Chapter 1017: Passing Water Steps

It wasn't just Feng Zichen; by this point, almost all the cultivators outside the arena were also looking on. They watched Mo Hua inside the Sword Debate arena, his figure graceful and natural like water, amidst the dense and impenetrable sword light, yet not a single corner of his clothing was broken. Indescribable shock surged within their hearts.

This shock was stuck in their throats, leaving them speechless.

Top-tier movement technique?! This Mo Hua actually possessed a wonderful movement technique that surpassed even the top heavenly pride, Qian Xue? His movement technique was actually even stronger than that of the heavenly pride who carried the top inheritances of the Xiaoyao Sect and the Feng family? This... how was this possible? Everyone found it hard to believe.

Especially the cultivators from the Xiaoyao Sect and the Feng family. The strongest disciples among them, with the strongest movement techniques, were actually outperformed by a mere Mo Hua. Emotionally and logically, they found it difficult to accept, and felt even more disgraced.

Elder Feng's face was even more contorted with ugliness. At the same time, his face felt hot with pain. Especially when he thought back to the "boastful words" he had said before the sword debate, saying that their Feng family disciples had absolutely top-tier movement techniques and would definitely cut Mo Hua down with their swords. Elder Feng's old face almost couldn't maintain its composure.

Grand Elder Zhang looked at the giant Fang Tian Painting Shadow screen displaying Mo Hua and was truly shocked beyond measure. Was this Qian Xue's sword debate? Was this a top heavenly pride?

He had originally felt that Feng Zichen's movement technique was already unbelievably strong among the same generation. Yet, he hadn't expected that there truly was a "sky beyond the sky, and a person beyond the person." Movement techniques of this caliber could actually be even stronger than his.

"Mo Hua..." This name, as if carrying some magic power, was engraved in Grand Elder Zhang's heart.

Grand Elder Zhang then turned his head and looked at Elder Feng. As an old friend, he naturally didn't want to see Elder Feng embarrassed, so he sighed and said: "To be honest with Brother Feng, Zichen's talent in movement technique is the only one I've seen in my life. My Zhang family disciples of the same generation can't even compare to a genius with this kind of talent. That movement technique inheritance is also far superior to my Zhang family's ancestral movement technique. But... some things, you and I both know clearly. This is the Qian Xue region, where heavenly prides gather, and talented individuals are more terrifying than the last. Brother Feng, there is always a person beyond a person..."

Grand Elder Zhang used his own family as a comparison, praised the Feng family a little, and at the same time, everything he said was also fact.

Hearing this, Elder Feng's heart was slightly relieved. After pondering for a moment, he sighed and cupped his hands to Grand Elder Zhang, saying: "It is I who attached too much importance, grew a competitive spirit, and also underestimated the heavenly prides of various sects. I spoke wildly, making Brother Zhang laugh."

"Brother Feng speaks too heavily," Grand Elder Zhang shook his head, and then praised: "Zichen's movement technique, a top-tier inheritance from both sects with the same origin, becomes more exquisite the further he cultivates it. His future is definitely limitless. Young talents should be a little arrogant; having this setback this time, settling his temperament, is also a good thing. There's no need to be too anxious for a while."

"Yes, indeed..." Elder Feng nodded, feeling much more comforted in his heart. But at the same time, his heart was still very puzzled: "Brother Zhang, Zichen's movement technique includes the Xiaoyao Sect's Treading Wind Steps and the Feng family's Roaming Wind Steps, which are already top-tier movement technique inheritances. This person named Mo Hua... what movement technique did he learn that is actually more advanced than my Feng family and the Xiaoyao Sect's inheritances?"

"This..." Grand Elder Zhang frowned. He raised his head again, looked at Mo Hua, and fell into thought. After a moment, he slowly pondered: "It's a unique water-attribute movement technique inheritance... but it's not necessarily Flowing Water Steps. Flowing Water Steps seems to be just a cover. This movement technique... flashes and turns within a small space, his figure like water, following the waves. When it's slow, it's like a stream rising from a mountain stream; when it's fast, it's like a river rushing past... In the details, there are myriad changes; when flowing, it is endless. Combined with that, there's also some hazy water mist, seeming real and illusory, making it hard to distinguish... It is indeed high-class, containing myriad exquisite techniques, and the path is a bit ancient and clumsy, I can't quite see the origin..." Grand Elder Zhang frowned as he spoke.

