Chapter 516: Farewell
Chapter 518: Farewell
Mo Hua knew nothing about karma or destiny.
He only remembered one sentence:
With a steadfast Dao heart, no evil can invade.
As long as he focused on studying formations, comprehended the Dao, kept his Dao heart strong, constantly refined his Divine-Sense, pushed it to its limits, and clarified his mind to perceive the principles of all things, then all evil spirits would be powerless against him.
Mo Hua continued cultivating as usual, learning formations.
But Dao-sins clearly refused to relent.
The shadow of the Corpse King would occasionally appear in his Sea of Consciousness, blood-red eyes and a cruel expression fixed on him.
This presence was entirely different from the Divine-Sense bodies of the Blue-Faced Little Ghost or the Zhang family’s Patriarch.
It seemed real, yet intangible.
Clearly present, yet illusory.
Unlike a true Divine-Sense, as Mister Zhuang had said, it was more like a karmic residue, lingering from the past.
The Corpse King’s shadow appeared repeatedly.
At first, Mo Hua was somewhat surprised and worried, but then he recalled Mister Zhuang’s words:
“Just maintain a calm mind. Hold firm to your Dao heart. No need to worry, no need to fear, and don’t even think about it…”
So Mo Hua didn’t care.
In the Sea of Consciousness, the Corpse King was merely a bronze corpse.
After all, he had killed bronze corpses before.
Even the Zhang family Patriarch had been “eaten” by him—back then it had been a struggle of numbers, a hollow victory—but now things were different.
His Divine-Sense had reached the peak of thirteen patterns.
Even in a direct confrontation, he could subdue the bronze manifestation of the Zhang family Patriarch.
Moreover, this Corpse King had once been controlled by his Spiritual-Pivot Formation.
It obeyed him in life.
Even in death, it could not escape his hand.
Mo Hua knew little about karma.
The ignorant are fearless.
Precisely because he was ignorant, he was fearless.
And because he was fearless, his Divine-Sense was firm and imposing, and he paid no mind to this Corpse King radiating Dao-sin.
The Corpse King roared.
Mo Hua frowned. “Don’t bother me!”
Instinctively trembling at his rebuke, the Corpse King’s rage flared, eyes savage, but it was helpless. It could only retreat with a low, reluctant growl…
From then on, the Corpse King appeared in his mind occasionally.
But Mo Hua ignored it completely, even showing disdain, sometimes telling it to get lost.
The Corpse King could only glare viciously and silently lie in wait.
Gradually, it appeared less and less…
Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness grew much calmer.
What he didn’t know was that his karma and destiny had become far more perilous because of it…
……
With the matters in Nanyue City settled—the Corpse King vanquished, Lu Chengyun dead, and the Spiritual-Pivot Formation mastered—it was time to leave.
Before departing, Mo Hua placed the ashes of the elders of the Little Lingyin Sect into a black jade urn inlaid with gold and handed it to Instructor Yan.
Instructor Yan held the ashes, his expression filled with emotion.
Then a mixture of sorrow and guilt appeared. “My disciple was incompetent, bringing misfortune to the sect’s elders…”
His eyes reddened, tears welling, emotions churning from years of anger, confusion, hardship, loneliness, and despair.
Bringing the traitor to justice, recovering the sect’s lost formation inheritance—these were things he had thought about day and night for so many years.
Yet he never imagined the day would actually come when his dream would be realized.
He looked at Mo Hua again, full of gratitude and self-reproach, and sighed:
“This matter… all thanks to you…”
Tracking down the traitor, uncovering his identity, ruining his scheme, making him pay in blood, comforting the spirits of the elders and ancestors of the Little Lingyin Sect…
These were originally his duties.
Yet it was entirely because of Mo Hua that this long-standing grievance was resolved.
And this matter involved the Lu family, the corpse mines, the Corpse King, and even the Dao Court, forcing them to dispatch soldiers.
Mo Hua never mentioned the danger involved, but he could imagine it.
All of this danger should have been his burden…
Yet it fell on Mo Hua’s shoulders.
He had done almost nothing.
Instructor Yan felt deeply ashamed. “As an instructor, I truly… am without face…”
Mo Hua shook his head. “Instructor, you’ve already done so much.”
