Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 998: Sect's Dao Soldiers

Mo Hua stayed up all night finalizing the general strategy.

There wasn't enough time to perfect every detail, but overall, it was passable.

Counting the days—three days from now would be the Sword Debate.

Another key arrangement was also nearing completion.

The next day, Mo Hua rose early, sitting cross-legged on the bed under the glow of dawn.

He performed his routine cultivation, then stood up and made his way to the small study outside the disciples' quarters.

The study was quiet, with soft ripples on the nearby pond.

The big white dog lay sprawled out lazily, yawning, clearly bored out of its mind.

Mo Hua walked over and patted the big dog's head, whispering:

"Has the Sect Master woken up yet?"

The big white dog shook its head.

There was no movement inside, so Mo Hua didn't want to disturb the Sect Master's peace.

He simply sat beside the dog, stroking the soft fur around its neck, patiently waiting.

Outwardly, the big white dog looked annoyed, but its tail wagging happily against the ground betrayed its true feelings.

A little while later, the Sect Master of the Great Void Sect emerged.

Seeing the scene before him, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.

He himself had never been allowed to pet that dog's fur…

Not by choice—this dog had a rare bloodline and a proud nature. It didn't let anyone touch it.

The Sect Master sighed softly.

Hearing the sigh, Mo Hua knew he was up. Reluctantly, he let go of the soft white fur and stood to greet him:

"Greetings, Sect Master."

"Mm." The Sect Master gave a slight nod.

Mo Hua explained his purpose:

"The thing I told you about earlier—it's been forged. Would you like to come see it?"

The Sect Master pondered briefly, then nodded.

"Very well."

"I'll take you there—but let's keep it low-profile," Mo Hua added in a low voice.

"Alright."

The Sect Master changed into plain clothes, suppressed his aura, and brought along two trusted elders.

Together, they took a carriage through side roads under Mo Hua's guidance, heading toward Lone Mountain City in the northwest.

The Sword Debate was fast approaching, and the Qianxue Province was bustling with traffic.

But that was only in the busy districts.

Lone Mountain City was remote, and few cultivators traveled that way, so the journey was smooth.

Their carriage was pulled by premium spirit horses and outfitted with a top-grade Windborne Array.

Like a streak of wind, they arrived at Lone Mountain City in less than half a day.

By now, Lone Mountain City had already taken on a whole new look.

Spiritual machines stood tall, massive mining shafts loomed grandly, and intricate formations lit up the surroundings in dazzling patterns.

Miners lined up in orderly rows between the mountains, packed yet disciplined.

Even the cultivators in the city now bore livelier expressions.

The Sect Master stared, slightly dazed.

He'd heard of what Mo Hua had done in Lone Mountain—

but hearing was one thing. Seeing it in person was another entirely.

The magnificent transformation before him, the complete metamorphosis of the city…

Even as the Sect Master of the Great Void Sect, he found it hard to believe this was something…

a mere Foundation Establishment disciple could have accomplished.

The carriage continued through Lone Mountain City, weaving through streets until it reached the Refinement Guild.

These days, the Refinement Guild took up a vast plot of land.

Several massive furnaces—like mechanical beasts forged from steel—were breathing fire and smoke.

Blazing flames roared. White smoke billowed. The clang of hammers echoed throughout, forming a magnificent symphony.

The Sect Master stood silently for a moment before asking Mo Hua,

"This Refinement Guild… don't tell me it's yours?"

Mo Hua waved his hands quickly,

"How could it be?"

The Sect Master neither confirmed nor denied it.

"Come, Sect Master. I'll take you inside."

Mo Hua hopped off the carriage and led the way.

The stoic gate guards of the Refinement Guild lit up upon seeing him, respectfully bowing:

"Young Master Mo!"

"Mm, mm." Mo Hua nodded and walked in.

Along the way, nearly every refiner or apprentice, no matter what they were doing, immediately dropped their work to greet him joyfully:

"Young Master Mo!"

"Greetings, Young Master Mo!"

"Salutations, Young Master!"

Mo Hua greeted them back with a smile, as if he were returning home.

