MTLNOVEL Chapter 18: Chapter 569: Second Grade
Chapter 569: Second Grade
Cultivating the Dao through divine sense, establishing one's foundation in the Dao through array formations.
Only by learning second-grade formations and becoming a second-grade formation master could one have the qualifications to stand firm in the vast cultivation world and the boundless Nine Provinces.
But right now, Mo Hua lacked the foundational inheritance of second-grade formations.
After some thought, he decided to visit Instructor Yan.
Instructor Yan came from the Little Lingyin Sect.
Although the sect had fallen into decline, it had once produced second-grade formation masters. There should still be some formation diagrams and books on second-grade formations preserved.
But when Mo Hua arrived, he was disappointed—
Instructor Yan wasn't home. Only Manager Mo was there, leisurely sipping tea alone.
"Instructor?" Mo Hua asked.
Manager Mo shook his head. "No idea. Lately my senior brother seems preoccupied, muttering to himself, leaving early and coming back late. No clue what he's busy with…"
"When will he be back?"
"Probably later…" Manager Mo replied, then looked at Mo Hua with curiosity. "Why are you looking for him?"
Mo Hua nodded. "I wanted to ask about second-grade formations…"
"Second-grade formations, huh…"
Manager Mo looked surprised—and slightly envious.
When he had first met Mo Hua, the boy could barely draw a three-pattern Fire Formation. He'd visit the Formation Pavilion to draw low-tier formations and earn a few spirit stones.
Back then, because of his young age, Mo Hua had even lied about his identity—making up an older brother who didn't exist.
Who would have thought, in just a few short years, he'd now be learning second-grade formations…
In contrast, Manager Mo hadn't made progress even in first-grade—he hadn't even advanced a single pattern.
Yet Mo Hua had already made a huge leap and skipped an entire grade…
Comparing oneself to others really can be infuriating.
Manager Mo grumbled internally.
"Manager Mo, do you know how to draw second-grade formations?" Mo Hua asked curiously.
Manager Mo was Instructor Yan's junior and a disciple of the Little Lingyin Sect—technically, he had received formal formation training.
But he waved his hand quickly. "Don't flatter me. I still struggle with seven- or eight-pattern formations…"
He was just a normal cultivator, a normal formation master.
He couldn't be compared to a "little monster" like Mo Hua.
"But…"
Manager Mo stroked his chin and said, "Now that you mention it… there was once a formation master who messed up nine out of ten formation commissions. He couldn't afford to repay in spirit stones, so he gave me a second-grade formation pattern book—a family heirloom—as compensation."
"A second-grade formation pattern book?"
"Yeah," Manager Mo nodded. "It has a collection of basic second-grade formation patterns and their variant forms."
Mo Hua was surprised. "Wouldn't that be quite rare?"
Manager Mo shook his head. "Not really. Any family with a half-decent formation inheritance would have something like this. It's just a niche formation reference book."
"May I take a look?" Mo Hua asked.
"Wait here…"
Manager Mo set down his teacup, stood up with his round belly wobbling, and said, "I'll go find it. It's been a long time, I'm not sure where I left it…"
He dashed off and didn't return until nearly an hour later, holding a worn, ancient-looking book in his hands.
"Here you go."
He handed the book to Mo Hua.
"Thank you, Manager!" Mo Hua said happily.
On the cover, written in neat handwriting, were the words: Second-Grade Formation Pattern Record.
Mo Hua flipped it open and skimmed through.
Sure enough, it contained a variety of second-grade formation patterns—mostly based on the Five Elements, but also with others from systems Mo Hua had never encountered before.
It also clearly explained the differences between first-grade and second-grade patterns, and how a first-grade pattern could evolve into a second-grade one.
The illustrations and explanations were detailed—not profound, but very thorough.
The original owner of the record must have been a meticulous and diligent second-grade formation master.
Judging by the tone, however, the family heritage was probably quite shallow.
That's why every bit of knowledge was carefully recorded and treasured.
Step by step, from simple to complex—it was both comprehensive and instructive.
And this helped Mo Hua tremendously.
He sincerely thanked Manager Mo again.
