Chapter 714

Master Xun opened the letter again, glanced at it, fell into thought for a moment, took out a jade slip, sent his spiritual sense through it to write a message, then called over a young Daoist acolyte.

"Take this jade slip to Liang Lao Zhou Zhangsi of the Dao Ting Si, and have him look into it."

"Yes, Ancestor."

The acolyte received the jade slip with both hands and withdrew respectfully.

Less than a day passed before a jade slip returned; the acolyte again presented it respectfully to Master Xun.

Master Xun glanced at the jade slip, recognized it as the work of Liang Lao Zhou Zhangsi, who had retired from the Dao Ting Si, and sank his spiritual sense into it.

At just one glance, Master Xun's heart trembled.

Huo Fotuo?!

A demon cultivator who had roamed the second-grade prefecture for a hundred years, at the peak of Foundation Establishment, practiced the Forbidden Fire Death Art, exterminated the entire Xie family, commanded countless demonic cultivators, and slaughtered without mercy?!

Master Xun drew in a sharp breath.

And yet…

These senior brothers and sisters had far higher cultivation than he did; each one was a scion of a prominent clan, yet they had willingly taken him along, despite barely knowing him?

The Juan Sect's merit records were quickly retrieved.

So these eight thousand merits weren't much…

Who would have thought…

But if there was even the slightest slip, with so many criminal and demonic cultivators out there, how could Mo Hua, with his small frame and weak body, survive any of them?

If disaster struck, wouldn't a prime candidate for array art be lost?

Master Xun simply could not fathom how Mo Hua, a low-cultivation, frail little disciple, could possibly capture a peak Foundation Establishment, utterly evil demon cultivator.

Through arrays?

Even if his array art were superb, it was still far too dangerous.

Is Mo Hua really this good at socializing?

These circumstances were not merely different from what he had assumed—they were utterly unlike them…

Master Xun felt both dread and anger.

That's why the Dao Ting Si made an exception and allocated these eight thousand merits.

Master Xun sighed.

Dealing with such fierce and cruel demonic cultivators, one misstep could leave you reduced to ashes.

And the success rate was absurdly high—barely ever failed.

Now it seemed the situation might be entirely different…

But Mo Hua had been there at the time.

Master Xun pondered for a moment, then ordered someone to retrieve Mo Hua's mission records from the Merit Pavilion to see what tasks he usually undertook.

The acolyte replied respectfully: "Yes."

Mo Hua's gentle, docile, obedient appearance reappeared in his mind.

He dares to meddle in absolutely everything.

But…

My Celestial Calculation Method truly is useless—I've exhausted myself studying it for centuries, calculating for centuries, yet right beside me was such a "blind spot," and I never saw it at all.

No wonder it's worth eight thousand merits!

Mo Hua, this child, performed great service for the Dao Ting Si by drawing arrays to capture Huo Fotuo, as recorded in the petition submitted by Gu Diansi Gu Changhuai.

Master Xun continued reading, his gaze sharpening: "Huo Fotuo… was killed…"

Master Xun couldn't help but sigh.

Master Xun found it hard to believe.

Master Xun frowned.

After living so long, witnessing so much, meeting so many people, I never imagined that in my old age, a mere child would outwit me.

Most of them were the young lady of the Murong family and the young man from the Ouyang family of Tai'e Gate; over half the rest were senior brothers and sisters from one class above him.

This is sheer nonsense!

Such a superb array talent, yet he doesn't cherish it—he's constantly venturing outside the sect to take on these perilous bounties.

Capture Huo Fotuo?

No need to think—there must be hidden details here.

The disciples who partnered with him were equally varied.

The records stated it was solely Gu Changhuai's achievement.

This child Mo Hua has far too much nerve.

Master Xun glanced at it, and his scalp prickled.

So he never bothered to investigate further.

Fortunately, he remained unharmed.

Aside from numerous first- and second-grade array tasks, the vast majority were bounties for apprehending, pursuing, surrounding, and hunting down criminal, demonic, and even demonic cultivators.

He had originally assumed that, given this child's abilities, he could at most draw arrays—and nothing more.

Master Xun reviewed the contents of the jade slip again, and the more he thought, the angrier he became.

Thinking of this, Master Xun felt regret and growing dread; his face darkened as he ordered the acolyte:

"Go summon Mo Hua!"

Leaving the Elder's residence, the acolyte went to find Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was in class; upon hearing this, he was surprised—Master Xun rarely called for him during lessons.

The acolyte whispered, "Be careful, the old master seems very angry."

Normally, Mo Hua often visited the Elder's residence and had grown familiar with this acolyte.

