The Quest for Immortality

Mo Hua traveled quietly along the path.

Finally able to go home, he felt a bit more at ease.

The deep forests of Dahei Mountain looked much the same as when he had come, still densely wooded, with heavy fog making it difficult to discern directions.

However, unlike before, now every blade of grass, every tree, and every rock was vividly clear in Mo Hua’s spiritual awareness.

His spiritual sense had grown stronger, allowing him to see further and perceive more intricately.

The fog array set up by the third in command within the foggy forest acted like a signpost, clearly guiding Mo Hua along the way.

To the naked eye, it was a mass of fog, but in Mo Hua’s spiritual awareness, the paths were distinct and easily recognizable.

After half an hour of walking, Mo Hua reached the edge of the deep forest.

He stopped and frowned.

This wasn’t the cliff he had come from, so he wasn’t familiar with the area, and there were many forks in the road, leaving him unsure which way to go.

At that moment, he heard some sounds coming from the distant fog.

The sounds were mixed, as if many people were shouting, anxiously calling ”Mo Hua”...

Mo Hua was taken aback, recognizing the voices of the Demon Hunters.

He used the Passing Water Step technique, quickening his pace towards the voices.

In the dense fog, about ten Demon Hunters formed a human net, searching the deep forest with anxious expressions, calling out Mo Hua’s name.

At that moment, they saw a figure in the fog.

The Demon Hunters’ faces tensed, their sabers drawn, ready for action.

The figure approached, small in stature, resembling a young cultivator.

Some of the Demon Hunters showed slight smiles, while the others looked expectant.

As the figure drew near and the fog cleared, they saw a young face with bright, spirited eyes.

They confirmed that it was indeed Mo Hua.

Mo Hua greeted them.

Hearing Mo Hua’s voice and seeing him safe and sound, the Demon Hunters were all relieved, their anxious expressions turning to joy.

One of the Demon Hunters exclaimed, ”We found Mo Hua!”

The others passed the word along.

Soon, the dense fog was filled with voices of Demon Hunters announcing the good news.

”We found Mo Hua!”

”Mo Hua has been found!”

”Found him!”

...

Mo Hua stood in place, feeling both touched and guilty.

He realized so many people cared about him, even venturing into the deep forest to find him.

He felt like he had troubled everyone...

Mo Hua remembered the words the old evil cultivator had said to the third in command that night:

”The Demon Hunters are making a move...”

”…Something has happened in the inner mountain...”

He had wondered at the time what had happened in the inner mountain.

It turned out the biggest event in the inner mountain was his disappearance.

Years ago, when the elder of the Qian family went missing, the Qian family had mobilized all their disciples, forming a human net to search the dangerous deep mountains.

Now, the Demon Hunters were doing the same for Mo Hua.

Mo Hua’s eyes felt sore, and he felt a pang of guilt.

After a while, Mo Hua met Elder Yu. Feeling remorseful, he was about to speak, but Elder Yu interrupted him.

”We’ll talk when we get back,” Elder Yu said.

Elder Yu’s expression was complicated. He was worried about Mo Hua, feeling that Mo Hua had been somewhat reckless, but he also knew why Mo Hua had ventured into the deep mountains and thus refrained from criticizing him.

Not everyone possesses both the kindness and courage to take such risks for the wandering cultivators of Tongxian City.

Fortunately, Mo Hua returned safely.

Though Elder Yu maintained a calm exterior, he was inwardly greatly relieved.

Whatever Mo Hua had discovered in the deep forest, they would discuss it back home.

Elder Yu instructed everyone to head back.

Gradually, the group gathered and slowly retreated from the deep forest.

Only then did Mo Hua realize that more people had come to find him than he had imagined.

Among the Demon Hunters he recognized, most were present, and even some cultivators from the Dao Court had joined.

Mo Hua also saw Zhang Lan.

Seeing Mo Hua safe and sound, Zhang Lan heaved a heavy sigh of relief. He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words, so he simply ruffled Mo Hua’s hair, messing it up.

Knowing he was at fault, Mo Hua said nothing.

Upon reaching the inner mountain, Mo Shan arrived from the other side of the deep forest.

Although he had already known that Mo Hua was safe, seeing him in person reassured him.

Mo Hua hung his head and softly said, ”Father...”

Mo Shan had been angry, but upon seeing his son, his anger dissipated.

He could only sigh, patting Mo Hua’s head, and said, ”Go see your mother. She hasn’t slept in days...”

Mo Hua was startled, ”Mother is in the mountains too?”

Mo Shan nodded.

Following Mo Shan, Mo Hua arrived at a camp in the inner mountain and saw his mother, Liu Ruhua.

Liu Ruhua stood at the camp entrance waiting for him, her thin figure and haggard face full of worry. Upon seeing Mo Hua, tears silently streamed down her face.

Mo Hua’s nose tingled, and he called out, ”Mother...”

Before Mo Hua could say anything else, Liu Ruhua ran over and hugged him tightly, her arms trembling.

She held him so tightly, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.

These past days she had been too anxious to sleep, and no matter how everyone searched, they couldn’t find Mo Hua.

She had feared she would never see her child again, that one day it might be impossible to even catch a glimpse of him.

Liu Ruhua held Mo Hua for a long time before her emotions calmed down a bit.

Mo Hua, filled with guilt, apologized, ”Mother, I’m sorry...”

Liu Ruhua, tears in her eyes, sighed and shook her head, ”You’re still young, but you have skills, know right from wrong, and have your own ideas. Mother doesn’t blame you.”

”But you must remember, there are many people in this world who care about you. Whatever you do, don’t let them worry. And no matter what happens, always let your father and me know.”

Mo Hua nodded solemnly, ”Mother, I will remember!”

Looking at Mo Hua’s handsome face and clear eyes, Liu Ruhua, feeling reluctant, added, ”And no matter what happens, you must protect your own life.”

”There are countless treasures in this world, but to your father and me, you are the most unique treasure. Even becoming an immortal cannot compare to your safety.”

Liu Ruhua’s gaze was gentle and profound.

Mo Hua felt even more guilty.

He thought he had considered his parents’ feelings, but he realized he understood nothing.

He had guessed his parents would be worried, but he had no idea how deep their worry would be.

In this world, a child’s concern for their parents is not even a tenth of a parent’s concern for their child.

Next time, he must not let everyone worry, and he certainly must not let his parents worry.

Mo Hua silently vowed in his heart, then earnestly said to Liu Ruhua, ”Mother, don’t worry. I will live well, live long, and live until I become an immortal.”

”You and Father will also live long and attain immortality!”

Liu Ruhua did not take it seriously but felt greatly comforted.

She wiped her tears, rubbed Mo Hua’s little face, and with a smile, said, ”Alright, it’s a deal!”