Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 4

Chapter 4: – Fire-Resistant Hairpin_1

The local market town served as a hub for low-level cultivators to exchange mission rewards for resources. A vast array of pills, formations, and spiritual artifacts were traded here, though the quality was often mediocre and the selection inconsistent.

With the year-end festivities approaching, the market was teeming with activity. The constant flow of people created a loud and bustling atmosphere.

Mo Hua headed straight for a modest stall tucked away at the street's end. The proprietor was an elderly man named Sun, known to locals as Old Sun. His son held a minor management position at the prestigious Myriad Treasure Building. From time to time, the son would pass along defective items discarded by the establishment, which Old Sun would then sell at a discount in the market.

Old Sun was busy calling out to customers when he noticed Mo Hua approaching. The boy was out of breath, his pale face flushed from running. The elder couldn't resist a bit of teasing.

“Little brother, have you come to browse spiritual artifacts again? I hope it won't be like last time—all looking and no buying, right…?”

Mo Hua gave a sharp wave of his small hand and declared, “I’m buying!”

Surprised, Old Sun asked, “Isn't the New Year still a few days away? Did your parents give you your gift money early?”

Mo Hua replied with a hint of indignation, “What New Year’s money? I earned this myself!” He then gave the pouch at his waist a firm pat.

Hearing the distinct clink of spirit stones from within the pocket, Old Sun’s eyes lit up. He quickly changed his tune.

“Pills, formations, artifacts—I have it all. High quality at low prices, no cheating for young or old. Everything comes from the Myriad Treasure Building’s inventory, ensuring excellent quality. What is my young friend searching for?”

Mo Hua knew that if the quality were truly top-tier, the Myriad Treasure Building would have sold the items themselves rather than letting them end up here. However, he didn't mind; he couldn't afford their retail prices anyway.

“Do you have any fire-resistant spiritual artifacts?”

With a knowing look, Old Sun produced a burlap sack and spread its contents before Mo Hua.

“You mentioned it before, little friend, so I made sure to look out for you. I went back and specifically sourced a few pieces—all premium fire-resistant spiritual artifacts. They are easy to carry and beautifully designed. What do you think?”

Mo Hua looked at Old Sun with admiration. The old man truly possessed decades of trading experience, having prepared for this business opportunity just from a previous hint.

The assortment of spiritual artifacts included rings, jade pendants, lanterns, and even a net and a scarf. It was easily the most comprehensive collection in the entire market town.

After a careful inspection, Mo Hua lifted a simple yet elegantly crafted hairpin. “What kind of hairpin is this?”

Old Sun began his pitch, “This is known as a Fire-Resistant Hairpin, a standard-grade spiritual weapon. Both the materials and the build follow a strict template, featuring a primary fire-resistant formation. It needs a spirit stone to function. Once triggered, the formation creates a barrier against heat, keeping the user cool. Even though it requires spirit stones, one stone lasts for three months, making it very cost-effective…”

Mo Hua voiced his suspicion, “Since these are standard spiritual weapons from the Myriad Treasure Building being sold here, they must have some defects, right…?”

Old Sun chuckled, “You’re sharp, you really know your stuff. I won’t deceive you; if it were perfect, it would cost at least double at the Myriad Treasure Building. But a flaw doesn’t equate to being useless…”

Pointing to the peony engraving on the hairpin, Old Sun explained, “When the artisan was carving this flower, they added a few extra strokes that didn't match the design. Thus, it was labeled defective, even though the internal formation remains perfectly functional.”

Mo Hua nodded, deciding this was the most appropriate choice. “How many spirit stones?”

Old Sun stroked his beard and said, “A flat price of fifteen spirit stones!”

Mo Hua shook his head. “Five!”

Old Sun’s eyes bulged in shock. “Who taught you to bargain like that?”

Feeling a bit sheepish, Mo Hua admitted, “I heard people haggling like that at another stall…”

Old Sun sighed dramatically, “Morals have truly hit rock bottom when even the good children are being led astray!” He countered, “Fourteen stones, that’s my final offer!”

Mo Hua tentatively nudged his price up, “Six?”

…

Following a lengthy exchange of offers, they finally settled on ten stones.

Old Sun refused to budge even a single stone lower, and Mo Hua, having checked prices elsewhere and found nothing cheaper, agreed to the deal.

After taking the stones, Old Sun wrapped the hairpin in a simple but pretty paper box. As he handed it over, he grumbled,

“If my grandson had half your wit, I’d have him running the stall. Sadly, he’s slow and won't even open his mouth around strangers.”

