Chapter 588: The Sect
Chapter 588: The Sect
"The Qian Dao Zong must have seen that Mo Hua is a rogue cultivator with no status or backing, and therefore an easy target for bullying. This is going beyond too far!"
Wen Ren Wan angrily said, "I'll stand up for him!"
Shang Guan Yi sighed, "But he's not a member of the Wen Ren family, nor is he from the Shang Guan family. How can we help him?"
"He saved Yu'er. He has done both our families a great favor!" Wen Ren Wan insisted.
Shang Guan Yi helplessly replied, "But didn't you say that this matter must be kept secret and not be told to outsiders? How would others know that he has done us a favor?"
"Without any reason, if you go to Qian Dao Zong to seek justice for him, others will only see it as deliberately provoking a feud with Qian Dao Zong."
"Qian Dao Zong is a top-tier sect..."
"...even our Shang Guan family must be careful not to offend them easily." Shang Guan Yi added.
Wen Ren Wan frowned and asked, "What should we do then?"
Shang Guan Yi was secretly pleased, but he still put on a troubled expression and pretended to ponder for a moment before saying, "How about this... we can use some connections to find a sect for Mo Hua among the hundred sects in Qian Zhou. That way, we can also repay Yu'er's life debt."
"No!" Wen Ren Wan immediately shook her head and objected, "Is Yu'er's life only worth a spot in one of the hundred sects of Qian Zhou? I won't agree to this!"
Shang Guan Yi was taken aback and sighed, "While we may be able to secure a spot in one of the Four Great Sects, the hurdle of spiritual roots is something we cannot overcome..."
"Then it has to be one of the Eight Great Gates!" Wen Ren Wan said, "It can't be any lower than that!"
"The Twelve..." Shang Guan Yi started to say but was interrupted by Wen Ren Wan.
"No, the cultivation methods of the Twelve Flows are too biased. Even if one specializes in a single path, they must still have a basic understanding of the other categories. Otherwise, their experience and perspective will be limited, and they may easily stumble in the future due to their narrow perspective."
"My father once said that this is the scholarly barrier in the path of cultivation."
"Some things may seem simple, but knowing them is different from not knowing."
"These simple things may seem like common sense, and learning them may not seem like a big deal..."
"...but if you don't know them, no matter how high your talent or comprehension is, you may spend your whole life scratching your head in confusion."
"As a rogue cultivator, Mo Hua already has a weak foundation. It would be detrimental for him to join one of those 'Twelve Flow' sects. Otherwise, he will encounter barriers everywhere, and his path will surely be bumpy."
"He must join a sect with a long heritage and a comprehensive range of cultivation methods!"
"If it's too difficult to enter one of the Four Great Sects, then it has to be one of the Eight Great Gates!" Wen Ren Wan stated firmly.
Shang Guan Yi was surprised. He hadn't expected his wife to have such insights and consider so far ahead for Mo Hua.
She was a passionate and sincere person. Although she might act impulsively at times, she treated others with genuine kindness and truly cared for their well-being...
Shang Guan Yi sighed, "But it's not easy to enter one of the Eight Great Gates..."
A middle to low-grade spiritual root was just too far off the mark.
Not to mention, being a rogue cultivator with limited heritage, the foundation he had built—his blood energy, spiritual power, and Dao foundation—was weak.
Wen Ren Wan insisted, "If the Shang Guan family can't do it, then there's still the Wen Ren family. If the Wen Ren family can't either, then we'll combine the efforts of both families. We should be able to pull some strings this way..."
Shang Guan Yi said in a low voice, "That would be too much of a fuss, wouldn't it?"
Wen Ren Wan replied, "Just tell me if you will help or not!"
Shang Guan Yi hesitated, unsure of what to say.
To help would incur a huge favor.
But if he didn't help, his wife would be displeased.
Moreover, Yu'er's incident had indeed placed them in a great debt of gratitude...
Shang Guan Yi was caught in a dilemma. Seeing his wife's beautiful face and her eyes filled with deep affection, he finally sighed and said, "I'll try..."
Wen Ren Wan's heart leaped with joy, and a smile appeared on her face. But halfway through, she remembered that she was still angry with her husband, so she forcibly held back and said, "Then I'll go find my father."
"That... isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Shang Guan Yi asked.
"Why? Even though I'm married, I'm still his daughter, am I not?" Wen Ren Wan thought for a moment and patted Shang Guan Yi's shoulder. "I'll wait for your good news."
With that, she left gracefully.
Shang Guan Yi sighed again.
This was no small matter...
