The Quest for Immortality

Bai Zixi directly said, ”You’re not allowed to go.”

Mo Hua muttered softly, ”I didn’t say I was going to...”

Bai Zisheng frowned, ”But if we don’t go, how will we investigate that grey-clothed cultivator?”

”That’s true...”

Mo Hua looked at Bai Zixi, and Bai Zisheng also looked at her.

The autumn-water-like shine in Bai Zixi’s eyes flickered, ”It’s fine to go, but I must go with you.”

Bai Zisheng quickly shook his head.

Mo Hua also said, ”Junior Sister, it’s not appropriate for you to go.”

Bai Zixi said, ”If you can go, I can go too. We’ll just be invisible when we enter.”

”This...”

Mo Hua hesitated, about to say something, but caught by Bai Zixi’s crystal-clear gaze, she could only sigh.

”Alright...”

So, it came to pass that night, at 22 p.m.

As night fell and lanterns were hung, the bustling noise of carriages and horses filled Jinhua Street at its most lively.

Wrapped in cloaks, the three of them climbed to the opposite side of Hundred Flower Tower.

Hundred Flower Tower was a brothel, also the place confessed by Wang Lai, where, after hiding the body of the killed person, a rendezvous with the grey-clothed cultivator took place.

The Hundred Flower Tower was extravagantly decorated.

Flower clusters bloomed brightly at its entrance, yet no one solicited customers outside.

But those who came to this place knew exactly why they were there.

Bai Zisheng quietly asked Mo Hua, ”How are we going to get in?”

Mo Hua released her Divine Sense, probed for a while, and frowned, ”A brothel has actually set up an Expose Dust Formation...”

”Expose Shadow Formation?” Bai Zisheng was slightly taken aback.

”Expose Dust Formation,” Mo Hua corrected.

Bai Zisheng puzzled, ”Is there a difference?”

”The principle behind the formation is different.”

Bai Zisheng was somewhat bewildered.

Mo Hua then explained, ”The Expose Shadow Formation reveals the true form of objects, rendering any Concealment Formation and Concealment Techniques within its range ineffective.”

”The Expose Shadow Formation is more effective, but it’s an upper-level nine-pattern formation from the first series. It requires high Divine Sense, is difficult to learn, uses peculiar ink, and is also very costly to set up.”

”The Expose Dust Formation is an Earth Series formation, a seven-pattern from the first series, easy to set up, and relatively low-cost.”

”Unlike the Expose Shadow Formation, the Expose Dust Formation does not render concealment ineffective. Instead, it creates fine dust particles within the formation which adhere to any cultivator passing through it, thereby revealing their tracks.”

”The Expose Shadow Formation negates concealment at a fundamental level;”

”Whereas the Expose Dust Formation indirectly reveals the form of a cultivator through an external substance.”

Bai Zisheng appeared taken aback, ”You’ve researched this so thoroughly?”

”Mhm.” Mo Hua nodded proudly, ”The way of formations is vast and profound; naturally, one must study it in detail.”

Bai Zisheng opened his mouth, then asked, ”But isn’t it bad for the brothel welcoming guests to let guests be covered in dust by the Expose Dust Formation?”

”Hmm...” Mo Hua observed the formation carefully again and said,

”This dust is a kind of cheap fragrance. Ordinary cultivators who do not understand formations would only think they have been dusted with rouge and powder, unaware that it’s the effect of a formation.”

”Moreover, the Expose Dust Formation’s potency is limited. This dust only lasts the length of a cup of tea before it gradually fades away...”

”The duration of a cup of tea...” Bai Zisheng furrowed his brows, ”So it’s meant to prevent someone from invisibly entering the brothel to peek?”

”It seems so...” Mo Hua then seemed puzzled, ”Who would bother peeking in a brothel for no reason...”

Bai Zisheng glanced at Mo Hua, Bai Zixi, and then down at himself, saying weakly,

”Aren’t the three of us trying to sneak in to peek, though...”

Mo Hua was stunned for a moment, furrowing her brows in thought, then said earnestly,

”We’re looking for clues; it’s legitimate business, not just peeking.”

Bai Zisheng nodded, ”That makes sense!”

Bai Zixi watched the two of them, her gaze tinged with helplessness.

”Since there’s an Expose Dust Formation, how are we going to get in?”

Bai Zisheng asked again.

Mo Hua was also a bit stumped, ”I could solve the formation, but to do it without attracting attention, that’s a bit more difficult...”

”So what now, should we go back first?”

