Chapter 589: Initiation
Chapter 589: Initiation
"Tai Xu Shen Nian Hua Jian Zhen Jue..."
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
For now, he only knew this lengthy and impressive-sounding name. Beyond that, he was still in the dark.
What type of sword technique was this?
Was it a physical cultivation sword technique? A pinnacle of sword combat, a sword mantra that kills with sword qi?
Or was it purely a spiritual sword art...
Mo Hua sighed.
Although he had calculated a bit of cause and effect, there were too few clues, his spiritual sense was limited, and his deductive abilities were insufficient. Thus, he couldn't simply snap his fingers and figure everything out.
It seemed that he would have to enter the Tai Xu Gate to find out the origins and intricacies of this sword mantra.
He wondered if the technique was truly as its name suggested—to use spiritual thoughts to transform into sword qi, roam the great void, and slay evil spirits...
This was something he had to clarify! Mo Hua nodded to himself.
He could afford to skip learning ordinary sword techniques, but not one that involved spiritual transformation!
Having built his foundation with spiritual thoughts and walking the path of spiritual enlightenment, it would be remiss of him not to learn a sword art that aligned with his cultivation.
Although he had once said that sword techniques were negligible, he couldn't deny their allure.
After all, flying with a sword was undeniably cool!
"Flying with a sword..."
Mo Hua recalled the previous incident with the boss, Jiang, whose golden body had accumulated power, condensing it into sword qi that shone with a dazzling golden light.
Although he had ended up looking foolish when he slashed the thatched cottage, the brilliant sword light he had unleashed was something Mo Hua coveted.
It was far more impressive than his little fireball, and its power was immense.
He wanted to learn it!
Mo Hua's eyes sparkled with excitement.
However, if this sword mantra was truly that formidable, it would likely be a closely guarded sect technique. The Tai Xu Gate might not be willing to teach it to him...
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment but soon relaxed.
There was always a way.
Take his Uncle-Master, for example. He hadn't intended to teach Mo Hua, yet through the intricacies of fate, Mo Hua had still managed to learn from him.
Well, he had learned it fair and square...
The Tai Xu Gate's sect leader wouldn't be stingier than his Uncle-Master, would he?
Mo Hua's thoughts stirred, and he had made up his mind.
All he needed to do next was enter the Tai Xu Gate.
Once he was in, he could figure out a way to learn this "Tai Xu Shen Nian Hua Jian Zhen Jue"! Even if he didn't succeed in the end, he shouldn't be discouraged.
Learning more about cultivation, array formations, and other related knowledge would always be beneficial, filling in the gaps in his own cultivation journey.
However...
Mo Hua furrowed his brows as another matter came to mind.
"Huang Shan Jun..."
Through the calculations of the heavenly machine, he had caught a fleeting glimpse of another "Huang Shan Jun", a stranger.
With blood-red eyes and fierce claws, its body was massive, and its aura was exceptionally profound and powerful...
This was not the aura of an ordinary second-grade mountain god, nor was it something a second-grade evil god, driven mad and corrupted, could possess...
Something was amiss...
This Huang Shan Jun was suspicious.
Mo Hua's lively eyes narrowed slightly.
"This yellow-furred fellow definitely lied and concealed something crucial..."
Although it was downtrodden now, its strength diminished, it had clearly lived luxuriously in the past.
Moreover, judging by its appearance, it was likely a formidable creature, one that had enjoyed great luxuries.
The white-robed sword cultivator who had slain it must have been far stronger than Huang Shan Jun had let on.
This spiritual transformation sword art was certainly not to be underestimated...
It seemed that when he had the chance, he would have to pay that broken mountain god another visit and get some clear answers...
"Daring to deceive me..."
Mo Hua coldly huffed, his gaze turning a tad dangerous...
...
In a distant, dilapidated temple on a desolate mountain, Huang Shan Jun enjoyed the warm sunshine filtering through the holes in the roof as he munched on some misshapen fruits and vegetables, making do with the meager offerings.
His long face wore a relaxed expression.
Suddenly, a chill ran through him, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
Even the gentle sunshine seemed to turn cold.
"What evil thing has its eye on me?"
Huang Shan Jun's expression changed, and he furrowed his brows in deep thought. He racked his brains but couldn't figure out the reason.
In recent years, he had kept a low profile, always retreating when faced with trouble and bowing and scraping before others. Occasionally, he would play the part of a pitiful victim, and he hadn't offended any powerful cultivators, wild ghosts, or evil gods...
His life was "poor," but peaceful.
Huang Shan Jun thought hard for half a day but still felt confused.
Suddenly, an innocent yet fierce little face appeared in his mind.
Huang Shan Jun froze, his mouth agape.
"No way..."
