Chapter 1097: Farewell

The entire array discussion conference ended just like this, in the boring atmosphere for Mo Hua and the fearful strangeness for others. From beginning to end, Mo Hua sat in his original place, idly drawing one array after another. All the array exam questions, no matter how difficult or easy, under his pen, showed no difference. He even controlled the time for drawing arrays to be exactly the same. This was also the only part of this array discussion conference where he used his brain a bit.

In the end, Mo Hua, without accident, got first place in array path. Moreover, this time he got first place and stopped; he didn't finish all the exam questions again, didn't put too much pressure on other children, and didn't make things difficult for the examiners. He was very considerate and thorough.

After that, Mo Hua didn't say much either, only slowly stood up, looked around the whole field, then nodded in salute to the chief examiner, and withdrew. He was low-key and restrained. Of course, this was Mo Hua's own thought. In everyone's eyes, his 'indifference' held a kind of profound composure that naturally formed from surpassing all geniuses, possessing astonishing talent, yet concealing all sharpness within. It was fearfully strong and calm, reaching even the realm of simplicity.

The array discussion conference thus ended with this curtain call. Mo Hua made a slight move and 'again' took first place. Other array geniuses, having exhausted their full effort, were unable to defeat him. Up to now, Mo Hua also became the only person in the history of the discussion path conference to be a double 'chief' disciple in array path. One 'array path chief' was already unable to measure Mo Hua's array path level. So, he got two.

And only true Qian Xue array masters could understand the true weight of 'double chief'. It wasn't as simple as two chiefs added together, but rather, it should be 'chief among chiefs'. It meant that Mo Hua in arrays had reached a height fundamentally difficult for geniuses of the same generation to reach. His array attainment, among all disciples, had an almost crushing level of absolute dominance. It was just that this 'gap' was really too disparate. It was so disparate as if it were a contest between completely two realms.

In the eyes of the ordinary audience, it was inevitably somewhat subtle. It wasn't that they hadn't learned arrays. As children of world families or Qian Xue cultivators, most had wealthy family backgrounds and deep heritage from a young age. Under the influence of what they saw and heard, they had more or less learned some arrays during their enlightenment. It was just that this 'learned' was, after all, still too superficial.

People who knew more knew more about how little they knew. People who knew less felt more that they knew more. Precisely because they had learned too shallowly, they actually couldn't quite see exactly where Mo Hua's arrays were strong. If previously, in the sword discussion conference, Mo Hua had collapsed an array and killed several people, and they had watched the excitement, perhaps they would have had an intuitive experience. Now, the array discussion conference was just a group of people sitting down and boringly drawing several arrays, which inevitably gave people the illusion that they could do it too.

But no matter what, Mo Hua appeared in broad daylight and openly took another array path chief. Some of the previous rumors targeting him, such as 'unable to withstand temptation and go mad', 'the main person behind the evil path blood sacrifice array', and 'magic path insider', also dissipated a lot. As long as you have strong enough strength, you can make others shut up. And Mo Hua's strength, having obtained double chief with the strength of one person, was naturally beyond doubt.

The storm gradually dissipated, the evil of life no longer committed, and Old Mister Xun no longer confined Mo Hua. Mo Hua also finally returned to the Tai Xu Outer Mountain Gate, returned to the disciple residence, and mixed with his little junior brothers. Ling Hu Xiao, Si Tu Jian, Cheng Mo, and other disciples were extremely happy and even specially held a wine banquet to welcome Mo Hua and relieve him of dust. All plots and dangers dispersed, and the days at Tai Xu Gate suddenly became serene and peaceful.

But the happy days didn't last long. Mo Hua soon realized that the time for parting had just arrived. The ninth year at Tai Xu Gate was about to come to an end. In other words, they, these fellow disciples, could only live, cultivate, drink, discuss the Dao, and play together for less than two months. Two months later, everyone would go their separate ways. Although everyone knew this day would come, when it truly arrived, everyone, besides themselves, was somewhat regretful. A faint sadness enveloped the disciples in the sect.

And for Mo Hua, the most important thing he had to do in these two months was 'say goodbye'. He had to say goodbye to the many people who cared about him, liked him, and had taken care of him. He also had to say goodbye to the nine years he had lived and the years that had passed at Tai Xu Gate. Life is like this. When together, it feels ordinary as usual. It is only when parting truly comes that one suddenly realizes, and suddenly loses. Life's encounters, joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, often happen inadvertently.

The first person to bid farewell to was Zhang Lan. He was going back to Kan State. At the foot of Tai Xu Gate mountain. Mo Hua said somewhat regretfully, "I said I would take Uncle Zhang to tour Tai Xu Gate and the famous sites in Qian Xue State, but unfortunately, you have to go."