Manager Mo waved his hands quickly. "It's nothing, really!"
But he was clearly happy to be of help to Mo Hua.
After that, Mo Hua continued reading while Manager Mo enjoyed his tea.
About that time, Instructor Yan returned. He looked flustered and surprised to see Mo Hua there.
Mo Hua explained his visit.
Instructor Yan thought for a moment, then nodded. "I have something—hold on."
He went into his room and searched for about the time it took to burn a stick of incense, returning with two books:
Introduction to Second-Grade Formations
Illustrated Guide to Second-Grade Formations
"The 'Introduction' explains basic second-grade formation theory—the formation logic. The 'Illustrated Guide' focuses on actual formation diagrams and explains how to draw patterns and construct second-grade formations…"
"These are part of Little Lingyin Sect's orthodox inheritance. Compared to the great sects and powerful clans, it might be a bit modest—but the fundamentals are correct."
"It's just a pity…"
Instructor Yan sighed. "All these years… no one in the sect has been able to use them…"
Not even himself.
He solemnly handed both books to Mo Hua, urging:
"Study them well."
To him, giving Mo Hua these books was a way of repaying the great favor—of avenging their sect's betrayal and recovering their ancestors' remains.
He didn't say it aloud—but held the thought close to his heart.
"Understood!"
Mo Hua nodded seriously.
Now that he had the pattern record, the introduction, and the illustrated guide, he finally had the materials he needed to begin understanding how to draw second-grade formations.
But just before that—Mo Hua still had one question that puzzled him…
"Instructor… where did you go just now?" he asked quietly.
The always stern and stiff-faced Instructor Yan looked visibly awkward for a split second.
Looking at Mo Hua's wide, innocent eyes filled with curiosity, Instructor Yan coughed lightly, looked away, and muttered vaguely:
"N-Nothing. Just… took a walk."
"Oh…"
Mo Hua still looked puzzled—but didn't press the issue.
After returning home, Mo Hua immediately began studying the three formation books, researching how to draw second-grade formations.
A second-grade formation was constructed from more than ten second-grade formation patterns.
Second-grade formation patterns were similar to first-grade ones—but also very different.
As he flipped through the pattern record, Mo Hua realized:
Second-grade patterns often looked like two first-grade patterns fused together in a subtle, Dao-like way.
They were more complex, deeper, and had more lines and strokes. The internal transformations and positional intricacies were also twice as difficult as first-grade patterns.
Drawing a single second-grade pattern cost twice as much divine sense as a first-grade one.
"So that's how it is…"
Mo Hua muttered to himself.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, divine sense doubles.
And from nine-pattern first-grade formations to ten-pattern second-grade formations, the divine sense requirement also doubles, with the formation's power and effects likewise doubling.
By standard classification:
A ten-pattern formation is considered second-grade by default.
First-grade patterns are too simple and weak to construct formations with more than nine patterns.
Formations with more than ten patterns must be built using second-grade patterns—whose structure is more solid, with more profound and intricate strokes.
Except for Absolute Formations…
Absolute Formations contain Dao Laws and transcend grade classifications—they are fundamentally different from ordinary formations.
Mo Hua frowned.
Absolute formations contained Dao Laws and transcended grade classifications—they were fundamentally different from ordinary formations…
Mo Hua furrowed his brow.
In that case, a first-grade absolute formation and a second-grade formation might both have the same number of formation patterns, but the grade of those patterns would be vastly different.
For example, the ten-pattern Reverse Spirit Absolute Formation was a first-grade absolute formation, while a regular ten-pattern formation using second-grade patterns was a second-grade formation.
Both had ten patterns, but one was made of first-grade patterns, while the other was built from second-grade ones.
Yet strangely, even though second-grade formation patterns required twice as much divine sense as first-grade patterns…
The divine sense needed to draw either of these ten-pattern formations didn't seem that different.
Mo Hua thought hard but couldn't figure it out for now—so he set the question aside temporarily.
He decided he'd make a proper comparison later, once he had truly learned to draw second-grade formations, to examine the differences in divine sense usage between first-grade absolute formations and second-grade regular formations.
