Chapter 732: The Broken Golden Gate
Chapter 732: The Broken Golden Gate
"Little Martial Brother..."
Cheng Mo, tall and sturdy, looked at Mo Hua with a clear gaze that carried a hint of adoration, making Mo Hua feel uncomfortable all over.
"Can I buy this armor from you? I'll pay any price in spirit stones!"
Cheng Mo's drooling expression showed how tempted he was.
The others, upon hearing this, also turned their eager gazes towards Mo Hua.
Especially Si Tu Sword and Hao Xuan, their curiosity and desire were palpable as they had not yet worn the armor nor experienced the amplification of their spiritual power and the enhanced might of their magical techniques.
Situ Sword, a sword cultivator, was curious to know just how powerful his Flame- Severing Sword would become with the boost.
Hao Xuan, now a "stick" cultivator, had also once been a sword cultivator.
Even though he favored blunt force, the allure of wielding a powerful sword technique was undeniable.
Mo Hua replied, "This armor has a lot of restrictions, and the array inside is quite complex. I can't amplify spiritual power without controlling it with my divine sense..."
The group couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
However, Cheng Mo quickly added, "Little Martial Brother, next time you're up to something, take me with you. I don't ask for much. Just let me wear this armor, and I'll go wherever you point."
Cheng Mo made this promise with a serious expression.
Mo Hua felt helpless and replied, "Alright then..."
He looked up and noticed the sky darkening, so he suggested, "It's getting late. Let's finish skinning this pig demon and head back."
"Okay."
This was a mid-second-grade pig demon, unique with its fat head and big ears. It seemed that the materials obtained from skinning and butchering it would be worth a considerable amount of merit.
Cheng Mo raised his two large axes and began chopping off the pig's head.
The others also cooperated and divided the tasks among themselves.
From a distance, Elder Xu had gone through a series of complex emotional struggles, but he finally calmed down.
Regardless of Mo Hua's identity or where he learned his array techniques, it was none of his business.
This was the ancestor's matter.
As a mere Golden Core stage descendant, he didn't have the guts or the capacity to meddle in the ancestor's affairs.
Remembering the ancestor's instructions to ensure this child's safety, he knew his role.
Apart from that, everything else was irrelevant to him.
Elder Xu nodded and silently glanced at Mo Hua's group once more.
"However, the fact that a group of kids was able to slaughter a tough, mid-second-grade pig demon..."
"It's truly a testament to the fearsome younger generation."
Elder Xu sighed inwardly.
Even though they worked together, it was still an impressive feat.
The last disciple he had seen leading a team to hunt a mid-level Foundation Establishment demon at the same cultivation level was probably Xuan Martial Brother...
The image of his sword-like eyebrows and long beard, along with his unwaveringly just demeanor, suddenly appeared in his mind.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Elder Xu's gaze dimmed, and he felt a sense of loss.
Alas, the heavens are jealous of geniuses...
Xuan Martial Brother was once a breathtakingly talented sword cultivator, a descendant of the solitary and divine, legendary ancestor, Du Gu Laozu, who was revered by the entire Tai Xu Gate.
But for some unknown reason, his life spirit sword broke, and he fell into a decline, becoming ordinary.
Now, he has disappeared without a trace, and no one knows where he is.
Back then, the two of them cultivated and practiced the sword together, and they even endured punishments side by side, forging a deep bond.
Yet now, as time passed and the path of cultivation stretched endlessly before them, they might never meet again.
Elder Xu stood there, lost in his thoughts and dazed...
But before he could dwell on these emotions for too long, he sensed several approaching cultivators' auras in the distance.
Elder Xu turned his head, following the auras with his gaze, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Mo Hua's group was in the process of skinning and butchering the pig demon.
A moment later, Mo Hua suddenly paused, lifted his head, and looked toward a nearby mountain path. His eyes narrowed as he spoke in a low voice, "Someone's coming."
Cheng Mo was taken aback and released his spiritual sense, but he couldn't detect any human presence in the surroundings.
However, seeing Mo Hua's solemn expression, Cheng Mo and the others understood the situation and gripped their axes, swords, and knives, readying themselves.
Soon enough, several cultivators' auras appeared within the range of their spiritual sense.
Cheng Mo and the others exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss.
These cultivators clearly sensed Mo Hua's group but approached boldly and arrogantly, appearing at the edge of the forest.
There were eight cultivators in total, clad in golden robes, with golden swords at their waists. They all had golden spiritual roots, handsome features, and haughty expressions.
Mo Hua's heart sank as he recognized them.
It was the Broken Golden Gate group...
Among the eight, seven were unfamiliar faces at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, while the one leading them was surprisingly at the late-Foundation Establishment stage.
It seemed to be a senior martial brother from Broken Golden Gate, leading a group of disciples on a demon hunt.
