Chapter 873: God Statue

Thereafter, Mo Hua, in addition to practicing his sword, also added many array methods to his studies. Every day, Old Mister Xun would urge him, with fixed timing and quantity, to learn various array methods based on the five elements and eight trigrams.

At first, the methods were not very advanced, but starting from the sixteen patterns, according to an array methods catalog that Old Mister Xun had compiled at some unknown time, Mo Hua sorted through them one by one, checking for omissions and filling gaps. In the catalog, Old Mister Xun pointed out all the array methods that Mo Hua hadn't learned, wasn't familiar with, or didn't understand thoroughly, solidifying Mo Hua's array methods foundation.

The array methods were not high-grade, not difficult, and most were previously learned array methods, so the challenge was not significant, and learning was somewhat tedious and boring. But Mo Hua knew Old Mister Xun's painstaking efforts, so he calmed his heart and studied very seriously. Without accumulating small steps, it's impossible to reach a thousand li. Without accumulating small streams, it's impossible to form rivers and seas. In learning anything, the foundation is the most important. The more solid the foundation, the higher one can climb in the future. Otherwise, if one always aims too high, even if a tall building is built, it may collapse in an instant.

Mo Hua's array methods foundation was already solid enough. But since there was an opportunity, he wanted it to be more solid. Just like that, during the day, he followed Old Mister Xun to learn array methods. In the evening, he went to the preaching room to practice sword energy. After practicing sword energy, he would return to his disciple residence in the evening and comprehend the "Sword Dao Initial Solution" given by Old Ancestor Dugu, deepening his understanding of sword dao. At the Zi hour, he would sink his divine sense into his sea of consciousness and continue practicing array methods on the dao stele time after time. Every seven days, he would go to the back mountain to see Old Ancestor Dugu.

His days were busy and extremely fulfilling. In Tai Xu Gate, the most powerful Old Ancestor in array methods taught him array methods. The most powerful Old Ancestor in sword methods taught him sword methods. Mo Hua felt in his heart that even the sect master of Tai Xu Gate probably didn't receive such treatment. Of course, he didn't dare to tell Old Mister Xun about Old Ancestor Dugu teaching him the true secret of divine thought into sword. Because Old Ancestor Dugu had specially reminded him, forbidding him to mention this matter to anyone. Mo Hua naturally didn't dare to act smart, lest he provoke Old Ancestor Dugu's displeasure and the matter of divine thought into sword be ruined.

Therefore, Old Mister Xun and Old Ancestor Dugu each taught their own. Neither knew that they were teaching the same disciple. And the attitudes of the two Old Ancestors towards Mo Hua were worlds apart. Old Mister Xun cherished Mo Hua extremely, feeling that Mo Hua was a unique "genius". On array methods matters, whatever it was, he would understand as soon as it was taught, and grasp it as soon as it was pointed out. Every day, treating Mo Hua felt like bathing in a spring breeze. Old Ancestor Dugu, however, had a dark face. Because Mo Hua's sword dao standard always made little progress. Learning anything was like a turtle crawling. He understood all the principles, and knew all the rules, but when he actually practiced, it was like he hadn't practiced at all. In his lifetime, he had never taught such a dull sword dao disciple.

Therefore, Old Ancestor Dugu often doubted himself. That day in the forbidden ground, was the phenomenon of buzzing sword energy, rising sword intent, and vast sword clouds his own illusion? Was it too hasty of him to decide to pass on divine thought into sword to this child Mo Hua? Now, looking at it, this child was not to mention carrying forward the divine thought sword secret; even learning this sword secret was a bit of a struggle... Old Ancestor Dugu sighed deeply.

However, he was an Old Ancestor; his word was as good as gold. Since he had promised Mo Hua, he wouldn't easily go back on his word. "Let's teach him first and see..." Anyway, if he didn't teach Mo Hua, he had nothing else to do. Having such a lively child to talk with often was also a good thing.

Just like that, Mo Hua learned array methods and sword methods simultaneously. Only one was learned too well, and the other was learned too poorly, which made him very helpless. But in any case, his array methods foundation was little by little becoming deeper. His understanding of sword methods was also, through his own efforts day and night and Old Ancestor Dugu's high-level guidance, little by little becoming "enlightened"...

So busy, after more than a month of learning, Mo Hua simply had no time for other things. Coming back to his senses, he suddenly remembered that there were some matters he still hadn't had time to ask about. Some things he also hadn't had time to deal with. "Indeed, when people are busy, it's easy to forget things..." Mo Hua sighed.

