Chapter 601: Water Prison Spell

After leaving his name, Mo Hua waited with eager anticipation, and finally, after one incense stick's time, the Grand Void Token trembled slightly.

Mo Hua's application was accepted.

One hundred merit points!

Mo Hua was overjoyed.

He then began preparing for the "Hun" bounty.

Bring some spirit stones, some spirit ink, and his "Concealment" small cloak; though the Thousand-Jun Rod was now useless, it had accompanied him so long he might as well bring it.

Besides, in Cang Province, there seemed to be a Cang Mountain…

The mountain might harbor toxic miasmas, so he must bring Anti-Toxin Pills and Anti-Miasma Pills—second-rank ones.

He also prepared all the other small, miscellaneous items.

The final issue was preparing some counter-attack methods.

Mo Hua pondered silently…

A Foundation Establishment mid-stage task, pursuing a criminal cultivator—likely also at Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

If his cultivation was higher than mine, the Fireball Spell's power would likely be greatly diminished.

As for arrays…

A second-rank Earth Fire Array, with thirteen patterns, is a low-tier second-rank array; its damage against a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator would probably also be weaker.

"My offensive capabilities are still too scarce…"

Mo Hua sighed.

But he was only Foundation Establishment early-stage; failing to match a mid-stage cultivator seemed normal.

Moreover, this bounty specifically required a "proficient array master."

Clearly, I don't need to do the killing myself.

Just follow "Hun" using my array skills…

But I can still prepare more.

If I encounter a strong enemy, I should at least be able to lend some help.

"Today is the third; six days remain until the ninth…"

Mo Hua mused: "Six days is barely enough to learn one spell…"

"This spell need not involve killing…"

"Because my spiritual energy is weak, aside from Fireball Spell, I probably can't learn any powerful spells—even if I did, their power would be negligible…"

"Then I'll learn a control spell…"

A control spell…

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, "Second-rank Water Prison Spell!"

The Water Prison Spell was still very useful.

Especially for trapping enemies, interrupting attacks, and countering cultivators with exceptional mobility—it almost always worked perfectly.

But previously, he had only the first-rank Water Prison Spell's secret manual, which was mostly used in the Qi Condensation stage.

After advancing to Foundation Establishment, the spell's effectiveness dropped sharply, so he used it less.

And he had never found a second-rank spell manual.

This was the plight of a lone cultivator with weak lineage.

Mo Hua had no solution.

But now, having entered the Grand Void Gate, things were different.

The Grand Void Gate had a long lineage and deep reserves, having collected countless Dao methods from across the world.

The Merit Registry should contain the second-rank Water Prison Spell.

Mo Hua felt a faint joy and immediately sank his spiritual sense into the Grand Void Token, flipping through the Merit Registry again and again; after a cup of tea's time, he indeed found the Water Prison Spell's incantation!

And it was a complete set!

A full sequence of Water Prison Spell manuals—from first-rank to fourth-rank!

Below were some annotations:

"Water Prison Spell, a rare spell.

Once the ultimate art of the Water Prison Sect, never taught outside.

In the winter of the 19,080th year of the Dao Calendar, the entire Water Prison Sect fell to demonic influence, suppressed by the Dao Court, and after its destruction, the Water Prison Spell spread across the world—but many incantations were lost…

In the 19,900th year of the Dao Calendar, this spell was compiled and organized by True Person Yi and archived in the Grand Void Gate…"

There was one final comment:

"Water Prison Spell is obscure in function, easy to learn but hard to master—choose wisely."

After reading it, Mo Hua was taken aback.

This Water Prison Spell had some notable origins.

What sect was the Water Prison Sect?

How could an entire sect fall to demonic influence?

And who was this True Person Yi…

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then didn't care much.

The cultivation world was vast; countless sects and cultivators had histories—he had no time to investigate each one.

As long as he could learn it, that was enough.

Mo Hua checked the Merit Registry and saw that the complete Water Prison Spell, from first-rank to fourth-rank, required over ten thousand merit points…

Mo Hua sucked in a sharp breath.

Too expensive!!

Even if you sold him, you couldn't afford it.

Mo Hua examined it again carefully, and only then realized this technique could be purchased in parts.

From first grade to second grade, it only costs two hundred and sixty merit points.

