Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 1118: Intolerant of Evil

From the edge of a second-grade territory, the Minor Realm Province, to the nearby largest third-grade territory, the Blue Wolf Province, the journey was filled with winding mountain paths, scattered forks in the road, and dead ends hidden among dense forests.

For an unfamiliar cultivator traveling this path for the first time, it would be hard not to get lost.

Fortunately, Mo Hua had hired Head Escort Luo to "escort" him. With that, the rest of the journey became much smoother and easier.

This was a road Head Luo often traveled.

Though the way was filled with treacherous terrain and dangerous cultivators, and many incidents cropped up, Luo—being a veteran escort—handled it all with practiced ease.

Mo Hua simply watched from the sidelines, uninvolved and detached, feeling very relaxed.

Since he had some free time, he took in the scenery of the mountain villages and local customs along the way.

His first impression was one of poverty. Extreme poverty.

The wandering cultivators he saw in these mountain villages were no different from those in the Minor Realm Province.

These cultivators had sallow faces and emaciated bodies, barely able to feed themselves.

Most of their cultivation levels ranged from the third to fourth layer of the Qi Refining realm.

Mo Hua even saw many locals who were already well into middle age, born with spiritual roots but showing no signs of having ever cultivated.

This meant they had likely never refined a single spirit stone or absorbed a breath of spiritual energy from birth.

They drifted through life, reaching their thirties or forties, relying only on physical labor to survive—barely earning enough to eat. In many cases, not even that.

Mo Hua had never imagined that in a world of cultivation, there would truly be cultivators so poor they couldn't afford to cultivate at all. He was momentarily moved, his expression becoming complex.

The noble clans lived in extravagance, with spirit stones and treasures as plentiful as the sea. Even a single drop given away could help hundreds, even thousands, of these impoverished loose cultivators set foot on the path of cultivation.

Even if they couldn't reach Foundation Establishment, at least reaching mid to late Qi Refining wouldn't be a problem.

But reality was not like that.

In this world, spirit stones only flowed toward those who already had them.

This was human nature. It was also the reality of the cultivation world.

Everyone focused only on their own path. Few had compassion or sympathy for the struggling bottom-tier cultivators.

But with that came another jarring question:

Are the bottom-tier cultivators truly deserving of sympathy?

Mo Hua frowned.

At the very least, not all of them were.

Take, for example, the bandits he had killed earlier with a Fireball Spell.

Those bandits were loose cultivators too.

They didn't want to suffer from hunger and poverty, so they took to the mountains and became brigands, turning their blades on those even weaker than themselves—robbing, plundering, killing. Their crimes were endless, and their deaths were well deserved.

In theory, the Dao Court's centralization, the exploitation by noble clans, and the monopolization by sects were all forms of "oppression."

But based on what Mo Hua had seen and experienced—

Within the Dao Court, there were people who upheld righteousness.

Within noble clans, there were disciples of genuine integrity.

And among the sects, there were elders like Old Master Xun of the Great Void Sect, who dedicated themselves to teaching and spreading the Dao.

Likewise, the bottom-tier cultivators, though bullied, exploited, and unable to find a path to cultivation, should be deserving of sympathy.

But ironically, some of them were the least worthy of sympathy.

Some coveted vanity and flattered the wealthy.

Some betrayed their names and origins.

And some—like those bandits—robbed and murdered the even poorer cultivators around them, more vicious than the noble clans or sects ever were.

The noble clans and sects were the "villains," but not wholly evil.

The bottom-tier cultivators were the "pitiful ones," but not all deserved pity.

Some noble descendants, if kind-hearted, could still bring blessings to the loose cultivators.

And some loose cultivators, once they gained power within major sects or noble families, could oppress their own former peers even more ruthlessly and greedily.

Their actions could be more poisonous than those of ordinary noble clan disciples.

Mo Hua furrowed his brows deeply and sighed.

This cultivation world was truly too complex.

And the human heart—too unpredictable.

He was beginning to realize that his previous thoughts might have been too naive.

This cultivation world might not be one where things would automatically get better if everyone just had enough to eat and the opportunity to learn the Dao.

