"Who... is the old ancestor of the Bai family?" Mo Hua asked.
Bai Xiaosheng said, "I won't tell you."
Mo Hua's expression froze.
Seeing Mo Hua like this, Bai Xiaosheng was quite pleased and said with a smile, "The old ancestor of my Bai family has nothing to do with you, and you're not a member of the Bai family. Even if I told you, you wouldn't know..."
Mo Hua glanced at Bai Xiaosheng, his mind turning, and suddenly said, "Is it... that you yourself don't know who this old ancestor is, and you can't say it, so you won't tell me?"
Bai Xiaosheng's eyelid twitched. He thought to himself, this kid has really become a spirit, like some kind of oracle, a bit scary...
Mo Hua, seeing Bai Xiaosheng's expression, confirmed his guess, then asked in confusion, "But... since he is your Bai family's old ancestor and spoke to you, guiding you on these grand principles of the Dao, how come you don't even know who this old ancestor is?"
"You wouldn't understand this" Bai Xiaosheng said.
Mo Hua waited for him to continue, but Bai Xiaosheng suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Mo Hua said, "Go on."
Bai Xiaosheng said, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you, so why should I say it?"
Mo Hua said, "How do you know I won't understand if you don't say it?"
But Bai Xiaosheng just shook his head, unwilling to discuss the Bai family matters with Mo Hua.
Although he didn't consider a "mere" Mo Hua a threat, he had to be extremely vigilant when talking to him.
Because intuitively, he always felt an inexplicable sense of insecurity.
Hearing about the Bai family's old ancestor and the "Way of All Living Beings," Mo Hua couldn't help but feel shocked inside.
Back when his master taught him formations, he had said something similar: "The 'grade' of a formation is a grade set by men, not the grade of the Heavenly Dao itself"
Now the old ancestor of the Bai family was expressing a similar view: The cultivation realm of a cultivator is a realm set by men; it may not be the "grade" of the Heavenly Dao itself.
From this perspective, what today's cultivators cultivate might not be the "Dao," nor seek "immortality," but rather certain "classes" established by men.
"The Dao gives birth to all things; the Dao transforms all living beings; all living beings are the Dao."
These words might sound somewhat illusory at first, like vague grand principles.
But Mo Hua had deep insights into them.
He came from a humble background and had walked all the way, witnessing the suffering of scattered cultivators in Tongxian City, the corpse disasters in Nanyue City, the mining disasters in Gushan City, the blood transformations in Qianzhou, and the wars in the Great Wilderness...
Everyone cultivated the Dao; everyone sought immortality. But the world only grew worse, and no one truly became immortal...
This showed that the "Dao" of this world was flawed. Or rather, everyone's cultivation was flawed.
Mo Hua followed this line of thought, and the more he thought, the more shocked he became. He asked Bai Xiaosheng, "What exactly is the identity and realm of that old ancestor of your Bai family?"
Bai Xiaosheng still didn't want to say.
Mo Hua was displeased. They were just chatting, but he was being secretive, which made it boring.
Mo Hua began scheming in his mind.
As soon as Bai Xiaosheng saw Mo Hua's black-and-white eyes rolling, he felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that when this kid's eyes rolled, it meant he was brewing mischief and planning to trick him. What good person could withstand his torment?
A wise man submits to circumstances. Bai Xiaosheng's scalp went numb, and he quickly said, "Alright, alright. We've known each other; you're not an outsider. I'll tell you."
Only then did Mo Hua stop brainstorming mischief and asked, "Really?"
Bai Xiaosheng sighed, "Really, really."
Mo Hua said, "Then tell me."
Bai Xiaosheng sighed again. "I really don't know this ancestor's name."
"You should know that as a general rule, the higher a cultivator's realm, the less likely they are to casually reveal their name."
"It's still fine at the Golden Core stage, but once you reach Feather Transformation, the vast majority of cultivators only go by 'Zhenren,' prefixing it with their surname or a self-chosen pseudonym. They won't easily reveal their true name."
Mo Hua was taken aback. Thinking back carefully, it did seem to be the case.
He rarely knew the names of any Zhenren above Feather Transformation.
His own master rarely revealed his true name, and others only called him "Master Zhuang."
His senior uncle went without saying; he used the title "Mysterious" and even the words "Mysterious Daoist" were taboo, let alone his real name.
Mo Hua didn't even know his senior uncle's surname to this day.
As for others, like Old Master Xun of the Taixu Sect, Sect Leader Bai, the sect leaders of Tai'e and Chongxu lineages.
Those he met in the Great Wilderness, whether it was Zhenren Zhuge, Zhenren Hua, or that Zhenren Wood, including the Zhenren commander of the Yang family and Zhenren Rong of Little Luan Mountain...
None of them used their true names.
Mo Hua had previously thought this was just a coincidence, but now hearing Bai Xiaosheng say this, it seemed there was some reasoning behind it.
Why...
Mo Hua pondered for a moment and then said, "Is it because a cultivator's true name is inherently entangled with karma?"
