Mo Hua meditated for a long time, silently digesting this insight into the Great Dao within his heart.

Although it was still vague, very crude, and he had only faintly perceived a rudimentary form of the boundless Great Dao, he truly had a slight inkling of the Great Dao’s ultimate unity, where all paths lead to the same destination.

A special kind of “Dao” began to sprout in Mo Hua’s mind. Over the years, he had traveled extensively, acquiring various array formations, sword techniques, spells, spiritual sense Daoist methods, and karmic arts through different fragmented sources. In a flash, these all resonated with his識海 (shíhǎi), showing signs of merging.

Seemingly ever-changing and distinctly separate “Shu” (techniques) were evolving within Mo Hua’s識海, converging towards a certain Dao that was close to the origin.

However, this “fusion” only just began before it stopped. This was because Mo Hua’s understanding was still too shallow. This rudimentary form of Dao had only just emerged, but there was simply not enough foundation to integrate it.

Mo Hua sighed softly. It was the same as before; his realm was too low. With his current cultivation and achievements, he simply couldn’t break through the barriers between different Daoist methods. He couldn’t truly use “Shu” to discern the underlying “Dao” and thus achieve the state of “returning to the Dao and restoring truth.”

Furthermore, his comprehension of specific “Shu” was still far from enough. He hadn’t mastered “Shu” well enough. Blindly believing in Shu is worse than having no Shu. But without Shu, there is also no Dao. Whether it was array formations, spells, sword techniques, spiritual sense methods, or karmic divination arts, these specific “Shu” still needed to be refined, diligently studied, learned to a more profound degree, and understood at a higher level.

“Shu” is the bridge to “Dao.” The stronger the “Shu,” the more solid the bridge leading to “Dao.” To “seek Dao,” one must cultivate “Shu” to its extreme.

“We must find a way to cultivate Shu to its extreme, to the point of mastery, effortless execution, and nearing the ‘transcendent’ realm. Only then can we break the barrier between Shu and Dao, penetrate the superficial layer of Shu, and perceive the essence of Dao.”

“Even further, we can break the barriers between different ‘Shu’.”

“To merge all Daoist methods into one.”

“Dao moves with the heart, Dharma originates from the mind; a single thought causes myriad techniques to arise and perish, eternally…”

The confusion in Mo Hua’s heart regarding cultivation gradually cleared. He gained a clearer understanding of the path he was to take, the Dao he was to seek, and how to proceed step by step.

In the dark night, Mo Hua’s eyes shone like fire. The distant war fires continued to spread, with cries of battle rising and falling. Everyone’s movements, the flow of conflict, and the factors of victory and defeat were all within Mo Hua’s calculations.

Sitting in the darkness, Mo Hua was like a “mastermind behind the scenes,” invisibly controlling everything. And this battle was just the beginning.

The fighting in the mountain forest continued until dawn, when the counter-ambush against the Bi Fang (bì fāng) tribe finally ceased. The Bi Fang tribe suffered a crushing defeat, with over sixty elite casualties, and no less than two hundred of their barbarian slaves perished. Bi Jie (bì jié) was also in a very sorry state under the encirclement of Dan Zhu (dān zhū) and Chi Feng (chì fēng).

Retreating to a camp fifty li away, Bi Jie could not hide his inner fury. This was not his biggest defeat to date, but it was his most “humiliating” one. This was because he had been defeated by Dan Zhu, who was a realm lower than him, inexperienced in array warfare, and practically “wet behind the ears.”

The Dan Que (dān què) tribe and the Bi Fang tribe had always harbored old grudges. Bi Jie and Dan Zhu were both young masters, and both had reputations as geniuses. However, the cunning and seasoned Bi Jie had never taken the indecisive, young, and “hypocritically kind” Dan Zhu seriously. But now, it was precisely this Dan Zhu who had inflicted such a defeat upon him. How could Bi Jie not be enraged?

In the temporary camp of the Bi Fang tribe, Bi Jie still bore the scorch marks from Dan Zhu’s Xuán Huǒ (xuán huǒ), and an evil fire raged in his heart, with no outlet for release. He chopped several Foundation Establishment (Zhú Jī) commanders, who had disobeyed his orders and fled, into two halves.

After cutting them down, Bi Jie turned around and sternly demanded, “Tell me, who informed the Dan Que tribe?”

The barbarian soldiers and minor commanders were instantly silenced, fearing that a single misspoken word would lead to them being beheaded by the enraged Bi Jie. Only one gray-eyed elder spoke slowly and solemnly, “Young Master, do not be so hasty.”