Different cultivation levels, different powers, different backgrounds—every cultivator had a different identity, a different heart... All mixed together, they formed a chaotic cultivation world.

In the chaos, countless people, matters, and fates intermingled—impossible to fully understand or unravel.

If change was to be made, where would one even begin?

Mo Hua didn't know what sort of "Dao" might lie hidden in all of this...

What did it really mean to "change heaven and earth, gain the Dao, and ascend to immortality"?

How was one supposed to change, to seek, and to transcend?

Mo Hua fell into deep thought, momentarily lost in a daze.

Until someone called out to him nearby: "Brother Mo, try some wild fruit."

Mo Hua turned his head and saw a bold, handsome woman dressed in men's clothing with a red scarf tied around her head. She had a pretty face and was holding out a handful of wild fruits to him.

This woman was named Ying Niang, one of the escort heads, and the daughter of Chief Escort Luo. She was around thirty to forty years old in cultivation age, at the peak of Qi Refining ninth layer, not far from Foundation Establishment.

Ying Niang had been running escort missions since she was twenty. She was forthright and treated others kindly.

Mo Hua took the fruit and smiled, saying:

"Thank you, Sister Ying."

Ying Niang kept her eyes on his face, gazing intently.

A man nearby said with a sour tone, "Ying Niang, I want some wild fruit too."

Ying Niang turned and snapped at him, "Eat shit! Pick it yourself if you want some."

The man shrank back awkwardly.

The others around them burst out laughing.

Ying Niang turned back to look openly at Mo Hua, her bright eyes sparkling, and thought to herself in amazement:

How can someone be this good-looking…

She didn't have any improper thoughts about Mo Hua—she just wanted something nice to look at.

After all, running escort missions meant eating rough and sleeping outdoors. It was hard work. A bit of eye candy should be enjoyed when the chance came.

Mo Hua actually felt a little embarrassed under her gaze.

Seeing this, Ying Niang burst out laughing.

The rest of the journey passed uneventfully.

By the halfway point, people began to get off the cart one by one.

Including Mo Hua, there were seven or eight people being escorted by Luo, but none of them were headed to Blue Wolf City.

They were just hitching a ride in the direction they needed.

Whenever the cart passed by a nearby immortal city or village, they'd call out in advance and disembark once they reached their destination.

Like that, the number of passengers dwindled. After around fifteen days, only Mo Hua remained, along with Luo and the escort guards.

With just one passenger left, the atmosphere inside the cart became more relaxed.

After all, more people meant more trouble—and more risk.

If they were attacked by demon beasts, bandit cultivators, or criminal cultivators, protecting all the guests would be very difficult.

If there were casualties, the escort company would have to pay quite a lot in compensation.

Now, with only Mo Hua left, things were much simpler. Even if something happened, they could handle it.

Head Luo didn't need to lead at the front anymore.

After such a long, tiring journey, with constant tension, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him needed a breather.

He first checked the cargo to confirm there were no issues, then came to check on Mo Hua's safety.

Mo Hua was indeed safe.

With that, Luo was at ease.

This escort trip had gone relatively smoothly overall.

"Father, have some tea." Ying Niang handed a cup to Head Luo.

He took it, feeling warmth in his heart.

His wife had passed away early, and he had raised his daughter alone. Now she was strong in cultivation and considerate of him. Naturally, he felt deeply gratified.

Luo took a sip of tea and glanced again at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was also sipping tea.

Luo's expression froze slightly. The more he looked, the more he felt he couldn't see through this young man—and his brows began to furrow.

"Young Master Mo…"

Luo the caravan head hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask you a question? Of course, if it's inconvenient, you don't need to answer."

Mo Hua nodded. "Go ahead."

Luo asked slowly, "Young Master Mo, what level is your cultivation at now…"

Mo Hua paused, a little embarrassed. "I… I've reached Foundation Establishment…"

Luo was startled and exclaimed, "You've reached Foundation Establishment?!"

All the other guards and escort disciples around them also widened their eyes in shock.

Yingniang even covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

So the handsome young man she'd been shamelessly staring at this entire journey, the "feast for the eyes," was actually… a Foundation Establishment senior?

