"When you’re out and about, face is something you give yourself."
The Elder of the Canglang Sect suddenly realized:
"I understand now... So this Mo Hua isn’t really as impressive as others make him out to be... It’s just that he was clever with his words to boost his own prestige, making it sound intimidating."
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect slowly nodded, but then shook his head, frowning:
"That’s what they say, but this child always gives me a... very dangerous feeling?"
"Dangerous?" The Elder of the Canglang Sect was taken aback.
For the Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect, known for his ruthless nature during the Initial Golden Core Stage, to find a mere Foundation Establishment Late Stage chick dangerous?
"Where’s the danger?"
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect remained silent, without answering.
The Elder of the Canglang Sect then said, "Why don’t we find a way to check with the Great Sect?"
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect gave him a glance, "Where do you think you’re going to check?"
The Elder of the Canglang Sect was momentarily intimidated by his presence, stuttering, "Naturally... the Fourth and Fifth Grade..."
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect wore a serious expression and slowly said, "Do you understand what Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade mean?"
The Elder of the Canglang Sect looked confused.
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect sneered, "You wouldn’t naively think that moving from Third Grade to Fourth Grade is just a single grade gap. And from Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade is also a single grade, would you?"
The Elder of the Canglang Sect felt a bit guilty, not responding.
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect took a deep breath and slowly said:
"Two hundred years ago, our Canglang Sect struggled tremendously to rise from Second Grade to Third Grade, and after two hundred years of diligent management, we barely maintain our Third Grade position, yet there’s always a risk of mismanagement, leading to a fall in grade."
"Going from Second Grade to Third Grade is already extremely difficult."
"To advance from Third Grade to Fourth Grade, the difficulty multiplies tenfold instantly." .
"From Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade, it’s even a hundred times harder."
"Do you really think this is just a one-grade gap?"
"Even these tenfold and hundredfold differences are still an optimistic scenario."
"The quotas given above are limited. If your power wants to rise, you have to snatch the position from others. How can a newly promoted force take over someone else’s position? Who would give way to you?"
"So, don’t look at our Canglang Sect as a Third Grade Sect with a significant presence; to climb to the Fourth Grade, it might still be impossible even after another thousand years of development."
"The barriers to Tao Cultivation are strict; the doors above have long been closed to you."
"Tongxian City may be nothing in our eyes, but our Canglang Sect is like an ant in the eyes of the ones above."
"You want me to investigate, but where should I investigate?"
"Our little Third Grade Canglang Sect cannot even reach the threshold of a Fourth Grade power, let alone the Fifth Grade Qianxue Great Sect, where even a few late-stage True Transmission Elders can wipe out our Canglang Sect..."
The Elder of the Canglang Sect instantly fell silent in fear.
He only then realized the weight of Mo Hua’s identity as a "disciple of a Fifth Grade Major Sect."
Even if he is just an ordinary disciple, or a "poor student" struggling in the Fifth Grade State Boundary, he is still beyond the capacity of our Third Grade Canglang Sect to offend.
"If he truly joins our Canglang Sect, wouldn’t we be inviting a ’Great Buddha’ back?" The Elder of the Canglang Sect was a bit worried.
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect shook his head, "His status is significant, but after all, he is still young, and lacks experience in Tao Cultivation. Lusts for fame, money, and pleasures; eventually, he will have weaknesses."
"We cater to his interests, use some tricks, and sooner or later, we can have him under control."
"When that time comes, if he truly has talent, we will use him for our benefit."
"If he doesn’t have the ability, we use his title as a ’disciple of a Fifth Grade Major Sect’ as a facade for our endeavors..."
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect’s gaze was icy.
The Elder of the Canglang Sect felt a chill in his heart, inwardly sighing at the Sect Leader’s unmatched insight and skill.
He asked again, "But, if this boy does not appreciate it and is unwilling to pledge allegiance to our Canglang Sect?"
"No matter," the Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect said calmly, "If he agrees, it will be for the best. Even if he doesn’t agree now, he will eventually submit to our Canglang Sect."
"Why is that?" The Elder of the Canglang Sect was confused.
The Sect Leader of the Canglang Sect’s gaze sharpened, "He is already at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and the next step is Core Formation."
"Core Formation is not a joke; it requires massive resources for Tao Cultivation."
"A small Second Grade place like Tongxian City cannot support a Golden Core Cultivator."
"Even if it barely manages, immeasurable resources would have been drained, and failure would mean total loss."
"Therefore, if he wishes to reach Core Formation, sooner or later, he must seek refuge under a Third Grade power. Although my Canglang Sect may not be the best, it is the most suitable."
The Elder of the Canglang Sect nodded in agreement, "Sect Leader is wise."
...
Meanwhile, as the Sect Leader and Elder of the Canglang Sect conversed.
In the Fulu Building.
Mo Hua was also speaking with Elder Yu.
Elder Yu entered the room, glanced at the piles of gifts, then at Mo Hua, wanting to speak but holding back, sighing softly.
"Elder Yu, what’s wrong?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly sighed:
"If it were a regular and reputable Third Grade Sect, it would be fine to become an elder, but the Canglang Sect is ruthless in its actions, and its reputation is questionable..."
"However, aside from the Canglang Sect, there are indeed no better options nearby."
"I would hope you stay in Tongxian City, but Tongxian City is a Second Grade State Boundary; you... cannot achieve Core Formation there..."
"Over time, it would only delay you..."
Mo Hua knew that Elder Yu genuinely cared for him, so he smiled and said, "Elder Yu, don’t worry. I have my own plans."
Elder Yu was taken aback, seeing Mo Hua’s calm demeanor, he silently breathed a sigh of relief, "Then, I’m reassured..."
