Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 898 – Slaying the Evil Spirit

"Mo Hua?"

"Mm." Wenren Wei nodded, then pointed toward the wrecked inner chamber and said solemnly, "I've seen little Master Mo draw similar formations before. I've also seen him disperse cold, sinister evil qi like this. I don't know how exactly he does it, but I believe he has his methods—perhaps he knows some hidden truths. He might be able to save Young Master Changhuai…"

There were things Wenren Wei chose not to say aloud.

But he remembered clearly.

When Mo Hua had once kept watch over Young Master Yu'er at night and dispelled the evil spirits, the evil qi Wenren Wei sensed then was even denser than what they'd faced today.

And it wasn't just a single wisp of evil qi.

It had come in waves—endless, suffocating, bone-chilling—like a rising tide, making one's heart tremble.

Yet young Mo Hua, with his slender frame, stood firmly in front of Yu'er.

One man at the gate, ten thousand evils held at bay.

That scene was forever etched into Wenren Wei's memory.

Wenren Wan frowned.

Elder Gu Hong was also doubtful.

"Mo Hua… that child's only at Foundation Establishment, isn't he? Isn't he just a formation master? When did he start practicing exorcism techniques?"

Even the cultivators from Mystic Valley exchanged glances.

"Mo Hua… could it be that same formation genius who took first place in the Array Conference?"

"He's proficient in divine sense techniques too?"

"That can't be. Divine sense cultivation takes decades to master. He's still so young, just over twenty years into cultivation, hasn't even graduated from his sect. How could he have time to train, learn formations, and master divine sense arts?"

"Besides… he's only Foundation Establishment…"

Wenren Wei looked at Wenren Wan with a calm, steady gaze.

Wenren Wan hesitated a moment, then nodded.

"I'll go with you to the Great Void Sect and bring Mo Hua back to take a look."

She wasn't certain if Mo Hua could truly "exorcise" evil spirits.

But she did know he was extraordinarily talented, possessed unique skills, and always full of ideas. Even if he couldn't fix it directly, he might think of another way.

It was worth trying.

Elder Gu Hong paused for a moment, but didn't object.

Changhuai's condition was far from optimistic—they had no better option but to try anything.

So Wenren Wan entrusted Yu'er to Elder Gu Hong and personally set out with Wenren Wei for the Great Void Sect.

At the Great Void Sect

Mo Hua was in the middle of drawing a formation, but he still felt uneasy—he was actually considering going to check on the Gu family himself when an elder informed him someone had come looking for him.

When he arrived at the gate, he saw Wenren Wan, her expression tight with urgency.

"Mo Hua…"

Wenren Wan didn't know how to begin.

But Mo Hua asked first:

"It's about Uncle Gu, isn't it? He's been possessed?"

Wenren Wan froze.

"How did you know?"

I sensed it while cultivating the Dao of Severing Emotions… Mo Hua thought silently.

Of course, he couldn't say that, so he simply replied:

"I messaged Uncle Gu earlier, but he didn't reply. I figured something must have happened."

Wenren Wan nodded slightly.

"Then…"

"Don't worry. I'll go take a look," Mo Hua said calmly.

Something about Mo Hua's composed demeanor made Wenren Wan feel strangely reassured.

"Alright. Thank you." she said sincerely.

Shortly after, Mo Hua rode the Gu family's carriage, with Wenren Wei at the reins, rushing toward Qingzhou City at full speed.

But the Great Void Sect was still half a day's journey from Qingzhou.

The round trip would take a full day.

Meanwhile, at the Gu Family in Qingzhou

Everyone remained anxious and on edge.

They hadn't simply waited—word had been sent out, and many strange experts and reclusive cultivators had been invited to try and help.

But the results were… disappointing.

The Dao of Divine Sense was already obscure.

Very few cultivators practiced it seriously.

And given the short timeframe, finding someone who could truly exorcise evil spirits through divine sense methods was like searching for a needle in the void.

The ones they did find—if weak—could at least escape unscathed.

But the ones who were more capable?

They all ended up like "Mister Mei."

Several divine sense practitioners had gone mad in succession, terrifying the onlookers.

