Chapter 42: The Way of the Heart

In the mountains were clouds and mist,and among the clouds and mist was a courtyard.The courtyard had a bamboo gate,and in front of the gate was a small path,winding its way under Moyin’s feet.

It seemed like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Moyin stepped forward,stepping onto the small path,and then his divine sense felt a ripple,as if something had been triggered.

But looking around,the surrounding mountains were still mountains,the trees were still trees,the flowers and grass were still flowers and grass,without the slightest change.

Moyin stopped,looking around in all four directions,but still couldn’t figure out what was happening.

Moyin had heard from some senior expertsthat they liked to set up arrays or situations to test others.He didn't know if the mister in the mountains also had this hobby.

Or perhaps,this small path in front of himwas actually considered a test?

Moyin inexplicably felt a little tense.

Since it was an array master,and there was a divine sense ripple,there was likely an array set up on this small path.

But what kind of array exactly?

With Moyin's limited experience with arrays,he had absolutely no clue.At the same time, no matter how he looked,he didn't feel that the surrounding scenery was any different.

Moyin walked while pondering,but couldn't figure anything out.

He only remembered the teaching instructions:keep a clear and bright mind,follow nature,neither force nor be discouraged.

Walking like this,he had already reached the courtyard gate.

The courtyard’s bamboo gate was simple but quite interesting.

Passing through the bamboo gate,his vision suddenly opened up.What he saw was a courtyard with beautiful scenery.There were several uniquely elegant bamboo dwellings in various places.In the center of the courtyard, green grass covered the ground,the pool water was misty,and immortal cranes drank dew.Just looking at itmade people feel cheerful and lighthearted.

In the courtyard stood a skinny old man.Moyin quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Mister."

The old man's voice was like his person,hoarse and dry,like a section of rotten wood weathered by time and emitting a sound:

"I am not the mister,the mister is inside.Follow me."

After saying that, he led Moyin into a bamboo dwelling.The bamboo dwelling was pure and elegant,with wind blowing from all four sides.

In the center of the dwelling sat a white-clothed middle-aged cultivator,with an extremely handsome appearance.His demeanor naturally had charm.In his gaze,there were several points of freedom, unrestraint, and unconventionality,as if all things in heaven and earth did not linger in his heart.

This was the most immortal and bone-like character Moyin had ever seen.

The middle-aged cultivator saw Moyinand smiled kindly, saying, "You are Moyin, right?Yan Jiaoxi told me.I will ask you,just answer well.There is no need to be constrained.Just say whatever you think."

Moyin bowed and said, "Yes, Mister."

The middle-aged cultivator said, "My surname is Zhuang,you can call me Mister Zhuang."

Moyin bowed again, "Mister Zhuang."

Mister Zhuang nodded slightly and said, "Just now when you passed that small path on the mountain,what did you see?"

Moyin thought for a moment and said, "There were mountains and trees,flowers and grass,and also a small path."

"Besides that?"Mister Zhuang said with interest,"Did you not see anything else?Like what person or what matter?"

Moyin shook his head.

Mister Zhuang said, "There is an array on that small path.It was given to me by a Dao friend in previous years.The array is called the Water Mirror Array.The first time walking on it can reveal some of one's experiences,or foresee some future."

Moyin’s heart was shocked.There was actually such an array?It could reveal experiences and future?

So the fact that I didn't see anything,what did that mean?It couldn’t mean I have no future, right…

Moyin was a little uneasy,but thinking of Yan Jiaoxi’s instructions before,he still truthfully said, "I didn't see anything else..."

Mister Zhuang was slightly surprised,then nodded and said, "I understand."Then he took out an array diagram and continued,

"Here are a brush and ink.Draw out this array diagram.Draw as much as you can."

Moyin looked at the array diagram.It was the Fixed Water Array,the array that Yan Jiaoxi had used to assess him before.

"Yes."

Moyin took the paper and brush,and according to the array diagram,began to draw the array.

An hour later,Moyin's divine sense was exhausted,and he could only draw five and a half array patterns.

Since the last time he drew the Fixed Water Array,only a few days had passed.Moyin's divine sense had not grown fast enough to be able to draw six array patterns in such a short time.

