Once the Dao Army breaches the Great Wilderness Royal Court, slaughters the savage warriors of the Great Wilderness, massacres the people of the Royal Court, and exterminates the royal family of the Great Wilderness, carrying out acts of national annihilation and genocide, it will create countless heinous karmic debts. Blood will stain the earth, and grievances will fill the heavens, very likely giving rise to extremely vicious “Dao Nie” in the fourth-rank Royal Court territory, which will invite great catastrophes from heaven and earth, leading to utter destruction…

And this time, the “Dao Nie” might be different.

Because Mo Hua knows that his senior martial uncle is in the Great Wilderness.

And his senior martial uncle’s cultivation might already be on the verge of the Yu Hua peak.

This Dao Nie, for his senior martial uncle, would be an opportunity to break through Yu Hua and ascend to Dong Xu.

Mo Hua originally thought that these matters were, to some extent, unknown secrets.

But now, Mo Hua realizes that he has somewhat underestimated the Dao Ting and also underestimated Master Zhuge.

Master Zhuge knows these “secrets.”

As a Yu Hua of the Zhuge family, a奉 (feng) of the Qin Tian Jian, skilled in the Seven Star Formation, and having studied cause and effect and auspiciousness, Master Zhuge’s abilities are beyond doubt. He is well aware of many heavenly secrets but simply chooses not to speak of them.

Yet, knowing all this, Master Zhuge allows everything to unfold.

Why?

Is Master Zhuge in league with his senior martial uncle? Does he also want to destroy the Great Wilderness, cultivate Dao Nie, and create conditions for his senior martial uncle to ascend to Dong Xu?

This thought had barely surfaced when Mo Hua dismissed it.

Impossible. Master Zhuge could not be involved with his senior martial uncle. Judging from his words and disposition, he absolutely could not be such a “demonized” evil person.

The only possibility is that this is the Dao Ting’s arrangement.

No matter how idle or indifferent Master Zhuge might be, he is still a Zhen Ren of the Dao Ting and a Feng of the Qin Tian Jian. In many situations, he must obey the Dao Ting’s commands and cannot resist them.

This means that his actions reflect the will of the “Dao Ting’s” upper echelons.

But the more this was the case, the more perplexed Mo Hua became.

What exactly do the upper echelons of the Dao Ting mean?

They know that his senior martial uncle is cultivating Dao Nie and ascending to Dong Xu, so why don’t they stop him? Why do they still insist on destroying the Great Wilderness, overthrowing the Royal Court, and creating unnecessary karmic debts?

What exactly is the Dao Ting…

Mo Hua stared at Master Zhuge, his thoughts rapidly swirling, his expression changing several times, unable to conceal his shock.

Master Zhuge, in turn, stared into Mo Hua’s eyes, becoming increasingly astonished.

Through Mo Hua’s eyes, he also saw that Mo Hua knew!

He actually knew!

So many secrets, so many plots of the Dao Ting’s high-ranking officials, so many unspeakable and terrifying secrets, this kid actually…

Knew all of them?!

You’re just a Zhu Ji, how do you know so much?!!

Master Zhuge’s eyes trembled slightly. He abruptly grabbed Mo Hua’s shoulder and asked, “Who… who told you?”

Mo Hua shook his head, “No one told me…”

“Then how…” Master Zhuge’s eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief, “how exactly do you know?”

Mo Hua said, “I… I guessed…”

You guessed a big ghost, are you a god, to be able to guess everything…

Master Zhuge was furious but dared not press him further.

If Mo Hua had heard it from someone else, it would mean that person’s attainment was unfathomable, surely a master behind the scenes.

And some things are simply not meant to be spoken aloud.

Words are traces of cause and effect.

The Daoist’s title, the Royal Court’s schemes—the cause and effect involved would be touched if Mo Hua spoke them, making it easy for them to be leaked.

Therefore, he couldn’t force Mo Hua to say anything.

Master Zhuge could only take a deep look at Mo Hua, sighing inwardly, “Old Mr. Xun, you truly sent over a little ancestor…”

Master Zhuge said solemnly, “Tonight, I will send someone, I will send… my Zhuge family members, to escort you out of the Great Wilderness and back to the Tai Xu Sect.”

“You know too much, I… I cannot keep you here.”

Mo Hua quickly said, “No, I have important matters.”

Master Zhuge frowned, “It’s nothing more than the matter of condensing a core in the Dragon Pool. With your medium-to-low-grade spiritual roots, why would you go to the Dragon Pool? Be obedient, go back honestly. Once the Royal Court matter is concluded, I will free my hands and personally help you condense your core. With my Zhuge family’s secret method, I’ll definitely arrange everything perfectly for you. Please, don’t cause trouble at this time…”

This was the greatest sincerity Master Zhuge could offer.

