Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2077 Chapter 988: Blood of Karmic Dragon_3

Yet triumph springs from Divine Thought into sword, while defeat also arises from Divine Thought into sword.

Across the ages, myriad Divine Thought Sword Cultivators have met their end beneath this blade art that wounds enemies yet scars the self.

This sword technique stands as the ultimate glory of Taixu Gate, yet it bears its most profound wound.

And at this moment, the sword technique is poised to vanish forever alongside Senior Brother Dugu.

With Senior Brother Dugu reduced to ashes, Divine Thought into sword shall be utterly erased as well.

In all likelihood, during his days, he might never behold the moment when Taixu Mind Transforming Sword True Jue emerges once more.

The realm will cease to behold the world-shaking edge of Divine Thought into sword.

Elder Master Xun's eyes grew shadowed.

This truth had long lingered unspoken in his depths.

The choice to seal away Divine Thought into sword had come from his own hand.

Though fated to unfold this way, Elder Master Xun's spirit now swelled with profound sorrow and boundless grief.

Right then, Xun Ziyou's prior words echoed back into his thoughts.

A spark ignited in Elder Master Xun's faded gaze.

"Divine Thought into sword True Jue..."

"Mo Hua..."

Elder Master Xun whispered these names under his breath, his forehead creasing bit by bit.

"That can't be... How could such a thing occur?"

"Yet suppose it holds truth..."

Elder Master Xun's core trembled faintly, and he let out a soft breath. As Divine Thought surged within, his stare deepened further, contemplating some hidden mystery...

...

Mo Hua remained unaware that Elder Xun Ziyou had covertly watched his deployment of Divine Thought into sword.

Clashing with the Third Grade Golden Core Realm Pig Monster proved far too perilous and intense; he couldn't afford a single stray thought.

With his Foundation Establishment level, slaying that Golden Core Pig Monster had drained nearly every drop of his Divine Thought.

Thus, Mo Hua failed to sense Elder Xun Ziyou's hidden scrutiny.

In the ensuing days, he lingered in the thrill of vanquishing the Third Grade Golden Core Pig Monster via the Divine Thought into sword True Jue.

Regrettably, this deed couldn't be shared aloud.

He also held back from boasting about it far and wide.

Not one of his junior brothers learned of this staggering achievement.

Like a gem hidden in the dark of night, unseen by all.

A gnawing unease twisted within Mo Hua.

Still, he forced himself to stay balanced and press on with his cultivation.

Luckily, after a full month, the unease ebbed away, and as the year drew to a close, the sect prepared for fresh assessments.

Mo Hua completed the assessment, earning one A, two Bs, and four Cs.

Formation earned an "A," Taoist Skill a "B," and oddly, Alchemy also landed a "B."

Normally, he'd claim one A and six Cs.

Last year brought an extra B.

This year added yet another.

Mo Hua's brow knit in concern.

He pondered the links of cause and effect, aware that odd happenings demand explanation; without one, such strong results made no sense.

Hence, a subtle unease lingered in Mo Hua's heart.

...

Post-examination, the New Year arrived once more.

This time, Mo Hua planned to join the Gu Family's New Year's gathering again.

He made a point to consult Elder Master Xun first.

Given the current circumstances, the Shen Family issue appeared resolved outwardly, but the hidden clashes and brutal fights among noble houses raged on.

Mo Hua wondered if attending the Gu Family for the feast now carried risks.

Elder Master Xun paused briefly before agreeing, "You can go without worry."

The events in Solitary Mountain City had drawn accountability from both Taixu Gate and the Gu Family by the Shen Family, so no further ties mattered.

Besides, nurturing ties with the Gu Family held clear benefits.

Elder Master Xun penned a scroll of calligraphy for Mo Hua to present as a gift to the Gu Family.

Mo Hua expressed his thanks with delight.

As dusk fell, Mo Hua offered proper respects and took his leave from Elder Master Xun, yet upon finishing his bows, he caught a profound and tangled look from Elder Master Xun that left him briefly stunned.