To get a cultivator with a middle to low-grade spiritual root, no background or connections, and a hastily established foundation into one of the Eight Great Gates of Qian Xue Zhou, one of the best cultivation sects, would require a significant price.
However, since he had promised his wife, he couldn't go back on his word.
And...
The vague and elusive figure of Mo Hua appeared in his mind once more.
He was clearly just a young cultivator...
But why did he give Shang Guan Yi a feeling that he couldn't see through?
Shang Guan Yi felt somewhat uneasy, so he found Gu Chang Huai and asked, "When Yu'er was 'abducted,' no, when she was rescued from that restaurant, were there any other suspicious signs?"
Gu Chang Huai frowned, "What do you mean?"
Shang Guan Yi thought for a moment and then spoke frankly, "I suspect that Mo Hua might not be as simple as he seems. There may be something special about him... some kind of karmic connection."
Gu Chang Huai was slightly taken aback, "Karmic connection?"
Shang Guan Yi thought for a moment and continued, "His rescue of Yu'er may not have been a coincidence."
"Perhaps it was a chance given to him by someone else, a twist of fate..." Gu Chang Huai said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You mean..." Shang Guan Yi pondered, "I guess... there might be a mysterious and powerful cultivator who is skilled in the art of destiny and algorithms. This person saved Yu'er and then gave this opportunity to a child named 'Mo Hua'..."
Gu Chang Huai frowned, "Why would they do that?"
Shang Guan Yi shook his head, "I haven't figured that out yet."
Gu Chang Huai's eyes turned slightly cold, and he nodded.
But he knew that it was probably not that simple.
He had always felt that the deaths of those dozen or so human traffickers in the restaurant were somewhat strange.
And although he had only met Mo Hua once, despite the boy's innocent appearance, his eyes held a depth that belied his age.
There was innocence, but also a hint of... strangeness.
You can't judge a book by its cover, even if it's just a child...
Gu Chang Huai's heart was filled with suspicion and a hint of wariness.
However, since he didn't like this brother-in-law of his, he kept these thoughts to himself and didn't voice them out loud...
...
In the following days, Wen Ren Wan worked tirelessly to secure a spot for Mo Hua in a cultivation sect, and Shang Guan Yi also lent a helping hand.
For the Shang Guan family, using their influence to aid an unknown young cultivator like Mo Hua went against the interests of many clan members. The coveted spots in the Eight Great Gates were highly sought-after, and many qualified disciples from the main branch of the Shang Guan family didn't have this opportunity.
Granting this opportunity to an outsider was unthinkable to them. Entering a prestigious sect was not only about personal cultivation but also about bringing honor and potential benefits to the clan. A mediocre outsider with no connections entering one of the Eight Great Gates would undoubtedly invite ridicule and be seen as a stain on the Shang Guan family's reputation.
Many elders of the Shang Guan family voiced their discontent to the clan leader, Shang Guan Ce, criticizing Shang Guan Yi's actions.
Shang Guan Ce summoned his son and reprimanded him in front of the clan elders: "What Wan'er has done in this matter is excessive..."
"As a member of the Shang Guan family, she should put the interests of our clan first."
"You need to be mindful of the bigger picture and not let your emotions cloud your judgment, leading you to act without regard for rules and traditions..."
Shang Guan Yi didn't argue but bowed his head and accepted the blame, taking full responsibility for the situation. "I will be more careful next time," he promised.
While he admitted his fault, he had no intention of changing his actions. "Next time, I'll be more careful" meant that he would see this matter through to the end, and next time, he would be more discreet.
Shang Guan Ce sighed. His son was clever and adept at navigating social situations, always knowing the right things to say. However, this time, he had gone too far.
Offering a chance to a young cultivator wasn't a significant mistake, but the consequences of going back on their word now would be more detrimental.
However, the burden of smoothing things over would fall on Shang Guan Ce, as the head of the family. He sighed and waved his hand, dismissing his son. "You may go."
Shang Guan Yi bowed and took his leave.
Shang Guan Ce furrowed his brows. This incident would require him to offer an apology to the clan's ancestors, the true powerhouses of the Shang Guan family. These ancient cultivators, with their profound cultivation and reclusive nature, were the ones who truly held the fate of the clan in their hands.
They were the masterminds, plotting the future of the Shang Guan family and calculating the grand cause and effect that would shape their destiny. Not only the Shang Guan family but all the influential clans in Qian Zhou, these "behemoths," had their fate intertwined with the decisions of these ancient ancestors.
Regardless, displeasing these ancestors was not an option. Shang Guan Ce sighed again, his brow furrowing deeper.