With his lazy nature, he might not even take such care of his own children or nephews when they condense their cores.

But Mo Hua found it hard to explain that the core he would condense was different from others.

According to the principle of refining in the Dragon Pool, he was very likely not only to avoid dropping in grade but possibly even “ascend” in grade.

Not to mention the tearful plea of the Second Elder.

And the mysterious cause and effect of his senior martial uncle.

He had to get personally involved in many matters to understand them clearly.

Mo Hua shook his head, “Zhen Ren, there are some things I cannot conveniently say, but I truly cannot leave. I definitely must go to the Royal Court. And the Dragon Pool as well, if possible, I certainly want to go in and see, and try to condense my core there.”

“Condensing my core in the Dragon Pool, for me, truly holds a different meaning…”

Master Zhuge frowned deeply, “What’s so different?”

Mo Hua remained silent.

Master Zhuge said helplessly, “Don’t go to the Dragon Pool. Other heavenly talents can go, but you really don’t need to.”

This was a very ordinary sentence.

But Mo Hua’s mind was already extraordinary, and he instantly realized a problem:

“‘Other heavenly talents can go’…”

“This means that the Dao Ting… or rather, the high-ranking officials of the Seven Pavilions, actually tacitly allow these heavenly talents to go to the Dragon Pool to condense their cores?” Mo Hua asked.

Master Zhuge was startled.

“This seems a bit off…” Mo Hua frowned, continuing his deduction, “I’m curious, logically speaking, since the Dao Ting plans to attack the Royal Court, the Dragon Pool will eventually fall into the Dao Ting’s hands. It’s impossible for them to let other aristocratic family disciples get involved.”

“Generally speaking, the Dao Ting would never be so generous.”

“Since they are so generous now, it indicates that there are some unavoidable reasons behind it.”

“The Dao Ting must let the aristocratic family disciples go to the Dragon Pool first. Or rather, they must let these aristocratic heavenly talents capture the Dragon Pool first?”

“Allowing these aristocratic heavenly talents to capture the Dragon Pool first naturally means allowing them to condense their cores there.”

“Is this a… transaction?”

Master Zhuge’s eyelids twitched, wishing he could cover Mo Hua’s mouth.

He finally understood why this kid knew so much—because his brain itself was problematic!

A normal person’s brain is definitely not structured like this.

“Master Zhuge, is it…” Mo Hua asked.

Master Zhuge quickly covered Mo Hua’s mouth.

He truly didn’t want to chat with Mo Hua anymore. He was afraid that if they continued talking, all the secrets in his heart would be revealed.

Master Zhuge thought for a long time, then sighed helplessly, “Alright, do as you please.”

But constrained by Mo Hua’s “little ancestor” status, he couldn’t truly let go and ignore him, so he could only admonish him again:

“Some things, absolutely do not mention them. Talk brings trouble. Once you speak, cause and effect will move, so keep them buried in your stomach, don’t say them out loud.”

Mo Hua nodded.

Master Zhuge then said, “As for the Dragon Pool, if you go, then go. I can’t control it anymore.”

“But remember, blend in with the crowd, don’t stand out. If others can condense their cores, you can do it too. But if you see things going wrong, turn around and run immediately. As long as the green mountains remain, there’ll be no fear of not having cores to condense.”

“In a few days, I will be fighting against the Yu Hua of the Great Wilderness. At that time, the Yu Hua will first determine the victor.”

“I also have other responsibilities, so I might not have any energy left to watch over you. Be careful yourself… be careful of everyone…”

Master Zhuge’s tone was grave.

Mo Hua slowly nodded.

After Master Zhuge finished speaking, he looked quite flustered, sighed, and then left.

He still had to discuss matters with the other Zhen Ren and truly didn’t have time to look after Mo Hua. Moreover, Mo Hua was inherently an “uncontrollable” existence, and he couldn’t control him even if he tried.

Master Zhuge left, but the dark clouds in Mo Hua’s heart grew heavier.

“The Dao Ting also knows all the cause and effect. The Dao Ting would rather create karmic debts than destroy the Royal Court, completely unconcerned about whether Dao Nie will proliferate.”

“Or perhaps the matter of Dao Nie was already within the Dao Ting’s calculations?”

“Perhaps even Senior Martial Uncle’s actions were already part of the Dao Ting’s plan?”

It makes sense… no matter how strong Senior Martial Uncle is, he is still only a Yu Hua.

