Chapter 814: Prison of Water
Chapter 814: Prison of Water
In the evening, Mo Hua went to the Dao Fa Room and found Elder Yi, who was in charge of teaching Dao Fa courses within the Tai Xu Gate.
Elder Yi, who had been listlessly flipping through the registry, was surprised and a little wary at the sight of Mo Hua.
"You're here to practice spells again?"
Elder Yi still remembered clearly how Mo Hua had injured himself while practicing the Fireball Spell, causing him to be on the receiving end of Elder Xun's cold shoulder for two months.
Thus, whenever Mo Hua came to practice spells, he would have to be extra vigilant.
"No," Mo Hua waved his hand, "I have some questions I'd like to ask you..."
"You have questions?" Elder Yi paused, then relaxed slightly, "It's good that you have questions..."
As long as Mo Hua didn't practice those dangerous spells, he was a good kid.
"Go ahead, what would you like to ask?" Elder Yi said.
Mo Hua handed over the jade slip containing the records of the Water Prison Spell that he had transcribed and asked, "Elder, do you know about the Water Prison Spell?"
Elder Yi took the jade slip, glanced at it, and nodded, "Of course."
As the Dao Fa Elder, he was familiar with most of the spells taught within the Tai Xu Gate, even if this particular one was rather obscure and rarely practiced.
"I've been reading through the sect's records, and it is said that the Water Prison Spell was once the signature technique of the Water Prison Gate. Tell me, Elder Yi, do you know about this sect?" Mo Hua asked quietly.
Elder Yi frowned. "Why do you ask?"
Mo Hua was quick to read his expression and knew that Elder Yi was indeed aware of the Water Prison Gate.
"I learned this Water Prison Spell within our sect," Mo Hua explained, "but recently, when I used it outside, someone recognized it as a technique of the Water Prison Gate. I became curious and wanted to know more, so I came to ask you."
"Oh..."
Elder Yi nodded slightly, taking Mo Hua's words at face value.
Since Mo Hua seemed to be taking this lightly, he didn't think much of it and didn't inquire further about who Mo Hua had used the spell against.
He certainly didn't expect that the person Mo Hua had confronted now viewed him as the "scourge of the Water Prison Gate" and wanted nothing more than to kill him.
"I do know a thing or two about the Water Prison Gate," Elder Yi said after a moment's thought. "A thousand years ago, the Water Prison Gate was quite prominent. Back then, the sect landscape in the Qian Xue State was different from what it is now. It wasn't dominated by the Four Great Sects and Eight Grand Gates as it is today."
"While the Water Prison Gate may not have been at the very top, it was still a sect that could rank among the 'Twelve Flows' in terms of power and influence."
"Moreover, the Twelve Flow sects of that time were truly exceptional in their respective areas of cultivation. They were the pinnacle in their specific branches of the Dao."
"Unlike today, where many of the Twelve Flow sects fall short of the Four Great Sects in their core disciplines. The most notable example is the Myriad Formation Gate..."
Elder Yi sighed, "I don't know how they pass down their formation techniques, but each generation seems to be worse than the last..."
"So, you're saying that the Water Prison Gate had perfected the art of water-based spells back then?" Mo Hua asked.
"I wouldn't say 'perfected', " Elder Yi shook his head, "there's always someone stronger and a higher realm to attain. However, within the Qian Xue State, and even in most of the Qian State, the Water Prison Gate's water-based spells were among the best."
"And it doesn't end there," he continued, "the Water Prison Gate specialized in a specific aspect of water-based spells. Their heritage focused not on breadth but on refinement..."
Mo Hua pondered this for a moment before slowly saying, "'Water Prison Gate', the very name suggests a focus on confinement and imprisonment using water-based spells."
"Even from the name alone, it seems this sect may have had connections to the Dao Court."
Elder Yi looked at him with a hint of surprise.
This child has a sharp mind.
I wonder if it's because he studies formations, as they tend to make one smarter.
Though, that's not always the case... some of the formation practitioners in the sect seem rather dull...
Elder Yi thought to himself.
"Indeed," Elder Yi nodded, "the Water Prison Gate excelled in control, restraint, imprisonment, and even punishment using water-based spells. Some of their techniques were even forbidden..."
