriage, and waved toward the distant forest.

In the forest stood a great tiger.

The great tiger had come to see him off.

Several days earlier, Mo Hua had already bid farewell to the great tiger.

This journey to Qianzhou required crossing Yun Du and the Nine Provinces—the great tiger, being a beast, dwelled in Shenshan and could not accompany him.

Mo Hua worried the great tiger might go hungry, so he had asked his father Mo Shan to bring dried fish into Shenshan and feed the great tiger with black-and-white stripes whenever he encountered it.

And now, after this farewell, he did not know when he might see the great tiger again.

Mo Hua stood on the carriage and waved far off toward the great tiger.

The great tiger watched Mo Hua silently, its gaze somewhat bewildered; only when Mo Hua's small figure vanished into the distance did it lower its massive head and turn back into the forest, its silhouette lonely.

(End of Chapter)