Mister Mei eventually regained consciousness.

The moment he awoke, his eyes flew open wide with fear.

"Quick—send word back to Mystic Valley! Have the Sect Master send more elders—no, have them send the Feathered Transformation Senior Uncles!"

Everyone's expressions changed.

One cultivator asked, frowning:

"Mister Mei, what exactly did you encounter? What sort of evil spirit has possessed Young Master Gu?"

Cold sweat beaded on Mister Mei's forehead.

A terrifying image replayed in his mind—something that was not an ordinary evil spirit. In fact, he wasn't even sure it could be called an evil spirit.

Horns. Black blood. A monstrous figure…

"That thing…"

"It's not something you can classify as a 'spirit' at all…"

Some of the cultivators exchanged nervous glances.

Two other Mystic Valley cultivators asked, their brows furrowing:

"Mister Mei, you engaged with it directly? What kind of powers does it have?"

Mister Mei gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Engaged? No… just a single glimpse—and my soul was thrown into chaos, overwhelmed by wicked intent. I lost immediately."

"If I hadn't sensed something was off ahead of time and made preparations—plus the treasures from Mystic Valley and the boost from the realgar wine—I probably wouldn't have made it back alive…"

"As for what that thing can actually do…"

"…I don't even qualify to find out."

The room fell silent at those words.

"Then… what tier is it?"

"It's not a matter of tier," Mister Mei said.

"That thing is fundamentally different. You can't measure it by tier at all."

The others all frowned deeply.

"Then what should we do now?"

Mister Mei pondered for a long time, then sighed:

"Try to stabilize Young Master Gu's condition first. I'll send a letter to Mystic Valley. Hopefully, they'll arrive in time…"

Several Mystic Valley cultivators began using various sacred items, placing them on Gu Changhuai's seven orifices. They pressed a pure-heart jade to his forehead to draw out the leaking corruption.

But beyond that—they could do little else.

Everyone in the room wore heavy expressions, weighed down with hopelessness.

About two hours passed.

Just when things were getting desperate…

A carriage from the direction of the Great Void Sect entered Qingzhou City and pulled up to the Gu household.

From the carriage stepped a refined young man.

He wore the Daoist robes of a Great Void Sect disciple. His eyes were deep and composed, his features handsome—and there was a touch of innocence in his expression.

The young man entered the Pill Pavilion.

The members of the Gu family immediately rose to greet him.

Some nodded respectfully, others cupped their hands in salute:

"Young Master Mo…"

"Mister Mo."

"Greetings, Little Master Mo."

Mo Hua returned each greeting with courtesy, then walked to Elder Gu Hong's side and looked at Yu'er.

Yu'er seemed to still be trapped in a nightmare. His little face was pale as paper, and his fair forehead was covered in large beads of sweat.

"Frightened by the evil qi, he hasn't woken up. He kept calling your name in his sleep…" Elder Gu Hong said, heart aching.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded gently and said in a soft voice,

"Don't worry, Elder Hong. It's nothing serious."

Mo Hua extended his palm and placed it lightly on Yu'er's forehead.

Yu'er, who had been writhing in distress, suddenly sensed a familiar aura. He also felt a calm and gentle divine sense flow into him, instantly soothing him. The fear and unease in his heart slowly began to fade away.

The demonic phantoms haunting his dreams seemed to sense a terrifying "natural enemy"—they immediately scattered and fled without a trace.

Yu'er opened his eyes and murmured,

"Big Brother Mo…"

Mo Hua patted his head and said,

"It's alright now. Sleep for a bit, you'll feel better when you wake up."

"Mm…"

Yu'er slowly closed his eyes and drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. From this moment on, no more evil spirits would disturb his dreams—he could finally rest.

Wenren Wan, who had just stepped into the room, saw this and couldn't help showing deep gratitude.

The others also slowly let out a breath of relief.

From the moment Mo Hua entered the room, Mister Mei had been watching him. Now, seeing how the tormented Yu'er had calmed down and fallen asleep in mere moments, his pupils contracted—he couldn't help but ask:

"This young master is…?"

Mo Hua noticed Mister Mei's haggard appearance and politely replied,

"My name is Mo Hua."

