Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 944: The Old Man in Plain Robes

On Lone Mountain, abandoned wells dotted the terrain. The land was barren and desolate.

Within the city, scrawny orphans carried bamboo baskets on their backs, stooped over, using their filthy little hands to claw out rough ores from the pitch-black earth.

Only by doing this could they survive.

Nearby, Mo Hua passed silently while cloaked in invisibility, his expression somewhat heavy.

Thankfully, Master Gu had remembered his instructions and drawn a first-grade Wind Rune on each orphan's bamboo basket, which helped lighten their burden and prevented them from being crushed by the weight of the stones and ending up bruised all over.

This was the only thing Mo Hua could do for now.

He sighed, walked past the children digging for ore, and headed straight toward the Shen Family's mountain.

He had already explored nearly every part of Lone Mountain—only the Shen Family's section remained untouched.

That section definitely held some secrets.

Mo Hua intended to sneak in for a look.

After walking a while, his vision suddenly opened up, revealing the Shen Family's sprawling mining range.

These mines were massive and grand, taking up nearly half the entire mountain. Their layout was orderly, and the mine shafts were wide and spacious.

These were clearly the result of excavation using large-scale spirit machinery.

The outskirts of the Shen Family's mines were ringed with defensive formations, and some Shen Family cultivators were stationed within, occasionally patrolling the area.

The formations were second-grade, and the cultivators were only Foundation Establishment level.

Since the mines were now abandoned and no longer producing ore—or profits—it was natural that they wouldn't post any high-level Golden Core elders to guard it.

In fact, even having Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed here was already a luxury.

But Foundation Establishment cultivators and second-grade formations were no obstacle to Mo Hua at all.

With a flick of his finger, a streak of black light flashed, and the barrier at the mine's boundary unraveled, opening a gap on its own.

Mo Hua stepped through and entered the Shen Family's mines.

The moment he set foot on this land, the world around him darkened. Countless despairing wails seemed to echo in his ears—only to vanish the next instant. He blinked and looked around. Everything was normal. No abnormalities.

Sunlight still shone above, bright and warm.

Yet Mo Hua couldn't shake the chill he felt beneath that sunlight.

With a somber expression, he stepped over rocks, avoiding the patrolling cultivators and scattered traps and formations as he wandered the mining area.

He walked nearly every peak.

Many of the mine shafts were carved deep into the mountain but had been sealed off, making deeper exploration impossible. He could only glance from the surface.

But after all that effort, he still found… absolutely nothing.

Even with his powerful divine sense and karmic perception, not a single clue revealed itself.

"How could there be no clue at all…?"

Mo Hua furrowed his brow tightly.

As the day grew late and the sun began to set, he exited the Shen Family's mines.

Reaching the boundary, he pointed his finger, causing the dark runes to reweave and restore the formation he had cracked, leaving no trace of his intrusion.

Then, he climbed a nearby peak to get a bird's-eye view of the entire Shen Family mining grounds.

As he gazed upon it, Mo Hua suddenly recalled what Xie Ling once told him:

"To study geomancy is to perceive the flow of Heaven and Earth's energy, to discern the veins of mountains and rivers, and to locate sites of life and death."

"Heaven and Earth's energies, the veins of the land… What exactly are they?"

Mo Hua slowly closed his eyes, expanded his divine sense, quieted his heart, cast aside his ego, and with the mindset of unity between Heaven and Man, sought to perceive the so-called natural energy and the spiritual meridians within the mountains and rivers.

All worldly things faded away.

Heaven loomed vast above. The earth spread endlessly below.

A mysterious sensation quietly emerged.

Between Heaven and Earth, there really did seem to be a thread of white energy.

Mo Hua vaguely felt he had grasped something… but wasn't sure if he was right.

On a hunch, he followed that thread of energy forward.

It flowed with the rise and fall of the mountain range, ethereal and hard to pin down.

Mo Hua followed its trail through the valleys and ridges.

After a long trek, the energy disappeared.

Mo Hua looked around—he was now in unfamiliar terrain. It was still desolate, and seemed completely unremarkable.

The trail had led him to a dead end.

Mo Hua shook his head.