After some thought, Mo Hua nodded,

”Let’s go back first. There’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator inside the brothel. If we linger here too long, we might be detected.”

That was not something Mo Hua feared.

Usually, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could not see through his Concealment.

But it was a different story for his Junior Brother and Junior Sister.

The three of them then left stealthily.

On the way back, Bai Zisheng grumbled, ”A brothel with a Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed there...”

If it weren’t for the presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, their actions would have been much easier.

Ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators, he didn’t even regard them.

Mo Hua said, ”This indicates that the brothel has many troubles and also earns a lot of Spirit Stones.”

Bai Zisheng thought about it and nodded.

Mo Hua remembered the Mining Cultivators toiling away in the mines, earning a single Spirit Stone a day, and let out a light sigh.

The more disreputable the business, the more Spirit Stones it earned...

...

The grey-clothed cultivator frequented Hundred Flower Tower.

Mo Hua wanted to look inside the Hundred Flower Tower, but with limited time, he couldn’t come up with any good ideas on the spot.

The brothel had too much foot traffic for them to slip in unnoticed.

The biggest problem was the Expose Dust Formation still.

The Expose Dust Formation was manageable, but not easy to handle without anyone noticing.

And besides the formation at the entrance, there were probably some minor Expose Dust Formations in the brothel’s doors, windows, corridors, and above the beams in front of the rooms to prevent peeping.

Mo Hua was somewhat disgruntled.

It must be the work of some cultivators using Concealment Techniques for nefarious deeds.

It had reached the point where an attempt to use Concealment Techniques for a legitimate cause, to capture a villain, was heavily guarded.

Guarding against the dishonest ends up implicating the honest...

Several days passed with no further progress.

Mo Hua thought about indirectly probing for information, to see if he could gather some clues from other cultivators.

The best candidate was Elder Su.

He was a first-series Formation Master and a Foundation Establishment Elder of the South Yue Sect, so he was sure to have a wide network and be well-informed.

But Mo Hua wasn’t sure if Elder Su had any involvement with the matter, so his questions were quite implicit, and the conversation was cautious.

”Elder Su, is there anything interesting to do on Jinhua Street?”

Elder Su wasn’t surprised.

Although Mo Hua was a first-series Formation Master, he was still young, and it was normal for a youngster to feel a little playful when in a new place.

So Elder Su began to describe in detail for Mo Hua,

Jinhua Street was the most bustling place in all of South Yue City.

He mentioned the festivals, the scenic spots, and the best places to eat...

Which dish from which Food Building is prepared well, which tavern has the best liquor, which teahouse offers the richest tea...

When the conversation strays, Elder Su can’t help but digress.

Like which gambling house has the easiest winning table, and which brothel has the most...?

Elder Su’s words cut off there.

”The most what?” Mo Hua asked.

Elder Su, sweating profusely, awkwardly said, ”Not suitable for children, not suitable for children...”

Mo Hua, with a suspicious tone, said, ”Elder Su, you seem quite familiar with these things...”

Elder Su was greatly alarmed, ”No, it’s not what you think, I never... Don’t smear my reputation!”

”Oh...” Mo Hua clearly didn’t believe it.

Elder Su laughed awkwardly again.

Mo Hua wanted to learn more but saw a servant approach and whisper something to Elder Su.

Elder Su looked troubled.

Knowing when to take a hint, Mo Hua said, ”Elder Su, you’re busy. I’ll take my leave now.”

Elder Su also hastily stood up to return the gesture, ”A guest has arrived, truly sorry. Another day I’ll prepare a fine banquet and apologize to the young gentleman.”

Mo Hua waved his hand, ”You’re too kind, Elder.”

In his heart, he was somewhat curious about what kind of banquet Elder Su could prepare, and if there would be any delicacies.

Elder Su escorted Mo Hua out. Just as they reached the courtyard, an exquisitely dressed cultivator appeared, of median age, handsome in appearance, gentle, and refined.

Mo Hua was a bit surprised, ”Lu Family Head?”

The person was indeed the Lu Family Head who Mo Hua had previously met.

And the guest that Elder Su was going to entertain must have been this Lu Family Head.

Mo Hua had learned from Elder Su that the name of Lu Family Head was Lu Chengyun.

When Lu Chengyun saw Mo Hua, he wasn’t surprised, and he had a smile on his face as he said warmly,

”Little Mister Mo.”

They exchanged greetings and salutations.

After exchanging a few polite words, Mo Hua was about to leave when Lu Chengyun stops him.

