Chapter 1520: Dao Companion

Chapter 1520: Dao Companion

"This is… asking me to form a marriage alliance?" Mo Hua said.

"Indeed."

Jiang Yingluo, clad in an ornate palace dress patterned with agarwood and d gold-threaded treasure lotus motifs, her brows carrying an air of majesty, gave a slight nod.

"And if I refuse?" Mo Hua asked.

Jiang Yingluo said, "You're marrying into our Earth Sect, what is there to refuse?"

Mo Hua corrected her, "It's a marriage alliance, not 'marrying in.'"

Jiang Yingluo said flatly, "It's all the same. Whether you marry into the family or form a marriage alliance, there's no difference. With me making the arrangements, you won't be wronged."

Mo Hua didn't know what to say.

Seeing Mo Hua's silence, seemingly hesitant, Jiang Yingluo continued: "Take a look at the roster I've given you. These are all direct-line daughters of the Earth Sect, talented and beautiful, with top-grade spiritual roots."

"You don't have to marry into the family. You can keep your own surname and serve as an outer elder of the Earth Sect, teaching formation arts to disciples."

"If you, in the future, make a breakthrough in formations or render great service, you could even advance to become a inner disciple."

"But there's one condition: one of the children you have in the future must take your Dao companion's surname and be entered into the Earth Sect's genealogy…"

Mo Hua flipped through the jade slip in his hand and saw that it indeed contained a long roster, listing many women's names, family backgrounds, appearances, spiritual roots, core grades, and even temperaments—whether gentle and virtuous, lively and spirited, or elegant and refined—all recorded in detail.

Their appearances were all beautiful as flowers. Though they couldn't compare to a peerless beauty like Yu Nujiao, they were graceful and charming, each with their own merits.

Moreover, these were all legitimate direct-line daughters of a major sect. In terms of marriage alliances, any one of these women would be unattainable for the vast majority of disciples from other prominent families in Kun Province.

Even Mo Hua felt a hint of flattered surprise.

Before this, his value in marriage alliances shouldn't have been this high.

Even with the Lu and Zhū Clans—two major families he had some acquaintance with—under the rules of marriage alliance transactions, if Mo Hua wanted to marry their direct-line daughters, he would have had no choice but to marry into the wife's family; otherwise, he wouldn't have been qualified at all.

In comparison, the condition of 'one child taking the mother's surname and entering the Earth Sect's genealogy' was hardly worth mentioning…

Mo Hua pondered silently.

Jiang Yingluo continued, "You're Zixi's junior martial brother. This is already the best condition I could fight for on your behalf."

"Furthermore, haven't you been thinking of taking the Third-Grade Formation Master examination? I can give you a slot as well."

Mo Hua's heart stirred at these words. But then he shook his head. "The Earth Sect gave me the Wealth Prohibition Order."

Jiang Yingluo said, "The Wealth Prohibition Order prohibits the wealth of outsiders. Once you marry into our Earth Sect, you become one of our own. Not only will you not be restricted, but you'll never lack spirit stones either."

Never lack spirit stones...

Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat, but he still sighed and said, "Jiang..."

Mo Hua suddenly didn't know how to address her.

Jiang Yingluo said, "I'm a few years older than you. You may call me Senior Sister."

Mo Hua nodded but refused the proposal, "Senior Sister Jiang… I'm not considering marriage alliance matters for now."

Even the always composed and serene Jiang Yingluo couldn't help but furrow her brows, a flicker of displeasure passing through her eyes.

In the entire Earth Sect, no disciple had ever dared to defy her will, the Eldest Senior Sister.

Jiang Yingluo said, "Is it that none of them are good enough for you? Or do you think the Earth Sect is unworthy of you?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "The direct-line daughters of the Earth Sect are noble, and the Earth Sect's power is immense. It's I who am unworthy. I am merely an ordinary formation master."

Jiang Yingluo frowned, unsure whether Mo Hua was being sincere or sarcastic.

She sighed and asked. "Then what are your plans for the future?"

"Plans?" Mo Hua was somewhat confused.

"Your future path of cultivation…" Jiang Yingluo's gaze turned serious. "What are your plans?"

Jiang Yingluo's question was somewhat abrupt, and Mo Hua was even less sure how to answer.

His path of cultivation was one that defied convention.

His plans were likely to be greatly rebellious as well.

Many things about him were dangerous and could not be spoken aloud...

How could he possibly say them?

Seeing Mo Hua's hesitant, faltering demeanor, so like those junior martial brothers in the sect who only cared about pleasure, didn't strive for progress, didn't know their way forward, and looked utterly lost when faced with questions about their future, Jiang Yingluo sighed inwardly and said sternly:

"You think too little. You lack planning."

"Cultivation is like sailing against the current. You must be diligent and cautious, thinking through every step, calculating every move, so as not to make mistakes."

"Great families and major sects have strict Dao lineages. Qi-Refining to nurture, Foundation Establishment to lay the groundwork, Golden Core to enter the ranks, Feathered Ascension to soar to the heavens... all must follow rigorous protocols."

"Throughout this journey of cultivation, what cultivation method to practice at what time, what Dao arts to learn, when to nurture your magical treasure, how many years to nurture it, to what extent, and ultimately how to make the treasure become ethereal and transform it for Feathered Ascension.."

"All of these matters must be carefully planned and meticulously arranged from the very beginning of your cultivation."

"Should circumstances change, whether your cultivation advances faster or slower, or errors occur, you can quickly identify the problem by comparing against your pre-established plan, and promptly remedy and correct it, steering your cultivation back onto the right path."

"To achieve the Great Dao, the path is strewn with thorns, and the margin for error is very low. One wrong step, and every step after is wrong."

Hearing these words, Mo Hua's expression shifted involuntarily. This Eldest Senior Sister of the Earth Sect was truly… somewhat terrifying.

Her control and arrangement of cultivation were far too strong.

Compared to herself, they were two complete opposites.

This Senior Sister was extreme control, wishing to precisely quantify everything from the age of Qi-Refining, the age of Foundation Establishment, when to form the Core, how many years to Feathered Ascension… leaving no room for error.

And Mo Hua was extreme chaos, when to break through in cultivation, what Cultivation Method to learn, what Dao Foundation to build, what Magical Treasure to nurture, what core grade to achieve… none of it was known to him until the moment it happened.

Even what his own Dao path would look like in the future, Mo Hua had no clear idea.

All the cause and effect gathered in a state of chaos, pushing Mo Hua forward along his path.

Mo Hua didn't know what he would eventually cultivate into either.

In every sense, this dignified and beautiful Senior Sister was a bit frightening.

Mo Hua's heart tingled slightly.

And it didn't stop there…

Jiang Yingluo continued seriously: "Cultivation is like this, and life is the same. At every age, you must do what that age demands."

"Practice cultivation when it's time to cultivate, when to seek a Dao Companion, what kind of Dao Companion to seek, at what age to marry, and after marrying, how to continue pursuing the Dao—"

"All of these must be considered clearly in advance. Forewarned is forearmed; without preparation, all is lost. Preparedness ensures success, unpreparedness ensures failure."

"Life is short, and the fate of the Dao is shallow. In major matters, you must never be careless. At best, you waste your years; at worst, the Great Dao is lost forever…"

...

Jiang Yingluo's words left Mo Hua speechless.

He was deeply impressed and sighed: "Senior Sister Jiang... what you say is very true..."

Hearing this, Jiang Yingluo's gaze softened slightly:

"You are still young, with little experience. Moreover, you are far from your sect, without your senior and elders by your side. Unlike the disciples of other great sects and noble families, no one arranges your life or protects your Dao Lineage… It's only natural that you feel lost and uncertain about some things."

"But now, it's time… Though your cultivation age is young—even considered youthful among Golden Core Cultivators—the matter of a Dao Companion is crucial and must be considered in advance. . You must prepare for the future."

"A good marriage will greatly benefit your future."

Mo Hua could only nod.

This Senior Sister Jiang wasn't wrong in what she said, and she did seem to be considering things from the perspective of an Senior Sister looking out for him.

Seeing Mo Hua so well-behaved, Jiang Yingluo's expression grew even warmer, and she asked again:

"So, take another careful look at the roster I gave you. Tell me which young lady of our Earth Sect you fancy, and I'll make the introduction…"

Mo Hua was somewhat troubled and sighed: "I appreciate Senior Sister Jiang's kindness..."

He didn't say it outright, but Jiang Yingluo understood his meaning, and her expression cooled a few degrees.

She was the Eldest Senior Sister of the Earth Sect; she had never gone this far to persuade any disciple.

She had extended so much goodwill, yet Mo Hua refused it.

Jiang Yingluo's gaze turned slightly cold.

But then she thought of how this person before her was Zixi's junior brother, with a delicate, handsome, and ethereal appearance that bore some resemblance to Zixi, and her heart softened a few degrees again.

Jiang Yingluo looked at Mo Hua, was silent for a moment, then sighed again:

"Some words are unpleasant to hear, but you should be aware of them…"

"You are a disciple of Great Void Sect. The name carries weight, but since you haven't entered the inner sect, there's ultimately a layer of separation."

"A disciple who has merely graduated from the outer sect of Great Void Sect, with no status to speak of, you can't rely on Great Void Sect's power for long."

(TN: The Crown Prince of the Great Void Sect, equivalent to an ancestral tablet. The one who was offered to establish a Mo-named Dao lineage in Qianxue's No. 1 Sect.)

"Your family background, though there are many rumors and your origins are mysterious, probably isn't very good."

"Because Spiritual Roots are hereditary. Your Spiritual Roots are too poor, which means your parents' Spiritual Roots shouldn't exceed the Intermediate grade."

"If your Spiritual Roots are below the Superior grade, your Spiritual Power is insufficient, your meridians are unstable, and Feathered Ascension becomes extremely difficult."

"So at the very least, your biological parents' cultivation levels don't exceed Golden Core. A Golden Core Cultivator might seem extraordinary to ordinary cultivators, but in the eyes of great noble families, they're nothing special."

"And your Golden Core is only Inferior-Grade. With Intermediate-Lower Grade Spiritual Roots yet forming an Inferior-Grade Golden Core, it means your fortune is also lacking. The Heavenly Dao does not favor you…"

"These are all irreparable shortcomings in noble family marriage arrangements."

"Under normal circumstances, having even one shortcoming makes it very difficult to marry into a high-ranking family, let alone when you have three."

"Thus far, the only card you have to play is your talent in Formations."

Jiang Yingluo sighed lightly, "I admit, your comprehension in Formations is indeed astonishing."

"But your core grade is too poor, and your cultivation realm is too low. No matter how talented you are in Formation, within at least a hundred years, you'll only be able to draw a Third-Grade Formation at most."

"Outside, being a Third-Grade Formation Master is enough to make you famous and respected."

"But within the Earth Sect, where geniuses are as numerous as fish in a river and each one dominates their domain, a Third-Grade Formation Master is just... a Formation Master."

"At most, only when you reach the Forth grade will the upper echelons of the Earth Sect truly regard him with respect."

"Only a Fourth-grade Formation Grandmaster holds the authority to lead and make decisions on major formations, and only then can one have an independent voice."

"And that day is still far too distant for you, whether you'll even live to reach it is uncertain."

"Even if you do reach it, who knows how many years from now that would be."

"At least for now, pure talent in formations simply cannot make up for your shortcomings in marriage alliances with the great clans…"

"Therefore, the Dao Companion candidates I can offer you now, looking across all of Kun Province, no—"

Jiang Yingluo's gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at Mo Hua, speaking truthfully: "Even looking across the Nine Provinces, these are already the highest specifications available."

"No major power could necessarily offer such terms, allowing you to marry a legitimate direct line daughter of a great clan."

"Moreover, such opportunities are not common."

"If not for the Earth Sect's current plans for a grand marriage alliance… even I, as Eldest Senior Sister, would not have such authority to grant you such preferential treatment."

