Chapter 1018: Encounter

Rosy clouds spread thickly, and misty vapors wound around Taixu Mountain.

Mo Hua was leading Zhang Lan, strolling idly between the mountains, telling him some history of Taixu Sect, ancient cultivating Dao sites from old times, ancient colored and ancient fragrant pavilions, and absolutely beautiful mountains and rivers scenic spots.

Zhang Lan was somewhat shocked in his heart.

He was so shocked, not entirely because of the long history, deep foundation, disciples' demeanor, magnificent mountain colors, and various scenic spots of Taixu Sect, this fifth-grade sect...

These, of course, also shocked him, but what truly shocked him was that he unexpectedly could really enter Taixu Sect's mountain gate?

Just at the sword discussion assembly, outside the mountain gate, so many cultivators were surrounded.

Those cultivators, some with deep cultivation, some with extraordinary origins, some with imposing bearing, but without exception, all were blocked outside the door.

Zhang Lan was originally also one of them.

The sect rules were strict, and the elders and inner disciples guarding the mountain were iron-faced and impartial, fundamentally not allowing even a bit of explanation.

But when Mo Hua arrived at the doorway, he just smiled and shouted a few sentences like "elder" and "senior brother," and said, "This is an uncle I have a very good relationship with."

The people guarding the mountain unexpectedly let them pass without a word.

The disciples guarding the mountain even saluted Zhang Lan.

The elders guarding the mountain unexpectedly also nodded to Zhang Lan in indication.

Arriving inside Taixu Sect, it was even more ridiculous.

All the disciples along the way, encountering Mo Hua, almost all had to shout "senior brother" or "little senior brother."

All the elders along the way would very familiarly nod and greet Mo Hua.

Even some elders would first greet Mo Hua, and then Mo Hua would smilingly return the courtesy.

Zhang Lan almost thought he was dreaming.

If he didn't know Mo Hua's origins, he would almost think that Taixu Sect was opened by Mo Hua's family.

In a powerful fifth-grade sect, to have this treatment, if not a little ancestor, then at least a little sect master, right?

Zhang Lan silently looked at Mo Hua.

He knew very early on that Mo Hua had good popularity, was very social, and could "get along" well wherever he went.

But to be able to "get along" to this extent, it still somewhat broke the limits of his imagination.

As the two walked, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something and asked, "Uncle Zhang, you haven't eaten yet, right?"

Zhang Lan nodded.

Mo Hua was very generous: "I'll treat you!"

In Taixu Sect, the place for disciples to eat was the dining hall in the disciples' residence.

But places like the disciples' residence could only be accessed by disciples, and truly refused "outsiders."

Even Mo Hua didn't have that much permission.

His biggest permission was at most bringing the sect master's big white dog into the dining hall to freeload meals.

But that was the sect master's dog.

On Uncle Zhang's side, he just couldn't make an exception.

Mo Hua then went to the dining hall, bought some wine and meat, brought them out, and then led Zhang Lan to a quiet and beautiful mountain peak in front of the right mountain of Taixu Sect.

They found a large stone, placed the good wine and meat on a cloth blanket.

The two sat on the ground, facing the sky full of evening glow and setting sun mountain colors in front, a beautiful scene, eating meat, drinking wine, chatting, and reminiscing.

In this situation and scene, Zhang Lan was in a trance, unexpectedly feeling as if he was still in Tongxian City, in Mo Hua's family's wine shop, carefree skipping work, accompanying Mo Hua to drink wine, eat meat, chat, listen to demon hunters talk about fun things in the mountains, and waiting for the sunset to fall, the rosy glow dyeing the doorway.

But in the blink of an eye, in front of him was again Taixu Sect.

The person drinking wine and eating meat with him was the Taixu Sect sword discussion prodigy, the array Dao leader, a clear and outstanding young man.

Ten years apart, it was as if it was yesterday. Mo Hua's appearance had changed, but in his gestures, he still had a sincere and natural demeanor, and it seemed as if nothing had changed.

Cultivating Dao people, the original heart is not changed, the childlike heart is not changed.