The Sect Master's expression turned… subtly complicated.

They proceeded deeper into the guild.

From within, a sweat-drenched Master Gu—who had just been smithing—hurried out to greet them:

"Apologies, Young Master Mo, I wasn't able to welcome you properly!"

"No need to be so formal," Mo Hua replied.

He understood—the Refinement Guild was always busy.

"These are some elders from my sect. They're here to inspect the spiritual artifacts and array conduits."

Mo Hua didn't reveal the Sect Master's identity.

Master Gu didn't recognize him either, but with his keen eye and rich experience,

he could tell these people had extraordinary bearing and immeasurable cultivation.

They were certainly important guests.

"Please, come in," he said respectfully.

Time was short, so there wasn't much small talk.

Master Gu directly led them to the refinement storage vault.

Inside, the vault was packed with all kinds of spiritual artifacts—blades, spears, swords, halberds, armors, robes—everything imaginable.

The Sect Master raised an eyebrow.

At first glance, they seemed like ordinary newly-forged artifacts—Grade-2 High Tier—nothing rare.

But he was no amateur. With one look, he immediately noticed—

These weren't standard-issue.

They were all custom-designed spiritual artifacts.

A whole vault full of them.

And not just ordinary custom work, either.

The Sect Master mentally cycled through the styles of the Four Major Sects, Eight Grand Gates, Twelve Factions, and all the sects across Qianxue.

He quickly realized—these were "counter-style artifacts."

Artifacts designed to suppress the signature styles of other sects.

Each artifact had been paired with unique formations—specifically designed to exploit the weaknesses of certain techniques or inheritances.

Of course, no artifact could completely suppress another style,

but even a 10–20% advantage could be game-changing in a chaotic tournament.

And in a massive event like the Sword Debate, even a slight edge could turn the tide.

The Sect Master quietly drew in a breath.

He had some idea of what Mo Hua was doing.

But the level of execution here… far exceeded his expectations.

It might look like Mo Hua simply customized some anti-style artifacts,

but the amount of effort and knowledge required…

It was immense.

You needed profound understanding of arrays,

encompassing the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams,

to design these intricate countering formations.

You needed deep research into the martial styles of every sect—

and then craft tailored arrays accordingly.

You needed time and effort to design spiritual artifacts that paired seamlessly with those arrays.

All of this required years of accumulated knowledge, countless case studies,

and constant testing and refinement.

And most importantly—you needed production.

You needed a large, skilled, and tightly coordinated Refinement Guild capable of mass-producing spiritual artifacts and array mediums to spec.

This was an entire spiritual industry chain—

from formation theory, to artifact design, to refinement logistics.

And somehow, Mo Hua had just… built it.

The Sect Master stood stunned for a long time before he could even process what he was seeing.

After a moment of silent thought, he turned to Mo Hua:

"What do you need?"

He knew Mo Hua's personality. The kid would never call him over unless there was a purpose.

Mo Hua nodded repeatedly—impressed. Worthy of being the Sect Master. One glance and he saw right through me.

"There's just one issue," Mo Hua said.

"There are too many spiritual artifacts, and over a thousand paired high-tier formations."

"I can't possibly inscribe all of them by myself. I'll need some of our inner disciples, teaching elders, and senior members to help draw the formations."

According to the Sword Debate rules, externally carried formations couldn't exceed Grade-2 Mid Tier.

But embedded formations inside spiritual artifacts were considered amplifiers and were allowed to be Grade-2 High Tier.

Mo Hua planned to… recruit the sect's staff as labor.

"Alright," the Sect Master nodded.

What Mo Hua was doing was for the sake of the sect. There was no reason to refuse.

"One More Thing…" Mo Hua hesitated a little.

The Sect Master of the Great Void Sect sensed it probably wasn't going to be anything good and said slowly,

"Speak."

Mo Hua lowered his voice and asked,

"All these spiritual artifacts and array conduits… can the sect reimburse them?"

Now that—was the real big issue.

Originally, Mo Hua had planned to craft the items and sell them to the junior disciples.

They'd buy them with spirit stones and use them in the Sword Debate.