"Of course. It wouldn't be that easy. You can't just master something without learning it…"

Just as he turned to leave, a glance from the corner of his eye caught sight of someone seated on the slope below.

It was an old man in plain robes, who didn't look like a miner at all.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then dispelled his stealth technique and walked toward the man.

Once he got closer, he could see more clearly.

The old man was thin and wiry, his skin dark, his eyes bright with intelligence. He appeared to be at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

He sat cross-legged on a boulder, staring off into the distant mountains, lost in thought.

When he noticed someone approaching, he frowned and turned. Upon seeing Mo Hua—a striking and refined young man—his eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.

"Such a remote and wild place, devoid of life… To meet a young friend like you must be fate indeed."

His voice was raspy, but kind.

Mo Hua seemed relieved by the warmth and asked,

"Senior, what are you doing here?"

"Watching the mountains," the old man replied.

"Watching… mountains?" Mo Hua looked around in confusion.

"There's nothing but barren, withered hills here. What's there to see?"

The old man shook his head.

"All things in the world have outer appearances and inner truths. Towering peaks, perilous cliffs, barren hills, and lifeless water—these are just forms.

Beneath the mountain's form lies its momentum. And beneath that momentum lies the veins of the earth."

Mo Hua was taken aback and praised,

"Senior, your knowledge runs deep."

"You flatter me," the old man said humbly.

After a moment of thought, he asked,

"Young friend, where do you come from? Why are you here alone in this remote wilderness?"

Mo Hua cupped his hands politely and replied:

"I'm a disciple of a small sect nearby, traveling with my elders to learn. I happened to pass by Lone Mountain, and entered to have a look.

I got careless, lost my way, and ended up here—then chanced upon you, Senior."

The old man's wrinkled face broke into a faint smile.

"Then it must truly be fate that we meet."

"Indeed it is," Mo Hua nodded, then also sat cross-legged beside him, glancing out at the view like the old man.

But all he saw were bare mountains and bleak wilderness.

He soon turned back and peeked curiously at what the old man was doing.

In front of the elder was a patch of mud and sand, with several patterns drawn into it.

Mo Hua asked in surprise,

"Senior… are you a formation master?"

The old man raised an eyebrow.

"Young man, you know formations?"

Mo Hua smiled shyly.

"Just a little."

The old man grew interested.

"Where did you learn it?"

"Can't really call it a true 'master's legacy,'" Mo Hua replied modestly.

"Just bits and pieces from our sect's training hall. I've only scratched the surface."

The old man nodded approvingly.

"In today's world, many boast of greatness after learning a sliver of knowledge. But you, despite being from a sect, are still so humble. That's truly rare and admirable."

Mo Hua looked a little embarrassed. "Senior flatters me too much."

Then he glanced again at the array patterns drawn in the sand before the old man, and humbly asked,

"Senior, I don't recognize these array patterns at all… My sect never taught anything like this. They look incredibly profound. Is there some special significance behind them?"

The old man gave Mo Hua a deep, thoughtful look.

Mo Hua met his gaze with eyes as clear as still water.

Perhaps it was that clarity of temperament that moved the old man's heart to appreciate talent. Stroking his beard, he said,

"Since fate has brought us together, today I'll teach you a secret inheritance of the Dao of Formations—not even the Four Great Sects or Eight Great Clans may possess it."

Mo Hua opened his mouth slightly, his simple and honest face filled with astonishment.

The old man pointed at the patterns in the dirt and asked,

"Can you tell what kind of formation patterns these are?"

Mo Hua studied them carefully. "They look a bit like the Earth-type patterns from the Five Elements… but not quite."

The old man nodded. "Not bad. These are Earth Formations."

Mo Hua's expression shifted—this time, he was truly shocked.

"Senior… what are Earth Formations used for?" he asked sincerely.

"There are many branches of Earth Formations, and many uses," the old man explained. "But the most common are all related to the earth itself."

He pointed toward the abandoned mine ahead. "For example, within that mountain, many Earth Formations have been buried."

Mo Hua's heart stirred. He pretended not to know and asked,

"You mean… Earth Formations are used to extract ore?"

"No," the old man shook his head.

"Then… to detect mineral veins?"

"Still no."

