Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 932: Supervisor Xia

Letting go of her inner worries, with nothing left to hold her back, Yu'er's smile grew ever purer—and she could finally enjoy herself from the heart.

Mouth full of candied hawthorn, Yu'er dashed through the alleys and streets of Qingzhou City. One moment staring at lanterns, the next at a street performance, then completely entranced by a few spirit beast cats and dogs, her eyes wide and unblinking.

Mo Hua followed behind her, wearing a pleased expression. Yet, her earlier words lingered in his heart.

"Three Yu'ers: one in the mountains, one in the water, and one silently watching him…"

Mo Hua couldn't help but recall that nightmare Yu'er once told him long ago:

"There were many mountains… many monsters… all covered in blood…

Rabbits… crying… something about one mountain, one water, and one person…

A lot of people will die. Their blood will flow into the river. Their bones will build towers. Human flesh will forge a city… all of it connected…

Because of Yu'er… everyone will die…"

He kept a calm face, but inwardly sank deep into thought.

The opportunity that led him into Qianxue Prefecture and into the Great Void Sect… was Yu'er.

Mister Tu wanted to capture Yu'er… the nightmare invaders from the Great Wilderness targeted Yu'er… and even atop the authority of the Great Wilderness Evil Gods, Yu'er's imprint was clearly visible…

All of it pointed to one thing—Yu'er must have some connection to those Evil Gods.

"The rabbit cried…"

Mo Hua pondered long and hard, then turned to look at the pure, innocent Yu'er—and suddenly froze.

"Could she be talking about… 'a cunning rabbit has three burrows'…?"

One mountain. One river. One person?

"A lot of people will die… blood will flow into the river… bones will pave towers… human flesh will build cities…"

That line made Mo Hua involuntarily recall the blood marshes of Wild Goose Mountain, the countless Bone Evil Arrays spread around the demonic sect's territory—devouring flesh and life, converting it into deathly demonic power, and funneling it into the earth veins.

Everything he had witnessed… seemed to align eerily with Yu'er's nightmare.

Mo Hua's pupils contracted slightly.

He felt like he was on the verge of grasping something… just out of reach.

After finishing their stroll, night had fallen. Lanterns were hung high, and fireworks bloomed across the sky.

Mo Hua held Yu'er's hand as they walked back to the Gu family beneath the dazzling glow of the fireworks.

Half an hour later, the Gu Family's annual banquet began.

This year's banquet was even grander than last, with more guests than ever before.

The entire hall was more lively and bustling than any previous year.

Guest seating was arranged from high to low according to intimacy, cultivation, and status.

Mo Hua was seated on the upper platform—just one seat below the head of the family.

Unknowingly, he had gone from being a "regular" at the Gu family's annual banquet… to a distinguished guest.

This was partly due to the favor of Venerable Elder Xun, and partly because of Mo Hua's reputation—being the "Foremost Array Master of Qianxue Prefecture," towering above thousands of sects.

Wenren Wan and Yu'er were seated elsewhere. Their seats weren't low, but unlike previous years, they weren't at the same table as him.

Mo Hua was a little puzzled.

But once the banquet began, and unfamiliar family elders and sect cultivators began coming up with wine in hand to toast him, Mo Hua immediately understood why.

This meal… was for socializing.

No more carefree feasting like before.

He couldn't just focus on stuffing his face anymore.

Because of the constant stream of toasts, Yu'er and Wenren Wan would've found it inconvenient to sit with him.

Mo Hua sighed.

"As they say, a pig fears fat, a man fears fame…"

He never thought the day would come when he'd be weighed down by reputation.

Of course, for most people, this kind of situation is a dream come true, so Mo Hua didn't feel the need to act coy.

Though a bit uncomfortable, he accepted every toast.

The reason these family and sect cultivators flooded to the Gu Family's banquet likely had much to do with trying to connect with the "Foremost Array Master of Qianxue Prefecture."

Still, since they were invited, it showed that they were on good terms with the Gu Family.

The Gu Family had helped Mo Hua plenty. Now that he had some fame, showing up to support them and raise their prestige was only right.

Besides, it was just some wine and pleasantries—nothing difficult. On the contrary, he could even make more connections.

Even a "toast friendship" counted as a connection.

