Chapter 577: Journey

Several days later, Mo Hua boarded the Yun Du.

This Yun Du was smaller and more modest than the one his junior brother and junior sister had taken before.

Yet even so, it was still impressive.

The Yun Du rose on clouds, stirring layers of cloud waves, a magnificent sight.

Roughly three months from now, the Yun Du will enter Qianzhou.

Mo Hua must reach the Qian Dao Sect within the fifth-rank Qianxue Zone of Qianzhou before nine months, that is, before September, and find a way to join the sect.

The Yun Du drifted through the sky, gliding among the clouds.

Although called "flying," it was not truly "flying," at least not like a cultivator's aerial flight.

Above the heavens lay the Cloud Sea, within which flowed Cloud Veins, and within those Veins surged air currents—these currents formed gales that surged and swirled across the Nine Provinces' skies, finally converging into Xunzhou.

The Yun Du harnessed these air currents within the Cloud Veins to navigate between provincial borders.

At first, Mo Hua found it all novel; after a few days, the novelty faded, and he grew bored.

On the Yun Du, each cultivator had a private cabin.

The cabins were small, meant for cultivation and rest.

Mo Hua spent most of his time inside his small cabin, quietly cultivating and studying arrays.

He traveled alone and avoided trouble by rarely leaving his cabin.

He only went out when eating.

The Yun Du had a large cabin where various goods could be sold.

Various meals were available, but expensive; Mo Hua could afford them, yet he rarely ate them, only occasionally indulging.

He wasn't short of Spirit Stones, but he knew one must be frugal when traveling.

In Qianzhou, there would be many places to spend Spirit Stones.

Within the large cabin, cultivators could rent stalls to sell local specialties, as well as various standardized Spirit Weapons, pills, and arrays.

Mo Hua occasionally wandered around, broadening his horizons.

For the first time, he saw all kinds of Spirit Weapons.

There were Qin Zimu knives, long spears, halberds, flying needles, pear-blossom needles, red silk ribbons, iron chains, and more…

The most expensive were swords.

The sword was the sovereign of a hundred Daoist weapons.

The arts, Dao methods, forging techniques, and lore surrounding swords were countless and profoundly deep; even cultivators who wielded swords were separately called "Sword Cultivators" to distinguish them from Spirit and Body cultivators.

Among cultivators, many favored sword cultivation.

Yet Sword Cultivators demanded both martial arts and sword techniques; the forging methods for swords were secret transmissions, highly valuing inheritance and depth of tradition.

Thus, in Great Heishan, almost no cultivators used swords.

Most cultivators near Great Heishan used knives.

Even those who carried swords treated the "sword" as if it were a "knife."

They used the sword as an ordinary Spirit Weapon for hacking and slashing, not as true "Sword Cultivators."

The only Sword Cultivator Mo Hua had ever seen was Zhang Lan.

His heavy ancient sword, with pine-patterned simplicity, was so difficult for Mo Hua to lift he knew at a glance it was priceless.

Moreover, Sword Cultivators were said to differ in type.

Some Body Cultivators used swords for close combat, blending sword qi with physical force to cleave mountains and sever seas.

Others were Spirit Cultivators who used swords for long-range strikes, commanding swords with spiritual awareness to slay enemies a thousand li away…

But Mo Hua had never seen any of these with his own eyes; he did not know if they were true.

"Sword Cultivators…"

Mo Hua had once thought: since his spiritual awareness was so strong, if he cultivated the "Sword Commanding Art," he could move countless flying swords with a thought, forming a rain of blades—wouldn't that be both cool and powerful?

Until he saw the price of swords at the Yun Du's stalls, and quietly abandoned this overreaching idea.

Spirit swords were too expensive!

Any ordinary Spirit Sword cost seven or eight thousand Spirit Stones.

Slightly better ones cost over ten thousand.

Such weapons were easily damaged.

Once broken, they had to be bought anew.

Unlike the Shijiada Sect, whose fine Spirit Swords were ancestral heirlooms, forged with precious materials, durable over time, and long cultivated into one with their wielders, granting astonishing power.

Mo Hua sighed.

Forget it—better to focus on my arrays…

Sword techniques? Not worth learning.

I'm not worthy of them…

In the Yun Du's large cabin, besides meals and Spirit Weapons, there were also pills and arrays.

As for pills, Mo Hua didn't bother looking.

Master Feng had prepared plenty for him, fearing mishaps—both first-rank and second-rank pills.

These second-rank pills were crafted by a second-rank alchemist, arranged for by Master Feng through connections.

They included Soul-Returning, Antidote, and Miasma-Repelling pills.

What interested Mo Hua most were arrays.

But this disappointed him greatly.

Most stallholders were first-rank Array Masters; second-rank ones were rare.

