Chapter 631: The Fire Buddha

This title, cruel and restrained, seemed steeped in firelight and bloodlight, giving Mo Hua a feeling utterly unlike any other criminal cultivator's title on the list.

It felt as if it were a whole tier "worse" than the others.

Mo Hua frowned.

"Just who is Old Man Jiang…?"

"And where did this list of his even come from?"

"These varied criminal cultivators don't seem like people a Foundation Establishment–stage 'human trafficker' like him could possibly have contacted…"

"Not to mention this 'Fire Buddha,' who clearly isn't ordinary…"

Such a list was hidden inside Old Man Jiang's diary.

Mo Hua always felt something was off…

What was the Fire Buddha's origin? What realm was he in? How old was he? What cultivation art did he practice?

Gu Changhuai's temple bone twitched.

Maybe this little brat with a mind full of tricks was lying in wait, hoping to catch him here.

Go on, fib all you want.

Then he probably has quite a few "underlings" too…

You're useless. Even if you were his real brother, he wouldn't take you along.

Mo Hua thought it over, found no clues, and set the mystery aside for now, turning his focus back to the "Fire Buddha."

Mo Hua spoke humbly.

But he had taken time to ask Master Murong, Brother Xu, Brother Feng of Tai'e Sect, and Sister Qianqian of Hundred Flowers Valley.

Because he saw Mo Hua, face beaming, eyes bright with joy.

"Mm," Mo Hua said. "It was mostly Master Murong and the others doing the work—I just helped out, tagged along, and got in the way."

With his mind made up, Mo Hua asked Master Murong during the next ten-day rest period to take on more Dao Ting Si tasks.

He even asked some senior and junior disciples who occasionally took temporary assignments—but no one had heard the title "Fire Buddha."

So this Fire Buddha was at least a "leader."

"Uncle Gu, what a coincidence!"

Sect merit is vital; sect missions are serious business.

Gu Changhuai seemed to have just returned from outside; his handsome face bore signs of fatigue, yet he still held his head slightly high, his gaze proud, like a proud "Kong Que."

"Could this list not be Old Man Jiang's?"

He didn't believe this was truly a "coincidence."

This Fire Buddha was as if he didn't exist at all.

When she went to Dao Ting Si to inquire and request access to the Juan Sect records, Mo Hua also wandered there, hoping to "accidentally" meet Uncle Gu.

Fire Buddha…

All he knew for now was just one title.

It felt as if he'd been watched by a malicious little fox…

And not just any ordinary leader.

What was the "forbidden art" he possessed, one that held insight into the "fire fusion" technique?

"If not Old Man Jiang's, then whose? And how could it be hidden in his diary?"

Gu Diansi was a busy man, and Mo Hua visited three times before finally meeting him on the fourth.

In the entire Qianxue Prefecture Dao Ting Si, Mo Hua's only "acquaintance" was Uncle Gu Changhuai…

She's your senior, not your real sister—why would she take you along for no reason?

Gu Changhuai snorted.

Murong Caiyun didn't understand, but since it was Mo Hua's request, she agreed.

But his "pride" quickly turned to "shock."

If the criminal cultivators on the list formed an organization…

Gu Changhuai's face was expressionless. "You're here for another mission?"

And his status within the list was clearly unusual.

If so, the only option was to inquire at Dao Ting Si.

Where could he be now?

Mo Hua was full of doubts, but had no leads—he decided to ask around.

Gu Changhuai's heart skipped a beat; he felt something was amiss.

Mo Hua smiled brightly, his voice clear and cheerful, waving enthusiastically:

Or perhaps Dao Ting Si never even issued any related missions.

Not to mention members of powerful clans like the Murong or Ouyang—however polite on the surface, they all carried some inner arrogance.

If you have no ability, who would bother to associate with you?

Even if you're cuter than ever, it won't work!

But…

Gu Changhuai studied Mo Hua again, his mind puzzled.

What use could this little thing possibly be?

His spiritual root and physical body were poor, his spiritual energy weak, and he was still only Foundation Establishment—looked like nothing but a "little burden."

What help could he possibly offer on a mission?

Gu Changhuai, baffled, shook his head and asked softly: "What mission are you tagging along on this time?"

Mo Hua said: "Catch the flower-snatcher!"

"What realm?"

"Only Foundation Establishment mid-stage."

Gu Changhuai was speechless.

