Chapter 213: Chapter 213 Negotiation_1 Master Luo had a restless night and the next day sought out several Formation Masters in Tongxian City, giving them a few instructions, then went to the Qian Family, and found Master Qian. “I have told them, from now on, they are not allowed to make things difficult for Mo Hua. As for the Monster Hunters, it’s also best not to start disputes.” Master Qian frowned, “Master Luo, this…” Master Luo countered, “Little Brother Qian, what is your plan?” “About Mo Hua?” “Indeed.” Master Qian was taken aback, then said, “Originally, I wanted to befriend him. If he could serve the Qian Family, that would naturally be best; if not, I would hope he could stay out of it, taking neither side; and if even that’s not possible, then I would have no choice but to act ruthlessly. Once we take action, life and death are fated, and it’s beyond my control.” Master Qian shared the advice he had given Qian Hong with Master Luo. Master Luo let out a cold laugh, “But Qian Hong went straight for the kill, trying to put Mo Hua to death.” Master Qian was startled, then sighed, “He is the Family Head, and I am powerless.” Issues of the Qian Family, naturally, could only be decided by the Family Head. Although he was a Formation Master and an Elder, with no low status, he also had no power to influence the Family Head’s decisions. Master Luo’s gaze grew sharp, “Have you considered your way out then?” “A way out?” “If the Qian Family continues to have smooth sailing, you can naturally continue to be an Elder of the Qian Family. But if the Qian Family falls, where will you go?” Master Qian displeased, “Master, your words are not right. The Qian Family has been entrenched in Tongxian City for many years; how could they possibly fall just like that?” Master Luo drank tea but did not speak. Master Qian thought carefully, feeling a chill in his heart, and with a lowered attitude, he spoke softly, “I am an Elder of the Qian Family and a Clan Formation Master, treated well by the clan. It is not appropriate for me to do things against the clan’s interests.” Master Luo enlightened, “You are treated well by the clan because you are a Formation Master. Would the Qian Family treat you well if you weren’t a Formation Master?” Master Qian’s heart trembled. He had known this deep down all along but had never given it much thought while in a high position. Master Qian had met various Cultivators from the Qian Family, some guarding the house, some serving tea and water, and others bowing and serving. These were also disciples of the Qian Family, but had they ever been treated well? If he weren’t a Formation Master, he might not be much better off than them. The Clan treated him well because he was a Formation Master, not because he was a disciple of the Qian Family. What he enjoyed now, he realized upon reflection, was all because he was a Formation Master. Master Luo continued, “If you are a Formation Master, the Qian Family, even weakened, will still treat you well. If you are not a Formation Master, even if the Qian Family is strong, they may not necessarily bless you.” Master Qian was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “Please enlighten me, Master Luo.” Master Luo raised an eyebrow and asked, “What is the most important thing for a Formation Master?” Master Qian pondered for a moment and said, “Is it the family and the inheritance?” Master Luo looked disappointed, sighed, and tapped his finger on the table, “It’s the Formation!” “A Formation Master should delve into Formations, seeking higher accomplishments in Formation. If you were a Second-Rank Formation Master, would you still care about these petty matters at the Qi Refinement Realm?” Master Qian hesitated, “But Formation is not so easy to learn…” Of course he knew that Formation was important, but without the family’s support, without the inheritance of Formation, how was one to learn it? Master Luo glanced at him and said, “You’re already considered a First-Rank Formation Master, no need to rely too much on the family; the Qian Family doesn’t have much higher inheritance in Formation to offer you. What you need to do now is to find a way to advance further in Formation.” “Master Luo speaks wisely, but how can one advance further?” Master Qian said. Master Luo did not answer directly. Master Qian connected the previous conversation and thought for a moment, then understood, speaking slowly, “Mo Hua?” Master Luo nodded. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮 “But what does this have to with Mo Hua?” Master Qian wondered. Master Luo remained silent for a long time before he finally sighed deeply, reluctantly saying, “In terms of formation skills, I admit that I am not as good as Mo Hua.” Master Qian widened his eyes, “You’re not joking, are you?” Master Luo’s expression turned unsightly. Only then did Master Qian realize his faux pas. Formation Masters are naturally proud; no one would joke about such a matter. “But… but how is that possible? He’s only so young,” Master Qian couldn’t believe it. “Never mind his age, the fact is the fact. The Cultivation World is vast, filled with countless geniuses of astonishing talent. It’s perfectly normal for you and me, with our limited experience, to have not encountered them before,” explained Master Luo. Master Luo paused and added, “Moreover, the younger he is, the broader his prospects, and his future achievements in formations will be even more immeasurable.” Master Qian furrowed his brows, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but snort coldly, “Even if he becomes a Second Rank Formation Master in the future, I don’t want to ingratiate myself with him, doing such demeaning things!” “Are you an idiot?” Master Luo scolded in a low voice, “Who is asking you to ingratiate yourself? What you should be doing is creating good karma; so that in the future, for the sake of face, he might give you some guidance in formations.” “In learning formations, one is not afraid of hardship, but of taking the wrong path. If he becomes a high-grade Formation Master, just a sentence or two from him could clarify your doubts and save you from taking many detours.” “Still talking about ingratiating? At your age, with a face full of wrinkles, you’re not a sprightly young girl. Who would care for your flattery?” Upon hearing this, Master Qian felt somewhat embarrassed, but after giving it some thought, he found Master Luo’s words quite reasonable. For a Cultivator in Tongxian City, reaching First Rank as a Formation Master was the limit; anything beyond that was exceedingly difficult. Without any legacy or the guidance of a Second Rank Formation Master, many more advanced formations were incomprehensible to him at present; he had no idea where to begin. If Mo Hua really could go further, really could become a Second Rank Formation Master, then a few lofty tips from him in the future would indeed be worth ten years of his blind, fly-like floundering in study. As for pride, if Master Luo didn’t care about it, what was there for him to worry about? Compared to the Dao of Formation, such matters were truly trivial. “But…” Master Qian voiced his concern, “The Qian Family wants to kill him, and I am the Qian Family’s Formation Master. What if he holds a grudge and resents me for it?” “Don’t worry.” Master Luo said, “I have met Mo Hua. The boy has an excellent temperament and character, and he understands reason. As long as you don’t provoke him, he won’t blame you.” Having lived for over a hundred years, Master Luo had a keen eye for judging people. Master Qian nodded, then frowned, “So what should I do?” He certainly couldn’t just betray the Qian Family… “Do nothing.” Master Qian was stupefied, “Do nothing?” “Stay out of the Qian Family’s disputes, and don’t make things difficult for Mo Hua. Prepare some gifts for him, and I will deliver them on your behalf, explaining the situation. He won’t blame you,” Master Luo said. After a long deliberation, Master Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief, “If that’s the case, then I must trouble Master Luo.” This solution suited him perfectly and spared him from being caught between two sides. The next day, he went to see Qian Hong. Without speaking outright, he still expressed his dissatisfaction about Qian Hong not taking his advice and recklessly sending someone to kill Mo Hua, thus creating deep enmity. Qian Hong was displeased, and their conversation was discordant, ending on sour terms. Qian Hong could no longer approach Master Qian about any task, but also did not dare to offend him too much. Master Qian was an Elder, soon to become a First Rank Formation Master, wielding considerable influence within the clan. If he were to push Master Qian into a corner, causing Master Qian to ally with other Elders, his position as Family Head would become precarious. Within the Qian Family, currently, only Master Qian had the potential to become a First Rank Formation Master, but there were many who could take over the role of Family Head, far more than just Qian Hong alone. Master Qian also took this opportunity to gradually distance himself from Qian Hong.