Mo Hua blinked in surprise, "Who is he angry at?"

The acolyte shook his head, "How would I know…"

Mo Hua muttered to himself.

What does it matter to me if Master Xun is angry?

I've been very well-behaved lately, drawing arrays in the sect every day.

When he arrived at the Elder's residence and entered Master Xun's room, Mo Hua immediately sensed something was off—Master Xun's face was as dark as water, stern and forbidding.

Mo Hua lowered his eyes, looking innocent and meek, exceedingly obedient.

Master Xun was just about to reprimand him, but seeing Mo Hua's expression, his heart softened again.

Though what he did was a bit dangerous…

But capturing demonic heretics is still a cultivator's duty, a righteous act in line with Heaven's will—too harsh a scolding might damage this child's upright nature and his resolve to slay demons and purge evil.

Still, risking one's life like this cannot be tolerated again.

He's still young, a blank sheet of paper—how could he know how treacherous human hearts are, how perilous the cultivation world?

He must be sharply reprimanded; if he doesn't learn a lesson, next time he'll probably dare it again!

Master Xun's face hardened once more, ready to speak his rebuke—but before a word left his lips, he suddenly froze.

He stared at Mo Hua for a long while, then frowned and asked:

"Has your spiritual sense… grown stronger again?"

Mo Hua nodded, modest yet shy, "Yes, just a little—seventeen lines now…"

Master Xun's eyes widened slightly.

Seventeen lines…

Foundation Establishment early realm, seventeen lines of spiritual sense…

Foundation Establishment early realm—with the spiritual sense of Foundation Establishment late realm?!

Master Xun fell silent, yet inside his heart a storm had erupted, surging with shock and awe—he stood stunned, unable to speak.

"Master?" Mo Hua whispered weakly.

Master Xun finally came to his senses, looking at Mo Hua, filled with utter disbelief.

After a moment, Master Xun's expression returned to normal, and he said calmly:

"That's all. You may go back now."

Mo Hua blinked in confusion.

Master Xun waved his hand, no longer angry, his voice much gentler, "Go back to class."

"Oh…" Mo Hua was thoroughly baffled, so he bowed and said, "Then your disciple takes his leave?"

"Mm." Master Xun gave a slight nod.

Mo Hua left, utterly confused.

After Mo Hua left, Master Xun sat in deep thought for a long while, then slowly rose, using Void-Traveling Technique to tear open a rift in space and enter the back mountain directly.

In the back mountain stood a shrine.

The shrine was solemn and grand, imposing in its dignity, with white-inscribed plaques on a black background, and portraits of all past Grand Void Masters.

The white-haired Master Xun bowed respectfully to light incense.

But his hands trembled uncontrollably.

Thin curls of blue smoke rose from the ancient censer.

Master Xun's emotions surged, too turbulent to calm—he could not help but speak with a slight tremor:

"May Liezulie Sect protect us…"

"Our Grand Void Gate has truly encountered great fortune!"

"The one thread of hope within the heavenly fate's deadlock… must be centered on this child!"

The incense smoke from the censer, like mist, rose and enveloped the portraits of Liezulie Sect's ancestors, pure and unbroken in its aura.

Master Xun let out a long, slow breath.

…

The next day, Master Xun went to see the Grand Void Sect Master.

The Grand Void Sect Master's expression was dignified and kind, his bearing extraordinary; he cultivated inner stillness, his black hair long and thick.

He was of noble birth, carried a direct lineage, and had entered the Dao through swordplay—his cultivation was formidable, and his status within the Grand Void Sect was unique.

Yet even now, the Grand Void Sect Master's expression was solemn.

Though he did not cultivate spiritual perception nor understand divination, at his realm, he could faintly sense shifts in heavenly fate and looming calamities.

The Grand Void Sect had enjoyed peace, but a storm was gathering on the horizon.

Yet he could not discern the exact omen.

Before the elegant sandalwood table, the Grand Void Sect Master and Master Xun sat facing each other; after the water boiled and the tea fragrance filled the air, the Sect Master personally leaned forward to pour tea for Master Xun, then sighed:

"Grand Void, Grand Epee, and Void-Soaring—though our sword Dao has split into three sects, we share ancestral roots, bound by the same blood…"

"I've spoken with their Sect Masters, but they don't believe me."

"Grand Epee Sect is strong and seems to seek further advancement—to claim the top spot among the Eight Great Sects."

"Void-Soaring Sect is mid-tier, yet also wishes to rise into the upper ranks."

The Grand Void Sect Master gave a wry smile, "Whereas our Grand Void Sect lingers slowly behind, falling to last place, lacking ambition."

Master Xun sipped his tea but said nothing.

