https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-756-The-Restoration-of-the-Divine-Array/12543506/
Chapter 757: The Truth
Chapter 757: The Truth
A small blood-red stream flowed quietly, meandering into the distance with no end in sight. It was unclear if the fluid flowing within was demon blood or human blood.
The pebbles on the riverbank, soaked in blood year-round, were coated with a layer of dried plasma, emitting an eerie dark crimson hue. Scattered around were also the bones of demon beasts, bearing traces of gnawing as if they had been "chewed" on by someone or something unknown.
Piled up on both banks, these bones formed what looked like a riverbed of white skeletons.
Mo Hua and Xun Ziyou's gazes turned solemn.
The sheer number of demon beast bones indicated an extraordinarily large number of beasts had perished here.
Similarly, it also implied that there might be a substantial number of demon cultivators hiding in this area.
Subsequently, a puzzling question simultaneously emerged in their minds: Where did these demon cultivators come from?
Mo Hua glanced at the frowning Xun Ziyou and asked in a low voice, "Elder Xun, have you seen this land of bones before?"
Xun Ziyou pondered for a moment. Despite his reluctance to admit it, he couldn't help but sigh, "I've been on duty in Lian Yao Mountain for two to three decades, and I've never encountered this scene of a blood stream and white bones before..."
"Nor have I ever seen any demon cultivators," Xun Ziyou added.
Mo Hua pondered for a moment before asking, "Elder Xun, is it really forbidden for outsiders to enter Lian Yao Mountain?"
With a solemn expression, Xun Ziyou replied, "Lian Yao Mountain is surrounded by an array formation that seals off the area. Apart from sect disciples and a few duty-bound elders, no other cultivators can possibly enter Lian Yao Mountain..."
Speaking up to this point, Xun Ziyou suddenly paused, realizing what Mo Hua implied. His eyes narrowed as he said, "You mean... these demon cultivators are all sect disciples?"
Mo Hua corrected, "'Were' sect disciples."
A chill ran down Xun Ziyou's spine, and he felt a sense of foreboding.
If that were the case, the situation might be far more severe than he had imagined.
Demon cultivation went against the principles of the righteous path and was forbidden by the Dao laws and the Dao court.
If, as Mo Hua suggested, a large number of demon cultivators had appeared here, it would imply that an equally large number of disciples had fallen into the path of demons.
This would undoubtedly be the biggest "scandal" in the history of Qian Xue State.
The entire Qian Xue State domain would be shaken to its core.
"We must get to the bottom of this!"
Someone dared to entice, condone, and shelter such a substantial number of disciples, leading them down the path of demon cultivation. Xun Ziyou's eyes turned icy as he thought of this.
He wanted to step into the riverbed of bones to take a closer look, but Mo Hua suddenly held him back.
"We mustn't leave this forest," Mo Hua said.
Xun Ziyou was taken aback.
Mo Hua pointed to the dense forest, "This forest is covered by a divine array formation, obscuring spiritual senses..."
"It's a double-edged sword. While it hides the traces of the demon cultivators, it also conceals our tracks."
"But it's different up ahead. The land of blood and white bones is barren, devoid of vegetation or trees for cover, and there are no array formations either."
"If we go there, we might be seen clearly."
Xun Ziyou furrowed his brows and suggested, "What about using concealment artifacts?"
Mo Hua asked, "Elder Xun, do you have any concealment artifacts?"
"Yes," Xun Ziyou nodded, "I usually don't carry them, but I've been keeping them on me these days."
Mainly to secretly follow you...
Xun Ziyou added silently in his mind.
Mo Hua nodded slightly, then shook his head after some thought. "It's not just a matter of concealment. There are probably also array formations..."
"Array formations?"
"Yes," Mo Hua pointed to the land of white bones, "There's an unusual array formation beneath these bones. Although I don't know what kind it is, it's definitely treacherous. Rushing in would undoubtedly lead to big trouble."
"Concealment probably won't work either..."
These were the discoveries he had just made.
The demon cultivators wouldn't have left the remains of the demon beasts here without reason.
There had to be a purpose behind their actions.
With just a glance, Mo Hua could tell that beneath the white bones, an ominous and bloody aura concealed the presence of an array formation.
It was an evil array, and it didn't seem to be an ordinary one.