Mo Hua?

The name sounded familiar to Mister Mei. He asked cautiously,

"Could you be… that formation prodigy from the Qianxue Province, the one ranked first in the Array Conference?"

Mo Hua nodded, though still modestly replied,

"I was lucky to get first place. Mister flatters me."

Mister Mei inhaled slightly.

So it's really him… and so young at that.

At first glance, he looked just like a junior disciple fresh into the sect. Who would've guessed this boy—only at mid-Foundation Establishment—could already draw peak-level nineteen-rune formations?

And moreover…

Mister Mei frowned slightly.

Though they'd never met, he wasn't entirely unfamiliar with Mo Hua.

Earlier, under the request of an aristocratic clan, he had personally divined Mo Hua's karma—and had seen within the mists of fate a glimpse of the Great Void's Celestial Lock.

That's when he stopped. He dared not continue.

Others might not understand, but he knew very well: the Celestial Lock of the Great Void Sect was laid using an ancient treasure—the Great Void Duality Lock, a top-tier artifact of heavenly secrets.

That treasure was no ordinary thing.

Which meant this youth's secrets were far from ordinary.

Otherwise, the Great Void Sect would never have gone to such lengths to shield his karma.

Mister Mei's attitude instantly became serious.

Though he was a Golden Core cultivator and Mo Hua only Foundation Establishment, he respectfully cupped his hands and said,

"Young Master Mo, it is an honor. I am Mei of Mystic Valley, a Golden Core cultivator. I have some shallow knowledge of divine sense techniques."

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

"Mystic Valley? Then… is there a senior named Situ in your sect?"

"Senior Situ?" Mister Mei was surprised. "Do you mean Grand Elder, Master Situ?"

"Yes." Mo Hua nodded.

Mister Mei was shocked.

"Young Master Mo, you… know Grand Elder Situ?"

Mo Hua replied calmly,

"We met once. Back when I formed my foundation, he offered me some guidance."

"I see… so there's such a connection."

Mister Mei was stunned, then quietly overjoyed.

To think the formation prodigy of the Great Void Sect—first under heaven in the Array Conference—also shares karmic ties with Mystic Valley…

What a fortuitous bond.

"We'll have to make sure the sect's disciples don't offend this Young Master Mo…"

"As for his karma, better not meddle with it. Don't want to ruin this good affinity and turn it into calamity."

Mister Mei noted silently, and treated Mo Hua with even more warmth.

Mo Hua remained polite and refined in response.

The members of the Gu family, however, were left baffled—especially Elder Gu Hong and Wenren Wan, both visibly confused.

Since when did this Mo Hua kid get so chummy with people from Mystic Valley?

And why was this Golden Core cultivator from Mystic Valley treating him with such respect?

The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat astonished.

After a few courteous words with Mo Hua, Mister Mei suddenly remembered something and asked,

"Young Master Mo, may I ask what brings you here today?"

Mo Hua didn't hide it.

"I've come to check on Uncle Gu."

"Young Master Gu?"

"Yes."

Mister Mei paused, then asked in surprise,

"Young Master Mo… you're skilled in exorcism techniques?"

Mo Hua replied humbly,

"Just a little."

"Truly?" Mei asked, still skeptical.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "A little."

Mister Mei studied Mo Hua for a moment, then sighed in amazement:

"Young Master Mo, your talent is truly remarkable."

So young, and already a master of formations, exceptional divine sense, and even some command of the divine sense path and exorcism arts.

It now made sense why Grand Elder Situ had taken a liking to him and offered personal guidance.

"But still…"

Despite the respect, Mister Mei's expression turned grave.

After a brief pause, he offered some heartfelt advice:

"The evil force within Young Master Gu is overwhelming—its karma immense, its nature extremely vicious. It may be beyond what any cultivator can handle…"

"There's a saying: 'A precious son should not sit under a collapsing roof.' Young Master Mo, with your noble identity and the sect's high hopes for your future, it may be best not to risk yourself."

The implication was clear: the evil is too strong, and you're too young.

Better to play it safe than lose your life.

But Mister Mei spoke with genuine concern and in the most tactful way possible.

