Chapter 1062: Mystic Sky
Chapter 1062: Mystic Sky
In Qianxue Province, on the peak of Lundao Mountain, the Sword Observation Tower.
The patriarchs of various noble families and sects still gathered in the grand hall, overseeing the situation from the highest point of Lundao Mountain. They issued commands to suppress the Blood Sacrifice Array that had been spreading throughout Qianxue.
However, the situation had taken a turn.
The Blood Sacrifice Array, which had been suppressed by the combined forces of various factions and the Dao Court, suddenly began to glow with a renewed vigor, radiating bloodlight and malevolent energy as it continued to spread across Qianxue.
Several patriarchs frowned.
"The Evil Array Masters have been nearly wiped out, and the Blood Sacrifice Array was already weakened. Why is it reviving now?"
"Is someone secretly aiding these demons?"
"Who could it be?"
Master Xun fell into deep thought, his heart sinking.
He hid his hands in his sleeves, forming seals and calculating the cause and effect. Though his face remained calm, his heart grew increasingly heavy.
"Could it be... that Mo Hua is helping them?"
Master Xun's eyelids twitched.
If that were true, the situation would be extremely serious.
Regardless of the reasons or motives, aiding demon cultivators and constructing the Blood Sacrifice Array was a capital offense, one that even an elder like himself could not protect him from.
That boy!
Master Xun's face grew solemn, and his heart sank.
Most of the Cave Void Ancestors present were not skilled in divination and could not immediately deduce the situation. However, some of them, who were well-versed in the art of divination or had keen minds, began to suspect something.
Though they did not show it on their faces or speak about it, they all cast subtle, somewhat gleeful glances at Master Xun.
Mo Hua was a prodigy.
His talent in array formation was unparalleled, and he had even mastered a terrifying forbidden technique similar to the Ethereal Divine Perception Sword Technique. If left unchecked, who knew what kind of monster he might become.
But they were all Cave Void Ancestors, respected and venerable figures who had to adhere to the laws of the Dao Court. They could not act on a whim, let alone openly confront a junior cultivator.
Moreover, Mo Hua had recently rescued the direct descendants of their sects and families from the Blood Sacrifice Array, which was a significant favor.
Repaying kindness with malice would have unforeseeable consequences.
However, it seemed they did not need to worry about it.
A brilliant disciple of the righteous path, trapped in a demon's lair, would inevitably be tempted by cultivation, fame, power, and beauty. No one could resist such pervasive temptations.
Even if he managed to resist, he might still make a mistake.
Now, it seemed Mo Hua had gone even further than they expected. He had dared to help the demons construct an evil array.
Truly, ignorance is bliss, and his boldness was breathtaking.
But the Cave Void Ancestors were actually pleased with this turn of events.
If Mo Hua became a demon cultivator, they could justify his execution under the guise of righteousness and the eradication of evil.
There would be no argument.
Even if Mo Hua had a conscience and refused to join the demons, his crimes were undeniable—constructing a massive Blood Sacrifice Array. He would not escape death, at the very least, his cultivation would be stripped, and he would be expelled from his sect.
They would not need to take action themselves. They could use the Dao Court's authority to "eradicate evil" or pressure Tai Xu Gate to "cleanse their ranks."
This way, Mo Hua would be eliminated, and their hands would remain clean.
Gradually, more and more Cave Void Ancestors understood this logic.
Thus, more and more glances of schadenfreude were directed at Master Xun of Tai Xu Gate.
Of course, some looked on with complex emotions.
A prodigy emerged, was captured, turned to evil, and now faced destruction...
Tai Xu Gate would experience so many twists and turns in such a short time, evoking sighs from those who observed.
Master Xun's expression grew increasingly grave.
Various thoughts churned in the minds of the gathered patriarchs.
Of course, regardless of what happened to Mo Hua, they could not ignore the Blood Sacrifice Array.
"Send more people to kill the array masters inside the array."
"Evacuate all cultivators near and along the path of the evil array, and gather them in Qianxue Province. Do not allow the demon cultivators to continue their killings, as it will only strengthen the array's malevolent energy."
"Seal the entrances to the array, and strike any demons that emerge."
"Construct additional arrays along the way to contain the spread of the evil array."
While these measures were effective, they were only addressing the symptoms, not the root cause.
The most troubling issue was the terrifying entity being nurtured within the evil array.
