Immortality Through Array Formations

Chapter 179: Craftsmen_1

The young monk looked to be about ten years old, with a clean brow and handsome features, appearing obedient and cute. But as he lay sprawled on the ground, covered in dirt, he also looked rather filthy.

“Whose child is this, running around here to play?”

Master Ban was taken aback for a moment, then quietly walked over to follow the young monk’s gaze and discovered he was looking at the foundation stone below, which seemed to be reserved for Formation Painting.

What was a child doing looking at this foundation stone?

Master Ban didn’t quite understand and also peered down for a while, noticing nothing but soil and stone, and nothing particularly special. At that moment, he heard the child say:

“Is that Master Ban?”

Master Ban paused, “You know me?”

“Mmm, my name is Mo Hua, Elder Yu sent me here.”

Mo Hua stood up and dusted off the dirt from his clothes.

But he only brushed the front, his back still had some mud stains—he must have crawled somewhere dirty, and his short arms couldn’t reach.

Master Ban went over, gently patted his back, dusting off the dirt, while curiously asking:

“What did Elder Yu send you here for?”

“Elder Yu sent me to take a look.”

“Look at what?”

Mo Hua chuckled and did not reply.

He had come to check where the Formation needed to be painted, whether the planned Formation Diagram complied with standards, and whether the rooms being built by the Craftsmen would interfere with the Formation’s layout.

However, Elder Yu had instructed him not to tell others about his Formation Painting skill, to prevent those with ill-intent from taking advantage, especially for fear that the Qian Family might seek trouble and retaliate upon learning this.

Seeing that Mo Hua didn’t speak, Master Ban roughly guessed what was happening.

He supposed it was the child’s playful nature, seeing the hustle and bustle here, secretly running over to play, but also fearing reprimand, so he used Elder Yu as an excuse.

It was obvious, what could Elder Yu possibly expect a child to do here?

But from the child’s tone, he seemed very familiar with Elder Yu, if not a relative, probably the child of another Monster Hunter.

As long as he wasn’t from the Qian Family, that was fine.

Master Ban let go of his concerns, but kindly reminded, “Go back after you’ve played a bit; there’s not much to do here, and as a child, it could be somewhat dangerous for you.”

Mo Hua nodded and said, “I’ll just look around for a while, then I’ll head back.”

Master Ban stopped paying attention to Mo Hua who had a lot on his plate and didn’t have the energy to mind the boy. With so many craftsmen and Monster Hunters around, and so many watching eyes, it was unlikely that a child would actually encounter any danger.

Master Ban focused on his work, and after a while, he looked up to find Mo Hua was still there.

On a half-built wall, Mo Hua walked leisurely with his back hands clasped, scrutinizing his surroundings, while muttering about Patterns and Wood and Stone.

Several Monster Hunters were around, neither stopping him nor paying him much attention, as if they were accustomed to everything the child did.

Master Ban was puzzled; what on earth was the child doing…

…And why was no one looking after him?

Could it be he was Elder Yu’s own grandson? Which was why the Monster Hunters dared not intervene?

Master Ban speculated quietly to himself.

“Mo… Hua?” Master Ban remembered the name and called out to him.

Only after calling did he remember, with the surname Mo, the boy was likely not a grandson of Elder Yu.

Mo Hua heard Master Ban call and waved at him, then with a light leap, drifted down from the wall like falling leaves.

Master Ban was inwardly astonished—this movement technique was no ordinary feat.

“Aren’t you going home yet?” asked Master Ban.

“I’ll head back in a bit.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Master Ban nodded, picked up a few bricks from the ground, and without much care, sat down on them.

After being busy all morning, it was a good time for him to sit and rest as well.

Mo Hua followed his example and, holding a brick, he sat down on the ground next to Master Ban.

“Master Ban, would you like a drink?”

Mo Hua took out a bottle of fruit wine from his storage bag. It was not very strong, but it was refreshing.