"Then…" Mo Hua frowned.

The old man's expression turned solemn. He said in a deep voice:

"They're used for burials."

Mo Hua murmured, "Burials…"

"That's right," the old man looked out at the distant mountains, his tone filled with emotion.

"The earth embraces all things. It embraces not only the living—but the dead as well."

"When alive, people walk upon the earth. When they die, they sleep beneath it."

"But the living don't let the dead rest in peace."

"If the dead wish for peace, then they must be buried properly—with formations drawn.

With the power of formations, the tomb becomes one with the earth's veins, merged into the land, aligned with the Dao, and blessed by Heaven and Earth.

Only then can they escape the entanglements of mortal karma."

"These formations… are Earth Formations."

"Earth Formations…" Mo Hua stood in a daze, then suddenly realized something and asked in shock,

"You said the mountains up ahead… are buried with Earth Formations. Doesn't that mean… there are tombs hidden in the mines?"

The old man nodded. "Exactly."

"But…" Mo Hua frowned, "those are mining mountains, full of mine shafts. How could tombs be built there?"

"And besides, the terrain looks plain and unremarkable. If there were tombs, how could there be no sign at all?"

The old man smiled.

"Outsiders see only the surface. Experts see the truth.

Beneath superficial appearances lie deeper truths.

To the untrained, it all looks ordinary."

"Experts…" Mo Hua muttered, then asked in a small voice,

"Senior… what exactly do you do?"

The old man chuckled softly and did not answer.

Mo Hua felt a bit uneasy and was about to quietly stand up—

—but as soon as he turned, he saw three people walking toward them from afar.

They weren't tall, wore plain clothes, and had dirt-stained garments.

All three had deliberately suppressed their auras—but Mo Hua could sense it:

They were all at the Golden Core stage, and their spiritual energy felt… strange.

Mo Hua stood up and cupped his hands.

"Listening to your guidance has been a great benefit.

It's getting late, and my sect instructor is probably looking for me.

I'll be taking my leave now."

But the old man shook his head.

"You're not leaving."

Mo Hua's face changed slightly. "Senior, what do you mean by this?"

"Why do you think I told you all that just now, for no reason at all?"

"Because… it was fate?"

The old man laughed bitterly. "Young man, you're still naïve.

Let me teach you something: in the cultivation world, don't talk to strangers."

"This world is full of danger.

You have no idea who you're speaking to—nor what they want from you."

"Just like now—you have no idea… who I really am."

The old man's aura suddenly shifted. The warmth vanished.

His expression twisted into something like a vulture's grin—cold and sinister.

Mo Hua tried to run. But in a flash, the three Golden Cores had surrounded him, sealing off all paths of escape.

"Well, well. A little fish walks right into our net."

"We've been searching out here for hours without finding any good goods.

And now a dumb one walks right into our arms."

"Mr. Pi is really lucky today…"

"Fair skin, good looks, decent cultivation—this one's got fine quality…"

Mo Hua's expression turned panicked.

"I—I'm a disciple of a sect! Our elders are right in the city! If you touch me, you'll offend them!"

The three showed no reaction.

One of them sneered,

"Around Lone Mountain? What good sect would even be here?"

"And just look at your spiritual energy.

Mid-grade spiritual roots at best.

With that kind of talent, what top-tier sect would take you?"

Mo Hua felt a bit hurt in his heart.

But—three Golden Cores and one peak Foundation Establishment. If they really fought, he stood no chance.

"I need to escape first, then bring people back.

Capture these thieves, toss them into the Dao Prison, slowly interrogate them, find out what their motives are…"

With that in mind, Mo Hua made up his mind.

On the surface, he still looked panicked and flustered.

"I—I'm just a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Catching me won't help you much…"

Meanwhile, he unleashed his divine sense, searching for a weakness, planning to use Water Shadow Phantom Body to escape.

"How is it useless? You're quite useful. Without you, we—"

"Shut it. Enough with the chatter. Catch him first."

The group prepared to strike—but the old man raised a hand to stop them.

"Wait. This little brat's skin is tender. If you hurt him or accidentally kill him, he'll be useless."

"I'll be careful."

"Being careful isn't enough. You lot are all brute-handed."