But within the Dao Ting’s forces, who knows how many old monsters above Dong Xu are hidden.

If it really came down to schemes, Senior Martial Uncle, as a Yu Hua, no matter how strong his methods, could not possibly resist the machinations of that group of old monsters in the Dao Ting.

Taking it a step further…

Those old monsters in Dao Zhou are not just scheming against Senior Martial Uncle; perhaps they are also using Senior Martial Uncle’s situation to achieve their own goals?

They are using the famine created by Senior Martial Uncle to profit from the war, destroy the Royal Court, and annex the entire Great Wilderness.

Mo Hua’s heart was heavy.

Everyone is playing chess on the same board; everyone is both a player and a piece.

Even someone as strong as Senior Martial Uncle might not be an exception.

The more he delved into the situation of the Royal Court war, the more he learned, but the more he learned, the more enigmatic the heavenly secrets appeared.

“But no matter what, even if the path ahead is a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den, I must venture into it…” Mo Hua thought silently.

Time was short, so Mo Hua first returned to the Situ family.

He found Situ Jian and said, “Send a message and call all those heavenly talents from Qian Xue over. I have something to ask them.”

Situ Jian nodded, “Okay, Little Senior Brother.” Then he sent out the message.

Some heavenly talents were still staying at the Situ family, while others had returned to their respective family strongholds.

But Mo Hua had given the order, and with the war imminent, such a sensitive timing meant that by early the next morning, a group of heavenly talents had all gathered.

Xiao Ruohan, Ao Zheng, Shen Zangfeng, Shi Tiangang, Feng Zichen, Song Jian… and a group of other Qian Xue heavenly talents, somewhat familiar but whose names he didn’t quite recall, all came.

Mo Hua then asked, “Regarding the Dragon Pool, did your major aristocratic families… make a deal with the Dao Ting?”

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, looking confused.

Mo Hua wondered, “You don’t know?”

Feng Zichen slowly said, “The elders only said that after the Royal Court is breached, we must act according to the Dao Ting’s orders. Afterward, whoever can break into the Dragon Pool will be granted permission by the Dao Ting to condense their cores within the Dragon Pool.”

Mo Hua frowned slightly, “That’s it?”

Shi Tiangang nodded, “This is actually considered a special permission from the Dao Ting, and it can even be seen as a form of ‘military merit.'”

“Only the first batch of heavenly talents who break into the Royal Court will be qualified to enter the Dragon Pool.”

“Once the Great Wilderness is pacified by the Dao Ting, and the Dragon Pool is officially claimed by the Dao Ting, it will be almost impossible to enter the Dragon Pool to condense a core. Even if one could enter, the number of spots would be very limited, requiring a huge price…”

“As for the specific details of how to proceed, the Dao Ting hasn’t said anything yet, probably for secrecy…”

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

Feng Zichen glanced at Mo Hua, asking with some worry, “Mo Hua, are you also… competing with us for a spot in the Dragon Pool?”

Everyone involuntarily looked at Mo Hua, their gazes somewhat serious.

Mo Hua looked at Feng Zichen and asked, “How many people can the Dragon Pool accommodate for core condensation?”

Feng Zichen shook his head, “I don’t know…”

He thought for a moment and added, “But since the Dao Ting is letting us heavenly talents compete, I imagine the first batch of spots won’t be too few.”

“We’ll see then…” Mo Hua said, “If we can break into the Royal Court, I’ll assess the situation.”

Mo Hua seemed quite casual.

But no one believed that Mo Hua truly wouldn’t care.

Shen Zangfeng said solemnly, “Mo Hua, this time, it’s a competition to condense a core. If we find ourselves at odds then, we’ll determine who is superior.”

The others looked at Mo Hua, their eyes filled with both deep apprehension and a burning desire for battle.

Ten years had passed, and they might have another chance to face Mo Hua, to wash away the shame of the Qian Xue sword discourse years ago.

Mo Hua just waved his hand, “We’ll talk about it, we’ll talk about it.”

He knew very well that this was not Qian Xue Continent or a sword discourse conference.

The Great Wilderness was a bloody war, and it was very likely to be a life-or-death situation from the start.

Mo Hua didn’t want to say much, but out of consideration for their long-standing friendship, he finally admonished them, “When the time comes, if we’re competing to enter the Dragon Pool, everyone relies on their own abilities. Don’t blame others for winning or losing.”

“However… if things become impossible, remember to follow my lead…”

Mo Hua’s tone was somewhat grave.

The group of Qian Xue heavenly talents was stunned, many showing disdain, but deep down, they still dared not dismiss Mo Hua’s words.

