The Quest for Immortality

Taking the lead? Holding up the show? Saving face?

Mo Hua was stunned.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also looked at each other in dismay.

Mo Hua asked, ”Master, what should I do?”

”It’s simple,” Mr. Zhuang said with a light smile, ”you just go and compete with them. If you win, you’ll get to learn the Five Elements Spirit Formation.”

”Compete in First-grade Formation Methods?”

”First-grade.”

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up.

When it came to First-grade Formation Methods, he feared no one, of course, besides Mr. Zhuang.

But he would not be careless.

Mo Hua frowned and said, ”Master, what if the Five Elements Sect plays dirty and I lose?”

It actually didn’t matter much if he lost himself.

Personal victory or defeat was trivial.

The Five Element Ultimate Formation, though important, was something he would learn sooner or later.

The key issue was, if he lost, he would lose face for his master.

His master’s prestige was the big deal!

Mo Hua’s expression became somewhat serious.

Mr. Zhuang felt a hint of warmth in his heart, then raised an eyebrow and said:

”Don’t worry. As my disciple, what do they have to win against you?”

This statement was somewhat subtle, but Mo Hua actually felt it made a lot of sense, and he couldn’t help but nod his head. Still, he looked somewhat apprehensive.

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze shifted, and he continued:

”Do you still remember the words I told you at the beginning?”

Mo Hua was a bit puzzled, unsure which words Mr. Zhuang was referring to.

Mr. Zhuang feigned regret as he sighed:

”Back then, when I went to the Five Elements Sect, I wanted to learn that Ultimate Formation, but for various reasons, I didn’t manage to learn it, and accordingly, they looked down on me and I lost a lot of face...” ℞ÃΝȯＢÈs

”This old score, I can no longer settle.”

”Now, I’m counting on you to reclaim this stage for your master...”

Looked down upon, lost face?

Mo Hua’s little face tensed up, and she immediately bristled with fighting spirit, saying:

”Master, rest assured! I will certainly reclaim this stage for you and crush them into utter defeat!”

”And then I’ll learn their Sect-Protecting Ultimate Technique and drive them crazy with grief!”

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but smile proudly, ”Good, leave them in utter defeat, and drive them crazy with grief!”

Old Kui, outside the door, shook his head upon hearing this.

Despite his age, he’s still as puerile and competitive as a child.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then asked, ”Master, should I show them any mercy?”

Mr. Zhuang shook his head, ”Not only should you not, but you should also be more arrogant.”

”Arrogant?”

”Right,” Mr. Zhuang said, ”use that set of pretentious skills I taught you.”

”Pretentious?”

Mo Hua had somewhat forgotten.

Mr. Zhuang demonstrated for Mo Hua once more.

He let go of his gentle demeanor, his brows and eyes becoming sharp, his expression turning indifferent, proudly holding his head high, like an ancient sword sealed and undisturbed, with an air of grandeur, as if he were an Azure Dragon looking down upon the world.

His grace and demeanor made others dare not look directly at him.

Mr. Zhuang quickly concealed his demeanor again, his expression becoming gentle once more, ”Remember now?”

”Uh-huh.”

Mo Hua’s eyes shone, and then he too imitated the posture.

He held his head high, hands on his hips, with a nobody-in-my-eyes look on his tender little face.

Except he didn’t resemble a dragon, but rather a fierce Little Tiger.

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but pet Mo Hua’s head and said:

”It lacks a bit of style, but it’s passable for now. You’ll need to practice more in the future.”

”Yes, Master!” Mo Hua obediently responded.

Old Kui looked at this mentor-disciple pair, his expression even more speechless...

Mr. Zhuang then instructed Mo Hua:

Your next read awaits at

”In a few days, you will take the lead and also stand in for your senior brothers and sisters. Only those who win against you will qualify to compete in Formation Methods with your senior brothers and sisters.”

With Mr. Zhuang’s words, Mo Hua understood:

”I am the threshold!”

Whoever wanted to compete with his senior brothers and sisters had to cross his threshold first.

Mr. Zhuang nodded approvingly.

This child was indeed clever.

Bai Zisheng felt a bit guilty on the side, ”Master, my Formation skills are not as good as my junior brother’s...”

Bai Zisheng was quite self-aware. Although he was a senior brother, his level in Formation skills was far from Mo Hua’s.

If someone did manage to win against Mo Hua, he most certainly wouldn’t stand a chance.

Bai Zixi was better off, her Formation skills, albeit not as strong as Mo Hua’s, were still quite high.

But his own flaws would be exposed.

Mr. Zhuang said with a light smile, ”That’s alright. This threshold your junior brother presents, it is quite a high one...”

And moreover, it was an insurmountably ”high” one.

Mr. Zhuang thought of Mo Hua’s level in Formation methods as a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm, still somewhat astonished in his heart.

Mo Hua, praised by Mr. Zhuang, had a smiley face again.

...

In the ensuing days, the Five Elements Sect appeared calm on the surface, but there was a buzz of activity behind the scenes: dispatching messengers, sending letters, bargaining...

Sect Leader Liao was busy with receptions and farewells.

The Elders moved about frequently.

Some unfamiliar disciples also appeared silently within the Five Elements Sect...

Mr. Zhuang sat by the window, watching all this unfold, unflustered and unshowy.

A few days later, Sect Leader Liao came to invite Mr. Zhuang, respectfully saying:

”The Tao Discussion Meeting is about to begin. Mr. Zhuang and several esteemed disciples, please proceed to the Formation Pavilion.”

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly and stood up, turning towards Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng, and Bai Zixi, and said:

”Let’s go.”

...

The Tao Discussion Meeting.

It was a grand assembly for cultivators to discuss the Tao.

It was also a general term for various kinds of meetings among cultivators.

Cultivators gathered to discuss cultivation, scholarly matters, Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Formations, and even about rearing Spirit Beasts, keeping cats and dogs.

The Tao Discussion Meeting of the Five Elements Sect was mainly for verifying Formations.

The Formation Pavilion was the place within the Sect for storing Formation knowledge and artifacts.

Stored within were Formation Books, Formation Diagrams, precious inks, ancient brushes, valuable Formation Papers, and a series of Tao cultivation items related to Formation methods.

The Formation Pavilion was a place of secrecy and also one of the important venues for Tao discussion meetings within the Sect.