Zhang Lan sighed, "No way. The Grand Elder has important matters; he has to return to the clan. It's impossible for me to stay here again. Moreover,"

"The storm in Qian Xue State this time was too big. Although the Qian Xue Dao Court Division, each world family, and sect all wanted to calm the situation, make a big deal into a small one, and cover up this Huang Tian blood sacrifice disaster to avoid causing alarm in the cultivation world and panic among the people, there's no wall in the world that doesn't leak wind. The matter of the magic path reviving from dead ashes and blood sacrificing Qian Xue has already spread out. After this, the entire Nine Provinces cultivation world will still be uncertain what kind of situation it will become. Just like wildfire burning dry grass, this world will probably also be hard to be peaceful again." Thinking here, Zhang Lan's expression was grave. After a moment, he suddenly realized and asked Mo Hua in a low voice:

"That evil path great array, it wasn't you who exploded it again, was it?"

Mo Hua smiled and didn't speak.

Zhang Lan's mouth widened, both shocked and emotional. After a moment, he smiled bitterly and shook his head. Indeed, wherever this kid went, it wasn't peaceful. Moreover, this great array, he truly saw one explode one. It was like that in Tong Xian City that year, and now that he had arrived in Qian Xue State, it was still like that.

"I only hope that in the future, when he causes a great disaster, he doesn't mention the matter of me teaching him Shi Shui Step." Zhang Lan confirmed with Mo Hua again, "You didn't tell anyone about the Shi Shui Step, did you?"

Mo Hua nodded, "Rest assured, I haven't told anyone. Absolutely no third person knows."

"This is good." Zhang Lan relaxed a breath, and then was somewhat regretful:

"It's a pity that the three-grade Gold Dan and above Shi Shui Step can only be learned by true power elders and direct descendants of the Zhang family at or above that level. I just entered Gold Dan and am still not qualified to learn it. Otherwise, I would teach it to you now, saving you the effort of body techniques later."

"It's come to this point, and Uncle Zhang is still worried about my body techniques." Mo Hua was both moved and worried: "Uncle Zhang, you still dare to teach me?"

Zhang Lan waved his hand, "A good deed should be done to the end; send the Buddha to the west. You've learned the first and second-grade body techniques. If you don't learn the third grade, isn't it a waste? Furthermore, if this matter isn't exposed, then the more you learn, the better. If it is exposed, whether you learn more or less, I will all have to go kneel in the ancestral hall and get beaten. It will be the same great misfortune, no difference."

"Since that's the case, it's better to let you learn more and learn well. If my Zhang family's Shi Shui Step can be carried forward by you, then I will also have face. Even if I kneel in the ancestral hall, facing the ancestors, my waist can still be straight."

Mo Hua sincerely praised: "Uncle Zhang, your perspective is really grand."

Zhang Lan agreed.

After that, the two sat at the foot of the mountain again, drank some wine for a while, and chatted about the world for a while. Time passed very fast, and in a blink, the sun had already set. The two people also had to separate.

Tomorrow, Zhang Lan would sit in a carriage and leave Qian Xue State with the Zhang family's Grand Elder to return to Kan State, which was thousands of miles away. In the foreseeable decades, hundred years, even several hundred years, this might be the last time he saw Mo Hua and drank wine with him. Parting had a thousand words and a thousand feelings, yet none could be said.

Zhang Lan only raised his wine cup and sighed: "I hope one day, I can still return to Tong Xian City, sit at the Eight Immortals table in your family's wine shop, and leisurely drink and chat with you."

Mo Hua's heart was regretful, and he also raised his wine cup, smiling and nodding: "At that time, I will exhaust the host's hospitality and certainly treat Uncle Zhang well."

A smile involuntarily appeared on Zhang Lan's handsome face.

The sun set, and the evening glow spread over the mountain road. Zhang Lan was then draped in the evening glow and gradually walked away. Mo Hua stood at the mountain gate, waving goodbye to Zhang Lan, his heart full of melancholy.

Feng family cave mansion. By the time Zhang Lan returned, the sky was already dark, and it was obviously late. Everyone was packing their luggage, preparing to set off tomorrow, busy, busy, but only Zhang Grand Elder was not to be seen. Zhang Lan secretly relaxed a breath. Qian Xue State was not like the Zhang family; here, the local snakes were strong dragons, and there were too many big world families and big forces. Randomly dropping a brick would likely hit seven or eight children of world families or direct disciples of sects; they were not easily offended. Therefore, to avoid conflict with other world families and sects and cause incidents, the Grand Elder had set a very strict curfew. Now, he had already missed the time. If he met Zhang Grand Elder, he would inevitably be earnestly reprimanded.

Zhang Lan secretly thought himself lucky, lightly and quietly returned to his room, preparing to pack simply. But just as he opened the door and turned his head, he saw an old man with a face as sunken as water and a serious expression, sitting in his room drinking tea.

