Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 1108: Cang Wolf Sect

After the banquet, the name of Mo Hua—"Disciple of a Grade-Five Grand Sect, personally taught in formations by the Dongxu Ancestor, reached late Foundation Establishment in just ten years, an exceptional cultivation genius"—spread rapidly, once again causing a stir in Tongxian City.

Some aspects were hard for people to grasp.

After all, a Grade-Five provincial domain was far removed from their lives, and they had no real sense of what it meant.

How grand a 'Grand Sect' was, or what realm "Dongxu" represented—most people had no concept.

But "late Foundation Establishment" cultivation was an undeniable fact.

And the fact that it took only ten years to advance from early to late Foundation Establishment was truly shocking.

This was especially felt by the local cultivators of Tongxian City.

They had watched Mo Hua grow up.

In the blink of an eye—just twenty years or so—that clever and kind young formation master, who used to run through the streets sketching formations for people, had already become a powerful late Foundation Establishment cultivator. It was almost unbelievable.

Within Tongxian City, this level already placed him among the top "ancestor"-level figures.

Even the notorious and once all-powerful Qian Clan Ancestor had only been at the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

How could people not feel both shocked and elated?

Nearly every cultivator in Tongxian City—be they beast hunters, artifact refiners, pill alchemists, casual cultivators, or members of minor clans—had benefited from Mo Hua's help or commissioned him for formation work.

That Mo Hua had now reached such cultivation heights brought them genuine joy. It also gave them bragging rights—they could speak proudly of someone from their city.

To cultivators from elsewhere, seeing someone in their twenties with late Foundation Establishment cultivation left no doubt—Mo Hua truly seemed like a "celestial child descended to the mortal world."

In many small immortal towns, the strongest cultivators were only in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Mo Hua's age and cultivation realm made him undeniably a "defiant talent against the heavens."

For a time, Mo Hua's fame soared.

Countless cultivators wanted to visit him—invitation letters and calling cards fluttered to the gates of the Mo family estate like snowflakes.

Most of them were turned away by Mo Shan.

As a father, he felt for his son. He knew Mo Hua had returned from afar and needed rest—not to be disturbed.

After all, receiving guests was both time-consuming and mentally draining.

Mo Hua himself only met and chatted with a few familiar elders and friends. All unfamiliar visitors were politely declined.

He didn't have time to visit others either.

But there was one exception.

A few days later, Mo Hua made a special trip to Apricot Grove Pavilion to visit Elder Feng.

Elder Feng was a healer with a compassionate heart. He disliked fanfare. His lifelong wish was simply to heal the sick and help the needy. Throughout his life, he remained diligent and principled.

As a child, Mo Hua had been frail and often ill. He had received much care from Elder Feng and thus held deep respect and gratitude for him.

Once the bustle settled, Mo Hua took the time to visit personally.

Apricot Grove Pavilion had been completely renovated—spacious and refined—specifically built by Elder Yu for Elder Feng.

Now aged and low on energy, Elder Feng no longer saw patients as often. Most of his time was spent taking in disciples and passing on his medical knowledge.

He wanted to pass down all his life's research in pill and medicine refinement, allowing his disciples to carry the torch and help heal more struggling cultivators.

When Mo Hua arrived at Apricot Grove Pavilion, Elder Feng was in the middle of lecturing his disciples.

Though his hair was white, his gaze remained keen. His teaching was gentle yet precise, not missing a word.

Mo Hua didn't disturb him, simply sitting quietly off to the side and listening.

In truth, Mo Hua was not very skilled in alchemy. At the Grand Void Sect, his assessments in the pill path always barely scraped by with a "C" grade.

But poor practical skill did not mean he was ignorant of alchemical theory.

After all, the Grand Void Sect was a Grade-Five Grand Sect with a complete system of teachings—spanning cultivation, Dao law, formations, alchemy, artifact forging, talismans, and more. A cultivator could afford not to master everything, but could not afford ignorance.

And because of the deep foundations of such a grand sect, even if Mo Hua only studied the basics of pill refining and got a "C," his theoretical knowledge still far surpassed that of many ordinary pill alchemists from smaller places.

This was the weight and richness of legacy in the Qianxue provincial domain's grand sects.

So even though Mo Hua wasn't truly a pill master, he could understand most of what Elder Feng said.

And as he listened, he couldn't help but grow more and more impressed.

Elder Feng's alchemy teachings weren't particularly esoteric or profound, but they were clear, practical, and easy to grasp.