He went on, "Most disciples who graduated from the Water Prison Gate joined the local Dao Courts, and these practitioners took great pleasure in using cruel and torturous methods, even if their victims were criminal cultivators. This earned the Water Prison Gate a rather unsavory reputation."
"And then..."
Elder Yi frowned, "I'm not entirely clear on what happened next, but I know that the Water Prison Gate seemed to have issues with their cultivation techniques. It was said that as they delved deeper, their hearts would turn sinister and violent."
"There were also numerous cases of disciples from the Water Prison Gate falling into the demonic path and abusing their authority within the Dao Court to slaughter innocents."
"The higher-ups in the Dao Court launched an investigation, and they uncovered something major, something that enraged the Dao Court."
"What exactly it was, the Dao Court never disclosed, and the truth likely remains sealed away in the central Dao Court's archives."
"In any case, after that incident, many members of the Water Prison Gate perished, and the rest were imprisoned. All their core inheritances were sealed away, and only fragments of their techniques, like the 'Water Prison Spell', survived and spread throughout the cultivation world as obscure paths of cultivation."
Elder Yi concluded with a sigh.
Mo Hua's expression turned solemn.
(End of Chapter)
For such a powerful sect to disappear so abruptly...
"Then is the Water Prison Spell considered a technique of the Water Prison Gate? Did the Dao Court not prohibit it?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yi waved his hand dismissively. "Not everything was prohibited, and since this technique managed to spread and was even included in the Tai Xu Sect's teachings, it indicates that there wasn't a significant issue with it."
"Moreover, the Water Prison Spell is peculiar and tricky. Normally, who would bother to learn such a technique?"
Mo Hua silently gazed at Elder Yi.
Elder Yi then realized that he was facing someone who had learned the very same technique and smiled awkwardly. "Not referring to you, of course. In your case, your situation is unique. With an exceptionally strong divine consciousness but weak spiritual energy, it's only natural to explore alternative paths. Learning a control spell like this is actually a good choice..."
Mo Hua nodded and then asked, "Elder, I have another question..."
He furrowed his brows in confusion. "I was looking through the sect's records, and it says that the Water Prison Gate was destroyed a thousand years ago. But the Water Prison Spell was only incorporated into the Tai Xu Sect a hundred years ago by 'Yi Zhenren'. How did that happen?"
"This 'Yi Zhenren' is the Yu Hua Realm ancestor of the Yi family, isn't he?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yi nodded. "Yes, he's my uncle."
"Then, where did this 'Yi Zhenren' obtain the Water Prison Spell? From whom and how did he acquire this technique?" Mo Hua inquired further.
"Now that's a difficult question for me..." Elder Yi sighed. "How could I possibly know something like that?"
"Then..." Mo Hua whispered, "Could you please help me ask Yi Zhenren about it?"
Elder Yi gave Mo Hua a meaningful look. "You little rascal, did you have this in mind from the very beginning?"
Mo Hua smiled sheepishly.
He wanted to ask directly, but as a minor disciple, Yi Zhenren probably wouldn't know who he was.
Of course, he didn't know who this Yi Zhenren was either.
Since that was the case, he could only rely on Elder Yi.
Elder Yi pondered for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll help you ask him about it."
Mo Hua's face lit up, and he quickly said, "Thank you, Elder Yi!"
Then, he patted his chest and added, "In the future, Elder Yi, if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to find me. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best to help."
Elder Yi chuckled.
"Me, a dignified Jin Dan level grand cultivator and the Dao Fa Elder of Tai Xu Sect, why would I need a favor from a junior disciple like you?"
I...
Elder Yi paused, a thought occurring to him.
Perhaps it wasn't entirely impossible...
At the very least, when it came to Master Xun, Mo Hua seemed to have more influence than he, a Jin Dan Elder, did.
"Sure!" Elder Yi didn't put on airs. "If I need help in the future, I'll look for you."
"Yes!" Mo Hua nodded eagerly.
"However," Elder Yi hesitated, "I can ask him on your behalf, but my uncle... that is, Yi Zhenren, is obsessed with spells and enjoys traveling the world, collecting various Daoist texts as he goes."
"I don't know where he is in the Nine Provinces right now. Sending a message by flying sword, I don't know when he'll receive it, let alone when he'll reply. It could take days, months, or even a year or two..."