But the truth was—these spiritual artifacts were just too complicated to make.

The cost was ridiculously high.

And the Sword Debate would involve multiple rounds, with constantly changing opponents.

If every junior brother had to spend spirit stones to buy a whole new set of gear for each round,

not only would the cost be outrageous—it would be wasteful.

Even if they weren't lacking in spirit stones, it was still an unsustainable way to fight.

Worse—if each person needed multiple sets, the demand would explode, and Master Gu's Refinement Guild wouldn't be able to keep up at all.

So Mo Hua laid out his new plan:

"The sect purchases this batch of spiritual artifacts and rents them to the disciples for the Sword Debate.

If they're not damaged, we can reuse them. If they're broken, the disciples pay the original price as compensation."

He was also trying to drum up long-term business for Master Gu.

Previously, the Lone Mountain Refinement Guild had only dealt with individual disciples.

But if this got approved by the Sect Master—then they'd be doing business directly with the Great Void Sect.

That was on a whole other level.

Once that kind of partnership was established, everything would become easier in the future.

In fact, it was possible that the Great Void Sect's entire supply chain for the Sword Debate could end up linked to the Lone Mountain Refinement Guild.

And with the sect as both "major client" and "backer," Lone Mountain's industries could thrive steadily.

Once the industry flourished, life for the local rogue cultivators would improve drastically as well.

The Sect Master thought it all through and looked at Mo Hua with a deep sigh.

"What a good child…"

And not just kind-hearted—but thorough and bold in his thinking and actions.

But he still didn't speak right away.

Mo Hua noticed the hesitation and asked softly:

"Is it not possible?"

The Sect Master met his gaze and said after a moment of thought:

"Not that it's impossible… The sect can afford the spirit stones, yes, but it won't be easy.

The real problem is cash flow."

The Great Void Sect was a major sect with a solid foundation, but it also had an overwhelming number of cultivators.

Everywhere needed spirit stones.

Especially now—with three sects merged together—the demands were even greater.

A single spirit stone had to be split in half just to stretch it.

As the Sect Master, he couldn't just casually make that kind of decision.

"Let me think it over when I return," he said.

"Alright." Mo Hua nodded.

The ideal outcome would be the sect buying the spiritual artifacts and turning it into a proper business with Lone Mountain.

If that didn't work, then they'd have no choice but to make the disciples buy them individually.

Having seen enough, the Sect Master prepared to return to the sect.

Mo Hua still walked ahead, leading the way.

Master Gu, having heard the conversation, now fully understood Mo Hua's intentions.

He also vaguely guessed the identity of the dignified middle-aged cultivator in front of him.

Young Master Mo… even the Sect Master himself came because of him…

Master Gu was inwardly stunned and even more grateful and respectful toward Mo Hua.

He personally escorted them all the way out of Lone Mountain City.

Back at the sect, the Sect Master of the Great Void Sect continued pondering Mo Hua's proposal.

It really was a good idea. But… the cost was indeed steep.

After a while, he had an idea and reached out to the Sect Masters of Mount Tai'a and Mount Chongxu.

The three of them had a quick discussion.

Later, he summoned Mo Hua and said:

"I've spoken with the Sect Masters of Tai'a and Chongxu…"

Mo Hua's eyes lit up and instantly understood:

"We're splitting the cost three ways?"

The Sect Master was briefly stunned.

This kid's too sharp. I only opened the conversation and he's already figured everything out.

"Correct—but it's not that simple," he replied.

"They want to see some results first."

When large sums of spirit stones were involved, no one made rash decisions.

No rabbit, no hawk—proof before purchase.

Mo Hua nodded in understanding:

"Got it, Sect Master. Leave it to me."

The next day, Mo Hua quickly arranged a live training exercise.

During the drill, rows upon rows of disciples, clad in pristine robes and armor, wielded identical spiritual weapons.

Their actions were coordinated and efficient, executing tactics with precision and clarity.

They now had the bearing of true Dao Soldiers.

Some disciples who'd been a bit loose before, when outfitted with custom weapons and formations,

operated in five-man teams—like sharp spears weaving through rock and forest, advancing and retreating with lethal discipline.