Pleased with the purchase, Mo Hua waved goodbye and walked away with a cheerful stride.

A neighboring vendor laughed, “Old Sun, it seems you took a loss on that one!”

Old Sun stroked his beard and replied, “It’s not a loss, I just made a smaller profit.”

The vendor asked curiously, “Ten spirit stones is a decent sum. I wonder who that boy is buying such a hairpin for?”

“A Fire-Resistant Hairpin is meant to block the heat of a stove. Who else could it be for?”

As Mo Hua’s silhouette faded into the distance, Old Sun whispered to himself, “He’s a good lad!”

Mo Hua lived on a quiet street on the outskirts of Tongxian City. Their home was an old, small house, just large enough for a family of three. The neighbors were mostly Loose Cultivators at the Qi Refinement stage who survived on odd jobs. They weren't wealthy, but the neighborhood was warm and tight-knit.

As dusk fell, smoke began to drift from chimneys and soft yellow lanterns were lit throughout the street.

Mo Hua burst through the door, shouting, “Mom, I’m home!”

A woman dressed in simple clothes and possessing a gentle face emerged from the back room. At the sight of Mo Hua, her expression brightened. She pulled him close, ruffling his hair and pinching his cheeks. “Have you lost weight from pushing yourself too hard in cultivation?” she asked.

“I haven't lost weight,” Mo Hua insisted, then produced the box. “Mom, this is for you!”

Taken aback, the woman opened the box to find the hairpin inside.

“It’s a Fire-Resistant Hairpin. You spend so much time in the restaurant kitchen, and that heat is bad for you. This will block the heat and keep you much cooler.”

The woman was Liu Ruhua, Mo Hua’s mother and a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refinement stage in Tongxian City.

Survival was difficult for a Loose Cultivator; high-paying jobs were scarce. Raising a child added to the burden, with the costs of food, clothing, Sect fees, and cultivation materials being significant for any average family.

Liu Ruhua was a talented cook and worked in the kitchen of a local eatery.

While large restaurants used expensive stoves made by Artifact Refiners that used Formations to turn spirit stones into heat, smaller shops couldn't afford the stones. Instead, they hired cultivators with Fire Spiritual Roots to use their own Qi to fuel the cooking fires. Over time, this constant exposure to heat would damage a cultivator's body, drying out their Meridians and causing lung pain and chronic coughing.

During her shifts, Liu Ruhua had to use her spiritual power to maintain the fires. For a monthly wage of thirty spirit stones, she endured the physical toll, as it was a sought-after position that many Qi Refinement cultivators wanted but couldn't get.

Looking down at the gift, Liu Ruhua pressed her lips together, silent.

Mo Hua spoke up quickly, “I earned the spirit stones for this by helping a fellow disciple. I didn't do anything dishonest!”

A smile touched Liu Ruhua’s lips, her heart feeling both warm and heavy. “I can't take this. You’re still young and will need many spirit stones for your future Cultivation. We need to save. I can manage, you shouldn't worry about me…”

Mo Hua replied with confidence, “Don't worry about the future. Who knows, I might become a powerful Great Cultivator with a Golden Core or even a Nascent Soul, with more spirit stones than I can count.”

Liu Ruhua laughed, tapping his forehead. “You’re so small and already making such big boasts.”

“Mom, please take it. I spent half the day haggling for this. If you don't use it, then all my hard work was for nothing.”

Mo Hua then took the hairpin and tucked it into her hair before running to get a mirror.

“See? Doesn't it look beautiful?”

Seeing her reflection—the simple, elegant hairpin making her look refined—and seeing the hope in her son’s eyes, Liu Ruhua’s heart melted. She said softly, “I’ll keep it this time, but no more gifts like this.”

“Mhm, mhm,” Mo Hua promised repeatedly. “Mom, is dinner ready? I’m starving.”

“It’s ready, all your favorite dishes. Go eat!”

Liu Ruhua was an excellent cook. Even though the meals were simple vegetarian dishes without spiritual energy, they were delicious. After eating and talking with his mother, Mo Hua retired to his room.

Late into the night, Mo Hua entered his Sea of Consciousness to practice Formations on the stone monument. When he finally woke, it was 6 A.M.

He sat in meditation, holding a spirit stone to perform his daily Cultivation routine.

When his eyes opened again, the morning light was streaming into the room. As he was stretching and preparing to start his day, he heard heavy, dragging footsteps outside.

Mo Hua rolled over and looked through the gap in the door. He saw a man, exhausted and covered in bloodstains, entering the house. It was his father, Mo Shan.