”The young gentleman can join us for some tea.”

Mo Hua somewhat puzzledly asked, ”Aren’t you here to discuss matters with Elder Su?”

Lu Chengyun said, ”It’s not a matter of urgency, just exchanging some insights on Formation. Since the young gentleman is also a Formation Master with notable expertise, why not join in the conversation?”

After thinking it over, Mo Hua agreed.

Clearly, there were issues with Lu’s mines.

But he wasn’t familiar with the Lu Family.

Interacting with the Lu Family Head might reveal some clues.

However, as the Family Head, Lu Chengyun naturally had his own deep stratagems. Throughout the conversation with Mo Hua, he didn’t mention anything about the mines or mining cultivators, and simply talked about Formation.

Moreover, Lu Chengyun’s Formation expertise also surprised Mo Hua.

It’s not always possible for the head of a family involved in many affairs to find the time and thought to delve into Formation, but Lu Chengyun’s knowledge in the field seemed to be somewhat deeper than even Elder Su’s.

No wonder he and Elder Su were so close.

After discussing more about Formation, Lu Chengyun’s attitude towards Mo Hua became even more amiable, and his eyes couldn’t hide his admiration.

Lu Chengyun paused, then suddenly asked:

”Young Mister Mo, have you ever been married?”

Mo Hua, who was drinking tea, choked on his sip, ”Not yet... not yet...”

Lu Chengyun’s eyes brightened even more, ”I wonder...”

Mo Hua coughed and said with difficulty:

”I’m still young, not considering it yet.”

Lu Chengyun showed no displeasure, but rather a knowing look, and discreetly handed Mo Hua a booklet.

”This is part of the Lu family genealogy.”

Lu Chengyun didn’t finish his sentence, just giving Mo Hua a meaningful look.

Mo Hua opened the genealogy gently and found that it recorded the direct descendants of the Lu family, all of whom were eligible-aged females.

Turning to the back, there were portraits of beautiful female cultivators.

Mo Hua felt somewhat helpless.

Lu Chengyun smiled nonchalantly, while Elder Su silently drank his tea, pretending to see nothing.

After finishing the tea and discussing Formation, Lu Chengyun stood up to leave.

Before leaving, Lu Chengyun patted Mo Hua and softly said:

”No rush, take your time to look.”

Mo Hua didn’t know what to say.

As Lu Chengyun turned to leave, it seemed as if he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Mo Hua:

”I have a question for the young gentleman, if I may ask?”

Mo Hua was taken aback and nodded, ”Please ask.”

”It may be a bit presumptuous.”

”It’s fine.”

Lu Chengyun nodded and asked:

”Young Mister Mo, you manage to keep your aura concealed, impervious to Divine Sense exploration. Is it perhaps... a Spiritual Artifact that conceals your aura?”

Mo Hua’s eyes flickered slightly, and then he earnestly said:

”Yes, you have keen eyesight, Family Head!”

Lu Chengyun let out a sigh of relief, then bowed and said, ”I take my leave, and another day when there’s time, I’d like to discuss Formation again with the young gentleman.”

Mo Hua also bowed, ”Lu Family Head, take care.”

After Lu Chengyun left, Elder Su also slowly exhaled, and said to Mo Hua:

”He is the Family Head, so it’s within his duties, understandable, but...”

Elder Su hesitated.

”But what?” Mo Hua asked curiously.

Elder Su thought for a moment, then sighed:

”The Lu Family is rife with disputes. If you can avoid getting involved, it’s better to stay out.”

Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Su looked at Mo Hua, his gaze focusing slightly, his expression complex, and he slowly asked:

”Young Mister Mo, you’ve come to me with a purpose, haven’t you?”

Mo Hua was taken aback, ”How did you know?”

Elder Su expressionlessly said:

”In these few days coming to my place, beating around the bush, you likely wanted to ask something...”

”But the matter is somewhat secretive, not something easily spoken about, so you didn’t ask directly. Instead, you sought some pretext, talking roundabout, trying to get some information out of me.”

Mo Hua fell silent.

Elder Su’s gaze turned chilly.

He knew that this Junior Formation Master must have had some agenda.

Elder Su picked up the teacup, skimmed off the froth, and his gaze floated unpredictably like the tea water:

”Young Mister Mo, after all, what do you intend to do?”

At this point, there was no need for Mo Hua to hide his intention.

He said solemnly:

”Elder Su, I want to go to a brothel!”

Elder Su sprayed out a mouthful of tea.