Chapter 1019: Yellow Springs

At the Feng family manor, in the nighttime, Elder Zhang Da and Elder Feng sat opposite each other, drinking wine with solemn expressions.

"Brother Zhang, you mean...Huang Quan?" Elder Feng's brows furrowed.

The moment the words "Huang Quan" were spoken, the atmosphere in the room grew several degrees colder.

Elder Zhang Da nodded, his voice low and serious. "It seems someone intends to open the path of 'Huang Quan' in Kanzhou..."

Elder Feng frowned. "Who?"

Elder Zhang Da shook his head. "Even our ancestors can't figure it out..."

Elder Feng's expression became even more serious. After a moment, he asked in a low voice, "Is there truly such a thing as 'Huang Quan'?"

Elder Zhang Da's face was grim as he slowly said,

"The ancient records of Kanzhou from ten thousand years ago do contain the words 'Huang Quan,' describing it as a great catastrophe that exterminated the state.

"But what exactly is this 'Huang Quan'?

"Is it a great demon, a great ghost, a great zombie?

"Is it a certain demon's lair, an ancient Daoist, or a heavenly killing tribulation, a karma-induced disaster...no one knows at all.

"How to open the path of Huang Quan, and what it truly signifies, I am still completely in the dark."

Elder Feng said, "Since you know nothing...Brother Zhang, how do you know that there are signs of Huang Quan opening in Kanzhou?"

Elder Zhang Da said coldly, "My ancestor dreamt a dream with an ominous sign. The Canglan state was destroyed, and the eerie waters of Huang Quan flowed along the underground rivers to the entire Kanzhou, twisting all living beings.

"The entire Kanzhou was reduced to a land of Huang Quan, where yin and yang were indistinguishable and humans and ghosts could not be told apart..."

Just thinking about this scene made Elder Feng shiver slightly.

Elder Zhang Da sighed. "The disaster of Huang Quan is recorded in the ancient records of every state.

"The cultivation world is divided into nine states. Daozhou is in the center, and the other eight states surround the center according to the principles of Bagua.

"Our Zhang family is in Kanzhou. Kan means water.

"Huang Quan is also the water of the Nine Nether.

"According to the principles of Bagua, the disaster of Huang Quan must begin in Kanzhou. This is the source of the Nine Nether, the place where Huang Quan originates.

"If the disaster of Huang Quan arises in Kanzhou, our Zhang family will bear the brunt. Our family's legacy is here, and we dare not not do our utmost..."

Elder Feng pondered for a moment, his eyes filled with worry, but at the same time, he looked perplexed:

"Brother Zhang, there is something I don't understand.

"Please speak, Brother Feng," Elder Zhang Da said.

Elder Feng said, "Looking at this Qianxue state, with its vast crowds of people and flourishing scene, we know that the world is peaceful and the nine states are prosperous, a scene of thriving vitality...

"But..." Elder Feng frowned, "As Brother Zhang said, Kanzhou has the threat of Huang Quan, and Lizhou has the chaos of the Southern Barbarians. In addition, there are occasional occurrences of..."

Elder Feng was hesitant to mention those two words. After a moment of hesitation, he bravely lowered his voice and said,

"Dao Nie causing chaos..."

"Therefore, is this world peaceful and prosperous, or is it filled with inequality and chaos?"

There was a deep sense of confusion in Elder Feng's voice.

Elder Zhang Da was silent. After a moment, he raised his eyes and looked deeply at Elder Feng. "Brother Feng, do you truly not know?"

Elder Feng's eyes flickered, but he still shook his head.

Elder Zhang Da slowly said, word by word:

"The aristocratic families are prosperous. You are an elder of an aristocratic family, so you feel that the cultivation world is prosperous.

"But the prosperity of aristocratic families comes at a price.

"Whoever bears this price is the one suffering from inequality and chaos..."

Elder Zhang Da's gaze was deep, and his tone was full of meaning.

Some are prosperous, while others bear the cost. This is why the cultivation world is full of chaos, and why his Kanzhou shows signs of Huang Quan's emergence.

Elder Feng was thoughtful, but clearly did not understand very well.