"That little brat..."
Huang Shan Jun's heart turned bitter, and the fruit in his mouth lost its sweetness...
...
Mo Hua wanted to confront Huang Shan Jun and get some answers, but he didn't have the time at the moment.
Moreover, Huang Shan Jun had once been so powerful, and he must have had some extraordinary means. Perhaps he even had some trump cards up his sleeve. If Mo Hua were to confront him, he would need to plan carefully and prepare adequately.
For now, his priority was joining the Tai Xu Gate.
He could deal with Huang Shan Jun later when he had the time.
After all, while one could escape being a mountain god, one couldn't escape the temple.
And if he couldn't escape the temple, then he had nowhere to run...
...
Wen Ren Wan delivered the invitation to the Tai Xu Gate.
It stated Mo Hua's place of origin and his special skill in array formations.
Since all the necessary connections had been made, this was merely a formality. The elders in charge simply stamped their approval, and the application was on its way to the sect leader of the Tai Xu Gate.
The sect leader had the power to veto any application.
However, in cases like these, he usually turned a blind eye, pretending not to see.
Unless there was a direct conflict of interests or a sharp contradiction, he wouldn't go against the elders and the influential families by rejecting this application.
After all, it was just one spot.
Even if he was displeased, it wasn't worth causing discord with the elders over such a minor issue, tarnishing the reputation of the Tai Xu Gate.
But in his heart, he was indeed displeased.
The sect leader of the Tai Xu Gate was over three hundred years old. With a middle-aged appearance, his hair was black and thick, and he valued "health preservation." His brows were calm, and he carried a hint of laziness.
He was a bit annoyed and helpless:
"Even with connections, you shouldn't listen to those influential families for everything..."
"The sect should have its own principles..."
But despite his words, he unfolded the "resume" and was immediately taken aback.
Both men had joined the inner sect from the outer sect.
Now, one was the Grand Master, and the other was an elder, one of the Grand Master's most trusted advisors within the Tai Xu Sect.
The elder smiled bitterly, "How could such a matter be taken lightly?"
The Grand Master shook his head, puzzled:
"What do the Shangguan and Wen Ren families intend by this? It's strange for two great aristocratic families to recommend a freelance cultivator. "
The elder said, "It's said that there's a debt of gratitude involved..."
"What kind of gratitude?"
The elder shook his head, "How would I know that?"
The Grand Master considered for a moment, then nodded, "Repaying kindness with gratitude is a virtuous connection. Let's accept him, then."
The elder asked, "You're not going to stall?"
This was a customary practice.
To "stall" meant to temporarily shelve the matter, expressing dissatisfaction, and then gaining support from other elders within the sect for other initiatives.
Some matters that the Grand Master wanted to pursue might be fraught with difficulties and obstacles, but through this opportunity, he could use "favors" to exchange for more support from the elders.
It would make things smoother for him.
Or, he could ask for another favor from the Shangguan or Wen Ren families.
Or, he could request additional gifts from the new disciple's family, as a token of gratitude for the special admission.
After all, breaking the rules for admission involved a quid pro quo.
Where there are people, there are bound to be entanglements of interests, so these things are inevitable.
Compared to other sects, the Tai Xu Sect had relatively less internal strife and political maneuvering.
The Grand Master shook his head, "No need for that..."
He flipped through the resume and sighed softly, "It's rare for these aristocratic families to act out of gratitude instead of abusing their power. That's commendable..."
"And since he's a freelance cultivator, it's not easy for him. There's no need to ask for additional gifts. Let's treat him the same as the other disciples."
The elder nodded, "Alright."
The Grand Master continued flipping through the resume and suddenly paused when he saw the "Special Skills" section, which stated, "Proficient in Array Formations." He was stunned and couldn't say a word.
After a long while, he exclaimed:
"This is truly... fearless in youth, admirable courage..."
Freelance cultivators were not the only ones who dared not claim such proficiency.
Even the direct descendants of the Shangguan and Wen Ren families, or the personal disciples of the Tai Xu Sect itself, rarely dared to proclaim themselves "proficient in array formations."
The elder smiled wryly, "This child is fearless because of his ignorance. We can't really blame him. He'll understand once he joins the sect that the path of array formations is not so simple..."
The Grand Master nodded slightly, then said, "In that case, let's proceed. Have him come for initiation in three days."
He took one last look at the resume.
The name on it was "Mo Hua."
"Mo Hua..."
The Grand Master murmured the name, nodded, and silently committed it to memory.
"It's quite a nice name..."
...
The rest of the admission process proceeded as usual.
Wen Ren Wan was also surprised.
She had expected the Tai Xu Sect to haggle further, but everything went surprisingly smoothly.
Mo Hua would be able to join the Tai Xu Sect in just three days.
