Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2077 Chapter 988: Blood of Karmic Dragon_3

Yet triumph arises from Divine Thought into sword, just as defeat stems from it as well.

Innumerable cultivators of the Divine Thought Sword have perished over time due to this technique that wounds foes while harming the user too.

This sword art stands as the ultimate glory of Taixu Gate, yet it also marks its most profound wound.

Now, at last, this sword technique will vanish entirely alongside Senior Brother Dugu.

With Senior Brother Dugu reduced to ashes, Divine Thought into sword shall be utterly erased.

Likely, he may never witness the revival of Taixu Mind Transforming Sword True Jue in his days.

The world shall behold no more the devastating edge of Divine Thought into sword.

Elder Master Xun's eyes grew shadowed.

This truth had long lingered unspoken in his depths.

He himself had decreed the prohibition of Divine Thought into sword.

Though fated to occur, Elder Master Xun's spirit now swelled with profound sorrow and boundless grief.

Right then, Xun Ziyou's prior words echoed back in his thoughts.

Elder Master Xun's faded gaze abruptly sparked with light.

"Divine Thought into sword True Jue..."

"Mo Hua..."

Elder Master Xun whispered these names under his breath, his forehead creasing bit by bit.

"That can't be... How could it possibly happen?"

"Yet suppose it holds true..."

Elder Master Xun's core trembled faintly, and he let out a soft breath. As Divine Thought circulated within, his stare deepened further, mulling over some hidden enigma...

...

Mo Hua remained unaware that Elder Xun Ziyou had covertly watched his deployment of Divine Thought into sword.

Clashing with the Third Grade Golden Core Realm Pig Monster proved far too perilous and intense; he couldn't afford any distraction.

At Foundation Establishment level, slaying a Golden Core Pig Monster had drained nearly all his Divine Thought.

Thus, Mo Hua failed to sense Elder Xun Ziyou's "surveillance."

In the ensuing days, he reveled in the thrill of defeating the Third Grade Golden Core Pig Monster via the Divine Thought into sword True Jue.

Regrettably, such a triumph couldn't be shared aloud.

He also refrained from boasting about it to all around.

Not a single junior brother learned of his remarkable "achievement."

Like parading in splendor under cover of night, unrecognized by the world.

Mo Hua's heart churned with unease.

Still, he needed to keep a steady composure and press on with his cultivation.

Thankfully, after a month's passage, the unease gradually ebbed, and with the year drawing to a close, the sect prepared for fresh assessments.

Mo Hua completed the assessment, earning one A, two Bs, and four Cs.

Formation earned an "A," Taoist Skill a "B," and oddly, Alchemy too received a "B."

Normally, he secured one A and six Cs.

Last year brought an extra B.

This year added yet another.

Mo Hua's brow knit in concern.

Having delved into causal links, he understood anomalies demand causes; without one, such strong results in the assessment seemed impossible.

Hence, a subtle unease gnawed persistently at Mo Hua's mind.

...

Post-examination, the New Year arrived once more.

This year, Mo Hua planned to attend the Gu Family's New Year's gathering again.

He made a point to consult Elder Master Xun.

Given the current delicate circumstances, the Shen Family issue appeared resolved outwardly, yet the hidden clashes and brutal rivalries among noble houses raged fiercely.

Mo Hua wondered if joining the Gu Family for the feast now suited him.

Elder Master Xun pondered briefly before agreeing, "You can go without worry."

The Solitary Mountain City incident had been pinned on both Taixu Gate and Gu Family by the Shen Family, so further implications held no sway.

Besides, nurturing ties with the Gu Family proved beneficial.

Elder Master Xun penned a calligraphic work for Mo Hua to present as a gift to the Gu Family.

Mo Hua expressed his thanks with delight.

As dusk approached, Mo Hua respectfully took his leave from Elder Master Xun, but upon finishing his salutes, he caught a profound and intricate look from Elder Master Xun that left him briefly stunned.