Instructor Yan was taken aback, forcing a wry smile: “You don’t need to comfort me…”
Mo Hua shook his head again. “It’s not comfort. You told me once that everything in this world has cause and effect, every sip and bite follows a law.
Lu Chengyun’s downfall, the end of the corpse disaster, is the result of the good cause you planted.”
Having just learned a little about karma from Mister Zhuang, Mo Hua explained it to Instructor Yan.
Instructor Yan frowned. “What does this have to do with me?”
“Everything!” Mo Hua argued persuasively:
“Without your guidance, I might never have pursued formations; without your recommendation, I could never have apprenticed under Mister Zhuang; without apprenticing under him, my formations wouldn’t be so advanced, and I wouldn’t have traveled to seek them out.
Coming to Nanyue City was not only to search for formations but also to find you.
If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t have come.
Following your lead, I was able to uncover Zhang Quan, the Walking Corpse Village, the corpse mines, and the schemes of Lu Chengyun and the Corpse King…
Only then could I kill Lu Chengyun, subdue the Corpse King, end the corpse calamity, and reclaim the lost inheritance of the Little Lingyin Sect.
And Lu Chengyun was killed by the Corpse King, which was controlled by the Spiritual-Pivot Formation.
So even his death was under the inheritance of the Little Lingyin Sect.
Everything is a cycle of cause and effect.
Had you not upheld your principles and passed down formations, none of this would have happened, and the corpse mine situation would not have ended as it did…”
Instructor Yan was stunned, lost in thought for a long while.
Good cause brings good result…
After a long time, he smiled wryly: “You’ve been a talkative child since you were young.”
What made it worse—these words were reasonable and irrefutable.
Indeed, it was because he had once valued Mo Hua, teaching him formations, giving him opportunity, that Mo Hua could now help him resolve the Little Lingyin Sect’s long-standing grievances.
In that light, perhaps he wasn’t completely useless after all.
Instructor Yan felt moved, looking at Mo Hua with admiration and relief.
Not letting Mo Hua’s talent go to waste was perhaps the best decision he had ever made.
Years of inner knots slowly loosened.
His brow relaxed.
But soon, a hollow sense of loss followed.
Lu Chengyun was dead, revenge was taken, and his desire fulfilled.
Suddenly, he didn’t know what to do next.
Revenge had been his obsession, his motivation for living all these years. Now that it was done, he felt lost.
Mo Hua understood, eyes brightening slightly, and asked softly:
“Instructor, what do you want to do with the ashes of the Little Lingyin Sect’s elders?”
Instructor Yan paused, then thought for a moment, sighing:
“The Little Lingyin Sect is gone, its mountain gate sold… we can’t return. I plan to find a place, build a tomb, and properly inter the elders, paying respects during festivals…”
He could also live out his remaining years quietly.
Mo Hua asked: “Where will you bury them?”
“Well…”
Instructor Yan hesitated. He hadn’t decided exactly where.
Finding good land these days was hard and costly in Spirit Stones.
“Why not in Tōngxiān City?” Mo Hua suggested.
“Tōngxiān City?” Instructor Yan was surprised.
“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded confidently, patting his chest:
“I know Tōngxiān City very well. Chief Zhou, Elder Yu, Elder An, Master Luo… I have some connections with all the prominent cultivators there.
I can write a letter for you explaining everything—they will help.
Then you can bury the elders wherever you wish.”
Instructor Yan was stunned.
One letter could get help?
Mo Hua’s connections weren’t just connections—they were ironclad…
And yet, he thought, these cultivators—Chief Zhou, Elder Yu, Elder An, Master Luo—weren’t just Foundation Establishment practitioners, their status in Tōngxiān City was high.
How did Mo Hua become so familiar with them?
Even as a young first-grade formation master with limitless potential, his network shouldn’t be this extensive…
Instructor Yan was dumbfounded.
What had happened in Tōngxiān City in the past two or three years?
This child had such influence now?
“Instructor?” Mo Hua called.
Instructor Yan came back to himself.
“What do you think?” Mo Hua asked.
Instructor Yan hesitated, then said slowly: “Tōngxiān City… the mountain land isn’t rich, so…”
Mo Hua teased:
“Don’t worry, Tōngxiān City is not what it used to be. You’ll see when you return.”
