Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 877 – Parting Ways

Ganxue Prefecture Realm — Heavenly Dao Sect.

In a grand palace hall, glittering like jade and celestial towers, Elder Shen—originating from the Shen Clan, at the Feathering Realm, and wielding real authority—was in discussion with a group of elders and instructors.

Before long, the hall doors were pushed open.

An elder in a Heavenly Dao Sect robe, with half-white hair and a stern, upright demeanor, stormed in—his face full of rage.

The hall instantly fell silent.

Elder Shen looked around and waved his hand.

"You all leave first. We'll discuss the rest later."

"Yes, Elder."

The group of elders and instructors exited the hall.

With the doors shut, only Elder Shen and Elder Zheng remained.

Elder Zheng cut straight to the chase:

"What are you going to do about the Rouge Boat incident?"

Elder Shen frowned.

"Do about it? What does the Rouge Boat have to do with our Heavenly Dao Sect?"

Elder Zheng gave a cold laugh.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Don't try to tell me you know nothing."

"That boat—was it really only operated by the Yin Water Sect?"

"Those disciples gathered for fame, power, and profit. And in the Ganxue Prefecture Realm, who holds the greatest fame, power, and profit? Which clans? Which sects?"

"Your Shen Clan, and the Heavenly Dao Sect—how could you possibly have no connection?"

Elder Shen said nothing.

Seeing this, Elder Zheng snorted:

"Doesn't matter if you don't speak. I investigated. That boat reeks of your Shen Clan. Many Heavenly Dao Sect disciples were onboard as well."

"Elder Zheng…" Elder Shen's expression turned cold. "Don't slander me with baseless accusations."

Elder Zheng sneered,

"You know damn well if it's slander. I used to think you were just greedy and self-serving. But I didn't expect your Dao heart to be so utterly rotten—to do things even animals would be ashamed of."

SLAM!

Elder Shen slammed the table and shrieked,

"That's enough!"

Elder Zheng stood firm.

Elder Shen took a deep breath, restraining his fury, and pointed a trembling finger at Elder Zheng:

"Zheng, don't forget, I've been tolerant of you because of your Zheng Clan. Don't push your luck!"

"Push my luck?" Elder Zheng shot back. "So turning a blind eye to corruption, licking the Shen Clan's boots—that's just doing my duty as a Heavenly Dao Sect elder?"

Elder Shen said coldly,

"Watch your words, Elder Zheng."

"And what if I don't?" Elder Zheng's voice chilled. "Tell me, what exactly are you planning to do about the Rouge Boat?"

Elder Shen hadn't planned to discuss it, but seeing Elder Zheng pressing hard and fearing he'd cause a bigger scene, he replied irritably:

"The patriarch already has a plan."

"What plan?" Zheng asked.

Elder Shen's expression shifted. After a brief sigh, he said,

"It was a lapse on my Shen Clan's part. We merely offered the Yin Water Sect a bit of…convenience. We didn't expect them to become so bold and reckless…"

"A bit of convenience?" Elder Zheng's eyes sharpened. "I bet the Shen Clan feasted on profits. Is that why you looked the other way—too fat to care?"

Elder Shen didn't answer, but countered:

"Which clan doesn't pursue profit? Does your Zheng Clan not?"

"At least not profit earned this way."

"Sure, sure. Your Zheng Clan is so noble. So what now?" Elder Shen mocked. "You planning to charge my Shen Clan with crimes?"

"Your Shen Clan's crimes are beyond my reach," Elder Zheng replied. "But as the Law Elder of Heavenly Dao Sect, I must deal with disciples who boarded that boat and broke sect rules."

Elder Shen gritted his teeth.

"And what exactly do you want to do?"

"Abolish their cultivation. Expel them from the sect!" Elder Zheng declared coldly.

BAM! Elder Shen smacked the table, fuming:

"Absurd!"

He was so furious his hands were trembling.

"Do you know who they are? They're the prodigies of the great clans—each with top-tier spirit roots! The finest talents of the cultivation world. And you want to cripple them?! Who gave you the guts?"

