Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 585 – Mister Tu

Qianzhou — a certain forbidden land.

In an underground chamber, the air was cold and oppressive.

At its center stood an altar. Upon it rested a massive skull—part human, part ram—with twisted fangs, bloodstains caked across its bone-white surface. Its face was grotesque, demonic.

Mister Tu knelt before the skull.

His face was pale with a faint greenish hue. His fingers were long and thin, as if soaked in blood for too long—cracked and stained crimson.

His pupils were hollow, like something parasitic had taken root inside them. His lips muttered hoarsely, chanting like he was either conversing with someone—or rambling to himself.

"That man is dead. His Dao Bone has been stripped. The Gate of the Ruins will open, sooner or later…"

"The living must die… the dead shall rise…"

"The ten-thousand-year plan… it's almost time to move."

"Everything was accounted for…"

"That child… must be captured. Kindness breeds corruption. His blood, his flesh, his sea of consciousness—are the finest sacrifices. His divine sense… the perfect 'Divine Embryo'…"

"But… he was taken from us…"

Mister Tu's numb expression suddenly twisted with pain and fury. Blood leaked from the corners of his eyes.

He seemed to be reprimanded by some unseen force—his heart filled with fear and shame.

"It wasn't my fault… it wasn't me…"

He trembled as he spoke, and only after a while did he calm himself and continue:

"The child is gone. We don't know where. Trying to find him now is like seeking fate in a sea of chaos—he's vanished from all signs."

"But… he still has a mother. He still has a father…"

"They can create another."

"With the Four Symbols Demon Array… and the Demon Incubation Rite… through karmic corruption—if his mother steps out of Qingzhou City, we can obscure the heavenly will and take her…"

"This may enrage the Dao Court… offend both the Shangguan and Wenren Clans… and risk destroying a thousand-year-long plan… the demon seed of Qianzhou may be wiped out…"

"But…"

"To die for the Divine Lord… is their honor."

"As long as we capture the boy's mother, everything will be worth it…"

"With her, we can control Shangguan Yi…"

Mister Tu let out a cold laugh.

"Shangguan Ce is deeply scheming, cold-hearted, calculating… but his son? That fool loves too deeply—his weakness is obvious, easy to exploit…"

"…Force them to give birth to another child."

"This child—bearing the pure bloodlines of both Shangguan and Wenren—will be in our hands from the moment of birth. The perfect replacement."

"But…"

Mister Tu coughed up blood.

"We miscalculated… again…"

"Someone disrupted our karmic weaving!"

His voice grew sharp with fury. His eyes turned blood-red, his voice twisted—no longer even human:

"Who?! Who was it?!"

The warped, inhuman shriek echoed through the chamber.

After some time, Mister Tu coughed again. His voice calmed, though his face was still pale.

"I don't know…"

"I can't calculate it…"

"No—" he gritted his teeth, "I dare not calculate it…"

"I saw… a fog of bewilderment, blinding all fate. I saw mountains of corpses. Oceans of death. A pair of blood-red, cruel eyes. A pit of endless exploitation. I saw the corruption of the Great Dao…"

"It's the aura of a Dao Abomination…"

"I…"

Mister Tu's eyes filled with terror. His teeth chattered.

"I… dare not divine it…"

"It will taint me…"

"I… I dare not…"

He began trembling uncontrollably, bowing and smashing his forehead into the ground over and over until it bled, whispering in horror:

"I dare not… I dare not…"

But moments later, blood seeped from the skull of the human-faced, ram-horned idol.

A dark will poured into Mister Tu's sea of consciousness.

He suddenly snapped back to clarity—his expression gradually becoming calm.

"Yes… that's right."

"It's impossible…"

He muttered:

"It can't be real… A true Dao Abomination? It must be a trick—to obscure the threads of fate."

"If someone really had raised such a thing… I'd already be dead."

"That man's a liar…"

"He tricked me."

"Who is he?"

Mister Tu frowned and murmured:

"I wore a 'human skin' and visited that inn personally… My formation was broken. Some traces left behind. But the method was crude, awkward…"

"It was intentional."

"He was toying with me. Deceiving me!"

"Someone that clumsy couldn't possibly have unraveled that formation. But anyone who could break it… wouldn't be that clumsy."

"That man… is cunning. Sinister. Crafty."

"A truly formidable formation master."

"Must be an old monster in disguise…"

"What would he look like…"

Mister Tu began sketching an image in his mind—

Middle-aged or elderly. A few hundred years of cultivation. Hooked nose. Deep lines around the mouth. Eyes sharp and vicious. Light hidden behind a composed expression. Likely soft-spoken—but a smile that is cold and venomous.

Mister Tu nodded to himself. That should be about right.

He took a deep breath. His eyes gleamed with malice.

"You ruined the Divine Lord's grand plan…"

"One day—I'll drag you out…"

"Offer your flesh as tribute. Feed it to demons. Offer your living soul as sacrifice—to worship the Divine Lord…"

"Let you rot in a wasteland hell—never to reincarnate…"

"Let you know… the Divine Lord's might is not to be challenged. The ruler of the Great Wilderness is eternal and undying!"