Higher grades are expensive—third grade requires over two thousand, fourth grade over eight thousand.

Mo Hua sighed in relief, "Good thing I only need to buy the second grade..."

But then he thought again—two hundred and sixty merit points for the second grade isn't cheap at all...

He currently had only about two hundred and seventy or eighty merit points total.

This was after he'd worked tirelessly, taken on so many rewards, drawn nearly a hundred arrays, and saved up for so long.

Mo Hua wrestled with it internally, weighing options back and forth for a long time, before finally making up his mind.

Merit points are meant to be used!

If you don't spend them, what's the point of earning them?

It's just the cost of one or two sixteen-pattern arrays.

If you master this Water Prison Technique thoroughly and train it well, it will benefit you throughout your Foundation Establishment realm!

"Buy it!"

Mo Hua gritted his teeth and decided.

Then his small hand swept across, and the merit points he'd worked so hard for vanished with a "whoosh."

Mo Hua felt a pain so sharp he couldn't breathe.

But thinking of the new technique he'd acquired, he felt slightly better.

Without delay, Mo Hua rushed to the Merit Pavilion and exchanged for the newly purchased Book of Second Grade Water Prison Technique.

The monk who received Mo Hua was still the Merit Elder; he glanced at the "Water Prison Technique" scripture and said in surprise:

"Didn't you say you were saving merit points to learn array techniques? Why, after saving so long, did you exchange for a technique scripture instead?"

"And... this strange Water Prison Technique?"

Mo Hua said, "Sharpening the axe doesn't delay chopping wood! Once I learn the technique, I can better 'take' missions and earn more merit points—then exchange for even more arrays!"

"Take missions?" The Merit Elder blinked.

Mo Hua, feeling a bit guilty, said, "I misspoke—I meant 'accept' missions."

The Merit Elder shook his head, thoroughly confused.

"This kid is so odd..."

"Learning such an obscure technique... what exactly is he planning?"

But since Mo Hua wanted to exchange, the Elder couldn't object—it was perfectly within Grand Void Gate's rules: as long as you have merit points, you can exchange for anything; he had no authority to interfere.

The Merit Elder handed Mo Hua the Second Grade Water Prison Technique scripture.

Mo Hua took the scripture and ran off, beaming, leaving the Merit Elder with a thoughtful expression.

Mo Hua returned to the disciples' quarters and eagerly opened the Water Prison Technique Scripture.

This scripture was second grade.

But since all Grand Void Gate disciples begin their studies at the Foundation Establishment realm, second-grade scriptures "included" the first-grade incantations as a bonus.

"Buy one, get one free..."

Mo Hua nodded, feeling it was worth it.

To get even more value, Mo Hua flipped through the first-grade Water Prison Technique from start to finish, and was astonished to discover that this first-grade version differed greatly from the Water Prison Scripture he had obtained...

The incantations were more complete, the key points more complex, and the flow of spiritual energy through the meridians far more difficult.

Mo Hua recalled the origin of the Water Prison Technique listed on the Merit Ledger, and suddenly understood.

His previous first-grade Water Prison Scripture had come from a criminal cultivator of Great Heishan—after the Water Prison Sect's destruction, its transmission had been scattered and incomplete.

The version recorded by Grand Void Gate had been organized and refined by True Person Yi—this was the complete, orthodox Water Prison Technique lineage.

"True Person Yi is truly a good person!"

Mo Hua gave True Person Yi a "good person" label.

Then Mo Hua began reviewing, filling gaps, and reconstructing his first-grade Water Prison Technique, while simultaneously studying and practicing the orthodox second-grade version.

The orthodox Water Prison Technique emphasizes using "water" to form shapes, turning the ground into a prison.

Mo Hua's previous Water Prison Technique could only crudely "bind."

But the orthodox Water Prison Technique was more like a "shackle."

Even the water-element spiritual energy would erode the meridians, causing pain.

Its offensive power was small, but it induced a sensation of "Qi Zhixi."

Like a true "water prison."

Whether in "imprisonment" or "Qi Zhixi," the technique's effect was superior to before.

Because Mo Hua had mastered his first-grade Water Prison Technique so thoroughly, optimizing and upgrading it was twice as effective.

