Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 1986 Chapter 958: Divine Temple (Part 2)

Upon witnessing the Demon Sect leader, whose body was etched with Evil Dragon Patterns, attempting to force the Divine Temple's gates open, Shen Shouxing’s eyes contracted. He let out a furious roar:

"Demon Path creature, you are courting death!"

He unleashed another strike, his blade gleaming like white jade and the sword light flowing as pure as white silk.

The black-robed elder countered by brandishing a ferocious horn bone, which manifested into a skeletal Blood Shadow to intercept Shen Shouxing’s assault.

Simultaneously, Xun Ziyou launched an attack with his own sword, only to be intercepted by the Bear Demon Cultivator.

As their gazes met, sparks of deep-seated hatred flew between them.

"Bear Pi beast, so it is you!"

"Taixu Sect Sword Cultivation Elder, death is too good for you!"

Xun Ziyou’s voice was bone-chilling as he replied, "I have searched far and wide for you; today, you beast shall finally perish beneath my blade."

"Such arrogance," the Bear Demon Cultivator sneered, his eyes turning a crimson blood-red. "Today, I will feast on your flesh and drink your blood, ensuring you have no place to rest in peace."

The animosity between the two had been forged back in the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons.

Their grudge had only deepened during the subsequent campaign to eradicate the Demon Sect, where they had engaged in another brutal life-and-death struggle.

Now, fueled by intense malice, they fell into a lethal confrontation the moment they crossed paths.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Master Gu and Master Fan were locked in combat with the two tomb robbers, Mr. Hui and Stone.

Meanwhile, Young Master Xuan found himself isolated, facing off against two other Golden Core members of the Shen family.

A massive conflict was erupting; blades clashed and swords soared through the air while Taoist techniques and evil spells collided, plunging the area into absolute chaos.

Mo Hua immediately retreated to a safe distance.

This was a high-level clash of Golden Core cultivators, featuring masters at the late stage and even the Golden Core Peak who were fighting without restraint. The resulting shockwaves were far beyond what Mo Hua could withstand.

For a "fragile" Foundation Establishment cultivator like himself, getting caught in the crossfire of a Golden Core battle was a death sentence.

Simply remaining safe was a feat in itself; even observing the fight required him to maintain a significant distance.

Fortunately, the Golden Core experts were focused entirely on their rivals rather than harming bystanders.

Consequently, despite the violent clashing of Golden Core powers across the battlefield, Mo Hua remained uninjured for the time being.

Initially, the battle seemed to be at a stalemate.

However, as the fight progressed, a clear momentum emerged, with Shen Shouxing and Elder Xun steadily gaining the advantage.

One was a prominent Shen family elder at the Golden Core Peak, seemingly on the verge of reaching the Feather Transformation stage.

The other was a Sword Cultivation Elder from the Taixu Sect at the late Golden Core stage, possessing a Sword Intent that had been refined to absolute perfection.

The Bear Demon Cultivator was beginning to buckle under the pressure of Elder Xun’s Sword Intent.

As for the black-robed elder, despite his sinister horn bone and a repertoire of bizarre evil techniques, his advanced age was showing. His Meridians were in decline, making it impossible for him to sustain a long battle, and he was slowly being overwhelmed by Shen Shouxing.

"Can Elder Xun actually win?"

A flicker of hope rose in Mo Hua’s heart.

While the Shen family elder might not be a paragon of virtue, he was infinitely preferable to these demonic monsters.

Furthermore, if the Shen family and Elder Xun emerged victorious and captured the Demon Sect leader, Mo Hua might have the chance to examine the complete Green Dragon Formation Map in the man's possession.

It seemed a lead for his Lifebound Formation Map was within reach.

But just as these thoughts crossed Mo Hua’s mind, Shen Qingsheng—who lay bound on the ground—saw his father’s impending victory and shouted in triumph:

"Father, kill that old wretch!"

Mo Hua’s heart sank; this fool had just ruined everything...

Predictably, the moment the word "Father" was uttered, the black-robed elder’s eyes widened. He abandoned his fight with Shen Shouxing and, with a series of blurred movements, retreated to stand over Shen Qingsheng.

His shriveled, skeletal hand clamped firmly around Shen Qingsheng’s throat.

"He is your father?"

Shen Qingsheng turned deathly pale, his voice failing him.

The black-robed elder sneered, turning his attention to Shen Shouxing. "Cease your attack, or I shall crush his neck."

Shen Shouxing’s brow furrowed as he cursed under his breath.

"Useless brat, you can't achieve anything but you're an expert at ruining my plans!"

Had the boy remained silent, the demon cultivators might never have realized their connection and wouldn't have thought to use him as a hostage.

Failing to grasp the gravity of his mistake, a panicked Shen Qingsheng pleaded, "Father, save me!"

Shen Shouxing had no choice but to halt his assault.

With his ally stopping, Xun Ziyou was forced to lower his sword as well.

Xun Ziyou wanted to ensure Mo Hua’s safety as well. However, since Mo Hua had remained quiet, the clever elder pretended not to know the boy.

In this tense atmosphere, Fan Jin and Master Gu lacked the status to intervene and wisely chose not to reveal Mo Hua's identity.

The frantic battle ground to a sudden, uneasy halt.

Though the air was thick with tension, neither side dared to make a move for the moment.

Shen Shouxing glared at the black-robed elder with freezing eyes and demanded:

"Release him."

"You can have him..." the black-robed elder replied, pointing a finger at the nearby Xun Ziyou. "But first, you must kill this Taixu Sect elder."

Shen Shouxing’s eyes narrowed. "And why should I do that?"

The black-robed elder’s voice turned icy:

"The Taixu Sect shares a blood feud with us. Countless disciples of our Demon Sect have perished at their hands. Every member of the Taixu Sect deserves to die by a thousand cuts!"

Standing behind them, Mo Hua—a junior of the Taixu Sect—felt a shiver run down his spine. He felt a wave of relief that he had been smart enough to hide his affiliation.

He hadn't realized the depth of the hatred these demon cultivators harbored for his sect.

"Kill the Taixu Sect elder, and your son shall be returned," the black-robed elder insisted.

Shen Shouxing let out a mocking laugh. "I have dealt with your kind before. Do you truly expect me to trust the word of a demon path beast?"

The black-robed elder began to tighten his grip on Shen Qingsheng’s throat.

The young man’s face turned a bruised purple. "Father..."

Shen Shouxing’s expression darkened. "That condition is unacceptable. Propose another."

"Kill the Taixu Sect elder," the black-robed elder repeated stubbornly.

Shen Shouxing gave a cold chuckle. "If I attack him, we will only destroy each other, allowing you to sit back and reap the rewards. Do you take me for a fool?"

Xun Ziyou added calmly, "He is right, Elder Shen. If we cooperate, we can wipe these beasts out first."