The next day, Mo Hua went to see Zhuge Zhenren and asked to see Bai Zisheng.

Bai Zisheng was imprisoned in the jail of the Qin Tianjian, under a seal personally set by Zhuge Zhenren.

Zhuge Zhenren refused, “No.”

Mo Hua didn’t understand, “Why not?”

Because you’re an uncontrollable spark, igniting everything you touch. You’re bound to cause trouble if left unchecked.

Zhuge Zhenren now regretted it bitterly.

He cultivated the Way of tranquility and non-action, considering the worldly disputes as fleeting clouds, not worth troubling his mind or worrying about.

Yet, because of this little ancestor, he was dragged into a quagmire, burdened with messy karma that only worsened with every attempt to clean it. Now, under the pressure of Hua Zhenren, he worried incessantly, and this morning, he even noticed he was starting to lose hair.

How could Zhuge Zhenren not be angry?

He said with a cold face, “What do you want to say to Bai Zisheng?”

Mo Hua replied, “I want to see if he’s dead.”

Zhuge Zhenren sighed, “Are you really not afraid that he’s not dead and will stab you instead?”

Mo Hua looked proud, “Didn’t you see my ‘Flying Dragon in the Sky’ move that day? Mere Bai Zisheng, a defeated opponent. How could I possibly be afraid?”

Zhuge Zhenren was helpless but insisted, “No.”

He then ignored Mo Hua.

Mo Hua didn’t give up. Every now and then, he would bother Zhuge Zhenren, saying he just needed a quick look at Bai Zisheng to show him the power of the Tai Xu Sect and spread its prestige.

Zhuge Zhenren knew this kid was too clever, his words hard to distinguish between truth and lie, but he couldn’t bear Mo Hua’s harassment.

After all, he couldn’t hit him or scold him. If he truly offended him and Mo Hua complained to Elder Xun, Zhuge Zhenren would lose face and might not even be able to enter the Tai Xu Sect’s gates in the future.

Zhuge Zhenren could only reluctantly relent, “Just one glance, for a quarter of an hour.”

Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

So, Zhuge Zhenren took Mo Hua to see Bai Zisheng again.

Mo Hua thus learned the location of the Qin Tianjian’s jail.

This was a temporary jail set up by the Qin Tianjian, guarded by personnel from within the Dao Ting.

Mo Hua merely glanced at the formations, mechanisms, chains, and guards used within the jail, and roughly committed them to memory.

Zhuge Zhenren cast a sidelong glance at Mo Hua, realized something, and his heart sank. But regret was already too late. He could only sigh inwardly:

“Indeed, none raised by the ancestor are easy to deal with…”

In front of the last cell door, Zhuge Zhenren hesitated for a moment.

But having already promised Mo Hua, he couldn’t go back on his word. He could only take out a jade brush and use starlight to draw lines, unlocking the formation on the door.

This was a Seven Star Formation, personally set by Zhuge Zhenren. But since this place was a second-rank mountain realm, the formation was also second-rank.

Seven Star Formation?!

Mo Hua’s heart leaped with joy. He immediately memorized Zhuge Zhenren’s method of breaking the formation, his eyes burning with intensity.

As Zhuge Zhenren was disarming the formation, he suddenly felt a prickling sensation, like daggers in his back. A glance from the corner of his eye confirmed his bad feeling.

This kid?!

No… is he stealing my techniques?!

If Zhuge Zhenren had been disarming a third- or fourth-rank formation, it would have been fine, as Mo Hua had not yet delved into high-level formations.

But this was a second-rank mountain realm, and the formations used were all second-rank.

In the realm of second-rank formations, Mo Hua possessed an almost perverse “dominance.”

It was fine not to use formations in front of Mo Hua, but once used, they would inevitably be seen through by Mo Hua’s Eye of Heavenly Secrets and turned to his own use.

Zhuge Zhenren didn’t yet fully understand Mo Hua, or how deep the waters ran.