Although the Water Prison Technique was obscure and difficult to cultivate,

Mo Hua's spiritual sense was strong and sharp, so learning it wasn't particularly taxing.

After five or six days, Mo Hua's second-grade Water Prison Technique was already well-executed.

He tested its effect and was quite satisfied.

A person must know his own limits.

One must have a clear sense of self.

Since I can't handle killing, I'll learn some water prison arts—annoying people is still better than nothing.

It's still a contribution toward completing the mission!

On the ninth day, Mo Hua packed his things and set off for the foot of Tai Xu Mountain to meet up with several "teammates."

Tai Xu Gate has a ten-day cycle with two days off each cycle.

The ten-day break at the start of each month falls on the ninth and tenth.

During these two days, disciples may arrange their time freely, as long as they don't commit crimes—the sect imposes no strict restrictions.

In previous breaks, Mo Hua had always stayed cooped up in the disciple quarters practicing arrays.

This was his first time going out.

Mo Hua wore the Tai Xu Gate robe, left the sect, and arrived at the southwestern foot of the mountain at the agreed time and place.

Beside the foot of the mountain stood a large rock, very noticeable.

When Mo Hua reached the foot of the mountain, he saw two cultivators already there—and both were women.

One wore the Tai Xu Gate robe, tall and graceful, with a gentle beauty.

The other wore a golden-pink robe embroidered with intricate floral patterns, dressed lavishly, her face lovely—she didn't appear to be from Tai Xu Gate.

Both were at Foundation Establishment, and slightly older than Mo Hua.

Mo Hua greeted them: "Senior sisters, hello."

The two women were startled, but seeing Mo Hua's delicate features, Bai Xi skin, and clear gaze, and noticing his black-and-white Tai Xu Gate robe, they smiled back:

"Little junior brother, hello."

But since they were all still strangers, they said no more.

Mo Hua obediently waited to the side.

The two senior sisters glanced at Mo Hua in surprise, assuming he was waiting for someone, and said nothing, silently waiting too.

After a while, another cultivator arrived.

He was a man, dressed in a golden-red robe embroidered with mountain patterns, his aura deep and solid, tall and handsome.

He walked straight over, his demeanor warm and refined, and greeted:

"Two senior sisters, hello."

The two female cultivators replied: "Senior Brother Feng, hello."

The man looked around, then asked: "Has the person arrived?"

The gentle woman in the Tai Xu Gate robe frowned slightly. "We were told to meet here, but no one's shown up yet…"

"He shouldn't stand us up."

"Once you accept the mission, you bind a spirit contract—there shouldn't be…"

"How skilled is this array master?"

"We don't know yet, but he's at least a first-grade array master—I've seen him take many first-grade array bounties; even if he can't handle second-grade arrays, he must be very proficient in first-grade ones…"

"Only first-grade? That might not be enough," said the lovely woman.

The gentle woman sighed:

"Array masters usually only take array-related tasks. This kind of mission requires going out, chasing down criminal cultivators—it's dangerous, and they usually won't take it…"

"I waited for days before one first-grade array master agreed to take the task."

"And our share of merit points isn't even much…"

The man sighed helplessly, "Indeed, only a hundred or so points…"

That amount of merit points? A second-grade array master could earn it just by drawing a few arrays—no need to go out, no need to travel, no need to risk anything…

"I just wonder if this guy is reliable…"

"First-grade? Probably not very reliable…"

"We'll have to make do—there's no other choice now…"

"Then let's wait," said the man in the golden-red robe, then looked up at the sky and added:

"It's getting late—when will this array master arrive?"

"I'm here!"

A crisp voice suddenly rang out.

All three were startled, turning to see a small cultivator, face stern and displeased, saying:

"I've been here already!"

I even heard you talking behind my back!

All three stared in shock. The gentle woman exclaimed: "You—you're…"

Mo Hua said: "I'm Mo Hua!"

The man blinked in surprise. "Mo Hua?"

The gentle woman smiled bitterly: "That's the name of the array master who took the mission—but I never imagined…"

That it would be a little junior brother like this.

Foundation Establishment early stage, low cultivation, and with a childish face—he looked like he'd just entered the sect…

The man asked gently:

"Young brother, are you… new to the sect?"

Mo Hua nodded.

