Chapter 1097: The Number One Sect in Qianxue
At the gates of the Gu Clan.
Wenren Wan held Yu'er's hand as they came to see Mo Hua off.
Gu Clan's patriarch, Gu Shouyan, along with a group of elders, also personally came to bid Mo Hua farewell.
Elder Gu Hong, dressed in bright red and known for her warm and forthright nature, was gripping Mo Hua's hand tightly, her face filled with reluctance.
From the first time they met, she had been very fond of this polite and adorable young man.
Back then, she had no idea that this junior disciple—who once sat beside her eating melons and gossiping—would turn out to be so incredibly capable, so stunningly talented. He had dazzled at the Qianxue Sword Debate, standing out among countless young prodigies and twice taking first place in the Dao of Arrays.
Even now, it still felt somewhat unreal to her.
Elder Gu Hong looked Mo Hua over carefully.
The young man was clearly growing up—gentle as jade, with bright eyes and refined features, a graceful presence like someone from the heavens.
As an elder who loved matchmaking, the more she looked at him, the more she liked him.
"Such a good child... I wonder which young lady will be lucky enough to marry him one day…" she thought to herself.
After some brief goodbyes, the time for parting had come.
Standing at the gates, Mo Hua bowed respectfully to the elders and to Aunt Wan. "During my time cultivating in Qianxue, I am deeply grateful for the care and support of all my seniors. Mo Hua is truly thankful."
Even the usually stern Gu Shouyan smiled at those words. "Young friend Mo, you're being too polite."
Wenren Wan looked at him with deep concern. "Be sure to take care of yourself."
Elder Gu Hong patted his hand sincerely. "When you're out in the world, always remember to protect yourself."
Yu'er, too, looked reluctant. "Big Brother Mo, take care."
Mo Hua smiled and nodded, gently patted Yu'er's head, then gave the group one final bow before turning and stepping into the carriage that would take him back to the Great Void Sect.
With this parting, time would pass, and meeting again would be uncertain.
…
Back at the Great Void Sect, it was only a couple of days before the last major event was finalized.
The Sword Debate, along with the rankings from the entire Dao Conference, was finally settled.
The Great Void Sect had taken first in the Sword Debate, first in the Array Debate, and—unsurprisingly—first overall in the Qianxue Dao Conference.
In other words, the Great Void Sect had officially become the number one sect in Qianxue.
Sect restructuring would follow the new Dao rankings.
Thus, the Great Void Sect rose to the top of Qianxue's "Four Great Sects."
This result had been expected, but the actual outcome brought a surprising twist.
The Tianquan Pavilion—after deliberation—did not include the Great Void Sect within the Four Great Sects.
Instead, they listed it separately, placing it on equal footing with the Four Great Sects, making it stand alongside them.
The Great Void Sect: One sect, Three Mountains.
Hence, the sect structure in Qianxue officially became:
Three Mountains, Four Great Sects, Eight Major Schools, Twelve Minor Clans, followed by the Hundred Sects of Qianxue, and then the thousands of minor sects.
Three Mountains, Four Sects, Eight Schools, Twelve Clans.
This became the official framework of elite sect institutions in the Qianxue region.
In name, the Great Void Sect—one sect, three mountains—was equal to the Four Great Sects.
But because the "Three Mountains" came before the Four Sects in order, it subtly placed the Great Void Sect above them.
When the Tianquan Pavilion's verdict was made public, the entire Qianxue region was shaken.
No one had expected things to turn out like this.
"Three Mountains before Four Sects…"
"Isn't this overpraising the Great Void Sect?"
"Do they have connections in the Tianquan Pavilion? Are the elders there playing favorites?"
"It's absurd…"
"If they were just named one of the Four Great Sects, there'd still be room to argue over who's number one. But now, with the 'Three Mountains' title, the hierarchy is obvious."
"Looks like the Great Void Sect really has claimed the seat as the top sect in Qianxue."
"That top seat isn't so easy to hold! In my opinion, a sect that rose this fast doesn't have a stable foundation. It's just a name. I, for one, wouldn't send my child to study there."
"And I advise everyone else not to send your talented disciples there either—don't let the Great Void Sect ruin your children."
"Exactly…"
"Only fools would send their disciples to the Great Void Sect."
But behind closed doors, most cultivators had only one response:
Send them!
Send them straight to the Great Void Sect.
All that other talk was just noise. Sect rankings were what mattered, and saying the Great Void Sect didn't deserve it was foolish—how could they rank that high without real strength?
Three Mountains, Four Sects.
If you're not sending disciples to the Three Mountains, then at best you're settling for the Four Great Sects.
But there's only one name among the Three Mountains: the Great Void Sect.
While the Four Great Sects each have their own names.
Who has the stronger reputation? There's no question.
