The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2427: Bai Family (part 3)

Big White Dog watched Mo Hua depart, its gaze fixed until Mo Hua’s figure completely vanished from sight. Only then did it lie back down, its large head drooping with a profound sense of loss.

...

Upon returning to the Disciple’s Residence.

Mo Hua’s expression was clouded with melancholy, still struggling to fully process the revelation.

"The Bai Family..."

He had dedicated nine years to cultivating at Taixu Gate, utterly unprepared for the fact that the sect leader hailed from the prestigious Bai Family.

A Fifth grade aristocratic family was already an impressive entity, but a Sixth grade family, and moreover, a thriving Great Family... the sheer power it must possess was staggering...

Mo Hua let out an inward sigh, his thoughts drifting:

"Junior Brother and Senior Sister, there’s been no word from them for so long. I wonder when I’ll have the chance to see them again..."

A long sigh escaped Mo Hua’s lips.

"I’ll think about that later..."

The affairs of the Bai Family, and Master’s current predicament, were matters he couldn't dwell on at this moment.

"I shall prepare to depart the Sect."

At long last, it was time to bid farewell to Taixu Gate, the Sect where he had lived and honed his cultivation for a full nine years.

Mo Hua retrieved the few Cloud Crossing Orders that Elder Master Xun had entrusted to him.

These tokens, varying in appearance and color, corresponded to different departure times, various ferries, and specific Cloud Ferries operating within the next three days.

Mo Hua's objective was to select one of these orders and board a Cloud Ferry discreetly, thereby leaving the Qianxue State Boundary without drawing attention.

He understood that this was Elder Master Xun's method of ensuring his safety.

The choice itself wasn't particularly critical in Mo Hua's mind, as long as he maintained his secrecy; only he needed to be aware of his selection.

Given this, Mo Hua naturally gravitated towards the largest, most opulent, and swiftest Cloud Ferry available.

This would ensure a comfortable journey and allow him to reach home sooner, to be reunited with his parents.

The thought of Tongxian City, and the image of his parents, filled Mo Hua's heart with a mingled warmth and a touch of apprehension.

Even before boarding the Cloud Ferry or embarking on his journey home, he could already sense a faint trepidation, the feeling of nearing home.

Mo Hua shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

He carefully examined the five Cloud Crossing Orders, ultimately selecting a golden Jade Order.

This particular Cloud Crossing Order was for a ferry operating within the Qianxue State Boundary, a vessel constructed by the Carefree Sect. It was a large, custom-built Cloud Ferry, scheduled to travel from Qian State to Xun State, with a route passing through Li State. It promised smooth sailing, a superior cabin, no concerns about provisions, and a tranquil voyage.

"This is the one!"

As Mo Hua reached to place the golden Cloud Crossing Order into his Storage Bag, a sudden jolt coursed through him, an inexplicable sensation.

Mo Hua turned his head, his gaze drawn to a particular corner, where a pale white Cloud Crossing Order lay.

This Cloud Crossing Order appeared far more unassuming.

At first glance, it didn't seem affiliated with any prominent family or Sect for their Cloud Ferry services.

The Cloud Ferry itself was of medium size, featuring ordinary cabins, and the quality of its food and drink was reportedly unremarkable.

Most notably, it was an older model Cloud Ferry, possessing the slowest travel speed among the available options.

The journey from the Qianxue State Boundary to Li State would likely take an additional month, at the very least.

Mo Hua's brow furrowed.

Logic dictated that he should choose the golden Cloud Crossing Order – the ferry was large, reliable, comfortable, and swift.

However, an undeniable intuitive feeling urged him to select the pale white one.

"Why? Is there some hidden danger associated with the golden Cloud Crossing Order?"

Mo Hua produced a Copper Coin and performed a brief calculation, his expression shifting to one of bewilderment. "No danger is revealed..."

He then conducted similar calculations for the other Cloud Crossing Orders, finding them all to be roughly equivalent in terms of safety.

After all, these were tokens provided by Elder Master Xun; it was logical to assume that Elder Master Xun had foreseen any potential risks, and they couldn't possibly be truly perilous.

In reality, opting for the pale white Cloud Crossing Order offered no discernible increase in safety. It was merely an intuition, a strong premonition that Mo Hua would later regret overlooking it.

Mo Hua's brows remained tightly knitted in confusion. Unable to reconcile the conflicting impulses, he ultimately sighed and placed the rather plain-looking, pale white Cloud Crossing Order into his Storage Ring.

"A slower journey it shall be... this intuition regarding causality cannot be disregarded..."

"Tomorrow afternoon, the Cloud Ferry departs at 7:00 PM, which means... I must leave early tomorrow morning..."

He had always known his departure was imminent.

But now that the specific time was confirmed, Mo Hua felt an oppressive weight in his chest, a profound sense of melancholy and an undeniable feeling of loss.

He cast a final glance back at the Disciple’s Residence.

He had resided within these walls for nine years, spending his days here, cultivating, studying, and practicing formations. It had truly become his "home."

Now, as he was poised to leave, the possibility of ever returning seemed remote.

The sorrow of parting lingered in his heart, and numerous memories felt too precious to abandon.

Mo Hua sighed once more, pacing the room as if attempting to imprint every wall, every corner, every piece of furniture onto his very soul.

After walking for a moment, Mo Hua paused again in the center of the room, his gaze fixed on the empty space. He couldn't help but recall Patriarch Dugu. It was in this very spot that Patriarch Dugu had once torn open the void, brought him to the back mountain, and imparted the Divine Thought into Sword technique.

Yet, the space was now eerily silent. There was no sign of Patriarch Dugu, and his whereabouts remained a mystery. Mo Hua realized he had seen everyone he wished to see, except for Patriarch Dugu. He hadn't managed to bid farewell or express his gratitude face-to-face.

A wave of regret washed over Mo Hua.

"Forget it, the affairs of the Heaven Void Ancestor are beyond the concern of a mere Foundation Establishment Disciple. I must focus on my cultivation. Perhaps in the future, when my cultivation is high enough, I'll have the chance to return and see Patriarch Dugu, to thank him for teaching me the sword and the Dao..."

Firm in his resolve, Mo Hua nodded. After packing his belongings and meticulously checking to ensure nothing was left behind, he finally felt a sense of relief.

Dawn was still about three to four hours away. Mo Hua considered sketching a formation as he usually did, but the impending departure weighed heavily on his mind, making it impossible to calm down.

He could only lie in his bed, closing his eyes, and attempt to rest. However, the moment he shut his eyes, memories flooded his mind – memories of cultivating at Taixu Gate, of all the people and events he had experienced, and of all the dear and vivid faces. It was like a vibrant parade of recollections.

The thought of leaving all of this behind brought a pang of bitterness to Mo Hua.

Suddenly, the sound of space shattering echoed through the air. Mo Hua's pupils contracted, and he slowly sat up.

Through his adjusting vision, he observed a crack in the space, a dark, twisted rift, appearing within the room. This spatial tear felt familiar to Mo Hua; it was the very same kind of rift Patriarch Dugu had created to escort him to the back mountain for sword training.

But now, for reasons unknown, this void crack had opened on its own. From within the fissure, a chilling and sinister Demon Thought emanated, as if a surreal, ethereal voice was beckoning him, whispering the words:

"Come to me..."