Just Foundation Establishment mid-stage…

You're only Foundation Establishment early-stage yourself—how can you talk so big? Catching a flower-snatcher at Foundation Establishment mid-stage, you make it sound like grabbing a chick…

Gu Changhuai remembered his cousin's warning, and sighed:

"You don't need my help, do you…?"

Mo Hua was surprised.

Uncle Gu was this enthusiastic?

He had previously thought Uncle Gu was wary of him, so he'd be petty and reluctant to help.

Turns out, the petty one was himself.

Uncle Gu was actually a "cold outside, warm inside" good man!

Mo Hua was moved, and said: "Catch the flower-snatcher is a minor matter, no need for your help—but…"

Mo Hua smiled shyly, "I have another matter I'd like to ask you about…"

Gu Changhuai's eyelid twitched.

When this kid smiles, something bad's coming…

"Speak up, what is it…" Gu Changhuai said indifferently.

"Uncle Gu," Mo Hua whispered, "have you heard of 'Huo Fotuo'?"

After speaking, Mo Hua looked up at Gu Changhuai and saw his body stiffen slightly, cold energy radiating from him, his brows and eyes even carrying a hint of malice.

He stared at Mo Hua with icy eyes.

"Where did you…"

Gu Changhuai paused, his voice low and hoarse, "... hear that title from?"

Mo Hua froze.

He hadn't expected Uncle Gu's reaction to be so strong.

Could Huo Fotuo have some past grudge with Uncle Gu?

He couldn't reveal Jiang Laoda's list…

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then said half-truthfully:

"I heard it from a criminal cultivator—he said Huo Fotuo possesses a very powerful fire technique, and no one within hundreds of miles can stand against him…"

Gu Changhuai's gaze sharpened, fixed on Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's eyes were calm as water, bottomless, his expression unchanged, utterly composed.

Gu Changhuai frowned and asked: "Which criminal cultivator?"

Mo Hua shook his head, "I don't know him. I happened to run into him, overheard a few words, then they left. I'm just a lowly cultivator—I didn't dare chase after them…"

Gu Changhuai clearly didn't believe him, looked solemn, and fell silent.

Mo Hua observed his expression and asked softly: "Uncle Gu, is Huo Fotuo that powerful? Do you have a grudge with him?"

Gu Changhuai was startled. Seeing Mo Hua's curious expression, his tone and demeanor truly didn't suggest he knew anything of the past events or had any connection to Huo Fotuo—he slowly exhaled, but his frown deepened.

"This isn't something you should be asking about."

Gu Changhuai seemed to recall some past memory, his mood souring, his tone harsh.

Mo Hua knew there was definitely a story here.

But judging by his expression, Uncle Gu held resentment—he wouldn't speak.

Mo Hua didn't press. He silently pondered, thinking he'd ask someone else.

Though Gu Changhuai couldn't see through Mo Hua's thoughts, seeing his curious expression, he knew that even if he didn't tell him, Mo Hua would keep asking.

Gu Changhuai sighed.

Huo Fotuo was a man steeped in bloodshed—a taboo.

If this child truly had ulterior motives against the Shang family and Yu'er, that would be fine.

If he pried into Huo Fotuo's secrets, and by bad luck ran into him and died, then he died.

But if he truly was just passing by and saved Yu'er, then he is Yu'er's benefactor.

If I don't make it clear and he dies because of me, that would be a sin.

Moreover, he's just a tiny cultivator, lived barely ten years—if he died needlessly, it would be such a waste.

After much hesitation, Gu Changhuai sighed:

"These matters shouldn't be told to you…"

"But I fear you're reckless, asking carelessly, getting entangled with someone you shouldn't, and losing your life for nothing…"

Mo Hua was greatly surprised. "Just who is this Huo Fotuo?"

Gu Changhuai's gaze hardened. "He's a vicious, evil cultivator."

Mo Hua's heart tightened. "Jin Dan?"

"Foundation Establishment late-stage."

Mo Hua frowned. "Foundation Establishment late-stage… can't he be caught?"

Gu Changhuai sighed. "Huo Fotuo is cautious by nature, always lurking in second-grade prefectures, with deep cultivation and extremely powerful techniques…"

"The Dao Court has launched multiple raids…"

"But this fiend is cunning and ruthless, wielding his techniques to slaughter without mercy—beneath Foundation Establishment, there is virtually no cultivator who can stand against him."

Even if mobilizing Jin Dan cultivators, under the Heavenly Dao's restrictions that prevent them from using their Jin Dan life-artifacts, they can defeat him—but cannot kill him…

Once he escapes, he vanishes for a while; once the heat dies down, he reappears to kill again…

…

Mo Hua roughly understood.