No matter what people said, most cultivators' actions spoke the truth.
Some even spread rumors to badmouth the Great Void Sect, urging others not to apply—just to reduce competition and give their own children a better shot at getting in.
The Great Void Sect suddenly became the most controversial, yet most sought-after, top sect in all of Qianxue.
And within the sect, everyone was overjoyed.
One sect, three mountains. Four sects, eight schools!
One day, not only had they joined the elite, they were now standing above the Four Great Sects.
Even if the Tianquan Pavilion's decision seemed unusual—and clearly involved unknown political maneuvering—
It was still a glorious, ancestral honor for the Great Void Sect.
From this point forward, they were, in name and rank, the number one sect in Qianxue!
The old ancestors of the Void Cavern were deeply moved and full of emotion.
The leaders of the Three Mountains were in awe; elders and disciples alike were overjoyed.
And all of this was thanks to the unity and hard work of the sect's disciples.
The one who deserved the most credit, of course, was their "Little Senior Brother"—Mo Hua.
"Everything Little Senior Brother said… actually came true!"
"He really led us, and lifted the sect from the bottom of the Eight Schools all the way above the Four Great Sects!"
"When we first joined, we were disciples of one of the Eight Schools. In just a blink, we've become disciples of the top sect in Qianxue?!"
Many disciples felt like they were dreaming—unable to believe it.
Mo Hua's already lofty status within the sect soared even higher.
Among disciples of the Great Void Sect, he was admired and trusted like never before.
At every banquet or meal, lines of disciples queued up just to toast him.
To them, "Senior Brother" was just a title—
But "Little Senior Brother" had become a belief.
Even the patriarchs of Tai'a Mountain and Chongxu Mountain started to show him special regard.
They personally invited Mo Hua over for tea.
At the tea gathering, the old patriarchs sat at the head, Mo Hua at the secondary seat.
The sect leaders of Tai'a and Chongxu sat at the bottom, brewing tea for the elders—and for Mo Hua.
During the meeting, they expressed concern and affection for Mo Hua, and even invited him to join their inner sects.
If he agreed, they would open a new clan lineage for him—one that bore the surname Mo.
Mo Hua was deeply moved, but politely declined.
The two patriarchs felt some regret, but respected his conviction—not swayed by gain, a sign of someone truly worthy.
They continued chatting with him for a while.
Though no agreement was reached, the tea gathering was a warm and pleasant one.
With the Great Void Sect taking first place in the Sword Debate, Mo Hua also received the reward he had long desired.
Elder Xun presented him with an array diagram.
It was the prize gifted by the Tianxuan Pavilion to the Sword Debate champion—a rare formation called the "Yimu Spring Renewal Array."
This array belonged to the field of medical formations—gradually phased out by the rise of alchemy due to its narrow application and inconvenient construction.
But this wasn't just one array—Mo Hua found that it was an entire set.
It contained a full inheritance of Yimu-type healing arrays, from first grade to fourth grade.
A very precious legacy indeed.
But… Mo Hua frowned. "Can this Yimu Spring Renewal Array really save Master?" Why?
Because Mo Hua understood better than anyone—his master's injuries were tied to fate and karma, life and death itself. These were not simple wounds of flesh and blood.
What use could a healing array like this truly offer?
He studied the array carefully. No matter how he looked at it, something seemed off—like it hid a deeper mystery.
But he couldn't unravel it yet. For now, he would set it aside for further study.
He placed the entire set of Yimu Spring Renewal Arrays into his storage ring.
…
In the days that followed, the Great Void Sect was buzzing with excitement.
Because of its finalized ranking, it was no longer what it used to be. Many families, sects, other cultivation forces, and even some renowned cultivators sent congratulatory gifts to the Great Void Sect.
The front of the sect was packed with carriages and people—a sea of traffic and a tide of visitors.
Everyone within the sect was filled with joy and celebration.
This lively atmosphere lasted for nearly a month.
During this period, the sect held its final year-end assessment.
Mo Hua's results once again reverted to the familiar "one A, six Fs."
No matter how high his status, a poor performance was still a poor performance. No elder would "bend the rules" and give him a higher score.
But when Mo Hua saw the familiar "one A, six Fs," he instead felt a strange sense of comfort and then let out a deep sigh.
He knew—everything had truly come to an end.
His nine years of cultivation in the Great Void Sect had finally reached their conclusion.
The sect's disciples began to depart one after another.
His junior brothers also came to bid farewell and went off on their own paths.
The first was Linghu Xiao.
Though a disciple of Chongxu Mountain, he planned to travel far and wide to train, visit Sword Mountain, refine his swordsmanship, seek the sword path, and eventually form his core.
Linghu Xiao was not one for words. Countless emotions were hidden in his eyes as he simply clasped his hands and said:
"Senior Brother, rivers and mountains will meet again."
