Chapter 1434: Temp - Chapter 1432: The Source of Trouble

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Chapter 1432: The Source of Trouble

If he weren’t so genuinely terrified and knew he was no match for Mo Hua, Wu Ming would have stabbed him with a knife right then and there.

The “great enemy” he had been obsessing over had actually forgotten who he was?

Suppressing his rage, Wu Ming said, “The Grand Sword Debate Assembly, twelve stream, Spiritual Talisman School, Wu Ming.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Hua mentally flipped through his memories, and a vague impression finally surfaced. He recalled that he had indeed faced this Wu Ming in a match at the Grand Sword Debate Assembly years ago.

But in the end, it was just a brief exchange involving a few Fireball Techniques. Naturally, Mo Hua hadn’t paid it much mind.

It wasn’t that Mo Hua looked down on certain sects; it was just that with so many prodigies from Qianxue’s Four Major Sects and Eight Great Gates, he couldn’t possibly remember them all.

Moreover, a disciple named “Wu Ming” from the Spiritual Talisman School—a twelve stream sect with whom he’d had almost no interaction—was indeed difficult to leave an impression.

However, when traveling outside, one must always give face to others. Especially for scions of major clans, face is of utmost importance.

So, Mo Hua cupped his hands in a slight salute and said, “So it’s Young Master Wu. It’s been a long time.”

Wu Ming’s face remained cold, showing not a hint of pleasure.

Mo Hua asked, “Young Master Wu, what brings you to me?”

Wu Ming had brought a large group of people with him. Under normal circumstances, he probably intended to beat Mo Hua to a pulp.

But this was Houtu City, where private duels were strictly forbidden within the city walls.

Wu Ming sneered, “I don’t have any special purpose in coming today. I just wanted to see with my own eyes if you had truly come to Kun Province and, incidentally, to give you a greeting.”

“A greeting?”

“Indeed,” Wu Ming said. “Kun Province is not Qian Province, and Houtu City is not the Great Void Sect. You’d better be careful. Don’t stir up trouble recklessly, and don’t harbor any delusions.”

“Whether you marry or marry into the wife’s family for the other young ladies of the Lu Clan is of no consequence. But there are some people you’d best not even think about.”

Wu Ming stared coldly at Mo Hua. “Let me remind you: within the sect, you might have been exceptionally talented and praised by all. But now you’ve graduated and entered the cultivation world. The rules here are completely different. Don’t think that your meager talent in Array Formations can compare to the centuries of accumulation of clans like ours.”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. He thought for a moment and actually nodded, saying: “What you say makes sense.”

The way things are done within a sect is indeed different from the cultivation world.

An individual’s talent cannot compare to the centuries of accumulation of a major clan.

Although this Wu Ming was quite arrogant in his demeanor, what he said was actually quite reasonable.

Wu Ming was taken aback, suddenly unsure how to respond.

He had clearly come to mock, warn, and threaten Mo Hua.

Yet Mo Hua wasn’t angry at all and even agreed with him. For a moment, Wu Ming forgot what he was supposed to do next.

After some thought, Wu Ming simply gave up and said finally, “I’ve said all I needed to say. You’d better watch your step.”

With that, Wu Ming turned and left cleanly, taking his large entourage with him.

Mo Hua watched them leave, feeling somewhat astonished.

That’s it?

He brought so many people, said those few words, and then just left?

What was this Wu Ming thinking…

Mo Hua shook his head, not quite understanding.

Meanwhile, Wu Ming was already sitting in a carriage, surrounded by a group of clan disciples, on his way back to the Wu Clan.

Inside the carriage, two hangers-on from the Wu Clan whispered, “Young Master, are we really just letting that kid off like that?”

Wu Ming said, “The situation is tense lately; it’s not wise to stir up trouble. Just threaten him a bit to make him understand his place.”

A group of disciples nodded and said, “Exactly, how dare he ride in Young Miss Lu’s carriage to attend a banquet at the Lu Clan? Is someone like him worthy of sitting in the young lady’s carriage?”

