Some Formation geniuses, you donât even know where their strength lies, let alone understand the extent of the gap between you and them...
Beside him, the Chongxu Sect Elder saw Xun Ziyouâs changing expression and sighed repeatedly. He frowned and asked:
"Do you know something?"
Xun Ziyou froze, coming back to his senses. He thought for a moment, feeling that these were merely his speculations, and decided itâd be better not to speak out prematurely.
"No, just lamenting that we elders were negligent, allowing a Monster Cultivator to infiltrate." Xun Ziyou sighed.
The Chongxu Sect Elder nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Xun Ziyou continued, "Thereâs something suspicious about this matter. Letâs report back to the Sect first and discuss a solution later. For now, letâs not make this public to avoid any leaks."
"That sounds reasonable," the Chongxu Sect Elder nodded in agreement.
After finishing their discussion, they got ready to leave.
But just before leaving, the Chongxu Sect Elder suddenly remembered something, his tone laced with unease as he asked:
"By the way, whatâs the deal with the âSword Controlâ?"
Xun Ziyou feigned ignorance, "What âSword Controlâ?"
The Chongxu Sect Elder snapped, "Donât play dumb with me. I saw it with my own eyesâthe kid was standing hundreds of zhang away. Without gathering Sword Qi, with just a shake of his Divine Sense, a Spirit Sword shot out, shimmering with golden light, exploding with Sword Qi, shredding that Monster Cultivatorâs demonized arm, staining half its body with blood..."
That child named Mo Hua was only at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
To control a sword at such a Realm, with such fierce technique, at such a distant range, with such incredible speed, and such overwhelming power...
Recalling this now, the Chongxu Sect Elder still found it chilling.
Xun Ziyou wore an expression of "shock" and shook his head, saying:
"Impossible, how could that be? You must have seen it wrong."
The Chongxu Sect Elder looked incredulous, "How could I have seen it wrong?"
"You definitely saw it wrong," Xun Ziyou asserted seriously. "It wasnât Sword Controlâit was just some kind of hidden weapon with formations engraved on it. Its power was actually quite ordinary. It was simply that the Monster Cultivator was already gravely injured and incapable of resisting, so it ended up being blown apart so miserably."
The Chongxu Sect Elder was skeptical, "Engraved formations on a hidden weapon? Youâre spouting nonsense!"
Xun Ziyou retorted, "Well, have you ever seen a Sword Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage controlling a sword across 160 zhang, and with such immense power?"
The Chongxu Sect Elder hesitated, "This... no, I havenât..."
Such a thing indeed defied his understanding.
"Moreover, Sword Control..." Xun Ziyou added, "Even your Chongxu Sectâs Sword Heart Clarity genius disciple hasnât mastered Sword Control yet. As for Mo Hua, who isnât even a Sword Cultivator, how could he possibly use such formidable Sword Control?"
"True enough," the Chongxu Sect Elder could not help but nod.
If weâre talking about Sword Dao talent, he was certain that Ling Huxiao was undoubtedly one of the finest talents in Chongxu Sect, and even within the entire Qian Learning State Boundary.
If Mo Hua truly mastered Sword Control, and to such a powerful extent, wouldnât that make him even more gifted than Chongxu Sectâs Sword Dao genius?
This was absolutely impossible!
The Chongxu Sect Elder gradually accepted this explanation.
He had been standing far away and didnât see the details all that clearly. He merely "felt" that Mo Hua seemed to have controlled the sword, sending it across a great distance to strike the Monster Cultivator, Sword Qi bursting forth, creating a cloud of bloody mist.
But now, thinking back, Sword Control seemed implausible.
It was much more plausible to assume he used some kind of Spiritual Artifact that resembled a hidden weapon with special formations inscribed.
The Chongxu Sect Elder nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Xun Ziyou silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally managed to smooth things over...
Mo Hua keeps pulling off these "eye-catching stunts," and now I have to spin stories and concoct excuses for him, just to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Luckily, the stuff this kid does is increasingly "outlandish."
Saying it out loud, others probably wouldnât believe it either.
Instead, my excuses sound much more "reasonable."
Xun Ziyou sighed internally.
Not only do I have to protect him, I also have to make up lies to cover for him.
Is this easy for me?
"Someday, Iâll make sure this kid treats me to drinks..."
...
Elsewhere, Mo Hua regrouped with Ling Huxiao and the others.
"Escaped, couldnât find it," Mo Hua sighed.
Those present felt a pang of regret; they could have killed that Monster Cultivator if only they had been a bit faster.
"Letâs head back. Weâll check on Cheng Moâs injuries first. As for that Monster Cultivator, since itâs in the mountains, it wonât escape forever."
Dare to target my Taixu Sect Junior Brother? Sooner or later, Iâll skin it alive!
Mo Hua silently vowed.
The group began their journey back, though Ling Huxiao appeared preoccupied on the way.
Walking behind the group, he glanced at Mo Hua several times, and eventually couldnât resist asking:
"You know Sword Control?"
Mo Hua was slightly surprised but nodded, saying, "Just a little. Itâs not traditional Sword Controlâit relies mainly on the formations on the sword."
Ling Huxiao responded with a short "Hmm" and said nothing more, but inwardly he regarded Mo Hua as an increasingly unfathomable "expert."
"Someday, Iâll spar with him..."
Ling Huxiao resolved in his heart.
Arriving at the base of Taixu Sectâs mountain, the group parted ways.
Ling Huxiao returned to Chongxu Sect.
Mo Hua and his group returned to Taixu Sect.
At the mountain gate, Situ Jian asked, "Junior Brother, should we inform the sect elders about the Monster Cultivator?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment, deciding the matter was suspicious. While it might not be necessary to tell outsiders, the sect elders must be informed.
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded.
He then sought out Elder Song, who oversaw various disciple-related matters including attendance, and reported about encountering the Monster Cultivator at Refining Demon Mountain.
"Monster Cultivator!"
Upon hearing this, Elder Songâs expression immediately turned grave.
"Alright, I will notify the Sect Elders on duty at Refining Demon Mountain, so they can be vigilant and ensure the disciplesâ safety."
"The elders on duty at Refining Demon Mountainâare they Elder Xun, Xun Ziyou?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Song was somewhat surprised, "You know him?"
Mo Hua shook his head, "We met once briefly. Iâve heard his name but donât really know him."
Elder Song nodded, "Thatâs correct. If anything happens, Elder Xun will follow up with you."
Mo Hua nodded, "Alright."
After reporting the incident to the sect, Mo Hua felt at ease and went to check on Cheng Mo.
Cheng Moâs injuries had improved significantly.
"We avenged youâwe severed one of that monstrosityâs arms."
Mo Hua even showed Cheng Mo the severed arm, though he promptly put it away again.
Cheng Mo, pale and weak, managed a wry smile, "Thank you, Junior Brother."
Seeing Cheng Moâs dispirited demeanor, Mo Hua said:
"That Monster Cultivator was incredibly powerful. Even with five of us joining forces, we could only sever one arm before it escaped."
"Rest well and recover. Once youâre ready, weâll go settle the score togetherâcut up that abomination and strip off its hide!"
Cheng Moâs eyes brightened at this. He smiled and nodded, saying:
"Alright!"