Even when cultivators occasionally sell second-grade array diagrams, the price is extremely high, and they are not rare—hardly worth it.

Rather than spending Spirit Stones on these array diagrams, it's better to take your chances, contemplate the Five Elements Array Flow Diagram, decipher the Five Elements Source Patterns, and randomly draw Five Elements array techniques…

Moreover, Mo Hua saw all kinds of cultivators.

The Cloud Crossing passes through Lizhou, Kunzhou, Duizhou, and Qianzhou, finally arriving at Kanzhou.

Cultivators from these several prefectures all appear on the Cloud Crossing, coming and going, bustling and crowded, dressed differently and possessing distinct cultivation methods and elemental affinities.

These traveling cultivators have different customs, distinct facial features, and varied behavioral habits.

Some even possess elemental affinities Mo Hua had never seen before.

Although Mo Hua was curious, he did not speak to anyone.

He feared villains might harbor ill intentions toward him.

Hearts are hidden behind bellies; when traveling outside, as a young cultivator, it's better to be cautious.

Along the way, some cultivators, seeing Mo Hua's young age, feigned smiles and approached him:

"Such a cute little brother…"

"Little brother, are you traveling alone?"

Then they would either say, "I have a stroke of fortune…"

Or they'd say, "Sister has something wonderful to show you…"

Mo Hua was young, but he had already traveled extensively—barely qualified as a "seasoned veteran"—how could he not see through their scheming minds?

Under such circumstances, Mo Hua always pretended not to notice and ignored them completely.

After all, within the Cloud Crossing, senior cultivators preside; these people dare not act recklessly or cause disturbances.

Generally, when Mo Hua ignored them, they understood and reluctantly stopped bothering him.

Thus, Mo Hua locked himself in his small room, daily practicing his cultivation, persistently studying arrays, and at night, continuing to practice second-grade arrays on the Dao Stele, further strengthening his Fourteen-Stroke Spiritual Awareness.

In his spare time, he contemplated the Five Elements Array Flow Diagram and deciphered some Five Elements array techniques.

When he felt bored, he walked outside onto the deck and gazed at the endless sea of clouds.

Days passed peacefully and steadily.

After growing accustomed to it, they even became somewhat dull.

Thus, with careful caution, three months passed slowly, and the Cloud Crossing finally arrived at Qianzhou.

The Cloud Crossing docked; Mo Hua packed his belongings and disembarked alone.

Yet in his heart, he could not help feeling tense and uneasy.

Just as he stepped off the Cloud Crossing, Mo Hua suddenly froze, looked up—and his gaze was stunned.

Though the Nine Provinces share one sky,

the heavens above each prefecture are different.

Most cultivators cannot perceive this, but Mo Hua knew: above the heavens lies the Heavenly Dao Array, and he had seen it with his own eyes—so he could faintly sense it…

The Heavenly Dao Array above Qianzhou was vastly different from that above Lizhou.

This meant that this portion of the Heavenly Dao Array possessed different array patterns and configurations.

As for how exactly they differed, Mo Hua's realm was still too low to see clearly.

Mo Hua looked up again at the sky.

Qianzhou.

Qian means Heaven.

Heaven moves with vigor; the noble person strives unceasingly.

Wherever you go, the sky above is always the sky, the earth beneath your feet is always the earth; above, the Heavenly Dao Array remains eternally unchanged; below, the Earth's Dao essence bears all things with virtue.

He too must be like this: comprehend arrays, seek the Heavenly Dao, strive unceasingly…

Mo Hua nodded.

The unfamiliarity, unease, and anxiety of being in a foreign land receded slightly.

Slung over his shoulder, his storage bag, he lifted his head, straightened his chest, descended the deck, and stepped onto the soil of Qianzhou, facing the vast, boundless sky.

…

Qianzhou is vast, containing many prefectures.

These prefectures vary in size, from low-grade to high-grade; among the most renowned is the fifth-grade Qianxue Prefecture, where sects abound and scholarly atmosphere flourishes.

The Cloud Crossing lands at Cangdu City, located in the third-grade Cangdu Prefecture.

Cangdu Prefecture is still quite far from Qianxue Prefecture.

Cangdu City, a Xiancheng that rose with the Cloud Crossing, enjoys convenient transportation and frequent cultivator traffic.

The city also holds many young boys and girls, seemingly cultivators from various prefectures, arriving on the Cloud Crossing to study in Qianzhou.

Yet all of them are escorted by elder family members or patriarchs.

Only Mo Hua travels alone.

Mo Hua rested one night in Cangdu City, then departed the next day, traveling alone toward Qianxue Prefecture.

Other students seeking education either rode horses, rode in carriages, or traveled on cloud litters.

To conserve Spirit Stones, Mo Hua could only walk.

