Chapter 990

Grand Void Gate, Elder's Residence.

As the year drew to a close, Elder Xun Ziyou casually discussed matters regarding the Sword Forum with Mr. Xun.

These matters had been deliberately arranged by Mr. Xun.

After three rounds of tea, the main business was concluded; Elder Xun Ziyou sipped his tea, hesitated repeatedly, then finally asked:

"Ancestor, have you… taught Mo Hua the Sword Art of Divine Thought Transformation?"

Mr. Xun looked surprised, glanced at Elder Xun Ziyou, and asked coolly: "Why ask that?"

Elder Xun Ziyou fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Mo Hua seems to have learned the True Scripture of Divine Thought Sword Transformation…"

Mr. Xun's pupils contracted slightly. "What did you say?!"

Elder Xun Ziyou repeated it silently.

Mr. Xun's gaze sharpened. "You saw it?"

Elder Xun Ziyou gave a slight nod. "I saw him use divine thought to form a sword… and kill a third-grade Jin Dan boar demon."

Mr. Xun was stunned into silence.

After a long while, his brows knitted together; he glanced at Elder Xun Ziyou with doubt, then asked slowly:

"Do you… realize what you just said?"

Mo Hua…

Learned the True Scripture of Divine Thought Sword Transformation?

Killed a third-grade Jin Dan boar demon?

How could these absurd things possibly be connected?

After a moment's thought, Mr. Xun said to Elder Xun Ziyou:

"Lean your head forward—I'll check your mind sea…"

He was now somewhat concerned that Elder Xun Ziyou might have been affected by a malevolent force in the Solitary Mountain Shrine, leaving his mind sea still clouded and confused, prone to wild fantasies and unable to distinguish imagination from reality.

Mr. Xun's eyes showed concern.

Elder Xun Ziyou smiled bitterly. "Ancestor, I'm fine—I truly saw it with my own eyes…"

Mr. Xun's motion halted; seeing Elder Xun Ziyou's clear gaze, he knew he wasn't lying, and asked gravely:

"When did this happen?"

"Just today," Elder Xun Ziyou said. "Mo Hua went to the Demon Refining Mountain, saying he wanted to practice a minor technique—I happened to see it…"

Elder Xun Ziyou recounted the entire sequence of events.

Mr. Xun frowned. "Does Mo Hua know you saw him?"

Elder Xun Ziyou pondered. "I was far away, and I suppressed my aura. His entire focus was on the boar demon—he likely didn't notice me…"

Normally, even a Jin Dan cultivator fighting a third-grade Jin Dan boar demon must concentrate utterly, exhausting every ounce of strength—there would be no spare attention for anything else.

Especially since Mo Hua is only at Foundation Establishment.

Mr. Xun fell silent, his expression growing serious.

Elder Xun Ziyou said nothing.

He would have to treat this seemingly "absurd" matter with serious attention.

Yet Mr. Xun, after pondering for a long while, still found it impossible to connect these events.

Individually, whether learning the Divine Thought Sword Transformation or slaying a Jin Dan boar demon—both were utterly impossible…

Mo Hua is only at Foundation Establishment—how could he learn Divine Thought Sword Transformation?

The True Scripture of Grand Void Divine Thought Sword Transformation is the supreme sword art of the Grand Void Gate, the sect's foundational legacy, a forbidden technique.

Throughout Grand Void Gate's history, every brilliant sword prodigy spent their childhood rigorously training in swordcraft, forging a solid foundation.

Only after reaching late Jin Dan, with a stable soul, could one even begin to learn it.

Only upon reaching Liu Yuhua, when the soul could leave the body, could one achieve minor mastery.

Only upon reaching Jing Xu, when one pierced through illusion and reality, could one sever the spirit.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator… how could he learn Divine Thought Sword Transformation?

Moreover, this boy Mo Hua—he isn't even a sword cultivator.

He's a lone cultivator, poor since childhood, likely never even touched a spirit sword, with not a shred of sword foundation.

