The Quest for Immortality

When we first met, I was only at the Qi Refinement third level, while they were already in the later stages. Now I’ve reached the Qi Refining Ninth Level, and they are still at the same level.

"The talent of my fellow disciples is so strong, yet they have suppressed their realm for such a long time."

"With my poor Spiritual Root, not suppressing at all... is that not quite right...?"

Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang somewhat puzzled.

Mr. Zhuang’s expression then became subtle.

After some thought, he decided to tell the truth:

"This... you don’t need to suppress..."

"Your senior brothers and sisters, they have Heavenly... top-grade Spiritual Roots, the Cultivation Techniques they practice are high-grade ones that cycle perfectly through the meridians, and the Taoist Skills they learn are the ultimate techniques passed down by their Noble Clan’s Sect Protecting Faction...

"For a Noble Clan like the Bai Family, there’s not much difference between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining..."

"The Clan’s expectations of them are not merely to reach Foundation Establishment, but to ensure a solid foundation to break through to higher levels of Cultivation."

"The Clan’s heritage is enough to support their Cultivation."

"Once they reach the perfection in Qi Refinement and have built a solid foundation, the quality transformation of their fully cycled Spiritual Power will lay the foundation for the Great Dao."

"In the future, they’ll have sufficient Spiritual Power to wield powerful high-grade Taoist Skills and enough foundation to seek higher realms..."

"That is the path of the Noble Clans’ Proud Sons of Heaven; they have to refine their realm..."

Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua, "For you, it doesn’t matter..."

Trying to be tactful, Mr. Zhuang still said somewhat painfully:

"Your Spiritual Root is somewhat poor, your physique rather weak, and you can’t compare to them in terms of inheritance, so you don’t need to worry about that. Whether or not you refine your realm, it doesn’t really make a difference... "

"Just keep cultivating, and break through when you can. Even though you have less Spiritual Power and weaker Blood Qi, at least your Divine Sense is strong..."

"A single excellence can cover many faults..."

"As long as your Divine Sense is strong, everything else can be managed..."

...

Mo Hua’s expression was complex.

For a moment, he didn’t know if his master was praising him or belittling him...

Mo Hua sighed and then thought that maybe this was for the best. There was no need to painstakingly refine his cultivation level, which would save him worry, effort, and Spirit Stones.

After all, his Spiritual Root was what it was, and the situation was just so; it couldn’t be changed. So, make do with what he had, and being able to achieve Foundation Establishment would be good enough...

Mo Hua leveled his frame of mind.

No matter how good others were, that was their fortune.

It had nothing to do with oneself.

Just cultivate your own Tao.

Mo Hua’s gaze became serene, and he nodded slightly.

Seeing Mo Hua’s expression, Mr. Zhuang was slightly taken aback, then nodded gently, and thought to himself:

"This child, his temperament is truly good..."

...

The carriage traveled on, journeying over ten more days. They finally passed through the mountain roads of the Dali Mountain State Boundary and arrived at Li Mountain City.

Li Mountain City, a Third Grade Immortal City, was picturesque, with its city walls grand and awe-inspiring. The city’s caves and buildings glowed with gold, displaying a kind of air.

Most Cultivators in the city were of the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages, with some at the Golden Core, though not many.

The destination of this trip was the largest and the only Third Grade Sect in the entire Li Mountain City:

The Five Elements Sect.

Before heading to the Five Elements Sect, Mo Hua and his companions checked into an inn for a brief rest.

Mo Hua first made sure Big White was settled, instructing the innkeeper to feed it top-grade fodder. Watching it eat contentedly, he patted Big White’s mane before leaving.

He then ordered some dried fruits, refreshments, and tea, bringing them to Mr. Zhuang’s room.

Old Kui was nowhere to be found.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi sat respectfully, listening to Mr. Zhuang speak of something.

Mo Hua placed the meals on the table.

These dishes were all personally selected by Mo Hua.

The way they were prepared and the flavors were all based on Mo Hua’s instructions.

Food that the Master, fellow disciples, and Old Kui all enjoyed.

Famished from a day’s travel, Bai Zisheng smelled the fragrance of the dishes and couldn’t help but take a glance, then quickly composed himself again and listened attentively to Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but smile slightly, and then said:

"Let’s eat first."

Bai Zisheng’s eyes lit up, his respect mixed with excitement as he said:

"Yes, Master!"

While eating, Mo Hua chatted with his fellow disciples about their observations in the city.

They talked about the various distinctive Cultivators they had seen, the different local customs, and the Market Town where all sorts of eye-catching Spiritual Artifacts, Pills, and Formation Books were displayed.

Mo Hua marveled inwardly.

Sure enough, a Third Grade Immortal City was different.

On the streets, he saw many Foundation Building Cultivators.

The Spiritual Artifacts and Pills displayed in the Market Town included not a few of Second Grade quality, and Mo Hua even saw a Second Grade Formation Book.

He wanted to flip through it, but the stall owner wouldn’t allow it.

The owner even said things like, "What’s a child doing looking at Formation Books? These books aren’t for you to read, don’t exhaust your Divine Sense..."

Mo Hua harbored no ill will, letting the matter go.

He was indeed not at the level to learn Second Grade Formations, perusing would be futile. Enjoy new tales from

What’s more, these Second Grade Formation Books were quite expensive, and the formations recorded inside, just by their names, were all rather common and not worth the waste of Spirit Stones.

He was nearing Foundation Establishment, and needed to conserve his Spirit Stones...

However, Mo Hua also noticed something odd.

It seemed like most of Li Mountain City was occupied by Cultivators running stores, Market Towns, and market stalls selling various items for Tao Cultivation.

Most Loose Cultivators were also traders.

There weren’t those Loose Cultivators engaged in labor, earning Spirit Stones as Spirit Farmers, Mining Cultivators, Monster Hunters, or Craftsmen.

Mo Hua found it somewhat puzzling and asked Mr. Zhuang about it.

Mr. Zhuang said: "That’s the nature of a Formation Sect..."

"The Five Elements Sect?"

"Correct," Mr. Zhuang nodded, "The Five Elements Sect is an orthodox Sect founded on Formations. Most Cultivators within the Sect are Formation Masters."