Wen Ren Wan breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the matter was finally settled.
Mo Hua was also delighted.
Although there had been some twists and turns, he could now finally join the sect.
Wen Ren Wan took care of the arrangements for Mo Hua's initiation, purchasing some necessary items. Three days later, she brought Mo Hua to the foot of Tai Xu Mountain, where the Tai Xu Sect was located.
Before parting, Wen Ren Wan gave Mo Hua some final instructions and advice about the sect.
"Some disciples are arrogant and overbearing. Try to avoid getting into conflicts with them."
"If you encounter any trouble, don't be afraid. Inform the elders, and if necessary, tell them to find me at the Shangguan family..."
"If someone bullies you, don't fight back. You're still young and not strong enough. If the elders don't help, I'll stand up for you..."
"You must learn to protect yourself..."
...
Wen Ren Wan was worried that Mo Hua, with his gentle and innocent nature, might be deceived, ostracized, treated coldly, or bullied by others, and that he might suffer in silence without anyone to support him.
So, she was very concerned.
Mo Hua believed that he probably wouldn't be "bullied," but he was still grateful for Wen Ren Wan's concern.
Mo Hua nodded repeatedly, assuring her,
"Don't worry, Aunt Wan. I'll be careful and won't let others bully me!"
Wen Ren Wan found it hard to suppress a smile as she watched Mo Hua's confident expression, as if he had never been bullied before. She gently patted Mo Hua's head.
Yu'er also came to see Mo Hua off, her small face filled with reluctance. She whispered,
"Brother, can I come visit you sometimes..."
Mo Hua glanced at Wen Ren Wan.
Wen Ren Wan smiled and nodded.
Mo Hua then said, "When you have time, come find me, and I'll make you a majestic tiger!"
Yu'er's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded like a little chick pecking at rice,
"Mm-hmm!"
After that, a senior brother from the Tai Xu Sect came down to escort Mo Hua.
"This is your senior brother Xu, also a disciple of the Shangguan family, but he joined two terms before you. If you have any questions after entering, you can ask him."
Wen Ren Wan introduced Mo Hua to the senior brother.
Mo Hua looked at the senior brother, who wore a robe woven with dark and light threads, bearing the patterns of the Tai Xu Sect. He had a graceful bearing and a friendly smile, seeming approachable. Mo Hua cupped his hands and greeted him,
"Senior Brother Xu."
Shangguan Xu returned the greeting with a gentle smile.
Then, Wen Ren Wan took Yu'er's small hand and left.
Yu'er kept turning back, waving goodbye to Mo Hua reluctantly.
After Wen Ren Wan and Yu'er had left, Mo Hua followed Senior Brother Shangguan Xu up the mountain, one behind the other.
Tai Xu Mountain was tall.
The mountain gate of the Tai Xu Sect was located halfway up the mountain.
So, there was still quite a distance to cover from the foot of the mountain to the gate.
Shangguan Xu had profound cultivation, his steps steady and calm. Mo Hua's movements were agile and light, and after walking for a while, he felt a bit bored, so he started a conversation with Shangguan Xu.
Shangguan Xu was initially a bit reserved, but seeing Mo Hua's sincere and cheerful demeanor, he soon warmed up.
After all, Mo Hua would be his junior martial brother once he joined the sect.
"Senior Brother Xu, are the sect's rules strict?"
"If I break the sect rules, will I be expelled?"
"If I'm not expelled, will I be locked up or punished to guard the gates and sweep the floors instead?"
"Senior Brother Xu, what if, by chance or coincidence, I accidentally... learn something I'm not supposed to? Will I be breaking the rules then?"
"...Of course, I don't intend to steal any teachings. I'm just asking..."
"Also, what does the sect leader look like? Are the elders bad-tempered?"
...
Hearing these questions, Shangguan Xu couldn't help but feel amused and exasperated, but he answered each one nonetheless:
"Don't worry, the rules of the Tai Xu Sect aren't that strict compared to others."
"Not like the four great sects, anyway..."
"In the four great sects, disciples have strict regulations for their every action, and they must adhere to proper etiquette. They even have fixed times for waking up and going to bed, and they can't be late."
"If the elders teach something, you must learn it. If you don't do well, you will be reprimanded and may even be asked to leave the sect."
"There are also many assessments in the four great sects."
"If you perform well, you'll be treated favorably, but if you don't, you'll be looked down upon."
"Cultivation, array formations, artifact refining, pill refining, seal engraving... and so on, all of these are assessed, and there's no room for carelessness. The rules are extremely strict."
"There's a small assessment every ten days and a major one every month, and based on these assessments, the disciples are ranked into three tiers."
"So, the disciples of the four great sects must always strive to improve."