"Old Master, is something amiss?" Mo Hua inquired, confused.

Elder Master Xun gazed intently at Mo Hua.

That stare suggested Elder Master Xun pondered some matter yet hesitated to voice it, bound by intricate causal ties.

Elder Master Xun wrestled inwardly, eager to question yet noting how Mo Hua had unknowingly matured, resembling a youth more fully, he felt a surge of reminiscence.

He had developed considerably...

His eyes shone with gentle clarity, profound yet serene, his features retaining a touch of youthfulness while his bearing grew steadier.

Now capable of handling certain burdens independently.

Or maybe, since childhood, he had always "shouldered" such loads alone...

Elder Master Xun breathed softly, "Nothing at all..."

He regarded Mo Hua, placing a hand on his shoulder, and said warmly, "It's the New Year—enjoy yourself."

Mo Hua nodded with a grin, "Old Master, happy New Year. I'm off now."

"Very well, go on."

Mo Hua offered a deep bow of respect, then departed.

Once Mo Hua had gone, Elder Master Xun resumed perusing the Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip bore the inscription "Taixu Gate Forbidden Technique Directory."

Elder Master Xun fixed his eyes on the list of forbidden arts, sinking into contemplation...

...

Qingzhou City, Gu Family.

The rear garden blazed with lights and festive ornaments.

Mo Hua floated lanterns alongside Yu Er.

Yu Er's cheeks flushed a deep red, his gaze lifted in delight toward the crimson fish-dragon lantern crafted by Mo Hua.

But upon glancing at Mo Hua, Yu Er's spirits sank, his lashes lowering in quiet, sorrowful dejection.

Mo Hua sensed the shift in his demeanor and softly inquired, "What's the matter?"

Yu Er paused briefly, then murmured, "Brother Mo, are you going away?"

Mo Hua blinked in surprise, "Who said that?"

Yu Er shook his head, then raised his eyes to Mo Hua, "Big guy and the rest mentioned that after finishing studies, they'll depart Taixu Gate, leave Qian State—will you go too, Brother Mo?"

The "big guy" meant Cheng Mo to Yu Er.

Mo Hua met Yu Er's gaze.

Yu Er's eyes, mirroring the sky's lanterns, gleamed brightly, filled with profound unwillingness to part.

Mo Hua chose honesty, replying gently, "Perhaps."

Yu Er's mood plummeted further.

Mo Hua ruffled his hair tenderly, "Life brings separations and meetings, joys and pains—it's all natural. One day, Yu Er, you'll mature too, standing on your own, firming your will, and becoming mighty..."

Mo Hua's soothing words gradually warmed Yu Er's heart.

Yu Er felt courage stir within, nodding firmly, then with a trace of yearning, he asked:

"So, will I see Brother Mo again later?"

Mo Hua smiled and affirmed, "Of course. When I find the time, I'll visit you. Or in the future, once Yu Er's cultivation reaches a high level, you can roam the Nine States, and we'll surely cross paths."

"When I'm powerful... we'll reunite..." Yu Er's eyes lit with aspiration, then he bobbed his head vigorously, "Brother Mo, I'll cultivate diligently and come seek you one day!"

Mo Hua beamed warmly, "Excellent!"

Yu Er grinned too, the lantern glow on his face lending him a pure and endearing allure.

Mo Hua sensed contentment, but suddenly his Divine Soul trembled, the Dragon Soul echoed, and his sight flushed crimson.

The sky's lanterns casting on Yu Er's face turned a vivid blood hue.

And this crimson tint faintly shaped a dragon silhouette.

This blood-drenched dragon form, amid the fiery red glow, glided over Yu Er's features before warping and coiling, gathering at his brow and fusing into his Divine Soul.

A chill pierced Mo Hua's depths.

"...Dragon?"

"The blood in Yu Er's veins... is it Karmic Dragon Blood?"