Elder Xun opened the letter again and read it, pondering for a moment. He then took out a jade slip, moved his divine sense, and wrote down a letter. He called a young Daoist boy to him.

“Take this jade slip and hand it over to the head officer Liang from the Dao Court Department. Tell him to find someone to investigate.”

“Yes, Old Ancestor.”

The Daoist boy received the jade slip with both hands and respectfully retreated.

It wasn’t even a full day before a jade slip was transmitted back. The Daoist boy again respectfully presented it to Elder Xun.

Elder Xun glanced at the jade slip and knew it was in the handwriting of the now-retired head officer Liang from the Dao Court Department. He then sank his divine sense into it.

With just one glance, Elder Xun’s heart trembled.

Huo Fo?!

A major demonic cultivator who had dominated the Two Products realm for a hundred years, reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, cultivated the Falling Fire Forbidden Technique, exterminated the entire Xie family, and commanded numerous demonic cultivators, killing people like cutting grass?!

Elder Xun took a slight gasp of cold air.

And…

These senior brothers and sisters, whose cultivation bases might be much higher than his, one or two of them, were also scions of prominent families in the world. Even meeting them by chance, they were surprisingly willing to play with him?

The Merit Pavilion’s records were also quickly brought up.

So to speak, these eight thousand merits weren’t that much…

He hadn’t expected…

But assuming there was a slight mishap, how could Mo Hua, with his small arms and legs, withstand being killed by so many criminal cultivators and evil cultivators?

If an accident happened, wouldn’t a good array seedling just die prematurely?

Elder Xun couldn’t figure out how Mo Hua, a small disciple with such a low and weak cultivation base that he couldn’t withstand the wind, managed to capture a big demonic leader at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, full of evil.

Rely on arrays?

Even if his arrays were good, it was still too dangerous.

This child Mo Hua has such strong social skills?

These situations, compared to before, can’t be said to be slightly different, only that they are not the same at all…

Elder Xun was both afraid and angry.

That’s why the Dao Court Department made this exceptional allocation of eight thousand merits.

Elder Xun sighed.

Dealing with such a fierce and cruel demonic cultivator, one careless move and he feared not even dregs would remain.

And the success rate was outrageously high, basically never missing.

Looking at it now, the situation was possibly fundamentally different…

But at that time, Mo Hua was also there.

Elder Xun pondered for a moment, then ordered someone to go to the Merit Pavilion again to retrieve the records and see what tasks Mo Hua usually undertook.

The Daoist boy respectfully said: “Yes.”

Mo Hua’s soft, weak, obedient, and clever appearance floated in his mind again.

He really dared to dabble in anything.

But…

His own Heavenly Mechanism algorithm indeed didn’t work. He had spent his mind and energy, learned for hundreds of years, calculated for hundreds of years, but hadn’t expected such a “blind spot” right beside him, and he actually couldn’t calculate it at all.

No wonder it was worth eight thousand merits!

This child Mo Hua drew an array for the Dao Court Department to capture Huo Fo, establishing a great merit, which was reported by Dao Court Department official Gu Changhuai.

Elder Xun continued to look down, his gaze slightly condensed, “Huo Fo… has been killed…”

Elder Xun couldn’t help but sigh.

Elder Xun found it a little hard to believe.

Elder Xun frowned.

He had lived so many years, encountered so many matters, and seen so many people, but hadn’t expected that in his old age, a small child would pull the wool over his eyes.

But most of all, it was the young girl from the Murong family, and also that young fellow from the Ouyang family of Tai’a Gate. More than half of the rest, unexpectedly, were also his senior brothers and sisters from a generation above him.

Simply preposterous!

Such good array talent, not knowing how to cherish it, and three days out of two, doing these extremely dangerous rewards outside the sect.

Capturing Huo Fo?

No need to think, he knew there was definitely something fishy inside.

The disciples who teamed up with him were also varied.

