Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2008 Chapter 965: In Hand (Part 3)

Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...

The battle for the Dragon Vein descends into a chaotic melee as Shen Shouxing, Xun Ziyou, Shen Tuao, and the Bear Demon Cultivator trade devastating blows around the Dragon Coffin. A thickening blood mist heightens their murderous greed, leading to severed limbs and critical injuries for nearly all the combatants. Though Shen Shouxing eventually manages to seize the relic, the Dragon Qi violently rejects him, rotting his arm and forcing him to drop the prize. As the powerful Golden Core experts lie crippled and bleeding, Young Master Xuan reveals that only those of a specific bloodline can touch the artifact without suffering a lethal backlash.

He had been searching for the perfect moment to trigger internal strife among the group. Simultaneously, his plan involved using the Dragon Vein's backlash to cripple every opponent on the field.

"As I thought... you are truly a little beast from the Mystic Demon Sect..." Shen Shouxing spoke, his voice sounding thin and raspy.

Despite his youth, the boy possessed a heart so dark and malicious that it rivaled the most ancient Old Demons.

Shen Shouxing began to secretly circulate his Qi, attempting to mend the damage to his arm inflicted by the Dragon Vein's rebound. However, the Karma Dragon energy of the Great Wilderness was incredibly violent, making it impossible to purge in a short period.

Furthermore, he sensed a faint trace of corrupted blood circulating within his body.

Recalling his earlier loss of composure and the overwhelming greed he felt upon seeing the Dragon Vein, Shen Shouxing’s pupils constricted instantly.

"Did you employ other underhanded tactics?"

"I utilized some toxins from the Illusory Demon Sect..." Young Master Xuan replied with an air of indifference.

As he stepped toward the nearby Dragon Vein, he added, "The poisons of the Illusory Demon Sect are unparalleled at weaving illusions and clouding one's Divine Sense. By mixing the venom with blood to fracture your focus and combining it with the Planting Devil in Taoist Heart technique, I ensured you would fight for the Dragon Vein with suicidal desperation."

"The genius of it is that the toxin itself is quite weak. I coated my blade with it, hiding it beneath the radiance of the Mystic Demon Blood Sword where it remained completely undetectable."

"You clashed with one another, and the moment blood was drawn, the poison took root. Because its potency is so subtle, you were simply unable to sense its presence."

"I had no other choice; your cultivation levels are far too high. Even with my study of the Illusory Demon Sect's original canon, it took this much effort to successfully plant a devil in your Taoist Heart."

Shen Shouxing’s eyes turned freezing cold. "You had every detail calculated?"

"Of course..."

Standing before the Dragon Vein, a faint smirk played on Young Master Xuan’s lips. "If I hadn't, how could I—a mere cultivator at the Initial Golden Core Stage—risk associating with those at the Late or even Peak Golden Core Stage?"

"For me, this serves as both a trial and a form of cultivation."

"Demons running rampant, blades tasting blood."

"Only by accomplishing what typical Golden Core cultivators find impossible will the ancestors acknowledge me. Only then can the Mystic Demon Sect be safely placed in my hands in the future."

"Only then will those countless, rebellious Demon Heads within the Mystic Demon Sect truly be cowed into submission and follow my lead."

"And now, the Dragon Vein is finally mine..."

Young Master Xuan gazed at the Dragon Vein before him, overcome with emotion and thrill. However, he maintained his caution, producing an ancient black demonic banner to envelop the Dragon Vein.

The origin of this archaic demonic banner was a mystery; it effectively smothered the Dragon Vein's brilliant light and suppressed the dragon energy.

Once wrapped in the demonic banner, the Dragon Vein resembled a common bone, stripped of its defiant draconic pressure.

Only after this did Young Master Xuan dare to grasp the Dragon Vein, avoiding any injury from the backlash of the dragon energy.

With the Dragon Vein in his possession, every part of his scheme had succeeded.

"Whether you are a Prince of the Great Wilderness, a Golden Core expert from a noble clan, or a Sect Elder... in the end, you were all just puppets dancing in the palm of my hand..."

With a mocking sneer, Young Master Xuan weighed the Dragon Vein in his grip, smiling with satisfaction. He then casually passed it to Mo Hua, who stood beside him, and commanded, "Hold this for me."

Mo Hua accepted the Dragon Vein.

Young Master Xuan turned his head to address Shen Shouxing, but before he could speak, his heart suddenly hammered against his ribs.

"What did I just do?"

"Why did I hand the Dragon Vein to someone else?"

The grin vanished from Young Master Xuan’s face as his eyes stretched wide. He spun around, only to find that Mo Hua was no longer standing at his side.

Looking up, he realized that Mo Hua had already stealthily retreated ten zhang away.

Seeing Young Master Xuan’s gaze land on him, Mo Hua also turned to look back at the Young Master.

The two of them locked eyes for a heartbeat, as if the world had come to a standstill.

Mo Hua blinked once, silently looked away, and then—without a moment's delay—bolted away while clutching the Dragon Vein tightly.