The Grand Void Gate's leader sighed, feeling a pang of nostalgia, then continued:

"The Tai'e Sect has recently gathered many prodigies, especially the Ouyang family—that young man named Ouyang Feng, unassuming and low-key, has mastered their sect's core sword art to an extraordinary depth; he is steady and hides his sharpness, a true talent worthy of great responsibility."

"The Chongxu Sect has, this generation, a sword prodigy of exceptional talent—just after entering, he sensed the Chongxu Sword Tomb and cultivated the Chongxu Sword Qi; he is the most gifted disciple Chongxu has seen in five hundred years."

"Our Grand Void Gate falls short… we have disciples with good elemental roots and those who practice sword arts, but they are all too middling—compared to these true prodigies, they still fall behind by a notch."

The Grand Void Gate's leader shook his head, his expression helpless:

"No wonder the Tai'e and Chongxu Sects no longer wish to associate with our Grand Void Gate."

"They don't take my words to heart—they probably fear we'll drag them down."

Mr. Xun furrowed his brow slightly.

Though the three sects share the same roots, they have long since split apart, each going their own way, with no right to interfere in each other's affairs.

The Grand Void Gate's leader glanced at Mr. Xun, his expression growing solemn, and asked softly:

"Laoxiansheng, what exactly… has happened?"

Mr. Xun sighed: "I can't explain it clearly."

The Grand Void Gate's leader looked solemn.

"In short," Mr. Xun said, "from now on, instruct your disciples to speak and act with caution; try to keep sect arrangements conservative, avoid rash moves…"

The Grand Void Gate's leader nodded.

Lying low and nurturing health? He was well-versed in that.

Mr. Xun said: "The days ahead will likely be turbulent. All we need is to preserve ourselves, protect our foundation, and endure."

"No mistakes is achievement. Don't compete with others for fame or profit—let them fight over it if they wish."

Mr. Xun's expression was calm.

"Laoxiansheng speaks wisely," the Grand Void Gate's leader agreed.

Afterward, the two continued drinking tea and discussed sect affairs, until Mr. Xun said: "However, there is one small rule to change."

The Grand Void Gate's leader blinked in surprise.

Mr. Xun said: "Starting this generation, all disciples of the same cohort will take the Array Art class together as one large lecture."

The Grand Void Gate's leader was baffled and frowned:

"Laoxiansheng, forgive this junior's ignorance—does this change… carry some deeper meaning?"

Mr. Xun deliberately sighed: "There's no deep meaning—it's simply that I'm old, my energy wanes, and lately I've been deducing celestial patterns, draining my spiritual awareness, leaving me constantly weary."

"The Array Art classes are too numerous—I can't manage them all—so I've decided to combine them into one large lecture."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Void Gate's leader felt a pang of pity.

Mr. Xun had truly poured his heart and soul into the Grand Void Gate, dedicating his entire life to it.

The Grand Void Gate's leader whispered: "Perhaps these teaching duties could be entrusted to the elders and instructors—Laoxiansheng, your status is exalted; you need not lower yourself to teach personally…"

"No!"

Mr. Xun said with solemn seriousness:

"Teaching the Dao and imparting knowledge is the very foundation of our Grand Void Gate! Whether one is Foundation Establishment, Nascent Soul, instructor, or elder—regardless of cultivation depth or rank—everyone must regard teaching the Dao as their core duty and imparting knowledge as their honor; this is the sect's duty!"

"Though I am old, I must uphold this principle at all costs!"

Hearing this, the Grand Void Gate's leader felt profound respect and immediately rose, bowing with clasped hands:

"This junior humbly accepts Laoxiansheng's teaching."

Mr. Xun stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

After the matter was settled, Mr. Xun departed—but his words still echoed in the Grand Void Gate's leader's ears.

The Grand Void Gate's leader pondered long, his emotions complex, and sighed inwardly:

"In today's cultivation world, whether among clans or sects, those with Mr. Xun's open heart and upright spirit are growing ever rarer…"

The Grand Void Gate's leader sighed, took a sip of tea, then suddenly froze, carefully reconsidering—something felt odd.

Why now? Why did this large Array Art class start precisely now?

Though he claimed it was for teaching the Dao, the Grand Void Gate's leader couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Xun harbored a slight personal motive.

But Mr. Xun was upright and incorruptible—what personal motive could he possibly have?

The Grand Void Gate's leader thought again, then shook his head.

He must be imagining things.

Mr. Xun was of high virtue and great prestige—he wouldn't deceive him.

…

After discussing with the Grand Void Gate's leader, Mr. Xun's new rule for the Array Art class was enacted.