"If we go in and cause any disturbance, we'll definitely be noticed. It might be fine if it's just Golden Core demon cultivators, but if there are any in the Feathering realm..."
"There aren't any in the Feathering realm," Xun Ziyou interjected.
Mo Hua was taken aback, "None?"
"None," Xun Ziyou affirmed, "When Lian Yao Mountain was first established, the predecessors who set up the sealing array formations also used array formations to restrict the cultivation levels of outsiders in the vicinity."
"The highest cultivation level allowed near the outer mountains is the Golden Core realm."
Mo Hua's pupils contracted, "A heavenly grand array?"
Xun Ziyou looked puzzled, "What heavenly grand array?"
Mo Hua pointed upwards, "The heavenly tribulation lightning..."
Xun Ziyou understood and shook his head, "There's no grand array in the heavens. You're referring to the restrictions of the heavenly laws, right?"
Only then did Mo Hua recall that his master had mentioned that the heavenly grand array was just a legend, and most cultivators didn't believe in its existence.
But Mo Hua knew that the heavenly grand array was real.
Because he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
"Yes, the heavenly laws," Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
Xun Ziyou shook his head, "That's not the same. In the lower-grade state domains, attempting to use super-grade cultivation levels will result in eradication by the heavenly laws."
"But the power of these heavenly laws cannot be controlled by cultivators."
"The sealing array formation of Lian Yao Mountain couldn't possibly possess such might."
"This sealing array formation is actually an expulsion formation. When a Feathering realm cultivator enters Lian Yao Mountain, it will first trigger a warning."
"If the Feathering realm cultivator doesn't leave within the time it takes an incense stick to burn..."
"...the protective array formations of Lian Yao Mountain will activate the fifth-grade spatial array formation within the grand array, forcibly expelling the Feathering realm cultivator from Lian Yao Mountain."
"Why expel Feathering realm cultivators?" Mo Hua asked, "Is it to prevent them from doing evil?"
"That's right," Xun Ziyou nodded, "Golden Core elders are sufficient to supervise these disciples. If a Feathering realm elder loses control of their mental state and goes berserk or becomes demonically possessed, they could wreak havoc in Lian Yao Mountain.
"This would also be a huge catastrophe for the sects."
"A long time ago, incidents like this happened before, so later on, they decided to cut it off completely, prohibiting cultivators with a cultivation base above Feathering from entering the outer mountains of Refining Demon Mountain."
"I see..."
Mo Hua nodded in realization.
Thus, the strongest among these demon cultivators before them would not exceed the Golden Core realm.
Mo Hua glanced at Elder Xun.
Elder Xun had a late-stage Golden Core cultivation base; with his profound cultivation and apparent battle prowess, he should be able to protect himself.
Mo Hua felt even more confident.
"Elder Xun, let's head back first." Mo Hua suggested.
"Go back?" Elder Xun asked, puzzled.
Mo Hua explained, "We'll come back tonight. Most demonic beasts are dormant during the day and only become active at night."
"Demon cultivators cultivate demonic arts, drink demon blood, and eat demon flesh, treading the path of demons. Generally speaking, they only make big moves at night."
"Moreover, these demon cultivators have been hiding here for so many years without leaving a trace. It's likely that they only venture out at night when there are fewer people in Refining Demon Mountain, raiding the demonic beasts en masse. That's probably why no one has ever discovered them before..."
"So, it's better to come back at night."
"Then why don't we just wait here?" Elder Xun asked.
Mo Hua quietly glanced at Elder Xun and whispered, "We need to go back and check on some things."
"Check what?" Elder Xun was still confused.
Mo Hua pointed to the white bones on the ground, which bore signs of having been "chewed" on, and slowly said, "We need to investigate the origins of these demon cultivators."
Elder Xun's eyes narrowed as he instantly understood.
If these demon cultivators were once disciples of the sect, then there should be records of them in Refining Demon Mountain's archives.
For example, disciples who had gone "missing" in Refining Demon Mountain in recent years...
Or those who had "died"...
They might not have truly gone missing or died within Refining Demon Mountain.
It was highly possible that they had "transformed" into demon cultivators within Refining Demon Mountain, forsaking their original identities and thus being marked as "dead" in the sect's records...
A chill ran down Elder Xun's spine.
This speculation was very reasonable.
He then looked at Mo Hua with a strange gaze.
