Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 651: The Maze Killing Array

Mo Hua released his divine sense again to scan the labyrinth and shook his head slightly.

It was a maze formation—but not the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array.

Its scale hadn't reached the level of a "grand array."

It was more like a small-scale sub-array, extracted or derived from the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array.

It was far from the boundless and intricate spectacle he had seen in his Sea of Consciousness during Foundation Establishment—back then, it had spread like a celestial canopy across the heavens...

Moreover, this labyrinthine array was stylistically very different from the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array he had witnessed.

Same origin, different path.

It was like a variant form of the original.

Or perhaps…

A replica, copied from somewhere, restored through guesswork, and reconstructed into something new.

From the outside, the entire formation seemed profound and convoluted—interwoven and chaotic.

Had his Sea of Consciousness not been reshaped by the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array, its array patterns etched deeply into his divine sense, even he might not have recognized this as a derivative of that same array.

"But… why?"

Mo Hua frowned.

Why would a demonic temple—supposedly a sacred place in the hearts of demonic cultivators—use a Heaven-Obscuring array to structure its core architecture?

Was it simply for misdirection, to confuse and conceal?

Or did the array itself carry some hidden significance?

If demonic cultivators used the Heaven-Obscuring Array to build a maze…

Could this formation be… an evil demonic array?

Did his divine sense undergo "qualitative transformation" because it had been reconstructed through a demonic formation?

Mo Hua frowned deeper.

That shouldn't be the case…

The Heavenly Derivation Art was given to him by his master—it was an ancient cultivation technique.

It was very likely that this array was also an ancient creation, without inherent affiliation to good or evil. It was simply discovered by demonic cultivators and used to build their "sacred temple."

Even if he didn't fully trust the technique, he had to trust his master…

Mo Hua nodded resolutely.

As for what mysteries this Heaven-Obscuring array held—that would have to be uncovered by exploring deeper into the temple's inner sanctum.

Thankfully, even though this was a compound array, it wasn't too difficult. It was far inferior to a full-blown Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array.

After glancing around a bit, Mo Hua had already mapped it out roughly in his mind.

"I'll just follow Uncle Gu and the rest of the Dao Court enforcers in. Blend in."

He thought silently.

But half a day passed… and the Dao Court cultivators hadn't made a single move.

"Why aren't they going in?"

They had already broken open the inner gate—yet now, they suddenly went quiet?

Mo Hua turned to look and saw the Xiao family members gathered together, whispering anxiously, with worried expressions.

A few of them shook their heads in shock:

"There's a labyrinth within the inner sanctum… and within it, a hidden formation…"

"This formation… is extraordinary… unimaginable…"

"Like nothing we've ever seen…"

"We only know it's a kind of ancient maze array, but we can't determine what exactly it is or what secrets it hides…"

"Young Master… we advise caution. Do not enter lightly."

Xiao Tianquan frowned, "You all… can't decipher it?"

The Xiao family's formation masters all shook their heads:

"Only the elders of the Xiao family with deep formation experience—or the ancestor of the Xiao family in the Tianxuan Pavilion—might be able to see through this array."

Xiao Tianquan's expression darkened. He asked sternly:

"On our first mission, you want me to run back and ask the ancestor for help? What do you think he'll say?"

"He'll think I lack judgment… that I'm useless. Would they still support me in the future?"

"And the elders…"

"I'm not the only heir in the Xiao family. If I don't make some achievements, they'll ridicule me, belittle me behind my back, and look down on me from then on!"

"Even if the maze is dangerous—we must go in!"

He looked stubborn and unshakable.

The formation masters all frowned and muttered:

"If we must go in, we'll need time… to study the formation carefully."

"Otherwise, we may get trapped within the maze and fall prey to demonic schemes…"

"This needs long-term planning…"

Mo Hua listened silently at the side… incredulous.

These formation masters were… this bad?

This kind of maze array—wasn't it obvious how to get through?

Even if not at a glance, just a bit of deduction should reveal a rough path.