This gray-eyed elder, a middle-stage Golden Core (Jīn Dān), seemed to command extremely high prestige. Bi Jie treated him with considerable respect and somewhat reined in his temper.

The gray-eyed elder looked at everyone, waved his hand, and said, “You all may leave first.”

“Yes.”

The minor commanders, as if grasping at a lifesaver, all left with a sigh of relief, offering apologies as they retreated. Inside the tent, only Bi Jie and the gray-eyed elder remained.

Bi Jie said, “Elder Shē (shē), why did you stop me from asking further?”

The gray-eyed elder shook his head, “The greater the defeat, the less one should shake people’s morale. Moreover, this matter likely has other complications.”

Bi Jie frowned, “You mean no one leaked information?”

The gray-eyed elder nodded.

Bi Jie refused to believe him, “If no one leaked information, how did the Dan Que tribe know our movements so thoroughly? They seized every weakness in almost every step, relentlessly pursuing and killing us, causing my Bi Fang tribe to lose over sixty elites.” These elites had followed Bi Jie through thick and thin and were his most loyal confidants. Bi Jie’s heart bled.

The gray-eyed elder slowly said, “Young Master, if you blame all the mistakes on ‘traitors’ and severely punish your subordinates, it will inevitably cause panic and disrupt the army. These barbarian soldiers are your foundation. No matter what happens, you must first stabilize the morale of the army.”

However, Bi Jie clearly wasn’t receptive to such “diplomatic” words, and his temper remained somewhat volatile. The gray-eyed elder’s heart sank slightly. Young Master Bi Jie possessed talent, ability, and a ruthless disposition; it was indeed true that he could accomplish great things in the future. But his character also had many flaws. Those with cunning often harbored suspicion, were distrustful, and insecure. When faced with trouble, the first people they suspected were those around them, and they were often quick-tempered and cruel in their methods. This was unavoidable. In the wilderness, all “tycoons” generally had this personality, and only through it could they inspire awe, avoid betrayal, and achieve great accomplishments.

But now, the gray-eyed elder had a bad premonition. He felt that not only had they been outmaneuvered in this military campaign, but Young Master Bi Jie’s “heart” was also being manipulated.

In this battle, Dan Zhu had displayed great power, defeating the Bi Fang tribe, which must have been a humiliation for Young Master Bi Jie. Once the young master became tyrannical and lost his composure, beginning to suspect his subordinates, it would inevitably cause disunity. This entire plan would then completely fall apart. And Bi Jie’s arrogant temper was not something ordinary people could suppress, not even an elder like him.

The gray-eyed elder looked at Bi Jie, frowned, and said in a low voice, “Young Master, impatience spoils great plans. That thing… don’t you want it anymore?”

Upon hearing this, Bi Jie’s pupils contracted, and he immediately calmed down. As if remembering something crucial, Bi Jie’s gaze became solemn. After a moment of silence, he cupped his hands and said, “Elder Shē, Bi Jie lost his composure.”

The gray-eyed elder nodded slightly. Although arrogant, he could suppress his temper in the face of “important matters,” which showed a certain breadth of character. In due time, he should become a mighty overlord of the wilderness.

The gray-eyed elder said slowly, “Regardless of whether there’s a traitor in this matter, it must not be publicized to avoid panic. Even if we investigate, it must be done in secret.”

“But this matter…” The gray-eyed elder frowned. “If my estimation is correct, it should not be the work of a ‘traitor’.”

Bi Jie’s gaze sharpened, “Elder Shē means…”

The gray-eyed elder slowly replied, “The poison I used, logically speaking, no one should be able to counteract. Yet, few of the Dan Que tribe’s barbarian soldiers died from the poison. This implies that someone neutralized my witchcraft poison, and there must be a ‘master’ within the Dan Que tribe.”

Bi Jie frowned, “A master?”

The gray-eyed elder nodded, “This person not only neutralized my poison but also strategized, thwarted our night attack, and in turn, caught us off guard. This matter is extremely illogical. The only explanation is that this master of the Dan Que tribe… might possess a secret inheritance, excelling in the art of great wilderness divination.”

Bi Jie frowned, “Who is this person? I haven’t observed any such eccentric within the Dan Que tribe.”

The gray-eyed elder’s gaze was somewhat meaningful.

Bi Jie was taken aback, then frowned and said, “You’re not going to say it’s that pretty-faced Witch Priest (Wū Zhù), are you?”

The gray-eyed elder remained silent.

