Chapter 1067: Ambition
Chapter 1067: Ambition
Drawing the Blood Sacrifice Array to summon the Evil Deity was a request that no respectable array master would ever agree to.
Mo Hua thought about putting on a show of reluctance, but upon seeing Mr. Tu's cold, cruel, and clearly impatient eyes, he stopped hesitating and nodded obediently.
Mr. Tu waved his sleeve, and blood-red array patterns appeared, unlocking the Flesh Prison. "Follow me", he said, leading the way.
Mo Hua followed closely behind, matching Mr. Tu's pace.
The two ventured deeper into the Flesh Labyrinth. The walls were grotesque and lined with white bones, the atmosphere oppressive and stifling.
Despite being familiar with the labyrinth, Mo Hua still acted as if he were a stranger, showing signs of nervousness and fear.
At the same time, he silently memorized Mr. Tu's route.
Mr. Tu was preoccupied, and it didn't occur to him that Mo Hua had already explored every corner of this secret and formidable labyrinth.
After what seemed like a long time, the atmosphere changed, and the surroundings became unfamiliar. The blood mist grew thicker, and the sense of oppression intensified.
Mo Hua could even feel a strange heartbeat, somewhere between life and death, resonating with his own pulse, causing his blood to stagnate and his chest to feel tight.
After another fifteen minutes, they reached a Bone Gate.
Stepping through the gate, a powerful aura of the Evil Deity hit them.
A grand structure of the Blood Sacrifice Array stood before Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's pupils dilated, and he held his breath.
After all the twists and turns, he had finally reached the deepest part of the Flesh Labyrinth with Mr. Tu.
He finally saw the Array Eye and the core of the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array.
His earlier premonition was correct.
There was indeed a heartbeat.
The core of the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array, the Array Eye, was a massive "heart" submerged in a blood-soaked earth vein, resembling a mountain.
The blood from the earth vein flowed into the heart, infusing it with life.
As the Blood Sacrifice Array operated, the array patterns condensed evil energy, which, through the heart acting as the Array Eye, merged with the blood. The heart's pulsations then pushed the blood back into the earth vein, turning it into a polluted river of blood.
The massive heart served as the Array Eye, blending the blood and evil energy into one.
The blood and evil energy then contaminated the earth vein, transforming the vast, endless earth vein into the blood vessels of the Blood Sacrifice Heart.
The evil energy flowed through these vessels, gradually spreading and polluting the entire land of Qianxue.
"This is the Array Eye of the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array..."
Mo Hua was momentarily stunned. He then looked up at the massive skeleton above the heart, which seemed to block out the sky, towering over the earth vein. The skeleton was covered in intricate Blood Sacrifice Array patterns, an awe-inspiring sight.
This was the central hub of the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array.
The heart served as the Array Eye, and the spine as the central hub.
The heart and the skeleton resonated with each other, their auras intertwined, as if they belonged to an ancient, colossal beast.
"Mr. Tu must have killed a massive beast, extracted its heart to serve as the Array Eye, and refined its bones to serve as the central hub, constructing the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array this way?"
Mo Hua's thoughts raced, and he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Was this really a beast?
Could a beast be this large?
If not a beast, then what could it be?
Mo Hua couldn't resist asking Mr. Tu, "Mr. Tu, what is this...?"
Mr. Tu instinctively wanted to answer but then hesitated and held back.
"I can't answer this brat's question..."
Mr. Tu thought to himself and remained silent.
Mo Hua felt a bit disappointed. He turned to look at the endless river of blood, the crimson heart, and the grand skeleton above it, still feeling a profound sense of awe that wouldn't subside.
This was an array structure he had never seen before, something that even his knowledge of array patterns couldn't fathom.
Array patterns were profound and vast.
Their intricacies were subtle and meaningful, while their grandeur was awe-inspiring.
He had seen grander arrays before.
The Fifth Rank Lundao Grand Array on Lundao Mountain was even more spectacular.
But using such a massive heart as the Array Eye and such massive bones as the array medium to construct the central hub, blending them into a colossal entity, was not only a brilliant concept but also a reality that was truly presented before him.
Mo Hua sighed softly, his chest filled with a sense of disbelief, and he genuinely marveled at the vastness of the cultivation world and the boundless possibilities of array patterns.
Mr. Tu handed Mo Hua a piece of unknown material, a parchment with a grand and primitive-looking array diagram.
"I've taught you the Blood Sacrifice Array."
"Next, you must draw the array diagram on this... skeleton... exactly as I taught you."
Mo Hua glanced at the array diagram.
