Chapter 712 – Little Senior Brother
Elder Xun opened the letter again and read through it. After pondering for a moment, he took out a jade slip and infused it with his divine sense, writing a message. Then, he summoned a young attendant.
"Deliver this jade slip to Elder Liang of the Dao Tribunal. Have him find someone to look into this matter."
"Yes, Ancestor."
The young attendant respectfully accepted the jade slip and retreated.
Within a day, another jade slip returned. The attendant once again respectfully presented it to Elder Xun.
Elder Xun glanced at it. Seeing it bore the handwriting of Elder Liang—a retired Grand Adjudicator of the Dao Tribunal—he sank his divine sense into the slip.
With just one look, Elder Xun's heart skipped a beat.
The Fire Buddha?!
That infamous demonic cultivator who had roamed the second-tier prefectures for a century—peak Foundation Establishment realm, master of the Forbidden Incineration Technique, exterminator of the Xie Clan, and ruthless killer with a horde of dark cultivators under his command?!
Elder Xun drew a sharp breath.
And that's not all…
He frowned.
The disciples who had teamed up with Mo Hua were a mixed bunch, so he hadn't thought to investigate them.
But now that he looked into it—his scalp tingled.
He had assumed Mo Hua's capabilities were limited to drawing formations at best. That was his range.
Capturing the Fire Buddha?
The report listed all the credit under Gu Changhuai.
Soon, records from the Merit Hall were also delivered.
Elder Xun sighed.
The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became. His face darkened as he instructed the attendant:
"Go fetch Mo Hua!"
His vaunted Heavenly Fate Calculations really were lacking…
He had poured centuries into studying them, and yet had completely overlooked this "blind spot" right under his nose!
He continued reading with a concentrated gaze.
The Fire Buddha… had been killed.
No wonder the Dao Tribunal had made a special exception to award eight thousand merit points.
But if anything had gone wrong—even the slightest slip—just think of the evil cultivators and demonic followers involved…
Would Mo Hua's little arms and legs have survived any of that?
He would've been obliterated!
Besides the numerous 1st and 2nd-rank formation tasks, most of the remaining missions Mo Hua had taken were all capture, pursuit, encirclement, and extermination of criminals, evil cultivators, and even demonic cultivators.
After all the years Elder Xun had lived and all the people he'd encountered, he never imagined he'd be blindsided in his twilight years by a single brat.
Those senior brothers and sisters Mo Hua hung around with?
Much higher cultivation. Most were heirs of noble families. They barely knew him—yet they took him along?
How good were this kid's social skills?
The whole situation was nothing like what Elder Xun had assumed.
Thankfully, Mo Hua had come back in one piece.
Elder Xun couldn't help but picture the boy's gentle, well-behaved little face. He felt both fear and frustration.
After another pause, he ordered someone to retrieve the Merit Hall's task records to review Mo Hua's usual assignments.
This brat's got nerves of steel.
No matter how he looked at it, Elder Xun couldn't figure out how a low-level, frail disciple like Mo Hua had managed to take down a peak Foundation-stage demonic overlord.
Formations?
Even with formation mastery, that was still dangerously reckless!
He never imagined…
Honestly, now that he thought about it, eight thousand merit might actually be underpaying the kid…
Even more shocking—the success rate was absurdly high, with almost no failures.
This brat really did try to stick his hand in every pot!
Elder Xun found it hard to believe.
No wonder it was worth that much merit!
Mo Hua had assisted the Dao Tribunal by creating the array that captured the Fire Buddha, a great achievement. It was Elder Gu Changhuai who filed the commendation.
But Mo Hua had also been there at the time.
Elder Xun let out a long sigh.
He reread the contents of the jade slip and grew angrier the more he thought about it.
Dealing with monsters like the Fire Buddha—one misstep, and the boy might've been vaporized on the spot.
Now that he looked closer, things clearly weren't as simple as they seemed…
Most of his companions were a generation above him—like that Murong girl, and the young man from the Ouyang family of Tai'a Sect.
You didn't need to be a genius to sense something fishy going on here.
The young attendant respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."
This is madness!
Such rare formation talent, and he doesn't know how to cherish it. He's constantly running around the wild, taking on these suicidal bounties.
After leaving the elder residence, the attendant went off to find Mo Hua.
Mo Hua was in class when he got the message and looked a bit surprised.
Elder Xun rarely called for him during class.
The attendant leaned in and whispered, "Be careful. The old man looks really mad today."
Mo Hua had gotten to know the young attendant well from his many visits.
Mo Hua blinked. "Mad at who?"
