Chapter 1116: Farewell

"Gui Daoist..."The Elder softly murmured the name, a terrifying and unspeakable title for ordinary people.

Almost simultaneously, the figure of a dark Daoist slowly appeared in the Elder's sea of consciousness. Veiled in black mist, he fixed his gaze on the Elder before slowly bowing.

The Elder's brows furrowed deeply. He could sense that the eerie shadow's aura was growing increasingly sinister and powerful. A wisp of ancient Dao essence was incubating within it, seemingly just a step away from turning substance into void and shattering established laws.

The two exchanged a look across the void. The next moment, the eerie shadow dissipated, leaving no trace.

In the pavilion, only a wisp of sandalwood incense, a cup of clear tea, and a chessboard remained, calm as ever. The Elder sat motionlessly before the chessboard, deep in thought for a long time, then let out a sigh.

He turned his head southward, observing the clear sky and high-hanging sun on the horizon. Yet, within the daylight, an unseen reddish glow flickered, resembling both blood and fire.

The Elder's brows furrowed, then slowly relaxed moments later, a mixture of relief and helplessness on his face:"Never mind. I'm close to retiring anyway. You all can deal with these messes yourselves.""I just want to play chess and enjoy my old age..."

The Elder lowered his gaze to the chessboard, a clear, wind-like, and moon-pale young figure involuntarily appearing in his mind as he murmured:"I wonder when this child will play chess with me again..."

As the Elder looked south, many Void-realm ancestors from various cultivation sects across the Daoist Court and the Nine Provinces also detected the anomaly. They looked up at the southern horizon of the Nine Provinces with grave expressions:"The sky... something isn't right?""The situation in the Southern Wilderness has changed...""A calamity of blood... Is some great devil about to manifest?""Or does this mean an even larger war and turmoil are brewing in the Southern Wilderness?""Send someone to investigate..."

The situation erupted like a sudden gale, with undercurrents stirring as many factions turned their attention towards the desolate Southern Wilderness, a land of blazing fire.

On the main road connecting to Tongzhou, many cultivators, dressed in plain clothes, concealing their auras and identities, were traveling from Qianxue Province towards the Great Wilderness.

Among the crowd, two inconspicuous cultivators were mixed in. One was tall and thin, with obsessive and sinister eyes. The other was shorter, slightly plump, and had an oily face.

Others wouldn't recognize these two, but if Mo Hua were present, he would instantly identify them as his "old acquaintances." They were Li San, an elite disciple from the now-destroyed Qianxue Demonic Sect, and Elder You, who had dealings with Mo Hua and verbally owed him 1.8 million spirit stones.

Dressed in old grey cultivator robes, the two blended into the crowd, walking southward without speaking. After half a day, they reached a desolate ridge and rested by the roadside.

Seeing no one around, Elder You looked at Li San, furrowed his brows, and finally asked:"How did you get out of the Daoist Prison?"

Li San's expression was grim, yet he was inexplicably loyal to Elder You. He replied:"A bloody grand formation appeared in the sky, demonic cultivators ran rampant everywhere, and the Daoist Court Bureau fell into chaos. I took advantage of the disturbance and escaped from the Daoist Court Bureau's great prison."

Elder You then asked, "After escaping the prison, did you not join the other demonic cultivators in the grand formation?"Li San replied, "No, I hid."Elder You frowned, "Why?"Li San said, "Because Elder You, you didn't instruct me to do so."

Elder You was stunned. Li San devoutly said, "All my actions follow your commands. Since you didn't tell me to enter the grand formation, I naturally didn't. After that, you didn't give me any further instructions, so I guessed your intention was for me to lie low and not act rashly.""Everything happened just as you predicted...""The grand formation was destroyed, and all living beings inside turned into black ash, utterly annihilated. But I survived.""Elder You, you truly are prescient, and you truly didn't abandon me..."

Li San looked at Elder You, his expression somewhat fanatical. This fanaticism made Elder You slightly uncomfortable, even subtly afraid. Yet, within this fervor, an absolute loyalty was revealed, sparking a hidden desire in Elder You's heart. Someone like him, who had spent his life in the shadows, catering to all sides and driven solely by profit, lacked "loyalty" more than anything.

"Good, then come with me to the Great Wilderness," Elder You nodded.Li San cupped his hands, "Yes."

Elder You nodded, then suddenly glanced at Li San and asked him in return, "Aren't you going to ask why I'm going to the Great Wilderness?"Li San replied, "Elder You acts with his own considerations. Whatever you say, it is so. If you tell me, it means I should know. If you don't, it means I shouldn't know."