Many third-rank array patterns had been crossed out and replaced with second-rank patterns. Clearly, Mr. Tu had modified it for him, to ensure he could complete the construction of the Blood Sacrifice Array.
Although downgrading the patterns would reduce the array's power, Mr. Tu was constrained by other matters and couldn't afford to be too picky.
"Alright."
Mo Hua nodded, preparing to start drawing the array patterns, but Mr. Tu stopped him.
Mr. Tu said, "That's not how you draw it."
Mo Hua was confused.
Mr. Tu seemed reluctant to teach Mo Hua, but given the situation, he had no choice. After some hesitation, he slowly explained:
"Can you draw arrays on the ground?"
Mo Hua's expression tightened, but remembering that he had used this technique in public at the Viewing Sword Conference, he had nothing to hide and nodded.
"Yes."
"Since you can draw arrays on the ground, you should understand this..." Mr. Tu continued slowly:
"Ordinary array mediums are versatile, making it easy to draw array patterns on them."
"But for some secret array patterns, specific array mediums are required. It's not so simple to inscribe array patterns on these specialized mediums."
Mo Hua nodded slightly.
Drawing arrays on the ground, using the "ground" as a medium, required communicating with the essence of the earth, which wasn't easy to master.
Mr. Tu looked up at the massive skeleton before them and continued:
"The Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array is the same. Without the specialized witchcraft techniques, your array patterns won't adhere to the ancient beast's skeleton."
"In the Great Wasteland's tradition, the ancient beast's skeleton is not just a simple 'array medium.' It is also a part of the array, merging with the Array Eye, the central hub, and the overall array patterns into one."
"If you view it merely as a simple 'medium' or treat it as a 'dead object,' then the array patterns you draw will be useless and will not unleash the power of the Blood Sacrifice Array."
Mo Hua frowned and asked, "Then how should I draw it?"
Mr. Tu was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "This is what I will teach you next—the Great Wasteland Bone Engraving Technique."
"Great Wasteland Bone Engraving?" Mo Hua was taken aback.
"This is a technique from the Great Wasteland shamans, where array patterns are engraved on bones, merging the array with the bone into one."
Mr. Tu looked at Mo Hua and said coldly, "I won't go into unnecessary details, nor do you need to ask. Just learn the method and draw the array properly."
Learning something new was good, so Mo Hua didn't ask any more questions and simply nodded.
Mr. Tu stepped forward, following the spine of the ancient beast, and climbed onto its massive skeleton. As he walked, he explained:
"The Great Wasteland Bone Engraving Technique doesn't use an array pen but a knife pen. Using the sharp edge of the knife, you engrave the array patterns on the bones, merging them with the skeleton. The ink and medium become one, the patterns and bones inseparable."
"When engraving, you must use the blood of the ancient beast to engrave its bones, sense the soul of the ancient beast, and use your divine consciousness as a medium. The three must be integrated to form the array."
"Additionally, there are many taboos..."
...
As Mr. Tu walked, he taught Mo Hua the Great Wasteland Bone Engraving Technique in detail. Then, he handed Mo Hua an old knife pen and a bottle of crimson blood ink, pointing to a blank area of bone and saying:
"Try it."
Mo Hua understood Mr. Tu's intention and, following his instructions, sensed the beast's soul, controlled the knife pen with his divine consciousness, and fused the demon blood, drawing the first stroke.
A crimson array pattern was engraved on the skeleton.
A gust of cold wind blew, and the blood merged with the bone, becoming one.
Mr. Tu turned to look at Mo Hua, his face serious, his pupils narrowing to pinpricks, filled with disbelief.
Mo Hua looked up at Mr. Tu and asked, "Is this correct?"
Mr. Tu slowly nodded, "Yes."
Suppressing his various emotions, he added, "Draw as I instructed, and the faster you draw, the better."
Mo Hua nodded, "Alright."
He started at the spot Mr. Tu had indicated, using the knife pen, dotting the demon blood, and sensing the beast's soul. He drew stroke after stroke, slowly at first, carefully, each stroke carefully considered. Though slow, it was steady and without error.
The second stroke was still slow but a bit faster than the first.
The third stroke was even faster.
Then the fourth...
Each stroke was faster than the last, and the more he drew, the more skilled he became.
After just a few dozen strokes, he had transformed from a novice to a master, his attitude calm and composed, his strokes effortless.
Mr. Tu took a deep breath, his heart trembling.
Few people knew the Great Wasteland Bone Engraving Technique.
The core of the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array was known only to him.
But now, this young man, who had just learned and just started drawing, had visibly grown to this level...
"Whatever I teach him, he can learn."
"Whatever he learns, he can use immediately..."