The attendant shrugged. "How should I know?"
Mo Hua scratched his head.
"What's Elder Xun angry about? I've been totally well-behaved lately—just sitting in the sect drawing formations every day…"
When he arrived at the elder's room, he could immediately sense something was off.
Elder Xun's expression was cold and solemn, exuding serious pressure.
Mo Hua lowered his eyes, hands respectfully clasped, wearing the most innocent and obedient expression imaginable.
Elder Xun had been ready to scold him—but the moment he saw Mo Hua's pitiful little face, his heart softened a little.
Yes, what the boy did was risky…
But capturing evil cultivators was still a righteous path for cultivators—it was upholding the Dao, not something he could harshly criticize without discouraging the boy's pure intentions and demon-slaying resolve.
Still, Mo Hua had risked his life—this kind of behavior could not be encouraged.
He was still young, naïve like a blank slate, unaware of how dangerous and dark the world of cultivation truly was.
He had to be taught a stern lesson—otherwise he'd try something just as reckless next time.
Elder Xun's face darkened again, ready to launch into a lecture—when suddenly, he paused.
He stared at Mo Hua for a long while, then frowned.
"Your divine sense… it's grown again, hasn't it?"
Mo Hua smiled sheepishly and nodded modestly, "Yes… just a little. I've reached seventeen patterns."
Elder Xun's eyes widened slightly.
Seventeen patterns…
Early Foundation stage, but with divine sense of a late Foundation cultivator?!
Elder Xun's expression froze. His mind, however, was in complete chaos—a storm raging inside.
He stood there, dumbfounded, unable to speak.
"…Elder?" Mo Hua asked weakly.
Only then did Elder Xun return to his senses. He looked at Mo Hua in disbelief.
A moment later, he smoothed his expression and said calmly:
"It's nothing. You can go back now."
Mo Hua was stunned. "Huh?"
Elder Xun waved his hand. He wasn't angry anymore. His tone was even gentle:
"Go back to class."
"…Okay." Mo Hua, still confused, bowed and asked, "Then… this disciple takes his leave?"
"Mm." Elder Xun gave a slight nod.
Mo Hua left, totally baffled.
After he was gone, Elder Xun sat in silence for a long time. Finally, he rose slowly.
Using void-stepping techniques, he tore open space and entered the sect's back mountain.
There, nestled deep in the mountain, was the ancestral hall.
Solemn and grand, the hall housed the spirit tablets etched with black patterns on dark stone, along with portraits of the Great Void Sect's successive founders.
Elder Xun, his hair snow-white, respectfully lit incense.
Yet his hands trembled slightly.
From the old incense burner, wisps of green smoke rose like clouds, drifting and curling above the ancestral tablets and portraits.
Emotion welled up in Elder Xun's chest—he couldn't calm himself. His voice trembled slightly as he whispered:
"Forebears of the Great Void Sect, please bless us…"
"Our sect has truly encountered a stroke of great fortune!"
"The thread of fate buried deep within this crisis of destiny… it must lie with this child!"
The smoke coiled upward, pure and serene, lingering before the ancestral portraits like a divine omen.
Elder Xun slowly exhaled.
...
The Next Day, Elder Xun Visited the Sect Master of the Great Void Sect.
The Sect Master of the Great Void Sect carried himself with calm authority. He had a gentle yet dignified bearing and a strikingly regal presence. His long, jet-black hair was thick and lustrous.
He came from a noble lineage with a strong inheritance and had entered the Dao through swordsmanship. His cultivation was impressive, and within the Great Void Sect, his status was uniquely respected.
However, even he wore a grave expression today.
Though he did not cultivate divine sense nor dabble in heavenly calculations, someone of his cultivation could vaguely perceive the shifts in fate and a brewing storm on the horizon.
While life in the Great Void Sect appeared peaceful, there was a subtle sense of tension in the air, as if a storm was gathering.
But the exact nature of the omen remained elusive.
At an elegant sandalwood table, the Sect Master sat across from Elder Xun. Once the tea had steeped and the fragrance had spread, he personally poured a cup for Elder Xun and sighed:
"Though the Great Void, Tai'a, and Chongxu sects have now become three separate sects, we all trace our roots to the same ancestral line… we're like branches from the same tree."
"I've spoken to the other sect leaders about this, but they wouldn't listen."
"Tai'a Sect has grown powerful. It looks like they want to climb higher—perhaps even take the top spot among the Eight Great Sects."
"Chongxu Sect is middling, but they too seem eager to push into the upper ranks."
The Sect Master smiled self-deprecatingly.