But he was, after all, a Yu Hua cultivator. How could he not notice? Coupled with the subtle changes in laws revealed in Mo Hua’s previous formations, Zhuge Zhenren couldn’t help but sigh again:

“Has the value of the Qianxue Formation Dao’s top student become so outrageous these days…”

“What kind of people are these…”

Zhuge Zhenren finally disarmed the Seven Star Formation in front of Mo Hua and opened the cell door.

With the door open, Mo Hua saw Bai Zisheng.

At this moment, Bai Zisheng’s face was pale, his aura contained. He was resting with his eyes closed. Sensing the movement, he slowly opened his eyes.

The moment he saw Mo Hua, a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes.

But when he saw Zhuge Zhenren, that glimmer vanished.

Bai Zisheng’s expression was cold.

Mo Hua sneered, “Mere defeated opponent, still so arrogant…”

Bai Zisheng gave Mo Hua a cold look in return.

Zhuge Zhenren sighed, “Alright, stop talking.”

He truly feared Mo Hua’s mouth; it was like it was coated in poison.

Zhuge Zhenren continued, “Didn’t you want to see this Bai Zisheng? Now that you’ve seen him, ask whatever you want.”

Mo Hua nodded. He was about to speak, then stopped.

Before, he had only been focused on seeing his junior martial brother, checking on his injuries, asking about his current situation, and news of his master and senior martial sister.

But now, truly seeing his junior martial brother in front of Zhuge Zhenren, he suddenly realized that some things couldn’t be let known to Zhuge Zhenren.

It wasn’t that he harbored suspicion towards Zhuge Zhenren.

Zhuge Zhenren had helped him a lot, and Mo Hua was grateful, but many things absolutely could not be known by others.

He had already caused Zhuge Zhenren a lot of trouble.

If the matters of their sect were to involve Zhuge Zhenren further, it might not just be trouble, but danger.

“I… I have nothing to say,” Mo Hua said, “I just came to see if this Bai Zisheng was truly subdued by me.”

Zhuge Zhenren frowned slightly.

Why was this child so erratic?

However, Mo Hua’s words and actions couldn’t be judged by common sense, so Zhuge Zhenren didn’t say much more.

“Oh, right,” Mo Hua asked again, “Zhenren, can only the Hua family unlock the chains on Bai Zisheng?”

Zhuge Zhenren glanced at Mo Hua, “What, you want to unlock them?”

Mo Hua whispered, “I’m just asking.”

Zhuge Zhenren thought for a moment and said, “These are nine layers of Dragon-Restraining Locks. The formations are inscribed within, making them completely sealed spiritual artifacts. Without the Hua family’s key, they cannot be opened.”

Zhuge Zhenren looked at Mo Hua and specifically added, “Even if your formations are good, it won’t work.”

Mo Hua nodded, indicating he understood.

Zhuge Zhenren asked him, “Are you still looking?”

Mo Hua looked at his junior martial brother with some reluctance. He actually wanted to look longer, but the situation was such that conditions didn’t allow it.

Being able to see his junior martial brother this once, confirm his injuries, and know where he was imprisoned and what methods of confinement were used, was enough.

Mo Hua shook his head, “No more looking. Just Bai Zisheng, there’s nothing special to see.”

Zhuge Zhenren didn’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but it was better to have one less thing to worry about, so he said, “Alright.”

Zhuge Zhenren then led Mo Hua back.

Mo Hua glanced at Bai Zisheng again, then withdrew his gaze, and followed Zhuge Zhenren out of the Qin Tianjian’s jail.

After Mo Hua left.

Bai Zisheng still stared blankly at Mo Hua’s departing back, his cold gaze softening.

“Junior martial brother…”

On the way back, Mo Hua memorized the path they had taken earlier.

Zhuge Zhenren knew what he was doing, but having already brought the mouse into the rice bin, he accepted his fate and could only turn a blind eye.

