The Quest for Immortality

”A labyrinth of heavenly secrets, huh...”

Shen Shouxing’s expression was icy, and then it turned indifferent again, as he murmured with a faint smile, ”Interesting...”

”The heavenly secrets are unpredictable, cause and effect are interwoven, and one day in the future, the lines of cause and effect between you and me will intersect again...”

”By that time, I will take a good look at what you truly are...”

”I’ll take a good look at what kind of cause and effect you shoulder...”

...

This voice, indistinguishable between male and female, was eerie and elusive, seemingly connected to the Nine Nether, with countless sinister souls wailing.

Shen Shouxing also turned to ashes in the pitch-black ghostly fire.

All of this was completely obliterated, unknown to anyone.

Meanwhile, atop the Solitary Mountain, the conflict between the Shen Family and the various great families and sects continued.

Amidst the chaotic situation, no one noticed the seed of Gui Tao planted at the base of the Solitary Mountain...

...

Outside Solitary Mountain City, within a carriage.

The unease in Mo Hua’s heart gradually dissipated as he distanced himself from Solitary Mountain.

He rarely experienced such unease.

Moreover, this unease was exceptionally strong, but upon careful contemplation, he found no clues.

Mo Hua could only vaguely speculate that it was due to some extremely dangerous cause and effect, possibly involving a powerful figure plotting in the shadows.

Fortunately, this sense of crisis had gradually faded away.

Mo Hua couldn’t help but take a sip of tea to calm his nerves.

Inside the swiftly moving carriage, only he and Elder Xun Ziyou were present.

Master Gu and Master Fan had returned to the Refinery Shop and Taoist Court respectively.

Originally, Mo Hua wanted to suggest that they seek refuge at Taixu Gate to avoid the storm.

However, one was the head of the Refinery Shop, and the other was the Dao Court Archivist, both having some ”business” in Solitary Mountain City, unable to leave easily.

Moreover, disappearing at such a critical moment would only arouse more suspicion.

Thus, both decided to remain in Solitary Mountain City.

Mo Hua also asked Elder Xun Zixian to look after them.

Elder Xun Zixian also stayed in Solitary Mountain.

Now that Mo Hua was safe, the matters in Solitary Mountain City were yet to be resolved.

Elder Xun Zixian wanted to stay and observe the aftermath, while the other Taixu Sect Elders also needed to remain to clean up.

Thus, Elder Xun Ziyou took the responsibility of escorting Mo Hua back to Taixu Gate alone along the Great Dao.

Leaving Solitary Mountain City, traveling through Second Grade state boundaries, an Elder at the Late Golden Core Stage like Xun Ziyou was more than enough for the task.

With Mo Hua’s current movement technique, as long as there weren’t Golden Core cultivators surrounding him with the intent to kill, he could usually remain safe.

The journey was indeed peaceful and uneventful.

Once tranquility set in, Xun Ziyou recalled something, which weighed heavily on his mind.

Throughout the journey, he kept glancing at Mo Hua, often wanting to speak but holding back.

Seeing Mo Hua casually sipping tea, Xun Ziyou finally said, ”Mo Hua, have you... learned the sword?”

”A little bit.” Mo Hua replied honestly.

Xun Ziyou frowned, contemplating, ”In the nightmare, I sensed an inexplicably strong aura of the Taixu Mind Transforming Sword True Jue...”

”At that moment, you were in the Divine Temple. Do you know the origin of this Sword Intent?”

Xun Ziyou looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua felt a bit conflicted inside.

He couldn’t possibly say he was the one who wielded the sword.

Patriarch Dugu had instructed him not to reveal anything about the Divine Thought into sword True Jue to anyone.

Mo Hua blinked, ”Well, it’s a long story...”

”A long story?” Xun Ziyou was surprised, ”Is there some background to this?”

Mo Hua nodded and began to narrate:

”In Guhuang Mountain, there used to be a very powerful Mountain God.”

”This Mountain God later fell from grace and was slain by a chivalrous predecessor of our Taixu Gate. Yet, it wasn’t a complete slay, as some Evil Thoughts remained.”

”Our predecessor left a trace of Tai Xu Sword Intent in the Divine Temple to prevent the resurgence of the evil Mountain God.”

”Just as we entered the Solitary Mountain, this evil Mountain God awakened, intending to consume us; however, its Evil Thoughts also triggered the Sword Intent sealed by our Taixu senior to suppress it.”

”The Tai Xu Sword Intent sparked, transforming Divine Thought into a sword with impressive momentum, and immediately eradicated the Mountain God, settling the cause and effect, allowing us to awaken from the nightmare...”

Mo Hua mentioned nine truths mixed with one falsehood, and it sounded logical.

Xun Ziyou slowly nodded, finding the explanation reasonable.

The Taixu Divine Thought into sword True Jue had been lost; only some old sect ancestors from back then could have learned and mastered it.

Indeed, the ancestors of Taixu Gate loved to roam around, employing their Divine Thought to transform into swords, slaying Demon Monsters and eliminating Evil Spirits. .

It was logical that the ancestor of Taixu Gate would have slain the fallen Mountain God.

Otherwise, it couldn’t possibly be that this young Mo Hua managed to master the Divine Thought into sword True Jue himself?

That would be too far-fetched...

Even Xun Ziyou couldn’t convince himself.

It must have been an ancestor who did it.

”I just wonder, which ancestor of Taixu Gate managed to slay this Mountain God...” Xun Ziyou muttered.

Mo Hua maintained a steady expression and dared not respond.

”Which ancestor of Taixu Gate was it, after all...” Xun Ziyou was still caught up in this.

Afraid that Xun Ziyou constantly mentioning ”ancestor” might shorten his own lifespan, Mo Hua quickly changed the subject:

”By the way, Elder Xun, what brought you to the Solitary Mountain?”

His mind was indeed diverted. Knowing Mo Hua’s keen insight, he didn’t hide it from him, ”The ancestor sent me.”

”Oh...” Mo Hua nodded, although there was still some doubt in his heart, ”Did Elder Master Xun just send you without leaving any other means?”

Xun Ziyou had followed from afar, too far for Mo Hua to notice.

If he wasn’t careful, his life would be at risk, wouldn’t it?