Danger would occasionally arise. Such as monster beasts in the forests, lone fugitive cultivators, or groups that could deceive others but not Mo Hua, who could recognize a party of evil cultivators with a single glance. Mo Hua had seen many demon cultivators. In the beginning, following Uncle, they traveled together, encountering living demon cultivators, dead demon cultivators, or those who went from living to dead upon meeting Uncle—Mo Hua saw a heap of them. The aura of demon cultivators was dark, and within their divine sense, there was a sense of putrid filth. With his sharp divine sense, Mo Hua could easily differentiate them. But there wasn’t much he could do except to keep his distance. As a lowly cultivator, unfamiliar with the land, such disputes were not something he could afford to entangle himself in. Quietly, discreetly, traveling alone to the Qian Xue State Boundary, his utmost priority was to join a sect early and earnestly pursue cultivation. On this journey, he would occasionally pass through Immortal Cities or small towns. Mo Hua would usually stay for a short while, resting his feet, asking for directions, and checking if there would be dangers on the road ahead. The cultivators in Immortal Cities, most were rather cold. On the contrary, in some small towns, the customs were pure and simple, and the cultivators were both warm-hearted and talkative. "Go forward, climb over the mountain, pass the halfway slope, follow the mountain path, walk a few hundred miles, pass a few Little Immortal Cities, and you’ll be close to the Qian Xue State Boundary…" "There are monster beasts in the mountains, you being just a kid, should be cautious…" "If it’s too dark, the road becomes hard to navigate, you can stay overnight in that dilapidated temple in the mountains." "That decrepit temple was once a shrine to the Mountain God, but after the Mountain God became a malevolent spirit, it was slain by several elders from the Qian Xue State Boundary…" "Now the temple is empty, and any cultivators delayed in leaving the mountains would stay there temporarily…" The one who spoke these words was a hunched old man. The old man ran a noodle shop in the town, and Mo Hua, being hungry, had ordered a large bowl of noodles, chatting leisurely with the old man as he ate. Mo Hua politely thanked the old man. Stroking his beard, the old man nodded slightly, then asked curiously, "Are you a child from another land? Why are you alone?" "I’m out for some experience…" Mo Hua said. The old man shook his head, "A kid like you, what’s there to experience?" "I’m fifteen years old, not young anymore!" The old man huffed, "Fifteen years old? How big is that? Here, if you’re not yet twenty, you’re still just a little child…" It was after asking in detail that Mo Hua understood. Qian State was vast, the climate was pleasant, and on the whole, it was much wealthier than Li State, even the life of a loose cultivator was somewhat better there than in Li State. Moreover, the cultivators in Qian State usually practiced for a longer duration. Cultivators with a bit of family wealth, or those from families or sects, even more so. They didn’t need to rush into body refinement to strengthen their bodies and make a living like ordinary loose cultivators; instead, they could continue cultivating well into their twenties. Nurturing their bodies carefully and securing a firm foundation before breaking through to Foundation Establishment. If all else failed, they would be assigned to the family enterprise to gradually gain experience. Therefore, before the age of twenty, they still belonged to the carefree period of steady cultivation and enlightenment in the Tao. Mo Hua felt somewhat helpless. He thought that at fifteen, he was already a young man. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 But in these larger states, he was still considered nothing more than a child… After sizing up Mo Hua carefully, the old man asked another question, "Have you reached Foundation Establishment?" "Mm," Mo Hua nodded. The old man looked slightly regretful, "Too hasty. With your spiritual power, your blood qi, why establish a foundation without properly consolidating it first?" "Were you thinking, reach Foundation Establishment by twenty and then join a sect?" Mo Hua nodded. The elderly man sighed and said, "It’s not that simple. With your current Foundation Establishment so fragile, even if you establish your foundation before the age of twenty, nobody would accept you..." "Moreover, I see that your Spiritual Root doesn’t seem too good either?" Mo Hua did not hide the truth and said honestly, "It’s only of mediocre to inferior quality..." The elderly man was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, "That’s tough..." Mo Hua initially wanted to ask, "Even with a Sect-Entering Order, it wouldn’t work?" but after thinking it over, he decided not to ask. When out and about, one should not flaunt their "wealth." Nearby Qian State, there were many disciples seeking education, and something like a "Sect-Entering Order" was surely very precious. One should not casually inform others, to avoid attracting covetousness. Mo Hua asked again, "Do you know of the Qian Taoist Sect?" "Who doesn’t know of the Qian Taoist Sect..." the elderly man said, startled, "You’re not thinking of seeking entry into the Qian Taoist Sect, are you..." Mo Hua nodded. "I’ll try my luck." The elderly man quickly shook his head, "That’s even more impossible. The Qian Taoist Sect is one of the four major sects within the Qian Learning State Boundary, a top-ranking large sect. In the historical Qian Xue debates of Tao Cultivation, they’ve always ranked within the top three..." "With your talent and Taoist Foundation, it’s impossible for you to be accepted." "Is there no exception..." Mo Hua asked. Continue reading at freewebnovel "Exception..." The elderly man was briefly puzzled. "I, as an elder, do not know of any, but what kind of exception could there be? Even if you are the Sect Leader’s illegitimate child..." The elderly man furrowed his brows, "I doubt that would be enough... You don’t understand how high the threshold for these sects is. They place extreme importance on the Spiritual Root..." Mo Hua also furrowed his brows. Placing such importance on the Spiritual Root... It seemed he had underestimated the difficultly of gaining entry into a sect. And it was uncertain whether the "Sect-Entering Order" would be recognized by the Qian Taoist Sect... If it wasn’t, he feared he would need to start making plans early. After finishing his meal, Mo Hua chatted with the elderly man for a while, then paid with Spirit Stones, and resumed his journey, heading towards the distant mountains. Seeing Mo Hua—a young child—setting out alone, the elderly man frowned with worry and couldn’t help but caution him: "Young lad, be careful. Try not to travel at night as much as possible. If it can’t be helped, seek shelter in the Mountain God Temple." "Thank you, Grandpa, I will!" replied Mo Hua. "And be wary of some human traffickers..." Mo Hua was startled, "Human traffickers?" "Yes," the elderly man nodded, speaking in a low voice, "This is Qian State. Although the sects wield great power and the Taoist Court enforces strict regulations, ensuring good public order, still..." "Some people would do anything for Spirit Stones..." Mo Hua asked, "Human traffickers... Who do they abduct?" The elderly man pointed at Mo Hua, "Mainly those like you..." Mo Hua was momentarily puzzled, but then understood. Qian State First Realm is a place where cultivators seek to study and cultivate. Among the various powers, talented young cultivators often come here to learn. Therefore, kidnapping cultivators in pursuit of their studies, to ransom them back to their families for a huge amount of Spirit Stones, is a dangerous, yet highly lucrative trade. Even if there is no demand for a ransom. These talented cultivators, with top-notch Spiritual Roots and excellent qualifications, could also be sold for a substantial amount of Spirit Stones. "Kidnapping cultivators..." Mo Hua nodded, "Alright, I’ll remember that!" The elderly man didn’t know whether Mo Hua truly remembered or was just saying so but didn’t say anything more, only looking at Mo Hua with deep concern. Mo Hua waved goodbye to the elderly man then turned around, briskly walking along the mountain path toward the deep mountain in the distance...