There were also special units.

Five sturdy body cultivators in heavy armor, carrying shields, stood like mountains of iron—intimidating just to look at.

Five disciples in wind-element robes and wind-step boots dashed like lightning, barely visible on the grass.

Five sword cultivators in light armor each wielded a greatsword and attacked on sight.

The formations and gear could be rotated too.

Armor sets included Gold-Resisting Armor, Water-Resisting Armor, Fire-Resisting Armor…

Paired weapons included gold swords, wood swords, water swords, fire swords, and more.

The three sect masters—of Great Void, Tai'a, and Chongxu—sat above, silently watching it all unfold.

The Great Void Sect Master was already aware of most of it.

But seeing his disciples fully geared—armor on, weapons drawn, formations in sync—

he couldn't help but feel impressed.

The other two sect masters kept calm on the surface, but inwardly—they were shocked.

They knew how difficult this was to pull off.

Never mind the array theory, refinement craftsmanship, or material costs.

Just getting these proud, elite disciples to work together—in total five-man harmony—was a feat in itself.

This was basically a proper sect army.

It was just getting started, but it was on the path.

And the essence of Dao Soldiers was unity—overcoming strength with synergy.

The disciples performing in the drill weren't even the strongest.

If anything, they were middle or lower-tier in talent.

But together, their battle power transformed drastically.

That—was the scariest part.

It meant that the foundation of the sect's power had undergone a complete metamorphosis.

They might not outmatch the Four Great Sects in peak individual power…

But in ground-level combat strength, they were becoming rock-solid.

All three Sect Masters, for a moment, felt a small but blazing fire ignite in their hearts.

A single thought surfaced—Could it be… this year's Sword Debate… we really might… have a shot?

A moment later, the Sect Master of Tai'a said:

"I'll fund this batch."

"Count in Mount Chongxu as well," said the Chongxu Sect Master.

The Sect Master of Great Void nodded in relief.

Elsewhere, Mo Hua also nodded in satisfaction.

His master had once told him:

"The tallest tree in the forest catches the wind first."

"If you want to hide your brilliance, then hide among the trees."

But if the forest isn't dense enough to hide in?

Then build one yourself.

Mo Hua looked down from the platform—rows of gold-armored disciples, spears gleaming, swords flashing, moving with unstoppable might.

The disciples of the Great Void Sect—proud and imposing.

Now that the spirit stones were in place…

The spiritual artifacts and conduits were fully prepared.

Mo Hua had personally inscribed some of the higher-tier formation diagrams on the weapons.

The rest had been handled by his senior brothers and sisters, and the teaching elders.

In this rush, everything was now ready.

...

Tomorrow, the Sword Debate would finally begin.

Back at the Disciples' Residence.

Mo Hua quietly went over everything from beginning to end, making sure there were no major oversights.

Only then did he feel at ease.

Tomorrow—the Sword Debate would begin.

The Great Void Sect would formally clash with the Four Major Sects, Eight Minor Sects, Twelve Streams, and even the Hundred Schools of Qianxue.

Mo Hua himself might also be taking the field.

A flicker of nervousness stirred in him.

But after thinking it through… there wasn't much to be nervous about.

Worst case? He'd just have to go up there and fight.

Winning would be great. Losing… well, at least no one would die.

Mo Hua calmed himself and resumed practicing formations.

This was his daily routine.

No matter what happened, nothing could be allowed to stop his progress in array cultivation.

As long as he had time—even if he could only draw a single array, or just one rune—he would make use of it.

Step by step, solidly advancing his skills.

There were no shortcuts in formation mastery.

Progress came only from relentless, meticulous practice.

And now that Mo Hua had condensed his Divine Sense Core, the formations he studied were far from ordinary.

The Thunder-Magnetic Annihilation Array, the Spirit-Reversing Annihilation Array, and even the 21-rune Four Symbols Azure Dragon Diagram—any one of them would astonish anyone who saw it.

Within the flickering lamplight of the disciples' quarters,

Mo Hua followed his planned study routine, diligently working through the absolute-tier formations he possessed.