All the Cave Void Ancestors present, to some extent, sensed this.
"The Wenren family's girl is being protected, and..." a gaunt, sage-like Cave Void Ancestor said, "Have you sent someone to Xuanji Valley to invite Master Situ?"
Another Cave Void Ancestor nodded, "Yes, we have."
"When will they arrive?"
"Within the next few days."
The gaunt patriarch nodded.
They were Cave Void Ancestors, with high realms and formidable cultivation, but that did not mean they were experts in every aspect of the cultivation world.
Advancing in cultivation required the majority of their time and energy.
The secular affairs of their sects and families were also exhausting.
Moreover, dedicating time to master one or two additional cultivation skills in alchemy, array formation, talismans, or artifacts was even more commendable.
Each had their area of expertise.
They were only somewhat knowledgeable in many of the obscure and niche cultivation disciplines, especially in the realm of divine perception.
The Path of Divine Perception is intangible and elusive, a realm of boundless transformation and complexity. It encompasses a vast array of disciplines, including Heavenly Fate and Causality, blessings, disaster prevention, auspiciousness, warding off evil, divination, exorcism, and the veneration of deities, among others. These disciplines are profound and obscure, as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Such legacies are inherently difficult to master, requiring diligent and solitary study from a young age. Even after achieving mastery, practitioners rarely gain widespread recognition and are often criticized by outsiders for their seemingly fantastical and misleading practices.
In the current cultivation world, people focus on spiritual roots, physical prowess, family lineage, and the pursuit of fame and power, often neglecting the cultivation of the mind. As a result, the divine path has gradually declined, and many of its profound disciplines and techniques are on the verge of being lost.
To this day, only a few forces have managed to preserve complete legacies. One of them is the Xuanji Valley.
Master Situ of the Xuanji Valley, despite being only at the Yu Hua stage, has devoted his entire life to the cultivation of Heavenly Fate and Causality, achieving profound mastery in divine perception. He is highly respected by major families and sects, and even some Cave Void Ancestors consider him a distinguished guest.
Deep within the current grand array, the threads of fate tremble, and a massive evil presence is growing. Only an experienced elder like Master Situ, with his deep understanding of Heavenly Fate and Causality, can unravel the situation.
At the very least, he can pierce through the evil mist, uncover the truth, and find a way to resolve it.
Of course, there are some Cave Void Ancestors in Qianxue Province who have cultivated Heavenly Fate and Causality.
However, cultivating these disciplines may allow one to avoid misfortune, but it does not necessarily mean they can exorcise evil.
In the Path of Divine Perception, one is "calculating", while the other is "killing."
There is a vast difference between the two.
Moreover, the divine perception required to kill ghosts, evil spirits, and malevolent entities each has its own distinct methods.
The Path of Divine Perception is extremely complex and fraught with danger.
Therefore, these Cave Void Ancestors are very cautious and dare not act rashly.
Of course, this does not mean they will do nothing. They just need a "professional" to guide them and avoid breaking any taboos.
After a while, a gaunt-faced Cave Void Ancestor suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, where is the Xiao family's ancestor? Why isn't he here?"
At this moment, all the Cave Void Ancestors who have cultivated Heavenly Fate and Causality have gathered at the Sword Observation Tower, waiting for Master Situ, but the Xiao family's ancestor is nowhere to be seen.
The Xiao family's ancestor has also cultivated the art of Heavenly Fate.
More people mean more power, and having one more person to help is always beneficial.
"The Xiao family's ancestor seems to still be in seclusion. His cultivation seems to have encountered some setbacks", an informed ancestor said.
"Cultivation setbacks..."
The gaunt-faced ancestor frowned slightly.
Not far away, Master Xun's pupils also narrowed, sensing something amiss...
...
Inside the great Blood Sacrifice Array of the desolate sky.
In the Flesh and Blood City.
Mr. Tu continued to lead Mo Hua deeper into the city, all the way to a grand and sinister hall made of white bones at the center.
Mr. Tu bowed down.
Mo Hua thought for a moment and decided that, in principle, he should also "follow suit" and kneel to show his "devotion" to the Lord of the Desolate Sky.
Unfortunately, he was too stubborn to kneel, even when he forced himself to do so. So, he simply stood there.
Mr. Tu, being a man of great deeds, did not mind Mo Hua's lack of formalities.
