The Quest for Immortality

South of South Yue City, at the Second Grade Si Water state boundary.

Si Water stretches from beginning to end, connecting the land’s boundaries.

The winding river flows along its course, babbling towards the distance.

Mo Hua, tired from drawing Formation Paintings, flipped open the curtain and peered outside at the green mountains and clear waters, a vast and hazy vista stretching before him, feeling refreshed and elated.

After watching for a while, he retracted his gaze and settled back into the carriage.

Outside the carriage, Old Kui cracked pine nuts, listening to their crunch as he drove the carriage.

Inside, Bai Zisheng was meditating and cultivating, Bai Zixi was quietly reading.

Mr. Zhuang, leaning against a blanket, rested with eyes closed, bearing an elegant and leisurely posture.

However, his breath had grown even weaker.

Ever since leaving South Yue City, Mr. Zhuang’s health seemed to decline day by day. Although his gaze remained as gentle and carefree as ever, his complexion had visibly worsened, and the time he spent resting each day had increased.

Mo Hua had asked Mr. Zhuang if there was anything wrong.

Mr. Zhuang simply patted Mo Hua’s head and, smiling, said he was fine and that there was no need to worry.

But his breath didn’t seem fine at all.

Mo Hua could only sigh inwardly.

It was the hour of the sheep; noon had passed, and the bright sunlight induced a certain lethargy.

Mo Hua brewed a pot of tea.

The tea leaves were a gift from Elder Su, the brew fresh and tender with a rich taste. Mo Hua added some Spirit Grass, ginseng, and jade dates, which could regulate a cultivator’s Blood Qi and nourish the meridians.

Though it might not greatly benefit Mr. Zhuang, it was a kind gesture.

Once the tea was ready, steam curled up and the fragrance filled the air.

Mo Hua first poured a cup for Mr. Zhuang, then for Junior Brother and Junior Sister each.

Only then did he pour himself a cup, sipping it bit by bit.

Bai Zisheng, feeling drowsy and thirsty after midday, downed his cup in one gulp, as if devouring a peony.

Bai Zixi, like Mo Hua, had a graceful demeanor, slightly parting her red lips, taking delicate sips and savoring the tea slowly.

Mr. Zhuang, lured by the scent of the tea, also slowly opened his eyes. With a gentle smile, he took the cup and drank it, his eyes brightening as he seemed to perk up a bit.

Mo Hua poured another cup for Mr. Zhuang, then turned to gaze at the scenery outside, and suddenly asked,

"Master, where exactly are we headed?"

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, upon hearing this, paused their drinking and turned to look at Mr. Zhuang.

Seeing the three pairs of bright eyes, Mr. Zhuang felt at ease, took a moment to think, and then replied,

"Southward, to the Dali Mountain State boundary."

"Dali Mountain?"

Mo Hua murmured to himself, before asking further,

"If we go there, will I be able to achieve Foundation Establishment?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, "Once your Cultivation reaches the Nine layer perfection of Qi Refinement and your Divine Sense has Fourteen Stripes, you can undertake Foundation Establishment."

"Cultivation is like water flowing into a channel; proceed methodically, no need to rush excessively."

"But to get Divine Sense to Fourteen Stripes, that’s not easy…"

Mr. Zhuang sighed softly in his heart.

It is not just difficult...

For a Qi Refining cultivator, it’s agonizingly difficult.

Even the records of prodigious cultivators in the Tao Cultivation Canons hardly ever mention a Divine Sense of Fourteen Stripes during Qi Refining...

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his thoughts churning.

Still preoccupied with Foundation Establishment, Mo Hua asked,

"Then, Master, if we reach the Dali Mountain State Boundary, will my Divine Sense break through to Fourteen Stripes?"

"One can only say, there is that opportunity."

Mr. Zhuang was not very specific.

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, "So, does the Dali Mountain State Boundary have an Ultimate Formation of Second Grade Thirteen Stripes?"

According to what Mr. Zhuang had said before, one could strengthen Divine Sense by studying Ultimate Formations and practicing them.

The more complex the Formation, the stronger the Divine Sense required, and the deeper the training of the Sea of Consciousness, the faster the growth of the Divine Sense.

Now Mo Hua’s Divine Sense had reached a peak of Thirteen Stripes. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Although he practiced the Thick Earth Formation and Spiritual Pivot Formation daily, as he became more proficient in these Formations, his Divine Sense grew increasingly slower...

It was time to find Thirteen Stripe Formations to study.

Mr. Zhuang nodded, "Correct."

It seemed the master had plans all along.

Mo Hua’s eyes were bright with curiosity as he asked,

"Master, what kind of Ultimate Formation is it there at Dali Mountain?"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "Not just one…"

Mo Hua was taken aback.

Mr. Zhuang paused for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips, "It’s five of them."

Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat, exclaiming,

"Five of them!"

Mo Hua opened his mouth in surprise, then looked at Mr. Zhuang, puzzled,

"Five of them… doesn’t that make them common as cabbages?"

Being Ultimate Formations, they should be rare.

How could there be five of them all of a sudden?

Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly, "Why don’t you guess why?"

Mo Hua blinked, propped his chin in his hand, and after a moment of thought hesitantly said,

"Five… does it have something to do with the Five Elements?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded approvingly, "Exactly!"

His tone was a bit wistful, "This is a set of Five Element Ultimate Formations, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth; one for each Element, but the fundamental principles are the same. Therefore, all five are considered a single set."

Mo Hua listened, feeling an itch of curiosity like a kitten’s scratch.

He was eager to know what these Formations were like, how their Formation Patterns looked, what the Formation Pivot’s structure was, and the effects they would have once mastered.

But he still had one major doubt.

"Master…"

Mo Hua hesitated and asked, "Even if I master a Second Grade Thirteen Stripe Formation and practice every day, my Divine Sense might not break through the bottleneck to reach Fourteen Stripes and achieve the Middle Phase of Foundation Establishment, right?"

He had only recently realized this.

The further one progresses, the slower and harder the Divine Sense grows.

He was now at the peak of Thirteen Stripes, but the gap to Fourteen seemed just a sliver away.