He continued until he completed his practice of the Spirit-Reversing Array and began working on converting the Four Symbols Demonic Runes into Dragon Runes.

Then suddenly, he froze.

A problem resurfaced in his mind.

His Natal Formation Diagram!

Lately, he had been so preoccupied with preparing for the Sword Debate, he had nearly forgotten all about it.

He still hadn't found a suitable formation to become his life-bound array diagram…

Mo Hua frowned.

He still remembered what the Second Elder had told him before being obliterated—

That Mr. Tu possessed a statue of an Evil God, and within it was sealed an ancient formation diagram of the Great Wilderness, brought back from the Abyssal Wildlands by a brilliant shaman of the Great Wilderness bloodline.

That ancient diagram, from the primitive wilds, was said to be closely related to Mo Hua's own natal formation.

"Mr. Tu… Evil God statue… But where is Mr. Tu? Where could that Evil God statue be hidden? And what exactly is my life-bound diagram?"

He furrowed his brow in thought for a long time… and still came up empty.

"Forget it. I'll deal with it after the Sword Debate…"

Right now, the Debate was the top priority.

There should be time afterward to track down Mr. Tu, surround him, beat him up, and snatch the Evil God statue…

"If it really doesn't work out, I can ask the Old Ancestor or the Sect Master to make a move… Though I don't know if the Old Ancestor even has time…"

Besides, anything involving Evil Gods was just too dangerous. He'd have to be extremely cautious.

Mo Hua made a mental note, then set the matter aside and refocused on his array practice— while also quietly looking forward to tomorrow's grand tournament…

In an unknown region of Qianxue Province.

In a bloodstained secret chamber— Mr. Tu knelt on the ground, covered in wounds, his soul tattered.

The destruction of the Lone Mountain Evil Embryo had subjected him to an unimaginable divine punishment. Both his body and soul were wracked with unbearable pain, as if plunged into endless hellfire, a torment with no end.

He was already numb.

Deep within, he felt it— his time was running out.

Not just because of the Great Void Sect…

But because of that terrifying deity—watching like a predator—within the Great Void Sect…

And something even more frightening.

"Lately… I keep feeling it—like something's watching me. A pair of pitch-black, eerie eyes… hidden in the dark…"

"But I don't even know who it is…"

"Who could it be?"

"Another terrifying cultivator has joined the game… Or maybe… he's been part of the game all along?"

"I don't know…"

"I… I don't have much time left. I…"

Suddenly, Mr. Tu's voice trailed off.

His eyes dimmed, filled with a strange, eerie depth.

A moment later, he furrowed his brow and muttered:

"What… what was I just saying?"

"Was I wavering?"

"No. Impossible."

"My loyalty to the Divine Lord—heaven and earth can bear witness!"

"No man, no demon, no god—can shake my faith."

"There's nothing in this world to fear."

"Once the Divine Lord awakens, all these monstrous ghosts and wicked gods will be obliterated beneath His light!"

"Yes… yes, that's right…"

Mr. Tu mumbled madly, almost in delirium.

He knelt again, his back soaked in blood.

Even the wounds on his soul still throbbed faintly.

Yet in his heart—he felt a twisted kind of pleasure.

Thunder and rain are both divine grace.

This pain… was a blessing from the Divine Lord.

His suffering was proof of the Divine Lord's presence— a sign of divine favor.

"The revival at Lone Mountain failed… because not enough people died."

"This time… it will succeed."

"As long as enough die… it's guaranteed to succeed…"

"And You, Divine Lord… shall awaken at last, to feast upon this world's most delicious sacrificial offering…"

Mr. Tu bowed deeply in devout worship.

In his hands, he held a blood-soaked human skin— inscribed with the Azure Dragon rune formation, flickering with a sinister mix of blue and red light.

Before him stood a statue— enormous, grotesque, shrouded in eerie cold—

A twisted evil deity, with a human face, ram horns, and a skeleton-white body.

Within that statue— Lurks a terrifying evil god's aura— And an ancient secret no one yet knows…

(End of this Chapter)