Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2001 - 963: Dragon Vein (2)

A fierce fire of ambition blazed within Young Master Xuan's heart, his desires rising like a scorching karmic flame.

He kept these internal musings hidden from view.

However, Shen Tuao had spent decades immersed in a world of deception and schemes. Being naturally perceptive and sharp-witted, he saw right through the other man's intent the moment the "Mystery Demon Foetus" was mentioned.

"It is as they say: those of a different race will always harbor treacherous thoughts..." Shen Tuao’s expression was frigid. "Every Cultivator from the Nine States deserves a wretched death."

Young Master Xuan remained unfazed by the hostility. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Shen Tuao and questioned:

"Prince Ao, do you truly have no desire to see your brother return to the living?"

"Return to the living?" Shen Tuao let out a mocking sneer. "Do you honestly believe that soul transfer and reanimating a corpse qualifies as being alive?"

"Regardless of the method, life is life. He could be by your side, speaking with you..." Young Master Xuan’s eyes grew shadowed, his tone carrying a hint of feigned regret. "Surely that is preferable to him rotting away in a cold coffin."

Shen Tuao’s eyes were like daggers. "It would be nothing more than a hollow shell devoid of its Divine Soul."

"And why would there be no Divine Soul?" Young Master Xuan offered a soft, pleasant smile. "The vessel belongs to your brother, but the Divine Soul will be mine. I would be more than willing to accept you as my elder brother and serve as your prince."

These words finally ignited Shen Tuao's fury. His pupils dilated slightly as he spat, "A treacherous and vile snake like you actually dares to claim a brotherly bond with me?"

The smile on Young Master Xuan’s face vanished instantly. "It seems you simply don't know what's good for you..."

He turned his attention toward the Bear Demon Cultivator. "Slay Shen Tuao, and you shall ascend from a mere snake to a dragon. Fail to kill him, and both of us will perish in this place."

Elder Bear’s expression was dark, clearly irritated by the commanding tone Young Master Xuan used, yet the words resonated deeply with his own greed.

Who would remain a bear if they had the chance to become a dragon?

The dragon was currently trapped and bleeding; this was his ultimate opportunity to consume it and undergo a transformation. It was a chance that came once in a lifetime.

Monster Qi erupted from Elder Bear's body. Two overlapping Four Symbols Formation Patterns—possessing the raw ferocity of a bear and the lethal toxins of a forest snake—melded into his form.

For a brief moment, his physical stature expanded until he loomed even larger than Shen Tuao.

With a sudden howl of wind, Elder Bear charged at Shen Tuao like a distorted Monster Beast.

His right arm grotesquely swelled, shifting into a massive bear’s claw that tore through the air toward Shen Tuao’s head.

Shen Tuao’s own arm manifested dragon scales as he met the attack head-on. Amidst the howling gales of their collision, both combatants were forced back a step, their physical power appearing to be perfectly matched.

Elder Bear’s fighting spirit surged. The flesh of his left hand became a blurred mess as a Monster Pattern ignited, transforming the limb into a wild serpent. It lunged forward with a blood-stained maw, aiming to sink its fangs into Shen Tuao.

Frowning, Shen Tuao spun his body. His hand, as hard as tempered steel, clamped down on the snake's head. But before he could crush it, a crimson blade of light struck him from behind.

This strike was significantly more powerful than the previous ones, finally managing to pierce through his toughened skin.

Though the physical wound was minor, Shen Tuao quickly realized the blood-red light carried a potent toxin.

It was a high-grade, sinister blood poison, and it began to eat away at his flesh immediately.

Knowing he couldn't be reckless, Shen Tuao was forced to break away from Elder Bear to defend against Young Master Xuan’s crimson sword strikes.

The blood poison was exceptionally peculiar, seeping into his veins and bonding with his marrow like bone-seeking maggots. Consequently, Shen Tuao’s reactions began to sluggishly decline.

"Finish him!" Young Master Xuan barked.

Elder Bear didn't miss the opening. He lunged again, alternating between the crushing force of the bear and the sudden, tearing strikes of the wild snake.

Combined with Young Master Xuan’s blood-red sword and the debilitating poison, the life-and-death struggle stretched across dozens of exchanges. Shen Tuao’s predicament grew more desperate by the second.

"Is Shen Tuao actually going to fall here..." Mo Hua whispered to himself.

Suddenly, Mo Hua's expression shifted. He cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the hall.

Elder Bear and Young Master Xuan also sensed a change. They halted their assault, slowly turning their heads toward the doorway.

At some point, another group had arrived at the hall’s entrance.

It was the party led by Shen Shouxing and Xun Ziyou.

Their faces were shadowed and grim. It was evident they had fought through the crazed shadow spirits in the golden square. They had endured many trials, and some among them had even had portions of their Divine Sense consumed by the spectral entities.

Even Elder Xun and the other three leaders looked drained, their Divine Sense depleted and tainted by a faint traces of Evil Spirits.

They might not even have been aware of the corruption within them.

Mo Hua felt a wave of concern, but he also sensed that something was fundamentally wrong.

"Elder Xun... how did they manage to find this place?"

"How do they keep catching up to us..."

Mo Hua wasn't the only one confused. Young Master Xuan and his allies were equally baffled, yet nobody dared to speak or make a sudden move.

Silence fell over the hall, the atmosphere turning heavy and suffocating.

The addition of these new forces made the already volatile situation even more complex.

Upon entering, Xun Ziyou scanned Shen Tuao and the others before his eyes landed on Mo Hua, who was tucked away safely in a corner. He let out a long breath of relief.

As Mo Hua’s "bodyguard," ensuring the boy's safety was his primary concern.

Similarly, Shen Shouxing ignored the combatants and immediately searched for his son.

He quickly spotted Shen Qingsheng.

The young man was in a terrible state, tossed aside like a piece of refuse, completely oblivious to what was happening around him.

Burning with rage, Shen Shouxing moved to retrieve his son.

However, Young Master Xuan was faster. He snatched Shen Qingsheng up and pressed a blade against his throat, staring down Shen Shouxing.

"Do not take another step."

Shen Shouxing was forced to halt. He said coldly, "Release him, and I might let you live."

Young Master Xuan burst into laughter. "Do you really think that's going to happen?"

Shen Shouxing's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You cannot shield yourself with him forever. Do not forget, I am at the Peak of Golden Core, while you are merely at the Initial Golden Core stage. The moment you slip up, I will end you."