Chapter 1125: Extravagant

Mo Hua pushed open the door and walked out of his room.

The majestic and domineering wolf howls from the horizon had already faded.

The disciples of the Azure Wolf Sect, who had been kneeling, all stood up. A flicker of blood-red passed through their eyes, and their expressions became slightly more savage, bearing a resemblance to wolves.

Mo Hua was slightly startled.

Afterward, he pretended nothing was amiss and strolled around the outer mountains of the Azure Wolf Sect.

As he walked, he silently memorized the terrain and calculated the layout of the array formations, all while subtly releasing his spiritual sense to perceive the aura of the wolf howls.

However, after completing a full circuit, he still found nothing.

He couldn't discern the source of the soul-stirring wolf howls at all.

The Azure Wolf Sect was, after all, a third-rank sect. Even if it was a weaker third-rank, it was still a third-rank sect.

A third-rank sect was considerably larger, and its array structures and formations couldn't be seen through at a glance.

Mo Hua had only achieved the Golden Core stage in spiritual sense; his cultivation hadn't reached the Golden Core stage, so he couldn't draw third-rank arrays.

Moreover, he was currently a "guest" and new to the place, so it wasn't appropriate for him to be too presumptuous.

Mo Hua then retracted his spiritual sense, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Yet, a sense of curiosity lingered in his heart.

He knew that opportunities awaited the proactive. If there were no clues, he would have let it go. But with the opportunity practically served to him, it would be a shame not to pursue it.

Mo Hua then leisurely took another stroll, "accidentally" encountering an elder he had met briefly before.

The elder greeted Mo Hua and asked, "Has young master rested well?"

Mo Hua replied, "The first half of the night was fine, but early this morning, it sounded like some demonic beast was calling out, keeping me from sleeping. Does your Azure Wolf Sect keep demonic beasts?"

The elder's expression shifted slightly.

Though it was only for a fleeting moment, it didn't escape Mo Hua's keen spiritual sense, which could perceive the minutest details.

The elder chuckled, "Young master must be joking. How could the Azure Wolf Sect keep demonic beasts? Perhaps some disciples were practicing body tempering early this morning, making loud noises and disturbing your rest. I will go and reprimand them immediately and tell them to be more careful. Please don't take it to heart."

Hearing this, Mo Hua seemed to doubt himself, frowning as he said:

"Morning body tempering? Was I truly mistaken then? It wasn't a demonic beast?"

The elder cupped his hands, "Disturbing you was our oversight."

Mo Hua quickly waved his hand, "It's nothing, Elder, please don't worry about it."

"Then..."

"Please go about your business."

The elder smiled and cupped his hands, "Then I shall take my leave. Please make yourself at home."

Mo Hua nodded.

After the elder left, Mo Hua watched his retreating back, his gaze shifting slightly.

This elder was clearly hiding something.

Moreover, perhaps because he was in the Azure "Wolf" Sect, Mo Hua always felt that despite the elder's seemingly amiable smile, there was an underlying hint of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Mo Hua muttered to himself. He then continued strolling around the Azure Wolf Sect for a while. Before long, he noticed several faint strands of spiritual sense, indicating he was clearly being monitored.

Mo Hua didn't want to alert them, so after wandering for a bit and displaying a bored expression, he asked a disciple of the Azure Wolf Sect for directions and then headed straight down the mountain to Azure Wolf City.

Once in Azure Wolf City, the spiritual sense, like a parasite clinging to bone, was still there.

Mo Hua pretended to be oblivious and explored Azure Wolf City thoroughly, observing both the prosperous and extravagant main city, as well as the desolate and shabby surrounding streets.

Wealth and poverty often coexist; the more prosperous a place, the more hardship and destitution tend to follow.

Mo Hua was already accustomed to this.

He sighed softly to himself, then confidently made his way to the Luo Family Escort Agency.

Escort Chief Luo was sitting in the agency, sighing. Upon seeing Mo Hua, he was immediately startled. "Young Master Mo, what brings you here?"

