Chapter 1429: Temp - Chapter 1427: Each to Their Own
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Chapter 1427: Each to Their Own
These people were betting money on themselves.
And the one setting up the gambling operation…
Mo Hua looked toward the crowd, his gaze falling on the white-robed cultivator with an indifferent expression.
At that moment, the white-robed cultivator was still chatting with the crowd, complaining:
“This little pretty-faced fellow surnamed Mo only knows a few techniques. Even though he luckily won this time, he’ll definitely lose next time.”
“One day, sooner or later, he’ll get beaten black and blue, just like…”
He pointed at the gambling table, indicating the crookedly drawn “ugly Mo Hua,” and said, “Just like this.”
The others couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Bai XiaoSheng, who was secretly mocking Mo Hua behind his back, was also quite pleased.
Suddenly, he felt a chill on his back. Turning around, he saw a handsome face and a pair of eyes with an unfriendly expression.
Bai XiaoSheng’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn, when did this kid walk behind me?
As a peak Golden Core cultivator, I didn’t notice at all?
Is he some kind of “ghost”?
Bai XiaoSheng remained silent, quietly collecting all the Spirit stones under his hand into his storage bag, then said to the crowd: “Scatter, scatter, don’t gossip about others behind their backs.”
Yet the one gossiping behind others’ backs was himself.
The crowd glanced at him disdainfully, then looked at Mo Hua.
Although they thought this pretty-faced fellow called Mo only knew the Fireball Technique so far, which wasn’t particularly impressive, such words were only spoken behind his back.
A cultivator who could win in sparring matches at the Sword Debate Dao Arena wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
In front of Mo Hua, they dared not act recklessly and gradually dispersed.
Mo Hua glanced at his crooked portrait on the gambling table, then at Bai XiaoSheng, and finally at the storage bag in his hand.
Bai XiaoSheng hurriedly stuffed the storage bag into his sleeve.
Mo Hua curiously asked, “You actually bet on me winning?”
Bai XiaoSheng sneered, “Isn’t that obvious?”
He wasn’t unaware of Mo Hua’s prowess.
This kid was adept at hiding his trump cards. Back at the Qianxue Sword Debate, he had misjudged him and lost many matches. Today, he had to recover some interest at least.
Regardless of anything else, at least in Golden Core early-stage competitions, this kid was practically “playing with open cards.”
If he didn’t bet on him winning, wouldn’t that be foolish?
Mo Hua asked again, “How much did you win?”
Bai XiaoSheng replied, “I won’t tell you.”
Mo Hua pondered, “Then if I intentionally lose next time, will you lose money again?”
Bai XiaoSheng opened his mouth, “You wouldn’t be so shameless, right?”
You’re the little senior brother of the Great Void Sect, the top major sect of Qianxue.
Playing a fixed match? Could you at least have some dignity?
Mo Hua said, “I’ll see the situation.”
Then Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng seriously and said: “Gambling isn’t a good thing. Your aunt is my senior sister, and I can’t watch you go down the wrong path. If playing a fixed match can make you lose Spirit stones and help you quit gambling, I’m willing to bear this shamelessness.”
Bai XiaoSheng stared at Mo Hua in shock.
When watching the Qianxue Sword Debate years ago, he had anticipated that this kid Mo Hua would be a troublesome character.
But he hadn’t expected him to be so troublesome. This wasn’t some novice disciple from a sect; he was more like a seasoned veteran in cultivation.
Bai XiaoSheng helplessly asked, “What do you want?”
Mo Hua said, “Nothing much. I just finished a duel with someone, and I’m a bit hungry.”
Bai XiaoSheng thought inwardly, Your duel was like an old man tossing Fireball Techniques, barely moving a few steps, yet you could still get hungry?
Bai XiaoSheng said, “I don’t have Spirit stones.”
Mo Hua said, “Seems like someone just won a bet recently, wonder who it was. I’ll go back and ask your aunt.”
“Fine!” Bai XiaoSheng said, “Today I’m unlucky. What do you want to eat?”
Mo Hua said, “Simple, just go across to Hongyun Pavilion for a bite.”
Bai XiaoSheng sighed.
Hongyun Pavilion wasn’t a regular tavern; within the entire Eastern District of Houtu City, it ranked as a top-tier Spiritual Cuisine Pavilion.
And Houtu City’s prices were already expensive; eating at Hongyun Pavilion would definitely cost a bit.
But stuck with this unlucky Mo Hua, Bai XiaoSheng had no choice and could only say, “Alright.”
Afterward, the two went to Hongyun Pavilion, opening a private room within the luxurious pavilion adorned with carved beams and jade curtains.
