Chapter 632: Fire Buddha - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 632: Fire Buddha In the late stage of Foundation Establishment, wanted by the Dao Court, practicing forbidden fire techniques, and known for his murderous ways—the notorious Fire Buddha! Mo Hua felt a chill deep within his heart. A quick consideration made it clear he was no match for him! Mo Hua was only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, while the Fire Buddha was in the late stage. Though both were within the Foundation Establishment realm, the vast gap in cultivation level left little doubt about the outcome. Setting up a formation was also futile. Such a ruthless villain would undoubtedly be cunning and exceptionally vigilant. Under the bright daylight, setting up a formation to kill him would be as futile as trying to cover one’s eyes and ears to steal a bell, easily detected by his senses. Moreover, he had three accomplices with him. Two burly men—one with coarse hands, the other with a face full of scars—and a tall and thin cultivator. Being close to the Fire Buddha suggested their cultivation level was at least mid-stage Foundation Establishment, if not late-stage. They too were likely criminals, with ruthless methods. Mo Hua immediately assessed that these villains were not ones he could handle at the moment, especially given the impromptu nature of their encounter. "Preserving my own life is crucial!" Mo Hua discreetly withdrew his gaze, his demeanor unchanged, continuing to eat his noodles without a trace of oddity. He simply quickened his pace, cheeks bulging as he slurped, finishing the remaining noodles and drinking up the soup in no time. He pulled out two spirit stones, placed them on the table, and replied in as calm a voice as possible, “Boss, the bill please.” The shopkeeper smiled and said, “Take care, young master.” Mo Hua nodded and got up to leave. But as he took his first step, he heard a low, amiable voice nearby: “Young master…” Mo Hua’s heart tightened, sensing that a strong spiritual awareness had locked onto him. Eighteen stripes of peak spiritual awareness! Mo Hua felt a pang of helplessness, feigning innocence as he turned around. At a table, the previously silent, towering man with a benevolent face was intently staring at him, his expression calm, voice steady, yet his eyes bore a depth: “Do you… recognize me?” Mo Hua, maintaining an unperturbed facade, replied with a puzzled expression, “Uncle, who are you?” The man’s gaze darkened slightly, displeasure flashing across his features, bewildered as well… Logically, no one should recognize him… Anyone who had seen his face—regardless of age or gender—he had killed and burned to ashes, leaving no witnesses behind. Those he couldn’t kill were high-ranking members of the Dao Court or highly experienced officials, generally requiring a Nascent Soul level of cultivation or higher. This naive-looking child surely didn’t seem like someone who knew him. And more so, he couldn’t possibly recognize him. The man furrowed his brow. Yet moments ago, he indeed sensed a trace of spiritual probing. Although faint and subtle, with remarkable skill that skimmed over like a dragonfly touching the water, it couldn’t escape someone like him, yearned on the edge of life and death. The baffling thing was, this trace of spiritual awareness disappeared in an instant. Searching again yielded no results, except the oddity of this nearby noodle-eating kid, who seemed to glance at him briefly and then focus back on his meal. The man’s eyes narrowed, this spiritual probe was deep, more than what a child of this level could produce. Such seasoned probing methods shouldn’t be within this child’s repertoire either. Yet a lifelong instinct told him… There was something off about this kid. Especially since, after just one glance, the kid’s eating pace noticeably quickened before standing to leave. There was something amiss. It seemed like… He had recognized him, identified his identity, and wanted to slip away to avoid trouble. The man’s expression remained gentle, but his gaze deepened. In that instant, Mo Hua’s heart tightened. This man, maybe the “Fire Buddha”, was suspicious of him! His vigilance was extraordinarily high, and his suspicion was overwhelming… He needed to come up with a plan to muddle his way through… Mo Hua’s expression didn’t change, though his mind was racing. One of the burly men glanced at Mo Hua, questioning, “Do you think something’s up with