Seated above, Gu Shouyan—the family head—had initially been worried that Mo Hua might dislike these aristocratic social rituals.

He didn't like them either, but as head of a noble family, it came with the territory.

Even the most upright family couldn't avoid mingling networks and benefits.

Fortunately, Mo Hua, despite his youth, was broad-minded and didn't fuss over such things.

Gu Shouyan felt grateful deep inside.

And so, the wine flowed, people came and went. Mo Hua eventually lost track of who all he toasted and drank with.

Thankfully, the Gu Family knew his taste and had prepared fruit wine. His cheeks turned rosy, but he wasn't actually drunk.

Still, Gu Shouyan worried he might get truly tipsy and ordered that no one toast him any further.

Only then did Mo Hua finally have a moment to dig into the lavish delicacies on the table.

As he was eating, a sudden clamor erupted nearby. Mo Hua looked up and saw a group crowding around a tall man in a white robe embroidered with golden jade patterns.

The man stood tall and dignified, his face stern. His presence was deep and immovable like mountains and oceans combined.

He was someone Mo Hua had encountered a few times before—Supervisor Xia, the cultivator from the Xia family and a Dao Court inspector at the Feathering Realm.

Gu Family Head, Gu Shouyan, immediately rose to greet him.

"Supervisor Xia, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

Supervisor Xia didn't act arrogant and replied kindly,

"Busy affairs delayed me. Please don't take offense, Family Head."

"Please, take your seat," Gu Shouyan gestured with cupped hands.

Supervisor Xia walked up to the upper platform and sat on equal footing with the Gu Family head—right next to Mo Hua.

Only now did Mo Hua realize who the empty seat to his upper left had been reserved for.

"So it was Supervisor Xia…"

Mo Hua muttered in his mind.

Not that it mattered—seating arrangements had nothing to do with him. He'd already done his rounds of socializing. Now, he just had to focus on filling his belly.

Besides, he didn't really know Supervisor Xia. No need to strike up a conversation.

A dignified Inspector like him… it's not like he'd come toast Mo Hua personally, right?

Mo Hua began tackling a massive crab, its claw meat as big as a steamed bun.

But before he could finish, a voice rang out by his ear—strange yet familiar:

"Little brother."

Mo Hua turned to find Supervisor Xia holding a wine cup, his stern gaze carrying a hint of warmth.

Mo Hua paused.

Supervisor Xia sat calmly with the cup, making no other move.

After a moment, Mo Hua understood and lifted his own cup, saying:

"Supervisor Xia, I toast you."

Even if Xia had raised his glass first, Mo Hua couldn't allow a higher-ranking cultivator to initiate the toast. This, at least, he understood.

Mo Hua's tact pleased Supervisor Xia.

Downing his wine, Supervisor Xia spoke slowly,

"You know, little brother, we do share a bit of fate."

"Indeed."

"So, what are your plans after this?"

Mo Hua looked confused.

"Inspector, you mean…"

Supervisor Xia set down his cup. His lips didn't move, but a voice rang directly into Mo Hua's ears:

"The Qianxue Sect's training lasts nine years. Two years from now, you'll graduate.

After that… will you stay in the Great Void Sect and become an inner elder?

Or do you want to venture into the broader world?"

Mo Hua was stunned.

This kind of question—here? At the family banquet? In front of everyone?

He glanced around and was shocked to find… no one had noticed anything. It was as if they hadn't heard or seen a thing.

Only the Feathering Realm Gu Family Head seemed to notice—but he just sipped his wine as if nothing was amiss.

Supervisor Xia's voice echoed in Mo Hua's ear:

"This matter—only you and I, Heaven and Earth, know of it."

Mo Hua suddenly understood and quickly asked,

"Inspector… are you trying to recruit me to the Xia Family?"

Supervisor Xia paused for a beat.

This kid sure is direct… says what's on his mind.

But that was good. Talking to clever people saved a lot of trouble.

"Little brother, what do you think?"

Mo Hua was a practical man. "Are there any benefits?"

Supervisor Xia silently glanced at Mo Hua.

