The Quest for Immortality

Within this circle, the Sword Intent was unfathomable, enveloping both Mo Hua and himself inside.

Only then did Patriarch Dugu speak up:

”Mo Hua...”

He paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, his voice chilly: ”What did I teach you last time you were here?”

Mo Hua was taken aback, then his pupils contracted slightly as he pondered his response:

”Patriarch, you taught me the spell point of self severing the Life Soul, to cut away the small self, comprehend the origin, transform the Sword Dao, and achieve the Great Dao.”

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Dugu fell silent for a long time.

Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, finally swallowing the words ”Supreme Emotion Cutting,” and asked:

”Patriarch, is something wrong?”

Patriarch Dugu did not answer, instead, his expression turned solemn, even frighteningly stern, as he said:

”Mo Hua, remember, from now on, whatever I teach you, don’t blindly believe it; always think for yourself and keep true to your heart...”

Mo Hua frowned, ”Patriarch...”

Before he could ask further, the solemn expression on Patriarch Dugu’s face vanished instantly, his demeanor turning indifferent again, as if unburdened by anything in the world.

No sorrow, no joy, no attachment, no thought.

Mo Hua silently held his tongue.

Patriarch Dugu made a cutting motion with his finger, dismantling the ”Sword Circle” he had just drawn, then lifted his indifferent gaze to Mo Hua:

”What did I just teach you?”

Mo Hua was silent for a moment, then said: ”Patriarch, you taught me the spell point of self severing the Life Soul.” .

Patriarch Dugu nodded, ”Very well, learn it well.”

Mo Hua said nothing further, bowing respectfully:

”Then, Patriarch, I’ll take my leave now.”

Patriarch Dugu cast a strange ”admiring” look at Mo Hua, then broke through the void, sending Mo Hua away.

Only Patriarch Dugu remained in the Sword Tomb.

His figure grew lonelier, even appearing somewhat hunched.

The desolate moonlight shone, making it all the more bleak.

And his expression lapsed into contradiction, at times icy, at times bewildered, at times brow furrowed, and at times as blank as white paper, with no emotion at all. 𝙧άꞐȎ𝖇È𝓢

Amidst these mixed emotions, Patriarch Dugu bitterly said:

”I shouldn’t have taught... From the start, I should never have taught him anything...”

”Junior Brother was right, I... I’ve made another mistake.”

”Divine Thought into Sword, can’t be learned...”

”Those things should never have been touched, they were sealed perfectly, it was I who opened the door for them...”

”I found them a good seedling...”

”If he never learned, nothing would come of it, but once learned... the stronger the sword, the stronger the demon, never-ending...”

”It’s my fault.”

”This sword technique should indeed be sealed, should be buried with me here in the Sword Tomb, turning into bones, turning to dust.”

”I...”

Patriarch Dugu spoke to this point, coughing violently, his face twisted, features dissipating into nothingness, like a faceless person.

Yet though his face had no features, only human skin, it showed a distinct smile:

”I taught well!”

”The seed has been planted...”

”He’s begun learning, I can sense it, he’s already started severing...”

”Sever, sever quickly, sever the self, sever humanity, sever all karmic ties, all causes and effects...”

”Patriarch Dugu” began to laugh in a low voice, the sound eerie, indistinguishable between male and female, reverberating through the Sword Tomb like a ghostly demon from the Nine Nether.

...

Within the Disciple’s Residence.

Mo Hua furrowed his brow.

He felt that something was truly wrong with Patriarch Dugu.

But exactly what was wrong, he couldn’t say.

With his cultivation, miles away from the Golden Core and even farther from the Heaven Void above Feather Transformation.

The key issue was, he didn’t know what he could do; intervening rashly might very well only worsen the situation.

Mo Hua pondered for a long time, still feeling that he could only observe the changes unfold for now.

He was aware of his limitations.

If Patriarch Dugu couldn’t solve his issues himself, there was no way he’d succeed either.

Better follow the Patriarch’s instructions and focus on practicing his swordsmanship.

But speaking of sword practice...

Mo Hua recalled the Patriarch’s reminder to him just a moment ago:

”From now on, whatever I teach you, don’t blindly believe it; always think for yourself and keep true to your heart...”

Don’t blindly believe it, think for yourself, keep true to your heart...

Mo Hua reflected for a moment and immediately realized that the Patriarch might have been subtly warning him to be cautious in practicing certain techniques.

Especially the one that might be the ”Supreme Emotion-cutting Dao” taught by the Patriarch.

”Luckily, I was cautious and kept a vigilant eye...”

Mo Hua silently sighed in relief.

Thinking it over now, his methods also didn’t exactly violate the Patriarch’s words, ”don’t blindly believe it, think for yourself, keep true to your heart.”

Should be alright...

Mo Hua considered it a moment longer, but matters at the Heaven Void level were like clouded mist on a mountaintop, obscured and unclear.

Mo Hua sighed, having no choice but to let it go for now.

Afterward, Mo Hua continued as usual, following his plan to cultivate and practice swordsmanship, training both the ”Godslaying Sword” and ”Emotionless Path” together.

In his daily life, he, a Foundation Building Middle Stage Junior Brother, would also attend the Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation courses at Taixu Gate with his Foundation Establishment Late Stage Junior Brothers.

Whenever he had time, he would visit Yu Er.

Ever since Yu Er had been startled last time at the Gu Family and had a nightmare, her spirit had been low.

Inside Yu Er’s room.

Next to Yu Er’s bed, Mo Hua set up some Divine Formation arrays, then lit a stick of Calming Incense he had acquired from Mr. Mei.

The tranquil fragrance spread throughout the room.

”You’ve been frightened, your Divine Soul unstable, so refrain from studying formations these days. Take more rest and we’ll catch up on missed lessons later,” Mo Hua said gently.