The record said it was the merit of Gu Changhuai alone.

This small child Mo Hua had too much courage.

Elder Xun rolled his eyes, his scalp slightly numb.

So he didn’t think of checking further.

It was good that he was safe and sound.

Except for a large number of one-product and two-product array tasks, most of the rest were unexpectedly rewards for apprehending, pursuing, surrounding, and hunting criminal cultivators, evil cultivators, and even demonic cultivators.

Originally, he thought that with this child Mo Hua’s ability, he could at most draw one array, and could only draw one array.

Elder Xun looked at the contents inside the jade slip again, and the more he thought about it, the more angry he became.

Thinking of this, Elder Xun felt regret and even more fear. He then sank his face and instructed the Daoist boy:

“Go call Mo Hua here!”

Leaving the elder’s residence, the Daoist boy went to find Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was just in class and was a bit surprised to hear the words. Elder Xun rarely called him during class time.

The Daoist boy then said in a low voice: “Be careful, the old mister seems very angry.”

Normally, Mo Hua often went to the elder’s residence and was familiar with this Daoist boy.

Mo Hua was stunned, “Angry at whom?”

The Daoist boy shook his head, “How would I know…”

Mo Hua muttered to himself.

Elder Xun is angry, what does that have to do with me?

I’ve been very honest recently, drawing arrays in the sect every day.

Arriving at the elder’s residence and entering Elder Xun’s room, Mo Hua indeed felt that the atmosphere was not right. Elder Xun’s face was ashen, a stern expression.

Mo Hua lowered his gaze and obediently looked innocent, appearing very compliant.

Elder Xun was about to scold him, but seeing Mo Hua’s appearance, his heart immediately softened a few points.

Although what he did was a bit dangerous…

But capturing evil demons and outer paths is also a cultivator’s duty, a good deed for Heaven, so he couldn’t scold him too much, so as not to damage this child’s upright nature and the Dao heart of slaying demons and eliminating evil.

However, taking risks with his body, this kind of thing cannot be indulged again.

He is still young, like a piece of white paper, how does he know the viciousness of the human heart and the dangers of the cultivation world?

He needs to be severely admonished and taught a lesson, otherwise next time he’ll probably dare to do this kind of dangerous thing again!

Elder Xun’s face became stern again, and he was about to open his mouth to scold him, but before the words came out, he was suddenly startled.

He stared at Mo Hua for a long time, frowned and asked:

“Your divine sense, is it not… stronger again?”

Mo Hua nodded shyly but humbly, “Yes, it’s a little stronger, seventeen patterns…”

Elder Xun’s eyes slightly widened.

Seventeen patterns…

Foundation Establishment initial stage, seventeen patterns…

Foundation Establishment late stage divine sense at the Foundation Establishment initial stage realm?!

Elder Xun’s expression was silent, but his heart was like a sudden storm, surging with shocking waves. He was stunned for a long time, not knowing what to say.

“Old mister?” Mo Hua said weakly.

Only then did Elder Xun come back to his senses. He looked at Mo Hua, his heart full of disbelief.

A moment later, Elder Xun’s expression returned to normal, and he said lightly:

“Nothing, you go back first.”

Mo Hua was stunned.

Elder Xun waved his hand, not angry, his voice also much gentler, “Go back to class.”

“Oh…” Mo Hua was a little puzzled, then cupped his hand and bowed, “Then this disciple takes his leave.”

“Mm.” Elder Xun nodded slightly.

Mo Hua left in confusion.

After Mo Hua left, Elder Xun pondered for a long time before slowly standing up. Using the Void Escape technique, he tore open a void crack and directly entered the back mountain.

Inside the back mountain, there was an ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall was solemn and grand, very majestic. On it were memorial tablets with black bases and white patterns, and portraits of past Tai Xu ancestors.

The white-haired Elder Xun respectfully offered incense.

But his hands couldn’t stop trembling slightly.