After the heavenly talents dispersed, Mo Hua asked Situ Jian, “Situ, are you also going to the Dragon Pool?”

Situ Jian nodded, “Everyone’s going. I should at least give it a try and gain some experience. But the elders of the family should protect me.”

Mo Hua nodded, “That’s good.”

Situ Jian looked at Mo Hua and asked, “Little Senior Brother, what are your plans? How about you join my Situ family? I’ll ask the elders to protect you too.”

Mo Hua shook his head, “We’ll see.”

Situ Jian looked a bit disappointed.

Mo Hua smiled and patted his shoulder, “When the great battle begins, the situation will be chaotic, and many plans might not work. Act on your own judgment, and make sure to protect yourself. If fate permits, we’ll meet inside the Royal Court.”

Situ Jian then nodded happily, “Okay.”

After chatting with Situ Jian for a while, Mo Hua specifically went to find Situ Fang.

Situ Fang was in full military attire, heroic and valiant, her eyes burning with a fighting spirit, seemingly also preparing for the decisive battle with the Royal Court.

Upon seeing Mo Hua, Situ Fang’s expression brightened, “Mo Hua?”

Mo Hua then asked, “Sister Situ, are you also going to attack the Royal Court?”

Situ Fang nodded.

Mo Hua’s expression was hesitant.

Situ Fang asked, “What’s wrong?”

Mo Hua looked at Situ Fang, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Sister Situ, the battle for the Royal Court… perhaps you shouldn’t go.”

Situ Fang was startled, then smiled, “Are you afraid I’ll die on the battlefield?”

Mo Hua looked at Situ Fang’s brow, remaining silent.

War is a giant meat grinder; those who step onto the battlefield face near-certain death.

Moreover, Situ Fang was not like Situ Jian, without the protection of the Situ family’s Jin Dan elders. For her to charge into battle was extremely dangerous.

Situ Fang shook her head, her expression slightly solemn, “I am a member of the Situ family, bearing a mission from the Dao Ting. Now that war rages and lives are being trampled, I naturally should do my part. I cannot shrink back just because I fear death.”

Mo Hua was slightly taken aback, a sense of admiration stirring within him.

Then Situ Fang gave a wry smile, her expression a little dim, “Of course, my talent is lacking, and my cultivation is low, so this is all I can do…”

Mo Hua, however, shook his head, “Sister Situ, you are already very impressive.”

To follow one’s true heart, to follow one’s Dao heart, and not shrink back even in the face of danger.

Mo Hua really wanted to look after Situ Fang more, but once the war began, he would be too busy to care for himself, let alone others.

Situ Fang’s life and death would be like a floating duckweed.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then took out some protective jade pendants and soft armor imbued with protective formations, and gave them to Situ Fang, “Sister Situ, keep these. They might protect you at a critical moment.”

Situ Fang took the jade pendants and soft armor, her heart filled with gratitude.

After giving her some protective items, Mo Hua was still uneasy. He thought for a moment, then took out two jade slips, each signed with a character.

On one jade slip, he signed “Mo Hua.”

On the other jade slip, he only left some barbarian sacred script, imbued with some divine sense.

“After the Royal Court battle, there will inevitably be chaos. If you get separated from the main army and encounter people from Kyushu, give them the jade slip with ‘Mo Hua’ written on it; it might help you.”

“If you encounter barbarian cultivators, show them this sacred script; it might also save you.”

“Keep these two jade slips carefully. Never tell anyone about them, and never show them to anyone unless absolutely necessary, when your life is in danger.”

Situ Fang was startled, vaguely realizing that the little brother she had befriended might already be an extraordinary figure.

She nodded, solemnly accepting the two jade slips, feeling as if she had inadvertently taken on some great karma.

Mo Hua slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

He could only do this much.

Time flew by. After a series of preparations, seven days later, the battle for the Royal Court officially began.

In the grand encampment, Mo Hua watched as a Zhen Ren of the Dao Ting crossed the demarcation line of the Royal Domain and, upon entering the fourth-rank Royal Court Mountain, ascended directly into the sky. He wielded a flying sword, its sword qi like a long rainbow hanging in the air, with astonishing power, cutting a chasm and striking directly towards the gates of the Royal Court.

Within the magnificent and colossal Royal Court in the distance, an equally immense power erupted.

A great Dragon Lord of the Great Wilderness, appearing like a small giant, also floated in the air, punching out with a fist. Within the dense sanguine aura, the ferocious roar of a dragon was intertwined.

With a thunderous crash, the forces of the two Yu Hua collided in mid-air. Sand swirled backward, and the earth fractured.

The final act of the Great Wilderness War had begun…

(End of this chapter)