Chapter 1026: Du Mu Qing
Chapter 1026: Du Mu Qing
The situation at Tai Xu Sect was rather dire.
Most of the cultivators from various sects, including the three sect leaders, were uncertain about what would happen next.
They had no idea who they would face in the next Lunjian, or how the outcome would play out.
The opponents for the Earth Lunjian were decided by the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument.
After each Lunjian match, the instrument would immediately determine the lineup for the next match.
Until the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument made its decision, everything remained unknown.
Mo Hua had secretly tried to calculate the instrument's predictions.
He even considered using the Heavenly Destiny Technique to alter the lineup, if possible.
He thought about making some small adjustments, placing weaker teams on his side.
This way, top-tier Heavenly Prides like Xiao Wuchen, Ao Zhan, Du Mu Qing, and Shen Linshu would be pitted against each other, fighting to the bitter end.
This would allow Tai Xu Sect to advance more easily.
If they were to fight among themselves, at least half of the Heavenly Prides would be eliminated in the Earth Lunjian.
Controlling fate and manipulating outcomes.
Using cause and effect to achieve one's goals.
This was the true power of Heavenly Destiny.
Unfortunately, Mo Hua was far from having such abilities.
The Heavenly Doctrine Instrument was a Heavenly Destiny Treasure left behind by the ancestor of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain.
This ancestor was a legendary figure in Qian Study Province.
No one knew whether this ancestor was a common Void cultivator, a late-stage Void giant, or an even more powerful cultivator beyond the Void realm.
Such a profound and enigmatic ancestor, with a long-lasting legacy and a deeply intricate understanding of fate and cause and effect, was far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Even Void cultivators might not be able to alter it.
Let alone Mo Hua, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Therefore, the outcome of the next Lunjian largely depended on the "mood" of the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument.
Whatever card it dealt, Mo Hua had to accept it.
In the worst-case scenario, if he faced top-tier Heavenly Prides like Xiao Wuchen, he would likely have to concede defeat.
A day later, the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument began its calculations and predictions.
The opponent for Mo Hua's next Lunjian was revealed.
It was Longding Sect, one of the four major sects.
This time, their luck was slightly better, as their opponent was not the top-tier Heavenly Pride, Ao Zhan.
However, their luck was not great either, as their opponent was almost the strongest disciple of Longding Sect, second only to Ao Zhan:
Ao Zheng.
Ao Zheng's skills were almost on par with Ao Zhan's, but he fell slightly short in terms of spirit roots, cultivation techniques, and Taoist arts.
This slight difference was significant in the four major sects, where Heavenly Prides were abundant.
For Longding Sect, this difference was the gap between first and second place, an insurmountable chasm.
But in the context of the Lunjian Conference, Ao Zhan and Ao Zheng were both formidable opponents.
Mo Hua did some quick calculations, frowned, and felt that winning would be difficult.
If they fought a fair match, he would likely suffer another defeat at the hands of Longding Sect.
And coincidentally, the next Lunjian was a Beast Hunt.
Losing to Ao Zhan and then to Ao Zheng in the Beast Hunt would be a double blow.
Mo Hua sighed softly.
There were not many matches left in the Earth Lunjian.
Now, every victory was crucial.
If the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument dealt him a top-tier Heavenly Pride again, it would be the end of their chances.
But how could he beat this "Ao Zheng"?
Mo Hua rubbed his fingers together, eyes fixed on the Lunjian terrain map, deep in thought. Finally, a plan formed in his mind, and his eyes lit up.
But he sighed aloud, "I'm such an upright person, but to win, I have no choice..."
Afterward, Mo Hua arranged the tactical procedures.
On the day of the Lunjian, the area outside the arena was bustling with people.
The inner mountain where the disciples competed was much quieter.
Mo Hua arrived early at the inner mountain of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain, leading Ling Hu Xiao and the others to guard the mountain pass.
All Lunjian participants would enter the inner mountain through this pass.
This was true for Tai Xu Sect and Longding Sect alike.
Ling Hu Xiao and the others stood in a row, their faces serious, guarding the mountain path.
Mo Hua, meanwhile, casually drew array patterns on the ground with a blade of grass.
As an array master, one should practice drawing array patterns at every opportunity to improve their skills.
This was a matter of self-cultivation.
After practicing for a while, Mo Hua suddenly tossed the grass aside and looked up. "They're here."
Ling Hu Xiao and the others tensed.
A moment later, a group of cultivators appeared from the other end of the path, tall and proud, wearing the luxurious robes of Longding Sect.
The leader of the group had a square face and an imposing presence. Every movement he made exuded a tangible aura of condensed blood energy, a testament to his formidable cultivation of the body.
This man was Ao Zheng.
