The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2417: Qianxue’s Number 1 Great Sect (part 2)

The sect leader of the Three Mountains Sect was filled with awe, and countless elders and disciples alike were beaming with joy.

All of today's achievements at Taixu Gate were the direct result of the unified endeavors of the sect's disciples.

The individual who had made the most significant contribution was, without a doubt, Mo Hua, affectionately known as the 'Junior Brother'.

"Everything the Junior Brother predicted before has come to pass!"

"Remarkably, he led us all, transforming our sect from the lowest ranked of the Eight Great Gates to a position even above the Four Great Sects!"

"When we first joined the sect to cultivate, we were merely disciples of the Eight Great Gates. Now, in the blink of an eye, we've become disciples of the esteemed Qianxue's First Major School?"

Every disciple felt as though they were caught in a dream, finding it difficult to fully grasp the reality of their ascent.

Mo Hua's already 'elevated' standing within the sect experienced an immediate and significant surge in prestige.

Among the disciples of Taixu Gate, Mo Hua commanded profound trust and immense admiration.

For these disciples, the term 'Senior Brother' was merely a form of address.

However, the words 'Junior Brother' represented their unwavering faith.

Even on Taia Mountain and Mount Chongxu, Mo Hua began to hold considerable 'influence'.

The patriarchs of both Taia Mountain and Mount Chongxu extended invitations to Mo Hua, requesting the honor of tea with him.

During these tea gatherings, the patriarchs occupied the seats of honor, while Mo Hua was seated in a respected secondary position.

The sect leaders of Taia and Chongxu occupied the lowest seats, diligently preparing and serving tea to the patriarchs, occasionally refilling Mo Hua's cup.

At these assemblies, the patriarchs of Taia Mountain and Mount Chongxu conveyed expressions of concern and sympathy towards Mo Hua, inquiring if he harbored any desire to join the Inner Gate of either Taia Mountain or Mount Chongxu. Should he choose to accept, a separate clan record would be established in his name, thus initiating a lineage bearing the 'Mo' surname within the hallowed grounds of Taia Mountain and Mount Chongxu.

Mo Hua was deeply touched by their generous offers but politely declined each one.

While the patriarchs of Taia Mountain and Mount Chongxu were disappointed by his refusal, their admiration for Mo Hua grew, recognizing his integrity and his ability to remain steadfast amidst tempting offers; they saw him as a prodigy with immense potential.

Following these discussions, the two patriarchs engaged in an extended conversation with Mo Hua.

Although the tea ceremonies did not culminate in a formal 'transaction,' both the esteemed guests and their gracious hosts departed with a sense of profound satisfaction.

...

While Taixu Gate had successfully secured the top rank in the sword discussion, Mo Hua had also attained his personal objective.

Elder Master Xun presented Mo Hua with a Formation Diagram.

This Formation Diagram was a coveted reward bestowed by the Heaven Shu Pavilion upon the victor of the Qianxue Sword Discussion - a rare and intricate formation known as the 'Wood Revitalization Formation'.

This particular formation had largely fallen into disuse over time, owing to its specialized application, complex categorization, and the significant challenges associated with its construction; it had been gradually supplanted by the more convenient methods offered by alchemy in the realm of medical formations.

However, Mo Hua discovered that this was not merely a single formation; upon closer inspection, he realized that the 'Wood Revitalization Formation' encompassed an entire system of formations, representing a complete inheritance of wood-elemental medical formations, spanning from First Grade to Fourth Grade.

This was, indeed, an inheritance of exceptional value.

But...

Mo Hua's brow furrowed, his thoughts immediately turning to a pressing concern: "Can this Wood Revitalization Formation possibly save my master?"

Why this question?

Mo Hua was acutely aware that his master's grave injuries were intertwined with esoteric concepts like Heavenly Mechanism Causality and life-and-death Qi, extending far beyond mere physical wounds.

What conceivable role could this Wood Revitalization Formation possibly play in such a dire situation?

He delved into the details of the Wood Revitalization Formation once more, hoping to uncover some hidden profundity, but found himself unable to grasp its deeper secrets, resolving to set it aside for future contemplation.

Mo Hua carefully placed the entirety of the Wood Revitalization Formation inheritance into his Storage Ring.

...

In the days that followed, Taixu Gate was immersed in an atmosphere of vibrant activity.

With the rankings solidified and the sect having undergone such a dramatic transformation, numerous families, lesser sects, other Dao Cultivation forces, and various esteemed Dao Cultivation masters dispatched congratulatory gifts to Taixu Gate.

The entrance to Taixu Gate became a scene of bustling activity, with carriages arriving in droves and crowds of people converging upon the gates.

A palpable sense of joy and celebration permeated Taixu Gate.

This lively and festive atmosphere persisted for nearly an entire month.

During this period, the sect proceeded with its final year-end evaluations.

Mo Hua's academic performance, as was customary, resulted in one Grade A and six Grade C marks.

Regardless of the heights of his prestige, poor grades remained poor grades, and no elder would be inclined to 'falsely inflate' his scores.

However, as Mo Hua gazed upon the familiar 'one Grade A and six Grade C' report, a sense of profound peace washed over him, followed by a deep, resonant sigh.

He understood, with absolute certainty, that this truly marked an end.

Nine years of dedicated cultivation within Taixu Gate had finally drawn to a close.

The disciples of the sect began to depart, one by one, from its hallowed grounds.

His junior brothers, too, started bidding him farewell, each setting out to forge their own individual paths.

The first to leave was Linghu Xiao.

Even though he was a disciple of Mount Chongxu, his intention was to venture out for training. His plan included visiting Sword Mountain, honing his swordplay, pursuing the Sword Dao, and subsequently seizing an opportune moment for Core Formation.

Linghu Xiao, not one for eloquence, with a myriad of emotions concealed within his gaze, merely clasped his hands and uttered:

"Junior Brother, we shall cross paths again amidst the mountains and rivers."

Mo Hua reciprocated the gesture, hands clasped, replying, "We shall meet again in the mountains and waters, Xiaoxiao. Take care. You must strive to become a great Sword Cultivator."

A rare hint of a smile graced Linghu Xiao's face. He then drew a deep breath, nodded to Mo Hua, and with his sword in hand, accompanied an elder from Mount Chongxu on their journey across the Nine States, in pursuit of the Sword Dao.

Next were Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Yang Qianjun, Hao Xuan, Xie Ling... and others.

Some were returning to their kin, some embarked on journeys, some sought guidance from elders, some took over family legacies, and some fought solely for their own path...

Each individual possessed their own life and destined fate.

Before their departures, they would visit Mo Hua, offering a toast, expressing their reluctance yet generously saying:

"Junior Brother, the path of the Dao is unending; until we meet again..."

Following this, they would add:

"Should you ever journey back to Qian State, or venture into Kun State/Kan State/Li State/Gen State/Zhen State/Xun State/Dui State... you must by all means visit the Hao Family/Lu Family/Chu Family/Situ Family/Cheng Family/Xie Family/Zheng Family/Feng Family/Yang Family/Zhuge Family/Han Family... as an honored guest."

"... Should you encounter any trouble, simply announce my name, and none would dare to show you disrespect, Junior Brother."