Chapter 710

By the Smoke Water River.

Mo Hua and the "Young Master" within the black mist exchanged only a single glance.

Afterwards, the ornate flower boat drifted again into the boundless night, gradually vanishing from sight.

Mo Hua's gaze grew deep; he silently etched those eyes into his heart, then continued along the riverbank, setting out on the path back to his sect.

The rest of the journey passed without incident.

Half a day later, Mo Hua returned to the sect and first reported to Elder Song, in charge of attendance, explaining the circumstances.

To Mo Hua's surprise, Elder Song—who was usually unreasonable—responded with unexpectedly good temper, even showing a faint air of pride.

"I, too, dreamed of that fish monster…"

"To enter a dream and slay a river demon—what else could that be but an immortal? Have you ever seen a true immortal?"

"I've already got some leads… I…"

Disciples devoted themselves to cultivating the Dao; elders transmitted teachings and instructed.

On the map were four annotated characters:

"At such a young age, already so powerful—what will he become when he grows up?"

Ethereal mist floated among the mountains.

"Tai'e forges divine swords, Chongxu generates sword qi, Taixu transforms sword intent…"

"The altar has been destroyed."

Everyone's expressions turned to awe, then they all froze—"Aren't you unmarried?"

Mr. Tu trembled inside, as if recalling an ancient, vast, and now forbidden lineage of swordcraft merging three paths—his eyes hid deep terror.

Above the altar, beneath the massive white bone, the eerie green candlelight made his face appear like a demon's—fierce and horrifying.

"Naturally…"

He felt the Lord's mental force in the chamber grow colder, more terrifying—but it did not rebuke him—so he slowly spoke again:

"This is no coincidence!"

Mr. Xun lowered his gaze to the table.

"It's not just Taixu Gate…"

At this, someone suddenly grew solemn, still shaken: "I dreamed of something even more terrifying…"

Even if no protection is granted, at least seek peace of mind.

With each phrase he recited, Mr. Tu's fear deepened; by the end, his entire body was pierced by sword intent, his limbs trembling slightly—he dared not continue.

He had raised blood fish; his faith had been consumed more heavily, his spiritual sense weaker.

Outside the window, Taixu Mountain remained as always—ancient, quiet, pavilions and towers hidden among lush forests.

Someone said, "Old Yu, just mold any shape—you don't need it to be the true form, it's just clay and mud."

…

"Then that's settled."

Heaven may bring sudden storms.

Mr. Tu's face grew terrifyingly dark.

Mr. Tu finally knelt in devout worship before the massive, fearsome white bone statue with ram's horns.

The river's waves were fierce, life hanging by a thread.

"How then shall Taixu Gate break this deadlock? How shall we carve out even a sliver of survival from this perilous realm, thick with evil thoughts…"

"Centuries ago, Taixu Gate's sword cultivators stormed the River God Temple; today, centuries later, the nightmare has shattered, the temple lies in ruins—its karmic cause most likely still falls upon… Taixu Gate!"

"By the way, this shouldn't be an immortal, right?"

On the table, besides the Celestial Compass, lay a map and a jade slip.

"The Lord's henchmen have also been caught…"

"Gu Changhuai and the Gu family are henchmen aiding evil."

Mr. Tu prostrated himself fully, gritted his teeth, blood seeping between them.

Someone couldn't help asking, "Why is this little immortal so small? Will he never grow up?"

"The plan must be moved up…"

"Who kills? Are you going to kill?"

Mr. Xun stared for a long time at the direction Mo Hua had left, frowning, before finally gathering his thoughts.

"To drain the insufficient to create prosperity, to indulge human desires without guarding the heart—this is the great decline of the Divine Mind Dao."

The jade slip displayed the ranking of sects within Qianxue Province: the Four Major Sects, Eight Great Gates, Twelve Schools, and Hundred Qianxue Sects.

Everyone fell silent.

After speaking, the man shook his head, sighing in awe.

The fishing cultivators suddenly understood, nodding in unison.

He had seen many stone and clay statues in temples; now they served as perfect references to model one after.

