Chapter 546: Entrusted
Chapter 546: Entrusted
The black-robed old man with white hair and a youthful face was none other than the Demon Path's old ancestor, Xuanshi, a master at the Yu Hua Realm.
Standing behind him were several Demon Cultivators at the Golden Core stage:
A strikingly beautiful young man with a deathly pale face, as if wearing a meticulously carved, flawless mask of death.
An elderly Sword Slave with an expressionless face and only the whites of his eyes visible, carrying a sword box on his back.
A burly Demon Cultivator with sharp fingertips and bloodshot eyes.
These three were the same Demon Cultivators who had appeared outside Nan Yue City.
The only one missing was the decrepit and babbling old woman.
"This Mr. Zhuang really has some skills," the pale-faced young man sneered.
The burly Demon Cultivator scoffed, "If you don't understand formations, don't speak nonsense. What do you mean by 'he has some skills'? Even your entire Blood Refining Sect wouldn't have anyone capable of comprehending this formation."
The pale-faced young man was slightly angry, but the sword box elder said, "Be careful with your words. Mr. Zhuang is not someone we can criticize."
The young man was displeased but didn't say anything further.
Under the Refining Soul Blood Banner, a sea of blood raged in the sky.
The Five Elements Mountain Guarding Formation shone with flowing light, its spiritual power surging as it resisted the murderous intent and overwhelming demonic energy, holding its ground.
The sword box elder licked his lips, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, and said to Xuanshi, "Honored one, the Demon Sword needs to kill more living beings and absorb their blood before it can break this formation."
Xuanshi's eyes darkened as he pondered for a moment, then suddenly shook his head and said, "There's no rush. Even if we break the formation, we can't do anything to him right now. It's enough to trap him here."
Then, he smiled sinisterly and said, "I've been plotting this for hundreds of years, using the Blood Slaughter Formation to alter the Five Elements Mountain Guarding Formation, but I didn't expect him to break it so easily..."
"As expected of Mr. Zhuang, who possesses the talent of a half-step to heaven..."
"However, his schemes end here."
"This place has been locked down by the Underworld Heaven's Secret Lock, sealing off the secrets of heaven. In the short term, the Great Court monks will not be able to discover this..."
"In three days, when the Refining Soul Banner's sea of blood is overwhelming, completely sealing off Liyan City, and the Demon Sword hangs in the sky, devouring flesh and blood, all of Liyan City will turn into a hell, and not a single living being will be able to escape."
"The Underworld Heaven's Secret Lock, the Refining Soul Banner, and the Chaos Demon Sword—these three sacred treasures of the Demon Path are enough to trap any cultivator to their death."
"Even Mr. Zhuang will be no exception!"
"Moreover, times have changed. He is no longer the same Mr. Zhuang who once looked down on the world..."
The three of them—the sword box elder, the burly Demon Cultivator, and the pale-faced young man—bowed and agreed, "Your wisdom is profound, Honored One."
Xuanshi closed his eyes to rest, seemingly calculating something.
The three did not dare to disturb him, so they bowed and retreated.
As they moved to the side, the burly Demon Cultivator's eyes lit up with excitement, and he asked the sword box elder in a low voice, "Do you think we'll be able to capture that person this time?"
The sword box elder said in a deep voice, "We are only following orders. Whether we succeed or fail is not something we need to concern ourselves with."
The burly Demon Cultivator huffed in disappointment and humphed, "Putting on a show. I don't believe you're not tempted when the opportunity to become immortal is right before your eyes."
The sword box elder's eyes twitched, "This kind of opportunity... is it something you and I dare to covet?"
He lowered his voice further and said, "Our mission this time is just to be chess pieces under the orders of the Demon Sect's Underworld Ancestor..."
"I'll take the opportunity to kill some people and feed the Demon Sword. You just be honest, follow orders, and establish some merit. In the future, you might advance further from your position as the Myriad Demon Elder..."
"That's the most realistic thing to do."
"'Immortality' is something the Underworld Ancestor will consider. How could we, at our level, even dare to fantasize about it?"
"Above the word 'immortal' is a lifespan equal to that of heaven and earth. Below it is an abyss a thousand zhang deep!"
"One wrong step, and you and I will die without a place for our bodies to rest..."
The burly Demon Cultivator waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, I get it."
But in his heart, he scoffed, "The opportunity to become immortal is right before my eyes, and I don't believe you're not tempted..."
A gleam flashed in the burly man's eyes.
The pale-faced young man beside him also licked his lips, his ambition burning fiercely.
Even the sword box elder, with his solemn expression, had a fluctuating heart beneath his calm exterior...
