Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2035 Chapter 974: Sinister Traces

"Then what is the point of it?"

"Unless Elder Master Xun has made some other preparations."

This is exactly why Xun Ziyou finds Mo Hua so exasperating; possessing a Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, the boy is always brimming with schemes, making it impossible to hide anything from him.

Observing Mo Hua's bright, inquisitive gaze, Xun Ziyou reflected for a moment and decided there was no harm in revealing the truth. He spoke:

"Didn't the ancestor bestow a Tai Xu Yin Yang Lock upon you?"

"He did."

"That lock is linked to your vitality. If you fall into peril, I will be able to feel it. Should a dire life-and-death crisis occur, I will shatter the Void Sword Order to alert the ancestor..."

Mo Hua was momentarily speechless.

The Elder treated him with such profound kindness...

While feeling deep gratitude, he was also somewhat confused. "This is a Third-Grade State Boundary, isn't it? Even if the Elder Master can tear through the void, he shouldn't be able to reach this place."

Xun Ziyou knit his brows. "I am not entirely sure... However, even if the ancestor cannot descend in person, he must have methods to preserve your life, provided you stay within the Qianxue region. If you stray too far, his reach will fail."

Mo Hua gave a small nod of understanding.

"So, as long as I am within Qianxue, the Tai Xu Yin Yang Lock can serve as a life-saving trump card during a crisis..."

Keeping this in mind, Mo Hua offered his thanks:

"I am grateful to you, Elder Master Xun! And thank you as well, Elder Xun!"

Xun Ziyou dismissed the thanks with a wave of his hand. "There is no need for that."

In any case, that contingency plan was never triggered, which was certainly the most favorable outcome...

Following their talk, the two remained in the carriage, sipping tea and engaging in casual conversation.

By the time night had fully descended, they finally reached the Taixu Gate.

Xun Ziyou escorted Mo Hua to pay his respects to Elder Master Xun.

Seeing Mo Hua return without a scratch, Elder Master Xun’s face remained stoic, but he felt a secret sense of relief within.

"Did you sustain any injuries?"

"I did not," Mo Hua replied with a nod. "Because Elder Xun was there to protect this disciple, no trouble befell me."

He took the opportunity to quietly praise Xun Ziyou.

Elder Master Xun shifted his gaze toward Xun Ziyou, a trace of approval flickering in his eyes.

Xun Ziyou’s heart felt heavy with complex emotions.

He never imagined that as an Elder at the late Golden Core stage, he would one day need a Foundation Establishment disciple to validate his performance before the ancestor.

"As long as you are unharmed, return to your quarters and rest early..." Elder Master Xun said with a warm tone.

"Understood. Please take care of yourself, Elder Master. This disciple takes his leave." Mo Hua bowed respectfully before exiting.

Xun Ziyou stayed behind, aware that the ancestor would want a full report.

Just as expected, once Mo Hua had gone, Elder Master Xun gestured for him to come closer. "Recount everything that transpired."

Xun Ziyou provided an honest detailed account.

Nevertheless, many details remained a mystery to him, such as the package Mo Hua had ordered him to carry—which might have been non-existent.

There were also those strange Divine Sense techniques they had encountered during the journey.

He omitted the parts he didn't fully understand, focusing instead on the undeniable facts.

He spoke of the Shen Family, the mass burial site, the hidden ambitions of the Great Wilderness royal bloodline, and the matter involving the Dragon Vein.

As he listened, Elder Master Xun’s brow began to furrow deeply.

He had not anticipated that Mo Hua’s excursion to Solitary Mountain and entry into a tomb would involve such monumental consequences.

This boy... could he truly be born with a sacred body of cause and effect?

It seemed as though everything gravitated toward him.

"Ancestor," Xun Ziyou asked with a frown, "was the tragedy at Solitary Mountain truly the work of the Shen Family?"

Elder Master Xun replied, "Did you witness it yourself?"

"I did," Xun Ziyou said, his eyes turning cold. "The hills were blanketed in corpses..."

"Then you saw the truth." Elder Master Xun let out a sigh.

"It is just..." Xun Ziyou’s brow remained furrowed. "I find it hard to believe that a Fifth-Grade Righteous Dao noble family, sanctioned by the Taoist Court, would commit such atrocities..."

Elder Master Xun sighed softly. "Such is the nature of people. If one pursues Cultivation without Cultivating the Heart, chasing only status and wealth, they eventually become capable of any horror."

"How will this situation be settled?" Xun Ziyou inquired.

