After a long separation, Situ Jian, who was usually reserved, embraced Mo Hua, his junior fellow apprentice, with visible excitement.

Everyone present was taken aback.

The Situ family’s Great Elder, dressed in dark robes and with a stern expression, cleared his throat coldly at the sight.

Only then did Situ Jian regain his composure. He reluctantly released Mo Hua, a little ashamed. “I lost my composure…”

It had been far too long since he had seen his junior fellow apprentice. Ever since leaving Taixu Gate, he had heard nothing from him.

Situ Jian had never imagined that he would unexpectedly reunite with his junior fellow apprentice in the desolate and chaotic Great Wilderness.

Mo Hua smiled gently.

The Situ family’s Great Elder glanced at Mo Hua and asked Situ Jian, “And who is this young master?”

Situ Jian replied, “This is my junior fellow apprentice from Taixu Gate.”

The Situ Great Elder’s pupils constricted slightly upon hearing this.

Taixu Gate’s… junior fellow apprentice.

As the Great Elder, he was perfectly aware of how much influence and connections the family patriarch had used to get young master Jian, with his extraordinary talent, into Taixu Gate.

The Situ family was a fourth-rank aristocratic family.

But Taixu Gate was a fifth-rank major sect in the Qianxue Prefecture, home to countless prodigious talents.

And this young man before him had actually become Taixu Gate’s “junior fellow apprentice”…

The Situ Great Elder took another look at Mo Hua.

Although Mo Hua didn’t outwardly appear to possess the qualities of a “senior fellow apprentice,” the Situ Great Elder still accorded him due importance, and his demeanor softened considerably.

“This old man, Situ Wei, humbly serves as the interim Great Elder of the Situ family.”

Mo Hua also cupped his hands and bowed, “Mo Hua, from Taixu Gate.”

The Situ family’s Great Elder, Situ Wei, nodded and then said,

“Since he is young master Jian’s fellow disciple, and a distinguished disciple of Taixu Gate at that, he is naturally a ‘distinguished guest’ of our Situ family. The upcoming matters, we elders can attend to. Young master Jian, please represent our Situ family in entertaining young master Mo.”

Situ Jian’s heart surged with joy, as if he had suddenly been “given a holiday.” He cupped his hands and bowed, saying,

“Yes, Elder Wei.”

Situ Jian was about to lead Mo Hua away.

Mo Hua walked a few steps, then turned back, pointing at Situ Jin. “This Elder Jin is my… friend.”

Situ Jin was momentarily overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

Great Elder Situ Wei looked at Situ Jin and nodded, “Elder Jin, since you are young master Mo’s friend, you are naturally treated differently from others.”

“Thank you, Great Elder.” Situ Jin hastily bowed, his emotions in turmoil.

Sometimes, a single sentence could open up an opportunity.

Mo Hua had done enough by mentioning Situ Jin’s name, ensuring that those in power would remember him. For now, that was sufficient.

Afterward, Mo Hua left the main hall.

Situ Jian led Mo Hua on a tour of the Situ family compound, showing him pavilions and towers. They reminisced for a while, then found a quiet parlor to drink tea.

The parlor was very quiet, secluded by a formation, and specifically designed for important guests to discuss confidential matters.

Situ Jian personally poured a cup of tea for his junior fellow apprentice and said,

“Junior fellow apprentice, have some tea.”

Mo Hua nodded, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked up at Situ Jian, his expression a little odd.

Situ Jian, being observant, asked, “Junior fellow apprentice, is something wrong?”

Mo Hua whispered, “Situ, you have such a high status in the Situ family…”

He had originally thought that Sister Situ Fang, also being from the Situ family’s direct lineage, would be acquainted with Situ Jian. Yet, their statuses were vastly different, and they hadn’t even met.

Such a large disparity was somewhat unexpected for him, an “outsider.”

Situ Jian, meanwhile, looked a little embarrassed. “You make me look foolish, junior fellow apprentice…”

At Taixu Gate, he was only considered an above-average talent. Yet, when his junior fellow apprentice came to the Situ family, he had to mingle with the retainers to pay a visit. Situ Jian felt genuinely ashamed.

Mo Hua didn’t really mind.

“We are all fellow disciples, there’s no need for politeness. But honestly, when you walk through the crowd, your dignified and heroic appearance has quite an imposing air, truly embodying the gravitas of an aristocratic scion. Ten years have passed, and you’ve truly become impressive…” Mo Hua praised without reservation.

Situ Jian’s face flushed slightly from Mo Hua’s praise, and he said, ashamed, “Junior fellow apprentice, you flatter me.”

“Have some tea, have some tea…” Situ Jian quickly refilled Mo Hua’s cup.