Master Ban happened to be thirsty, but seeing that Mo Hua was just a child, he declined, “That would be too kind…”

Mo Hua said, “My family runs a food establishment, we have lots of drinks, and they’re all homemade. Do you want to try some?”

Hearing this, Master Ban was curious, so he took a sip and nodded in approval, “Rich in fruit flavor, crisp on the palate, perfect for quenching thirst!”

“Right?” Mo Hua said with a happy smile.

The wine was brewed by his mother, so of course, it was delicious. Mo Hua thought Master Ban must also be a connoisseur.

Elder Yu’s taste was less refined in this regard. Elder Yu only liked strong liquor and couldn’t appreciate the sweet goodness of this kind of fruit wine.

Mo Hua continued, “Master Ban, are all of you Craftsmen from the Earth-Wood Series Spiritual Root?”

Mo Hua was curious; he had just stealthily used his Divine Sense and noticed that the spiritual power of these Craftsmen and artisans was basically brown with tinges of cyan.

This was because their Spiritual Roots were of the Earth Series mixed with the Wood Series, and they practiced the Earth-Wood Series Cultivation Technique.

Having enjoyed Mo Hua’s wine and now with some free time, Master Ban explained, “Generally, for Craftsmen, the Earth-Wood Series Spiritual Root is the best. Besides that, the Water-Earth Series, Metal-Earth Series, and Metal-Wood Series also work. Earth and wood structures primarily involve dealing with earth, wood, bricks, and stones, requiring the corresponding spiritual power for shaping, excavating, carving, etc. When the Spiritual Root matches, it makes the job a lot easier.”

Mo Hua nodded repeatedly as he listened.

Master Ban took another sip of the drink to moisten his throat and continued, “It’s not just us Craftsmen; it applies to other Tao Cultivation specialties as well. For instance, for Alchemy and Artifact Refining, a Fire-series Spiritual Root is necessary. The same goes for preparing spiritual meals. The Fire-Series doesn’t need to be high quality, but it certainly must be present…”

“And then others, for instance, those in shipping need a Water Series Spiritual Root, those dealing with Spirit Plants require a Wood Series or Water Series, those constructing mausoleums need a Metal Series or Earth Series, and couriers would best have a Wind-based Spiritual Root, etc., all of these professions cannot be separated from one’s Spiritual Root…”

After such a conversation, Mo Hua had gained much insight.

The Cultivation World of the Nine State was vast and endless. There were so many different Cultivators in this world, engaged in a rich and colorful variety of Tao Cultivation specialties…

Mo Hua wondered whether he would one day be able to travel throughout the Nine State, to experience the local Tao Cultivation customs and the nature of its people.

Mo Hua thought with a sense of longing.

After finishing their chat and the wine, Master Ban had to get back to work. He said, “It’s getting late, I need to get busy. You should head back so your parents don’t worry.”

Mo Hua had seen what he came to see and had a rough idea of what he needed, so he also waved goodbye, “Goodbye, Master Ban.”

Master Ban continued to focus on the progress of the construction, undistracted, and he dismissed Mo Hua from his mind.

A few days later, he met with Elder Yu and discussed the planning of the Refinery Shop. As he was about to take his leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked,

“I met a kid before, named Mo Hua. Do you know him?”

“Mo Hua?” Elder Yu nodded, “I asked him to go over there and have a look.”

“What did you ask him to look at?” Master Ban frowned.

Elder Yu was about to say something, but then he stopped and smiled, “Nothing much, just to look around.”

Master Ban was somewhat displeased and puzzled, “Is he a relative of yours?”

If only he were my relative…

Elder Yu thought to himself, then shook his head and said, “No, just an ordinary kid. Let him do what he wants, no need for you to worry.”

Master Ban couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

Let him do what he wants? Can that really be just an ordinary kid?

You wouldn’t even be so indulgent with your own grandchild…

Master Ban shook his head, but knowing that Elder Yu didn’t want to elaborate, he didn’t press further. For now, he had to drop the subject and continued to discuss the affairs of the Refinery Shop.