Chapter 1165: Establishing a Career

As night fell, Mo Hua returned to the depths of Mount Utu, resting his head on the great tiger's furry belly, and began to contemplate his next move:

How to unify the Great Wilderness amidst the chaos of war?

Even if he couldn't completely unite the three thousand mountain ranges and thousands of tribes of the Great Wilderness, he should at least try his best to consolidate most of the forces there. This would not only change the fate of the impoverished barbarian cultivators but also lay the foundation for his future pursuit of the Dao.

After this, the Three Thousand Great Wildernesses south of Lizhou would be his "territory."

And the Great Black Mountain Prefecture border, north of Lizhou, was his homeland.

Considering this, he would have a stronghold stretching from south to north across the entire vast region of Lizhou.

This endeavor would undoubtedly be extremely difficult, especially given that he was only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

But what in this world isn't difficult?

The key lay only in whether one wanted to do it, was willing to do it, and possessed the perseverance and willpower to overcome numerous obstacles.

Even if he was just at Foundation Establishment, what needed to be done still had to be done.

The night wind blew, a bit chilly.

Mo Hua snuggled further into the great tiger's embrace, feeling the warmth before continuing his deliberations.

As the saying goes, "success comes from preparation, failure from lack of it."

Since he had decided to act, he needed to make thorough preparations.

First, the Great Wilderness's princes and marquises possessed immense influence and formidable strength; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to raise the banner of rebellion and ignite the beacon of revolt against the Dao Court.

The Dao Court, on its part, also eyed the Great Wilderness covetously, and its Dao Soldier Division's army would sooner or later invade the Great Wilderness to suppress the rebellion.

The barbarian tribes of the Great Wilderness would inevitably become the focal point of the war.

The region itself was also in considerable disarray.

Tribes differed vastly in customs, traditions, and deity worship, and they were relatively wild, isolated, and backward.

Some larger tribes were local tyrants who would never tolerate others sleeping soundly beside their beds.

Another point Mo Hua hadn't forgotten was that this was the "Lord of the Great Wilderness'" original home.

Logically, there should still be residual "divine signs" of the Great Wilderness Evil God here, or existing followers who worshipped the Great Wilderness Evil God.

It was even possible that several fragmented divine remains, or even hatched evil embryo-level entities, might be present.

If that were indeed the case, he would also have to guard against the Great Wilderness Evil God.

After all, given the various "evil deeds" he had committed against evil gods in the Qianxue Prefecture, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the "number one sinner" of the Great Wilderness lineage.

The Great Wilderness Evil God would certainly want to devour him alive...

The Great Wilderness princes and marquises, the rebel army, the Dao Court, the major tribes, evil gods, barbarian gods... all these factors combined made the current situation truly complex and extremely perilous.

However, after careful analysis, Mo Hua felt that there might still be opportunities.

He wasn't particularly afraid of the Great Wilderness Evil God.

Lower-grade divine remains, even evil embryos, were merely "rations" for him; if he encountered them, Mo Hua would be delighted.

As for higher-grade true embryos, he just needed to be alert, watchful, and avoid them.

If all else failed, there was still the Great Pixiu.

Although the Great Pixiu was a bit goofy, stingy, and cheap, its strength was formidable. When necessary, it might be able to protect him and save his life, which should not be a problem.

Meanwhile, the Great Wilderness princes, barbarian soldiers, and the Dao Court army were fighting on the front lines, and the conflict was likely to continue for quite some time.

This, in fact, was precisely an opportunity.

The battles and territorial divisions on the front lines were major, paramount concerns, drawing almost all attention from various factions.

The karmic calculations of the patriarchs and mighty cultivators of various forces were also entirely entangled there.

By bypassing the front lines and making small moves in the rear, he could avoid celestial interference and operate unnoticed.

While the local major tribes were powerful, they posed no immediate threat as long as he didn't provoke them.

Furthermore, many tribes were often relatively isolated and self-contained, which would also provide him with numerous opportunities to work secretly.

Mo Hua carefully pondered these difficulties, then silently re-evaluated them, and to his surprise, he found that amidst the obscured celestial mechanisms and intense warfare, the seemingly chaotic and savage Great Wilderness was, for him, truly an opportune moment, a confluence of favorable timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony.

Mo Hua's eyes glimmered slightly.

Perhaps life wasn't lacking in opportunities.

What was missing was only a pair of eyes to discover them.

This might also be the benefit of continuously learning, thinking, and comprehending the art of celestial causality.

However, to achieve these goals, he needed to be even more discreet and cautious...

