The Quest for Immortality

”Master, you’re here again...” The Little Scholar frowned.

Bai Xiaosheng said, ”You don’t get it, this is the Sword Discussion Conference. You have to mix in with the crowd, watch together, criticize together, shout together, that’s what makes it fun.”

”This is called the Hundred Schools, you’re observing the multitude of life’s forms. You’ll understand someday.”

The Little Scholar said, ”I don’t know what Hundred Schools or life’s forms are, I only know that the ancestor said you’re neither sitting properly, nor standing properly, and if you keep missing the point, he’ll break your face...”

Bai Xiaosheng glared, ”Is that how you talk to your master?”

The Little Scholar felt a bit wronged, ”I didn’t say it, the ancestor did. They told me to personally remind you, as a warning.”

Bai Xiaosheng waved his hand, ”Don’t bother with them, they’re cold and lifeless, they leave a bad taste.”

”Master, you should be careful with your words. The ancestor will know.”

”And what if he does?” Bai Xiaosheng sneered, but his confidence diminished slightly.

The Little Scholar continued, ”Well... even if you don’t see the ancestor, you should at least visit the uncle ancestor. He’s the Sect Leader now...”

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head, ”I won’t. Not seeing him.”

”Really not going? The uncle ancestor is very nice...”

”Not going.”

The Little Scholar curiously asked, ”Is it that you don’t want to see him, or you just don’t want to call him ’uncle grandpa’?”

Bai Xiaosheng’s face darkened and he pinched the Little Scholar’s mouth, ”Someday, I’ll stitch this little mouth of yours shut.”

The Little Scholar muttered a few sounds of resistance.

Only then did Bai Xiaosheng let him go.

The Little Scholar rubbed his cheek, grumbling unhappily, ”Fine, don’t go then...”

”I’ll go report to the ancestor, saying you’re busy... studying the Hundred Schools, contemplating life’s forms...”

Bai Xiaosheng nodded in satisfaction.

The Little Scholar turned and walked a few steps before turning back to remind:

”Master, remember to talk less, criticize less, and especially don’t speak ill of the uncle ancestor’s sect, lest trouble arises from your words, offending those you shouldn’t offend...”

Bai Xiaosheng impatiently, ”Alright, alright, I know what I’m doing. Nag again, and I’ll stitch your mouth.”

Only then did the Little Scholar grudgingly walk away, muttering to himself, his figure becoming blurry and disappearing without notice.

After the Little Scholar left, Bai Xiaosheng felt like he had dropped a small burden and excitedly mingled into the crowd.

Away from the crowd, he seemed cultured, like a youth with literary charm.

But once mixed in, he immediately took on a worldly air, like a leisurely wandering Loose Cultivator, blending in with the crowd, animatedly discussing with a group of Foundation Building Cultivators:

”I’ll still say this, Taixu Gate can’t make it.”

”I’m not even talking about their Sect Leader, but Elder and below, especially the disciples, they lack the standards a Great Sect should have.”

”The Sword Dao heritage has declined, and the swordsmanship now isn’t even presentable.”

”Then there’s Mo Hua...”

”A Formation Master relying on formation to make a living at the Sword Discussion Conference, what is that?”

”Today’s battle, Daluo Sect will show him what real swordsmanship is, what true sword discussion means.”

”The heritage of Daluo Sect is no joke. Trace it back, it’s ’Daluo Sword Sect,’ this Daluo Sword Sect has ancient origins, a terrifying heritage.”

”Especially the Daluo Flying Sword Skill, the weight in the word ’Flying’ is something you all don’t understand.”

”I know some insider details but can’t disclose...”

Bai Xiaosheng confidently, ”Therefore, I predict Taixu Gate today will certainly face defeat.”

”And Mo Hua, today he won’t escape death...”

”Don’t believe me? Just watch and see...”

...

The crowd was bustling with discussions among the onlookers.

On the other side, Zhang Lan, Wenren Wan, Gu Changhuai, Yu Er, Murong Caiyun, Hua Qianqian, and others were silently watching Fang Tian’s painting in heavy spirits.

All of them were focused on this round of sword discussion.

And quietly concerned about Mo Hua who was participating in the sword discussion.

...

Above the crowd, in the Sword Observation Tower.

The number of ”VIPs” present to watch was noticeably more than in the past.

In a richly adorned and opulent room.

The master of Hundred Flower Valley, clad in a splendid attire, impeccably beautiful and dignified, was sitting at the table, gazing past the window towards Fang Tian’s painting.

In Fang Tian’s painting, a handsome young man was preparing for battle.

The Hua Valley Master furrowed his brows slightly.

He always felt that it was a bit alike...

In the formation, equally talented, with a trace of transcendence in his expression.

Equally controversial and envied.

Many loved him, but more hated him.

But on closer thought, it is completely different.

The Spiritual Root is indeed poor, and he hasn’t practiced swordsmanship.

The formation is good, but the approach is different.

The temperament is too amiable and lovable, extremely close to fellow disciples, adored by elders, even spoiled by the ancestor.

Yes, he was hated, but not for his ’talent’, rather for his occasional mischief.

All these are different from that person, sharp as an immortal sword, untouched by worldly dust...

The Hua Valley Master, lost in thought, became somewhat entranced.

It was at this moment a woman laughed softly, ”Sister, what are you thinking about?”

The Hua Valley Master turned back, smiling slightly, ”Thinking of some past events.”

A woman with skin like cream, eyes dignified, carrying a naturally superior air in a golden attire, gently held the Hua Valley Master’s arm, playfully chided:

”You really have a heart of stone, not even thinking of visiting sister in Taoist State.”

Beside her, two slightly younger women in luxurious clothes, with noble expressions, nodded and said:

”Exactly, exactly.”

”It’s been decades apart, and not a single letter from Sister Hua, clearly not keeping us on her mind.”