The Dao Ting Si's third-grade Jin Dan Diansi has no time to chase him; even if they did, the Heavenly Dao's restrictions make it nearly impossible to kill him.

A second-grade Zhisi who goes after him will be killed…

Mo Hua said: "Is Huo Fotuo's extremely powerful technique a 'forbidden art'?"

Gu Changhuai's gaze sharpened, but then he remembered Mo Hua was a disciple of the Grand Void Gate—so he must know at least something about 'forbidden arts.'

"Correct," Gu Changhuai nodded. "It is a forbidden art…"

"But the technique he cultivates is a flawed 'forbidden art.'"

"After cultivating this 'forbidden art,' his blood qi becomes agitated from the fire qi, and his nature turns violent and bloodthirsty."

"This killing intent cannot be suppressed…"

"Thus, this demon beast… often, due to raging liver fire and evil qi, recklessly unleashes the 'forbidden art,' slaughtering the innocent to vent his 'killing desire'…"

"To date, no one knows how many cultivators have been burned to death in agony by his techniques…"

Gu Changhuai's eyes brimmed with intense killing intent; his right finger joints turned white from clenching.

"This demon beast deserves ten thousand cuts—death is not enough to atone…"

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned.

It was the first time he had ever seen Uncle Gu display such bone-deep hatred and raw killing intent.

Mo Hua comforted him: "Uncle Gu, don't worry—the Heavenly Net is vast, yet not a single thread is missing. This evil man will surely die without a grave!"

Gu Changhuai's face twisted into a faint self-mocking expression.

"The Heavenly Net is vast, yet not a single thread is missing…"

His emotions surged, and he was about to say more, when suddenly his expression changed—he realized he had spoken far too much to this little brat…

Some things should never have been told to him!

"Enough," Gu Changhuai swept his sleeve and warned, "I told you this so you'd understand: Huo Fotuo is extremely dangerous. You're just a greenhorn cultivator—stop asking about him."

Mo Hua frowned. "I'm not a child—I'm fifteen!"

Gu Changhuai snorted. "I'm over a hundred."

Mo Hua gasped. "Uncle Gu, you're that old?"

Gu Changhuai's teeth ached from anger—he wanted to grab Mo Hua's ears. "Over a hundred? How is that old? I'm a Jin Dan—over a hundred is still young!"

Gu Changhuai was so furious his teeth ached; he wanted to grab Mo Hua's ear, "Over a hundred? How's that old? I'm a Jin Dan—over a hundred years old, and still young!"

Mo Hua soothed him, silently muttering inside, "If you're young at over a hundred, then I must still be a child…"

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then quietly asked again about Huo Fotuo.

This was a rare chance—if he didn't ask now, Uncle Gu might be in a bad mood later and he'd never get answers.

"Uncle Gu, do you know Huo Fotuo's current whereabouts?"

Gu Changhuai didn't want to answer.

Mo Hua understood.

"So… there's none…"

"Will the Dao Ting Si issue a bounty for Huo Fotuo?"

Gu Changhuai remained silent.

But from his grim expression, Mo Hua saw the answer:

But Mo Hua saw the answer in his grim expression:

"Will the bounty for Huo Fotuo be very high?"

"It looks like it will be very high…"

"Huo Fotuo has accomplices, right?"

"Probably—otherwise he couldn't have escaped the Dao Ting Si's manhunt…"

"Has Huo Fotuo been missing for a long time?"

"Has Huo Fotuo been out of sight for a long time?"

…

Mo Hua stared at Gu Changhuai's face, observing his expression while asking and answering himself.

Gu Changhuai finally couldn't take it—he grabbed Mo Hua and dragged him toward the door. "Go back to your sect and cultivate properly. Stop asking about all this nonsense…"

Mo Hua's feet dangled in the air as he kicked helplessly, unable to break free; he let himself be carried, but still protested:

"I'm waiting for my senior sister!"

"I have a mission!"

"I have to catch the flower thief before I can return!"

Gu Changhuai had no choice—he dropped Mo Hua in the front hall and warned: "Wait here. Don't bother me."

Gu Changhuai had no choice but to leave Mo Hua in the front hall and warned him:

Gu Changhuai turned to leave.

Mo Hua suddenly called out, "Uncle Gu!"

Gu Changhuai turned back. Mo Hua smiled sweetly. "Just one last question, okay?"

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