Chapter 660

Gu Changhuai's face was extremely grim.

He remained silent for a long time, then turned to see Mo Hua eating watermelon, his bright eyes secretly watching him, and frowned:

"Why aren't you leaving yet?"

Mo Hua didn't really want to leave.

The watermelon in his mouth today was especially sweet.

But seeing his Uncle Gu's face as dark as a pot bottom, Mo Hua sighed helplessly and rose to leave.

The cheerful female elder beside him, seeing Mo Hua's "wronged" expression, immediately scolded Gu Changhuai:

"You really are something—why pick on a child?"

"He's just sitting here eating watermelon; how does that bother you?"

"It's not some secret shame…"

"I'm not saying this to criticize you, but your usual foul temper needs to be tamed—in Dao Ting Si, being harsh toward criminal cultivators and heretics is fine, but back in the Gu family, these are all relatives and elders; who are you showing that face to?"

Gu Changhuai's expression stiffened under the elder's reprimand.

After speaking, the female elder softened her expression, gazing at the well-behaved and adorable Mo Hua, unable to suppress her admiration.

This child looks truly excellent.

His aura is excellent too.

Unlike other aristocratic youths, some may have handsome faces but their eyes are full of arrogance from favoritism, selfishness, and brutality.

This child is different—his gaze is clean, lively, and genuinely courteous.

The female elder grew more fond of him the more she looked.

She had never met Mo Hua before and didn't know his identity.

But since he appeared in the Gu family and ate watermelon right before Gu Changhuai, she assumed he must be some junior cousin or relative of the Gu clan.

The family was large; as elders, they couldn't possibly know every junior member.

Especially during the New Year, when old friends and relatives came and went—it was common to have unfamiliar children around.

The female elder smiled at Mo Hua:

"Child, don't be afraid—eat slowly…"

"Your Uncle Gu is cold on the outside but warm inside; his words may be harsh, but don't fear him—just enjoy your watermelon…"

Mo Hua blinked his innocent, clear eyes and replied obediently:

"Thank you, Elder."

Then he sat back down, perfectly at ease.

Gu Changhuai felt his scalp prickling.

"Auntie, you…"

"What about me?"

The female elder immediately sat beside Gu Changhuai and poured herself a cup of tea:

"No one in the clan manages you, and you don't manage yourself…"

"Wan'er is married now, has a husband and children—she can't handle certain matters; if I, your aunt, don't step in, you'll waste your whole life…"

Gu Changhuai kept his face stern, stubborn.

The female elder sighed, her tone gentler now: "This Miss is from the direct line of the Hua family of the Shierliu Sect's Baihuagu Sect—she's about your age, but a bit younger…"

"Currently, she serves as an inner sect instructor at Baihuagu…"

"Her cultivation is just at Foundation Establishment late stage—well, perhaps peak Foundation Establishment…"

"She's not far from breaking through to Jin Dan…"

"At her age, being at late Foundation Establishment is a bit old—but once she breaks through the realm and enters Jin Dan, her age will be just right…"

"You're similar in age; her cultivation is slightly behind yours, so you'll have more confidence—you don't need to kowtow to her in everything…"

"You're the Gu family's direct heir; she's the Hua family's direct heir…"

"You're Gu Diansi of Dao Ting Si; she's an instructor at Baihuagu—after Jin Dan, she'll become an elder…"

"It's truly a match made in heaven…"

"Mm-hmm!"

Mo Hua, listening beside them, nodded frequently.

Gu Changhuai gave Mo Hua a side-eye.

The female elder was displeased: "I'm talking to you—pay attention…"

"You're not a child anymore—stop thinking only about fighting criminal cultivators."

"Worry more about yourself…"

Seeing Gu Changhuai unmoved, the female elder sighed and whispered:

"As an aristocratic heir, even if your cultivation is high, if you have no offspring to carry on your bloodline, you'll eventually be sidelined…"

"Isn't your Third Granduncle an example?"

"He lived his whole life without sons or daughters—while alive, his high cultivation gave him absolute authority in the clan; when his lifespan neared its end, all his inherited treasures and teachings had to be given away…"

"Now that he's dead and his Dao is extinguished, not even one person tends his incense."

"It's only me, during holidays, who sets up an altar, offers sacrifices, and lights a few sticks of incense for him…"

"He was a Void-Exploration cultivator—and still ended up like this; what about you, a Jin Dan?"

