"Inspector, please, have a seat." Gu Shouyan cupped his fists in greeting.
Master Xia walked to the highest seat on the platform, sitting as an equal with the Gu Family Head, and just so happened to be right next to Mo Hua.
Only now did Mo Hua realize who the empty seat above his left was meant for.
"So it’s Master Xia..."
Mo Hua muttered to himself.
But he didn’t really care—this kind of seating arrangement had nothing to do with him. He’d already done his round of "socializing"; now all that was left was to eat and fill his stomach.
Besides, he barely knew Master Xia. There was no need to pay him any attention.
Master Xia was, after all, a big shot. No way would he personally come over to toast Mo Hua.
Mo Hua lowered his head and started working on a gigantic crab on the table, its claw meat as much as a fist-sized bun.
"Little brother."
Mo Hua turned to see Master Xia holding a cup, his gaze stern yet carrying a hint of goodwill, looking at him.
Mo Hua was slightly stunned.
Master Xia was sitting in his seat, holding his cup, not making any other move.
After a moment, Mo Hua understood, lifted his cup, and said to Master Xia, "Master Xia, let me offer you a toast."
After all, Master Xia was in the Feather Transformation Realm, and was the Dao Court Inspector.
Even if he took up his cup first, there was no way Mo Hua would let him lead the toast.
This subtlety, Mo Hua understood.
Mo Hua’s quick-wittedness made Master Xia quite satisfied. He downed the wine in his cup, then said in a slow voice:
"You know, little brother, there’s a bit of fate between us."
"Yes, that’s true."
"Do you have any plans for what’s next?"
Mo Hua was a little confused. "Master means...?"
Master Xia set down his cup, lips not moving, yet his voice reached Mo Hua’s ears:
"The Qianxue Sect preaches the Dao for nine years. In two years, you’ll graduate. After that, do you plan to stay at Taixu Gate, join the Inner Gate as an Elder and teach, or head out into the wider world and see what you can make of it?" ṝ𝙖ΝОꞖĘś
Mo Hua was stunned for a moment.
Was Master Xia really bringing this up at the annual banquet, with all these people present?
He looked around and was surprised to find that everyone nearby seemed oblivious—as though they neither saw nor heard anything—completely unaware.
Only the Gu Family Head in the Feather Transformation Realm seemed to know something, but even he just quietly sipped his wine, showing nothing.
Master Xia’s voice entered Mo Hua’s ears: "What happens here—heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know."
Mo Hua suddenly understood, and quickly asked, "Master, are you trying to recruit me into the Xia family?"
Master Xia was briefly surprised, thinking to himself, "The kid sure is blunt, says whatever comes to mind."
But that was fine; talking to a clever person saves headaches.
"So, little brother, what do you think?"
"Any benefits?" Mo Hua was pragmatic.
Master Xia gave Mo Hua a silent glance. "The Xia family is an ancient family, ranked at sixth grade, located in the heart of the Nine State—Taoist State, subordinate to the Central Dao Court. Over generations, we’ve produced multiple Pavilion Elders, our influence stretches across the world, and our heritage runs unimaginably deep..." .
Master Xia was just stating facts.
Anyone with a shred of awareness would know what weight these words carried.
Any single phrase—whether "ancient family," "sixth grade," "located in Taoist State," "under the Dao Court," or "produced Pavilion Elders"... All these are things most cultivators and family sects spend a lifetime dreaming of, yet never reach.
Even the greatest fifth-grade noble families within Qian Learning State Boundary couldn’t compare.
Mo Hua, however, shook his head and said, "That’s the Xia family’s business; it’s got nothing to do with me."
"If you were to align yourself with the Xia family—"
"My family name is Mo." Mo Hua said blandly.
Master Xia was momentarily taken aback, but then he understood Mo Hua’s meaning.
No matter how powerful the Xia family, it’s still just the "Xia" family.
Even if Mo Hua joined the Xia family, he’d still be an outsider. He had no desire to marry in, change his surname, forsake his roots, or become someone subservient to a noble house.
Master Xia’s expression grew more distant.
But in his heart, he looked at Mo Hua with greater respect.
There are many prodigies in this world—talented, proud—but precious few who see their circumstances clearly and understand their social standing.
Born humble but possessing a sense of self, not blindly clinging to power—that’s true dignity and humility.
"You know the Three Talents Formation, right?" Master Xia asked.
Mo Hua’s eyes suddenly brightened.
"Our Xia family holds the legacy of the Three Talents Formation." Mo Hua’s reaction did not escape Master Xia, who spoke calmly.
Mo Hua’s eyes betrayed his yearning.
Elder Master Xun once said, the true Three Talents Formation embodies Heaven, Earth, and Human; governing the infinite of the Qian Path, the profound virtue of the Kun Path, and the mysterious changes of the Human Dao. Its framework is vast; the derivations endless.
This is the lore by which the Dao Court rules the world.
The core heritage of the Three Talents is strictly kept by the Dao Court—never passed on lightly. Unless you reach Taoist State, join the Dao Court, and gain access to its higher ranks, you’ll never learn the true essence of the Three Talents Formation...
Mo Hua felt an itch in his heart, and his tone toward Master Xia grew warmer, almost conspiratorial.
He quietly asked, "If I follow the Xia family, can I learn the Three Talents Formation?"
Master Xia shook his head. "No."
Mo Hua, deeply disappointed, muttered, "Then what’s the point..." He turned back to tear into his big crab.
Master Xia could only say, "Your cultivation’s not enough yet."
Mo Hua took a bite of crab meat. "What if my cultivation is enough?"
"You’d have to reach the upper ranks of the Xia family to have a shot at learning the Three Talents Formation." Master Xia’s gaze grew intent.
Through this brief exchange, Master Xia realized that this "Formation Leader" before him, though young and seemingly simple, was perceptive through and through.
He speaks according to the person before him.
Master Xia decided to lay out the truth:
"To enter the upper ranks of the Xia family, the best way is to ’marry in’, change your surname, wed a true direct descendant of the Xia bloodline, and thus become part of the family’s core of power."