Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2064 Chapter 984: Great Demon Hall (Part 2)

Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...

Elder Zheng recounted the grim history of the Great Demon Hall, which once dominated the Cultivation World in an era of rampant demonic cultivation, bloodshed, and near-extinction of humanity, before righteous cultivators rose to eradicate it and establish the Taoist Court. He engaged Mo Hua in a profound discussion on the origins of demons from human greed and the inescapable flaws in both demonic and righteous paths, highlighting how demon sects exploit through overt savagery while great sects and families impose subtler forms of deprivation. Referencing the Shen Family's ruthless treatment of exhausted miners as a stark example, Elder Zheng emphasized that even the "useless" remnants of the weak hold value for further exploitation in the shadows of morality.

"This is the Demon."

"The Shen Family hasn't gone this far yet, but human greed knows no limits, 'exploitation' never ceases... In the long run, some aristocratic family will surely cross the line and embark on this path."

"If they succeed and shatter that barrier, that aristocratic family will turn into a Demon Sect, where 'righteousness' becomes 'demonic'..."

Mo Hua's face shifted in shock.

Elder Zheng fixed his profound gaze on Mo Hua, uttering each word slowly and gravely:

"Thus, the righteous and demonic paths are one in essence yet stand in opposition, clearly divided, but rooted in the same origin."

"The so-called 'demon' doesn't emerge from a mother's womb or hatch from an egg; it is 'transformed'."

"The human mind can undergo transformation, aristocratic families can change, and even the Taoist Court is no exception."

"Should the whole Cultivation World unite under one banner, the Taoist Court—with its deepest roots, mightiest power, and vastest authority—could ultimately achieve this shift, potentially evolving into a fresh..."

Elder Zheng halted, his voice turning somber:

"...Great Demon Hall!"

Mo Hua's eyes widened in alarm, his mind gripped by fear.

Elder Zheng's insights were ideas Mo Hua had never pondered before.

Yet memories of Solitary Mountain City, the Shen Family's ordeals, and numerous harsh realities flooded his thoughts; the deeper Mo Hua reflected, the more chill gripped his soul.

"These things..." Mo Hua's words caught in his throat, "haven't the righteous sects and those ancestral figures from aristocratic families noticed this themselves?"

Elder Zheng replied coolly: "Self-awareness is rare for people; once they taste the fruits of gain, they scramble for more, blind to their own actions."

"Certain individuals remain ignorant of these truths, others refuse to acknowledge them, and some, even aware, lack the means to act."

"Worse still, there are those who welcome such developments..."

Mo Hua's eyes flickered with unease, falling into a heavy silence.

"Moreover, an even graver problem looms," Elder Zheng sighed before pressing on.

"A graver problem?"

Elder Zheng turned to Mo Hua: "In your view, what sets the righteous path apart from the demonic one?"

Mo Hua first considered mentioning the cultivation technique systems, but on second thought, that seemed too shallow.

After a brief moment of reflection, Mo Hua responded thoughtfully: "Could it be... the Taoist Heart?"

Elder Zheng affirmed with a nod, "Over twenty thousand years past, amid the Demon Path's dominance, righteous cultivators endured trials and tribulations, purged demons to safeguard the Dao, all thanks to a Taoist Heart that spurned evil, cast aside personal greed, embraced the world's welfare, showed compassion to all beings, and held unshakeable resolve."

"It was this alone that allowed them to endure brutal conditions, defy impossible odds, and gradually dismantle the once-dominant Great Demon Hall that blanketed the skies with its might."

"Only through it did they forge a path forward for the Nine State Cultivation World and every living soul."

"What righteous cultivators ought to transmit above all is precisely this Taoist Heart."

"Yet..."

Elder Zheng lifted his eyes to Qian State's heavens, surveying the expansive far-off peaks and the sects cradled within, then shook his head with a heavy sigh:

"In our time, we impart cultivation techniques, Taoist arts, formations, artifact forging, the Alchemy Dao, runes—everything is handed down, except the Taoist Heart."

"Possessing cultivation without a Taoist Heart leads to selfishness and narrow pursuits."

"Grasping the world's fortunes for personal profit—this is what the premier sects in Qian Learning State Boundary instill in their top 'Heavenly Proud Sons'..."

Elder Zheng's face twisted in self-deprecating helplessness, then raw anguish:

"Cultivation amounts to a hollow form; the Taoist Heart forms the core. Without it, no matter one's lofty realm or formidable strength, one merely serves as a 'vessel' for the Demon Path..."

"And the finest such 'vessel' at that—one with prime spiritual roots, outstanding talent, vast reserves of cultivation resources, and the inheritance of supreme spell arts..."

Elder Zheng's tone brimmed with profound worry.

If calamity struck one day—an Evil God stirred, a Heavenly Demon rose anew, the Demon Path surged back—with the current cultivators' fragile Taoist Hearts, the outcome was too dreadful to contemplate.

Besides, aristocratic families were solidifying their dominance by hoarding legacies.

The gap in resources and teachings between family scions and lowly Loose Cultivators would only widen the divide further.

Elder Zheng's look grew forlorn, "Long ago, driven by passion, I journeyed from Zhen State to Qian Learning State Boundary, joined Qian Taoist Sect, rose to Elder among the Four Great Sects, believing my resolve could spark change."

"Yet after countless years of toil, I've slammed into an impasse, left utterly disillusioned."

"On the grand scale, one voice weighs little; even reasoned pleas fall on deaf ears..."

Elder Zheng let out a melancholic sigh, his eyes shadowed.

Mo Hua's features mirrored the gravity.

Elder Zheng eyed Mo Hua once more and spoke deliberately:

"These thoughts I share solely with you here—seal them in your heart, never breathe them to outsiders, least of all regarding the 'Great Demon Hall'."

Mo Hua nodded with utmost sincerity.

Elder Zheng gestured dismissively, dispelling the nearby formation, and murmured gently:

"Very well, the hour grows late; I must gather my belongings, so I'll not delay you further."

"Take these Formation Diagrams and Jade Slips home, delve into them diligently. Your gifts shine brightly, and your path ahead holds limitless promise."

Mo Hua securely tucked away the Formation Diagrams and Jade Slips from Elder Zheng, rose to his feet, bowed deeply, and took his leave:

"My gratitude, senior; your teachings will stay etched in my mind."

Elder Zheng inclined his head faintly, then fixed a lingering, poignant stare on Mo Hua, a wave of sharp reluctance rising within.

His departure loomed near.

This journey would span thousands of miles across Qian and Zhen States.

When next he crossed paths with Mo Hua, only time would tell.

Perhaps in this life, reunion remained uncertain.

After all, a cultivator's journey brimmed with countless hurdles.