Mo Hua took another sip and nodded.

The Situ family’s tea was indeed excellent.

Of course, it was also possible that it tasted better because his junior fellow apprentice had poured it for him.

As Mo Hua drank his tea, Situ Jian pondered for a moment. Seeing that they were alone, he lowered his voice and asked,

“Junior fellow apprentice, why… have you come to the Great Wilderness?”

“That’s a long story…” Mo Hua said slowly, holding his teacup. “I originally came to the Great Wilderness for experience, thinking there was a vast world out there and much to achieve. With the Great Wilderness in rebellion, I also wanted to earn some merits. But through a series of coincidences, I got separated from the Dao Ting army, went through some hardships, and ended up in this situation, reaching the front lines here…”

Situ Jian nodded.

Having spent a long time with Mo Hua at Taixu Gate, he knew Mo Hua’s character.

He also knew that his junior fellow apprentice would speak of earth-shattering events in a lighthearted manner.

So, within those few brief sentences, there must have been quite a grand experience.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be his junior fellow apprentice.

Situ Jian looked at Mo Hua again and asked, “Junior fellow apprentice, have you not formed your Core yet?”

“I tried, but I failed.” Mo Hua seemed a little disheartened, then asked Situ Jian, “Have you formed yours?”

Situ Jian shook his head and said gravely, “The family is extremely cautious about my Core Formation. They would rather delay it and be fully prepared than attempt it rashly. If there’s a mistake during Core Formation and my rank drops, the consequences would be… very severe…”

Mo Hua nodded, expressing deep understanding.

For someone of his aptitude, forming a Core and dropping a rank, though unpleasant, wouldn’t be as devastating.

Because, generally speaking, his ceiling was already set, and his Core rank would be mediocre anyway. If it dropped, it dropped; it wasn’t a big deal.

Moreover, he was a rogue cultivator. If he could form a Core, he would likely become the first Golden Core Grand Cultivator in Tongxian City’s history.

His parents would be overjoyed and wouldn’t care about the Core rank at all.

But for Situ, it was different.

Seeing how he was revered, it was clear that he had lived under the scrutiny of others since childhood, with everyone’s expectations on him. He had to demand extremely high standards of himself.

If he didn’t achieve perfection in everything, he would inevitably attract criticism and disappoint many people.

Mo Hua looked at Situ Jian and noticed his face visibly tense, even showing a hint of fear, when discussing the “rank drop.” He could tell that Situ’s burden must be immense.

“Genius enjoys the spotlight, but also bears pressures that ordinary people cannot comprehend…”

Mo Hua thought silently, “Unlike me, I just let things be. Whatever I cultivate into, that’s what it is. My psychological resilience is excellent…”

Thinking this, Mo Hua patted Situ Jian’s shoulder and comforted him:

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Those who seemingly place high hopes on you may not genuinely wish you well. Many people behind the scenes are surely jealous of you. If your Core Formation drops a rank, it might even be more to their liking.”

Situ Jian: “…”

Situ Jian held it in for a long time before silently saying, “Thank you, Junior Fellow Apprentice. You’re still so good at comforting people…”

Mo Hua smiled.

Those who place high hopes on you may not genuinely wish you well.

After Mo Hua said that, Situ Jian surprisingly felt the pressure ease, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Mo Hua then said, “So, you also plan to go to the Dragon Pool for refinement?”

Situ Jian was a little surprised, almost asking, “Junior fellow apprentice, you know about it too?”

But on second thought, his junior fellow apprentice was immensely resourceful. Back at Taixu Gate, many merit tasks were pulled by his junior fellow apprentice from the Dao Ting Bureau.

How could such an important matter as the Dragon Pool refinement be unknown to his junior fellow apprentice, given his connections?

However, Situ Jian thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not necessarily.”

Mo Hua was a little surprised. “You’re not going?”

“I’d like to, but…” Situ Jian frowned. “The Dragon Pool in the Great Wilderness is a forbidden area of the Royal Court. It’s said to have been the Core Formation site of the Great Wilderness imperial family in the past, and it’s absolutely not something ordinary bloodlines can touch.”

“Imperial family’s Core Formation site?” Mo Hua was slightly astonished.

“Yes,” Situ Jian nodded. “Moreover, right now, it’s not just the Situ family, but Dao Ting, and even countless major powers across all of Jiuzhou, with so many eyes, all fixated on the Great Wilderness’s Royal Court. A treasure like the Dragon Pool couldn’t possibly be reserved for me…”

“And the Dragon Pool is too dangerous. Even if there’s a chance for Core Formation, there’s also the risk of falling. The family elders might not agree to me going…”

Mo Hua was a little confused. “Then what are you doing on the front lines of the Great Wilderness? Isn’t it to enter the Dragon Pool?”

