Chapter 1336: The Opening
Chapter 1335: The Opening
Once the Dao Court’s army breached the Great Wilderness Royal Court—slaughtering the barbarian soldiers of the Great Wilderness, massacring the Royal Court’s civilians, and wiping out the royal lineage entirely—committing the deed of annihilating a nation and exterminating the people, creating countless murderous karmic sins, drenching the land in blood and filling the heavens with resentment.
It was very likely that, within the fourth-rank Royal Court territory, an extremely ferocious Dao-Sin Calamity would be born, drawing down a catastrophic heavenly disaster and bringing utter annihilation upon all living beings…
And this time, this “Dao-Sin Calamity” might be different.
Because Mo Hua knew that his martial uncle was in the Great Wilderness.
And his martial uncle’s cultivation realm was very likely already approaching the pinnacle of Feathered Ascension.
This Dao-Sin Calamity would be, for his martial uncle, the opportunity to break through Feathered Ascension and advance into Profound-Hollow-Void.
Mo Hua had originally thought that these matters were, to a certain extent, unknown secrets.
But now it seemed he had underestimated the Dao Court, and underestimated True Person Zhuge as well.
These “secrets”… True Person Zhuge knew them.
As a Feathered Ascension expert of the Zhuge clan, an Honorary Consecrator of the Imperial Celestial Bureau, proficient in Seven-Star formations and practiced in causality, fortune, and calamity, True Person Zhuge’s abilities were beyond question. Many matters of heavenly secrets, he understood perfectly well… he simply never spoke of them.
Yet despite knowing all this, True Person Zhuge allowed everything to unfold.
Why?
Was True Person Zhuge allied with Mo Hua’s martial uncle? Did he also wish to exterminate the Great Wilderness, nurture a Dao-Sin Calamity, and create conditions for the martial uncle’s advancement to Profound-Hollow-Void?
The moment this thought arose, Mo Hua rejected it.
Impossible. True Person Zhuge could not have any entanglement with his martial uncle. Judging from his words and temperament, he was absolutely not the kind of great evil who had “fallen into demonic ways.”
The only possibility was that this was the Dao Court’s arrangement.
No matter how carefree or detached True Person Zhuge was, he was still a True Person of the Dao Court, an Honorary Consecrator of the Imperial Celestial Bureau. In many matters, he had no choice but to obey the Dao Court’s orders… there was no room for defiance.
In other words, his actions represented the will of the Dao Court’s upper echelons.
But the more Mo Hua realized this, the less he understood.
What exactly did the Dao Court’s upper ranks intend?
They knew that his martial uncle was nurturing a Dao-Sin Calamity, that he was advancing toward Profound-Hollow-Void, so why didn’t they stop it? Why insist on destroying the Great Wilderness, toppling the Royal Court, and pointlessly creating karmic slaughter?
The Dao Court, after all…
Mo Hua stared at True Person Zhuge, his thoughts racing, his expression shifting again and again, unable to conceal the shock in his heart.
True Person Zhuge, in turn, stared into Mo Hua’s eyes, and the more he looked, the more shocked he became.
Through Mo Hua’s eyes, he could tell.
Mo Hua knew.
He actually knew!
So many secret matters, so many schemes of the Dao Court’s upper ranks, so many unspeakable and terrifying secrets, this kid actually…
Knew them all?!
You’re just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how do you know so much?!!
True Person Zhuge’s gaze trembled. He suddenly grabbed Mo Hua by the shoulder and demanded, “Who… told you this?”
Mo Hua shook his head. “No one told me…”
“Then you…” True Person Zhuge’s eyes filled with shock and disbelief. “How exactly did you know?”
Mo Hua said, “I… guessed.”
Guess my ass—are you a god, able to guess everything?!
True Person Zhuge was furious, yet he dared not press further.
If Mo Hua had heard this from someone else, that person’s attainment would be unfathomable, surely a master strategist operating behind the scenes.
And some things were destined never to be spoken aloud.
Words left traces of causality.
A Daoist’s title, the Royal Court’s schemes, once these causal threads were spoken, causality would be stirred, easily leaking outward.
So he could not force Mo Hua to say anything.
True Person Zhuge could only look deeply at him and sigh inwardly, “Old Mister Xun… you really did stuff a little ancestor over here…”
With a solemn expression, True Person Zhuge said, “Tonight, I’ll send people—people from my Zhuge clan—to escort you out of the Great Wilderness and send you back to the Great Void Sect.”
“You know too much. I… cannot keep you.”
Mo Hua hurriedly said, “No, I still have important matters to attend to.”