On the ancient incense burner, curling green smoke rose.

Elder Xun’s emotions surged for a time, difficult to calm down. His voice also couldn’t help but tremble slightly as he said:

“Ancestors bless us…”

“My Tai Xu Gate has really encountered a great destiny!”

“The single thread of vitality within the stalemate of heavenly mechanisms… should just respond on this child!”

The incense smoke on the incense burner, like clouds and mist, rose up, covering the portraits of Tai Xu Gate’s ancestors above, pure and continuous.

Elder Xun let out a long breath.

The next day, Elder Xun went to find the Tai Xu Headmaster.

The Tai Xu Headmaster had an upright and kind expression, extraordinary demeanor, was skilled in cultivating body and mind, and had long and thick black hair.

He had a noble origin and inherited his lineage. He entered the Dao with the sword method, and his cultivation base was not bad. In Tai Xu Gate, his status was relatively special.

However, the Tai Xu Headmaster at the moment also had a somewhat solemn expression.

Although he didn’t cultivate divine sense and didn’t understand algorithms, at his cultivation base, he could vaguely perceive some evolution of heavenly mechanisms and ominous signs.

Tai Xu Gate had been peaceful for years, but there was already a vague momentum of rain coming.

Only, he couldn’t see the specific ominous sign.

In front of the elegant sandalwood table, the Tai Xu Headmaster and Elder Xun sat opposite each other. After the water boiled and the tea fragrance arose, the Headmaster personally bowed and poured a cup of tea for Elder Xun, then sighed and said:

“Tai Xu, Tai’a, Chong Xu, although the three gates of the sword Dao are divided and have become three sects, after all, the ancestors have the same origin and are connected branches…”

“I have spoken to their headmasters, but they don’t believe me.”

“Tai’a Gate is strong and seems to want to go further, occupying the top position among the Eight Great Gates.”

“Chong Xu Gate is in the middle stream, but also wants to join the forefront.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster self-deprecatingly said, “On the contrary, my Tai Xu Gate has slowly fallen behind, not wanting to progress.”

Elder Xun drank a mouthful of tea but said nothing.

The Tai Xu Headmaster sighed, feeling some emotion, and continued to say:

“Tai’a Gate has gathered talents in recent years, especially the Ouyang family. That young fellow named Ouyang Feng doesn’t show off but cultivates the sect-protecting sword method extremely deeply. He is steady and doesn’t reveal his edge. He is a talent that can be greatly used.”

“Chong Xu Gate, in this generation, seems to have a sword Dao genius with extremely good talent. He hasn’t been in the sect for long but has already sensed the Chong Xu Sword Tomb and cultivated the Chong Xu Sword Qi. He is considered the most talented disciple in Chong Xu Gate in nearly five hundred years.”

“My Tai Xu Gate is just a little short… There are good spirit roots, and there are those who cultivate the sword method, but ultimately, they are somewhat ‘mediocre’. Compared to these true talents, they are still inferior.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster shook his head, his expression helpless:

“No wonder this Tai’a Gate and Chong Xu Gate don’t particularly want to play with my Tai Xu Gate.”

“They don’t take my words to heart, probably fearing that my Tai Xu Gate will drag them down.”

Elder Xun slightly frowned.

Although the three gates are connected branches, they are indeed already separate families, each living their own lives. They cannot interfere in each other’s affairs.

The Tai Xu Headmaster glanced at Elder Xun, his expression slightly solemn, and asked in a low voice:

“Old mister, what exactly… has happened?”

Elder Xun sighed and said: “I can’t say clearly either.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster’s expression was solemn.

“In short,” Elder Xun said, “From now on, let the sect disciples be cautious in their speech and actions. Some of the sect’s arrangements should also be as conservative as possible and not be rash.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster nodded.

Lying flat and preserving life? This he was familiar with.

Elder Xun said: “The future days, I fear, will not be peaceful. Only by being wise and protecting ourselves, preserving our foundation, and enduring can we pass.”

