The Quest for Immortality

”This time, you can’t brush me off again. Anyway, over at the Taoist Court, you’ve already been ’marginalized,’ so you have more time now. After the new year, come with me to meet that girl and get along well. If suitable, settle down and start a family so I can... have some peace of mind...”

Elder Gu Hong’s expression suddenly turned a bit forlorn, and before Gu Changhuai could say anything, she added:

”Also, you are not allowed to ’bully’ Mo Hua anymore. I won’t say anything if you’re grumpy with others, but you should at least treat Mo Hua decently. Isn’t it unreasonable to give that child a dirty look? Let me find out, and I won’t let you off.”

”Yeah, exactly!” Mo Hua echoed.

Elder Gu Hong spoke clearly and briskly. After saying a bunch of stuff, she pulled out a box of pastries and handed it to Mo Hua, mentioning that it was a wedding cake sent by a prominent family. The ingredients were exquisite and rare, something she wanted Mo Hua to taste, considering it as a New Year gift.

”Thank you, Elder Hong!”

Mo Hua thanked her politely.

Elder Gu Hong smiled at Mo Hua and glanced at Gu Changhuai, as if to say, ”Remember what I said, don’t forget,” before turning around to leave.

Left on the steps were Mo Hua, beaming with joy while holding the pastries, and Gu Changhuai, whose face was gloomy as if he had sucked on a lemon.

Mo Hua tasted the pastries.

They were fragrant, glutinous, soft yet chewy, with a mix of mild sweetness and aroma filling his mouth. Though not as delicious as the ones made by his mother, they were still very good.

After finishing, Mo Hua sighed, looked at Gu Changhuai, and said with great anticipation:

”Uncle Gu, when can I have your wedding cake?”

Gu Changhuai’s face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

This little rascal Mo Hua can really drive a person up the wall sometimes, even more so now that he’s gotten older!

”I’m leaving. You play by yourself.” Gu Changhuai said with a stern face.

Mo Hua, however, replied, ”Uncle Gu, don’t be so hasty...”

His eyes suddenly lit up, ”Let’s make a deal.”

”What deal?” Gu Changhuai frowned.

Mo Hua whispered, ”You secretly investigate ’Shui Yanluo’ for me, and I’ll handle Elder Hong. Of course, you still have to go on the blind date at least onceI’m too young to do it for you...”

Gu Changhuai’s frown deepened, ”You?”

Mo Hua nodded, ”With Elder Gu Hong, my words carry more weight than yours! Let’s help each other.”

Though Gu Changhuai’s face turned a shade of iron blue, he had to admit that Mo Hua’s words made sense.

With his aunt, he really had no means of dealing.

And this child Mo Hua is very good at smooth talking, always full of clever ideas...

Gu Changhuai sighed, ”Alright.”

Mo Hua extended his hand.

Gu Changhuai was momentarily confused, but then understood. Reluctantly, he extended his hand and shook with Mo Hua.

Mo Hua grinned and said:

”Deal!”

...

With Court Official Gu Changhuai, Uncle Gu, investigating Shui Yanluo for him, Mo Hua was much more at ease than if he, a mere Sect Disciple, had to do it himself.

As for how to handle Elder Gu Hong, Mo Hua already had his plans.

He spent a joyful day playing at the Gu Family.

Later, Aunt Wan was going to take Yu Er back to the Shangguan Family to pay respects to the ancestors, while Uncle Gu was nowhere to be found. Who knows if he was busy investigating Shui Yanluo or avoiding the blind date.

Feeling a bit bored, Mo Hua returned to Taixu Gate.

Back at Taixu Gate, he resumed cultivation and studying formations as usual.

Although refining evil spirits to enhance Divine Thought was quicker, the enhancement through formation grinding made the Divine Sense much more solid.

Therefore, both should not be neglected.

Since there were no evil spirits to consume, Mo Hua had to continue grinding his Sea of Consciousness through the ”silly method” of drawing formations, advancing his Divine Thought.

Moreover, he now had Eighteen Patterns to study in Formation.

Mo Hua spent two days learning formations, initially mastering a set of Eighteen Patterns Eight Trigrams Array. In his spare time, he visited the Pill Room to find Elder Murong.

This was Elder Murong’s instruction.

Elder Murong was worried that after Mo Hua’s trip to the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, he might still not have fully recovered, so she reminded him to come over periodically for a check-up.

After checking the operation of Mo Hua’s body’s meridians, the circulation of Spiritual Power, and the state of the ”weak” Blood Qi, Elder Murong nodded.

”There’s nothing serious anymore, you can stop the Pills. Also, don’t overeat during the New Year. Your Blood Qi is weak, your digestion isn’t great; overeating will harm your spleen and stomach.”

Mo Hua felt slightly embarrassed.

Elder Murong handed him another bottle of Pills, ”For digestion, take them after meals.”

Mo Hua took the bottle and curiously opened the jade bottle. The Pills inside were a verdant green, with the fragrance of herbs, prompting him to ask: .

”Can I take one now?”

Elder Murong was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled:

”You may.”

So, Mo Hua took one and put it in his mouth to taste. .

It was bitter, but mildly so, with a predominant sweet herbal aroma and a unique medicinal flavor. After eating it, he felt his Blood Qi circulate somewhat faster.

Mo Hua smiled, ”Thank you, Elder Murong!”

Elder Murong’s expression was gentle, and she gave a slight nod.

Just then, her gaze shifted slightly, catching sight of a jade pendant on Mo Hua’s neck.

It was a light white jade pendant, simple in appearance, and carved plainly, with faint green spiritual Patterns within, its jade type unknown.

Mo Hua had always worn this pendant on his neck.

Elder Murong had seen it before but hadn’t paid much attention. Now, however, her heart skipped a beat.

”That jade pendant is...”

”Jade pendant?”

Mo Hua was startled, looked down at it, and realized.

”This is...” Elder Murong’s gaze sharpened, her voice slightly peculiar, ”Pill Jade?”

”Mm.” Mo Hua nodded and asked, ”Elder Murong, do you also know about Pill Jade?”