"Besides, do you know what time it is?"

"The Sword Conference is right around the corner! If you cripple them, who's going to fight for Heavenly Dao Sect's glory? Our share of the Ganlong Spirit Mine?"

Elder Shen pointed an accusing finger at Zheng,

"You short-sighted fool! Can't you see the bigger picture?"

"So what?" Elder Zheng sneered. "You just want to cover it all up?"

"It's not a cover-up…" Elder Shen sighed. "They're still young. Who hasn't made mistakes in their youth? We must give them a chance to redeem themselves."

"Besides, this Sword Conference is of utmost importance—you know that. Compared to the sect's interests, this is just a small issue."

Elder Zheng's gaze grew cold.

"A small issue?"

"I said compared to the sect's interests—"

"All you talk about is profit! What about righteousness? What about cultivation ethics?"

"Let's put 'ethics' aside for a moment—"

"Why put it aside?" Elder Zheng snapped. "Once ethics are abandoned—can you ever get them back?"

Elder Shen waved him off in frustration.

"There's no reasoning with you."

Elder Zheng gave him a look like he was speaking to a brick wall.

"So that's it? Case closed?"

Elder Shen replied,

"A great endeavor doesn't fuss over details. For the sake of the bigger picture, we won't pursue this any further. Besides…"

He lowered his voice and warned coldly,

"The patriarch has already approved this. Don't stir up trouble."

The patriarch…

Disappointment surged in Elder Zheng's eyes.

"You're… trading the greater for the lesser."

"I've said it's for the greater good!" Elder Shen snapped. "How is that losing the greater?"

Elder Zheng shook his head slowly.

"Obsessed with profit, blind to righteousness… If this continues, sects and clans will be filled with nothing but profit-chasers and hypocrites."

"They feed fat on gains, exploit others, monopolize resources and legacies. One day, these powerful clans will hoard everything, leaving nothing for ordinary cultivators."

"It may seem prosperous on the surface, but it's a sign of rot. A crumbling empire in disguise."

"There you go again—with your fearmongering," Elder Shen snorted. He spread his arms proudly:

"Look around the Ganxue Prefecture Realm—look at our Heavenly Dao Sect! Lofty palaces, clouds and mist… If that's not a sign of a prosperous Immortal Sect, then what is?"

Elder Zheng's gaze turned cold:

"The palaces are just a facade. The clouds only float above. Outward splendor can't hide inner rot."

"You're still so…" Elder Shen spat four words,

"Utterly unreasonable!"

He waved his hand, clearly done with this:

"I don't have time for your nonsense. There are important Dao Conference matters to attend to. If you have time, help out. If not, stop interfering—or else…"

Elder Shen sneered,

"You might not keep that Elder seat much longer."

"No need." Elder Zheng casually tossed a jade slip in front of him.

"I quit."

Elder Shen froze.

"What did you say?"

Elder Zheng spoke clearly,

"I said—I'm done being an Elder in your rotten Heavenly Dao Sect."

Elder Shen's face turned an ugly shade as he picked up the jade slip. Seeing the two characters: "Resignation Letter," his expression changed dramatically. He roared in disbelief:

"Unbelievable! Do you have any idea how many cultivators would kill to get a position in our Heavenly Dao Sect—and you just—just—!"

Elder Zheng sneered,

"Your temple's too big. This little Buddha doesn't belong here."

With that, he turned and walked off.

"STOP!" Shen bellowed.

Then he calmed himself and said,

"Don't forget—our sect has an agreement with your Zheng Clan's patriarch. You can leave, but the Zheng Clan's formation techniques must still be handed down."

Elder Zheng replied solemnly:

"My patriarch only agreed to consider it. Whether they're passed down is my decision."

"Besides, the Zheng Clan's Eight Trigram Thunder Array—unyielding and fierce—requires unwavering integrity. Your disciples? They don't have the heart to learn it."