Mo Hua smiled and replied,

"Thank you for your concern, Mister Mei. I'm just going to take a look. I won't be long."

"Just a look?"

"Mm."

Mo Hua's tone was composed and warm—but beneath it was a quiet, unshakable resolve.

Mister Mei tried to dissuade him a few more times, but seeing that Mo Hua's mind was made up, he could only sigh and say,

"Then… please, Young Master Mo, do be extremely careful."

"Don't worry, Mister Mei," Mo Hua replied.

And then, he began walking toward the inner chamber.

But after only a few steps, Mister Mei's eyes widened in alarm. He quickly stepped forward and blocked him.

"Young Master Mo—you're just going in like that?!"

Mo Hua paused, puzzled.

"Should I not?"

Mister Mei looked serious.

"Exorcism is not a game. If you're countered by the evil force, you could suffer light damage to your sea of consciousness—or total annihilation of your soul. You must be cautious."

Seeing Mo Hua still look confused, Mister Mei explained:

"At least take some protective gear with you!"

"Gear?"

"Karmic copper coins—link them into a sword to sever karma ties. A heart-protection mirror to shield your meridians. A warding robe to repel spirits. Calming incense to stabilize your mind…"

"These are all precautionary measures. They could literally save your life in a critical moment."

Mo Hua was wide-eyed with surprise.

He had no idea slaying evil spirits needed all this stuff.

He'd never used any of it.

He shook his head.

"No need."

Mister Mei assumed this was youthful arrogance and recklessness. He grew more anxious.

"Young man, divine sense is a treacherous path. You mustn't be careless…"

"At the very least, drink a mouthful of realgar wine before going in."

"Realgar wine?"

Mister Mei explained:

"This wine is blazing with pure yang energy. It boosts courage and repels evil spirits. For a time, it can protect your divine sense."

He turned and ordered:

"Warm a cup of wine for the young master."

Moments later, someone handed Mo Hua a freshly heated cup.

Mo Hua sniffed it… and immediately shook his head.

Too pungent. Just the smell made his nose burn—he couldn't imagine actually drinking it.

Besides, he'd never liked strong liquor.

"No need. I'll just go in and be right back."

Mo Hua said calmly.

Then, with nothing on him—no gear, no charms—he simply strode into the inner chamber alone and closed the door behind him.

Mister Mei watched helplessly, unable to stop him. He shook his head in deep worry.

"This child… far too reckless…"

If he continues down the divine sense path, the deeper he goes, the sooner he'll become food for some evil spirit…

...

Inside the inner chamber.

Mo Hua walked to the bedside, glanced at Gu Changhuai's face, then lifted his eyelids and shook his head.

"Poor Uncle Gu…"

He sat cross-legged, then took out the Bone Sword and whispered,

"Bonehead, in a moment, you'll do exactly as I say, alright?"

The Bone Sword Spirit shivered internally.

But Mo Hua's words weren't to be disobeyed. He could only nod and say,

"Whatever you say, Young Master."

"Inside Uncle Gu's Sea of Consciousness, there's a 'little evil spirit'. In a moment, you'll go in and lure it out—draw it into your own bone sword."

"Then, pull me in as well."

"Once that's done, your job is finished."

The Bonehead Spirit looked miserable.

He hesitated and confirmed,

"Little Ancestor… are you sure it's just a little evil spirit?"

Mo Hua frowned.

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

If the Bone Spirit had a face beyond bare bone, he would've shown the most tragic expression known to ghostkind.

"But…" the Bone Spirit added, "With my strength, I probably… can't lure it out…"

"Don't worry. I'll teach you." Mo Hua said confidently. "Just do what I say—go in and cuss it out. It'll definitely chase you."

"…Cuss it out?!" the Bone Spirit trembled.

"Exactly," Mo Hua nodded.

Then, from his own collection—wait, no—from Elder Yu's famous Insult Handbook, he casually selected a few choice phrases and taught them to Bonehead.

"Just hurl these at it. Unless that thing's the grandson of a turtle counter, even if you run to the edge of the world, it'll chase you down to the death."

The Bone Spirit trembled so hard his bones rattled.