Elder Zhang Da also had no intention of dwelling on this issue. What he was concerned about at the moment was the affairs of Kanzhou.

Elder Zhang Da sighed and said sincerely:

"To be honest with you, Brother Feng, my personal visit to Qianxue state this time is for one, to witness the sword competition and observe the demeanor of the Qianxue prodigies, so that our family disciples can understand that there are always people better than them and not lose their drive to pursue the Dao...

"Secondly, it is to visit old acquaintances;

"Thirdly, it is for this disaster of Huang Quan."

Elder Zhang Da looked at Elder Feng seriously. "Qianxue state is a Fifth Grade great state. The aristocratic families and sects have a long heritage, and within their Dao Zang, there must be many ancient books and old records.

"If possible, I would like to consult them.

"If there is an opportunity, I would also trouble Brother Feng to introduce me to some seniors in Qianxue state and learned fellow cultivators.

"I want to use this to investigate the origin of the words 'Huang Quan'...

"The disaster of Huang Quan is ethereal and difficult to discern. If this matter does not exist, it would naturally be for the best.

"But if it truly exists, it will be a great disaster. Our Zhang family has resided in Kanzhou for generations, and we are duty-bound to find a method to suppress it and resolve the disaster of the state."

Elder Zhang Da, a Nascent Soul realm cultivator, stood up and bowed to Elder Feng, saying solemnly, "I ask Brother Feng to help me."

Elder Feng quickly stood up to avoid the bow and said hurriedly, "Brother Zhang, why do you act like this? I truly do not deserve it."

He thought seriously for a moment and said truthfully, "To be honest, with my level of cultivation and connections, I really can't help Brother Zhang with such a major matter as Huang Quan.

"But if it's just checking ancient books and old records, and introducing some senior Daoist friends, then I, your humble brother, will not shirk my responsibility."

Elder Zhang Da felt relieved in his heart and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you!"

The two chatted about the specific matters for a while under the cover of night, until it was late, and then they each got up to say goodbye.

Elder Zhang Da returned to the Zhang family guest room and, as per usual, called the roll.

It was already Hai Shi (9-11 PM), and most of the clan members and disciples had returned on time, except for one person.

Elder Zhang Da's gaze darkened. "Where is Zhang Lan?"

The Zhang family members exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

It wasn't that they didn't want to cover for him; it was just that their little tricks were nothing in front of the Great Elder. They would be seen through the moment they opened their mouths.

It was better to just tell the truth.

If they concealed anything, everyone would be in trouble.

Just as the disciples were feeling anxious, a young man in green robes hurried in from outside the door, bowed and cupped his hands, saying, "Great Elder."

Elder Zhang Da looked at him and asked, "Where did you go?"

Zhang Lan lowered his hands and said, "I went to visit a...Daoist friend..."

Elder Zhang Da was preoccupied with his thoughts and didn't think much of it for a moment. He waved his hand. "Alright, come back earlier next time, lest you cause trouble."

"Yes," Zhang Lan breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterward, everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms to rest.

Elder Zhang Da returned to his room to meditate and rest, but he couldn't calm down. He simply got up, sat at the table, lit a candle, and flipped through some ancient books and incomplete jade slips, seeking an answer.

However, the disaster of "Huang Quan" was difficult to discern as real or fake. Its records were hidden in ancient texts, considered strange tales, and were rare throughout history.

Elder Zhang Da looked through them repeatedly, still gaining little. He could not find the origin, let alone a method to suppress it. He couldn't help but sigh and mutter to himself:

"May the ancestors and predecessors bless us. I hope this trip to Qianxue can find clues to suppress 'Huang Quan' and resolve the disaster of Kanzhou..."

But he also knew that the hope of this was too slim.

Elder Zhang Da shook his head and continued to read and ponder. But the more he thought, the more he felt his mind was exhausted and his thoughts were disturbed.

Just at this moment, the scenes from the daytime sword competition, for some unknown reason, resurfaced in his mind.

On the Fangtian Huaying, that figure, graceful as a startled swan, agile as a swimming dragon, under the dense, impenetrable sword light of the Feng family prodigy, advanced and retreated as smoothly as flowing water, not a single sword blade touching him...