Mo Hua said, "I was bored and just wandering around, so I decided to come see you."

Escort Chief Luo felt a slight panic in his heart.

Elder Duan, Elder Sun, and six Azure Wolf Sect disciples had died at their hands.

Now that Mo Hua had appeared at their doorstep, if the Azure Wolf Sect grew suspicious, the consequences would be unimaginable...

However, seeing Mo Hua's calm and composed demeanor, as if nothing had happened, Escort Chief Luo inexplicably felt a bit more at ease.

"Young Master Mo is truly extraordinary. If he isn't afraid, then there's no need for me to worry and lose my composure..."

Escort Chief Luo thought silently, then called out towards the backyard, "Ying Niang, Young Master Mo is here. Brew a pot of good tea."

After a moment, the valiant Ying Niang appeared, holding a teapot, and poured tea for Mo Hua. As she poured, she openly stared at him.

Escort Chief Luo, feeling helpless, waved her away and then quietly asked, "Young Master Mo, your visit is..."

Mo Hua said, "It's really nothing. I just came to chat. You're the only person I know in all of Azure Wolf City, and I have nowhere else to go."

Only then did Escort Chief Luo relax.

Afterward, the two chatted, with Mo Hua asking questions and Escort Chief Luo answering.

Mo Hua's questions were all about "boring" trivial matters, like a child curious about everything, even asking about the most insignificant things.

However, given Mo Hua's cultivation and strength, Escort Chief Luo dared not be negligent and patiently answered everything truthfully.

They continued this idle chat for a full hour.

Escort Chief Luo was almost dozing off from Mo Hua's incessant questioning.

Mo Hua remained enthusiastic until his spiritual sense stirred slightly, perceiving that the spiritual sense hovering around him had grown quite weary and retreated to rest. Only then did his eyes light up, and he quietly asked Escort Chief Luo:

"Escort Chief Luo, do you know... about the 'wolf howls' of the Azure Wolf Sect?"

"Wolf howls?" Escort Chief Luo was taken aback.

"Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "Around the hour of Mao, there's a deafening roar from an Azure Wolf, howling at the sky, and the disciples of the Azure Wolf Sect all kneel in worship, their expressions reverent..."

Escort Chief Luo frowned deeply and shook his head, "I... I've never heard of such a thing..."

"Never heard?" Mo Hua was a little surprised. "Such a loud wolf howl..."

Escort Chief Luo continued to shake his head. "I've lived in Azure Wolf City for so long, and I've never heard any wolf howls."

Mo Hua frowned slightly, muttering to himself.

This was somewhat strange...

It seemed that not everyone could hear the wolf howls of the Azure Wolf Sect; at least, ordinary cultivators within Azure Wolf City probably hadn't noticed them.

There were many possibilities for this.

But with too few clues, Mo Hua couldn't determine which was the truth.

Escort Chief Luo quietly asked, "Young Master Mo, about these wolf howls..."

"Oh, it's nothing," Mo Hua said casually. "I was just asking. Maybe I misheard."

Since Escort Chief Luo didn't know, he couldn't be implicated; otherwise, his early Foundation Establishment cultivation wouldn't withstand the Azure Wolf Sect's retaliation.

Mo Hua then asked about another matter, "Escort Chief Luo, does the Azure Wolf Sect generally have a bad reputation?"

"This..." Escort Chief Luo clearly found it inconvenient to speak.

But since Mo Hua had asked, he couldn't remain silent and simply said, "In the cultivation world, powers are like big fish eating small fish, and small fish eating shrimp."

"The Azure Wolf Sect is the 'big fish,' and other powers are the small fish and shrimp."

"The reason the Azure Wolf Sect is so powerful is through gradual monopolization, annexation, and expansion."

"In the past, there were nearly a hundred other factions in this third-rank Azure Wolf City, including some also of third-rank. But now they exist in name only, with only the Azure Wolf Sect dominating."

"When there were many factions, it was better. Although chaotic, everyone could still get a share."