Bi Jie said coldly, “How old is he? Which Witch Priest adult doesn’t cultivate diligently and serve the royal court, only to be qualified to be chosen as a ‘Witch Priest’ after a hundred years? Only those simpletons of the Dan Que tribe would think of promoting a ‘Foundation Establishment brat’ to impersonate a Witch Priest and win people’s hearts. Do they really think everyone else is as foolish as them?” Bi Jie sneered.

The gray-eyed elder’s gaze was somewhat dangerous, “But… what if this young man has actually lived for several centuries?”

Bi Jie was stunned, his expression turning to one of horror: “You mean… he, like that legendary adult, used ‘ancient witch taboos’ to prolong his life? No, not prolonging life, but seizing…” Bi Jie’s eyelids twitched, and he dared not continue.

The gray-eyed elder’s face was ashen, but he still shook his head: “It’s unlikely. If that were truly the case, he absolutely could not stand in the sunlight again, nor could he be worshipped under the name of a Witch Priest. But even so, this young man is mysterious and odd all over; he must not be underestimated. This calculated scheme of the Dan Que tribe is also very likely to be connected to him.”

Bi Jie frowned, realizing in his heart that he might indeed have been “judging a book by its cover.” To achieve great things, no hidden dangers could be left. Anyone who could potentially become a “stumbling block” must be utterly crushed.

“Whether this pretty-faced boy is a true Witch Priest or not, if I meet him again, I will kill him!” Bi Jie’s gaze was sinister.

The gray-eyed elder nodded slightly. Whether he was a Witch Priest or skilled in divination, as long as he was killed and his physical body destroyed, he would ultimately just die. The same applied to Dan Zhu. No matter how talented a person, after death, they were merely dried bones.

The gray-eyed elder said, “This Shù Gǔ (shù gǔ) secret tribe must be captured…”

“At all costs!” the gray-eyed elder’s tone was grim.

Bi Jie nodded coldly, his eyes also revealing intense desire and ambition.

In the Bi Fang tribe’s camp, a heavy silence hung due to the defeat.

In the stone hall of the Shù Gǔ tribe, however, bonfires blazed brightly. The barbarian soldiers of the Dan Que tribe surrounded the bonfires, performing war dances, eating dried meat, and drinking some kind of brewed alcohol, celebrating their triumphant victory. In this ambush battle, they had killed many Bi Fang tribe cultivators, while their own casualties were negligible. This was a great victory; the resentment accumulated from days of sneak attacks and poisonings by the Bi Fang tribe was completely swept away. Everyone cheered and praised Young Master Dan Zhu’s brilliant bravery and General Chi Feng’s (chì fēng) masterful military tactics.

Dan Zhu couldn’t help but glance at Mo Hua, who sat quietly chewing dried meat on the side. Dan Zhu felt unworthy of these praises. He knew in his heart that all of these were the achievements of “Witch Sir.” It was Witch Sir’s divine calculations and foresight that enabled him to win the battle. Yet, Witch Sir did not publicize it, nor did he allow others to publicize it. He remained behind the scenes, like water, not contending, not speaking, appearing as if he had accomplished his task, brushed off his clothes, and deeply concealed his achievements and fame. All the praise and attention fell upon him, the Young Master. Dan Zhu felt ashamed, and he increasingly felt that Witch Sir’s character was noble and indifferent to fame and fortune.

“Such a powerful and noble Witch Sir, perhaps he truly was sent by the gods to guide me on my path…” Dan Zhu thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Chi Feng was also secretly observing Mo Hua. He was astonished, even more so than anyone else, so much so that he still hadn’t fully recovered. Mo Hua had only shared the specific details of his deductions with Chi Feng alone. Therefore, only Chi Feng knew in his heart that this ambush had turned out exactly as Witch Sir had predicted, without the slightest discrepancy.

Foreknowledge itself was already quite profound. But if not only did one foreknow, but also described every detail with exquisite precision, as if they had truly “seen” it with their own eyes. Such an incredible feat, besides being a “miracle,” had almost no other explanation. Witch Sir had truly told him everything that would happen in the future. In “warfare,” this was practically “cheating.” And it was cheating with omniscience. Chi Feng, who had fought battles his entire life, certainly knew how terrifying this was. If this Witch Sir could continuously receive “divine oracles,” then his status in the wars among the various barbarian tribes would be unprecedented. And such a figure had suddenly “descended” upon his Dan Que tribe? It was like a daydream. So much so that Chi Feng, who was usually firm-willed and clear-headed, had an almost unbelievable illusion.