Mister Tu's face twisted into fanatical ecstasy—fearless, fervent…

...

Mo Hua, who was usually the one "eating others", had no idea that someone out there now wanted to offer him up as a sacrifice to be eaten.

At this moment, he was indeed eating something— And not just anything—true mountain and sea delicacies.

To thank Mo Hua, Wenren Wan treated him to an extravagant banquet at the largest—and priciest—restaurant in Qingzhou City.

It was Mo Hua's first time seeing such lavish and dazzling dishes. He didn't understand what most of it was… but everything looked absurdly expensive.

A full table of dishes—and he couldn't recognize a single one.

Because it was all so pricey, eating it gave him… mixed feelings.

He wasn't even sure if it tasted good or not.

He just felt like… he was chewing on spirit stones, not food.

Still, since he wasn't picky, he happily kept eating.

Yuer sat beside him. Although he wasn't really hungry, seeing Mo Hua enjoy himself so much, the little guy mimicked him like a tiny scholar—whatever Mo Hua ate, he ate too.

Wenren Wan, on the other hand, couldn't take her eyes off Yuer, afraid that if she blinked, her child might disappear again.

Even now, it all felt like a dream.

Originally, she had only a sliver of hope left in her despair—yet with one trip outside, she'd actually found the child she had longed for day and night.

It felt unbelievable.

Shangguan Yi found it even more unbelievable.

When he heard Yuer had been found, he rushed over, and upon actually seeing him, was overcome with joy and shock—but also confusion. All he could mutter was:

"This… this can't be right…"

It violated heavenly will. Broke the logic of karma. None of this should've been possible…

Wenren Wan didn't give him a warm welcome.

Shangguan Yi, tactful enough, didn't linger long.

With mother and son safe, the weight in his heart finally eased. As for his wife… well, he'd try to win her back slowly later.

He thanked Mo Hua and said:

"Little friend, if you ever need anything in the future, the Shangguan Clan will—"

"No need." Wenren Wan cut him off coldly. "Leave. I lose my appetite just looking at you."

Shangguan Yi gave a wry smile and left. But just before walking out, he gave Mo Hua a thoughtful glance—clearly pondering something.

Besides him, Mo Hua also met a young nobleman surnamed Gu.

Handsome to the extreme, twirling a paper fan with an elegant flair—but with an air of arrogance.

Wenren Wan introduced, "This is my cousin, Gu Changhuai."

Mo Hua politely said, "Hello, Uncle Gu."

Gu Changhuai was clearly surprised but simply expressed his thanks. He didn't ask much else and soon excused himself.

As he was leaving, he too gave Mo Hua a look.

That lofty gaze held deep suspicion.

Mo Hua leaned close to Wenren Wan and asked quietly:

"Aunt Wan… does this Uncle Gu have, like, bad people skills? His eyes were kinda weird…"

Wenren Wan paused, then couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't mind him. Changhuai has a good heart—just a little arrogant and headstrong."

"It's his first time meeting you, so he's a bit awkward. Don't take it personally."

"Mhm!" Mo Hua nodded.

"Oh," he asked again, "that handsome, gentle uncle from earlier—is he Yuer's father?"

Wenren Wan's expression turned slightly sour.

"Yes…"

She then briefly explained Yuer's background to Mo Hua.

Yuer was the child of a political marriage between the Shangguan and Wenren Clans, and bore both families' purest bloodlines. His full name: Shangguan Yu.

Mo Hua, gnawing on something that looked like a chicken leg—but could easily be some kind of spiritual beast—remained calm, if a bit lost.

"Do you know the Wenren Clan?" Wenren Wan asked curiously.

Mo Hua shook his head.

"How about the Shangguan Clan?"

Still shaking his head.

He was from Tongxian City, a minor backwater. He knew virtually nothing about the powerful clans of Qianzhou.

Even the regional map he'd obtained marked a few major families, but Mo Hua had barely paid them any mind…

His attention was focused on the great sects of Ganxue Prefecture.

And frankly, these clans were confusing as hell.

Everyone had deep backgrounds, ancient origins, massive influence, thousands or tens of thousands of years of history…

Mo Hua couldn't tell who was who at all.

Wenren Wan was surprised. She hadn't expected Mo Hua to be this clueless.

"You… aren't a native of Qianzhou, are you?"

She asked tactfully.

"Nope." Mo Hua nodded. "I'm a rogue cultivator. My family's from Lizhou, in a second-grade little city. My parents are both just at Qi Refining…"

Wenren Wan opened her mouth in shock.

"Then… how did you end up in Qianzhou?"

"I came to study!"

"Alone?"

"Yes! My parents are super busy—and they're just Qi Refining. The road here's way too dangerous, so I didn't want to drag them along. I came by myself…"

Wenren Wan didn't know what to say. She wondered if he'd gotten that backward somehow…

Then sighed softly to herself, moved.

No wonder people say: Poor kids grow up fast.