"Now, with the Azure Wolf Sect's sole dominance, its appetite has grown. It not only takes the meat but barely leaves a few drops of soup."

"That's why, young master, you can see that the main city of Azure Wolf is becoming increasingly prosperous and extravagant."

"But the surrounding streets, and even nearby smaller areas, are sparsely populated and growing poorer."

"And monopolization and annexation are always bloody. The dirty deeds involved... I can't say much more about them..."

Escort Chief Luo's face was inscrutable.

Mo Hua nodded. He was about to ask something else when he suddenly felt the monitoring spiritual sense wrap around him again. He stopped speaking, stood up, and took his leave, saying:

"It's getting late, I should head back."

Escort Chief Luo urged him to stay, "Why not stay for a simple meal?"

"Perhaps next time."

Escort Chief Luo looked at Mo Hua, his heart still unsettled, and quietly asked, "That matter... Young Master, you..."

Mo Hua was slightly startled. "That matter?"

"It's about..." Escort Chief Luo hesitated, his heart filled with unease.

Mo Hua suddenly understood and said, "Oh, you mean you want to join the Azure Wolf Sect, and you want me to put in a good word for you with the Sect Master, right?"

Escort Chief Luo was stunned.

Mo Hua winked at him. Escort Chief Luo understood and forced a smile, "Yes, yes..."

Mo Hua sighed, "That's hard to say. The Sect Master is a very busy man. If he has time later, I'll try to put in a word for you..."

Escort Chief Luo hastily replied, "Thank you, young master, thank you..."

"Alright, I'm heading back to the Azure Wolf Sect."

Mo Hua said casually, then stood up and took his leave.

"Travel safely, young master." Escort Chief Luo watched Mo Hua's retreating figure, sighing softly to himself.

Afterward, Mo Hua didn't linger and returned straight to the Azure Wolf Sect.

The Azure Wolf Sect Master was indeed very busy and had no time to attend to him, nor did anyone else bother him, which suited Mo Hua just fine.

After strolling around the Azure Wolf Sect for a while, Mo Hua returned to his luxurious guest room and began reading and studying array formations.

In the evening, a knock sounded on his door again.

Mo Hua opened the door and saw another alluring woman standing outside.

This woman exuded a completely different charm: tall and graceful, with a captivating waist, seductive, wave-like eyes, and her jade-like body barely concealed by light gauze.

Her clothes were so revealing it was as if she were wearing nothing at all.

"The weather is hot, your humble servant..."

Bang—

Mo Hua shut the door again, rubbing his eyes. "I saw something unclean..."

He silently pictured his Senior Sister's appearance in his mind, "washing away" the unpleasant sight until his heart felt warm and peaceful. Only then did he turn around and resume studying array formations.

The alluring woman at the door, whose words were cut short by Mo Hua closing it, was instantly filled with shame and anger. A hint of savagery appeared on her pretty face as she stomped her foot in exasperation and walked away. Halfway back, she encountered a burly elder with a scar on his chest.

The alluring woman bowed and said, "Elder Ji."

The man, addressed as "Elder Ji," gently helped the woman up, his hand lingering on her waist for a few moments. "What's wrong? Were you given the cold shoulder?"

The alluring woman angrily said, "He has a charming face but is as dull as a block of wood."

Elder Ji chuckled, "He may be dull, but I'm not. Come to my room later, and I'll console you."

The woman gave him a seductive glance. "Then I'll wait for you..."

Elder Ji's heart stirred.

The woman walked away, swaying her hips.

Elder Ji's gaze followed the woman's graceful figure until she disappeared. Only then did he turn to look at Mo Hua's room, frowning, his expression rather perplexed.

"He can't even be tempted by such a top-tier beauty..."

"Could it be that he... doesn't like women?"

The next day, Mo Hua woke up early on purpose. After cultivating for a while, he sat by the window, waiting for the wolf to howl again.

But for some reason, the mountain forest was silent, and there were no wolf howls.