Next was actually learning how to draw second-grade formations.
And learning formations always began with formation patterns.
Mo Hua flipped through the Second-Grade Formation Pattern Record several times, memorizing a few basic second-grade Five Elements formation patterns, then practiced tracing them a few times on paper.
After that, he began attempting to draw his first full second-grade formation using the Illustrated Guide to Second-Grade Formations:
"Second-Grade Brightfire Formation."
Brightfire Formation—of the Fire Element—is used for warmth and illumination. It's considered one of the most basic formation types at any grade.
Coincidentally, the very first formal formation Mo Hua ever learned to draw… was also a Brightfire Formation.
Back then, though, it only used three patterns, not even first-grade.
But now, this Brightfire Formation was a second-grade formation, with a full ten patterns.
Of course, for Mo Hua—whose divine sense had already undergone a qualitative leap at the 14-pattern level—drawing a ten-pattern formation was not particularly difficult.
The challenge lay in the unfamiliarity with the second-grade formation system—Mo Hua was still new to it.
He focused and memorized the structure of the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation.
At midnight, he began practicing the Brightfire Formation within his Sea of Consciousness, using his Dao Stele as his training platform.
One man. One stele. One formation.
Just like the old days—when he first began learning formations.
Mo Hua was briefly overwhelmed with emotion.
It felt like he had learned countless formations… and yet somehow, as if he had barely scratched the surface.
The more he learned, the more he realized how little he knew.
Now that he was on the verge of second-grade formations, it was as if he had to start all over again.
Learning new formation patterns.
Understanding deeper formation principles.
Comprehending even more distant Dao truths…
Mo Hua exhaled slowly, calming his mind.
He kept his heart humble and his mind still, without arrogance or distraction.
He picked up his "brush" and began drawing his first second-grade formation on the Dao Stele:
Brightfire Formation.
Second-grade formation patterns were more complex, the brushwork more precise, and the divine sense cost higher.
The formation structure also had many more variables.
At first, Mo Hua was quite unskilled. He made mistakes repeatedly with each attempt.
Sometimes he misdrew a pattern.
Sometimes he messed up the array core connections.
Other times, his layout was poorly balanced…
Each time, he had to erase the patterns, rewind his divine sense, and start again.
Again and again.
Monotonous. Mechanical.
But Mo Hua had long since become accustomed to this.
His brushstrokes became more precise bit by bit.
His understanding of array core structures deepened steadily.
His grasp of second-grade formations grew clearer with every attempt.
Don't know? Then study.
Not skilled? Then practice.
"Draw a formation a hundred times, and its truth will reveal itself."
Mo Hua kept drawing. Again. And again.
Until he had drawn the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation dozens of times—stepping into every pitfall at least once.
Finally, he gained a moment of sudden clarity.
Formation patterns and array cores began to fuse naturally in his mind.
Brushstroke techniques became muscle memory.
His lines flowed smoother, more confidently. Each move was measured, precise.
At last—after who knows how long—Mo Hua drew the final stroke.
The formation was complete.
On the Dao Stele, the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation lit up—its patterns glowing bright and radiant.
That beam of light was even more condensed, even more dazzling than before.
And just like before, it illuminated the very first step of Mo Hua's journey as a Second-Grade Formation Master…
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief—and couldn't help but break into a wide grin.
Second-Grade Formation!
He had finally drawn one!
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Mo Hua couldn't help feeling a bit pleased with himself.
He admired the Brightfire Formation he had drawn on the Dao Stele for a moment, reluctant to erase it—but eventually did so and rewound his divine sense to draw it again.
First time awkward.
Second time familiar.
The first attempt had taken him a while—many mistakes, lots of effort.
After all, second-grade formations were fundamentally different in grade and pattern structure compared to first-grade ones.
But after that initial breakthrough, with Mo Hua's strong divine sense and formation intuition, things moved much faster.
Soon, he was drawing the Brightfire Formation smoothly and skillfully.
But second-grade formations had a conceptual barrier.
Mo Hua's own understanding of second-grade formations still had gaps.