"Not to mention the spiritual stones, pills, and spiritual weapons within the clan…"

Gu Changhuai coughed, glancing at Mo Hua beside him, quietly munching on the watermelon.

The female elder grew impatient: "Don't interrupt—he's just a child; he wouldn't understand anyway…"

Gu Changhuai was speechless.

This child's cunning exceeds that of many seasoned demonic cultivators…

You simply cannot see through this boy's true nature!

Gu Changhuai felt drained, but he was too lazy to argue—otherwise, his aunt would scold him again.

The female elder blinked. "Where was I?"

Gu Changhuai didn't want to answer.

Mo Hua added beside him: "You were saying 'the clan's spirit stones, pills, and spirit weapons.'"

"Oh right," the female elder smiled at Mo Hua, then glared at Gu Changhuai, and continued:

"The clan's spirit stones, pills, and spirit weapons… should naturally go first to those branches that are already married, with many descendants…"

"Once they've taken a Dao partner, their families ally, support each other—more people mean no one dares bully them; when real benefits arise, they help each other, and the wealth stays within the family…"

"You're alone, with no spouse or children—no matter how good the clan's benefits are, you won't get any; if someone secretly bullies or schemes against you, no one will speak up for you…"

"And you're stubborn…"

"You don't listen to advice…"

The female elder grew increasingly angry as she spoke.

Gu Changhuai's expression was equally grim.

Mo Hua reminded gently: "Elder, you've gone off-topic…"

The female elder blinked.

Mo Hua whispered: "Marriage!"

"Oh, right…" The female elder glanced gratefully at Mo Hua. "Almost forgot—marriage is the most important thing."

The female elder turned to Gu Changhuai: "That girl from Hundred Blossom Valley—find time to meet her, talk a bit, see if you two suit each other…"

"If you get along, I'll send someone to Hundred Blossom Valley to propose…"

"It can't be delayed any longer…"

The female elder thought for a moment, then smiled sweetly: "I heard she's extraordinarily beautiful—like a flower, like jade, like a celestial fairy—perfectly matched to you…"

…

Gu Changhuai's expression had grown numb.

Like a wooden doll.

Mo Hua even suspected that, just now, his aunt's words had gone in one ear and out the other.

Finally, the female elder summed up:

"Then it's settled—I'll arrange a meeting when you have time…"

With that, she hurried off.

Mo Hua finally finished eating the melon in his mouth.

He thought for a moment: a girl as beautiful as a flower and jade, and a man as charming as Gu Changhuai—sounds truly well-matched.

But he wondered: was she truly "like a flower and jade," or just "like a flower" pretending to be jade?

Mo Hua felt Gu Uncle had treated him well, even gifted him merit points—he should do something in return, so he said mysteriously:

"Gu Uncle, I know someone in Hundred Blossom Valley—shall I… find out some details for you…?"

Before Mo Hua could finish, a spirit fruit was shoved into his mouth.

The spirit fruit had been shoved in by Gu Changhuai.

Mo Hua glared at Gu Changhuai, took the fruit, bit into it, found it surprisingly sweet, and couldn't help eating a few more bites.

As he ate, Mo Hua suddenly remembered the matter at hand.

He sighed again: "Gu Uncle, I'm not saying this to scold you, but you're not young anymore—if you should meet her, just go meet her…"

Mid-sentence, Mo Hua sensed the atmosphere turning sour.

He looked up and saw Gu Uncle's face black as a soot pot, on the verge of exploding.

Mo Hua immediately took the hint:

"Fine, don't meet her then… I'm leaving!"

And he dashed off in a flash.

Gu Changhuai watched Mo Hua vanish instantly, sighed helplessly again, and felt a pounding headache.

…

Mo Hua left the reception hall, but his mind was still turning things over.

Hundred Blossom Valley.

Foundation Establishment late stage, inner sect instructor, beautiful as flower and jade…

He couldn't shake the feeling that something strange lurked beneath this.

As Mo Hua walked, he suddenly spotted the female elder—Gu Uncle's aunt—still not far away.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up; he ran up and called out:

"Elder!"

The female elder paused, surprised to see Mo Hua, then smiled:

"My given name is 'Hong'—everyone calls me Elder Hong. You should too…"

"Elder Hong!" Mo Hua said brightly.