Was this something that Mo Hua had anticipated beforehand?
He couldn't help but feel that this disciple of his knew more than he did.
It was as if Mo Hua dealt with these demons and monsters on a daily basis...
As Elder Xun was lost in thought, Mo Hua had already started to leave. When he was halfway there, he turned back and saw that Elder Xun was still spacing out. He couldn't help but urge, "Elder Xun, let's go."
Elder Xun snapped out of his daze and nodded, "Okay."
However, as he watched Mo Hua's departing figure, his eyes still held a hint of shock.
Perhaps not only had he misjudged, but even the old ancestor might have made a mistake.
This kid... There was a good chance that he was not just a "formation genius."
He might not even be considered a "disciple"...
...
The two returned to the mountain gate, and Mo Hua said, "Elder Xun, we need to check the records and see which disciples have gone missing or 'died' in Refining Demon Mountain in recent years. It would be best if there are portraits..."
Mo Hua had another hidden speculation in his heart that he wanted to verify.
"Alright."
Elder Xun sighed, somewhat reluctantly.
He suddenly felt that Mo Hua seemed to be the "elder," and he was just a bodyguard running errands for "Elder Mo."
Elder Xun walked towards the scroll pavilion of Refining Demon Mountain.
Mo Hua followed him naturally.
However, after a few steps, Elder Xun stopped him, "You can't go in."
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Elder Xun explained, "Only elders on duty are allowed to enter the scroll pavilion and are qualified to browse through the records of Refining Demon Mountain."
Mo Hua was disappointed.
He really wanted to take a look at the records and see what was written in them.
What a pity.
Mo Hua instructed, "Then please take a good look and remember to check for portraits..."
Elder Xun sighed, "Alright..."
Holding the elder's token, Elder Xun entered the scroll pavilion. After about an hour, he came out and signaled to Mo Hua.
Mo Hua understood.
The two of them entered Refining Demon Mountain again and found a secluded spot behind a large rock where no one was around. They sat down on the ground.
Elder Xun lowered his voice and said, "I secretly brought these out. These are imprint copies with names, places of origin, backgrounds, resumes, and portraits... You can look at them, but I have to burn them afterward."
Mo Hua's heart trembled.
This Elder Xun was truly reliable!
Not only did he know what he wanted, but he had also anticipated his needs and prepared accordingly.
As expected of Elder Xun, the unknown-great-grandson of Elder Xun Lao!
Without further ado, Mo Hua began to flip through the records.
The records listed those who had gone "missing" or "died" within Refining Demon Mountain in the past century:
"Kuang Ping, Duan Jin Gate, a third-rate disciple from the Kuang family, aged 19. Entered Refining Demon Mountain and went missing three days later. A two-month-long search yielded no results, presumed to have been devoured by demonic beasts..."
"Jiang rulong, Gui Shui Gate, a second-rate disciple from the Jiang family, aged 20. Entered the mountain to hunt demons. Due to his lack of experience and panic, he lost control during the hunt, and a demonic beast dragged him into the deep forest. No remains were found..."
"Lan Hui'er, Dan Qing Gate... Entered the mountain with a male disciple from the same sect and both perished..."
"Liao Ying, Wan Zhen Gate..."
...
The list included missing or deceased disciples from not only Duan Jin Gate and Gui Shui Gate but also other sects.
Some of them were likely genuine deaths within Refining Demon Mountain.
However, the same might not be said for the others...
There was a high possibility that some of the deceased disciples on the list were now demon cultivators within Refining Demon Mountain, consuming flesh and blood.
It was a kind of karmic intuition.
As if there had been some intersection between them in the past.
Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered:
The guilty cultivators!
Back then, based on Elder Jiang's list, he had captured many guilty cultivators who carried the legacy of their sects. Logically, they should have had records within their sects.
But when the Path Court investigated, they found nothing.
Mo Hua had been perplexed about it before, but now, seeing this list, he suddenly realized that those living outside as evildoers might have already been "dead" in their sect's records.
That was why the Path Court couldn't find anything.
It would be impossible to verify anything from the sect's side as well!
In other words, not only were there yao cultivators within Lian Yao Mountain, but outside the boundaries of Qian Xue State, there were also evil cultivators who trafficked fellow cultivators and committed heinous acts. Lian Yao Mountain served as a black "rag" to wipe away all traces of these cultivators' past identities as sect disciples, turning them into guilty, yao, or even mo cultivators.
