Book 2: Chapter 64: No Matter What
It’s akin to a father becoming the Supreme Emperor when his son ascends the throne—a great opportunity for both parties.
This thought circulated in Mo Qing’s mind, but he quickly shook his head. “No, I’m not the founder of the Mo Dao. If the Mo Dao Fate strengthens, the teacher\'s power will increase, but my gains wouldn’t be as significant…”
The cultivation of an inherited Fate benefits its founder the most. The more practitioners, the stronger the future generations become, which in turn makes the founder more powerful.
Unless… they lose in the competition for Fate. Otherwise, the founder must always suppress their rival.
As for competing for Fate, that’s something only a Seven-Star Destiny Master would consider. For a minor Fate like the Mo Dao’s, it’s uncertain if it could even reach that level!
“I’ll represent the teacher to take them in. This way, if the teacher breaks through to the Fourth Realm and gains more standing, I’ll benefit as well…”
With this decision made, Mo Qing looked at Han Xiao and instructed, “Don’t report this matter yet. Let’s go directly to find Junior Brother Ling Buyang and have him hand over the individuals. I’ll take them back to the Zouyi Dynasty. If word spreads, I fear unnecessary trouble…”
Han Xiao hesitated, “Go straight to Vice Hall Master Ling? But he said three days…”Mo Qing shook his head. “As his senior brother, if I ask him to do something, would he dare to argue? Let’s go. Lead the way, now!”
“Yes!” Han Xiao hesitated for a moment and said, “Master Mo Qing, please wait a moment. There’s a minor matter at the Destiny Hall I need to address before I can take you there.”
“Go ahead!” Mo Qing waved his hand dismissively.
Relieved, Han Xiao left the room and found Xie Feng, instructing him in a hushed tone: “Go find Yue Longxiao immediately and tell him that Elder Mo Qing is here to see Ling Buyang and intends to take some geniuses away…”
“Yes…” Xie Feng turned and left.
Watching him leave, Han Xiao sensed a new surge of Heaven’s Fate Energy flowing into his body and let out a sigh of relief.
With the balance between Ling Buyang and Chai Yunsheng disrupted, Mo Qing and the Wanchang Sect seemed evenly matched again in their struggle for geniuses. Proper utilization of this situation might provide him an opportunity to advance as well.
Balance is omnipresent. As long as it’s created by him, it could be leveraged for growth.
Back in his quarters, Zhang Xuan gathered Zhao Ya and the others once more.
“Teacher, we don’t want to leave…”
Hearing his decision, Zhao Ya and the rest were filled with reluctance.
“Cultivating Fate requires immense resources, and I simply don’t have enough here. If you get a good opportunity, seize it. This way, when I face danger in the future, you’ll be able to assist me!”
Zhang Xuan advised.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Ya and the others finally nodded in agreement. Having faced countless hardships together, they understood his concerns. Staying by his side might indeed become a burden, whereas leaving could offer greater support in the long run.
“This parting now is for a better reunion in the future… Of course, if they don’t properly nurture you and only see you as tools to be harvested, just send me a message, and I’ll stand up for you!”
Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.
Granting someone an inheritance is acceptable if it’s for cultivating a complete Fate. But if they treat you as mere heirs to be exploited for profit, he has ways to help his disciples regain their dignity.
Hearing their teacher’s promise, Zhao Ya and the others nodded excitedly. His words reminded them of their past parting. Back then, many thought he was boasting, but he proved with his actions that no matter how powerful a force, it became insignificant in the face of his growth.
The Yin-Yang Palace, the Saint Yuan Clan, the Hall of the Saints—one by one, these mighty institutions that stood tall on the Master Teacher Continent fell to their knees before him in less than two years.
“Leave a thread of thought connected to the New World. If anything happens, just relay the message to that thread, and I’ll know immediately!”
Zhang Xuan continued.
With the power of the New World, he could communicate with his disciples anytime, without the slightest obstacle. Hearing this, Zhao Ya and the others finally felt at ease. They left their threads behind, and just as they finished, a voice called out from outside the courtyard.
“Is Vice Hall Master Ling here?”
Zhang Xuan frowned, instructing the others to focus on their cultivation before stepping out.
Entering the hall, he saw Han Xiao entering with a middle-aged man.
“Hall Master Han, didn’t I say to meet again in three days?” Zhang Xuan frowned in displeasure.
Han Xiao waved his hand quickly, “It’s not me; it’s this gentleman…”
Zhang Xuan turned to the middle-aged man, puzzled, just as the other narrowed his eyes. “Junior Brother Buyang, it’s been over a decade. Have you forgotten me?”
“Junior Brother?”
Zhang Xuan’s heart skipped a beat.
For someone to address him this way, they were likely from the Mo Dao sect.
With a flick of his finger, Zhang Xuan activated a formation he’d secretly prepared earlier. The spiritual energy in the room shifted instantly. It was the array he had brought from Bu Xu Hall, which he had laid in the room. The motion had just infused it with his strength to activate it.