this kid?” Another two spoke softly among themselves, “No way…” “Can’t tell…” “Too young…” “A sect disciple?” “Eating noodles alone out here?” Mo Hua wasn’t wearing the robes of the Taixu Sect, but ordinary clothing, leaving them unsure of his background. The lead man’s eyes remained thoughtful and silent. One of the men barked, “Kid, who do you belong to, what’s your name, and what sect are you from? What are you doing here all alone?” He sneered, “Don’t tell me you came to this mountain just for a bowl of noodles…” Mo Hua’s face showed a mix of tension and “fear,” as if trying to act brave: “Why should I tell you if I don’t even know who you are?” The man scoffed, “Kid, don’t overestimate yourself.” The others stood up slowly, glaring at Mo Hua menacingly. Mo Hua backed away, feigning fear, retreating two steps. Then, a nearby cultivator stepped up, reprimanding, “Bullying a child isn’t much of a feat for a grown man.” Upon hearing someone interfere, the man’s face showed a flash of malice. With a slick move, he closed in on the meddler, his fist surrounded by an earthen-colored spiritual force, striking fiercely. The punch carried heavy momentum, intimidatingly powerful. “Late stage Foundation Establishment!” The cultivator widened his eyes, barely managing to cross his arms to block the punch, but still being knocked back ten feet, spitting blood. The man took a large step forward, reaching for his waist pouch, seemingly ready to draw his blade to cut down the nosy individual. The lead man’s gaze turned sharp. Feeling a cold sweat on his back, the man recalled he shouldn’t make extra trouble, awkwardly drawing back his hand and spitting at the meddler, “Scram!” Knowing he was no match, the cultivator left resentfully. The surrounding patrons, sensing the danger, scattered. The shopkeeper gave Mo Hua a worried glance, sighed, and retreated to a distant corner, knowing there was nothing he could do. In this small corner of the second-grade state, a late stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was not someone they could afford to cross. The tea shop was now just Mo Hua and the four unknown men. Mo Hua, looking tense, stammered, “Are you… bad people?” The man licked his lips, adding chillingly, “What do you think?” The other burly man and the somber, slender fellow both snickered playfully. “You know, this kid’s got quite the pretty face, skin soft, lips red…” At that moment, the lead man’s eyes sharpened, calmly saying, “Little cultivator, stop acting. You’re not scared of us.” These words left the trio of men stunned, their faces showing disbelief. Mo Hua discarded his “fearful” facade, adopting a curious demeanor instead: “Did I not act well?” The lead man’s brows furrowed. The other men, feeling played, were infuriated. The thin man’s expression darkened further. The burly man chuckled coldly, “Well now, a gutter’s tricky, and so is a kid. I’ve been in the business for so long, and today I got fooled…” “You little brat, you’ve got some guts.” “Spill it. Did you recognize us?” Mo Hua shook his head, honestly saying, “I don’t know you.” He only suspected the lead man might be the infamous Fire Buddha, but he truly didn’t know who the other three were. The lead man’s eyes narrowed, watching Mo Hua, deep in thought. Mo Hua didn’t seem to be faking it; perhaps he indeed didn’t recognize them. Then, the thin man, with a cold sneer, said, “Qiao Lao Wu, why waste time? Let’s just grab this kid, kill if necessary, sell if profitable, or keep as a plaything…” One of the burly men spat, “You and your twisted ideas, if you want to grab him, do it yourself.” Qiao Lao Wu? Sly guy? A “Qiao” and an “Yin.” Mo Hua quickly matched the names with his list. The one with "Qiao" on the list was nicknamed “Blood Woodcutter.” And the one with "Yin" was called “Yin Lei Zi.” As for the other burly man… Mo Hua glanced sidelong, noticing the fierce and menacing face of one of the men, twisted like a demon in anger, and suddenly realized: "Gui Mian Sha"! Fire Buddha, Blood Woodcutter, Yin Lei Zi, Gui Mian Sha! These four were indeed on the list Big Brother Jiang had given. Each one of them a notorious sinner, their hands stained with blood! For a moment, Mo Hua fully comprehended the gravity of the situation, his gaze clearing as understanding dawned. That brief flicker of realization on Mo Hua's face was swiftly caught by Fire Buddha's sharp eyes. Fire Buddha's expression turned piercingly sharp, an inkling of disbelief