Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2079 Chapter 989: Winds Rising (Part 2)

Wenren Wan cautioned him, "Be careful on your journey."

Yu Er gave him a wave.

Mo Hua grinned and waved farewell too, before climbing into the carriage and heading off toward Taixu Gate.

...

Qian Learning State Boundary.

The magnificent and imposing Shen Family estate.

During this festival, the Gu Family buzzed with energy.

On the other hand, the Shen Family's celebration this year felt far more subdued, heavy with tension.

Though the expansive manor glowed with lights, a chilling hush hung over it like death.

Sect Elders moved about with dark looks on their faces.

Disciples fidgeted uneasily, whispering in hushed tones.

From time to time, a glass would smash, followed by angry shouts and scoldings.

Inside the opulent and grand hall, the yearly banquet wrapped up in a rush.

Relatives scattered away, while the Shen Family Old Ancestor remained perched above in the hall, radiating authority, his features stern without rage, but his presence icy as a frozen peak.

After the crowd thinned out, the Shen Family Head lingered to face the Ancestor's fury alone.

As Family Head, he commanded the clan's might, basked in the top glory and respect of this Fifth-grade powerhouse, yet shouldered an immense weight like a towering peak.

When crises struck, he stood as the sole shield against the tempest.

Within the deserted majestic hall.

The Shen Family Head, often lofty and bowed to by others, now dropped to his knees on the steps, pressing his forehead to the icy ground, begging forgiveness from the Ancestor.

The Shen Family Old Ancestor gazed down at the kneeling Family Head by his feet, his face serene like still water, though his eyes burned with a fearsome severity.

At last, he shut his eyes gradually, curbed his savage presence, and uttered in a measured tone:

"Rise."

A shiver ran down the Shen Family Head's spine, but relief washed over him as he prostrated once more, saying, "Thank you, Ancestor, for your mercy."

"Have you sorted out all the details?" the Shen Family Old Ancestor inquired.

"Yes," the Shen Family Head answered softly, "It all started when a Taixu Gate disciple got snatched by tomb raiders and dragged into the Solitary Mountain City tombs."

"Then, Taixu Gate's Elder Xun Ziyou, joined by our Shen Family's Elder Shen Shouxing, ventured into Solitary Mountain City, leading to a series of complications..."

"In the aftermath, witnesses spotted Taixu Gate's Elder Xun Ziyou still breathing."

"Nobody caught how he slipped out of Solitary Mountain City, yet he clearly survived and went back to instructing at Taixu Gate like everything was normal."

"As for the Taixu Gate disciple taken into Solitary Mountain City..."

"I'd harbored guesses about who this disciple was earlier, but lacked proof. Taixu Gate guards its secrets tightly, and even the Taoist Court stays mum."

"Over a month later, after pulling strings and chasing leads, I gathered enough clues to pin down his identity for sure."

"The Taixu Gate disciple tied to the Solitary Mountain affair goes by the name Mo Hua..."

At those words, the Shen Family Old Ancestor's brows twitched faintly, "You mean..."

The Shen Family Head confirmed, "Yes, exactly the Formation Leader of Taixu Gate..."

The Shen Family Old Ancestor's face stayed composed, showing neither delight nor fury.

Unsure of the Ancestor's mind, the Shen Family Head pressed on:

"This whole affair seems like... Taixu Gate laying a hidden snare, dangling a disciple as lure, employing various tactics to rip open our Shen Family's scars, putting us under the knife, drawing in rivals to eye and gradually devour our Shen Family's core..."

...

In the Solitary Mountain fiasco, the sheer volume of spirit mines, farmlands, stones, sect influences, and key power roles the Shen Family forfeited to smooth things over...

No one grasped the toll like the Family Head did.

Each recollection stabbed at his chest like fresh wounds.

His grudge against Taixu Gate burned fiercer.

Still, a flicker of doubt lingered in the Shen Family Head's thoughts, and he voiced it:

"This Mo Hua, as a Formation Leader, stands as a once-in-a-millennium array genius. How vast must Taixu Gate's ambitions be to risk him as 'bait'? Weren't they worried this youth could perish in Solitary Mountain City?"

Should Mo Hua fall, Taixu Gate's array legacy might never claim the top spot again in this era.

Did they hold no value for such a talent?

And...

The Shen Family Head creased his brow, "Why would a mere Foundation Establishment disciple like him stir into Solitary Mountain City's mess? What senseless motive drove him there?"

"Could this kid harbor some hidden agenda?"

The Shen Family Old Ancestor mulled it over briefly, then stated deliberately, "This unfolds as a grand scheme, orchestrated by a Heaven Void Realm Ancestor from the shadows."

"In a game this vast, every figure on the board serves as a piece."

"Even that Golden Core Sword Cultivator Xun Ziyou counts as one, much less a simple Foundation Establishment like this."

"Stop fixating on the motives of mere pieces."

The Shen Family Old Ancestor fixed his deep gaze on the Shen Family Head:

"...As Family Head now, you must adopt a Family Head's foresight."

"Grasp who your true opponents are in this match."

"Step back to the shadows, view the board through an Ancestor's eyes, and clarity will come."

"Once you reach Heaven Void yourself, you'll truly claim the mantle of Shen Family Ancestor..."

"But if your sight stays narrow, trapped on those pieces without spotting your foe, you'll end up as playthings in others' hands."

These solemn words shook the Shen Family Head to his core, bringing tears to his eyes.

The Ancestor held faith in him yet.

The Shen Family Head bowed low, "Grandson thanks Ancestor for the guidance and will engrave it in his heart."

The Shen Family Old Ancestor gave a slight nod, then turned to another matter, "What have you uncovered about the Rouge Boat event?"