They, a bunch of Qi Refining cultivators, were escorting a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Luo realized his reaction was a bit much and coughed, then frowned in confusion:

"You… you've reached Foundation Establishment, and yet you hired us for protection?"

Mo Hua looked helpless and sighed. "My spells are rusty… I can't protect myself."

Luo paused and then suddenly understood.

Mo Hua's appearance—gentle as jade, refined and pampered—was clearly that of a noble-born disciple. Though he had cultivation, his hands were delicate, unused to violence, and he clearly didn't like conflict. So, he hired guards for the journey.

Luo expressed his understanding, but also his admiration.

He turned to the others and scolded them lightly:

"Look at him—at such a young age, already Foundation Establishment. Imagine what he'll become in the future. You all need to work harder."

The disciples all looked at Mo Hua with admiration.

Yingniang quickly bowed to Mo Hua and, blushing, said, "I was rude earlier. Please accept my apology…"

Mo Hua smiled. "No offense taken."

Luo turned back to Mo Hua and asked, "Young Master, are you heading to Canglang City to visit family or friends?"

Mo Hua thought for a moment. "Yes… and no."

Luo looked puzzled.

Mo Hua asked, "Do you know the Canglang Sect?"

Luo's expression changed slightly, and the way he looked at Mo Hua now carried a trace of caution and distance.

He asked carefully, "Are you from the Canglang Sect?"

Mo Hua shook his head and answered honestly:

"No. It's just that I ran into a cultivator from Canglang Sect earlier. He invited me to work for the sect, said the pay would be generous."

Luo studied Mo Hua's expression. Seeing the clarity in his eyes and no sign of lying, he quietly let out a breath of relief.

Sensing something was off, Mo Hua asked, "Is there something wrong with the Canglang Sect?"

Luo's face grew serious. "Well… it's not my place to say much, but…"

He glanced at Mo Hua, then finally spoke:

"My advice, Young Master, is to stay away from the Canglang Sect if you can. That sect… sigh… I've said all I can."

Luo frowned deeply and sighed again. There was even a trace of fear in his eyes.

Mo Hua's heart stirred. "I understand. I'll be cautious."

Luo gave Mo Hua a deep look and nodded.

After that, the two avoided the subject and chatted about other things.

Mo Hua asked about Canglang City.

Luo was evasive about matters involving the Canglang Sect, but for everything else, he answered freely.

Three more days passed like that. In the distance, a towering immortal city came into view—its city walls shaped like a wolf's head howling toward the sky.

A third-grade immortal city: Canglang City.

It was also the largest immortal city in the surrounding region.

The moment Mo Hua laid eyes on it, his left eye twitched violently. A strange emotion of yearning and unease rose in his heart.

That meant something in Canglang City was "calling" to him.

Moreover, the aura even felt… familiar.

Mo Hua narrowed his eyes.

The caravan continued forward.

The city gate of Canglang City drew nearer, and the massive wolf-head crest became faintly visible.

But after a while, Luo saw something and his expression turned solemn.

A wolf-head banner was raised at the north gate ahead.

"Stop."

Luo ordered the caravan to halt, frowning in thought.

Yingniang also looked serious and whispered, "Father, should we try entering from the northwest gate instead?"

Luo thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "We'll go through the northwest gate."

Mo Hua's eyes flashed slightly, but he said nothing.

So the caravan turned off onto a side road, looping around through a narrow path toward the northwest gate.

After about half an hour, the trail became rough and deserted—not another soul or cart in sight.

Luo's expression suddenly changed. "Something's wrong. Turn back."

But before he could finish, another wolf-head banner rose at the roadside, and at the same time, seven or eight cultivators stepped out from the side.

All of them wore robes bearing the wolf insignia.

At their head was a young cultivator clad in a striking multi-colored wolf pelt, pale-faced, with sharp eyes—Foundation Establishment level.

Behind him stood an old man, also Foundation Establishment.

The rest were all at the peak of Qi Refining, ninth level.

Luo felt a chill in his heart.

The young man in the wolf pelt looked at him and smiled, "Luo Head, are you trying to avoid me?"

