A year slowly passed by in cultivation and waiting.
Nowadays, the name Mo Qingwei was also renowned throughout West Kunwu. After Qin Shoujing, she was the most talented cultivator of the Xuanqing Sect. Her innate aptitude even surpassed that of a single spiritual root, with a great possibility of advancing to Nascent Soul. She was absolutely not a pseudo-genius like Qin Shoujing.
When Mo Tiange heard this news, she felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. Although she knew that person certainly wouldn't care about something like a genius reputation, to be lifted so high only to be thrown down so heavily now was just too cruel. Add to that his three previous failed attempts at forming his Nascent Soul...
Mo Tiange recalled a conversation they had once had back when she was at the Cloud Mist Sect. At that time, her mood had been quite poor; those she could talk to had either died or scattered, until in the end only he remained. That afternoon, they had drunk some wine. In her dazed state, she had listened as he spoke of some matters.
This memory had been concealed by him using a technique at the time. Now that she too was a Core Formation cultivator, this memory finally broke free from its restraints and surfaced in her mind.
He had said that his aptitude was not the best, but from the beginning of his cultivation until now, he had never encountered a bottleneck. Perhaps he was born for the path of immortal cultivation—without obsessions, without attachments. In other words, without superfluous emotions. So, in this life, he was just going to walk this immortal path like this...
If that was the case, then even after three failed attempts at forming his Nascent Soul, he wouldn't lose confidence, right? But then why did Master say he was plagued by inner demons?
For matters she couldn't figure out, Mo Tiange didn't dwell on them excessively. Her personality wasn't that decisive, but once she had thought something through, she wouldn't keep obsessing over it either.
A year passed, and her cultivation realm had more or less stabilized. She began preparing for matters concerning her magical treasures.
Upon achieving Core Formation, most of the Foundation Establishment methods of Dharma Combat had to be abandoned. The Core Formation stage allowed one to develop the true power of magical treasures, so Dharma Combat between Core Formation cultivators was essentially a contest of magical treasures.
She had several magical tools on her that needed replacing, which led to a significant problem. Her few magical treasures were all either defensive or auxiliary types. Her offensive capabilities relied entirely on magical tools; at present, she actually had no offensive magical treasures.
This problem caused Mo Tiange to hesitate for several days. Buying them would certainly not be as handy as refining them herself, but refining them was too troublesome. In the end, it was Dao Lord Jinghe who inadvertently asked about it and bestowed several magical treasures upon her, solving the problem.
Ever since she had entered the sect at Qi Refining, Dao Lord Jinghe had never bestowed any magical treasures or tools upon her, always grumbling that the treasures she possessed were already too extravagant for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and there was simply no need to give her anything more.
Mo Tiange also felt she lacked nothing, so she never asked.
But there was a world of difference between Core Formation and Foundation Establishment. As a Core Formation cultivator, the treasures she possessed were completely insufficient.
Dao Lord Jinghe finally took action, even smugly saying about it that she ultimately still couldn't do without him, her master! See? For all the opportunities she had obtained, didn't she still need him to bestow magical treasures now?
Mo Tiange resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him. Thinking about it later, she found it amusing. Objectively speaking, this master of hers was absolutely extremely good to her on ordinary days. He was never stingy with things he could give her, yet he always failed to adopt a posture that would make others grateful, preferring instead to give things in a way that still invited a few words from her.
However, this was also his admirable point. He didn't treat his disciples with an attitude of bestowing favors, and when granting treasures, he didn't demand others' gratitude.
Regardless, the magical treasures Dao Lord Jinghe gave her solved her urgent need. Among them were a sword, a square seal, and a jade bottle, all offensive magical treasures. The sword belonged to the metal element, the square seal to earth, and the jade bottle to water. Although they were all items Dao Lord Jinghe himself had no use for, each was of superior quality.
Mo Tiange sighed inwardly. She had indeed benefited quite a bit from her master's influence. Being a sect cultivator was truly much easier than being a loose cultivator. Otherwise, who knew how many spirit stones and how much effort she would have to spend refining magical treasures? Thinking back to the past, even with Second Uncle as an elder, earning spirit stones for cultivation needs had been so difficult. If she were alone, how could she focus on cultivation as she did now?
Another period of time passed. Mo Tiange had just barely managed to refine the few magical treasures to a usable state when she heard major news.
"Master!" As soon as she heard the news, Mo Tiange immediately rushed back to the Shangqing Palace. Stepping into the main hall, however, she paused in surprise.
Qin Xi was also in the hall, currently sitting in the spot she most frequently occupied, his eyes lowered as he drank tea. Hearing her voice, he didn't even look up.
Mo Tiange quickly recovered, first paying her respects to Dao Lord Jinghe, then greeting him: "Senior Brother Shoujing."
Qin Xi, holding his teacup, merely gave a soft acknowledgment, still not looking at her, as if wholly dedicated to drinking tea. Given their respective seniority and cultivation levels, this wasn't impolite on his part. Not to mention his cultivation was far higher than Mo Tiange's; just based on sect seniority, having entered the sect so many years earlier, he was entitled to receive her courtesy.
It was just that his attitude made Mo Tiange feel somewhat awkward, as if... he really didn't like seeing her.
This awkwardness flitted through her heart, and Mo Tiange turned to ask: "Master, is that matter true?"
Dao Lord Jinghe acted as if he hadn't noticed the awkwardness between the two of them. He had been looking at a jade slip, and upon hearing her words, he put it down and said, "Of course it's true. Would your master amuse himself by teasing you?"
Hearing his confirmation, Mo Tiange felt both joy and anxiety, becoming somewhat unsettled: "Master, what exactly is the situation now?"