This late-Foundation Establishment senior martial brother from Broken Golden Gate was tall and thin, with an air of superiority.
On his right, one of the Broken Golden Gate disciples stepped forward and pointed at Mo Hua's group, saying, "Little brats, how dare you steal our Broken Golden Gate's demon?!"
Cheng Mo's eyes narrowed, and he replied coldly, "This pig demon was killed by us after a hard-fought battle. What does it have to do with your Broken Golden Gate?"
The Broken Golden Gate disciple sneered, "How could a few of you at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage possibly kill a mid-second-grade demon? You must be lying!"
"We're the ones who killed this pig demon!"
"That's right," another disciple chimed in. "We had already joined forces to injure this pig demon and had been chasing it for a long time. We were about to capture it, but you brats got here first and stole our prey..."
"Since we're all disciples of sects in the Qian Xue State, leave the demon here, and we'll let bygones be bygones."
Cheng Mo was annoyed by their attempt to twist the truth and retorted angrily, "Go fck yourselves!"
The faces of the Broken Golden Gate disciples twisted with anger, and they shouted, "Watch your mouth, brat!"
"Otherwise, we'll have to teach you a lesson on behalf of your Tai Xu Gate seniors."
Cheng Mo scoffed, "A bunch of cowards who only know how to steal others' prey. You're worthless."
The Broken Golden Gate disciple was slightly enraged, "If you don't drink the toast, then you'll drink the punishment."
The leading senior martial brother from Broken Golden Gate was already displeased, and he said coldly, "Stop wasting time talking."
He pointed at Mo Hua's group and ordered, "Leave the demon behind and scram."
Cheng Mo flew into a rage, and Situ Sword and the others glared coldly.
However, Mo Hua's eyes flickered, and he whispered, "Let's go."
Cheng Mo and the others were taken aback and glanced at Mo Hua, suppressing their anger and slowly nodding.
They had just finished a fierce battle with the pig-headed demon and had exhausted too much of their spiritual power. Their strength hadn't recovered yet, so they were no match for these Broken Golden Gate members.
Moreover, there was a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator among their opponents.
While they despised the people of Broken Golden Gate for being stingy, despicable, and shameless, they didn't underestimate the power of the Broken Golden Gate's signature technique, the Golden Sword Technique.
That senior martial brother from Broken Golden Gate had a golden sword at his waist, and his entire body was surrounded by floating and sinking sword energy, clearly indicating his exceptional cultivation level as a sword cultivator.
These disciples would not only have to fight against demonic beasts but also deal with conflicts among other sect disciples.
These were matters between the disciples, and they should find their own solutions.
His sole responsibility was to ensure Mo Hua's safety, as instructed by the ancestor, and he had no intention of interfering in other matters.
A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm.
Since Mo Hua chose to endure the humiliation and avoid a direct conflict, Elder Xu saw no need to force his intervention.
Moreover, experiencing setbacks and learning from them was beneficial.
It was better for them to face some hardships and learn lessons now than to be taken advantage of in the future due to their innocence and naivety.
However...
Elder Xu's thoughts drifted back to Mo Hua's calm demeanor.
Despite being ridiculed by the Broken Golden Gate disciples, Mo Hua's expression remained as tranquil as still water, unperturbed by the situation.
"Is this child one to bear grudges and bide his time for revenge?" Elder Xu couldn't quite grasp Mo Hua's character...
But one thing was certain—Mo Hua was not one to let things slide easily.
Once out of the range of the Broken Golden Gate disciples' spiritual sense, Mo Hua squatted down and began rummaging through his storage bag.
He selected several formations and spiritual artifacts.
"I'll set up the formations myself later..."
"As for these artifacts, some are armor, and some are spirit swords. I've inscribed the Metal Subduing Formation on them..."
As the name suggested, the Metal Subduing Formation was a type of formation that could suppress metallic spiritual energy, a principle based on the five-elemental cycle of generation and control.
Mo Hua had learned this formation long ago.
He had also taken the opportunity to ask Master Gu to help him refine some customized spiritual artifacts that incorporated the Metal Subduing Formation, keeping them in his storage bag for future use.
Now, they would come in handy.
"Also, this is the poison from the Azure Wood Wolf. Apply it to your blades..."
"And this is the blood of the Sky-Blue Serpent, which is also poisonous. Mix them together and apply it..."
Cheng Mo and the others, who had been feeling aggrieved and frustrated, were taken aback but not entirely surprised.
Cheng Mo asked in a low voice, "Little Martial Brother, are we going to take revenge?"
Mo Hua corrected him, "It's not about revenge. We're just taking back what's rightfully ours and teaching them a lesson along the way..."
A cold glint flashed in Mo Hua's eyes.