“Make this kid understand his place and stay away from Young Miss Lu.”

“Young Miss Lu’s marriage can only fall to you, Young Master.”

The group flattered him one after another.

Unexpectedly, Wu Ming’s face turned cold as he said, “What are you thinking? Do you really think I don’t know better? How could the Lu Clan possibly match Zhenlong with me?”

Everyone was stunned.

Wu Ming scolded them, “Matters of marriage are decided by the elders and the clan head. In the future, keep your mouths shut.”

Marrying Lu Zhenlong—it wasn’t that he didn’t want to. After all, there was no one who wouldn’t want to marry a woman like Lu Zhenlong.

Nor was there anyone who wouldn’t want to become the son-in-law of the Lu Clan’s Direct Line Daughter.

But Wu Ming understood all too clearly that this was simply impossible.

Leaving aside whether the Lu Clan would even consider an alliance with the Wu Clan, even if they did, the Wu Clan had many prodigies who ranked above Wu Ming.

These individuals, by seniority, were his elder brothers from various branches—more outstanding and more competitive than him.

Wu Ming understood his position within the Wu Clan better than anyone else.

He was indeed from the main lineage, and in the eyes of outsiders, his status was high. But among the main lineage, he was far from being in the first tier.

If he were to compete for Lu Zhenlong, it would be akin to competing for interests against his other elder brothers, factions, and higher-ups.

The Wu Clan’s higher-ups would see him as greedy and overreaching.

The tangled factions within the Wu Clan would find ways to ostracize him.

His elder brothers would also view him as a thorn in their side.

Therefore, he could only step forward to warn Mo Hua, to make Mo Hua understand his place and keep his distance from Lu Zhenlong, ensuring that this “interest” remained untouched by others.

He had to play the role of the villain, the bad guy.

But he himself could not compete, nor could he show such desire, or else he would struggle to maintain his footing within the Wu Clan.

These dynamics of marriage alliances and interests were something Wu Ming might not have understood before.

But now, having graduated from the Spiritual Talisman School and returned to his clan, immersed in this atmosphere for over a decade, he had gradually come to see things clearly.

In the clan, Dao Companions were not Dao Companions, and brothers were not brothers.

Matters between men and women were not simply about affection.

Some things were ugly, but that was reality.

One had to recognize reality and understand their own position; otherwise, in the struggle for interests, one wouldn’t even know how they died.

Wu Ming warned the group again, “In the future, don’t casually bring up matters concerning Young Miss Lu.”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded fearfully.

But someone couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Young Master, what exactly is this Mo’s background? Is he very strong?”

Wu Ming sneered, “What kind of background could he possibly have?”

Someone scoffed, “If that’s the case, why go to such lengths? Bringing so many people—is he even worth it?”

Wu Ming’s face remained cold, and he didn’t respond.

In truth, he knew very well that without bringing so many people, he wouldn’t dare to face Mo Hua.

Some things were hard to explain to others. In reality, he harbored a deep fear of Mo Hua, the Little Senior Brother of the Great Void Sect.

Back during the Grand Sword Debate Assembly, when Mo Hua had ambushed him with the Fireball Technique, his initial reaction had been anger. But as the assembly progressed, Mo Hua’s methods grew increasingly numerous and bizarre, culminating in his use of an Array Formation to single-handedly “kill” so many prodigies.

Even the four top prodigies of Qianxue had, for some reason, fallen to Mo Hua’s hands.

These various deeds were too bizarre; no one would believe them if spoken aloud.

Mo Hua himself was shrouded in an indescribable, almost “demonic” aura.

As a “prodigy” who had once competed with Mo Hua, even with limited contact, Wu Ming harbored a lingering “shadow” in his heart.

Thus, when he learned that Mo Hua had appeared in Kun Province, Wu Ming suffered from nightmares for several nights.

He simply did not dare to face Mo Hua alone.

But sometimes, he had no choice.

