Chapter 1053: The Great Wasteland Token
Chapter 1053: The Great Wasteland Token
The Path of the Evil Deity might well be a road paved with corpses and drenched in blood.
Mr. Tu has already committed countless atrocities that cannot be fully recorded.
But the atrocities he is yet to commit will be even more terrifying.
Mo Hua's gaze was heavy.
The secrets within were only understood by him, the "Dread Deity" who had clashed with the Evil Deity multiple times.
The other prodigies of various sects could not comprehend them.
They merely looked at the dark, blood-soaked Demon Valley and felt fear, but they clearly did not grasp the true "terror."
They were young, full of fiery blood, and after a brief moment of fear, a fierce and righteous courage arose in their hearts.
Especially the prodigies of the four major sects, who were the pride of the heavens, had been tricked by the Evil Path's demon cultivators to the point where they even had to kill their own comrades. Their hearts were filled with pain, and they had long been brimming with anger.
Now, with the chance to escape within reach, they naturally wanted to fight their way out and avenge their past humiliations.
Ao Zheng clenched his fists until they crackled, and said coldly:
"A mere horde of flesh and blood demons is nothing to fear. If we, the prodigies, unite and charge forward, we can certainly carve out a bloody path."
His words were filled with righteous fervor, and the others echoed in agreement:
"Agreed!"
"Charge forward, and slaughter any demons and evil in our way!"
But those who responded were mostly disciples of the four major sects, while the disciples of the eight major sects remained largely silent.
Among the four major sects, Ao Zheng and Shen Cangfeng, though their blood boiled, still retained some sense of reason. Before charging forward, they glanced at Mo Hua, as if seeking his opinion.
Mo Hua nodded and said calmly:
"You can try charging forward."
Hearing this, Ao Zheng's confidence wavered, and he asked hesitantly, "Really? We can try?"
"Try it, the worst that can happen is death..."
Mo Hua's expression was calm.
Ao Zheng and the others fell silent.
They could sense the sarcasm in Mo Hua's words.
Mo Hua glanced at them, sighed, and said, somewhat exasperatedly, "Do you not have a sense of your own limits when making decisions?"
"Before a fight, don't you assess whether you can win?"
"Don't you consider your own strength?"
"There are so many demons. Can you defeat them with just your righteous courage?"
"And carve out a bloody path? The blood on that path will be your own. What's the point of fighting your way out if you're just going to die faster?"
The prodigies of the four major sects, who were disciples of Tai Xu Gate, were scolded by Mo Hua to the point of being speechless. They dared not argue and could only remain silent, pretending to be dead.
Seeing that they had been subdued, Mo Hua did not say anything more.
These prodigies had always been geniuses, surpassing their peers and rarely facing rivals even among their own sects. They thought that with high cultivation and strong power, they could slaughter their way through any obstacle, failing to understand the importance of numbers.
Quality surpasses quantity, but extreme quantity is even more terrifying than quality.
Even high-ranking cultivators can be overwhelmed and killed by a sea of low-ranking cultivators.
The demons in this valley might not be individually strong, but their numbers were unfathomable. Once engulfed by the tide of demons, even ordinary Core Formation cultivators would have little chance of survival.
Situ Jian asked, "Senior Apprentice Brother, what should we do now?"
Mo Hua sighed slightly and said, "Let's go back for now. I'll think of a plan."
Everyone had no choice but to retrace their steps and return to the Array Hub Hall.
The hall was not a place to stay for long, but there was no better refuge at the moment.
Inside the hall, all the prodigy disciples furrowed their brows, deeply worried.
Outside the valley, the dense sea of demons was like an insurmountable Hong Gou. With their strength, they could neither kill them all nor break through.
Earlier, they had been relieved that there were few demon cultivators guarding the evil array in Yanluo Mountain. Now, it was clear that with so many demons "guarding the gate", Yanluo Mountain itself was a mountain of demons. There was no need for many demon cultivators.
Mo Hua was also frowning in deep thought.
The Great Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Array nurtured countless demons.
These demons were both the "sacrifices" and the foundation of the blood sacrifice array.
