The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2266: Recruitment

Thus, Song Jian, the Heavenly Pride of the Sever Gold Sect, together with his fifteen top disciples, were all brought under Mo Hua’s command.

Mo Hua laid out a three-point pact with them:

"First, this Evil Path Great Formation brims with perils and oddities. You must follow my every word to the letter. Do exactly as I instruct. Fail to obey, and if you perish, it’s on you."

"Second, I’ll provide each of you with a formation. Seal your Sea of Consciousness’s Heavenly Gate using it. Never take it off, lest external evils infiltrate and corrupt your Sea of Consciousness. I won’t hold back, and your survival will depend on your own luck."

"Finally, I have no interest in your Spirit Stones or Pills, but surrender all your formation media and Spiritual Ink to me..."

Sever Gold Sect disciples harbored reluctance mixed with confusion.

They were clueless about the Evil Path Great Formation, unaware of what external evils entailed, or the nature of the formations Mo Hua supplied...

Mo Hua stayed unmoved and firm, offering no explanations whatsoever.

Under the urgent pressure, these Sever Gold Sect Heavenly Pride disciples had no option but to agree to Mo Hua’s conditions.

Following that, the entire group pressed on, venturing deeper into the ominous formation.

Further anomalies arose en route. Mo Hua issued brief warnings now and then.

Taixu Gate disciples followed orders meticulously, harboring no doubts and executing Mo Hua’s directives precisely.

The Sever Gold Sect group differed, however. They mouthed agreement but resisted inwardly. One or two persistently rebelled, ignoring Mo Hua’s commands.

When Mo Hua directed left, they stubbornly turned right.

He ordered them to halt, yet they took extra steps forward.

As anticipated, blood-colored leeches soon invaded those two’s minds, driving them to insanity. Overwhelmed by slaughter lust, they turned on their comrades.

Mo Hua had warned in advance: follow his lead exactly.

Obey, and he’d handle any mishaps.

Defy, and they bore the fallout alone.

Within this Evil Path Great Formation, unity was essential.

Disobeyers who acted solo and made sneaky moves could drag everyone down, and Mo Hua offered no leniency.

To truly rescue others, one must kill with utmost resolve.

Golden light gleamed in Mo Hua’s eyes as he unleashed a commanding stare.

The two deranged Sever Gold Sect disciples were instantly pinned down.

"Kill them," Mo Hua commanded icily.

Cheng Mo struck immediately, cleaving one with his axe, while Linghu Xiao slew the other with Sword Qi.

The pair of corrupted Sever Gold Sect disciples perished on the spot.

"Let’s move."

Post-execution, Mo Hua advanced onward without pause.

Sever Gold Sect disciples paled visibly.

They hadn’t foreseen Mo Hua’s such "mercilessness," striking so swiftly when things soured.

Yet criticism was hard to voice.

In dire straits, harsh measures were vital; the graver the peril, the firmer the discipline.

Mo Hua had established the three-point agreement upfront, and these two Sever Gold Sect disciples had flouted it recklessly, courting their own doom.

Once turned Evil Demon, sparing them invited endless woes.

Besides...

With merely a glance, Mo Hua quelled the two berserk Sever Gold Sect disciples.

This feat was utterly astonishing.

Remaining Sever Gold Sect disciples recollected Mo Hua’s near five-strike prowess at the Sword Discussion Conference, pondered his myriad exploits, felt a chill grip their hearts, and betrayed fear on their faces, ceasing all defiance.

Song Jian stayed silent too, yet to uphold his "status," feigned "anger" and "grief" outwardly, while inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.

Outwardly, he led as Sever Gold Sect’s Heavenly Pride.

Only he knew the truth behind his "prestige."

In normal times, his background and tactics let him play the "big brother" convincingly, wielding some clout.

But now, dangers lurked everywhere with traps abound, utterly beyond his grasp.

Just like in the unclear Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, he’d trailed obediently.

"Staying with Mo Hua feels far safer..."

Song Jian let out a deep internal sigh.

The group forged ahead.

After slaying two as a stark warning, Sever Gold Sect disciples grew far more obedient, no longer challenging Mo Hua’s orders or tarrying.

Respect for Mo Hua might lack, but none dared gamble their lives against his authority.

Before long, they met another band of Qianxue disciples at the withered forest’s eastern fringe.

Qin Cangliu, Gui Water Sect’s Heavenly Pride, trailed by over ten sectmates including Wang Chen.

At that instant, the Gui Water Sect team guarded a valley entrance.

Scheming and wary, Qin Cangliu grasped little of the Evil Formation’s secrets but sensed the pervasive malice. Rash moves forbidden, he adopted a defensive posture, biding time to watch developments.

While waiting, Mo Hua’s group appeared.

Over forty strong, Mo Hua’s force loomed like a shadowy horde. Qin Cangliu’s spirits plummeted. He whipped out his longsword, infusing it with watery glow, readying lethal strikes.

Other Gui Water Sect disciples amassed power, unsheathed blades, and faced off against Mo Hua’s company.

From the Rouge Boat clash, Gui Water Sect nursed grudges against Taixu Gate.

The sword discussion contest pitted them as foes.

He bore "enmity" toward Mo Hua too.

Not long prior, in an Asura battle, they’d clashed in a "life-or-death" duel.