The Quest for Immortality

The Chief Elder had already risen hastily, with a solemn expression, and hurriedly made his way to the fourth floor.

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze turned slightly heavy, and within his pupils, patterns began to spread, mysterious and unfathomable. At the same time, he twirled a Daoist hand seal, flicked his sleeve, and seemed to erase something out of thin air...

Once the Heavenly secret was severed, the cause and effect were erased.

The Sect Leaders and Elders of the Five Elements Sect suddenly froze.

The Chief Elder also abruptly stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded and lost in thought. After a moment, he muttered confusedly:

”What’s going on?”

”I feel like I just... forgot something?”

”What did I forget...”

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The Chief Elder’s mind went blank; he furrowed his brow and pondered hard but couldn’t figure it out.

It was as if something astonishing had just happened.

But then again... was it all just his imagination?

Like a brief nap in the afternoon, waking up at 1 p.m., everything seemed to be no more than a lingering dream upon waking.

After the rain, no trace remained, hazy and imperceptible.

The Chief Elder looked at Mr. Zhuang with suspicion.

Mr. Zhuang was still drinking tea, relaxed and composed, exuding an air of casual elegance, appearing as if nothing had happened.

Noticing the Chief Elder’s gaze, Mr. Zhuang looked up and asked as if nothing was amiss:

”What is it?”

The Chief Elder hesitated, beginning to doubt himself.

Did Mr. Zhuang do something?

But it didn’t seem like it...

What could he have done?

The Chief Elder looked around again; everything in the surroundings, the furnishings, tables, chairs, cups, screen, and Formation Pavilion looked exactly as he remembered, without any change.

There were no traces of external influence.

The Chief Elder shook his head slightly.

”It must have been an illusion...”

In recent days, dealing with Mr. Zhuang had been like haggling with a tiger, so the Chief Elder was on guard. He was also worried that the heritage of the Five Elements Sect might have been stealthily learned by someone. 𐍂ΑℕỐ𝐛ÈŜ

His concern was excessive, hence the illusion.

That their heritage had been learned by someone else...

At this thought, the Chief Elder’s heart trembled.

He wanted to check the Shrine, but as he took a step, he stopped himself abruptly.

The Chief Elder turned and looked at Mr. Zhuang with displeasure, ”Mr. Zhuang, it has been over an hour since the due time, isn’t it about time?”

Mr. Zhuang feigned difficulty.

The Chief Elder glanced warily at Old Kui but dared only to take a quick look before turning his attention back to Mr. Zhuang and insisted:

”More than an hour has passed, and my Five Elements Sect has already made concessions. I would ask that you, Sir, know when to stop...”

Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment and sighed:

”Well, whether they understand it or not, it’s all up to those children’s own fortune, and one cannot force it.”

The Chief Elder clasped his hands and said, ”Mr. Zhuang deeply understands the greater good...” He then extended his hand and made a ”please” gesture:

”Mr. Zhuang, please come with me to have a look.”

Mr. Zhuang nodded, ”Alright.”

Leading the way, the Chief Elder took Mr. Zhuang to the fourth floor of the Formation Pavilion, opening the big door with some apprehension, and looked inside.

The meditation cushion hadn’t been moved, and the Shrine appeared normal at first glance.

The incense in the incense burner had long since burned out, leaving only the cold ash behind.

The three Junior Formation Masters from Mo Hua were all inside.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi were fine, but Mo Hua was holding his little head with a pained expression, furrowing his brows as if...

He had overextended his Divine Sense?

”He didn’t learn it?”

The Chief Elder felt a twinge of anticipation.

Mo Hua looked up, saw Mr. Zhuang, and hesitated, not sure what to say.

Immediately, Mr. Zhuang sighed:

”Well, if he didn’t learn it, then he didn’t learn it...”

Mo Hua was startled and then displayed a ”disappointed” look, hanging his head, ”Master, I... I have let you down...”

Mr. Zhuang looked regretful, but remained silent.

Seeing Mr. Zhuang’s expression, the Chief Elder was taken aback, then heaved a long sigh of relief.

He then felt a sense of vindication, his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum, barely able to suppress his smile.

He ”hehe” chuckled twice and pretended to console:

”The Five Elements Spirit Formation is the Sect Protecting Formation of my Five Elements Sect, a first-class Formation with Thirteen Stripes, incorporating the essence of creation. It’s as hard to comprehend as ascending to the heavens...”

”Although your distinguished disciples are exceptionally talented and quick-witted, they are still young and learning the profound formations of my Five Elements Sect. It’s normal not to grasp it; don’t take it too much to heart.”

”The journey of Tao Cultivation is long, and they have a long road ahead...”

”Experiencing setbacks can better temper their nature.”

The Chief Elder stroked his beard.

Mo Hua, mimicking Mr. Zhuang, sighed and said, ”Chief Elder speaks very truly.”

The Chief Elder raised his eyebrows and glanced at Mo Hua.

This genius, arrogant and defiant, had put Junior Formation Masters of the entire Dali Mountain State boundary to shame. Yet now, facing the heritage of the Five Elements Sect, he seemed crestfallen due to defeat.

The Chief Elder’s heart was as sweet as honey.

He had rarely been this delighted in his life.

The Chief Elder even said:

”If Mr. Zhuang does not mind, you could stay longer in my Five Elements Sect, allowing us to extend our hospitality a bit more...”

Mr. Zhuang seemed somewhat disinterested, ”We’ll see.”

He waved his sleeve and left.

The three from Mo Hua exchanged simple salutations with the Chief Elder, offered a bow, and followed Mr. Zhuang out.

The Chief Elder watched their departing figures, the smile fading from his face, as he snorted to himself and scoffed:

”Tasted bitter fruit, have you?”

”The heritage of my Five Elements Sect isn’t something just anyone can learn.”

...

On the way back, there were no members of the Five Elements Sect around.

Mo Hua’s dejected expression changed, and he couldn’t help but beam with joy.

Smiling, Mo Hua then frowned again, rubbing the back of his head, and wondered aloud: