Chapter 2153: Chapter 1013: Zhang Lan Great Elder Zhang turned his head and glared coldly. The cultivator in green felt a chill on his scalp, stood up immediately, and bowed in apology, "Junior was rude." Elder Feng smiled kindly. Great Elder Zhang said, "No need to blame the younger generation, Elder." "No matter..." Elder Feng waved his hand, scrutinized the cultivator in green, and asked, "This one is..." The cultivator in green bowed and said, "Junior, Zhang Lan." "Zhang Lan..." Elder Feng pondered, noticing his attire in green, with an extraordinary demeanor, carefree yet composed. Despite his young age, he already possessed Golden Core cultivation, immediately feeling awe and praised: 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 "True to his name, talented and graceful, with a broad mind as the vast seas. The Zhang family indeed produces talents..." Great Elder Zhang waved his hand, "Feng brother, you’re too kind. This lad lacks discipline, carrying himself improperly wherever he goes." Of course, he said this, but a hint of relief still showed in his eyes. Zhang Lan, this boy, he watched growing up. He always thought this boy was lazy, behaved improperly, lacked determination, and would unlikely achieve great things. Yet after a period of training outside, experiencing unknown challenges, he became more steady, able to focus on cultivation, advancing his skills quickly, living up to his outstanding aptitude. Elder Feng poured tea for Great Elder Zhang. The attendant also respectfully refilled Zhang Lan’s cup. "Have some tea." Elder Feng said, making a "please" gesture. Great Elder Zhang nodded, "Thank you." Then the two elders continued chatting, discussing sect changes, old friendships, the customs of Qianxue, the origins of geniuses, and more. Other Zhang family members listened quietly on the side. Zhang Lan bowed his head respectfully, listening, but couldn’t help feeling waves in his heart. Mo Hua? Did he just hear correctly? Elder Feng just mentioned Qianxue’s genius, the Formation Leader, was... Mo Hua? Zhang Lan found it incredible. Is this the Mo Hua he knows? This is the top-grade Qianxue Continent, where aristocratic families gather, sects are numerous, superior grades are common, geniuses everywhere... could he really stand out here? Not just stand out, but at the Foundation Building Middle Stage, with the peak of nineteen-pattern Divine Sense, surpassing the Four Great Sects, claiming the Formation Leader title... This is too absurd, even in tales this wouldn’t be written... Zhang Lan frowned, unable to stop contemplating: "Same name?" "This Mo Hua isn’t the Mo Hua I know?" But it doesn’t seem right... How could it be so coincidental, encountering two ’Mo Hua’? Moreover, Elder Feng mentioned this "Mo Hua" had strong Divine Sense, was skilled in spell casting, and could conceal... This is clearly Mo Hua, but the "highly equipped," no, the "ultimate equipped" version of Mo Hua. Yet considering these two Mo Hua to be the same person... Zhang Lan finds it hard to believe. And the more he thinks, the harder it is to believe. "Find a chance to see... if this is really Mo Hua, that kid..." Zhang Lan thought silently. On the other side, Great Elder Zhang and Elder Feng were still chatting. The years of Tao cultivation are long, a cultivator’s life is long too, and coupled with the vastness of the Nine States, with distant mountains and long roads, many old Tao friends might not meet for decades, or even centuries. Many relatives and Taoist friends unknowingly meet each other for the last time in a lifetime. The long years make fortunes hard to predict, and life and death may separate. If meeting again someday is not destined, one can only pour a thin drink in front of the grave, expressing modest comfort. Thus, when meeting old friends, much is discussed and hard to stop talking. Gradually, the unfamiliarity from not seeing for years fades away, and their tone becomes more amicable. Elder Feng, reminiscing, sighed: "The Feng family and the Zhang family are old family friends. Back in the days when we both studied in Qianxue, we were kindred spirits, and the days of Core Formation weren’t far apart. Now, Taoist brother has underwent Feather Transformation, ranking as True Man, while my old bones are still stuck in Late Golden Core Stage, making me truly ashamed..." Great Elder Zhang shook his head, "Feng brother, you’re too hard on yourself..." "The Dao moves in cycles, fullness and emptiness are numbered, fortune and misfortune have their times, one’s life of cultivation is unpredictable, be it smooth or tough, no one can say." "All we can do is do good deeds and not question the future." "When the cultivation heat is ripe, it naturally happens. If the heat isn’t there, just continue to cultivate. Live and cultivate as long as life allows, let everything else go with the flow." "Success or failure, fortune or misfortune, is beyond our control..." Elder Feng pondered these words for a while, calmed his mind, and nodded, saying: "Taoist brother speaks truly, I have been impetuous..." The two continued discussing cultivation insights. Great Elder Zhang shared his experiences of Feather Transformation, expressing everything openly and thoroughly. Elder Feng listened attentively, gaining much. Unknowingly, night deepened, and Elder Feng suddenly realized, with a face of apology: "Being old, I tend to ramble on, almost forgetting Taoist brother must be tired from your journey and should rest early." "For those in Tao cultivation, this bit of fatigue is nothing." Great Elder Zhang replied. But despite saying this, Elder Feng was perceptive. "The caves have been prepared, everyone can rest for now." "Tomorrow at noon, I will lead everyone to the Sword Discussion Conference, to witness this great event in Qianxue, the demeanor of geniuses..." Great Elder Zhang nodded, "Thank you." Then attendants led the group, each to their rest. The Zhang family members all respectfully thanked Elder Feng. Having traveled the road for too long, they were indeed very tired, and fell asleep as soon as they touched their beds. Zhang Lan was originally quite tired too, but after hearing the name "Mo Hua," he lay on the bed, thinking over and over, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.