Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 921: Azure Dragon of the Four Symbols

"Don't forget why the Myriad Beasts Valley was founded in the first place…"

"So many cultivators were used for experimentation—fusing various beast runes into their bodies, corrupting them into beast cultivators—all for the purpose of endless trial and error, constant iteration, and ultimately… raising a single 'dragon'."

"And what does a dragon mean?"

"The Four Symbols Dragon Mark—a divine beast rune that only the true nobility of the Great Wilderness are qualified to refine. Once cultivated, it grants the power of the Azure Dragon. Skin like dragon scales—indestructible. Breath like a dragon's roar—overwhelming. Even the ten thousand beasts submit, not daring to defy…"

"You may have cultivated the path of the Bear Spirit, and you may be strong—but don't think you've really eaten 'a bear's heart and a leopard's gall' to dare think about challenging Big Brother. You wouldn't even know how you died…"

"But I think Big Brother, he…"

"Shut up! Don't speak of this again!"

Mo Hua held the Guest Elder's Command Token, staring at the decrypted magnetic inscriptions, stunned in place—but within, a storm surged in his heart.

Dragon Mark…

Divine Beast Rune…

The Azure Dragon Formation of the Four Symbols?!

So that was the true purpose of the Myriad Beasts Valley's experiments—using countless beast runes to iterate and optimize, to ultimately breed this Azure Dragon Rune?

No wonder…

No wonder that day in the valley, when Mr. Tu realized things were going south, he didn't hesitate for a second—he directly destroyed all the evidence.

All the beast cultivators were ordered to their deaths.

All the Four Symbols Beast Runes on their bodies were detonated into blood mist.

Every formation diagram, book, jade slip—either transferred or completely destroyed, leaving not even a scrap behind.

He didn't dare leave anything.

He feared someone might use the remnants to deduce his true plans through the logic of the formations.

It was all for one goal—

To reconstruct a true, near-extinct divine beast formation:

The Azure Dragon Formation of the Four Symbols!

"Such ambition…"

If not for Mo Hua, using his Return-to-Origin-formed primary magnetic threads to sneak into the Demonic Sect's internals, he never would've discovered this.

That being the case…

"The Myriad Beasts Valley was meant to research and experiment on the Azure Dragon Mark…"

"Then the Dragon King Temple on Yanshui River must be connected too…"

"Dragon King Temple, dragon blood, dragon bone…"

"The Valley researches the formation—the Temple provides the materials."

Mo Hua also recalled that Mr. Wu in the Dragon King Temple, who could grow dragon scales and become a monster impervious to blades and spears…

"Could Mr. Wu have been one of the experimental subjects for this Azure Dragon Formation?"

"Or perhaps, it was by leveraging research into the Azure Dragon Formation that he gained such indestructible dragon power?"

Mo Hua was starting to connect all the dots.

At the same time, a bold idea began to surface in his heart:

The Azure Dragon Formation…

"My life-bound artifact—maybe it should be…"

He suppressed his excitement, forcing himself to stay calm and reflect.

"Copper Skin, Iron Bones"—it was just a general term for a class of life-bound magical armaments. Their essence lay in using special spiritual materials, combined with secret pill, alchemy, and formation arts, to either attach them to the skin or implant them in the bones to strengthen the body.

In essence, it was still an external "skin armor" or internal "bone armor."

For a body cultivator, it was the ideal blend of offense and defense.

But for Mo Hua, it still didn't feel quite right. It lacked… soul.

And now, Mr. Tu's scheming had provided him with a new direction:

Array Formations.

"Copper Skin, Iron Bones" was just a shell. Mo Hua's path was the path of formations, of verifying the Dao through divine sense. Naturally, his life-bound treasure should be formation-related.

And right now, he was staring at the most suitable one:

The Azure Dragon Formation of the Four Symbols.

Instead of using the Demonic Sect's bloody beast rune methods, what if he crafted it like a Copper Skin, Iron Bones treasure—forged the formation directly into his flesh?

Turn skin into dragon scales. Command divine beast power.

Mo Hua's emotions surged, but he calmed himself down and thought seriously:

"But the Azure Dragon Formation was something Mr. Tu researched for who knows how long, pouring in unimaginable effort—it can't be that simple…"

"First—materials…"

"Dragon blood… I don't have any."

"Mr. Wu from the Dragon King Temple must've consumed some, judging by his transformation. But he died cleanly, no clues left. So I'll have to… go back to the Temple when I get a chance?"

