Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 989: Winds Rising

Yu'er… is a Karmic Dragon of the Great Wilderness?!

Mo Hua's eyes narrowed slightly.

But this… how was this possible?

Wasn't he the child of the Shangguan and Wenren families?

How could he possess the bloodline of a Great Wilderness Karmic Dragon?

Yet the resonance with his dragon soul couldn't be wrong.

Within Mo Hua's spirit, an ancient dragon's cry gently trembled—it was the ancient dragon soul he had once devoured from the Dragon Emperor of the Great Wilderness, one he still hadn't fully digested.

Now, that dragon soul had resonated with Yu'er, allowing Mo Hua to glimpse the traces of Karmic Dragon blood on Yu'er's face.

Moreover, the dragon's shadow was blood-red.

That crimson shadow reeked of ominous fate, drifting at the edge of life and death. It foretold a lifetime of hardship and suffering for the bearer.

Mo Hua furrowed his brow.

"Brother Mo?" Yu'er asked with concern. The innocent child noticed Mo Hua's heavy expression and looked at him with worry. "Did something happen?"

Mo Hua slowly calmed his emotions. He reached out to gently pat Yu'er's head, his voice soft:

"It's nothing… Nothing will happen…"

Yu'er clearly loved it when Mo Hua patted his little head. He beamed, carefree and cheerful.

Yet on his adorable, innocent face, that red dragon shadow snarled fiercely at Mo Hua—bloodthirsty—before merging fully into Yu'er's glabella, vanishing into his spirit.

Mo Hua's gaze turned faintly cold.

Next came the Gu Family's New Year banquet.

This year's banquet was still grand, though a bit more subdued than in previous years.

Due to the Lone Mountain incident, the Gu Family had become enemies with the Shen Family.

The root of this feud lay with the Taixu Sect, and though the Gu Family's involvement wasn't too deep, it wasn't insignificant either.

But the Shen Family held high status—they oversaw the Heavenly Dao Sect. Any cultivating family that wanted to send disciples into that sect had to go through them.

They didn't dare offend the Shen Family, but they also didn't want to provoke the Gu Family.

So many families simply sent gifts instead of showing up in person.

Such behavior was typical among aristocratic clans—driven by profit and self-preservation. No one would burn bridges outright as long as appearances were maintained.

Though the Gu Family had a reputation for integrity, they weren't naïve about worldly affairs and didn't take offense.

As for Mo Hua? He couldn't care less.

All that mattered was whether the food was good and plentiful.

He didn't bother with family politics or social obligations—those things had nothing to do with him.

And so, amid the festive and joyful atmosphere, Mo Hua enjoyed a full meal. Afterward, he strolled through the courtyard to digest, greeted a bunch of elders, received piles of New Year gifts, had a brief chat with Elder Gu Hong about Uncle Gu's romantic prospects, and prepared to head back to the sect.

Wenren Wan brought Yu'er to see him off.

"Here, some pastries, fruit wine, and spiritual meat dishes—all your favorites. The sect's food is plain, and you work so hard at array cultivation. Eat well and nourish your body."

Her voice was gentle and caring.

Mo Hua smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Aunt Wan."

Yu'er waved reluctantly.

He was going back with his mother to the Shangguan clan for ancestral worship. He wouldn't return to the Taixu Sect until after the New Year.

That meant over ten days without seeing Mo Hua.

So, Mo Hua pulled out a small gift prepared just for Yu'er.

Part of it was handmade toys, crafted using array techniques.

That way, even while at the Shangguan clan, Yu'er would have something fun to play with every day.

The other part was a set of array homework assignments.

As long as Yu'er had homework to do, he wouldn't dwell on feeling sad.

Yu'er was both delighted and troubled. He was clearly conflicted.

After a few more exchanges, Mo Hua was just about to leave when a sudden commotion sounded in the distance. A luxurious convoy rolled up to the Gu Family's gate.

A group of cultivators disembarked.

At the front was an elder in fine robes, with graying hair and a stern presence. Deep lines etched his face.

His arrival felt like a cold wind sweeping in, disrupting the warmth in the air.

Wenren Wan's expression shifted slightly. Yu'er, frightened, instinctively clutched at her sleeve.

Seeing the elder approach, Wenren Wan had no choice but to greet him with a half-bow:

"Elder Wang."

Mo Hua also recognized the man.

This gray-haired elder was Shangguan Wang, a powerful elder of the Shangguan clan, in the Feathering Realm.