After this battle, Mo Hua’s standing in the hearts of Dan Zhu and Chi Feng was elevated to an even more prominent height. The words Mo Hua spoke could now almost be considered “golden decrees.” Even Chi Feng, the Golden Core stage barbarian general, was almost unconditionally obedient to Mo Hua. Nothing was more convincing than facts, especially victory and defeat in war. In subsequent military deployments, Mo Hua could essentially make all decisions with a single word. Chi Feng would only arrange specific tactics according to Mo Hua’s “instructions” and would not question anything. He also knew very well that he had no right to question a Witch Priest who could receive “divine oracles” and see the future.

With Mo Hua’s “instructions,” the subsequent battles became much easier. Because in one battle, they had killed over sixty Bi Fang elites, plus one or two hundred “cannon fodder,” Bi Jie’s side was severely weakened. Mo Hua’s subsequent deductions became much easier. And he also learned his “lesson,” not daring to calculate too much.

He only “fictionalized” heaven and earth with his spiritual sense in his識海, based on his comprehension of the Dao of the Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and used causality to deduce people’s actions. When calculating, he only calculated a rough estimate of the timing, location, and human activity. This was both a simulation of heaven, earth, and man, and a refinement of “deduction.” It was also an exercise in “controlling” the amount of spiritual sense, managing its consumption, to avoid another backlash from the fatal calamity due to overdraft of spiritual sense computational power.

Therefore, Mo Hua’s subsequent deductions often yielded only one or two causal “hints.” And these hints were enough for Chi Feng. With Mo Hua’s hints, Chi Feng consecutively foiled several of Bi Jie’s attacks. The casualties under Bi Jie’s command became increasingly severe.

However, the development of events still surprised Mo Hua somewhat. Even with such heavy casualties, Bi Jie still clung on like a “hungry wolf,” refusing to let go. As long as there was the slightest opportunity, he would pounce and bite, giving the Dan Que tribe no chance to leave.

“Did I overestimate Bi Jie?” Mo Hua frowned. He thought this Bi Jie, after all, was at least a promising “tyrant.” As a tyrant, he would naturally understand the principle of a true man being able to bend and extend, and would naturally learn to act according to the situation, not out of passion. But now, Bi Jie seemed to have lost his mind. Clearly, his subordinates had suffered severe casualties, yet he relentlessly bit down here, as if he would not stop until his goal was achieved. This puzzled Mo Hua greatly.

“This Bi Jie, though cunning and capable, is narrow-minded and stubborn, with too little tolerance, so he has to retaliate for any slight loss?”

“Or is it that Bi Jie wants to rebel against his father, and so he resorts to any means to swallow this batch of barbarian armor from the Shù Gǔ tribe to expand his power?”

“Otherwise, there’s no way to explain why he’s so relentless…”

“But if everyone dies, what use is the armor?”

“Even with the barbarian armor, can he become the Great Chieftain?”

“His personal guards are dead; who will conquer for him? And who else will support him as the Great Chieftain?”

Mo Hua did not understand, but he didn’t waste too much thought on the matter. If Bi Jie wanted to die, then let him die. Exhaust his forces, then calculate a karmic node, “bestow” upon him a death calamity, and let him also experience the feeling of a genius dying young.

However, before Mo Hua could actually do so, the situation changed again. Outside the Shù Gǔ Valley, barbarian soldiers from other medium and large tribes had gathered, estimated to be around four or five hundred people. These people all surrounded Bi Jie, serving him. But these were not reinforcements from his Bi Fang tribe; rather, Bi Jie had bought these forces from nearby tribes at some cost.

This instantly doubled the pressure on the Dan Que tribe. With more people and more frequent attacks, the intensity and frequency of Mo Hua’s “deductions” increased, and the burden sharply rose. His spiritual sense, due to excessive consumption, repeatedly teetered on the brink of “losing control.” Dan Zhu and Chi Feng also looked grave. Their numbers and combat power were far inferior to the enemy’s; even with Mo Hua’s “divine oracle,” the battle was quite difficult. The situation suddenly became tense again.

But Mo Hua didn’t pay too much attention to the situation; instead, his doubts grew stronger. “No, something’s not right…” “This Bi Jie, he’s not right…” Mo Hua frowned. Bi Jie was a young master; no matter how one looked at it, he wouldn’t go to such great lengths to “fight to the death” with them. His actions definitely couldn’t be purely a matter of pride or just seeking revenge. He must have another reason!

What reason? Mo Hua replayed the entire situation in his mind, and his eyes flickered: “Could it be that besides that batch of barbarian armor, there’s something else here at the Shù Gǔ secret tribe… something Bi Jie wants to obtain?”

“And this thing might be extremely, extremely important, so much so that Bi Jie is willing to go to any lengths to get his hands on it?”

“Perhaps he can’t even announce it or tell others?”

Please visit: wap.xshuquge.net