The Quest for Immortality

Within the Sect Leader Residence of the Canglang Sect, Mo Hua and Sect Master Zhao were drinking tea and conversing:

”Sect Master Zhao, I will be leaving tomorrow.”

Sect Master Zhao was momentarily startled, then delighted, as if a mountain that had been pressing on his head had suddenly vanished. Yet, outwardly, he still displayed a reluctant demeanor:

”Young Master Mo, why not stay a few more days...”

Mo Hua’s expression remained contemplative.

Sect Master Zhao noticed this and his heart skipped a beat.

He was merely exchanging pleasantries; he hoped this ”Little Yama,” Young Master Mo, wouldn’t really consider staying.

Truly, trouble follows careless words.

Sect Master Zhao suddenly felt uneasy.

Fortunately, Mo Hua eventually shook his head, ”I can’t, I must leave. Sect Master Zhao’s sentiment, I truly appreciate.”

Sect Master Zhao couldn’t help but smile, ”No, no, this is only what I should do.”

Mo Hua said, ”The plans I discussed with you earlier...”

Sect Master Zhao immediately assured, ”Everything will be implemented exactly as you described.”

Mo Hua looked at Sect Master Zhao and slowly nodded.

This Sect Master Zhao, although somewhat scheming and slightly hypocritical, was actually quite reliable and not unkind.

Mo Hua pondered a moment and then said, ”Sect Master Zhao, do you trust me?”

Sect Master Zhao was taken aback.

In such a setting, could he dare say he didn’t trust him?

He nodded, ”Of course, I trust young master Mo.”

Mo Hua nodded and then, with a solemn expression, said slowly, ”Next, within the Li State, a great disaster will occur, where warfare and fire will ravage the land, and living beings will suffer.”

Sect Master Zhao was momentarily stunned by these words.

He thought Mo Hua was joking.

Everything seemed fine; where would such a disaster come from, and what living beings would suffer?

But seeing Mo Hua’s serious demeanor, clearly not just speaking idly, Sect Master Zhao felt a slight chill in his heart.

Mo Hua’s actions were mysterious; clearly just in the Foundation Establishment stage, yet with a few words, he could sow discord and take lives, his nature and methods ever inscrutable. Even his own position as sect leader was forcibly pushed on him by Young Master Mo.

Reflecting on this, Sect Master Zhao’s demeanor turned solemn.

Mo Hua similarly appeared grave.

Currently in a secluded part of Canglang City, he was unable to see the whole picture and had no idea what was happening beyond the Great Wilderness and the Li State.

Yet it was him who lit the Desolate Heaven Dragon Flag.

The strange phenomenon of falling comet fires in the horizon was seen by him.

Though Li State’s sky seemed the same as ever, the clouds agitated, the heavenly secret had been stirred, evoking a deadly atmosphere, chaotic and precarious.

From the south, scorching heat waves came like roaring dragons, sweeping over majestically.

This was the intertwining of iron and fate, blood and fire, an intense cause and effect.

An inevitable grand trend.

Tongxian City and Canglang City appear stable now, but only temporarily, the calm before the storm.

Soon, one must face the impact of the great calamity.

Thus, preparations must be made in advance.

”What I’ve told you, whether it’s Formation, Refinery Shop, or the Dao of State, all must be completed at the earliest possible time. The sooner they’re completed, the safer it’ll be, and Canglang City will have more power of self-preservation.”

”Otherwise, the entire Canglang City, even the whole Canglang State boundary, will face a major disaster.”

”Even if you’re a Golden Core, a sect master, you won’t be able to remain unaffected.”

”Surely you wouldn’t want, right after becoming sect master, to have the sect annihilated...”

Sect Master Zhao felt a chill in his heart, promptly speaking solemnly:

”Young Master Mo’s words will be closely remembered by me...”

Mo Hua nodded and then handed him a jade slip:

”Sect Master Zhao, your talent in Formation is actually quite good, but trapped in a small place like Canglang City, your perspective is limited; in the future, it’ll be difficult to advance further.”

”I’m leaving you some Formation Diagrams and my insights into Formation Arts. Follow them closely, practice diligently, and maybe, someday, you’ll make further progress...”

Sect Master Zhao, somewhat skeptical, accepted the jade slip, glanced over it, and then was utterly shocked.

He was an early-stage Golden Core cultivator capable of drawing second-grade seventeen-pattern arrays.

Once the chief Elder of Formation Arts within the Canglang Sect.

Around the Canglang State boundary, he was a rare Formation Master in five hundred years; his skills were not overstated saying they’re ”the utmost” in that domain.

He often felt the loneliness of the heights.

Until he met Mo Hua.

Initially, he didn’t think Mo Hua’s Formation skills would be much higher than his own.

Until Mo Hua used a mysterious and unfathomable Formation to cripple the sect leader of Canglang Sect, Sect Master Zhao realized the power.

Now, seeing the jade slip given by Mo Hua, and understanding the Formation Essence inside, he truly grasped what it means for there to always be someone better out there.

His former self was just like a frog viewing the moon from a well.

This jade slip’s insights into Formation Arts, from shallow to deep, contain profound second-grade Formation skill, every word is brilliant, wonderfully crafted.

Elsewhere, this would be the exquisite Formation insights countless formation masters would kill for, unattainable.

Yet, such important insights into Formation Arts, Young Master Mo casually gave to him for free...

Even his own formation master, whom he regarded with utmost respect, never treated him this well.

Sect Master Zhao’s heart was mixed with complex emotions.

Mo Hua advised him: ”Learn well. External fame and fortune are ultimately transient. For a Formation Master, the Formation Arts are the foundation of one’s standing.”

Sect Master Zhao was momentarily affected, cupping his hands and speaking:

”Thank you, Young Master Mo, for imparting the Dao.”

...

Mo Hua then arranged some final matters, and the next day, he set out to depart.

Sect Master Zhao personally escorted Mo Hua to the entrance of Canglang Sect, and afterward, half relieved, half respectful, said:

”May Young Master Mo have a smooth journey and bright future. Take care.”

Mo Hua also responded with ”Sect Master Zhao, take care,” and then boarded the carriage, leaving Canglang Sect.

The carriage traveled along the main road, heading outside Canglang City.

The scenery along the way unfolded fully before his eyes.