Immortality...
Each of the three had their own thoughts, and the atmosphere became momentarily quiet.
After a while, the burly Demon Cultivator suddenly asked in confusion, "Where's that old woman? Why isn't she here?"
The sword box elder was taken aback, then frowned and said, "She's probably refining a corpse."
The burly Demon Cultivator asked curiously, "Refining a corpse? Could that be more important than what we're doing now?"
"You don't understand. You don't know what kind of corpse she's refining..."
The sword box elder's eyes narrowed, "Given time, if that corpse is successfully refined, it will truly be... no small matter..."
"It's just a stiff corpse..." The burly man shook his head.
The pale-faced young man also showed disdain.
...
Inside the Five Elements Sect, beneath the Mountain Guarding Formation.
The Great Elder saw Mr. Zhuang and hesitated, his expression conflicted. After a long while, he finally bent down and cupped his hands, saying, "The Five Elements Sect thanks you, Mr. Xie, for saving our lives!"
He was very reluctant in his heart.
The disaster that befell the Five Elements Sect was due to their connection with Mr. Zhuang.
But ultimately, the root cause was Liao Tian De, the traitor and former sect leader of the Five Elements Sect.
Liao Tian De had colluded with the Demon Sect, altered the formation, and plotted against Mr. Zhuang. From this perspective, the Five Elements Sect was also to blame.
The Five Elements Blood Slaughter Formation was a second-rate evil formation that could refine the flesh and blood of all cultivators within the formation.
Even he, a Golden Core cultivator, couldn't resist it, let alone the other disciples of the Five Elements Sect.
If not for Mr. Zhuang, the Five Elements Sect would have been wiped out today.
All the disciples would have perished, becoming nourishment for the evil formation, dying beneath this very formation that their ancestors had left behind to protect their descendants.
Therefore, although the Great Elder was reluctant, he still had to bow his head and thank Mr. Zhuang.
There was another reason for his gratitude: he wanted to preserve the foundation of the Five Elements Sect.
Outside the Five Elements Sect.
The Refining Soul Blood Banner blocked the sky, and a sea of blood raged.
The Demon Sword hung high, its killing intent raging.
Moreover, there was also a Yu Hua realm Demon Ancestor, Xuanshi.
It was a desperate situation!
The Great Elder felt despair in his heart.
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't find a way out, so he could only pin his hopes on the profound and unfathomable Mr. Zhuang.
The Five Elements Blood Slaughter Formation was a second-rate evil formation capable of refining the flesh and blood of all cultivators within its range. Even a Golden Core cultivator like him couldn't resist it, let alone the other disciples. If not for Mr. Zhuang, the Five Elements Sect would have been wiped out.
All the disciples would have perished, becoming nourishment for the evil formation and dying beneath the very array their ancestors had left behind to protect their descendants. Thus, despite his reluctance, the Great Elder had to express his gratitude.
There was another reason for his gratitude: he wanted to preserve the foundation of the Five Elements Sect.
Outside, the Refining Soul Blood Banner blocked the sky, and a sea of blood raged. The Demon Sword hung high, its killing intent palpable. With a Yu Hua realm Demon Ancestor, Xuanshi, leading the demons, the situation was dire.
The Great Elder felt despair in his heart. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't find a way out. So, he turned to Mr. Zhuang, hoping for a solution. "Mr. Zhuang, I hope you can show us a way to survive. Please help the disciples of the Five Elements Sect."
Mr. Zhuang seemed to see through the Great Elder's thoughts and said calmly, "I can save you."
The Great Elder's heart trembled, and his eyes showed a glimmer of hope, but he was also puzzled. "You..."
Mr. Zhuang explained, "My disciple has learned your sect's legacy, and I consider it a favor. Cause and effect are interconnected. By saving you and giving you a way to survive, I am repaying this debt and also fulfilling a promise to the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect."
The Great Elder was overjoyed, but his heart was heavy with unspoken concerns.
Mr. Zhuang remained expressionless and did not speak.
The Great Elder hesitated, unable to let go of his worries. Finally, he asked the question that had been lingering in his mind: "Mr. Zhuang... What exactly did your disciple inherit from our Five Elements Sect?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
The Great Elder frowned and said cautiously, "The Five Elements Spirit Array... I fear it doesn't stop there..."
"Knowing this, what can you do?" Mr. Zhuang asked.
The Great Elder was taken aback.
Mr. Zhuang shook his head. "The Five Elements Supreme Array is beyond your capabilities. What good will it do you to obtain other legacies?"
These words struck the Great Elder deeply, and he had no rebuttal.
