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The scenery in the courtyard was different from what the three had imagined, serene yet very casual.

A pool and a view were just ordinarily unique, with no fluctuations of Spiritual Power, not at all like the residence of a Great cultivator.

Mr. Zhuang was also different from their expectations. Though he had a handsome and dashing appearance and bore the vicissitudes of time, he seemed to lack the temperament they had imagined.

Aunt Xue’s expression was respectful as she pondered in her heart.

Before leaving, the lady had shown her a portrait in which the man stood with his hands behind his back atop a mountain, like a fully unveiled immortal sword. His presence, haughty and disdainful, as if he alone reigned supreme over all under heaven, was nearly too intimidating to directly behold.

Now Mr. Zhuang lay in a bamboo chair, idly swaying, appearing very… lazy.

If it weren’t for the portrait, one would almost refuse to believe they were the same person.

Despite this, Aunt Xue dared not show the slightest disrespect as she reverently presented a Token and a Jade Slip to Mr. Zhuang.

“Before the lady left, she asked me to deliver this Token and this letter to you, saying you would understand as soon as you saw them,” said Aunt Xue.

Mr. Zhuang looked at the Token and then at the Jade Slip, chuckled lightly, and said,

“Truly a good junior sister of mine. Even like this, she still cares about me and doesn’t forget to trouble me.”

Mr. Zhuang turned his head towards Aunt Xue, “When you have time, bring a message to your lady. Women who plot too much age quickly.”

Aunt Xue kept her head lowered and dared not respond.

Mr. Zhuang glanced at Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi and nodded, “The aptitude of both is indeed excellent, worthy of…” Mr. Zhuang stopped mid-sentence.

Aunt Xue did not know what Mr. Zhuang wanted to say, but seeing that he appreciated the talents of Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, she could not help but show a joyous expression. “So, Mr. Zhuang…?”

“I do not accept Direct Disciples, at most just a named disciple,” Mr. Zhuang put down the Jade Slip. “If you’re willing, you may stay; if not, you may leave.”

This was within the lady’s expectations, Aunt Xue remembered the lady’s words before she left:

“My senior brother is a stubborn man. Once he promises something, he will definitely do it. If he doesn’t promise, begging will be of no use. But his heart can soften, just wheedle him slowly if he gives in. If he won’t accept a Direct Disciple, then being a named one is fine, and if he won’t make one a named disciple, staying to serve tea and water is also good. As long as he remembers the old affection, sooner or later he will accept Zixi and Zisheng.”

Aunt Xue quickly said, “Being able to be accepted as a named disciple by the gentleman is already a god-given opportunity, how could we not be willing?”

“Hmm,” Mr. Zhuang nodded, “Then let’s skip the formalities, just call me ‘Gentleman’ and that will suffice.”

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi performed a kneeling salute to Mr. Zhuang, calling out “Greetings, Gentleman.”

Mr. Zhuang looked at the two children, his expression becoming momentarily distant.

He vaguely saw two young children, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl, paying their respects to an old man with white hair, as the tender voices of the children echoed in his ears, “Greetings, Master.”

Mr. Zhuang came back to his senses with a self-mocking look on his face and continued,

“I don’t have so many rules here. Your mother’s proficiency in Formation is also considerable; she should have taught you what you need to know, and since you’re past the age for initiation into Formation, you both should have some foundation by now. Just study on your own, and if you have questions, come and ask me. But remember one thing, do not disturb me when I’m closing my eyes to comprehend the Great Dao.”

“There is another named disciple here named Mo Hua, you must have met him already. Get along well.”

Having said that, Mr. Zhuang waved his hand, “Go on, climb the mountain at the designated hour and descend at 5 p.m. You’re free to do as you please at other times. If there’s anything unclear, find Mo Hua.”

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi performed the salute and then departed, leaving the bamboo house to return to the courtyard.

Aunt Xue felt that everything had gone smoother than she’d expected, so smoothly that it felt a bit haphazard.

Moreover, she couldn’t understand why Mr. Zhuang had previously refused to see them but after these days, had agreed to do so, and even so readily accepted Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi as apprentices.

