Born with an innate spiritual wisdom, he cultivated diligently and with unwavering focus. He possessed a naturally perfect Dao foundation and profound spiritual roots. He reached Foundation Establishment at ten, and by twenty, he had already formed a supreme-grade Golden Core. Now, at only thirty-three, he is merely a step away from the Mid-Golden Core stage—truly a cultivation prodigy rarely seen in the Danque Tribe for a thousand years.

Mo Hua was inwardly astonished. *What kind of genius is this?* He formed a Golden Core at twenty, and what’s more, he did so directly, without needing to consolidate his foundation first. It was truly as if the heavens themselves were actively bestowing blessings upon him. Indeed, this world never lacked for geniuses. Given a large enough population, there would always emerge extraordinary prodigies who were blessed by the very essence of heaven and earth, uniquely favored, and utterly unfathomable.

“But why did this Young Master Danzhu make such an impression on me? Surely, the person I was destined to find couldn’t be this monstrous genius who had formed a Golden Core at twenty? *Are you kidding me?* I’m still only at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could I teach someone at the Golden Core level?” Mo Hua grumbled inwardly. Yet, his premonitions of destiny were rarely wrong. This person was so astoundingly talented that even if he wasn’t the “disciple” Mo Hua was meant to teach, it would still be worthwhile to seek an opportunity to make his acquaintance.

The problem was that Danzhu was the Young Master of the Danque Tribe, the youngest and most favored son of the Chief. He usually remained within the main tribal compound, constantly guarded, making him virtually unapproachable. Mo Hua then discreetly began to inquire about Danzhu’s whereabouts. Fortunately, this gifted Danzhu, with his exceptional talent and widespread renown, was also highly regarded by the tribe’s cultivators and frequently discussed, making information about him relatively easy to obtain.

According to the Danque Tribe’s cultivators, in the middle of each month, Young Master Danzhu would visit the smaller tribes within his territory, as well as outer and kin tribes, to understand the people’s conditions and check on the tribe’s cultivators. Consequently, the Young Master was deeply beloved by the tribal populace.

This presented a good opportunity. After learning which smaller tribes were under Young Master Danzhu’s domain, Mo Hua went there ahead of time, stayed for several days, and familiarized himself with the locals. The tribes under Young Master Danzhu’s governance were not numerous. These territories had been gifted to Danzhu by his father, the Danque Tribe Chief, to allow him to learn tribal management from a young age. The culture of these smaller tribes was relatively simple and unsophisticated, so Mo Hua blended in without any trouble.

After that, he continued to gather information while patiently waiting. Approximately ten days later, a barbarian youth, adorned in magnificent flame-colored feathers, entered the tribe, surrounded by several guard elders of the Danque Tribe. All tribal cultivators along the route bowed to him, calling out, “Young Master!” Mo Hua did not reveal himself rashly; instead, he remained hidden in the distance, his gaze piercing through the crowd to first observe Young Master Danzhu.

First, Young Master Danzhu was not very tall. This fact resonated with Mo Hua and pleased him greatly. His growth was slower, perhaps because his exceptional cultivation aptitude from an early age meant he achieved Foundation Establishment and Golden Core so rapidly, thus extending his “childhood period” as his lifespan increased. Of course, strictly speaking, Young Master Danzhu was not actually short in stature; he merely appeared “small” compared to the typically tall and robust barbarian cultivators. Mo Hua nodded. In his experience, shorter individuals generally possessed sharper intellects and greater perceptiveness.

Beyond that, Young Master Danzhu, though thirty-three years of age in his cultivation journey, still appeared exceedingly young. Compared to the lifespan of those in the Golden Core realm, thirty-three was indeed very youthful. His appearance was undeniably handsome, carrying a hint of exotic allure, and his pupils were even emerald-colored, like those of a mythical bird. With such striking looks and extraordinary talent, it was no wonder he was the most favored Young Master.

Mo Hua continued to observe for a while, noting that Danzhu visited various locations, looked after the elderly, comforted young children, and even exercised leniency towards barbarian slaves who had committed capital offenses. Throughout, his expression remained compassionate, his eyes filled with sympathy. He was genuinely striving to understand the tribal cultivators under his governance, rather than simply putting on a “show” to display his benevolence and generosity.

