"Martial Uncle, you can be considered lucky." The youngster called Xiaoguzi continued to ramble on, "In the war two years ago, Danding School was almost destroyed. Only some of its disciples managed to escape, but they were left homeless and miserable. That's why Mount Tianhuo is now filled with disciples from other cultivation groups …"
At this point, Mo Tiange hastily interrupted him. "Then how's Danding School now?"
Xiaoguzi was interrupted halfway. He paused for a moment before continuing, "… Oh, Danding School … Speaking of the war back then, it was really tragic. Later on, several eighth rank demonic beasts launched a surprise attack. In the end, Danding School couldn't hold on and even lost a Nascent Soul cultivator!
In the end, the remaining two Nascent Soul grandmasters of Danding School escaped from Mount Tianhuo with their elite disciples. They even used the school's secret technique to preserve their lineage.
Right now, Danding School's cultivators have settled in the nearby Mount Xiling. I heard that because of this, the Nascent Soul grandmasters of Danding School flew into a rage and blamed the other cultivation groups for not lending a helping hand. However, since Danding School has fallen to this point, they can only rely on the other six great cultivation groups and don't dare to really turn hostile. "
Xiaoguzi looked complacent as if Danding School's current predicament was caused by him, which made Mo Tiange feel a bit amused.
However, the other six great cultivation groups probably had the same attitude as him.
Now that Danding School was in such a state, not only did they suppress their strength, but they also preserved their lineage. In the future, Danding School still had to rely on them to make a comeback, so they naturally had to listen to them. Perhaps they might even directly turn Danding School into a cultivation group that concocted pills for them. That would be the best.
Of course, Danding School wasn't easy to deal with. In any case, they had two Nascent Soul cultivators, so their foundation was still there. They still had a chance to rise again.
Xiaoguzi's interest was piqued. Regardless of whether Mo Tiange asked him or not, he continued to talk nonstop. "… I say, Martial Uncle, you're also very awesome! I heard you were chased by a fifth rank Two-Headed Eagle during that great battle, but you actually came out unscathed?"
Mo Tiange was a bit surprised. "How did you know?"
Xiaoguzi's eyes widened. "Martial Uncle, don't you know?
Many people in Xuanqing School know about your matter! "
Mo Tiange was stunned. What's going on?
"During the battle at Danding School that year, two fifth rank demonic beasts suddenly appeared among the Foundation Building cultivators. In the end, one of them was lured away by Martial Uncle. After the battle, a lot of people said our Xuanqing School disciples were really amazing. A middle stage Foundation Building cultivator was actually able to face a fifth rank demonic beast alone …" Xiaoguzi's face was full of envy, but he also said regretfully, "Unfortunately, when Grandmaster Xuanyin arrived and killed those two fifth rank demonic beasts, he couldn't find any trace of Martial Uncle. Many people thought Martial Uncle had fallen. Because of this, the School Head even praised the disciples of Clear Spring Peak!"
"Is that so?" If that was the case, didn't that mean that she had become famous after a single battle?
Xiaoguzi chuckled and nodded. "Exactly!
Martial Uncle, I recognized Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu's name as soon as you came in.
I didn't expect Martial Uncle to be completely fine. This is great, you will definitely be rewarded by the sect when you return! "
Mo Tiange smiled faintly.
She didn't care whether the sect would reward her or not. As long as the sect was satisfied with her, that was enough.
"By the way," Xiaoguzi said, "Martial Uncle, since you're here, you're under the jurisdiction of our Qianmen Ridge Station. If you have any chores you need to do, you can just look for me and Xiaozui."
As he spoke, he pointed at a young girl who was busying herself behind Xiaobai. Sure enough, she looked a bit like him.
"Thank you very much."
Mo Tiange happened to have a matter she didn't know how to deal with. "By the way, what do I need to do here? Where will I stay?"
Xiaoguzi answered, "The cultivators in our station only need to go out to kill demonic beasts at least once a month. The rest of the time, we stay in the station." He then shouted, "Xiaozui!"
Upon hearing his voice, the young girl behind Xiaobai hastily ran over. "Brother, what's the matter?"
Xiaoguzi pointed at Mo Tiange. "This is the new Martial Uncle. You should find a place for her to stay."
"Oh."
Xiaozui bowed to Mo Tiange. After thinking for a moment, she explained, "Martial Uncle, there aren't many female cultivators in our station, and we don't have many rooms either. If you don't mind, how about staying with me?"
Mo Tiange was only looking for a place to stay on the surface. When the time came, she would still have to enter the Virtual Sky World, so she naturally didn't want to live with other people. Thus, she said, "If it's inconvenient to make arrangements, can I look for a place nearby?"
"This …" Xiaozui hesitated for a moment. She looked at her elder brother and said straightforwardly, "If Martial Uncle doesn't mind, we naturally don't have any objections. However, I hope Martial Uncle can find a place in the station, lest there's any danger and we can't make it in time …"
Mo Tiange smiled. "Of course."
Before Xiaozui could say anything, the young man called Xiaobai gestured towards them.
Xiaoguzi said, "Xiaozui, you can go do your work. I'll accompany Martial Uncle to look around."
