Among its fellow Pixiu, its "battle achievements" may not be the best, but they certainly arenât bad.
The Pixiu felt proud and mighty.
After subduing the Little Faceless Celestial Demon, Mo Hua left the Pixiu Divine Temple, his Divine Sense returning to reality.
Inside the Discipleâs Residence, all was silent.
Mo Hua caressed the ancient Broken Sword in his hand, sighed long and deeply, then carefully stored it away.
There was only two hours left until dawn.
Mo Hua lay on the bed, meditating to rejuvenate himself.
Two hours later, the morning sun broke over the horizon, its golden rays piercing through the ancient woods and into the room.
Facing the sunrise, Mo Hua looked out the window and took in the sight of Tai Xu Mountainâs dawn for the last time.
Then he packed his things and set off on the road home.
Remembering Elder Master Xunâs instructions, he quietly departed, not disturbing anyone, walking alone down the serene mountain path from Tai Xu Mountain.
Along the way, occasionally an Elder would greet Mo Hua, and Mo Hua would respond as usual.
But these Elders did not know that this was their last meeting with Mo Hua.
Leaving the Discipleâs Residence, Mo Hua passed through the Taoist Field, by the Book Pavilion, the Tao Teaching Room, and various buildings where disciples usually cultivated and attended classes, then down the mountain path until he reached the mountain gate.
Finally, Mo Hua stood before the mountain gate and turned to bow deeply towards Tai Xu Gate.
This bow was to express gratitude to Tai Xu Gate for imparting Daoist teachings.
It was also to thank the Sectâs ancestors, the Sect Leader, and the Elders for their care and guidance.
After the bow, Mo Hua walked down the mountain path, leaving Tai Xu Gate behind, and his figure gradually disappeared into the clouds outside Tai Xu Mountain.
Inside Tai Xu Gate.
Elder Master Xun, who hadnât slept all night, seemed to sense something, looked up towards the distance, his eyes filled with reluctance, and eventually let out a deep sigh.
Inside the Elderâs Residence.
Elders who were closer to Mo Hua, like Xun Ziyou and Xun Zixian, suddenly felt an emptiness in their hearts.
In front of the little book garden.
Big White Dog barked towards the distance, seeming to bid farewell.
The Tai Xu Sect Master looked towards the mountain gate.
He saw, for some unknown reason, light smoke rising over Tai Xu Mountain Gate, blending with the clouds and mist of Tai Xu Mountain, and he was taken aback.
A long time ago, the vision of smoke rising over Tai Xu Mountain Gate surfaced in his mind.
The Tai Xu Sect Master was bewildered for a moment, then suddenly understood, softly sighed:
"Good child, may your path be smooth..."
...
Meanwhile, in Qingzhou City, at the Gu Family.
Yu Er, who was feeling a bit tired from early cultivation, suddenly felt a pang in her chest, her expression turning sad.
Wenren Wan, who was guiding Yu Er in cultivation, also suddenly felt a pang of inexplicable loss, then gradually understood.
"Mo Hua...has left..."
Thinking about the years spent with Mo Hua, Wenren Wanâs heart felt both warm, yet sour and reluctant.
While lost in thought, suddenly a sharp, strange voice sounded:
"Good riddance...finally gone..."
Wenren Wan was startled, looked down, and saw "Yu Er," whose forehead had turned pitch black and whose face was full of malice.
As if sensing Wenren Wanâs gaze, "Yu Er" grinned and stared at Wenren Wan, its eyes fierce.
Wenren Wan was momentarily shocked, but then she remembered Mo Huaâs words, smiled gently, and stroked "Yu Er"âs head, her gaze as tender as water, as if looking at her beloved child.
"Yu Er" froze, unsure why he couldnât act fierce, even dared not meet Wenren Wanâs gentle eyes, and quietly shifted his gaze, but something seemed to tremble within him.
It was something the deity had never felt before...
...
After leaving Tai Xu Gate, Mo Hua removed the Taoist Robe that represented Tai Xu Gateâs identity, carefully folded it, and placed it into the Storage Ring.
Afterward, he donned a hat and a plain robe, concealed his aura, and hired a carriage, heading straight to a secluded Cloud Crossing City north of Qian Learning State Boundary.
At this moment, inside Cloud Crossing City.
At a tea stall, an elderly man was drinking tea and playing chess with a distinguished-looking middle-aged cultivator.
The elderly manâs chess skills were poor, with many black pieces captured, but his demeanor was leisurely.
The middle-aged cultivatorâs chess skills were excellent, with white pieces firmly holding the advantage, yet he appeared uneasy.
Thus, after another moment of battle between black and white, as defeat seemed imminent, the elderly man pushed the chess pieces away:
"Not playing anymore, your chess skills are too poor, thereâs no interest in playing with you."
The middle-aged cultivator smiled wryly.
The Pavilion Elderâs poor chess skills were widely known. He had already restrained himself, or else the Pavilion Elderâs game would have reached a dead end about seventy or eighty moves ago.
Of course, that wasnât the point.
He just didnât understand why the Pavilion Elder would play such an insignificant game at such an insignificant place at this time.
But he felt guilty and apprehensive, not daring to ask.
The Pavilion Elder glanced at him and sighed softly:
"Life is like a chess game, difficult to distinguish black from white. Sometimes winning isnât really winning, and losing isnât truly losing. Youâre too fixated on the immediate outcome, failing to see the black and white behind it."
The middle-aged cultivator saluted respectfully:
"Student understands."
The Pavilion Elder cast him a faint look, knowing that this student was respectful on the surface but hadnât truly understood, causing the elderâs interest to wane.
"Pavilion Elder," the middle-aged cultivator raised his head and glanced at him, then lowered his head, speaking softly, "Regarding this matter, your decision hasnât satisfied the upper levels of the Taoist Court."
The Pavilion Elder was indifferent, "Why unsatisfied?"
The middle-aged cultivator hesitated for a moment, then said slowly:
"The aristocratic families are too strong, the Sectâs reputation too prestigious, not aligning with the interests of the Central Dao Court."
"The intent of the top Taoist Court...is to use the Blood Sacrifice incident to strengthen the authority of the Court Officials, undermine the foundations of Qianxueâs aristocratic families, tarnish the reputation of Qianxue Sect, and use this as an excuse to further reclaim ownership of Mount Qianlongâs Spiritual mines..."
"And most importantly, itâs to enforce a Sect reformation, forcing Qianxue Sect to change its name."
The middle-aged cultivatorâs eyes revealed a hint of superiority:
"âQian,â meaning Heaven, within the Qian Learning State Boundary, such as Qian Taoist Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect...those sects, what qualification do they have to name themselves after âQian Tianâ?"
"This world belongs to the Taoist Court."
"Only the Central Dao Court, Daoist Monarch, and Daoist can bear the divine mandate."
"All power, Spirit Vein, can only be unified under the Taoist Court. Any Sect or aristocratic family using the name âTianâ is presumptuous..."
The middle-aged cultivatorâs expression was both awe-inspired and solemn.
The Pavilion Elder silently watched the middle-aged cultivator, his eyes revealing a trace of concealed and indistinguishable disappointment.