Chapter 638: The Missive - The Quest for Immortality

### Chapter 638: The Missive At the Xie family's estate, everything worth observing had been observed, and everything worth finding had been found. Having concluded their business there, the Xie residence was no place to linger. Mo Hua followed Gu Changhuai as they left. As they reached the gate, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something and rummaged through his storage pouch to find a flask of wine. However, it was only fruit wine, not appropriate for the occasion. Mo Hua looked up and asked Gu Changhuai, "Uncle Gu, do you have any strong liquor?" Gu Changhuai was taken aback and then nodded, saying, "I do." Without further questioning, he retrieved an exquisite jade flask from his storage pouch and handed it to Mo Hua. A potent aroma of strong wine wafted through the air. Mo Hua poured the strong wine at the Xie family's doorstep. The images of the Xie family members, massacred as if they were livestock and grotesquely deformed after death, flashed through his mind... Silently, Mo Hua thought: "Rest in peace..." "I will ensure the Fire Buddha accompanies you all in the afterlife..." --- On the way back, Mo Hua sat in the carriage, silent and frowning as he pondered: Why did the Fire Buddha slaughter the entire Xie family? After annihilating them, what actions did he take? What were those black remnants? Why did they carry the aura of the Wilderness Evil God? What was the connection between this incident and the so-called 'Master of the Wilderness,' the Evil God? Was it a sacrifice? Were the Xie family cultivators used as offerings? Were the Fire Buddha's followers servants of the Master of the Wilderness? And what about the sacrificial ritual? What about that "ephemeral" image he once witnessed, reminiscent of a black-purple, grotesquely decadent poppy flower, steeped in the desires of decay... Could it somehow be related? The most perplexing thing remained the concept of Dao Sin... Mo Hua initially thought that 'Dao Sin' only appeared in impoverished areas, where oppressed, hopeless cultivators could give birth to such entities. But it was unexpected to find signs of Dao Sin near the prosperous Qin Xue Prefecture, a hub of academic and spiritual pursuit. And seemingly... Nobody was aware of it. Was it because the Mystery Calculations of Qin Xue had declined, and no cultivator could predict it? Or perhaps the endless pursuit of fame and fortune blinded them? Or was the divination veiled? Just like the blaze that masked some of the Fire Buddha's actions, was the matter of Dao Sin also being covered up? Mo Hua's brow furrowed deeper as he pondered, his mind flooded with more questions, and his thoughts tangled... Pondering too long, he felt a headache forming. This time, his spiritual senses were truly overtaxed... Mo Hua decided to empty his thoughts, laying back on the soft blanket, gazing at the scenery outside the carriage, and thinking of nothing. The truth will gradually unfold. First, by capturing the "Fire Buddha." He promised the slain Xie family cultivators that he would send the Fire Buddha down to accompany them. Even though the Xie family cultivators were gone, their bodies and remnants disappeared into nothingness, knowing nothing further. But a promise made should be a promise kept. Mo Hua nodded, his gaze resolute. On the other side, Gu Changhuai silently watched Mo Hua. Initially bringing Mo Hua along was a reluctant decision, but he discovered that Mo Hua indeed found clues that even he, as a Dao Court Advisor, failed to see. This child... Is it because of his young age, untainted by the cynicism of adulthood, that he thinks differently? Or is he inherently intelligent, with a meticulous mind and sharp perception? Or perhaps... There is some other reason... Gu Changhuai was filled with doubts. He realized that he could no longer see Mo Hua as merely a simple, ten-year-old child. The matter with Yu'er also loomed over him. Even if reluctant to acknowledge it, this child might truly perceive things that elude ordinary cultivators, things unknown and hidden... Given these possibilities... Gu Changhuai tapped his slender fingers on the table, lost in thought, a plan slowly forming in his mind... --- The sky gradually darkened, the sun sinking in the west. As the dusk descended, the sunset spilled across the sky like overturned ink. Mo