The Quest for Immortality

Several days later, Instructor Yan embarked on his journey.

He was returning to Tongxian City to find a picturesque spot to bury the ancestors of the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect.

At the same time, the idea of rebuilding the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect and passing on its Formation legacy was also taking root in his heart.

Mo Hua had given him many Formation Books and some personal insights into Formations.

The Spiritual Pivot Formation diagrams had been meticulously deconstructed by Mo Hua from the simplest to the most complex, with clear and detailed annotations.

They were convenient for both learning and teaching.

This set of Formation Diagrams was also entrusted to Instructor Yan.

Instructor Yan received them solemnly, his hands trembling slightly.

In addition, Mo Hua had given him some local specialties from South Yue City, as well as travel rations, and some Pills for emergency, such as Poison Repelling Pills, Miasma Repelling Pills, and Demon-Expelling Pills.

Mo Hua saw Instructor Yan off all the way to the outskirts of the city.

Continue your journey on empire

Along the way, Mo Hua chattered nonstop, incessantly relaying advice:

"You should go for an assessment first..."

"After the assessment, things will be much more convenient."

"Tongxian City has many connections, so the assessment will go smoothly, and the Taoist Court even provides a dedicated car service..."

"Once you’ve gone through the assessment, try to establish your Foundation no matter what, even if you have to borrow some Spirit Stones... You can seek out... no, not Elder Yu, he’s rather poor. Look for Old Master An, the An Family is very wealthy, and their young master is even called An Xiaofu; I know him pretty well..."

"Once you become a Foundation Building Cultivator and your Divine Sense reaches twelve Patterns, you can start learning the Spiritual Pivot Formation."

"Learn it bit by bit, don’t rush, start with the simplest and progress step by step..."

...

Instructor Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, yet he felt a warm affection.

The words of Mo Hua were highly beneficial to him.

As an instructor, he was now about to learn Formations from his own disciple...

Instructor Yan was filled with both reflection and satisfaction.

After finishing the discussion on Formations, Mo Hua began to talk about other matters:

"When you get back, please send my regards to my parents..."

"Tell them I’m perfectly safe, eating well, drinking well, sleeping well, and that I’m well-nourished, chunky and white, that I’ve learned Formations well, and haven’t encountered any danger, so they don’t need to worry..."

"And Elder Yu, Grandpa Feng, Master Chen, all the uncles and brothers from the Monster Hunters..."

"And Da’hu, Dazhu, and the rest..."

"Please send them my regards too..."

Mo Hua mentioned a whole slew of names in one breath.

"Okay, okay, slow down..."

Instructor Yan’s mind was almost overwhelmed; he sighed internally, this child, is she really so well-liked...

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the city gate.

Parting ways after accompanying a traveler for a thousand miles, Mo Hua had to say goodbye to Instructor Yan.

When the time came to really say goodbye, she found herself at a loss for words, and the atmosphere turned a bit silent for a moment.

Mo Hua’s gaze flickered with reluctance.

Instructor Yan looked deeply at Mo Hua, as if trying to imprint her image in his heart.

After a moment, he patted Mo Hua on the shoulder and said with expectation:

"Study hard!"

"Mhm!" Mo Hua nodded.

Instructor Yan then waved his hand and said warmly:

"Alright, go back now, I’m leaving."

He shouldered his bag and walked up the mountain path, leaving South Yue City, occasionally looking back to see Mo Hua still standing at the city gate, then waving his hand, signaling her to return; he walked a few steps, looked back again, and waved...

The wilderness was vast and endless.

Instructor Yan’s figure grew smaller and smaller, disappearing into the rugged mountains.

Mo Hua watched seriously, bowing deeply to the distant mountains, just as she had done years ago when she parted with Instructor Yan at the foot of Tongxian City.

...

Instructor Yan said goodbye to Mo Hua and left South Yue City, walking alone along the mountain path towards the northwest. He passed by several peaks and eventually came upon a series of connected mines.