They were still part of the Ganxue Prefecture.

And the Xiao family was supposed to be a prestigious clan.

Even if they didn't inherit the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Array, surely they'd have knowledge of ordinary maze arrays?

Mo Hua remembered it clearly:

Back when his master taught him about maze arrays, he'd said they were basically brain teasers used by noble brats for intellectual amusement.

Just like guessing riddles at the Lantern Festival.

But looking at these so-called "elite formation masters"… they didn't exactly seem like they were solving riddles for fun.

Mo Hua began to wonder.

"Wait a minute… was Master just messing with me back then?"

Or… was it just that the Xiao family's standards were too low?

The Xiao group was still locked in heated debate.

Mo Hua was growing impatient.

If not for his desire to stay low-key, he would've stepped up and led the way already.

There were only three days left.

He was here to catch Fire Buddha! How long did he have to wait for these clowns?

Mo Hua looked at Gu Changhuai.

Gu had overheard the Xiao formation masters' chatter and was now frowning.

Then he glanced at Mo Hua—his eyes held a curious glint.

He was already quite familiar with Mo Hua. Seeing that subtle look, he blinked and asked in a low voice:

"Don't tell me… you understand this labyrinth array too?"

Mo Hua nodded. "I do. A little."

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Gu Changhuai was at a loss for words.

"Kid… aren't you a little too good at formations?"

Just now, he'd heard the Xiao clan's formation masters say even their ancestor in Tianxuan Pavilion couldn't crack this array easily.

And this boy said he could?

That basically made Mo Hua… the Xiao family's ancestor!

Gu couldn't help suspect:

"Was this kid… possessed by some ancient monster or demonic spirit?"

Otherwise, how could a cultivator barely in his teens have such deep formation knowledge?

He frowned again.

But if Mo Hua was possessed—

He would never have made it past the gates of the Great Void Sect.

He'd have been sliced into spiritual sashimi by one of those terrifying sword cultivator relics buried in the rear mountains before he even touched the stairs.

Even though the Great Void Sect didn't have the same fame it once held among the Eight Great Sects…

Back in the day, it had been swarming with sword cultivators.

Sword intent pierced the heavens. It shattered all laws and cut down every evil.

Undead, demons, monsters, gods—just one sword, and they'd all be chopped like firewood.

Unfortunately, times had changed. The people… and their swords… had all been sealed away. Few even remembered the legacy.

Even Gu himself had only heard whispers of those tales when he was still a disciple.

He sighed again.

Then looked back at Mo Hua.

"The sword dao may have declined—but looks like the formation dao's found itself a little monster."

"Can you lead the way?" he asked.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

"Alright then," Gu looked around and said quietly, "Stick close to me. Show me the path, but keep your head down. Don't attract attention—jealousy's dangerous."

"Don't worry, Uncle Gu. I get it."

Gu nodded slightly. Then he stood and announced:

"Everyone, form up. We're entering the maze."

The enforcers looked at each other in surprise.

Xiao Tianquan's brows furrowed. He quickly stepped forward:

"Chief Gu, the formation in this labyrinth is complex and unpredictable. We must—"

Gu gave him a cold glance and cut him off:

"I said we're going in. That's final."

Xiao Tianquan's face twitched with frustration, but he lowered his head and forced out:

"Understood."

Whatever inner fury he held, Gu could see it clearly.

He just didn't care.

"Inside the maze, maintain your assigned groups—five per unit."

"If you encounter demonic cultivators—strike first, strike hard. No mercy."

"Let me make this clear again…"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"No. Mercy. At all. Finish them off."

"These demonic cultivators are ruthless, crafty, and bloodthirsty. As long as they're breathing—you might be the next to die."

The four hundred-plus enforcers of the Dao Court straightened up and replied in unison:

"Yes, sir!"

Gu Changhuai took the lead, with Mo Hua close behind.

The rest drew their standard spirit weapons, alert and cautious, and filed into the labyrinth one after another.

