Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Taoist Stele_1

Ever since Mo Hua began to remember things, a Taoist Stele had manifested within his Sea of Consciousness, accompanied by faint, nearly translucent memories of a past life.

In those recollections, Mo Hua had lived a brief existence in a different world where Spiritual Energy did not exist.

That version of Mo Hua came from a common family, but through hard work and academic success, he reached university. He majored in fine arts, finding joy in the study of calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting.

Upon graduation, he secured a position as a graphic designer at a major firm. However, the relentless overtime took its toll, and he perished from exhaustion in his twenties.

His life had been a cycle of studying as a youth and laboring as an adult, a journey defined by constant pressure and worry.

By the time he realized the nature of his existence, he had already lived a confused life and met a sudden, tragic end.

As death approached, his past experiences flickered through his mind like the rotating shadows of a lantern.

He realized his life lacked true substance; he hadn't fulfilled his filial duties to his parents, chased his ambitions, or found love. He had neither dreams nor the chance to witness the vast wonders of the world...

These memories remained hazy, leaving Mo Hua occasionally uncertain of what was tangible.

It was much like the tale of Zhuangzi and the butterfly—one could not be sure if the man dreamt of the insect or the insect dreamt of the man.

As the years passed, Mo Hua let go of these concerns.

The past was gone. Now, at ten years old, he resided in the Tao Cultivation World.

He was now a cultivator.

He could become a master who grasped the Heavenly Dao, traversing the Nine States, shifting the sun and moon with a gesture, or crushing stars with a grip...

Alternatively, he could remain a lowly cultivator who spent a lifetime in Qi Refinement, never taking flight or mastering combat, surviving on a few basic spells in a meager existence...

Mo Hua suspected that without the Taoist Stele, his fate would surely have been the latter.

The Taoist Stele remained suspended in the center of Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness.

It was wide and ancient, possessing a strange, damaged form. Its physical presence seemed illusory, yet it radiated a profound and mysterious energy. In a daze, it felt as silent as the Great Void, empty of all things...

On the translucent surface of this stele, Formation Diagrams could be drawn. Every time he completed one, Mo Hua felt his Divine Sense grow more robust.

In the world of Tao cultivation, Formation Diagrams are regarded with the utmost prestige!

Among all the various branches of Tao cultivation, Formations are the most grueling to master, and the primary requirement for learning them is a strong Divine Sense.

Formations are constructed from Formation Patterns—symbols decoded by Ancient Cultivators who sought to unravel the enigmas of the Heavenly Dao.

The strokes of a Formation resemble both archaic, simple script and minimalist art, with every line harboring infinite secrets.

While drawing a Formation, the act of tapping into the Mystery of Heavenly Dao within the Sea of Consciousness drains a massive amount of Divine Sense.

If a cultivator lacks sufficient Divine Sense, they cannot paint Formations. Attempting to do so can lead to total mental depletion or even the collapse of the Sea of Consciousness, resulting in death.

To achieve the rank of Formation Master, one must tirelessly study various Formation Diagrams and practice countless Formations.

This makes the study of Formations perilous. The practice is grueling, and many aspiring masters risk their lives by pushing their Divine Sense past its limits, causing their Sea of Consciousness to shatter.

When Mo Hua draws Formations on the Taoist Stele, his Divine Sense is consumed. However, the moment he wipes the drawing away, that Divine Sense is instantly restored, refilling his reserves.

The transition from existence to nothingness, and back again, mirrors the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.

Furthermore, Mo Hua’s Divine Sense expands slightly with every Formation he completes. Though the growth is tiny, it is undeniable.

From what Mo Hua understood of the Cultivation World, there were no specific Cultivation Techniques designed to train the Divine Sense; it usually only improved when a cultivator broke through to a new realm.

Because of this, even the smallest gain in Divine Sense was priceless.

By repeatedly painting Formations on the Taoist Stele, Mo Hua could refine his skills and steadily increase his Divine Sense as long as he continued his work.

With a powerful Divine Sense, Mo Hua would be capable of mastering more complex, higher-tier Formations.

