Chapter 890

After this, over a month passed, and Mo Hua settled into his cultivation as usual.

One afternoon, in the disciples' dining hall, Cheng Mo kept staring at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua frowned, "What are you looking at?"

Cheng Mo rubbed his chin. "Nothing. I just feel—you, Senior Brother, won first place in the Array Debate, but you haven't changed at all since before."

He still remembered how, at the Array Debate arena, Mo Hua had stood cold and detached, handling the challenge as if it were nothing, slaughtering all opponents with unmatched dominance, piercing through the Array Exam like a brushstroke.

The final words—"Any more?"—three simple, plain syllables that made the entire panel of examiners tremble.

That cold, invincible demeanor was so terrifyingly cool it made your scalp tingle.

Now…

Cheng Mo silently glanced at Mo Hua.

Just like nothing had happened, he was back in the dining hall, gnawing on a chicken leg…

He always felt these two images of Senior Brother were sharply disconnected.

"Senior Brother, you're the Array Debate champion, the undisputed master of array arts—shouldn't you at least show a bit more dignity?" Cheng Mo said.

Mo Hua sneered. "First place in the Array Debate? Master of array arts? What's that? Array arts are vast and profound—this tiny achievement won't slow my progress."

Master of array arts? What's that…

A tiny achievement…

Not just Cheng Mo—even all the other disciples around were stunned.

But since Mo Hua said it, they couldn't argue back.

Cheng Mo sighed. "Senior Brother, don't ever say that outside. Someone might lose their mind and challenge you to a duel."

Mo Hua nodded. "Relax. I'm always humble outside."

Cheng Mo couldn't figure out what Mo Hua's standard of "humility" even was…

After that, everyone ate in silence.

Mo Hua gnawed on his chicken leg for a while, then suddenly sensed something, paused, and looked at Cheng Mo. "You've reached Foundation Establishment late stage."

Cheng Mo nodded. "Yeah, just broke through these past two days."

He turned to look at Sister Situ and the others. "You're all close to breaking through too."

Sister Situ nodded. "Yeah, I've got seven or eight days left…"

Hao Xuan added, "Senior Brother, same here—I'll break through to Foundation Establishment late stage in three days at the earliest, ten at the latest."

Mo Hua suddenly felt pressure.

He still hadn't sensed the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment late stage…

Sensing the bottleneck, breaking through it, advancing to Foundation Establishment late stage, increasing Qi, stabilizing cultivation—all take considerable time.

And this academic year has only a few months left.

"I need to hurry!"

Mo Hua's heart tightened.

After that, he cultivated with even greater focus, but his progress remained slow.

Especially as he watched Cheng Mo and the other "Junior Brothers" break through to Foundation Establishment late stage one after another, his sense of urgency grew stronger.

Technically, Foundation Establishment isn't hard—at least not for disciples of the Eight Great Sects.

Qi Refinement establishes the foundation; Foundation Establishment solidifies the Dao. True division comes only at Jin Dan.

Before Jin Dan, it's all about spiritual roots, lineage, and cultivation resources.

Even the slowest, if they persist, have a master guide them, and are force-fed heavenly treasures and spirit stones, can still reach Foundation Establishment late stage.

After Jin Dan, variables multiply.

Beyond spiritual roots, spirit items, and lineage, it demands insight, fate, luck—things intangible and elusive.

So most sects only teach Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment in group classes.

These can be taught together, and progress is easy to monitor.

At Jin Dan, changes multiply, conditions grow complex, cultivation methods deepen—disciples must enter the Inner Sect, find a personal master, and receive individual guidance.

Within Qianxue Prefecture, disciples of every sect nearly all have superior spiritual roots and come from noble families, backed by their clans and supported by sect rewards—resources never lack.

Though noble families have their own tiers, even the weakest disciple admitted to one of Qianxue's Hundred Sects has far more cultivation resources than the vast majority of solitary cultivators in this world.

So, before Jin Dan—right up to Foundation Establishment late stage—it's not hard.