Hua and his companion finally returned to the Gu residence. Wenren Wan waited at the door. Seeing Mo Hua looking tired but intact, she finally relaxed. Subsequently, she chided Gu Changhuai, saying: "Why so late?" "Mo Hua only has two days of rest; tomorrow, he must return to classes and cultivation. How will he manage if his studies are delayed?" "You're an adult. Why do you act so irresponsibly..." Gu Changhuai sighed in exasperation. Having been raised in his cousin sister's home, he was accustomed to being scolded like this. Now, over a century old, a refined Jindan stage cultivator and a Dao Court Advisor, he still wasn't spared... Mo Hua chimed in to cover for him, saying, "Aunt Wan, it's my fault. I dawdled, delaying things..." Mo Hua looked apologetic. Wenren Wan patted Mo Hua's shoulder, "It's not your fault..." Then she shot Gu Changhuai a glare, "See, even Mo Hua, a child, behaves more sensibly than you..." Gu Changhuai's expression turned bitter. Mo Hua, unable to help, offered Gu Changhuai a helpless look. Aunt Wan only ever scolded Uncle Gu, and there was nothing he could do to assist. Afterward, they all shared dinner together. Wenren Wan prepared quite a feast, which Mo Hua and Yu'er enjoyed thoroughly, leaving Gu Changhuai in a glum silence. After dinner, as the night deepened, Wenren Wan intended to personally escort the two children back to the Taixu Sect. Gu Changhuai suggested, "Cousin, let me do it." Wenren Wan looked at him, speaking with softened tone, "You should rest. The affairs of the Dao Court keep you busy; don't overexert yourself." Gu Changhuai paused, warmth blossoming in his heart, even if his face showed little. Disregarding him, Wenren Wan picked up Yu'er and boarded the carriage. With a satisfied demeanor, Mo Hua followed and climbed into the carriage as well. "Mo Hua." Gu Changhuai suddenly called out. Somewhat confused, Mo Hua turned to look at him. Gu Changhuai hesitated for a moment, then took out a token and handed it to Mo Hua. The token was crafted from white jade, lustrous and smooth, but without inscription, its purpose unclear. Taking the token uncertainly, Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat, "Uncle Gu, this is..." "A Communication Token." Gu Changhuai spoke with a reluctant expression, his tone detached: "If anything happens, use this jade token to send a message to me..." "But it has limitations; it won't reach me if we're not in the same province..." "Sometimes during official duties, I can't carry the communication token, and your messages might not reach me..." "Use it carefully; don't lose or damage it..." "Although it's only a mid-tier Communication Token, it's not easy to come by, especially this specially crafted Dao Court version with good secrecy—they're not for sale, even if you have the spirit stones..." Despite his stern demeanor, Gu Changhuai still painstakingly listed out all considerations for Mo Hua. "Got it, got it!" Mo Hua received the jade token, visibly delighted. A communication token! A complete, full-functionality communication token! Mo Hua's eyes sparkled. As Gu Changhuai watched Mo Hua's gaze, a sudden unease gripped him. Instantaneously, he regretted giving Mo Hua the communication token. Moreover, this feeling was intensely strong. Like... He shouldn't be feeding a little white rabbit to a big gray wolf... This was his intuition as a Dao Court Advisor. But since it had already been given, taking it back would seem rather unseemly, wouldn't it? A matter of pride, perhaps? Gu Changhuai frowned. In that split second, Mo Hua appeared to sense Gu Changhuai's thoughts, his small hand swiftly darting out, leaving an afterimage. Before Gu Changhuai could react or change his mind, the communication token was already stashed away in Mo Hua's storage pouch! "Thank you, Uncle Gu!" Mo Hua beamed happily. Gu Changhuai hesitated, then awkwardly attempted to "roll with it," reluctantly saying, "You're welcome..." Inside the carriage, Wenren Wan witnessed the scene with some surprise. Her cousin, whom she watched grow up, had always had an introverted, somewhat aloof temperament, and yet he was now exchanging more than the usual few words. Much to everyone's surprise, Gu Changhuai seemed to have forged quite a "good" relationship with Mo Hua. He even took the initiative to give Mo Hua a gift. It was as if the sun had risen from the west. It