Instructor Yan was puzzled but didn’t ask further.
Given the situation, Tōngxiān City was the best place to inter the Little Lingyin Sect elders.
“Alright,” he nodded.
Mo Hua’s expression brightened. Then he asked, “Instructor, do you want to rebuild the Little Lingyin Sect?”
Rebuild… the Little Lingyin Sect?
Instructor Yan’s heart trembled, turning to Mo Hua in disbelief.
Mo Hua said: “Of course, but this cannot be rushed—it can be done step by step.
When you return to Tōngxiān City, you can start by teaching formations to scattered disciples. Once you have enough students, gradually rebuild the sect.
Elder Yu will surely help.
The Dao Court Division will have no objections.
Formation masters like Master Luo and Elder Qian will support you too…
It will take time, as rebuilding a sect cannot be done overnight. It will require long-term perseverance, even the efforts of several generations…”
……
Mo Hua laid everything out clearly.
Instructor Yan’s heart surged, but he was still hesitant, clearly concerned about many things, unsure of how to decide.
Mo Hua continued solemnly:
“Rebuilding the Little Lingyin Sect, passing down formations, flourishing the legacy—these elders will have more disciples to honor them in the future…”
Passing down formations, flourishing the legacy, more disciples to honor…
Instructor Yan’s heart thumped violently.
Confusion faded from his eyes, replaced by hope and desire.
Mo Hua had said all he needed.
He knew Instructor Yan had made up his mind; nothing more needed to be said.
Instructor Yan respected his teachers and valued formation inheritance greatly.
After years of pursuing the traitor Lu Chengyun without giving up, now the chance to revive the sect and pass down formations lay before him, and he would not miss it.
No matter the difficulties, he would find a way to overcome them.
A few days later, Instructor Yan set out.
He would return to Tōngxiān City, choose a scenic place, and inter the Little Lingyin Sect ancestors.
At the same time, the idea of rebuilding the Little Lingyin Sect and passing down formations gradually took root in his heart.
Mo Hua gifted him many formation manuals and some of his own formation insights.
He also dismantled the Spiritual-Pivot Formation’s diagrams, from simple to complex, from shallow to deep, with clear annotations.
Easy to learn, easy to teach.
He gave these diagrams to Instructor Yan as well.
Instructor Yan received them solemnly, hands trembling.
Mo Hua also gave some local specialties, travel rations, and pills for protection—antidote pills, toxin-dispelling pills, and demon-repelling pills.
Mo Hua accompanied Instructor Yan out of the city.
Along the way, he chattered incessantly, constantly giving advice:
“First, set a ranking…”
“Once ranked, things will be much easier.”
“Tōngxiān City has many people; ranking will go smoothly, and the Dao Court Division even provides transport…”
“After ranking, work on Foundation Establishment. Borrowing a few Spirit Stones is fine… You can ask Elder Yu… no, he’s too poor, ask Elder An. The An family is wealthy; their young master, An Xiaofu, is also familiar to me…”
“Once you become a Foundation Establishment cultivator and your Divine-Sense reaches twelve patterns, you can study the Spiritual-Pivot Formation.”
“Learn bit by bit, don’t rush. Start with the simplest things and progress step by step…”
……
Instructor Yan was amused, and couldn’t help but chuckle, yet he felt a warmth in his heart.
Mo Hua’s words had been truly enlightening.
Here he was, an instructor, now learning formations from his own disciple…
Instructor Yan felt both moved and gratified.
After finishing the talk on formations, Mo Hua began mentioning other matters:
“When you go back, please send my regards to my parents…”
“Tell them I’m safe and sound, eating well, sleeping well, growing plump and healthy. I’m learning formations well and haven’t encountered any danger. They don’t need to worry…”
“And Elder Yu, Grandpa Féng, Master Chén, the uncles of the demon hunters…”
“And Da Hu brothers and Da Zhu too…”
He rattled off a long list of people.
“All right, slow down…”
Instructor Yan’s mind could barely keep up. He sighed. This child really had so many friends…
Unconsciously, they reached the city gate.
Parting after a long journey was inevitable. Mo Hua was about to say goodbye to Instructor Yan.
When the moment came, neither knew what to say, and a quiet silence fell.
Mo Hua’s eyes flickered with reluctance.