It was said that years ago, he failed to win the position of clan head. As a result, he harbored resentment toward Shangguan Ce, Shangguan Yi, and the entire line that included Yu'er—often targeting them.

Mo Hua didn't like him and didn't bother offering any greeting.

Shangguan Wang glanced at Mo Hua, his eyes showing open displeasure—yet also a hint of wariness.

During the Grand Array Conference, he had witnessed with his own eyes how Mo Hua, at only mid-Foundation Establishment, had crushed the late-Foundation geniuses of the four great sects, completing the entire array examination with overwhelming dominance.

This boy… was no ordinary person.

So even though Mo Hua was still Foundation Establishment, while he was a Feathering Realm elder, Shangguan Wang had to pretend he didn't notice the disrespect.

Ignoring Mo Hua, he stepped up to Wenren Wan and said coolly:

"By order of the Clan Head, I will escort the Young Madam and Young Master Yu back to the clan tomorrow."

"Thank you, Elder Wang," she replied.

Shangguan Wang gave Yu'er a deep look, grunted faintly, and walked into the Gu residence on his own.

Mo Hua watched him go, feeling a strange sense of unease.

But he couldn't tell where it came from.

Soon after, the usual greetings and socializing resumed inside the Gu estate, and Mo Hua quietly took his leave.

Wenren Wan reminded him:

"Be careful on the road."

Yu'er waved goodbye.

Mo Hua smiled and waved in return, then boarded his carriage for the journey back to the Taixu Sect.

Qianxue Province — Shen Family Residence

The luxurious Shen family estate stood tall and grand.

This New Year, the Gu family had managed a lively celebration.

But in contrast, the Shen family's New Year was far more somber and stifling.

Though the estate was brightly lit, a chilling silence pervaded every corner.

The passing elders of the sect all wore grim expressions.

Disciples tiptoed about, afraid to speak loudly.

Occasionally, the sound of a shattered cup or angry scolding echoed from somewhere inside.

Inside the resplendent main hall, the banquet had already ended hastily.

The clan members dispersed.

Only the Shen Family Ancestor remained seated at the head of the hall. His aura was terrifying, his expression calm but ice-cold—like a frozen mountain exuding an oppressive chill.

Once most had left, the Shen Family Head stayed behind to face the ancestor's wrath alone.

He was the clan leader—the one who wielded power and prestige in this Fifth-Rank aristocratic family—but that also meant shouldering a crushing weight.

When disaster struck, it was his burden to bear.

In the vast, empty hall…

The mighty Shen Clan Patriarch—who was usually worshipped, bowed to, and obeyed—was now kneeling humbly at the foot of the stairs, his forehead pressed to the cold floor, begging for forgiveness.

The Shen Family Ancestor looked down at him, his expression calm as still water, but his gaze was as terrifying as a demon god's.

At last, he closed his eyes slightly, reining in the murderous aura and spoke slowly:

"Rise."

The clan head finally let out a breath of relief. He kowtowed once more:

"Thank you for your mercy, Ancestor."

"Have you figured it out?" the Ancestor asked.

"Yes," the clan head replied in a low voice. "The incident started when a disciple of the Taixu Sect was captured by grave robbers and taken into the Lone Mountain tombs."

"After that, a Taixu Elder named Xun Ziyou, along with our Elder Shen Shouxing, entered Lone Mountain—and the chain of events that followed all stemmed from this."

"Later, someone saw Elder Xun Ziyou return alive from Lone Mountain."

"No one saw how he made it out, but it's clear he survived and is now calmly teaching inside the Taixu Sect."

"As for the disciple taken into Lone Mountain…"

"I had my suspicions about his identity before, but there was no proof. The Taixu Sect is extremely secretive—even the Dao Court remained tight-lipped."

"After more than a month of effort and many favors, we finally gathered enough evidence to confirm his identity."

"The Taixu Sect disciple involved in the Lone Mountain incident… his surname is Mo. Mo Hua."

As the words reached his ears, the Shen Family Ancestor's brow twitched slightly.

"You mean…"

"Yes," the clan head said, "He's that Mo Hua—the one who topped the Grand Array Conference."

The Shen Family Ancestor's expression remained calm… but a storm was clearly brewing beneath.

The Patriarch didn't know what the Ancestor was thinking, so he could only continue:

"This matter must be… part of a covert plan by the Taixu Sect. Using a disciple as bait, they orchestrated layers of schemes to tear open our Shen Family's scars, placing us on the butcher's block. This would then draw in the covetous wolves and tigers, inviting others to take bites out of our Shen Family's foundation…"

As for the Lone Mountain incident—just how many spiritual mines, spirit fields, spirit stones, sect privileges, and key positions in affiliated forces the Shen Clan had to surrender in order to navigate through it…

No one knew better than the family head.