appeared that her decision was correct... Wenren Wan felt reassured in her heart. With the communication token tucked safely away, Mo Hua bid farewell to Gu Changhuai and boarded the Gu family's carriage. Wenren Wan drove them back to Taixu Sect, with Yu'er accompanying them. The night had deepened, and the sky was now a dark canvas dotted with dimly glowing lanterns along the path. Quiet and peaceful. The carriage continued on, the rhythmic clopping of hooves providing a soothing soundtrack. After a busy day and night, travelling from Luan Mountain City's Dao Prison to the ruins of the Xie family, Mo Hua had not had much rest. Now, relaxed and with Aunt Wan by his side, sleepiness crept over him. His eyelids drooped, and soon enough, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber. His breathing was steady, and his dark eyelashes cast delicate shadows on his fair cheeks, giving him an innocent and charming appearance, almost like a work of art in the flickering lights. Wenren Wan glanced over, mildly astonished. Mo Hua, she thought, was remarkably handsome. His features exuded both a dignified purity and a soft elegance, a harmonious blend of warmth and clarity. While he still carried traces of youthful innocence, there was no doubt that once grown, he would appear exceptionally dashing. She wondered amusedly, which lucky young lady might end up stealing his heart... Her lips curved into a smile at the thought. She gently draped a blanket over Mo Hua. When Mo Hua awoke, they had arrived at Taixu Sect. He parted ways with Wenren Wan and, taking Yu'er by the hand, walked through the brightly lit gates of the sect. Yu'er was reluctant to leave their mother, turning back every few steps, eyes glistening with moisture. Wenren Wan also felt a pang of reluctance but simply waved a gentle goodbye. Below Taixu Mountain, the chilly night wind began to stir. All alone, Wenren Wan stood at the foot of the mountain, watching as Yu'er, led by Mo Hua, disappeared into the illuminated expanse of Taixu Sect. --- Life back at the sect resumed its usual pace. Each day, Mo Hua dedicated himself to cultivation, gradually advancing his spiritual prowess. His mastery of formations was also deepening bit by bit. Whenever he had free time, he would turn his attention to the communication token gifted by Uncle Gu. This was his first time using such a token. The Taixu Order had similar capabilities, but its myriad functions and complex formation structures were too sophisticated for him to comprehend. Unlike the simple and straightforward construction of the communication token in his possession. While using the token, Mo Hua could even perceive the manifestation of magnetic ink, the variable patterns of ferromagnetism, and faint pulses of secondary magnetic lines. The logic of the token's formation was grounded in a basic beacon magnetic array, albeit more sophisticated. Keen to understand this application of formations and eager for news about the Fire Buddha, Mo Hua took every opportunity to message Gu Changhuai: "Uncle Gu." Gu Changhuai didn't respond. After a while, Mo Hua sent another message, "Uncle Gu..." Still no response. "Is the communication token broken?" "Did the message not get through?" He wondered to himself, but undeterred, he continued: "Uncle Gu?" "Uncle Gu?" "Are you there?" Perhaps wearied by the persistence, the other side finally replied: "Not here." Mo Hua: "If you're not here, who replied?" It seemed Gu Changhuai was slightly exasperated, as it took him a moment to recover before he responded: "What is it?" Mo Hua: "Have you found out anything about the black residue?" "Not yet; it takes time..." "What about the communication token from Mr. Hua? Any information on that?" "Nothing..." Mid-reply, Gu Changhuai paused, "How did you know it was a communication token?" Mo Hua: "I could tell at a glance!" Now, the day when Mr. Hua died in the Dao Prison, Uncle Gu had gone through his storage bag. Mo Hua had observed him intently and noticed a change in his expression upon discovering a jade slip, prompting him to suspect there was something peculiar about it. Mo Hua had hypothesized it might be a communication token. He wasn't entirely sure at the time, but hearing Uncle Gu's tone now confirmed his suspicion. Gu Changhuai was slightly vexed: "Can't you come up with a better excuse?" Every time with the 'I just knew