He needed an "identity" within the Great Wilderness that was suitable, inconspicuous enough to fool others, and substantial enough to carry weight.

The next day, Mo Hua sought out Elder Zhamu.

Elder Zhamu offered Mo Hua tea.

It was a mountain tea from Mount Utu, bitter and astringent, and scalding hot.

Mo Hua took a sip and then asked Elder Zhamu:

"Do you know my identity?"

Elder Zhamu didn't know why Mo Hua suddenly asked this, but he replied sincerely:

"You introduced yourself as 'Mister Wu,' so I presume you are a Grand Shaman from our Great Wilderness Royal Court."

Mo Hua said nothing, simply maintaining an air of default acceptance, and then asked again:

"Have you met other Grand Shamans?"

Elder Zhamu replied, "When I was young, I studied in a major tribe and met a few Grand Shamans. I was also fortunate enough to learn some shamanic arts. After returning to the Utu tribe, I devoted myself to cultivation, which is how I was fortunate enough to become an elder of the tribe."

Mo Hua nodded slightly and then subtly probed, "How much do you know about Grand Shamans?"

Elder Zhamu said, "This old man is dull and knows little."

Mo Hua said, "Let me test you; feel free to speak your mind."

Elder Zhamu's expression became somewhat subtle. After a moment's thought, he slowly began:

"Grand Shamans are one of the most revered 'divine offices' in our Great Wilderness. Only those with pure bloodlines, innate intelligence, and spiritual communion are qualified to be chosen as Grand Shamans."

"Once one becomes a Grand Shaman, they must abandon their former origin, lineage, name, and all worldly possessions, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Lord of the Great Wilderness."

"All Grand Shamans refer to themselves publicly only as 'Mister Wu.'"

"Only by continuously strengthening their faith, achieving merits, and being promoted to High Shaman will they be granted an exclusive title by the Divine Lord."

Mo Hua's heart stirred slightly. He calmly asked Elder Zhamu:

"You also know about the Divine Lord?"

"Yes," Elder Zhamu sighed piously. "The three thousand tribes today only worship their respective barbarian gods, neither serving nor revering the Divine Lord, or even knowing of the Divine Lord. This is truly the sin of the Great Wilderness tribes and the original sin of the Great Wilderness people's superficial ignorance..."

Elder Zhamu lamented the ignorance of the barbarians, then spoke with reverence:

"The Divine Lord is the ruler of the Three Thousand Great Wildernesses, born from the boundless abyss, residing above the desolate heavens, overlooking all beings. He is the oldest and most powerful god of the Great Wilderness."

Elder Zhamu's expression turned somewhat sorrowful. "It's just that... ever since the Great Wilderness was defeated by the Dao Court, its royal family annihilated, and its fortune dwindled, the 'Divine Lord's' divine manifestations have not appeared in the world for a long time, and His prestige has gradually faded in the Great Wilderness."

"With the Divine Lord's dormancy, various gods arose afterward. Each tribe gradually acquired its own 'deity,' which led to the Three Thousand Barbarian Gods of the Great Wilderness..."

Elder Zhamu recounted everything he knew truthfully.

Mo Hua's gaze sharpened slightly as he fell into contemplation.

What Elder Zhamu had said differed somewhat from Mo Hua's existing knowledge regarding the origin of the Great Wilderness Divine Lord.

However, legends about deities were inherently diverse and often contradictory.

This point wasn't worth delving into too deeply.

But at least one thing, Mo Hua became more certain of.

That was, the Lord of the Great Wilderness had once been the dominant deity of the Great Wilderness. Something must have happened to Him afterward, causing Him to die, fall into slumber, or become dormant.

Once the Divine Lord became dormant, the Great Wilderness's pantheon fell into complete disarray.

The current Great Wilderness was an era where three thousand barbarian gods coexisted, parasitizing tribes and feasting on their faith.

This was a situation of great divine chaos.

Great chaos inevitably precedes great order; it has always been so since ancient times.

For him, this was precisely a good opportunity.

Moreover, the "Grand Shaman" of the Great Wilderness was indeed a very noble and useful identity.

Not to mention, Grand Shamans were apostles who maintained the relationship between humans and deities, and their role involved the divine path—this was perfectly suited for him.

Mo Hua nodded, then said solemnly to Elder Zhamu:

"That's right, I am indeed a 'Grand Shaman.'"

Elder Zhamu wasn't surprised; he had already suspected as much when Mo Hua referred to himself as "Mister Wu."

The fact that he could interfere with barbarian gods also showed that this "Mister Wu" was extraordinary.

However, he hadn't expected a Grand Shaman to look like this.