Once the array activated, the demons would surge out, wreaking havoc and continuously providing more "sacrifices" to the array.
Moreover, the demons were extremely sensitive to the scent of flesh and blood.
If they crossed the bridge above the valley, they would surely be surrounded and killed by the demons.
There was no way they could withstand such an onslaught.
Additionally, the only passage over the valley was that stone bridge.
Mo Hua didn't need to think much. Based on his experience as an array master, he could deduce that the stone bridge was likely rigged with many traps and even self-destruct mechanisms.
If they stepped on it, the bridge would collapse, and they would fall into the Demon Valley, certain death.
"What should we do?"
"If we can't do it ourselves, can we seek help?"
Mo Hua frowned for a moment, then asked everyone, "Can your sect tokens still work? Try them."
All the prodigy disciples took out their sect tokens and tried to communicate, but they all shook their heads:
"The sect token has no response..."
"Do you have personal message tokens?"
A few disciples took out special message tokens and tried to communicate, but they also shook their heads, "No, they don't work."
Mo Hua nodded, not surprised.
If the sect tokens and message tokens could work, the disciples would have used them long ago.
The large array of the Evil Path would certainly block all ordinary magnetic fluctuations.
Mr. Tu, having set up such a grand scheme, would not make such a low-level mistake, allowing them to exploit any loopholes.
But they couldn't do without magnetic fluctuations.
The operation of such a large evil array, involving such a grand conspiracy, could not be without coordination.
Without some means of communication, even unified action would be impossible.
Mo Hua glanced at the body of the Evil Array Master, then at the loot he had taken from the body, and said:
"Prise open the teeth of these Evil Array Masters, one by one, and check them again to see if any tokens are hidden inside."
"Also, go through these storage bags again and find all the tokens for me."
No one was clear about Mo Hua's intentions, but they all followed his orders. Some pried open teeth, while others rummaged through the storage bags. Soon, Mo Hua had several tokens in his hand.
Most of these tokens were made of bone, bloodstained and sinister, all of them having slipped through the net.
After all, the Evil Array Masters were cunning and numbered over eighty. Time was short, and even Mo Hua, with his sharp mind, couldn't possibly have searched their bodies thoroughly in one go.
Mo Hua inspected each token, discarding most of them and keeping only one.
This token was not made of bone but of jade, with two ancient characters inscribed on it:
Great Wasteland.
"Great Wasteland Token?"
Mo Hua was a bit surprised. After further study, he discovered that this token was actually a "sect token."
"Great Wasteland... Sect?"
Mo Hua felt that the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't immediately connect it to anything else.
Based on just the words "Great Wasteland", he couldn't be certain that the sect's name was the Great Wasteland Sect. It could just as well be a sect that venerated the "Lord of the Great Wasteland."
"Since this is a sect token, it must be linked to a sect, with corresponding lineage and methods of communication among sect members."
"This token was found on an Evil Array Master, which means the magnetic information in this token has been 'approved' by the Evil Path's array."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he began to study this "Great Wasteland Token."
This Great Wasteland Token was "encrypted" and sealed, preventing outsiders from accessing it.
But such encryption was no match for Mo Hua, a Thundermagnetic Array Master.
After extensive research into thundermagnetic arrays, Mo Hua was well-versed in encryption and decryption.
He had all the necessary tools stored in his Nazi Ring for emergencies.
Mo Hua retrieved some secondary thunder patterns, Yu Jian, and array disks, and laid them out on the ground. He then began the intricate and complex process of cracking the seal patterns and decrypting the secret patterns.
This was a highly specialized and obscure array technique.
The other disciples watched, not understanding a thing, but they were somewhat numb to it by now.
No matter what array Mo Hua drew, they were no longer surprised or felt inferior.
People can only compare themselves to other people, not to "monsters."
Different species, no need to force a comparison.
After a series of complex but orderly operations, Mo Hua finally broke the seal patterns, decrypted the secret patterns, and penetrated the Great Wasteland Token.
Indeed, the Great Wasteland Token contained some sect techniques and doctrines, but they were dark gray, as if deliberately "sealed", making it impossible to see what specific lineage they belonged to.