The next Array Art class would begin as a large lecture.

The location was chosen as the largest teaching hall in the Dao Transmission Pavilion.

Mr. Xun stood on the platform; below him sat a dense sea of disciples—all from Mo Hua's cohort, over a thousand in number.

Mr. Xun scanned the crowd, then spoke succinctly:

"From now on, Array Art will be taught uniformly by me as the main instructor, with instructors assisting—and…"

Mr. Xun glanced down, then pointed a finger:

"Mo Hua."

Mo Hua froze.

Mr. Xun continued: "... you will serve as the 'Junior Senior Brother' of the Array Art class. When I am absent and the instructors are absent, you are in charge of this teaching hall."

Mo Hua was caught off guard, stunned.

Then he realized—over a thousand pairs of eyes, all at once, like a thousand arrows fired in unison, locked onto him.

These gazes were some familiar, some unfamiliar, some shocked, some puzzled, some admiring, some skeptical, and many tinged with hostility.

They were all true prodigies within the Grand Void Gate, though of the same cohort, many did not know Mo Hua at all.

A "little senior brother" had descended from heaven; with their proud tempers, how could they endure it?

Mo Hua felt his scalp prickle and his whole body uneasy under their stares.

Mr. Xun pretended not to hear, and said to Mo Hua:

"Mo Hua, come up here."

Under the eyes of all, the pressure on Mo Hua was like a mountain, yet he gritted his teeth and stepped onto the stage, standing beside Mr. Xun.

The white-haired Mr. Xun patted Mo Hua's small shoulder, nodded slightly, then pointed at Mo Hua and said to the disciples below:

"From now on, this is your 'little senior brother.'"

Before Mo Hua could speak, one disciple suddenly rose, his expression respectful but tinged with anger, asking:

"May I ask, Master, is this an 'internal appointment'?"

Mr. Xun nodded, answering frankly:

"Yes."

The disciple fell silent.

Mr. Xun was so unflinching that he did not know what to say.

Another disciple stood up and said: "Master, this is favoritism—I refuse to accept it!"

Mr. Xun glanced at him coolly. "And then?"

"I…," the disciple hesitated, then said proudly, "My Ceng Zu is the Grand Elder of the Grand Void Gate. I will report everything to him—that you act unfairly, show favoritism, abuse your authority, and violate the rules…"

Mr. Xun's expression shifted slightly, and he nodded gently:

"Very well. Go tell him—and ask your Ceng Zu, the Grand Elder, to come see me tomorrow. I'll talk to him about what 'rules' truly mean…"

The disciple froze, then began to mutter inwardly.

Why wasn't this Mr. Xun afraid at all…

Was he truly fearless, or merely pretending? Or was he so senior that even my Ceng Zu dared not touch him?

Unfortunately, my Ceng Zu never mentioned this Mr. Xun.

He didn't know what rank this Mr. Xun held within the sect.

But he wasn't foolish—he could tell from Mr. Xun's tone that he held his Ceng Zu in no regard. What if his true status was extremely high…

The disciple's heart trembled.

Have I… brought trouble upon my Ceng Zu…

Will my Ceng Zu beat me…

The disciple lost his courage and sat down quietly.

The other disciples also sensed something was amiss.

This Mr. Xun, who was usually meticulous and only ever taught lessons, might be even more esteemed than they thought.

Everyone fell silent.

Mr. Xun's expression was solemn, yet he silently sighed inside.

Normally, he would have taken time to proceed gradually, Xu Xu.

But now, the Heavenly Mechanism was obscured, the situation was exceptional—he must act swiftly and decisively.

Even if he had to force it, he must "elevate" Mo Hua as the Grand Void Gate's little senior brother.

This matter concerned the Grand Void Gate's destiny.

There was no time to waste, and no room for doubt!

Matters tied to the Heavenly Mechanism—if there is the slightest hesitation, cause and effect will reverse.

Therefore, once a glimpse of the Heavenly Mechanism is seen, even if one must decide alone and act stubbornly, there must be no hesitation whatsoever!

Mr. Xun looked over the disciples seated below.

The disciples' expressions varied; though silent, they clearly did not "accept it wholeheartedly."

Not accepting it wholeheartedly was fine—but at least they must first "submit outwardly!"

Mr. Xun then spoke in a stern tone:

"This matter is settled. You will all call him 'little senior brother' now."

They clearly resented it, but under Mr. Xun's pressure, they had no choice but to obey.

Thus, all the prodigies of this cohort in the Grand Void Gate—except for the small number who knew Mo Hua well—reluctantly, in low voices, addressed the slightly younger Mo Hua:

"Little senior brother."

(End of Chapter)