Today’s Lunjian match was between the Dragon Cauldron Sect and the Void Sect.
The two sects were already at odds with each other.
Ao Zheng, leading his team, met Mo Hua and the others. His gaze sharpened, revealing a deep-seated combat readiness.
There was also a hint of concealed malice.
Mo Hua, as he stood up, instantly switched from his usual amiable and relaxed demeanor to one of cold arrogance.
He stood on the steps, looking down at Ao Zheng from a height.
Otherwise, with his height, he would only reach Ao Zheng’s shoulders, making it impossible to intimidate him.
Ao Zheng was indeed taken aback.
Mo Hua, the True Dao Champion of the Void Sect, was known for his mysterious and unpredictable nature, always acting with a cunning and elusive air.
Combined with his cold expression at that moment, Ao Zheng couldn’t help but take him seriously.
However, Ao Zheng was also a Heavenly Pride, a powerful body cultivator, naturally confident and arrogant. He merely sneered and walked toward the mountain gate.
Ao Zheng didn’t say anything.
He wanted to crush the Void Sect team and kill Mo Hua.
But he wasn’t one to boast before the battle.
Words would be spoken only after the deed was done.
After annihilating the Void Sect team and killing Mo Hua, he would mock them.
That was a display of strength.
Boasting without the ability to back it up was a sign of shallowness and incompetence.
On the Lunjian Arena, everything would be decided by real combat.
Ao Zheng ignored Mo Hua and walked toward the inner mountain. However, as he passed by, he suddenly heard a clear but icy voice in his ear:
"Your Ao Zhan from the Dragon Cauldron Sect offended me last time..."
Ao Zheng paused, turning to look at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua’s chin tilted slightly, his demeanor cold and arrogant. "In this Beast Hunt, I will settle this score in full."
"The Void Sect is not to be trifled with."
"All five of you will die!"
Ao Zheng’s anger flared, his face twisting as he glared at Mo Hua.
But the moment he met Mo Hua’s deep and eerie eyes, a shiver ran down his spine, and the taunting words stuck in his throat.
Mo Hua, after saying his piece, sneered and left, surrounded by Ling Hu Xiao and the others, striding away like a bully.
The other disciples of the Dragon Cauldron Sect, momentarily intimidated by Mo Hua’s presence, forgot to retort.
Only after Mo Hua left did they regain their composure, their anger simmering.
Ao Zheng’s eyes were cold, his brows furrowed, but he remained somewhat calm.
Mo Hua’s words still echoed in his ears.
The look in his eyes, filled with killing intent and bloodlust, was deeply etched in his mind.
The killing intent was real.
The bloodlust was intense.
One had to experience true slaughter to have such eyes.
This Mo Hua was indeed a ruthless and cold-hearted person.
The moment they locked eyes, Ao Zheng felt it firsthand.
Moreover, he had said...
He wanted to settle a score?
Ao Zheng frowned, recalling the events.
During the last Lunjian match between the Void Sect and the Dragon Cauldron Sect, Mo Hua and his team were decisively defeated by Ao Zhan, who first killed and then hunted beasts.
The Void Sect had no resistance, losing completely.
"Is this the score Mo Hua wants to settle?"
"Does he intend to kill us five first and then hunt beasts to restore his honor and avenge himself?"
Ao Zheng nodded slowly, then sneered inwardly:
"Who does the Void Sect think they are?"
"Rely on Ling Hu Xiao? Or..."
Ao Zheng’s heart skipped a beat.
Arrays?!
The recent city-wide battle between the Void Sect and the Qian Dao Sect, where the entire city was obliterated by a powerful array explosion, was still fresh in his mind.
Such a scene left even a Heavenly Pride like Ao Zheng with lingering fear.
Although the elders of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain claimed the array explosion was an accident and had nothing to do with Mo Hua,
Was that really the case?
Mo Hua was the True Dao Champion.
No one knew what terrifying killing arrays he might possess.
If he used them in this Beast Hunt...
Ao Zheng’s heart grew cold, his expression grave as he ordered:
"Be cautious of arrays in today’s Beast Hunt."
"Mo Hua is a devious and vicious person, skilled in arrays, and enjoys ambushes. He is vengeful, so be on your guard."
"As long as we avoid the arrays, Ling Hu Xiao alone can’t do much, and the Void Sect is nothing to fear."
"Yes!" the other disciples of the Dragon Cauldron Sect responded.
...
Inside the inner mountain of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain.
"Rogue" Mo Hua walked at the front.
Cheng Mo and the others followed behind.
After a moment, seeing no one around, Simu Jian finally couldn’t hold back and whispered:
"Senior Brother, isn’t it a bit too much to provoke the Dragon Cauldron Sect like this? Do we really have to kill them?"
"We won’t fight them", Mo Hua replied.
