The Quest for Immortality

The Tao Discussion Meeting had ended.

Mo Hua had dominated all four corners.

The Five Elements Sect was utterly defeated.

Mr. Zhuang left the Formation Pavilion with his usual composed demeanor, shrouded in a solitary pride with a hint of calm nonchalance.

It seemed that such a minor scene was not worth his emotional investment.

But Mo Hua knew Mr. Zhuang well and was aware that although his expression appeared calm, he was certainly very pleased inside.

With Mr. Zhuang happy, Mo Hua also felt the trip had not been in vain, and he couldn’t help but stand tall and proud, following behind Mr. Zhuang.

Seeing his junior fellow disciple gaining the limelight, Bai Zisheng nodded slightly, his face expressing a reflected glory.

Bai Zixi also glanced at Mo Hua, her eyes like rippling water, her lips holding a faint smile.

...

The master and disciples left the Formation Pavilion and returned to their lodgings.

Mr. Zhuang then praised Mo Hua, saying:

”Well done!”

Mo Hua grinned and said, ”It’s all thanks to Master’s excellent teaching!”

Mr. Zhuang felt very gratified.

Having an obedient disciple really made a difference.

Mr. Zhuang added:

”Rest for today, and tomorrow you’ll start learning the Five Elements Spirit Formation.”

”Yes!”

Mo Hua nodded fiercely, full of anticipation.

Then he suddenly remembered something and seemed a bit worried, ”Master, will the Five Elements Sect allow me to learn the Five Elements Spirit Formation?” Experience new stories with

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze became slightly stern, ”Considering the legacy of the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect, I have already given them enough respect...”

”The rules were set by them, the examination questions were devised by them, and they were even allowed to seek outside help, yet they lost fair and square...”

”If they still prevaricate and do not honor the promises of the past, then they cannot blame me for disregarding past affection...”

Mo Hua felt reassured, but still harbored some concerns:

”Even if they let me learn, they will probably create obstacles, right?”

Mr. Zhuang nodded, ”That is to be expected, but such sneaky tactics are tolerable as long as they are not too excessive; otherwise, I won’t bother myself with it.” ȑᴀΝÔ₿È𝙨

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua and gently patted his shoulder:

”You will encounter such petty schemes often in the future, learn to deal with them on your own.”

Mo Hua nodded, ”Yes, Master.”

Mr. Zhuang looked a bit tired and closed his eyes to rest for a while before opening them again and continuing:

”Tomorrow, you and your fellow brothers and sisters go to the Formation Pavilion together and see if you can grasp the Five Elements Spirit Formation.”

After Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, he also addressed Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi:

”Mo Hua’s Divine Sense is sufficient to learn the Formation with Thirteen Stripes.”

”As for you two, since your Divine Senses are not enough, try using the method I taught you...”

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi respectfully nodded in agreement.

Mo Hua’s expression shifted subtly, hesitating to speak, but in the end, he remained silent.

However, Mr. Zhuang noticed his expression.

After advising his disciples, Mr. Zhuang paused, then called back Mo Hua as they were about to leave.

”Mo Hua.”

Mo Hua, who had reached the threshold, turned back with a puzzled look, ”Yes, Master?”

Mr. Zhuang gestured him closer.

Mo Hua walked up to Mr. Zhuang.

After a moment of silence, Mr. Zhuang asked:

”You... Do you want to ask something?”

Mo Hua hesitated, then shook his head.

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze softened, seemingly penetrating Mo Hua’s thoughts, and he gently said:

”If you want to ask something, go ahead.”

Knowing he could not hide from Mr. Zhuang, Mo Hua no longer concealed his curiosity and quietly asked:

”Master, what exactly did you teach my elder brothers and sister?”

”Do you want to know?”

”Yes.” Mo Hua nodded.

He was indeed very curious.

Mr. Zhuang looked thoughtful and instead of answering, he posed a question:

”You... Why didn’t you ask me before?”

Mo Hua honestly replied, ”Master is far-sighted and strategic, and naturally you have your own plans. If something is meant to be shared, you would surely tell me. If you do not speak of it, it’s obviously better that I remain unaware...”

Mr. Zhuang was momentarily taken aback, then warmth surfaced in his heart, like a spring stream warmed by sunlight, gently flowing through his thoughts.

His gaze was tender as he softly asked Mo Hua:

”Don’t you feel that I favor your brothers and sister over you?”

Mo Hua shook his head, ”Master has already been very good to me!”

Everything that should have been taught, could have been taught, and even some material that was beyond the syllabus and shouldn’t have been taught had been imparted to him.

He often asked the most questions.

And Master never grew tired, always answering with the utmost detail.

Normally, his brothers and sister held more reverence towards Master.

While Master treated him with more closeness.

Upon reflection, Mo Hua felt that Master still favored him a bit more.

Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang, his gaze clear and untainted, filled with the crystal-like trust and reliance of amber.

Mr. Zhuang’s eyes were moist, and the feelings in his heart were hard to articulate.

He took a deep breath, his expression earnest as he said:

”Mo Hua, you must remember the next words very carefully, but do not mention them to anyone else.”

Mo Hua’s heart tensed, and he nodded seriously.

Mr. Zhuang gestured with his hands and lightly swept them aside.

There was no visible change around them.

But Mo Hua faintly felt that within the confines of this dwelling, an area of several feet seemed to have been isolated.

Isolated from sound as well as from cause and effect.

Mr. Zhuang said solemnly:

”Gui Tao’s people...”

Mo Hua’s expression changed and his pupils contracted.

Nothing happened around them.

Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief.

Mr. Zhuang knew that Mo Hua had understood and continued:

”I’ve told you before, our lineage has a sect.”

”Gui Tao’s people, Zixi and Zisheng’s mother, and I, all come from the same sect, we are fellow Taoist brothers and sisters.”

”Now, you, Zisheng, and Zixi are also disciples of this sect.”

”This sect has an ancient heritage.”

”I am the forty-ninth Sect Leader of this sect.”

”But I can’t tell you the name of this sect, nor must you know it.”

”The teachings of this sect are numerous, and among them, the most important and orthodox, which is reserved only for the direct line of the Sect Leader, is a type of Formation Flow. It is the same legacy that I have taught your elder brothers and sister...”