Mo Hua also clasped his hands. "They will indeed. Xiaoxiao, take care. You must become a truly outstanding sword cultivator."
Linghu Xiao, who rarely smiled, actually revealed a faint smile. He then took a deep breath, nodded to Mo Hua, and with one sword by his side, departed with a Chongxu Mountain elder to roam the Nine Provinces in search of the sword path.
Next came Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Yang Qianjun, Hao Xuan, Xie Ling... and so on.
Some were returning to their clans, others going on journeys, some seeking guidance from elders, some inheriting family responsibilities, and some could only rely on themselves to forge a path...
Everyone had their own life and destiny.
Before leaving, each of them came to see Mo Hua, offered him a cup of wine, their hearts reluctant, yet they said boldly:
"Senior Brother, the road of cultivation is long—until we meet again…"
Then they would add:
"If you ever return to Qian Province, or travel to Kun, Kan, Li, Gen, Zhen, Xun, or Dui Provinces… be sure to visit the Hao Family / Lu Family / Chu Family / Situ Family / Cheng Family / Xie Family / Zheng Family / Feng Family / Yang Family / Zhuge Family / Han Family…"
"…If anything happens, just mention my name—no one would dare show you the slightest disrespect."
Mo Hua looked helpless on the surface, but inside, he was deeply moved.
And just like that, they all left, one by one.
During their days together—living, studying, cultivating—it hadn't seemed like much. But now, with sudden farewells and the uncertainty of future meetings, it was impossible not to feel bitter and emotional, eyes turning red.
Though cultivators live long lives, the ties of fate are often shallow.
After this farewell, whether they'd meet again in the vast cultivation world—only fate and the heavens would decide.
Life's twists and turns, its sorrows and joys, reunions and partings—always left people feeling desolate.
And so, one by one, those fellow disciples who had once accompanied him day and night all departed.
The disciples' residence gradually grew quiet.
As the "Senior Brother," Mo Hua saw each of them off in turn—until finally, he was the only one left.
He didn't rush to leave.
Because he bore too many karmic entanglements. Once he left, who knew when he'd be back again?
There were still people he hadn't had the chance to see. There were still things he hadn't taken care of.
So, Mo Hua left himself a bit more time.
During this time, Elder Xun called him over again to confirm his intentions one last time.
The two sat atop an old building in the Great Void Sect, sipping tea as they looked out at the misty rain.
"You're sure you won't stay in the inner sect?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded.
He already had a personal master, and his master treated him with deep and boundless kindness. In this lifetime, he would only ever have this one master.
Elder Xun understood this, so he wasn't surprised.
"Then… are you going home?" Elder Xun asked.
Mo Hua nodded. "Yes. I want to go home first, to see my parents… It's been ten years since I left. I don't know how they are. I won't feel at ease until I see them."
"And after that?" Elder Xun asked.
"I haven't decided yet…" Mo Hua fell into thought, then asked, "Elder Xun, I want to…"
Elder Xun shook his head. "Don't say it. Some plans are best kept in your heart. Don't tell anyone—not even me. The karmic fate and destiny on you are heavy. If it leaks, others might deduce it and bring disaster upon you."
"Understood," Mo Hua said.
"One more thing…" Elder Xun paused slightly, his voice turning serious. "I discussed this with Immortal Master Situ. Previously… you incurred boundless bloodshed. That killing karma has turned into baleful energy and reversed your fate. Right now, extreme baleful forces are gathering in your fate. A single misstep could lead to… utter annihilation."
Mo Hua's heart chilled. He frowned and asked, "Then what should I do?"
Elder Xun sighed, then said in a low voice:
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not use the killing techniques linked to your divine sense. Otherwise, it will shake your soul, trigger murderous thoughts, and cause the baleful energy to rebound, throwing your fate into chaos."
"If you must use it, restrain yourself as much as possible."
"Also, avoid overdrawing your spiritual sense. If it becomes unstable, the baleful energy might erupt."
"In the future, when you travel outside, keep calm. Don't kill unless absolutely necessary."
"If you do need to kill, try to hold back—don't kill too many."
"Manage your killing karma. It must not grow any worse…"
As he spoke, Elder Xun found even himself a bit speechless.
Was this really how one should instruct a righteous cultivator?
What kind of righteous disciple needed to be told: "Try to control your killing karma"?
Elder Xun sighed, feeling a little helpless.
Mo Hua, however, remembered every word Elder Xun said—deep in his heart.
One must heed the words of the elders… or suffer the consequences before their eyes.
Mo Hua took Elder Xun's words— and firmly etched them in his heart.
"If you don't listen to the old, you'll suffer before your eyes."
Since Elder Xun had made a point to stress his advice, Mo Hua knew he had to take it seriously and not brush it aside.
