Patriarch

"The Dao Dungeons are not places for cultivators to enter casually. For ordinary cultivators, it's best not to set foot inside for their entire lives; it's not a good place."

Mo Hua nodded in agreement, finding Zhang Lan's words reasonable.

He wanted to be a good cultivator who "obeys the laws and regulations," so he should avoid places like the Dao Dungeons if possible.

Inside and outside the Dao Court, there were many formations.

These formations were quite obscure and of high rank. Some Mo Hua could discern, but others were beyond his recognition.

Mo Hua didn't dare to look too closely.

After all, this was the Dao Court. If he happened to see formations he shouldn't have seen, it would be troublesome.

Zhang Lan brought Mo Hua in front of Chief Zhou and respectfully bowed.

Mo Hua followed suit, then secretly raised his head to size up Chief Zhou.

Chief Zhou was very old, with white hair, a slightly hunched figure, and a kind face. However, in his gaze, there was still a majestic air of authority.

Chief Zhou looked at Mo Hua, nodded, and couldn't help but praise him a few words.

Mo Hua also reciprocated with some flattering words to Chief Zhou, using phrases he had heard from Zhang Lan, learning on the spot, like "maintaining stability under his rule," "high labor achievements," and "remarkable merits."

Chief Zhou's smile indeed grew warmer.

Glancing at Zhang Lan, he said, "This child is truly clever."

Zhang Lan smiled, feeling complicated:

"Indeed clever. These words of flattery are all things I've told him, and he's using them all so naturally..."

Chief Zhou then asked about formations.

Mo Hua answered truthfully.

However, Chief Zhou himself wasn't proficient in formations, so he asked questions that seemed profound but were actually quite simple. Mo Hua didn't have much difficulty answering.

Chief Zhou was even more satisfied, his gaze towards Mo Hua full of admiration.

With that said, the conversation was enough. It was just casual exchange, and there was no need for deeper conversation.

Chief Zhou managed the Dao Court of Tongxian City, busy with affairs. Mo Hua then took his leave with Zhang Lan after bowing.

Before leaving, Chief Zhou called out to Mo Hua and said:

"I've spoken to the Qian Family. You don't need to worry about them. Just focus on learning formations."

Mo Hua was briefly surprised, then smiled and said, "Thank you, Chief Zhou!"

Chief Zhou stroked his long beard, nodded with satisfaction.

What he wanted to hear was precisely that "thank you."

The Qian Family.

In the ancestral cave of the Qian Family, Qian Hong wore an incredulous expression.

The Ancestral Patriarch had just instructed him to be cautious and not to trouble that young formation master named Mo Hua again.

Qian Hong hurriedly replied, "Ancestral Patriarch, Mo Hua is still young, yet he's already a First-Rank Formation Master. If we leave him unchecked, in time, our Qian Family might have no place left in Tongxian City."

The Ancestral Patriarch of the Qian Family was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but was already aged, his vitality gradually weakening, and his cultivation declining. If nothing major happened, he wouldn't interfere in family matters.

Looking with cloudy eyes at Qian Hong, he slowly said, "You should have acted earlier. You and several elders of Foundation Establishment should have swiftly eliminated that boy. Now, it's too late..."

The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family was weak in spiritual, his voice hoarse and intermittent.

Qian Hong respectfully said, "Grandfather, I want to proceed cautiously and avoid recklessness, to avoid leaving any handle."

The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family looked at him cautiously, but remained silent.

Feeling immense pressure, Qian Hong continued, "The elders in the clan all have their own agendas and may not obey my commands."

The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family looked disappointed. "You are the head of the family. If they don't listen to your orders, who do you blame?"

This statement was weighty, implying Qian Hong's incompetence and inability to unite the clan.

Qian Hong dared not argue and respectfully lowered his head. "Grandfather's teaching is right."

"You..." The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family coughed. "You're ruthless, yet not ruthless enough. Selfish, yet not selfish enough. You can endure, but not until the end."

The ancestral patriarch sighed. "You have a bit of everything, yet lack in every aspect."