Two days later, it was the ten-day rest period. Mo Hua asked Old Mister Xun for leave and went to the Gu family in Qingzhou City. Although Old Mister Xun told him not to go anywhere and concentrate on learning array methods, he didn't truly "confine" him. It was okay to simply take a stroll during leisure time. But going to places like River God Temple, Ten Thousand Demons Valley, Rouge Boat, and Dragon King Temple like before, catching sinful cultivators, finding altars, and asking for leave for many days, that kind of situation was impossible.

Mo Hua arrived at the Gu family, greeted Aunt Wan, and then went directly to Gu Changhuai's study. Gu Changhuai was reading and was a little surprised to see Mo Hua. He frowned and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to concentrate on learning array methods and wouldn't come out anymore?"

"Just a small matter, I'll go back after I'm done..." Mo Hua said.

"What matter?" Gu Changhuai's expression was a little vigilant. According to his past experience, matters that interested Mo Hua were generally not good things.

"It's not a big matter, it's just..." Mo Hua lowered his voice and asked, "What happened with the Rouge Boat matter in the end?"

Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment. He originally wanted to use the reason of "Dao Court affairs cannot be leaked" to brush him off, but this boy Mo Hua was clever and not so easy to fool. In this matter, Mo Hua himself was not considered an "outsider"; he possibly knew more inside information than anyone. Moreover, at Dragon King Temple, Mo Hua had again "sacrificed himself to save" him...

Gu Changhuai sighed, got up and closed the doors and windows, sealed the array, then frowned and said, "This Rouge Boat matter... is very strange."

"Strange?" Mo Hua didn't quite understand.

Gu Changhuai said, "The Rouge Boat was destroyed, and most of the disciples on the boat were captured. Gui Shui Gate was also controlled, and after that, the Dao Court, mainly the Xia family, took over. Some elders, instructors, and disciples within the gate who were deeply involved were all thrown into the Dao Prison and dealt with according to their crimes. The light ones were locked up for several decades, and some heavy ones were executed by hanging, and some were subjected to array methods lingchi..."

"Various families and forces related to the Rouge Boat, this kind of pleasure industry, if severe, were directly confiscated by the Dao Court. Others had their rights and ranks demoted, assets confiscated, and were ordered to rectify. There were also quite a few."

"Isn't that pretty good?" Mo Hua said.

Gu Changhuai nodded slightly, "On the surface, it is like this. The atmosphere has improved. Not only the Rouge Boat, but some openly and secretly grey industries have also been curbed. Various families and sects have also taken this as a warning, strictly restraining their disciples, and not daring to cause trouble again. But..." Gu Changhuai's brows furrowed tighter, "I always feel that all of this was 'designed' well by others."

"Designed well..." Mo Hua's brows also slightly furrowed, "Uncle Gu, you mean, someone knew beforehand that the Rouge Boat couldn't be saved, so they shed their tail like a gecko, abandoning the carriage to protect the commander?"

Gu Changhuai was startled, nodded: "Yes, and possibly, it's not just 'abandoning the carriage to protect the commander' so simple."

Mo Hua nodded slightly. Thinking about it that way, he also vaguely felt something strange. Although the Rouge Boat matter had some twists, at least the plans before Dragon King Temple were too smooth. Dragon King Temple was designed by Mister Tu to trap himself, this "god". He was indeed trapped by him. The evil fetus was planted into his life soul. Then... what about the Rouge Boat? Since Dragon King Temple was used for scheming, how could the Rouge Boat not be given some thought? What was the Rouge Boat used for?

Mo Hua furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, and suddenly thought of something. He asked, "Uncle Gu, which sects were the disciples on the Rouge Boat from?"

Gu Changhuai pondered for a moment and said, "Within the boundary of Qian Xue state, basically many sects were involved. Qian Xue's hundred gates, needless to say, those who could board the boat were undoubtedly the prominent disciples within each sect. Other twelve streams and eight great gates also had people board the boat."

"Oh, your Tai Xu Gate didn't. I heard that before sailing, they refused to carry any disciples of Tai Xu Gate because they feared some character."

Mo Hua's expression was not joyful, instead, it was somewhat solemn, "Then Tai A Gate?"