Mo Hua's eyes flickered slightly.

He could sense that this Eldest Senior Sister of the Earth Sect was speaking the truth.

Moreover, the terms Jiang Yingluo had offered were indeed already quite generous.

Mo Hua even felt that if he refused, he would be somewhat shameless.

Mo Hua sighed.

Unwilling to be discourteous, he simply said, "Senior Sister Jiang, allow me to return and think it over carefully."

Seeing Mo Hua's stubbornness, Jiang Yingluo's face betrayed neither joy nor anger.

She merely nodded slightly. "Very well."

Mo Hua had no desire to linger.

Seeing this, he rose to take his leave. "Senior Sister Jiang, I'll take my leave then."

Jiang Yingluo did not try to keep him.

She had invited Mo Hua here not for idle pleasure or flower appreciation.

She herself had little interest in such things.

Like Zixi, she was extremely focused and diligent—even hardworking—in her cultivation.

Mo Hua rose and walked away from this place of hazy moonlight, golden-threaded hanging curtains, scattered jade ornaments, and white jade pavilions.

Jiang Yingluo watched Mo Hua's retreating figure.

Just as he was about to leave, she spoke again in a low voice: "Mo Hua..."

Mo Hua turned to look at this breathtakingly beautiful Eldest Senior Sister of the Earth Sect.

Jiang Yingluo's tone grew slightly heavier as she said slowly: "It's not that I'm threatening you, but—you're a smart man, so you should understand. You've already offended the Four Great Clans, and within the Earth Sect, many people bear grudges against you, both openly and covertly."

"If you agree to the marriage alliance, all past grievances can be resolved. With the Earth Sect's support, your cultivation resources will be inexhaustible. From then on, you may rise to great heights—even Feathered Ascension soaring to the heavens is not beyond reach."

"But if you refuse, then under the Earth Sect's joint sanctions, your path will inevitably become extremely difficult."

"From this day forward, even the vast Houtu City will have no place for you."

"You won't earn Spirit stones, and you'll have no resources for cultivation."

"Unless you truly intend to hide away in the blessed land of Little Luan Mountain for the rest of your life, cutting yourself off from the world."

Mo Hua's gaze darkened slightly at these words.

He nodded. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Jiang."

Jiang Yingluo's dark lashes trembled slightly, but she said nothing more.

Mo Hua clasped his fists, then turned and left.

After he departed, beyond the high platform, the assembled direct-line disciples of the Earth Sect all watched Mo Hua with complicated expressions.

They didn't know what he had discussed with their Eldest Senior Sister.

Nor could they understand why their esteemed Eldest Senior Sister would spend so long talking alone with this fellow.

But since Mo Hua was the Eldest Senior Sister's guest, they dared not act rashly. They merely fixed his appearance coldly in their memories.

Fame invites trouble, and prominence invites envy.

Mo Hua could sense that the number of enemies bearing grudges against him had multiplied like lice once again.

Mo Hua felt somewhat weary, but said nothing.

With a calm and composed expression, he left the Kunhua Courtyard where the Earth Sect's direct lineage disciples resided.

After Mo Hua departed, it was a long while before the commotion he had stirred began to settle.

Within the courtyard, groups of men and women continued their conversations and flower appreciation, the atmosphere idyllic.

Only within the moonlit, golden-threaded curtain on the high platform did Jiang Yingluo sit with a deep gaze, lost in thought.

At that moment, the beaded curtain swayed, and the golden-threaded curtain lifted as a burly young man strode in.

He wore a ochre-yellow robe embroidered with flood dragons, his countenance radiating authority without needing to speak. Entering the high platform, he said to Jiang Yingluo:

"Cousin, I told you already, this Mo Hua is arrogant and unruly by nature, unable to tell good from bad..."

"Making him our dog won't be easy. Better to just kill him and be done with it..."

(TN: This Earth Sect young master doesn't know that he is worth a single Straw-Dog in Mo Hua’s eyes.)

(End of Chapter)