True Person Zhuge frowned. “Nothing more than the matter of forming a core at the Dragon Pool. With your intermediate-lower grade spiritual root, what are you going to the Dragon Pool for? Be obedient and go back properly. Once the Royal Court matter is settled and I have free hands, I’ll personally help you form your core. Using my Zhuge clan’s secret methods, I’ll make sure everything is arranged perfectly. Don’t cause trouble at a time like this…”
This was already the greatest sincerity True Person Zhuge could offer.
With his lazy temperament, even for his own clan children or nephews forming cores, he might not go this far.
But Mo Hua could hardly explain that the core he intended to form was different from everyone else’s.
According to the principles of refinement at the Dragon Pool, it was very possible that not only would his grade not drop, it might even rise.
Not to mention the blood-tearful plea of the Second Elder.
And the unfathomable causal threads involving his martial uncle.
Many matters… he had to personally step into the game to truly understand them.
Mo Hua shook his head. “True Person, there are things I can’t conveniently explain, but I really cannot leave. I must go to the Royal Court. And the Dragon Pool as well, if there’s a chance, I’ll definitely go in and try forming my core there.”
“Forming a core at the Dragon Pool… means something very different to me.”
True Person Zhuge frowned deeply. “How is it different?”
Mo Hua said nothing.
Helpless, True Person Zhuge said, “Then forget about the Dragon Pool. Other prodigies are one thing, they can go. You really don’t need to.”
It was an ordinary remark.
But Mo Hua’s mind was anything but ordinary. Instantly, he caught a problem:
“‘Other prodigies can go’…”
“So that means the Dao Court—or rather, the upper ranks of the Seven Pavilions—are actually tacitly permitting these prodigies to form cores at the Dragon Pool?” Mo Hua asked.
True Person Zhuge froze.
“That’s a bit off…” Mo Hua frowned and continued reasoning. “I’ve always found it strange, since the Dao Court plans to attack the Royal Court anyway, the Dragon Pool would sooner or later belong to the Dao Court. They wouldn’t let disciples of other clans meddle with it.”
“Normally, the Dao Court would never be so generous.”
“Since they’re being generous now, that means there’s some unavoidable reason behind it.”
“The Dao Court must let the disciples of the great clans go to the Dragon Pool first. Or rather… they must let these clan prodigies capture the Dragon Pool first?”
“To let them capture the Dragon Pool, they naturally have to allow them to form cores there.”
“This is a… transaction?”
True Person Zhuge’s eyelids twitched violently. He wanted nothing more than to cover Mo Hua’s mouth.
He finally understood why this kid knew so much.
It was because his brain was broken.
A normal person’s brain simply wasn’t built like this.
“True Person Zhuge, is it that—” Mo Hua began.
True Person Zhuge hurriedly covered Mo Hua’s mouth.
He truly didn’t want to continue this conversation. He was afraid that if it went on, even the last scraps of secrets in his heart would all be dragged out.
After thinking for a long while, True Person Zhuge sighed helplessly. “Forget it. Do as you please.”
But given Mo Hua’s “little ancestor” status, he couldn’t truly let go, so he added a warning:
“Some things… never mention them. When the tongue moves, trouble arises. Once spoken, causality stirs. Let them rot in your stomach, don’t say them aloud.”
Mo Hua nodded.
True Person Zhuge continued, “As for the Dragon Pool, go if you want. I can’t control it anymore.”
“But remember: blend in with the crowd. Don’t stand out. If others can form cores, you can follow along and form one too. If the situation turns bad, turn around and run immediately. As long as the green hills remain, there’s no fear of having no core to form.”
“In a few days, I’ll be fighting the Feathered Ascension experts of the Great Wilderness. By then, the Feathered Ascension level will decide the outcome first.”
“There are other matters I must handle as well. I may not have the spare capacity to watch over you anymore. Be careful… be careful of everyone…”
True Person Zhuge’s tone was grave.
Mo Hua slowly nodded.
After speaking, True Person Zhuge looked utterly worn out. With a sigh, he left.
He still had to confer with the other True Persons and truly had no time to keep an eye on Mo Hua. Besides, Mo Hua was an inherently “uncontrollable” existence—manageable or not, it made no difference.
True Person Zhuge had left, but the gloom in Mo Hua’s heart only deepened.
“All of the causality… the Dao Court knows it all. The Dao Court would rather create karmic slaughter than spare the Royal Court. They don’t care whether a Dao-Sin Calamity will be born.”
“Or perhaps the Dao-Sin Calamity itself was already part of the Dao Court’s calculations?”
“Even my martial uncle’s actions… were they long ago within the Dao Court’s plans?”
Thinking about it… that was likely.
No matter how strong his martial uncle was, he was still only Feathered Ascension.
And within the Dao Court’s forces, who knew how many ancient monsters above Profound-Hollow-Void were hidden?