This path could one day lead Mo Hua to become a formidable Formation Master.

Formation Masters enjoy a high status; even an unranked apprentice can earn a significant number of Spirit Stones by providing services to others.

Once Mo Hua attained the rank of Formation Master and could draw intricate Formations, he would have a solid foundation. He could then pursue further cultivation instead of being stuck as a simple Qi Refinement cultivator forever.

Mo Hua contemplated this silently.

Yet, the journey to becoming a Formation Master was paved with obstacles.

Learning Formations was hard, but earning the official title was even more difficult.

The Taoist Court maintained the most rigorous and demanding standards for certifying Formation Masters compared to any other cultivation discipline.

A Formation is built from Formation Patterns; the simplest ones use only a single pattern. As more patterns are added, the rank and power of the Formation increase, as does the demand on one's Divine Sense.

Drawing one to five Formation Patterns makes one a Formation apprentice.

Being able to draw six to eight patterns allows one to be called a Formation Master, though such individuals are considered ordinary and lack official recognition from the Taoist Court.

Only by successfully drawing nine Formation Patterns and passing the Taoist Court's trial can one be recognized as a true first-rank Formation Master.

For a cultivator still in the Qi Refinement Realm, becoming a first-rank Formation Master is like leaping over the dragon's gate.

First-rank Formation Masters are treated as honored guests by powerful Sects and Clans. Even those in the Foundation Establishment Realm treat them with respect. They receive a monthly allowance of Spirit Stones from the Heaven Shu Pavilion regardless of their activity, and many beautiful female cultivators would eagerly seek them out as Daoist companions.

Aside from the brutal exam, there is a limited quota for first-rank Formation Masters in each state. Success requires not just skill, but also luck.

If the quota in a state is full, even a master with the necessary skills cannot take the assessment and must wait for an opening.

Many Formation Masters spend their entire lives waiting in vain.

Countless cultivators from humble backgrounds exhaust themselves until their hair turns white, never achieving their dream of becoming a first-rank Formation Master.

In truth, the Taoist Court’s quota system is often a facade used by Great Sects and major Clans. They reserve these titles to enhance the prestige of their own heirs, ensuring they are seen as brilliant geniuses.

Common cultivators who pour their souls into the craft are often treated as nothing more than dirt, ignored by those in power.

Night had fallen. Mo Hua was in his bed at the Disciple’s Residence, but his Divine Sense was submerged in his Sea of Consciousness, tirelessly drawing on the Taoist Stele.

He was working on the Twin Yuan Formation, a basic Formation consisting of two Formation Patterns.

Up until now, Mo Hua had never managed to complete it.

Because their Divine Sense is limited, disciples in the early stages of Qi Refinement usually only learn Formations with a single pattern. Even at the Tongxian Gate’s Outer Gate, very few early-stage disciples could master a single pattern perfectly.

Mo Hua, however, had already mastered single patterns to the point of instinct.

Aiming for something more challenging, he spent every night on the Taoist Stele practicing the Twin Yuan Formation and its two patterns.

After weeks of relentless repetition and effort, Mo Hua finally succeeded.

For a Formation Master, every additional pattern is a massive hurdle to overcome. Successfully drawing two patterns meant Mo Hua’s Divine Sense and technical skill were already far beyond those of his peers.

Among the early-stage Qi Refinement disciples of the Tongxian Gate's outer gate, his talent in Formations was likely unrivaled.

Mo Hua let out a long breath. As the clock struck 6 A.M. and dawn broke, his Divine Sense returned from his Sea of Consciousness, and he opened his eyes.

Despite working through the night, his mind felt sharp and refreshed. He felt as though he had enjoyed a full night of deep sleep.

He pushed open the window, letting the early sunlight fall upon his youthful face.

The horizon was painted with the vibrant colors of the morning sun stretching for miles.

Ten-year-old Mo Hua took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the distance with unwavering resolve.

By continuing to practice and strengthening his Divine Sense, he was certain he would become a first-rank Formation Master one day.

When that happened, he would take a massive step forward in his pursuit of the Great Dao.

He refused to spend his entire life as a mere Qi Refinement cultivator!