Especially when it came to seemingly foolish acts like “provocation,” “threats,” or “making bold statements”—these were best handled by someone like him, a seemingly insignificant and not-too-bright member of the family’s main lineage.

Yet, he was genuinely afraid.

He feared that if Mo Hua grew angry, he might unleash his “monstrous” form and use some unfathomable, sinister method to kill him.

That’s why he had gathered so many people—to bolster his courage.

At the same time, to maintain his dignity as a “young master of a prominent family,” he put on an arrogant front.

Of course, his anger when Mo Hua claimed not to recognize him was real.

But more than that, he used anger to mask his fear.

Otherwise, he was afraid his voice would start trembling right in front of Mo Hua.

Outsiders had no idea just how overwhelming Mo Hua’s presence was for ordinary geniuses like them from Qianxue.

Wu Ming’s expression grew visibly tense.

Among the hangers-on, one particularly observant and perceptive individual noticed this and couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, are you alright?”

Wu Ming’s thoughts were interrupted. He glanced at the speaker, thinking to himself that this person was sharp and clever.

I’ll fire him when we get back. Make him scram.

In the crowd, there were also quite a few genuinely “clever” people who had sensed their young master’s unease, though none dared to voice it openly.

At that moment, however, one person spoke up to ease the young master’s worries: “Young Master, perhaps you… overestimate that Mo Hua?”

Wu Ming frowned. “What do you mean?”

The person replied, “You must have heard the saying… ‘A prodigy in youth may not amount to much in adulthood.'”

Wu Ming frowned again. “Are you mocking me?”

“No, no,” the person hurriedly explained. “What I mean is… Foundation Establishment and Golden Core are entirely different realms.”

Wu Ming grunted in acknowledgment.

Encouraged, the person continued, “When you were studying in Qian Province, you were only in your twenties and still at the Foundation Establishment stage. Any distinctions of strength or superiority were determined within the rules of Foundation Establishment.”

“But studying in a sect is merely the ‘foundation’ of a cultivator’s path—the starting point, the world of Foundation Establishment.”

“Now, you’ve left the sect and reached the Golden Core stage. The rules are completely different.”

“The world of Golden Core is vastly unlike that of Foundation Establishment.”

“‘A prodigy in youth may not amount to much in adulthood.’ Similarly, someone outstanding at Foundation Establishment may not achieve much at Golden Core.”

“In the Golden Core realm, the most crucial element is the Golden Core itself.”

“I’ve inquired about that Young Master Mo. His Core Aspect Manifestation is only Inferior-Grade.”

“But you, Young Master, possess a Mid-to-High-Grade Golden Core.”

Wu Ming was momentarily stunned. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly realized, “You… might have a point.”

I’m at the Golden Core stage now, with a Mid-to-High-Grade Golden Core.

Mo Hua only has an Inferior-Grade one. Why should I be afraid of him?

The person added, “Ultimately, an Inferior-Grade Golden Core can hardly nurture any decent Magical Treasure.”

“And your magical treasure is the supreme treasure of our Wu Clan. I’ve inquired, and that Mo Hua, in all his duels, has never been seen to display a magical treasure, likely too ashamed to show it.”

Wu Ming couldn’t help but nod. “Go on.”

The person continued, “Moreover, I observed that Mo Hua, when dueling others, still only knows a few low-level spells. It seems he has an Inferior-Grade Golden Core, with insufficient spiritual power to sustain superior Dao Arts.”

“In other words, he simply isn’t qualified to learn superior Dao Arts.”

“In terms of core quality, Young Master, you win; in terms of magical treasures, you win; in terms of Dao Arts, it’s still you, Young Master, who wins.”

“For a Golden Core Cultivator, these three are the very foundation of one’s standing, and you, Young Master, surpass him in all. What is there to fear from a mere Mo Hua?”

Wu Ming was stunned.

“Exactly!” others chimed in. “That Mo Hua was strong in the past, but now he’s weak; while you, Young Master, though not weak before, have now grown even stronger.”