"Or maybe… search inside the Demonic Sect itself. The 'Big Brother' those Jindan devils referred to—the sect leader—if he's refining the Azure Dragon Rune and nurturing dragon power, he must have dragon blood."

"Dragon meat… maybe that's needed too?"

"Dragon bones…"

Mo Hua's heart suddenly jolted.

"The Dragon Bone Deity Statue in the Dragon King Temple!"

That statue—crafted from dragon bones—was hidden deep in the temple's main hall. He had found it and later hid it in the fishing village, as a home for Little Silverfish.

But now, he frowned.

The statue's aura was ancient. Its power was mysterious. Its karmic burden was too great. He might not be able to merge it into his own body.

Even if he could, it likely wouldn't solve the inherent rejection between human flesh and dragon bone.

And the usual "Copper Skin, Iron Bones" forging techniques wouldn't be enough to bind dragon bone to a cultivator's body.

It's dragon bone, after all.

Even if it were just from a lesser river dragon, the power within its tendons and bones would be far beyond what a human cultivator could endure—especially someone like Mo Hua, whose physical body had always been weak.

And that wasn't the only problem.

The Four Symbols Beast Runes in Myriad Beasts Valley were crafted with evil formation techniques. The Azure Dragon Rune they birthed might not even be a legitimate Azure Dragon.

If so, wouldn't imprinting that evil formation on his body mean he'd entered the demonic path?

Also… according to the demonic cultivators, the Azure Dragon Rune was something only the royal bloodlines of the Great Wilderness were qualified to refine.

So if that's the case… would refining the Azure Dragon Formation require a specific bloodline?

Mo Hua's body held no such bloodline. Did he even have the right to refine it?

And that was just the problems he could foresee.

This kind of powerful, ancient, nearly lost formation—one that even Mr. Tu had to test with the lives of countless beast cultivators—would surely bring even more trouble if he tried to make it into his life-bound artifact.

Mo Hua frowned deeper and deeper.

"Too hard… too many problems…"

He hesitated. But after deep deliberation, he finally made up his mind:

"Screw it. I'm getting myself a dragon."

Choosing a standard Jindan life-bound treasure would be safer, with less risk. But safety also meant mediocrity.

Refining the Azure Dragon Formation would undoubtedly be full of danger—but precisely because of that, it was worth chasing.

A life-bound artifact was cultivated with one's very life—accompanying a cultivator for life. It formed the very foundation of the Golden Core stage—a major turning point.

Many powerful clans had their heirs start nurturing treasure embryos as early as age three.

Mo Hua was already far behind those clan scions in spiritual roots, physique, and cultivation base. If he didn't choose something outstanding now, the gap would only widen.

If he'd never learned of the Azure Dragon Formation, he wouldn't have considered it.

But now that fate had placed it before him—how could he turn away?

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No matter how difficult, he had to try.

Otherwise, when regret came later, it'd be far too late.

Besides… everything he needed to do—whether rescuing his Master, seeking the myriad ways, or pursuing ascension—was far harder than this.

If he backed down now, the road ahead would only get steeper.

Mo Hua nodded, decision firm:

He was going to get himself a dragon.

Find a way to refine the Azure Dragon Formation of the Four Symbols, and make it his life-bound treasure.

He would do everything within his power—and leave the rest to fate.

If you want something truly great, you must work for it. Effort doesn't always bring success—but no effort guarantees failure.

And now that he had decided, Mo Hua no longer hesitated.

"If I'm to refine the Azure Dragon Formation, I can worry about the materials later. The evil techniques used in its creation—I can verify and replace them. But first…"

"I need to get the Azure Dragon Formation diagram in my hands."

Mo Hua steeled himself, already plotting his next move.

Mo Hua pondered silently.

The Azure Dragon Formation Diagram of the Four Symbols—that was the foundation of everything.

Without the diagram, everything else was just empty talk.

This formation was one of the highest-level legacies among the Four Symbols formations, bearing the name of the divine beast "Azure Dragon."

Even in the worst-case scenario—if he couldn't refine it into his life-bound artifact—he still had to find a way to get the diagram into his hands.

The name alone was extraordinary.

"But then again… how do I actually get the formation diagram?"

Mo Hua sat at his desk, chin propped on one hand, thoughts churning.

"The Demonic Sect's leader tattooed the Azure Dragon Rune on himself… which means he must have the formation diagram."