A beautiful attendant presented the menu.
Mo Hua began ordering one by one; after just four or five dishes, Bai XiaoSheng felt his heart bleeding and hurriedly said: “Enough, enough.”
Mo Hua glanced at him, then handed the menu to the attendant, saying, “Just these for now.”
The attendant respectfully bowed, “Yes, sir,” then withdrew.
Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng and asked, “You’re from the Bai Clan, after all; are you so lacking in Spirit stones?”
Bai XiaoSheng sneered, “Our Bai Clan has strict family rules; disciples aren’t allowed to indulge extravagantly.”
Mo Hua nodded.
From his elder brother and elder sister, one could actually see a bit of this.
When young, Aunt Xue would control snacks and pastries, not letting them eat too much.
Elder sister was always cultivating, reading, studying alchemy, learning formations—very busy, with almost no time for play, from childhood to now, consistently so.
Sometimes Mo Hua even felt that his elder sister, born from a top-tier clan with exceptional talent, was much more diligent than him.
At least Mo Hua occasionally went out, Entering the Earth, tomb-raiding, experiencing various people and events.
Elder sister only had cultivation and study every day.
Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng and asked, “Then the Spirit stones for your cultivation, the Bai Clan surely provides?”
Bai XiaoSheng said, “Of course.”
Mo Hua asked, “Other major clans are the same?”
Bai XiaoSheng shook his head, “Some clans are strict, like our Bai Clan; if you make mistakes, you have to kneel in the ancestral hall and endure whip lashes.”
“Some clans have completely different atmospheres; the higher-ups manage loosely, especially if the patriarch indulges them. The direct descendants below can become lawless, extravagant, indulgent in pleasure, doing all sorts of things.”
“In short, though all are major clans, their family rules and traditions aren’t identical; some are even vastly different.”
Mo Hua nodded.
Bai XiaoSheng sipped tea and calmly said, “Like me, traveling abroad, I still have to earn Spirit stones myself. The patriarch said, self-reliance is also part of cultivation.”
Mo Hua curiously asked, “Betting counts as self-reliance?”
Bai XiaoSheng froze, glaring at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua asked him, “Do you really like betting?”
Bai XiaoSheng shook his head, “No.”
Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened, “Don’t like betting, yet you bet from Qianxue Prefecture Boundary to Kun Province? And targeted me?”
Bai XiaoSheng said, “You don’t understand.”
He hesitated a moment, ultimately saying, “It’s not that I want to bet, but my cultivation forces me to bet.”
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. “Don’t tell me your cultivation follows the ‘Dao of Gambling’?”
Bai XiaoSheng shook his head. “It’s a long story, and I can’t tell you.”
Mo Hua thought for a moment but didn’t press further.
Matters involving one’s cultivation foundation and the Great Dao they pursued were indeed not something to inquire about casually.
As the two were talking, a bell rang, and a maid entered, placing plates of spiritual cuisine on the table. The dishes looked vibrant and colorful, like jadeite and red jade, truly pleasing to the eye.
Mo Hua took a bite but was quite disappointed.
This was clearly the kind of food meant for “wealthy cultivators,” with all the effort focused on appearances, while the taste was rather ordinary.
It was far less delicious than what his mother made.
Nevertheless, adhering to the principles of not being picky and not wasting food, Mo Hua kept eating.
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua and suddenly asked, “Mo Hua.”
Mo Hua, however, said, “Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to call me ‘Mo Hua’?”
Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback. “How is it inappropriate? Then what should I call you? ‘Kid Mo’?”
Mo Hua shook his head and explained the relationship to him: “Think about it. Your grandaunt is my senior sister. And I am your grandaunt’s junior brother. Think carefully—what should you call me?”
Bai XiaoSheng’s face looked as if he had swallowed a fly. “Enough already. I’m at least a hundred years older than you.”
Mo Hua was shocked. “You’re that old?”
Bai XiaoSheng gritted his teeth in anger. If not for his grandaunt’s sake, he would have given Mo Hua a beating today.
Seeing that Bai XiaoSheng seemed genuinely upset, Mo Hua waved his hand. “Fine, don’t call me that then.”
After a moment, Mo Hua suddenly had an idea and added, “How about we each address each other however we like? You can call me…”
“Shut up!” Bai XiaoSheng’s face turned ashen.
“Alright then.” Mo Hua continued using his chopsticks to pick up fish slices from his bowl.
After eating for a while, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t you want to ask me something earlier?”
Bai XiaoSheng then recalled that he had something to ask Mo Hua, but the interruption had nearly made him forget.