Zhang Lan sighed endlessly in his heart.

And influenced by Mo Hua's temperament, his whole person also naturally relaxed a lot.

Mo Hua was no longer that Mo Hua, but again, it seemed, still that Mo Hua.

Mo Hua also looked at Zhang Lan.

He discovered that this lazy Uncle Zhang seemed much more "honest," not as idle and loafing as in Tongxian City, and had grown up a lot...

Mo Hua couldn't help but nod in approval.

But at the same time, he was also a little surprised:

"Uncle Zhang, you formed Dan?"

Zhang Lan nodded, "Um, good luck."

Mo Hua frowned, very puzzled.

He remembered clearly that when he was in Tongxian City, Uncle Zhang was only refining Qi.

Later, when the great demon was killed, Uncle Zhang only then broke through the realm and became foundation building.

But now, in the blink of an eye after so many years not seeing each other, he had formed Dan?

This was somewhat ridiculous.

Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, is there something problematic with your cultivation?"

Zhang Lan was a little unhappy, "What problem can there be with cultivation?"

Seeing that Mo Hua still didn't believe him, he was a little helpless and then explained:

"Didn't I tell you before? My aptitude is very good, it's just that before I was dissatisfied with the arranged marriage by my family, so I stayed stuck at refining Qi, went to a remote small place to be a registrar for some peace."

"After breaking through foundation building, I could only return to the clan."

"After returning to the clan, my dad arranged another marriage for me. I didn't agree, but my dad is quite stubborn, he just said that unless I form Dan and have independent ability, otherwise this marriage must be concluded."

"I could only go into seclusion, cultivate diligently every day, break through one realm after another, continuously cultivate to the peak of foundation building, and then form Dan, which can also be said to be good luck, succeeding in one go..."

Mo Hua was completely shocked.

This Uncle Zhang, in order to escape marriage, could still be refining Qi at over thirty.

Then, still in order to escape marriage, he could form Dan at over forty?!

Mo Hua for a time regarded Zhang Lan as a divine person.

He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, in case your dad told you to cultivate to featherization, otherwise you'd have to conclude the marriage, wouldn't you be able to featherize on the spot?"

Zhang Lan choked for a moment and couldn't help but glare at Mo Hua:

"You child, you're talking nonsense again. Is featherization such a simple thing?"

"My dad is my dad, he's just stubborn, he's not completely lacking in common sense. How could he possibly force me to featherize?"

"He himself cultivated for a lifetime, painstakingly enduring hundreds of years of time, with this good luck, a moment of inspiration, he barely cultivated to featherization."

"Upon reaching featherization, one is a true person."

"He is clearer than anyone about the difficulty of the featherization realm. How could he possibly force me..."

Saying this, Zhang Lan paused slightly, both feeling relieved and somewhat emotional:

"Actually, not to mention featherization, Golden Dan is also very difficult. To a large extent, it just depends on whether the Heavenly Dao favors you."

"If your luck is too bad, you will fail no matter how you try to form Dan. Many people just get stuck here, stuck for a lifetime."

"I was just worried before that Golden Dan was too difficult, and once I couldn't break through, I would be involuntary, so I just muddled along at the refining Qi realm."

"If it weren't for the disaster in Tongxian City, I wouldn't have broken through foundation building so easily."

"But in every drink and every peck, there is a heavenly determination. I can also say that I turned misfortune into blessing, forced myself a bit, forced myself to Golden Dan..."

Zhang Lan lay on the giant stone, arms pillowed and legs crossed, his whole person visibly and quickly becoming "lazy," his tone also lazy:

"Thirty years old refining Qi, that's a big age cultivator."

"Forty years old forming Dan, that's just a young talent, time is very ample."

"I can also live a more leisurely life..."

Mo Hua also imitated Zhang Lan, pillowed his arms, crossed his legs, and lay lazily, envying:

"Really good... I still don't know when I can form Dan..."

Zhang Lan didn't mind, "You are now the prodigy of Taixu Sect, with the sect's support, not lacking inheritance, not lacking guidance from seniors, and with so many elders caring for you, do you still need to worry about forming Dan?"