"This little immortal slew one fish monster—we've already received his grace without cause. Why should he slay another, for no reason?"

"Yes."

Old Yu thought it over and found it reasonable.

"The river god who guards a region, and the immortal's immortal avatar—both…"

Mr. Xun nodded, as usual giving his reminder: "Cultivate well, study arrays well, focus your mind."

If we do not plan early and prepare in advance, the sect's survival may seem distant—but in an instant, it could be upon us.

"I think our recent nightmares and misfortunes are mostly tied to that blood-colored fish monster."

The fishermen of the small fishing village found their lives a little easier because of it.

"Who could find the village's entrance, walk safely to the River God's temple, open the altar and enter the Dream Lord's nightmare, slay countless nightmare demons, and even dare to defy great taboos…"

"Nonsense, how do you know it's dead?"

"Qian Long Mountain Range."

As the crowd chatted, someone suddenly spoke in a mysterious tone:

One man snorted, adding dramatic flair with a proud air:

"You missed the finale…"

In Qian Province, a certain forbidden zone.

"Kill it…"

We'll inquire about Mo Hua's affairs later, when we have time.

"In my dream, I saw it with my own eyes…"

"Me too! It was terrifying—I was too scared to speak up…"

"Do you understand dreaming? Dreaming! Why take dreams seriously?"

His limbs were also somewhat twisted; beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his voice trembling.

Having grown accustomed to such fearful days, they instinctively still sought to pay homage to something, to pray to some unseen presence.

"Yet the matter of the River God's temple still sowed karmic seeds."

Only his eyebrows and eyes were lively and vivid, bearing eight or nine tenths of Mo Hua's likeness.

"He seeks to avenge that talented sword cultivator whose blade was broken and shattered all those years ago!"

"And me—I feared breaking taboos, inviting disaster from my own tongue, so I never dared speak up…"

Lao Yu's head grew more convinced the more he thought.

…

"My boat was overturned by waves, and several water demons fought over eating me—I still feel the pain when I think of it…"

The man continued: "Think about it—when you never burn incense, then suddenly turn to Buddhism in desperation, that won't do. That little immortal couldn't possibly bestow his protection on us without reason, again and again."

"Even if he isn't a true disciple of Grand Void Gate, he must be closely tied to it. He cultivates the method of transforming spiritual thought into a sword, walking the path of sword-Dao unity."

On the map, a vast spiritual ore mountain range wound and twisted, spanning the entire Qian Xue Province and surrounding territories, like a colossal dragon woven from spiritual energy.

Mr. Tu's gaze grew distant: "Centuries ago, it was just so—the moment the River God's temple was built and the altar opened, a talented sword cultivator of Jin Dan realm from Grand Void Gate discovered it."

"He hadn't completed his cultivation, then."

"How would I know… I don't understand immortal affairs…"

Others chimed in: "Yes, yes."

"Though dreams are false, the pain is real!"

On the cliff face, hollowed-out stone carved out a tiny space, where a small altar stood, bearing fruits and offerings; at its center rested a small clay statue.

"At the last moment, the Dream Lord unleashed divine power, defeated him, shattered his Dao heart, and broke his life blade."

"Dreams are half-true, half-false—who can be sure there truly wasn't such a giant fish monster? If it really existed, and I spoke of it and let it know, I'd be finished."

"That fish monster looked vicious, with blood waves crashing wildly and an arrogant aura—but it was no match for the little immortal."

Mr. Tu's heart trembled; he dared not speak further.

This jade slip and this map can determine the sect's "fame and fortune."

Though called the Immortal Temple, it was really more like a small shrine.

And the bloodline of the Great Wasteland could once again see the light of day…

Yet occasionally, in idle moments between fishing, they still recalled fragments of lingering "nightmares."

"What a mighty little immortal!"

…

At once, opinions flew wildly—some claimed they'd seen it, others denied it; no consensus emerged.

People experience fortune and misfortune; sects rise and fall; born in hardship, die in comfort.

From then on, whenever fishing on overcast days, venturing into rivers during rain, during poor harvests, or when plagued by endless nightmares and fears of malevolent spirits,

Other fishermen who had not witnessed the fish monster's death also drew sharp breaths in unison.