Elder Zhang Da remembered his name very clearly:

Mo Hua.

Elder Zhang Da was momentarily stunned and didn't think deeply about it for a moment. He just sighed with emotion:

"As expected of a Qianxue prodigy. Such a young man, with unparalleled demeanor, his movement technique can actually surpass that of the Feng family genius from Xiaoyao Sect. It's truly unbelievable..."

Especially his movement technique.

Elder Zhang Da was in the Nascent Soul realm, and his family also had a lineage of movement techniques.

He could see better than anyone else the extraordinary details and the exquisite fluidity of Mo Hua's water-based movement technique.

Such an exquisite movement technique could only be forged through thousands of refinements, immense hard work, and great effort.

High talent, high comprehension, willing to work hard, and exquisite movement technique.

"If such a young genius were truly a disciple of my Zhang family, how wonderful that would be..."

Even Elder Zhang Da felt a fondness for talented individuals and was filled with envy.

But after a moment of envy, he suddenly paused again.

The words Elder Feng had spoken during the day resurfaced in his mind.

It was late at night and quiet. Elder Zhang Da's mind had also calmed down, and he replayed the scene of Mo Hua performing his movement technique in his mind, over and over again.

He carefully scrutinized every action.

He slowly contemplated every move.

When it comes to matters, what's feared is being serious.

Even more feared is pondering.

Elder Zhang Da pondered over it repeatedly, dozens of times, and finally, he took a sharp breath, hissing:

"This young man's movement technique, it really seems a bit like... my Zhang family's Shi Shui Bu?"

It's just that his movement technique was used too exquisitely.

More exquisite than the Zhang family disciples.

Even many of his moves, controlled by powerful divine consciousness, were subtly precise, something that ordinary cultivators simply couldn't achieve.

Moreover, he had incorporated some other fragmented movement techniques into it.

In addition, there was also some hazy mist.

Therefore, at first glance, it was simply difficult to discern.

But at this moment, Elder Zhang Da broke down the movement technique scene, analyzed it, and thought about it repeatedly. Finally, he discovered that there were indeed some traces of the authentic Shi Shui Bu within it.

"But... this is impossible..."

"How could he, a Taixu Sect prodigy who has no connection to us, learn my Zhang family's secret technique, Shi Shui Bu, which is never passed down?"

Elder Zhang Da frowned, puzzled.

"There's no reason for it..."

"Could it be that there truly is a degenerate son in my Zhang family who has violated the ancestral teachings?"

Elder Zhang Da's eyes gradually became dangerous.

Next door.

Zhang Lan, who had been lying lazily, suddenly felt a chill rise up, a pang of fear, and almost jumped up.

"Is there danger?"

Zhang Lan's face changed drastically. Seeing the silent night around him and the peaceful moonlight outside the window, with no abnormality, he finally relaxed slightly and pondered the cause and effect of this.

"This child, Mo Hua, is a bit dangerous."

"He's still quite hated right now."

"Perhaps it's because I interacted with Mo Hua during the day, so when he's hated, I'm implicated..."

Zhang Lan nodded, thinking there was some truth to it, and then lay back down lazily.

Only this time, he couldn't sleep quite soundly.

Taixu Sect.

Old Mr. Xun also couldn't sleep at night.

At the Qianxue State Sword Competition, the patriarchs generally wouldn't show up, but that didn't mean he didn't need to work behind the scenes.

Since the start of the sword competition, the Qianxue state had been experiencing undercurrents, and various matters were complicated. As the sect patriarch, he hadn't truly rested for a long time.

And now, the most troublesome thing for him was Mo Hua.

The development of the situation was somewhat beyond his expectations.

He also didn't expect that this child, Mo Hua, despite having a "handsome" face, could be so hated.

Just by using basic low-level Five Elements magic, he could make a group of sect prodigies gnash their teeth in hatred towards him.

With so many sword competitions held, and so many talented swordsmen, Mo Hua was truly a unique case that broke new ground.

This was truly unexpected for Old Mr. Xun.

Moreover, the situation was gradually starting to get out of control.

Old Mr. Xun frowned. After a long time, he couldn't help but sigh:

"Perhaps... this is fate?"