"And our Great Void Sect… we're slow, passive, trailing behind, seemingly unambitious."
Elder Xun quietly sipped his tea without commenting.
The Sect Master sighed again, his tone tinged with frustration:
"Tai'a Sect has seen a wave of young talents lately. That boy from the Ouyang family—Ouyang Feng—he keeps a low profile, but he's mastered the sect's core sword arts. Calm, steady, never flaunting his edge. He's a man of great potential."
"And Chongxu Sect has produced an exceptional talent in this generation too—a gifted sword cultivator who sensed the Chongxu Sword Tomb not long after entering the sect, and managed to cultivate the legendary Chongxu Sword Qi. Probably their most talented disciple in the last five hundred years."
"As for our sect… we've got decent spiritual roots and a few promising sword cultivators, but we're ultimately too 'average.' Compared to these true prodigies, we still fall short."
The Sect Master shook his head with a helpless look:
"No wonder Tai'a and Chongxu are reluctant to associate with us anymore."
"They don't take my words seriously. They probably fear that associating with us will drag them down."
Elder Xun furrowed his brow slightly.
Though the three sects had a shared origin, they had long since gone their separate ways. What happened in other sects wasn't something they could easily interfere with.
The Sect Master glanced at Elder Xun, his face turning solemn. He asked quietly:
"Elder… what exactly has happened?"
Elder Xun sighed. "I'm not entirely sure myself."
The Sect Master's expression grew heavier.
"In any case," said Elder Xun, "from this point forward, instruct the disciples to speak cautiously. When it comes to sect affairs, adopt a more conservative approach. No rash moves."
The Sect Master nodded.
"Retreat-and-preserve mode? Yeah, I know how to do that."
Elder Xun continued:
"The days ahead likely won't be peaceful. If we can keep our heads down and protect our foundation, that'll be enough."
"Sometimes, not making mistakes is already a form of merit. There's no need to compete with others. Let them chase fame and glory if they want it."
Elder Xun's expression was calm and composed.
"You are absolutely right, Elder," the Sect Master replied respectfully.
The two continued drinking tea, discussing sect matters. Eventually, Elder Xun added:
"However, there's one small rule that needs to be changed."
The Sect Master blinked in surprise.
Elder Xun said:
"Starting with this current cohort, all formation classes will be merged into one large session. All disciples of the same generation will attend together."
The Sect Master looked puzzled and frowned:
"Elder, forgive me for being slow… is there some deeper meaning to this?"
Elder Xun sighed dramatically:
"No deeper meaning. I'm just getting old. My energy is waning. I've been using my divine sense to calculate heavenly fates lately—it's been exhausting."
"There are too many classes. I simply don't have the time or stamina anymore. So I figured I'd combine them into one and teach everyone at once."
Hearing this, the Sect Master looked pained.
Elder Xun had truly poured his heart and soul into the Great Void Sect. He had dedicated his entire life to it.
The Sect Master said softly:
"Elder, perhaps it's time to let the teaching duties fall to the other elders and instructors. Your status is lofty—there's no need for you to personally teach anymore…"
"No!"
Elder Xun's face turned stern:
"Teaching the Dao and guiding students is the foundation upon which our sect was built. Whether Foundation Establishment or Nascent Soul, whether instructor or elder, no matter the cultivation or position—everyone should take pride in teaching the Dao. That is our duty!"
"Even though I am old, this principle must not be abandoned!"
Hearing these words, the Sect Master was deeply moved. He immediately stood up, bowed with both hands, and said:
"I, your junior, shall remember Elder's teachings."
Elder Xun stroked his beard with satisfaction and nodded.
Once everything had been settled, Elder Xun left.
But his words still echoed in the Sect Master's mind.
The Sect Master sat in quiet thought, emotions swirling in his heart.
"In today's cultivation world, whether in noble families or major sects, people like Elder Xun—upright, selfless, and full of virtue—are becoming rarer and rarer…"
He sighed and took a sip of tea—then suddenly froze.
After mulling it over carefully, something felt… off.
Why was the formation class being consolidated now of all times?
Though it was framed as a matter of convenience for teaching, he couldn't shake the feeling that Elder Xun had a small personal motive tucked away.
But then again… Elder Xun was known for his uprightness. What hidden motive could he possibly have?
The Sect Master thought it over and shook his head.
"I must be overthinking it. Elder Xun is far too honorable to deceive me."
...
Elder Xun and the Sect Master of the Great Void Sect finished their discussion, and thus, the rules for the formation class were officially changed.
The very next formation class marked the beginning of the new "combined lecture" system.
