Chapter 1027: Shadows
Chapter 1027: Shadows
The relationship between the Wan Xiao Sect and the Tai Xu Gate was merely that of ordinary sects. The disciples of both sects seldom interacted, and there were no particular grudges or favors between them. Today’s meeting at the Lunjian was nothing out of the ordinary. It was perfectly normal to run into each other at the entrance.
At most, it was Du Mu Qing’s appearance and aura that caused some to lose their composure.
Du Mu Qing’s expression was as calm as water. She had long grown accustomed to the various gazes of men—whether they were amazed, admiring, or shocked. None of it could stir the slightest ripple in her heart.
Her snow-white neck was slightly raised, and her cold, clear eyes gazed forward. She walked with a dignified and graceful step, leading a few other talented disciples of the Wan Xiao Sect toward the inner mountain.
Clad in a beautiful, five-colored robe, she possessed an ethereal beauty, a graceful figure, and an aura as unapproachable as a snow-capped mountain. Her presence made people hesitate to engage in conversation, let alone approach her.
Thus, the disciples of both sects merely passed each other by without a word.
From start to finish, no one said anything.
However, as they passed, Du Mu Qing’s gaze inadvertently flickered toward Mo Hua.
Firstly, Mo Hua’s features were like a painting, and his appearance and aura were equally outstanding.
Secondly, despite his short stature, he stood out among the many talented cultivators.
Thirdly, although Mo Hua’s reputation was poor and he was often controversial, his fame was immense.
Not to mention the various incidents and enmities he had created during the Lun Jian Conference, the fact that he had humiliated so many Tianjiao...
Even the title of "Array Master" was enough to make him a legend. He had earned this title during the middle stage of the Zhu Ji realm, an achievement that was almost beyond belief.
Even Du Mu Qing, a Tianjiao immortal who seemed to have no connection to the mundane world, could not have failed to hear of Mo Hua’s name.
Of course, that was all.
Du Mu Qing only glanced at Mo Hua briefly with her peripheral vision before continuing on her way.
But this brief glance left an impression on Mo Hua.
He pondered the gaze, feeling a slight shock, and muttered to himself:
"Daoshin... tarnished?"
The words were spoken softly, almost involuntarily.
Even Ling Hu Xiao and the others standing nearby didn’t quite catch what he said.
But Du Mu Qing, who had already passed by, stopped and slowly turned her head, her gaze as cold as a sword, fixing on Mo Hua.
Mo Hua looked back at Du Mu Qing.
His eyes were clear and deep, as if they could reflect her image.
Moreover, they carried a profound and penetrating quality.
For a moment, Du Mu Qing felt as if her innermost thoughts were laid bare, and an inexplicable sense of shame and inferiority washed over her.
This was followed by a deep-seated feeling of humiliation and anger.
Her previously cold and beautiful face instantly turned icy.
A chilling killing intent, almost tangible, emanated from her. Her clear, crystal-like eyes were filled with intense hatred and disdain as she stared at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua was taken aback.
What did she mean?
Before he could react, a staggering spiritual pressure rose from Du Mu Qing.
The forces of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—shone brilliantly, like the radiance of the heavens, making Du Mu Qing appear almost divine.
Her eyes were sharp, and her entire body exuded a beautiful yet terrifying killing intent.
The powerful Five Elements Dao Law, with its overwhelming might, locked onto Mo Hua.
Mo Hua was truly shocked.
An advanced Wan Xiao spell?!
"Isn’t... this woman... trying to kill me?"
"This isn’t the Lunjian Arena..."
"Is she insane?"
Mo Hua instinctively tapped his foot and used the Flowing Water Step to retreat several dozen feet.
His junior disciples, equally shocked, instinctively formed a protective barrier around him.
Cheng Mo took the lead, standing in front of Mo Hua.
Ling Hu Xiao readied the Void Sword Technique.
Situ Jian and Ou Yang Xuan began to channel their Sword Qi.
The interweaving of spiritual energies created a tense atmosphere.
Du Mu Qing’s face twisted into a cold smile as she pointed a finger, ready to unleash her spell and destroy Mo Hua.