The man was surprised, and asked the gentle woman: "Has Tai Xu Gate changed its rules? Can someone just entering take missions?"

The gentle woman frowned. "I haven't heard of any changes…"

"Then how is he…"

All three looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua said: "Mr. Xun told me to take this task."

Mo Hua brought up "Mr. Xun" again.

But he didn't say that Mr. Xun had assigned him only entry-level tasks—"sweeping the steps, guarding the mountain gate, sketching arrays"—not this kind of dangerous mission involving chasing down criminal cultivators.

"Mr. Xun?"

The man was startled, but the gentle woman from Grand Void Gate seemed to understand.

"It's Mr. Xun…"

No wonder…

If Mr. Xun was willing to pull strings for this junior brother and grant him early access to the Grand Void Token, then this kid's background must be far from ordinary.

At the very least, he's closely tied to Mr. Xun.

This matter couldn't be probed further.

But…

The gentle woman looked troubled.

This junior brother is so young, his cultivation is low, his foundation is weak, his experience is shallow—even if he knows a bit about arrays—how could he possibly join such a dangerous mission?

Besides, does he even know arrays…?

The gentle woman asked slowly: "Junior brother, do you… know arrays?"

Mo Hua saw they didn't want to take him along, realized he had to show off his skills to earn a chance, and corrected them:

"Not 'know'—'skilled'!"

The other three were stunned.

How young a cultivator dares claim to be 'skilled' in arrays…

Mo Hua said: "If you don't believe me, test me?"

Better yet, use a very difficult array I've never studied to test me.

The man in golden-red Dao robe considered, then nodded: "Alright, I'll test you a little."

"Mm-hmm."

Mo Hua looked expectant, but soon his expression fell.

The man in golden-red Dao robe tested him only on basic Level-One array knowledge, occasionally touching on Level-Two arrays—but only superficially, offering no real chance to prove his strength or gain any new arrays.

Mo Hua answered the man's questions effortlessly; seeing the man fall silent, he asked:

"Any harder ones?"

"Or, can you find a very, very difficult array to test me with?"

The man paused, helplessly said:

"I can only test you on these…"

He primarily cultivated Sword Art; arrays were not his specialty—he learned just enough to pass sect exams, without investing much effort.

But Mo Hua passing his test at least proved his array foundation was solid.

And indeed, their mission did need an array specialist.

The man said: "Fine, I'll take you along to give it a try."

Mo Hua's heart leapt, but before he could speak, the gentle senior sister shook her head:

"No!"

Mo Hua froze.

"Too dangerous," the gentle senior sister told Mo Hua. "Even though our cultivation levels make chasing this criminal cultivator manageable, the cultivation world is unpredictable—unexpected changes may arise. If something goes wrong, we might not be able to protect you."

She softened her tone and urged Mo Hua:

"Junior brother, listen to your senior sister—return to the sect and cultivate diligently. Wait until you're older before taking on dangerous missions…"

This senior sister was a good person.

Mo Hua thought silently.

But he was definitely going to join this mission!

He'd already spent over two hundred merit points to obtain the Level-Two Water Prison Technique—unless he got something back, he'd be massively cheated!

This mission must succeed—no failure allowed!

Mo Hua thought for a moment, his eyes brightening slightly, and said:

"If I don't go, you'll lose one array specialist."

"I'll find someone else," the gentle woman said.

"Senior sister, I heard you say no one took the task!"

The gentle woman fell silent.

"Don't worry," Mo Hua said. "I know Concealment Technique—I can protect myself."

"Concealment…"

The gentle woman hesitated, still unsure.

At that moment, another man walked over from afar, apologetic: "Sorry I'm late…"

Then he greeted everyone one by one:

"Senior Brother Feng, Junior Sister Qian, Elder Murong…"

Finally he saw Mo Hua, froze, mouth open: "Mo Hua? What are you doing here?"

Mo Hua was equally startled.

Among this team of five, there was someone he knew!

This man was precisely the senior who had brought him into the sect—Shangguan Xu.

At this very moment, he didn't care why Shangguan Xu happened to be here too; he hurriedly said, "Senior Xu, take me with you!"

After speaking, he quickly gave Shangguan Xu a meaningful glance, meaning:

Speak well of me—get them to take me along!

Shangguan Xu sighed bitterly, "This… what's going on?"