surfacing in his heart. Has this kid recognized them... Recognized them all?! How on earth did this child identify them?! Their identities were hidden, and they seldom associated with each other. Even if a seasoned official from the Dao Court were present, they might not have been able to recognize all of them. This child... With just a brief glance, a few words exchanged, he managed to confirm all four of their identities?! Who exactly is he? Fire Buddha's once gentle demeanor turned frigid in a heartbeat. Some things must not be exposed to the light. Given the situation, this child could not be left to live! "Killing him, Qiao Lao Wu," Fire Buddha ordered icily, leaving no room for dissent. Qiao Lao Wu hesitated for a moment. As soon as Mo Hua heard the word "kill," he perceptively sprang into action, vanishing from sight, leaving only a faint water shadow behind. Qiao Lao Wu reacted angrily, "You little rascal!" He drew from his storage bag a long, barbed, blood-stained hatchet, sending a flash of blood-red light in a sweeping arc, aiming to slice Mo Hua in half. But Mo Hua slipped away with ease, moving like water and as ghostly as a specter. Qiao Lao Wu swung again. Mo Hua ducked once more. It was like trying to sever water with a sword, the flow unbroken. No matter how vigorously he slashed, Mo Hua remained unscathed. Fire Buddha sat composed, eyes thoughtful, choosing not to intervene. The other two, watching the back-and-forth between Qiao Lao Wu and Mo Hua, mocked: "Lao Wu, are you even capable?" "Can't catch a single brat?" "Have your years cultivating been for naught?" … Qiao Lao Wu fumed, his slashes growing hastier. Mo Hua, drenched in "cold sweat," seemed cornered, yet at every critical moment, he deftly avoided Qiao Lao Wu’s attacks. Fire Buddha raised an eyebrow in surprise. Gui Mian Sha and Yin Lei Zi also frowned. “The kid's footwork... is intriguing..." Although Qiao Lao Wu had only recently broken through, he was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, yet he was struggling to capture this child. Admittedly, it was because Qiao Lao Wu focused solely on aggression with inept footwork. But, on the other hand, this kid’s evasion skills were remarkably refined. Fire Buddha shot a glance. Gui Mian Sha and Yin Lei Zi acknowledged with a nod, sweeping forward like a gust, flanking Mo Hua with Qiao Lao Wu. Faced with three opponents, Mo Hua appeared more strained, his movements more laborious. Yin Lei Zi and his companions sneered, assured they would capture the child within ten rounds. Yet, after three rounds, Mo Hua flashed a cunning smile, seizing an opening to deftly summon three fireballs aimed directly at their faces. The execution was so rapid it left the three unprepared, at a moment's notice they were caught off-guard, fireballs igniting their faces. Though not seriously harmed, they were singed and disoriented, their siege formation broken, their hearts filled with anger. In that fleeting window, Mo Hua's movements astonishingly accelerated. With a fluid motion, he sidestepped the encirclement and darted towards a nearby woods. It finally dawned on Yin Lei Zi and the others, cursing inwardly: "Damn, this sly kid!" An unexpectedly swift fireball technique! Even quicker evasion! The fact that the child could hold his own against the combined assault of the three spoke of the cunning he kept concealed, waiting for this opportunity to flee. And he succeeded in slipping away! What a humiliation! Disregarding the soot on their faces, Qiao Lao Wu and the rest pursued relentlessly. Mo Hua continued his escape, the forest looming closer, promising safety. But suddenly, a towering figure materialized ahead. It was Fire Buddha! Mo Hua’s gaze tightened, compelled to halt. Behind him, Qiao Lao Wu and the others caught up, forming a solid line with Fire Buddha, effectively sealing off Mo Hua's escape. The trio, still simmering, gazed at Mo Hua with derision. "Try running now, brat!" Instead of responding to them, Mo Hua focused on Fire Buddha, standing immovable and contemplative. He thoughtfully summoned three fireballs, launching them straight at Fire Buddha. He aimed to test Fire Buddha’s strength. To Mo Hua’s surprise, Fire Buddha did not flinch, allowing the fireballs to strike him. They were absorbed without leaving a ripple. Mo Hua’s shock was palpable. What kind of sorcery was this? Unfazed, Fire Buddha replied nonchalantly: "Your fireball technique is nothing worth mentioning. Perhaps