Elder Hong nodded with a smile: "By the way, which family are you from? Not the Gu family, right…?"

"I'm Mo," Mo Hua said.

"Mo?" Elder Hong frowned.

Near this border of Qianxue Province, among the families that interact with the Gu family, there is no surname Mo...

"I know Xu Wanyi," Mo Hua said.

Elder Hong was slightly startled, then understood.

Xu Wanyi... Wenren Wan...

It must be connected to the Shanggu family or the Wenren family.

Great aristocratic clans have many members, intermarry with one another, and their relationships are tangled; unless closely related, it's truly hard to sort out.

But since you call that girl "Xu Wanyi," you're clearly not an outsider.

Elder Hong's smile grew even warmer.

She rarely meddled in the Gu family's many affairs.

For a moment, she didn't connect the young Mo Hua with Yu'er's matters.

Elder Hong smiled, "Have you enrolled in school?"

Mo Hua nodded. "I am a disciple of Grand Void Gate."

Elder Hong's eyes showed admiration. "Entering the Eight Great Sects is indeed impressive."

But...

Elder Hong was startled again.

This child looks weak in blood qi, weak in spiritual energy, and his spiritual roots are poor...

How did he even get into Grand Void Gate?

Would Grand Void Gate even accept someone with such talent?

But she didn't press further; it wasn't appropriate to ask such embarrassing questions on a first meeting.

"Elder Hong, I have a question I'd like to ask you..."

Elder Hong was surprised, then nodded.

"Ask then..."

Mo Hua whispered, "I often come to the Gu household to play with Uncle Gu, but I've never seen his parents..."

"Play with Changhuai?"

Elder Hong's mouth opened wide.

She even wanted to look up and check if the sun had risen from the west...

How could any child want to play with Changhuai?

Changhuai's foul temper is enough to scare people off.

What could you possibly play?

Pretend to be Dao Ting Si's Diansi, play at investigations, manhunts, and capturing evil cultivators?

Elder Hong shook her head, puzzled.

This child knows Wan'er...

Probably Changhuai is only bringing this child along out of respect for Wan'er...

Elder Hong thought silently.

As for Changhuai's parents...

Elder Hong hesitated, then sighed. "His parents are dead."

Mo Hua froze. "Dead?"

Elder Hong found a pavilion nearby and sat down, speaking softly:

"This isn't a secret, no need to hide it from you—but the details, I can't tell you, and you mustn't mention it in front of Uncle Gu..."

"Yes, yes!" Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Hong's eyes revealed a touch of melancholy and concern.

"Changhuai lost both parents when he was young, and became withdrawn..."

"Though, even when his parents were alive, he was already withdrawn..."

Elder Hong thought carefully, then concluded: "His withdrawn nature is innate—it has nothing to do with anything else..."

"Still, without parents to protect him, he inevitably suffered bullying."

"Back then, it was always his cousin—your Xu Wanyi—who looked after him; Changhuai only ever listened to his cousin since childhood..."

"Now that he's grown, over a hundred years old, he still ignores everyone else—but he cares deeply about anything involving Wan'er..."

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

No wonder...

Elder Hong sighed again. "I just want him to find a spiritual partner, to change his cold, withdrawn nature—otherwise he'll eventually..."

Elder Hong didn't finish, but her gaze darkened slightly.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then said:

"Elder Hong, don't worry—I'll try to persuade Uncle Gu when I have the chance!"

Elder Hong was utterly astonished, then laughed.

"Good—if you can convince him to find a spiritual partner, I..."

Elder Hong paused, then promised:

"I'll find you a beautiful, perfect little bride!"

Mo Hua was caught off guard, his face turning red. "I... I'm too young..."

Seeing Mo Hua's shy, adorable expression, Elder Hong burst into giggles. "Then tell me what you want later—if I can do it, and it's not too outrageous, I'll help you..."

"Mm!"

Mo Hua smiled and nodded.

After that, the two chatted about everyday matters for a while.

Elder Hong was a Gu family elder, seemingly possessing deep cultivation and high seniority, yet he was extremely talkative, loved gossip, and especially enjoyed matchmaking.

Mo Hua couldn't help but sigh: in the Great Thousand Worlds, there truly are all kinds of elders…

After chatting for a while, Elder Hong had matters to attend to and left.

But Mo Hua pondered inwardly.