The gentle woman explained the situation, then asked in surprise, "You know each other?"

Shangguan Xu nodded. "Young Master Mo has some connection with my Shangguan family."

He didn't explain further—Young Master Yu's affairs were not for outsiders to hear.

But then, Shangguan Xu's head began to ache.

Taking Young Master Mo along would be dangerous; leaving him behind would betray Auntie's instructions.

In the end, he could only say:

"Young Master Mo… knows his limits and is quick-witted. Elder Murong, perhaps we should take him along…"

The gentle woman frowned in thought. Seeing the sky was already dark, and delaying further would leave insufficient time, she finally sighed and said:

"Fine, but be extremely careful, Senior Shangguan—look after Young Master Mo."

Shangguan Xu nodded.

Mo Hua assured them: "Don't worry—I'm excellent at arrays. I won't hold you back!"

The gentle woman was helplessly exasperated.

Excellent at arrays?

A Foundation Establishment beginner, still new to the sect—how excellent could he possibly be…

Still, this mission didn't require highly advanced arrays.

The gentle woman nodded. "Let's depart."

Mo Hua nodded eagerly.

Thus, two seniors and two senior sisters, accompanied by him as their little follower, set out from Grand Void Mountain, heading through Qingzhou City toward the Second-Rank Cangzhou border.

Along the way, Mo Hua subtly probed and learned the identities of the others.

The tall, handsome senior, with a gentle expression and wearing a golden-red Dao robe, was a disciple of Tai'e Gate—named Ouyang Feng.

The gentle woman in the Grand Void Gate Dao robe was named Murong Caiyun, a senior sister of Grand Void Gate.

The woman in golden-pink, embroidered Dao robe was named Hua Qianqian, a senior sister of Hundred Flowers Gate.

Hundred Flowers Gate was one of the Twelve Streams of Qianxue Border, a sect whose disciples were all female cultivators, inheriting only female-specific cultivation methods and Dao arts.

All of them were seven or eight years older than Mo Hua. Though not all from the same sect, in Qianxue Border, sect disciples frequently interacted, so they all politely addressed one another as "Senior Brother" or "Senior Sister."

As for why other sect disciples were participating in Grand Void Gate's mission—

Mo Hua had asked.

Rewards for hunting outlaw cultivators were typically issued by Dao Ting Si, not just to Grand Void Gate—nearby sects might also receive the bounty.

After completing the task, the reward was given by Dao Ting Si to the sect.

The sect then converted it into merit points and distributed them to the disciples.

Along the journey, Mo Hua secretly observed the senior brothers and sisters, noticing their cultivation was deeply solid, their techniques undoubtedly top-tier, and their experience evident—they were clearly seasoned hands at "bounties."

Mo Hua nodded inwardly, firmly deciding: on this mission, he must make them see his "greatness."

If they saw his greatness, they'd take him along on future "adventures"!

Only then could he join more missions and earn more merit points!

To "join" missions, you needed "connections."

Not just Grand Void Gate, but also the other Eight Great Sects, Twelve Streams, and the hundred sects of Qian Border—he must get to know more senior brothers and sisters.

Even building a grand array required many cultivators to assist.

In this age, having good relationships made things easier.

As for the Sida Sect… forget it for now.

He probably couldn't even reach their level.

…

Each sect's rest days were the same: two days.

The timing was tight, so they had to travel day and night, using body techniques—after more than ten hours, they finally arrived at the Second-Rank Cangzhou border.

Cangzhou Border was a small border region of Qian Border.

At its center stood Cangshan Mountain.

The outlaw cultivator they were to apprehend was hiding within Cangshan Mountain.

Mo Hua had asked: this outlaw had no known true name; his wanted alias was "Bald Eagle," a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivator with excellent body techniques and notable array expertise.

Bald Eagle had committed numerous atrocities and had a record with Dao Ting Si.

He had forcibly drained female disciples, killed people, and worked as a human trafficker, selling young cultivators as "food" to demonic cultivators.

Dao Ting Si's orders were:

Capture if possible; upon capture, imprison in Dao Prison and execute via array-based flaying.

If capture was impossible, kill on the spot!

Thank you to Xiu Xian and Hang Zhan for the tips~

(End of Chapter)