Mo Hua was curious but knew the situation was urgent and not the time to unseal and steal the lineage.
He focused his attention on the "message" magnetic patterns in the Great Wasteland Token.
The token indeed had numerous magnetic pathways and dense secondary thunder patterns, indicating that it was used for frequent communication with many "fellow sect members." The owner of this token, a deceased Evil Array Master, had worked for Mr. Tu.
This meant that many "Great Wasteland" sect members were under Mr. Tu's command.
It also meant that Mo Hua could use the Great Wasteland Token to send messages.
Mo Hua was elated, but then he paused:
"Send the message, but... to whom?"
"Those who can receive messages from the Great Wasteland Token are likely Mr. Tu's subordinates. Should I send a message to Mr. Tu's subordinates, asking them to save me?"
That would be self-sabotage.
Mo Hua cupped his chin, frowning in thought.
Though he was trapped in the Blood Sacrifice Array and didn't know what was happening outside, he could make some educated guesses:
"Qianxue Prefecture's hundreds of prodigies were forcibly transported and trapped in the Evil Path's array. The sects, noble families, and Dao Court would not sit idly by..."
"They would certainly try to break the array and rescue the prodigies, or at least capture and kill some of the Evil Deity's subordinates to weaken the array's power."
"If a conflict arises, some of Mr. Tu's subordinates would likely fall into or die at the hands of the Dao Court."
"Is it possible that similar evil cultivator 'tokens' have also fallen into the hands of the Dao Court?"
"If I can send a 'rescue' magnetic pattern to these tokens, the Dao Court might receive it and work from the inside to rescue the trapped prodigies of the various sects..."
But this raised another issue:
Mo Hua couldn't tell which tokens were in the hands of the Dao Court and which were still with Mr. Tu's subordinates.
He could only send a mass message.
If he sent it to the wrong tokens, Mr. Tu's subordinates might immediately discover it, leading to the plan's failure.
What to do...
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed, and a thought crossed his mind.
"Let's try it..."
At a time like this, he had to rely on luck and a bit of "intuition."
Mo Hua used a small thundermagnetic figure to manipulate the magnetic patterns, inputting commands into the Great Wasteland Token to form the following message:
"Gu Changhuai is a heinous criminal, a major concern for my master."
"He killed the Venerable Fire Buddha, destroyed the Bishan Holy Hall, killed Water Yama, blew up the Crimson Boat, and wreaked havoc at the Dragon King Temple. His crimes are numerous and he deserves to be punished."
"Now that the array is complete, all followers are ordered to spare no effort in killing Gu Changhuai, without fail!"
...
At such a critical moment, both sides would be thinking of killing each other.
To kill, one must target the "greatest threat."
And Uncle Gu was clearly on the Evil Deity's "must-kill" list.
This message, mixed in with other chaotic information, wouldn't stand out even if noticed.
After writing the message, Mo Hua sent it out in a mass message.
Many of the Evil Deity's subordinates, demon cultivators, evil cultivators, and demon cultivators received the message.
Among them, some had already been ordered to kill Gu Changhuai, so receiving this message was normal.
Most demon cultivators are brutal and bloodthirsty, and a mere glance was enough to dismiss them. After all, they only wanted to kill, attacking anyone in their path, regardless of whether the target was “Changhuai Gu” or not.
However, while they ignored this news, someone else couldn’t afford to overlook it.
Outside Yanluo Mountain, in a camp.
A group of Dao Court executives gathered together, their hearts burning with urgency as they gazed at the blood-red sky and the formidable array in the distance.
The most elite prodigies from the Four Sects, Eight Schools, and Twelve Streams were all trapped within the array. These prodigies represented the interests of the major families within the Four Sects, making the situation extremely serious.
If they could rescue these disciples, the Dao Court could at least give an account to the families. But if they failed and the prodigies died within the array, it would undoubtedly cause a catastrophic disaster. The Dao Court would be held responsible, regardless of the circumstances.
The blame from various factions would likely end the careers of these executives. Most of them came from prestigious families, and among the trapped prodigies were their juniors or nephews, the hopes and futures of their entire clans. With their lives hanging by a thread, how could they not be anxious?
