Chapter 215: The Ancestor_1
“Taoist Prison is not a place cultivators can enter at will. Ordinary cultivators had better not set foot in there in their lifetimes, for it is not a pleasant place.”
Mo Hua nodded, feeling that Zhang Lan’s words made sense.
He wanted to be a “law-abiding” good cultivator; it was better to avoid places like the Taoist Prison whenever possible.
There were also many Formations inside and outside the Taoist Court.
These Formations were quite subtle and not low in rank, some Mo Hua could discern, but others he could not.
Mo Hua also did not dare to look too closely.
After all, this was the Taoist Court, and if he caught sight of some forbidden Formations, that would truly be troublesome.
Zhang Lan brought Mo Hua before Court Leader Zhou and respectfully performed a salute.
Mo Hua followed suit with his salute, then sneakily raised his head to size up Court Leader Zhou.
Court Leader Zhou was very old with graying hair, his figure slightly hunched, and his face genial. But within his gaze, there was still the dignity of someone who held a high position.
Court Leader Zhou looked at Mo Hua and nodded, unable to resist praising him a few times.
Mo Hua reciprocated with his own flattery toward Court Leader Zhou, picking up on the phrases Zhang Lan had told him, such as “peace and order under your rule,” “tremendous hard work and outstanding contributions,” and the like.
Sure enough, the smile on Court Leader Zhou’s face grew even brighter.
He glanced at Zhang Lan and said, “This child is indeed extraordinarily intelligent.”
Zhang Lan chuckled with mixed emotions:
“Isn’t he intelligent? These sycophantic phrases were all given by me, and in a blink of an eye, he has used them all…”
Court Leader Zhou then inquired about the matter of Formations.
Mo Hua honestly answered.
However, as Court Leader Zhou himself was not adept in Formations, his questions seemed profound but were actually quite basic. Mo Hua found them effortless to answer.
Court Leader Zhou was even more pleased, looking at Mo Hua with appreciative eyes.
Enough had been said, as the conversation was merely casual small talk with no deep discussions intended.
Court Leader Zhou, who oversaw the Taoist Court in Tongxian City, was busy with affairs, so Mo Hua and Zhang Lan saluted and took their leave.
Before they left, Court Leader Zhou stopped Mo Hua, saying:
“I have spoken to the Qian Family about your matter; do not worry about it, just concentrate on your Formation studies.”
Mo Hua, momentarily taken aback, then smiled and replied, “Thank you, Court Leader Zhou!”
Court Leader Zhou stroked his long beard, nodding with satisfaction.
What he wanted to hear was that “thank you.”
Qian Family.
In the cave dwelling of the Patriarch of the Qian Family, Qian Hong wore an expression of disbelief.
The Patriarch had just advised him to be circumspect and no longer make things difficult for that Junior Formation master named Mo Hua.
Qian Hong quickly said, “Patriarch, Mo Hua is so young and already a first-rank Formation Master. If we let him be, I’m afraid our Qian Family will soon have no place in Tongxian City.”
The Patriarch of the Qian Family was at the Qi Foundation Middle Stage in cultivation but was already old, his Blood Qi gradually weakening, and his cultivation also declining. Unless something significant happened, he would not interfere with the family affairs.
His cloudy eyes fixed on Qian Hong, he slowly said, “You should have acted earlier. Had you together with a few Foundation Establishment Elders quickly struck and killed the boy, now it’s too late…”
The breath of the Patriarch of the Qian Family was weak; his voice hoarse and his speech faltering.
Qian Hong respectfully replied, “Grandson wanted to be cautious and not act rashly, avoiding leaving any evidence behind.”
The Patriarch of the Qian Family scrutinized him with a discerning look, remaining silent.
Feeling the pressure, Qian Hong felt compelled to add, “The elders in the family all have their own agendas, and I fear they will not heed my commands.”
The Patriarch of the Qian Family looked disappointed, “You are the Family Head; if they do not listen to your command, whom do you blame?”
His words carried a significant weight, implying that Qian Hong was incompetent and unable to command respect.
Qian Hong did not dare to argue and respectfully lowered his head, “The Patriarch’s reprimand is just.”
“You…” the Patriarch of the Qian Family coughed, “are cruel, but not cruel enough; selfish, but not selfish enough; you can endure, but do not endure to the end.”
The Patriarch of the Qian Family sighed, “You have a bit of everything, yet you lack a bit in every aspect.”
Qian Hong immediately knelt down and kowtowed, “Please give your grandson another chance. I will decisively cut the Gordian knot and kill that Junior Formation Master!”
“You can’t kill him now…”
The Patriarch of the Qian Family slowly said, “Even if you did, it would not be much better than if you did not.”
Qian Hong didn’t understand, “Please enlighten me, Patriarch.”
“Go back and count for yourself, if that Junior Formation Master were killed, just how many people would take offense?”
The murky eyes of the Patriarch of the Qian Family gradually closed, “Go, think it over carefully.”
Qian Hong bowed his head and respectfully withdrew.