Mo Hua was displeased.

Just then, a knock sounded at his door again.

Mo Hua frowned as he went to open the door, finding a burly man with a scar on his chest standing there.

"Who are you?"

The burly man cupped his hands and smiled at Mo Hua, "My surname is Ji, and I am an elder of the Azure Wolf Sect."

Mo Hua nodded. "Elder Ji, is there something you need?"

Elder Ji said, "Young Master Mo is an honored guest and should ideally be received by the Sect Master himself. However, the Sect Master holds a high position and is extremely busy, unable to spare any time. Therefore, I, Ji, have been tasked to attend to you."

Mo Hua understood. "You want to take me out?"

Elder Ji nodded. "Yes."

"Where are we going?" Mo Hua asked.

Elder Ji didn't answer, only saying mysteriously, "Young Master Mo will surely be satisfied."

Mo Hua vaguely felt that the place he was being taken to was probably not a good one.

But a man should be fearless.

Mo Hua nodded. "Alright."

Afterward, Elder Ji led the way, taking Mo Hua to a tall, magnificent, dazzling, and luxurious pavilion in Azure Wolf City.

This pavilion was located in the main part of Azure Wolf City and was the tallest building in the city.

Mo Hua had seen it yesterday while strolling through the city.

However, yesterday he could only catch a quick glimpse of it from the outside.

But today, Elder Ji took him upstairs, to the very top floor.

It was a grand palace-like structure, with jade-green eaves.

Gold-threaded screens stood across the room, misty gauze curtains hung, crystal lamps shone like the moon, and incense burners exhaled purple smoke.

In a daze, it truly felt like a paradise on earth.

The level of luxury and indulgence was comparable to, if not surpassing, that of some fourth or fifth-rank major sects in the Qianxue Province.

Mo Hua was quite shocked.

Elder Ji clapped his hands, ordering exquisite food and wine to be served and beautiful women to perform dances.

Soon, the delicacies were ready, and beautiful women entered one after another.

These women were all beautiful, with various figures—plump or slender—each possessing their own charm. Their ages ranged from young girls with braided hair, to budding maidens, to pure beauties, enchanting women, and even voluptuous young wives.

Mo Hua frowned as he watched.

Elder Ji observed Mo Hua's expression from the side, which further confirmed his suspicion. After the women finished their songs and dances, he clapped his hands and said:

"Bring in another group."

What replaced them was a group of men.

There were young boys, teenagers, and middle-aged men.

They were also remarkably handsome, dressed in various styles; some were charming and gentle, others mature and steady.

Some were even cross-dressing, their alluring charm no less than that of women.

A hint of coldness appeared in Mo Hua's eyes.

He understood that extreme poverty drives the pursuit of wealth, which in turn breeds arrogance and extravagance. This indulgence inevitably leads to debauchery, and ultimately, to moral decay.

But he hadn't expected such profound decay...

Elder Ji looked at Mo Hua, a little taken aback.

"Could this person truly be a block of wood? So un-enlightened? He doesn't like women, nor men?"

"What *does* he like?"

Noticing Mo Hua's displeasure, Elder Ji quickly waved his hand. "Go, go."

After everyone had left, Elder Ji quietly asked, "Young Master Mo, do you enjoy trying your luck?"

"Trying my luck?"

Mo Hua was slightly startled, then suddenly realized that Elder Ji wanted to trick him into gambling.

Seeing that Mo Hua neither expressed liking nor disliking it, Elder Ji said:

"Young Master Mo, if you haven't tried it, perhaps you should. In this mortal world, there are countless pleasures; one must experience them all to temper one's Dao heart and forge ahead."

Mo Hua actually found some sense in Elder Ji's words and nodded. "Alright."

"Excellent."

Elder Ji led Mo Hua down two floors to a grand, resplendent hall.

Inside, it was vast and packed with cultivators in luxurious robes, gambling against each other, creating an exceptionally noisy atmosphere.

This was a gambling house, with various forms of gambling and different stakes.

