Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 1997 Chapter 962: Origins
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Mo Hua narrowed his eyes, focusing his vision to get a better look.
The face of the prince resting within the dragon coffin was not the same as Yu Er's. Although he appeared just as young, a natural sense of majesty clung to his features, contrasting with Yu Er's soft and adorable appearance.
Nevertheless, the resemblance in their eyes and brows was striking.
What was the reason for this?
How could he look so much like Yu Er?
A small frown creased Mo Hua's forehead.
"Could Yu Er be a prince of the Great Wilderness?"
"Or perhaps he carries the royal bloodline of the Great Wilderness in his veins?"
"But that doesn't make sense..." Mo Hua felt deeply perplexed, "Yu Er is clearly a descendant of the Shangguan and Wenren clans. How could he possibly be linked to the Great Wilderness?"
Nearby, Shen Tuao’s composure shattered the moment his eyes fell upon the prince in the dragon coffin.
"Ye'er..."
A soft murmur escaped Shen Tuao's lips.
Like a draught of bitter, aged wine, ancient memories began to flood back into his mind.
He remembered the disaster that struck the Great Wilderness royal family and the painful separation of their kin.
Over many years, his family had diminished, forced into a wandering existence. He had even discarded his royal pride to become a Demon Cultivator, conspiring with traitors and living a life that was neither truly alive nor dead. The sheer weight of his suffering, hopelessness, and misery shook his very soul, stirring a whirlwind of emotion.
At long last, he was standing before his closest relative—his own brother.
Even if that brother was now nothing more than a lifeless corpse.
Confined to a cold body, he lay still within this otherworldly dragon coffin.
Shen Tuao’s hands began to shake as he reached out, desperate to touch the prince he called "Ye'er."
Suddenly, a crimson streak of sword light tore through the air, aimed directly at his arm.
Though the strike was powerful, the Dragon Pattern protecting Shen Tuao's body held firm. The blade failed to even scratch his skin.
However, the unexpected assault caused Shen Tuao to freeze.
He turned his head slowly, fixing a frigid stare on Young Master Xuan, who held the sword. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded coldly.
Young Master Xuan met that dragon-like gaze. For a fleeting second, fear gripped his heart, but he forced it away with a sharp glint in his eyes. He let out a soft chuckle.
"I have a request for the Third Prince."
"Speak," Shen Tuao replied, his voice heavy with a natural, terrifying authority.
A greedy light shone in Young Master Xuan's eyes. "I want... the body of Prince Ye."
Mo Hua was stunned by the demand.
Shen Tuao's eyes turned a blood-red hue as a wave of fury erupted from him, radiating a bone-chilling killing intent.
Buckling under the sheer pressure of that aura, Young Master Xuan was forced to retreat several steps. Realizing his reaction, a flash of irritation crossed his face. He surged his Demonic Qi, funneling it into his eyes to face Shen Tuao head-on.
Even though his Cultivation level was inferior, Young Master Xuan used the intricate secrets of "Planting Devil in Taoist Heart" to withstand Shen Tuao's overwhelming presence. He spoke with total indifference:
"Prince Ao, is it not your wish to see the Great Wilderness reborn? Do you not desire the restoration of your royal house?"
Those words seemed to strike a chord within Shen Tuao.
The royal family had already given up far too much for their grand ambition; certain indignities had to be tolerated for the sake of the goal.
If not for that, he would have already struck Young Master Xuan down for even daring to covet Ye'er.
Shen Tuao slowly reined in his murderous intent. "I can grant you a portion of the Great Wilderness Dragon Vein's royal legacy."
"The Demon Gate desires that, but I do not," Young Master Xuan countered.
"Then what is it you want?"
"I have already stated my price. I want the body of Prince Ye."
Shen Tuao's expression remained icy.
A faint smirk played on Young Master Xuan's lips as he continued, "The Demon Gate is one entity, and I am another. I have taken great risks on their behalf, so it is only fair that I have my own personal requirements."
"I will offer you one final chance to reconsider," Shen Tuao said, his voice deceptively calm.
Young Master Xuan simply shook his head. "I am set on obtaining Prince Ye's body."
The Dragon Pattern began to glow around Shen Tuao as his Blood Qi surged. He looked down at Young Master Xuan with a mocking, distant gaze.
"What gives you the impression that you are worthy of speaking to me this way? What makes you think you can make such an insolent demand? Do you truly believe your meager 'Planting Devil in Taoist Heart' is enough?"
"Do you not understand that I could snuff out your life with a single thought?" Shen Tuao's Dragon Pattern pulsed with light, his killing intent becoming razor-sharp.
Mo Hua was equally bewildered by the situation.
Young Master Xuan did not seem like a suicidal fool. Why would he dare to provoke Shen Tuao—a master at the Late Golden Core Stage, a leader of the Demon Sect, and a prince empowered by the Evil Dragon?
What was his hidden trump card?
Could he actually use Planting Devil in Taoist Heart against Shen Tuao?
That seemed impossible... even Mo Hua lacked such a capability.
Was he counting on Mr. Hui, Shitou, and a lowly Foundation Establishment kid like himself?
To take on Shen Tuao?
That was even more far-fetched...
Even ten versions of Mr. Hui working with Mo Hua wouldn't stand a chance against the prince.
As a Formation Master, Mo Hua had witnessed the devastating power of the Four Symbols Evil Dragon Formation firsthand; he knew better than anyone just how formidable Shen Tuao truly was.
What was Young Master Xuan's plan?
While Mo Hua puzzled over this, Young Master Xuan turned his smile toward the silent Elder Bear Pi. His voice carried a seductive, tempting tone.
"Tell me, do you wish to remain a 'bear,' or would you rather become a 'dragon'?"
Elder Bear Pi flinched in surprise, and Shen Tuao’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Young Master Xuan kept his eyes on Shen Tuao while addressing the Elder: "If you kill him, every one of those Dragon Patterns will belong to you."
Elder Bear Pi said nothing.
Young Master Xuan's grin widened. "You do not belong to the Great Wilderness clan. You aren't even a native of those lands."
"Do not think I am unaware. For you monster cultivators, the techniques you use and the Monster Patterns you cultivate are nothing but preparations for someone else's benefit. You are merely breeding a formation designed to 'transform into a dragon.'"
"To them, an Elder like you is just a disposable resource."
"Are you content to live out your days as a bear, following orders without question? Don't you want to know what it feels like to be a true dragon, just once?"