...
Mo Hua's scalp tingled as he listened, "Is it that exaggerated?"
Shangguan Xu nodded, "Yes, that's why they're called the 'four great sects'. They have to be superior in every way, and the disciples they cultivate are truly the pride of the heavens."
Shangguan Xu sighed, feeling a mix of admiration and envy, before continuing in a more relaxed tone.
"Of course, our Tai Xu Sect is much more relaxed."
"There are many teachings within the sect, and you can learn whatever you want. Even if you don't do well, you won't be harshly criticized, and it's fine even if you only get the lowest rank."
"Of course, as long as you can pass the teachings of the instructors or the elders, otherwise, if you really anger them, it won't be pretty..."
"Regarding the teachings..."
"Aside from the sect's most guarded secrets, most techniques are available to outer sect disciples as well. After all, we are a sect that imparts the Dao, so we don't have deep-rooted biases."
"What you learn is your own ability."
"Of course, except for the sect's most precious inheritances..."
"There aren't many rules regarding your daily life, as long as you attend classes on time and complete your assignments. You'll have plenty of free time, and the sect won't restrict you too much."
...
Hearing this, Mo Hua nodded. Self-motivation, learning whatever he wanted, and no harsh consequences for doing poorly...
It seemed like he could "slack off"!
Mo Hua nodded to himself, realizing that he had made the right choice in joining the Tai Xu Sect.
Shangguan Xu continued, "You'll see the sect leader in a few days at the initiation ceremony. He's... well, he's quite amiable and values health preservation."
"As for the elders, it's hard to say. There are all sorts of personalities."
"In your batch, let me think..."
Shangguan Xu frowned in thought, then said, "There's an elderly elder who teaches array formations. He's been in the sect for a very long time and refuses to retire, choosing to stay and teach. He has a peculiar temper and is extremely strict. He doesn't tolerate any mistakes or carelessness from his disciples."
Shangguan Xu looked at Mo Hua with concern, "You're a bit unlucky in that regard, so be careful..."
"Oh..."
Mo Hua nodded, but he was also curious about this "elderly elder." Who was this person?
Shangguan Xu was about to say something else when he looked up and realized that they had unknowingly reached the halfway point of Tai Xu Mountain, the location of the Tai Xu Sect's mountain gate.
Mo Hua also looked up, gazing upon the ancient and profound mountain gate.
The threshold of the gate was not high.
Above the gate hung a stone tablet, on which were inscribed three ancient and powerful characters:
Void Gate Sect.
These three characters were like swords, seamlessly integrated with the tablet, simple yet profound. When one looked at them, they seemed to contain the essence of the Dao.
They appeared to be the handwriting of a great sword cultivator who had returned to the basics.
Mo Hua only glanced at them once, but he was already captivated.
He didn't understand sword techniques or cultivate sword qi, but vaguely, his spiritual sense could perceive the vast and boundless sword intent within those characters, as if they could soar through the great void.
"Tai Xu Shen Nian Hua Jian Zhen Jue (Great Void Spiritual Thought Transforming Sword True Manual)
..."
Mo Hua muttered to himself.
"Junior Brother?"
Shangguan Xu noticed Mo Hua's dazed expression and furrowed his brows in confusion.
Mo Hua snapped out of his trance and asked, "Senior Brother Xu, what about these three characters..."
Shangguan Xu looked up at the characters and replied, "Oh, these three characters have been there since the establishment of the Tai Xu Sect. They were probably written by some ancestor of the sect, so they've been there for a long time."
He then glanced at the sky and said to Mo Hua, "It's getting late. Let's head into the sect. There are still many things to take care of for your initiation."
"Mmm."
Mo Hua nodded and followed Shangguan Xu across the threshold, stepping into the Tai Xu Sect.
As Mo Hua crossed the threshold, he didn't notice that the three characters, "Tai Xu Men," on the mountain gate shimmered with a subtle light, vibrating with sword intent.
Soon after, the nearby clouds and mist condensed at the mountain gate, refined by the sword intent, transforming into pure smoke that rose gracefully into the sky.
This thread of sword intent was extremely refined and subtle.
The refined clouds and mist shone with a refined, azure light, blending seamlessly with the surrounding clouds and mist.
Most of the Tai Xu Sect's disciples and elders didn't notice anything, but in a room within the sect, the Tai Xu Sect Leader, who had been meditating and cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes.
His figure flashed, and he stepped out of the room, gazing through the mountains and the sect's courtyard toward the mountain gate, where he saw the rising smoke.
The Tai Xu Sect Leader was stunned for a moment, finding it hard to believe as he exclaimed,
"The mountain gate of my Tai Xu Sect is actually... emitting blue smoke?!"
(End of Chapter)
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