He planned a route for himself.

This route begins at Cangdu City, traversing mountains and rivers, passing through two second-grade prefectures, and finally reaching the fifth-grade Qianxue Prefecture.

Though it takes a longer path, since it passes only through second-grade prefectures, it is safer.

When traveling outside, caution is better.

Within second-grade prefectures, Foundation Establishment cultivation is restricted; with his Foundation Establishment early-stage strength, combined with his array techniques and spells, Mo Hua could navigate easily.

Even if he encountered someone he couldn't beat, he could still escape using his Concealment Technique and the Step of Flowing Water.

But if he entered the third-grade state border and happened to run into a Jin Dan cultivator with ill intentions who wanted to kill him, he'd be truly finished.

A Jin Dan cultivator was not something a mere Foundation Establishment beginner like him could oppose.

Perhaps a single flying sword could slay him.

So when you need to be timid, be timid.

As long as he reached the Qiandao State border within a month and a half and joined the Qiandao Sect, that would be enough.

Mo Hua calculated his pace and distance—the time was more than sufficient.

Along the way, he could also practice the second-grade Step of Flowing Water.

In Xiancheng, he had only learned it superficially, studied it lightly, and never had the chance to use it much.

This journey was the perfect opportunity to learn by doing and improve his proficiency in the second-grade Step of Flowing Water.

This survival technique must be practiced often, until it was second nature.

A single moment of laziness could cost him his life in a crisis.

Having planned it out, Mo Hua packed his belongings and set off alone along the main road toward the Qiandao State border.

Along the way, he ate under the wind and slept under the dew.

When no one was around, Mo Hua traveled using the Step of Flowing Water, moving like flowing water, his feet stirring the wind.

When tired, he rested.

Occasionally, he encountered caravans bearing legitimate banners, their cultivators' aura and expressions upright and righteous, their spiritual sense free of malice—only then did he approach.

Sometimes he'd hitch a meal, or hitch a ride.

It gave him a chance to rest too.

Most of these cultivators were quite warm-hearted; seeing Mo Hua was young and traveling alone, they were surprised and often offered him wine and meat as hospitality.

One does not accept gifts without giving something in return.

Mo Hua would glance at their formation and point out its flaws, helping to repair it.

They were even more delighted.

Often, when parting, they would give Mo Hua gifts—nothing precious, but heartfelt—and Mo Hua was pleased.

Occasionally, he encountered danger.

Such as demonic beasts in the mountains, lone cultivators wanted by the authorities, or groups of cultivators who fooled others but not Mo Hua—he could spot them at a glance as demonic cultivators.

Mo Hua had seen many demonic cultivators.

Back then, traveling with his senior uncle, he had seen living demonic cultivators, dead demonic cultivators, and demonic cultivators who had gone from life to death before his senior uncle's eyes—he had seen countless.

Demonic cultivators' aura was corrupt, and their spiritual sense carried a foul, bloody stench.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense was sharp—he could easily tell them apart.

But he could do nothing; he could only keep his distance.

He was just a lowly cultivator, unfamiliar with the land—such troubles were not his to get involved in.

Quietly, discreetly, alone, heading toward the Qiandao State border—joining a sect early to study and cultivate was the true path.

Along the way, he occasionally passed through Xiancheng or small towns.

Mo Hua usually stayed briefly, rested, asked for directions, and checked whether the road ahead held any danger.

Cultivators in Xiancheng were mostly cold.

On the contrary, in some small towns, the folk customs are simple and honest, and the cultivators are both warm-hearted and talkative.

"Go ahead, climb over the hill, cross half the slope, follow the mountain path, walk a few hundred more li, pass a few small Xianchengs, and you'll nearly reach the Qiandao State border…"

"There are demonic beasts in the mountains—you're just a child, be careful…"

"If it gets too dark, the road's dangerous—spend the night in that ruined temple in the mountains."

"That ruined temple was once a mountain god shrine, dedicated to the mountain deity, but later the deity became a demonic abomination and was slain by several elders from the Qiandao State border…"

"Now the temple is empty—cultivators traveling along the path who miss their chance to leave the mountains all stay there…"

The one speaking was a hunched old man.

The old man ran a noodle shop in the town; Mo Hua, hungry, ordered a large bowl of noodles and chatted with him while eating.

Mo Hua politely thanked the old man.

The old man stroked his beard and nodded slightly, then asked curiously:

"You're from somewhere else, aren't you? Why are you traveling alone?"

"I'm out practicing," Mo Hua said.

The old man shook his head. "A child like you? What's there to practice?"

"I'm fifteen—I'm not a child!"

The old man snorted. "Fifteen? How old is that? Here, anyone under twenty is still a little kid…"

Mo Hua asked in detail and finally understood.