If they truly plotted against him, even with all his methods, a single Feathered Ascension cultivator could never withstand the calculations of that many old monsters.
Taking the thought further…
Perhaps those old monsters of Dao Province weren’t only scheming against his martial uncle, they were also using his martial uncle’s game to achieve their own goals?
Using the famine disaster he created to profit from war, destroy the Royal Court, and swallow the entire Great Wilderness.
Mo Hua felt heavy-hearted.
Everyone was playing on the same chessboard. Everyone was both a chess player and a chess piece.
Even someone as strong as his martial uncle might not be an exception.
The more Mo Hua touched the situation of the Royal Court war, the more he knew—and yet, the more he knew, the more obscure and unfathomable the heavenly secrets became.
“No matter what, even if the road ahead is a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, I must still venture into it…” Mo Hua thought silently.
…
With time pressing, Mo Hua first returned to the Situ clan.
He went to find Situ Jian and said, “Send a message. Call over all the prodigies from Qianxue. I have something to ask them.”
Situ Jian nodded. “Alright, Little Senior Brother.” He then sent out the message.
Some prodigies were still staying at the Situ residence, while others had returned to their respective clan encampments.
But since Mo Hua had issued the order—and with a great battle imminent, at such a sensitive moment—by early the next morning, a group of prodigies had all gathered together.
Xiao Ruohan, Ao Zheng, Shen Cangfeng, Shi Tiangang, Feng Zichen, Song Jian… along with a number of Qianxue prodigies whose faces were familiar though their names were not—all had arrived.
Mo Hua asked, “About the Dragon Pool, have your major clans… made a deal with the Dao Court?”
Hearing this, the crowd looked at one another, their faces full of confusion.
Mo Hua frowned slightly. “You don’t know?”
Feng Zichen said slowly, “The elders only said that after the Royal Court is breached, we must act according to the Dao Court’s orders. Whoever manages to enter the Dragon Pool may receive the Dao Court’s approval to form a Golden Core within it.”
Mo Hua frowned. “That’s all?”
Shi Tiangang nodded. “That already counts as the Dao Court’s approval, one could even consider it a form of ‘military merit.’”
“Only the first batch of prodigies who break into the Royal Court will be qualified to enter the Dragon Pool.”
“Once the Great Wilderness is completely trampled by the Dao Court, the Dragon Pool will be reclaimed by them. After that, entering the Dragon Pool to form a core will be nearly impossible. Even if it is possible, the number of slots will be extremely limited, and the cost will be enormous…”
“As for the specifics of how it will be done, the Dao Court hasn’t said yet, probably for secrecy’s sake…”
Mo Hua nodded slightly.
Feng Zichen glanced at Mo Hua and asked with some concern, “Mo Hua, are you also… going to compete with us for the Dragon Pool slots?”
Everyone instinctively looked toward Mo Hua, their gazes growing heavy.
Mo Hua looked at Feng Zichen and asked, “How many people can the Dragon Pool accommodate for core formation?”
Feng Zichen shook his head. “No idea…”
After thinking for a moment, he added, “But since the Dao Court is letting us prodigies compete, I imagine the number of slots in the first batch won’t be too small.”
“We’ll see when the time comes,” Mo Hua said. “If we can breach the Royal Court, I’ll judge the situation then.”
Mo Hua appeared fairly casual.
But no one believed he truly didn’t care.
Shen Cangfeng spoke solemnly, “Mo Hua, this time it’s a battle for core formation. If we end up clashing head-on, we’ll decide superiority then.”
The others looked at Mo Hua, their eyes filled with both deep wariness and blazing fighting intent.
Ten years had passed. Perhaps they would finally have another chance to cross hands with Mo Hua, and wash away the humiliation of the Qianxue Sword Debate back then.
Mo Hua merely waved his hand. “We’ll talk about it later.”
He knew very clearly that this wasn’t Qianxue Prefecture, nor was it a sword debate tournament.
This was the Great Wilderness, a bloody war where once things began, it would likely be a fight to the death.
Mo Hua hadn’t wanted to say much, but thinking of the bonds of these past years, he ultimately still warned them, “If the time comes to fight over entry into the Dragon Pool, then everyone relies on their own abilities. Win or lose, don’t blame anyone else.”
“But… if things become untenable, remember this, watch my signals and act accordingly.”
Mo Hua’s tone grew grave.
The Qianxue prodigies were taken aback. Though many showed disdain on their faces, deep down they still dared not completely disregard Mo Hua’s words.
…
After the prodigies dispersed, Mo Hua asked Situ Jian, “Situ, are you going to the Dragon Pool as well?”