But what were these ancestors plotting? What was the true destiny of the Shang Guan family? Shang Guan Ce, despite his own considerable cultivation, couldn't fathom their plans or understand the heavenly secrets they guarded. It was a frustrating mystery to him.
He looked up at the sky, his expression mirroring the vastness and inscrutability of the heavens. After a moment, he sighed once more and asked himself:
"What are the secrets of heaven? Why can't I decipher them?"
"Without understanding the heavenly secrets and the grand cause and effect, no matter one's cultivation, they are but playthings in the hands of those ancient ancestors, manipulated by the will of heaven itself..."
Shang Guan Ce's brow furrowed deeper as he contemplated these mysteries.
...
Shang Guan Yi endured the reprimand, and the process of securing a spot for Mo Hua in a sect was now out in the open. With so much invested, it was unlikely that they would back down halfway.
The other branches of the Shang Guan family simply wanted Shang Guan Yi to be reprimanded and weren't too concerned about the actual outcome.
Seizing the opportunity, Shang Guan Yi and Wen Ren Wan openly started pulling strings and using their connections to secure a spot for Mo Hua, regardless of the backlash.
After several days, Wen Ren Wan approached Mo Hua with three gilded invitation cards in her hand. On them were the names of three sects: Tai He Men, Chong Xu Men, and Tai Xu Men.
Mo Hua was taken aback, "Aunt Wen, these are..."
"Invitation cards for initiation into those sects. Take a look and choose one. All three sects are among the Eight Great Gates. While they may not be as prestigious as the Four Great Sects, they are still excellent choices..." Wen Ren Wan spoke casually, but her eyes sparkled with a hint of pride.
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise. "The Eight Great Gates... and I get to choose..."
He thought for a moment and lowered his voice. "Aunt Wen, these must be very valuable, right?"
"They're not that big of a deal," Wen Ren Wan waved her hand dismissively, not wanting Mo Hua to feel overly burdened by her favor.
Mo Hua's heart warmed at her gesture. Since his arrival in Qian Zhou, Aunt Wen had been the kindest to him, going out of her way to repay his lifesaving deed. Her sincerity and gratitude were truly admirable.
"Aunt Wen, I..." Mo Hua's expression was complex.
"Don't worry about it..." Wen Ren Wan interrupted, "You deserve this..."
"But..."
Wen Ren Wan frowned, her brows knitting together. "I went through a lot of trouble to get these, so don't you dare say no!"
Her gaze was sincere and earnest, leaving no room for argument.
Mo Hua's heart softened, and he looked at the invitation cards, his mind racing. He did want to join a sect. While he could earn Spirit Stones by painting formations for others and get by in Qian Xue Zhou, this path would be time-consuming and might not lead to any significant opportunities.
Time was of the essence, and he didn't want his cultivation and formation skills to lag. The longer he waited, the longer it would take to rescue his master.
Seeing the concern in Wen Ren Wan's eyes, he knew that she truly cared about his future and wanted what was best for him.
Mo Hua nodded, setting aside his initial hesitation. Even heroes had their moments of vulnerability, especially when they were still children. There was no shame in accepting help when it was offered, and he would have the chance to repay this kindness in the future.
"Thank you, Aunt Wen!" Mo Hua smiled, his heart filled with gratitude.
"Mhm."
Mo Hua looked over the three invitation cards, his brow furrowing in confusion. "The names of these three sects—Tai Ah, Chong Xu, and Tai Xu—seem somewhat similar..."
"They share a common origin," Wen Ren Wan explained. "The ancestors of these three sects had some connection; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they are 'branches of the same tree.'"
"But now, they are completely independent sects, and the similarities in their names are merely a relic of the past."
Wen Ren Wan continued, "These three sects have had good relations with the Wen Ren family in the past, and to some extent, with the Shang Guan family as well, though not as closely. I used connections from both the Wen Ren and Shang Guan families to obtain these three invitations, but you can only choose one."
"Alright," Mo Hua nodded.
He studied the names of the three sects, deep in thought.
These three sects were completely unexpected choices for him.
Tai Ah, Chong Xu, Tai Xu...
He hadn't paid much attention to them before, and even when he had sent out his resume to test the waters, he hadn't given them much thought. Somehow, he always felt that these three names didn't quite fit with him...
"Choosing a sect is a major decision, so be sure to choose carefully..." Wen Ren Wan said solemnly.
She paused, feeling that she should explain further. "These three sects all have good relations with the Wen Ren family, and normally, I shouldn't be telling you this, but..."
Wen Ren Wan leaned closer to Mo Hua and whispered, "Even though they are all part of the 'Eight Great Gates,' there are still differences in their rankings..."