"Absurd!" Elder Shen shouted. "Don't overestimate yourselves. Our Heavenly Dao Sect is one of the top four in Ganxue! Filled with geniuses and talents—if we aren't worthy, who is?"

Elder Zheng mocked,

"Geniuses? Selfish, greedy, blind to principle… Even with Heaven-grade Spirit Roots, they're nothing but tumors with higher cultivation."

"One day, their corruption will spread. The Dao will fall into imbalance. Catastrophe will follow. And your sect will be the root of it all."

"A sect like yours? Forgive me—I'll pass."

"Fine! Fine!" Shen roared. "We're one of the Four Great Sects of Ganxue! Losing you is nothing. But you… mark my words—you'll regret this!"

Elder Zheng gave him a final look of scorn and left without hesitation.

Leaving only Elder Shen, raging alone in the great hall—flipping tables, pounding desks—powerless and furious.

Since he'd become a core Elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, no one had ever dared disrespect him this way.

No one had ever treated the prestigious title of "Elder" like worthless garbage.

Elder Shen was still fuming with rage.

After a while, he managed to suppress his anger and calm himself down. He called for the elders and instructors waiting outside to return and resume the meeting.

As the group of elders and instructors stepped back into the hall and saw the disarray within, as well as Elder Shen's still-simmering fury, none of them dared to speak.

The meeting proceeded as usual.

After everything was settled, Elder Shen compiled all the matters into a jade slip, tucked it into his sleeve, and went alone to the tallest tower of the Heavenly Dao Sect.

This tower was even more exquisite and noble than the palace of jade pavilions outside—its bricks were made of white jade, and its tiles of glazed crystal.

At the center of the tower sat an old man.

The elder had snow-white hair and beard, wore a golden-embroidered robe, and carried the aura of an immortal sage.

Elder Shen respectfully stepped forward, handed over the jade slip, and whispered:

"Patriarch, everything has been discussed and arranged. All parties have been placated. As long as nothing unexpected occurs, this Dao Conference will go entirely according to our plan."

The old man sat with his eyes closed, silently cultivating, and said nothing.

The high tower fell into a solemn silence.

After a moment, Elder Shen lowered his head and added in a quieter voice:

"That one surnamed Zheng… he was ungrateful and has resigned from his post…"

Only then did the elder in the ornate robe open his eyes abruptly, gazing at Elder Shen with a sharp glint.

Elder Shen immediately felt the pressure of the patriarch's gaze—stern and filled with displeasure—and instinctively bowed even lower, trying to explain:

"That man has always been arrogant and unmanageable. Normally, I would suppress him with words now and then to keep him in line. But I never imagined…"

He never imagined Zheng would really throw down the towel and walk away—abandoning a position as elder in one of the Four Great Sects as if it were nothing.

The old man in the ornate robe furrowed his brows slightly and then said in a calm, indifferent voice:

"Let it be. Those who can stay will stay. Those who wish to leave, we cannot force."

"Patriarch," Elder Shen said softly, "it doesn't matter whether Zheng leaves or stays—but the formation technique he carries…"

The elder said nothing, only looking silently at Elder Shen.

Elder Shen quickly added:

"The Zheng Clan's Eight Trigram Thunder Array is rare in the cultivation world. Even our Heavenly Dao Sect, with its long history and deep foundation in formations, has no true thunder-based formation legacy."

"If we could acquire it for our Formation Pavilion, it would enrich our sect's Daoist arsenal significantly."

"What do you think, Patriarch… Should we find a way… to make him stay?"

After speaking, Elder Shen bowed deeply, awaiting the patriarch's judgment.

The elder in the ornate robe pondered in silence, then shook his head.

"Let it go. The Eight Trigram Thunder Array is not lightly passed on, nor easily learned. If he is unwilling to teach, we mustn't force it."

Elder Shen frowned, clearly puzzled.

"Patriarch, does that array truly demand a heart of unwavering righteousness and strength?"

Seeing no answer, he pressed further:

"In this disciple's opinion, 'heart and nature' are empty phrases. With good spirit roots and strong aptitude, what can't be learned? Why bother with talk of character?"