At that moment, a deep and powerful voice echoed:
"Enough nonsense!"
Crystal-clear spiritual energy, carrying an overwhelming pressure of a True Person, instantly enveloped Du Mu Qing and the others, sealing their spiritual energies and cutting off the flow of their Dao Laws and sword techniques.
Everyone’s expressions changed.
But the killing intent in Du Mu Qing’s eyes did not diminish; she even attempted to activate her spell again.
From within the inner mountain, an elderly elder stepped out, his voice stern:
"The sacred grounds of Lun Dao Mountain do not tolerate such recklessness!"
"As a Tianjiao of the sect, how can you behave in such a manner?"
"If you dare to cause further trouble and disrupt the rules, I will declare you the loser!"
Du Mu Qing fell silent for a moment, clenching her teeth, before she reined in her killing intent and spiritual energy. She bowed and said:
"Please forgive me, Elder."
Her voice was clear and sharp, like the sudden breaking of a silver bottle.
The elder’s eyes were hazy, and he looked at her silently. Though his expression remained unchanged, his heart was racing. He thought to himself that Du Mu Qing, who had always been cold and detached, seemingly above the mundane world, was usually indifferent to everything. Why was she so agitated today?
Elder Lun Dao Shan glanced at Mo Hua, who was hiding far away, and felt a sense of surprise.
"Could it be... that this stinky brat Mo Hua assaulted her?"
"That's impossible..."
"Given Mo Hua's appearance, even if he did, it wouldn't be a loss for her..."
Elder Lun Dao Shan muttered to himself, but on the surface, he maintained a stern expression and warned them in a serious tone:
"Within Lun Dao Shan, no troublemaking is allowed."
"If you must fight, go to the Lun Jian Arena. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unsentimental."
Du Mu Qing bowed.
Mo Hua and the others also bowed and said, "Yes, Elder."
Seeing this, Elder Lun Dao Shan nodded slightly and slowly retreated.
The area gradually quieted down.
Du Mu Qing turned and gave Mo Hua a cold look. Her eyes, clear as autumn water, still couldn't hide the murderous intent.
Mo Hua was startled again, thinking this woman was about to make another move.
However, Elder Lun Dao Shan's words had a certain deterrent effect.
The rules of Lun Dao Shan were quite strict.
Fighting outside the Lun Jian Arena was strictly forbidden for disciples.
If any more trouble occurred, regardless of whether they belonged to the Four Great Sects or the Eight Major Gates, the elders of Lun Dao Shan would show no mercy.
Du Mu Qing took a deep breath, fixed her gaze on Mo Hua, and murmured his name softly:
"Mo Hua... I remember you."
Then she turned and walked away, leaving a graceful silhouette behind.
The other disciples of Wan Xiao Sect followed her.
Once Du Mu Qing was far enough, Mo Hua finally let out a sigh of relief.
Ling Hu Xiao and the others also felt a weight lifted off their shoulders.
But then, everyone's eyes converged on Mo Hua.
Cheng Mo looked at Mo Hua curiously and asked, "Little Senior Brother, do you know this... Immortal Duanmu?"
Mo Hua shook his head.
"Did you have any past conflicts?"
"No..."
"Then, did she just... want to kill you?"
Mo Hua nodded, "It seems so."
Cheng Mo was a bit confused.
Want to kill Little Senior Brother on their first meeting?
But Situ Jian was more perceptive and asked, "Little Senior Brother, did you say something to her just now?"
Mo Hua didn't deny it and nodded, "I noticed she had some issues with her cultivation, so I gave her a friendly reminder."
Cheng Mo was curious, "What did you remind her about?"
"I..."
Before Mo Hua could speak, Situ Jian immediately interrupted him, "Don't say it, Little Senior Brother. Don't tell anyone."
Just one sentence from Little Senior Brother, and the Immortal Duanmu from Wan Xiao Sect wanted to kill him on the spot.
If Little Senior Brother said it out loud and they all heard it, they would all be remembered with hatred.
So, it was better not to say it.
That sentence carried the naked "murderous intent" of Wan Xiao Sect's top Tianjiao. They didn't have Little Senior Brother's perspective and weren't worthy of knowing.