But generally, they were all gambling with spirit stones. After all, spirit stones were the most common equivalent in the cultivation world.

"Young Master Mo, please follow me. I'll take you to try a few rounds of each game..." Elder Ji said with a friendly smile.

He then led Mo Hua, trying out most of the gambling games available in the golden casino.

He even paid out of his own pocket, giving Mo Hua a full twenty thousand spirit stones as chips.

Unable to refuse such generosity, Mo Hua played along appropriately.

As expected, his luck was good. In an instant, his twenty thousand spirit stones multiplied sixfold, earning him a hundred thousand.

But Mo Hua couldn't feel happy.

Because the setup was simply too obvious.

He could tell at a glance that Elder Ji deliberately wanted him to win, so he felt no surprise.

Moreover, even if Elder Ji hadn't deliberately let him win, he could have won easily himself if he wanted to.

Gambling involved karma.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense was defying heaven, and he possessed both Heavenly Mechanism Derivation and Heavenly Mechanism Deception, understanding the changes in karma. For ordinary Qi Refinement or even Foundation Establishment gambling games, he could see the outcome at a glance. Even if Elder Ji didn't cheat for him, he could easily win hundreds of thousands to millions of spirit stones.

But just as he thought, gambling involved karma.

The spirit stones won weren't obtained for no reason, nor did they fall from the sky; rather, they were snatched from the losers by exploiting the rules.

If you were winning, someone else was necessarily losing.

Everything you won was what others had lost to you.

Therefore, gambling was essentially a form of exploitation.

It wasn't just exploitation of spirit stones and wealth, but also a deprivation of fortune.

It is the way of man to take from those who have little and give to those who have much.

Mo Hua, being intimately familiar with karma, naturally understood this principle. Therefore, he had never considered winning spirit stones through gambling.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Mechanism Derivation he learned from his master and the Heavenly Mechanism Deception he learned from his martial uncle were profound and heaven-defying knowledge. Naturally, they could not be used for such cheap tricks.

Therefore, gambling was something he absolutely could not partake in.

Spirit stones won through gambling carried the karma of others and could not be accepted.

Afterward, Mo Hua "acted recklessly," deliberately losing all the spirit stones that Elder Ji had painstakingly set up for him to win. Then he cursed:

"What a rotten gambling game! I lost everything. It's completely meaningless. I'm not playing anymore..."

Elder Ji felt annoyed hearing this.

He had painstakingly set up the game for Mo Hua to win many spirit stones.

Yet this kid had no talent for gambling and stubbornly refused to listen to advice. In the blink of an eye, he lost all the spirit stones he had won through the setup, all by his "personal ability."

He truly was an unteachable idiot. Even when meant to win, he couldn't!

And despite all this, he still cursed the game as rotten and uninteresting.

*Can you even play?*

"If the Sect Master hadn't specifically instructed me to entertain him well, I would definitely teach this kid a lesson..."

Elder Ji suppressed his anger and forced a smile, saying:

"This type of gambling might not suit young master. Why don't we try something else?"

Mo Hua nodded haughtily.

So, Elder Ji then took Mo Hua to experience a variety of elaborate and flashy entertainments.

Mo Hua was deeply shocked internally, but outwardly, he couldn't help but find fault:

"Boring, not fun, a bit dull, too little clothing, a bit of an eyesore..."

And so, under Elder Ji's guidance, Mo Hua spent a day living a truly corrupt and decadent life.

Later, as dusk fell, he left the glittering den of indulgence and returned to the Azure Wolf Sect by carriage.

Passing through the outskirts of Azure Wolf City, Mo Hua looked out the window and saw a different set of streets.

On these streets, cultivators wore tattered clothes and had gaunt, dry skin.

Some were begging, some were selling their labor, some were beaten and kneeling for mercy, and mothers painfully spent a few fragmented spirit stones to buy steamed buns for their children...

Mo Hua watched all this with a look of compassion, a faint dark aura stirring in the depths of his eyes.