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected that such an almost “perfect” individual truly existed in this world—possessing astonishing talent, a benevolent heart, and even such a pure spiritual essence. He just seemed a little “naive”…

Mo Hua’s desire to befriend him grew stronger. But the problem was how to approach this Young Master. Mo Hua himself was an undocumented individual with an unknown background. It was impossible to simply walk up to him and say, “I am the Shaman Elder, sent to guide you on the great Dao of cultivation. Become my disciple, learn from me, and I guarantee your mastery…” The Young Master was merely simple and kind, not foolish. It would be a testament to his good temper if he didn’t beat Mo Hua himself. Even if he didn’t make things difficult, the Golden Core guard elders by his side certainly wouldn’t let Mo Hua off easily.

Mo Hua shook his head. The more awkward question was, how could he, still only at Foundation Establishment, possibly have the confidence to “trick” a peerless genius who had formed a Golden Core at twenty? Mo Hua sighed, unable to help but grumble inwardly, “How am I still only at Foundation Establishment…?” But since matters had come to this, there was no point in agonizing over it.

Mo Hua looked up again, glancing at Young Master Danzhu, pondering how to “coax”… no, how best to make his acquaintance. He considered numerous methods, but none seemed quite right. Not to mention Young Master Danzhu himself, even the Golden Core guards by his side were not easily fooled. Mo Hua considered trying to bypass the guards at night and use a ‘dream-casting’ spell via the Dao Heart Seed Demon technique, but he quickly realized it wouldn’t work. Young Master Danzhu’s nightly lodging was heavily guarded. Moreover, Mo Hua had little time to consider his options—only two days in total.

After two days, Young Master Danzhu would complete his inspections and return to the main headquarters of the Danque Tribe. If Mo Hua missed this chance, he would have to wait another month, and time was precious; no one knew what changes might occur in that time. He needed to plan promptly. Mo Hua continued to strategize for another two days but still couldn’t devise a good plan. As the second day drew to a close, with Young Master Danzhu set to stay only one more day before returning that evening, Mo Hua couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety.

Mo Hua pondered for a long time. Observing Danzhu’s kind heart and deep concern for the tribal cultivators, he suddenly had an idea. Seizing an opportune moment when no one was paying attention, Mo Hua rushed to a nearby hillside and engineered the collapse of a small cliff. Earth and stones rolled down the mountain, damaging numerous tribal dwellings. Fortunately, Mo Hua’s control over the formations was precise, and his timing impeccable; he had only caused the collapse when the tribe was holding a gathering, ensuring no one was present in the area.

There were no casualties, but the impact was considerable. The surrounding smaller tribes were all in a state of panic, fearing that the cliff might collapse again and bury them alive. News of the incident naturally reached Danzhu’s ears. Concerned, Danzhu indeed came to inspect the small tribe. He first examined the houses damaged by the falling rocks, feeling relieved only after confirming there were no casualties. He then immediately ordered the construction of temporary shelters for the displaced tribal cultivators.

Still uneasy, he then personally led two guard elders to the mountain peak, wanting to understand why a perfectly sound cliff had collapsed. After some trekking and climbing, the three reached the mountaintop. After a brief search, the two guard elders reported, “Young Master, it appears to be mountain erosion, a natural collapse.” Danzhu then asked, “Are there any traces of human activity?”

“It’s hard to say…” one guard elder replied. “Visibly, there are none, but it’s difficult to investigate if someone secretly interfered for now, as the rocks have all collapsed…” The other mused, “Fortunately, no one was injured, but… I doubt anyone would be bored enough to blast a mountain for fun here…” Danzhu pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, “Check again to ensure the tribe’s safety, and tell them all to be more careful in the future… These common tribespeople have limited cultivation; even a small accident could be fatal, so we must not be careless.” “Yes, Young Master!” the two Golden Core elders replied.

Afterward, Danzhu instructed the chiefs and elders of the smaller tribes to manage all necessary affairs, ensuring both resettlement and the elimination of any hidden dangers. Construction was difficult, but destruction was easy. Mo Hua had caused a minor disruption, keeping these people busy for most of the day.

As night fell, Danzhu was about to depart, but the guard elders persuaded him otherwise. “Young Master,” they advised, “it’s too late; wild beasts are agitated, and the night road is perilous. Why not rest here for the night?” Danzhu refused, saying, “Cultivators do not fear the hardships of the road ahead, nor the long, dark night.” Afterward, some tribal cultivators who had received his favor came to express their gratitude. They praised the Young Master’s benevolence, calling him the hope of their Danque Tribe. Then, with great enthusiasm, they invited Danzhu to stay for a night, allowing them to extend their hospitality and demonstrate their loyalty to him. Unable to decline, Danzhu had no choice but to temporarily reside there.