Situ Jian said, “It truly is for experience, leading troops, leading people, seizing territory, suppressing the rebellion, fighting, and earning merits for Dao Ting… As for other matters, that will just depend on fate…”

Mo Hua slowly nodded.

Situ Jian then asked, “Junior Fellow Apprentice, are you going to the Royal Court’s Dragon Pool to form your Core?”

Mo Hua didn’t hide it. “I’d like to…”

Under normal circumstances, with the Dragon Pool coveted by so many and fraught with danger, just to secure a “mid-to-low” Core rank, he might not risk vying for it.

But now, it seemed the Dragon Pool held the possibility of “rank advancement” for him, whose Natal Life Spirit was the Taotie Linghai.

This could truly be called a “defy fate and change destiny” opportunity, and he had to try no matter what.

“We’ll see,” Mo Hua said casually.

Situ Jian nodded. “If there’s anything I can help with, Junior Fellow Apprentice, just say the word.”

“Thank you.” Mo Hua smiled.

Afterward, the two continued to reminisce for a while. Having been separated for so long, they had much to say, and before they knew it, dusk had fallen.

As they parted, Situ Jian reluctantly said,

“Junior Fellow Apprentice, why don’t you stay here at the main residence? I’ll take you to explore the surroundings when I have time.”

Mo Hua asked, “Wouldn’t that be a bother?”

Situ Jian hastily replied, “No bother at all, no bother.”

His junior fellow apprentice coming to find him was something he wished for, so how could it be a bother?

Mo Hua then said, “That would be good.”

He still had many questions to ask Situ, and some things he couldn’t do alone.

Situ Jian was overjoyed.

Thus, Mo Hua, along with Bai Zisheng, moved into the Situ main residence.

Situ Fang had a separate residence outside and did not follow, but Mo Hua still introduced her to Situ Jian:

“This is Sister Situ. She took great care of me back in Tongxian City. By my reckoning, I’m quite connected to your Situ family.”

Situ Jian bowed to Situ Fang, “Sister Fang.”

Situ Fang was momentarily stunned, then quickly returned the bow. “Oh no, no need.”

She was still a bit bewildered, unable to believe how the young cultivator she had casually met in Tongxian City had, in the blink of an eye, become the senior fellow apprentice of the most renowned genius of her Situ family.

Situ Jian then looked at Bai Zisheng, a hint of solemnity crossing his eyes.

He could feel the immensely profound aura emanating from Bai Zisheng, something only top-tier prodigies could possess.

He and Mo Hua had once fought against the Four Prodigies of Qianxue in the Sword Discourse Assembly.

And although Bai Zisheng was injured, his aura weak, and he was still in chains, the subtle pressure he exuded was no less than that of the Four Prodigies of Qianxue back then.

“Junior Fellow Apprentice, who is this?” Situ Jian asked with a grave expression.

Mo Hua, as usual, said, “This is my defeated foe, my ‘prisoner,’ whom I’ve subdued. No need to mind him…”

Situ Jian’s expression was a little strange.

But whatever his junior fellow apprentice said, went. He was already used to it.

After Situ Jian settled Mo Hua in, he said, “Junior Fellow Apprentice, please rest early. Tomorrow, I will take you to explore the surroundings and extend my hospitality as a host.”

“Hmm, alright.” Mo Hua nodded.

Situ Jian left, and the spacious guest room was left with only Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng.

This was Mo Hua’s request; he said he needed to watch over Bai Zisheng, his “prisoner,” so he specifically asked for a large guest room.

Mo Hua, as per routine, inspected the large guest room, replacing all the formations with his own before feeling at ease.

After he finished, Mo Hua lay down on the large bed, narrowing his eyes.

Bai Zisheng, who was meditating on the carpet, glanced at Mo Hua and couldn’t help but ask, “That Situ Jian, he called you Junior Fellow Apprentice?”

Mo Hua nodded.

Bai Zisheng looked surprised. “You’re a Junior Fellow Apprentice now too?”

Mo Hua was a little smug. “Of course.”

Bai Zisheng mused, “Then, does that mean… this Situ Jian is also my junior fellow apprentice?”

Mo Hua, however, firmly declared, “No.”

Bai Zisheng asked, “Why not?”

Mo Hua eloquently stated, “Don’t you know? Your junior fellow apprentice’s junior fellow apprentice is not your junior fellow apprentice.”

The implication was clear: “Don’t even think about stealing my junior fellow apprentice.”

Bai Zisheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and could only sigh, “Alright then…”

He thought for a moment, then asked, “Do you have any ideas about the Dragon Pool?”