The lesson was held in the Preaching Pavilion, specifically in its largest lecture hall.
Elder Xun stood on the stage, looking out at a densely packed crowd—more than a thousand disciples, all from Mo Hua's generation.
Sweeping his gaze across the hall, Elder Xun spoke with concise authority:
"From this day forward, formation teachings will be unified. I will serve as the lead lecturer, with the instructors assisting. Additionally…"
He glanced down at the seated disciples, then pointed and said:
"Mo Hua."
Mo Hua froze in surprise.
Elder Xun continued:
"…You will serve as the 'Senior Brother' of the formation class. In this hall, if neither I nor the instructors are present, you'll be in charge."
Mo Hua was completely unprepared—his mind went blank.
And then, he felt it.
Over a thousand gazes, like a volley of arrows, simultaneously shot toward him.
Some were familiar, others strange. Some were shocked, others confused. There were looks of admiration, doubt, and even open hostility.
All of these people were the true talents of the Great Void Sect. Though they were of the same generation, many didn't know Mo Hua well.
And now, a "Senior Brother" had been dropped on their heads out of nowhere? With their proud temperaments, how could they accept that?
Mo Hua's scalp tingled under their stares, and he felt extremely out of place.
Elder Xun ignored the tension and addressed him calmly:
"Mo Hua, come up here."
Though it felt like he was carrying a mountain on his back, Mo Hua braced himself and walked up to the stage, standing beside Elder Xun.
With his snow-white hair, Elder Xun patted Mo Hua's small shoulder and nodded slightly. Then he pointed at Mo Hua and announced to the disciples below:
"From this day on, this will be your 'Senior Brother.'"
Mo Hua hadn't said a word yet when a disciple suddenly stood up, unable to hold back. Though he maintained a respectful tone, his face carried a hint of indignation:
"Elder, may I ask… is this considered a 'pre-appointment'?"
Elder Xun nodded frankly:
"Yes, it is."
The disciple was momentarily stunned.
Elder Xun's honesty left him at a loss for words.
Another disciple stood up and said, "Elder, this is favoritism. I refuse to accept it!"
Elder Xun glanced at him indifferently. "And?"
"I… I will report this to my great-grandfather, the Grand Elder of the Great Void Sect! I will inform him that you are acting unfairly, abusing your power, and disregarding the rules—"
Elder Xun's expression turned subtly amused. He nodded and said:
"Very well. Go tell him. And have your Grand Elder of a great-grandfather come visit me tomorrow. I'll explain to him what 'rules' really mean."
That disciple froze—and suddenly felt uneasy.
Why wasn't Elder Xun afraid at all?
Was he truly fearless… or just pretending?
Or maybe… his status was so high that even his great-grandfather wouldn't dare cross him?
But then again, his great-grandfather had never even mentioned this Elder Xun…
He really didn't know just how powerful Elder Xun was within the sect.
Still, he wasn't a fool. Judging from Elder Xun's words and tone, it was clear he didn't think much of his great-grandfather. And if this Elder truly held that much weight…
The disciple began to sweat.
"Did I just… cause trouble for my great-grandfather?"
"Is he gonna beat me up?"
His bravado drained instantly, and he sat back down—quiet as a mouse.
The rest of the disciples also sensed something was off.
This Elder Xun, who normally was just a strict, no-nonsense teacher, might be far more important than they had realized.
No one dared speak again.
Elder Xun's expression remained stern, though he sighed inwardly.
If this had been a normal situation, he might've taken the time to gradually persuade them.
But now, the heavenly fates were clouded. Circumstances were extraordinary. He had to act quickly and decisively.
Even if he had to force it—he had to push Mo Hua into this role as the Great Void Sect's "Senior Brother."
This decision was tied to the sect's fate and fortune.
There could be no delay, no debate.
When it came to matters involving heavenly fate, even a moment of hesitation could lead to catastrophic reversal.
Thus, if even the faintest thread of fate revealed itself, one had to act resolutely, even unreasonably, without hesitation.
Elder Xun scanned the crowd again.
Expressions varied—some calm, others tense. While no one spoke, it was clear they weren't truly convinced.
But that didn't matter.
If they weren't convinced in heart, at least they needed to be convinced in words.
So Elder Xun said with authority:
"That's final. Now all of you—address him as 'Senior Brother.'"
The disciples clearly didn't like it, but under Elder Xun's pressure, they had no choice.
And so, this generation of proud Great Void disciples—aside from a handful familiar with Mo Hua—reluctantly and half-heartedly muttered, in voices low and bitter:
"Senior Brother…"
(End of Chapter)