Otherwise, a ten-pattern Second-Grade Brightfire Formation would actually be easier than a ten-pattern first-grade Reverse Spirit Absolute Formation.
Mo Hua kept drawing—again and again—until the formation became second nature.
Only then did he exit his Sea of Consciousness.
By then, dawn had broken. The sky was filled with light, and the early sun painted Mo Hua's face with a soft red glow.
Mo Hua was in a great mood, his face full of smiles.
Drawing the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation marked the crossing of an important small threshold.
Next step—was to physically draw the formation.
Drawing it on the Dao Stele—with divine sense as ink, hand as brush, and Dao Stele as medium—didn't count as truly drawing it.
So it couldn't yet be considered that he had truly "mastered" the formation.
Mo Hua got up, spread paper on his desk, prepared a brush, dipped it in ink, and prepared to draw the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation.
But just as he began his first stroke, he froze.
He suddenly realized something serious:
Brightfire Formation is a second-grade formation…
But he didn't have second-grade spirit ink!
Not just ink—he didn't have second-grade brushes, paper, or any second-grade array mediums at all!
A skilled woman can't cook without rice.
Without the right brush, ink, and paper… how could he draw formations?
Mo Hua sighed.
He had miscalculated.
It had been a long time since he'd had to worry about basic materials, so he had forgotten about this completely.
"But… where can I get second-grade spirit ink?"
"Maybe the Trade Pavilion?"
Mo Hua made a special trip to every Trade Pavilion in Tongxian City and wandered the whole market street, but came up empty.
There were no second-grade formation masters in Tongxian City—so naturally, no one was drawing second-grade formations, which meant… no one stocked second-grade spirit ink.
Some clans or Trade Pavilions may have had some old stock—but those had long since degraded over time. The spiritual energy had dissipated, making them useless for drawing formations.
Helpless, Mo Hua thought for a bit, then went to look for Master Luo.
Master Luo had become a first-grade formation master quite early, was highly experienced, and had many connections. After years of studying formations and seeking to break into the second grade, he would surely have stocked up some second-grade spirit ink.
But when Mo Hua arrived at the Luo Residence, he was told:
Master Luo wasn't home.
He had gone to visit Master Qian for tea…
So Mo Hua had no choice but to head toward the Qian Residence.
The once-grand Qian Clan had long since splintered and declined. The family had fallen, and its members had each gone their separate ways to make a living.
The massive Qian Estate had been divided into multiple independent courtyards.
The courtyard where Master Qian now resided was in the southwest corner—still the largest and most spacious—but the plaque above the gate had been changed to read: "Qian Clan Academy."
This was not only Master Qian's personal residence but also a school he had personally founded to teach array formations.
Master Qian still remembered his promise to Mo Hua—he had calmed his heart, focused his studies, and began passing on the knowledge of formations to the children of Tongxian City's loose cultivators.
And Master Luo, with nothing better to do, would often drop by for a visit.
He'd drink tea with Master Qian, discuss formations, and occasionally give pointers to the students.
When Mo Hua entered, both Master Luo and Master Qian were in the peaceful courtyard, surrounded by blooming flowers and tranquil scenery, brewing tea and chatting over drinks.
Meanwhile, the children inside the academy were diligently practicing their basic formation patterns.
As soon as Mo Hua walked in, both Master Luo and Master Qian were pleasantly surprised and quickly stood up to greet him.
"Little Mister! What a rare visitor indeed…"
Mo Hua's mastery of formations had long surpassed theirs, and now that he had built his foundation, his cultivation status had risen even higher. The two of them naturally dared not be careless.
Mo Hua smiled and greeted them warmly.
"Master Luo, Master Qian—it's been a while."
Master Luo sized him up, noting that although Mo Hua had now reached Foundation Establishment, his eyes were deeper, his divine sense stronger, and his formation mastery even more profound… his demeanor, however, remained gentle, pure-hearted, and sincere—just as before. Luo couldn't help but admire him.
He said humbly,
"In front of you, Little Mister, the title of 'Master' is far too undeserved."
Mo Hua didn't mind at all.