"No wonder..." Mo Hua muttered.
"No wonder those evildoers under the command of the Evil God were so rampant, yet the Path Court found it difficult to investigate them. Because once they traced it back to the sects, they would discover that these cultivators were truly 'not there'..."
"Because the matching conditions of the disciples would indicate that they had already 'died'."
"And in the eyes of the sects, the Path Court was accusing a dead or non-existent disciple of colluding with traffickers or other mo cultivators, which was obviously causing trouble and spreading slanderous rumors with malicious intent."
"No sect would sit idly by and do nothing."
"To protect the interests and reputation of the sect, as well as the 'deceased' disciple's honor, the sect would have no choice but to oppose and obstruct the Path Court's investigation."
"So, whenever the Path Court tried to investigate, they would inevitably end up in a stalemate."
"Even Uncle Gu, no matter how powerful he is, would be useless."
"As a judge of the Path Court, he starts his investigation from their side, but he will always be blocked by the sects."
Mo Hua finally understood, piecing everything together.
However, he still wasn't entirely sure.
After all, these were just his speculations.
Karmic intuition was still just intuition and didn't guarantee absolute accuracy.
"I need to verify this..." Mo Hua continued flipping through the list.
After an unknown amount of time, Mo Hua's pupils contracted, and a moment later, a faint smile curved his lips.
"Found it..."
On the list was a name: "Xie Cangshan, disciple of Guishui Gate, 21 years old, from a third-rate Xie family, at the middle stage of foundation establishment, proud and arrogant, ventured into the mountain alone to hunt demons, went missing... Presumed dead three months later."
Mo Hua didn't recognize the name.
But the portrait beside the name was very familiar.
This person, this face, was the leader of the black-robed group from back then!
It seemed like two or three years ago when Cheng Mo and the others stumbled upon over twenty black-robed men trafficking cultivators. They were chased by them and found themselves in a desperate situation when Mo Hua happened to come across them.
He had helped them a little.
He saved Cheng Mo, killed the traffickers, and rescued the abducted cultivators.
Most of that group of traffickers had died, turning into a pool of black water.
Except for one—the leader of the black-robed men.
The leader, who bore the Evil God's remains, pursued Mo Hua all the way to the desolate mountains, only to be tricked and killed by him.
After the leader's death, Mo Hua had seen his face.
Although it was charred by the Fire Array, with some scorch marks, and looked sinister, he appeared to be a rather young cultivator, probably only in his twenties.
That face now overlapped with the portrait in front of him.
Xie Cangshan! Mo Hua's eyes lit up.
This confirmed his speculation!
Mo Hua flipped through to check the dates and found that Xie Cangshan's "disappearance" occurred the day after he had "killed" the black-robed leader.
In other words, as soon as the leader of the traffickers died, Xie Cangshan, a sect disciple, "disappeared" within Lian Yao Mountain.
This was not a coincidence but a well-established and almost "flawless" process.
Moreover, the people and powers involved were likely significant.
Mo Hua's eyes turned cold.
Xun Ziyou, seeing Mo Hua's focused gaze and changing expressions, asked, "Have you figured something out again?"
Mo Hua glanced at Xun Ziyou, thought for a moment, and decided not to reveal everything. He only shared what was in front of them: "The yao cultivators in Lian Yao Mountain are most likely the disciples on this list who are marked as missing or deceased."
Xun Ziyou, unaware that Mo Hua was hiding something, nodded and sighed inwardly.
The darkest place is under the lamp...
Who would have thought that within the boundaries of Qian Xue State, right under the noses of the sect elders, such a thing could happen?
Some people were truly bold.
And their actions were indeed meticulous.
The conspiracy behind it all was probably not small...
Xun Ziyou looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Let's go take another look at that place of white bones."
"Mm," Mo Hua nodded.
The two set off again.
At this time, the setting sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with a glorious afterglow—a common sight within Lian Yao Mountain.
However, the difference was that Mo Hua usually hunted yao beasts and returned to the sect as the sun set.
But now, he was heading deeper into the heart of Lian Yao Mountain as the sun went down.
Step by step, he was walking into the darkness of Lian Yao Mountain...
(End of Chapter)
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