Qian Hong quickly kneeled down and kowtowed. "Please give your grandson another chance. I will swiftly handle things and eliminate that young formation master!"

"You won't be able to kill him..." The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family slowly said, "Even if you do kill him, it won't be any better than not killing him."

Qian Hong didn't understand. "Please explain, grandfather."

"Go back and think for yourself how many people you would offend if you were to kill that young formation master."

The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family gradually closed his cloudy eyes. "Go now. Think it over yourself."

Qian Hong kowtowed, respectfully withdrew.

In the vast and hollow ancestral cave, only the ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family remained.

He looked down at his dry hands, the brownish-gray spots on their backs, and occasional flakes of decaying skin, his eyes numb.

"Am I nearing death..." The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family murmured, his voice incredibly hoarse.

After speaking, he began coughing violently, as if he might cough up his heart and lungs.

The ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family hurriedly took out a jade bottle from his bosom, tremblingly poured out a pill, and placed it into his mouth, closing his eyes to refine its medicinal power.

As the medicine took effect, the coughing subsided.

Only then did the ancestral patriarch of the Qian Family slowly open his eyes, faint traces of blood in them.

"But... I don't want to die yet..."

After Qian Hong left the ancestral cave, he immediately had someone inquire. Later that night, he was informed:

"It was Chief Zhou from the Dao Court who specifically visited the ancestral patriarch, seemingly advising the Qian Family not to trouble that young formation master."

Qian Hong frowned. "Without personal ties, why would Chief Zhou speak up for that young formation master?"

He recalled the ancestral patriarch's words, "If you were to kill that young formation master, how many people would you offend..."

Qian Hong reviewed the people Mo Hua knew, then sent people to investigate, resulting in a piece of paper.

Qian Hong glanced at it, then slumped into a chair.

How could this be?

The myriad connections on the paper made Qian Hong's head ache terribly:

Chief Zhou of the Dao Court was protecting Mo Hua; Zhang Lan, the registrar of the Dao Court, was acquainted with Mo Hua, and behind Zhang Lan was the Zhang Family.

Elder Yu from the Demon Hunters Association was biased, needless to say.

Most of the other demon hunters, regardless of their cultivation level, had received favors from that young man and willingly protected him.

Among the rogue cultivators were many artifact refiners and alchemists who knew Mo Hua.

Especially Mr. Feng, who had a wide network, had watched Mo Hua grow up.

The young master of the An Family was friends with Mo Hua. Since Mr. An had always been at odds with the Qian Family, he naturally stood by Mo Hua's side. Moreover, Mo Hua was a First-Rank Formation Master, giving Mr. An even more reason to support him.

Among the formation masters of Tongxian City, Master Luo had explicitly stated that all formation masters in the city should not trouble Mo Hua.

Even in the Qian Family, Master Qian was unwilling to oppose Mo Hua.

The three members of the Bai Family from the distant large clan who were traveling here seemed to have a good relationship with Mo Hua, especially the siblings. Some had seen them strolling together during the demon hunting festival...

Qian Hong counted these relationships one by one, unable to help the tingling sensation in his scalp.

Mo Hua was just a teenager. How did he manage to know so many cultivators?

If he really killed Mo Hua, wouldn't he instantly stir up a huge mess?

Qian Hong was both shocked and terrified.

As the saying goes, a strong dragon does not suppress a local snake.

According to reason, the Qian Family was the authentic local snake of Tongxian City.

But now, upon closer inspection, if the Qian Family were the local snake, then this young man Mo Hua was undoubtedly the true "local dragon."

In this situation, how could he proceed? How could he dare to proceed?

How did things develop to this point?

Qian Hong had a splitting headache. After a long while, he sighed in relief, rubbing his forehead. Despite his reluctance, he could only say helplessly:

"At this point, I can only consider the long term and endure for now..."

He didn't want to let Mo Hua off, but at this stage, he could only endure.

Endure it. As long as he endured it, there would always be an opportunity...

(End of the Chapter)