Qiandao was a large state, with pleasant climate and far wealthier than Lizhou—even the lives of itinerant cultivators were better than those in Lizhou.

And cultivators in Qiandao generally trained longer.

Those with family wealth, or from clans or sects, were even more so.

They didn't have to, like ordinary itinerant cultivators, abandon cultivation early to strengthen their bodies and find a livelihood—they could keep cultivating until their twenties.

They could gently nurture their bodies, solidify their foundations, and then break through to Foundation Establishment.

If they failed, they could still be assigned to family enterprises and train slowly.

So, before twenty, they were still in a carefree period of cultivation and spiritual enlightenment.

Mo Hua felt a bit helpless.

He thought that at fifteen, he was already a little young man.

But in these great prefectures, he was still only half a small child…

The old man studied Mo Hua for a moment, then asked, "Have you reached Foundation Establishment?"

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

The old man sounded a little regretful. "Too hasty. With your spiritual power, with your blood and qi, if you don't settle down and accumulate properly, what kind of Foundation Establishment are you rushing into?"

"Are you thinking that at twenty, once you've reached Foundation Establishment, you'll go pay respects to a sect?"

Mo Hua nodded.

The old man sighed. "It's not that simple. Your Foundation Establishment is so thin and weak — even if you reach it before twenty, no one would take you in…"

"Besides, from what I can see, your spiritual root doesn't seem all that good either?"

Mo Hua didn't hide it and answered truthfully:

"Only mid-low grade…"

The old man was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and sighed. "Tough…"

Mo Hua had wanted to ask, "Wouldn't it work even with a Ru Sect token?" but after thinking it over, he didn't ask in the end.

When out and about, one doesn't show off one's wealth.

Near Qian Prefecture, there were many disciples seeking to study, and something like a "Ru Sect token" was bound to be very precious — he couldn't casually let others know, lest someone covet it.

Mo Hua asked again, "Do you know the Qiandao Sect?"

"Who in the world doesn't know the Qiandao Sect…" the old man was saying, when he got a fright. "You can't be thinking of joining the Qiandao Sect…"

Mo Hua nodded. "I'll try my luck."

The old man shook his head hurriedly. "That's even more impossible. The Qiandao Sect is one of the Sida Sect of Qianxue Prefecture — a top-tier great sect. In every Qianxue Discourse on the Dao, they've placed at least in the top three…"

"With your aptitude and Dao foundation, there's absolutely no way you'd be admitted."

"No exceptions…?" Mo Hua asked.

"Exceptions…" the old man was slightly taken aback. "Then this old man wouldn't know. But what kind of exception could there be? Even if you were the sect leader's illegitimate son…"

The old man furrowed his brow. "I'd guess it'd still be a stretch… You have no idea just how high these sects' thresholds are. They place extreme importance on spiritual roots…"

Mo Hua also knitted his brow.

They place such importance on spiritual roots…

It seemed he'd underestimated how hard it would be to get admitted.

He also didn't know whether the Qiandao Sect would acknowledge this "Ru Sect token"…

If they didn't, he'd probably have to make other plans sooner rather than later.

Mo Hua finished his noodles, chatted a while longer with the old man, paid with spirit stones, then set off again, heading toward the distant Shenshan.

Seeing how small Mo Hua was, setting out alone, the old man frowned, still a little uneasy, and urged:

"Little child, be careful. Try not to travel at night. If you have to, go stay at a Mountain God Temple."

"Thank you, Grandpa! Got it!"

"Also, watch out for some human traffickers…"

Mo Hua was startled. "Human traffickers?"

"Mm." The old man nodded and said in a low voice, "This is Qian Prefecture. Although the sects hold great power and the Dao Court keeps tight control, and the public order is good, but…"

"There are people who, as long as you pay them spirit stones, will do anything…"

Mo Hua said, "Human traffickers… trafficking whom?"

The old man pointed at Mo Hua. "Mainly trafficking kids like you…"

Mo Hua was slightly stunned, thought for a moment, and understood.

The whole of Qian Prefecture was a place for seeking the Dao and studying.

Among the various powers, many young cultivators with talent would come here to study.

So kidnapping cultivators who came to study and extorting huge sums of spirit stones from the families behind them was a dangerous but hugely profitable trade.

And even without extortion —

These genius cultivators, with top-grade spiritual roots and excellent aptitude, would fetch no small sum of spirit stones if sold.

"Trafficking cultivators…"

Mo Hua nodded. "Got it, I'll remember!"

The old man had no idea whether Mo Hua truly remembered or was just saying so, and said nothing more, only watching Mo Hua with a worried look.

Mo Hua waved goodbye to the old man, turned around, and with light steps, walked alone along the mountain road toward the distant Shenshan…

(End of chapter)