Furthermore, his official Dao Court language was so standard, as if he had grown up in the Nine Prefectures of the Dao Court since childhood.

Elder Zhamu hesitated for a moment, then quietly asked, "Grand Shaman, may I ask why you have come to our Utu tribe this time?"

A Grand Shaman's status was so noble that it was impossible for him to visit such a small tribe without reason.

Since he had come, he must have some plan.

Mo Hua nodded, his face serious. "I bear an extremely significant mission..."

Elder Zhamu was startled.

Mo Hua spoke with immense weight, enunciating each word:

"I intend to... unify the divine path and revitalize the Great Wilderness!"

Like a thunderclap, Elder Zhamu's eyes widened.

Mo Hua placed a hand on Elder Zhamu's shoulder. "And all of this will begin with your Utu tribe..."

Elder Zhamu's expression was somewhat blank, a chill rising from deep within him, and cold sweat beaded on his back.

He thought the Grand Shaman was joking with him.

But such a noble and powerful Grand Shaman wouldn't joke with him.

Unify the divine path?

Revitalize the Great Wilderness?

Either task was a monumental undertaking that defied the heavens.

What connection could two such world-defying tasks have with his small, impoverished, and nearly starving Utu tribe?

The relationship between the Great Wilderness's high-ranking princes and his Utu tribe was limited to conscripting some young adults as cannon fodder during wartime.

Was it the Utu tribe's place to lead the revitalization of the Great Wilderness?

Not to mention "unifying the divine path."

The path of deities—what level of divine being would even consider such a matter?

"Grand... Grand Shaman... you..."

Elder Zhamu's voice trembled, filled with a trace of fear.

Mo Hua, however, asked, "How much longer can your tribe endure?"

Elder Zhamu thought of the starving children and emaciated elders, his expression silent.

Mo Hua looked at Elder Zhamu, his gaze serene. He slowly said, "Zhamu means 'firewood,' burning oneself to serve the tribe. You are old now; you don't even care about your own life or death, so what is there to fear? Listen to my words; do what I tell you to do. In doing so, I can ensure the survival of your tribe. I also like young Zhatu very much; I will pass on a Dao lineage to him and give him a future. This is already the best outcome. The war has just begun, and disaster will continue for an unknown period. Will you wait indefinitely for your entire tribe to starve to death, or will you risk danger to fight for a future? The choice is yours, Elder."

Elder Zhamu's brows furrowed deeply, his heart churning with turbulent thoughts as he struggled to make a decision. A moment later, he raised his head and looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's face was exquisitely beautiful, unlike that of an ordinary person.

His eyes were calm and profound, yet held the compassion of a deity for all living beings.

Elder Zhamu's gaze trembled, and feeling a stirring in his heart, he slowly bowed his aging back, performing the Utu tribe's grand salute to Mo Hua, and respectfully said:

"This old man, Zhamu, and all of the Utu tribe, are at your command, Grand Shaman. We shall have no regrets, even unto death."

Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Good. Prepare yourselves; we depart tomorrow."

Hearing this, Elder Zhamu looked bewildered.

Tomorrow... depart for battle?

After a day spent in preparation, Elder Zhamu gathered all the existing combatants of the Utu tribe the next day. He, an elder at the early Foundation Establishment stage, was the strongest. Apart from him, everyone else was at the Qi Refinement stage. There were over twenty young barbarian cultivators whose talents weren't exceptional and whose cultivation levels were somewhat lacking. These were originally considered the tribe's "defective products," as if their talents had been slightly better or their cultivation levels higher, they would have been conscripted by the Great Wilderness Royal Court as "cannon fodder" for the front lines, leaving none behind.

Additionally, there were about a dozen older children.

And some elderly cultivators who, though frail, were still quite experienced.

In total, there were over forty people.

Under the ravages of war and famine, this was the entire force of "barbarian cultivators" that the Utu tribe could truly field and who possessed any fighting capability.

Young Zhatu, meanwhile, followed behind Mo Hua as his attendant.

Elder Zhamu looked at all the living strength of the Utu tribe before him, then glanced at his young grandson, and couldn't help but ask Mo Hua:

"Grand Shaman... do we... really have to fight?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Of course we must fight."

Elder Zhamu felt uneasy.

He was just an old man; if he died, he died. But if even one of these tribespeople before him perished, his heart would ache.

Not to mention his young Zhatu.

But the arrow was on the string; there was no turning back.

Elder Zhamu sighed inwardly. "So be it. After all, death comes sooner or later. To starve to death is death, and to die in battle is also death. Our fates are tied to one rope, so let this Grand Shaman do as he pleases. I only hope he keeps his word and can truly ensure the survival of my Utu tribe and protect young Zhatu's life..."