For many years, the younger disciples had been complacent and lacked ambition. No one had been able to master the Five Elements Supreme Array for a long time. They had neglected their heritage, and it was their own fault.
The Great Elder sighed deeply.
Mr. Zhuang's eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued, "In the future, if my disciple achieves mastery in the art of arrays, he can pass on this legacy to your Five Elements Sect!"
The Great Elder was shocked. "Are you serious, Mr. Zhuang?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded. "But there's one thing you must promise me."
The Great Elder frowned, knowing that there was a catch. "Please tell me, Mr. Zhuang."
Mr. Zhuang said in a deep voice, "Don't tell anyone about my other disciples, especially... my youngest disciple."
"Don't mention anything about the Five Elements Sect, its legacy, or the fact that he has been here and you have met him..."
The Great Elder was taken aback. "This..."
Mr. Zhuang's gaze deepened, and his expression turned solemn.
The Great Elder's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly realized that this seemingly insignificant matter might be very important. "Alright!"
The Great Elder nodded solemnly.
Mr. Zhuang looked at him with clear eyes and nodded slightly. Then, he instructed, "The Refining Soul Banner will be fully refined in two days, and by then, a sea of blood will engulf all of Liyan City, sealing it completely."
Mr. Zhuang unfolded a map of Liyan City and drew a line with his finger. "Tomorrow at noon, all the elders and disciples of the Five Elements Sect will leave the city from the southwestern corner and follow this path. Do not return."
The Great Elder was surprised. "The Demon Sect will not let this go..."
"That's not your concern," Mr. Zhuang assured him.
The Great Elder nodded honestly, but he felt reluctant to leave his sect's base. "What about my legacy and the foundation of the Five Elements Sect?"
Mr. Zhuang's eyes turned cold. "An array exists with its user. When the array is lost, the sect perishes. These broken bricks and tiles are not your legacy. People are the foundation, and the array is the root."
The Great Elder's eyes widened as he understood. "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhuang."
Mr. Zhuang nodded, indicating that he had said all he wanted to say.
The Great Elder bowed deeply to Mr. Zhuang and then took his leave.
Mr. Zhuang called Snow Aunt and his three disciples. "Tomorrow, the Five Elements Sect will leave, and you will go with them. But before you leave, I have something to instruct you."
Mr. Zhuang kept Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi behind and gave them two jade slips. "These are the complete array maps of the Xian Tian Array Stream. Keep them safe and study them well. Don't disappoint this legacy."
"This was also something your mother cared about..."
"She couldn't learn it herself, so she hoped that you would be able to master this supreme array..."
"As for other matters... You have your family and your mother's arrangements, so I don't need to worry about you."
The two brothers received the jade slips and fell silent.
Bai Zisheng lowered his head, feeling ashamed.
After a moment's hesitation, Bai Zixi said in a low voice, "Master, I'm sorry, but Mother..."
Mr. Zhuang smiled gently. "This is a matter of the previous generation, and it has nothing to do with you..."
Mr. Zhuang looked at the two children with warmth in his eyes and said comfortingly, "You both have good natural instincts, and I taught you the Xian Tian Array Stream because I wanted to, not just because of your mother..."
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi's eyes stung with tears, and they respectfully bowed three times to Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang accepted their bows and sighed softly. "Take care of yourselves from now on."
"Also..."
"Take care of your little junior brother..."
"Yes!" Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi nodded solemnly.
Then, the two brothers left reluctantly.
Mr. Zhuang called Mo Hua in separately.
"Master..." Mo Hua's eyes were moist.
Mr. Zhuang smiled gently and beckoned for Mo Hua to come closer. He handed Mo Hua a ring.
The ring was simple yet ancient and majestic. "Your senior brother and sister have their families and backgrounds, and their mother is also an extraordinary cultivator. They lack nothing, so I'm being partial by giving this to you..."
"This is a storage ring."
"It's similar to a storage bag, but it's more concealed."
"Although you're from a loose cultivator background and may not have many treasures, you do have a lot of secret items, especially the jade slip of the Tian Yan Manual and the Five Elements Array Map..."
"Keep them safe and don't lose them."
Mr. Zhuang carefully put the storage ring on Mo Hua's hand.
The ring seemed to come alive, greedily drinking in Mo Hua's blood.
The wound was painful, but Mo Hua bit her lip and endured it without making a sound.
After a while, the pain subsided, and when Mo Hua looked down at her thumb, the ring seemed to have disappeared, yet she felt a subtle connection through her spiritual sense.
It was as if the ring still existed on her thumb, invisible to everyone but herself.
"Since the ring hasn't rejected you, I'm completely relieved now." Mr. Zhuang examined Mo Hua and gently asked, "Have you memorized everything I taught you?"
