``` "There's no 'and then'." "It's not the Demon's Cave? The Fire Buddha isn't inside?" "I can't get in…" Gu Changhuai sighed, "Solitary Mountain City hangs in the sky; a sheer cliff offers the only path, with dense Demonic Qi across the way, who knows how many Evil Demon Cultivators lurk within." "To rashly enter would mean life and death are unpredictable, and I'm afraid it would also startle the snakes in the grass." "Moreover, there are Formations inside and out." Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled, "The Taoist Court should have plenty of hands, and they're not short on Formation Masters either…" Gu Changhuai fell silent for a while before replying: "That, I cannot tell you…" Mo Hua was taken aback, mumbling to himself, "Feigning profundity…" Then he pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you want my help?" Gu Changhuai was adamant, "No need." "Don't be polite." "I'm not being polite." "I won't take risks or make a move, just help you look at the Formation, find the loopholes on it…" Mo Hua persuaded gently. Gu Changhuai was truly swayed. "You... have classes, right?" Gu Changhuai hesitated. Just as Mo Hua suspected. It appeared that Uncle Gu truly encountered a difficulty, in need of someone as skilled in Formation as himself to lend a hand. "I can try to ask for leave." Gu Changhuai fell silent. Mo Hua roughly understood. Uncle Gu must be too proud to stoop to asking for help. Mo Hua thought for a moment and then offered him a way out with good intentions, conveying, "Uncle Gu, if the Sect approves my leave, then I'll come and help you all catch the Fire Buddha?" Only then did Gu Changhuai reluctantly say: "Alright…" But between the lines, it was clear he breathed a sigh of relief. Mo Hua shook his head, unable to do anything with him. Now that Uncle Gu's issue was resolved, about asking for leave… that wouldn't be so easy either. A normal Elder could approve a day or two off, but any longer and they wouldn't have the authority. And entering the Demon's Cave to catch the Fire Buddha was definitely not something that could be completed in just a couple of days. Even if things went smoothly, it would take at least six or seven days. If I make use of the bi-weekly rest days to supplement, I'd still need to ask for five days off… My only option is to go to Elder Master Xun. But Elder Master Xun… He can't possibly approve my leave, right? Mo Hua was somewhat troubled. Should he tell Elder Master Xun, "Gentleman, I want five days off to help the Taoist Court capture a depraved Sin Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, murderous and skilled in Forbidden Techniques"? Unless Elder Master Xun lost his mind, he would never agree. So, the request had to be more subtle… Mo Hua then approached Elder Master Xun and altered his explanation, stating that the Taoist Court asked him to create a Formation Painting, which would probably take five days. Elder Master Xun looked at him with a puzzled expression, "The Taoist Court? Asking you? To create a Formation Painting? And for five days?" Mo Hua braced himself and nodded. "Why?" Elder Master Xun asked. Mo Hua vaguely answered, "Supervisor Gu from the Taoist Court invited me, the specifics are unclear to me…" Elder Master Xun shook his head, "A Formation can be created anywhere, why go to the Taoist Court, and besides, five days off is too much…" Mo Hua sighed, feeling somewhat disappointed. Just as Elder Master Xun was about to say something, he suddenly paused, "You just said… Supervisor Gu from the Taoist Court…" "Yes, yes." Mo Hua nodded eagerly. "How do you know the Supervisor from the Gu Family?" "I'm acquainted with Aunt Wan from the Shangguan family; Supervisor Gu is her cousin…" Elder Master Xun was slightly taken aback and asked: "Did they mention what kind of Formation it was?" Mo Hua shook his head, "No, they just said it's a Second Grade Formation, quite difficult, it's estimated to take a long time, so I'm asking for five days off…" Elder Master Xun looked at Mo Hua with some surprise. The Taoist Court… the Gu Family… The Gu Family has deep roots in the Taoist Court and wide connections. If this child, Mo Hua, gets acquainted with the Gu Family and fosters a relationship, it would make things easier for him later on in the Taoist Court… At the very least, he wouldn't be targeted by the Taoist Court for unwarranted disasters. After a brief thought, Elder Master Xun asked Mo Hua: "Just creating a Formation Painting, no other dangers, right?" "None!" Mo Hua stated emphatically. "Hm." Elder Master Xun nodded, "Go to Elder Song, tell him I said to approve your leave for five days." Mo Hua was overjoyed, his expression brightening as he said: "Thank you, Gentleman!" "Hm." Elder Master Xun nodded in acknowledgment, and pondered before adding, "Be diligent with the Formation Painting. In the Taoist Court, the Gu Family is fairly upright, it's worth getting acquainted, to be recognized." "Yes, yes, rest assured, Gentleman!" Mo Hua nodded. He and Uncle Gu were already quite familiar with each other. "Go ahead then." Elder Master Xun waved his hand. Mo Hua respectfully bowed and then couldn't help but leave with a lively spring in his step. He found Elder Song, told him he wanted five days off, and that Elder Master Xun had agreed. Elder Song looked utterly astonished and felt discontent in his heart. Elder Master Xun is too indulgent with this child! Five days off, what kind of example is that setting! Then he signed his name, stamped the seal, and approved Mo Hua's leave request. "Anyway, it's out of my hands, he can ask for however many days he wants, I just need to stamp it…" Elder Song muttered to himself uncaringly. With permission secured, Mo Hua happily returned to the Disciple's Residence. He had calculated just right. Asking for five days off, plus the two days off for the bi-weekly rest, made exactly seven days. He must catch the Fire Buddha within these seven days to have a chance of acquiring the Meteor Fire Skill spell, thereby laying the Skill Pattern foundation for his own forbidden Fireball fusion technique. If it took longer than seven days, he wouldn't be able to intervene. After seven days, either the Fire Buddha would be caught by the Taoist Court or escape. Without obtaining the Meteor Fire Skill, all efforts would have been in vain, a complete waste of time. So… Mo Hua's expression turned serious and his eyes held a determined gleam as he said: "Within seven days, the Fire Buddha must die!" ```