"This Zheng Clan thunder array—it's likely just a gimmick. They hoard it jealously and refuse to pass it down, using 'Dao heart' as a convenient excuse."

The old man glanced at Elder Shen and shook his head, clearly unwilling to argue. He simply instructed:

"Leave this matter. If the Zheng Clan chooses to stay, let them. As for the past… pretend it never happened."

"If he chooses to leave, do not obstruct him."

"Though the Zheng Clan dwells in the remote Zhen Prefecture, they are among the rare few who can preserve a thunder formation legacy. They should not be underestimated."

"More importantly…"

The elder's tone grew solemn,

"The Dao Conference is the real matter at hand. Do not stir up further trouble."

"Understood, Patriarch," Elder Shen said respectfully.

Only then did the patriarch pick up the jade slip Elder Shen had brought. After glancing through it, he gave a slight nod.

"Well done. Carry it out accordingly…"

"Remember: in all things—either don't act at all, or carry it through to the end. Let no lingering threats remain."

Elder Shen immediately bowed deeply:

"I shall obey the Patriarch's instruction."

A few days later — Ganxue Prefecture Realm, Ganxue Pavilion.

In the grand and towering main hall, the Four Great Sects, Eight Major Clans, as well as the Twelve Streams and representatives from the Hundred Sects of Ganxue, gathered together.

The attendees included sect leaders and elders with real authority.

They had convened to finalize reforms to sect governance and the official schedule of the upcoming Dao Conference.

Most matters had already been discussed beforehand.

This meeting in Ganxue Pavilion was to settle things once and for all.

However, before the session began, the Four Great Sects—led by Heavenly Dao Sect—had submitted a new proposal.

The moment the elder from Tai'a Sect read the jade slip, he immediately rose and slammed the table:

"Absolutely not!"

An elder from the Broken Gold Sect said mockingly,

"And why not?"

The Tai'a elder flipped through the jade slip and said,

"The changes are too drastic."

"It's just some scheduling tweaks and minor adjustments to the rules. Nothing major—"

"Nonsense!"

Some sects immediately chimed in:

"Indeed! These traditions have been followed for hundreds of years—how can they be changed on a whim?"

"Such disregard for the ancestral rules!"

Still, the dissenting voices were in the minority.

Most sects remained silent. Some even voiced support for the proposal.

"The ancestral rules were also adjusted throughout the ages. Reform is part of tradition."

"I think the Heavenly Dao Sect's proposal is excellent."

…

Inside the Ganxue Pavilion, the hall was abuzz with voices.

High above, seated at the main seat, Elder Shen gave a light cough. Once the crowd quieted down somewhat, he finally spoke:

"Everyone has read the jade slip. Today's assembly concerns a few key points. I hope all of you will take note—"

"First: the Sword Conference will be held before the Dao Conference—we will discuss swords first, and Dao after."

"As you all know, the Sword Conference is one of Ganxue Prefecture's grandest events. Not only do sect disciples gather in droves, but countless noble clans and cultivators from other prefectures also come to observe. This has always been tradition."

"However, the traditional schedule—first Dao, then sword—is inefficient."

"The Dao Conference includes competitions in talismans, formations, pills, and tools, all of which are time-consuming. If there are delays, the Sword Conference ends up being postponed, making the priorities unclear."

"Therefore, to ensure the Sword Conference happens on time, and to avoid wasting cultivators' time across the Nine Provinces, we must bring it forward!"

"All manpower and resources will be focused on the Sword Conference, ensuring that from this cycle onward, the event is held on schedule—and ideally becomes the premier event in all of Gan Prefecture, even the Nine Provinces."

"That is the first point. The second: we will now expand the number of participants in the Sword Conference."

"The goal of the Sword Conference was never to let just a few disciples dominate. Rather, we wish to encourage more disciples from every sect to step forward and strive."

"Expanding the slots allows more participation, promoting healthy competition and collective progress. This is a good thing."

"And the third point—most important of all…"

Elder Shen paused, his expression solemn.