"Grand Elder." Zhang Lan was as if struck by lightning.

Zhang Grand Elder glanced at him but didn't speak, only continued to drink his tea. Zhang Lan only felt prickling on his back but could only honestly stand in his original place, not daring to move. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

He didn't know how long passed, Zhang Grand Elder finished his tea, and then slowly stood up and walked to Zhang Lan's front. Zhang Lan's heart tightened, just preparing to grit his teeth and face Zhang Grand Elder's anger. Zhang Grand Elder, however, handed him a jade slip.

Zhang Lan was stunned, "Grand Elder, this is--"

Zhang Grand Elder said faintly, "Shi Shui Step." After finishing, he added a sentence, "Three-grade heart method."

Zhang Lan was stunned, "This, I--"

"Take it." Zhang Grand Elder said.

"Oh, yes." Zhang Lan then respectfully, with both hands, took the jade slip that Zhang Grand Elder handed him.

"You are a direct descendant of my Zhang family. Your disposition is a bit lazy, but your talent is not bad, and your disposition is also good. This three-grade Shi Shui Step is an absolute learning not transmitted by my Zhang family. Your qualifications are not enough, but it doesn't matter. I will now make an exception and pass it on to you. You must comprehend it well--" Zhang Grand Elder said with a calm expression.

Zhang Lan was a bit confused.

Zhang Grand Elder saw his expression, frowned, and then emphasized word by word: "'Words' are said in front, do 'not' want to disappoint my Zhang family's absolute learning, 'for' me, learn well, 'certainly' do not let me down, 'certainly' for me remember, remember!"

Zhang Grand Elder said very slowly, his tone a bit strange. After finishing, he looked deeply at Zhang Lan and then left.

Only Zhang Lan was left in the room. He held the jade slip and stood in his original place without moving.

"Grand Elder, this... what does it mean?"

Zhang Lan frowned, pondering over Zhang Grand Elder's words in his heart, thinking about his tone, his manner, back and forth. After pondering for a long time, he gradually figured out the meaning.

"'Words' are said in front— do 'not' want to disappoint my Zhang family's absolute learning, 'for' me, learn well, 'certainly' do not let me down, 'certainly' for me remember, remember!"

Words, not, for, certainly. In reverse is: certainly, for, not, words—

Certainly for... Mo Hua?!

So, Grand Elder gave me the three-grade Shi Shui Step and then said these words. The combined meaning is 'Remember, certainly give the Shi Shui Step to Mo Hua?!' Is this the meaning?! Ah?!

Zhang Lan stood in his original place, his face a mess. Grand Elder... he can really play word games. Could it be that he, the old man, saw through everything? Could it even be that the Grand Elder himself also made a decision against the ancestors—to give the Zhang family's untransmitted body technique to others, and still through his own hand?

Zhang Lan sighed deeply, his heart helpless.

The next day, after early morning cultivation, Mo Hua, who was eating steamed buns in the dining hall, received a tightly wrapped storage box. He opened the package, and on the storage box, there was a paper strip. The paper strip read: "A gift from a passing, kind-hearted uncle." The handwriting and wording were very familiar. Mo Hua was somewhat surprised, "Uncle Zhang? He sent it to me?"

Mo Hua opened the wooden box and found a sealed jade slip inside. His divine sense sank into the jade slip and saw several large characters on it: "Shi Shui Step · Gold Dan Chapter."

"Gold Dan realm— Shi Shui Step body technique scripture?" Mo Hua was first happy, then moved, and then somewhat shocked: "Uncle Zhang didn't say that he hadn't learned the three-grade Shi Shui Step, did he? Then how did he get this body technique scripture?"

Mo Hua was puzzled in his heart.

And at this time, Zhang Lan had already left Qing State City, sitting in a carriage with the crowd of Zhang family cultivators, stepping onto the road to Kan State. Inside the carriage, it was quiet and comfortable, burning agarwood. Zhang Lan occasionally looked at Zhang Grand Elder, his expression strange, while Zhang Grand Elder closed his eyes to rest, as if nothing had happened.

Until the carriage truly left Qian Xue State and the surrounding atmosphere changed, Zhang Grand Elder opened his eyes and looked at the sky outside, his thoughts complex. This trip to Qian Xue, after several inquiries and examinations, had given him some answers to the problem that had puzzled him for a long time. But precisely because of this, he would worry and fear.

The blood sacrifice to Yellow Springs... was absolutely not a coincidence. "Signs of a great disaster have already appeared. This world of Nine Provinces is probably going to change. I don't know what fate my Zhang family will ultimately have." Zhang Grand Elder looked at the dim sky, his gaze dim.