Uncertain, Elder Master Xun sighed again. "The matter is excessively complex; the currents run deep and the storms are erratic. We must simply watch and wait..."

Xun Ziyou gave a nod of agreement.

"And... what of that Dragon Vein?" Elder Master Xun questioned.

"Mo Hua still has it," Xun Ziyou answered.

Since Mo Hua had "tricked" Young Master Xuan into giving it up, it technically belonged to him, and Xun Ziyou had not tried to claim it.

This was despite the item's immense value.

However, because the Dragon Vein was so significant, leaving it with Mo Hua might actually bring him harm.

"Should we... retrieve the Dragon Vein?" Xun Ziyou frowned. "I worry that keeping such a thing might bring disaster upon Mo Hua..."

Elder Master Xun thought for a moment before shaking his head. "There is no rush. Let him keep it for a while. Once his curiosity is satisfied, he will surely hand it over."

"If you demand it before he understands it himself, he will only be displeased."

Xun Ziyou: "..."

It seemed these ancestors and elders always prioritized Mo Hua’s whims before making a move.

Still, it wasn't a bad thing for the boy to hold onto the Dragon Vein for now.

Xun Ziyou remarked, "Those remnants from the Great Wilderness have been plotting an uprising for ages. Now that their prince has perished in the Solitary Mountain tomb and the Dragon Vein is with Mo Hua..."

"With their legacy destroyed and their lineage ended, I doubt they can cause much more trouble. The conflicts in the Southern Wilderness should subside soon..."

Xun Ziyou let out a quiet sigh. "When the fighting stops, there will be fewer deaths..."

Elder Master Xun nodded slightly, though a sense of foreboding lingered in his heart.

Matters might not conclude so easily.

Exhausted from the various battles at Solitary Mountain, Xun Ziyou’s mind was too weary to dwell on it further.

"Elder, there is one more thing..."

Xun Ziyou informed Elder Master Xun about Mo Hua’s claim regarding a Taixu Gate predecessor using the 'Divine Thought into Sword' True Jue to kill a corrupted Mountain God.

Elder Master Xun pondered this for a moment and then nodded. "Such an event did indeed occur."

"Truly?" Xun Ziyou was shocked.

"It is a tale from long ago," Elder Master Xun reminisced. "Our Taixu Gate records do mention a Sword Cultivator ancestor who slew the Mountain God of Guhuang Mountain, though the details are sparse, and the circumstances remain murky."

Xun Ziyou nodded. "Then Mo Hua was telling the truth..."

That was a relief... For a moment, he had entertained the absurd thought that Mo Hua himself had manifested that sword.

After discussing a few more details, Elder Master Xun waved him off. "You have done well in this task. Go and get some rest."

Xun Ziyou nodded. "Very well. I shall take my leave, Elder."

As he turned to go, his curiosity got the better of him, and he whispered:

"Elder, in your opinion... why did Mo Hua really go to Solitary Mountain?"

Elder Master Xun paused. Without offering an answer, he simply shook his head and said, "Go rest."

"Yes."

Xun Ziyou was merely curious. Seeing the Elder would not speak of it, he didn't push, gave a brief bow, and departed.

Once Xun Ziyou was gone, Elder Master Xun’s brows knit together.

He also found the situation peculiar.

While the Solitary Mountain incident carried massive karma, what did it have to do with Mo Hua?

Why would he risk his life to dive into the middle of it?

More importantly, what was Mo Hua’s ultimate goal?

Elder Master Xun’s frown deepened.

...

Back at the Disciple’s Residence.

First, Mo Hua tucked the Lifebound Divine Statue of Lord Yellow Mountain into his cabinet, hiding it behind a Formation to keep it from prying eyes.

While ordinary people shouldn't be able to perceive it, he preferred to be cautious against any accidents.

Next, he took the Dragon Vein—still wrapped in the black cloth from Young Master Xuan—and stashed it under his pillow.

He intended to examine the Dragon Vein more closely later.

Finally, after bathing and burning incense, he waited until 1 p.m. to eagerly enter his Sea of Consciousness.

Once inside, Mo Hua produced a strand of Third Grade Divine Marrow. It was a priceless treasure, glowing with a brilliant golden light.

Valuable items like this shouldn't be held for too long, lest they cause trouble.

To prevent any unforeseen complications, he decided to consume the Divine Marrow immediately.

If his appraisal was right, this Divine Marrow was the key for his Divine Sense to finally reach the Twenty Patterns threshold.