"That long?" Mo Hua looked disappointed.
"It depends on luck," Elder Yi said. "After all, the cultivation world is vast, and it's hard to pinpoint where someone is traveling. Sending a message is also uncertain."
Mo Hua sighed. "Alright, I guess that's the only option then..."
Elder Yi nodded. "If I receive a reply, I'll let you know."
Mo Hua cupped his hands and bowed. "Thank you, Elder."
After that, Mo Hua continued his regular classes and cultivation.
However, a few days later, during a break between classes, Elder Yi stood at the door, beckoning to Mo Hua, "Mo Hua, come here."
Once they were in a quiet place, Elder Yi looked at Mo Hua with a strange expression.
"You're a lucky kid..."
He wondered if it was because of some heavenly blessing.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "Did Yi Zhenren reply?"
"Yes," Elder Yi nodded. "My uncle happened to be passing through Kun State and was about to return to the sect. He stopped at a branch of the Yi family and received my message sent by flying sword."
"According to my uncle, he also found the events surrounding the Water Prison Gate a thousand years ago suspicious. But it was a long time ago, and people and things have changed. There's no way to investigate it now."
"As for the Water Prison Spell, he obtained it by chance..."
"By chance?" Mo Hua was intrigued.
Elder Yi explained, "About a hundred years ago, my uncle wasn't traveling at the time and was teaching at Tai Xu Sect during his free time."
"One day, he went out to visit a friend and went fishing by the river. He happened to come across a cultivator in distress and saved him. To repay my uncle's kindness, the cultivator offered all his spiritual stones and possessions."
"My uncle didn't care about those things and waved his hand, saying that saving someone was a simple matter and not worth mentioning. He told the cultivator to keep the spiritual stones and cultivate well."
"But that person was extremely grateful and insisted on repaying the debt. He said that since he had no other valuables, he could only offer some cultivation techniques passed down from his ancestors as a token of his gratitude."
"My uncle didn't pay much attention at first, as he was the Dao Fa Elder of Tai Xu Sect and a Yu Hua Realm immortal. He had seen countless techniques."
"However, when the cultivator took out the technique, my uncle realized he hadn't seen it before..."
"My uncle pondered for a long time and finally inferred from the attributes of the technique, the flow of meridians, and its application that it was likely the authentic 'Water Prison Spell' of the Water Prison Gate, vastly different from the 'abridged version' circulating outside."
(End of Chapter)
"The origins of the Water Prison Gate are indeed not something to be proud of, and his uncle-in-law chose to remain silent on the matter after some thought."
"However, he took a liking to the Water Prison Spell and acquired it. At the same time, he felt a little guilty, seeing the cultivator's destitute state. So, he gave him some Spirit Stones and helped him find a village where he could settle down and start a new life..."
Elder Yi left the story at that.
Mo Hua, however, gradually furrowed his brows. "Your uncle was fishing by the Yan Shui River... Is this river the Yan Shui River?"
Elder Yi nodded. "Yes, it is."
"Did your uncle mention which part of the Yan Shui River he was at?" Mo Hua asked.
"My uncle didn't specify," Elder Yi replied, "but since he was fishing, he was likely at the downstream bend of the river. I also went fishing there with my uncle a few times in the past..."
"The downstream bend?" Mo Hua had no recollection of such a place.
"About thirty miles west of the bend in the Yan Shui River," Elder Yi said, "where the water is deep and water demons are plentiful. The area is filled with mud and marshes, and cultivators rarely venture there. However, a few miles away, there is a water fortress..."
Mo Hua was startled.
"A water fortress?!'
Elder Yi was taken aback by Mo Hua's reaction and exclaimed in surprise, "What's wrong?"
"What water fortress?" Mo Hua asked urgently.
Elder Yi shook his head. "I've only been fishing there twice and only caught three or four fish. Why would I pay attention to a nearby water fortress..."
Mo Hua's heart grew heavy, and he had a strong premonition.
The water fortress Elder Yi mentioned was most likely the "Yu Family Water Fortress" that had been wiped out by the Water Yan Luo not long ago! The cultivator saved by Yi Zhenren was probably from the Yu Family Water Fortress.
