Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2399 - 1091: Great Wilderness Bone Scroll (2)

"Hmm."

Mo Hua gave a nod, truly feeling a blurriness in his divine sense and a sense of exhaustion, so he closed his eyes once more and gradually drifted off to sleep.

Elder Master Xun ensured Mo Hua had fallen asleep and that everything was in order before he rose and departed.

After leaving, Elder Master Xun summoned an Inner Sect Disciple and issued an instruction: "Deliver my decree to the Sect Leader. Convene the Three Mountains Dao Conference; there are matters requiring discussion."

"Yes, Patriarch." The Inner Sect Disciple acknowledged the command and left.

Elder Master Xun turned his gaze back towards Mo Hua, a sigh escaping his lips as he mused inwardly:

"He's merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet already so drained. If he were to reach the Golden Core realm and stir up further calamities, as his ancestor, I might find myself unable to manage the situation..."

...

In the subsequent days, Elder Master Xun remained occupied with sect affairs, directing the disciples to work in various capacities and managing the fallout by implementing 'sealing' measures concerning Mo Hua.

The objective was to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the karmic entanglement between Mo Hua and the catastrophe of the Desolate Heaven Blood Sacrifice.

The aim was to ensure Mo Hua appeared 'disappeared' from the incident, thereby averting the vengeful pursuit of the Demon Path and the insidious schemes of other covetous factions.

All individuals within Taixu Gate who possessed knowledge of the specifics, regardless of the depth of their understanding, were thoroughly 'sealed off.'

Of course, the true 'sealing' was an accomplishment Mo Hua himself achieved.

More precisely, it could be termed 'silencing' – the complete annihilation of all demon cultivators who had witnessed him, who were aware of his actions, and who had seen the formations he painted.

Even the four Feather Transformation cultivators who accompanied Mr. Tu were not spared.

Indeed, they met their end without leaving a trace.

Apart from himself, no one else genuinely understood what transpired within the Blood Sacrifice Array.

Consequently, this greatly facilitated Elder Master Xun's 'sealing' arrangements.

All matters proceeded without a hitch.

No one would realistically point fingers at Mo Hua, a mere Foundation Establishment disciple, for the destruction of the Quasi-Third Grade Desolate Heaven Blood Sacrifice Formation.

After all, despite possessing profound divine sense, formidable mastery of formations, and holding the esteemed position of Formation Leader for the Qian Learning State Boundary.

Even with the combination of these abilities and this aura, they were insignificant when weighed against the immense scale of the Evil Path Blood Sacrifice Array, which consumed the heart of the Demon Path and spanned across the Nine States.

Doubts did indeed arise regarding Mo Hua.

Speculation suggested Mo Hua was the hidden hand behind the dismantling of the Blood Sacrifice Array, or at the very least, a crucial participant.

However, even those entertaining such suspicions found them preposterous and laughable.

That was a Quasi-Third Grade Evil Formation.

No matter how prodigious Mo Hua was, he remained just a Foundation Establishment disciple; by what means could he possibly bring down a Quasi-Third Grade Great Formation?

Such conjectures, in turn, served to glorify Mo Hua and bolster the prestige of Taixu Gate.

This outcome was contrary to the interests of most sects.

Therefore, whispers of Mo Hua shattering the Blood Sacrifice Array quickly faded, and soon, no one dared to broach the subject again.

Yet, a different kind of rumor began to circulate widely.

"It is said... Mo Hua succumbed to the Blood Sacrifice Array and has long since converted to the Demon Path. Not only is he cultivating demonic arts, but he also consumes human flesh and drinks human blood, and paints malevolent formations using human blood and skin."

"Within the Blood Sacrifice Array that revived the Evil God, a significant portion of the formations were personally crafted by Mo Hua, this esteemed Formation Leader of Qian Learning."

This particular rumor was not entirely unfounded.

At least half of its content held a kernel of truth.

However, Elder Master Xun would never concede to such claims, and Taixu Gate vehemently denied them, stating:

"Absurd!" "Preposterous!" "Pure fabrication!" "Slanderous falsehoods!"

Some voices called for Mo Hua to publicly address the matter, to prove he was not cultivating demonic arts, consuming human flesh, drinking human blood, or painting unholy formations.

After all, such transgressions could not be easily concealed.

Once corrupted, stained by vile, blood-soaked methods, the abnormalities would be readily apparent.

Even if no obvious issues were present, subtle signs might still be detectable.

Elder Master Xun, having lived for countless years, understood these nuances perfectly. He dismissed such demands outright, opting instead to keep Mo Hua strictly secluded, ensuring not a single clue or trace escaped to the outside world.

When questioned, the official response was that Mo Hua was in deep cultivation, undergoing secluded training, and dedicating himself to the study of formations.

Should any senior figures from other sects or aristocratic families press the issue, Elder Master Xun's countenance would darken, and he would coldly retort:

"What is this? Do you intend to tarnish the reputation of my Taixu Gate?"

"We at Taixu Gate are well aware of our disciples' innocence or guilt!"

"The Formation Leader of Taixu Gate, you presume to investigate such matters so casually? Forgive my bluntness, but who do you think you are?"

To Mo Hua, Elder Master Xun presented himself as a kind and venerable figure, yet to others, he was a mysterious and formidable 'old monster.'

His stern demeanor alone deterred anyone from daring to challenge or displease him.

However, as the saying goes, even when a tree longs for stillness, the wind refuses to cease. The murmurs of doubt, though temporarily silenced by Elder Master Xun's authority, began to circulate discreetly, causing a stir.

Mo Hua remained unaware of these whispers.

Elder Master Xun shielded Mo Hua from all malicious gossip and ill intentions, keeping them beyond the Tai Xu Mountain Gate.

Mo Hua resided in seclusion in the back mountains, recovering. His days were filled with effortless comfort, where sustenance and attire were readily available, and life flowed in a state of serene tranquility.

No one, not even members of the Taixu Gate, was permitted to visit Mo Hua.

The sole individual exempt from this restriction was True Man Situ.

As the Chief Elder of Mystery Valley, True Man Situ was recognized as one of the few privy to certain truths.

Once Mo Hua's condition stabilized somewhat, True Man Situ made a personal visit, and they shared tea in a quiet courtyard.

An elder and a youth, one at the Feather Transformation stage and the other at Foundation Establishment, the Chief Elder of Mystery Valley and a junior disciple of the Taixu Gate, conversed over tea. Their meeting evoked a sense of comfortable familiarity, as if old friends had reunited, creating a peaceful and harmonious ambiance.

True Man Situ, cradling his teacup, observed Mo Hua with a gaze full of profound sentiment.

He never anticipated that the young boy from Li State City would mature to such a degree in such a short span of time.