Elder You's expression brightened with extreme satisfaction. Having navigated the cultivation world for a century, he had never encountered such transparent loyalty. A sudden appreciation for talent arose, and he said to Li San:

"Other matters are inconvenient to discuss in detail. I can only tell you that in our line of work, we deal in spirit stone transactions.""We secretly funded the spread of demonic sects, helped the Shen family rise, and supported Mr. Tu's grand scheme...""Unfortunately, all these investments failed.""But that's how investments are; most result in losses, and only a rare few yield huge profits.""As long as we make one massive profit, we can turn losses into gains and earn immense amounts of spirit stones."Excitement gleamed in Elder You's eyes.

Li San was somewhat astonished, "Aren't you an Elder of the Demonic Sect?"Elder You replied, "I can be an Elder of the Demonic Sect, but I can also not be. I can be an Elder of any sect, any power, but ultimately, I am no one. You just need to know that my name is 'Elder You,' and what we believe in is only spirit stones."

Li San slowly nodded.Elder You asked him, "Do you know why I'm telling you all this?"Li San pondered for a moment, then said, "This is Elder You's trust in me."Elder You nodded, "In business, trust is paramount. You must remember that."

Li San nodded. Elder You glanced at Li San, somewhat puzzled as to why this inexplicable Li San was so loyal to him. He was, after all, merely a discarded disciple from a puppet demonic sect. However, this "loyalty" was unmistakably genuine. Having seen countless people, Elder You naturally understood that Li San was truly, wholeheartedly loyal to him. Moreover, his loyalty bordered on fanaticism. For those in business, loyalty is the most precious asset, and also the quality they themselves often lack the most. Therefore, Elder You treasured it greatly.

"From today onwards, you are my trusted confidant. In all matters, you need only follow my commands. I can ensure you reach Core Formation and help you achieve great success."Core Formation! Great success!The former promise of "Elder You" in the Demonic Sect's command token had indeed come true.Li San was ecstatic, cupping his hands and saying, "Li San will brave any trial, no matter the cost."

Elder You nodded with satisfaction, "Let's go.""Yes."

The two continued southward, one after the other, towards the provincial border. Elder You walked ahead. Behind him, Li San's eyes burned with fervent devotion to "Elder You." Neither of them knew, however, who the true "Elder You" to whom Li San was loyal, actually was...

Lizhou, Tongxian City.In the small courtyard, Mo Hua sat at an octagonal table, looking up at the southern sky with a mix of confusion and gravity. The higher the sun ascended, the stronger the blazing fire became. This implied a highly unfavorable situation in the Great Wilderness.

Mo Hua sighed softly, knowing it was time for him to leave again. He looked back at the lush old Sophora tree, at the courtyard from his childhood, at the bustling Tongxian City, and at the distant Great Black Mountain, a sense of melancholy in his heart. These sights would once again exist only in his memories. He wondered when he would see them again.

Having made up his mind, Mo Hua made a quick divination, determining that three days later would be an auspicious day for his departure. During these three days, he planned to bid a simple farewell to some elders and friends.

He first went to visit Instructor Yan. Instructor Yan was now considered the sect leader of the Minor Lingyin Sect, and his cultivation had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Instructor Yan's wife, Shen Ru, was also just a hair's breadth away from Foundation Establishment. The couple received Mo Hua at the newly established Minor Lingyin Sect.

Instructor Yan, previously consumed by thoughts of revenge and bitterness, always had a serious expression. Now, with his great vengeance achieved and having married, his mindset had become much more composed, his demeanor much gentler, and his temperament refined. Standing beside his wife Shen Ru, they showed mutual respect like honored guests, a perfectly matched couple. Mo Hua was happy for them both.

Instructor Yan and Mo Hua chatted about array formations over tea. Shen Ru looked at Mo Hua, marveling at how young he was, yet already a high-ranking second-grade array master.

After a while, Steward Mo arrived. Thinking back, Mo Hua's connection with Steward Mo was quite deep. Had he not drawn array formations for Steward Mo to earn spirit stones back then, he might not have become Tongxian City's "Little Array Master," nor progressed step by step to where he was today. However, the former Steward Mo was now "Elder Mo." The array pavilion business wasn't easy, and a steward had little future, plus he still had to support his family. So, he eventually followed his senior martial brother, Instructor Yan, to the Minor Lingyin Sect, becoming an Elder. He usually taught disciples array formations, though, of course, any odd jobs or strenuous tasks also fell to him. While called an "Elder," he still did many tasks typical of a "steward." However, the act of revitalizing the sect was inherently more meaningful than him simply managing a small array pavilion. Steward Mo was quite content.