However, just outside the jail entrance, Zhuge Zhenren’s gaze darkened.

Facing Zhuge Zhenren, a tall and profound figure slowly appeared.

“Hua Zhenren?”

“Brother Zhuge.” Hua Zhenren bowed gently.

Zhuge Zhenren asked suspiciously, “Why are you here?”

Hua Zhenren said indifferently, “The matter of Bai Zisheng is ultimately the responsibility of my Hua family. It’s not too much for me to come and see, is it?”

Zhuge Zhenren’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he shook his head, “Those are mere pleasantries.”

Hua Zhenren said, “Brother Zhuge means… you won’t let me see?”

Zhuge Zhenren sighed, “The Way I cultivate is pure and unadulterated, seeking my true self. I dislike lying, so I only speak the truth… If you were to see him, I might not be able to guarantee Bai Zisheng’s life, Mo Hua would be in great trouble, and I would find myself in a very difficult position…”

Hua Zhenren frowned slightly.

Zhuge Zhenren said, “Taiji gives birth to the Two Instruments, and troubles are also mutually generated. If you don’t cause me trouble, I won’t cause you trouble.”

Hua Zhenren remained silent. After a moment, he nodded, “I understand.”

Zhuge Zhenren gave Hua Zhenren a deep look, nodded slightly, and then turned and left.

Mo Hua politely bowed to Hua Zhenren, then followed closely behind Zhuge Zhenren, also departing.

Hua Zhenren first looked at Zhuge Zhenren, then at Mo Hua behind Zhuge Zhenren. His gaze gradually grew cold, and a hint of irritation arose in his heart.

Miscalculation…

Ever since this boy named “Mo Hua” was brought back from the wilderness, everything seemed to have gradually spiraled out of control.

Whether it was the matter of the Divine Blessing or this Bai Zisheng.

Even “Zhuge Zhenren” seemed somewhat out of control…

In this Great Wilderness, Hua Zhenren’s willingness to accompany Zhuge Zhenren was precisely because Zhuge Zhenren had a “lazy” disposition, holding the title of Qin Tianjian’s worshipper.

Many times, Zhuge Zhenren was naturally a deterrent.

Similarly, Zhuge Zhenren didn’t meddle in others’ affairs.

So, in the grand scheme of karma, as long as one found a way to avoid Zhuge Zhenren and not involve him, he would naturally stay out of it and not care about anything.

In the Great Wilderness, he was the most perfect Yu Hua candidate.

But the situation suddenly changed. Ever since this mysterious boy named Mo Hua appeared, the situation suddenly began to go awry.

Even Zhuge Zhenren was led by this boy into this vortex.

What puzzled Hua Zhenren even more was that such a carefree Zhuge Zhenren, a distinguished Yu Hua of the Zhuge family, would actually go against the principles of cultivation to help this Foundation Establishment realm boy.

This whole affair, from beginning to end, was strange…

What was Mo Hua’s true identity?

And what secrets were hidden behind him?

Hua Zhenren’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression growing colder and colder.

“Time is running out…”

Inside the temporarily arranged Zhenren’s cave dwelling.

Zhuge Zhenren’s expression suddenly became somewhat solemn.

Mo Hua asked, “Zhenren, is the Hua family…”

Zhuge Zhenren nodded, “Hua Zhenren will not give up, and they might even… directly try to snatch the person.”

Mo Hua was shocked, “Does the Hua family really dare to do that?”

Zhuge Zhenren said, “Usually no, but the problem is…”

Bai Zisheng is not an ordinary person.

The Azure Dragon bloodline, and its awakening, could deepen to the level of “Dragon Blood Xuanhuang.” This almost… meets the standard of a Daozi.

If his surname wasn’t Bai…

“If his surname wasn’t Bai…”

This thought flashed through Zhuge Zhenren’s mind, instantly making his pupils constrict and his heart tremble.

Mo Hua saw Zhuge Zhenren’s agitated and unusual expression and asked, “Zhenren, what happened?”