"Such talent, what exactly is this... thing..."
Mr. Tu gave Mo Hua a long, deep look, a flash of jealousy and worry crossing his face before it turned to calm.
Beneath the calm, there was a hidden intent to kill.
Mo Hua, seemingly unaware, was engrossed in the new array technique, fully immersed in the novel method, oblivious to his surroundings.
Mr. Tu's figure dissolved into a blood mist, gradually fading away until he disappeared.
Mo Hua squatted on the ancient beast's skeleton, diligently drawing the Blood Sacrifice Array, his strokes becoming faster and more skilled...
With Mo Hua's help, Mr. Tu could finally free his hands to deal with the Dao Court's Mystic Heaven Big Dipper Seven Star Array.
Similarly, with Mo Hua's assistance, the core progress of the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array finally began to advance again...
...
Qianxue State Boundary.
Viewing Sword Tower.
Real Person Situ, who was using the Mystic Heaven Big Dipper Seven Star Array to observe the entire situation, said with a serious expression:
"Indeed, someone is helping that 'Mr. Tu' draw the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array."
Cave Void Elder frowned and said, "Since it's a grand array, it can't be drawn by one person alone. What's so strange about that?"
Real Person Situ shook his head and sighed, "This is different..."
"The Blood Sacrifice Grand Array is a ritual array, involving the Way of Divine Consciousness, which is different from ordinary arrays."
"The outer evil arrays can be drawn by evil array masters to fill the array's volume."
"But the core Array Eye and the array pivot can only be controlled by one person."
"Just as a sacrificial ceremony can only have one 'High Priest,' this Blood Sacrifice Grand Array can only be controlled by one person, who holds the deepest secrets."
"The creation of the Array Eye, the flow of the pivot, and the structure of the array must not be known by outsiders."
"And the only person who knows the construction method of the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array is the 'Mr. Tu' that all demons refer to."
"This Mr. Tu, who I had locked down with heavenly fate and suppressed with the power of the Seven Star Array, is too busy to draw the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array."
"But now... another person has appeared, helping Mr. Tu draw this 'blasphemous' Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Array."
Real Person Situ's face was solemn, his tone heavy, "The essence of blood sacrifice is not something just anyone can learn."
"It involves ancient array techniques, Great Wasteland witchcraft, blood sacrifice rituals, and divine path taboos. Anyone who can learn these secrets must have exceptional divine perception, outstanding talent, and a mind like a demon, making them a top-tier demonic 'evil seed.' If left unchecked, they could become a great demon who confounds the Tao."
"This person is a major 'threat.'"
"More strangely..."
Real Person Situ frowned, "I tried to use the Mystic Heaven Big Dipper Seven Star Array to communicate with the celestial powers and directly eliminate this 'accomplice,' but I couldn't... lock onto their heavenly fate..."
"Either this person has a great karmic cause, or they possess a supreme treasure that can avoid karmic retribution."
"I came a long way and didn't know the recent situation in Qianxue State Boundary. I didn't expect Mr. Tu to have such a person by his side..."
Real Person Situ looked at the group of Cave Void Elders and asked:
"Do any of you know who this person is?"
The hall fell silent, a pin could be heard dropping.
Many of the Cave Void Elders had their suspicions, but it wasn't appropriate to voice them. Everyone just silently looked at Xun Laoshi.
Xun Laoshi kept his eyes closed, feigning a calm and composed demeanor.
“Let’s discuss this later…” said a venerated elder from Lundao Mountain, whose demeanor exuded an aura of profound wisdom and righteousness.
“The pressing issue is to find a way to contain the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array and prevent the massacre in Qianxue Prefecture.”
He raised his gaze to the blood-red sky, sighed, and said gravely, “We… have all underestimated these beasts.”
“The ambition behind this Blood Sacrifice Grand Array is far greater than we imagined…”
As these words were spoken, the faces of the gathered elders grew solemn.
When the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array was first activated, they found it challenging but not overly urgent.
After all, it was merely a quasi-third-rank grand array. To think that such an array could shake the foundations of the fifth-rank Qianxue Prefecture seemed like a pipe dream.
Moreover, many of these elders, who had cultivated for years, had minds as cold as ice and were indifferent to the so-called “blood sacrifice.”
A blood sacrifice was just a matter of more deaths. And those who died were mostly wandering cultivators and lower-ranking cultivators around the Qianxue Prefecture.
As long as their own clans and sect disciples remained unharmed, they were not too concerned.
They had only invested significant effort to maintain the Qianxue Prefecture’s reputation and to give an account to the Dao Court.