“Times have changed, strengths and weaknesses have shifted, and the outcome is already different.”

“How can that Mo Hua with his Inferior-Grade Golden Core even compare to you, Young Master?”

Amidst the flattery from the crowd, Wu Ming gradually began to lose himself.

He couldn’t help but think, “Perhaps I’ve truly underestimated myself?”

He had been trapped in the shadows of the past, unable to break free, which led him to prejudge and fear Mo Hua.

But in reality, the situation was different now. He had already entered the Golden Core realm, and it was a whole new game.

As for Mo Hua, he seemed to be the same as ever, still playing with those outdated Fireball Techniques.

What he feared was the Mo Hua of the past.

But the Mo Hua of the past was already history.

What was there to fear from the current Mo Hua, who had reached the Golden Core realm, formed an Inferior-Grade Core, and was still playing with fireballs?

What was he afraid of?!

Wu Ming’s expression gradually turned arrogant.

Encouraged by the crowd, a surge of courage welled up in his chest.

“Someday soon…” Wu Ming said, “I’ll make that Mo Hua witness the might of my Golden Core. I’ll also let him know what duels between Golden Core Cultivators should truly look like.”

On the other side, within the training grounds.

Mo Hua’s thoughts stirred, and he couldn’t help but wear a strange expression: “This Wu Ming is still thinking about me?”

Speaking of which, do I really have this many enemies?

It seems like in all of Kun Province’s Houtu City, if I’m not careful, I’ll run into a few thorns.

Mo Hua then thought again, “If I have this many enemies, what about my Little Junior Brother?”

Where is my Little Junior Brother?

Is there a Little Junior Brother of mine here in Kun Province?

Mo Hua recalled and realized that among the few familiar faces in the Great Void Sect, none were from Kun Province.

As for the other Little Junior Brothers… there were too many of them. There must be some, but Mo Hua couldn’t remember exactly who at the moment.

Mo Hua frowned.

Under normal circumstances, with his memory, he would never forget. Even someone he had only met once, he could firmly remember.

But the problem was that his Sea of Consciousness had repeatedly been eroded by Fate Bane and Evil Thoughts, his divine nature unstable, his humanity extinguished, and polluted by the Endless Abyss Marsh.

Mo Hua wasn’t so confident in his memory anymore.

“I couldn’t have… forgotten my Little Junior Brother from Kun Province, could I?”

Mo Hua felt a hollow emptiness in his heart.

But with memories, if you can’t recall them, you just can’t.

Mo Hua sat in his seat in the training grounds, racking his brains for a long time, but still couldn’t remember which of his Little Junior Brothers was from Kun Province.

In the end, he could only sigh.

“Forget it, let it be as fate wills.”

Seeing that it was getting late and no one was left to spar with him, Mo Hua stood up, left the Sword Debate Dao Arena, and prepared to return to the minor blessed land.

Before heading back, Mo Hua suddenly remembered that Xiao Ju hadn’t eaten any oranges for quite a while.

She refused to eat Hua Ping’s oranges, saying something about not accepting “oranges given with contempt.”

The orange tree she guarded every day still hadn’t sprouted.

So Mo Hua thought he’d go to the market to buy some oranges for Xiao Ju to satisfy her craving.

When he arrived at the market, Mo Hua walked around the entire area but could only find ordinary oranges, which were rather bitter—hardly any with good flavor.

Mo Hua recalled the vendor named “Nian Youyu” from before.

But when he walked over to that stall, he found the owner had changed. The new vendor was a clever-looking peddler selling small trinkets woven from bamboo and grass.

Mo Hua was slightly taken aback and asked, “What happened to the previous vendor who sold oranges?”

Seeing Mo Hua’s handsome appearance and extraordinary bearing, the peddler didn’t dare to be careless and replied, “He went back to his hometown.”

“Back to his hometown?”

“Yes,” the peddler said, “He said there was a famine in his hometown, so he had to go back.”

Mo Hua froze, his heart suddenly tightening, and his face even paled slightly.

“A famine?!”