The Quest for Immortality

Mo Hua walked alone on the streets of Tongxian City.

People bustled around him, marketplaces lined both sides, cars flowed like water, and the noise never ceased. Despite having not returned in ten years, Tongxian City had undergone enormous changes.

Of course, it couldn’t compare to such a Great Province Boundary as the Fifth-grade Qianxue State Boundary, but it was already quite prosperous within the Second-Grade State Boundary.

Many buildings had been rebuilt, most streets had changed, the houses were newer, and many eaves and walls were crafted exquisitely.

Mo Hua found everything unfamiliar, he had to release his Divine Sense, relying on memory to vaguely find his way home.

After walking for an indeterminate time, Mo Hua arrived in front of a small courtyard and looked up.

Within the ”prosperity” of Tongxian City, this was the least prosperous, even the most ”simple” courtyard one could say.

Simple enough to be identical to Mo Hua’s memories.

A yard had been added outside the residence, surrounded by a wicker fence, with several Eight Immortals Tables missing corners placed inside, and wooden stools arranged in front.

A sign hung at the front door, the words ”Liu’s Food Shop” swayed in the wind.

This was the eatery his mother ran, and also Mo Hua’s home.

In an instant, Mo Hua’s heart felt a warm current flow through.

He lightened his steps and slowly walked into his home.

It wasn’t mealtime, the courtyard was empty of guests, very quiet, only a familiar yet blurry and unfamiliar female figure at the counter tidying things.

Mo Hua’s eyes brimmed with a bit of moisture, he spoke in a clear, gentle voice:

”Boss lady, a bowl of beef noodles please.”

”Sure, it’ll take a moment...”

The woman’s voice was gentle like water, but halfway through, she suddenly froze, feeling the customer’s voice somewhat familiar. Unable to resist, she turned to look, seeing a youth with jade-like complexion and breeze-like demeanor.

This youth seemed unfamiliar, yet had a bone-deep connection of familiarity.

Especially that face as picturesque as a painting, she, as a mother, had dreamt of it countless times, worried about it endless times.

Afraid he was hungry, afraid he grew thin, afraid he suffered through winds and dews, afraid he faced bullying, afraid he met with cold stares, afraid of when he might return, and even more scared he’d never come back, afraid she’d never see her child again...

Unknowingly, her tears blurred her eyes.

Liu Ruhua quivered as she spoke, ”Hua... Huar?”

Mo Hua felt a slight ache in his heart, he offered a warm smile, ”Mom... I’m home...”

Liu Ruhua’s heart trembled, tears filled her eyes.

...

In the childhood courtyard.

The table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meats, various pastries, sweet wine brew, all were Mo Hua’s childhood favorites.

Mo Hua had experienced much of the ”big world,” at Taixu Gate, especially during family feasts at the Gu Family, he had tasted many delicacies.

Yet, no matter when, he always felt only his mother’s cooking was the best.

This was because Liu Ruhua’s culinary skills were exceptional, making the food naturally delicious, but also it contained a unique sentiment unmatched by anything else.

This was also Mo Hua’s long-lost taste, not experienced for ten years.

In his heart, warmth bloomed, each bite was sweet.

Liu Ruhua sat aside, intently gazing at Mo Hua.

Her son had grown up, taller now, although his face still had a hint of youthful innocence, he had transformed completely, possessing jade-white cheeks, moonlight-like charm, and clear spring-like beauty and grace, eyes clear yet profound.

The Tongxian City cultivators often said this child seemed like an ”immortal child” descended.

But now, this ”immortal child” on earth had grown into a teenager with an ethereal presence.

Liu Ruhua looked at Mo Hua, her heart filled with both joy and anxiety.

She feared it was all similar to before, just another dream she had made.

Once the dream ended, Huar would vanish again.

Her child, who pulled her heartstrings, would be somewhere unknown, painstakingly cultivating, arduously pursuing Dao, facing perilous threats.

Besides worrying, she could do nothing.

Therefore Liu Ruhua dared not blink, her gentle eyes remained on Mo Hua.

Even if this was merely a dream, she wanted to see her child as much as possible, seeing him grow up, how exactly he had become.

And so she watched for a long while, until evening approached, fiery sunset rays entered the courtyard, spreading across the ground.

Liu Ruhua regained focus and saw Mo Hua’s figure was still there.

This wasn’t a dream, her son truly came home, Liu Ruhua’s face broke into a genuine smile, joy overflowing inside.

Mother and son sat in the courtyard, chatting about the trivial and amusing matters of studying in the Qian State.

Until the sun set, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, a solid male voice rang out:

”How come it’s closed at this hour, did a guest arrive...”

Mo Shan carrying a storage bag filled with Monster Beast bones and flesh walked into the courtyard, looked up and saw Mo Hua enjoying a hearty meal.

Mo Shan was momentarily stunned, thinking he was dreaming, the surrounding scene blurred slightly, seeming unreal.

After steadying himself, taking in the surroundings, and looking again at Mo Hua, he realized everything was real, Mo Shan’s face instantly lit up with joy.

But he was a calm person, not very expressive, simply nodding towards Mo Hua, commenting:

”You’re back?”

Mo Hua smiled, nodded and replied: ”Yes.”

Mo Shan let out a breath, as if the burden and worry on his shoulders had lightened significantly, he inadvertently showed a smile.

...

Then the family of three sat around the courtyard, eating.

This scene was reminiscent of Mo Hua’s childhood.

Except now, Mo Hua wasn’t that Spiritual Root-like, low cultivation, only able to sketch a few Formation Patterns little Loose Cultivator anymore.