He doesn't even possess a True Sword—how could his divine thought form a sword?

And where did he get his lineage?

Grand Void Divine Thought Sword Transformation demands harsh conditions, arduous cultivation, and a closed lineage—it's already difficult to learn.

To master it, one must be guided by a senior master; otherwise, one easily strays and falls into qi deviation.

In the entire Grand Void Gate today, the only person who truly masters Divine Thought Sword Transformation is his lone master, Du Gu.

Even he, this Jing Xu elder, never learned the Divine Thought Sword Art, since he doesn't follow the sword path.

But his master…

Mr. Xun sighed inwardly.

His master remains gravely wounded, like decaying wood, now sealed in the back mountain, fate uncertain—how could he possibly have taught Mo Hua the sword art?

Even if he had once had the chance, Mo Hua, as an outer disciple, could never enter the back mountain.

His master secludes himself in the Sword Grave, fiercely proud and reclusive—he would never lower himself to personally teach Mo Hua, an orphaned, sword-ignorant little disciple with no ties to him.

Moreover, even if Mo Hua had learned it, and mastered it—could he use Divine Thought Sword Transformation to slay a Jin Dan demon across a realm?

Even in novels, this couldn't be written.

The level of mastery required in Divine Thought Sword Transformation is terrifyingly profound.

Divine Thought Sword Transformation is a profound sword scripture, containing many distinct sword forms.

The Sword Transformation Form, the Shock-the-Soul Sword, the Shatter-the-Soul Sword, and ultimately, the Sever-the-Soul Sword Form…

One step, one barrier.

To slay a Jin Dan across realms, you must master the Sever-the-Soul Sword.

But to attain the Sever-the-Soul Sword Form—the most powerful of all—no one knows how many years of grueling cultivation it would take, nor how much blood, sweat, and heart it would demand.

This requires years and heartblood to nurture.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense has formed a Jin Dan, true enough, but he is far too young—how could he possibly have cultivated such profound mastery in spiritual sword formation?

Even his own peerless sword prodigy, Master Du Gu, could not achieve this at the same realm…

Moreover, Mo Hua's spiritual sense has only just formed a Jin Dan—it is still weak.

Even if he had mastered the Sever-the-Soul Sword and poured all his spiritual force into it, slaying a third-grade pig demon would still be no easy feat…

…

The room fell silent.

The candlelight flickered, the flame slowly burning.

Elder Xun Ziyou said nothing, sinking into deep thought.

He turned the matter over and over in his mind, examining every angle, and found flaws everywhere.

Xun Ziyou dared not interrupt.

After a long while, Elder Xun Ziyou finally came to his senses and asked Xun Ziyou, "Are you certain you saw… Mo Hua use a sword?"

Xun Ziyou paused, then shook his head. "He held no sword—but he pointed two fingers at his brow, and within his eyes, there seemed to be a glimmer of swordlight…"

"Are you certain it was swordlight?"

Asked this, Xun Ziyou himself became uncertain.

He had not seen the full picture—only scattered golden threads, faintly forming the silhouette of a blade.

But whether it truly was swordlight, no one could say.

"But there was sword intent…"

"Are you certain it was sword intent?"

Xun Ziyou fell silent again.

Sword intent arises from spiritual sense—ethereal and insubstantial. He could only "feel" it based on his experience, but had no way to prove it.

Elder Xun Ziyou's gaze sharpened, and he declared firmly: "Therefore, this is not the Profound Heaven Sect's True Secret of Spiritual Sword Formation!"

Even a one-in-a-million chance must not be allowed!

The Profound Heaven Sect's Spiritual Sword Formation is a forbidden technique.

No matter how exceptional Mo Hua is, no matter how favored he is, his current status remains that of an outer disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect.

An outer disciple stealing a sect's forbidden technique is a grave crime.

If this became known, the Profound Heaven Sect could not possibly maintain its standing.

To punish Mo Hua would break his heart—he could not bear it.

According to standard sect law, stealing a forbidden technique carries punishment ranging from stripping one's cultivation and expelling them from the sect, to execution for the gravest cases.

