Immortality Through Array Formations

Mo Hua, according to the Taoist Court archives, approximately identified the location where the six people died:

It was downstream of the ferry point, a twenty-li stretch of the river.

The group traveled twenty more li by carriage and arrived near the river section.

They saw both banks lush with wild grass, dotted with yellow flowers, resembling a green carpet spread on both ends.

The river water in between flowed gently like jade.

The scenery was beautiful and tranquil, hardly resembling a place where death occurred.

Cheng Mo glanced at Mo Hua and asked quietly, "Mo Hua, do you know where those six people died?"

Mo Hua, with a profound gaze, surveyed for a moment and pointed to a riverside area thick with aquatic plants:

"Over there."

As Cheng Mo and the others drew closer to the riverbank and gazed at the vast water surface, they all seemed a bit bewildered.

There was nothing but water.

Aquatic plants swayed in the water; even if stained with blood, it had long since dissipated cleanly.

However, in Mo Hua's eyes, there indeed were faint blood-colored karmic chains on the water surface.

It was clear that not long ago, someone had died here, and it was gruesome.

"What do we do now, Mo Hua?" Cheng Mo asked.

Situ Jian and the others also looked towards Mo Hua.

Their previous missions had clear clues and people were easier to find, unlike now with fewer clues, an open wilderness, and it was difficult to grasp any leads.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment and said, "There are cultivators from the Taoist Court guarding both upstream and downstream; the Crossing River Dragon shouldn't be able to escape this river segment..."

"The cultivation technique practiced by the Crossing River Dragon is the 'White Wave Skill,' skilled in handling water, which has its pros and cons."

"The advantage is that he is like a fish in water within the water; the disadvantage is that once out of the water, his strength is greatly reduced."

"Thus, he probably wouldn't dare to stray far from the water, and should be hiding somewhere in this stretch of the river..."

Mo Hua took out several Array Plates that he had prepared in advance, "On these Array Plates, I painted the Water Ripple Formation, which can monitor the flow of spiritual power in the water..."

Worried that they wouldn't understand, Mo Hua explained, "It's like using the Si Nan Formation, or the Small Yuan Magnetic Formation in the water."

"This Array Plate has two versions, one for setting up the formation, and one for monitoring..."

"Throw the Array Plates meant for setting up the formation into the water, and place one every certain distance."

"Then we 'wait for the rabbit,' hoping to catch the 'Crossing River Dragon'..."

Cheng Mo and the others, though not fully comprehending, nodded in agreement.

Thus, they split up to take action, each looking for a suitable location to throw the Water Ripple Formation Plates far into the water.

But this stretch of the river was too wide, and the Water Ripple Formation could only cover a small section near the shore.

Mo Hua was merely trying his luck.

Catching a cultivator proficient in water in the river was inherently challenging, and this was already the best method available.

Then everyone split up to take up positions along the bank, holding the monitoring Array Plates, watching for any activity in the Water Ripple Formation.

Mo Hua also reminded them, "If there is any activity, don't rush to act; first use the Taixu Token to call for backup, and we can discuss the long-term plan after everyone converges."

"Understood."

Cheng Mo and the others nodded.

Then began the long process of "waiting for the rabbit."

This process truly tested one's patience.

Mo Hua sat on a branch of a large tree by the riverbank, with a grass root in his mouth, legs crossed, watching the monitoring Array Plate while observing the distant scenery.

A full two hours passed without any activity.

There was also no message through the Taixu Token.

Just as Mo Hua was feeling utterly bored, he saw a small boat coming from upstream, with several cultivators aboard hauling a fishing net, which seemed to hold quite a few fish.

Mo Hua blinked in surprise.

"Could it be...the Crossing River Dragon?"

He released his Divine Sense to take a closer look, only to realize it was not.

Those on the boat were just ordinary cultivators, two at the Foundation Establishment stage and three in Qi Refinement, dressed simply. Although they had a strong presence of water Qi, they almost lacked any murderous aura.

They were presumably common "Fish Cultivators" from the vicinity.

The so-called "Fish Cultivators" referred to cultivators who lived by breeding and catching Spiritual Fish.

After thinking for a moment, Mo Hua hopped down from the tree and approached the group of cultivators.

As he drew closer, Mo Hua noticed the cultivators' faces bore a trace of hardship, their feet stained with mud, and their bodies carrying a strong fishy odor.

They poured out the Spiritual Fish they had caught, transferring them to another basket.

These Spiritual Fish included both First Grade and Second Grade.

Because they were nurtured with inexpensive spiritual objects, they had spiritual energy but no Monster Qi, would not harm people, and lacked the ferocity of Monster Beasts.

As the Fish Cultivators noticed someone approaching, their expressions turned alert, but upon seeing Mo Hua, realizing he was just a sweet-faced little cultivator, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

One friendly Fish Cultivator asked, "Young fellow, where are you from?"

Mo Hua replied, "I come from the Qianxue State Boundary."

Hearing this, their expression showed some respect, "A sect disciple?"

Mo Hua nodded.

"Remarkable," an older Fish Cultivator said, "To be accepted into a sect at the Qianxue State Boundary, your talent must be among the best."

"You must also have a Top-Grade Spiritual Root, right?"

Unable to help it, Mo Hua's cheeks turned slightly red, "I... fall just a bit short..."

The Fish Cultivator said, "That's still incredible!"

Not eager to discuss his "Spiritual Root," Mo Hua changed the subject, "Uncle, are you all fishing?"

"Yes," the older Fish Cultivator nodded, then looking somewhat puzzled, he asked, "Young fellow, what are you doing here alone at Mistwater River?"

"I'm here to 'fish'!" Mo Hua replied with a nod.

"Fish?" The older Fish Cultivator looked bewildered.

This kid, without a fishing rod or bait, what fish is he catching?

Another Fish Cultivator hearing this quickly waved his hand, "Kid, stop fishing and hurry off."

Mo Hua, puzzled, asked, "What's wrong?"

That Fish Cultivator pointed downstream, "Recent days, people have died, their corpses mangled by a Water Demon, left unrecognizable. Now, it's said that this man-eating Water Demon is still prowling nearby."

"Oh." Mo Hua nodded.

The Taoist Court didn't disclose things publicly, so these Fish Cultivators didn't know the truth and could only spread rumors.

They still thought those cultivators were dragged into the water and eaten by a "Water Demon."

The Fish Cultivator sighed, "Six died, including a young master."

"Young master?" Mo Hua puzzled, "Wasn't it said that they were six merchants?"

The Fish Cultivator shook his head, "It was a young master, rumored to be from a family."

"Family?" Mo Hua curiously asked, "Which family?"

Another Fish Cultivator spoke to the older one:

"Dad, what kind of family? It's just a Third Grade family, neither high nor low, not reaching the 'family' threshold."

The older Fish Cultivator, annoyed, retorted:

"What about Third Grade? How is that not a family? If you could establish a Third Grade family before I die, I would truly die without regrets..."