The Quest for Immortality

As they walked, Mo Hua suddenly thought of a question and asked:

”Little Wood, how old are you?”

Ouyang Mu thought for a moment and replied, ”I was born in the third month of the year 20,012 of the Taoist Calendar.”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised.

Little Wood was actually the same age as him, and even older by a few months.

Calculating it, Mo Hua realized he was actually younger.

But Little Wood seemed to have gotten used to calling him ”Senior Brother,” so there was no need to mention such minor details.

Anyway, in Taixu Gate, there were plenty of disciples older than him who still called him ”Junior Brother.”

The two chatted casually as they walked. Once they arrived at the mountain gate, they each returned to their respective sects.

Mo Hua returned to Taixu Gate, while Ouyang Mu headed back to Tai’a Sect.

The Tai’a Mountain exuded a robust and ancient air, solemn and grand, unlike the ethereal charm and serene beauty of Taixu Gate. In its peaks and pathways, bricks and tiles, there was a discernible craftsmanship.

Lowering his head, Ouyang Mu silently returned to the Disciple’s Residence.

He didn’t greet anyone along the way.

And naturally, no one greeted him either.

In Tai’a Sect, he was mostly alone.

He had already grown accustomed to it.

Once back at the Disciple’s Residence, Ouyang Mu shut the door, staying alone in his room. He took out the sword diagram Mo Hua had given him and studied it repeatedly.

At the same time, he thought and annotated, pondering how he could forge the Spirit Sword better according to Brother Mo’s guidance.

As he thought, an image suddenly surfaced in his mind—the scene earlier that day of Mo Hua controlling his sword, a golden light streaking through the heavens, slaying the Monster Beasts.

Brother Mo’s sword control technique was truly powerful!

So powerful!

At a loss for words, he couldn’t think of any other descriptive term. Again and again, he could only marvel at these two words: ”So powerful.”

Although Brother Mo seemed slightly lacking in natural talent, his sword control technique was stronger than any he had seen among disciples of the same generation.

Ouyang Mu felt an inexplicable surge of excitement.

This formidable sword control technique used a Spirit Sword forged by him!

Brother Mo had even praised him!

Ouyang Mu couldn’t help but wonder, if he could create an even better Spirit Sword, with higher quality, wouldn’t this sword control technique become even more formidable?

A more powerful sword control technique... what would it look like?

Ouyang Mu thought about it with great anticipation.

...

After that, Ouyang Mu became even more motivated in sword forging.

With his naturally diligent and responsible personality, in addition to his passion for sword crafting, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to refining Spirit Swords.

By the next break period, he had forged three more Spirit Swords.

”Because I also need time for cultivation and classes, I could only craft in my spare time, so I only managed three,” Ouyang Mu explained to Mo Hua.

”It’s alright, it’s already very good,” Mo Hua encouraged him.

Over this period, Mo Hua had come to realize that Little Wood actually had excellent talent in sword crafting.

But he lacked confidence.

Furthermore, due to the lack of crafting materials and the burden of his father urging him to abandon sword casting for swordsmanship, he was weighed down with worries and couldn’t let go fully.

”Feel free to keep learning sword casting. If you need materials, just let me know. Also, if you have any new ideas or approaches for crafting, you can share them with me...”

Mo Hua decided to nurture Little Wood a bit, guiding him down a unique path in artifact refining.

His own situation was unconventional.

Whether it was customized spiritual tools or sword casting, they diverged from general standards of artifact refining.

If Little Wood could be counted upon, Mo Hua wouldn’t have to worry about artifact refining in the future and could focus solely on formations.

He could focus on studying formations and designing Formation Diagrams.

Little Wood could focus on researching refining diagrams.

The innovations resulting from their collaboration could then be mass-produced with the help of Master Gu at the Gushan Refining Workshop.

Each would excel in their respective strengths while achieving perfect division and synergy.

Mo Hua looked at Ouyang Mu with anticipation.

Ouyang Mu didn’t fully understand, but he suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders...

”Alright, Brother Mo.”

After that, Little Wood began progressing rapidly.

Mo Hua started letting him handle more responsibilities.

Not just Spirit Swords; even customized spiritual tools were entrusted to Little Wood. Mo Hua would explain his thoughts and the corresponding formation concepts, then let Little Wood design the refining diagram.

Little Wood would meticulously create his designs, consult with Mo Hua, solve formation-related issues, and finalize the refinement array map.

Mo Hua presented this refinement array map to Master Gu, who praised it highly.

”This refinement array map is brilliantly conceived and highly practical. Given my level, I can hardly find any flaws...”

After a moment of reflection, Master Gu asked, ”This... wasn’t devised solely by the young master, was it?”

He knew very well the extent of Mo Hua’s abilities.

In formations, Mo Hua was profoundly skilled.

But in artifact refining, although he had many fascinating ideas and often surprised others, his poor foundation frequently led to basic errors.

Mo Hua nodded and replied, ”I sought assistance from a disciple born into a sword-casting family.”

Master Gu was momentarily startled, then remarked with admiration, ”No wonder. This disciple of yours has a solid foundation and deep family heritage.”

Mo Hua nodded in agreement and said:

”Indeed.”

...

Soon after, Spirit Artifacts designed by Ouyang Mu were mass-produced under Master Gu’s supervision.

Once refined, Mo Hua tried them out and found them satisfactory.

Entering the Refining Demon Mountain again, Mo Hua brought Ouyang Mu to the Taixu Gate’s mountain peak to meet with his group of ”Junior Brothers.”

Mo Hua introduced him to everyone:

”This disciple’s surname is Ouyang, given name Mu. He is a Tai’a Sect disciple, an exceptional talent in sword-casting. Please take good care of him during our time in the Refining Demon Mountain.”

Tai’a Sect disciple?

The group of Taixu Sect disciples looked at him curiously.

A Tai’a Sect disciple—why was he tagging along with the Junior Brother?

But whatever the Junior Brother did usually had his reasons.