The crowd exchanged glances, all shaking their heads: "He slew the river monster and vanished—this immortal comes and goes without trace; who knows where he went?"

"That makes sense…"

"That man cultivated the method of transforming spiritual thought into a sword; his sword Dao was nearly complete, just a hair's breadth away…"

In the dream, he had fainted long before—he never saw the little immortal wielding a golden sword to slay the fish monster.

In a gloomy, sealed chamber.

"It's better to pay homage—after all, we've received great grace from the little immortal; bowing to him brings us peace of mind."

Mr. Tu knelt to the ground, eyes filled with mingled blood and tears, utterly devout.

"What if," someone said, "we offer incense and worship this little immortal?"

If such a little immortal truly existed, he ought to look just like Young Master Mo.

So the villagers discussed it and together carved out a small Immortal Temple on the cliff behind the village.

"It was… Grand Void Gate…"

"Let the little immortal kill it again?"

"Isn't it dead? What's there to fear?"

Unbidden, Mo Hua's face surfaced in his mind.

"I didn't see anything."

"But… where exactly did this thread of killing intent come from…?"

All was calm, the years peaceful.

This little clay figurine was molded by Old Yu's head.

"The Grand Void Gate is the root of chaos."

The other two items may also bring trouble.

But now, the Celestial Mechanism Compass cannot part the mist; cause and effect remain uncertain, the future unpredictable.

"Then where did that little immortal go?"

His voice carried anger, yet also deep fear.

The raging evil thoughts gradually faded; the divine punishment eased slightly. Mr. Tu coughed up more blood, then continued speaking.

"I saw it with my own eyes! That blood-drenched fish monster was snatching people to eat, when suddenly a flash of Jin Guang appeared—a golden little immortal stepped down from the sky, holding a golden sword, radiant with light…"

Mr. Xun gazed out the window.

The Gu family and several nearby clans had also been warned—not to oppress the fisher cultivators or monopolize the market.

The future fate of the Grand Void Gate rests upon these three objects.

"Let fallen sects remain fallen; let extinct lineages stay extinct; those who dare obstruct the Divine Lord's grand plan shall be doomed to eternal ruin…"

Mo Hua was somewhat baffled.

"The Grand Void Gate…"

"Go ask—has anyone seen what the little immortal looked like?" Old Yu

"It's strange—lately, I've had nightmares every few days: dreaming I was fishing, drowned by water, or devoured by water spirits—then waking drenched in cold sweat, my back soaked…"

The little immortal who did great good for the small fishing village…

Old Yu molded a clay figurine of the little immortal, back straight, seated upright, carrying a golden sword, just like Mo Hua.

At his words, several people's expressions turned uneasy.

These ranks are determined by the "Discourse Assembly," especially the most renowned and most magnificent—the Qianzhou "Sword Discourse Assembly."

Outside the Grand Void Gate, killing intent lurks everywhere.

Everyone froze, then fell into deep thought.

"In just a few exchanges, that terrible fish monster was defeated by the little immortal."

Others blinked, then nodded. "There's some sense to that…"

But when everyone asked around, all shook their heads.

Mo Hua knew clearly: Elder Song was being lenient with him only out of respect for Mr. Xun.

In his youth, he had traveled widely and seen a fair share of the world.

After bidding farewell to Elder Song, Mo Hua went to pay his respects to Mr. Xun.

"The little immortal pressed the fish monster's head onto the platform, raised his sword—and with one flash of Jin Guang, a single strike severed its head, ending its life!"

Mr. Xun gazed at the ancient, grand Grand Void Gate; his brow tightened further, his aged face solemn as a mountain.

"Then this would accord with cause and effect."

Several days later, the small fishing village.

He had finished shaping the body, but when it came to molding the face, Old Yu hesitated and asked: "What did the little immortal look like?"

Mo Hua said solemnly, then bowed and took his leave.

Mo Hua was also puzzled, but seeing Mr. Xun seemed busy with urgent matters, he respectfully said:

"Old Master, your disciple takes his leave."

