Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2017 Chapter 968: Pure at Heart (Part 3)

Xun Ziyou searched his mind for an answer but found none. Despite his status as an Elder of the Taixu Gate, his soul was committed to the Sword Dao, leaving him with little understanding of the shifting complexities and infinite enigmas of Divine Thought.

This was a domain that would have captivated Xun Zixian instead.

Involuntarily, Xun Ziyou shifted his gaze toward Mo Hua.

He was well aware that Mo Hua possessed extraordinary mastery over Divine Thought, holding perspectives that far surpassed those of common cultivators.

After a brief silence, Mo Hua spoke with total sincerity:

"The source of this nightmare is buried deep within the heart of this Divine Temple. Unless that root is dealt with, everyone will remain imprisoned in this dream, never to wake again."

Xun Ziyou considered this, his brow furrowing as he replied:

"If that is the reality of our situation... then a journey into the depths of this Divine Temple is our only path. It seems no other way exists."

Despite his words, his face remained heavy with concern.

The Fierce Ghosts prowling outside were already a formidable challenge; the terror lurking in the deepest reaches of the Divine Temple would be far worse.

Yet, they had reached a point where no other options remained.

Xun Ziyou prepared to lead the way, but Mo Hua stopped him with a shake of his head, saying: "You cannot go; I will go alone."

Xun Ziyou blinked in surprise.

Master Gu and Fan Jin looked at one another, their faces filled with confusion.

In such a dire moment, Mo Hua set aside modesty and spoke with absolute certainty: "If I enter, there is a chance of survival; if you enter, death is certain."

A drop of water should be repaid with a fountain of grace.

Elder Xun had always looked after him with kindness.

Master Gu and Master Fan had likewise provided him with significant aid.

He refused to let Elder Xun and the others meet a tragic end by sacrificing themselves in this nightmare.

Had he been without power, that would be one thing, but since he possessed the capability, he could not allow those close to him to fall into harm's way.

Those deserving of death must fall;

Those who should be saved must be protected.

If one cannot achieve even this, then why bother with Cultivation or the pursuit of great powers?

Mo Hua’s eyes were resolute, and despite his small stature, he projected a massive, commanding presence.

Xun Ziyou stared at Mo Hua, his heart trembling with emotion. After a long silence, he let out a sigh and relented:

"Very well, I will follow your lead."

Master Gu and Fan Jin opened their mouths to protest, but seeing Elder Xun’s nod of approval, they were forced to keep their silence.

Mo Hua nodded back. With time running out, he offered no further explanations. He turned and began walking toward the innermost sanctum of the Divine Temple by himself.

After a few paces, a thought occurred to Mo Hua. He turned back toward Xun Ziyou and the others, a frown crossing his face.

Realizing that leaving Elder Xun and the others unprotected was too risky, he focused his Divine Thought and etched several Divine Formations on the spot:

"Stay within the boundaries of this Formation. Do not step outside for any reason."

The three men watched in awe, nodding their heads wordlessly.

Feeling more at ease, Mo Hua finally departed.

Xun Ziyou watched Mo Hua’s receding back before looking down at the incredibly complex golden Formation at his feet. He couldn't help but frown in thought.

"What manner of Formation is this...?"

Within this nightmare realm, the Formations Mo Hua had constructed felt as impregnable as a fortress. Even as a Golden Core Elder, Xun Ziyou felt a sense of powerlessness before them...

A sudden, startling realization struck him.

Could it be that the Fierce Ghosts they faced had fled in terror because they had seen Mo Hua?

"That can't be... he is only at the Foundation Establishment stage..."

Xun Ziyou was silent for a moment, sighing to himself:

"In the end, we still failed to see the true depth of this child..."

"Yet, the ancestors were wise enough to recognize his potential..."

Xun Ziyou looked up, finding that Mo Hua had already vanished into the shadows of the Divine Temple's depths.

"With the ancestors of the Taixu Gate watching over him, surely he will be safe..."

...

The deepest part of the Divine Temple.

Mo Hua stood before a massive golden door.

Intricate and grand reliefs were carved into its surface.

However, these carvings were now smothered in malice, drenched in dark blood and rotting flesh, radiating a chilling, unnatural aura.

The Evil Embryo waited behind that door.

A terrifying, soul-shaking vibration pulsed from the other side.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Mo Hua’s face.

A Third-Grade peak Divine Fetus was a far cry from a common Evil Spirit. To be honest, he lacked total confidence.

But this was the only path to freedom.

To shatter the nightmare, the Evil Embryo had to be destroyed.

Fortunately, Shen Qingsheng’s earlier sacrifice had severed some of the karmic ties and dissolved a portion of the resentment, which had weakened the Evil Embryo's foundation.

With fewer vengeful spirits and fierce ghosts providing it with fuel from their agony and despair, the Evil Embryo was somewhat diminished.

It might not be a massive reduction in power, but it was the best advantage Mo Hua could hope for.

When one is weak, they must give their all, gathering every tiny advantage to snatch victory from the narrowest of margins.

Taking a deep breath, Mo Hua reached out and shoved the doors of the Divine Temple open.

The heavy doors groaned as they swung wide.

An overwhelming wave of death energy, freezing cold, and sinister malice surged out like a flood.

Mo Hua pushed through the dark energy, stepping firmly into the grand hall.

The interior of the chamber finally revealed itself.

It was a place of former opulence, now fallen into decay and filth.

A dragon coffin, smeared with grime and gore, stood open.

Kneeling before it was the Second Elder—or what remained of him. His flesh had rotted away, and his distorted body had fused hideously with the dragon bones.

Nearby lay a mangled corpse, torn open and disemboweled.

It was Elder Bear Pi.

His body had been ripped to pieces; a skinned snake was tossed aside like trash, and a bear’s paw was currently being chewed by a misshapen horror at the center of the room.

Sensing Mo Hua’s presence, the "creature" stopped its movements and slowly turned around.

Mo Hua’s pupils shrank.

It was a chaotic, malformed abomination, a nightmare stitched together from various types of flesh and blood.

The creature possessed a massive frame, dripping with black blood and covered in burgeoning, grotesque tumors.

Its face was elongated and cruel, with eyes of black and red that radiated nothing but freezing malice and pure evil.

This was... Lord Yellow Mountain!

The true form of the Evil Embryo was a corrupted, fallen fusion of demonic flesh... Lord Yellow Mountain.