Elder Feng nodded repeatedly. The Zhang family was also a family of movement techniques, and Grand Elder Zhang was a Feathered Cultivator, his vision and insight naturally extraordinary. But as he listened, he suddenly felt something was wrong. "Brother Zhang..." Elder Feng examined Mo Hua, then turned his head to look at Grand Elder Zhang, his expression strange, and couldn't help but ask: "How do I feel that what this kid is using is your Zhang family's 'Perishing Water Steps'?"

Even Grand Elder Zhang was truly a little stunned. Behind him, Zhang Lan's body was tense, his face serious, and his feet were digging into the ground. He wished he could dig a hole and jump into it.

"Perishing Water Steps?" Grand Elder Zhang wrinkled his eyebrows, a little dazed. This was truly a possibility he had never considered. It wasn't strange that he hadn't thought of it; the reality was... even if he racked his brains, he couldn't understand how a Tai Xu Sect disciple, the chief of the Qian Xue array path, and a heavenly pride at the sword debate assembly, could, by what kind of opportunity, cross millions of miles and learn his Zhang family's Perishing Water Steps? Moreover, this Perishing Water Steps had even suppressed the Xiaoyao Sect's Treading Wind Steps and the Feng family's Eight Trigrams Roaming Wind Steps. Could his Zhang family's Perishing Water Steps be that powerful? He actually wanted to believe it, but was it possible?

"Impossible..." Grand Elder Zhang shook his head slightly. "Although what this kid is using is a water-attribute movement technique, the flow of spiritual power in the details is different, and there are also quite a few changes. It's not the same routine as Perishing Water Steps. Moreover, Perishing Water Steps is a secret of my Zhang family that is not to be transmitted. How could outsiders possibly learn it?"

"Is it possible..." Elder Feng said worriedly, "that the Zhang family's absolute technique has been leaked?"

"Absolutely not possible!" Grand Elder Zhang said solemnly: "This is the inheritance of our ancestors. Spreading ancestral possessions to the outside, my Zhang family absolutely has no such unfilial and rebellious disciples! If there truly are such disciples, even if I don't strip their skin and draw their tendons, I will definitely make them eat chaff and choke on vegetables in front of the ancestral hall, kneeling for a hundred years..."

Like a thunderclap in a clear sky. Zhang Lan only felt his scalp go numb, his head buzzing, and his whole heart went completely cold. All the worries about Perishing Water Steps from the beginning were, at this moment, caught off guard, realized all at once. Mo Hua was using Perishing Water Steps, and it had been seen by people. It had been seen, and that was one thing, but this was at the sword debate assembly, on that large Fang Tian Painting Shadow screen, and had been seen by almost all the cultivators in the Qian Xue region... The most important thing was that it had also been seen directly by his Zhang family's Grand Elder. This was not all; even more serious was... the Zhang family's movement technique had been learned by an outsider. This outsider had learned it better than his Zhang family. Fortunately, his old man, the Grand Elder, hadn't even realized that this was his Zhang family's technique...

This matter, if it wasn't exposed, was one thing. Once it was known by the Grand Elder... Zhang Lan simply didn't dare to think further. He could only clench his teeth tightly, sit upright, look straight ahead, and hold his breath. He turned himself into a "stone man," not even daring to breathe. He was afraid that one extra breath would reveal to the Grand Elder that he had a guilty conscience.

And Grand Elder Zhang, for a time, truly didn't suspect him. After all, in his heart, it was fundamentally impossible that what Mo Hua was using was his Zhang family's Perishing Water Steps.

And on the Fang Tian Painting Shadow, the sword debate was still ongoing. But the battle situation was already very clear. The strongest disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, Feng Zichen, was slightly inferior to Mo Hua in movement technique, and his sword path was also a little slower. The fast sword of the wind attribute, once it was slow, its power was naturally greatly reduced. He was also fundamentally unable to cut Mo Hua down with his sword in a short time.

Theoretically, he could make countless mistakes, as long as he succeeded once, striking one sword, Mo Hua would have to die. Mo Hua could succeed countless times, as long as he failed once, not dodging one sword, he would also die. But this seemingly simple, yet extremely slim chance of a single sword strike, made Feng Zichen's heart extremely despair.

And on the surface of the Tai Xu Sect, Mo Hua was not the strongest; the strongest disciple was the sword path heavenly pride, Linghu Xiao. Mo Hua first hid, then used Flowing Water Steps, and then switched to Perishing Water Steps. Three times, five times, he consumed a large amount of Feng Zichen's time. This time was gained for Linghu Xiao. The other disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect, relying on the offensive of their fast swords, could temporarily pressure Linghu Xiao, but they couldn't really defeat him. As time passed, their swords would also become slower and slower. And Linghu Xiao, finally taking advantage of the time Mo Hua bought, found a flaw, urged his Chong Xu sword qi, and broke through the Xiaoyao Sect's wind swords.

