Chapter 2163: Chapter 1016: Reunion The Taixu Mountain, shrouded in rich sunset and misty clouds. Mo Hua was leisurely wandering through the mountains with Zhang Lan, telling him about the history of the Taixu Gate, the ancient Taoist relics, the classical buildings, and the breathtaking mountain scenery. Zhang Lan felt somewhat overwhelmed. What shocked him was not entirely the long history of the fifth-grade sect of Taixu Gate, its profound heritage, the demeanor of its disciples, the splendid mountain views, and various scenic wonders... While these were certainly impressive, what truly unsettled him was the fact that he could actually enter the entrance of Taixu Gate? During the Sword Discussion Conference, the gate was surrounded by countless cultivators. Some of those cultivators had profound cultivation, some had extraordinary backgrounds, and some appeared dignified, but without exception, they were all kept outside the gate. Zhang Lan was originally among them. The rules were strict, the elders and inner sect disciples guarding the gate were impartial and unyielding, allowing no exceptions. But when Mo Hua reached the gate, he merely smiled and said a few words like "Elder," "Senior Brother," and "This is an uncle I’m very close to." The gatekeepers surprisingly allowed them to pass without further questions. The disciples guarding the gate saluted Zhang Lan. Even the elders guarding the gate nodded to Zhang Lan. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 Inside Taixu Gate, it was even more astounding. Along the way, almost every disciple they encountered would call Mo Hua "Senior Brother" or "Junior Brother." All the elders along the way would nod and greet Mo Hua with familiarity. Some elders even greeted Mo Hua before he returned the courtesy with a smile. Zhang Lan almost thought he was dreaming. If he hadn’t known about Mo Hua’s background, he would have almost believed that Mo Hua’s family owned Taixu Gate. In such a powerful fifth-grade sect, to receive such treatment, one would have to be either a Little Ancestor or at least a Junior Sect Leader, right? Zhang Lan quietly glanced at Mo Hua. He had known for a long time that Mo Hua was good at making friends, strong in social interactions, and could get along well anywhere. But to reach such an extent was beyond the limits of his imagination. As they walked, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something and asked, "Uncle Zhang, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?" Zhang Lan nodded. Mo Hua generously said, "Let me treat you!" In Taixu Gate, the place where disciples dine is in the dining hall of the Disciple’s Residence. But such places are strictly for disciples, genuinely excluding "outsiders." Even Mo Hua didn’t have the authority to make exceptions. At most, he had the authority to bring the Sect Leader’s big white dog into the dining hall to scrounge for food. But that’s the Sect Leader’s dog. There was no way to make an exception for Uncle Zhang. So Mo Hua went to the dining hall, bought some wine and meat, and brought them out. Then he led Zhang Lan to a peaceful, picturesque peak on the right mountain of Taixu Gate. Finding a large stone, they placed the fine wine and meat on a cloth. The two of them sat on the ground, facing the sky painted with sunset hues, the mountain scenery at dusk, a splendid view, eating meat, drinking wine, and chatting about old times. In this setting, for a fleeting moment, Zhang Lan almost felt as if he was still in Tongxian City, in that tavern of Mo Hua’s family, carefree, ditching work to drink with Mo Hua, eating meat, chatting, listening to the Monster Hunters talk about interesting mountain stories, waiting for the sunset to stain the entrance red with its glow. But in the blink of an eye, he was back at Taixu Gate. His drinking and dining companion was Taixu Gate’s pride at the Sword Discussion Conference, the Formation Leader, an extraordinary young boy. Ten years apart, it felt like yesterday. Mo Hua’s appearance had changed, but his demeanor was still sincere and natural, as if nothing had changed. In the realm of Tao cultivation, one’s original intention remains unchanged, and the heart of a child remains unaltered. Zhang Lan sighed internally with emotion. Under the influence of Mo Hua’s temperament, he felt naturally more relaxed. Mo Hua was no longer the Mo Hua of the past, yet he seemed to be the same Mo Hua. Mo Hua also glanced at Zhang Lan. He realized that his lazy Uncle Zhang seemed much "more well-behaved," not as idle as he was in Tongxian City, and had grown up quite a bit... Mo Hua couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction. But at the same time, he was a bit surprised: "Uncle Zhang, you’ve reached Core Formation?" Zhang Lan nodded, "Yes, I got lucky." Mo Hua furrowed his brows, not quite understanding. He remembered clearly that when he was in Tongxian City, Uncle Zhang was only at Qi Refinement. Later, killing a Big Demon, Uncle Zhang was forced to break through to become Foundation Establishment. But now, in the blink of an eye, after all these years, he reached Core Formation? This was a bit incredible. Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, could there be something wrong with your cultivation?" Zhang Lan seemed a bit annoyed, "What could be wrong with my cultivation?" Seeing that Mo Hua was still doubtful, he explained with some helplessness: "Didn’t I tell you before? I have great talent. I initially held off at Qi Refinement because I was unhappy with the marriage arranged by my family, so I went to a secluded place to serve as a Supervisor for peace." "Later, after I broke through to Foundation Establishment, I had to return to the clan." "After returning, my father arranged another marriage for me. I disagreed. My father is rather stubborn and said unless I reach Core Formation and have independence, this marriage had to happen." "So I had to retreat into seclusion, practicing intensely, breaking through one realm after another, reaching Foundation Establishment Peak, and then Core Formation, and it was indeed luck, succeeding on the first try..." Mo Hua was utterly shocked. For this Uncle Zhang, to avoid marriage, he could stay at Qi Refinement in his thirties. Then, again to avoid marriage, he reached Core Formation in his forties?! Mo Hua was momentarily in awe of Zhang Lan, thinking of him as a genius. He couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, what if your father says you have to reach Feather Transformation before getting married, would you then transform on the spot?"