by looking.' What, do you have a third eye? Mo Hua continued via the communication token, "It's no big deal, don't dwell on it." He swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere: "Uncle Gu, any leads from the communication token?" "I can't tell you that." "So, there's nothing..." Gu Changhuai sighed: "How can you say there's nothing again?" "It's my guess, but I'm certain there's nothing; the messages must have been erased..." Mo Hua spoke from experience. If Mr. Hua hadn't erased them himself, then perhaps a "mole" within the Dao Court had erased them. But erased, they must be. He possessed a communication token with messages similarly wiped. It had come from a bald man, wearing a wig, with an array tattooed on his head called the "Four Symbols Eagle Claw Array." Mo Hua had long tried to restore the erased messages on this token. However, his exposure to ferromagnetism arrays was limited, his skills not yet refined enough to reliably "unlock" or "decrypt" the messages. He couldn't "restore" the magnetic patterns or retrieve the text fully. The principles behind such "restoration" were far more intricate. He hadn't yet fully grasped the concept. At the Dao Court, Gu Changhuai sighed. He glanced around, strangely feeling as though Mo Hua had set up a monitoring formation around him, his every move under surveillance... Either that, or the child had incredible foresight, predicting outcomes almost supernaturally... Gu Changhuai shook his head, muttering: "Yes, they were erased..." Mo Hua quickly asked: "Can they be restored?" "That's hard to say." Hard to say, rather than difficult to restore... This suggested that the Dao Court might have the means to "restore" communication tokens? At least some methods for restoring communication tokens? "And how does one go about restoring them?" Mo Hua asked earnestly. Gu Changhuai was instantly cautious: "Why do you want to know?" Mo Hua used magnetic ink to conjure a smiling face: "Just curious..." Gu Changhuai: "I'm not a formation master." Implying he didn’t know the specifics of "restoration." Mo Hua lamented the lost opportunity but pressed on: "Then to whom do you send the communication tokens for 'restoration?'" Just as Gu Changhuai was about to respond, Mo Hua had a eureka moment: "Is it the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion?" Gu Changhuai was momentarily taken aback. Mo Hua: "Is it?" Gu Changhuai: "How do you know that?" Mo Hua thought briefly, then replied: "I learned about it at the sect—ferromagnetic arrays are classified formations, not typically studied by ordinary formation masters." "The Dao Court's external formation specialists might know basic ferromagnetic arrays but likely aren't skilled in magnetic pattern restoration." "Because 'restoring' a communication token involves complex theoretical formations..." He internally admitted he hadn’t mastered this yet... Mo Hua continued his message: "If the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion's external official isn’t capable of 'restoring,' then it can only be taken to the central Dao Court's Heavenly Pivot Pavilion." "Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, part of the central Dao Court, oversees the certification of formation masters. With its expansive knowledge and numerous grand formation masters, surely someone can 'restore' a communication token..." Mo Hua articulated his reasoning, step by step. Gu Changhuai maintained a stoic expression. He didn’t want to acknowledge that Mo Hua's "guesses" were so precise. Yet the child’s predictions were consistently spot on, unnervingly so. Almost like a "little seer"... Gu Changhuai: "Well, sort of..." Mo Hua then asked with keen interest: "Can they truly restore it?" Gu Changhuai: "It's hard to say." Mo Hua replied with a "baffled face." With a resigned sigh, Gu Changhuai elaborated: "Restoring a communication token is indeed tedious and does need to go through the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion..." "There's an acquaintance of mine in the central Dao Court's Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, which is why I entrusted them with the token..." Mo Hua was surprised: "Uncle Gu, you have acquaintances?" With such a temper and sparse people skills, it's surprising you have anyone... Gu Changhuai was exasperated, responding tersely: "Do you want to know or