Xiao Tianquan followed, a shadow of unreadable gloom flickering in his gaze.

...

The labyrinth was forged from ancient, weathered bronze.

The maze was cast from aged bronze.

Its surface bore the carved markings of an elusive maze array.

Inside, it was complex and disorienting, directionless—every wall looked the same. No matter where one walked, it felt like circling the same spot.

There was no way to tell which direction led where.

Yet Gu Changhuai led at the front as if he knew the path beforehand, guiding everyone steadily toward the heart of the massive labyrinth...

"Worthy of his title—Inspector Gu!"

The cultivators behind him couldn't help but feel admiration.

Even Xiao Tianquan was stunned.

He couldn't figure it out. How was Gu Changhuai navigating the maze?

How did he judge direction?

He wasn't a formation master, nor versed in arrays.

Even the Xiao family's own professional formation cultivators had failed to decipher the maze and find the right path.

So just how was Gu Changhuai managing it?

Xiao Tianquan frowned, completely baffled.

What none of them noticed was that at every intersection, Mo Hua—walking beside Gu Changhuai—would subtly tug at Gu's sleeve.

Wherever Mo Hua tugged, Gu would silently veer.

It looked like Gu Changhuai was leading the way.

But in truth—it was Mo Hua who was guiding them.

Whenever they reached a particularly tricky fork, Mo Hua would pause, release his divine sense, and scan for the correct exit.

Gu would then seize the opportunity to call for a rest.

The other enforcers were puzzled, but no one dared question Gu's decisions.

At one point, Xiao Tianquan's gaze fell on Mo Hua again.

Feigning casual conversation, he approached Gu and made polite small talk before subtly asking:

"This young brother is…?"

He had seen Gu bring this early Foundation Establishment kid along all the way. At first, he thought the boy was unremarkable—not even worth a second glance.

But to his surprise, Gu had kept him by his side even after entering this perilous and inscrutable inner sanctum maze.

That… was highly suspicious.

Gu, expressionless, didn't reply.

Mo Hua, sensing that Uncle Gu's silence might seem rude, spoke up:

"I'm traveling with Uncle Gu for some training."

Which—technically—wasn't a lie. And it left room for Xiao Tianquan to... make his own assumptions.

Training?

Xiao Tianquan paused, then his eyes lit up with understanding.

Ah, so that's what this is...

"Probably some disciple from a powerful background, tagging along with Inspector Gu to gain experience, see the world, maybe earn a few credentials to join the Dao Court someday…"

Still...

Gu Changhuai was famously strict and no-nonsense—since when did he do favors?

Could this kid have deep ties to the Gu family?

But then again… his aptitude seemed utterly terrible.

His spiritual roots were so weak they were almost insulting...

What kind of great cultivator's descendant had such thin blood and poor foundations?

Defective spirit root inheritance?

Xiao Tianquan was thoroughly confused.

Still, he was tactful enough not to press further.

Inquiring too much into the background of someone with a powerful patron was a dangerous game.

The group continued onward.

After a while, Mo Hua came to a stop—and so did Gu Changhuai.

"What is it?"

Mo Hua lowered his voice.

"The outer section was just a maze array. But up ahead—there are killing formations embedded inside…"

"And there's a high chance demonic cultivators are lying in wait inside the array."

Gu immediately understood.

The demonic cultivators' goals were clear—delay, trap, and kill.

The real battle was about to begin.

Gu Changhuai's tone dropped into a deep growl:

"Everyone! Killing arrays ahead—stay alert. If you see a demonic cultivator—kill without mercy!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Dao Court enforcers responded in unison.

After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the bronze walls ahead began to change.

Different walls now bore different formation patterns:

Some were variants of Five Elements arrays.

Some were distorted forms of the Eight Trigrams.

Some were grotesque and sinister—brimming with bloody toxins and evil intent.

These formations had been embedded into the maze—not part of the maze itself, but hidden within it to ambush unsuspecting intruders.

Mo Hua's expression sharpened slightly.

The other cultivators grew tense.