Mo Hua sighed, "This has nothing to do with inheritance. Uncle Zhang, you also said, forming Dan is the kind of thing that depends a bit on personal luck."

"Whether the luck is good or bad, it all depends on whether the Heavenly Dao cares about you. If the Heavenly Dao doesn't care about me, that's very difficult..."

Zhang Lan nodded, "This is indeed also..."

His luck was good, but that didn't mean Mo Hua's luck was also good.

He indeed hoped Mo Hua's luck was also good.

But this kind of thing was up to the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao couldn't possibly listen to him.

Zhang Lan thought deeply for a while, then sighed helplessly, "I just can't help you with this..."

"If it were before, I could still get some inheritance insights from the Zhang family for you to reference..."

"But now, you are already a disciple of Taixu Sect. Taixu Sect has a deep foundation and a long inheritance, so you probably don't need those things from my Zhang family..."

Saying this, Zhang Lan's heart suddenly jolted, and he immediately sat up straight, without any leisurely mood at all.

He almost forgot!

Perished Water Step!

This was a big matter!

Mo Hua saw him suddenly startled, and was a little strange.

Zhang Lan, with a serious face, checked the "statement" with Mo Hua: "Mo Hua, do you still remember how your Perished Water Step came about?"

Mo Hua nodded: "A passing, kind-hearted uncle left it for me."

"You must not say it wrong, if you say it wrong, I might die," Zhang Lan's face was tense.

Mo Hua was puzzled, "Is it that serious?"

Zhang Lan nodded: "It wasn't originally, but now it is, very serious!"

Originally, he was just a registrar in a remote small immortal city, and by chance, he taught an ordinary little rogue cultivator a bit of his Zhang family's absolute learning body technique.

But now the meaning was different, he had "sold" his Zhang family's absolute learning body technique to the prodigy and elite of this session of Taixu Sect.

It was also seen by the grand elder in public view.

This was fatal.

And in the daytime, Zhang Lan heard the conversation between Elder Feng and the grand elder from beginning to end.

At that time, Grand Elder Zhang, in front of Elder Feng, was full of praise for Elder Feng's family's prodigy, praising his Treading Wind Step and Roaming Wind Step, and how unique they were.

Then Xiaoyao Gate's Treading Wind Step and the Feng family's Roaming Wind Step were directly suppressed by Mo Hua in public view.

And what Mo Hua learned was his Zhang family's Perished Water Step.

It was still fine if Elder Feng didn't know about this matter.

If he knew, he would definitely think that Grand Elder Zhang was "yin and yang" him.

On the surface, he praised his Feng family's prodigy for being outstanding and his body technique for being extraordinary, while in reality, he externally transmitted his Zhang family's absolute learning body technique, allowing a disciple of Taixu Sect to suppress his Feng family.

It would be strange if Elder Feng wasn't angry to death.

Even if he didn't say anything on the surface, he would definitely hold a grudge in his heart.

This could cause a rift between the Zhang family and the Feng family.

Therefore, the secret of Perished Water Step must absolutely not be leaked out.

This was not Zhang Lan who didn't want to eat coarse food and swallow vegetables and kneel in the ancestral hall.

But it was really for the two hundred years of friendship between the grand elder and Elder Feng, and the generational relations between the Zhang family and the Feng family.

Zhang Lan's expression was as firm as the mountain stones of Taixu Mountain:

"Must, must, not say it out!"

Mo Hua felt the heavy karmic weight within this matter and nodded seriously: "Rest assured, even if you beat me to death, I won't say it."

"Good!"

After confirming Mo Hua's firm gaze, Zhang Lan was finally relieved and again turned into his "lazy" mode, while drinking wine and looking at the mountain colors.

After that, the two chatted about some past events in Tongxian City.

Zhang Lan also inquired a bit about Mo Hua's recent situation.

He learned that except for cultivating, practicing Dao methods, and drawing array methods, which were quite busy every day, everything else was good...

The sect was also good, the fellow disciples were friendly, the elders were friendly, and the sect master and old ancestor were also very friendly.

Zhang Lan was completely relieved.