"Young Master… isn't that a bit… impolite?"

Mo Hua scowled.

"You're a demon. Since when do you care about etiquette? Go now, or I'll feed you to the dogs."

Bonehead had no choice.

Once, he'd wanted to be a good person—but never had the chance.

Now he wanted to be a well-mannered, cultured demon—but Mo Hua wouldn't allow it.

Seeing Mo Hua's face getting darker by the second, Bonehead could only clench his teeth, emit a mist of blood-red vapor, and dive into Gu Changhuai's Sea of Consciousness.

Chaos followed.

On Gu Changhuai's unconscious face, a thick and violent aura began to appear.

After a moment, a faint, almost undetectable divine sense signal returned.

It was Bonehead.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he released his spiritual sense, allowing Bonehead to pull him into the nightmare blood pool within the Bone Sword.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already inside the blood pool—surrounded by endless bone swords, stained crimson, and soaked in blood.

This was Bonehead's "lair."

Mo Hua turned his head—and saw it.

A hulking, twisted creature with a demonic divine body, oozing black blood, and twisted ram horns, was currently tormenting Bonehead.

The poor Bone Spirit had already been reduced to scattered bones on the floor, and the ram-horned creature was chewing on his spine like a snack.

When it saw Mo Hua, the grotesque monster spat out Bonehead with a wet ptoo, then sneered with a guttural, beastlike voice:

"I knew it. That pathetic little demon actually had the gall to provoke me?"

"So this was all a trap to lure me here?"

Its crimson eyes were full of cruelty as it looked down from above.

Because Mo Hua had undergone divine sense transformation during his Foundation Establishment, his spiritual projection remained youthful—he looked like a child.

Mo Hua calmly looked up at the evil creature.

It sneered,

"What now? You think you—a tiny brat not even enough to get stuck between my teeth—can subdue me?"

Mo Hua's expression remained calm.

He allowed this "meal" to act rude—for now—and even licked his lips, unable to suppress the hunger rising in his heart.

The giant demon's eyelid twitched. Something didn't feel right.

Why wasn't this little thing afraid?

Something was off…

Moreover, Mo Hua's aura was deliberately masked. The evil creature couldn't sense anything from him—except for the faintest trace of something eerily similar to its own essence. Disturbing.

The ram-horned beast frowned.

"You—"

It was about to speak again.

But Mo Hua had already run out of patience.

It had been so long since he'd come across an evil spirit worth killing.

His divine sense sword—sharpened through endless trials—hadn't tasted blood in ages.

Mo Hua's delicate hand clenched.

In that moment, his entire aura shifted.

With divine sense as iron and sword runes as bone, he forged a sword of dazzling golden light—sharp and radiant.

The "Broken Gold Sword"—formed by divine sense.

The evil creature's eyes widened in shock.

"You—?!"

It had no time to react.

With a flick of his left hand, Mo Hua summoned a Water Prison, sealing the creature inside an invisible cage.

In the next breath, he flickered above its head—golden divine sense sword in hand, infused with sword formation laws, raised high.

The ram-horned evil spirit struggled desperately, but couldn't escape. Its expression changed drastically, a look of sheer panic.

"Wait! I—"

Too late.

Mo Hua brought the sword down.

The divine sense sword—wrought from the Broken Gold Array—became a beam of golden light. The light was dense with formation runes, filled with surging sword qi, terrifyingly sharp.

One strike.

The colossal demon was cleaved cleanly in two.

The residual sword array continued grinding away at its body, slicing through flesh and extinguishing its vitality—ensuring it would never resurrect.

The demon's face remained frozen in shock.

It simply couldn't comprehend—how could this seemingly harmless brat be such a terrifying existence?

It hadn't even survived one attack.

What kind of… monster was this?!

But it would never get an answer.

In the next instant, Mo Hua reached out, summoned the Blazing Fire Array, and lightly roasted the corpse.

Then, with casual ease, refined it into a mass of black qi…

…and swallowed it whole.

Under Mo Hua's current mastery of divine sense sword manifestation, this "formidable" ram-horned evil creature never even stood a chance.

Not from start to finish.

(End of Chapter)