Chapter 1103: Bai Family

Why is Valley Master Hua so kind to me? And why does she carry such a heavy burden?

Mo Hua didn't quite understand. He looked up carefully and saw that Valley Master Hua's exquisite face had already regained its composure, returning to its dignified and elegant state. Only in the depths of her eyes was there an unspeakable pain.

"Keep this Jade Pass safe," Valley Master Hua said softly.

Mo Hua paused, then nodded. "Thank you, Valley Master."

"If you ever encounter trouble, you can use it."

"Understood."

Though Mo Hua said this, he had already decided that he would never take out this Jade Pass again in his lifetime. As a male disciple of the Grand Void Sect, what would it look like if someone saw him carrying a Jade Pass from the Hundred Flowers Valley? If word got out, he would truly become the Hundred Flowers Valley's only male disciple... Would that be appropriate?

After drinking tea for a while longer, Valley Master Hua stood up and left. Mo Hua bowed in farewell.

After chatting for a bit longer with Murong Caiyun and Hua Qianqian, Mo Hua stood up to take his leave, his tone tinged with regret. "Senior Sister Murong, Senior Sister Qianqian, we shall meet again."

Murong Caiyun looked reluctant to part, while Hua Qianqian, with reddened eyes, held Mo Hua's hand and couldn't help but say: "If you ever return to the Qianxue State Realm, remember to find your Senior Sister Qianqian."

"Yes, I will," Mo Hua nodded. "I also wish Senior Sister an early Core Formation."

Hua Qianqian sighed, "You too."

After bidding each other "take care," Mo Hua parted ways with the two senior sisters.

Upon returning to the sect, he made one last trip to Mount Tai'a to see Little Wood. The two sat in front of the mountain and chatted for a while. Mo Hua took out some wine and offered it to Little Wood.

As their farewell approached, Little Wood was downcast, guzzling bowl after bowl of wine. However, his tolerance was poor, and he quickly became intoxicated. His cheeks darkened and flushed, and he slurred out grand ambitions, declaring that in the future, he would definitely become the strongest sword smith of the Tai'a lineage, forging the best swords for his junior senior brother. In the end, he drank himself unconscious, and Mo Hua had to carry him back.

By then, Mo Hua had seen most of the people he wanted to meet, and he was truly about to leave.

At the Elder's Quarters in the Grand Void Sect.

Elder Xun asked Mo Hua, "Are you sure you're ready to leave?"

Mo Hua nodded and bowed deeply to Elder Xun. "For all these days at the Grand Void Sect, I am immensely grateful for your care, Elder."

Elder Xun let out a long sigh, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been torn out, leaving him empty, sore, and aching. This child, after all, was finally leaving... Nine years of companionship felt like yesterday. Elder Xun could still recall the first time he met Mo Hua, but now, all of that was in the past.

Elder Xun sighed and took several tokens from his sleeve, handing them to Mo Hua: "These are five Cloud Crossing Tokens, corresponding to five different Cloud Crossings at different times and in different Cloud Crossing Cities. For these three days, I will use the Grand Void's Heaven's Will Compass to obscure karma and hide your tracks. Within three days, choose any Cloud Crossing to depart as you wish. Leave quietly, without telling anyone."

Mo Hua carried too much karma and too much fortune. During this Dao Discussion Assembly, he had, both openly and secretly, offended too many people, and there were too many who coveted Mo Hua's identity and yearned for his talent. Therefore, his whereabouts absolutely could not be exposed, at least not here in the fifth-grade Qianxue State Realm. Once he left the Qianxue State Realm and Qian Province, where the influence and reach of these great aristocratic families couldn't extend, Mo Hua would be much safer. Especially in some second or third-grade minor State Realms, where Heavenly Dao laws limited cultivators above Core Formation and Feathered Ascension from acting, Mo Hua would possess enough self-preservation ability. Thus, the more remote, smaller, and lower-grade the place, the safer Mo Hua would be. The greatest danger, paradoxically, lay in the fourth and fifth-grade territories. Especially in the fifth-grade Qianxue State Realm, some aristocratic family and sect Void-Transformation Old Ancestors actually detested Mo Hua greatly. Outwardly, for the sake of appearances, they might not act against Mo Hua, but secretly, whether they would go mad and strike with malicious intent, no one could say. Therefore, Mo Hua's departure had to be quiet, silent, and leave no trace.

Mo Hua understood these matters as well. He accepted the Cloud Crossing Tokens and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Elder."