"Among them, the best is the 'Tai Ah Sect,' which ranks among the top of the Eight Great Gates."
"Next is the 'Chong Xu Sect,' which is in the middle tier."
"'Tai Xu Sect' is even lower, considered to be at the bottom of the Eight Great Gates."
"Their original lineages, being of the same source and flow, are only different branches, so the gap between them isn't significant. However, in recent years, the disciples taught by the elders of these sects have shown a noticeable disparity..."
"Of course, there are also differences in the status of the sects and the cultivation resources they offer."
Wen Ren Wan went on to explain in detail to Mo Hua, then said, "Think it over carefully..."
Mo Hua pondered the three sects for a while, deep in thought. Finally, he made his decision. "Aunt Wen, I choose the Tai Xu Sect."
Wen Ren Wan was taken aback. "Why did you choose the Tai Xu Sect?"
Mo Hua had his own reasons.
The Tai Ah and Chong Xu Sects were in the upper-middle tier, which meant that the threshold for entry was higher, and the price for Wen Ren Wan's help would be greater.
Since that was the case, choosing the lower-ranked "Tai Xu Sect" would be a better option.
Moreover, Mo Hua didn't want to compete with the proud sons of heaven.
He just wanted to cultivate steadily and quietly study array formations.
As one of the Eight Great Gates, the Tai Xu Sect's heritage and cultivation resources were more than sufficient for his needs.
Of course, there was another reason.
With a serious expression, Mo Hua said, "Tai Xu Sect... The name sounds cooler."
Exploring the extremes of the heavens, wandering in the vast void!
Tai Xu Sect!
Wen Ren Wan was surprised, and her thoughts became momentarily chaotic. She couldn't help but think: This child, Mo Hua, truly has a unique way of thinking...
"Are...are you sure?"
"Mhm," Mo Hua nodded firmly.
Wen Ren Wan said gently, "The Tai Ah and Chong Xu Sects would be better choices. Their sect strength is also more formidable..."
Mo Hua's face was determined as he said, "Sect strength is temporary, but a cool name is forever!"
Wen Ren Wan opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. Finally, she sighed and said, "Alright then..."
"By the way," Wen Ren Wan added, "do you have any special skills? I can write them on the invitation card so that I have a reason to recommend you to the sect..."
"I'm pretty good at array formations," Mo Hua replied.
"Array formations?" Wen Ren Wan hesitated, feeling awkward to directly say what she was thinking, so she gently suggested, "Is there anything else?"
She felt that Mo Hua, coming from a small city like Xiao Xian City, might not fully understand the situation.
After all, Qian Zhou was a cultivation hotspot.
Array formations were profound and complex.
In a place like Qian Zhou, one should never casually claim to be "good at array formations," or they might become a laughingstock...
"I really am quite skilled in array formations," Mo Hua insisted.
He took out the First Grade Heaven's Pivot Ring, showing it to Wen Ren Wan.
Although he could create Second Grade array formations, he hadn't yet reached the Second Grade himself, so he couldn't claim to be a Second Grade array master. It was better to be modest.
Humility was a virtue.
"You're actually a First Grade array master?" Wen Ren Wan was surprised.
Even in Qian Zhou, there weren't many young cultivators from influential families who had reached the level of a First Grade array master at Mo Hua's age.
Even though Xiao Xian City was a small city, and the standards for grading might be more relaxed, with their array formation skills possibly lagging behind, it was still not easy to achieve this level.
Claiming to be "skilled in array formations" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it would just barely pass.
At least on the surface, he had a "special skill," which would make things easier to explain.
Wen Ren Wan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
The matter was thus settled.
And Mo Hua decided to join the Tai Xu Sect.
However, there was one crucial reason for his choice that he didn't tell Wen Ren Wan.
Wandering in the vast void...
When he had seen the three words "Tai Xu Sect," his divine sense had stirred slightly, and after quietly calculating, he had found a vague and obscure thread of karmic cause and effect.
This thread of cause and effect was obscure, but it was clearer than what he had seen in his previous calculations.
In the web of cause and effect, he saw the Yellow Mountain Lord in a dilapidated temple on a desolate mountain.
There were only a few fleeting scenes.
But the Yellow Mountain Lord he saw was different from the one Mo Hua had encountered.
Its aura was formidable, its body massive, and its eyes were soaked in blood, exuding boundless malice and evil thoughts.
At the same time, a name also appeared, accompanied by a sword aura piercing the heavens and a chilling killing intent:
Tai Xu Divine Sword Technique!
(End of Chapter)
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