"The Xia Clan is an ancient noble family of the sixth rank, seated at the heart of the Nine Provinces in Dao Prefecture, subordinate to the Central Dao Court. Through the ages, several Grand Elders have emerged from our clan. Our influence spans the realm, and our foundations run unimaginably deep…"

He was simply stating facts.

To any cultivator with even a shred of awareness, these words carried immense weight.

Every phrase—ancient noble family, sixth rank, based in Dao Prefecture, subordinate to the Dao Court, produced multiple Grand Elders—was a mark of status far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators, families, or sects.

Even the prestigious fifth-rank noble clans of Qianxue Prefecture were not in the same league.

But Mo Hua only shook his head.

"That's the Xia Clan's business. Has nothing to do with me."

"If you pledge allegiance to the Xia Clan—"

"I'm Mo, not Xia," Mo Hua cut him off coolly.

Supervisor Xia's expression flickered for a moment before he understood what Mo Hua meant.

No matter how powerful the Xia Clan was, it was still the Xia Clan.

Even if Mo Hua joined them, he would always be an outsider. He wasn't willing to marry in, change his surname, abandon his roots, or become dependent on an aristocratic house.

Supervisor Xia's demeanor grew a touch more reserved.

But inwardly, his evaluation of Mo Hua rose even higher.

There were many prodigies in the world—brilliant, proud, arrogant. But few could clearly assess their place, their origins, their station.

To be humble in background yet remain self-assured, neither groveling nor grasping for power—that was true dignity.

"You know about the 'Three Essences Array,' right?" Supervisor Xia asked.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

"The Xia Clan holds the inheritance of the Three Essences Array," Supervisor Xia added, catching the change in Mo Hua's expression.

Mo Hua was visibly tempted.

Venerable Elder Xun had once told him that the true "Three Essences Array" was a vast and profound system, encompassing Heaven, Earth, and Man. It coordinated the boundlessness of the Heavenly Dao, the deep virtue of the Earthly Dao, and the subtle unpredictability of the Human Dao. It had immense structure and endless derivations.

It was the foundational doctrine by which the Dao Court governed the realm.

The core inheritance of the Three Essences was strictly guarded by the Dao Court and never leaked. Without entering Dao Prefecture, reaching the upper ranks of the Dao Court, there was no way to even touch the essence of the Three Essences Array…

Mo Hua's curiosity surged—and his attitude toward Supervisor Xia also grew noticeably more friendly.

He leaned in slightly and asked quietly,

"If I work with the Xia Clan, could I learn the Three Essences Array?"

Supervisor Xia shook his head.

"No."

Mo Hua was immediately disheartened.

"Then why bring it up…" he muttered, turning back to his giant crab.

Supervisor Xia added,

"Your cultivation isn't high enough."

Mo Hua took a bite of crab meat.

"What if it is?"

"You'd still need to enter the upper ranks of the Xia Clan to even have a chance at studying the Three Essences Array," Supervisor Xia said, eyes sharpening slightly.

From just a few short exchanges, Supervisor Xia had discerned that despite Mo Hua's young age and simple appearance, his mind was sharp and clear.

He knew how to speak with different kinds of people.

So Supervisor Xia spoke plainly:

"The best way to enter the Xia Clan's upper echelon is through marrying in—changing your name, becoming part of the family, and marrying a true direct-line daughter of the Xia Clan. That's how you step into the core of our power."

"If you refuse to marry in and it's just a regular union, then with your background and status, there's no way you'd be allowed to marry a direct-line daughter. Which means no access to the clan's core power."

"As an array master, you should already understand the significance of the Three Essences Array. Without entering the Xia Clan's core, without gaining access to its upper ranks, there's no chance of learning it."

Supervisor Xia wasn't hiding anything—he was being fully transparent.

But of course, Mo Hua had no intention of marrying in. In fact, he wasn't even willing to marry a Xia woman at all.

Still, he didn't want to be too blunt about it, so he asked instead,

"What exactly is a 'direct-line daughter'? Even among them, are there ranks?"

Supervisor Xia looked at him for a moment, uncertain if he should answer.

But Mo Hua had already turned away, munching on crab with a look of disinterest.

Supervisor Xia sighed softly.

"Not all 'direct-line daughters' are the same. The most important distinction… is bloodline."

"Bloodline?"

Mo Hua frowned—and couldn't help but think of his senior sister.