When Huo Fotuo self-destructed, Uncle Gu had saved him.

His parents had told him repeatedly: even a drop of kindness must be repaid with a gushing spring.

That female instructor from Hundred Blossom Valley—when I have time, I'll ask Senior Sister Qianqian to see if I can find out any information.

I must take some concern for Uncle Gu's lifelong happiness!

Mo Hua nodded.

But there's no chance for now—I'll have to wait until the sect reopens, and then ask when I'm on a mission with Senior Sister Qianqian.

Afterward, Mo Hua returned to Grand Void Gate.

He would spend this New Year at the sect.

Though somewhat lonely, it was peaceful.

If he grew bored, he could still stroll around nearby Xiancheng.

Xiancheng was a immortal city built in association with Grand Void Gate, inhabited by many cultivators.

During the New Year, Xiancheng was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with activity.

There were also customs and habits utterly different from those in Lizhou.

Aside from this, Mo Hua spent most of his time researching and refining the fireball forbidden technique he had preliminarily modified from the Falling Fire Art, stabilizing its formulaic structure.

The secret scripture, The True Scripture of Demonic Path: Refining the Fiery Essences, Mo Hua had always kept in his Nai Zi Ring.

But he dared not read it within the sect.

The sect forbade any disciple from bringing demonic cultivation methods, evil techniques, or heterodox arts into the sect.

If discovered, the consequences would be severe.

Although Mo Hua had secretly brought it in, he still dared not read it within the sect.

He even suspected the sect might have other methods to monitor demonic energy or demonic qi, to prevent disciples from secretly practicing evil arts and suffering qi deviation.

In comparison, forbidden techniques were relatively safer.

After all, the forbidden technique Mo Hua was researching involved only the principles of spellcraft, not any demonic methods.

Mo Hua studied, optimized, and refined his fireball forbidden technique over and over.

He did not seek greater power.

Because the power was already sufficient.

What he needed now was greater stability in the spell's structure itself, better control over the fusion process, reduced risk of losing control, and, to some extent, reduced spiritual energy consumption…

So that this technique could become utterly stable.

In the days that followed, after nearly a dozen revisions and hundreds of modifications, the overall spiritual energy flow and internal structure of the spell had become extremely stable.

Mo Hua wanted to find an opportunity to test it more.

Array techniques must be applied in practice; the same goes for spells.

Within Grand Void Gate, the natural place to test spells was the Dao Law Chamber.

Even during the New Year, elders were on duty in the Dao Law Chamber.

It was Elder Yi, whom Mo Hua knew well.

When Mo Hua arrived at the Dao Law Chamber and saw Elder Yi, he was puzzled:

"Elder, aren't you returning to your clan for the New Year?"

Elder Yi sipped tea and shook his head. "I went back for a look—enough already…"

"There are so many people in the clan; one less won't matter. But the sect is different."

"Besides, this place is far quieter than the family. At my age, a peaceful place is better than anything else…"

Elder Yi's words carried much reflection.

Mo Hua asked softly: "Elder Yi, how old are you?"

"I…"

Elder Yi nearly gave his age away, but he hesitated just in time.

"Don't ask about such things…" Elder Yi said, then raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here at this time? Practicing spells?"

Mo Hua nodded.

He, too, was not returning to his clan for the New Year—he was staying to practice spells.

Elder Yi instantly felt much closer to Mo Hua.

"Go ahead—pick any one!"

"Thank you, Elder Yi!"

Mo Hua smiled and walked toward the Dao Law Chamber, but after a few steps, he turned back.

Elder Yi was puzzled. "Something wrong?"

"Yes." Mo Hua nodded softly. "Elder, may I practice in the Foundation Establishment Late-stage Dao Law Chamber?"

"Foundation Establishment Late-stage?"

Elder Yi jolted upright, eyeing Mo Hua with suspicion. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing much…" Mo Hua smiled. "I just think the Foundation Establishment Late-stage Dao Law Chamber is safer…"

The Dao Law chamber at Foundation Establishment early stage is also very safe.

What's unsafe is you…

Elder Yi silently thought to himself.

"It's the New Year—behave yourself, don't mess with dangerous things…" Elder Yi whispered.

"Mm-hmm, don't worry, it's perfectly safe!" Mo Hua assured.

"Go on, go on." Elder Yi waved his hand.