To not punish him would give others grounds to criticize.

Even within the sect, he would lose the respect of others.

Others would follow suit, all thinking they could steal forbidden techniques.

This would corrupt the sect's moral foundation.

Therefore, Mo Hua could never have learned the Profound Heaven Sect's True Secret of Spiritual Sword Formation.

Elder Xun Ziyou said: "He is only at Foundation Establishment, and not even a sword cultivator—how could he possibly learn Spiritual Sword Formation? Moreover, he held no sword…"

Xun Ziyou paused, realizing this made sense.

He had been biased, assuming things too readily; upon closer thought, none of this truly fit the "rules" of Spiritual Sword Formation.

But Mo Hua was always bizarre—he simply hadn't thought deeply enough.

Yet even the most bizarre must obey the fundamental laws of cultivation.

According to sect records, Spiritual Sword Formation is not cultivated in this manner…

Xun Ziyou nodded, then raised his eyes to look at Elder Xun Ziyou.

"Then, Grand Ancestor… what Dao art did Mo Hua use? Is it some special spiritual technique?"

After all, he slew a third-grade demon beast.

Elder Xun Ziyou remained silent.

Observing his expression, Xun Ziyou felt surprised and said, "Grand Ancestor… do you not know either?"

Elder Xun Ziyou lifted his head and gazed at him silently.

Xun Ziyou immediately realized he had spoken out of turn—he fell silent, lowered his head, and sipped tea, daring not to ask further.

After a moment of thought, Elder Xun Ziyou said to Xun Ziyou:

"This matter is strange, but you need not be alarmed. A Foundation Establishment cultivator slaying a Jin Dan demon beast is absurd enough… Moreover, you yourself know well what kind of foundation and background Mo Hua has."

"His array craftsmanship may be unmatched among his peers."

"But in direct combat power, he is far behind."

"And to slay a third-grade demon beast alone? This is most likely…"

Elder Xun Ziyou paused, then continued, "He carries some protective artifact that activated automatically in his moment of peril and killed the third-grade demon beast."

"A protective artifact?" Xun Ziyou blinked, then nodded. "Grand Ancestor, your reasoning makes sense."

To be honest, he didn't believe it at all.

But he had no other explanation.

Moreover, this was an order from the ancestor, so he dared not refute it.

Seeing Elder Xun Ziyou still half in doubt, Elder Xun simply waved his hand. "Don't worry about this matter. I know what I'm doing."

"Yes." Xun Ziyou cupped his hands.

Since the ancestor had spoken, he could not say more. Xun Ziyou bowed and said, "Then Ancestor, I'll take my leave."

Elder Xun gave a slight nod, looked at Xun Ziyou, and admonished: "This matter… don't let it spread, and don't go around talking about it."

"Especially the Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art… whether real or fake, once it spreads, it will stir up rumors and bring down a world of trouble!"

Elder Xun's tone was utterly solemn. Xun Ziyou was startled in his heart.

He had almost forgotten—this was a forbidden art.

Forbidden arts are no joking matter.

So-called forbidden arts are arts of taboo, arts forbidden from cultivation. They are recorded with the Dao Court, and absolutely no sect cultivator is permitted to learn them.

Therefore, Mo Hua absolutely must not learn the Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art.

Xun Ziyou understood the stakes and immediately said solemnly in his heart: "Ancestor, I will forget this matter."

Elder Xun nodded and waved his hand. "Go down."

"Yes." Xun Ziyou cupped his hands gravely, then withdrew respectfully.

The Elder's quarters fell quiet for a time.

The candlelight flickered.

Elder Xun still sat in place, unmoving, but his thoughts drifted like the candle flame, unsettled.

This matter—he could not bring himself to believe it.

Even if he wanted to believe it, something so contrary to common sense, with not the slightest trace of cause and effect, he truly could not give himself an explanation.

Moreover… Senior Brother, he…

Elder Xun turned his head, his gaze deep as he looked toward the back mountain, and at last sighed deeply.