The Yu Family Water Fortress cultivator possessed the legacy of the Water Prison Spell.
The Yu Family Water Fortress was annihilated by Water Yan Luo.
Water Yan Luo had said, "The cultivators of the Water Prison Gate must die!"
So, that would mean...
The Yu Family Water Fortress was likely the remnant of the Water Prison Gate.
Water Yan Luo's slaughter of the Yu Family Water Fortress was not only to build an altar but also to silence the remaining members of the Water Prison Gate?
And the Yu Family... Yu...
Mo Hua's pupils contracted.
He hadn't realized it before, but at this moment, he suddenly remembered Old Yu, Yu Dachuan, Xiaoshunzi, and Xiaoshui'er from the fishing village. They all shared the same surname, 'Yu'!
Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat.
Could Old Yu's family also be related to the Yu Family Water Fortress?
Mo Hua's thoughts raced, and his expression kept changing.
Elder Yi couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"
Seeing that Mo Hua didn't respond, Elder Yi asked again.
Mo Hua snapped back to reality and said, "It's nothing. I was just thinking about an array I haven't finished drawing yet. I should head back now. Thank you, Elder Yi..."
"If you need anything in the future, I'll definitely help you out!" Mo Hua assured him and then quickly left.
Elder Yi watched Mo Hua's departing figure, a puzzled look on his face as he shook his head.
...
Upon returning to the disciples' residence, Mo Hua's mood was still unsettled.
He immediately contacted Gu Changhai and asked, "Uncle Gu, has there been any news from the fishing village?"
After a while, Gu Changhai asked, "What kind of news?"
"Well..." Mo Hua thought for a moment. "Have there been any rogue cultivators or demonic cultivators lurking around?"
"I've assigned people from the Gu family to keep an eye on the village, and there haven't been any abnormalities so far," Gu Changhai replied.
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's wrong?" Gu Changhai asked.
Mo Hua thought to himself that Water Yan Luo might have wiped out the fishing village as well...
After some consideration, he decided not to tell Gu Changhai about it for the time being, as he didn't have any evidence yet.
"I was just asking," he said.
But Gu Changhai was suspicious. "Are you hiding something from me again?"
"No!" Mo Hua replied.
Seeing that Gu Changhai was about to ask more questions, Mo Hua took the initiative and asked, "Uncle Gu, have you met with the instructor from Baihua Valley these past few days?"
Gu Changhai couldn't possibly be unaware of Mo Hua's ulterior motives, but he knew that asking would be futile, so he said, "I have met her, but she seems to have discovered something, and she's even more cautious than before."
"Does she suspect you?"
"Not yet, it seems," Gu Changhai replied. "When it comes to matters of the heart, I act rather clumsily, so she hasn't become suspicious."
The word "act" was a bit redundant...
Mo Hua thought to himself, although he didn't say it out loud for fear that Uncle Gu would be petty and hold a grudge.
"I'm counting on you, Uncle Gu," Mo Hua encouraged him.
As for the situation with Hua Ruyu, they would have to rely on Gu Changhai's close relationship with her to find any clues.
Gu Changhai only replied with a nonchalant "Hmm."
Their chat ended after that.
Mo Hua felt a little relieved but still couldn't let go of his worries completely.
"Yu Family Water Fortress, fishing village..."
Mo Hua felt that he needed to personally visit these places.
A few days later, it was another day off, and Mo Hua set out alone from the Tai Xu Sect. He traveled along the Yan Shui River, passing through several immortal cities, purchasing some items along the way, and eventually arriving at the fishing village.
(End of Chapter)
Seeing other fishermen around, Mo Hua felt it wasn't the right time to speak. He gestured towards the back of the village and asked, "Can I pay my respects to that... little immortal?"
Old Yu happily replied, "Of course, of course. May the little immortal bless you with good fortune and a boundless path."
I'll bless myself...
Mo Hua's expression turned slightly strange.
When they arrived at the back of the village, Mo Hua placed some melons and fruits on the offering table and pretended to bow to his own statue.
It was still morning, and the fishermen were busy making a living. Old Yu didn't follow, and there was no one else around.
Mo Hua lowered his voice and said, "Come out."
After a moment, a silvery-white fish swam out from behind the majestic little immortal statue and bowed to Mo Hua.