Once the siege of the wind swords was broken, Linghu Xiao was like a fierce tiger released from its cage. Under the cover of Cheng Mo and the others, he began to kill in all directions. The disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect naturally retreated step by step. And the Xiaoyao Sect's heavenly pride, Feng Zichen, had already discarded winning or losing, his only desire was to kill Mo Hua, or even just stab Mo Hua once. As long as he could stab him once. As long as he could stab him, even if he didn't kill Mo Hua, it was acceptable. Even, as long as he could scratch a corner of his clothing, it was acceptable. As long as he could truly cut, truly touch that figure like water, like fog, like a ghost, that was all he asked for. Other than this, he asked for nothing.

But he couldn't hit him. No matter how fast his movement technique, how swift his sword edge, no matter how close his meridians were to drying up, how densely he swung his sword like wind, he couldn't hit Mo Hua even once.

Linghu Xiao joined forces with Ouyang Xuan and the other four, cut down four disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect, then surrounded Feng Zichen and attacked him together. Mo Hua, who had been chased and killed the entire arena, also got a moment of respite, freed his hand, and counter-attacked using spells to begin "teaching" Feng Zichen.

The result was without suspense. This Xiaoyao Sect heavenly pride, this outstanding figure of the Feng family, just like that, lost.

Not only lost. Before Feng Zichen's defeat, his face was pale, his soul was lost, and even his Dao heart showed faint signs of breaking. This scene made everyone feel endless pity, and for a time, sounds of regret and sighing rose.

"This child Mo Hua, his sins are deep and heavy!" "A perfectly good heavenly pride, ruined and humiliated by him again..." "I feel uncomfortable just watching this..." "Don't blame Feng Zichen, who could have imagined that this damn Mo Hua's movement technique is actually this good?" "Where exactly did he learn this terrifying movement technique from?" "Which damn bastard, aiding the tyrant, passed him this kind of shameless movement technique?"

Some people also realized the problem: "This Mo Hua, with such good movement technique, was he pretending to be escaping in a sorry state before?"

"Hiss—" The crowd took a breath of cold air.

"Not the cat catching the mouse, but the mouse playing the cat?" "He was playing Feng Zichen?"

"No," some people also shook their heads, "He wasn't just playing Feng Zichen, he was playing all of us..." At that time, everyone was gloating, waiting to see Mo Hua's embarrassment. As a result, all of them became the joke. Everyone was played by Mo Hua again.

Thinking of this, everyone was silent. Their faces were burning hot, and a surge of anger rose in their chests. They were silently angry, but only silently angry, suppressed to the point of being unable to say a single word.

But no matter what, Mo Hua's "reputation" grew even larger. Of course, this reputation was full of criticism.

After the sword debate assembly, it continued. Disciples of other sects began to compete. Elder Feng was still a little absent-minded. And because of the god-like movement techniques of Mo Hua and Feng Zichen earlier, the subsequent sword debate felt somewhat dull and tasteless. Grand Elder Zhang also watched very perfunctorily. In this kind of dull and tasteless "garbage" time, only Zhang Lan, with his posture straight like a clay sculpture, felt tormented in his heart like raging fire boiling oil, every minute and second passing like a year.

He didn't know how long he endured, until Zhang Lan felt numb, and today's sword debate finally came to an end. The surrounding audience also began to disperse. Just at this moment, Grand Elder Zhang suddenly turned his head and looked at Zhang Lan with a profound gaze. Zhang Lan's whole body trembled, and his soul was almost scared out of him.

"Let's return to the residence," Grand Elder Zhang said. Zhang Lan was stunned for a long time before holding his breath and nodding, "Yes, Grand Elder." His heart was uneasy, and his tone was somewhat unstable. Grand Elder Zhang felt a little strange, but for a moment, he didn't suspect anything. He only thought that Zhang Lan had been moved and impacted by witnessing the Qian Xue sword debate and seeing so many top heavenly prides compete. Grand Elder Zhang didn't blame him; instead, he felt gratified. There was a sky beyond the sky, and a person beyond the person. This sentence applied to everyone. Sometimes, if you didn't go out and see, you fundamentally wouldn't know how big the world was, and how many strange talents there were. Sitting and watching the sky, standing still, had no future. Stepping over this mental threshold, admitting others' extraordinary, knowing one's own insufficiency, not being proud or impetuous, not being angry or discouraged, cultivating diligently, the future Dao path could be walked even further.