"Starting this year, the ranking of all sects—the Four Great Sects, Eight Major Clans, even the Twelve Streams—will be determined by their performance in the Dao Conference!"

This declaration caused an immediate uproar in the room.

After a pause, Elder Shen explained further:

"This ranking will shift every cycle for the next three rounds of the Dao Conference."

"But after those three rounds, the ranks will be finalized, and remain unchanged for a full century."

"The sect reform will be decided across three Dao Conferences, spanning ten years, to establish a sect hierarchy that lasts one hundred years. This cycle will then repeat—every century, a new reform."

"Those with true ability will rise."

With a serious tone, Elder Shen continued:

"To be one of the Four Great Sects or Eight Major Clans—the leading factions in a land of thousands of sects—carries enormous significance."

"A sect's duty is to pass on the Dao and cultivate disciples. If they can't nurture outstanding talents who can prove themselves at the Dao Conference, they do not deserve to sit in those seats."

"Otherwise, it's nothing more than riding on ancestral coattails—unworthy in name and position, only to become a laughingstock."

"To prevent such decay, we Four Great Sects will lead by example and implement this reform ourselves first."

"It is also a form of discipline and motivation for us."

"This title of 'Four Great Sects'—whoever has the ability, takes it."

"If our disciples cannot match others in skill, we will step aside without complaint."

"The Heavenly Dao Sect, and the other Four Great Sects, will harbor no resentment."

"So—what do you all think?"

Immediately, the mood inside Ganxue Pavilion grew heated.

The Four Great Sects!

In Ganxue Prefecture, there was no sect that didn't dream of rising to the top. Everyone yearned for a spot among the Four Great Sects—especially to gain the largest share of the Dragon Vein spiritual ore beneath the Qianlong Mountains, the fattest piece of meat.

Even the elders of Tai'a Sect and Chongxu Sect were clearly stirred by Elder Shen's words.

If not for the scandal of the Rouge Boat… they would surely risk everything to fight for this chance.

But now, they could only suffer in silence, unable to voice their grievances…

Some sects still tried to oppose the motion.

However, Heavenly Dao Sect and the Four Great Sects had already settled everything behind the scenes.

This entire matter had long been predetermined.

And so, when it came time to vote, nearly every sect agreed with the Heavenly Dao Sect's proposal.

The great reshuffling of sect hierarchy—this grand "sect reform"—was now officially underway…

Great Void Sect.

In the elder's quarters, Mo Hua was still learning formation arts from Venerable Elder Xun.

More accurately—Mo Hua was being examined.

Venerable Elder Xun had laid out a massive exam scroll full of formation diagrams. It included more than a dozen Grade Two formations with nineteen runes, even up to peak nineteen-rune arrays, requiring Mo Hua to complete all of them in a single go.

Rest was allowed—but very little.

Mo Hua had been drawing since morning… all the way until evening.

When he finally handed over the "exam scroll," there was still a third of the incense stick burning in Elder Xun's incense burner.

"You finished?" Elder Xun asked.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Xun accepted the scroll and reviewed each formation diagram, one by one.

Despite the time limit… despite the complex rune counts… despite the sheer difficulty of the arrays—

Each stroke of Mo Hua's brush was precise and flawless. The formation scripts looked like they had been printed, not drawn. Not a single mistake.

Even his brush technique was honed to perfection—flawless.

To complete such a high-level array exam at this level of mastery… among Grade Two Formation Masters, it was practically unheard of.

Even an average Grade Three Formation Master couldn't have done better.

His foundation was solid. His knowledge was broad. His insight was deep. His skill—refined to its peak.

His divine sense—immeasurably vast. His brush technique—tempered like steel.

Even if a possessing soul of an ancient monster came to draw Grade Two arrays, they'd be hard-pressed to outperform this.

Elder Xun sucked in a sharp breath. He looked at Mo Hua with a deep, long gaze. Finally, the worry hanging in his heart— Eased.

The turning point for the Great Void Sect… had come.

(End of Chapter)