Every time he thought of it, the Shen Patriarch's heart bled.

His hatred for the Taixu Sect deepened.

But there was one thing he couldn't understand, so he asked:

"That Mo Hua… he's the array path champion—a once-in-several-centuries array genius. Taixu Sect has the audacity to use him as bait? Aren't they afraid he might die inside Lone Mountain?"

If Mo Hua died, with Taixu Sect's current array heritage, they could forget about ever taking first place in the path of arrays again.

Could they really be so careless with this disciple?

And more importantly…

The Shen Clan Patriarch frowned.

"Why would a mere Foundation Establishment disciple go into Lone Mountain at all? What reason could he possibly have to wade into such muddy waters?"

"Could it be that this boy had some ulterior motive?"

The Shen Clan Ancestor pondered briefly, then said slowly:

"This is a grand chess game. Behind it all, there is a Hollow Void Realm ancestor plotting every move."

"In such a game, every person you see… is a chess piece."

"Even that Xun Ziyou, a Golden Core sword cultivator—he's no exception. Let alone… this little Foundation disciple."

"Don't waste your thoughts guessing what the pieces are thinking."

He turned his gaze to the Shen Clan Patriarch, his eyes deep:

"…You are now the Patriarch. A Patriarch must have the vision of one."

"You must understand who you are playing against."

"Look at this board not from a piece's perspective, but from behind the curtain—as an ancestor would."

"Only then will you truly understand the layout."

"One day, when you break through to the Hollow Void Realm, then you can take up the mantle of Ancestor of the Shen Clan…"

"But if your vision is narrow, and all you see are the pieces—without even knowing who the opponent is—you'll be toyed with like a fool."

These measured words sent a chill through the Shen Patriarch. He trembled and became tearfully grateful.

The Ancestor still had expectations for him.

"Thank you for your teachings, Ancestor. I will etch them in my heart."

The Shen Ancestor nodded slightly, then shifted the topic:

"How much do you know about the Rouge Boat incident?"

Just as the Shen Patriarch began to rise, he dropped back to his knees upon hearing this, and confessed sincerely:

"It was my failure in discipline. Lin'er and the others… were young and impulsive. They indulged in the pleasures of the Rouge, behaving recklessly and tarnishing the Shen Family's name…"

He was uneasy, thinking the Ancestor was about to scold him. But unexpectedly, the Ancestor shook his head:

"This may not be a bad thing."

The Shen Patriarch frowned.

"Ancestor… you mean?"

The Ancestor spoke solemnly:

"I would rather they taste flesh early—see through the ornate yet filthy wrappings of mortal women—understand their depravity and baseness, and thus rein in their hearts and desires to devote themselves to the Dao."

"So they do not one day get bewitched by some low-born but pretty-faced woman of low status, fall into romantic entanglements, and become useless."

"A true cultivator must single-mindedly pursue the Dao—seek the great powers of heaven and earth, and the path to immortality."

"Those who cling to mortal desires and worldly pleasures… are destined to become fodder in the face of calamity."

"You must teach him this well."

"Yes, Ancestor."

"Good. You may go," the Ancestor said. "And send Lin'er to me afterward."

The Shen Patriarch let out a long breath, kowtowed again with respect, then rose slowly.

"May the Ancestor's blessings be as boundless as the sea, and his life as eternal as the heavens."

Then he withdrew.

A moment later, a refined and impressive youth entered the hall and respectfully kowtowed:

"Your great-great-grandson Shen Linshu greets the Ancestor."

The youth carried himself with pride but remained humble and respectful.

The Shen Ancestor's eyes gleamed with approval. As he looked at Shen Linshu, it was as if he were seeing his younger self.

"Lin'er…" The Ancestor's expression softened.

"Ancestor," Shen Linshu responded.

"The Sword Conference is fast approaching."

"Yes," Shen Linshu's eyes sparkled, his voice resolute. "This time, I shall take first place—for the Heavenly Dao Sect, for the Shen Family, and for you, Ancestor!"

The Ancestor shook his head.

"That first place is not for the sect, nor for the family, nor for me—it's for yourself."

"Your talent, intelligence, and heart are all top-notch. All you lack is this one chance—to prove yourself."

"Claim the championship, and your rise to the top will be unstoppable."