As night fell, the small tribe lit bonfires and held a banquet to entertain Danzhu. A group of rosy-cheeked young girls danced and sang before him. Someone also offered delicious and unusual roasted demonic beast meat, claiming it was a gift from a passing friend, and invited Danzhu to taste it. The revelry continued until midnight.

Danzhu resided in the largest, most central dwelling within the entire encampment. The lodge was spacious and robust, temporarily fortified with barbarian formations for early warning and defense. Not far off, two teams of barbarian warriors patrolled, and two Golden Core realm guard elders stood watch at the entrance. This level of security was also quite strict. However, compared to specially constructed outposts and temporary camps, the current defenses were considered rudimentary. For a formation master of Mo Hua’s caliber, they were riddled with vulnerabilities.

“The opportunity has come…” Under the cover of night, using stealth techniques, Mo Hua slipped past the patrolling barbarian lines and arrived at the main gate of the lodge.

Outside the lodge’s main gate, two guard elders were roasting meat and chatting. Sound-insulating formations completely blocked all sound, both inside and outside the dwelling, to ensure Young Master Danzhu’s uninterrupted cultivation and rest. However, this also meant that sounds from outside could not reach inside. The two guard elders continued to chat while roasting meat. Mo Hua was not in a hurry to enter; habitually and out of curiosity, he first listened in on their conversation from a distance.

The Golden Core early-stage guards could not detect Mo Hua with their spiritual senses. And their voices could not penetrate the lodge. Therefore, the two chatted with few reservations, though their voices were still kept quite hushed, so as not to truly disturb Young Master Danzhu.

“…I wonder when our guard duty will ever end,” a bulky, wolf-pelt-clad guard elder grumbled with disinterest, chewing on dry, hard jerky. The other replied, “Being a Golden Core early-stage guard for Young Master Danzhu is already an extraordinary honor. What more do you want?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to guard the Young Master; I sincerely pledge allegiance to him. A Young Master like him, so young, exceptionally talented, and kind-hearted, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime find, it’s just…” “Just what?” “It’s just… the Young Master…” the bulky guard elder lowered his voice even further, “He’s too kind-hearted… that’s where the trouble lies.”

The other guard elder’s expression also grew somewhat serious upon hearing this. Young Master Danzhu, being the youngest, was handsome, with eyes like the Vermilion Bird, and exceptionally talented, thus greatly favored. But precisely because of this, he had been protected too well. His heart was also too benevolent. And therein lay the biggest problem.

The true Danque Tribe was, in reality, nothing like what the Young Master perceived. The bulky elder explained, “The Danque Tribe’s tributes and contributions are very heavy. However, in Young Master Danzhu’s territories, the tributes are very light. This is because Young Master Danzhu, out of compassion for his people, personally appealed to the Chief. The Chief, showing leniency, specially approved it. But this is neither the norm nor the proper order of things. Without contributions, the lesser tribes may be happy, but what about the Young Master? He gains no benefits and accumulates no personal resources. Without a foundation of wealth, how will he compete with the Eldest Young Master and the Third Young Master in the future?”

The other elder shook his head. “The Young Master’s status is unique, and the Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master, as his elder brothers, are quite affectionate towards him. There’s probably no need for him to compete…” The bulky elder’s face was grim. “It’s not that simple… The Great Chief has a total of four children. Young Master Danzhu is the fourth. Aside from the second daughter, who serves the royal court, the remaining Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master are both over a hundred years in cultivation age, in the prime of their lives, and none are to be underestimated. On weekdays, when power is not involved, these two lords, as elder brothers, naturally dote on Young Master Danzhu. But once it becomes a struggle for power and position, how much consideration can they give to such sentiments? Our Danque Tribe is a third-rank major tribe, with nearly a million people across its various subdivisions. Before our ancestor perished and the tribe declined, we could even hold a place within the Great Barren Royal Court, having revered the totem of the divine beast Vermilion Bird. In the face of the Chief’s position in such a powerful tribe, what does brotherly affection truly amount to?” “Hush—” the other elder quickly pulled him back. “Speak less, lest walls have ears.”