Of course, he also took the time to ask some other questions that he really cared about, such as:

"Has your divine sense really reached the peak of nineteen patterns?"

"Did you really suppress the four major sects in the middle stage of foundation building and become the array Dao leader?"

"Are you really the biological grandson of Taixu Sect's old ancestor?"

"Are you the illegitimate child of Taixu Sect Master?"

"Heard you used fireball technique to explode the head of Purple Xia Gate's first beauty?"

Most of the questions, Mo Hua answered truthfully.

For example, he really was the array Dao leader.

He really relied on "hard strength" to suppress the four major sects, and thus won the first place in the array discussion, without any favoritism or behind-the-scenes operations.

Also, he was not the illegitimate child of Taixu Sect Master.

He was not the biological grandson of Taixu Sect's old ancestor.

Furthermore, it was also really not his intention, not to use fireball technique, to go and explode the head of Purple Xia Gate's first beauty.

He was wholeheartedly discussing the sword, his heart without distractions, and he really didn't recognize her.

Nor was it to use his coldness to attract the attention of the fairy...

Of course, some questions, Mo Hua also told a little lie.

For example, his divine sense was not at the peak of nineteen patterns, but was already at the twenty patterns Golden Dan realm's divine thought.

But this kind of thing was somewhat world-shocking. Coupled with the old ancestor's myriad instructions and exhortations, Mo Hua also couldn't say it out.

The two just chatted like this, both like old acquaintances and like friends, until the sunset fell, the evening glow was gone, the night curtain descended, and between Taixu Mountain, points of light were lit, ethereal and bright, for a time as if in a heavenly immortal realm.

Zhang Lan got up to bid farewell.

Mo Hua spoke to retain him.

Zhang Lan shook his head: "If I go back late, I will be blamed by the grand elder, and moreover, you still have to wholeheartedly discuss the sword, you can't be disturbed."

Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, only nodded.

What Uncle Zhang said was the truth.

Discussing the sword was indeed very busy.

Especially since his identity was special, and he had a body full of trump cards, once exposed in everyone's vision, he would inevitably be targeted. Every time he discussed the sword, he had to spend a lot of time thinking of countermeasures, formulating plans, and preparing in advance.

Only in this way could he win one after another.

"Then Uncle Zhang, will you stay in Qian Xue state boundary for a period of time?"

"Um," Zhang Lan nodded, "Until the sword discussion ends."

Mo Hua laughed: "That's good, when the sword discussion ends, I'll invite you to drink wine and eat meat again."

Zhang Lan also smiled and nodded: "Good."

The night deepened a bit, and Zhang Lan then set off to leave. Mo Hua always sent him to the mountain gate of Taixu Mountain.

Before parting, Zhang Lan suddenly thought of something and said: "Mo Hua, you... be careful..."

Mo Hua was startled, a little confused, "Careful about what?"

Zhang Lan hesitated for a moment and asked: "You... like to use low-level spells when discussing the sword..."

Mo Hua nodded, with a face of course, "I only know low-level spells, so of course I can only use low-level spells."

"Then you use fireball technique to finish things off..."

"Saves time and effort, fast and convenient."

"Then your concealment technique..."

"They want to kill me, so of course I have to use concealment technique to escape, otherwise won't I just be killed?"

"Then use concealment technique to play hide-and-seek..."

"Delay time, ah, like this, wait for Xiao Xiao and the others to free up their hands, kill in all directions, and we can win..."

Zhang Lan was startled.

What Mo Hua said was indeed reasonable, it's just that he completely didn't know how much psychological trauma his "of course" behaviors had caused to the disciples discussing the sword.

Even more so, how many audiences were angered to spit blood.

On the viewing seats, there were all the "denouncing" voices of the "deeply sinful" Mo Hua.

But regarding this matter, Zhang Lan also didn't know what to say for a while.

After a moment, he sighed in his heart and thought:

Forget it, not being envied is mediocrity.

To achieve something in cultivating Dao, to bear others' praise, one will inevitably suffer others' slander.

To accomplish great things, not being hated is impossible, not being slandered is even more impossible.