After taking a seat, Master Qian poured him a cup of tea and asked,
"Little Mister, is there something important you've come for?"
Mo Hua nodded.
"Masters, do you have any second-grade spirit ink?"
"Second-grade spirit ink?!"
The two looked at each other in surprise.
"Little Mister, have you already learned second-grade formations?"
Although Mo Hua felt he had become quite familiar with the Second-Grade Brightfire Formation, he had never actually drawn it yet, so he didn't want to boast. He humbly replied:
"I've learned a little—just want to try drawing one."
But hearing "a little" from Mo Hua, Master Luo certainly didn't believe it meant just a little.
He gave a bitter smile, not knowing what to say.
He was over a hundred years old and still only a first-grade formation master. Meanwhile, this boy—so young—was already stepping into second-grade formations…
Of course, Mo Hua becoming a second-grade formation master was a good thing for them all, but deep down, he still couldn't help but feel a bit sour.
"Spirit ink, huh…"
Master Luo thought for a while and nodded.
"I do have some second-grade spirit ink—but not much. Just two bottles."
Master Qian also said:
"I have a few bottles too. They're from the Qian Clan's old reserves—five bottles total. If you don't mind, Little Mister, you're welcome to use them."
Mo Hua was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Master Luo! Thank you, Master Qian!"
"No need to be so polite…"
The two took out the spirit ink and handed it to Mo Hua.
These were all Five Elements spirit inks, stored in jade bottles. The energy inside pulsed vividly, brimming with potent elemental spiritual power.
Mo Hua couldn't help but ask:
"This spirit ink… it's pretty expensive, isn't it?"
Master Qian nodded.
"A typical bottle of first-grade spirit ink costs about ten spirit stones—though it varies based on quality and rarity. Cheaper ones go for two or three spirit stones, while the more expensive can cost dozens per bottle…"
"Second-grade spirit ink usually starts at a hundred spirit stones per bottle."
"The pricier ones can go for several hundred… even over a thousand."
Mo Hua was stunned.
"That expensive?!"
One hundred spirit stones per bottle…
He looked down at the five small bottles in his hand—worth at least five hundred spirit stones!
Master Qian sighed:
"Yes, that's why learning formations isn't easy—the further you go, the harder it gets…"
"One small bottle of spirit ink, one hundred spirit stones. Even if you never mess up, and draw the formation flawlessly every time, you'd only get two full second-grade basic formations out of it."
"And to actually master a formation—some take dozens of attempts, others hundreds…"
"Just the ink and brush costs alone for learning a single second-grade formation… is already a significant sum."
"To large clans and sects, this is nothing. A hundred spirit stones is like pocket change—they probably eat that much in a single meal…"
"Mid-tier families and sects can manage too."
"But for small clans and sects, trying to support the growth of just one second-grade formation master… it can be a huge burden."
"As for loose cultivators…"
Master Qian gave a bitter smile.
Loose cultivators could barely support themselves—how could they afford to train a second-grade formation master?
Mo Hua's mouth fell open. He looked again at the bottles in his hands, frowning.
"Isn't spirit ink just made by mixing demon beast blood? Why is it so expensive?"
Master Luo was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"Second-grade demon beasts are hard to hunt—and extracting their blood is even harder."
"Of course… that's not the main reason."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Even the most difficult second-grade beast still only provides blood—not things like cores, hearts, or bone marrow… which are far more rare and valuable."
"By logic, the price shouldn't be this high."
"But the real issue is—the formulas, techniques, and rare spiritual herbs needed to make second-grade spirit ink… are all controlled by the great clans and major sects."
Master Luo pointed upward and said,
"Since they monopolize everything—they set the price."
"Whether ten spirit stones, a hundred, or even a thousand—it's not up to us to decide."
"The people who do the hunting, extract the blood, or even make the ink… hardly earn any profit. Most of the wealth is taken by the big families and sects."
"They do it for profit, yes—but also…"
He paused.
But looking at Mo Hua—a loose cultivator himself—he decided to speak plainly:
"…also to limit the rise of formation masters among the lower classes."
"To avoid threatening… their foundation."
(End of Chapter)