The bulky elder snorted coldly. “It’s just the two of us here; there’s not a soul besides. Who is there to eavesdrop?” Mo Hua, crouching on the beam, nodded.

The bulky elder took a bite of meat, sighed, and continued, “It’s not that I’m overthinking; it’s that you and I are Young Master Danzhu’s personal attendants, meaning we are bound to his fate. If the Young Master fares well, then we will have good days. If not…” the bulky elder sighed, “neither of us will have a good outcome.”

The other elder argued, “The Young Master’s talent is exceptional, his heart is benevolent, he commands high prestige within the tribe, and is greatly beloved…” The bulky guard sighed. “I told you, the problem lies in this ‘benevolence.’ Benevolence does not lead armies; the Young Master is simply too benevolent. Being too kind will invite disaster… And high prestige? Beloved?” The bulky elder shook his head with a cold laugh. “People’s hearts are fickle and pragmatic. They ‘love’ whoever gives them benefits. The moment you stop giving, or give a little less, they’ll immediately become adversaries. Currently, the Young Master’s prestige is too high; this is both a blessing and a curse. It’s like a sharp dagger that, with a slight slip, could pierce the Young Master’s heart. In the Young Master’s position, it’s often not about who is benevolent, but who is ruthless. How could someone as pure as the Young Master ever get involved in such ruthlessness? You and I are both personal attendants of the Young Master; we share his glory and his downfall. How can we not be worried about this?” The bulky elder’s face was clouded with worry. The other elder’s heart also felt heavy.

Neither of them had any interest in talking anymore; only the bonfire crackled softly. Seeing that there were no more whispers to listen to, Mo Hua passed through the main gate and entered the lodge.

The formations inside the lodge were merely for show. Passing through them and entering the dwelling, Mo Hua found the furnishings not particularly luxurious but very spacious. Various demonic heads adorned the walls and floor, and animal hides hung, lending it a distinctly barbarian style.

At this moment, Young Master Danzhu of the Danque Tribe lay on a beast-hide couch in the center of the room, sleeping in his clothes, his breathing steady, seemingly in a deep slumber. In his hand, he still clutched a rolled-up leather book. Before him lay a map of the Danque Tribe, with messy scribbles covering it. It seemed that Young Master Danzhu had been deeply engrossed in thought about something, and it had exhausted his spiritual senses over time, causing him to fall asleep unconsciously. Even in his sleep, his brows were tightly furrowed.

It was clear that as a peerless genius in the spotlight, and as the widely beloved Young Master Danzhu of the Danque Tribe, the pressure on him was immense. Moreover, having been under strict protection his whole life, needing only to focus on cultivation, he knew very little about external affairs. Therefore, his heart must have been filled with much unfamiliarity and confusion. Yet, he couldn’t tell anyone about these things. He was a peerless genius, praised and loved by many. Sometimes, even if his heart was confused, anxious, and pained, he could not reveal it to others. He had to maintain the appearance of a “Young Master,” lest he face much doubt and disappoint many. He likely had no concept of the ruthlessness of internal tribal struggles for fame and profit, or fratricide. Mo Hua sighed softly. After all, he was still just a “youth”… So young, with so much confusion, and unaware of the wickedness of human hearts. However, as he lamented this, Mo Hua didn’t realize that he himself was actually several years younger than Young Master Danzhu. Furthermore, he also didn’t realize that the most “wicked” person Young Master Danzhu would encounter in his life was none other than himself, this black-hearted “Daoist Mo”…

In the flickering lamplight, Mo Hua merged with the darkness, silently approaching Young Master Danzhu. Young Master Danzhu slept very soundly. Mo Hua’s voice, as deep as the night and carrying a hint of eerie quality, entered Young Master Danzhu’s ears, planting a subtle suggestion in his innocent yet troubled mind:

“Oh, young man chosen by the Divine Lord…”
“Your destiny is about to turn.”
“Your confusion will be dispelled.”
“Your doubts will find answers.”
“Just as the light of day banishes all darkness, the Divine Lord will also illuminate your path forward.”
“Tomorrow, between 7 and 9 PM, as you pass by Danyang Mountain, you will find the divine guidance bestowed upon you at the fork in the road on the northwest side.”
“At that moment, all your confusion will clear, and your path of cultivation will be laid bare before your eyes.”
“You will truly become the hope of the Danque Tribe, the chosen son of destiny, selected by the Divine Lord…”