Bai Xiaosheng glanced at Mo Hua, thinking to himself that this kid, no matter which Dao lineage he cultivated, was only at the early Golden Core stage, yet he could figure out so many things.
Bai Xiaosheng nodded. "That's right. A person's name is given by their parents and close relatives after birth. Your surname is the bloodline you inherit; your given name is the expectation for your future. It contains the causes of the past and the effects to come."
"You've used this name since childhood—living, cultivating, interacting with others, being called out and remembered. This name is also your 'double,' inseparable from you."
"Thus, to some extent, a person's name influences their 'fate.'"
"When your realm is low, there aren't so many concerns, after all, the realm is low and understanding is low. But once your realm is high and you come into contact with the Great Dao and laws, your understanding changes, and you become sensitive to these 'mysterious' things. You have to be extremely cautious."
"Therefore, Zhenren above Feather Transformation, and even Hollow Void Old Ancestors, almost never reveal their true names to anyone except those close and familiar. Any names they have publicly are mostly pseudonyms..."
As Mo Hua listened, his expression turned serious, lost in thought.
Seeing Mo Hua thinking, Bai Xiaosheng felt a bit scared, fearing he was plotting mischief, so he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Mo Hua's face was solemn as he slowly said, "I'm thinking... I should come up with a few more pseudonyms..."
Bai Xiaosheng was stunned. "What do you need pseudonyms for?"
Mo Hua said, "Isn't it what you said? A person's name is related to fate. If I don't have many pseudonyms, what if someone uses my real name to harm me later?"
Bai Xiaosheng rolled his eyes and sneered inwardly. You troublemaker—if anyone, you're the one harming others, not the other way around.
"Don't worry," Bai Xiaosheng said helplessly. "Things aren't that simple. Just by having a real name, being able to harm someone—that would require an immense level of karma mastery, almost impossible."
"Moreover, if a Feather Transformation or Hollow Void cultivator could be killed just by revealing their true name, then what kind of Zhenren or Old Ancestor would they be?"
Mo Hua was taken aback. "That's true..."
Bai Xiaosheng slowly explained, "It's just a precaution. The main reason most Zhenren and Old Ancestors hide their 'true names' is to avoid karma. Not to get too entangled in worldly karma, not to be tied down by too many unknown fates, to keep their Dao body unconstrained, reducing the chance of failure when breaking through to a higher realm due to some foolish karma causing unexpected accidents."
"As for you... an early Golden Core who hasn't even touched the threshold of Feather Transformation, what karma do you need to avoid?"
"Even if you are the so-called 'Young Master of the Taixu Sect,' the top scholar in both the Qian Academy and Dao Formation, at most you have a little fame in the Qian Academy and Daozhou, and that's only at the Foundation Establishment realm."
"Geniuses of the Taixu Sect change every three years; the Qian Academy top scholar is competed every three years. When it's your turn, you may be in the spotlight, but glory rotates. After a while, if you don't show up, people gradually forget."
"The cultivation world is vast, with countless cultivators and countless events. Apart from those truly close to you, who would keep you in their hearts every day?"
"Rest assured, your fame isn't as great as you think. Even if your real name is leaked, it doesn't amount to much."
Mo Hua was still a bit uneasy and asked, "What if one day my fame becomes too great, shaking the Nine Provinces, and my real name spreads everywhere, with karma as vast as the ocean? What should I do then?"
"This..." Bai Xiaosheng was also stumped by Mo Hua's question, then he said somewhat speechlessly, "Why don't you just ascend to heaven?"
"It's like asking, 'What if I earn two billion spirit stones one day, how should I spend them?'; 'Or, 'What if the Flower Queen falls in love with me, what should I do?'"
"People should know their limits. Don't dwell on such fanciful thoughts."
Mo Hua nodded upon hearing this, feeling that Bai Xiaosheng had a point.
But deep down, he still had some concerns, thinking he should take precautions. He would need to come up with several pseudonyms to cover his real name just in case.
People fear fame as pigs fear fat. What if his fame really became too great and karma too heavy, with people thinking about him every day? That would be troublesome.
Mo Hua fell into contemplation, and the carriage became quiet for a while.
After a moment, Mo Hua suddenly realized something and said to Bai Xiaosheng, "Why did you stop? Keep talking, about your old ancestor..."
Bai Xiaosheng really had no choice with Mo Hua. He sighed, "Didn't I tell you? Since he's an old ancestor, naturally he hides his true name. Not just his true name, even some titles are hidden."
Mo Hua was astonished. "Even from his own disciples?"
Bai Xiaosheng said, "The Bai family is a great clan. Counting only the main branch, there are no fewer than a million descendants."
Mo Hua's mouth fell open. "A million?"
Bai Xiaosheng nodded. "I'm even understating it; I haven't counted them. Think about it—with so many descendants, how could everyone know the old ancestor's title?"
"Most of the Bai family's disciples will never meet any old ancestor in their lifetime. Even the elders of the Bai family, many don't know exactly how many old ancestors the Bai family has."
"It is rumored that some ancestors of the Bai family evaded heaven's will, avoided karma, resided in immeasurable places, created their own hidden realms, and never showed their faces. They only have a few records in the family genealogy and legends, and it's unclear whether it's true or false."