I should teach you..." Fire Buddha spread his arms, flames dancing around him, his eyes glowing a deep red, reminiscent of a sea of fire. What a formidable aura! Mo Hua furrowed his brow, expanding his awareness to sense Fire Buddha’s energy, uncovering the presence of two pulsating flames at Fire Buddha’s core. These flames, fiercely heated, akin to two hearts, shared the same origin, housed within Fire Buddha's being, brimming with intense fire elemental power. Is this…the forbidden meteor fire technique? To breach such taboos, implanting two fireballs as hearts within oneself, fueling spellcasting? Is this truly advanced fire magic? Yin Lei Zi and his cohorts sneered amongst themselves, briefing laughter at Mo Hua's folly of showcasing fireballs before Fire Buddha. Mo Hua's resolve was unwavering, boldly facing Fire Buddha: "My fireball technique is more than it seems!" Fire Buddha's curiosity stirred slightly, his smile widened, "Go ahead, show me..." He was intrigued. "Elder brother, maybe we should first…" suggested Qiao Lao Wu, still seething, wanting to catch Mo Hua before any more trouble erupted. Fire Buddha's glance, sharp as a blade, silenced Qiao Lao Wu immediately, who swallowed his words in fear. Fire Buddha turned back to Mo Hua, his expression kindly: "Please, let me see…" "Alright!" A steely determination filled Mo Hua’s eyes, a warrior's spirit mingled with a hint of fatal resolve. "This technique… I've only ever used it once in my life..." Mo Hua stated somberly. Fire Buddha’s face grew serious, sensing the gravity of the claim. Then he observed Mo Hua beginning to formimpressive hand seals, his movements intricate and esoteric. Mo Hua appeared fully serious, performing a complex array of hand signs, mimicking the solemnity of someone about to unleash a potent, heavily charged spell. Indeed, this technique, he'd only practiced once. Because these hand seals were hastily concocted on the spot… He had no guarantee he could replicate it again in the future. But Fire Buddha didn’t know that. He couldn’t gauge Mo Hua’s depth, clueless about what the boy was doing, trusting in the cultivator's instinct that the unknown was perilous… As Mo Hua finished his seals, he sharply intoned, producing fiery orbs in each hand. This move truly stunned Fire Buddha. “Dual casting?!” Yin Lei Zi and the men might not understand, but Fire Buddha, seasoned in spells, grasped the complexity, the unlikely harmony it entailed. Is this child for real?! Fire Buddha, ever cautious, instinctively gathered his spiritual energy, conjuring a fiery barrier before him. Mo Hua maximized his consciousness, contorting the fireballs, merging their power, before thrusting his hands together, colliding the orbs. This maneuver left Fire Buddha strangely apprehensive. He conjured a fire shield, preparing to brace against Mo Hua’s attack. Yet, the anticipated rush, the explosive clash of energy, peculiar mana, none emerged. Instead, Mo Hua's fireballs veered off failingly, thudding into the ground, raising dust and debris. Fire Buddha and companions momentarily stood baffled, disoriented. It took several moments for the dust to settle, for realization to dawn, revealing... Mo Hua had escaped again. Fire Buddha's face turned grim. He had been played! What powerful fireball technique? It was all nonsense! All these years in the Qian State, having committed countless crimes and killed innumerable people, never had anyone dared to mock him in such a manner! This young boy with his audacious courage truly had the nerve! A flicker of murderous intent crossed Fire Buddha’s eyes. He coldly stated, “Think you can run? I’d like to see how far you can get.” The four of them moved like the wind, venomously pursuing Mo Hua, chasing him to a wooded area. Gazing around, the rustling woods were empty, with no trace of Mo Hua to be found. --- Due to the overwhelming support last month, despite contemplating taking it easy, I couldn't bring myself to slack off. The votes and engagement from everyone drove me to write more, reaching an average of over 6,000 words a day by the end of the month. However, the fatigue of writing accumulates, especially with festivals and other commitments this month. So, I truly need a break in February. After the New Year, I’ll aim to write more again. Apologies for any inconvenience. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance—may you have health, safety, and joy! Please go easy on me~ --- (End of this chapter)