This time, his drawing of the array was also more skilled than the last time,and the handwriting was also neater.

Mister Zhuang looked at the array Moyin had drawn,his eyebrows raised slightly, and then he said,

"Not bad.Are you willing to be a registered disciple of mine?I will not teach you the arrays of some sects,but common arrays in the cultivation world,if you want to learn,I can teach you all."

Although he didn't know why,Moyin seemed to have passed Mister Zhuang's test.

Moyin was greatly happy,and then respectfully bowed to Mister Zhuang and said, "Thank you, Mister. This disciple is willing!"

In the cultivation world, there are two kinds of master-disciple relationships.One is a registered disciple,and the other is a direct disciple.

Direct disciples call their master "Shifu",receive personal transmission from their master,emphasize "one day as master, a lifetime as father",and the relationship between master and disciple is very deep.

Registered disciples are more casual.They teach whatever they teach.The disciple cannot call their master "Shifu",only "Mister".There is friendship between master and disciple,but it is not as deep as that between a direct disciple and their master.

However,Mister Zhuang was willing to accept Moyin as a registered disciple,and he was already very grateful.

Mister Zhuang nodded, "Today, you can go back first.Come over at the Chen hour tomorrow.I will begin to teach you some arrays."

"Yes, Mister!"

Moyin bowed again,this time it was a disciple bowing to his mister.Then he bid farewell to Mister Zhuang,and left Mister Zhuang's courtyard with light footsteps.

Moyin walked down to the foot of the mountain,and found that Yan Jiaoxi was still waiting at the foot of the mountain.Hearing that Mister Zhuang agreed to accept Moyin as an apprentice,he also breathed a sigh of relief,and at the same time said with pleasure,

"That you can be valued by Mister Zhuangis your fortune.You must cherish this opportunity well.Mister Zhuang is a high person,you must be more respectful."

"Yes, Jiaoxi," Moyin promised.

The two walked along the mountain road for a while.Moyin suddenly said curiously, "Jiaoxi, have you been to Mister Zhuang's courtyard?What did you see when you passed that small path?"

Yan Jiaoxi turned his head,looked silently at Moyin,and after a moment said,

"When I walked that small path,I vaguely saw some images.These fleeting images told methat Mister Zhuang was willing to accept you as a disciple,and that you would also become a remarkable array master in the future."

After Yan Jiaoxi finished speaking,the two had already reached the fork in the road.In front was Tongxian City.

Yan Jiaoxi looked at Moyin,and suddenly said seriously, "Moyin."

Moyin turned back.Yan Jiaoxi paused for a moment and said,

"Array masters seek the heavenly Dao,however, the heavenly Dao is infinite,and human life is limited.Only by passing down arrays from generation to generationcan cultivators possibly explore the heavenly Dao,and can arrays possibly benefit all beings."

"In the future,if one day you become an array master of one grade,or even above one grade,and encounter cultivators with good natureand array talent,I hope you will not be stingy in giving guidance.The Dao of arrays is like water.If it is passed down, it will be long and enduring,otherwise, it will only be a pool of stagnant water that does not flow."

Moyin suddenly felt a little heavy on his shoulders.He bowed to Yan Jiaoxi,and said seriously, "This disciple has remembered!"

Yan Jiaoxi's expression relaxed.

Moyin couldn't help but ask, "Jiaoxi, are you leaving Tongxian City?"

Yan Jiaoxi nodded, "I cannot stay at Tongxian Gate,and I still have some personal matters.I will leave soon."

"Then can I see you again?"

Yan Jiaoxi looked into Moyin's black and clear eyes,smiled, "That will depend on fate."

Yan Jiaoxi reached out and touched Moyin's head, "Go back early,and tell your parents."

Moyin walked towards the city gate.After walking a few steps,he turned back again,and bowed to Yan Jiaoxi.

Yan Jiaoxi waved his hand,and said warmly, "Go."Afterward, he kept watching Moyinuntil Moyin's receding figure became small.Only then did he turn and leave.

And at this time, Moyin also turned back,looked at Yan Jiaoxi,and bowed deeply again.

Yan Jiaoxi's figure gradually went farther away,vaguely disappearing into the hazy mountains with clouds and mist.