"Greetings, Benefactor."
"You're too thin. I brought you some food to nourish yourself." Mo Hua pointed to the spiritual melons and fruits on the offering table.
He had been feeding the Yellow Mountain Lord, who lived far away and in a rather remote location, so he didn't visit often.
Now that he was passing by, he decided to feed the little silver fish.
No matter how miserable the Yellow Mountain Lord was, he at least had a human form. If he didn't feed this little silver fish, it would probably waste away to nothing.
The little silver fish was extremely grateful to Mo Hua.
It could barely be considered a deity in two lifetimes, and no one had ever treated it so kindly.
The little silver fish munched on the fruits with its tiny mouth.
Mo Hua asked, "Little Silver Fish, do you know the origin of this small fishing village?"
The little silver fish shook its head. "I forgot, Benefactor..."
After finishing its sentence, it continued to devour the sweet offerings.
Alright, it's a little foodie and not very reliable...
Mo Hua was helpless.
He could only turn to Old Yu for answers.
At mealtime, Mo Hua once again had a meal at Old Yu's house.
This time, he brought some spirit meat.
Although it couldn't be considered very precious, to Old Yu's family, who made a living by fishing and hunting, these were delicacies that they might not be able to afford even during the New Year.
Old Yu was both grateful and ashamed.
"You've spent so much, Benefactor..."
"It's nothing." Mo Hua said, "It didn't cost much in spirit stones."
Most of his expenses were covered by his sect, and outside of it, he had the Gu family to provide for his needs, so he didn't spend much on spirit stones and had saved up a considerable amount.
Old Yu and Yu Dachuan kept offering toasts to Mo Hua.
Xiaoshunzi and Xiaoshui'er happily ate the spirit meat.
In a whole year, they barely had a few pieces of meat to eat.
After the meal, Yu Dachuan went back to the river.
Xiaoshunzi and Xiaoshui'er lay down for a nap in the shade of the courtyard.
Old Yu brewed a pot of good tea for Mo Hua.
Although the tea wasn't of the highest quality, it was the best tea his family could offer.
Mo Hua lowered his voice and asked, "Old Yu, do you know about the Yu Family Water Fortress?"
Upon hearing this, Old Yu's expression turned fearful, and his face paled. "I heard that on the Yan Shui River, everyone in a fortress was killed, and their blood stained half the river red..."
Mo Hua asked thoughtfully, "The Yu Family Water Fortress is of the Yu surname, and you are also of the Yu surname..."
"Yes," Old Yu agreed without suspicion. "To be precise, we are somewhat distantly related. Going back two generations, we were probably also part of the Yu Family Water Fortress and lived in the fortress..."
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed curiously. "Then how did you end up living in this small fishing village?"
"To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing," Old Yu sighed. "It's said that my grandfather was of bad character and lazy, so he was expelled from the fortress and had to fend for himself. Looking back now, it seems that it was a blessing in disguise..."
Old Yu shuddered. "Otherwise, our entire family might have suffered the same fate as the people in the fortress, falling victim to some unknown assailant."
Mo Hua's gaze sharpened.
"Expelled from the fortress..."
This matter was probably not as simple as it seemed.
"What else do you know about the fortress?" Mo Hua inquired further.
Old Yu thought for a moment and shook his head. "We haven't had any contact since then. That distant blood relation was severed, and if you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have brought it up either."
"We're all struggling to survive. Who has the time to worry about such trivial matters from the past..."
Old Yu sighed.
Mo Hua also sighed softly.
It seemed that Old Yu didn't know much.
The two continued drinking tea.
Mo Hua pondered silently, trying to figure out if there were any clues he had missed that could help unravel Water Yan Luo's intentions and the truth behind the Yu Family Water Fortress...
However, no matter how he turned it over in his mind, he couldn't come up with any good ideas.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew through the courtyard, causing Xiaoshunzi and Xiaoshui'er to turn in their sleep.
As the two children's spiritual energy circulated within their bodies, their auras leaked out.
Mo Hua's eyes widened as he looked at them, suddenly realizing something.
He had noticed before that the cultivation of these two children was progressing remarkably fast, but now it seemed even faster than he had imagined.
Moreover, their auras were somewhat unique...
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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