The Fang Tian Painting Shadow dimmed, turning pure white, and the image disappeared. The crowd rose and left Lun Dao Mountain in an orderly manner. Zhang Lan also mixed in the crowd, walking down Lun Dao Mountain. His legs were a little stiff, and uneasiness remained in his heart. Although the Grand Elder didn't suspect him, it was a blessing in misfortune. Zhang Lan truly breathed a sigh of relief.

After walking for a while, he turned his head again and looked at the blank Fang Tian Painting Shadow screen. His mind couldn't help but recall the scene of Mo Hua fighting with the Feng family's top heavenly pride, his body and water united, passing through myriad sword edges, not a single blade touching his body, and the shock that arose in his chest. He still found it hard to believe. The little kid he had met in the remote countryside of Li State's Da Hei Mountain region, unseen for ten years, had now leapt to become an outstanding figure in the entire fifth-grade Qian Xue region, a myriad-sect prodigy. He was a "son of heaven's pride" who could stir up clouds and turn over rain at the sword debate assembly watched by ten thousand people, fight with famous geniuses of various sects, and not fall into a disadvantage. Even, ten thousand cultivators hated him to the bone, yet none of them could do anything to him...

"Mo Hua..." This familiar name suddenly became very strange. Zhang Lan was in a daze for a long time, as if in a dream.

Upon returning to the Feng family residence, Grand Elder Zhang then instructed the Zhang family crowd: "Elder Feng and I have some important matters to discuss. You all can act separately, go view the mountains and admire the scenery, make friends, whatever you like. But Foundation Establishment disciples must be accompanied by Core Formation cultivators. Moreover, this is the fifth-grade Qian Xue region, where families stand tall and heavenly prides are like clouds. It cannot be compared to my Zhang family's Cang Lan region. When you all act, you must be careful, treat people kindly, and must not stir up trouble. You must return before Hai time, otherwise you will be punished according to family law."

A crowd of disciples cupped their hands: "Yes, Grand Elder."

"Mm." Grand Elder nodded, flicked his sleeve, and left. The Zhang family disciples all felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. The atmosphere also became lively. The Zhang family disciples all discussed where to play, or go visit which relatives and friends. Some people also called Zhang Lan. Zhang Lan's temperament was lazy, but he was easy-going and carefree, and his popularity among the clan was not bad. Moreover, he was still a Core Formation cultivator.

Zhang Lan considered for a moment, then also followed along. The crowd left the cave residence, then strolled around in the nearby Xiaoyao City, looking at the customs and prosperous mountain scenery of the Qian Xue region. It was full of prosperity, flowing with gold and pouring with jade, truly beautiful beyond words. The Zhang family disciples sighed in their hearts. Only Zhang Lan was preoccupied, his worries heavy.

As they strolled, a disciple suddenly sighed and said: "The Qian Xue region is truly good. It's a pity that I can't come here to study, and my parents won't allow it either. This time, it was Grand Elder's mercy, specially bringing us to observe the ceremony. This time we go back, and I don't know when we will be able to come again. Qian Region is too far, possibly never able to come."

"What a pity..." Zhang Lan on the side heard this, and his heart couldn't help but stir. He couldn't help but think: "Should I find an opportunity... to see Mo Hua's face?" Coming to the Qian Xue region this time was a coincidence. After watching the sword debate, they were just going to return to Kan State. At that time, they would truly be separated by ten thousand miles, and there would be no meeting for years. After that, they would be on opposite sides of the sky, and where Mo Hua would go, and whether they would meet again, no one knew.

But... Zhang Lan hesitated again. Mo Hua's Perishing Water Steps was taught by him. By reason, at this time, he should "avoid suspicion," otherwise, if the Grand Elder discovered it, he would be in trouble. Moreover, Mo Hua was busy with the sword debate now, so he shouldn't disturb him. Furthermore, Mo Hua was now not the same as before; he was already a heavenly pride watched by ten thousand people, and might not even remember who he was... He also didn't know where to go to find Mo Hua...

Zhang Lan was worried for a time, hesitating and undecided. But just as he hesitated, he again thought of some sighs that the Grand Elder often made. Years of cultivation were long, parting was easy, meeting was difficult. The encounters of people's lives were hard to predict. Many people had already seen each other's last face without realizing it. And this time, it might be the only opportunity for him to meet Mo Hua in this life. Once missed, after that, they would be on opposite sides of the sky, and it was very possible that they would cultivate separately until their bodies died and their Dao disappeared.

