The Quest for Immortality

After returning to the Sect, life was peaceful.

Mo Hua cultivated daily as usual, studying Formation techniques.

Yet, in his spare time, he remained highly interested in the Sect before the divisions of Tai’a, Chongxu, and Taixu, known for its ancient Sword Dao heritage.

So he subtly inquired and asked around, hoping to find someone within Taixu Gate who knew the name of this ancient Sect.

No disciples knew.

Among the Elders, including Xun Ziyou, Xun Zixian, and the gentle Elder Murong, he asked, but they too could not say for sure.

After much thought, Mo Hua decided to ask Elder Master Xun.

That day, after consulting Elder Master Xun about the essentials of the Nineteen Patterns Bagua Formation Method, he took the opportunity to voice his query:

”Gentleman, I heard others say that our Taixu Gate’s predecessor was an ancient Sword Dao Sect. Do you know the name of this ancient Sect?”

Elder Master Xun was startled, looking at Mo Hua with a strange expression, ”Why ask about this?”

”I’m just a bit curious,” Mo Hua replied.

Elder Master Xun’s expression grew subtle, and after a moment, he sighed, somewhat wistfully:

”This matter is too ancient, and that name is not to be mentioned again. I don’t know either...”

Although Elder Master Xun claimed not to know, Mo Hua sensed from his demeanor that he might not be oblivious.

Mo Hua pondered briefly, then suddenly realized something and asked again:

”When you say ’not to be mentioned again,’ who forbade it?”

Elder Master Xun’s gaze sharpened but said nothing further, merely patting Mo Hua’s shoulder, ”Focus on learning Formations and don’t ask about other matters.”

”Oh.” Mo Hua nodded.

If Elder Master Xun wouldn’t say and also forbade inquiries, then surely there was some unspeakable secret involved.

Elder Master Xun glanced at Mo Hua again, contemplated for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask:

”How has your Divine Sense progressed?”

Mo Hua answered truthfully: ”It has improved a bit, but very slowly...”

”Is that so...” Elder Master Xun sighed softly.

He knew that such a pace was normal.

After all, Second Grade Nineteen Patterns were nearing the limits of Divine Sense at the Foundation Establishment level, making any further advancement exceedingly difficult.

Cultivation has its limits.

Once approaching these limits, even with the Spiritual Power gained from cultivating with Spirit Stones and Cultivation Techniques, progress becomes arduous, as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Let alone the Divine Sense, which has no Cultivation Technique to rely on.

Yet, Elder Master Xun still felt a tinge of regret.

Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask: ”Gentleman, is my Divine Sense really that important?”

Elder Master Xun shook his head, said gently: ”It’s nothing, just focus on your cultivation, don’t let other matters distract you...”

Some things can’t be said yet.

Nor could he let Mo Hua bear a burden too heavy.

But after speaking, Elder Master Xun suddenly fell silent.

He gazed at the gradually maturing Mo Hua, pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes flickered, speaking solemnly:

”Mo Hua.”

Mo Hua looked toward Elder Master Xun.

Elder Master Xun’s expression was grave as he slowly said:

”The Qian Learning State Boundary, with its treacherous and unpredictable nature, events soon to occur may very well concern the rise and fall of our Taixu Gate...”

”This matter is entangled with many Causes and Effects, too many variables, no one can predict the outcome. Therefore, with each enhancement of your Divine Sense, you gain an increment of safety.”

Mo Hua’s heart trembled.

Concern the rise and fall of Taixu Gate?

He had only guessed before that the matter wouldn’t be minor, but hadn’t imagined it would be this serious.

And these words were uttered by the profound and inscrutable Elder Master Xun.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then nodded earnestly:

”Gentleman, I understand.”

...

After leaving Elder Master Xun, Mo Hua suddenly felt the weight of the burden on his shoulders.

Strengthening his Divine Sense, since it’s a major issue concerning the rise and fall of the Sect, he could not slack off.

It’s not about willingly consuming Evil Spirits.

But the circumstances force it, there’s no choice but to devour them.

Consuming a little isn’t sufficient, a significant consumption is necessary.

Time was pressing...

Mo Hua thought for a bit and sent a Transmission to Gu Changhuai:

”Uncle Gu, have you investigated the Xiao family?”

Gu Changhuai: ”That’s the matter of the Taoist Court, you don’t meddle.”

Mo Hua felt a bit displeased, then said:

”Uncle Gu, I’ve already told you about the Water Prison Sect and Elder Yu. Shouldn’t you also show some camaraderie and tell me about the Xiao family matter, so it would be ’reciprocity’?”

Gu Changhuai fell silent.

Being pressed by Mo Hua like this, he surprisingly felt a pang of guilt.

He indeed seemed to have taken advantage of Mo Hua.

After pondering for a while, Gu Changhuai sighed: ”I can tell you, but be careful with the Xiao family.”

”The Xiao family cultivators, mostly hold positions in the Taoist Court, skilled in the ways of prison and punishment, and their methods are ruthless. Moreover, now, you have a life of the Xiao family on your hands, so it’s best to avoid entanglements with them...”

”Mm.” Mo Hua replied, ”I understand.”

Gu Changhuai sighed.

He didn’t know whether Mo Hua truly understood or was just pretending to understand, but he still said:

”I have investigated, indeed there’s a shadow of the Xiao family in these matters.”

”Ye Jin’s older brother, that man named Ye Xiu, when he died on Mistwater River, the Ye family deregistered from the Taoist Court, and the Enforcement Leader responsible was someone from the Xiao family.”

”Simultaneously, the case where Crossing River Dragon killed Ye Xiu, who went by the alias ’Young Master Lin,’ was also handled by someone from the Xiao family at the time.”

”And coincidentally, the same person handled both matters.”

”This person treated one case as two unrelated matters.”

”And this person, you know as well...”

”I know as well?” Mo Hua was startled.

He didn’t know many people from the Xiao family, could it be...

”Howling Celestial Dog?” Mo Hua asked.