In the mines, there was a vast mining shaft.

At the moment, the Mining Cultivators were mining with loud and bustling noises in the background which contained a sense of liveliness.

Despite their hard work, the faces of the Mining Cultivators in the shaft bore no signs of discomfort, oppression, or pain.

Instead, there was a touch of hope.

The hope that by working hard, one could live a little better.

This was a completely different scene from what he had witnessed upon his arrival.

Instructor Yan was reminded again of Mo Hua’s words: "Sow the seeds of goodness, and reap the fruits of goodness."

Could the mine be considered one of these fruits of goodness?

If he hadn’t sown seeds of goodness in his youth, would the mine still be as it had been before, with people living like zombies during the day and the zombies themselves toiling away at night, just as human beings do?

Perhaps then, he wouldn’t have been able to witness the scene before him...

Instructor Yan felt somewhat relieved.

"Yes, I haven’t achieved nothing after all..."

His abilities were indeed limited; he couldn’t help many people.

Without understanding Taoist Skill, he couldn’t kill the wicked.

His formation ability was average, not knowing any profound formations, nor could he construct large-scale ones.

All he could do was to pass down the legacy of formations.

He allowed those with a natural talent for formations not to waste their time.

He allowed those capable of benefiting others not to be buried in obscurity.

As long as one could sow more seeds of goodness, naturally, more fruits of goodness would grow...

With this thought, Instructor Yan’s gaze became bright and clear.

His lifespan was limited, but there was still so much he could do!

He looked back once more toward the direction of South Yue City.

The mountains concealed his view; he could no longer see Mo Hua in front of the city gates.

But Mo Hua’s figure was still etched in his mind.

This was the first, and only, cultivator who had managed to learn the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect’s Sect Protecting Grade-One Twelve-Pattern Spiritual Pivot Formation in the Qi-refining Realm.

He wondered what accomplishments this child would achieve in the future...

Instructor Yan’s eyes were full of hope.

...

Several days later, in South Yue City.

Instructor Yan had left, and now it was time for Mo Hua to depart as well.

He had already bid farewell to Elder Su, Situ Fang, Qinglan, and Yang Jishan, among others.

Elder Su was quite reluctant to let him go.

He really liked Mo Hua, and so he gave him a bunch of fine tea.

Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled, "Are you giving me so much?"

"Yes," replied Elder Su with a wistful expression: "Take it all. After you leave, it’s no fun for me to drink alone. These fine teas will lose their taste without company."

Mo Hua nodded and said, "Drinking less tea is also good. You should spend more time thinking about your son."

Elder Su’s face turned red, "What son?"

Mo Hua silently looked at him.

Elder Su then chuckled awkwardly and sighed:

"The past is unbearable to look back on; it’s all about debts that come due."

Yet, his eyes still revealed a hint of affection.

Situ Fang and Qinglan also gave Mo Hua some gifts and invited him:

"Make sure to visit the Situ Family when you have the time, so I can show you some hospitality as the host."

Mo Hua responded, "Definitely, definitely."

Yang Jishan looked on with regret.

Such a fine talent.

How wonderful it would be if he could join the Taoist Soldiers Court!

The people of the Yang Family all had similar thoughts and mindsets.

He even said something very similar to what Yang Jiyong had said:

"If you ever want to join the Taoist Soldiers Court, just mention the Yang Family’s name; we’ve got you covered!"

Mo Hua smiled and thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle Yang!"

Everything was ready, and Mo Hua, along with his junior brother and sister, Old Kui, and Mr. Zhuang, sat in the cart pulled by Big White, embarking on a new journey with the steady sound of horse hooves tapping away.

The road was rugged, yet the interior of the cart was steady and secure.

Mo Hua asked, "Master, where are we headed next?"

"Keep heading south."

"South?"

"Yes," Mr. Zhuang nodded and said, "It’s about time."

He looked at Mo Hua, his eyes distant:

"You are ready for Foundation Establishment..."