"What a pain."

"This is important. That 'thing' we're offering it to—needs essence, spirit, blood, flesh, and bones—all intact.

If anything is damaged, the gate may not open."

"In this godforsaken wilderness, finally finding one like this—if we mess it up, where are we gonna get another?"

"Indeed..."

Mo Hua paused slightly, his brows tightening.

The old man in plain robes looked toward Mo Hua and softened his tone a little:

"Little friend, you're still young—we won't make things too hard on you. How about this?

Help us with a small task. Once it's done, we'll let you go and even give you a great reward.

You'll never have to worry about food or spirit stones again for the rest of your life. Your cultivation path will be smooth and prosperous."

Mo Hua shook his head. "I don't believe you."

"You brat, do you not understand your situation?" one of the men sneered and stepped forward to strike Mo Hua.

▯

But the old man stopped him with a stern glare, then turned back to Mo Hua and said slowly:

"Let me be honest with you. In your current situation, you have no other choice."

"Either we kill you now, toss your bones down a mine shaft, and let the mountain fiends gnaw you clean.

Your parents, your sect elders—they'll never find your corpse."

"Or, you come with us, help with a small errand, and once it's done, I promise you'll live—and benefit from it."

When Mo Hua heard about his bones being dumped into the mine, his face turned pale.

He trembled with fear, but after a moment, as though resigning to fate, he asked,

"You… you're not lying?"

"I'm not."

"You'll really reward me after it's done?"

The old man turned to one of the burly men and said,

"Take something out."

The big man hesitated, "What?"

"Something we dug up earlier. Give him one—anything."

The man clearly didn't want to, but still reached into his sleeve and fished out a small jade token, tossing it to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua caught it and saw that it was a piece of black jade, cool to the touch, exuding a faint, cold yin aura… and the scent of death.

"This is just a scrap," the old man said. "Obey us, do your task properly, and there'll be much more where that came from."

Now Mo Hua pretended to believe him. He tucked the jade token away and nodded. "Alright."

The old man's expression grew satisfied. He nodded and turned to the burly man beside him.

"Bring out a pair of shackles. Lock him up."

Mo Hua was startled. "Why shackle me?"

"Don't be afraid," the old man said. "It's just a precaution. If you behave, we'll remove them afterward."

"…Oh." The big man then pulled out a heavy pair of shackles and approached Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's eyelids twitched.

Third-grade shackles?!

"No way. If those go on, I definitely won't escape. My life and death will be in their hands…"

Mo Hua's mind spun.

"Still need to find a chance to escape and figure things out after."

But before he could act, the old man frowned and barked:

"What are you doing with third-grade shackles? Trying to exhaust him to death?"

"I told you—his skin, flesh, and bones must not be harmed. He's only Foundation Establishment. Use second-grade instead."

"Got it." The man obeyed and switched them for a lighter pair.

Mo Hua went silent for a moment, then extended his hands and obediently let them chain him up.

"Let's go," the old man said.

And so, with the old man leading the way, the group of five headed toward a nearby abandoned mine shaft.

Around the mine's entrance lay scattered fragments of rock—some freshly cut, others older—along with long chisel marks.

Mo Hua's heart stirred.

"These marks are the same as the ones I saw earlier on Lone Mountain.

These guys really are tomb raiders."

"They actually found a tomb inside the mines?"

"And now they're bringing me along… to enter the tomb?"

"But why bring me specifically?

Why did they say they needed essence, spirit, flesh, and bones—all intact... could it be…"

Mo Hua's eyes narrowed slightly.

As they neared the entrance of the mine, the group took out spiritual tools to begin excavation— But just as they were about to act, one of the Golden Core cultivators suddenly said,

"Wait—someone's coming!"

The group stiffened, turning in unison. Sure enough, in the distance, a crowd was approaching.

At the front walked a richly-dressed young man, proud-faced and clearly angry.

Mo Hua immediately recognized him—Shen Qingsheng.

Behind him were five or six Shen clan cultivators.

From afar, Shen Qingsheng spotted Mo Hua, pointed at him, and screeched: "Mo, you bastard! I finally caught you—you're dead today!"

(End of this Chapter)