However, as the situation evolved and the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array spread, some of the elders who had studied the Heavenly Secrets and array formations realized that this Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array was far more complex than they had anticipated. Mr. Tu’s ambitions were much greater than they had imagined…
Not to mention, it involved the resurrection of “Evil Deities,” which were previously only mentioned in ancient cultivation texts.
Most of the elders were skeptical about this, but Real Person Situ, the grand elder of the Mystic Secrets Valley, was filled with an unhidden fear.
Situ took a deep breath, his heart trembling, and said to everyone, “Evil Deities are the true great terrors within the Heavenly Secrets and causalities.”
“The Wasteland Blood Sacrifice might not truly summon this great terror into the world, but we cannot afford to be complacent.”
“The Blood Sacrifice Grand Array must be contained and destroyed at all costs.”
“We cannot allow this Blood Sacrifice Grand Array to be fully completed, giving even the slightest chance for an Evil Deity to be born.”
“I will try to use the Mystic Heaven Big Dipper Seven Star Array to lock onto Mr. Tu through the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array. Once his divine perception leaks and reveals his location, the seven stars will descend and eliminate him. Even if we cannot kill him, we will severely wound him.”
“However, the Seven Star Array is profound and cannot be controlled by one person alone. I ask for your assistance.”
The gathered elders nodded in agreement, “Of course.”
In the crowd, Xun Laoshi opened his eyes and also looked toward the blood-red sky, furrowing his brow.
He was indeed worried about the Evil Deities.
The great calamity befalling Qianxue Prefecture and the future of the Void Gate also troubled him.
But what he was most concerned about was Mo Hua.
Not just concern, but also a bit of fear.
“What has this child become, now that he is among the demons? What is he doing?”
Xun Laoshi’s frown deepened.
...
In the deepest part of the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array, within the Flesh Labyrinth.
Mo Hua was still Mo Hua, still working for Mr. Tu.
Previously, his “work” involved drawing basic array patterns, essentially doing odd jobs.
But now, he was different. He was using the Great Wasteland Bone Engraving Technique to draw the core array nodes of the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array for Mr. Tu.
He had taken on a significant portion of Mr. Tu’s work.
If this continued, it wouldn’t be long before he could replace Mr. Tu and resurrect the Wasteland Evil Deity himself.
Of course, that would require his cultivation to keep up.
Regardless of the turmoil and bloodshed outside, Mo Hua’s focus remained solely on the array formations.
He diligently and meticulously continued to draw the Blood Sacrifice Array for Mr. Tu.
His current position was above the Array Eye, at the central hub.
The entire Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array was beneath his feet.
His view was incredibly broad, allowing him to see the entire layout of the grand array.
Everything Mr. Tu wanted him to learn, Mo Hua had learned.
Even what Mr. Tu didn’t want Mo Hua to learn, he had mastered every bit.
As a “worker,” it was natural to have the heart to “steal” knowledge.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to improve and eventually take control.
Even Mr. Tu himself didn’t know what Mo Hua had secretly learned.
As Mo Hua delved deeper, drew more, and observed more, his understanding of the entire Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array became clearer in his mind.
What he couldn’t comprehend at Yanluo Mountain, where he only saw a small part, now became clear.
While engraving the ancient beast’s skeleton, Mo Hua suddenly paused, his pupils constricting, and he drew a sharp breath.
He understood.
He understood what Mr. Tu was truly planning.
Why Mr. Tu dared to activate the Wasteland Blood Sacrifice Grand Array under the watchful eyes of so many elders in Qianxue Prefecture, in front of the major clans, sects, and the fifth-rank Dao Court.
Mo Hua furrowed his brow, reconstructing the complete array nodes in his mind.
Using these nodes as points, he connected them to the various state boundaries in the Qianxue Prefecture.
“Luanshan City, Yanshui City, the Yanshui Riverbank, Bishan City, north of Gushan City, and Yishan City south of Qingzhou City…”
“All these second and third-rank cities have altars. These altars are nodes, connected by underground blood veins, forming a complete enclosure that completely seals off the fifth-rank Qianxue Prefecture.”
“A quasi-third-rank grand array cannot threaten a fifth-rank state boundary.”
“So, by building the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array using the ‘parallel’ array nodes of the second and third-rank state boundaries, and leveraging the restrictions of the Tao Law and the power of the Evil Deity, the fifth-rank state boundary is completely sealed. Then, it can be gradually polluted and eroded…”
“Ultimately, completely consuming the fifth-rank state boundary!”
Using a lower rank to overcome a higher rank, and a lower realm to kill a higher realm.
Mo Hua’s heart trembled.
This grand array concept, which he had never seen or imagined before, was now deeply etched in his mind.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