Elder Xun nodded slightly, still concerned about Mo Hua in his heart, and asked, "Have you settled on your Natal Artifact?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Everything that needs to be prepared, I have made ready." In recent days, he had remained at the Grand Void Sect, making many preparations. He had gathered a wealth of information, knowledge, and precautions regarding the refining method for the second-grade, twenty-four-pattern "Twelve Meridians Gluttonous Spirit Skeleton Array," copying it all down, intending to study it bit by bit. He also exchanged a large quantity of potentially useful heavenly materials and earthly treasures with his merit points, storing them all in his storage ring. Some refining materials were very precious, and Mo Hua's authority was insufficient, so he even sought out some elders for backdoor assistance. Furthermore, Mo Hua had previously consulted Elder Xun on certain issues.

Although Elder Xun did not know precisely what Natal Artifact Mo Hua intended to refine, based on his extensive experience and profound cultivation knowledge, he provided valuable guidance and advice according to Mo Hua's expressed ideas. Though Elder Xun was concerned about the specifics, he did not inquire further and did not particularly want to probe deeply. Some things, once known, would trigger karma; with karma, there would be traces, and with traces, there would be flaws. For the purpose of protecting Mo Hua, Elder Xun felt it was better not to know certain secrets.

Elder Xun simply looked at Mo Hua and slowly advised: "Child, your path of cultivation is unpredictable. I cannot set a framework for you; simply plan well yourself. But always remember, you must consider everything thoroughly, do not be impetuous, do not act rashly, and do not harm your own foundation."

Mo Hua was touched and cupped his hands, saying, "Understood."

Elder Xun pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and added: "Quite a while ago, I entrusted the Sect Master to prepare something for you. I expect you'll find it useful. Go and find him."

"The Sect Master?" Mo Hua was surprised.

"Indeed," Elder Xun nodded.

Mo Hua stood up, bowed deeply and solemnly to Elder Xun once more, and turned to leave. But when he reached the door, he paused again. Crossing this threshold, he likely wouldn't return. He wondered when he would see Elder Xun again. Mo Hua felt a pang of sadness. He turned and looked at Elder Xun.

Elder Xun gently waved his hand and said kindly, "Go."

Mo Hua's eyes were slightly damp. He nodded, took one last look at Elder Xun, engraving his image in his heart, and then turned away with a heavy heart.

In the pavilion of the Study Garden.

Mo Hua paid a solitary visit to the Grand Void Sect Master, explaining his purpose. The Grand Void Sect Master took out a wooden box and handed Mo Hua a white jade scroll from within it.

Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled. "What is this?"

The Grand Void Sect Master said, "The Wood-White Golden Jade Dharma Body."

"Wood-White Golden Jade?" Mo Hua frowned.

The Grand Void Sect Master explained: "The Wood-White Golden Jade Dharma Body, with wood-white as marrow and golden jade as bone, is an alternative 'Bronze Skin Iron Bones' body-forging technique. It's one of my family's secret, top-grade methods. Typically, only direct descendants of the family, or those of extraordinary background, can cultivate this inheritance. Earlier, I was entrusted by Elder Xun to specifically request this Wood-White Golden Jade Dharma Body from my clan. By rights, you should have received this Dharma Body much sooner. Unfortunately, there are many rules in the clan, and this Dharma Body inheritance is quite precious, so it wasn't easy to obtain. I went through a lot of trouble to borrow a copy of this secret method from my clan's Daoist scripture collection, which also caused quite a delay."

Mo Hua felt grateful and cupped his hands, saying, "I'm sorry to have caused the Sect Master so much trouble. Mo Hua is immensely grateful."

The Grand Void Sect Master smiled. "What you've done for the Grand Void Sect is far more than what I've done. If anything, it should be me, as the Sect Master, who is grateful to you." After all, without Mo Hua, the three sects might not have merged. Nor would the Grand Void Sect have become the foremost sect in Qianxue. And he wouldn't have become the Sect Master of Qianxue's foremost sect. Although this "foremost sect" status might be somewhat inflated, even so, it was still number one. It simply needed time to properly solidify itself. Achieving the top position was the credit of disciples like Mo Hua. Maintaining that top position and ensuring the Grand Void Sect's prosperity, that was the responsibility of him as Sect Master and the other elders.

Mo Hua also smiled, then suddenly felt a little worried and asked: "Sect Master, you've taken this secret method from your clan for me to learn. Will there be any trouble?"

The Grand Void Sect Master said, "Since I've given it to you, there naturally won't be any trouble. Feel free to learn it. I still hold some standing within my clan."

Mo Hua nodded, then curiously asked, "Sect Master, you said this secret method came from your clan. Does that mean... you are also from a great aristocratic family?"