Bai XiaoSheng sighed and asked, “What exactly is your relationship with Ancestor Xun of the Great Void Sect?”
Mo Hua replied, “Mr. Xun taught me formations.”
“And then?”
“There’s no ‘and then.'”
Bai XiaoSheng was stunned. “You and Mr. Xun aren’t related by blood?”
Mo Hua was speechless. “Who told you such nonsense? How could Mr. Xun and I be related by blood?”
Bai XiaoSheng frowned. “How is that possible… Then what is your background?”
Mo Hua said, “I’m a rogue cultivator.”
Bai XiaoSheng sneered. “A rogue cultivator, yet you became my grandaunt’s junior brother? A rogue cultivator, yet Mr. Xun values you so highly? A rogue cultivator, yet the Great Void Sect holds you in such high regard?”
Mo Hua said indifferently, “Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”
Bai XiaoSheng’s frown deepened as he looked at Mo Hua, finding him more and more unbelievable.
He had never seen such a contradictory “figure,” one that exuded an indescribable strangeness in every way.
“Someone like this… how could he really be a rogue cultivator?”
“Could he be… someone’s illegitimate child… carrying the blood of some great figure…”
Bai XiaoSheng was lost in thought for a long time, not touching his chopsticks.
Mo Hua continued eating and drinking on his own, then suddenly remembered something and asked Bai XiaoSheng, “By the way, are you quite familiar with Kun Province?”
He saw that Bai XiaoSheng spent his days wandering around all sorts of places without any proper demeanor, so he figured the man must be quite well-informed.
Bai XiaoSheng snorted, a hint of arrogance in his tone. “Naturally.”
Quite proud of himself… Mo Hua muttered inwardly before asking, “Then are you familiar with the Third-grade Formation Examination?”
“Third…” Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback. “You’re already at the Third-grade?”
Mo Hua replied, “Not quite yet, but I want to prepare in advance.”
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua, feeling a sense of admiration. Regardless of anything else, at least this kid’s formation skills were truly beyond reproach.
“Have you asked True Person Rong about securing a spot?”
Mo Hua nodded. “I did, but True Person Rong only has connections through the Earth Sect.”
Bai XiaoSheng nodded, understanding Mo Hua’s meaning, and continued: “The Earth Sect is too powerful, its interests too concentrated. It’s best to have as little contact with them as possible.”
“If you approach other prominent families, especially those in Kun Province that are relatively weaker, obtaining a spot from them will come at a lower cost, and you’ll have more bargaining power.”
“Or simply… leave Kun Province altogether.”
Mo Hua was startled. “Leave Kun Province?”
Bai XiaoSheng nodded. “Apart from Kun Province, in most other major provinces, if you claim to have Third-grade formation skills and want to take the Third-grade Formation Master examination, all the major powers would practically worship you and offer you a spot.”
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. “Really?”
Bai XiaoSheng snorted. “A Third-grade Formation Master—what do you think?”
Mo Hua frowned. “That’s a bit different from what True Person Rong said.”
Bai XiaoSheng shook his head. “True Person Rong, after all, is a Feathered Ascension expert—soaring through the skies and diving into the earth, detached from worldly affairs and unaware of the situation down here.”
“Not like me. Over the years, I’ve traveled north and south and seen plenty.”
“In ordinary provinces, a Third-grade Formation Master is truly a rare and exceptional figure.”
“Let alone offering an examination spot—some small to medium-sized families would consider it an honor just to serve as a ‘stepping stone’ for a Third-grade Formation Master, allowing them to climb higher.”
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua. “You’re just too talented, your threshold too high, and you’ve been mingling too closely with patriarchs, sect leaders, and True Persons. You don’t know how desperately ordinary powers across the land seek Formation Masters, nor how humble they become in doing so.”
Mo Hua’s expression grew complicated, and he asked, “Then why is Kun Province so special?”
He had to ask others just to secure a spot for a Third-grade examination.
“Is it because the Earth Sect monopolizes resources, concentrates power, holds deep-seated biases, and is exclusionary?” Mo Hua inquired.
Bai XiaoSheng nodded. “Pretty much. The Earth Sect is too big, too monopolistic—that’s how it ended up. In the entire cultivation world, the Earth Sect is the ‘biggest player.'”
“They have too many ordinary talents; they don’t lack them. If you aren’t willing to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to them, why should they give you an opportunity?”
“Moreover, don’t underestimate Kun Province.”
“Qian and Kun represent heaven and earth, and Kun Province occupies a vast ‘earth.'”