Many of the prescriptions were tailored to the spiritual roots and meridian characteristics of local cultivators.

The ingredients used were also local, inexpensive herbs, selected to minimize the cost of medicine for poor cultivators.

This was a genuine case of knowledge being applied to aid the world—a form of alchemy that could save lives.

Mo Hua felt as if something within him was awakened.

As Elder Feng continued his lecture, he suddenly noticed Mo Hua listening quietly in the corner. He paused, slightly startled, then waved to dismiss the class, saying:

"That's all for today. Let's wrap up."

"Yes, Master," the disciples responded respectfully and filed out one by one.

The room instantly fell silent.

Only then did Mo Hua step forward, bow respectfully, and say sincerely:

"Grandpa Feng, I've come to see you."

Elder Feng looked him up and down, his eyes lighting up with joy. He nodded and smiled in satisfaction:

"Good…"

He looked again, then nodded once more, saying, "Very good!"

Mo Hua smiled.

The two sat down by the tea table and drank tea together.

"You've reached late Foundation Establishment?" Elder Feng asked.

"Yes."

"Good," he said again. After a pause, he asked, "Have you seen what a Grade-Five province is like?"

Mo Hua nodded. "With Dongxu overseeing it, cultivators ascend into immortality, Golden Cores abound, the sect's legacy runs deep, noble families gather like clouds—bells chime, feasts are grand… prosperity to the extreme…"

Elder Feng's expression turned wistful. He stayed quiet for a long while before sighing softly:

"The noble families have pavilions and towers, bells and banquets… yet the wandering cultivators of this world… have no place to rest, no food to eat…"

Life in Tongxian City had indeed improved.

But that improvement had lasted only a decade or so.

Outside Tongxian City, the wider world remained in ruin, unchanged.

No prosperity could mask the decay.

Mo Hua's gaze darkened slightly.

Elder Feng looked at him and sighed again, his voice filled with comfort and pride:

"You've grown up… you understand many things now."

"I am just a Grade-One pill master—treating the injuries and illnesses of one city's cultivators is already my limit. But you… are different…"

He didn't elaborate, but his gentle gaze was filled with deep hope.

Mo Hua seemed thoughtful. Then he stood up and bowed deeply.

"Grandpa Feng, I will always remember your words."

…

After tea and conversation, Mo Hua took his leave.

Back home, his thoughts lingered on what Elder Feng had said.

He thought of the old man's life of quiet dedication—his heart, his ideals, and the tireless effort he'd poured into them.

Mo Hua was deeply moved.

After drinking tea and chatting for a while with Elder Feng, Mo Hua took his leave.

Upon returning home, he was still pondering Elder Feng's words. Thinking about the man's life, his open-mindedness, and the heart and soul he had poured into his lifelong efforts moved Mo Hua deeply.

Although Elder Feng was only of First Grade cultivation, his merits were immeasurable—he had done many things that most cultivators could not.

A person's realm was not always determined by cultivation level.

In the days that followed, Mo Hua quieted his mind and began to reflect seriously on several matters.

He declined all outside visits.

But on this day, Elder Yu came in person to deliver a formal invitation.

Mo Hua opened it and was slightly surprised. "Cang Wolf Sect?"

Elder Yu nodded, his voice heavy: "The Sect Master of Cang Wolf Sect is coming to visit in person. This... isn't easy to turn down."

Cang Wolf Sect was a Third Grade sect located south of Tongxian City, near the Tanlang Mountain Range. It was also the closest Third Grade sect to Tongxian City.

But "close" was relative.

The distance between the two was several hundred li, with the vast Dahei and Tanlang mountain ranges separating them—terrain rugged and treacherous. There had been almost no contact between them in the past.

Yet now, the Sect Master of Cang Wolf Sect was coming personally to Tongxian City, specifically to visit Mo Hua—his intentions unclear...

Elder Yu couldn't help feeling uneasy.

But he, a Foundation Establishment elder of a Second Grade city, had no way of refusing a Sect Master at the Golden Core level from a Third Grade sect.

Mo Hua, however, remained calm. "It's fine. Let him come."

Elder Yu glanced at Mo Hua and nodded. "Alright."

What was meant to come would come. When a "powerful dragon" enters your territory, you can't stop it. Worrying would do no good.

He could only hope the visitor wasn't here with ill intent...

Three days later, a group of cultivators clad in wolf-fur robes, with a rough and fierce air about them, entered Tongxian City.

