The Quest for Immortality

He still didn’t dare to make an enemy of Mr. Zhuang.

Especially within the gates of the Five Elements Sect, within the Mountain Protection Array, to confront Mr. Zhuang head-on.

”To tear off the face like this... isn’t that a bit too harsh?”

The Chief Elder expressed his concern.

Sect Leader Liao took a step back and said softly,

”Chief Elder, it’s not that we must tear off our face with Mr. Zhuang...”

”If we treat him with great kindness and he decides to stay, wouldn’t that be even better?”

”Even if we must activate the Large Formation and come to arms, we don’t need to fight to the death. We just need him to hand over our Five Elements Sect’s inheritance; even if it’s only half, it’s better than losing it all to outsiders...”

”We would also have something to report back to our ancestors in the sect...”

”Chief Elder...”

Sect Leader Liao looked at the Chief Elder, his tone earnest as he said, ”The inheritance is of great importance!”

The inheritance is of great importance!

The Chief Elder’s heart trembled.

”Indeed, all this is for the inheritance of the Five Elements Sect!”

Even if there were risks, they had to be taken.

The Chief Elder took another look at Sect Leader Liao and nodded inwardly.

This Sect Leader, although his realm and vision were somewhat limited, still had some measure and could come up with some tactics when it mattered.

”Alright!” the Chief Elder nodded, ”Then go ahead and prepare. We must keep them in the Five Elements Sect!”

Sect Leader Liao’s face lit up with joy as he clasped his hands in agreement.

Once the two had finished discussing, the Chief Elder still stayed in front of the Shrine, contemplating and full of anxious worries.

Sect Leader Liao left the Formation Pavilion alone.

Night had fallen, and outside the Formation Pavilion, there was a sight of carved beams and painted rafters, glittering gold and resplendent.

As Sect Leader Liao stepped out of the Formation Pavilion, he looked back at it and couldn’t help but sneer.

”The inheritance is of great importance?”

”Inheritance my ass!”

Your journey continues with

”What inheritance does the Five Elements Sect have at this point?”

The study of Formations had declined, and Formation Masters had been lost.

The Five Elements Sect now, built on Earth and Wood, was merely superficial, just like that Shrine, nothing more than an empty shell that shone from the outside. ꞦÄＮöʙËŚ

Without people, without Formations, what use was just an empty shell?

The revival of the sect was a joke.

Sect Leader Liao sneered with disdain, then twirled the jade ring on his finger.

But it was not all loss...

Over the years, he had reaped many benefits from it, squeezing every last bit of value from this decaying wood and beams, making a fortune. Now, the time had come to flee...

The mess was someone else’s problem.

Spirit Stones were his own!

As for the Five Elements Sect...

Sect Leader Liao snorted coldly.

Although he was indeed a man of the Five Elements Sect, it was just a title after all. Changing alliances was not a big deal.

But before he left, the Five Elements Sect still had one last use...

Sect Leader Liao took in the entire mountain gate of the Five Elements Sect, his mouth curling into a trace of cold intent.

...

Two days later, Sect Leader Liao visited Mr. Zhuang.

He still had a frank look, without any hint of scheming, earnestly saying,

”I have long admired Senior Zhuang, and I apologize for the difficulties and accusations made earlier. Please forgive me...”

Mr. Zhuang did not express agreement or disagreement.

Sect Leader Liao continued,

”...Now that the inheritance matters are settled, and the timing is right, I humbly ask that you spend some more time as a guest in the Five Elements Sect, allowing me, as the host, to show a bit of hospitality.”

Sect Leader Liao’s words seemed sincere, but he was very nervous inside.

He couldn’t fathom Mr. Zhuang’s intentions, couldn’t penetrate Mr. Zhuang’s thoughts, and felt like he was on pins and needles under Mr. Zhuang’s deep gaze, sweating profusely.

Sect Leader Liao anxiously awaited Mr. Zhuang’s response.

After pondering for a moment, Mr. Zhuang suddenly said, ”Alright.”

This one word ”alright” relieved Sect Leader Liao immensely.

He felt lighter by quite a bit and couldn’t help but smile, saying,

”I am deeply grateful for Senior’s favor.”

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly and said nothing more, taking up his teacup to drink.

Sect Leader Liao knew to take a hint, so he clasped his hands and said,

”Then I won’t disturb Senior’s cultivation any longer, I take my leave.”

After Sect Leader Liao left, Mr. Zhuang called Mo Hua over, thought for a moment, and then instructed,

”During this time, practice diligently. You’ll establish your foundation here in the Five Elements Sect.”

Mo Hua was startled, ”Here?”

The Five Elements Sect was not exactly a safe haven.

From the top down, there was both jealousy and hatred toward him; if not outright hostility, at least the attitude was unfriendly.

But Mr. Zhuang affirmed confidently, ”No matter, establish your foundation here!”

Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled, ”Isn’t that a bit too soon...”

Since reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Level, it had only been a few months, and his Qi Sea was not yet stable, his foundations were not solid, and his Cultivation was not firm...

Establishing his foundation now felt too premature.

Mr. Zhuang said gently, ”Your Spiritual Root... is not that great, and no matter how you refine your Spiritual Power, that’s pretty much it, so you don’t need so many requirements. Don’t bother polishing your realm, it doesn’t matter if the foundation is not solid; as long as you can break through, that’s good enough...”

Although he spoke softly, his words still stung.

”Alright...”

Mo Hua nodded and then asked, ”Master, what about my Divine Sense? Is that sufficient too?”

”Does drawing the Five Elements Spirit Formation enhance your Divine Sense?” Mr. Zhuang asked.

”It does, but not much...” Mo Hua replied truthfully.

”Can you break through to the Thirteen Stripes?”

Mo Hua thought about it and shook his head, ”It feels very difficult...”

He had been drawing the Five Elements Spirit Formation whenever he had the chance.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth – he drew the Spirit Formations of the five elements again and again.

Drawing by day, and even at night on the Taoist Stele.

His Divine Sense was indeed growing slowly, and at a considerable rate, stronger than when he was drawing the Spiritual Pivot Formation.

Although the requirement for the Five Elements Spirit Formation was Thirteen Stripes, since ”Divine Sense Becomes the Dao,” part of the Divine Sense needed to be separated and merged with the Formation, becoming one with the Spiritual Power.