How dare they try to steal my pig?! Mo Hua continued, "You guys quickly meditate and consume some pills to restore your spiritual power. We'll deal with them soon!"
Cheng Mo and the others were instantly invigorated, and they chorused, "Yes!"
The reason Mo Hua hadn't taken action earlier was twofold. Firstly, they had just emerged from an intense battle and were running low on spiritual power.
Secondly, their group was smaller, putting them at a disadvantage.
Moreover, their opponents included a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Engaging in a direct confrontation would have been unwise.
A gentleman's revenge is a dish best served cold.
The priority was to ensure their safe retreat first.
However, once their spiritual power was restored, and with the element of surprise on their side, the tables would turn.
A gentleman does not hold a grudge overnight.
These mere disciples from the Broken Golden Gate weren't worth waiting years for revenge.
Not even a single night.
With their plan in place and their spiritual power recovered, Cheng Mo and the others donned the Metal Subduing Armor and wielded the Metal Subduing Blades, coating them with various poisons extracted from demonic beasts. They then employed their movement techniques and swiftly navigated through the forest, heading south toward the direction where the Broken Golden Gate disciples had left.
Young and brimming with vigor, Cheng Mo and the others had been seething with anger after being mocked by the Broken Golden Gate disciples. Now, they were eager to give them a taste of their own medicine.
In the distance, Elder Xu was taken aback.
He had just been admiring Mo Hua's ability to endure humiliation, but in the blink of an eye, they were already preparing to engage in a fight, even going as far as poisoning their weapons.
Elder Xu shook his head, wondering who had taught them such ruthless tactics.
It seemed like a conflict was inevitable, and he knew he couldn't stand idly by any longer.
However, he made a mental decision.
If Mo Hua's group won, he would simply observe.
But if they lost, he would step in and turn the tables.
As an elder, he had to maintain his "dignity"...
Elder Xu quietly followed behind Mo Hua's group.
Mo Hua and his companions headed south, tracking the path taken by the Broken Golden Gate disciples.
Along the way, Mo Hua released his spiritual sense, meticulously searching for traces of their presence. After half an hour, they finally spotted the Broken Golden Gate disciples on a nearby mountain peak.
The pig-headed demon had been skinned, and its materials harvested.
The Broken Golden Gate disciples were gathered at the foot of a slope, sitting together and indulging in food and wine, celebrating their "victory."
What surprised Mo Hua was that it was already evening, and darkness was approaching. Yet, these Broken Golden Gate disciples seemed to have no intention of leaving the Beast Tamers' Mountain.
"Are they planning to spend the night here?" Mo Hua furrowed his brows.
Why would they choose to stay in the mountain instead of leaving earlier?
However, their decision to remain in the mountain played into his hands.
It would be easier to make a move under the cover of darkness.
Mo Hua took out several pieces of black cloth and distributed them to his companions.
Cheng Mo asked, "Little Martial Brother, even if we cover our faces, won't they still be able to recognize us?"
Mo Hua shook his head and said seriously, "If we're going to take revenge, we should do it professionally. Since they're covering their faces, we should do the same. It's only proper."
The disciples of Broken Golden Gate huddled around a bonfire formation, drinking to their hearts' content, leaving only two to keep watch on the outskirts.
Mo Hua lowered his voice and said, "Proceed according to the plan."
Cheng Mo, unable to speak due to the twig in his mouth, nodded obediently.
The group then took up their positions.
Mo Hua cast an invisibility spell and stealthily approached the bonfire formation, only to stop at its outskirts. He took out a bottle of spirit ink and quietly poured it onto the ground.
The spirit ink seeped into the rocks and soil.
Using his divine sense, Mo Hua skillfully manipulated the ink, and under the cover of darkness, it began to meander and form a formation.
Elder Xu, who had been perplexed by Mo Hua's actions, was equally taken aback.
He knew Mo Hua intended to set up a formation but was clueless as to how he could achieve this right under their adversaries' noses.
Now, he witnessed it firsthand.
Despite the deep darkness, his twenty-eight-patterned Golden Core divine sense detected Mo Hua's process of drawing the formation.
Using his divine sense as a brush and the earth as his canvas, Mo Hua silently manifested the formation.
Elder Xu inhaled slowly, impressed.
While he feared the ancestor's stern demeanor and had not ventured down the path of formations himself, his exposure to the ancestor's expertise had broadened his understanding.
This was by no means an ordinary formation master's level of control!
Could this be... something else the ancestor taught him?
But...
Elder Xu's gaze flickered with unease. "Could it be that the ancestor doesn't know how to do this himself...?"
...
Everything that followed seemed to unfold smoothly.
The disciples of Broken Golden Gate were arrogant and overbearing. While they possessed cultivation, they lacked experience, had inadequate vigilance, and gradually let down their guard as they indulged in their boisterous revelry.