"Old Master, is something amiss?" Mo Hua inquired, confused.

Elder Master Xun gazed intently at Mo Hua.

That stare left Mo Hua sensing that Elder Master Xun pondered some secret but held back from speaking due to ties of cause and effect.

Elder Master Xun seemed conflicted, eager to question yet hesitant, but as he noted how Mo Hua had unknowingly shot up in height, resembling a youth more fully, a wave of reminiscence washed over him.

He'd matured considerably...

His eyes shone with gentle clarity, profound yet serene, his features still boyish but his bearing far steadier.

He could now handle certain burdens alone.

Or maybe, even as a child, he'd always shouldered loads by himself...

Elder Master Xun breathed a quiet sigh, "Nothing at all..."

He regarded Mo Hua, placing a hand on his shoulder with a soft tone, "It's the New Year—enjoy yourself."

Mo Hua nodded and grinned, "Old Master, happy New Year. I'll be off now."

"Very well, go on."

Mo Hua gave a deep bow of respect, then departed.

Once Mo Hua was gone, Elder Master Xun resumed studying the Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip bore the title "Taixu Gate Forbidden Technique Directory."

Elder Master Xun fixed his eyes on the list of forbidden arts, drifting into contemplation...

...

Qingzhou City, Gu Family.

The rear garden glowed with lights and festive adornments.

Mo Hua released lanterns alongside Yu Er.

Yu Er's little cheeks flushed bright red as he gazed upward at the crimson fish-dragon lantern Mo Hua crafted just for him.

But upon turning to Mo Hua, Yu Er's spirits sank, his lashes lowering in quiet, woeful silence.

Mo Hua picked up on the shift in his mood and asked kindly, "What's the matter?"

Yu Er stayed quiet a beat, then murmured, "Brother Mo, are you going away?"

Mo Hua blinked in surprise, "Who said that?"

Yu Er shook his head, then lifted his eyes to Mo Hua, "Big guy and the rest say that after finishing studies, they'll depart Taixu Gate, leave Qian State—will you go too, Brother Mo?"

The "big guy" Yu Er meant was Cheng Mo.

Mo Hua met Yu Er's gaze.

Yu Er's eyes, mirroring the sky's lantern glow, shimmered brightly, filled with profound unwillingness to part.

Mo Hua chose honesty over lies, answering gently, "Perhaps."

Yu Er's face fell further.

Mo Hua tousled his hair softly, "Life brings meetings and farewells, joys and pains—it's all quite ordinary. One day, Yu Er, you'll grow up too, standing on your own, building your strength, and becoming mighty..."

Mo Hua's soothing words gradually warmed Yu Er's heart.

Yu Er felt a surge of courage within, nodding firmly, then with a touch of yearning, he wondered:

"So, can I see Brother Mo again someday?"

Mo Hua smiled and nodded, "Of course. When I find the time, I'll visit you. Or one day, once Yu Er's cultivation grows powerful, you can roam the Nine States, and we'll cross paths for sure."

"When I'm strong... we'll meet again..." Yu Er's gaze lit with aspiration, then he bobbed his head eagerly, "Brother Mo, I'll cultivate hard for sure—someday I'll seek you out!"

Mo Hua beamed warmly, "Excellent!"

Yu Er grinned too, the lantern's glow on his face lending him an pure and endearing charm.

Mo Hua felt a swell of satisfaction, but in the very next breath, his Divine Soul trembled, the Dragon Soul hummed in response, and his sight flushed crimson.

The sky's lantern lights on Yu Er's face abruptly gleamed blood-red.

And this crimson hue faintly shaped a dragon silhouette.

This blood-hued dragon form, amid the fiery red glow, glided over Yu Er's features before wavering and coiling, finally gathering at Yu Er's brow and blending into his Divine Soul.

A chill pierced Mo Hua's depths.

"...Dragon?"

"The blood in Yu Er's veins... is it Karmic Dragon Blood?"