The hard part is perfecting it, excelling at it, surpassing all others in the foundation of the Dao.

But Mo Hua was different.

By strict standards, he wasn't even a "prodigy."

His spiritual roots were too poor; his body too weak.

During Qi Refinement, he was poor—no heavenly treasures to nourish him, no lineage to refine his blood Qi or spiritual power.

His Qi Refinement wasn't slow because he was weak—it was because true prodigies were refining their foundations, strengthening their roots.

He skipped that step, rushing ahead, so he advanced quickly.

But at Foundation Establishment, things changed.

Poor spiritual roots mean less Qi Zhou Tian; cultivation speed slows.

In early Foundation Establishment, it wasn't obvious.

But in mid- to late Foundation Establishment, Mo Hua's progress clearly slowed—and the later it got, the worse it became.

On top of that, he spent immense time and energy on the Array Debate.

And cultivating the God-Slaying Sword, the parasitic entity, severing his life-soul, drained much of his divine essence—his realm of spirit-nature transformation had even regressed slightly.

Mo Hua estimated—he wouldn't reach Foundation Establishment late stage this year.

And if he doesn't reach Foundation Establishment late this year, it means…

"He'll have to repeat the year."

Mo Hua's heart instantly turned cold.

Done… I'm the senior disciple of Grand Void Gate, the champion of the Dao Discourse, I can't possibly be forced to repeat the year, can I?

That would truly be a disgrace.

From then on, Mo Hua trained even harder.

But cultivation requires water dripping through stone—it's not something achieved overnight.

And his elemental roots were poor, and could not be changed.

His progress remained far from promising; his cultivation barely advanced, and he was still far from touching the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment late…

Mo Hua's heart turned utterly cold.

But since the problem had arisen, it was fact—he had to face it; fooling himself was meaningless.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then went to find Mr. Xun.

The elder sat in the center; Mr. Xun was speaking with the Grand Void Gate Patriarch, and upon seeing Mo Hua, he looked slightly surprised.

Mo Hua gently explained his concern—that due to preparing for the Array Discourse Assembly, he had focused entirely on array arts, causing his cultivation progress to stall, and he might not break through to Foundation Establishment late before year's end.

Mr. Xun fell silent for a moment, then said: "It's fine. Do your best. Whatever level you reach, that's what you reach. Don't overworry about the rest."

He didn't say it outright, but Mo Hua understood.

It meant: even if you don't break through to Foundation Establishment late, you won't be forced to repeat the year.

Mo Hua exhaled in relief, then silently glanced at the Grand Void Gate Patriarch beside him.

The Patriarch hesitated a moment, looked at Mr. Xun, then nodded: "Rest assured—I guarantee it."

Even if it breaks the rules, it doesn't matter.

The Array Discourse Champion is worth this favor.

Mo Hua was finally at ease. He bowed and took his leave.

After Mo Hua left, the Grand Void Gate Patriarch fell into thought.

Mr. Xun asked him: "What are you thinking?"

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Ancestor, I just had an idea…"

"What if this boy, Mo Hua, stays forever at Foundation Establishment mid, never breaks through, always repeats the year, never graduates his entire life—wouldn't that mean… he could keep participating in the Dao Discourse Assembly forever?"

"As long as Mo Hua is there, the Sida Sect, the other Eight Gates, the Twelve Schools—all of them can only vie for second place, at his mercy."

"If so, wouldn't Grand Void Gate be able to monopolize first place in the Array Discourse, and hoard the Dao Discourse Champion title until we're sick of it?"

Mr. Xun snapped: "What nonsense!"

But after he spoke, he himself was stunned, and after careful thought, he realized…

It might actually work…

As long as Mo Hua is there, he is first.

And he's only at Foundation Establishment mid—if he never reaches Foundation Establishment late, he never graduates.

If he keeps monopolizing first place in the Array Discourse, wouldn't Grand Void Gate then be able to permanently hold the Dao Discourse Champion title?

