The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2384: Miracle (4)
Previously on The Quest for Immortality...
The sheer existence of Mo Hua, alongside his feat of vanquishing monstrous demons and consuming malevolent gods, was nothing short of existence-shattering.
Had True Man Situ not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would never have fathroned such a deed.
News of such events, if ever revealed, would undoubtedly ignite a world-shaking uproar. For Mo Hua, this would not be a blessing, but rather a profound 'calamity'.
Therefore, silence was paramount!
Beyond the immense karma entwined with Mo Hua, even the very fact of his life-saving intervention was something that simply could not be divulged.
A look of profound uncertainty clouded True Man Situ's visage.
A gathering of Heaven Void Ancestors observed with veiled eyes, perceiving that True Man Situ harbored a secret too difficult to articulate—or perhaps, a truth that was inherently 'unspeakable'.
Their gazes deepened in contemplation.
A palpable unease crept up True Man Situ's spine, yet he resolved himself and stated:
"While the issue concerning the evil god has been provisionally settled, regarding our withdrawal from the blood sacrifice array... there are other contributing factors...""What factors are they?" a Heaven Void Ancestor pressed for details.
True Man Situ could only shake his head, his tone laced with bitterness: "For the moment... I am unable to disclose them."
Given the time constraints, Mo Hua had not seen fit to elaborate.
Moreover, should a true secret exist, Mo Hua himself would certainly keep it hidden, for fear of unveiling a divine revelation.
A collective frown creased the brows of those present.
It was evident to them that True Man Situ himself possessed only a partial understanding of the situation.
At this juncture, certain Heaven Void Ancestors who had previously voiced opposition to abandoning the blood sacrifice array let out scornful remarks:
"So, True Man Situ, you yourself cannot elucidate the underlying reasons, yet you expect us to comply with your request for withdrawal?"
A flush of awkwardness colored True Man Situ's face, but he persisted:
"Although I cannot precisely articulate the causes at this moment, our withdrawal is imperative. Failure to do so might invite... exceedingly dire repercussions..."
During his conversation with True Man Situ, Mo Hua's countenance had been exceptionally grave, an unmistakable signal of the matter's paramount importance.
For reasons unknown, True Man Situ placed a certain mystifying faith in Mo Hua's judgment.
A chilling chuckle escaped a Heaven Void Ancestor's lips. "The conflict between righteousness and malevolence directly impacts the very survival of our state, the prosperity of Qianxue, and the destiny of countless souls. Can an unclarified cause serve as sufficient justification?"
"Were it not for this ambiguity, we might have already shattered the blood sacrifice array with a single decisive blow, eradicating this immense demonic threat and seizing the opportune moment."
Another Heaven Void Ancestor concurred, adding: "Now, whether to advance or retreat, we are uncertain of the potential loss of disciples' lives."
"Conversely, if we remain idle and permit the blood sacrifice array to continue its operation, an equal number of cultivators' lives hang in the balance."
"We have let the critical moment slip away, leaving us in a precarious position, whether attacking or defending."
"Should a catastrophic disaster then unfold, the ramifications would be beyond comprehension," the Heaven Void Ancestor representing the Sever Gold Sect chimed in with derisive agreement.
True Man Situ felt an immense weight descend upon him, akin to a crushing mountain. However, the pivotal subject of 'Mo Hua' remained unutterable.
At that precise instant, a recollection of the Taixu Divine Thought Sword Technique, employed by Mo Hua, sparked a realization. He turned his gaze towards Elder Master Xun of the Taixu Gate.
Elder Master Xun, catching True Man Situ's searching look, felt his heart leap with surprise, instantly grasping the implication.
Mo Hua...
Could this truly be a directive from Mo Hua?!
In the midst of such a monumental confrontation, where decisions carried the weight of the entire outcome and the lives of innumerable cultivators, did he, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, possess the audacity to entrust True Man Situ with relaying his commands?
His boldness was truly astounding!
But on what grounds did he dare?
Elder Master Xun's brow furrowed deeply, a sudden, bone-chilling sensation washing over him. His eyes instinctively darted towards the distant, ominous blood sacrifice array.
The grand formation pulsed as before, a swirling vortex of blood, seemingly unchanged.
Yet, an palpable aura of deadly coldness permeated the very air, reminiscent of the harshest winter.
Within his mind's eye, the vision of karma and consequence revealed countless wretched souls, their spectral forms writhing in silent agony, their roars of terror echoing endlessly. A boundless despair blanketed the heavens, coalescing into a vortex of life and death, mirroring the Nine Nether Purgatory inverted, appearing ominously on the horizon.
This was the raw terror of 'annihilation'.
This was the profound, bone-deep chill born from the specter of countless 'demises'.
Elder Master Xun's very bones began to tremble, his skin prickling with an icy dread that seeped into his marrow, nearly stealing his breath.
He could discern, with dawning clarity...
A cataclysm of world-altering proportions, steeped in the stench of immense slaughter, was imminent—a disaster so profound that even the spectral realms of the Nine Nether would be stirred into manifestation...