Immortality Through Array Formations

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The bounty was instantly snatched away, leaving the disciples feeling depressed.

But Mo Hua, who colluded with Uncle Gu and successfully grabbed the bounty, was in high spirits, his eyes smiling with delight.

He then carefully looked over the task details again.

Wanted: Crossing River Dragon.

A Sin Cultivator at the Foundation Building Middle Stage, who cultivates the water system skill "White Wave Skill". Skilled in water manipulation and often lurks in rivers, sinking ships and killing people, shaped like a "Water Ghost".

He uses hook claw-type Spiritual Artifacts; the origins are unclear, suspected to be standard water system Spiritual Weapons: Three Jiao Claws, with Water Poison coated on the claws.

Note: This person's cultivation technique becomes stronger with water. Unless absolutely necessary, do not engage in close combat with him in the water to avoid unforeseen disasters.

There was an additional line written below:

"Trap him with a Formation, capture him on land, do not touch the water, then proceed to apprehend."

This line was an extra addition.

Mo Hua speculated that this was a hint specifically given to him by Uncle Gu.

After all, he came from Lizhou Tongxian City, neighboring Big Black Mountain, utilizing the mountain's resources.

Upon arriving at the Qianxue State Boundary, most of his travels were still in the mountains, and he rarely dealt with rivers or water series cultivators.

"Although Uncle Gu always looks so cold, as if someone owes him Spirit Stones, he can occasionally be very considerate."

Mo Hua nodded to himself.

In addition to the bounty, a document was attached:

On the third day of the third month, at Mistwater River.

Six merchants were crossing the river by boat. As they reached the lower section of Mistwater River, their vessel capsized, and the merchants fell into the water.

One was strangled by a cultivator in the water, his throat torn open.

The blood dyed the water, attracting several Monster Beasts native to the water, which killed and devoured the remaining people.

None of the six merchants survived.

Based on the cultivation, technique, and weapon used by the criminal, the Taoist Court determined that this person is most likely the infamous Sin Cultivator known for his heinous deeds along the rivers—

"Crossing River Dragon."

Mo Hua took note of the key points in the document and prepared several water series Formations. The next day, he found Cheng Mo and got straight to the point:

"There's a bounty worth six hundred Merit Points, to be divided equally, one hundred and twenty Merit Points per person."

Out of fellowship, Mo Hua didn't take any kickbacks.

Poor Cheng Mo and the others, earning a mere ten or twenty Merit Points was already hard enough.

Mo Hua felt that as "Junior Brother," he should take care of this group of "Junior Brothers".

"One hundred and twenty points?!"

Cheng Mo's mouth fell open, somewhat in disbelief.

It had been quite some time since he had taken on a bounty over fifty points.

Little did he expect Mo Hua's first move to be worth one hundred and twenty points!

Cheng Mo was shocked yet intensely curious, "Mo Hua, how did you get your hands on this bounty?"

"You don't need to ask about that, I have my own ways!"

Mo Hua tilted his head slightly, his demeanor effortlessly cool and composed.

This air of ease made him appear even more "profound and inscrutable" in Cheng Mo's eyes.

"Mo Hua, you've got a really strong backer!"

Cheng Mo couldn't help but exclaim.

Mo Hua was not pleased, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, right." Cheng Mo immediately recognized his mistake; this had nothing to do with having a "backer".

"It's because you, Junior Brother, are both skillful and well-connected!"

Cheng Mo praised.

He had roamed the streets, seen public bulletins, and taken on many bounties. He knew well that high-value bounties were difficult to get.

Many fellow Sect members were watching, but there just wasn't enough to go around.

And there were many other Cultivators with deeper cultivation, seniority, and more experience competing with them.

Out of fairness, the Sect's "Merit Points" system was relatively independent, unaffected by outside influences.

Taoist Court Officials conducted their affairs impartially.

Every method must be in order and within the rules, with no possibility of "favouritism or cheating".

But Mo Hua!

In just one year after joining, at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he was able to bypass many senior Cultivators and snatch the bounty worth six hundred Merit Points!

So much must have gone on behind the scenes...

So solid must be his connection with the Taoist Court...

Cheng Mo didn't even dare to imagine.

At this moment, he saw Mo Hua radiating dazzling brilliance.

"Junior Brother, here, have a chicken leg."

Cheng Mo immediately offered the "tribute" — a charred on the outside, tender on the inside, fat and aromatic chicken leg from a prized Colorful Chicken.

Mo Hua rightfully accepted the chicken leg, taking a bite. The flavor lingered, very satisfying.

Still, he reminded Cheng Mo:

"This bounty is rather dangerous, you should think it through."

A Foundation Building Middle Stage, water-proficient Sin Cultivator with cunning methods wouldn't be easy for Cheng Mo and the others to deal with.

Cheng Mo said confidently, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

One hundred and twenty Merit Points!

This was an opportunity that comes once in a blue moon.

Others might not even have the chance to take such a risk.

"Alright," Mo Hua nodded, "then you get ready with Situ and the others. We'll leave the day after tomorrow's rest day."

"No problem!"

Cheng Mo immediately agreed.

...

Soon, the rest day came. After class was over, Mo Hua met up with Cheng Mo and the others at the Disciple's Residence.

There were five people in total, besides Mo Hua, there was also Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Hao Xuan, and Yang Qianjun.

Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, and Hao Xuan, like Mo Hua, were all disciples of Taiyi Residence, living in the same Disciple's Residence, and attended classes together.

The three had attended Mo Hua's Formation class, so they all called Mo Hua "Junior Brother".

Yang Qianjun was the exception; he was from Taijia Residence and hadn't taken Mo Hua's classes, so he didn't call him "Junior Brother".

However, he and Cheng Mo were good friends, and after their last ordeal with human traffickers, fighting shoulder to shoulder, living and dying together, their bond had deepened.

Yang Qianjun himself was a straightforward man from the Taoist Soldiers Court's Yang Family with impressive Cultivation Technique.

Mo Hua also had some connections with the Yang Family, so he included him in this mission.

As for Yi Li...

He was purely a Spiritual Cultivator, good when there were more allies than enemies, able to cast Spells from a distance.

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