“No fault is merit. There’s no need to compare with others. As for fame and fortune, let them fight if they want to fight.”

Elder Xun’s expression was indifferent.

“Old mister is right,” the Tai Xu Headmaster agreed.

After the two continued to drink tea and chat about some sect affairs, Elder Xun said: “However, there is one small rule that needs to be changed.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster was slightly stunned.

Elder Xun said: “From this generation onwards, open a large array class. All disciples of the same generation will attend the array class together.”

The Tai Xu Headmaster was confused and frowned, asking:

“Old mister, please forgive this junior’s ignorance. Does this move perhaps… have some deeper meaning?”

Elder Xun deliberately sighed, “There is no deeper meaning. It’s just that I am old and inevitably lacking in energy. Recently, I have been deducing heavenly mechanisms and consuming my divine sense. I always feel a bit tired.”

“There are too many array classes, and I don’t have time to take care of them. It’s better to combine them into a large class and teach them together.”

Hearing this, the Tai Xu Headmaster felt a little unbearable.

Elder Xun truly racked his brains for Tai Xu Gate and dedicated his life.

The Tai Xu Headmaster gently said: “Or, these matters of preaching and teaching, just hand them over to the elders and instructors within the sect. Old mister, your status is noble, there is no need to lower yourself to personally teach…”

“No!”

Elder Xun said with a serious face:

“Preaching and teaching is the foundation of my Tai Xu Gate. Whether it’s Foundation Establishment, Featherization, instructor, or elder, regardless of the depth of cultivation base or the height of position, all should take preaching as the root and teaching as the honor. This is the sect’s duty!”

“Now I am old, but no matter what, this principle cannot be disregarded!”

Hearing this, the Tai Xu Headmaster was filled with respect and immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying:

“Junior will strictly follow Old Mister’s instructions.”

Elder Xun stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

After the matter was decided, Elder Xun left. But his words still echoed in the Tai Xu Headmaster’s ears.

The Tai Xu Headmaster pondered for a long time, his mood complex, and sighed in his heart:

“In today’s cultivation world, whether it’s prominent families or sects, there are fewer and fewer people like Elder Xun, who are broad-minded and full of upright thoughts…”

The Tai Xu Headmaster sighed, drank a mouthful of tea, was suddenly startled, thought carefully, and suddenly felt a bit strange again.

This large array class, not opened early or late, why open it now?

Although he said it was for preaching and teaching, he always felt that Elder Xun seemed to be hiding a bit of his own agenda.

However, Elder Xun’s character is upright and he is clean-handed, what private agenda could he have?

The Tai Xu Headmaster thought about it and shook his head.

He must be overthinking.

Elder Xun has high virtue and prestige, and it’s impossible for him to deceive himself.

After Elder Xun and the Tai Xu Headmaster finished discussing, the rule of the array class was thus changed.

The next array class immediately started a large class.

The class location was chosen in the largest preaching room in the Preaching Pavilion.

Elder Xun stood on the stage, below which sat a dense crowd of disciples of the same generation as Mo Hua, numbering over a thousand people.

Elder Xun’s gaze swept the entire field and said concisely:

“From now on, array will be taught uniformly, with this old man as the main lecturer, the instructors as auxiliary lecturers, and…”

Elder Xun looked down and reached out to point:

“Mo Hua.”

Mo Hua was startled.

Elder Xun continued: “…You will be the ‘little senior brother’ of the array class! Every day in this preaching room, when I am not here, and the instructor is not here, what you say counts.”

Mo Hua was caught off guard for a moment, a little stunned.

Then he discovered that more than a thousand gazes, at the same time, like ten thousand arrows firing, all looked towards him.

These gazes were some familiar, some strange, some shocked, some doubtful, some admiring, some questioning, and many with a slight hostility.