They had come for Mo Hua.

The two parties met in a private room at Fushan Pavilion.

Only Elder Yu accompanied Mo Hua. However, seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators had been arranged in various private rooms throughout the pavilion, drinking wine.

This was a precaution set by Elder Yu, in case the visitors had malicious intent.

Even though he knew these seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match for a Golden Core sect master and his entourage, precaution was necessary.

Elder Yu was truly concerned about Mo Hua.

Though Mo Hua was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he was still young, having just graduated from his sect. His combat experience was likely lacking. If a fight broke out, he would be at a huge disadvantage.

As a Beast Hunter Elder, Elder Yu couldn't allow anything to happen to Mo Hua—this "formation genius," the "hope of Tongxian City." If anything happened to him, Elder Yu would be guilty beyond redemption.

Old bones like theirs could die if needed, but not Mo Hua. He had a bright future ahead.

Of course, Tongxian City had a Dao Court office and was governed by the Dao Laws. The Cang Wolf Sect couldn't truly go mad and commit outrageous acts.

These were just worst-case precautions—safety nets.

It was the best Elder Yu could do.

He and Mo Hua waited in the private room.

Soon, the sound of footsteps approached. Several Cang Wolf Sect cultivators in wolf robes entered, surrounding a middle-aged man with hawk-like eyes and a predatory demeanor.

The man wore wolf hide, his yellow robe embroidered with a fierce wolf head. His energy was surging, his expression cold and authoritative—a person clearly long accustomed to power.

He was the current Sect Master of the Third Grade Cang Wolf Sect.

Feeling the aura and pressure, Elder Yu's pupils shrank.

"Golden Core cultivator…"

This was his first time ever seeing a high-level Golden Core cultivator.

If not for Mo Hua, a Second Grade city like Tongxian would never attract a Third Grade Golden Core figure.

Golden Core cultivators were like people from legends.

Elder Yu quickly realized he had underestimated the strength of high-level cultivators.

He had listened to Mo Hua talk about breaking through voids, ascending with wings, and Golden Core cultivators being "everywhere," and had subconsciously overlooked how powerful even "common" Golden Core cultivators truly were.

Now, standing face-to-face with one, he suddenly understood the sheer oppressive force a Golden Core cultivator possessed.

Elder Yu's heart sank.

If this Golden Core cultivator attacked, he could likely slaughter all seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators present with ease.

And Mo Hua's safety wouldn't be guaranteed at all.

Elder Yu grew tense.

The Cang Wolf Sect Master strode into the room. A sweep of his divine sense immediately revealed Elder Yu's arrangements, and he sneered inwardly.

He glanced at Elder Yu, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement, but his expression remained indifferent—clearly dismissing the early-stage Foundation Establishment elder as beneath his notice.

Then, his gaze shifted to the youth beside Elder Yu—Mo Hua.

He was momentarily stunned.

His first reaction: young!

Very young!

There was still a hint of youthful clarity and innocence on his fair face.

This indicated that the boy was indeed extremely young, yet his cultivation had progressed rapidly.

He did seem like a disciple from a major sect.

The Cang Wolf Sect Master frowned slightly, thinking:

"But his spiritual root is far too poor… his cultivation path far too sloppy… He has the realm, but his spiritual energy is weak, and his physical body is very frail…"

"With such talent, could he really be accepted into a major sect? Or did he use some backdoor method?"

"Or is he just bragging—fabricating a background in a prestigious sect to gain fame and fortune?"

The Cang Wolf Sect Master's expression tightened. His eyes grew sharp like a wolf's, staring intensely at Mo Hua.

He wanted to see through Mo Hua's true background.

Mo Hua only slightly raised his head. His gaze was deep. He cast a calm look at the Sect Master.

In that instant, a fleeting image flickered in his eyes—a mountain of corpses, a sea of blood, a surge of murderous aura.

The Cang Wolf Sect Master's heart shuddered violently, chilled to the marrow.

"What was that?!"

"What was that?!"

His face turned slightly pale. When he focused again, all the terrifying illusions from before had vanished—there was nothing to be seen.

Only Mo Hua stood there quietly, his aura calm like a deep pool, and his bearing steady like a towering mountain.

The Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect was still shaken. After a moment, he frowned.

This kid... is a bit strange...

But regardless, just this calm demeanor alone was indeed worthy of a disciple from a prestigious sect.

