The Quest for Immortality

Ling Huxiao, who never smiles, formally introduced himself, then fixed his gaze like a sword on Mo Hua.

Mo Hua also clasped his hands and replied:

”Taixu Gate, Mo Hua.”

Ling Huxiao was briefly taken aback, but soon recalled that Rushing Void Sect and Taixu Gate shared a common ancestral lineage and were considered affiliated sects. His expression softened, and the hostility in his eyes gradually dissipated.

Mo Hua’s eyes shifted slightly, recalling earlier events, and he asked:

”Do you have a grudge against the Sever Gold Sect?”

Ling Huxiao hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly and saying: ”More or less...”

”What kind of grudge?” Mo Hua asked curiously.

Ling Huxiao rarely engaged in conversation, but Mo Hua’s resolute gaze made him feel it would be inappropriate not to explain.

Moreover, the conflict between the two earlier was caused by his own misjudgment.

Though aloof by nature, Ling Huxiao felt compelled to clarify matters.

Ling Huxiao then spoke:

”The disciples of the Sever Gold Sect are vile and shameless. On this mountain, they’ve repeatedly stolen my prey.”

”I’ve confronted them several times and amassed quite a bit of enmity.”

”Today, when I saw this eagle fall from the cliff bearing golden sword marks, I naturally assumed it was a monster hunted by Sever Gold Sect. I thought it reasonable and rightful to take action and snatch it...”

Ling Huxiao paused and glanced at Mo Hua, ”Furthermore, you weren’t wearing your sect’s Taoist robes either, so I couldn’t identify your affiliation...”

...

”Oh...”

Mo Hua suddenly understood, his thoughts becoming clear.

Ling Huxiao had seen the Eagle Demon earlier and noticed the golden sword marks on its body, suspecting that they were caused by the Broken Gold Sword Qi of the Sever Gold Sect.

Indeed, his deduction wasn’t entirely wrong. Those marks were caused by the Broken Gold Sword Qi of the Sever Gold Sect.

It was simply that Mo Hua had simulated such sword qi using the Gold-Cutting Sword Formation.

The Eagle Demon had actually been injured by Mo Hua’s sword control.

Before entering this part of the mountain range, Mo Hua had swapped out Taixu Gate’s Taoist robe for an understated gray outfit to act discreetly, following others’ examples.

Ling Huxiao couldn’t recognize Mo Hua’s identity, so it was only natural for him to mistake Mo Hua as one of the Sever Gold Sect disciples.

Since Sever Gold Sect continually stole Ling Huxiao’s prey, he retaliated by snatching back, which explained the apparent hostility.

Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, Ling Huxiao didn’t stubbornly cling to his pride but instead openly admitted his mistake and apologized.

Though the Second Grade Middle Stage Demon Wooden Eagle was worth a considerable amount of Merit Points, Ling Huxiao generously returned it to Mo Hua as well.

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

While Ling Huxiao appeared aloof and difficult to interact with, this disciple of the Rushing Void Sect seemed quite principled and meticulous in his actions.

Mo Hua grinned and waved his hand, ”Since it’s a misunderstanding, let’s leave it at that.”

Then, he hesitated for a moment, scrutinizing Ling Huxiao before surveying the surroundings, and asked with some curiosity:

”You’re hunting monsters in the mountains alone?”

Ling Huxiao tilted his chin upward, his tone tinged with confidence: ”I’m enough on my own.”

Mo Hua stared at Ling Huxiao in mild astonishment.

Judging from Ling Huxiao’s demeanor, while he seemed a bit conceited, he didn’t appear to be lying.

However, going solo—even for a talented individual—in a mountain range infested with Monster Beasts still seemed implausible.

Mo Hua glanced at the sword qi scars on the Demon Wooden Eagle’s body, recalling Ling Huxiao’s swordsmanship during their earlier exchange. Based on his own extensive monster-hunting experience, he began speculating.

This Ling Huxiao likely followed a ”opportunistic style” of monster hunting...

Some Monster Beasts wounded by cultivators escape into the wilderness;

Others are gravely injured during territorial disputes among beasts.

These injured Monster Beasts are somewhat weaker.

With Ling Huxiao’s refined swordsmanship and his inherited Spirit Sword, he could condense extraordinarily powerful sword qi to swiftly dispatch wounded Monster Beasts in a short period.

In this way, one person with one sword could slay a beast and claim the Merit Points all for himself.

Even if the efficiency were slightly lower, as long as he succeeded intermittently, he could earn quite a bit.

Still, though it sounded simple, the process was fraught with challenges.

Beyond mastering swordsmanship and achieving deadly strikes, there was a need to sense Monster Qi, locate the beasts, avoid danger, and ensure survival—all at once.

Moreover, this method relied heavily on luck.

After all, encountering wounded Monster Beasts wasn’t exactly common.

If unexpected danger arose, leading to personal peril, there would be no one around to lend a hand.

Thus, when hunting Monster Beasts, it was often best to form a small team with sect members for mutual support.

”Why don’t you hunt with fellow sect members?” Mo Hua asked again, curious.

Ling Huxiao’s face darkened slightly, and he replied coldly: ”I said, I’m enough on my own!”

Mo Hua understood then.

The sect members didn’t include Ling Huxiao in their group activities.

Maybe it was because his exceptional talent made others jealous and led to exclusion.

Or perhaps his cold personality left him with poor rapport, and he had no friends, forcing him to hunt solo in the wilderness.

Mo Hua asked again: ”What about the Sever Gold Sect? Can you handle them alone?”

Ling Huxiao replied coolly: ”Three to five individuals are no match for me. If there are more people, I can use Sword Escape to flee—they wouldn’t be able to catch me. It’s just...”

Ling Huxiao’s expression turned angry, then disdainful: ”Those Sever Gold Sect scoundrels resort to diverting attention, with two or three holding me off while the others steal my prey.”

”When I retaliate by taking their loot and running, they truly reveal themselves as... vile and shameless!”

Mo Hua observed that Ling Huxiao didn’t seem particularly skilled at cursing.

Despite his evident frustration, he repeatedly defaulted to calling them ”vile and shameless.”

Nevertheless...

Mo Hua pondered briefly.

To fight three to five opponents head-on with swordsmanship alone...

This young man named Ling Huxiao clearly wasn’t some nameless disciple in the Rushing Void Sect. Even if he wasn’t their top prodigy, he was likely among the elite in the Sword Dao.

As Mo Hua mulled over this, Ling Huxiao suddenly fixed his sharp gaze on Mo Hua and said with decisive seriousness:

”Mo Hua, I want to challenge you to another duel.”

Mo Hua was stunned. ”Why?”

Ling Huxiao’s eyes darkened slightly. ”You don’t look particularly strong, but I have a sense that your power runs deep and immeasurable. I suspect you’re an expert—I seek a match to determine who is superior.”