Gu Changhuai held a folded paper fan in one hand and murmured:

"Move."

The Dao Court enforcers formed into squads of three to five and began advancing through the killing formations toward the maze's center.

For a while, everything remained eerily quiet.

Even the walls engraved with venomous, corrupted runes showed no signs of activity.

The group held their breath, pressing forward cautiously...

Then—coldness surged in the air.

From one of the bronze walls, a pair of pale ghostly claws suddenly reached out—silent and sudden.

Long talons sank into the shoulder of an enforcer and yanked him toward the wall.

A sickly green poison oozed from the claws.

The enforcer's body immediately went numb—unable to move—about to be dragged into the wall.

Gu Changhuai flicked his fan.

A blade of white wind sliced through the air, cleanly severing the ghost claws at the base.

Dark green blood sprayed. A shrill, ghastly scream echoed through the corridor.

And then—

Even more sinister screeches answered the call.

As if a battle horn had been blown.

Countless white ghostly claws shot out of the walls—dense as a spider's web, writhing like a centipede's legs—grabbing at the Dao Court enforcers.

All around them, the hidden killing arrays began to activate:

Bloodfire arrays

Corpse transformation formations

Poisonous demonic needles

Crimson deathlight from cursed blades…

Behind the protection of the maze arrays, the demonic cultivators who had been hiding in the bronze walls finally revealed their fangs.

Wielding:

Bone sabers

Venomous bloodswords

Soul-refining banners...

One after another, they grinned with twisted glee and charged at the enforcers.

Despite having been warned, the Dao Court cultivators were still caught off guard by the sudden onslaught.

Some of the younger, less battle-hardened enforcers turned pale, frozen in panic.

A few even tried to flee on the spot…

The squad fell into temporary disarray.

Thankfully, several experienced veterans stepped up immediately, fighting calmly and skillfully.

The body cultivators threw themselves forward to intercept the first wave.

The spellcasters used their techniques to provide cover.

The rest of the group summoned spirit tools and talismans to counterattack.

Only then did the formation stabilize.

The clash began in earnest—spiritual energy and demonic energy roared and collided.

The battlefield became a blur of chaos and blood.

Mo Hua sighed deeply. 

Mo Hua let out a sigh.

There wasn't much he could do.

The entire labyrinth was a trap from the start.

The sinister formations inside had clearly been set up well in advance—both hidden and cunning. It must've taken a great deal of time and effort.

Just from a glance, he could tell this was likely the handiwork of that so-called "Grandmaster Yuan."

Mo Hua could see through the maze, even predict danger ahead of time—but he was only one person. His knowledge of demonic arrays was limited, and his ability to counter them even more so.

Against so many at once, there was little he could do...

Gu Changhuai understood this, and simply said:

"Don't worry about the arrays—just guide the way."

The priority now was to get out of the labyrinth and killing formation.

If they got stuck inside, even with their numbers, the demonic cultivators would eventually slaughter them all using the maze and formations to their advantage.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Gu Changhuai then lowered his voice:

"Gu An, Gu Quan—you two protect Mo Hua."

"Understood."

Gu An and Gu Quan responded solemnly.

Gu Changhuai then looked up and barked an order:

"Everyone else, follow Gu An and Gu Quan! Form a long formation—charge straight ahead! Do not fall behind, and do not get entangled in fights! I'll cover the rear!"

So Mo Hua focused entirely on moving forward, dashing ahead with full speed.

Gu Quan led the charge. Gu An guarded Mo Hua's side.

The other Gu family Dao Court enforcers followed tightly behind.

The rest of the enforcers obeyed the command, watching each other's backs as they formed a long formation and surged forward with their movement techniques...

If they ran into demonic cultivators, they'd exchange a few blows.

If they could kill, they'd kill. If not, they wouldn't linger—they'd keep moving forward.

Even when injured, they didn't stop to heal.

Escape meant survival. Staying meant death.