The temptation was too great—even Mr. Xun's heart briefly stirred with greed, thinking it wouldn't be so bad if Mo Hua kept "repeating the year."

Immediately, Mr. Xun shook his head, suppressing the greed in his heart, and hurriedly said:

"No, no—this would actually harm the boy. Absolutely not."

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch also knew this was wrong, so he had only spoken in jest.

Moreover, if he truly did this, the Sida Sect would panic and resort to underhanded schemes.

Other sects would curse Grand Void Gate for being shameless.

Mr. Xun said: "Don't mention this again. We must still urge this boy to train hard, improve his cultivation, and study higher-level array arts. Even if he doesn't reach Foundation Establishment late, he must not repeat the year—otherwise, what would become of our Array Discourse Champion?"

"Understood," said the Grand Void Gate Patriarch.

With Mo Hua's matter settled, they turned to their real business.

"That matter…" Mr. Xun's gaze sharpened slightly, "have you prepared everything?"

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch's expression turned solemn. "I've begun contact. I've let a hint slip to them—but…"

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch frowned. "... They're strongly resistant."

"Only resistant?"

"Not just that," the Patriarch sighed. "They think Grand Void Gate is kicking them while they're down, mocking them."

"Hmm." Mr. Xun was not surprised.

It was natural—if roles were reversed, Grand Void Gate would think the same.

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch frowned: "It seems hopeless, with heavy resistance, Ancestor—should we still persist?"

"Naturally," Mr. Xun nodded. "This isn't just one sect's matter. When planning and acting, don't listen to what others say—look at their actual situation, gains and losses, life and death, interests."

"Most words spoken are not to be taken seriously."

"The opinions you hear are likely like floating duckweed—far removed from true reality."

The Grand Void Gate Patriarch suddenly understood and nodded: "Yes."

"You've only let a whisper reach them, so their Ancestor hears the wind and prepares mentally. The final decision rests with their Ancestor," said Mr. Xun.

Hearing this, the Grand Void Gate Patriarch felt slightly relieved, and bowed his hands:

"I'll follow your every word, Ancestor."

…

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Several days later, Chongxu Gate.

In the cave dwelling on the back mountain.

Ancient pine screen obscured cause and effect; all around was silent and empty.

The ancestral elder of Chongxu Gate, Linghu, sat alone within the cave.

Before him stood an ancient stone table, upon which three teacups rested, their tea steam swirling.

The table was old, the teacups were old, and the tradition was old.

This was an ancient tea gathering, once long upheld, but now long unheld.

At this moment, Linghu sipped tea in quiet waiting.

After a while, where there had been nothing but empty air, space suddenly split open, swords qi flooding out.

A tall, dark-featured old man emerged, his steps swift as wind, walking straight to the table, lifting a teacup and drinking.

He wore the highest-ranking robe of Tai'e Gate—the ancestral elder of Tai'e Gate, Ouyang.

Ouyang sat and drank tea, saying nothing.

For both men knew the host had not yet arrived.

Another incense stick later, the rift in space opened again, calmly and steadily, its traces faint.

Out stepped Xun, his hair entirely white, who walked straight to the table, lifted a teacup, nodded to the ancestral elders of Tai'e and Chongxu, then drained it in one gulp.

Ouyang had been scowling, but seeing Xun's snow-white hair, his anger softened, and he sighed:

"Brother Xun, among the three of us, you've aged the fastest."

Xun replied calmly: "There's no help for it—I think too much, and work too hard."

Ouyang shook his head. "I told you—you're an ancestral elder now. Why bother teaching classes yourself, wasting your spirit like this…"

Xun said: "It's ancestral custom—I'm used to it. And…"

Xun paused slightly. "Teaching Jiao Sect myself isn't bad—occasionally, I still find a promising seed, to brighten the glory of Taixu Gate."

At these words, the ancestral elders of Tai'e and Chongxu felt a pang of discomfort.

If not for that prodigy in Taixu Gate, their current standing might not even be better than theirs.