Gu Changhuai frowned, "There were quite a few from Tai A Gate, and they were all disciples who were foundation-building late stage heavenly proud sons."

"Chong Xu Gate?"

"Chong Xu Gate was also the same."

After that, Mo Hua counted several other sects, and without exception, they all had disciples who boarded the Rouge Boat. And these disciples all had common characteristics: foundation-building late stage, very good talent, and very high status within their sects. This was originally nothing; on the Rouge Boat, since it was a place for making connections with the powerful and mutually climbing, using beauty as a medium, the disciples who came and went were naturally not mediocre. The vast majority were all heavenly proud sons.

In normal times, this matter would also seem normal. But now, looking at it, these heavenly proud sons were also necessarily related to one extremely important matter: the Dao Discussion Assembly! These heavenly proud sons from Tai A Gate, Chong Xu Gate, and some other sects that were on good terms with Tai Xu Gate and relatively distant from the four great sects were very likely candidates for this session's Dao Discussion Assembly! But now, they were all captured in one swoop?!

A trace of chill arose in Mo Hua's heart. He finally understood what the behind-the-scenes manipulator of the Rouge Boat, or rather, Mister Tu, planned to do. He knew the Rouge Boat could not be saved, so he set up a trap. His forces infiltrated into "opposing" sects like Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate. Then, he took advantage of the Dao Court investigating the Rouge Boat to lure the disciples of these "opposing" sects onto the Rouge Boat. Driving a tiger to swallow a wolf.

In this way, these disciples who were found by the Dao Court to have entered and exited the Rouge Boat would certainly be recorded. Either they would be thrown into the Dao Prison, or expelled from their sects. Even if their sects protected them, it would be absolutely impossible for them to participate in the Dao Discussion Assembly again. The core forces participating in the Dao Discussion Assembly were emptied. The result, naturally, was self-evident.

Mo Hua's gaze was solemn, "On the Rouge Boat, were there... no disciples from the four great sects?"

Gu Changhuai nodded: "No, the four great sects have strict rules, and their sect style is grand. This time, no disciples went to the Rouge Boat, which can be considered a blessing in disguise..." Gu Changhuai sighed, "Otherwise, if the disciples of the four great sects also went to the Rouge Boat to seek pleasure, seek flowers and ask willows, the face of our entire Qian Xue state boundary would be completely lost..."

Mo Hua's heart sank slightly. They might not have gone to seek pleasure, seek flowers and ask willows. But what they did was possibly even more excessive than that... The so-called "Young Masters Pavilion," with its overwhelming power, where those who entered were either noble or high-status, was absolutely impossible to be unrelated to the four great sects. He just had no evidence. Moreover, in the eyes of most cultivators in the Qian Xue state boundary, the status of the four great sects was transcendent, they were true famous schools and blessed lands. The disciples within their sects were also one by one dragons and phoenixes among people. Even Uncle Gu, in an unwitting situation, very possibly thought this way.

But Mo Hua had now dealt more with the "young masters" of various sects, and thus knew that things were far from that simple. And this matter was very possibly a "plot" of the four great sects. Before the sect reforms, they caused sects like Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate, who had the ability to covet the positions of the four great sects, to directly lose their most core disciples. They no longer had the power to contend with the four great sects. In this way, the so-called sect reforms, before the true reform, had already been decided. This trap, before it even started, had already ended. This was true "plotting and scheming." Before everyone expected it, the ending had already been written.

Mo Hua sighed.

"Such a young age, why do you sigh every day?" Gu Changhuai frowned. This child, who knows what he's thinking, has already sighed three times in such a short time...

Mo Hua looked at Gu Changhuai, shook his head, and said with some emotion, "Uncle Gu, you don't understand."

Gu Changhuai was so angry his teeth itched, wanting to pinch his cheeks, but in the end, he endured. Mo Hua's "status" in the Gu family was higher than his. Gu Changhuai waved his hand, "Are you done asking? If you're done, go back to the sect and cultivate properly."

Mo Hua was indeed done asking and didn't stay long. He bid farewell, "Then goodbye, Uncle Gu. Next time I have a matter, I'll come find you again." Gu Changhuai had a bit of a headache.

However, just as Mo Hua was about to step over the threshold and leave the study, Gu Changhuai suddenly thought of something and said, "Mo Hua..."

Mo Hua turned back, looking at him with some confusion. Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Xiao Tianquan is dead."