At the rear, Gu Changhuai unleashed wave after wave of wind blades from his folding fan, killing any demonic cultivators that appeared and clearing the path for the Dao Court enforcers to break free from the killing formation and move deeper into the maze...

It was a brutal battle.

Many Dao Court cultivators were injured, some gravely, and some even died.

The bronze walls were smeared with blood.

Corpses and severed limbs littered the ground.

Fortunately, Gu Changhuai—a Golden Core cultivator—was anchoring the formation, so the casualties weren't catastrophic.

Under his wind blades alone, dozens of demonic cultivators had already perished.

Thus—with Gu killing at the rear and Mo Hua leading the charge—they dashed through winding, chaotic corridors until suddenly, the space opened up.

Before them stood a grand hall.

Bronze walls neatly enclosed the area on all sides.

The hall was vast and spacious—but also eerily empty. Twelve massive pillars, thick enough that five or six people couldn't encircle them, were engraved with demonic patterns and supported the hall's oppressive ceiling.

On the walls were ancient murals etched into the bronze, stretching into the dim distance.

Bone-forged lamps cast an eerie red glow with their crimson flames, filling the hall with a chilling, sinister atmosphere.

There had once been furnishings here, but everything had been destroyed—leaving the chamber barren and wrong in its emptiness.

At the center of the hall, stood a lone figure.

He was tall, with a compassionate expression. He wore a blood-red kasaya, his demeanor both dignified and ominous.

This man was none other than—

Fire Buddha.

Mo Hua's gaze sharpened. He immediately activated stealth and retreated silently behind the others.

A squad of Dao Court enforcers rushed forward, blades gleaming, stopping ten zhang from Fire Buddha, forming a tense standoff.

Despite their numbers, none dared move hastily—such was Fire Buddha's notorious reputation and terrifying presence.

Soon, more cultivators burst out of the killing formation and entered the hall.

The number of Dao Court enforcers inside steadily grew.

Xiao Tianquan also arrived. He held a precious long sword, blood staining his robe, his face grim.

When his eyes fell upon Fire Buddha, unmoving in the center of the hall, his gaze darkened—but there was a flicker of excitement, too.

Moments later, Gu Changhuai entered as well.

His aura was noticeably weaker.

His handsome face was flecked with blood.

But none of it was his own.

The instant he saw Fire Buddha, the fatigue vanished. His eyes lit up with killing intent.

And at the exact moment Gu Changhuai stepped into the hall—

Fire Buddha, who had been sitting silently, chanting mantras with closed eyes, snapped them open.

His eyes were a blazing red.

Fire-element spiritual energy surged violently around him.

His crimson kasaya fluttered without wind, waves of spiritual fire radiating from it like a raging inferno.

Sparks danced through the air.

"Gu Changhuai…"

Fire Buddha's voice was calm—but within his eyes burned a murderous coldness.

"Long time no see…"

Gu Changhuai's voice was icy.

"Demonic beast… your time is up."

Fire Buddha chuckled darkly.

"Buddhas do not save people. Cultivators must save themselves."

Gu Changhuai said nothing more.

He raised his jade-bone folding fan again.

Around him, white spiritual energy surged and danced like wind, transforming into countless wind blades.

The Dao Court enforcers slowly moved to surround Fire Buddha, blades gleaming like lightning.

Fire Buddha's face showed no fear, no joy, no anger.

He opened his arms wide.

The red kasaya on his body instantly flared a deeper crimson, as fire spiritual energy surged like lava around him.

From his chest, twin fireballs howled and pulsed—beating like twin hearts, radiating violent power.

Flames rose high and wrapped around his body.

His aura was overwhelming—like a beast of pure flame, cloaked in human skin, brimming with endless demonic power.

Those flames carried boundless killing intent, as if they could burn everything to ash—obliterate all.

All the cultivators were shaken.

Gu Changhuai's expression was like frozen ice.

Even Mo Hua's eyes widened.

This is the powerful fire-element forbidden technique the Dao Court strictly prohibits—

Falling Flame Art!!

(End of Chapter)