Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 1989 Chapter 959: Planting Demonic Seeds

"Of all the techniques you could choose, you actually dared to use 'Planting Devil in Taoist Heart' on me..."

Walking ahead, Young Master Xuan felt a faint shiver ripple through his heart. He whirled around suddenly, but he only saw Mo Hua following behind with a vacant stare and a dull expression. The boy looked like a complete fool, showing no signs of anything unusual.

Young Master Xuan knit his brows, feeling a flicker of doubt.

However, just as his suspicion flared, the incantations Mo Hua had recited and the words he had spoken began to resonate within his mind once more.

After a moment of reflection, Young Master Xuan’s frown slowly vanished.

"The 'Planting Devil in Taoist Heart' art was used against a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator; how could it possibly fail? This brat is already nothing more than my 'plaything'..."

Young Master Xuan gave a small nod and turned back around, continuing to lead Mo Hua forward.

The Divine Temple was a spectacle of emerald and gold, featuring towering structures of immense majesty. Bronze pillars stood thick as a forest while crisscrossing corridors made it nearly impossible to tell one direction from another.

Nevertheless, Young Master Xuan seemed intimately familiar with the path. He navigated directly through various layers of golden towers and terraces until they reached a front hall.

Within that hall, shadows shifted as all the Golden Core Demon Cultivators gathered together.

Even Stone and Mr. Hui were present.

Yet, both of them possessed listless, empty eyes, clearly having fallen victim to the 'Planting Devil in Taoist Heart' as well.

Looking at their current state, it was obvious that Young Master Xuan was the one responsible.

"Everyone is here," Young Master Xuan announced.

The elder dressed in black robes gave a slight nod before casting a glance at Mo Hua. "This little brother, has he been planted as well?"

"Naturally," Young Master Xuan replied, looking back at Mo Hua. "It is for his own benefit..."

"Once they are planted with a Demon Thought and turned into puppets, they become oblivious to our conversations. This actually gives him a chance to survive later. If he were to overhear any secrets of this Divine Temple while conscious, it would be a guaranteed death sentence."

"Besides, while this kid looks innocent, he is actually quite sharp. I wouldn't be able to rest easy without planting a devil in him."

"That is logical," the black-robed elder agreed with a nod. He then looked at Young Master Xuan curiously. "You seem to place quite a bit of value on this boy?"

Young Master Xuan let out a smirk. "I require a servant to provide tea and water, preferably one with a pleasant face. This brat fits that requirement perfectly."

The black-robed elder did not pursue the matter further.

Instead, Young Master Xuan gestured toward the Shen Qingsheng held by the elder, asking, "What about this child from the Shen Family? Do you intend to bring him along?"

The old man nodded. "The Shen Family won't let this go easily; he will be useful as a bargaining chip."

"That makes sense." Young Master Xuan nodded in agreement.

"The hour is late. It is time to move."

"Yes," Young Master Xuan replied, his face becoming slightly more serious as a faint smile touched his lips. "After enduring so many trials, we have finally reached this point. I truly hope the Third Prince and the Second Elder do not let me down."

Without offering a response, the black-robed elder stepped forward to lead the group.

The Demon Sect leader followed closely behind, heading into the depths of the temple.

Young Master Xuan brought up the rear, leading Mo Hua, Stone, and Mr. Hui—the three "puppets" who had been implanted with devil seeds.

The Divine Temple’s staircase was both long and wide, resembling a flood dragon covered in golden scales as it spiraled toward the peak. It led to the most magnificent hall, perched atop layers of golden pavilions and silver terraces.

The entire path was adorned with painted rafters and carved beams. The sight of the jade halls and golden palaces was so breathtaking it was almost overwhelming.

Walking up the steps like a lowly "pilgrim" on his way to meet a powerful god, Mo Hua secretly grumbled to himself:

"Lord Yellow Mountain, you really have become quite decadent..."

However, he didn't dare to glance around too much. Instead, he kept his limbs stiff like a wooden doll, taking one rigid step at a time.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, a massive square finally opened up before them.

The plaza was gargantuan, paved with bright yellow copper ore that radiated a golden sheen.

Within the square stood a dense crowd of countless kneeling bronze statues.

These figures portrayed men, women, the elderly, and the young. Most were dressed in tattered rags with expressions of deep sorrow, all kneeling piously as they prayed toward the mountain-top temple.

Despite the sacred and solemn appearance of the scene, the black-robed elder felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

This was because a terrifyingly dense concentration of sinister energy hovered above the grand golden hall.

It felt like a vast sea of darkness, enough to make anyone's skin crawl with fear.

The black-robed elder stopped in his tracks. He glanced at Mr. Hui and then questioned Young Master Xuan, "To what degree have you mastered your 'Planting Devil in Taoist Heart'?"

Understanding the elder's hidden meaning, Young Master Xuan explained:

"My proficiency is still basic. Those who have been implanted cannot utilize Taoist skills or cultivation techniques; they can only use instinctive martial arts. However, they are capable of performing simple chores and answering questions."

The black-robed elder commanded, "Have him produce the Maoshan Jade to gauge the level of sinister energy."

"Yes," Young Master Xuan nodded. He then ordered Mr. Hui, "Take out the Maoshan Jade."

Mr. Hui obeyed the command, pulling the jade pendant from his storage bag.

The jade began to glow with a haunting green light.

The color was much darker than before, having turned almost entirely black.

Young Master Xuan asked, "What does this signify?"

Mr. Hui replied in a hollow voice, "This is... a harbinger of profound darkness and overwhelming malice."

Upon hearing those words, a heavy weight settled over the group, and everyone's expressions darkened.

Mo Hua also gave a subtle, internal nod.

It was indeed a sign of immense darkness.

With his own eyes, he could see that the golden plaza filled with thousands of bronze statues was swarming with countless fierce ghosts and vengeful spirits. They howled and roared like a dark army laying siege to a city—an unsettling, massive black cloud.

Unfortunately, this terrifying sight remained invisible to Young Master Xuan and the others.

The black-robed elder frowned, lost in thought, before speaking slowly:

"This is the Divine Temple, but it also serves as the imperial tomb of our Great Wilderness. Deities require worship, and the royal bloodline of the Great Wilderness demands submission."

"These bronze statues were crafted from living people to worship both the royals and the gods. They have been bowing continuously from the moment of their life until their death."

"In life, they served as slaves to imperial power. In death, they have transformed into malevolent fierce ghosts, standing guard over this Divine Temple and the imperial tomb."