Chapter 1131: Chapter 690 Crisis_2 Chapter 1131 -690 Crisis_2 This is a leave application. Gu Changhuai also found a “legitimate” excuse. The gist of it was that the Taoist Court required the urgent help of Mo Hua, a Disciple in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment from Taixu Gate, to draw some Formations for the Taoist Court, requiring a two-day leave. Given the urgency of the matter, your approval is kindly requested. This letter was delivered into the hands of Elder Song, who was in charge of overseeing the disciples’ attendance. Elder Song’s face immediately darkened upon receiving it. Again, this Little Mo Hua! This was utterly preposterous. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢 Taixu Gate, being one of the Eight Great Gates within the Qianxue State Boundary, was not so easy to gain entry to. And this child had the nerve to run about frequently and even had the audacity to ask for leave so often. And instead of asking for leave himself, he had the Taoist Court request it on his behalf, exhibiting quite the attitude. Elder Song wanted to reject the request immediately. But after some thought, his resolve wavered. He carefully put away the letter and made a trip himself, handing it over to Elder Master Xun. Upon meeting Elder Master Xun, Elder Song suddenly lost his nerve and said in a subdued voice: “Elder Master, this child… he, he’s asking for leave again…” Elder Master Xun, who was at his desk fiddling with something with a serious expression and furrowed brows, exuded a subtle but intense authority. Which made Elder Song speak in a very careful and guarded manner. Elder Master Xun uttered a noncommittal “hm” without even looking up. Having said his piece, Elder Song didn’t dare repeat himself and just stood there waiting meekly by the side. After a while, Elder Master Xun sighed slightly, then finally lifted his head, the imposing aura dissipating from his body, once again becoming the white-haired, aged Gentleman. “What did you say?” “Oh,” Elder Song finally took a deep breath and said quietly, “That… Mo Hua, the child, is asking for leave again…” “For what reason?” “He says the Taoist Court needs his help.” “How many days?” Elder Song replied displeased, “Two days…” Elder Master Xun spoke nonchalantly, “Just two days; grant the leave, what’s the big deal? It won’t delay much of his Cultivation…” Was this really a matter of delaying Cultivation… Inner thoughts brewed in Elder Song’s mind, but he didn’t dare express them outright and instead tactfully said, “I fear it may break the Sect’s regulations and send a bad influence…” Elder Master Xun raised an eyebrow, “Break what?” “The Sect’s…” Elder Song looked at Elder Master Xun then hesitated, finally saying with resignation: “Him taking leave like this all the time isn’t right; I’m afraid it will lead to criticism from fellow disciples…” Elder Master Xun’s old face turned stern, “Criticism? If other disciples have the capability, let them be the ones the Taoist Court asks to do work and for whom leave is requested. I would approve as many days as they asked for.” “Do they have the ability?” “A Formation isn’t something you can excel at alone. You need to use it and let others know of its worth.” “Always cooped up in the Sect, studying and practicing without understanding the application – that’s the real issue.” Elder Song was left speechless. Seeing this, Elder Master Xun softened his tone and spoke more gently: “Moreover, this is a good thing…” Elder Song was taken aback. Elder Master Xun continued, “The Taoist Court asking Mo Hua for help means they are essentially asking our Taixu Gate for help.” “Why would they ask our Taixu Gate for help and not one of the Four Great Sects, like Tai’a Sect, or Rushing Void Sect, or any of the other Eight Great Gates and Twelve Streams?” “Clearly, it means that our Taixu Gate has proper teachings, and our disciples are capable.” “Tell me, isn’t this a boon to our Taixu Gate?” Elder Song was momentarily stunned, finding it difficult to contest these points. After pondering for a moment, he began to sense that, perhaps, this was indeed the case… Aside from Mo Hua, he had not seen the Taoist Court willing to send a leave request for any other disciple to the Sect. Isn’t this a testament to the great skills of Taixu Gate’s disciples and the Sect’s effective teachings! For a moment, Elder Song felt a sense of pride swell within… Elder Master Xun gave Elder Song a placid look, “Understood?” Elder Song couldn’t help but nod. Elder Master Xun then concluded decisively, “That settles it. Leave the letter here, I have other matters to attend to.” Hearing this, Elder Song immediately bowed and said respectfully: “Then I won’t disturb you any further, Elder Master.” After leaving the letter behind, Elder Song took his leave. Once Elder Song was gone, Elder Master Xun went back to immersing himself in studying the object on his desk. It was a Compass. Circular as the heavens and squared as the earth, with intersecting meridians and parallels, marked by celestial stems and earthly branches, full of profound and complex principles. Elder Master Xun stared at the Compass, deep in deduction, but his brows only furrowed further, his expression growing more solemn. After a long while, he sighed deeply in frustration, murmuring to himself: “Our Taixu Gate’s divination methods… are indeed insufficient…” “We can’t figure it out…” A sharp glint flashed across Elder Master Xun’s cloudy eyes. Lately, he had been preoccupied with a deep sense of concern as if Taixu Gate had been marked by a terrifying entity because of certain matters. This affair was of great significance, affecting the Sect’s destiny. No matter how much he pondered, plotted, and deduced over and over again, he could not disperse the fog of confusion nor discern the truth within. Suddenly, he could only perceive that Taixu Gate appeared to be bound by layers of purple, decaying Karmic chains. A pair of blood-red, terrifying eyes was watching Taixu Gate with covetous intent. This crisis was lurking in the darkness. There must certainly be someone targeting Taixu Gate, propelling a wicked conspiracy. Yet on the surface, nothing seemed amiss. Elder Master Xun frowned and then remembered something his senior brother had once said, giving rise to a sigh. His senior brother was right; if it were the glory days of Taixu Gate, there would be no need to worry about these demons and spirits. Even with myriad Heavenly secrets, a thousand dangers of karma, and ten thousand threads of Evil Thoughts, they could all be severed by a single sword!