Mo Hua smiled: "Thank you, Elder Yi!"

Mo Hua entered a strange Dao Law chamber, following the direction Elder Yi had specified.

The magical puppets inside were even more specialized, made of rarer materials, with stronger defenses and more magical defense arrays on them.

Likewise, all four walls of the room were reinforced with second-rank high-grade arrays.

After Mo Hua entered the Dao Law chamber, Elder Yi stared fixedly at that chamber.

He feared that if he blinked for a moment, another "Boom—" would sound.

Mo Hua and the magical puppet would both be "mutually destroyed."

If the puppet broke, it didn't matter.

But if Mo Hua got hurt, Elder Yi wouldn't get any "peace" this year—or next year either.

Fortunately, after a long time, the Dao Law chamber showed no abnormalities.

Mo Hua seemed to be practicing magic normally.

Only then did Elder Yi lower his guarded heart, but then he thought: Was he being overly anxious?

He was merely a Foundation Establishment early stage cultivator who had accidentally caused a spell collapse and blown up a Foundation Establishment early stage Dao Law chamber—that was already absurd enough.

But no matter how absurd, he couldn't possibly blow up a Foundation Establishment late stage Dao Law chamber…

Elder Yi relaxed, leaned back in his chair, and leisurely sipped tea, enjoying this rare moment of quiet.

Inside the Dao Law chamber.

Mo Hua indeed made no more "dangerous" attempts.

Otherwise, if he accidentally hurt himself, even Elder Yi wouldn't have a peaceful New Year.

He was quite considerate of Elder Yi's hardships.

Mo Hua merely crafted fireballs using his own repeatedly refined and stabilized "forbidden technique" structure.

He applied dual spells simultaneously, condensing fireballs of the same origin.

He forcibly compressed his spiritual sense, causing the fireballs to collide and squeeze at high speed, triggering spell collapse, internal spiritual energy fusion, and forming a new "small fireball" brimming with potent spiritual energy.

On the fireball, fire-element spiritual energy flowed and coiled like magma; the hyper-condensed heat glowed with an even pale purple hue.

This fireball was weaker than the uncontrolled fireball forbidden technique Mo Hua first cast.

It was also weaker than the fireball that had pierced Huo Fotuo's chest.

But at the same time, its danger level was reduced to the minimum.

The technique itself was far more controllable.

The casting speed was also faster.

Based on Mo Hua's past combat experience, only fully controllable spells could be used stably and precisely in battle.

If a spell carried a risk of losing control, it was a double-edged sword.

It could kill the enemy—and kill you too.

So for safety's sake, he deliberately lowered the spell's power and reduced spiritual cost.

In return, he gained far more precise, swift, and composed spell control.

Mo Hua was calculating in his mind.

First: stability and safety!

Later, once he mastered this forbidden technique thoroughly, he would gradually lift the restrictions.

Through deeper spell collapse, triggering spiritual energy fusion.

Unleashing the full potential of this forbidden technique…

But before that, there was one problem:

He needed to give this fireball forbidden technique a new name.

"Meteor Fire Technique" could no longer be used.

It was Huo Fotuo's forbidden technique—mentioning it would attract suspicion from those with ulterior motives.

"Fireball Technique" wouldn't work either…

Too ordinary.

"Forbidden Fireball" was even worse…

It was like slapping "Forbidden Technique" on his forehead, making sure everyone noticed.

Mo Hua stared at the small fireball in his hand, resembling solidified lava, frowned for a long time, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

The fireball had undergone fusion, containing meteor fire.

So the name of this forbidden technique would be:

Small Meteor Technique!

Mo Hua nodded, his eyes gleaming brightly.

…

The New Year passed quickly.

A month vanished in the blink of an eye.

Grand Void Gate's new term has begun.

After the New Year, the disciples returned to the sect one after another, faces drawn, listless, and utterly unwilling.

Grand Void Gate, quiet for a month, grew lively once more.

This was Mo Hua's second year studying at Grand Void Gate.

After a year of cultivation, most disciples had already begun to adapt to life within the sect.

From here on out, they would formally "interface" with the sect's system…

A few days into the new term, with the Grand Void Sect Master's approval, all the newly inducted disciples of this cohort were officially granted access to the "merit" permissions of the Grand Void Token.

They too would begin taking on missions.

(End of chapter)