Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2017 Chapter 968: Pure at Heart (Part 3)

Xun Ziyou searched his memories for an answer but found none. Despite his status as an Elder of the Taixu Gate, his entire life had been dedicated to the Sword Dao; the complex transformations and infinite secrets of Divine Thought remained a mystery to him.

This particular field was more suited to the interests of Xun Zixian.

Helplessly, Xun Ziyou shifted his gaze toward Mo Hua.

He was well aware that Mo Hua possessed extraordinary mastery over Divine Thought, holding insights that far surpassed the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.

After a moment of reflection, Mo Hua spoke with total honesty:

"The origin of this nightmare is buried deep within the Divine Temple. Unless that root is dealt with, everyone will remain imprisoned in this dream, never to wake up."

Xun Ziyou’s brow furrowed as he considered the gravity of the situation. "If that is the reality of our predicament... then we have no choice but to venture into the depths of the Divine Temple. It seems there is no alternative."

Even as he spoke, his countenance remained heavy with dread.

The Fierce Ghosts roaming the exterior were already a nightmare to contend with, let alone whatever horror awaited them in the heart of the temple.

Yet, they were at a dead end; there were no other options left.

Xun Ziyou prepared to lead the way, but Mo Hua stopped him with a shake of his head. "You cannot go; I will go alone."

Xun Ziyou froze in surprise.

Master Gu and Fan Jin looked at one another, their faces filled with confusion.

In this life-or-death moment, Mo Hua abandoned all modesty, stating with absolute certainty: "If I enter, there is a chance of survival; if you enter, death is certain."

A drop of kindness should be returned with a fountain of gratitude.

Elder Xun had always shown him great kindness.

Master Gu and Master Fan had also provided him with immense assistance.

He refused to let Elder Xun and the others throw their lives away in a noble but futile sacrifice within this nightmare.

If he lacked the power to help, that would be one thing, but since he possessed the strength, he could not allow those close to him to meet a tragic end.

Those who deserve death must die;

those who deserve life must be saved.

If one cannot even achieve this, then what is the purpose of Cultivation or seeking great Primordial powers?

Mo Hua’s eyes burned with resolve, and his small frame seemed to radiate a massive, overwhelming pressure.

Xun Ziyou stared at the boy, his heart trembling. After a long silence, he let out a heavy sigh and relented.

"Very well, I will follow your lead."

Master Gu and Fan Jin opened their mouths to protest, but seeing the Elder nod, they were forced to keep their silence.

Mo Hua gave a short nod. With no time to waste, he offered no further explanations, turned on his heel, and walked solo toward the deepest reaches of the Divine Temple.

After walking a short distance, a thought struck Mo Hua. He paused and looked back at the trio with a frown.

Feeling that leaving Elder Xun and the others unprotected was too risky, he focused his Divine Thought and traced several Divine Formations on the ground.

"Stay within the boundaries of this Formation. Do not step out under any circumstances."

Though stunned by the display, the three men nodded in silent agreement.

Only then did Mo Hua feel at ease enough to depart.

Xun Ziyou watched the young boy’s silhouette vanish before looking down at the intricate, glowing golden Formation at his feet. He couldn't help but scowl in thought.

"Just what kind of Formation is this...?"

In this world of nightmares, the Formations Mo Hua had constructed felt as impregnable as a fortress. Even as a Golden Core Elder, Xun Ziyou felt a strange sense of inferiority before them.

A sudden, unbelievable realization dawned on him.

Was it possible that the Fierce Ghosts they had encountered earlier fled in terror not because of them, but because they had seen Mo Hua?

That was impossible... the boy was only at Foundation Establishment...

Xun Ziyou fell silent, sighing to himself.

"In the end, we still failed to see the true depth of this child..."

"Fortunately, the ancestors were wise enough to recognize his potential..."

Xun Ziyou looked up, but Mo Hua had already faded into the shadows, swallowed by the depths of the Divine Temple.

"With the protection of the Taixu Gate ancestors, please let him be safe..."

...

The deepest sanctuary of the Divine Temple.

Mo Hua stood before a massive, towering golden gate.

Grand reliefs were carved into the surface of the door.

However, these once-magnificent carvings were now choked with malice, drenched in black blood and rotting flesh, radiating a terrifying aura.

The Evil Embryo waited on the other side.

A soul-shaking vibration pulsed from behind the heavy doors.

Mo Hua hesitated for a fleeting second.

A Third-Grade peak Divine Fetus was a far cry from a common Evil Spirit. To be perfectly honest, he felt a lack of confidence.

But this was the only path to freedom.

To shatter the nightmare, the Evil Embryo had to be destroyed.

Fortunately, Shen Qingsheng’s earlier sacrifice had severed certain karmic ties and cleansed some of the resentment, which had weakened the Evil Embryo’s foundation slightly.

With less despair and fewer vengeful spirits to feed upon, the Evil Embryo’s power would be dampened.

The reduction might be minor, but it was the best advantage Mo Hua could hope for.

When one is weak, they must exert every ounce of effort, gathering every tiny advantage to snatch victory from the narrowest of margins.

Taking a deep breath, Mo Hua reached out and shoved the temple doors open.

The gates groaned as they parted.

An overwhelming wave of deathly Qi, freezing cold, and sinister malice surged out like a flood.

Mo Hua forced his way through the dark energy and stepped into the grand hall.

The interior finally came into view.

It was a hall of faded glory, now opulent yet decaying and foul.

A dragon coffin, smeared with filth and gore, stood wide open.

Kneeling before it was the Second Elder—or what remained of him. His flesh had been eaten away, and his deformed body had fused grotesquely with dragon bones.

Nearby lay a mangled, disemboweled corpse.

It was Elder Bear Pi.

His body had been torn to shreds; a skinned snake lay discarded like trash on the floor, while a bear's paw was currently being chewed on by a misshapen horror at the center of the room.

Detecting Mo Hua’s presence, the "thing" stopped and slowly turned its head.

Mo Hua’s pupils contracted.

It was a chaotic, twisted abomination born from a fusion of various flesh and blood.

Its frame was massive, leaking black blood, with grotesque tumors erupting uncontrollably from its skin.

Its face was elongated and hideous, and its red-and-black eyes were filled with nothing but freezing cruelty and pure evil.

This was... Lord Yellow Mountain!

The true form of the Evil Embryo was a fallen, blackened mass of demonic flesh... the entity known as Lord Yellow Mountain.