However, the evil array was truly formidable and bizarre. The Dao Court, along with various major families and sects, had attacked for days without finding a breakthrough, suffering significant losses in the process.
The blood-red array on Yanluo Mountain was like a monstrous beast, situated in the mountain, devouring lives and absorbing blood energy, growing stronger with each passing moment, and never giving them a chance to strike.
All communication within the array was completely cut off. They still didn’t know whether the trapped prodigies were alive or dead.
Worse still, death wasn’t the most terrifying outcome. If they were tainted by evil energy and fell to the evil path, it would bring shame to their families and sects. Their extraordinary talents might even be exploited by the evil path, turning them into ruthless and heinous leaders of the demonic world in the future.
This was something no one wanted to see.
The Dao Court executives felt a heavy weight on their hearts, making it hard to breathe. All they could do was prepare for the next attack, sparing no effort to find a breakthrough in the array.
As the executives were discussing, an officer quietly approached Changhuai Gu and handed him a crude, unmarked token, whispering, “Director Gu, be careful. It seems someone is deliberately trying to kill you.”
Changhuai Gu frowned. “Who?”
The officer pointed to the token. “Take a look for yourself.”
Changhuai Gu took the token and glanced at it, but didn’t pay much attention. As a Dao Court executive, he often dealt with unpleasant tasks, arresting and executing many people. Those who wanted to kill him, whether demon cultivators or evil practitioners, were countless.
Over the past few days, he had received countless similar messages.
Changhuai Gu handed the token back and instructed, “Keep an eye on these tokens. If you find any unusual information, inform me immediately.”
Since becoming close to Mo Hua, influenced by him, Changhuai Gu had become very sensitive to “message tokens.” Mo Hua was also trapped in the array, his fate unknown. Though Changhuai Gu didn’t say anything, he was deeply worried. Mo Hua was resourceful and skilled in yuanmagnetic messaging. He might be able to send some messages through the tokens. Therefore, Changhuai Gu collected all items that could transmit messages from the spoils of war and ordered strict surveillance. Any unusual messages were to be reported to him immediately.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t received any messages from Mo Hua yet.
Some newly appointed executives, even those dispatched from the Dao Court, thought Changhuai Gu was being overly optimistic. How could a disciple trapped in the evil array, cut off from the outside world, possibly send a message?
Changhuai Gu, however, refused to give up, focusing solely on Mo Hua’s situation.
The officer bowed and was about to leave when, in a flash, Changhuai Gu suddenly called out, “Wait a moment.”
The officer looked puzzled. “Director Gu?”
Changhuai Gu said, “Give me that token again.”
The officer respectfully handed the token back to Changhuai Gu.
Changhuai Gu took the token and carefully read every word, gasping in shock. He murmured, “Mo Hua…”
The other executives, who were planning the next attack, looked at Changhuai Gu with surprise.
Xia Diansi, elegant and poised, asked, “What is it?”
Changhuai Gu, looking stunned and disbelieving, said, “This message… was sent by Mo Hua.”
Everyone’s expressions turned shocked.
Xia Diansi also looked at the text on the token but didn’t see anything unusual. She frowned and asked, “Are you sure?”
Changhuai Gu nodded.
Killing the Venerable Fire Buddha, destroying the Bishan Holy Hall, slaying Water Yama, and blowing up the Crimson Boat… On the surface, these events seemed to be connected to Changhuai Gu. But upon closer inspection, many of these actions were actually carried out by Mo Hua.
For instance, the “killing of Fire Buddha” was an external claim. The truth was that Mo Hua used a terrifying fireball spell to pierce Fire Buddha’s heart.
In other words, the one who truly killed Fire Buddha was Mo Hua.
And the “blowing up of the Crimson Boat” was also due to the array set up by Mo Hua.
Only a few people who were directly involved in these events knew the truth. Among them, only two knew everything.
One was Changhuai Gu, the Dao Court executive who had been blamed for everything.
The other was Mo Hua, the instigator.
This meant that the details in the message, known only to him and Mo Hua, could only have been sent by Mo Hua.
The message demanding his death at any cost must have been sent by Mo Hua…
(End of Chapter)
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