“At the height of the Earth Sect’s power, they might not even have regarded the Dao Court with much respect. So much so that the Earth Sect’s higher-ups even considered the idea of taking the authority to grade Formation Masters within Kun Province for themselves.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Hua felt a tremor in his heart.
Taking the authority to grade Formation Masters for themselves?
Did the Earth Sect back then really possess such formidable strength and audacity?
No wonder… the Earth Sect internally held onto examination spots so tightly.
They didn’t just want to monopolize the quotas—they actually wanted to monopolize the “grading authority” as well.
“What happened next?” Mo Hua asked. “Did the Dao Court agree?”
“Of course they couldn’t agree,” Bai XiaoSheng said. “If they had, things would have gotten out of hand. But the Dao Court is far away, and if the Earth Sect pretended to comply while secretly defying them, there was nothing the Dao Court could do.”
“On the surface, the Dao Court was the one determining the grades and issuing the Heavenly Pivot Rings. But in reality, who could become a Third-Grade Formation Master was entirely decided internally by the Earth Sect.”
“Because of this, for a long time, the Earth Sect managed to recruit almost all the Formation Masters above Third-Grade in the entire Kun Province.”
“Until that incident happened…”
Bai XiaoSheng paused, his expression shifting, and he didn’t dare say more.
Mo Hua’s mind stirred, and he silently thought, “The matter of the Imperial Heaven and Sovereign Earth Diagram?”
Bai XiaoSheng was startled, staring wide-eyed at Mo Hua as if asking, “How do you even know about something like this?”
After a moment of thought, Bai XiaoSheng sighed and said: “This matter can’t be discussed. Just keep it to yourself.”
“Anyway, after that, the Earth Sect’s fortunes declined greatly, and any hope of controlling the grading authority was gone. But as for quotas, since they were within the rules, even after being reprimanded by the Dao Court, the Earth Sect remained stubborn and kept a tight grip on them.”
“The Dao Court had already stripped the Earth Sect of its fortunes, so they turned a blind eye to other matters.”
Mo Hua suddenly understood and nodded.
Within what seemed like a simple quota system, such intricate power struggles were hidden.
Still, it was rather… audacious of the Earth Sect to have even considered seizing the “grading authority” for Formation Masters from the Dao Court.
Mo Hua fell into thought.
“Alright, let’s end the conversation here,” Bai XiaoSheng suddenly said.
The dishes on the table were nearly finished, the wine was gone, and he had to hurry off to set up his schemes.
Bai XiaoSheng called over the waiter and was about to pay with spirit stones.
But Mo Hua tossed a storage bag into the waiter’s hand and said: “I’ll cover it. You work hard for your spirit stones—I can’t let you spend them.”
Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback, feeling a flicker of gratitude, only to hear Mo Hua add: “After all, you’re my senior sister’s grand-nephew. How could I let you pay?”
Bai XiaoSheng’s face instantly darkened.
Such a fine person, with such a handsome face—if only he didn’t have a mouth.
Afterward, Mo Hua parted ways with Bai XiaoSheng and walked alone on the road back to the minor blessed land.
Thinking about the grading matter, Mo Hua couldn’t help but recall some things his master had told him when he was young.
Back then, his master had said with a half-smile:
“If you truly have the skill of a Second-Grade Formation Master, but the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion refuses to grade you, you can stand at its entrance, point at the plaque, and curse their elders for being blind.”
Since his master had said that…
Mo Hua guessed he must have done exactly that in his youth.
With his master’s talent and ability, even as a Second-Grade Formation Master, no one would have dared to trouble him.
Now that Mo Hua had seen more of the world, looking back, he gradually understood.
It wasn’t that being a Second-Grade Formation Master was particularly impressive—it was simply that his master himself was extraordinary.
To say something like that showed just how “arrogant” his master had been in his youth.
If only he could one day be as “bold” as his master.
Mo Hua thought to himself silently.
With these thoughts in mind, he continued walking toward the minor blessed land.
Arriving at the minor blessed land, Mo Hua noticed a luxurious carriage parked at the entrance.
He paused briefly before entering, passing through pavilions and scenic landscapes, and arrived in the courtyard. There, he saw a woman dressed in splendid attire sitting in the garden, drinking tea with his senior sister.
Mo Hua recognized her immediately—it was Hua Ping.
In front of his senior sister, Hua Ping sat upright with her graceful figure, her dress shimmering brilliantly. Her face held a gentle smile, exuding a warm and elegant demeanor, appearing both beautiful and refined.
Even upon seeing Mo Hua, Hua Ping gracefully stood up, her eyes and brows like a spring breeze, and spoke softly:
“It is Mo Hua who has returned.”