"Grand Void Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art…"

Those words were also a deep ache in his heart.

Once, this sword art symbolized the most flourishing glory of Grand Void Gate.

Back then, Grand Void Gate's divine-sense sword cultivators were as numerous as clouds. They proved the Heavenly Dao with their hearts, divine sense became true art, a hundred years honed one sword, and when the sword emerged, it slew demons and evils.

Beneath the divine-sense sword, demons and evils fled; none dared meet its edge.

But it rose by the divine-sense sword, and it fell by the divine-sense sword.

Over the long years, countless divine-sense sword cultivators perished beneath this sword art that "harmed the enemy as it harmed oneself."

This sword art was both Grand Void Gate's supreme dignity and its most grievous wound.

And now, this sword art would finally perish completely along with Senior Brother Dugu.

Once Senior Brother Dugu returned to dust, the divine-sense sword would also be utterly extinguished.

Perhaps in his lifetime, he would never again see the Grand Void Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art return to the light of day.

Nor would the world ever again witness the heaven-shaking edge of the divine-sense sword.

Elder Xun's gaze dimmed.

This was something he had long been "well aware of."

The decision to seal away the divine-sense sword was also his.

This was destined to be inevitable, but even so, Elder Xun's heart still surged with deep loss and endless melancholy.

Just then, Xun Ziyou's earlier words floated back into his mind.

In Elder Xun's dim eyes, a faint light suddenly appeared again.

"Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art…"

"Mo Hua…"

Elder Xun murmured these two names softly, his brow gradually furrowing.

"It should be… impossible… how could it be?"

"But what if it's true…"

Elder Xun felt a slight chill in his heart and sighed softly. As his divine sense flowed, his gaze grew ever deeper, lost in thought…

……

Mo Hua did not know that the sight of him performing the divine-sense sword had been watched in secret by Elder Xun Ziyou.

Fighting a third grade Jin Dan realm boar demon was too perilous, too tense—he did not dare let his attention wander at all.

Slaying a Jin Dan boar demon with only Foundation Establishment cultivation had also nearly drained his entire divine sense.

Thus Mo Hua had not noticed at all that he had been "peeped at" by Elder Xun Ziyou.

For the next several days, he was still immersed in the joy of slaying a third grade Jin Dan boar demon with the Divine Sense Sword Transformation Art.

Only, such a thing was not easy to speak of.

Nor was it easy for him to go around bragging.

His junior brothers also had no idea he had accomplished such an astonishing "feat."

Fine clothes worn at night, none to see.

Mo Hua felt very uncomfortable.

But he could only keep a steady heart and continue cultivating.

Fortunately, after a month or so, that discomfort gradually faded, and the year-end was approaching again—the sect was holding another examination.

Mo Hua finished the exam. His results were one A, two B's, and four C's.

Arrays "A," Daoist Arts "B," and for some reason, Alchemy also gave him a "B."

In the past, he always ranked Jia Sixing Bing.

Last year, he gained one Yi.

This year, another Yi appeared.

Mo Hua couldn't help frowning.

He studied causality; he knew that when things defy norms, something unnatural is at play—there was no reason for him to perform so well without cause.

Thus, Mo Hua always carried a faint, elusive sense of danger.

…

After the exams, the New Year arrived again.

This year, Mo Hua was going to mooch off Gu Family's New Year banquet again.

He specifically went to tell Mr. Xun.

Because the situation is unusual, Shen Family's affairs have ostensibly settled, but behind the scenes, the web of interests and the power struggles among the clans remain a bloody storm.

Mo Hua wasn't sure whether it was appropriate for him to attend Gu Family's banquet now.

Mr. Xun thought for a moment, then nodded: "You may go."

Gu Family and Grand Void Gate have both been marked by Shen Family for the matter at Gushan—they no longer care whether they're implicated or not.

Moreover, maintaining a modest connection with Gu Family is beneficial.

Mr. Xun wrote another calligraphy piece and had Mo Hua deliver it as a New Year gift to Gu Family.