After a moment of devout kneeling, Mr. Tu seemed to receive some form of divine permission and then rose, pushing open the doors of the Bone Hall.
A dull sound echoed.
The creaking of the bones was eerie, mixed with piercing, mournful, and fearful cries.
The Bone Hall doors slowly opened, revealing everything behind them to Mo Hua.
What he saw was a Flesh and Blood Labyrinth, filled with ancient, intricate, and profoundly evil array patterns.
This was an ancient array.
Mr. Tu's expression turned fervent, his eyes filled with a mix of longing, excitement, anticipation, and reverence.
"This is the core of the Desolate Sky Blood Sacrifice Array, the array that transforms flesh and blood into divine essence!"
Mo Hua was taken aback. As he took in the scene, his eyes widened, and his gaze revealed a sense of disbelief.
What shocked him was not the Flesh and Blood Labyrinth or the profound and intricate array.
It was the core of the Desolate Sky Blood Sacrifice Array... He knew it, had studied it, and was even very familiar with it.
This was... the Mystic Sky Array!
Stripped of its flesh and blood, the core of the Desolate Sky Blood Sacrifice Array, used by the Evil God to be reborn, was actually... the Mystic Sky Array!
And the bottleneck in his Heavenly Derivation Technique was also the Mystic Sky Array!
Mo Hua took a sharp breath.
A wave of disbelief washed over him, making his pupils dilate and his face pale with shock.
The Heavenly Derivation Technique, the Mystic Sky Array, and the rebirth of the Evil God...
All these things were interconnected, leaving Mo Hua's thoughts in a state of confusion and a lingering sense of fear.
Mo Hua forced himself to calm down.
There was a reason for everything he was seeing.
And this matter, when traced back to its roots, had a clear path.
From the beginning, the bronze labyrinth in the Bishan Demon Cave was inscribed with part of the Mystic Sky Array's patterns.
In the Dragon King Temple by the Yanshui River, there was a Bone Labyrinth.
Inside the Bone Labyrinth, there were evil arrays, but they were not yet complete, clearly indicating an attempt to construct the Mystic Sky Array that had not yet been realized.
And now, before him, was the Flesh and Blood Labyrinth used for the Evil God's rebirth, the core of the Desolate Sky Blood Sacrifice Array, which was, of course, a completed "Mystic Sky Array."
The Mystic Sky Array is related to the "transformation" of divine perception.
The Evil God needs the Mystic Sky Array to be reborn!
So, the Desolate Sky Blood Sacrifice Array is, in essence, a corrupted variant of the Mystic Sky Array.
"I should have realized it sooner..."
Mo Hua was shaken, his pupils unfocused.
His "shocked and dazed" appearance pleased Mr. Tu, who saw it as a sign of true talent.
Only a genius could recognize the extraordinary nature of this ancient array that transforms flesh and blood into divine essence.
Only a true genius would be captivated by the profound and intricate, yet dangerous and cruel, array, feeling a deep sense of awe.
Ordinary mortals cannot see the true essence of the Blood Sacrifice Array.
Mr. Tu, as an evil god's servant, was completely unaware of what Mo Hua was truly "shocked" about.
After a long while, Mo Hua managed to suppress the myriad emotions in his heart, and his expression calmed slightly.
Mr. Tu nodded slightly and asked Mo Hua:
"How is this array?"
Mo Hua's mouth opened slightly, and he almost gasped:
"Too... profound, too difficult... such a powerful array, I... have never seen it before..."
Mr. Tu nodded and stared directly into Mo Hua's eyes, "Do you... want to learn it?"
Mo Hua's eyes trembled, "You... really intend to teach me?"
Mr. Tu said, "Though I am an evil being, I keep my word. Since I promised you, I won't go back on it."
Mo Hua's expression was conflicted.
"Do you have any concerns?" Mr. Tu asked.
Mo Hua hesitated, "This is the core of the Vast Heaven Blood Sacrifice Array, using blood as ink and flesh as the medium, a flesh and blood array. If I learn it, won't I... truly become an evil array master?"
Mr. Tu's expression turned disappointed, "Have you forgotten what I told you? Being fixated on the concepts of good and evil and being blinded by appearances, how can you grasp the true essence of array arts? Is your vision so limited?"
Mo Hua's face showed remorse, and he struggled internally, but he remained indecisive.
Mr. Tu sighed, "Forget it, let's take it one step at a time."