Back then, that young man surnamed "Zhuang" was also incredibly talented and looked down on the world, arousing the jealousy and hatred of a group of prodigies, leading to a situation where he was surrounded by enemies.

He didn't know if this was due to their shared lineage...

Mo Hua, this child, was doing fine at first, but as he went along, he seemed to have gone astray.

Like "repeating the same mistakes," he had gone down the same path as his master.

Just as hated as his master.

Of course, there was still a difference between the two.

Zhuang Daoling was hated because he was exceptionally talented and arrogant.

Mo Hua was hated because he was cunning, strange, and very irritating.

The current Mo Hua was somewhat like... a "Zhuang Daoling" with a different artistic style.

Old Mr. Xun was very helpless.

He had thought hard about this kind of thing for a long time, but he truly had no solution. In the end, he could only sigh.

"Forget it, 'enemies everywhere,' perhaps it is the path that this master and disciple lineage is destined to take..."

"Some destinies are inescapable in the unseen world..."

Fortunately, Mo Hua was not truly "enemies everywhere" now.

There were many people who hated him.

But there were also many people who liked him and cared about him.

Although the path he was walking was like another "Zhuang Daoling," he was not the real Zhuang Daoling after all.

He was...

"Mo Hua."

Old Mr. Xun softly murmured the name, thinking of Mo Hua's sincere face and innocent Dao heart, and gradually felt at ease.

The next day, the sword competition continued.

The progress of the sword competition was also advancing little by little.

More and more cultivators began to pay attention to Mo Hua.

Some were concerned about Mo Hua.

Some hated Mo Hua.

Most were simply exasperated by Mo Hua and wanted to see him suffer, so they could gloat and add insult to injury.

While Elder Zhang Da was visiting friends and seeking the origin of Huang Quan, he also began to keep an eye on Mo Hua.

He watched almost every one of Mo Hua's sword competitions.

He wanted to see if the movement technique Mo Hua used was truly his Zhang family's Shi Shui Bu.

Zhang Lan naturally also wanted to watch Mo Hua's sword competition.

In this way, he could be considered to be in "unintended agreement" with Elder Zhang Da.

Of course, Zhang Lan was still nervous.

The Great Elder's vision was very sharp.

Some things, without clues, he naturally couldn't guess.

But if there was even a tiny clue, and the Great Elder caught his "weakness," and then dissected it and figured something out...

Then he would definitely be finished.

Therefore, in order not to be suspected by the Great Elder, Zhang Lan could only honestly sit in the crowd and silently watch Mo Hua's sword competition.

He dared not speak, dared not discuss, and even more so, dared not show the slightest sign that he knew Mo Hua.

He was just an outsider, a passerby, an unknown spectator.

As for Mo Hua?

He truly didn't know him.

On the Daolun Mountain, the atmosphere of the spectators became increasingly anxious.

Hatred was accumulating. More and more prodigies were "sharpening their swords" against Mo Hua, wanting to defeat him.

However, the Xuan-level sword competition was already entering its final stages.

Most of the sword competitions had already been completed.

The situation had basically settled.

They wanted to target Mo Hua, but they didn't have many opportunities left.

Furthermore, Mo Hua's opponents in the later rounds were not particularly strong.

After a few exchanges, Mo Hua won, and he won quite smoothly, without being targeted too much.

The overall situation was clearly somewhat tense, but there was also a kind of calm before the storm.

In this somewhat strange atmosphere, the Xuan-level sword competition came to an end without much fanfare.

The Taixu Sect unexpectedly maintained its third place.

This third place, in addition to benefiting from Mo Hua and Linghu Xiao's undefeated record.

The disciples of other sects also put in a lot of effort.

In fact, a group of disciples in the Taixu Sect, who were originally unremarkable, underwent a "transformation" after being tempered by the sword competition.

And some of these disciples even successfully advanced to the Di-level.

Mo Hua was surprised.

The sect elders and high-level officials were even more pleasantly surprised.

After the Xuan-level sword competition concluded and a brief rest and adjustment, the Di-level sword competition officially began.

The prodigies of the four sects began to make their moves.