The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2407: The Evil Monster’s Shadow

A profound understanding dawned on Mo Hua after a considerable pause; it was no wonder the Great Wilderness’s Second Elder had deemed this a life-bound formation, particularly suited for him.

By leveraging this formation, the remaining spirit within could effectively counteract the deficiencies of his spiritual root, thereby compensating for any lack of spiritual power.

Such an integration would undoubtedly elevate him into a truly formidable, even terrifying, spiritual cultivator of the Dao.

Cultivation, after all, forms the bedrock, and spiritual power is the foundation upon which all else is built.

The greater the spiritual power, the more one is capable of achieving.

In comparison, the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Formation, while undeniably potent, was merely a Second Grade formation with a mere twenty patterns. Its limited pattern count failed to capture Mo Hua’s discerning ‘Dharma Eye.’

Furthermore, the Azure Dragon Formation primarily focused on augmenting the physical body.

The strength of the physical body, however, is a double-edged sword.

An enhanced physical body demands a proportionate increase in the user's own physical integrity to bear its immense power.

Given Mo Hua’s current physical constitution, it was simply incapable of withstanding the strain imposed by the Azure Dragon Formation.

Even if he were to overcome this limitation and successfully refine the Azure Dragon Formation, his underlying physical foundation was alarmingly weak, offering no substantial improvement.

Rather than merely bridging a significant gap to a mediocre standard,

It would be far more advantageous to concentrate on amplifying his existing strengths.

As for the pressing issue of ‘defense’...

Mo Hua gently stroked his chin, lost in deep contemplation.

He possessed the Heavenly Secret Calculation, Uncle Zhang Lan had imparted the Water Passing Step technique, and he had access to the Water Shadow Body, a premier movement technique from the Water Prison Sect.

The adage holds true: cause and effect can avert disaster, while movement techniques can evade killing blows.

However, against outright murderous intent, neither cause and effect nor movement techniques offer a reliable escape; relying on his own frail body to endure such onslaughts was an unrealistic proposition.

This was especially true considering the ominous dream omen linked to cause and effect, foretelling ‘a gluttonous beast devouring dragons…’

A resolute nod escaped Mo Hua; he decisively set aside the Four Symbols Azure Dragon Formation, his mind firmly fixed on finding a way to refine the Great Wilderness’s ‘Twelve Scripture Gluttonous Spirit Corpse Formation’ into his life-bound formation.

Yet, numerous new challenges quickly presented themselves.

Mo Hua pressed the Great Wilderness Bone Scroll against his forehead, sinking his divine sense within, and continued to scroll backward through its contents.

Further within lay the final formation diagram of the Twelve Scripture Gluttonous Spirit Corpse Formation.

Mo Hua could indeed sense a wild, ancient, and fierce aura emanating from it; within his divine sense’s perception, he could already discern several ancient, mysterious, hideous, yet majestic ‘Taotie Patterns.’

However, that was the extent of his comprehension.

Merely glimpsing a few Taotie Patterns was the absolute limit; seeing more of the formation diagram remained impossible.

Mo Hua knitted his brows.

‘Is my divine sense realm insufficient, preventing me from viewing the complete formation diagram?’

‘Should I seek another to examine it and then relay the information to me?’

After a period of reflection, Mo Hua shook his head.

This was a life-bound formation map, intricately linked to life and spirit cultivation, touching upon the Great Dao itself. Its highly confidential nature made it imprudent to share with others.

Even Elder Master Xun could not conveniently be privy to the specific formation patterns.

To do so would be akin to revealing his ‘vital gate,’ making him vulnerable to manipulation should the heavenly secrets be leaked.

‘I can only await the day my divine sense grows stronger, allowing me to gradually observe, learn, and comprehend it piece by piece…’

‘And then there’s also…’

Mo Hua furrowed his brow further, recognizing a set of even more perplexing issues.

How, precisely, was this formation refined?

The Taotie ‘Spirit Remains’ Formation… surely it couldn't involve inscribing the formation directly onto one’s own bones?

Utilizing bone as the medium? Wouldn’t that classify it as an evil formation?

Mo Hua pondered further, concluding that this was likely not the case…

An evil formation typically necessitates acts of killing, flaying, bone-cutting, bloodletting, and the creation of widespread slaughter, instilling fear in others and driving oneself to madness—only then does it truly earn the label ‘evil’…

Carving the formation onto one’s own bones without causing harm to others should, theoretically, be permissible…

However, another significant hurdle emerged.

How could the formation possibly be inscribed onto one’s bones?

Surely, the idea of slicing open one’s own abdomen, extracting the bones, meticulously drawing the formation with painstaking strokes, and then ‘sewing’ them back in was not a viable method, right?

Wouldn’t such a procedure entail unbearable agony?

Moreover, a cascade of more fundamental formation-related questions arose:

What form of ink should be employed?

What substance would serve as the medium? Could it truly be one’s own bones?

What implement would function as the brush?

What constituted the formation eye, and how should the formation pivot be positioned?

…

Merely contemplating these questions sent a shiver down Mo Hua’s spine.

He meticulously re-examined the formation’s exegesis within the Ancient Wilderness Text.

Only a scant few words were dedicated to the method of refining and integrating the Twelve Regular Meridians and Circulation Remains with the Taotie Array.

Whether this represented a deliberate omission or if these details were simply considered basic, foundational knowledge within the Great Wilderness Taoist inheritance, and thus unworthy of explicit elaboration, remained unclear…

As the saying goes, fortune doesn't just fall into one's lap.

Let alone when matters involve the Barbaric Wilderness Abyssal Swamp, the Great Wilderness Witch, the Fierce Beast Taotie, and the Twenty-four Patterns Ultimate Formation, along with the Internal Spirit Remains—these are intricate cultivation concepts and cause-effect relationships that are far from simple.

It was truly unrealistic to expect a swift resolution.

Mo Hua let out a sigh.

"Very well, I shall contemplate this slowly."

Cultivators seek the Dao, forge their life-bound formations, and establish their golden cores; none of these feats are accomplished in a single day.

As long as one remains persistent, applies their mind, and perseveres, perhaps one day, an opportunity will present itself, resolving all difficulties with ease.

Until then, it would be best to make thorough preparations.

Mo Hua settled into a routine. In the ensuing days, he dedicated himself to practicing his cultivation while simultaneously reviewing formations, continuing his deep dive into the Ancient Wilderness Text.

Furthermore, whenever time permitted, he would mentally deduce various variables and potential scenarios, meticulously preparing in advance for the eventual refinement of his life-bound Taotie Spirit Remains Formation.

He occasionally took the time to sketch a few Taotie Patterns.

While Mo Hua's current divine sense was insufficient to fully comprehend or master the entirety of the Twelve Scripture Gluttonous Spirit Corpse Formation, this did not stop him from sketching some Taotie Patterns to satisfy his curiosity.

In this manner, his life transitioned into a period of busy yet tranquil existence.

During this time, Mo Hua was virtually "isolated from the world," focusing entirely on his recovery and meditating on his life-bound formation.

No one was permitted to visit him in the secluded rear mountains of the Taixu Gate.