Upon entering, Mo Hua greeted him, "Steward Mo, it's good to see you.""Good, good..."Steward Mo chuckled as he returned the greeting, feeling a mix of emotions. How could he have imagined that the little child, who once didn't even reach his counter and offered a few Bright Fire Array Patterns in exchange for spirit stones, would now possess such terrifying talent and achieve such earth-shattering feats? For the past ten years or so, whenever he drank with people, he would inevitably boast about this, astonishing and earning the praise of everyone, which truly gave him a lot of face. With this legendary "resume," even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator toasted him, he wouldn't feel intimidated.

After they reminisced for a while, Mo Hua stood up to take his leave. Instructor Yan seemed to sense that Mo Hua was about to depart, his expression tinged with regret, but also contentment:"The world is vast, and array formations are endless. You are still young, so you should venture out more and see more.""A dragon cannot be confined to shallow waters."Mo Hua smiled, "Indeed."

"Also..." Instructor Yan took his wife Shen Ru's hand and said to Mo Hua, "What I told you before: if you meet a good girl, you must hold on tightly and never let go."Mo Hua paused, then nodded awkwardly, "Understood..."

Steward Mo also smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "With my limited knowledge, there's not much I can advise you on. I only hope you have smooth sailing, that all your wishes come true, and that you achieve great ambitions and attain immortality in the future."Mo Hua smiled, cupping his hands in return, "And I wish Steward Mo a harmonious family, for your children to become dragons, and for you to get rich soon."

These words pleased Steward Mo greatly, and he chuckled, "Thank you, Mo Immortal... Mo brother, for your kind words."

After bidding farewell to Instructor Yan, Mo Hua went to visit An Xiaofu. An Xiaofu had grown quite a bit taller, was still chubby, and remained rather simple-minded and guileless.

Hearing that Mo Hua was leaving again, An Xiaofu was very disappointed. After some thought, he gave Mo Hua a white jade token with the words "Fu Shan" (Blessing Meal) inscribed on it."What's this?""A free meal token."Mo Hua was surprised, "Free meal?"An Xiaofu nodded, "On the surface, it's called the 'Fu Shan White Jade Token,' but in reality, it's a 'free meal token.' With this token, you can eat and drink for free at Fu Shan Restaurant, without spending any spirit stones...""I'm striving to open Fu Shan Restaurants all over the Nine Provinces, so no matter where you are, you can eat and drink for free with this Fu Shan token. I'll cover all your future meals!"An Xiaofu patted his chest, brimming with ambition.Mo Hua was touched and smiled, "Great!"An Xiaofu grinned foolishly.

After parting ways with An Xiaofu, Mo Hua made a few more visits, finally going to see Elder Yu. Elder Yu was busy with the expansion of Tongxian City and was quite occupied. He simply handed Mo Hua a jade slip."I thought about what else I could do to help you, and after thinking for over ten days, I couldn't come up with anything.""In terms of cultivation, you are now at late Foundation Establishment, while I, an Elder, am still only at early Foundation Establishment; in terms of status, you are now a disciple of a fifth-rank major sect, while I am just a rogue cultivator Elder from a small immortal city; in terms of cultivation insights and experience, I am also far inferior...""The only thing that might possibly help you," Elder Yu sighed, pointing at the jade slip in Mo Hua's hand, "is this..."

Mo Hua looked bewildered. His spiritual sense entered the jade slip, and with a brief scan, he saw pages filled with "sarcastic remarks" and "insulting words," with angles so sharp and language so cutting that he had never seen or heard anything like them before.Mo Hua's expression was shocked, "This is..."

Elder Yu's expression was serious:"I've recorded every insulting phrase I could think of in my entire life into this jade slip. Flip through it when you have time. If it helps you, that's great; if not... don't say I gave it to you..."

Mo Hua held the jade slip, his hands feeling weighty, as if he had received an extraordinary, supreme inheritance that even a fifth-rank major sect in Qianxue Province wouldn't possess. His expression immediately turned solemn as he said:"Elder Yu, please rest assured. One day, I will definitely carry forward and glorify this inheritance!"

Elder Yu's expression weakened, and he waved his hand, "No need, no need, and definitely don't glorify it..."However, Mo Hua was no longer listening.

He carefully and solemnly placed the collection of sayings Elder Yu had given him into his Storage Ring, intending to diligently study and apply them in the future. Elder Yu felt a slight prickle on his scalp, unsure if what he had done was right or wrong.

(End of Chapter)