Chapter 806: Celestial and Human

"Yes! Yes!"

In an instant, Hua Qianqian replied with lightning speed.

Mo Hua: "..."

Are you really that eager...

Hua Qianqian: "As long as you put on the Dao robe of the Hundred Flowers Valley, I'll spare no effort to get you inside!"

"No matter what mishap occurs, I can handle it!"

"I'll take full responsibility!"

Hua Qianqian declared with solemn assurance.

Mo Hua: "..."

"Well? Well?" Before Mo Hua could reply, Hua Qianqian rushed on, "Then it's settled! This sort of thing is better done early—come find me first thing tomorrow!"

Hua Qianqian unilaterally decided.

Now that Mo Dizhi has softened, we must strike while the iron is hot.

Move quickly—delay invites trouble.

If we wait a few days and Mo Dizhi suddenly changes his mind, my wish will be ruined!

Seize the moment—don't give him a chance to back out!

Mo Hua had no idea what to say.

He thought of Sister Ye Jin, then of the passage in "One Hundred Taboos of Cultivation" that said, "After a horrific death, intense resentment turns one into a vengeful ghost," and sighed helplessly:

"Fine..."

"Good!"

Inside the Hundred Flowers Valley, Hua Qianqian—who had been unable to eat or sleep for days over Ye Jin's matter and had remained in low spirits—suddenly felt life brimming with hope again.

"Let me see what kind of Dao robe would suit my adorable Mo Dizhi..."

Hua Qianqian, wide awake, leapt up and rummaged through chests and cabinets, selecting a suitable Dao robe for Mo Hua from a pile of dazzling, flowery garments.

The next morning.

Mo Hua went to Hua Qianqian's cave dwelling.

The location of the cave dwelling had been told to him by Hua Qianqian.

This cave dwelling was located in Hundred Flowers City, outside the Hundred Flowers Valley, and was property of the Hua family.

Hua Qianqian was a direct descendant of the Hua family and deeply favored at home; thus, this cave dwelling had been allotted to her for rest, cultivation, relaxation, pill refining, or hosting fellow cultivators during her ten-day breaks.

Above the cave's entrance hung a plaque reading "Qianxiang Courtyard."

The script looked to be written by Hua Qianqian herself.

Mo Hua stood at the cave entrance, staring at the plaque, and immediately regretted his impulsive promise to wear the Hundred Flowers Valley's Dao robe.

"Should I just run away?"

What does the Hundred Flowers Valley have to do with me?

The Yanzhi Boat matter isn't that urgent.

As for Sister Ye's matter, I can only express my regret.

Mo Hua thought guiltily.

He slowly stepped back a few paces, turned to flee—but before he could move, the cave door suddenly swung open.

"Mo Dizhi, you're here!"

Hua Qianqian's eyes sparkled brightly.

She had risen early and waited at the door, fearing Mo Hua might try to escape; the moment she saw him, she flung the door open.

"Sister, good morning, I..." Mo Hua stammered, "I just remembered there's something urgent back at the sect—I haven't finished drawing the formation array. Maybe we should postpone entering the Hundred Flowers Valley..."

Hua Qianqian wouldn't listen to his excuses—she grabbed Mo Hua on the spot.

Mo Hua, caught off guard, couldn't dodge; she clamped him tightly and, unable to break free, was forcibly dragged into the cave.

The cave dwelling had been arranged by Hua Qianqian to be warm and exquisite, filled everywhere with vivid, colorful flowers.

The scent of pills mingled with floral fragrance, refreshing and soothing.

Hua Qianqian pulled Mo Hua into the inner chamber, seated him firmly at the table, then shut and sealed the main door with a formation.

She had decided: today, no matter what, Mo Dizhi would wear the Dao robe she had meticulously prepared.

Mo Hua felt a blur before his eyes, and suddenly a large, gold-embroidered storage box appeared before him.

Hua Qianqian opened the box, revealing row upon row of neatly arranged robes.

Styles ranged from lavish to elegant, from dignified to charming—each unique.

They were embroidered with exquisite threads in intricate stitching, depicting dazzling brocade patterns.

Some bore elaborate hundred-flowers motifs, others majestic landscapes, still others noble phoenix designs, shimmering with radiant beauty.

"I stayed up all night, picking for hours..." Hua Qianqian eagerly told Mo Hua, "Mo Dizhi, which one do you like?"

Looking at Hua Qianqian's excited face, Mo Hua suddenly felt like a lamb led into Hukou.

He turned his head, glanced at the robes in the box, and whispered weakly:

"These... don't seem to be Hundred Flowers Valley Dao robes..."

The Hundred Flowers Valley's Dao robes, though also embroidered with flowers and elegant in design, were standardized—how could there be so many bizarre styles?

