The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2418: Qianxue Great Sect (part 3)

Mo Hua appeared to be at a loss, but a warmth spread through his heart.

Soon, everyone departed one by one.

In the ordinary flow of days, living, attending classes, and cultivating, nothing seemed particularly noteworthy. However, the suddenness of their parting, coupled with the uncertainty of their next meeting, brought a wave of sorrow, slightly reddening everyone’s eyes.

For those who tread the path of the Dao, life stretches long, yet connections can be fleeting.

After this farewell, whether their paths would cross again within the vast expanse of the cultivation world would truly be a matter of destiny and fate.

Life’s encounters, its triumphs and tribulations, invariably leave one with a sense of solitude.

And so, one by one, the young companions who had shared their days and nights together, all took their leave.

The Disciple’s Residence fell into silence.

Mo Hua, in his capacity as the "Junior Brother," saw each of them off until finally, he remained alone.

Due to the numerous karmic ties binding him, he was uncertain of when he would be able to return once he left.

There were individuals he had yet to encounter and matters requiring his attention.

Therefore, Mo Hua allowed himself a little more time.

Amidst this, Elder Master Xun summoned Mo Hua once more, specifically to ascertain his decisions.

The two sat within the venerable halls of Taixu, observing the gentle, drizzling rain while savoring cups of clear tea.

"You are certain you do not wish to remain within the Inner Gate?"

"Yes," Mo Hua confirmed with a nod.

He now possessed a personal master, one who valued him immensely. In this lifetime, his loyalty would be to this single teacher.

Elder Master Xun, already privy to this, showed no surprise.

"Then you intend to return home?" Elder Master Xun inquired.

Mo Hua nodded. "Yes, I wish to visit home and see my parents... It has been ten years since I last left. I am concerned about their well-being and need to see them to feel at ease."

"And thereafter?" Elder Master Xun probed.

"I have not yet decided..." Mo Hua paused in thought before asking, "Elder Master Xun, I wish to..."

Elder Master Xun raised a hand, shaking his head. "Do not speak of it. Certain plans are best kept to oneself, shared with no one, not even me. The cosmic patterns and causal threads surrounding you are intricate. If revealed, they could be deciphered by others, potentially bringing disaster upon you."

"Yes," Mo Hua responded, "I understand."

"There is one more matter..." Elder Master Xun hesitated briefly before continuing in a solemn tone, "I have also conferred with True Man Situ. You previously... accumulated immense karma, which manifested as malevolence, causing your destiny to invert. Currently, extreme wickedness converges within your life chart. Should you falter, you risk... becoming beyond salvation..."

Mo Hua’s heart grew serious as he frowned and asked, "Then, what course of action should I take?"

Elder Master Xun let out a sigh and solemnly advised:

"The lethal divine techniques, should it not be absolutely necessary, refrain from employing them. Doing so will agitate your soul, stirring the latent killing intent within, which could provoke a backlash of malevolent Qi, thereby destabilizing your destiny."

"Even when compelled to use them, strive to exercise the utmost restraint."

"Furthermore, avoid overextending your divine sense whenever possible. Failure to do so might lead to your destiny spiraling out of control, triggering an eruption of the malevolent Qi."

"Henceforth, when you venture outside, maintain composure amidst unfolding events. If possible, shun the act of killing."

"If taking a life becomes unavoidable, exert control and do not take more than is absolutely necessary."

"Attend to your karmic debts; they must not be allowed to accumulate further..."

As he imparted this counsel, Elder Master Xun found the situation somewhat bewildering.

Was this truly how one guided a disciple of the Orthodox Dao?

What sort of Orthodox Dao disciple would necessitate instructions on "managing karmic debts"?

Elder Master Xun sighed, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

Mo Hua, however, absorbed every word of Elder Master Xun’s advice with utmost diligence.

He understood that disregarding the counsel of elders often led to immediate peril.

Elder Master Xun's unique guidance was to be etched into memory, not disregarded.

Regarding the matter of "managing karmic debts," Mo Hua did not perceive it as a significant hurdle.

He had always maintained a compassionate demeanor towards others. While he possessed a certain "intolerance for evil," he rarely resorted to actual killing.

The incident involving the Blood Sacrifice Array was a result of dire circumstances, an action he could not avoid.

After all, how could he possibly engage in widespread killing in the times ahead?

"Elder, I shall heed your words." Mo Hua affirmed with a nod.

Observing Mo Hua's earnestness and the apparent resolve to take his advice to heart, Elder Master Xun felt a measure of relief.

He then gazed deeply at Mo Hua, a sigh escaping him:

"Even the most cherished offspring must eventually be released into the world to forge their own path..."