"But he's the sect master—mysterious, elusive, and at the late Golden Core stage. With even a partial Azure Dragon Rune, his power would be terrifying. Trying to mess with him is just asking to die…"

"Then… what about Mr. Tu?"

"He definitely has the diagram, but he's most likely already in the Ascension Realm. Stronger than the sect master. Even more impossible to steal from."

"And inside the sect, probably no one else knows about this formation. Even that 'dog-headed strategist' Elder You might not know anything about it…"

No matter how he thought it through, there didn't seem to be any opening.

His plan to tattoo a dragon on himself and make it his life-bound treasure… had collapsed before it even started.

Over the next few days, Mo Hua remained preoccupied with the problem.

Then finally, a thought struck him:

"The Demonic Sect's Merit Treasury!?"

The Merit Treasury was where sects stored treasures and legacies. This applied to righteous sects—and demonic sects as well.

The Azure Dragon Formation Diagram of the Four Symbols definitely counted as a sect legacy and might just be stored there.

But the issue was—it was too valuable. Possibly too valuable for even the Merit Treasury to hold.

Both scenarios were plausible.

But at least… he now had a direction to pursue.

And if there was a direction—it was worth a try.

Mo Hua finished his analysis and formally decided to make a move on the sect's Merit Treasury—something he had considered even back when he first started learning the Primordial Magnetic Formations:

Use magnetic principles to tamper with formation permissions and steal resources and legacies from the sect's repositories.

He gave it a shot…

And unsurprisingly, failed.

Stealing sect legacies… was not so simple.

He had overestimated his own mastery of the Primordial Magnetic Formation.

The Merit Ledger was the magnetic core of every sect. When any sect constructed their magnetic formation system, the Merit Treasury was the most heavily secured and guarded node of them all.

But tight security wasn't what stopped Mo Hua.

The real issue was…

He was still only in Foundation Establishment, and at best, could only handle Grade Two formations.

Trying to infiltrate the Demonic Sect's Merit Treasury with just Grade Two capabilities?

Impossible.

Even his cheat-like "Thunder-Magnetic Puppets" were useless here.

And with that, the only viable path was sealed shut.

Mo Hua couldn't help but sigh.

"My cultivation… is still too low."

He couldn't study many advanced formations. Most high-level techniques were simply out of reach.

"If only I were at Golden Core… or Ascension…"

Then he could study Grade Three, even Grade Four formations. His toolkit and power level would rise to a whole new level.

Even just reaching Golden Core and mastering Grade Three formations would put him in the upper-middle tier of the entire formation world—qualified to explore most advanced formations if given the chance.

Mo Hua zoned out for a moment.

Then he snapped back to reality.

"Focus on the Azure Dragon Formation Diagram first."

"Foundation Establishment level… Grade Three formations…"

He contemplated for a bit longer—then suddenly his eyes lit up as a thought struck him.

When the next rest day came, he scheduled another meeting with Elder Zheng.

They sat down at a teahouse and had a cup of tea. Mo Hua got straight to the point:

"Senior Zheng, by a stroke of luck, I obtained a complete set of Thunder-Magnetic legacy materials. But I discovered that—"

"Hold on." Elder Zheng paused, looking startled. "What did you say?"

Mo Hua replied calmly: "I said I obtained a full Thunder-Magnetic inheritance—formation discs, diagrams, and even some formation notes and insights."

Elder Zheng's mouth opened slightly in disbelief.

"You're saying… a complete Thunder-Magnetic legacy?"

A Thunder-Magnetic legacy, complete with formation discs and diagrams.

To a formation cultivator—especially one specializing in Thunder-Magnetic arts—that was practically their entire life's foundation.

Could something like that really just be found by chance?

Elder Zheng's expression turned serious. His gaze sharpened.

"Did you… kill a Thunder-Magnetic formation master?"

Because unless a legitimate Thunder-Magnetic master had been killed, there was no way to get something so complete.

Mo Hua was briefly caught off guard.

Elder Zheng really was sharp. Mo Hua's whole "stroke of luck" story was instantly seen through.

Mo Hua clarified: "I didn't kill them."

"Then who did?"

Mo Hua answered openly, "The Dao Court Division."

"Dao Court Division?"

"Mm," Mo Hua nodded. "I provided a tiny lead. The Dao Court folks followed the trail and tracked down a Thunder-Magnetic formation master, then killed him."

Elder Zheng's expression shifted in realization. He instantly understood why Mo Hua had come asking about Primordial Magnetic Positioning some time ago—it was for "targeted assassination."