Hua Qianqian froze.

She had almost forgotten—Mo Hua had said "Hundred Flowers Valley Dao robe."

In her excitement, she'd picked only the ones she liked.

"This little detail shouldn't matter..." Hua Qianqian murmured, "As long as it's a woman's Dao robe, it should... maybe be acceptable to enter the Hundred Flowers Valley."

Mo Hua watched Hua Qianqian in silence.

Hua Qianqian felt a pang of regret, then her eyes lit up. "Just try it on for me—just one glance! One glance is enough!"

"Senior Sister, we came to Hundred Blossom Valley for a serious purpose," Mo Hua said helplessly.

Hua Qianqian sighed. "Fine…"

She turned back and picked out several simpler, less appealing Hundred Blossom Valley Dao robes, handing them to Mo Hua.

"Younger Brother, try them on first."

Mo Hua still felt some resistance inside.

But Hua Qianqian kept urging him, so he reluctantly slipped on a set of dazzling, flower-embroidered Hundred Blossom Valley Dao robes.

Hua Qianqian took one look, froze for a moment, then couldn't help covering her mouth.

Mo Hua had always been handsome, with clear, refined features; now, framed by the brilliant robes, his quiet elegance revealed striking beauty, his grandeur tinged with crispness—a beauty beyond gender.

He carried the innocence of a woman and the vigor of a youth.

His frame, though not tall for a man, appeared slender compared to women.

And his eyes sparkled like stars.

In their depths lay a touch of compassion, a hint of depth, and a touch of awe-inspiring majesty.

Hua Qianqian suddenly felt this was not a face meant for mortals.

The immortals of legend, flawless in Dao, balanced in yin and yang, untainted by mortal dust—surely they looked no different.

"Senior Sister…"

"Senior Sister?"

Mo Hua called twice; only then did Hua Qianqian snap back to reality.

She immediately yanked out a pile of clothes from the chest, staring intently at Mo Hua. "Younger Brother, try on these too."

Even in the standard Hundred Blossom Valley Dao robe, he looked like uncarved jade, transcendent and otherworldly—so beautiful already.

If he wore these finer garments, what would happen?

Even Buddhas need golden adornment; people need fine clothes.

Even immortals require seamless celestial robes to complement them.

If Mo Hua would just put on these clothes and let her see him—even just one glance—she would have no regrets.

Mo Hua shook his head violently, refusing outright.

"No!"

"Just try it on…"

Hua Qianqian tried to drape the dress over Mo Hua; as they pushed and tugged, a soft, reproachful voice suddenly came from outside:

"Qianqian, why are you locking the door in broad daylight?"

Murong Caiyun, holding the cave tablet, had barely opened the door when she saw a scattered heap of clothes, disheveled hairpins, Hua Qianqian's flushed cheeks, and Mo Hua, wearing the Hundred Blossom Valley Dao robe, his face as red as an apple, tangled with her in a struggle.

Murong Caiyun froze.

The two inside froze too.

After a moment, Murong Caiyun trembled with rage. "You…"

Hua Qianqian's heart sank halfway.

"Sister Murong, it's not what you think…"

"How dare you lie?!"

"Sister, let me explain…"

…

After a commotion, the cave door shut again.

Murong Caiyun sat inside, her face as dark as water.

Hua Qianqian and Mo Hua sat side by side, heads drooping like two children caught misbehaving.

"... Is this really how it happened?"

Murong Caiyun asked, face stern.

"Yes…"

Hua Qianqian and Mo Hua whispered.

Murong Caiyun rebuked: "Even if you want to investigate Jin'er's death, you can't let Mo Hua wear Hundred Blossom Valley Dao robes and sneak into their grounds—if this gets exposed…"

Hua Qianqian said: "I'll take full responsibility."

Murong Caiyun snapped: "You're still a disciple yourself, and your temperament is like a child who never grew up—what can you possibly take responsibility for?"

Hua Qianqian muttered: "At least it won't be blamed on Younger Brother Mo…"

Murong Caiyun grew irritated and glared at her.

"And how could you let Younger Brother Mo wear a female cultivator's Dao robe?"

"Because it looks beautiful…" Hua Qianqian whispered weakly.

Murong Caiyun wanted to pinch her ear.

Just then, Mo Hua lifted his head and whispered: "Senior Sister…"

Murong Caiyun turned her head, her gaze falling on Mo Hua.

But as soon as she looked, she couldn't look away.

When she had entered earlier, she had been so shocked she'd only been angry, never truly seeing Mo Hua.

Now, calm and composed, she looked again—and felt as if she'd glimpsed a celestial being. Her heart skipped a beat.

For an instant, she even entertained the absurd, unthinkable thought: "Qianqian did the right thing."