Elder Zhamu hardened his heart and gritted his teeth, saying, "Alright, then let us fight!"

Seeing his resolute, death-defying demeanor, Mo Hua felt a bit helpless and comforted him:

"Don't be nervous. This is just the beginning; it will be very simple."

And indeed, as Mo Hua had said, it was very simple.

The first tribe Mo Hua chose to conquer was the Wotai tribe, known for stealing food, wealth, people, and engaging in illicit affairs.

This tribe's conduct was truly depraved.

Furthermore, it was the closest, so Mo Hua selected it as his first target.

The entire process didn't take long.

As soon as the three Wotai elders, all at the early Foundation Establishment stage, emerged, Mo Hua struck each with a fireball, crippling one of their legs.

One of them remained defiant and had his other leg crippled by Mo Hua.

Afterwards, Elder Zhamu personally delivered the finishing blow, ending his life.

Under this display of "killing the chicken to warn the monkeys," the other two Wotai elders immediately prostrated themselves, expressing submission.

The remaining barbarian cultivators of the Wotai tribe also expressed their surrender one after another.

Their barbarian god had not protected them.

Because the Wotai tribe's "god" had already been "eaten" by Mo Hua beforehand.

Thus, the neighboring Wotai tribe was effortlessly taken by Mo Hua.

Elder Zhamu and the others from the Utu tribe were all profoundly shocked.

Especially when they saw Mo Hua's inconceivable, swift, and ruthless dark-red fireballs, wrapped in dark malevolent energy, which crippled the three Wotai elders in an instant like "fires of a fierce god," their hearts were filled with fear.

"This Grand Shaman... is he truly so powerful?"

"So young in appearance, yet so immensely powerful—is he gifted, blessed by deities, or an ancient monster who has reverted to youth?"

Not only Elder Zhamu but also the other members of the Utu tribe held Mo Hua in immense awe.

After taking the Wotai tribe, Mo Hua did not engage in widespread slaughter.

He merely selected a few barbarian cultivators who were inherently incorrigible, still harboring malicious intentions despite feigning submission, and had Elder Zhamu kill them, hanging their bodies on the wall as a warning to others.

Afterward, Mo Hua recruited a portion of the young and strong barbarian cultivators from the Wotai tribe and continued to march towards the next tribe.

Upon reaching the next tribe, Mo Hua repeated the same method.

He used fireballs to cripple the elders, then intimidated the other tribal cultivators.

Fearing Mo Hua's "might," everyone was forced to submit.

As usual, he then picked out a few troublemakers, executed them as a warning, and then bestowed some meat to placate resentment.

After completing all this, Mo Hua recruited more people and continued his advance to the next tribe.

In this manner, relying on his terrifying fireballs and a combination of benevolence and intimidation, wherever Mo Hua went, numerous tribes were swept away, expressing their willingness to submit.

In just two days, he conquered a total of six small tribes around Mount Utu.

In his leisure, Elder Zhamu, having a slight doubt, asked Mo Hua:

"Grand Shaman, why do you only cripple people with fireballs instead of killing them outright?"

Given the Grand Shaman's strength, often a single fireball could destroy someone completely. Why bother with the extra step of having this old man deliver a finishing blow?

Mo Hua replied with a compassionate expression:

"I am the Grand Shaman of the Great Wilderness, and you are all its people. Unless absolutely necessary, I truly do not wish to take lives."

Elder Zhamu was startled, deeply moved, and a sincere feeling of respect and admiration for Mo Hua arose in his heart.

He possessed the power to kill, yet also a compassionate heart.

This was indeed the character and demeanor befitting a noble Grand Shaman.

Five days later, all the tribes around Mount Utu that could be conquered were subdued by Mo Hua in the name of the "Grand Shaman."

The only remaining one was the most powerful tribe in the vicinity, the Uluru tribe.

By this time, Mo Hua was accompanied by a total of two hundred young and strong barbarian cultivators, conscripted from the various small tribes.

Looking at the territory he had "conquered" and the diverse, makeshift "army" of barbarian cultivators behind him, Mo Hua's face was stern, but inwardly, he couldn't help but murmur.

Initially, he had wanted to infiltrate the Dao Soldier Division, follow the Dao soldiers south to the Great Wilderness to suppress the rebellion, and earn merits to secure a position.

However, due to saving the great tiger, he accidentally entered the heartland of the Great Wilderness, and all those plans fell through.

But could what he was doing now also be considered another form of...

...establishing a legacy?

(End of chapter)