The Sect Master nodded. "That's right."

"Which family?" Mo Hua asked, intrigued.

The Grand Void Sect Master calmly said: "The Bai family."

Mo Hua froze, his mind instantly surging like turbulent waves.

The Grand Void Sect Master then realized, "Oh, right, I don't think I've ever mentioned this to you... My surname is Bai, and I come from the great Bai family of Qian Province."

Mo Hua murmured, "The Bai... family..."

The Grand Void Sect Master nodded. "The Ancient Dragon Spirit Vein, the Supreme Land of the Nine-Five, the sixth-grade Ancestral Dragon State Realm, the Bai family."

The sixth-grade... Ancestral Dragon State Realm, the Bai family. Mo Hua stared blankly, his mind profoundly shaken, unable to calm down for a long time.

The Grand Void Sect Master... is a member of the Bai family?!

The Grand Void Sect Master glanced at Mo Hua, seeing his shocked and somewhat dazed expression, and felt a little strange. This child rarely lost his composure.

"Do you... know about the Bai family?" the Grand Void Sect Master asked.

Mo Hua silently said, "I've heard... a little..."

The Grand Void Sect Master didn't think too much of it at the moment. The Bai family of Qian Province was a truly flourishing sixth-grade aristocratic family, and they generally didn't appear in public view. Since they were a prominent great family, it was normal for them to be known. Of course, knowing about them and actually being able to contact them were two completely different matters.

The Grand Void Sect Master looked at Mo Hua gently, his eyes full of appreciation: "If you have time in the future, come visit the Bai family. I'll play the host and treat you well."

"Alright... thank you, Sect Master..."

Mo Hua's expression was complex and somewhat strange. As Sect Master, his duties were numerous, so Mo Hua felt it inappropriate to impose further and rose to take his leave. After exiting the Study Garden, he turned and saw the large white dog again, instinctively ruffling its fluffy neck, a peculiar feeling in his heart. "The Sect Master is from the Bai family, so this big white dog... is also a Bai family dog?"

The big white dog wagged its tail, looking smug and very proud. Mo Hua sighed, stroking its head. "I'm leaving the sect. From now on, you'll have to play by yourself." The big white dog seemed to understand Mo Hua's words, instantly freezing, then involuntarily drooping its head, losing all its spirited air. Mo Hua sighed and took out a few more bones, secretly slipping them to it. "These are from me. Eat them sparingly." The big white dog chewed on the bones, smelling the scent of demons within them. Although it was a delicious treat, it couldn't feel happy at all. Mo Hua gave the big white dog one last pat on the head, murmuring, "Until we meet again, if fate allows..." Then he turned and left. The big white dog watched Mo Hua walk away until his figure disappeared, then it lay back down on the ground, its large head drooping, filled with loss.

Back in his disciple's residence.

Mo Hua's expression was wistful, and at the same time, he still found it hard to believe. "The Bai family, huh..." He had cultivated at the Grand Void Sect for a full nine years, completely unaware that his Sect Master was actually from the Bai family. Even fifth-grade aristocratic families were formidable; a sixth-grade family, and a flourishing one at that... how powerful must they be?

Mo Hua mused to himself, then thought: "My junior senior brother and junior senior sister haven't sent any news for a long time. I wonder when I'll be able to see them again... Uncle Bai took Master away. I wonder how he's doing now..." Mo Hua couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "I'll think about it later..." The matters concerning the Bai family, and his Master, were beyond his current capacity to worry about. "First, I should prepare to leave the sect."

It was finally time to bid farewell to the Grand Void Sect, the sect where he had lived and cultivated for nine full years.

Mo Hua took out the Cloud Crossing Tokens Elder Xun had given him. These tokens, varying in form and color, corresponded to different Cloud Crossing ships, at different docks, and at different times over the next three days. What Mo Hua needed to do was select one of them, then board a Cloud Crossing and leave the Qianxue State Realm without alerting anyone. This was Elder Xun's method of protecting Mo Hua. Mo Hua understood this as well.

As for which one to choose, it wasn't particularly important, as long as he told no one and only he knew. Given that, Mo Hua naturally wanted to choose the largest, most luxurious, and fastest Cloud Crossing. This way, he would be comfortable and could return home sooner to see his parents. The thought of Tongxian City and his parents brought a warmth to Mo Hua's heart, followed by a touch of nervousness. Even before stepping onto the Cloud Crossing or boarding a ship home, he felt a slight sense of trepidation that comes with approaching one's homeland. Mo Hua shook his head.