"It is merely that... upon departing the Taixu Gate, leaving the Qianxue State Boundary, there will be no one to watch over him. The world beyond is treacherous, fraught with peril, teeming with demons and specters..."

Elder Master Xun contemplated for a moment, then produced an object resembling a jade token and extended it to Mo Hua.

Receiving it, Mo Hua examined the artifact briefly before inquiring with curiosity, "Elder, what is this?"

"A Sect Jade Token," Elder Master Xun stated.

"Jade Token?"

"Indeed," Elder Master Xun affirmed with a nod. "It is a jade token utilized for 'introductions.' Upon graduation from the sect, every disciple has several elders within the sect inscribe their names upon it. This serves to assist in finding a path or facilitates simple introductions and communication among fellow cultivators."

A sudden understanding dawned upon Mo Hua.

It was akin to a 'letter of recommendation' from the sect, or perhaps a 'business card' for a disciple representing their sect.

"Does every disciple possess one?" Mo Hua asked, a hint of bewilderment in his voice. "Why was I unaware of this previously?"

Elder Master Xun replied softly, "Perhaps it was believed you had no need for it..."

This particular type of 'Jade Token' required an elder's endorsement.

Mo Hua's standing was so recognized, even by the ancestors, that no elder had dared to presumptuously offer him an 'introduction'.

However, the core issue was Mo Hua's lack of intent to remain confined within the Qianxue State Boundary.

He harbored plans of departure.

Once he ventured beyond the Qianxue State Boundary, the external world would present a vastly different landscape.

Elder Master Xun continued, "Certain formalities remain essential. Within the Taixu Gate, and even within the Qianxue State Boundary, no one would dare to look down upon you."

"However, once you step outside the Qianxue State Boundary, into the boundless world, events are unpredictable. Through chance encounters, people won't know who you are."

"If you consistently choose to remain in obscurity, maintaining a low profile, it might not pose an issue."

"But on occasion, you might need to leverage your background. Without proof, mere words hold no weight; others will simply dismiss you as boastful."

"Therefore, possessing items like the Jade Token is still necessary. At the very least, when you encounter former Taixu Gate elders, senior brothers, or senior sisters, you can establish certain connections."

"A cultivator's cultivation is paramount, yet connections are also not to be disregarded."

Having spoken, Elder Master Xun personally inscribed his name upon Mo Hua's Jade Token, then added:

"Take this and request signatures from some elders. Simply mention that these were my words."

"Understood," Mo Hua replied, clutching the Jade Token with profound gratitude.

Subsequently, Mo Hua took the Jade Token bestowed by Elder Master Xun and proceeded to seek out elders for their 'signatures'.

He first approached the elders with whom he shared a close relationship and a favorable rapport.

For instance, Elder Xun Ziyou, Elder Xun Zixian, the elegantly beautiful Elder Murong, Elder Yi who imparted Daoist techniques, and Elder Song, who oversaw lectures and frequently overlooked his absences, among others.

Thereafter, by some unknown means, the news circulated.

Numerous elders proactively sought out Mo Hua, expressing a desire to sign his token.

Yet, they hesitated to voice their intentions directly, merely feigning 'chance encounters' while eagerly glancing at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua paused for a moment before slowly articulating, "Esteemed Elder, this disciple has an unconventional request..."

The elder responded with alacrity, "Ah, the Sect Jade Token, is it? Certainly, no problem at all! I shall sign, I shall sign..."

His words were accompanied by an expression beaming with delight.

Eventually, an increasing number of elders from the Three Mountains inscribed their names through these 'chance encounters' with Mo Hua.

Generally, an elder signing a disciple's Jade Token was considered an honor conferred upon the disciple.

However, in Mo Hua's case, the dynamic was reversed; any elder whose name graced Mo Hua's token gained prestige.

Those who refrained from signing were implicitly deemed less significant.

The elders went so far as to scrawl their names with flourish for other disciples, fearing their signatures might appear insufficiently dashing.

Yet, when signing for Mo Hua, they meticulously rendered each stroke, apprehensive that Mo Hua might not recognize their inscription.

Following the elders' endorsements, even the ancestors were not exempt.

The ancestor of Taia Mountain extended an invitation for tea to Mo Hua and casually mentioned the Jade Token, subsequently adding his signature as well.

The ancestor of Mount Chongxu, unwilling to be outdone, followed suit.

Thereafter, all the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains also affixed their names.

By this juncture, Mo Hua's 'Sect Jade Token' was densely covered, almost entirely filled with the names of individuals ranging from the ancestors to the Sect Leaders, and encompassing the elders of the Three Mountains at Taixu Gate.