After a moment, Linghu of Chongxu Gate spoke:

"Enough. Let's get to the matter at hand…"

He cut straight to the point: "I've heard rumors about it—I suspect you, Brother Xun, deliberately used these sect leaders and elders to leak the news, testing our reaction."

"Let me state my position clearly: Chongxu Gate opposes this."

Ouyang nodded. "Tai'e Gate also opposes it."

Though the three sects once shared a common origin, now that they had split, each lived its own life.

Each now had its own foundation—how could they simply merge?

The interests and personal conflicts involved were too numerous, too complex; even these ancestral elders felt a headache just thinking about it.

Moreover, if the three sects united, there must be a "leader."

Who would take that role?

Given the current situation, it would inevitably be Taixu Gate.

Tai'e and Chongxu would never agree.

Put kindly, it's called "the merging of three sects"; put bluntly, it's "annexation"—Taixu Gate taking advantage of their weakness to swallow Tai'e and Chongxu whole!

Thinking of this, Ouyang felt resentment and said to Xun:

"Brother Xun, our three sects share the same breath and roots. I don't expect you to pull us out in crisis, but don't kick us when we're down…"

Linghu also nodded. "This truly breaks our hearts."

Xun drank tea in silence, saying nothing.

Ouyang and Linghu stared coldly, but did not press—waiting for Xun's reply.

After a moment, Xun slowly spoke, asking the other two ancestral elders a question: "Do you think we can still preserve our foundations?"

At these words, Ouyang and Linghu were momentarily stunned.

Ouyang said: "I can't speak for Tai'e or Chongxu, but Taixu Gate? Your fortune is deep—you've gained a prodigy disciple, now ranked third among the Eight Great Gates, and just as your sect reforms, your future is brightening. What foundation could you possibly lose?"

Xun shook his head. "Don't speak of being among the top three of the Eight Great Gates—even if Taixu Gate truly reached the Sida Sect, we still might not preserve our foundation."

Ouyang and Linghu exchanged glances, then looked puzzled:

"Brother Xun, please be clear."

Xun hesitated, then slowly uttered two words:

"Evil God…"

Ouyang and Linghu's expressions changed, then both frowned.

Xun said: "You're not unfamiliar with these two words."

"You mean…" Linghu said.

Xun sighed: "An Evil God has already seeped into Qianxue Province—and its infiltration is far deeper than either of us imagined…"

Ouyang and Linghu fell silent.

Xun looked at them quietly, then slowly said:

"I know you may have sensed something—but without studying heavenly fate and cause-effect, you have no idea how grave this problem truly is."

"Not just you—other old masters are much the same."

"Either they close themselves in seclusion, ignoring all affairs, or they care only for sect interests and development; even if disciples err, as long as they don't threaten the sect's core, they turn a blind eye."

"This is wrong…"

Mr. Xun said solemnly: "The corruption of the Dao heart is more terrifying than anything else."

"Once the Dao heart is corrupted, evil gods will seize the opportunity to enter; no matter how powerful the force or how prosperous the sect, once tainted, it will inevitably decay, until it rots completely."

"The evil gods dwell within human hearts, their methods devious and unfathomable."

"We cultivators who cultivate Qi and strength but neglect the heart—no matter how high our cultivation, we cannot stand against the evil gods."

Old Ancestor Ouyang frowned and shook his head: "Brother Xun, you're being alarmist…"

Mr. Xun said: "Hasn't the lesson of the Rouge Boat been deep enough?"

This matter is rather sharp.

Old Ancestor Ouyang and Old Ancestor Linghu both looked displeased.

"This matter is due to our Tai'o Sect and Chongxu Sect's failure in discipline—I won't deny it—but to claim it is the work of an evil god seems… rather far-fetched…"

Mr. Xun raised his eyebrows slightly:

"Don't you wonder why this has been hidden until now? Why could all of you, Old Ancestors, be fooled? Why was this filth placed upon the Yan Shui River?"