"I will always be in the audience, watching you display your divine might in the sword discussion!" Zhang Lan's expression was gentle as he looked at Mo Hua and encouraged him.

Mo Hua also laughed: "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

After that, under the night sky, the two said goodbye.

Zhang Lan went down the mountain.

Mo Hua stayed on the mountain.

The person going down the mountain was full of relieved sighs and disbelief in his heart.

The person staying on the mountain also felt warm and joyful in his heart.

On the long journey of cultivating Dao, there are always some warm encounters.

In the vast sea of people, there will also be people who silently care about you.

Mo Hua looked at the gradually receding Zhang Lan, a kind smile appeared on his face, his gaze brilliant and bright.

After Zhang Lan's figure disappeared in the distance, he turned around and returned to Taixu Sect...

Of course, there were people who cared about Mo Hua.

Naturally, there were also people who hated him.

Many people cared about him, and naturally, more people hated him.

In the Qian Xue state boundary, within each sect.

A mysterious "organization" was quietly being established.

A special transmission order was secretly circulating.

This transmission order had a name that was awe-inspiringly murderous——

"Slaughter Ink Order".

Every disciple who obtained this "Slaughter Ink Order", as long as they possessed certain cause and effect and reached an agreed consistent alliance, could join this mysterious organization.

And all disciples holding the "Slaughter Ink Order" could communicate through the order with the same Yuan Magnetic base array.

Alliance disciples could exchange transmissions with each other.

At this time, angry and hateful members joined the alliance anonymously one by one.

In the Slaughter Ink Order, magnetic patterns manifested text one by one...

"One Canglang Sword enters the alliance..."

"I and Fireball Technique do not share heaven enter the alliance..."

"No Name enters the alliance..."

"Water Prison Technique should die enter the alliance..."

"Purple Xia First Fairy enters the alliance..."

"Who learns Concealment Who is Dog enters the alliance..."

"Wind Like Youth enters the alliance..."

"Big Fool enters the alliance..."

Crowd: ...

This name instantly quieted the Slaughter Ink Order.

Someone asked: "Shi Tiangang?"

Big Fool: "Yes."

Crowd: "..."

Water Prison Technique should die: "Can't be so direct, can be slightly more implicit, at least use an alias..."

Big Fool: "I'm already anonymous."

Crowd: "..."

Water Prison Technique should die: "My meaning is, can we change the way of anonymity, not be so... straightforward?"

Big Fool: "No need."

Big Fool: "I just use this name, as my goal, to spur myself, lie on firewood and taste gall, not forget the deep enmity of the sea of blood..."

Big Fool: "Until Mo Hua is killed, I swear not to stop!"

No Name: "Good! Admire!"

Wind Like Youth: "Count me in."

One Canglang Sword: "I can contribute."

Purple Xia First Fairy: "Tell me if you lack spirit stones."

I and Fireball Technique do not share heaven: "Swear to kill Mo Hua!"

For a time, the group's emotions were excited, all brushing:

"Mo Hua should die!"

"Swear to kill Mo Hua!"

"I and Mo Hua do not share heaven!"

"If Mo Hua is not killed once, this life is lived in vain!"

"If Mo Hua is not killed once, I will not marry my whole life!"

After a while, the Yuan Magnetic suddenly fluctuated, and the magnetic patterns became invalid.

Everyone temporarily couldn't speak.

A completely anonymous person, whose name was a group of black magnetic ink, transmitted to everyone in bold magnetic ink, with solemn wording:

"The Slaughter Ink Alliance is established today.

Alliance agreement: Mo Hua should die!

Purpose: Swear to kill Mo Hua!

Token: Slaughter Ink Order.

Condition for joining the alliance: Not sharing heaven with Mo Hua!

Current stage task:

In the sword discussion assembly, in public view, kill Mo Hua once.

No limit to identity, no limit to cultivation, no choice of means, as long as he is killed once!

The one who kills Mo Hua by hand can be elected as the 'Alliance Master' of this alliance and receive the admiration of ten thousand people.

His achievements will be engraved in everyone's hearts, eternally memorable!"