Mo Hua's expression was unperturbed, and only after a moment did he react, shocked: "What? Xiao Tianquan is dead?"

Gu Changhuai just silently looked at him. Fortunately, although Mo Hua's face was pale, his skin was thick. Although his acting had some flaws, he still persisted in acting, pretending to be completely unaware that Xiao Tianquan had already died. "How did he die?" Mo Hua asked.

Gu Changhuai was somewhat speechless, "You tell me?"

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, and said seriously, "Could it really be that accumulating evil will have retribution, receiving 'heaven's' punishment, and suddenly dying violently? Heaven's way is indeed still fair..."

Gu Changhuai's gaze slightly condensed. He was just asking, slightly confirming, not really wanting Mo Hua to answer. Just at this time, hearing Mo Hua say so, Gu Changhuai's mood also had a moment of complexity. He suddenly asked, "Mo Hua, you say... does this world really have heaven's way?"

Unexpectedly, Mo Hua nodded and said affirmatively, "It does!"

Gu Changhuai frowned: "Do you know what heaven's way I'm talking about?"

"Whatever heaven's way there is, it exists," Mo Hua said.

Gu Changhuai's expression was a little astonished. Mo Hua pointed his finger to the sky, "This sky above, there is a way." He had seen it personally. It's just that this "way" manifested as a great array, truly penetrating heaven and earth, which he still couldn't understand or see through.

Then Mo Hua pointed his finger to his heart, "The human heart also contains heaven's way."

"In this world, there are those who seek fame, those who seek profit, those who seek cultivation and great power, those who seek power and status, luxury and enjoyment."

"Even, relying on fame, profit, status, and cultivation to bully and exploit others is everywhere."

"But, these are unrelated to the way, unrelated to becoming immortal. Those who can truly become immortal must have heaven's way in their hearts, practice it, and act for the people of heaven!"

"If the heart has no way, if it doesn't act for heaven, even if it possesses cultivation that penetrates heaven and earth, and has the fame, power, and status at the pinnacle of humanity, it will also turn into flying ash before a great calamity, ultimately becoming an ant under the great way, unable to become immortal."

Gu Changhuai listened, his expression couldn't help but be shocked. But he was also puzzled at the same time, "How... do you know this?"

Mo Hua said righteously, "I guessed!"

Gu Changhuai: "..."

Mo Hua muttered, "I haven't become immortal yet, so how would I know how to become immortal? Although based on my experience and insight, I feel it should be like this..."

"If I guess wrong, I'll revise it later..."

Gu Changhuai didn't know what to say. He sighed, "Go back early."

Mo Hua nodded, "Goodbye, Uncle Gu." After that, Mo Hua left freely and easily. But his words were like a brand engraved in Gu Changhuai's mind, and he couldn't forget them for a long time.

"Heart contains heaven's way, act for heaven..."

For some reason, Gu Changhuai's mood, which was originally a bit confused and depressed because of the Xia family and various restrictive matters within the Dao Court, suddenly felt much relieved. His gaze also became firm.

After leaving the Gu family, Mo Hua made a slight detour and went to the small fishing village. Old Yu Tou's family was still busy with their daily life. Although it was a bit hard, the family was together, working hard to live, harmonious and enviable. Mo Hua did not disturb them. He directly concealed himself and came to the shrine behind the village. On the shrine, his "little immortal image" was enshrined. And behind the little immortal image, a small silver fish was hiding, happily eating incense fire under his protection.

Seeing Mo Hua come, the small silver fish was extremely happy, shaking its tail and nodding, busily shouting "benefactor". Mo Hua had the "grace of recreation" towards it. Therefore, the small silver fish was very grateful to Mo Hua. Before on Yan Shui River, it also helped Mo Hua without reservation.

Mo Hua said mysteriously, "I'll give you a gift." After speaking, he placed a package in front of the small silver fish. The small silver fish was stunned for a moment, not discovering what the gift was at all, but the "benefactor" wouldn't deceive it. It then used its divine origin to slightly perceive it once, and immediately its whole body trembled, and its scales all stood up.

"Dragon..." Dragon bone god image!

Then it was inwardly alarmed and trembled in a slender voice, "Benefactor, this is too precious. I cannot take it, and I dare not take it..."

Mo Hua didn't understand, "Isn't this a good thing?"