Among the five Cloud Crossing Tokens, he deliberated, finally choosing a golden jade token. This particular Cloud Crossing Token indicated a departure from within the Qianxue State Realm, aboard a large Cloud Crossing customized by the Carefree Sect. It traveled from Qian Province to Xun Province, passing through Li Province, promising a smooth journey, first-class seating, ample food and drink, and a quiet environment.

"This is the one!"

Mo Hua intended to put the golden Cloud Crossing Token into his storage pouch, but suddenly his heart skipped a beat, as if sensing something. Mo Hua turned his head to look at a pale white Cloud Crossing Token in the corner. This Cloud Crossing Token was much more ordinary. At a glance, it was clearly not a Cloud Crossing route operated by a major aristocratic family or a large sect. The Cloud Crossing itself was only of medium size, with ordinary cabins and unimpressive food and drink. Most importantly, it was an older model Cloud Crossing ship, and its speed was the slowest among these options. From the Qianxue State Realm to Li Province, it would likely take at least an extra month.

Mo Hua frowned. His logic told him to definitely choose the golden Cloud Crossing Token, as the ship would be large and stable, comfortable to ride, and fast. But an intuitive sense of karma told him he should choose the pale white one.

"Why? Is there danger with the golden Cloud Crossing Token?" Mo Hua picked up a copper coin and performed a quick divination, his expression odd. "I didn't sense any danger..." He also divined for the other Cloud Crossing Tokens and found them all to be much the same. After all, these were given by Elder Xun, who must have divined them himself; there couldn't be any genuine peril. In fact, choosing the pale white Cloud Crossing Token wouldn't inherently be safer. It was just an intuition telling Mo Hua that he would definitely regret it if he didn't choose it.

Mo Hua frowned deeply, unable to understand why. Finally, he sighed and put the comparatively modest pale white Cloud Crossing Token into his storage ring. "If it's slower, then so be it... I can't ignore an intuitive sense of karma..."

"Tomorrow afternoon, the Cloud Crossing at the Hour of Dog, that means... I have to set off early tomorrow morning..."

Although he had always known he would be leaving soon, now that the time was truly set, Mo Hua's chest tightened, and he still felt a sense of wistful loss. He turned and looked at his disciple's room again. He had lived in this disciple's room for nine years, spending every day here, cultivating, reading, drawing formations. It truly felt like his "home." Now he was about to leave, and perhaps, he might never return. The melancholy of parting lingered in his heart, and many memories were hard to let go of. Mo Hua sighed again and walked around his residence, seemingly wanting to imprint every wall, every corner, every table, and every chair into his heart.

But after a moment, seeing the empty space in the center of the room, Mo Hua paused again, unable to help but think of Old Ancestor Dugu. It was Old Ancestor Dugu who had torn open the space right in front of him, brought him to the back mountain, and taught him to transform divine sense into a sword. But now the space was silent. Old Ancestor Dugu had also fallen silent, and Mo Hua didn't know what had become of him. By his reckoning, he had seen most of the people he wanted to, but he had missed Old Ancestor Dugu, not bidding him farewell in person or expressing his gratitude.

Mo Hua felt regretful. "Never mind, matters concerning a Void-Transformation Old Ancestor are not for a Foundation Establishment disciple like me to worry about. I will cultivate diligently, and if my cultivation becomes high enough in the future, and if there's a chance, I'll return to see Old Ancestor Dugu and thank him for his grace in imparting sword and Dao." Having made up his mind, Mo Hua nodded, packed all his belongings, and then spent some time thoroughly checking everything to ensure nothing was missed before finally feeling at ease.

There were about three or four hours until dawn. Mo Hua had intended to draw formations as usual, but the thought of his imminent departure brought a flood of emotions, making it impossible for him to calm down. Mo Hua could only lie on his bed, closing his eyes to rest. But as soon as he closed his eyes, every little detail of his cultivation at the Grand Void Sect, all the people and events he had experienced, and vivid, kind faces began to flicker continuously in his mind like a revolving lantern. The thought of bidding farewell to all of it filled Mo Hua with a bittersweet ache.

Suddenly, the sound of space shattering rang out. Mo Hua's pupils trembled, and he slowly sat up. Through his blurry vision, he saw a dark, twisted spatial rift appear in the room. Mo Hua was very familiar with this spatial rift. It was precisely the rift that Old Ancestor Dugu had torn open when he took Mo Hua to the back mountain to practice sword arts. But for some unknown reason, this void rift had opened by itself now. From within the rift, a wisp of cold and sinister demonic thought emanated. A faint, ethereal voice seemed to be enticing Mo Hua, telling him: "Come..."