Chapter 212: Regret

Mo Hua entered and greeted Elder Feng, then looked curiously at Master Luo.

Elder Feng said, "Mo Hua, this is Master Luo, the first-rank array master of Tongxian City."

Mo Hua was startled, quickly bowed, and said, "Greetings, Master Luo."

Master Luo couldn't quite bear this greeting and almost wanted to stand up.

If his guess wasn't wrong, the child in front of him was already a first-rank array master.

Learning has no age, those who achieve are respected.

Their array levels weren't far apart, so he couldn't bear this greeting.

However, since Elder Feng was seated, he couldn't just stand up either. He only cupped his hands and smiled, "No need for such formality, please sit."

Mo Hua was a little puzzled. Were all first-rank array masters this polite?

Seeing that Master Luo didn't stand on ceremony, Mo Hua also didn't restrain himself. He sat down on a nearby high stool, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it in small sips.

Before coming out, he had eaten a lot of good food and was now a bit thirsty.

The living room fell silent for a while.

Master Luo hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a slight awkwardness:

"Mo Hua, this alchemy shop's array, did you draw it?"

Mo Hua glanced at Elder Feng. Seeing Elder Feng nod slightly, he said, "I drew it."

Master Luo said, "I see there are several parts of the array that are quite cleverly designed and can also confuse spiritual sense. I wonder if there are any points of interest among them?"

Mo Hua thought for a while but didn't speak.

Master Luo realized his mistake afterwards and quickly said, "I was too impulsive, I apologize."

Others' array insights and inheritances involved secrets, and he shouldn't have inquired so rashly.

He was usually immersed in array research and hadn't seen such usage. He was too concerned and couldn't think of anything else to say, so he blurted it out carelessly for a moment.

With older array masters of the same age, he could still spar a bit and play some mind games. Meeting a child, Master Luo didn't know how to speak properly for a moment.

Mainly, he had never interacted with such young array masters before. Generally speaking, at Mo Hua's age, being an array apprentice was already good.

Mo Hua said, "It's alright, I'm thinking about how to put it properly."

"Actually, this isn't purely an array to isolate spiritual sense. It's just using the generating and overcoming arrangements of the Five Elements arrays, either overlapping or intertwined. This way, the Five Elements spiritual power either generates or repels, and the trajectory is relatively chaotic. Spiritual sense sweeping over suddenly will naturally be easily confused and unable to perceive things inside clearly..."

Mo Hua patiently explained.

Master Luo suddenly understood. This way, it didn't deviate from the framework of the Five Elements arrays. By utilizing the layout simultaneously, it achieved the effect of confusing spiritual sense perception. The original idea and structure were exquisite.

Master Luo only felt a sudden enlightenment. He had never seen this kind of array construction technique before.

"Young friend, do you perhaps have a teacher's inheritance?" Master Luo couldn't help asking.

Mo Hua smiled and said frankly, "That's not convenient to say."

Master Luo nodded, feeling a little indebted. Then he took out an array book from his storage bag:

"These are some of my array insights over the years. They are not considered profound, but they are all experiential talks. Perhaps they will be of some use. I hope young friend will not dislike them."

Mo Hua politely accepted it, flipped through it slightly, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Thank you, Master Luo!"

Afterwards, the two simply chatted about other arrays, each gaining something.

Master Luo had rich array experience and knew many obscure array patterns in detail. Mo Hua was clever and quick-witted, sensitive and eager to learn, and his array concepts didn't follow conventions.

It was getting late, so Mo Hua stood up to say goodbye: "I still have some matters, so I'll take my leave first. Goodbye, Master Luo!"

Master Luo stood up to see him off. After Mo Hua left, he couldn't help but sigh.

Elder Feng took a sip of tea and asked, "How was it?"

Master Luo sighed, "Indeed, it truly is a first-rank array master's insight and ability."

And not only were his insight and ability outstanding, but his temperament was also excellent. He was kind and polite to others, composed and generous, and he didn't hide anything about arrays.

Master Luo immediately said with regret, "The vast world indeed has no wonders. This kind of heaven-bestowed talent, I truly see for the first time..."

Elder Feng's gaze slightly condensed, "Since that is the case, I have a request."

Master Luo was a little puzzled, "Please speak, Elder Feng."

"This child, Mo Hua, has superior talent, but his age is still young after all. If he encounters difficulties, please Master Luo lend a hand to help."

Master Luo suddenly understood, "You mean, the Qian family?"

"Exactly."

Master Luo frowned, "It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but without reason, I'm not in a good position to oppose the Qian family. Although Mo Hua's talent is good, he has no relation to me."

"There's no need to oppose the Qian family, just saying a few words when matters arise will be good."

This was not difficult, and Master Luo was also willing, but he still asked, "I always need a reason."

Elder Feng looked at him, "Do you want to go further in arrays or not?"

Isn't this nonsense? Which array master doesn't want to?

But Elder Feng was highly virtuous and respected, so Master Luo couldn't say it directly, only implying, "That is natural."

After Master Luo finished speaking, he was suddenly stunned for a moment, "You mean... Mo Hua can help me..."

Elder Feng nodded.

Master Luo was startled, immediately a little angry, and said coldly:

"Mo Hua's talent is indeed superior, but he is first-rank, and I am also first-rank. Moreover, his rank is not yet fixed, while I have already entered the rank and am a Dao Court recognized first-rank array master."

"In arrays, each has their strengths, and in some places, he may not surpass me. Even if his talent is good and his future array attainments far exceed mine, that is the future, not now."

Array masters have their own pride. They don't ask for help from others in anything, let alone ask a child. Where would he put his face?

Master Luo thought so in his heart.

Elder Feng sighed, "You don't understand."

Master Luo frowned, "What don't I understand?"

"Follow me," Elder Feng stood up and said to Master Luo.

Master Luo didn't understand, but he still followed Elder Feng, walked around the high wall, entered the alchemy shop, turned several stone paths, and arrived at the center of the courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard stood a large alchemy furnace. Its shape was ancient and simple, with elegant cloud patterns.

The courtyard was still a bit noisy and busy.

Herbs were placed in categories all around. There were alchemists flipping through alchemy books, apprentices sorting herbs, and several alchemists concentrating on controlling the fire to refine pills.

When Master Luo saw the alchemy furnace, he already vaguely had a guess in his heart.

This alchemy furnace was too big, which also meant that the array on the furnace was absolutely not ordinary.

When he walked closer and saw the furnace fire, his heart couldn't help but pound.

He pointed at the furnace fire and looked at Elder Feng in disbelief, "This... this furnace fire..."

Elder Feng nodded.

Master Luo looked at the alchemy furnace again, a look of shock on his face:

"Then... then this array is..."

Elder Feng nodded again.

Master Luo's heart and mind were both shaken. He stood for a long time, then slowly said:

"First-rank... compound array!"

Master Luo didn't know how he got back.

When he returned to his own cave dwelling and stood in his own courtyard, he finally came back to his senses.

First-rank compound array!

He hadn't learned it yet. Even his senior brothers of the same sect, and even his master, couldn't draw a first-rank compound array during the Qi Refining stage.

He recalled again, initially, in this very courtyard, Instructor Yan invited him to take Mo Hua as his disciple.

And he casually refused...

Master Luo was lost in thought. After a long time, seeing no one around, he couldn't help but slap his own mouth:

"Why was my mouth so cheap? Why did I speak so absolutely? Why didn't I leave a little room for maneuver?"

Even if he didn't take him as a disciple, just giving a few pointers would have been a great favor.

Master Luo felt bitter in his heart, regretting it so much that his intestines turned green...