"Bloodline… is it really that important?" he asked.

Supervisor Xia paused for a moment.

In the top-tier noble families, this wasn't exactly a secret, though most cultivators had barely heard of it.

Because those with bloodlines were usually found only among ancient sixth-rank noble clans or the elite peak fifth-rank families with immense heritage.

Other clans—or unaffiliated cultivators—might, by chance, possess a bloodline…

But even if they did, it would be extremely faint.

And very few cultivators even knew enough about bloodlines to recognize or awaken one. So even those with bloodline potential would often live their whole lives in mediocrity, their talent buried and unrealized.

Supervisor Xia finally explained:

"Bloodline is, at its core, a power hidden within a cultivator's inherited flesh and blood. It comes from one of two sources: either a powerful cultivator, or a powerful divine beast."

"A powerful cultivator might cultivate unique techniques or paths that produce special spiritual energy or blood essence—and that might pass down through the bloodline."

"Divine beasts, being born of heaven and earth with innate might, also have bloodlines that can merge with humans—and pass on through generations."

Mo Hua's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"So how exactly does it get passed down?"

"That's a secret of the ancient clans. I can't say more," Supervisor Xia replied.

Mo Hua was a little disappointed, but asked again,

"In great noble houses—or ancient clans—do all true direct-line descendants have bloodlines?"

"Not necessarily," said Supervisor Xia.

"Even in the best clans, those who awaken bloodlines are the rare few."

Mo Hua nodded.

To awaken a bloodline… even in a top clan like the Xia Clan… meant standing above the rest.

And this confirmed what he already suspected—his senior sister truly was special.

Though he now wondered whether his senior brother had any sort of bloodline…

But that guy was such a goof—if he did have a bloodline, he'd probably have bragged about it to Mo Hua long ago.

Mo Hua furrowed his brows, thinking deeply, then suddenly turned serious:

"Supervisor Xia… do I look like someone with a hidden bloodline?"

Supervisor Xia gave him a silent once-over.

He didn't want to discourage Mo Hua too bluntly, so he asked back:

"Does your blood have any… special traits?"

Mo Hua nodded.

"Yes—my constitution is naturally weak. Extremely weak."

Supervisor Xia: "…"

How does this guy manage to describe a weakness like it's a selling point?

He tried to put it more gently:

"Among unaffiliated cultivators, those who awaken a bloodline are rarer than one in a million."

In other words—unless your family tomb was spewing miracle smoke that reached the heavens, don't count on it.

Mo Hua thought it over and admitted that made sense.

Not everything good could fall into his lap.

If he did have a bloodline, wouldn't he be aware of it by now? With how weak he'd been since birth, there wasn't even a hint of anything special.

Still, talking about bloodlines made Mo Hua recall one very critical question:

"Supervisor Xia… can cultivators have 'dragon' bloodlines?"

A question like that—asking anyone else probably wouldn't get him far.

But Supervisor Xia, coming from a sixth-rank ancient clan in Dao Prefecture, might actually know something.

Where three walk, one must be a teacher.

Even though he didn't know Supervisor Xia well, asking a question shouldn't be out of line.

Besides, he was the one who started the conversation. He probably still wanted to win Mo Hua over. Mo Hua might as well take the chance.

Supervisor Xia didn't answer, and instead asked back:

"What do you think?"

Mo Hua pondered for a moment and replied:

"The Dao Court's Heavenly Sovereign?"

Supervisor Xia nodded.

"The lineage of the Dao Court's Heavenly Sovereign—from the Dao Lord to the Dao Heir—indeed bears the bloodline of dragons."

Mo Hua followed up:

"So does that mean anyone with 'dragon blood' must be related to the Heavenly Sovereign?"

"Not necessarily," Supervisor Xia said.

"There are different ranks of dragons. The Heavenly Sovereign's line carries the blood of a True Dragon. Beneath that are Karmic Dragons and Flood Dragons."

"Flood Dragons and Karmic Dragons?"

"A flood dragon is a serpentine beast that, after tribulation and transformation, evolves into a lesser dragon. As for karmic dragons, they're beings that, though not true dragons, have inherited dragon bloodlines or were born through anomalous changes of Heaven and Earth."

