The Quest for Immortality

”The strongest move, is it the Sword Control...”

”Isn’t this... quite the coincidence...”

...

After leaving Linghu Xiao, Mo Hua made his way toward the Disciple’s Residence, pondering all along about this Sword Dao genius Ye Zhiyuan, who mastered the ”Daluo Flying Sword Skill”...

Halfway there, he encountered Ouyang Xuan.

Ouyang Xuan seemed to be specifically waiting for Mo Hua, saying, ”The Sect Leader is looking for you.”

”The Sect Leader?”

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned before realizing that he meant the Sect Leader of Taia Mountain.

The Taia Sect Leader is looking for me?

Mo Hua found it somewhat curious.

”Alright.” Mo Hua nodded.

Ouyang Xuan tactfully led the way ahead.

Although he carried an air of arrogance all the way, he maintained a respectful attitude.

After so many rounds of sword discussions, Ouyang Xuan didn’t say it out loud, but in his heart, he did feel somewhat convinced by Mo Hua.

Upon arriving at Taixu Gate, in a tranquil guest building, entering the tea room, Mo Hua saw the imposing and stern-looking Taia Sect Leader.

The Taia Sect Leader first glanced at Ouyang Xuan, remained silent for a moment, unsure of how to begin.

Mo Hua glanced at Ouyang Xuan.

Ouyang Xuan understood, uttered an ”um,” and left without looking back.

The Taia Sect Leader looked at Mo Hua, momentarily awestruck as if seeing an extraordinary being.

If it weren’t somewhat undignified, he might have wanted to ask Mo Hua exactly how he tamed the stubborn mule that is Ouyang Xuan.

Of course, that wasn’t the important matter at hand.

The tea room was serene, with the fragrance of tea hovering in the air.

With no outsiders around, the Taia Sect Leader became much more cordial, gesturing to a seat nearby, saying, ”Sit.”

Mo Hua hesitated for a few moments.

He was merely a Sect disciple, sitting on par with the Sect Leader felt somewhat inappropriate.

The Taia Sect Leader said, ”This is an order from the Sect Leader. If you’re told to sit, then sit properly.”

Seeing Mo Hua was about to refuse, he pretended to be mildly upset, saying, ”What? Is your Taixu Mountain’s Sect Leader a real leader, and my Taia Mountain’s sect leader is not?”

With things said to this extent, Mo Hua couldn’t refuse any longer.

He gave a respectful bow and then sat upright.

The Taia Sect Leader nodded slightly as Mo Hua sat, hesitated for a moment, and softly asked,

”Are you prepared for tomorrow’s sword discussion...?”

The Taia Sect Leader knew much of the planning for the Taixu Gate sword discussion was done by Mo Hua.

And for their group, Mo Hua was technically the ”captain.”

Even Sword Dao genius Linghu Xiao and the unruly Ouyang Xuan had to heed Mo Hua’s words.

Therefore, he could only ask Mo Hua about the matter.

By right, he shouldn’t have asked.

On the eve of the sword discussion, as the Sect Leader, he shouldn’t add any unnecessary pressure on these disciples.

But the Taia Sect Leader couldn’t hold back.

Although a Sect Leader holds a high position, he’s far from the transcendence of the ancestors.

Precisely because of his high position, rank and influence become even more important.

And Taia Mountain, unlike Taixu and Chongxu mountains.

The once vigorous Tai’a Sect held the top rank among the Eight Great Gates.

Of course, that glory lasted only a few years before they suffered a major setback due to the Rouge Boat incident, and their glory faded.

Nevertheless, he had once experienced ”greatness.”

Having tasted the splendor of a top sect, he was even less willing to face the cold treatment of a lower sect. .

Thus, rank became exceedingly important in his eyes.

With tomorrow’s sword discussion against the Daluo Sect, the consequences of a misstep would be significant; he truly couldn’t rest easy, so he sought Mo Hua to probe the depth.

Mo Hua, understanding his concerns, originally intended to assure him that things were fine.

But as the words were about to leave his mouth, a thought struck him, and he sighed, looking troubled, ”It’s going to be hard...”

The Taia Sect Leader didn’t doubt him.

Because indeed, it would be difficult.

He had heard more than once about the Sword Dao genius Ye Zhiyuan from the Daluo Sect.

A Sect disciple who could master the ”Sword Control” state of the Daluo Flying Sword Skill in the Foundation Establishment Realm was truly rare.

This was a formidable opponent, so it was natural for it to be difficult.

The Taia Sect Leader openly said, ”If there’s anything you need help with in tomorrow’s sword discussion, feel free to ask.”

He was a man of practicality, not one for pretense.

If he hoped for the disciples to strive for the sect and aim for the top position among the Eight Great Gates, he had to offer something ”tangible.”

Mo Hua’s eyes brightened but then turned hesitant, ”This...”

The Taia Sect Leader said, ”Don’t be shy, speak freely.”

Mo Hua feigned difficulty.

The Taia Sect Leader then sternly said:

”The Three Sects Unification has happened; the Three Mountains are of the same alliance. I, as Taia Mountain’s Sect Leader, am akin to your own Sect Leader, so why be formal?”

”Moreover, this is for the sword discussion and for our Taixu Gate; whatever you need, don’t hesitate to say!”

The Taia Sect Leader heavily emphasized ”your own Sect Leader” and ”our Taixu Gate.”

Mo Hua, emotionally moved, then revealed his thoughts:

”Sect Leader, could I take a look at Taia’s Sword Array?”

The expression of the Taia Sect Leader froze, his heart skipping a beat.

That’s it, I ran into a little fox.

This kid is even better at acting than I am... Asking for the Sword Array right away...

Now he finally understood why dealing with this Mo Hua kid was so challenging; no wonder none of the Taixu Gate Elders underestimated him.

He wondered if he had learned this from their ancestor...

The Sword Array...

The Taia Sect Leader was troubled and asked Mo Hua, ”What do you want the Taia Sword Array... for?”

Mo Hua replied with confidence, ”For tomorrow’s sword discussion.”

”For the sword discussion? You’ll need the Sword Array?” The Taia Sect Leader frowned.

”Yes.” Mo Hua nodded, then praised, ”I’ve heard that Taia Mountain has always been renowned for Sword Casting, and at the core of Sword Casting is the Sword Array. The Taia Sword Array must be one of the top sword arrays in the world.”