"In such circumstances, how can I know which old ancestor I encountered?"
Mo Hua was also shaken. Old ancestors too numerous to count... The depth of the Bai family's foundation was truly terrifying.
"Moreover," Bai Xiaosheng continued, suddenly frowning, as if he himself was puzzled, "I only met this old ancestor when I was very young, in a daze. We spoke a few words, and I received guidance. After that, I had no impression. I even forgot what he looked like and his voice."
"I asked my parents, elders, and people around me, but none of them knew of such an ancestor."
"Even when I was punished and had to kneel in the Bai family ancestral hall, I never saw a portrait resembling this old ancestor. It's as if this old ancestor never existed, just appeared for no reason to give me a few pointers..."
Mo Hua found it hard to believe. "This old ancestor showed up just to guide you?"
Bai Xiaosheng nodded, but he himself wasn't sure. He said, "Maybe that's the opportunity, my karma. It's precisely because this old ancestor enlightened me and left a karmic imprint in my heart that I abandoned the Bai family's Dao lineage and cultivated this Dao of All Living Beings."
"Because I cultivated the Way of All Living Beings, I left the Bai family, roamed the world, mingled in the streets, and witnessed all facets of life..."
Mo Hua nodded and pressed further, "Then what was this old ancestor's cultivation realm? Do you know?"
Bai Xiaosheng sneered. "That was over a hundred years ago; I was still young. How could I possibly know?"
Mo Hua said, "Take a guess?"
Bai Xiaosheng frowned and slowly said, "From my feeling, this old ancestor was likely... an extraordinary existence at the late Hollow Void or even the peak of Hollow Void..."
"Only peak Hollow Void?" Mo Hua asked.
Bai Xiaosheng sighed. "How can you say that? Do you know how terrifyingly powerful a peak Hollow Void cultivator is?"
"When one's cultivation reaches Hollow Void, each advancement is as hard as ascending to heaven, and the gap in strength is enormous. Peak Hollow Void, or even late Hollow Void, is already on a different level from ordinary Hollow Void."
Mo Hua asked doubtfully, "Then... what about above Hollow Void?"
Bai Xiaosheng shook his head. "What are you thinking? There is no above Hollow Void."
Mo Hua was stunned. "What do you mean? There is no realm above Hollow Void?"
Bai Xiaosheng said, "There might be realms, but no one has achieved it. At least the Bai family likely doesn't have any. Of course, it could also be that I'm ignorant."
Mo Hua still found it incredible. "How is that possible? Isn't the Bai family a sixth-rank clan?"
Bai Xiaosheng asked, "Who told you that a sixth-rank clan necessarily means a sixth-rank realm?"
Mo Hua was taken aback, realizing that indeed no one had ever told him that...
The Dao Court had never officially announced the criteria for dividing sixth-rank clans. If you are a sixth-rank clan, then you are already sixth-rank. If you are not a sixth-rank clan, you probably never will be in this lifetime.
But there was still a big problem...
Mo Hua asked doubtfully, "Then how did the Bai family become sixth-rank?"
Bai Xiaosheng said, "An ancestor in the clan reached the ultimate realm of the world, entering the peak of Hollow Void, and rendered remarkable military merits for the Dao Court—specifically, the merit of supporting the founding emperor—thus being granted sixth-rank status."
In other words, at the clan level, "sixth-rank" was almost impossible to achieve now. Because there could never be another "merit of supporting the founding emperor."
Mo Hua asked again, "Then what is the sixth-rank realm? At least there should be a name, right?"
Bai Xiaosheng shook his head. "I don't know."
Mo Hua frowned. "You don't know either?"
Bai Xiaosheng sighed. "Most cultivators in this world will never come into contact with a sixth-rank clan in their lifetime, nor see a Hollow Void Old Ancestor. So many things are entirely their own fantasies."
"Although a sixth-rank clan is strong, separated from fifth-rank by a vast gap, it's not what they imagine."
"Outsiders might think that since the Bai family is a sixth-rank great clan, it should have a great power at the sixth-rank realm. But at least I lived in the Bai family, from childhood to adulthood, and never saw or even heard of any senior or old ancestor who could break through to the realm above Hollow Void."
"The peak of Hollow Void is already extremely terrifying—mastering reality and illusion, the Dharma Aspect reaching the heavens, practically standing at the pinnacle of the current era. As for what lies above Hollow Void, it's shrouded in mystery and hard to imagine."
Mo Hua frowned. He still felt that these things overturned his previous understanding.
But upon careful thought, it did indeed seem to be the case. Even his master had never mentioned the existence above Hollow Void back then. When he studied at the Taixu Sect, he had never seen any records involving realms above Hollow Void.
But Hollow Void being the ceiling... that couldn't be possible.
Mo Hua's brows were tightly knitted, his thoughts sinking into an abyss of darkness and confusion. He felt that the entire cultivation world was like a black hole, with too many unsolved mysteries.
Just as he was puzzled, the carriage had already arrived outside the Flower Street. He looked up and saw the glittering jade towers amidst the flowers.