Shen Linshu's gaze burned bright, yet he still said:

"The Ancestor has favored me. The Shen Clan raised me. The Heavenly Dao Sect taught me. Now that I've made achievements in cultivation, I must not let down your kindness or the support of clan and sect."

The Ancestor nodded with satisfaction.

"You're better than your father. Don't disappoint me."

"Rest assured, Ancestor."

"Go now. Cultivate well."

"Yes. I take my leave."

Shen Linshu bowed deeply and exited.

The Ancestor watched him leave in silence.

He gazed upon his tall, handsome great-great-grandson, brimming with vitality, exuding a natural aura of nobility—standing above all like a celestial qilin—and his heart filled with deep affection.

This… is the true genius of my Shen Clan.

This… is a true child of destiny.

This… is the most direct heir to my Hollow Void legacy.

As for the Rouge Boat incident, yes—he had been angry.

But not because Shen Linshu had indulged in debauchery.

No… he was angry because those lowborn women—how dare they be graced by his qilin-blooded heir?

How could such filthy Low-born be worthy?

The Shen Clan Ancestor's expression darkened slightly, but soon settled again—his face once more as calm as still water.

Yet upon seeing Shen Linshu, another name inevitably resurfaced in his heart: "Mo Hua…"

That disciple named Mo Hua… years ago, he had come bearing an ancient sect admission token, seeking entry into the Heavenly Dao Sect.

But he had been rejected.

To say the Shen Ancestor felt nothing about it would be dishonest.

There was, indeed, a sliver of regret in his heart.

But what he regretted wasn't Mo Hua himself.

He regretted that he had "fostered an enemy."

If, at the time, he had accepted Mo Hua—even just as a menial servant, a barely acknowledged outer disciple, buried within the thousands of Heaven's Chosen of the sect—let the boy feel small, suppress his Dao heart, and fade into mediocrity…

Even that would've been better than handing him over to Taixu Sect on a silver platter.

Without Mo Hua, the sect reform initiative would have long been finalized—no offshoots, no disturbances.

Certainly not to the point where the coming Dao Conference would be the decider of the entire region's balance of power.

And absolutely not to the extent of exposing the Lone Mountain incident.

Under those unseen currents, the Shen Clan had been shaken to its core—forced to amputate its own limbs, sacrificing so much.

And that was only because he noticed early and made decisive moves.

Had he hesitated even slightly longer, the Shen Clan would surely have met a massive calamity—on the brink of collapse.

By now, the Shen Ancestor knew full well:

Mo Hua's fate was bound to that man.

And Elder Xun of Taixu Sect surely knew this too.

That's precisely why he orchestrated the entire scheme, using Mo Hua as a chess piece against the Heavenly Dao Sect, and even the reform of the Four Great Sects themselves.

The Shen Ancestor sighed inwardly:

"Woe is where fortune hides; fortune is where woe rests."

To the Heavenly Dao Sect, this child was once a blessing. But by pushing him away, they had turned that blessing into a curse.

The shifting tides of karma… truly mysterious.

That Elder Xun of Taixu Sect—he truly was a master of this path. He had actually forged a disciple with a low-grade and mediocre spiritual root into the array path's undisputed number one. He had raised him into a sharpened sword, aimed straight at the Heavenly Dao Sect.

"But… that ends here."

The Shen Ancestor's thoughts turned cold.

The Taixu Sect simply lacked the foundation. Even after merging with two other sects, most of their top disciples had gone, and what remained were largely mediocre.

The Qianxues' Dao Conference honored the Way of the Sword above all.

Swordplay was the true deciding battlefield.

For Taixu Sect, this was a dead end.

And Mo Hua… no matter how exquisite his arrays were, at most he'd win another array path first place.

"One array path champion alone… can't save your little merged Taixu Sect."

The Shen Ancestor smiled faintly—his gaze dark and heavy.

...

Meanwhile, after returning to the Taixu Sect, Mo Hua resumed his day-after-day cultivation life.

As the New Year passed, time flew. Another month slipped by quietly.

Mo Hua had now officially begun his ninth year at Taixu Sect.

This… would also be the final year of his cultivation and study there.

And within this final year, he would finally take part in the grandest event in the entire Qianxue Prefecture:

The Qianxue Sword Debate Grand Assembly.

An event that encompassed the Four Great Sects, the Eight Grand Halls, the Twelve Mid-tier Clans, and countless other sects across Qianxue Prefecture. A congregation of Heaven's Chosen, clashing with myriad Dao arts.

For every sect disciple… This was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

(End of this Chapter)