Truly, he was applying what he learned… quite enthusiastically.

Elder Zheng frowned.

"It was a demonic cultivator who committed many heinous deeds—his death was well-deserved," Mo Hua added, just to protect his righteous and virtuous image in Elder Zheng's mind.

Elder Zheng's expression turned complicated, then he asked with a frown, "Dao Court killed the formation master, and you were able to claim all the formation discs and diagrams for yourself?"

Mo Hua replied modestly, "I used a bit of… minor connections."

Very modest indeed.

Of course, those "minor connections" were anything but. They included a True Transmission Elder from a sect and a powerful Dao Court Magistrate. Mo Hua had orchestrated the whole thing to… ahem… return the formation legacy rightfully belonging to the Great Void Sect, now temporarily held in trust by himself.

Elder Zheng had no words for that.

Sometimes, he really suspected that Mo Hua's brain housed an old, scheming fox-spirit.

No one his age should be this meticulous or devious.

Elder Zheng frowned deeper, then gave a stern reminder:

"This matter ends here. Don't speak of it to anyone else."

"This isn't a trivial thing. Formation masters with a legacy like that—especially Thunder-Magnetic ones—likely have teachers or fellow disciples."

"Thunder-Magnetic masters are secretive, and their lineages are closely knit. If you've slain a disciple, it might provoke a whole pack of them. If this ever comes to light, you could end up hunted down by a group of Thunder-Magnetic cultivators who'll dig up your entire background and stop at nothing to kill you. That would be serious trouble…"

Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat.

He quickly emphasized, "I wasn't the one who killed him."

"Doesn't matter. Whoever holds the goods carries the debt. Besides…" Elder Zheng glanced at him. "You really had nothing to do with it?"

Mo Hua felt a bit guilty.

He had everything to do with it.

That "Mr. Yuan" had been located using his magnetic positioning setup, the ambush was arranged by him, and he'd personally called in the Dao Court to do the job.

Strictly speaking, he was the mastermind.

What he hadn't expected… was to stumble into the classic cultivation pitfall of "kill the disciple, the master comes; kill the master, the patriarch comes."

"Maybe it won't actually come to that," Elder Zheng said. "I'm just warning you—stay cautious."

"Understood," Mo Hua nodded.

Only then did Elder Zheng relax. After sipping his tea, he asked, "So what did you actually want to ask?"

Mo Hua finally remembered the main reason for the meeting and asked earnestly:

"Senior, in that Thunder—uh, that formation legacy I got, particularly the formation disc… there are both Grade Three and Grade Two formations engraved on it. Two different tiers fused together—why is that?"

"Is it to downscale the formation?"

"That touches on a different aspect of formation theory." Elder Zheng pondered a moment, then slowly said,

"Let me ask you—how do you differentiate a Grade One and a Grade Two formation?"

That question was basic.

Mo Hua replied, "By the number and quality of formation runes."

"Have you ever tried combining Grade One and Grade Two formations?" Elder Zheng asked.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and shook his head. "No."

He was already a Grade Two formation master—why would he go back to draw Grade One formations?

Besides, his spiritual sense was far stronger than others in his realm. He had always drawn above-grade formations to sharpen his willpower.

He hadn't touched Grade One formations in a long time.

"Then can Grade One and Two formations be used together?" Elder Zheng asked again.

"I think… it should be possible," Mo Hua said. "In compound formations, you can integrate both grades through a formation hub. But… isn't that kind of combination basically pointless?"

Elder Zheng nodded. "Between Grade One and Two, yes—there's little point. Both are too basic. But Grade Three is a different story."

"For many cultivators, the Golden Core Realm is a massive bottleneck."

"And for formation masters, Grade Three is their own Grand Canyon of despair."

"Many formation cultivators spend their entire lives stuck between Grade Two and Three—unable to cross."

"But Grade Three formations are on another level compared to Grade Two in terms of power and scale."

"However, using only Grade Three formation runes—while powerful—poses major problems in the real world: very few Grade Three formation masters exist, and such formations are high-cost and high-difficulty. Both maintenance and repair are a nightmare."

"So typically, Grade Three formations are hybrid compound formations, mixed with lower-tier runes. This method is called 'rune downgrading'."

"There are two purposes for this."

"First, to reduce the complexity and cost of the formation by using lower-grade runes. This conserves resources and reduces energy consumption."

"Second, it allows cultivators with lower cultivation—like Foundation Establishment—to partially activate higher-grade formations through interactions between the runes."

(End of this Chapter)