Unbeknownst to them, Mo Hua completed the formation, and they remained oblivious.
Mo Hua shook his head.
He had prepared several contingency plans in case his divine sense was detected while setting up the formation, but now it seemed his worries were unfounded.
Mo Hua then triggered the formation.
A seventeen-patterned, second-grade high-level formation, though merely an advanced entry point, was more than sufficient to take out these second-grade mid-stage disciples.
As the formation detonated, the night erupted in a chaos of flying debris, with fire and smoke billowing everywhere.
In an instant, five of the eight Broken Golden Gate disciples were knocked out.
The leading senior martial brother of Broken Golden Gate was also severely injured.
Although he was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, his focus was on sword cultivation, neglecting the refinement of his physical body.
The remaining three disciples were swiftly dealt with: Hao Xuan knocked one unconscious with a blunt strike, while Yang Qianjun and Cheng Mo each took down one.
The final four joined forces to besiege the severely wounded senior martial brother.
The once haughty and indifferent Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother now looked disheveled, his face covered in dirt and blood, his aura diminished, resembling a frightened stray dog.
It seemed he never expected that disciples would dare to ambush them in the Beast Tamers' Mountain.
Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure and, while activating the Broken Golden Sword Qi, angrily demanded, "Who are you? How dare you offend my Broken Golden Gate?!"
Mo Hua paid him no heed.
Cheng Mo, with a twig still in his mouth, remained silent.
The others also kept quiet, focusing solely on unleashing their techniques on the Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother.
With the defense of the Metal Subduing Armor, the offensive power of the Metal Subduing Spirit Weapons, and the additional poison from demonic beasts applied to their weapons, dealing with a severely injured late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator proved not overly challenging.
However, as the fight continued, the Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother recognized them and exclaimed in shock, "It's you guys?!"
The five brats from earlier in the day?!
How is this possible...?
How dare they ambush his team of eight disciples, led by himself, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother was both shocked and furious. He coldly sneered, "Good! Very good! A bunch of ignorant little brats, today I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Mo Hua had already figured out his next move.
"He's about to use the Broken Golden Sword Art!" Mo Hua warned.
Upon hearing this, Yang Qianjun and the others immediately intensified their attacks to suppress the senior martial brother.
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother was frustrated. He reached for a talisman.
"He's going to use the Golden Body Talisman!" Mo Hua declared.
Yang Qianjun, upon hearing this, swung his spear to strike the senior martial brother's arm.
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother was shocked. How was it that these brats could predict his every move? Biting his lip, he endured the strike from Yang Qianjun's spear, sacrificing his arm to activate the talisman.
A faint golden light enveloped his body.
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother quickly retreated a few steps, relying on the protection of the Golden Body Talisman as he channeled his energy to unleash the killing move, the Broken Golden Sword Art.
In an instant, his entire body was enveloped in dazzling golden light, with the golden sword energy and his golden spirit sword creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Mo Hua swiftly cast a water prison spell, but the pale blue water light was blocked by the Golden Body Talisman, unable to interrupt the charging of the Broken Golden Sword Art.
The Golden Body Talisman provided immunity to most control spells.
In a split second, Mo Hua shouted, "Charge! Take him down!"
Simultaneously, Mo Hua began to communicate with the Five Elements Source Armor.
Cheng Mo instantly understood and, with an excited expression, wasted no time in channeling his spiritual power to its peak, unleashing the Mountain-Splitting Axe Art, aiming directly at the Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother.
As a body cultivator, his killing move was even faster.
The senior martial brother had no means of escape, his expression grim.
However, he quickly calculated his odds.
Although this axe attack was launched later, its power was extraordinary and would likely disrupt his sword art.
But as long as he could manifest his sword art, these despicable little beasts would all perish!
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother's eyes turned icy.
However, just as Cheng Mo's giant axe reached the midpoint of its swing, the armor on his body flashed with light, and a mysterious power descended upon it.
Cheng Mo's strength surged.
His twin axes were enveloped in a more dazzling glow, their might intensified.
The Broken Golden Gate senior martial brother's face contorted in shock.
Something was wrong!
The power of the axe had suddenly increased?!
The senior martial brother's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation, but in that fleeting moment, he was powerless to do anything except watch helplessly as Cheng Mo's massive axe struck his shoulder.
The axe attack was forceful and heavy, shattering his Golden Body Talisman and causing him to tremble violently.
The axe blade inflicted severe damage, and blood gushed from his wounds.
Due to the immense power of the strike, his partially charged Broken Golden Sword Art was also disrupted, resulting in a backlash that made him spit out a mouthful of blood, rendering him incapable of further resistance.
Thus, the late-stage Foundation Establishment senior martial brother of Broken Golden Gate was defeated, forced to his knees before Mo Hua, with Cheng Mo pressing the axe against his body.
(End of Chapter)
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