Since he said that, Mo Tiange didn't refuse.
Xiaozui hurriedly bowed and excused himself.
After Xiaozui left, Xiaoguzi led Mo Tiange to the back of the mountain. When the two of them reached a secluded area, Xiaoguzi said, "Although it's a station, Kunwu Alliance is a place where several cultivation groups live together. The battle against demonic beasts has already reached this stage, so it's impossible for these cultivation groups to be completely harmonious. Martial Uncle, you're a disciple of Xuanqing School, so there are several places we'd better avoid."
Mo Tiange smiled. She didn't intend to delve into the matter of whether the alliance was harmonious or not. She just asked, "Right, doesn't Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu manage things?"
Xiaoguzi smiled bitterly. "Martial Uncle, you might not know, but Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu mainly cultivates pill-concocting and healing techniques. He doesn't like to meddle in these things, so I and my younger sister, Xiaozui, are in charge of miscellaneous matters. He and Senior Martial Brother Bai are only responsible for treating the injured."
"Oh?"
This was indeed a strange relationship. From what he said, Senior Martial Brother Bai seemed to be that early stage Foundation Building youngster — the one Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu called Xiaobai. Why were the two Foundation Building cultivators only responsible for treating the injured while the Aura Refining disciples were in charge of dispatching things?
Having been away from worldly affairs for two years, Mo Tiange was a bit curious about this little disciple who seemed to know everything. She casually asked, "You call him senior martial brother … Which martial uncle's disciple is he?"
Upon hearing what she said, Xiaoguzi's expression turned solemn. He scratched his head and said, "Martial Uncle thinks too highly of me. Xiaozui and I are only ordinary disciples; we haven't entered any Core Formation grandmaster's tutelage.
Since Senior Martial Brother Bai is our sworn brother, we call him Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu just like he did. "
"Sworn brother …" Sure enough, this was a strange relationship. Mo Tiange couldn't help but mutter, "There are actually sworn brothers in the cultivation world?"
Upon hearing Mo Tiange's muttering, a solemn expression emerged on Xiaoguzi's cheeky face. He said very solemnly, "Senior Martial Brother Bai's kindness to me and my little sister is as heavy as a mountain. In my heart, he's not only my sworn brother, but he's also the most important person to me, Zhan Xiaogu."
Upon seeing Mo Tiange's astonished expression, Xiaoguzi felt a bit embarrassed. He chuckled and said, "In fact, this isn't a secret in our Soul's Retreat Peak. If Martial Uncle doesn't feel bored, there's no harm in telling Martial Uncle about it."
Hence, Xiaoguzi accompanied Mo Tiange as they walked around the station. As they walked, he introduced the predetermined areas of the several alliances and told her how he and Senior Martial Brother Bai called each other sworn brother.
Xiaoguzi's full name was Zhan Xiaogu, and Xiaozui was his twin sister, Zhan Xiaozui.
Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu and Zhan Bai were both disciples of mortal clans. Their clans were friends for generations, and Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu always took good care of Zhan Bai. Because of that, Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu, who always treated people coldly, also affectionately called Zhan Bai "Xiaobai."
Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu and Zhan Bai met Xiaoguzi and Xiaoguzi not long after Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu and Zhan Bai entered the sect and returned to the secular world to visit their relatives. At that time, the two of them were seriously ill and were on the verge of death in a dilapidated temple. When Senior Martial Brother Bai examined the two of them, he discovered that the two of them possessed spiritual roots, so he simply picked them up and brought them back to the sect.
If it wasn't for Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu's miraculous hands, the two of them probably wouldn't exist anymore.
The reason the two of them were able to grow up to this age was because Senior Martial Brother Bai didn't hesitate to sacrifice his own cultivation time and raised them up bit by bit.
Mo Tiange even sighed when she heard the two of them were orphans.
However, Xiaoguzi straightened his back and retorted, "Who said I'm an orphan? Senior Martial Brother Kuang Zhu, Senior Martial Brother Bai, and my little sister are a very happy family."
Mo Tiange couldn't help but laugh. She couldn't help but tease him, "Martial Uncle originally wanted to give you some good things because you're an orphan. That being the case, Martial Uncle's gifts are actually unnecessary."
Sure enough, Xiaoguzi revealed a distressed expression. After struggling for a while, he finally said, "Compared to some good things, my family is more important. Xiaoguzi doesn't want to be an orphan."
Upon hearing this, Mo Tiange couldn't help but recall Tianqiao, Second Uncle's voice, and Second Uncle's smile in the past.
When Xiaoguzi saw her expression turn gloomy, he, who was used to observing people's expressions, immediately knew this martial uncle must've thought of someone, so he changed the subject. "We've been strolling around for a long time. I wonder if there's any place you like, Martial Uncle?"
When he asked this question, the two of them happened to be standing in front of a stone house that could be considered quiet. Although it was a bit dilapidated, it could still be considered complete.
Mo Tiange wasn't interested in strolling around anymore, so she said casually, "Then let's go here."