As for that so-called "control your killing intent" suggestion, Mo Hua didn't think it was much of an issue.
He had always been kind to others. Though he did have a bit of a "deep hatred for evil," he rarely actually killed anyone.
The blood sacrifice formation was purely out of necessity—he had no other choice.
How could he possibly go around killing that many people again?
"Elder, I've remembered it all," Mo Hua nodded earnestly.
Elder Xun, seeing Mo Hua's serious attitude and clear willingness to listen, felt a little more at ease.
Then, he gave Mo Hua a long, deep look and sighed inwardly:
"No matter how much you hate to let go of a child, eventually you have to set him free, let him go out and face the world…"
"But once he leaves the Great Void Sect and leaves the borders of Qianxue Prefecture, no one will be there to look after him anymore. The outside world is chaotic. Small temples attract fierce winds, and demons and monsters abound…"
After a moment of quiet thought, Elder Xun took out an object resembling a jade slip and handed it to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua accepted it, examined it briefly, and asked curiously, "Elder, what is this?"
"A sect 'Jade Recommendation'," Elder Xun replied.
"Jade Recommendation?"
"Yes," Elder Xun nodded. "It's a jade slip used for introductions. After every disciple graduates from the sect, they'll usually ask a few elders within the sect to sign it—either to help them find a path forward or simply to serve as a way for fellow cultivators to recommend and connect with each other, or engage in Daoist discussions."
Mo Hua suddenly understood.
This was somewhat like a sect-issued "letter of recommendation," and also somewhat like a disciple's "business card" from their master.
"Does every disciple get one?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled. "How come I've never heard of it?"
Elder Xun replied quietly, "Maybe… everyone just thought you didn't need it…"
These "Jade Recommendations" required elder signatures.
But Mo Hua's status was so prominent—even the Patriarchs acknowledged him—so no elder dared to presume to recommend anything on his behalf.
But the issue was, Mo Hua had no intention of staying in Qianxue Prefecture.
He was going to leave.
And once he left Qianxue, the world outside would be very different.
Elder Xun said, "Some formalities are still important. Inside the Great Void Sect, within Qianxue, no one dares to look down on you."
"But once you're outside Qianxue, the world is vast, full of all kinds of people. You'll be meeting strangers. No one will know who you are."
"If you keep a low profile and never reveal your identity, that's fine."
"But if you ever need a bit of convenience, and you have nothing to prove yourself, your words alone won't convince anyone—they'll just think you're bragging."
"So something like a Jade Recommendation is still necessary. At the very least, when you run into senior brothers or sisters from past sect generations, you'll be able to strike up a connection."
"Cultivation strength is important—but so is your network."
After speaking, Elder Xun personally signed Mo Hua's Jade Recommendation first, then said:
"Take this and go find a few more elders. Ask them to sign it for you—just tell them I said so."
"Yes." Mo Hua held the Jade Recommendation reverently, full of gratitude.
Then he set out to get signatures from the elders, starting with those he was most familiar with.
Elders like Xun Ziyou, Xun Zixian, the gentle and beautiful Elder Murong, Elder Yi who taught him Daoist methods, the inheritance elder who gave lectures, and Elder Song who handled attendance and often approved his leave… and so on.
But somehow, word got out.
Many other elders took the initiative to approach Mo Hua, wanting to sign it for him.
They didn't want to be too obvious, so they pretended to "bump into him by chance" and then stared at him expectantly.
Mo Hua would hesitate slightly, then slowly say, "Elder, I have a small request…"
And the elder would immediately respond, "Ah, your sect Jade Recommendation? Of course, of course—I'll sign it, I'll sign it…"
Their expressions full of joy as they spoke.
Eventually, more and more elders from all three mountains started "running into" Mo Hua this way, signing their names on his Jade Recommendation.
Normally, when an elder signed a disciple's Jade Recommendation, it was a great honor for the disciple.
But in Mo Hua's case, it was reversed—whoever signed his slip earned prestige.
Those who didn't sign? Looked second-rate.
In fact, when elders signed for other disciples, their calligraphy would be flamboyant, as if trying to look carefree and stylish.
But when they signed Mo Hua's, each stroke was neat and deliberate—they were afraid he might not recognize their signature otherwise.
Even the Patriarchs weren't exempt.
The Patriarch of Mount Tai'a invited Mo Hua for tea, and casually brought up the Jade Recommendation. Then he signed it without a second thought.
The Patriarch of Mount Chongxu followed suit, not wanting to be left behind.
Soon, the leaders of all three mountains signed as well.
And just like that, Mo Hua's sect-issued Jade Recommendation was filled edge to edge—with the names of almost every elder, sect leader, and Patriarch of the Great Void Sect's three mountains.
(End of this Chapter)