"The Long Wang Temple on the Yan Shui River has a history."

"Why did that Long Wang Temple vanish entirely? Who hid it? What truly happened inside?"

"Now, in that Long Wang Temple, what is being worshipped with the corpses of river bandits as sacrifices?"

"Is someone inciting sect disciples to commit sins, to feed that thing?"

Old Ancestor Ouyang and Old Ancestor Linghu's expressions changed.

They were both Old Ancestors—required to cultivate, plan grand strategies, and occasionally enter seclusion to contemplate; for these "minor incidents" among Foundation Establishment cultivators in second-grade prefectures, they generally did not inquire.

Added to that, the demonic mist shrouded the karmic traces.

Had Mr. Xun not mentioned it now, they would never have realized the hidden mysteries within.

No, or rather, they had once realized it—had a faint suspicion—but afterward, deliberately or unconsciously, they forgot…

Forgot…

These Void-Perceiving Old Ancestors forgot…

Now, as they thought of it, both Old Ancestors were startled, a chill creeping into their hearts.

What kind of existence could make these Void-Perceiving cultivators forget a matter?

Old Ancestor Linghu pondered for a moment and said: "I will investigate this matter…"

Mr. Xun shook his head: "Useless. If you investigate now, you'll find nothing. Even if you uncover something, it will be half-truth and half-falsehood. And after a while, when you enter seclusion or lose focus, you may forget this matter entirely…"

Old Ancestor Ouyang and Old Ancestor Linghu frowned even deeper.

After a moment, Old Ancestor Ouyang said: "Brother Xun, among the three of us, you've studied the Way of Heavenly Fate the deepest. I don't believe you'd lie. But without proof, for us to fully trust you is too hasty."

"Moreover, matters concerning a sect's fate are always major."

"We understand your meaning."

"But we cannot agree to what is ostensibly 'the merger of the Three Sects' but in truth is 'sect annexation'—merely out of baseless fear of this so-called 'evil god'…"

Old Ancestor Linghu also said: "Hearing is believing nothing; seeing is believing. We must verify it ourselves before making a decision."

Mr. Xun said: "If the evil god emerges, it means human hearts have turned chaotic, and the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth has begun to decline. By the time you realize it, it will be too late…"

Old Ancestor Ouyang and Old Ancestor Linghu clearly remained skeptical.

Mr. Xun let out a faint sigh.

The difficulty lies precisely here.

A person can only comprehend what they are capable of comprehending.

The longer one lives, the more true this becomes.

An evil god is an existence born between divine thoughts, insubstantial and elusive.

Ordinary cultivators, no matter how high their cultivation, may not even perceive it.

Even if they perceive it, they may not understand; even if they understand, they may not truly grasp it; even if they truly grasp it, they may not know what to do.

Even if they know what to do, when the time comes to act, they will hesitate, face countless obstacles, and find it hard to persist resolutely.

This is the flaw of human nature.

To "know" is already difficult; to "unify knowing with doing" is even harder.

But opportunity does not wait; it slips away in an instant.

Once the optimal moment is missed, the situation deteriorates, and nothing can turn it back.

Mr. Xun had calculated many times, and the more he calculated, the more he felt that unless the Ruofeisan Sect merged, standing together, they could not remain unscathed amid the coming upheavals in Qianxue Prefecture.

And if the Three Sects could merge, it would instead be a great opportunity.

Yet persuading these two ancient, stubborn Old Ancestors—who had lived too long—was no easy task.

Mr. Xun fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Have you forgotten… the 'Great Demon Catastrophe' in the history of the Three Sects?"

At these words, Old Ancestor Ouyang and Old Ancestor Linghu's pupils shrank, their spirits shaken.

Mr. Xun continued: "This ancient secret has had all written records erased; even the current abbots of the sects do not know it—only we, the long-lived Old Ancestors, remember."

"But I believe you haven't forgotten."

"During the Great Demon Catastrophe, which lasted for ages, how many of our Taixu lineage died? How many swords were broken?"