Mo Hua gratefully thanked him.

The sky was growing late; Mo Hua bowed to Mr. Xun to take leave, but after completing the bow, he raised his head and met Mr. Xun's deep, complex gaze—he froze for a moment.

"Mr. Xun, is something wrong?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.

Mr. Xun looked deeply at Mo Hua.

That gaze made Mo Hua feel Mr. Xun was guessing something, yet restrained by certain causal ties, dared not speak it aloud.

Burdened with worries, Mr. Xun had wanted to ask something, but seeing how much Mo Hua had grown taller, how his figure now bore the look of a youth, he suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.

He has grown so much…

His gaze was gentle and clear, profound and resolute; though his face still carried a trace of childishness, his demeanor had become far more composed.

There are things he can now shoulder on his own.

Or rather, since childhood, he has always been the one "carrying" them…

Mr. Xun sighed softly, "Nothing…"

He looked at Mo Hua, patted his shoulder, and said gently, "It's the New Year—enjoy yourself."

Mo Hua nodded and smiled, "Wishing you a peaceful New Year, Mr. Xun. I'll be going now."

"Mm, good."

Mo Hua bowed again, then respectfully took his leave.

After Mo Hua left, Mr. Xun continued reading the jade slips.

The jade slip bore the words: "Grand Void Gate Forbidden Techniques Catalog."

Mr. Xun stared at the Forbidden Techniques Catalog and fell into deep thought…

…

Qingzhou City, Gu Family.

In the back courtyard, lanterns hung everywhere, glowing brightly.

Mo Hua, with Yu Er, was releasing lanterns.

Yu Er's face was flushed, his eyes fixed on the bright red fish-dragon lantern Mo Hua had made for him, filled with delight.

But then he glanced at Mo Hua, his expression suddenly turned gloomy, eyelids drooping, silent and pitiful.

Mo Hua sensed his mood had shifted and asked gently, "What's wrong?"

Yu Er fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "Brother Mo, are you leaving soon?"

Mo Hua froze. "Who told you that?"

Yu Er shook his head, then looked up at Mo Hua. "Big Guy and the others all say that after graduation, they'll leave Grand Void Gate and Qianzhou—will you leave too?"

"Big Guy" in Yu Er's words referred to the simple giant Cheng Mo.

Mo Hua looked at Yu Er.

Yu Er's eyes, lit by the lanterns above, sparkled with deep reluctance.

Mo Hua didn't want to lie to him, so he said softly, "Possibly."

Yu Er grew even more despondent.

Mo Hua ruffled his hair. "Life brings joy and sorrow, partings and reunions—it's only natural. In time, Yu Er will grow up and learn to stand on your own, strengthen your resolve, and grow ever stronger…"

Mo Hua's voice, gentle and steady, seeped into Yu Er's heart.

Yu Er slowly found courage, nodded seriously, then asked with lingering attachment:

"Will I ever see Brother Mo again?"

Mo Hua smiled and nodded. "Yes. When I have time, I'll come visit you. Or one day, when your cultivation is strong enough and you can travel the Nine Provinces, we will surely meet again."

"When I grow strong… I'll see you again…" Yu Er's eyes suddenly shone with longing, and he nodded eagerly. "Brother Mo, I'll train hard—I'll find you!"

Mo Hua smiled warmly. "Good."

Yu Er smiled too, the lanterns' glow illuminating his face with innocent radiance.

Mo Hua felt a pang of satisfaction—but the next instant, his soul trembled, the Dragon Soul resonated, and his vision turned crimson.

The lantern light reflected on Yu Er's face, now vividly red as blood.

And within that crimson hue, faintly took shape the silhouette of a dragon.

The blood-red dragon shadow, against the crimson firelight, slithered across Yu'er's face, then coiled and wound its way into his yintang, merging into his soul.

Mo Hua's heart trembled.

"... Dragon?"

"Does Yu'er carry... the blood of the Karma Dragon?"

(End of Chapter)