Simu Jian was taken aback, and the others were also a bit surprised.
Mo Hua lowered his voice and said:
"I was just bluffing that Da Sha Zi..."
"The Dragon Cauldron Sect is too strong; we can’t beat them. Why should we fight a losing battle?"
"I’ll throw some threats out there to make them suspicious. Then we’ll move quickly."
"This is a Beast Hunt. The faster we finish, the better. Kill the beast, and we win. Why care what they do?"
Mo Hua looked completely confident.
Ling Hu Xiao and the others looked at Mo Hua, their expressions complex.
They weren’t sure whether to praise Mo Hua for his wisdom or to call him devious.
Mo Hua sighed softly.
He knew these junior brothers were still too "green."
Their "acting skills" needed some polishing.
That’s why he hadn’t explained it to them beforehand.
He was afraid that Ling Hu Xiao and the others might blow their cover due to poor acting.
Mo Hua whispered again:
"Remember, as soon as we enter the arena, I’ll give you the location of the beast. Follow me quickly and kill it. Every second counts, the faster the better!"
Ling Hu Xiao and the others nodded solemnly.
...
The Lunjian began.
As soon as Mo Hua entered the arena, he scanned the area, releasing his powerful divine perception. In an instant, he located the beast.
It was a late-stage Rank 2 bear beast.
Mo Hua pointed, "Charge!"
Ling Hu Xiao and the others wasted no time, activating their body techniques and rushing toward the direction Mo Hua indicated.
Finding the beast is usually one of the challenges in a Beast Hunt. Hunting in a complex mountain forest, using the beast’s habits and traces to locate it, takes time.
But Mo Hua’s divine perception was just too powerful.
Moreover, he was a Beast Hunter by training and knew the beasts very well.
So, with his divine perception and experience, he almost instantly found the bear that would decide the outcome of the Lunjian.
The Tai Xu Sect group immediately went after the bear.
With their body techniques at full power, it took them only a quarter of an hour to reach the bear.
Then came the familiar and well-practiced Beast Hunt.
This process was something Mo Hua and his team knew by heart.
Their coordination was flawless.
They had hunted countless times in the Beast Refinement Mountain.
Set the bait, lay the traps, set up the formations, and lure the beast.
Then, the traps would trap the beast, the formations would explode, and the beast would be critically injured.
Ling Hu Xiao would gather his sword qi to deal further damage to the beast.
The others would support from the sides, keeping the beast in check and dealing additional damage.
Everything was orderly and executed with utmost proficiency, showcasing the Beast Hunt training they had undergone in the Beast Refinement Mountain.
This "Taoist Soldier" and "procedural" Beast Hunt left the observing cultivators stunned.
The powerful late-stage Rank 2 bear beast fell with a thunderous crash.
Ling Hu Xiao struck with his sword, splitting open the bear’s chest.
Cheng Mo stepped forward, reaching in to pull out the beast’s core, and crushed it.
The Lunjian was over.
At that moment, Ao Zheng and the Dragon Cauldron Sect disciples, with their formidable cultivation, were still on the way, cautiously observing their surroundings, wary of Mo Hua’s formations, and battling the "air."
Mo Hua wanted to kill him.
He would definitely use formations to do so.
Ao Zheng’s eagle-like eyes scanned the surroundings, filled with suspicion.
Where would the killing intent come from?
Would Mo Hua have set up a killing formation on the ground ahead?
Would Mo Hua have arranged an ambush in the forest ahead?
If they encountered a beast, should they attack?
Could this be Mo Hua’s "bait"?
The scene of Mo Hua’s attack on the city, which ended up blowing it up, flashed through Ao Zheng’s mind, leaving him uneasy.
He even suspected that the deranged Mo Hua might blow up the entire mountain to send them to their graves.
But they saw not a single person on their way.
Gradually, Ao Zheng realized something was wrong.
But it was too late.
Before Ao Zheng and his group could take any action, the bell of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain rang.
They were forcibly teleported out of the Beast Hunt Arena.
The Lunjian was over, and the Dragon Cauldron Sect had lost.
Ao Zheng was stunned for a long time.
Then, an outer sect disciple showed him a record of the Lunjian using a "Mo Ying Tu."
Ao Zheng felt a surge of anger rising from his heart, burning through his limbs and veins, making his entire body throb with pain.
He wanted to pound Mo Hua, that little brat, into a bloody pulp.
Before the match, he had looked cold and said, "We will settle this score."
He had said, "All five of you will die."
But as soon as the match started, he shamelessly ran off to kill the beast.
It seemed he never intended to fight the Dragon Cauldron Sect at all.
This was the first time in his life that Ao Zheng had such a profound understanding of Mo Hua’s “shamelessness.”