"My elder brother, with such cultivation and sword art at its peak, could not advance further—he sealed his divine thoughts, and now dwells eternally within the Taixu Sword Tomb, using the tomb as his prison, never stepping out for a single day."

"Throughout history, the Taixu Sect has silently guarded the Heavenly Fate, karmic traces, malevolent omens, and divine thought assassinations of the Three Sects."

"Now, within the Sword Tomb lie countless bones."

"These include not only the predecessors who perished in the Great Demon Catastrophe, but also geniuses who perished while slaying demonic and evil creatures…"

"Perhaps this is the fate of divine thought becoming sword—I say nothing more, I make no demands, but you should know: you truly owe the Taixu Sect."

Mr. Xun's gaze was profound.

Ouyang Ancestor and Linghu Ancestor fell silent, their hearts heavy with guilt.

Humans are selfish.

In daily life, they only consider themselves, but that doesn't mean they don't understand certain things.

Tai'e Forging Spirit Sword and Chongxu Cultivating Sword Qi—these are tangible, visible things; what their two sects have done can be seen.

But the intangible is the most dangerous.

Over these years, the greatest sacrifices and hidden efforts have come from Grand Void Gate.

If the sect master or elders had only a shallow understanding of the Heavenly Mechanism, they might still make excuses—but you are Ancestors, you know well the terrifying unpredictability of the Divine Mind Realm.

You've both been to Grand Void Gate's Sword Tomb before.

You know exactly how many lie buried there.

Finally, Old Master Xun gave them one last silent look and said gravely:

"The three sects merging is about standing together, facing the great calamity, and preserving our three sects' foundations."

"Put plainly, it can also be seen as compensation for Grand Void Gate's losses in the Divine Mind Path over these years."

"Moreover, you don't need me to tell you how dire your two sects' situations are now. Do you truly wish to watch your foundations decay?"

"But Grand Void Gate is different—not to mention anything else, at least when it comes to formations, with Watching Mo Hua there, one outstanding talent can make up for a hundred flaws."

"I put this here: the next round's top array expert will surely be from Grand Void Gate!"

"The situation is this: the opportunity comes only once."

"Right now, I can still pull you both up—if you miss this chance and the great calamity strikes, even if I want to help, I'll have the will but no strength."

"How you choose, you should already understand…"

Old Master Xun's expression was stern, his tone decisive.

Ouyang Ancestor and Linghu Ancestor fell into silent thought, remaining wordless for a long while, until finally both let out a deep sigh.

……

An hour later, Old Master Xun returned to Grand Void Gate, and the heavy stone in his heart slowly settled.

At least, a beginning had been made.

All the planning these past days had not been in vain.

Old Master Xun exhaled in relief.

Another hour passed, and Mo Hua came to visit Old Master Xun, as usual, to seek guidance on array techniques.

Seeing Mo Hua had not slackened, still so diligent, Old Master Xun nodded with satisfaction.

After the lesson, Mo Hua opened his mouth but hesitated.

"What is it?" Old Master Xun asked.

"I…" Mo Hua whispered, "won't I be held back, right?"

He had asked before, but he still wanted to confirm it again.

Old Master Xun would never let him be held back, but now, with a moment of leisure, he curiously asked:

"You really don't want to be held back?"

"Yes." Mo Hua nodded.

Being held back is embarrassing, but mainly…

"If I'm held back, my junior disciples will become my 'senior brothers.'"

The title "Junior Senior Brother" was hard-won, and Mo Hua valued it deeply.

Old Master Xun smiled faintly: "Don't worry…"

He paused, then suddenly had an idea, his expression half-amused:

"Once a Junior Senior Brother, always a Junior Senior Brother—it can't be changed. And who knows, in a while, you might become Junior Senior Brother to even more people…"

"Junior Senior Brother to even more people?"

Mo Hua froze, confused, not understanding what Old Master Xun meant.

Where would he suddenly get more junior disciples to become his?