The Quest for Immortality

With a clatter, Mo Hua’s chopsticks dropped onto the table. He was totally stunned.

Maybe no one else caught it, but Mo Hua definitely understood. He knew perfectly well what he’d done.

Especially since, just now, he’d clearly seen that impossibly beautiful Valley Master of Hundred Flower Valley give him a deep, meaningful look.

Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat.

”Did the Sect Leader of Hundred Flower Valley find out I snuck in? No way, my luck can’t be that bad...”

”Or was it Senior Sister Qianqian who sold me out? Did she quietly spill all my black history to the Sect Leader?”

”No, Qianqian would never do that...”

Mo Hua’s thoughts were a mess; even the crab in his mouth tasted bland.

On the other side, Gu Shouyan also noticed the Valley Master’s glance, nodded ever so slightly, understanding what was going on.

This Valley Master of Hundred Flower Valley might seem like she was visiting the Gu Family just to see the Hundred Flower Valley disciples, but really, she was here for Mo Hua, the ”Formation Leader.”

But what he didn’t know was, this ”Formation Leader” was, in a way, also a ”Disciple of Hundred Flower Valley.”

Hundred Flower Valley held a special place, and with the Valley Master here herself, Gu Shouyan was extra polite:

”Valley Master, please take the honored seat.”

Since she was an ”unexpected guest,” Gu Shouyan had ordered for a seat to be arranged on the fly.

Given the Valley Master’s high status, she was seated on par with the Family Head, set just to the right of Master Xia—right next to Mo Hua.

Seeing the Valley Master, Master Xia stood up to greet her, cupped his hands and said: ”Master Valley, my respects.”

His manner was surprisingly respectful.

The Valley Master simply nodded lightly, then seated herself beside Mo Hua.

Mo Hua quietly picked up his chopsticks again, sat up ramrod straight, barely even breathed, picking at the crab meat with the tiniest movements, all delicate and well-behaved—nothing like his previously carefree and lively feasting. 𝙧ΑꞐȮ฿Ё𝙨

Master Xia gave him a strange look, wondering to himself how this kid had managed to change personalities in the blink of an eye.

Wasn’t he just talking non-stop a second ago?

He turned to look at the Valley Master, dressed in ornate palace attire, her features exquisite—his expression grew odd.

The Valley Master sat with graceful poise, her white jade fingers holding a crystal cup, sipping flower wine, every gesture elegant and dignified. Since sitting down, she hadn’t said a word.

Mo Hua, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking:

”It must be in my head. Surely this beautiful Valley Master doesn’t know I sneaked into Hundred Flower Valley...” .

”If I just pretend nothing happened and finish this meal quietly, then bolt out of here before she catches me...”

”She looks so cold and aloof, she probably won’t even bother with me...”

But as if his inner monologue had been overheard, a clear and ethereal voice suddenly piped up:

”You’re Mo Hua, right?”

Mo Hua’s body instantly froze, turning his head stiffly to find the Valley Master’s devastatingly lovely face, curved in a half-smile, half-smirk.

”I... am,” Mo Hua replied in a small voice.

”Do you know who I am?” the Valley Master asked him.

Mo Hua sensed something was off, nodded, ”You’re... the Valley Master of Hundred Flower Valley...”

”Oh?” The Valley Master’s eyes flickered, ”You’re pretty familiar with Hundred Flower Valley, huh?”

Mo Hua’s heart gave a thump.

Damn, looks like this Valley Master really knows everything.

But... when did she find out?

She couldn’t have known from the very beginning, right?

Did she see him wearing a Hundred Flower Valley Taoist Robe?

No way, right?

The Valley Master’s clear eyes watched him intently, and Mo Hua could only steel himself and, feeling a bit guilty, said, ”Well, kind of... a little familiar... but not that much...”

Truth was, he’d only gone to Hundred Flower Valley once, and the whole way Qianqian had led him around, keeping his head down, all meek and obedient—he hadn’t really seen anything, forbidden or not.

”Mo Hua...” the Valley Master murmured his name, then praised softly, ”A Formation Leader at Foundation Establishment—Middle Stage, there’s probably no one else like you even in the Qianxue State Boundary.”

Mo Hua replied modestly, ”You flatter me, Valley Master.”

”I have a request. May I ask, Young Master, would you consider?”

Knowing he was in the wrong, Mo Hua answered, ”Please, Valley Master, speak your mind.”

The Valley Master spoke gently, ”All the disciples of my Hundred Flower Valley are young women, used to tending flowers and herbs, so they’re a bit lazy. Their Formation studies aren’t up to par. If Young Master Mo has the chance, perhaps you’d visit Hundred Flower Valley and teach a bit on Formations?”

Mo Hua wouldn’t dare say a word of refusal, so he nodded immediately, ”Certainly. I’d be honored.”

But as soon as he said it, he caught himself and asked, confused, ”Isn’t Hundred Flower Valley off-limits to male disciples?”

The Valley Master’s half-smile grew, ”Oh, I almost forgot—yes, men aren’t allowed inside Hundred Flower Valley. Good thing you remember the rules so well, Young Master.”

Mo Hua wished he could crawl into a hole in the ground.

Seeing Mo Hua’s cheeks flush red as an apple, the Valley Master found him amusing and decided not to press any further, raising her winecup and, half sincere, half teasing, said:

”Young Master, you have a bright future. I offer you a toast. If Hundred Flower Valley ever needs anything down the line, I hope you’ll lend a helping hand.”

At the side, Master Xia shot the Valley Master a surprised look, not expecting her to say something like that.

Mo Hua hurriedly picked up his cup, returning the gesture:

”I, Mo Hua, am of humble talent. If the Valley Master should ever need it, I promise I’ll give my all.”

The Valley Master nodded in satisfaction, drained her flower wine in one go, eyes smiling at Mo Hua, ”Please, Young Master, be seated. No need to be so tense.”

After drinking, Mo Hua gave the Valley Master a bow and finally sat properly.

At the same time, he let out a long sigh of relief.

Thank goodness the Valley Master was magnanimous, only asking him to make a promise—a little ”pledge of loyalty”—and let the whole affair slide, without actually punishing him for sneaking into Hundred Flower Valley against the rules.