At the same time, Situ Jian sighed and remarked:
"Little Senior Brother is truly Little Senior Brother, born with a mocking saint's body."
"Just one sentence, and it made the usually cold Tianjiao Immortal want to kill him..."
Cheng Mo also sighed.
But his sigh was more out of admiration:
"Little Senior Brother is truly Little Senior Brother, just one sentence, and he made the top Tianjiao Immortal of Qian Study 'unforgettable'..."
Mo Hua looked gloomy.
After a moment's thought, Situ Jian added, "Little Senior Brother, be careful during the Lun Jian. This Du Mu Qing probably won't let you off."
Ling Hu Xiao also looked at Mo Hua with concern.
Cheng Mo was the same, but his concern was tinged with a bit of envy.
Mo Hua frowned, "I don't think it will come to that..."
This is the Lun Jian Conference. She is a Tianjiao of her sect; she can't possibly take personal revenge...
...
Later, during the official Lun Jian.
Du Mu Qing targeted Mo Hua the entire time.
She used all kinds of mid-level and high-level spells from Wan Xiao Sect, bombarding Mo Hua without mercy.
She seemed to want to tear him to pieces.
Rocks were sliced by golden light.
Trees were scorched by flames.
Swamps were swallowed by quicksand.
The entire Lun Jian Arena, under the intense and relentless "spell bombardment" from Wan Xiao Sect's top spellcaster, Du Mu Qing, began to deform.
Even Mo Hua could only rely on his agility to flee in a disheveled and frantic manner.
This was the first time he truly experienced the power of a top-tier magic cultivator.
In his previous understanding, Senior Sister Murong Caiyun's Tai Xu Glow Spell was already very powerful.
But Du Mu Qing's spell proficiency was clearly on a higher level.
Du Mu Qing, with her noble bloodline, was a direct descendant of the Fifth-Rank Duanmu Family, possessing a top-tier spirit root and cultivating a top-tier technique.
Her cultivation cycle was almost at its peak, and her spiritual power was vast like an ocean.
Moreover, Du Mu Qing's spirit root type was the supreme Grand Five-Element Spirit Root.
The Grand Five-Element Spirit Root, compared to Mo Hua's "Minor Five-Element Spirit Root", differed by just one word, but the gap between them was like the difference between heaven and earth.
The Grand Five-Element Spirit Root had high quality, large capacity, and the five elements were in harmony and cyclic, making it highly compatible with the five elements.
Cultivators with such spirit roots have a natural predisposition for comprehending the heavenly and earthly laws of the five elements.
They learn the Five Elements Spell faster, and the spells they cast are more powerful.
In comparison, Mo Hua's minor Five Elements Spirit Root is extremely rudimentary.
Its only feature is the ability to learn the Five Elements Spell.
Beyond that, it's a "bare" spirit root, devoid of any other qualities.
In contrast, if Du Mu Qing's Grand Five Elements Spirit Root is a luxurious cave dwelling, then Mo Hua's minor spirit root is a shabby, unfinished house.
Du Mu Qing's magical lineage is also quite similar to Mo Hua's.
Du Mu Qing comes from the Wan Xiao Sect and cultivates the "Wan Xiao Dao Law", which shares a certain harmony with Mo Hua's "Versatile Dao."
However, Du Mu Qing's spells are not as quick to cast as Mo Hua's.
The flow of the five elements is not as natural for her either.
But the spells she cultivates are of a higher grade, with a greater range and more powerful effects. Combined with her top-tier spirit root and cultivation method, and the vast amount of spiritual energy she commands, her full exertion can make the entire mountain flow with a "river" of spells.
Inside the Lunjian Arena, the glow of spells fills the ground.
Explosions echo one after another.
Mo Hua "dodges and flees" with his hands covering his head.
Outside the arena, the audience claps and cheers, feeling elated!
"Great! Truly worthy of Fairy Duanmu!"
"An eye for an eye, using spells to blast that brat Mo Hua to death!"
"Let this boy, who has always been arrogant and despicable, finally receive his due punishment."
Some marvel, "Fairy Duanmu's spells are truly unparalleled in the world..."
Others sigh wistfully, "Not only powerful, but also beautiful."
"Beautiful like a fairy, untainted by the world."
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if Fairy Duanmu could glance at me, just once..."
"Can you be a bit more ambitious?"
"But..."
There are also some young talents with a bit of ambition, who say with a sigh:
"I only wish in this life to challenge Fairy Duanmu at the Lun Jian Conference, to showcase my skills before her and compete with her. Even if I die at the hands of the fairy, I would die without regret..."
Their words are filled with a sense of melancholy and a touch of solemnity.
The disciples of the various sects, imagining a confrontation with the lofty and icy fairy, visualize the scene of their dao laws clashing.
They even imagine the tragic and beautiful scene of dying at the hands of the fairy, and feel a hint of envy and yearning.
But soon, someone speaks a harsh truth:
"Your wish... seems to have been fulfilled by that brat Mo Hua."
Like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, everyone's faces turn black.
Mo Hua, as the sect's Tianjiao, has engaged in Lunjian with the fairy.
He has even used spells to battle the fairy.
Now, he is indeed about to die at the hands of the fairy.
Their unattainable "wish" has been almost entirely fulfilled by that brat Mo Hua, who is only missing the part where he dies at the hands of Du Mu Qing.
Some young talents feel as if they've swallowed a fly, and their hearts inexplicably turn sour.
Some even start to think silently:
"Mo Hua can die at anyone's hands, but he must not die at the hands of Fairy Duanmu, or it would be too much of a favor to him..."
...
Inside the Lunjian Arena.
Mo Hua, who is focused on the battle, has no idea about the drama in their hearts.
But he is also speechless.
Wasn't she supposed to be a "cold" fairy?
Why is she acting like a "crazy woman", relentlessly chasing him to kill?
He only muttered four words to himself, and it's really that serious?
Do those four words really have such a great impact?
But Du Mu Qing doesn't care. She continues to use spells to bombard Mo Hua's position with large-scale "cleansing."
Ling Hu Xiao tries to support Mo Hua.
But the colder a person is, the more stubborn they become when angry.
Ling Hu Xiao's Sword Qi can't suppress Du Mu Qing's spells.
He is even resented by Du Mu Qing, and is lumped together with Mo Hua, both of them being bombarded by the Wan Xiao Spells, leaving him unable to retaliate.
Ling Hu Xiao also experiences firsthand the terror of a woman's anger.
Cheng Mo and the others are also struggling, being bombarded by the spells of other disciples from the Wan Xiao Sect, leaving them with no time to spare.
As a result, the Tai Xu Gate is continuously suppressed throughout the battle.
During this time, Mo Hua makes several attempts to see if he can use spells or formations to change the tide.
But every time he moves, it instantly "angers" Du Mu Qing, drawing even more intense and ferocious "retribution" from her spells.
As a top-tier Tianjiao of the four great sects, Du Mu Qing is already strong enough.
Let alone when she is in a "fury."
Mo Hua, helpless, decides to lie down and accept his fate.
As time passes, the disciples of the Tai Xu Gate, one by one, become exhausted and are forced to retreat from the arena.
Ling Hu Xiao gives Mo Hua a final look, with a "can't help" expression, and is also "killed."
In the end, only Mo Hua remains.
Naturally, Mo Hua is "unyielding to the death." Seeing no chance of victory, he taps his forehead, shattering the Lun Dao Jade, and withdraws from the battle in defeat.
Du Mu Qing wanted to use a spell to detain Mo Hua.
A powerful burst of light from the Grand Five-Element Spell enveloped Mo Hua entirely.
However, her spellcasting speed was just a bit slower than Mo Hua's.
Before she could finish, a flash of blue light enveloped Mo Hua, and his figure faded, already leaving the scene.
Du Mu Qing looked coldly at the spot where Mo Hua had vanished, her voice low and icy:
"Next time, I will kill you..."
"Mo Hua..."
...
The Lun Jian Competition was over.
The Wan Xiao Sect had won a resounding victory.
The audience had enjoyed a thrilling and exhilarating Lun Jian.
The only downside was that the treacherous and despicable Mo Hua had once again escaped death.
But most people were reconciled to the fact that Mo Hua, a mere nobody, was not worthy of dying at the hands of the Immortal Duanmu.
The Tai Xu Gate had lost.
The cultivators of the sect felt some regret, but not too much.
Facing someone as formidable as Du Mu Qing, their chances of winning had been slim from the start, so they couldn't really blame the loss on anything but bad luck.
They blamed their bad luck and the garbage Lun Dao Tianyi, which didn't deal them a good hand.
In the Qian study region, the Tai Xu Gate had already faced three of the four top-tier Tianjiao. These three Earth Lun Jian matches were almost all "must-lose" battles.
In other words, they had lost three matches for no good reason.
Generally, things didn't go this badly.
But if the luck was truly that bad, there was nothing they could do. Sometimes, the fortune just turned against you, and even drinking a sip of cold water could cause a toothache.
They couldn't blame the Lun Dao Tianyi for their misfortune.
But what truly troubled Mo Hua wasn't the loss of the match.
It was the Tai Xu Gate.
That night, in the disciples' quarters.
Mo Hua lay in bed, still thinking about Du Mu Qing.
Images from the day kept flashing through his mind.
Especially the moment when he and Du Mu Qing had passed each other, and he had seen the look in her eyes.
Du Mu Qing was beautiful, and her eyes were beautiful too.
But in her gaze, beneath the clear and icy surface, there was a dark "shadow."
This shadow was murky, as if it were etched into her soul.
Mo Hua was taken aback by this, which was why he had instinctively warned her, "Your Dao heart is troubled."
But Du Mu Qing's reaction was far too intense.
Those four words seemed to pierce her defenses, revealing some deep secret.
She had almost killed him on the spot...
It was very strange...
"What is that murky shadow in her eyes..."
In the quiet of the night, Mo Hua lay in bed, recalling the details while his divine perception began to unravel the threads of fate and causality.
After what seemed like a long time, Mo Hua's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he sat up straight, his expression grave.
He thought of something:
The Crimson Boat!
The murky shadow in Du Mu Qing's eyes was very similar to the aura of the Crimson Boat, especially the evil fetus worshipped on the altar in the Dragon King Temple.
Mo Hua was shaken:
"Could it be that Du Mu Qing has also been on the Crimson Boat?"
"Is she also connected to the Evil Deity?"
Such a pure and transcendent immortal...
Mo Hua frowned, "It can't be..."
But fate and causality were like this. No matter how impossible something seemed, if there was a causal connection, it had to be acknowledged.
Moreover, it wasn't just that.
Mo Hua thought carefully, "Du Mu Qing is one of the four top-tier Tianjiao of the four major sects in the Qian study region..."
"If she has been on the Crimson Boat, what about the other three?"
"Shen Linshu, Xiao Wuchen, and Ao Zhan—have they also been on the Crimson Boat?"
"And who is the 'young master' frequently mentioned by the Evil Deity's minions, who roams the Ten Thousand Demons Valley?"
"Who is the young master I saw that night by the Smoky Water River, bound by the karmic chain of poppies?"
"Is it one of these four?"
"Is it... Shen Linshu?"
Mo Hua felt that Shen Linshu was the most likely suspect.
Especially since he was from the Shen family and had connections to the Qian Dao Sect.
As for the other three, Du Mu Qing probably had some connection to the Crimson Boat.
Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan were likely not uninvolved either...
But...
Mo Hua had another question: "Why didn't I notice before?"
At the Lun Jian Conference, he had already faced three of them in battle.
And he had encountered Shen Linshu in Qingzhou City before.
If these four were truly connected to the Crimson Boat, the Dragon King Temple, and the evil fetus, they would have been tainted by the Evil Deity's aura.
Given his connection to the Great Wasteland Evil Deity, he should have noticed something.
But now, only by chance had he discovered this hint from Du Mu Qing...
Why?
The Evil Deity... or rather, Mr. Tu, must have used some means to conceal these auras, even from a half-step deity who had consumed an evil fetus.
Mo Hua's frown deepened.
(End of Chapter)
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