After bidding farewell to Zhang Lan, Mo Hua again received an invitation from the Gu family to attend the Gu family's evening banquet. This evening banquet was specially arranged by the Gu family for Mo Hua. In essence, it should also be considered a 'farewell banquet'. Mo Hua had a good relationship with the Gu family and knew many people. Now that graduation was approaching, he might not know when he would leave Tai Xu Gate and leave Qian Xue State, so naturally, he had to properly bid farewell to the people of the Gu family.

Originally, Mo Hua had thought of inviting guests. But he was a small loose cultivator and didn't have so many spirit stones. Moreover, the Gu family couldn't possibly truly let him invite them. He was the double chief of the array path in the Qian Xue discussion path conference. Now, he was the 'highly respected' little senior brother and the red-hot 'crown prince' of the Tai Xu Gate, the number one sect in Qian Xue. Being able to attend the Gu family's evening banquet had already made the Gu family master very gratified and given the crowd of Gu family elders and disciples face.

The evening banquet was held in the evening. Although it wasn't a festival, the Gu family still hung lanterns and colorful decorations to entertain Mo Hua, making it extraordinarily lively. Various rare delicacies were also prepared early. And now, the Huang Tian blood sacrifice disaster had dissipated, Mister Tu was dead, and the evil god's claws and magic path cultivators had all been completely wiped out, exploded to the point where not even bones remained. Mo Hua also had a lot of 'leisure' time and not so many things to be busy with. He no longer needed to constantly run around and get tired for cultivation, for altars, for divine marrow, and for the magic sect, as before. He could also truly give himself a 'vacation'.

Therefore, one morning, Mo Hua went to the Gu family to play. When he arrived at the Gu family, just as he got off the carriage, a small figure pounced on him, hugging Mo Hua's leg, and happily shouted:

"Brother Mo!" It was Yu Er.

Mo Hua pulled Yu Er's hand, examined his face a bit, and saw that his face was fair, his cheeks rosy, his eyes clear, and his complexion was also very good. He had obviously detached himself from the 'nightmare'. Mo Hua smiled and touched his head.

"Are you okay?"

"Um!" Yu Er nodded.

Not far away, Wen Ren Wan's gaze was gentle, looking at Mo Hua gratefully. Mo Hua also smiled: "Aunt Wan."

Wen Ren Wan was full of grateful words but didn't know how to open her mouth. Finally, she sighed and it only turned into a sincere, "Thank you."

Mo Hua also only smiled, his smile clear and gentle.

After that, some people from the Gu family also came to welcome him. Gu family master Gu Shou Yan, Elder Gu Hong, and some other elders who had given Mo Hua small gifts, and Gu Chang Huai were also there. The crowd was warm and enthusiastic, exchanging greetings for a while. Gu Shou Yan then said: "Little friend Mo Hua, please feel free to make yourself at home at the Gu family."

Mo Hua also smiled: "Thank you, Gu family master."

Gu Shou Yan, as the family master, was busy with affairs, so he specially came to greet Mo Hua and then left. Mo Hua greeted Gu Chang Huai, and then drank tea and ate pastries with Aunt Wan and Yu Er. Finding that there was still plenty of time, he thought of strolling the streets with Yu Er. Wen Ren Wan hesitated for a moment, and then agreed. After the matter of the evil god dream demon, no one could make her feel more at ease than Mo Hua.

"The banquet will open at Xu hour. Remember to come back early." Wen Ren Wan warmly admonished.

"Um, rest assured, Aunt Wan." Mo Hua said.

Qing State City is a big city, and at the same time, it is a pass for people coming and going from Qian Xue State. Even if it wasn't a festival, carriages were like water and horses were like dragons, people came and went, and the markets were lined up, making it extraordinarily lively. Mo Hua led Yu Er's hand, left the Gu family mansion, and walked to the streets of Qing State City, watching jugglers, eating sugar balls, buying some wood-carved tigers, or small knives and swords made of refined iron. The two people played very happily.

Until the sky gradually grew dark, the two people were somewhat tired and somewhat hungry. Mo Hua then led Yu Er back. They walked to a high platform, and someone had just lit lanterns. One by one, red lights rose, illuminating the night. From the high platform, looking down, one could see the lights of thousands of households, extending one by one to the distance. The cultivators strolling in the night market were shoulder to shoulder, interreflecting with these bits of sparkling lights, indeed a bustling scene.

Several months after the blood sacrifice disaster, the entire Qian Xue State gradually showed vitality again and restored its popularity. Mo Hua looked at this scene before his eyes, his heart sighing.

Just at this moment, a naive but sharp voice rang out behind him: "So many 'chaff dogs', if they were all eaten, how good would that be, don't you think so, Brother Mo?"

Mo Hua slowly, bit by bit, turned his head and looked at Yu Er. Yu Er's naive face was completely black. His eyes were full of evil. The street lanterns shone on Yu Er's face, making his whole face bloody, as if an evil god was living in the present world.