Xiaoguzi took out a white jade tablet from his Qiankun Bag and hung it on the stone house's door. He seemed a bit embarrassed that he made his martial uncle sad, so he hesitated for a moment before saying his goodbyes.
Seeing that he still hadn't left after saying his goodbyes, Mo Tiange glanced at him.
Xiaoguzi, who was usually eloquent, actually stuttered for a moment before he said, "If Martial Uncle feels bored living alone, you can come to my house to play."
After he said that, he ran away like a wisp of smoke without waiting for Mo Tiange's response.
Mo Tiange smiled. She looked at the dust-covered dilapidated house and felt a bit bored.
She casually cleaned the dilapidated house, laid a defensive formation, and entered the Virtual Sky World.
Once she entered the small house, the little Inferno Beast ran over unsteadily and moved closer to her, squeaking.
Mo Tiange patted its head. She discovered that the little Inferno Beast seemed to want to drill into her spiritual beast pouch and was rubbing against her waist.
Mo Tiange was stunned. "You want to go out?"
The little Inferno Beast raised its head and whimpered, its eyes looking pitiful.
Mo Tiange was silent for a long time. She stroked its head and sighed. "Turns out even you can feel lonely …"
She had put this little Inferno Beast in the Virtual Sky World for more than two years. There were only some butterflies, flying insects, and other small things inside. There were no spiritual beasts, so it was normal for it to feel lonely.
Wasn't she the same?
Wasn't the reason why she participated in the demonic beast riot now because she was lonely?
This kind of loneliness had nothing to do with Dao Heart. Every living creature needed a bit of the aura of another living creature to feel the joy of living.
However, this little Inferno Beast's reaction gave her some other ideas.
"It's very dangerous outside. I can't take you out now, but I can bring some companions to accompany you. What do you think?"
The little Inferno Beast raised its head, stared at her with its black eyes, and let out two happy cries.
Mo Tiange smiled. She stroked its head then went back to cultivating.
Unexpectedly, Xiaoguzi's words during the day kept ringing in her mind, making her a bit absent-minded.
Of course, since she was able to reach the middle stage of the Foundation Building realm in just a few breaths, the fluctuations in Mo Tiange's heart had already calmed down.
At dawn, Mo Tiange sensed a Summoning Talisman flying towards her from outside, so she stopped cultivating and came out of the Virtual Sky World.
It was a Summoning Talisman from Xiaoguzi, saying that her name had been recorded in the list of cultivators who participated in the battle at Qianmen Ridge and that he would choose a time to report it to the school. There was also some information about the current war.
Mo Tiange gave a simple reply after reading it then packed up her things and left the room.
Xiaoguzi said the fiercest battle was currently taking place in Tiandao Sect's area. Ever since Danding School was breached, Mount Tianhuo became a forgotten place. Whether it was demonic beasts or cultivators, there weren't many demonic beasts or cultivators left here.
Mo Tiange was tempted. Since that was the case, wouldn't it be safer for her to catch some small first rank demonic beasts here?
After notifying Xiaoguzi, she immediately took out the White Silk Handkerchief and flew towards the forest.
Because of the fight of magical powers, the forest had decreased a lot. The demonic beasts that usually lived here were either killed or moved elsewhere. Mo Tiange used her divine sense to search for a long time, but she couldn't find any traces of demonic beasts.
Mo Tiange simply stopped in midair and concentrated on searching with her divine sense.
The coverage range of a Foundation Building cultivator's divine sense was several to dozens of miles. However, because she practiced the Soul-Refining Art, Mo Tiange's divine sense was much stronger and could cover almost 50 miles. Right now, she was concentrating on searching. Gradually, she spread her divine sense and vaguely sensed spiritual aura fluctuations in the northeast.
However, the spiritual aura fluctuations were already at the edge of the range of her divine sense, so she couldn't tell whether it was demonic beasts or cultivators.
For Mo Tiange, who was in the middle stage of the Foundation Building realm, a distance of 50 miles was nothing more than a moment. Since she couldn't sense anything else apart from that, she controlled the White Silk Handkerchief to fly northeast, determined to find out what was going on.
When she was several dozen miles away from the spiritual aura fluctuations, out of caution, Mo Tiange released her divine sense again.
Unexpectedly, when she probed, she was shocked. The spiritual aura fluctuations had nothing to do with demonic beasts — there were actually people fighting there.
Among the spiritual aura fluctuations, the killing intent was undisguised, and the spiritual aura fluctuations of the people being besieged gave her a familiar feeling.
Mo Tiange was startled. She drove the White Silk Handkerchief to speed up and rush towards the source of the spiritual aura fluctuations.
Mo Tiange eliminated her senior martial sisters one by one in her mind. As for the people she was familiar with … she suddenly thought of one person — Ye Jingwen!
Yesterday, Xiaoguzi told her that Martial Uncle Ye had been staying with us recently and that Martial Uncle would be able to see him soon.
Apparently, what Xiaoguzi said about the internal strife in Kunwu Alliance was just a euphemism.
Moreover, she and Senior Martial Brother Ye hadn't seen each other for a long time, yet they were actually going to meet under these circumstances?
She didn't know whether it was a blessing or a misfortune …