Elder Murong immediately shook her head, pushing the thought aside, when she heard Mo Hua say:

"... Senior Sister, Ye Jin's cause of death must have hidden secrets."

"And her manner of death was extremely dangerous..."

Elder Murong forced herself with great effort not to look at Mo Hua's face, focusing instead on his words.

"Dangerous?"

Elder Murong looked puzzled.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "I don't know what Ye Jin experienced in life, but she must have suffered great injustice and torment, left with no other path but to choose the one taboo among the Hundred Prohibitions: 'Dying a miserable death, mouth filled with grievance, transforming into a vengeful ghost.'"

"Transforming into a vengeful ghost..."

Elder Murong's face turned pale.

Hua Qianqian's expression also drained of color.

She had only known that Ye Jin had once asked whether people became ghosts after death—but never imagined she would kill herself to become a "vengeful ghost."

Even by burning herself alive in a "miserable death."

Elder Murong now realized the gravity of the matter.

Though she knew little of spirit and ghost arts, she understood that once a person became a vengeful ghost, their malevolence would be extreme, leaving endless calamity.

Cultivators turn pale at the mention of ghosts because ghosts differ from humans: they have thought but no form, entirely unrelated to cultivators' blood qi and spiritual power systems, making them not only difficult to handle but extremely dangerous.

Some high-level cultivators, with deep spiritual awareness, could fear no ghostly entities.

But if they lacked methods to suppress spirits, they were powerless against them.

If Sister Jin truly became a vengeful ghost...

Elder Murong glanced at Mo Hua with concern. "Then aren't you in great danger too?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "I'm fine."

Elder Murong was about to ask why, but saw Mo Hua's calm expression, his deep gaze radiating a steady, reassuring aura.

He remained composed in the face of great matters.

When they first met, Mo Hua sometimes wore this same expression during crises.

Now, after years passed, he had matured slightly and served several years as junior senior brother—this air of complete control was even more pronounced.

Elder Murong sighed. "Alright..."

Every cultivator has secrets.

Some things shouldn't be asked about.

And given Mo Hua's nature, he wouldn't do anything without confidence.

Elder Murong thought a moment, then asked: "Why not tell the elders of Hundred Flowers Valley directly?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "Not yet."

Because they still didn't know whether the upper echelons of Hundred Flowers Valley had been involved.

Whether they had anything to do with Sister Jin's death.

Elder Murong froze, then understood.

She couldn't help sighing again, paused in thought, then said solemnly:

"Hundred Flowers Valley has only female disciples; its rules are strict—no male cultivators are permitted inside."

"If you sneak in and everything goes smoothly, fine. But if you're caught, say I ordered you to investigate."

Mo Hua stared in surprise.

Hua Qianqian also looked stunned. "Senior Sister Murong..."

Elder Murong shook her head. "I'm deeply sorry about Sister Jin. I can't help with other things, but I can take the blame for you."

Hua Qianqian said, "Senior Sister, you don't have to take the blame—I..."

Elder Murong's expression turned grave. "You don't understand—I'm from the Murong Clan, and I'm close to you. With Sister Jin's case, you can be accused of colluding with me, but not with Mo Hua. Otherwise, there are plenty in Hundred Flowers Valley who'll use this to target your Hua Clan."

Hua Qianqian nodded, half-understanding.

Elder Murong added, "Go quickly, return quickly, don't stay long—be careful."

Then she sighed deeply, gazing at Mo Hua with sincerity. "I entrust Sister Jin's matter to you."

"Mm, Senior Sister, rest assured." Mo Hua nodded.

The hour was late; Hua Qianqian then led Mo Hua toward Hundred Flowers Valley.

Inside the cave dwelling, only Elder Murong remained.

Thinking of Sister Jin, she felt a pang of emotion.

Then her eyes fell on the various exquisite dresses scattered on the ground, and she froze—unconsciously imagining Mo Hua wearing them, elegant as a celestial being.

Her heart thudded, and she immediately pinched her own arm, distracting her thoughts, silently sighing:

"I must've been corrupted by that little Qianqian..."

At the gate of Hundred Flowers Valley.

The morning sun shone brightly, illuminating the valley in a riot of blooming flowers—vivid purples and reds.

Before the mountain path, Hua Qianqian whispered to Mo Hua:

"From now on, you're my junior sister. When we enter the gate, I'll link arms with you and pretend we're chatting."

"If anyone asks you something, pretend you're shy and don't speak easily."

Mo Hua nodded uneasily.

Hua Qianqian glanced at Mo Hua again, feeling a pang of regret.

So many beautiful dresses—and Mo Hua, no, Mo Junior Brother, hadn't worn any of them.