Zhuge Zhenren looked deeply at Mo Hua, “Did you… know this Bai Zisheng before?”

Mo Hua, of course, shook his head, “How could I possibly know him?”

Zhuge Zhenren nodded, noncommittal, and then said:

“I will pay more attention to this matter. You go back, cultivate as you should, draw formations as you should… absolutely, absolutely do not interfere in this matter again.”

Zhuge Zhenren’s tone was heavy, and his expression was very serious.

Mo Hua nodded, “I understand, Zhenren…”

But even though he agreed verbally, how could he truly not interfere?

After all, this was his junior martial brother.

After returning that night, Mo Hua kept pondering how to rescue his junior martial brother.

How could he unlock the nine layers of Dragon-Restraining Locks on his junior martial brother?

And even if he rescued his junior martial brother, it seemed it wouldn’t be very useful?

In the Wangji Zhi Di, it was either Dao soldiers, or scions of aristocratic families, or within the sphere of influence of the Hua family.

His junior martial brother couldn’t escape the Hua family’s control.

Staying in the Qin Tianjian’s prison, relying on his connections and Zhuge Zhenren’s care, his junior martial brother could at least be safer.

Leaving the prison, his junior martial brother’s life and death would truly be unpredictable.

But the current problem was, was his junior martial brother really safe in prison?

What if the Hua family went mad and decided to “tear up the ticket”?

“This is troublesome…”

Concerning his junior martial brother, Mo Hua’s brows were tightly furrowed. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t feel at ease.

In the following days, Mo Hua considered how to rescue his junior martial brother, and then how to keep him safe after the rescue.

And his biggest worry was still the Hua family.

According to Zhuge Zhenren’s estimation, the Hua family genuinely might secretly move against his junior martial brother.

After all, the prison was there, and his junior martial brother was openly displayed, like a bright lamp. Once these hungry wolves of the Hua family couldn’t resist, they would surely pounce.

Zhuge Zhenren might not be able to keep Hua Zhenren at bay for long.

Mo Hua wanted to calculate his junior martial brother’s karma.

But this was in the Great Wilderness, under the noses of Hua Zhenren and Zhuge Zhenren, and he had just been “ambushed” by a group of powerful cultivators.

Not even a single straw dog had been formed yet.

To calculate his junior martial brother’s karma at this time might be dangerous.

Mo Hua was worried about this every day.

That night, Mo Hua was in his room, forming straw dogs while thinking about his junior martial brother.

Suddenly, a chilling cold enveloped his entire body.

Mo Hua intuitively felt that something big seemed to have happened.

“Is junior martial brother in danger?”

Mo Hua’s heart instantly leaped into his throat. He immediately left the military tent. Outside, the night was dark and moonless, and where the cold wind reached, there was a desolate silence.

Mo Hua was about to run to the prison, but he hadn’t gone far when he saw a figure in the distant darkness.

Zhuge Zhenren.

At this moment, Zhuge Zhenren stood in the dark night, his gaze as bright as seven stars, his aura terrifying.

And Zhuge Zhenren’s gaze, like starlight, pierced through the dark night, looking towards the distant mountain peak.

Mo Hua followed Zhuge Zhenren’s gaze and instantly his pupils constricted.

On the distant mountain peak, heavy shadows loomed, ferocious and terrifying.

Those were the demon cavalry of the Great Wilderness!

And in the front ranks of the demon cavalry, the leading figure was as massive as a small mountain, with an exceptionally powerful aura, and dragon qi accompanied his every breath.

The cultivators of the Great Wilderness focused on body refinement, making them larger than ordinary cultivators.

Mo Hua had seen the two great generals, Shigu and Lugu, who were already quite large, but the physique of the person before him was even larger than Shigu and Lugu.

He looked like a small giant in human form.

A Yu Hua cultivator from the Great Wilderness!

Mo Hua’s pupils shrank.

(End of chapter)