Instructor Yan looked at him deeply, as if trying to memorize his appearance in his heart.
After a moment, he patted Mo Hua on the shoulder with a hopeful expression:
“Study well!”
“Mm!” Mo Hua nodded.
Instructor Yan waved his hand gently:
“All right, go back now. I’m leaving.”
He slung his bag over his shoulder and began the mountain path, leaving Nanyue City. Occasionally, he would glance back to see Mo Hua still at the gate, waving him off, walking a few steps, then turning to wave again…
The mountains stretched endlessly.
Instructor Yan’s figure grew smaller and smaller, gradually disappearing into the rugged terrain.
Mo Hua watched solemnly, gazing at the distant mountains, then bowed deeply…
Just as he had once at the foot of the mountains in Tōngxiān City, when parting from Instructor Yan.
…
Instructor Yan walked alone along the mountain path northwest, passing several peaks until he reached a connected series of mines.
Within the mines stood a massive shaft.
The miners were at work, noisy yet lively.
Though the labor was hard, their faces no longer showed strain, suppression, or pain.
Instead, there was hope.
Hope that through their own efforts, life could be a little better.
It was a scene completely different from what he had seen before.
Instructor Yan recalled Mo Hua’s words: sow good causes and reap good results.
Perhaps the mines were a kind of good result?
If he hadn’t sown good causes in the past, would the mines still be like before, with humans working like zombies by day, and zombies moving like humans by night, laboring endlessly?
He might never have seen such a scene…
Instructor Yan felt a sense of relief.
“Yes, I haven’t achieved much…”
His abilities were limited; he couldn’t help many people.
Without mastery of the Dao, he couldn’t kill the wicked.
His formation skills were average; he couldn’t build advanced or large-scale formations.
All he could do was pass on formation knowledge.
Let those with talent in formations not waste it.
Let those capable of benefiting others not remain hidden.
By sowing more good causes, more good results would naturally follow…
With that thought, Instructor Yan’s eyes brightened.
Though his lifespan was limited, there was still much he could do!
He glanced back toward Nanyue City.
The mountains blocked the view, and he could no longer see Mo Hua at the gate.
Yet Mo Hua’s image remained in his mind.
He was the first—and only—small disciple who had learned the Small Lingyin Sect’s top-tier Twelve-Rune Spiritual-Pivot Formation at the Qi-Refining stage.
Who knew what he would achieve in the future…
Instructor Instructor Yan’s eyes shone with hope.
…
A few days later in Nanyue City,
Instructor Yan had left, and Mo Hua was about to depart.
He had already bid farewell to Elder Sū, Situ Fang, Qing Lan, and Yang Jishan.
Elder Sū was reluctant to part.
He liked Mo Hua greatly and gave him a pile of fine tea.
Mo Hua asked with some surprise, “You’re giving me all this?”
“Yes,” Elder Sū said wistfully, “take it all. If you leave, drinking it alone would be meaningless. The tea would lose its flavor.”
Mo Hua nodded, “Drinking less tea is fine. Spend more care on your son instead.”
Elder Sū’s face turned red. “Son?”
Mo Hua just looked at him quietly.
Elder Sū smiled awkwardly, then sighed:
“The past is hard to recall; it only comes to demand repayment.”
Yet a trace of fondness still lingered in his gaze.
Situ Fang and Qing Lan also gave Mo Hua some gifts, inviting him:
“Come visit the Situ family when you have time. Let me show a bit of hospitality.”
Mo Hua replied, “Absolutely.”
Yang Jishan felt some regret.
Such a fine talent.
If only he could enter the Dao Military Division!
The Yang family thought similarly.
He also said, much like he had to Yang Jiyong:
“If you want to join the Dao Military Division, give our family name. We’ll support you!”
Mo Hua smiled and thanked him, “Thank you, Uncle Yang!”
With everything ready, Mo Hua, his little senior brother, little senior sister, Grandpa Kui, and Mister Zhuang boarded the cart pulled by Dabai. The horse’s hooves clopped steadily along the rugged path.
Mo Hua asked, “Master, where are we headed next?”
“Straight south.”
“South?”
“Yes,” Mister Zhuang nodded, “it’s about time.”
He looked at Mo Hua with a distant gaze: “It’s time for you to establish your Foundation…”