They were all true talents within Tai Xu Gate, although they were of the same generation, many people were not familiar with Mo Hua.

A “little senior brother” falling from the sky, with their unruly temper, how could they endure it?

Mo Hua felt his scalp tingle and his whole body uncomfortable.

Elder Xun acted as if nothing had happened and said to Mo Hua:

“Mo Hua, come up.”

In front of the crowd, Mo Hua felt pressure as heavy as a mountain, but he still gritted his teeth and stepped onto the stage, standing by Elder Xun’s side.

The white-haired Elder Xun patted Mo Hua’s small shoulder, nodded slightly, then pointed to Mo Hua and said to the disciples below:

“From now on, this is your ‘little senior brother’.”

Mo Hua hadn’t said anything yet when suddenly a disciple below couldn’t bear it, stood up, his expression respectful, but with a hint of anger, and asked:

“Please ask the old mister, is this considered an ‘internal decision’?”

Elder Xun nodded and frankly said:

“Yes.”

That disciple was choked.

Elder Xun was so frank that he didn’t know what to say.

Another disciple stood up and said: “Old mister, this is ‘showing favoritism’, I am not convinced!”

Elder Xun glanced at him lightly, “Then?”

“I…” After hesitating, that disciple said with a proud face, “My great-grandfather is a great elder of Tai Xu Gate. I will report everything to my great-grandfather and say that you are acting unfairly, showing favoritism, abusing power, and not following the rules…”

Elder Xun’s expression was subtle, and he nodded slightly, saying:

“Alright, go back and tell him. While you’re at it, ask your great-grandfather who is a great elder to come and see me tomorrow. I’ll have a chat with him about what ‘rules’ are…”

That disciple was startled, and afterwards, his heart started to murmur.

This Elder Xun, why isn’t he afraid at all…

He didn’t know if he was truly not afraid, or falsely not afraid, or if his seniority was too old, and his great-grandfather didn’t dare to move him?

It was a pity that his great-grandfather never mentioned this Elder Xun.

He also didn’t know exactly what status this Elder Xun had within the sect.

But he wasn’t stupid. Listening to Elder Xun’s tone, it was obvious that he didn’t put his great-grandfather in his eyes. What if he really had an extremely high status…

This disciple’s heart trembled a little.

I won’t… cause trouble for great-grandfather, will I…

Great-grandfather won’t beat me, will he…

This disciple lacked confidence and honestly sat down.

Other disciples also realized that something was not right.

This Elder Xun, who was usually meticulous and only knew how to lecture, might be more revered than they thought.

Everyone dared not speak.

Elder Xun’s expression was solemn, but his heart also silently sighed.

If it were normal days, he would still spend some time planning slowly.

But now the heavenly mechanisms are dim, the situation is special, and he must make a quick decision.

Even if he had to force it, he had to “promote” Mo Hua to be the little senior brother of Tai Xu Gate.

This matter concerned the destiny of Tai Xu Gate.

There was no time to delay, and no room for doubt!

The matter related to the great matter of heavenly mechanisms. Even a slight hesitation would cause the cause and effect to reverse.

Therefore, as long as he glimpsed that one thread of heavenly mechanism, even if heaven and earth were shattered and he was alone, he could not hesitate in the slightest!

Elder Xun surveyed the disciples seated below.

A crowd of disciples, with various expressions, although they didn’t speak, were obviously not “convinced”.

It doesn’t matter if they are not “convinced”, but at least they must first be “orally convinced”!

Elder Xun then said in a majestic tone:

“This matter is thus decided. You first call out ‘little senior brother’.”

They were obviously unwilling, but under Elder Xun’s pressure, they had to shout.

So, all the talents of this generation of Tai Xu Gate, except for the small portion of disciples familiar with Mo Hua, the overwhelming majority, all unwillingly in their hearts, lowered their voices and called out to Mo Hua, who was a little younger than them:

“Little senior brother.”

(End of this chapter)