- The Quest for Immortality

### Chapter 616: The List A diary... encrypted... What could be inside? Mo Hua's eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued. Jiang Lao Da, in a mess of rambling notes, had hidden some unspeakable information... Not only had he sealed it, but also encrypted it, meticulously ensuring it remained undetected. Surely, it harbored something valuable! Mo Hua's lips curled into a sly smile. He wanted to decipher it. Zheng Fang had once explained, encryption and sealing were distinct processes. Sealing involved constructing an uncertain magnetic pattern, creating a blank "fog-like magnetic ink" to obscure the text. Encryption was more of a "disguise" for the text. More precisely, it involved distorting secondary thunder patterns to alter magnetic flows, tampering with the "agreements" of fixed and uncertain modes, causing the apparent text to change, creating a "disguise." The text one saw was not the true content within the jade slip. "To decrypt, one must decipher the 'encryption pattern,' correct the distorted 'secondary thunder pattern,' restoring the text within the jade slip..." In other words, it was about correcting the "agreements" between fixed and uncertain magnetic patterns. The key lay in the secondary thunder patterns... Everything a cultivator did left traces. Even encrypting a jade slip was no exception. As long as Jiang Lao Da had used the "encryption pattern" to view the true content within the jade slip, this pattern would generate a magnetic flow, leaving traces. Others might not perceive this trace, but Mo Hua, with a spirit transformed by mysterious and derived calculations, could sense it. The principle was similar to Mo Hua "unsealing" a jade slip. By sensing these traces, deducing the secondary thunder patterns, he could match them against known patterns, thereby deciphering the true encryption pattern. However, decryption was more complex than unsealing. Observing the jade slip and sensing the magnetic patterns could not be simulated on a Tao monument. Therefore, the process couldn't be overly prolonged. Otherwise, his consciousness would be torn apart by the mysterious and derived calculations due to excessive burden, causing damage. So, it would take more time. Mo Hua, with all the patience and diligence he could muster, began computing the flows one by one patiently. Fortunately, the sealing pattern and encryption pattern of this "diary" jade slip belonged to the same category, so after over half a month, Mo Hua finally deciphered the true "encryption pattern." Mo Hua breathed a deep sigh of relief. After his first success in decoding the "sealing pattern," he had also succeeded in decoding the "encryption pattern" for the first time! His repository of secondary thunder patterns was more robust now. He had taken a solid step forward in his expertise with thunder magnetic formations. Yet, what would it all amount to if he kept learning step by step, reaching the pinnacle of this knowledge…? Mo Hua furrowed his brow, pondering. Understanding magnetic flows and mastering secondary thunder patterns would mean holding countless keys. Wouldn't that render all sealing patterns and encryption patterns on the jade slips worldwide meaningless to him? Could all the heritage of the world be stripped bare by him? "Too terrifying..." Even Mo Hua hesitated to dwell on it. Shaking his head, he dismissed these "delusions of grandeur" and returned to unraveling Jiang Lao Da's "diary." Zheng Fang had also thoroughly explained the process of decryption to Mo Hua. Recalling his instructions, Mo Hua focused his spirit into the jade slip, using scattered magnetic ink to consolidate a secondary thunder pattern he had painstakingly deciphered. Using this secondary pattern as the "encryption pattern," he overlaid it onto the texts marked with magnetic flow traces, covering them layer by layer. The secondary thunder flow generated by the encryption pattern permeated through the surface magnetic ink, seeped into the uncertain magnetic pattern, flowed into the base layer, and corrected the distorted magnetic flow caused by "disguise," creating a genuine connection. Within the jade slip, the text of Jiang Lao Da's diary began to contort and twist, finally settling down to reveal its true form from beneath the "disguise." Mo Hua eagerly leaned in to read. As he read, his expression turned curious and contemplative. The text... Was it a "list"? The list contained nothing but street names within the cultivation world: "Poison Rakshasa, Fire Foreman, Golden Arhat, Flower Gentleman, Man Butcher, Blood Woodcutter, Shadow Thunder Kid, Marvelous Madam, Ghost Faced Murderer, Dragon Over the River..." Full of a rogue air, rather improper. Judging by these names, those associated with them were likely at least outlawed cultivators, possibly even deviants or demonic cultivators. Mo Hua was taken aback, musing to himself: "Never judge a book by its cover. Jiang Lao Da seems to have a remarkably wide social circle." "But something's off..." These nicknames looked intimidating, suggesting these cultivators weren't mild characters. They seemed unlikely companions for someone so unassuming as "Jiang Lao Da." "These individuals may not all be Jiang Lao Da's acquaintances..." "Could this list have fallen into Jiang Lao Da's hands by chance?" "Or did he stray onto a dark path, indulging in murder and