The Quest for Immortality

Ling Huxiao nodded slightly.

Just like that, Ling Huxiao was considered to have ”joined the team.”

The next day, Mo Hua instructed Hao Xuan to take Ling Huxiao on a Monster Hunting trip.

Hao Xuan was in charge of scouting and setting up Formations, while Ling Huxiao handled the killing.

By evening, the two returned, and Hao Xuan exclaimed in shock, ”Such powerful Sword Qi! With just one swish, that Monster Beast was dead.”

”Today, we killed five Monster Beasts.”

”Senior Brother Ling Huxiao is truly formidable!”

Ling Huxiao’s expression remained indifferent, but when Hao Xuan praised him, he couldn’t help but slightly purse his lips.

After all, he was still a young man under twenty. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, being complimented did make him secretly happy.

At the Rushing Void Sect, no disciples ever praised him.

Because everyone knew he was a once-in-five-centuries Sword Dao genius.

As such, no matter how extraordinary his Swordsmanship was, others took it for granted.

Instead, this caused others to distance themselves from him.

But in the Taixu Gate, things were quite different.

Here, everyone worked as a team to hunt Monster Beasts, cooperating fully. The stronger his Sword Qi, the faster the Monster Beasts were killed, and the more Merit Points they earned.

Moreover, everyone shared in the Merit Points.

Thus, Ling Huxiao unknowingly became the ”pillar” for Monster Hunting.

The praise from the Taixu disciples was also sincere.

Blending in with the Taixu disciples, Ling Huxiao found himself free from excessive scheming and felt a lot more at ease.

In addition, there was a specialized Sword-Casting Master—Ouyang Mu, who repaired and maintained his Spirit Sword.

Inherited Spirit Swords were extremely precious. Not only were they difficult to cast, but their daily upkeep and repairs after damage also required meticulous care and expertise.

Among the three sects, the Tai’a Sect excelled in Sword Casting.

Ouyang Mu was a successor of the Tai’a Sect. As such, many Taixu disciples would pay Merit Points for Ouyang Mu’s help in repairing their Sword Weapons or Spiritual Artifacts when needed.

Ling Huxiao was no exception.

Over time, the two became quite familiar with each other.

Ouyang Mu was devoted to Sword Casting, while Ling Huxiao was focused on Sword Cultivation. With one being taciturn and the other solitary, they got along surprisingly well.

Just like that, over a month passed, and Ling Huxiao gradually integrated with the Taixu disciples.

Now, whenever he entered the mountains, he would head toward the Taixu Sect’s domain.

And whenever he met Taixu disciples, someone would warmly pull him into their team immediately.

Others would track Monster Beasts and set Formations, while he was responsible for striking with his sword.

After killing the Monster Beasts and distributing the earned Merit Points according to contributions, everyone would contentedly descend the mountain.

The entire process felt relaxed and natural.

Sometimes, Ling Huxiao would even feel a bit dazed.

He would get the illusion that he wasn’t actually a cultivator of the Rushing Void Sect, but rather a disciple of the Taixu Sect...

His mingling with the Taixu Sect disciples did not go unnoticed by the Chongxu Sect Elders who were privately watching over him.

The Elders reported back to the Chongxu Ancestor.

Stroking his beard, the Chongxu Ancestor pondered for a moment before saying:

”No problem, this is a good thing.”

An Elder was puzzled, ”How is this a good thing...”

The Chongxu Ancestor explained, ”Our Rushing Void Sect is stronger than the Taixu Sect, and Xiaoer’s abilities are also superior to those of Taixu disciples.”

”Him mixing with the Taixu Sect is like a lion walking among a pack of wolves: the lion leads, and the wolves follow.”

”With Xiaoer’s Sword Dao talent, his future is limitless.”

”However, a cultivator is, after all, human. To follow the Dao, one must gain allies; to go against it, one finds oneself alone.”

”For him to build connections with the Taixu disciples helps establish his network and prestige, making future endeavors easier.”

”Furthermore, if the Taixu Sect declines in the future, they will necessarily rely on Xiaoer because of this bond.”

Hearing this, the Elder nodded slightly in agreement:

”The Ancestor’s insight is indeed far-reaching.”

”However,” the Elder hesitated, ”he seems to be particularly close to a disciple named Mo Hua from the Taixu Sect.”

”This Mo Hua kid is quite clever and quick-witted, with a silver tongue.”

”Although Xiaoer acts cold on the surface, he does seem to take Mo Hua’s words to heart and even follows through with them...”

The Elder appeared helpless.

The Chongxu Ancestor frowned a little. ”This child, what is his background?”

”I made some inquiries... It seems he is highly valued by Taixu’s Ancestor Xun. His aptitude is lacking, but he has learned Formation quite well,” the Elder replied.

”Proficient in Formation?”

The Chongxu Ancestor pondered briefly and then nodded, saying, ”This is no issue either...”

”Being skilled in Formation can complement Xiaoer.”

”Though Xiaoer is emotionally reserved, he possesses the talent of Sword Heart Clarity. He is far from foolish and cannot be manipulated easily.”

”Moreover, Formation, no matter how excellent, ultimately serves others. It cannot compare to Swordsmanship, where all power lies within oneself.”

”Thus, it is inevitable that Xiaoer will take the lead in the future.”

”And this generation of Taixu disciples can serve as a stepping stone to support Xiaoer!”

The Elder nodded in praise, saying, ”The Ancestor is truly wise!”

Yet despite these words, the Elder retained some subtle unease in his heart.

The Ancestor’s reasoning was impeccable, but it seemed to differ ever so slightly from the reality of the situation.

Especially since the Ancestor had not personally met that Mo Hua disciple. He had no idea just how ”clever” that child truly was.

But even if he wanted to explain, he couldn’t articulate it clearly.

After all, no matter how clever, what harm could it cause?

Besides, the Ancestor was preoccupied with sect affairs.

With impending changes to the sect system, the various Great Sects were rife with hidden tensions, leaving many concerns to deal with. It wasn’t worth taking up the Ancestor’s time over a mere Taixu Sect disciple.

Thus, the Elder said no more, bowed deeply, and took his leave.

The Chongxu Ancestor, his thoughts occupied with other matters, did not dwell further.

...

Meanwhile, at the Taixu Sect, Mo Hua found himself troubled.

He had already arranged Ling Huxiao’s affairs.

But his own strength seemed to have hit a plateau.

With the fourth year approaching its end, his cultivation, Divine Sense, Sword Control, and Formation were all stuck in a bottleneck.