The Quest for Immortality

”Daoist Court...”

Mo Hua’s expression was solemn as he murmured, ”So, according to you, it was Gui Water Sect colluding with the Daoist Court, secretly targeting you?”

”That’s right.”

Mo Hua was puzzled, ”How do you know about these things?”

Gui Water Sect alone is insignificant.

The Daoist Court is deep and turbulent; even if there are some sordid collusions internally, it’s not something a ”dog of a fallen family” like the descendant of the Water Prison Sect would know about.

The old man sneered, ”Don’t forget, what my Water Prison Sect originates from. The ’Prison’ in Water ’Prison’ Sect is derived from ’Daoist Prison.’ All cultivators from my Water Prison Sect have held positions in the Daoist Court, specializing in pursuits, administrating punishments, even being used as the Daoist Court’s dog in secret, doing all the dirty work. How could I not know of the filth within the Daoist Court?”

”Moreover, Gui Water Sect is the ’possession’ of Water Prison Sect’s ’borrowed corpse to resurrect the soul,’ colluding with the Daoist Court is all too normal.”

”I was pursued, and the descendants of the Yu Family were exterminated. These events, though seemingly devoid of the Daoist Court’s involvement, are in the eyes of a seasoned insider like me, filled with traces of the Daoist Court.”

Mo Hua said, ”The situation within the Daoist Court is also very complex, mixing cultivators from different families and sects, not to be generalized.”

The old man said, ”The Daoist Court is a huge vat of dye; once you step in, you’ll be dyed sooner or later. Does your previous color even matter?”

Mo Hua frowned.

The old man looked at Mo Hua, sighed deeply, and sincerely said:

”Young brother, although you are clever, meticulous in action, and your means are even superior to some old cultivators who’ve dwelled in the cultivation world for years, yet you’re still young, have seen too little, unaware of the true treachery of human hearts.”

”In this world, lust entices, wealth corrupts, and power—the corrosion of human hearts—is the most severe.”

”The Daoist Court holds power, controlling life and death, inheriting through generations, which inevitably breeds corruption, an immutable truth.”

”Moreover, the Daoist Court has already spanned two thousand years; this time is ample for nurturing mere pests into enormous brutes.”

Mo Hua’s gaze condensed slightly, ”In the Daoist Court, there are also pure streams, right...”

The old man laughed mockingly, ”Is it genuinely pure or falsely pure, who can tell? Even the purest water, once flowing into the dye vat, changes its color. If you wish not to be colored, how many wish for your demise... ”

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

The old man looked at Mo Hua, complexly sighed:

”I’ve said all I can; the decision lies with the young friend now. I won’t expect assistance, merely hope you keep your promise not to disclose my whereabouts. Otherwise, causing disaster, severing Water Prison Sect’s Taoist inheritance, I would die restless, even if I become a fierce ghost, I’ll demand an explanation from you...”

No matter what fierce ghost you become, I’m not afraid at all...

Mo Hua silently thought, but he pondered for a moment and still said:

”This burden is a bit too heavy; involves both Gui Water Sect and the Daoist Court, I might not be able to handle it. I’ll try to help you as much as possible, but ultimately, whether I can help is uncertain. As for your whereabouts, rest assured, I won’t disclose it to outsiders.”

The old man looked grateful, ”In that case, many thanks, young friend.”

Mo Hua nodded, ”There’s one more thing...”

His expression turned slightly cold, ”Those two children just now are also descendants of the Yu Family, right? Passing down Water Prison Sect’s cultivation technique to them, are you not afraid of Gui Water Sect discovering and exterminating the entire village?”

The old man’s expression stalled.

He had deliberately concealed this beforehand, not wanting to expose the identities of Little Shunzi and Little Shuizi.

Yet unaware, the youth cultivator before him already knew everything.

The old man appeared bitter and sighed:

”I truly... have no choice...”

”Passing it on may result in their deaths. But if not passed, upon my death, the entire Water Prison Sect’s inheritance ends completely. How can I face the ancestors... ”

The old man’s emotions surged, his face briefly turned pale, followed by fierce coughing, spitting blood from the corner of his mouth.

Mo Hua shook his head, not blaming him.

”Rest well, if you’d like, I’ll find a ride tomorrow to take you somewhere to recover.”

The old man cupped his hands, calmly said: ”Sorry to trouble you, young friend.”

”I won’t disturb you anymore.” Mo Hua turned to leave but was suddenly called back by the old man, ”Young friend...”

He turned his head, examining the cave surrounded densely by the Killing Formation, his scalp slightly numbing, ”These formations...”

”Oh, it’s okay, I won’t kill you.” Mo Hua said.

”It’s not that...” the old man’s head was aching.

At least dismantle them.

The cave is filled to the brim with Killing Formation, akin to having explosives inside; slightest touch might explode, making it impossible for him to sleep?

Mo Hua ignored him, turned and walked away.

If dismantle, let him do it himself.

Spending so much effort drawing the formations, they haven’t been used, how could he bear to dismantle them?

Of course, mainly because he was lazy.

Anyway, the Killing Formation isn’t placed at his own doorstep.

The old man in front of the cave watched Mo Hua gradually drift away without a care and helplessly shook his head.

This little cultivator truly was a bit ’rogue.’

The night was deep, the moonlight desolate, with nowhere to shelter on the desolate mountain.

The old man could only sigh bitterly and return to the cave.

After all, it’s just one last night...

...

Leaving the desolate mountain, Mo Hua returned to the small fishing village, ensuring Little Shunzi and Little Shuizi had returned home safely and were asleep soundly, then he finally felt relieved.

But this isn’t a solution.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then took out a letter token and transmitted to Gu Changhuai: ”Uncle Gu, there’s something very important...”

Moments later, Gu Changhuai responded displeased: