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Chapter 551: Fellow Travelers
Chapter 551: Fellow Travelers
The morning sun rose over the lush green mountains and waters. The sky was a vast and distant blue, while the forests appeared like verdant screens. A small stream babbled gently.
Two figures walked one after the other. The one in front was tall and thin, his ill-fitting Daoist robe stained with blood. His movements were stiff and odd, like a puppet on strings. The person behind was small and delicate, with brows and eyes like a painting, and their steps were light.
These two were none other than the Eccentric Daoist and Mo Hua. They had been walking all night and well into the morning.
The Eccentric Daoist walked slowly, seemingly in no hurry. Mo Hua had no choice but to match his pace, neither rushing nor dawdling. He was following the Eccentric Daoist...
The Eccentric Daoist was cruel and cunning, a master of deception with deep and devious schemes. The demon seal in Tongxian City and the Daoist Corpse King in Nanyue City were both products of his machinations. Moments ago, he had used the "Demon Heart Planting" technique to slaughter twenty Golden Core Demon Cultivators.
Mo Hua, trailing behind him, initially felt tense and apprehensive. But after walking for half a day and a night, he became numb, his mind eased, and he gradually adapted.
He thought to himself that he should be safe for the time being. Although he didn't know the Eccentric Daoist's intentions, since he wanted to bring him along to see his master, he wouldn't kill him before they reached his master.
Moreover, the Eccentric Daoist probably wouldn't use the "Demon Heart Planting" technique on him. Once that happened, his master would surely notice, and he would know that Mo Hua was no longer his little disciple. The Eccentric Daoist would lose his leverage.
Mo Hua breathed a silent sigh of relief. At least before meeting his master, he should remain "intact." As for afterward, who knows...
But first, he had to see his master. Mo Hua heaved another long sigh. He wanted to see his master one more time; otherwise, he feared he would never see him again in this lifetime...
However, he had no idea what secrets his master carried or how many people and forces were plotting against him.
At this moment, the Demon Sect had set up a killing formation. Even the old ancestors at the Feathering Realm had taken action.
The Golden Core cultivators, once unattainable in Mo Hua's eyes, now seemed as common as leeks, sprouting up everywhere. His "Master-Uncle" Eccentric Daoist had just slaughtered over twenty of them with his "Demon Heart Planting" technique.
In this situation, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator was as insignificant as an ant. As for someone at the minor Qi cultivation stage like himself, they were even less worth mentioning.
With Demon Cultivators rampant in Dalis Mountain, he wouldn't be able to return to Lianyuan City, break the Soul Refining Banner, enter the Five Elements Mountain Protecting Grand Formation, and meet his master with his own abilities.
Only by following the Eccentric Daoist could he sneak in.
Mo Hua nodded slightly. The Eccentric Daoist wanted him to guide the way to find his master. He also wanted this "Master-Uncle" to protect him as he went to see his master one last time.
Although his "Master-Uncle" might also kill him, for the time being, as long as he stayed by his side, no one else could harm him. After all, he was a "Daoist" from the Demon Sect who could nurture a Daoist Abomination...
Thinking that he would see his master again, Mo Hua's steps became lighter.
The Eccentric Daoist, walking ahead, narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't know what Mo Hua was thinking. Initially, Mo Hua's expression had been apprehensive, but after walking for a while, he seemed to have figured something out, and now he strolled casually behind him.
It was as if... he was just tagging along for a casual visit? This little brat... had some nerve...
Didn't he know who he was dealing with? The Eccentric Daoist remained silent and continued walking.
Mo Hua, with his hands clasped behind his back, followed.
After a while, Mo Hua started to feel bored. His "Master-Uncle" walked with a limp, and his pace was excruciatingly slow...
At this rate, it would take forever to reach Lianyuan City.
Mo Hua wanted to ask, but he didn't dare, afraid of provoking his "Master-Uncle's" anger. However, after walking for some more time, he finally couldn't contain his curiosity and moved a little closer, asking softly, "Master-Uncle, aren't you in a hurry?"
"Aren't you walking a bit... slowly?"
"If this continues, my master will be captured by those demons..."
"Why don't you walk faster?"
...
The Eccentric Daoist's figure froze for a moment, but he didn't reply. Instead, he continued walking forward.
Seeing that he didn't react, Mo Hua relaxed and dared to speak up a little more. "I must not have asked the right question, so Master-Uncle didn't bother to answer..."
Mo Hua then chose some other topics: "Master-Uncle, what do you plan to do when you find Master?"
"Master-Uncle, don't you get along with Master?"
"Master-Uncle, are Daoists very powerful?"
"Master-Uncle, does 'Demon Heart Planting' always result in death?"
"Master-Uncle..."
...
Mo Hua chattered on and on like a little magpie.
Finally, the Eccentric Daoist stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and fixed Mo Hua with a gaze from his pitch-black pupils.
Mo Hua immediately fell silent.
From then on, the rest of the journey was quiet. They soon passed by a small mountain village.
The village was sparsely populated, likely home to impoverished rogue cultivators who made a living by growing spiritual plants. It was secluded and left undisturbed.
On the right side of the road was a small noodle shop. Amidst the green mountains and clear waters, the aroma of noodles wafted through the air.
Mo Hua stopped.
The Eccentric Daoist walked on a bit and noticed that Mo Hua had halted. He turned his head, his gaze cold and hollow as he looked at Mo Hua.
"I'm hungry, and I can't walk anymore..." Mo Hua said honestly.
He had been walking for a day and a night. He wasn't a body cultivator, and his physical strength was weak. With his mind initially occupied by tension, he hadn't felt tired. But now that he had come to terms with the situation and smelled the enticing aroma, he suddenly felt famished and couldn't take another step.
To plant demonic thoughts in his dao heart... No, he couldn't do that either.
If he didn't let him eat his fill, he wouldn't have the energy to walk...
The Eccentric Daoist stood motionless for a long while. Without any change in his expression or movement, he seemed to sigh and turned to walk towards the small noodle shop.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he immediately followed with a beaming smile.
The small noodle shop was run by a couple of low-level vagrant cultivators. They eked out a living by cooking and selling noodles along the road.
Mo Hua had previously scanned the area with his spiritual sense and found that it was indeed just an ordinary noodle shop, and the couple were also ordinary cultivators.
There were a few customers, mostly vagrant cultivators from the nearby area, nothing out of the ordinary.
Mo Hua and the Eccentric Daoist entered the shop.
The plain-faced shop owner, dressed in coarse cloth, greeted them warmly and asked, "What would you like, esteemed customers?"
As he finished speaking, he turned to glance at the Eccentric Daoist.
Mo Hua quickly stepped forward, waving his hand to divert the owner's gaze from his companion, not wanting him to look at the Eccentric Daoist too closely. He then took out two spirit stones and said crisply, "Two bowls of noodles, please. And make it quick!"
Mo Hua had planned this out.
He knew he would have to pay for the noodles himself; his master certainly wouldn't be paying, especially looking the way he did.
And he dared not let his master pay either...
His master's moods were unpredictable. If he angered him, he might plant demonic thoughts in his dao heart and kill everyone in the shop. Mo Hua didn't want that sin on his conscience.
The shop owner's eyes lit up at the sight of the spirit stones, but then he frowned slightly, "Young master, two spirit stones are too much for just two bowls of noodles... We can't accept so much."
"It's fine," Mo Hua waved his hand dismissively, "Just add some more toppings."
Only then did the shop owner smile brightly and thank him profusely.
Mo Hua looked at the shop owner's expression and felt a surge of emotion.
To him, two spirit stones were nothing now, but to these low-level vagrant cultivators, it might be their earnings for a whole day's hard work...
In this world, some had millions of spirit stones to squander, while others counted every single one, living a frugal life.
Mo Hua sighed.
The Eccentric Daoist's expression stirred slightly, and he glanced at Mo Hua with a hint of surprise.
The two then took their seats.
There were a few other customers in the shop.
Mo Hua deliberately chose a remote corner and even used his small body to block the Eccentric Daoist's view, not wanting him to see others or others to see him.
The Eccentric Daoist's expression remained indifferent, as if he didn't care either way.
To him, these vagrant cultivators were mere ants, not worth his attention.
Soon, the shop owner brought over their noodles.
The portions were generous, with plenty of noodles and toppings, and even two slices of meat.
It didn't seem to be spirit beast meat, perhaps meat from a demonic beast, with a slight gamey smell, but not too overpowering. It wasn't overcooked, and though it wasn't as delicious as what his mother made, it was still edible.
Mo Hua was never a picky eater, and now, he was famished. He eagerly picked up the bowl and slurped up the hot noodles.
After eating for a while, he paused and looked up, noticing that the Eccentric Daoist hadn't touched his food.
As Mo Hua continued eating, his thoughts wandered...
His "Master-Uncle" had planted demonic thoughts in his dao heart and was using someone else's body. Technically, he should be considered a "dead person."
And dead people didn't need to eat.
Mo Hua's brows furrowed as he pondered further...
Master-Uncle... Where had he been hiding before?
Had he been tracking Master's movements all this time? When did he start predicting Master's location and setting up his schemes? And...
His appearance on Dalis Mountain had been too coincidental...
When did he figure out Little Senior Brother and Little Senior Sister's whereabouts?
After a few more mouthfuls, Mo Hua couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He glanced at the Eccentric Daoist and asked softly, "Master-Uncle..."
"Back on Dalis Mountain, weren't you already there, watching from the sidelines?"
"You waited until Little Senior Sister and Little Senior Brother destroyed their longevity talismans and lost their self-protection abilities before you made your move..."
"You can't deal with longevity talismans either, can you?"
...
Mo Hua nodded as he spoke, feeling that his deductions made sense.
Finally, the Eccentric Daoist couldn't hold back anymore. His pitch-black eyes fixed on Mo Hua, and he spoke his first words since they had set out:
"Eat your noodles..."
His voice was flat and cold, perhaps even a little annoyed.
"Oh."
Mo Hua obediently lowered his head and continued eating.
He didn't speak another word until he had finished his noodles. Then he looked up at the Eccentric Daoist and, unable to help himself, glanced at the untouched bowl of noodles in front of him, licking his lips.
One should always be grateful for one's food.
It would be a waste not to eat it.
Mo Hua silently reached out, took the Eccentric Daoist's bowl, and placed it in front of himself. Then, he buried his head and gobbled it all up.
For a moment, the Eccentric Daoist's expressionless face froze.
His black eyes stared at Mo Hua, a hint of disbelief in them.
...
After finishing two bowls of noodles, the two set off again.
Mo Hua felt a little stuffed, his belly round and full, so he walked ahead to stroll and aid his digestion.
The Eccentric Daoist followed behind, a puzzled look on his face as he watched Mo Hua's back.
This little thing... He's strange...
He couldn't quite figure him out.
It was as if his junior brother had cast some sort of spell on him, hidden some secret within him, veiling some cause and effect...
What secret had his junior brother hidden within this child?
If not for the fact that he had stepped forward himself, he wouldn't have even realized that his junior brother had taken on such a young disciple...
The Eccentric Daoist scrutinized Mo Hua once more, his brows furrowing.
He had a poor spiritual root and a weak physical body.
He didn't possess any special bloodline either.
As for his spiritual sense... although it was obscured by something and shrouded in mist, making it difficult to discern, it was still passable.
Aside from that, he was crafty and his actions were indeed rather...
unconventional...
With such qualifications, what had his junior brother seen in him? Furthermore, the strangest thing was...
He always felt that the aura emanating from this child was both unfamiliar and familiar...
Even though it seemed like he was seeing him for the first time, it was as if he had already interacted with him numerous times and shared a great deal of cause and effect with him...
A hint of confusion flashed in the Eccentric Daoist's hollow eyes.
What interactions could he have possibly had with this mere Qi Refining cultivator? What kind of cause and effect could they share?
The Eccentric Daoist stared at Mo Hua, his pupils turning pitch-black.
"It doesn't matter..."
"Once I see your master, everything will become clear..."
...
On the road leading out of Lianyuan City, the two continued their journey.
They walked slowly, but with each step, they inched closer and closer to Lianyuan City.
As they drew nearer, the demonic aura grew heavier.
There were almost no local cultivators left near Lianyuan City.
Most of them were Demon Cultivators.
In addition, there were some unfamiliar faces—elegantly dressed cultivators with exotic magical artifacts, unique cultivation techniques, and superior, rare Taoist methods, obviously from the influential families and sects of the Taoist Court.
These cultivators were definitely outsiders as well.
It was possible that they had even come directly from the Taoist State, where the Central Taoist Court was located.
There were many of them, and their cultivation levels were high.
They were either at the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stage, with none below the Qi Refining stage.
The entire Dalis Mountain seemed to have turned into a chessboard, and all the cultivators remaining on the mountain were but chess pieces.
Mo Hua frowned.
"Are the secrets my master carries really that significant?"
What exactly did they want to get from his master?
Mo Hua shook his head.
He was completely unaware of everything.
He also remembered his master's instructions:
"Your master... has a tremendous opportunity, as well as a shocking secret... But I cannot pass these on to you, nor can I tell you about them."
"Passing them on to you would bring you immense disaster."
"Even if you merely know about them, you will be implicated."
"That's why you mustn't know anything, and you shouldn't try to find out anything either..."
It's fine as long as I get to see Master...
Mo Hua thought to himself.
However, as they approached Lianyuan City, their journey became less peaceful.
The cultivators on the outskirts were still relatively restrained.
But the closer they got, the heavier the killing intent became.
Mo Hua, following the Eccentric Daoist, witnessed bloodshed and slaughter as countless cultivators fought and died.
On the surface, most of the battles were between the Taoist Court cultivators and the Demon Sect cultivators.
Behind the scenes, however, there were also Demon Sect cultivators slaughtering each other with brutal and cruel methods.
Even among the Taoist Court cultivators, there were those who took advantage of the situation to harm each other due to conflicts of interest or past grudges.
After committing murder, they would even tamper with the scene and frame the Demon Sect cultivators.
This was a scene Mo Hua had never witnessed before.
At this moment, the distinction between righteousness and evil seemed to blur, as the so-called righteous cultivators didn't seem any different from the demons...
Mo Hua shook his head in dismay.
Human hearts are indeed complicated...
His own situation also became delicate.
Because he was following the Eccentric Daoist.
The Eccentric Daoist exuded a sinister and eerie aura, and one could tell at a glance that he was a Demon Cultivator.
Although Mo Hua looked innocent and pure, walking alongside such a peculiar-looking Daoist in this blood-soaked land immediately made him seem suspicious.
None of the righteous or demonic forces present recognized Mo Hua.
He was merely a Qi Refining cultivator, insignificant to them.
No one cared about his allegiance, his stance, or even his life.
Thus, every now and then, someone would try to kill Mo Hua.
The righteous cultivators were slightly better, as they still maintained some decorum and wouldn't easily take his life.
But the Demon Cultivators were different.
Some wanted to eat him because he looked tender;
some wanted to get rid of him because he seemed abnormal;
some wanted to refine him into a pill because he was a child;
there were even shameless female Demon Cultivators who wanted to capture him because he was cute and adorable...
Whenever this happened, Mo Hua would immediately hide behind the Eccentric Daoist and seek protection from his "Master-Uncle."
And the Eccentric Daoist would oblige, welcoming all challengers.
Anyone who dared to stand before him, regardless of their allegiance, would have their hearts planted with demonic thoughts, driving them insane, causing them to either commit suicide or turn on each other...
Mo Hua would watch from behind, witnessing these bloody and cruel scenes.
As a former beast tamer, he was no stranger to bloodshed, so he wasn't afraid.
Mo Hua watched as the Eccentric Daoist, standing against the wind with cold and emotionless black eyes, effortlessly manipulated these powerful and fierce Demon Cultivators, playing with their lives and slaughtering them without lifting a finger...
No matter how many times he saw it, Mo Hua was always left deeply shaken.
But as he watched, a question emerged in his mind:
"This 'Heart Demon Planting' technique is so powerful..."
"Can I learn it?"
(End of Chapter)
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