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “The Royal Court hasn’t been breached yet. Even if it is, entering the Dragon Pool won’t be easy, and whether one can truly form a Core safely after entering is also hard to say…”

“And what exactly is inside the Royal Court…” Thinking this, Mo Hua’s pupils constricted slightly, a strange tension rising in his heart. “…We don’t know yet.”

“Currently, the decision-making power for the overall situation is not in our hands, so we can only wait. Wait until the war between the Great Wilderness and Dao Ting shows significant progress. I reckon that day… shouldn’t be too far off…”

Bai Zisheng nodded.

“Alright, get some rest early,” Mo Hua said. With that, he lay down on the soft, large bed. After a while, he looked down at Bai Zisheng, who was lying on the floor with only a blanket, and quietly spoke:

“Junior Fellow Apprentice, how about you sleep on the bed, and I sleep on the floor?”

Bai Zisheng looked at Mo Hua’s small frame and shook his head. “You are the junior fellow apprentice.”

As the senior fellow apprentice, he naturally had to take care of his junior fellow apprentice.

Mo Hua didn’t insist, and continued to lie on the bed, sinking his spiritual consciousness into his sea of consciousness to practice formations.

Seeing Mo Hua asleep with even breathing, Bai Zisheng relaxed slightly. Then, he continued to meditate and recuperate while guarding his junior fellow apprentice.

The next day, Situ Jian took Mo Hua out to explore.

Mo Hua had originally wanted to bring his senior fellow apprentice along, but considering that his senior fellow apprentice was still considered a “wanted person” by Dao Ting, it was best for him to keep a low profile.

So, Mo Hua and Situ Jian went out to wander.

As the son of the Situ patriarch and the strongest prodigy of the Situ family, Situ Jian usually dedicated himself diligently to cultivation, with a tightly scheduled itinerary. His leisure stroll with Mo Hua today was entirely thanks to Mo Hua being Taixu Gate’s junior fellow apprentice.

The two of them toured the entire Situ family encampment.

Along the way, Situ Jian, usually steady and not very talkative within the family, enthusiastically explained things to Mo Hua.

Through this, Mo Hua learned a lot about the current situation in the Great Wilderness.

He even managed to acquire two maps of the Great Wilderness front lines from the market.

After the tour, Mo Hua suddenly asked, “Situ, is this your main family’s encampment?”

Situ Jian nodded.

Mo Hua then asked, “Are there other encampments nearby?”

Situ Jian fell silent.

Mo Hua asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Situ Jian slowly said, “Junior Fellow Apprentice, do you… really want to see it?”

Mo Hua nodded.

Situ Jian remained silent. After a moment, he shook his head. “How about you don’t go, Junior Fellow Apprentice. I…”

Situ Jian seemed unsure how to explain.

Mo Hua looked at Situ Jian with some confusion. “Is there something inconvenient?”

Situ Jian just shook his head.

“Then take me there,” Mo Hua said.

Situ Jian looked at Mo Hua, his gaze flickering. After a moment, he sighed as if resigned to fate. “Alright, Junior Fellow Apprentice, follow me.”

Situ Jian didn’t bring too many people, only two Golden Core elders from the Situ family. Including Mo Hua, a total of four people left the Situ main encampment.

They walked southwest, entered a mountain hollow, passed through several mountain paths, and after about an hour, reached another encampment.

This encampment was completely different.

It wasn’t a newly built encampment, but rather a local tribal settlement in the Royal Domain that had been conquered and occupied, then temporarily repurposed.

From afar, Mo Hua could see the dead-gray aura floating above the encampment, dark and oppressive.

Upon entering, there was still noise and activity, but it carried an unruly, violent edge.

The dilapidated and backward tribal buildings were scarred and devastated.

One by one, the barbarian cultivators, dressed in rags, were enslaved, performing various chores.

And right in the center, there was even a plaza, where rows of either robust or slender barbarian cultivators, stripped naked to the waist, were displayed.

People were shouting, describing the “breed” and “cultivation age” of these barbarians, or praising their slender and beautiful physiques.

Some cultivators from Jiuzhou occasionally picked and chose, bargaining below.

It looked like a kind of “liveliness” that was discordant with humanity.

And this was the primitive and barbaric “barbarian slave” trade.

This scene was not unfamiliar to Mo Hua. But his face was somewhat cold.

Mo Hua turned his head to look at Situ Jian and slowly said, “Is this the business your Situ family conducts in the Great Wilderness?”

His voice was as cold as his expression.

Under Mo Hua’s gaze, Situ Jian’s scalp tingled. He lowered his head in shame and sighed.

(End of this chapter)