Moreover, the words Mo Hua spoke and the actions he took were clearly premeditated.
He deceived Ao Zheng with words.
He intimidated Ao Zheng with his gaze.
He used formations to make Ao Zheng wary.
He even exploited Ao Zheng’s own imagination to make him hesitate.
“Mo Hua...”
Ao Zheng's face turned red with anger, and he gnashed his teeth in frustration.
...
Only the disciples inside the arena, like Ao Zheng, knew about Mo Hua’s “vicious and despicable” schemes.
The audience outside saw things more simply.
In their eyes, the Void Sect had clear targets, strict discipline, and hunted beasts with urgency and precision.
The Dragon Cauldron Sect, on the other hand, paused every few steps, looked around hesitantly, and missed several opportunities.
They seemed like a bunch of “cowards.”
The Dragon Cauldron Sect's reputation suffered, and as expected, Mo Hua’s list of “enemies” grew by five more names.
Five more “Kill Mo Orders” found new owners.
The influence of the Ink Slaughter Alliance in Qian Study Province grew even stronger.
...
The Void Sect, on the other hand, felt much more at ease.
They had won another match, and their ranking stabilized slightly.
The sect’s members were delighted and relieved.
But they didn’t have long to relax before they started worrying again.
Two days later, the next “card” from the Heavenly Doctrine Instrument arrived.
This time, their luck was extremely bad.
Mo Hua’s opponent was Du Mu Qing from the Vast Skies Sect.
The Vast Skies Sect was the strongest spellcasting sect among the four major sects.
Du Mu Qing was one of the four Heavenly Prides of Qian Study, ranking alongside Xiao Wuchen, Ao Zhan, and Shen Linshu.
She was a true top-tier Heavenly Pride among the four major sects.
Moreover, she was the only female disciple among the top-tier Heavenly Prides.
Not only that, it was said that Du Mu Qing was a woman of breathtaking beauty, with a cold and aloof demeanor, ranking among the top beauties in Qian Study Province.
The number of male disciples from Qian Study Province who admired Du Mu Qing from the Vast Skies Sect was as numerous as those who admired Lu Zhenlong, the top beauty of the Purple Mist Sect, forming a queue from Heavenly Doctrine Mountain all the way to the Smoky Water River...
But unlike Lu Zhenlong, Du Mu Qing’s talent, beauty, and cold demeanor often made people feel inadequate.
The male disciples who admired Du Mu Qing dared only to keep their admiration deeply hidden in their hearts.
None of them dared to express even the slightest affection in front of her beautiful and cold face.
Some men even dared not speak a single word to her.
Mo Hua had learned all this information from Hao Xuan.
Last time, he accidentally used a Fireball to scorch the face of the top beauty from the Purple Mist Sect, and he was resented for a long time.
Even his Uncle Zhang Lan, who had come from afar, had asked him about it.
Since then, Mo Hua had been very cautious.
Before this Lunjian, he had gathered intelligence on “Du Mu Qing” to avoid repeating his mistake and causing unnecessary trouble.
Women were complicated.
The more beautiful they were, the more complicated.
But, to be honest, knowing this information didn’t seem to help much.
Du Mu Qing wasn’t like Lu Zhenlong; she was a genuine one of the “Four Heavenly Prides of Qian Study.”
In a direct confrontation, Mo Hua might not even stand a chance against her, let alone use a Fireball to scorch her face.
Moreover, the Vast Skies Sect’s team was incredibly strong.
Mo Hua thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a solution.
Under the current conditions, their chances of winning were very slim.
The Four Heavenly Prides of Qian Study, including Du Mu Qing, were almost insurmountable obstacles...
Mo Hua sighed.
But given the situation, there was no avoiding it. They had to do their best and fight with all their might.
There might be a chance if they tried.
If they didn’t, there would be no chance at all.
After that, Mo Hua prepared as usual and arranged their tactics.
On the day of the Lunjian, Mo Hua, as usual, led Ling Hu Xiao and the others to the inner mountain of Heavenly Doctrine Mountain.
But just as they reached the entrance to the inner mountain, Mo Hua paused and looked up.
In the distance, another group of cultivators was approaching.
Two men and three women, each with remarkable bearing.
At the head was a woman with exquisite features, like a work of art, wearing a magnificent and elegant Vast Skies Sect robe of the five elements, with a cold and aloof demeanor.
This was today’s opponent.
The only woman among the four top Heavenly Prides of Qian Study.
“Du Mu Qing...”
Even Mo Hua was momentarily taken aback upon first meeting her.
Ling Hu Xiao and the others were also somewhat entranced.
Du Mu Qing was indeed incredibly beautiful, with a unique and noble aura.
Simple beauty was one thing, but combined with her strength, it was truly captivating.
(End of Chapter)
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