Luo cupped his hands, forcing a smile. "Of course not. Elder Duan, Elder Sun, Luo greets you both."

Mo Hua's mind stirred.

That wolf-robed young man must be named Duan, and the old man behind him, Sun. Their robes matched the ones Mo Hua had seen worn by Canglang Sect cultivators back in Tongxian City.

These two were likely elders of the Canglang Sect.

The wolf-robed young man said, "Luo Head, about that thing we discussed—have you given it any thought?"

Luo replied, "I still need to consider it…"

The young man sighed. "I don't have much time…"

He raised his head and looked at Luo:

"In the Canglang Sect, we do things swiftly and decisively. Rewards and punishments are clear. Within the sect, any benefits are 'many wolves, little meat'—you have to fight for them. If you get them, they're yours. If you don't, the sect won't favor you again."

"The sect master assigned your Luo Escort Agency to me. If I don't show results, I won't be able to explain myself to him."

"But…" His gaze turned cold. "I've spoken with you courteously, yet you, Luo Head, keep brushing me off. Could it be… you look down on me?"

Luo quickly said, "Not at all, Elder Duan. I've always taken your words to heart."

The young man said, "Then about that matter…"

Luo still said, "Please give me more time."

The young man's gaze darkened. He was clearly growing impatient.

A moment later, his eyes drifted toward Yingniang beside Luo. He said casually:

"How about this? I'll make a concession. I'll marry your daughter. And in return, you merge the Luo Escort Agency into the Canglang Sect. How about that?"

Luo's expression changed.

Yingniang's face turned pale.

The young man said, "If I marry Yingniang, then your Luo Escort Agency will sooner or later be mine anyway, eventually absorbed into the Canglang Sect. Since we'll be one family in the end, there's no need to hesitate."

Luo remained silent.

The wolf-robed young man glanced at him and sneered:

"What? I, a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, am willing to lower myself to marry your Qi Refining daughter, and you're still not satisfied?"

"What's the matter? I'm a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet I'm willing to lower myself to marry your daughter, who's only at the Qi Refining stage. You're not actually dissatisfied, are you?"

Chief Luo furrowed his brows, bitterness rising in his heart.

If this were a normal Foundation Establishment cultivator sincerely proposing to marry his daughter, of course he would give it careful consideration.

But this so-called 'Elder Duan' of the Azure Wolf Sect… was infamous.

Every time the Azure Wolf Sect annexed another force, this young yet high-ranking "Elder Duan" would loudly proclaim he was going to marry the other side's daughter, granddaughter, or another direct female descendant.

But he never truly married them.

He only feigned marriage to toy with them.

Once the Azure Wolf Sect completed the annexation, he'd find some excuse to "divorce" his so-called wife, and then go off to marry the next one.

In Azure Wolf City, many forces were ruined this way—cut off at the roots.

Even if they tried to hold him accountable afterward, he would refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

Marriage and relationships were private matters, and in most cases, there was nowhere to seek justice.

And more importantly, no one dared challenge a Tier-3 powerhouse like the Azure Wolf Sect.

Chief Luo understood this perfectly well, which was why he would never push his daughter into such a fire pit.

He could only respond, "My daughter is dull of mind and weak of frame, unworthy of a distinguished youth like Elder Duan."

The youth in the wolf-patterned robe sneered, "Are you mocking me?"

Chief Luo quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare…"

The wolf-robed youth's sharp, predatory gaze roamed over Yingniang's body, appraising her from head to toe, then smiled and said:

"No matter. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"You may say your daughter is plain, but I find her quite to my liking. That proves we're mutually attracted—fated, even. She is clearly my destined wife…"

Chief Luo's face changed. "Elder Duan, please… this isn't right!"

The wolf-robed youth's expression darkened.

"I've already said, I—a Foundation Establishment cultivator—am willing to marry your daughter. That's giving you face. Are you really so blind to the honor?"

Chief Luo's brows tightened.

The other guards around him looked furious as well, but given the youth's identity, none dared speak out.

The wolf-robed youth swept his gaze past Chief Luo and landed on Yingniang.

"Oh right, I almost forgot. In matters like this, you don't really get to decide. We should ask Yingniang—whether she's willing or not."