Mo Hua nodded slowly, then leaned in and quietly asked the question that had been burning in his heart:

"Is there anything in this world… that can eat a dragon?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Supervisor Xia felt a jolt in his heart, his scalp tingled.

Eat a dragon?!

This kid… really dared to ask such a thing…

Though his face remained composed, the hand holding his wine cup trembled slightly as he said in a deep voice:

"Dragons are divine beasts, standing atop all living things. In this world, almost nothing dares treat a dragon as food."

Mo Hua immediately realized he'd crossed a line, gave an awkward smile, and turned back to gnaw on his crab.

Supervisor Xia watched him silently, seeing that the boy looked utterly carefree as he munched away. He figured the question came from ignorance, not malice, and let out a subtle sigh of relief.

A child's words, after all—he didn't take it to heart.

Afterward, as Mo Hua ate, he casually changed the subject, asking Supervisor Xia about minor matters relating to the Xia Clan and Dao Prefecture.

These were just everyday topics—nothing "shocking"—so Supervisor Xia answered each one with patience.

As they talked, Mo Hua was surprised to discover that Supervisor Xia wasn't quite the self-serving, corrupt official he had assumed.

He thought it over, then hesitantly asked,

"Supervisor… there's something I want to ask. It might be a little offensive…"

Supervisor Xia cast a mild glance at him, inwardly thinking, What could be more offensive than "can you eat a dragon"?

"Go ahead."

Mo Hua said,

"You knew about Xiao Tianquan's actions from the start, didn't you? Why did you protect him?"

That was indeed a pointed question.

Supervisor Xia paused briefly, then replied blandly:

"That's a Xia Clan matter. It's not convenient to say more."

Mo Hua nodded, not pressing the issue further.

Supervisor Xia looked at him, and suddenly, driven by a sense of karmic insight, he added quietly:

"That's how noble clans operate. Only those willing to do things are cared for by the family."

"But in such clans, the good tasks—those that bring fame and profit—never fall to you."

"Only by taking on the dirty work, the thankless tasks that others disdain or avoid, can you stand out from the crowd…"

His tone was calm, but his words held deep meaning.

Mo Hua froze slightly, then nodded, half-comprehending.

Seeing the conversation winding down, Supervisor Xia said,

"Think over what I told you. But your cultivation is still too low. Even if you wanted to join the Xia Clan, it's far too early. Don't rush—take your time."

"Alright," Mo Hua replied.

With a light flick of his sleeve, Supervisor Xia dispelled some hidden spell—the spiritual sound barrier vanished, and the ambient noise of the banquet grew louder again.

Mo Hua understood.

This "private conversation in public" had now concluded.

From that moment on, Supervisor Xia didn't look at him again or say another word—acting as if they'd never spoken.

Mo Hua quietly sighed.

Truly worthy of a Dao Court inspector—he left no traces.

The banquet carried on.

Mo Hua continued munching on delicacies while reflecting on everything Supervisor Xia had just said—about future prospects, bloodlines, dragons...

Just as his thoughts were drifting—

Suddenly, a stir rippled through the crowd again.

Mo Hua looked up and saw that someone was approaching, surrounded by a throng of people.

It was a regal, elegant woman, her expression frosty and demeanor noble. She wore a robe embroidered with over a hundred kinds of blossoms—resplendent yet dignified.

Her beauty was breathtaking, and her aura sharp and imposing. As she passed through the crowd, she made others instinctively feel humbled and unworthy.

The once-bustling banquet fell noticeably quieter.

Gu Shouyan, clearly stunned, rose quickly and greeted her with respect:

"I didn't know the Valley Mistress was coming—please forgive our lack of welcome."

Among the Gu Clan were several female disciples who had joined the Hundred Flowers Valley. They all stood, stepped forward, and respectfully saluted:

"Greetings, Valley Mistress!"

The Valley Mistress nodded slightly.

Gu Shouyan, still puzzled, asked,

"Valley Mistress, what brings you here…"

The woman's gaze swept briefly past the Gu Clan's disciples—then, almost imperceptibly, drifted toward the high platform.

Her eyes landed on Mo Hua.

And then… a faint smile curled at her lips.

"I came to check on… a disciple of our Hundred Flowers Valley."

(End of this Chapter)