Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2376 - 1084: Holding the Emperor Hostage_2

He offered no affirmation nor denial.

To concede would be to inherit the full measure of animosity and apprehension from these Feather Transformation Demon Lords, placing him in a perilous predicament.

Conversely, refusal would undermine his established persona as the 'Tai Xu Vicious God,' shattering the mystique and dread he inspired in Mr. Tu’s mind.

Thus, it was more prudent to deflect the 'ball' back to Mr. Tu, allowing him to devise his own justifications and stratagems.

The divine being remained reticent, opting instead to pose a series of questions.

As anticipated, the Feather Transformation Demon and the Old Demon from Yin Corpse Valley and Demon Sword Sect redirected their gazes toward Mr. Tu.

Mr. Tu's countenance grew grim.

He harbored a strong suspicion that Mo Hua was entangled in these events.

However, certainty eluded him regarding Mo Hua's direct involvement.

The most significant inconsistency lay in the fact that, despite assuming the guise of a deity, the vessel 'Mo Hua' inhabited was merely at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

How could an individual of the Foundation Establishment Realm possibly eliminate a multitude of Golden Core Demon Cultivators?

Furthermore, the Demon Heads of the Golden Core Realm present were grotesquely dismembered, their forms splattered with gore – evident signs of a brutal, demonic method of execution.

'Mo Hua' himself was ostensibly a righteous disciple of the Taixu Gate.

These two critical points starkly contradicted each other.

Even with the bestowal of 'divine might,' how could a Foundation Establishment disciple from a righteous sect manage to perpetrate such a heinous massacre upon hundreds of Golden Core Demon Heads within this very hall, employing such cruel and inhuman tactics?

Mr. Tu's mind raced, yet no logical explanation presented itself.

He was incapable of even concocting a plausible pretense of 'framing.'

Consequently, Mr. Tu could only resort to silence.

His increasing silence, however, only served to heighten the suspicion against him.

After all, in contrast to the seemingly innocuous Mo Hua, Mr. Tu, a formidable Feather Transformation Grand Demon, appeared a far more likely perpetrator of the massacre that befell his fellow Demon Gate brethren.

He possessed both the capacity and a potential motive.

The two Feather Transformation Demon Lords from Yin Corpse Valley and Demon Sword Sect observed Mr. Tu with intensifying coldness, their suspicions deepening.

The atmosphere within the chamber grew thick with tension, coiled like a spring, poised to unleash its force.

Perched high upon the altar, Mo Hua's eyes gleamed.

The unfolding situation progressed precisely as he had foreseen.

Should Mr. Tu and these Feather Transformation Demon Lords succumb to mutual suspicion and engage in internal conflict, he could exploit the ensuing chaos to orchestrate a clandestine escape from this Blood Sacrifice Array, accompanied by Yu Er.

For, although others remained ignorant, Mo Hua, as the 'instigator,' possessed intimate knowledge.

This Blood Sacrifice Array represented an unknown 'powder keg.'

He had successfully detonated numerous formations previously, but the Blood Sacrifice Array presented a distinct challenge.

This was a Quasi-Third Grade Grand Array, an artifact of the Evil Path, intricately woven with the mysteries of the Divine Dao and the conversion of righteous and malevolent spiritual power.

The complexity of its design, its immense scale, and the intricate transformations rendered conventional 'disintegration' methods ineffective.

The detonation of such an array was Mo Hua's inaugural attempt.

Through relentless, day-and-night study and extensive practical application of formations at the Taixu Gate, Mo Hua had cultivated a formidably deep foundation in array techniques, gradually forging his own unique comprehension and insight into the fundamental principles of formations.

Even so, he predicted that this Quasi-Third Grade Desolate Heaven Blood Sacrifice Formation would indeed detonate under his manipulation.

However, a multitude of uncertainties loomed.

Even Mo Hua himself could not ascertain the precise outcome of the impending explosion.

Therefore, a swift departure was his primary objective.

Furthermore, precisely because the grand array's immense power, vast scope, extensive reach, and intricate spiritual flux made it impossible for Mo Hua’s computational divine thought to pinpoint the 'life-gate' post-explosion, he deemed an immediate escape essential.

Failure to retreat would undoubtedly result in his demise as well.

The stalemate persisted.

The situation grew progressively more perilous.

The chasm of suspicion between Mr. Tu and the other three Feather Transformations widened noticeably.

Having attained the Feather Transformation Realm, each possessed considerable experience, independent judgment, and a capacity for discernment; such deeply sown suspicion could not be easily allayed by Mr. Tu's few evasive statements.

Yet, the Feather Transformations refrained from immediate action.

They were individuals of profound cunning, lost in contemplation, seemingly orchestrating their next move.

Mo Hua's brow furrowed in slight impatience, yearning for their swift descent into fatal combat. However, at that precise moment, a faint, whispering sound permeated the air, causing Mo Hua's heart to lurch with an immediate sense of foreboding.

Yu Er, the child, had stirred from his slumber!

At present, his sole bargaining chip was Yu Er, the purported 'Master of the Great Wilderness.'

Should Yu Er awaken and inadvertently reveal that the 'Great Wilderness God Master' was not truly residing within his body, thereby alerting Mr. Tu and these Feather Transformation Demon Lords, his leverage would vanish, plunging him into a disadvantageous position.

It was highly probable that both his and Yu Er's lives depended entirely on the whims of others.

The moment Yu Er let out a soft sigh, Mr. Tu, Shangguan Wang, the leader from Yin Corpse Valley known as Feather Transformation, and the Elder from Demon Sword Sect, referred to as Old Demon, the four powerful figures who were Feather Transformation Demon Heads, displayed expressions of utter astonishment, quickly followed by overwhelming shock and elation. Their gazes ignited with fervent intensity as they fixed their attention on Yu Er.

Even Shangguan Wang's eyes blazed with a ferocious avarice and unchecked ambition, appearing poised to seize Yu Er right then and there.

A prickling sensation crawled up Mo Hua's scalp as he swiftly clasped Yu Er's small throat, a sinister chuckle escaping his lips:

"Not a single move!"

Mr. Tu and the others present jolted immediately, while Shangguan Wang's countenance darkened considerably.

At that precise moment, Yu Er's eyes slowly fluttered open.

He perceived the scarlet-drenched hall surrounding him, took in the sight of the peculiar and malevolent Demon Heads, including Elder Wang who had originally taken him from his mother's embrace, and a wave of fear washed over him.

Then, a voice that resonated with familiarity reached his ears.

"It would be wise for you not to make any rash actions, lest I completely strangle this child!"

This voice belonged to Brother Mo.

Yu Er experienced a surge of happiness, but upon clearly comprehending Mo Hua's threatening words, a pang of sadness followed. "Brother Mo... does he truly intend to strangle me?"