The Quest for Immortality

If it were truly intended to target cultivators, the situation would be simply unimaginable.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid it in advance, lest conflicts arise between the sect disciples, fostering enmity and leading to an uncontrollable scene.

What’s more, Ouyang Feng himself is on good terms with the disciples of Taixu Gate from the same cohort.

Considering family ties and principles, he also does not wish for the junior brothers and sisters beneath him to become hostile with Taixu Gate.

”Alright.”

The other disciples of Tai’a Sect responded solemnly.

Ouyang Feng swept his gaze around, looked at the Little Wood beside him, and spoke:

”These mountaintops are all occupied by Taixu Gate. I’ll take you to a more remote place and personally hunt a few monster beasts for you to observe...”

He patted Little Wood’s shoulder, ”You’ll have to rely on yourself in the future.”

”Mm!” Little Wood nodded gravely.

A trace of warmth surfaced on Ouyang Feng’s face, but deeper in his eyes, there was worry.

Subsequently, the group from Tai’a Sect crossed several mountain peaks, left the territory of Taixu Gate, and arrived at the edge of a forested area. Together, they killed two monster beasts.

Ouyang Feng remained silent.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qian explained the precautions of monster hunting to Little Wood, one by one.

Little Wood listened attentively.

”Now that you’ve just entered the mountains, your experience is shallow and your techniques are unfamiliar. Remember not to be too greedy, rushing to kill strong monster beasts like tigers, leopards, and Bear Pi right away.”

”Start by hunting weaker monster beasts...”

”Monster beasts are cunning; you must be extremely vigilant. Until the monster beast has completely ceased breathing, you cannot relax, or great calamity may follow.”

”Some monster beasts have thick skin and bleed profusely, while others possess strange and treacherous demonic powers. They may attack in close quarters or unleash water, fire, or toxic gases from afar—you should be mentally prepared beforehand.”

”Never confront a monster beast alone.”

”At least gather a group of five before...”

While Ouyang Qian was patiently explaining to Little Wood, she suddenly stopped mid-sentence, startled, and looked up. They saw a streak of golden light flash in the sky, followed by an eruption of sword qi radiating outward.

A ferocious eagle was shredded by the sword qi, bursting into a cloud of blood mist and plummeting downward with a resounding thud.

Ouyang Feng’s pupils contracted slightly.

The expressions of the others changed as well.

”Sword Control!”

Ouyang Qian’s beautiful eyes widened slightly in astonishment as she muttered:

”Such rapid Sword Control!”

”The distance... over a hundred yards. Foundation Establishment Peak? Or Golden Core?”

”The sword qi hasn’t crystallized—it doesn’t look like Golden Core...”

”This is the Outer Mountain of Refining Demon Mountain. Who is controlling the sword here?”

The group’s expressions turned heavy.

Little Wood recalled the celestial speed and sharpness of the sword control he had just witnessed, the radiant sword light, and couldn’t help but gaze longingly.

”That Sword Control is incredibly formidable... but I wonder why the Spirit Sword’s quality seems a bit lacking...”

He silently mused to himself.

Among Tai’a Sect, the long-faced senior brother surnamed Ma narrowed his gaze slightly and said to Ouyang Feng: ”The golden sword light mixed with the aura of goldstone—it seems to be the sword technique of Sever Gold Sect...”

”This person might be an expert Sword Cultivator from Sever Gold Sect.”

Senior Brother Ma paused momentarily and added, ”Brother Feng, why don’t we try to make their acquaintance?”

Ouyang Feng’s gaze darkened slightly.

The others froze for a moment as well, ”Sever Gold Sect?”

”Why make their acquaintance?”

”Sever Gold Sect’s temperament is narrow-minded, and its reputation is poor. If this truly is someone from Sever Gold Sect, no matter how remarkable their swordsmanship, they likely aren’t a virtuous character. Our differing principles mean there’s no need to forge connections.”

Senior Brother Ma shook his head, ”How can you be so hasty in judgment? A sect is a sect, and an individual is an individual—they are not the same.”

”Moreover, in recent years, our Tai’a Sect has forged ahead steadily, now ranking foremost among the Eight Great Gates.”

”Sever Gold Sect has likewise made great strides. Though it ranks among the Twelve Streams, it’s actually not inferior to the Eight Great Gates.”

”If our Tai’a Sect wishes to go further, we must forge broader alliances—it would be foolish to reject other sects out of mere prejudice.”

”Senior Brother Ma’s argument does make some sense,” Ouyang Qian pondered briefly before looking toward Ouyang Feng. ”Big Brother Feng, what do you think?”

Ouyang Feng silently gave Senior Brother Ma a glance, his expression somewhat obscure, pondering something unfathomable. Finally, he nodded and said:

”Let’s take a look.”

He, too, wanted to know when Sever Gold Sect produced a genius in sword control capable of slaying an eagle demon from afar.

Such a figure, if not a Taoist friend, would inevitably be a great rival in the future.

The group began moving along the mountain path toward the direction where the eagle demon had fallen, but as they approached, they all froze in place.

Even Senior Brother Ma’s expression turned stiff.

At the spot where the eagle fell, there was no master Sword Cultivator from Sever Gold Sect.

There was only a little cultivator skinning the eagle.

His pale hands gripped a small knife, delicately removing feathers one by one and slicing through the flesh and skin.

As Ouyang Feng and his companions approached, the boy looked up and revealed a youthful face with features as intricately detailed as a painting, albeit carrying a hint of heroic spirit. He greeted them with a cheerful smile:

”Senior Brother Feng, long time no see!”

The group from Tai’a Sect was stunned, collectively turning their gaze toward Ouyang Feng.

Ouyang Feng also froze for a moment, but when he recognized the small young cultivator’s face, he exclaimed in shock: ”Mo Hua?”

”Yes.” Mo Hua replied with a smile and a nod.

Ouyang Feng’s gaze shifted away from Mo Hua, looking down at the bloodied remains of the ferocious eagle demon that had been gutted, then back up at Mo Hua, his tone tinged with surprise:

”This eagle...”

”I found it!”

Mo Hua lied effortlessly.

Not that he intended to deceive, but saying he had learned sword control and used a flying sword to slay the eagle demon would only invite disbelief.

Besides, it’s better to stay low-key when possible—explaining everything would be troublesome.

The group from Tai’a Sect bore complex expressions.

Wandering the mountains only to stumble upon an eagle monster conveniently slain by someone, just lying there for you to take...?

What kind of luck would that be?

But then... if he hadn’t found it, could it possibly be that he killed it?

That seemed even less likely.

Foundation Establishment Middle Stage—what sword could he control? Besides, there was no sword qi emanating from him. At a glance, it was clear he wasn’t a Sword Cultivator.