Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2079 Chapter 989: Winds Rising (Part 2)

Wenren Wan advised him, "Stay cautious during your travels."

Yu Er gave him a wave.

Mo Hua grinned and waved farewell too, before climbing into the carriage and heading off toward Taixu Gate.

...

Qian Learning State Boundary.

The magnificent and imposing Shen Family estate.

During this festival, the Gu Family buzzed with energy.

However, the Shen Family's celebration this year felt far more subdued, heavy with tension.

Within the expansive compound, lights blazed everywhere, yet a chilling hush hung over it all.

Sect Elders moved about with darkened faces.

Disciples fidgeted uneasily, whispering instead of speaking out.

Now and then, a glass would crash, followed by angry shouts or scoldings.

In the opulent main hall, the yearly banquet wrapped up abruptly.

Relatives scattered, until only the Shen Family's Old Ancestor remained, perched above on his seat, radiating authority, his features stern without fury, but his presence icy like a frozen peak.

With the crowd mostly gone, the Shen Family Head lingered to face the Ancestor's fury alone.

As the leader, he commanded the clan's might, savored the top status and respect of this Fifth-grade powerhouse, yet shouldered an immense weight like a towering peak.

When crises struck, he stood as the sole target in the gale.

In the deserted grand chamber.

The Shen Family Head, normally lofty and bowed to by all, now knelt low on the steps, pressing his forehead to the icy ground, begging forgiveness from the Ancestor.

The Old Ancestor of Shen Family gazed down at the kneeling Family Head, his face serene like still water, though his eyes burned with a fearsome severity.

At last, he shut his eyes gradually, curbed his savage presence, and uttered deliberately:

"Get up."

A shiver ran down the Shen Family Head's spine, but relief washed over him; he叩ed deeply on the floor, expressing gratitude, "Many thanks to Ancestor for your leniency."

"Have you pieced it all together?" the Old Ancestor of Shen Family inquired.

"Indeed," the Shen Family Head answered softly, "It started when a Taixu Gate disciple got seized by tomb raiders and dragged into the Solitary Mountain City tombs."

"Then, Taixu Gate's Elder Xun Ziyou, joined by our Shen Family's Elder Shen Shouxing, ventured into Solitary Mountain City, leading to a series of complications after that..."

"Following the incident, witnesses spotted Taixu Gate's Elder Xun Ziyou still breathing."

"Nobody caught how he exited Solitary Mountain City, yet he clearly survived and went back to instructing at Taixu Gate like everything was normal."

"As for the Taixu Gate disciple snatched in Solitary Mountain City..."

"I'd suspected this disciple's background earlier, but lacked proof. Taixu Gate guards its secrets tightly, and even the Taoist Court stays mum."

"Over a month later, through persistent digging and pulling strings, I gathered some clues and verified his identity at last."

"The Taixu Gate disciple tied to the Solitary Mountain event is called Mo Hua..."

The moment he heard that, the Old Ancestor of Shen Family's brows twitched faintly, "You mean..."

The Shen Family Head confirmed, "That's right, none other than Taixu Gate's Formation Leader..."

The Old Ancestor of Shen Family kept his composure, showing neither delight nor rage.

Unsure of the Ancestor's mind, the Shen Family Head pressed on:

"This whole affair seems like... Taixu Gate laying a hidden snare, dangling a disciple as lure, employing various tactics to uncover our Shen Family's vulnerabilities, putting us under the knife, drawing in rivals to eye and gradually devour our Shen Family's core..."

...

In the Solitary Mountain affair, the extent of spirit mines, farmlands, stones, sect influences, and key authority roles linked to the Shen Family that were forfeited for oversight...

The Family Head understood it more than anyone.

Each recollection of those losses made the Shen Family Head's chest ache like it was torn open.

His grudge against Taixu Gate deepened intensely.

Still, a puzzle lingered in the Shen Family Head's thoughts, and he voiced it:

"This Mo Hua, as a Formation Leader, stands as a rare array genius in ages. Taixu Gate's ambitions run so deep, they really dangled him as 'bait'? Weren't they worried this youth could perish in Solitary Mountain City?"

Should Mo Hua fall, Taixu Gate's array legacy might never claim the top spot again in this era.

Did they not value this disciple?

And...

The Shen Family Head creased his brow, "Why would a minor Foundation Establishment disciple meddle in Solitary Mountain City? What business did he have stirring up such murky affairs?"

"Does this youth harbor some hidden agenda?"

The Old Ancestor of Shen Family mulled it over briefly, then stated measuredly, "This unfolds as a grand strategy, orchestrated by a Heaven Void Realm Ancestor from the shadows."

"In a game this vast, all visible figures serve as pieces."

"Even a Golden Core Sword Cultivator like Xun Ziyou counts as one, much less this simple Foundation Establishment disciple."

"Cease fixating on the motives of the pieces."

The Old Ancestor of Shen Family eyed the Shen Family Head with deep insight:

"...As Family Head now, you must adopt a leader's foresight."

"Grasp who your true opponents are in this match."

"Step back to the shadows, view the board from an Ancestor's angle, and clarity will come."

"Once you reach Heaven Void someday, you'll grasp the true mantle of Shen Family Ancestor..."

"Should your sight remain narrow, fixated on mere pieces without discerning your adversary, you'll end up manipulated by foes."

This heartfelt guidance shook the Shen Family Head to his core, bringing tears to his eyes.

The Ancestor held hopes for him yet.

The Shen Family Head叩ed again, "I am deeply thankful for Ancestor's guidance; this grandson will engrave it in his heart."

The Old Ancestor of Shen Family nodded faintly, then turned to another matter, "What have you learned about the Rouge Boat event?"