Situ Jian nodded. “Everyone’s going. I should go and give it a try too… treat it as experience. Besides, the elders of my clan should be protecting me.”
Mo Hua nodded. “That’s good.”
Situ Jian glanced at Mo Hua and asked, “Little Senior Brother, what are your plans? Why not come with our Situ clan? I can have the elders protect you too.”
Mo Hua shook his head. “We’ll see.”
Situ Jian looked a little disappointed.
Mo Hua smiled, patted his shoulder, and said, “Once the battle begins, the situation will be chaotic. Many plans may not hold. Act according to circumstances, and make sure to protect yourself. If fate allows, we’ll regroup inside the Royal Court.”
Only then did Situ Jian nod happily. “Alright.”
After chatting with Situ Jian for a while longer, Mo Hua went out of his way to find Situ Fang.
Situ Fang was clad in full armor, valiant and dashing, her eyes brimming with battle intent, she seemed to be preparing as well for the decisive battle against the Royal Court.
When Situ Fang saw Mo Hua, her expression lit up. “Mo Hua?”
Mo Hua asked, “Sister Situ, are you going to attack the Royal Court too?”
Situ Fang nodded.
Mo Hua hesitated.
Situ Fang asked, “What’s wrong?”
Mo Hua looked at her, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Sister Situ… about the Royal Court war… maybe you shouldn’t go.”
Situ Fang was startled, then smiled. “You’re afraid I’ll die on the battlefield?”
Mo Hua looked at the space between her brows and remained silent.
War was a massive meat grinder. Anyone who stepped onto the battlefield was already facing near-certain death.
What’s more, Situ Fang wasn’t like Situ Jian. She didn’t have a Situ clan Golden Core elder guarding her. Charging into battle under such conditions was extremely dangerous.
Situ Fang shook her head, her expression turning solemn. “I’m a member of the Situ clan, bearing the Dao Court’s mission. Now that war is spreading and lives are being devastated, I should naturally do my part. I can’t shrink back just because I’m afraid of death.”
Mo Hua was slightly stunned, and a sense of admiration rose in his heart.
Then Situ Fang gave a bitter smile, her expression a little downcast. “Of course, my talent isn’t great, and my cultivation is low. This is about all I can do…”
Mo Hua shook his head. “Sister Situ, you’re already amazing.”
To follow one’s heart, to follow one’s Dao-heart—never retreating even in the face of danger.
Mo Hua wanted to look after Situ Fang a bit more, but once the great battle began, he would barely be able to take care of himself, let alone others.
Situ Fang’s life and death would be like duckweed drifting on the water.
After thinking for a moment, Mo Hua took out some protective jade pendants and a set of soft armor inscribed with defensive formations, handing them to Situ Fang. “Sister Situ, keep these. At a critical moment, they might protect you.”
Situ Fang accepted the jade pendants and soft armor, grateful in her heart.
Even after giving her these protective items, Mo Hua still wasn’t at ease. He thought for a bit, then took out two jade slips and inscribed a character on each.
On one jade slip, he wrote: Mo Hua.
On the other, he left only some barbarian sacred markings, imbued with a trace of divine sense.
“After the battle for the Royal Court, chaos is inevitable. If you get separated from the army and encounter people from the Nine Provinces, show them the jade slip with ‘Mo Hua’ on it. It might help you.”
“If you encounter barbarian cultivators, show them this sacred mark. It might save your life as well.”
“These two jade slips, you must keep them safe. Don’t tell anyone about them. Unless absolutely necessary, unless your life is in danger, don’t show them to anyone.”
Situ Fang was startled. Faintly, she sensed that this little brother she had once befriended was likely already an extraordinary figure.
She nodded and solemnly accepted the two jade slips, feeling as though she had, unknowingly, taken on some great karmic bond.
Mo Hua slowly let out a breath.
This was all he could do.
…
Time flew by. After a round of preparations, seven days later, the battle for the Royal Court officially began.
Within the main camp, Mo Hua saw a True Person of the Dao Court step across the boundary of the Royal Court region, enter the Fourth-Rank Royal Court Mountains, then rise straight into the air from level ground. He summoned a flying sword, sword qi stretching like a long rainbow across the sky, and with heaven-shaking might, carved a vast chasm as it slashed toward the gates of the Royal Court.
In the distance, within the majestic and enormous Royal Court, an equally tremendous aura erupted.
A Great Wilderness Dragon Lord, shaped like a small giant, hovered in midair and threw a punch. Dense blood qi surged, mixed with a ferocious dragon’s roar.
With a thunderous boom, the powers of two Feathered Ascension cultivators collided in the air. Sand and dust reversed, the earth split apart.
The final chapter of the Great Wilderness war had begun…
…