Besides, she hadn't applied rouge or powder, only neatly rebraided her hair into a Baihua Valley disciple's knot.

Yet Mo Hua's lips were naturally red, his teeth white; merely draped in a Baihua Valley Dao robe, he looked like a lotus emerging from clear water—no adornment needed.

Applying powder or rouge would be superfluous.

Moreover, getting Mo's junior brother to wear a Baihua Valley Dao robe was already rare—perhaps this would be the only time in his life, so he must be watched closely.

Hua Qianqian silently thought to herself.

She grew even more affectionate toward Mo Hua, her eyes like autumn waters fixed upon him.

Mo Hua felt deeply uncomfortable under her gaze.

The two walked along the mountain path toward the main gate.

Hua Qianqian was well-liked among the Baihua Valley disciples.

Along the way, many female disciples greeted her, and she returned each greeting in turn.

Some asked about Mo Hua, and Hua Qianqian replied:

"She's a little junior sister from my own clan."

Other female disciples usually only stared in awe, unable to resist complimenting him.

Some felt suspicious, but seeing Hua Qianqian's natural tone and intimate demeanor with this junior sister, they harbored no doubts.

At the main gate, it was standard procedure to present the Baihua Valley token to enter.

But since it was the day off every ten days, many disciples came and went, so enforcement was lax.

Hua Qianqian secretly handed her own token to Mo Hua, then pouted to a female elder guarding the gate:

"Auntie, I forgot my Baihua token—please let me in just this once~"

The female elder was exasperated and refused:

"No."

"Let me in~"

"No. The gate rules forbid it."

"Auntie~"

The elder glared at her. "Even calling me 'Granny' won't work. You're grown now, and still so careless—you forget your Baihua token? Go back and get it."

"I'll just go inside to fetch a medicinal scripture and come right out—it won't take a moment," Hua Qianqian said, sounding wounded. "Otherwise, going back and forth means wasting so much extra time. You yourself told me: a cultivator's time is the most precious…"

The elder sighed helplessly.

Hua Qianqian added: "Auntie, let me in. If you let me pass this once, I promise I'll get a 'Yi' in the sect's upcoming examination—array technique!"

"Pathetic," the elder scowled at Hua Qianqian. "You won't even dare to promise an 'Jia'."

Hua Qianqian muttered: "I'd need to be able to get an 'Jia' first…"

"Fine," the elder said, seeing Hua Qianqian had made such a bold vow. "Once only. Next time, if you don't have your token, no matter what you say, you won't set foot inside."

Hua Qianqian's face lit up. "Thank you, Auntie!"

The elder finally turned her gaze to Mo Hua beside Hua Qianqian, her eyes brightening—she was about to ask something.

But Hua Qianqian had already pulled Mo Hua running up the mountain.

"Junior sister, hurry!"

Mo Hua clutched the Baihua token, dragged along by Hua Qianqian up the mountain.

Seeing this, the elder couldn't stop them—she could only sigh helplessly and murmur: "This girl, never has any decorum…"

…

After entering the sect, Hua Qianqian pulled Mo Hua to a secluded valley. Seeing no one around, she let out a breath.

"Finally got in—thank goodness we weren't caught…"

Her heart thudded wildly.

If they were exposed, she'd truly "die before even beginning the mission."

Mo Hua, watching her state, felt his own nerves tighten.

If exposed, he didn't know if he'd die—but he'd definitely be socially ruined.

"I'll take you to Ye Jin's junior sister's dormitory now. Follow me," Hua Qianqian told Mo Hua.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Thus, Hua Qianqian took Mo Hua's hand and walked along the Baihua Valley's stone steps toward the rear mountain's disciple quarters.

Meanwhile, deep within the Baihua Valley.

On a pavilion at the summit.

A woman of breathtaking beauty, with a cold expression, frowned as she stared intently at a Baihua Celestial Mechanism Disc before her.

She, too, wore a Baihua Gate Dao robe.

But this robe was dignified, elegant, and exquisitely ornate, embroidered with hundreds of different flowers—vivid, dazzling, each blooming in competition yet harmoniously balanced—the highest-grade "Baihua Dao Robe."

As she watched the Celestial Mechanism Disc turn, flower after flower withered, her expression grew more solemn.

Finally, she sighed, turned around, and gazed far across the entire Baihua Valley, lost in thought.

Within the Baihua Valley, purple and red flowers bloomed in profusion.

On the mountain paths, female disciples came and went, radiant as a flourishing city.

It looked utterly beautiful.

Just then, her gaze sharpened—she saw a graceful female disciple on the path, linked arm-in-arm with another disciple, clear and pure as a lotus emerging from water, whispering together.

The woman's cold expression suddenly flickered with shock.

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