not?" "Oh, right." Mo Hua immediately calmed down. Gu Changhuai collected his thoughts and continued: "I handed over the communication token found on Mr. Hua to the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion for 'restoration'..." "However, the process is lengthy, costly, and involves tons of paperwork..." "The ferromagnetic array field is rather niche, and not every formation master is proficient in it." "But the formation masters who can genuinely 'restore' a communication token are all eminent grandmasters with prestigious status, their time extremely limited. They might not necessarily be willing to spare the time to restore a trivial communication token for a mere second-tier case of the Dao Court..." "Moreover, as a subordinate of the Dao Court, even a fifth-tier Dao Court doesn't hold a candle in terms of prestige and authority to one of the Seven Star Pavilions like the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion..." "Their willingness to help depends on their schedule, their mood, and the look on their face..." Gu Changhuai grumbled in displeasure, "These formation masters have such massive egos..." Mo Hua chimed in, "I'm a formation master too, but I don't act that way!" Gu Changhuai scoffed, "Aren't you yet to even become a second-tier formation master?" "I have the skills of a second-tier; I just haven't been formally rated." "Oh." Gu Changhuai replied dismissively, "Every unranked formation master says that." Mo Hua snorted, deciding not to explain further to Uncle Gu, whom he considered a 'formation illiterate.' Mo Hua suggested, "If... the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion refuses to 'restore' this communication token, why don't you let me try?" Gu Changhuai was silent for a while before eventually replying with a single word: "You?" The skepticism was palpable. Mo Hua felt indignant. 'Don't underestimate the young.' While he hadn't mastered it yet, he was already proficient in unsealing and decoding. Further understanding to 'restore' the magnetic patterns was just a matter of time. It was only a matter of more research on his part. Mo Hua snorted softly. Once he truly masters 'restoring' magnetic patterns, Uncle Gu might have to look up to him. As a Dao Court Advisor who handles cases daily, sooner or later, Uncle Gu would surely need his expertise in restoring communication tokens... The image of Uncle Gu coming to him for help filled Mo Hua with a tiny sense of pride. But for the moment, lacking the skill, he decided to keep a low profile. Mo Hua: "I'm learning..." Gu Changhuai found it hard to respond and, with a perfunctory reply, said: "Alright, let's see when you learn it..." "I have things to do, stop bothering me." After saying that, Gu Changhuai added a couple more lines: "Contact me only for important matters!" "This communication token isn't for idle chatter!" With that, communication from Gu Changhuai's side ceased. Mo Hua was perplexed. He considered their chat a serious discussion... Maybe just a little lengthy... Was there anything more serious than leads on capturing the Fire Buddha? If not this, then what? Mo Hua shook his head. Uncle Gu really didn't know how to speak, no wonder he had such poor social connections, and no one liked to play with him. Only someone with a good heart like Mo Hua would put up with his bad temper... Still, despite his understanding, he didn't want to be underestimated. Mo Hua resolved to put aside other matters for the time being and prioritize mastering the skill of 'restoring' a communication token. He wanted to earn some respect. And Uncle Gu had mentioned that only the "grandmasters" at the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion could handle such magnetic pattern "restorations." If it's a skill that grandmasters possess, then Mo Hua was determined to master it! Someday, he too would become a "grandmaster"! Mo Hua nodded with determination and then began poring over his merit ledger and various books on ferromagnetic formations, delving into the principles behind the restoration of the communication token. He aimed to advance beyond merely unsealing and decoding, deepening his understanding of ferromagnetic formations and mastering more advanced applications... Thank you to readers like *Missed 3997*, *Cultivate Together Now*, *Ha*, and *20190409083633730* for the rewards~ Happy New Year to everyone~（.）