It was the kind of bearing one developed only after encountering true cultivators and experiencing grand events.

A disciple from a major sect must not be treated lightly...

The Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect stepped forward with a dignified presence, yet first cupped his hands in greeting: "I am the Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect."

Mo Hua also cupped his hands. "Mo Hua, disciple of the Great Void Sect."

Elder Yu, who had been tense as if facing a deadly enemy, now looked slightly stunned.

Just now\... a Golden Core elder from the Cang Wolf Sect greeted a Foundation Establishment cultivator first?

Mo Hua's status... was that high?

"Sect Master, please."

"Brother Mo, please."

Elder Yu came back to his senses and began instructing others to serve the dishes.

Soon after, everyone was seated, drinking and chatting, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

After a few cups, the Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect also reined in his aggression and arrogance, and began chatting with Elder Yu, indirectly inquiring about the current state of Tongxian City.

Though Elder Yu's cultivation wasn't very high, he was a seasoned operator when it came to dealing with people. He gave a few vague answers—saying something without really saying anything.

Mo Hua quietly ate.

After a while, the atmosphere grew dull again.

The Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect glanced at a few of his disciples and instructed, "Go and fetch the gift I prepared for Brother Mo."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Several Cang Wolf Sect disciples got up and left, but did not return for a long time.

Mo Hua was slightly taken aback, realizing this Sect Master had intentionally sent the others away.

Elder Yu frowned.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and glanced at Elder Yu.

Elder Yu understood his intention and looked a bit worried, but Mo Hua shook his head, signaling that he was fine.

Only then did Elder Yu nod.

"There's some good wine in the pantry—been stored for a hundred years. I'll go fetch it."

The Sect Master of the Cang Wolf Sect cupped his hands, "Much appreciated."

Elder Yu got up and left. Now, only Mo Hua and the Sect Master remained in the room—it became even quieter.

Mo Hua calmly sipped his wine.

The Sect Master hesitated for a moment, then got straight to the point:

"Let's speak frankly—Brother Mo, would you be willing to join my Cang Wolf Sect?"

Mo Hua was a bit surprised, and slowly replied, "I'm a disciple of the Great Void Sect."

"No matter," said the Sect Master. "My Cang Wolf Sect isn't a traditional sect that focuses on passing down teachings. We run businesses. The disciples in our sect mostly join us to earn spirit stones or pursue their futures."

"Joining or leaving the sect is very flexible. No one is forced."

"As long as Brother Mo is willing to serve the Cang Wolf Sect, help us expand our enterprises and earn spiritual profits—whatever you desire, we'll do our best to provide."

"If at some point you're no longer satisfied, you're free to come and go as you please. There won't be much restriction..."

Mo Hua gave a small nod, more or less understanding now.

It seemed the Cang Wolf Sect had heard some rumors—perhaps that he was a graduate of a 'major sect academy'—and so the Sect Master had come personally to recruit him into their ranks.

After all, around Tongxian City and even within nearby third-grade prefectures, disciples who had received elite cultivation education and came from truly deep-rooted "great sects" were extremely rare.

Calling them "one in ten thousand" would not be an exaggeration.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment and didn't reject him outright, but simply said, "I'll consider it."

The Sect Master gave him a look, then softened his tone:

"Brother Mo, forgive my bluntness—but are you planning to stay in Tongxian City indefinitely?"

Mo Hua's expression shifted slightly. "And what if I am?"

The Sect Master smiled faintly, a hard-to-read glint in his eyes, and softly sighed:

"There are some things that may sound unpleasant, but they are the truth…"

"You were accepted into a major sect. Whether it was due to your spiritual roots…"—the Sect Master paused here, thinking it unlikely, but continued—"or your other talents, connections, aptitude, or even sheer luck—it was a rare and precious opportunity most cultivators dream of but never attain."

"In other words, entering a great sect is like a carp leaping over the dragon gate—you've defied fate."

"Given that, continuing to mingle with these impoverished rogue cultivators leads nowhere…"

He shook his head and sighed again:

"These scattered cultivators have a very shallow understanding of cultivation. Their spiritual roots and inheritances are poor, their mindsets flawed, and their character is unlikely to be noble…"

"Staying among them is like falling into a mud pit—one that will trap you in endless poverty and hardship, delaying your own cultivation."

"Birds of a feather flock together, and people associate with those on their level. You and they are no longer in the same class."

"You should escape this mire—and keep climbing higher..."

(End of this Chapter)