He didn't force Mo Hua and spoke in a gentler tone:
"Since you have a fixation on good and evil, I won't force you. I'll teach you the original ancient array patterns, which do not involve evil forces or human flesh and blood."
Mo Hua's expression changed, and he sincerely thanked Mr. Tu, "Thank you, Mr. Tu."
"Don't thank me, but I must warn you", Mr. Tu looked at Mo Hua with a deep gaze, "The original ancient array patterns are complex and obscure. Without external assistance, you won't even understand them, let alone learn or draw them."
"In that case, even if I teach you, it won't be meaningful if you can't learn or draw them. You should be clear about this."
Mo Hua nodded and said earnestly, "I understand. If I can't learn it, it's my own fault. Regardless, I will always remember your kindness."
Mr. Tu grunted in acknowledgment and led Mo Hua to a corner of the Flesh and Blood Labyrinth. He handed him an ancient scroll with several strange arrays.
"Array comprehension starts from the simple to the complex. Begin with the basics..." Mr. Tu said.
"Understood."
Mo Hua nodded, took the scroll, and examined it closely. He realized that these arrays were indeed similar in style and structure to the Mystic Sky Array he encountered while breaking through the Heavenly Derivation Technique, which eased his mind.
However, his face still showed deep concentration, as if the arrays before him were completely new and extremely difficult.
Mr. Tu looked at Mo Hua and said sternly:
"Study these arrays on your own, but you cannot take them away. You can only learn them here in the Flesh and Blood Labyrinth..."
"If you learn them, I'll teach you the next ones. How much you learn depends on your own destiny."
Mo Hua's expression was tense, as if he feared missing this rare opportunity. He said solemnly:
"I will do my best."
Mr. Tu nodded in approval and then warned him seriously:
"The Flesh and Blood Labyrinth is a sacred ground of the divine master, extremely dangerous. I will confine you here, so remember not to wander around or be curious. If you anger the divine master, I won't be able to save you."
Mo Hua nodded, "I understand."
Mr. Tu's pale hand waved lightly, and the surrounding array patterns glowed. The flesh and blood moved to form a small "flesh and blood prison" around Mo Hua, confining him.
After doing this, Mr. Tu left, seemingly busy with other matters.
Mo Hua sat obediently in the flesh and blood prison, studying the ancient scroll and pondering the arrays on it.
After a while, he took out paper and a brush, laid them on the ground, and began to draw.
The first attempt was wrong.
Mo Hua frowned and started the second attempt, then the third...
The more he drew, the more mistakes he made, and Mo Hua felt increasingly frustrated, his frown deepening.
But he continued to draw, over and over, in a tedious manner...
Until the chill in his divine perception dissipated, and Mr. Tu's divine perception completely left, Mo Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he didn't let his guard down and continued to pretend to draw, making six or seven more attempts, each one wrong. He confirmed that there were no abnormalities around and no evil divine perception watching him before he finally put down his brush, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
The Mystic Sky Array, etched in his mind, he could grasp with just a few glances, so why would he need to practice so many times...
Although the Mystic Sky Array he had integrated into his mind after breaking through the Zhu Ji was of the first quality.
Mr. Tu gave him a second-quality array.
But since they were of the same origin, it would be much easier to learn.
Mo Hua looked around, and all he saw was the revolting flesh and blood and the blood-red array patterns.
"The Vast Heaven Blood Sacrifice Array, the Mystic Sky Array, the Flesh and Blood Labyrinth..."
There were many deeper secrets within, and Mo Hua couldn't figure them out.
Especially regarding the Heavenly Derivation Technique his master had given him and the origin of the Mystic Sky Array related to the evil god...
But time was pressing, and he had no time to think about these things now.
Mo Hua glanced at the blood-soaked, grotesque Flesh and Blood Labyrinth.
Based on his years of experience in Qianxue Province, dealing with evil gods multiple times, Mo Hua was almost "an expert" when it came to evil gods.
He instantly knew that within this Flesh and Blood Labyrinth, there must be an altar, and near the altar, there must be a statue of the god. On the altar, there would be a sacrifice.
That sacrifice was Yu'er.
And that statue was most likely the Horned Bone Evil God Statue mentioned by the Second Elder, which Mr. Tu had enshrined.
In other words, the person he wanted to save and the things he wanted were not far away...
Mo Hua's expression turned thoughtful, and a sharp golden light flickered in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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