Dao Lord Jinghe looked at her, then at Qin Xi, and said, "I summoned you both because I knew you would certainly be very concerned about this matter. It happened about a month ago. I have a few good friends in the Tiandao Sect as well. After they discovered the anomaly, they intended to seek treasures, so they came to invite me."
"The Tiandao Sect... So the news should be accurate..."
Dao Lord Jinghe smiled, a glint flashing in his eyes: "I imagine those old fellows wouldn't dare deceive us Nascent Soul cultivators. Even if their Tiandao Sect is the number one sect in the Tianji Region, our Xuanqing Sect isn't to be bullied either. Besides, they didn't just notify us; they notified many other Nascent Soul cultivators as well. Several other good friends of mine all received the news."
"Master," Qin Xi spoke up, finally setting down the teacup in his hand, his gaze turning to Dao Lord Jinghe. "Since it's most likely true, do you plan to go?"
"Naturally," Dao Lord Jinghe said. "Back when you went to Tianmo Mountain, I didn't accompany you because I happened to be at a critical moment in my cultivation, letting a few old things get ahead. This time Tianmo Mountain opens; how could I not go?"
"Hmm." Qin Xi wasn't surprised at all. "Master, what other news did you get? Tell us everything."
Dao Lord Jinghe tossed the jade slip in his hand to him: "See for yourselves."
Qin Xi caught the jade slip, looked at it for a while, his gaze profound. He tossed the jade slip to Mo Tiange, then picked up his teacup again, lost in thought.
Mo Tiange caught it and eagerly looked inside.
This jade slip was a communication slip from a Tiandao Sect Nascent Soul cultivator named Daoist Heifeng to Dao Lord Jinghe. The content was simple: informing Dao Lord Jinghe that the restrictions on Tianmo Mountain had weakened and it would open soon, inviting him to go together.
The Tiandao Sect bordered Tianmo Mountain, opposing the demonic path. Recently, they had discovered signs that the restrictions on Tianmo Mountain were loosening. Based on past experience, if the restrictions in certain areas continued to weaken, within half a year to a year, entrances that could be entered would appear.
It was said that Tianmo Mountain was the battlefield of the ancient war between immortals and demons. From the distant ancient times millions of years ago to the more recent ancient times tens of thousands of years ago, it contained the remains of countless immortal cultivators and demonic cultivators. If one could find a few treasures there, they would be extraordinary even by today's standards.
Moreover, Tianmo Mountain's terrain was special. Not just in the entire Tianji Region, but looking across the whole world, one probably couldn't find another place so unique. It grew some special spiritual materials that couldn't be found anywhere else. Therefore, whenever the restrictions on Tianmo Mountain weakened, countless immortal cultivators would flock to the Tiandao Sect's Yuheng Mountain, hoping to get a share of the spoils.
Of course, it was extremely dangerous inside. Take the last time the restrictions weakened, about eighty or ninety years ago. More than half of those who entered Tianmo Mountain died. Mo Tiange's father, Ye Hai, was one of them.
Despite such danger, people from all over the Tianji Region still flocked to it. One had to understand that there were simply no rules for when Tianmo Mountain's restrictions would weaken. Perhaps several hundred years might pass without a single occurrence. Not to mention Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, even Core Formation cultivators might never encounter it once in their lifetimes.
Corresponding to the immense risk was the immense opportunity within. It was said that the Tianji Region's number one late-Nascent Soul cultivator, Superior One Songfeng, had obtained many treasures within Tianmo Mountain, which allowed him to cultivate his bizarre and invincible techniques.
But aside from Superior One Songfeng, almost no one would enter Tianmo Mountain alone, because to enter safely required great familiarity with formations and restrictions, as well as formidable Dharma Combat abilities—things a single person could hardly possess. Tianmo Mountain was also truly vast; even with thousands of people, let alone tens of thousands, it would be hard to encounter others. So, whenever Tianmo Mountain's restrictions weakened, Tiandao Sect cultivators would invite their good friends to explore, rather than having their sect monopolize it directly.
Of course, the Tiandao Sect had been established next to Tianmo Mountain precisely to confront the demonic path. Tianmo Mountain was like their backyard. If others wanted to enter, they would have to give them some benefits.
After reading all this, Mo Tiange returned the jade slip to Dao Lord Jinghe and lowered her head in contemplation.
Dao Lord Jinghe would definitely go. Ever since Mo Tiange had entered his tutelage, this master of hers had already reached the peak of mid-Nascent Soul, but had lacked the opportunity to break through to late stage. This was a good chance now, especially since his personality naturally loved adventure.
And Qin Xi—he would certainly go too. After three failed attempts at forming his Nascent Soul, he urgently needed an opportunity for a breakthrough now. Back then, when he was just over a hundred years old and already at mid-Core Formation, at the height of his success, he had still taken the risk to enter Tianmo Mountain. How could he let it pass now?
But Mo Tiange herself was somewhat hesitant. In terms of cultivation, although she had achieved Core Formation, taking the first step as a high-level cultivator, it was only the first step. She hadn't even refined her Life-Bound Artifact yet. As a Core Formation cultivator, her Dharma Combat ability was still insufficient. Add to that her young age and the backing of the Void Heaven Realm, she fundamentally didn't need to seek any opportunities. By cultivating slowly, reaching Nascent Soul wasn't hopeless.
Yet, aside from opportunities, Tianmo Mountain had one reason that attracted her to go—her father was buried there. Back when she was at Qi Refining, she had thought that once she achieved Core Formation, she would find a chance to go to Tianmo Mountain and bring back her father's remains. Now she finally had such an opportunity. If she missed it, who knew how many hundreds of years it would be before Tianmo Mountain opened again.