"Mhm." Mo Hua nodded.
Mr. Zhuang then proceeded to ask her about each topic, from spiritual sense calculations to various array principles, from reverse spirit arrays to thick earth arrays, and from the Five Elements Spirit Array to the crucial structure of grand arrays...
He patiently and gently repeated everything, not minding the tediousness.
As Mo Hua listened, her nose tingled, and her eyes became misty.
After Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, he patted Mo Hua's head and asked, "Do you know about Guidaoren?"
Mo Hua was taken aback, then nodded slightly.
"Guidaoren..." Mr. Zhuang continued, "is my senior brother, and also your grandmaster. He has fallen into the path of demons and practices the 'Gui' (demonic)
arts."
"He has a cold heart and extraordinary means; he is extremely proud, but he is also adept at spiritual consciousness techniques, and his control over spiritual sense is unparalleled."
"If you ever encounter him in the future, you must be careful and vigilant."
"Yes, Master," Mo Hua replied with a moist gaze, nodding earnestly.
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, pondered for a moment, and then apologized softly, "As your master, I possess tremendous opportunities and secrets, but I cannot pass them on to you, nor can I tell them to you."
"Passing them on to you would bring you immense calamities."
"Even knowing about them would entangle you in cause and effect."
"Therefore, you must not know anything, and you should not seek to know..."
"The Xiantian Array Stream is a unique lineage that I cannot teach you."
"What I can impart to you are some abstruse and complex spiritual consciousness techniques and the principles of arrays."
"In the future, you must rely on your own abilities to learn array after array and gradually gain insights."
"Even if it's arduous and filled with setbacks, you must forge your own path, form your own array lineage, cultivate supreme spiritual consciousness, and prove your own Dao!"
With a solemn expression, Mo Hua nodded, "I understand, Master..."
Mr. Zhuang nodded back, gazing at Mo Hua as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, he could only sigh deeply.
Mo Hua also hung her head sadly.
After a while, Mr. Zhuang seemed to have made up his mind. He smiled faintly and said to Mo Hua, "You must be tired. Take a rest."
Mo Hua shook her head, wanting to say that she wasn't tired and that she wanted to stay with her master a little longer. But as she opened her mouth, she felt drowsy, realizing that she was indeed exhausted, having not slept for several days and feeling extremely fatigued.
Mo Hua's eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Her breathing was even, and her adorable face, like a painting, showed innocence, but her tiny brows were furrowed as if she were worrying about something.
Mr. Zhuang gazed at Mo Hua affectionately, as if wanting to forever imprint her image in his heart.
He reached out and gently stroked her forehead, smoothing out the frown on her brows, and murmured softly.
It seemed that he could only say these words while Mo Hua was asleep: "The thing I'm most grateful for in this life is taking you as my disciple..."
"It's just a pity that I won't be able to see the day you master the art of arrays..."
"This is the last gift I can give you..."
"You must take good care of yourself and live on..."
...
When Mo Hua woke up, it was still dark, and her master was by her side, but his breath had become noticeably weaker.
"Master..." Mo Hua said worriedly.
Mr. Zhuang offered a gentle smile.
"I... fell asleep too," Mo Hua said guiltily.
Mr. Zhuang shook his head. "Go and get ready. After dawn, leave with your senior brother and sister."
Mo Hua's heart twitched, and she reluctantly asked, "Master, can't you come with us?"
Mr. Zhuang didn't answer but gently rubbed Mo Hua's head and softly said, "Go now..."
Mo Hua could only leave with a heavy heart.
After dawn, Mo Hua left Liyan City with Snow Aunt, her junior brothers and sister, and all the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect.
Before they departed, they went to see Mr. Zhuang again.
However, his door was tightly closed, and it seemed he no longer wanted to meet them.
Mo Hua knocked on the door, but there was no response.
As the time came for them to leave, she could only depart with a heavy heart.
As Mo Hua walked away with the group of cultivators, she kept looking back every few steps, hoping to catch one last glimpse of her master.
But even as they left the Five Elements Sect, she didn't see him.
"I won't be able to see Master again..."
Mo Hua's tears flowed uncontrollably.
And on a high tower within the Five Elements Sect, unseen by anyone, Mr. Zhuang watched as Mo Hua left.
He gazed at her tiny figure, turning back again and again, wiping away his tears as she gradually moved further away until she disappeared among the pavilions and corridors.
His gentle gaze was filled with endless expectation:
"I've entrusted the past of the sect to your senior brother and sister..."
"...but its future, I entrust to you."
(End of Chapter)
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