As expected, sensing the formation’s power, the middle-aged man frowned. Just as he was about to suppress it, the pressure vanished. The formation seemed to have stopped.
While the man was confused, Zhang Xuan immersed his mind in the Library of Heaven\'s Path.
“Mo Qing, second-generation disciple of the Mo Dao Sect, third disciple of Sect Master Mo Baiye, cultivation level: Mid-Star River Realm…”
“Star River Realm?”
As expected, the Star River Realm was above the Ninth Level of the Source Pool Realm.
Zhang Xuan’s current strength allowed him to handle Ninth Level experts, but facing a Star River Realm practitioner was still a challenge.
“Flaw #1: Overeagerness to break through, resulting in lung damage. Suffers from shortness of breath after 100 moves.
Flaw #2: Impotent…”
“Hmm???”
Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.
Ling Buyang and Xu Xin had suffered similar issues before. Now this “Third Senior Brother” had the same problem? Could it be… training in the Mo Dao required this condition?
“Desiring this skill, must one castrate oneself?”
Come to think of it, it seemed plausible. Otherwise, why were they all gathered with such issues? Yet… Zhang Xuan himself trained in it and remained perfectly fine!
Setting aside his doubts, Zhang Xuan smiled. “I just didn’t expect Senior Brother Mo Qing to grace me with your presence without prior notice, or I would have gone to welcome you…”
“No need!” Mo Qing waved dismissively, sitting down and placing the Mo Dao blade on the table. “I hear you’ve found some talented juniors? Hand them over, and perhaps the teacher might remember old ties and allow you to return to the Zouyi Dynasty.”
“Senior Brother must be joking. Those juniors aren’t really connected to me. They’re free to go where they wish. Forcing them to leave wouldn’t be appropriate,” Zhang Xuan replied.
Mo Qing’s face darkened. “I’m personally coming here out of respect for our shared history. Do you really want me to forcefully take them?”
Zhang Xuan frowned. “Are you planning to seize them?”
Han Xiao interjected, “Vice Hall Master Ling, how can you put it like that? Elder Mo Qing, though your senior brother, is also a Destiny Hall elder of the Zouyi Dynasty. He’s merely recruiting talent for the hall. How can you slander him by calling it robbery?”
“Recruiting talent? What a nice way to put it…” Zhang Xuan shook his head. “But unfortunately, their decisions on where to go are up to me.”
“You dare disrespect me…” Mo Qing stood, his hand closing around the Mo Dao blade. “Ling Buyang, back then I left you beaten and banished from the Zouyi City. I can do the same now in Hanyuan City! I’ll give you one chance: hand them over, and I won’t pursue the matter further. Otherwise, even if you’re a Vice Hall Master, I’ll have cause to kill you, and no one will speak on your behalf!”
Zhang Xuan’s face turned grim. “You’re resorting to outright robbery?”
Mo Qing sneered, “That’s right. By now, you should know power rules everywhere. Since those geniuses aren’t deeply tied to you, and I’m offering them promising futures, why bother wasting an opportunity?”
“So that’s how you see it…” Zhang Xuan murmured in realization.
Indeed, if the connection was shallow, why should he have the right to dictate terms? Why not simply eliminate him and take what’s needed?
“An ordinary man is innocent, but possessing treasure brings disaster!” Mo Qing’s gaze swept the room. “Your place looks nice. You have plenty of attendants. If you disagree, I’ll kill them all.
And I hear you’ve got a mansion full of lovely wives and concubines. I’ll kill them too—leave none alive!”
“You mean to say that just because I won’t hand over some talented individuals, you’ll slaughter all my friends, family, and household?” Zhang Xuan’s expression grew colder.
“Why not? They’ve enjoyed a privileged life with you, so when danger comes, it’s only natural they pay the price! I advise you to comply. Otherwise, even if you’ve reached the Second Stage of Mo Dao Fate comprehension, you’re still nothing before me!”
Mo Qing’s energy surged, a sharp blade aura emanating from the edge of his Mo Dao, pressing heavily on the surroundings.
Zhang Xuan turned to Han Xiao. “Hall Master Han, he openly threatens to slaughter everyone connected to me. As the head of Destiny Hall, will you stand by and do nothing?”
Han Xiao shook his head. “Destiny Hall only handles cultivation and the teaching of Fate. As for life and death matters, that’s up to one’s own destiny. It has nothing to do with me. Besides, this is an issue between fellow disciples—I couldn’t interfere even if I wanted to.”
“Abandoning all responsibility, turning a blind eye, and even aiding criminals—no wonder Hanyuan City is in such chaos, with everyone on the Hunter’s List deserving their fate…” Zhang Xuan shook his head in disappointment before stepping forward. His voice carried a growing intensity. “So this is the so-called Destiny Hall? An organization that exploits the people and drains them dry—better it didn’t exist at all.”
Author\'s Note