Aunt Xue frowned in confusion.

“Could it really be as Mo Hua, that child, said, that Mr. Zhuang’s actions are governed by fate, that not seeing Mr. Zhuang is due to fate not having arrived, and now having seen him means fate has arrived?”

Aunt Xue walked and then saw Mo Hua under the big pagoda tree, absorbed in reading Formation Books at a low table.

Aunt Xue felt that the reason why Mo Hua was taken as an apprentice by Mr. Zhuang must be due to something extraordinary, and both Bai Zixi and Bai Zisheng also wanted to know what Mr. Zhuang taught.

The three of them approached Mo Hua and saw that he was intently focusing on a Formation Book.

Mo Hua had been concentrating on the book, but when he heard them approach and looked up, he saw Bai Zisheng and his sister. He asked, “Have you seen Mr. Zhuang?”

Aunt Xue said, “Indeed, and we have to thank the Young Master for what you said earlier, otherwise we might have waited in vain for many days.”

“I’m no Young Master, just call me Mo Hua,” said Mo Hua, waving his hand. “Moreover, if anyone should be thanked, it’s the Gentleman; it has nothing to do with me.”

At that moment, Bai Zisheng couldn’t help but ask, “The book you’re reading… is it ‘Elementary of Five Element Formation’?”

Mo Hua nodded.

Bai Zisheng said with disbelief, “You’re following Mr. Zhuang and only learned this far? This is the book used by three to four-year-olds in our clan for an introduction to formations…”

Mo Hua was a bit unhappy.

Questioning himself was one thing, but questioning Mr. Zhuang was not acceptable.

Mo Hua retorted, “Then is this book written by children of three or four years old?”

Bai Zisheng was taken aback for a moment. “That’s not the case, although these fundamental Formation Books seem simple, they are of great importance, and most are compiled by Great cultivators with substantial knowledge in formations.”

“Since they are compiled by those Great cultivators, why can’t I read them? The simpler things are, the deeper the principles they contain; the Great Dao is utmost simplicity, returning to its purest form. Even high-level Large Formations are composed of the most basic Formation Patterns.”

Mo Hua, imitating Mr. Zhuang, put on a profound and inscrutable air.

However, due to his limited experience, he could only emulate three or four parts of the demeanor, but it was enough to fool Bai Zisheng.

Bai Zisheng suddenly saw Mo Hua in a new light.

But after a moment, he became doubtful again and said, “Your cultivation is so low, you only seem to be two or three years younger than Zixi and me, but how come you’re only at the third layer of Qi Refinement, should you not at least be at the fifth or sixth layer by now…”

Mo Hua felt that this person was a bit annoying. When full, one has too much idle talk; he preferred the way he was the other day, hungry with no energy to speak.

Mo Hua did not really want to bother with him, and from the side, Aunt Xue, with an apologetic tone, said:

“I’m sorry, Zisheng can be a bit brash, may I know what one needs to do when being Mr. Zhuang’s apprentice?”

Bai Zisheng wanted to argue something, but Bai Zixi gave him a faint glance, and Zisheng chose to swallow his words.

Mo Hua didn’t care and said, “There’s not much to do, just practice and study on your own everyday. You just go and ask for advice when the Gentleman has time, but make sure not to disturb the Gentleman’s sleep.”

Bai Zisheng couldn’t help but ask, “Is the Gentleman’s knowledge in formations truly profound? I see that this courtyard is quite ordinary and doesn’t use any special formations. Shouldn’t the residence of a Formation Master be covered in formations?”

Mo Hua countered, “If Mr. Zhuang’s knowledge in formations wasn’t profound, why would you go to such lengths to become his disciples?”

Bai Zisheng said, “That’s because…”

“Young Master!”

Aunt Xue stopped Bai Zisheng, who also realized his slip of the tongue, and he casually said, “Because I’ve only heard of it and have never seen it with my own eyes, that’s why I asked you.”

“Oh~”

Mo Hua looked at him skeptically but said nothing else.