Endless melancholy surged in Zhang Lan's heart. He thought for a moment, then said to the others: "You all stroll around first, I'm going to see a Dao friend." The others were a little surprised, but they didn't ask more, and all nodded, some calling him "Brother Lan," and some calling him "Uncle Lan," saying in unison: "Go early, return early, pay attention to safety."

Zhang Lan nodded, then bid farewell to the Zhang family crowd. He wanted to go find Mo Hua, but the problem was, he didn't know where Mo Hua was. After thinking for a moment, he thought that since Mo Hua was a disciple of the Tai Xu Sect, he should return to the Tai Xu Sect after the sword debate.

"Tai Xu Sect..." Zhang Lan then hired a carriage, asked for directions, and headed towards the Tai Xu Sect. The Xiaoyao Sect and the Tai Xu Sect, being among the eight major sects, were not far apart. And between large sects, there were special rapid roads, with carriages like dragons, coming and going conveniently. After about half an hour, Zhang Lan arrived at Tai Xu City, then checked the map, passed through the city streets, and followed the mountain stone stairs all the way to the front of the Tai Xu Sect's mountain gate.

But upon arriving at the mountain gate, he was blocked. It was exactly the time of the sword debate assembly, and the Qian Xue region was filled with people, with various cultivators surging, a mix of fish and dragons. With more people, it was easy to cause trouble. Therefore, most of the Qian Xue sects would strictly enforce gate restrictions and decline all outside guests from visiting. Without a sect order or an elder's letter, it was fundamentally impossible to enter the mountain gate. Zhang Lan was just blocked outside the door.

Of course, he wasn't the only one; there were also some cultivators who wanted to enter the Tai Xu Sect to visit relatives and friends, or to witness the grand occasion of the sect, and they were also declined entry. Some people were talking to the guard disciples at the mountain gate, saying they knew which elder or which guest elder, but it was fundamentally useless. These were the gate rules, and there was no room for explanation. Zhang Lan stood outside the mountain gate for a long time, and sighed helplessly. People's encounters were hard to force. Perhaps this was also fated by cause and effect.

The sky gradually darkened, the sunset fell over the mountain, and the evening clouds concealed the light. Zhang Lan's gaze was slightly dim. He could only turn his head and walk down the long mountain path step by step. Step by step, away from Tai Xu Mountain.

And at this time, inside Tai Xu Mountain. Mo Hua had just finished a day of sword debate and was walking towards the disciples' residence with Si Tu and several others. But as he walked, his heart suddenly leaped. A strange sense of familiarity surged in his heart. Mo Hua stopped his steps. Si Tu Jian asked: "Little Senior Brother, what's wrong?" Mo Hua shook his head, stretched out his hand, pinched his fingers to calculate, then said to Si Tu and the others: "You all go back first, I have a little matter." Si Tu Jian and Cheng Mo looked at each other. Mo Hua waved his hand, not waiting for Si Tu and the others to answer, then walked towards the mountain gate by himself.

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, there were quite a few cultivators blocking the entrance, and it was somewhat noisy. Mo Hua stood on the high steps, looked into the distance, and happened to see a figure gradually walking away and somewhat dim. This figure, dressed in green clothes, was very familiar. Mo Hua was stunned for a moment, at first finding it hard to believe. After that, his gaze became brighter and brighter, and a brilliant smile bloomed on his face. He shouted excitedly: "Uncle Zhang!"

This clear shout, crossing the high steps, transmitted down the mountain, and also transmitted to the ears of Zhang Lan, who was walking down the mountain. Zhang Lan was stunned, slowly turned his body, turned his head to look, and then saw the vast Tai Xu Mountain, covered with clouds and surrounded by fog, with immortal qi floating. The mountain gate was broad, and the mountain platform had an ancient and fragrant appearance. And at the end of the mountain platform, a youth as clear and handsome as a painting was happily waving at him.

It was already dusk at this time, and the sunset light was low-hanging. But the youth's eyes were bright like stars, and his smile was as clear and bright as the sunrise. Compared to the child in his memory, he seemed to have changed a lot, but at the same time, it seemed as if nothing had changed. A warm current flowed from his heart. The joy of meeting was like sweet dew after rain, born in his heart and mind. Zhang Lan couldn't help but also smile, his gaze free and easy and sentimental: "Mo Hua, long time no see..."