The Quest for Immortality

”Is someone helping you earn Merit Points and you refuse? Are you an idiot?”

...

Mo Hua spoke with crisp clarity and rapid pace, unleashing a torrent of words.

Ling Huxiao was left dumbfounded by Mo Hua’s remarks.

He wasn’t truly averse to strangers; it was merely that his extraordinary aptitude had spurred envy and caused others to distance themselves.

Over time, this led to his isolation.

He grew reluctant to engage in communication.

If this persisted until Core Formation or even Feather Transformation, he’d likely become an incomparably powerful, yet eccentric and socially disconnected Sword Cultivator.

But now, things had begun to shift.

Mo Hua’s words echoed in Ling Huxiao’s ears. After pondering for a long time, he silently nodded:

”Alright...”

Mo Hua, who had expected to spend more effort persuading him, was slightly surprised.

Nevertheless, Ling Huxiao’s agreement was undoubtedly good news.

Mo Hua habitually patted Ling Huxiao’s shoulder with a friendly demeanor and natural motion.

Ling Huxiao stiffened momentarily but did not reject the gesture.

”Next rest period, go to those hills near the Refining Demon Mountain’s entrance and find the disciples of Taixu Gate. Just report my name.”

”Your Swordsmanship is so extraordinary—one sword, one Monster Beast. You could earn plenty of Merit Points in a single day.”

Mo Hua painted him a ”grand picture.”

Naturally, it wasn’t an exaggeration but rather the truth.

Ling Huxiao nodded again.

At the crossroads, the two parted ways and went back to their respective Sects.

Back in the Sect, Ling Huxiao spent several consecutive days preoccupied with his thoughts.

Mo Hua’s words and deeds would often surface in his mind.

From their initial meeting—the latent killing intent, the enigmatic and overwhelming aura, along with the fluid ease of Mo Hua’s Spells and movement techniques;

The slain Demon Wooden Eagle with its unusually sharp golden Sword Qi penetrating its flesh and bone, alongside the fragmented sword blade embedded within;

The later moment when the killing intent dissipated—like being bathed in a springtime breeze, accompanied by an utterly sincere and composed smile;

And the radiant warmth and casual grace conveyed in his words...

All these conflicting and somewhat incongruous images intertwined.

Ling Huxiao etched this name deep into his memory:

”Mo Hua...”

...

As for Mo Hua, upon returning to the Sect, he completely forgot about Ling Huxiao.

His schedule had become overwhelmingly packed, juggling cultivation, classes, Formation practice, and considerations related to Artifact Refining and Sword Casting, leaving little space for other thoughts.

Occasionally, when researching Sword Arrays, Ling Huxiao would cross his mind.

Ling Huxiao’s Sword Qi was, without doubt, the strongest Sword Qi Mo Hua had encountered within the Foundation Establishment Realm.

It far surpassed the Gold-Cutting Imperial Sword Technique of Sever Gold Sect by more than one level.

Of course, given Ling Huxiao’s current cultivation level, his strong Sword Qi might not yet be wielded with total mastery.

Additionally, limited Spiritual Power might prevent him from unleashing multiple strikes at full strength.

In actual combat scenarios, vulnerabilities could still be exploited.

Nonetheless, his power was undeniably formidable.

If utilized properly, within the Foundation Establishment Realm—particularly among cultivators in the Middle Phase—it could wreak havoc.

And then there was the matter of the Chongxu Sword Qi...

Mo Hua was greatly intrigued. Chongxu Sect was renowned for its Chongxu Sword Qi, but what was the true source of its strength?

Could this Sword Qi perhaps be amplified or simulated through a ”Sword Array?”

If a Sword Array could generate Chongxu Sword Qi, wouldn’t that elevate the power of his own Sword Control to a whole new level?

”Someday, I’ll have to delve further into this.”

”It wouldn’t be appropriate to steal knowledge of Chongxu Sword Qi, but if I don’t learn it, merely studying it should be fine...”

Mo Hua pondered silently to himself.

...

Meanwhile, at the Elder’s Residence of the Taixu Gate.

Elder Master Xun, who hadn’t returned to the Sect for several days, had just arrived back and summoned a seasoned Inner Gate Elder, speaking slowly:

”I intend to use the Taixu Heavenly Mechanism Lock to bind some causes and effects. For this matter, I’ll need approval from your Murong Ancestor.”

”But since he occasionally goes into seclusion, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to disturb him rashly.”

”Inform your clan—when your Ancestor finishes his seclusion, notify him. Or, if there’s a specific hour determined, I’ll visit in advance.”

The Elder froze briefly upon hearing this.

The activation of the Taixu Heavenly Mechanism Lock undoubtedly signified a matter of utmost importance.

Such matters were not something he could inquire further about. He merely folded his hands and said, ”Understood. I obey your command.”

Elder Master Xun nodded slightly.

Shortly after the Elder left, Xun Ziyou arrived.

He came to provide routine updates on Mo Hua’s activities, lest the Ancestor assume he was slacking off.

Xun Ziyou saluted Elder Master Xun and proceeded to recount Mo Hua’s actions at Refining Demon Mountain in recent days.

These included practicing Sword Control, hunting Monster Beasts, forging connections with the Tai’a Sect’s Ouyang Family—especially with a young man named Ouyang Mu—and encountering the Sword Dao Genius of Chongxu Sect.

Elder Master Xun felt a subtle tinge of astonishment.

Mo Hua’s actions were always unexpected...

”Understood. Keep a close watch,” Elder Master Xun instructed.

”Yes,” Xun Ziyou agreed with folded hands.

Elder Master Xun lowered his head, his thoughts shrouded in mystery.

Xun Ziyou hesitated, seeming to seek the right moment to speak.

Elder Master Xun lifted his gaze slightly and said indifferently:

”If you have something to say, speak.”

Xun Ziyou paused briefly, then furrowed his brow and said, ”Ancestor, there’s one matter I don’t understand... Who is truly driving this Sect restructuring?”

Elder Master Xun’s gaze turned sharper as he looked at Xun Ziyou, countering with a question: ”What do you think?”

”On the surface, it seems to be led by the Four Great Sects,” Xun Ziyou said cautiously, his expression grave, ”but when one delves deeper, it appears quite odd...”

Elder Master Xun raised an eyebrow and watched Xun Ziyou with an impassive expression, asking:

”What’s odd about it?”

Xun Ziyou furrowed his brow and said:

”The aim of restructuring the Sect is to change its current structure, to first dismantle and then rebuild, to replace the old with the new...”

”But the Four Great Sects—they are already the top-tier Sects in the Qian Learning State Boundary. What structure do they need to change?”