"It's a good thing, but it's too precious. The small god's fortune is too shallow and cannot bear it..." The small silver fish was very self-aware, and then said again, "My god dao memory is mostly lost in the blood-colored river god temple, so I don't know the specific origin of this thing. But this god image, cast from dragon bone, is absolutely extraordinary, possibly even more important than you think, Benefactor."

"Benefactor, you must keep it well."

"I'll keep it..." Mo Hua was a little helpless. The key was, he didn't know what use it was for him to keep it. If he could put it in a storage bag or a na zi ring, he would keep it, but he couldn't put it in at all. Just holding it openly like this, who knows which day, he would encounter an "expert" cultivator, or what greedy god, and cause a disaster. Moreover, this thing, ever since he took it out from Dragon King Temple, with the passage of time, a trace of "divinity" inside was also little by little being lost. Mo Hua wasn't clear, but guessed that this natal god image should still need to be nurtured. To nurture a god image, one naturally should be a "god".

Thinking it over, the small silver fish was the most suitable. Huang Shan Jun lived too far away, and it had many images, mud sculptures, gold-plated ones; if those didn't work, it could even burrow into dog images, so it didn't lack this one. Furthermore, Huang Shan Jun lived long, had many thoughts, and spoke evasively. It was also very hard for Mo Hua to completely trust it. Unlike the small silver fish, which was pure and lovely, calling him "benefactor" every day, and wholeheartedly thinking of helping him when encountering matters. But the small silver fish dared not take it...

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then said, "Then consider it as me 'lending' it to you. You help me keep it well, nurture it with divinity. If one day in the future I need this god image, you can return it to me."

The small silver fish was still a little hesitant.

"Just consider it taking advantage of my connection..."

"But, the small god's strength is low..."

"It doesn't matter," Mo Hua said, "This god image, ordinary cultivators, even demons and evil gods, may not see..." Otherwise, it wouldn't have been eating dust in the corner of the Dragon King's main hall. "Besides, I'll arrange some arrays for you to cover this god image, so it will almost not be discovered."

Seeing the small silver fish was still a little uneasy. Mo Hua thought, then changed his words and said with a serious face: "This is what I'm entrusting to you. You help me keep the god image well, and at the same time, you can borrow this god image to nurture your divine soul a bit and strengthen your divine body."

"Don't let me down..."

As soon as Mo Hua said this, the small silver fish was indeed full of fighting spirit and nodded: "Benefactor, rest assured, I will certainly not let down your entrustment!"

Mo Hua nodded with satisfaction. Then he found a remote and secret, deep mountain cave in the barren mountain near the little immortal image, and placed the dragon bone god image inside. After that, he began to arrange god dao arrays around. Ordinary arrays wouldn't work; even if it was a hidden array, in the eyes of higher-ranked array masters, it would be like covering one's ears and stealing a bell, exposing oneself. But god dao arrays were different. God dao arrays were derivatives of the divine thought way, and even some high-grade array masters wouldn't get involved with them. More importantly, they didn't have this inheritance.

Mo Hua referred to the array patterns arranged by the Great Wilderness Evil God and arranged a set of god dao arrays, including the god fog array, god pass array, and god lock array, near the mountain cave. The god pass array locked the gate. The god fog array covered divine sense. The god lock array sealed the god image, and at the same time could resist external evils.

In this way, everything was prepared. Even if the arrays were broken by someone, the dragon bone god image itself had enough hidden ability. Mo Hua thought, and then took out a piece of paper, drew a turtle, and placed it in the deepest part of the mountain cave. In this way, in case someone broke his god dao array with great effort and reached inside the mountain cave, discovering that the god dao array was sealing a turtle picture, they would definitely be half-dead with anger. With anger, it would be even more impossible to discover the originally obscure god image.

Mo Hua nodded with satisfaction. After that, he bid farewell. The small silver fish was grateful in its heart and very reluctant. It sent Mo Hua all the way to the village entrance, watching Mo Hua's back disappear at the road junction, then returned to the shrine place in a daze, and secretly swore in its heart: "I must guard the god image well for Benefactor!"

After leaving the small fishing village, Mo Hua did not delay and returned to Tai Xu Gate. Thereafter, he almost stayed in seclusion, spending all day within the sect, learning array methods from Old Mister Xun and sword methods from Old Ancestor Dugu. His array methods were steadily improving. Even his sword methods were gradually becoming enlightened. And after another two months, it was the end of the year, and Mo Hua's fifth year in Tai Xu Gate also ended.