From Lizhou to Qianzhou—that's a huge journey. All alone, trekking mountains and rivers, exposed to wind and rain, braving spirit beasts and predatory cultivators…

That took more than just cultivation—it required experience, skill, perseverance, and a heart of steel.

Yet Mo Hua… still looked like a child just in his teens.

At that age, sons of noble families were still cultivating in peace, sheltered from the hardships of life and the treachery of others.

Looking at Mo Hua, Wenren Wan felt an ache in her chest.

She gently said to Yuer:

"From now on, you must learn from your Brother Mo."

"Mhm!" Yuer nodded eagerly.

Dear reader, this chapter still continues! Click "Next Page" for more excitement!

Wenren Wan lovingly patted Yuer's head. Then, a question lingered in her heart. She looked at Mo Hua and hesitated before finally asking:

"So… how did you manage to rescue Yuer?"

Mo Hua was Yuer's savior. Out of courtesy, Wenren Wan hadn't scanned him with her spiritual sense.

But judging from appearance, he was clearly at the Foundation Establishment stage.

His vitality was weak. His spiritual energy was modest. A rogue cultivator from humble origins—he likely didn't have any powerful artifacts.

Even if he did have a high-grade spiritual tool, with his level of energy, he probably couldn't wield it effectively.

So how did such a minor cultivator rescue her child?

Surely he didn't… take on a dozen human traffickers by himself?

Mo Hua replied sheepishly:

"I just got lucky. Happened to pass by… saw the traffickers all dead—don't know why. Yuer was locked in a box, so I just kind of 'picked him up' and brought him to Qingzhou City…"

Mo Hua still stuck to the same explanation.

He was just a kind-hearted passerby, a random big brother with decent luck.

The traffickers' deaths had absolutely nothing to do with him.

Wenren Wan was a little stunned by his answer—but couldn't help feeling suspicious.

It all seemed too coincidental…

How could the traffickers just drop dead for no reason?

And how could Mo Hua just happen to find Yuer?

Something smelled fishy…

Seeing that Wenren Wan didn't quite believe him, Mo Hua thought for a moment, then sighed—putting on a look of lingering fear:

"You know, this really just shows that Yuer has deep blessings and great fortune."

"If I'd been just a little less lucky and hadn't found him… if someone else had picked him up, it could've ended badly…"

Wenren Wan's heart skipped a beat.

He was right!

If some ill-intentioned or scheming cultivator had taken Yuer instead… the consequences would've been disastrous!

She mulled it over again, and the more she thought about it, the more sense Mo Hua's words made.

Shangguan Yi had told her before—Yuer had been caught in the schemes of powerful figures, used in secret plots, passed from one hand to another. Realistically, there should've been no way out for him…

But fate had other plans.

By some twist of destiny, it was this boy—Mo Hua—who rescued her child.

Didn't that mean Yuer was indeed blessed by fortune?

What mother wouldn't want her child to be blessed like that?

Wenren Wan felt her heart settle warmly.

Of course, this Mo Hua boy—he must be lucky too.

And shouldn't she feel grateful for that luck?

If he hadn't been lucky, he wouldn't have saved Yuer, and she might never have seen her child again…

The more she thought about it, the more it all fit together.

She nodded unconsciously.

Mo Hua was right!

Yuer really is blessed!

And if Yuer can be so lucky, why can't Mo Hua be lucky too?

A lucky boy saving a blessed child—where's the problem in that?

With that thought, Wenren Wan became more convinced—seven or eight parts belief—and as she looked at Mo Hua, she grew more fond of him and even more grateful. She said sincerely:

"Mo Hua, you've done a great service to both the Shangguan and Wenren Clans. Is there anything you want?"

Mo Hua froze, a little embarrassed.

He hadn't saved Yuer for rewards—it was just something he happened to do. Asking for something now felt a bit like… holding out for payback?

Besides, he genuinely liked Yuer.

And Aunt Wan had treated him kindly, even taken him out for good food.

Mo Hua thought for a moment. Instead of asking for a reward, maybe they could just help him with a little favor.

"Aunt Wan… could you help me get to Qiandao Sect?"

This region was technically within Ganxue Prefecture, but it was near the border. Qiandao Sect's main gate was far from here, and since Ganxue was a fifth-grade prefecture—huge in area—it would take him a while to get there.

If he got delayed and missed the entry period, he'd lose his chance at joining the sect.

Wenren Wan misunderstood, looking both apologetic and awkward:

"Qiandao Sect is one of the 'Four Great Sects.' The threshold to get in is extremely high… even with the Wenren Clan's connections, it might be difficult…"

Mo Hua blinked, then shook his head.

"Aunt Wan, I just meant… could you escort me there?"

"Escort you?" she asked, puzzled.

"Mm." He nodded.

Mo Hua thought about it—Yuer was kind-hearted, Aunt Wan was a good person, and the Wenren Clan was a major family. No need to keep secrets. So he added:

"I have an entry token."

Wenren Wan froze in place, her voice trembling:

"An… entry token for Qiandao Sect?!"

Still working hard—another chapter is coming later! I'll post it as soon as it's done.

(End of this Chapter)