theft, learning this during his criminal endeavors?" "Or perhaps, this is a list from a particular organization?" "What organization could it be?" Mo Hua couldn't quite figure it out. Moreover, there was a crucial issue. Keeping this "list" to himself seemed rather useless... "Submit it to the Tao Court to earn merit?" Without apprehending wrongdoers, lacking concrete results, and without any tasked assignments, even if submitted, it might not earn merits. And if the Tao Court asked how he obtained this "list." What could he possibly answer? Claiming he was accidentally abducted by human traffickers, then slaughtered them, killed Jiang Lao Da, looted his storage bag, took his broken jade slip, mastered the primordial magnetic formation, deciphered the "sealing pattern," cracked the "encryption pattern," and discovered this "list"? That string of events surely was unsuitable to report to the Tao Court. If he lied, he would have to weave an intricate, convincing tale or risk exposure. Even if his actions were deemed "self-defense," the Tao Court might still brand him a "dangerous individual," subjecting him to additional scrutiny. His future actions would then be under tight surveillance. "But without submitting to the Tao Court, what practical use does this list, deciphered with such immense effort, serve for me?" Laying on the bed with his arms under his head, Mo Hua gazed at the ceiling, his eyes blinking rapidly in contemplation. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him, his eyes shining brightly. Names, nicknames... As the saying goes, one's name carries a shadow as a tree's does. There are no wrongly given names, only inaccurate "nicknames." Take the case of that bald vulture. Mo Hua wasn't aware of his actual name, but since his nickname was "Bald Vulture," he was most likely bald, and had a four-symbol eagle pattern formation inscribed on his scalp. "One bald, one vulture." Precisely, without a single misleading word. So, the numerous nicknames on this list likely were derived from these cultivators' appearances, skills, arts, or the means they excelled at in the cultivation realm. For example, "Poison Rakshasa" clearly excelled at poison; The Fire Foreman was undoubtedly a practitioner of fire techniques, skilled in fire spells; The Golden Arhat, with the "Arhat" title, suggested a powerful physique, and with "Golden," he likely practiced a metal-style art, potentially "Golden Bell Cover" for protection. The Flower Gentleman was evidently a debonair "flower picker," skilled in the "harvest and replenish" heretical methods... In essence, these cultivators carried "heritages"! To thrive around the densely populated, deeply-rooted cultivation schools near Qianxue Prefecture and even make a name on the path... The legacies they bore were undoubtedly extraordinary! Jiang Lao Da's list was not just a record of outlaw cultivators but also a... Heritage catalog! Mo Hua's thoughts cleared. One must think bigger. Don't just aim to take from the sects. The rogue and demonic cultivators' legacies could be claimed as well! As long as he could capture them, persuading them with logic to reveal the whereabouts of their legacies, he'd no longer need to spend merit on spells. He could even earn merit by capturing them! A profitable endeavor! As for choosing a heritage... Mo Hua already had plans. Whatever spell or heritage he wished to learn, he could target the illegal or demonic cultivators of the corresponding attribute. For instance, if he wanted to learn fire spells, he’d seek those on the list whose nicknames included "Fire," "Flame," or "Blaze." If Mo Hua wanted to learn metal-based techniques, he'd target the criminals with nicknames featuring "Gold," "Diamond," or "Golden Arhat" in their monikers. For water-based techniques, he'd go after those with names including "Water," "Wave," "River," "Fish," or "Jiao" (a type of dragon)… Following this method, it would be right on target every time. Whether he'd find the suitable techniques depended a bit on luck. But even without suitable techniques, he could at least earn merits. Mo Hua's eyes sparkled brightly. "Jiang Lao Da was indeed a good man!" This list was practically a different kind of 'merit record'! As for which technique to learn first, which criminal to pursue, how to find them, and how to take on tasks… All these details needed to be carefully considered. Once everything was prepared and ready, he could start "calling names"... Mo Hua, holding the jade slip, couldn't help but smile. Little did deceased Jiang Lao Da know that while he was gone, his diary had become a "death diary." --- What should he learn first? After half a day's contemplation, Mo Hua concluded he should first master a more advanced concealment technique. One that could be used both offensively and defensively, and be handy for escape. Currently, his concealment skill was too cumbersome. The concealment technique Mo Hua had learned was meant for those with a single water spiritual root. He had a small five-element spiritual root, which partially included water, but it was too mixed, resulting in incomplete invisibility—sometimes an arm or a head might be visible. Only with the added concealment array was it somewhat perfected. Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment and joined one of the Eight Great Sects, the Tai Xu Sect, the opponents he would encounter would likely not just be prodigious talents, but also challenging outlaws and rogue cultivators. His concealment methods needed an upgrade. Mo Hua began scanning the list. Most of the culprits skilled in concealment were likely thieves or bandits, with names potentially containing "Hidden" or phrases like "Dexterous Hands" or "Star Picker." After searching for a while, Mo Hua finally identified his first candidate: Yin Lao Er. There was just a name, no description, but Mo Hua instinctively felt this person must be a master of concealment! With the name decided, the next step was to find Yin Lao Er... But how to find him? Mo Hua frowned, considering approaching the Tao Court? He was just a low-ranking disciple of the Tai Xu Sect; the Tao Court likely wouldn't recognize him... He had a bronze identity token from the Tao Court. But it was from Tu Xian City, a remote second-grade immortal city in Lizhou. It might not be recognized in Qianzhou. Besides, even if he found Yin Lao Er, he would certainly need assistance to capture him. He couldn't handle a seasoned criminal like Yin Lao Er alone as just a Foundation Establishment novice. After much contemplation, Mo Hua figured there was only one feasible approach: take on a task. He needed a bit of luck to see if a task to capture Yin Lao Er would appear on the sect's bounty list. The criminals on Jiang Lao Da's list were all active in the Qianxue Prefecture vicinity. Should Yin Lao Er cause trouble, the Tao Court would likely take note. If short on manpower, the Tao Court would release bounties to the sects. This way, Mo Hua could "naturally" pursue Yin Lao Er, exploit his resources, and acquire the concealment art. This required some luck and "opportunity." In the following days, Mo Hua vigilantly checked the Tai Xu Order whenever he was free, flipping through the bounty list task by task during his lunch breaks. Whenever he saw tasks involving bandits, invisibility, or concealment, he paid close attention. But such bounties were rare; after eight or nine days, he saw little progress. One afternoon, after a hearty meal, Mo Hua was chatting in the disciples' residence with a few fellow students. Among them were the sturdy Cheng Mo, Li Zhou's swordsmanship genius Si Tu Jian, Zheng Fang from the Zhenzhou Zheng family, and a few other close friends. Mo Hua entertained them with stories. He described the formidable beasts of the Great Black Mountain. The thrills and dangers of monster hunters. What were zombies like? The differences between walking corpses, iron corpses, and copper corpses, and how one becomes a corpse king. The sight of a mountainside overrun with corpse tides. And tales of demonic cultivators seducing souls and devil practitioners cannibalizing in remote wilds. These homebound heir-apparent prodigies, raised within their families, were dumbstruck. Cheng Mo gaped, mumbling, "Mo Hua, you're not pulling my leg, are you..." "Believe it or not..." Mo Hua sipped generously from his teapot after speaking. Cheng Mo, still skeptical, grumbled, "How old are you? Hunting monsters, battling corpse tides, entangling with deviant cults…it sounds utterly far-fetched…" "Believe as you wish!" Mo Hua dismissed him. "I don't believe…" "Then why were you so engrossed just now?" Cheng Mo paused. Though he doubted, Mo Hua's narrative felt vivid and convincing, undoubtedly captivating. Si Tu Jian was equally engrossed but recalled another matter. "Speaking of monster hunting..." Si Tu Jian said, "I heard the sect facilitates hunting." "The sect? Hunting monsters?" Mo Hua asked, surprised. "Is that possible?" Si Tu Jian looked puzzled, "You didn’t know?" Mo Hua nodded. As a rogue cultivator, it was his first time in Qianxue Prefecture, his first time joining a sect, and no one had briefed him on such matters. Wen Ren Wan had provided some guidance, but she couldn't possibly cover every detail. Mo Hua inquired, "Where can one hunt monsters?" Si Tu Jian explained: "In Qianxue Prefecture, there’s a ‘Monster Refining Mountain’ with many beasts left by powerful cultivators to allow sect disciples to hone their skills and collaborate in slaying monsters..." "However, it’s somewhat distant." "New disciples aren’t permitted in Monster Refining Mountain; at least mid-Foundation Establishment is required." "There are quite a few rare beasts there, whose materials are highly valued for crafting spirit tools, particularly spirit swords..." "Forging swords?!" Mo Hua's eyes lit up. Si Tu Jian also appeared eager, "Indeed, I’ve heard certain spirit swords can only be forged using specific beast bones from Monster Refining Mountain in Qianxue Prefecture..." Mo Hua nodded slightly, recalling that the inheritance he held, the Drifting Gold Swordsmanship Technique, included a section on the "art of sword crafting." It detailed how the swords needed for swordsmanship should be crafted... He wanted to delve further but suddenly felt a jolt, as if something he had long anticipated had finally occurred. Concealment skill! Mo Hua instantly retrieved the Tai Xu Order and noticed a fresh batch of tasks had appeared. Among them, one task, despite seeming mundane, was unusually prominent in Mo Hua's eyes: "Qianxue Prefecture Tao Court issues a bounty..." "An enigmatic case of robbery and murder..." Today there’s an extra chapter, though it will be slightly late~ If you notice any errors in this chapter, click here to report them.