Handsome, warm, eyes gleaming, demeanor gentle yet radiating extraordinary immortal aura, with a touch of righteous indignation.

Mr. Tu coughed up blood, unable to speak.

"Incredible power!"

Someone sighed: "Me too—I dreamed my wife, whom I married after selling every possession and enduring endless hardship, was stolen away…"

"But if we worship him daily, offer him incense, and when demons and monsters return, he strikes this one sword to purge the evil—wouldn't that be reasonable?"

"The bloodstained fishing village had been dug up to three feet deep, completely turned over by someone…"

But beneath the surface, currents were already surging fiercely.

"The Divine Lord's avatar has vanished."

"What's wrong?"

The fisher cultivator frowned:

After Mo Hua and the others left, Dao Ting Si sent people to handle the aftermath; all items connected to the demon god were destroyed, as Mo Hua had instructed.

Gu Changhuai made an exception, enrolling all the cultivators of the small fishing village into the cultivation registry, affiliating them with a nearby second-rank Xiancheng.

"I dreamed I starved to death—woke up even hungrier…"

"If that fish monster returns, what should we do?"

It seemed Mo Hua had taken leave very well—giving him great face.

"Only the Grand Void Gate retains traces of divine-narrative sword teachings."

The clay figurine was placed inside the small temple.

"Qianzhou's celestial techniques have declined; divine array methods have vanished. Some elders are either blinded by fame and profit, or practicing self-preservation…"

This compass can reveal past causes and effects.

Other disciples would never be granted so much leave.

Mr. Tu paused, then continued:

"... This person is most likely a high elder of the Grand Void Gate who has mastered sword Dao in recent years—perhaps even one of the reclusive old monsters from the back mountain…"

If something happens like this, Dao Ting Si will also keep an eye on it.

Killing the River God and the deity's avatar…

The Celestial Mechanism Compass, revealing cause and effect.

The man shook his head, "I've never seen it…"

Seeing everyone look at him, he swallowed hard, his eyes filled with panic—he still trembled at the memory:

"I dreamed of a giant fish monster, its head as large as a temple, its whiskers as thick as tree trunks, its fangs white and gleaming, its body dripping blood, terrifying to behold, devouring people everywhere—I nearly got eaten by it…"

"The River God is gone…"

"Covered in Jin Guang, I couldn't make out anything…" someone said.

"I saw it…"

In Master Xun's heart, a faint sense of crisis had taken root.

"The blood-flesh staircase has been laid; the evil, worthless beasts are being nurtured; the deity's grand plan is irreversible; the deity's descent is imminent…"

The elders stood in the center; Master Xun was occupied with something, looked solemn, and upon seeing Mo Hua, asked only a few brief questions—but due to his urgent duties, he said no more. Yet his gaze upon Mo Hua grew slightly deeper, revealing a thoughtful expression.

A chilling, terrifying divine punishment descended upon him; within the sealed chamber, terrifying rage and malevolent thoughts filled the air.

"Indeed…"

"Now, after hundreds of years, the River God Temple has been rediscovered—but this time it's different. This person acts in secrecy, with Zhou Mi methods, unseen and unheard, leaving not a single trace. Moreover, his spiritual awareness is terrifyingly strong, and his spiritual attacks are brutally cruel…"

A flash of cold light passed through Master Tu's eyes.

Master Tu's gaze showed wariness: "... Just barely missed destroying the embryo of the deity's avatar, shattering the River God Temple's altar, and ruining a century of my hard work."

"I beg the deity… to forgive me…"

"I certainly cannot…"

But his craftsmanship was poor—only five or six percent similar.

The immediate priority…

The fish cultivators of the small fishing village all come to this small Immortal Temple to burn a stick of incense and pay respects to this little Immortal holding a golden sword.

Amidst the curling incense smoke, the fish cultivators did not notice a weak little silver fish slowly swimming into the small Immortal Temple, hiding behind the imposing statue of the little Immortal, basking in Mo Hua's incense smoke, slowly, bit by bit, restoring its spiritual awareness body.

(End of Chapter)