Yingniang gritted her teeth. "I am not willing!"

The wolf-robed youth laughed loudly. "Did you all hear that? Yingniang says she's willing."

"I said I am not willing!" Yingniang snapped.

The wolf-robed youth replied, "Women always say no when they mean yes. Saying 'not willing' just means you are. Clearly, I didn't misjudge you at all…"

Yingniang's eyes were red with rage. "You shameless scum!"

The youth ignored her, and directly made a move.

With his high cultivation and swift movements, he instantly appeared beside Yingniang, reaching out to touch her face.

Enraged, Yingniang drew her soft sword and thrust at him.

But she was only at peak Qi Refining, far beneath his level. He easily pinched her blade between two fingers.

Seeing his daughter in danger, Chief Luo immediately moved to intercept the wolf-robed youth.

But he didn't dare strike hard.

Firstly, he didn't want to completely fall out with the youth.

Secondly, he truly feared offending the Azure Wolf Sect.

In Azure Wolf City, the Azure Wolf Sect was an unquestionable giant.

His hesitation only emboldened the wolf-robed youth.

The surrounding guards, witnessing Yingniang being humiliated, were filled with righteous fury. Unable to endure it any longer, they also joined the fight to save her.

But the Azure Wolf Sect had a Foundation Establishment Elder Sun, plus six other peak Qi Refining disciples.

Elder Sun didn't even lift a finger.

Just the six disciples were enough to easily defeat all the guards.

The Azure Wolf Sect was a dominant, profit-driven sect in the region. Only elite cultivators could gain admission.

Ordinary escort guards were no match for them.

Meanwhile, the wolf-robed youth continued to toy with Yingniang like a cat playing with a mouse.

His movements grew bolder; Yingniang grew more desperate trying to dodge.

Seeing Yingniang's increasingly dire situation, Chief Luo could no longer hold back. This was the daughter he had raised with years of hardship, his dearest treasure—how could he watch her be so humiliated?

In a rush of emotion, Chief Luo drew his ring-blade, poured spiritual power into it, and slashed hard at the youth's back.

The strike was meant only to warn.

The youth could've easily dodged or blocked it.

But shockingly, he did neither. He stood there and took the blow head-on.

The ring-blade cut into his back, slicing skin, muscle, and exposing bone. Blood gushed down in streams.

Everyone was stunned.

Chief Luo was equally shocked.

The youth slowly turned his head and gave Chief Luo a sinister smile.

"You dared assassinate… an Elder of the Azure Wolf Sect?"

Chief Luo's heart sank into an icy pit.

He understood in an instant—this Elder Duan had planned it all along.

He purposely provoked Yingniang, knowing Chief Luo would strike in anger.

In this way, he never laid a hand on Chief Luo.

But Chief Luo had drawn blood.

This was equivalent to the Luo Escort Agency attempting to murder an Elder of the Azure Wolf Sect—an offense that challenged the authority of a Tier-3 sect.

There were witnesses. There was physical evidence.

The Azure Wolf Sect now had the perfect excuse to retaliate. No one could dispute it.

This treacherous Elder Duan—his cruelty knew no bounds.

The Luo Escort Agency… was finished.

Chief Luo's blade fell to the ground. His face was ashen as death.

"Father…" Yingniang called softly.

Then, in a moment of fierce resolve, she thrust her sword at the wolf-robed youth again, only for it to be knocked away with ease.

The youth chuckled lewdly. "I'm a generous man. Your father tried to kill me, but I can let him live—if you agree to be my concubine, and offer the escort agency as your dowry. Then, I'll let the past go."

Yingniang shouted, "Despicable beast! Dream on!"

The wolf-robed youth grinned, "I just love women with thorns. The obedient ones are boring…"

Yingniang realized that no matter how hard she fought, she was no match for this Elder Duan. Her heart was bitter with despair.

Because of her, her father's lifelong work—the escort agency—was about to be destroyed. With a grim resolve, she raised her sword to her delicate, pale neck.

"I would rather die!"

The wolf-robed youth shook his head. "You still don't understand. Whether you live or die doesn't matter. And don't think you can scare me by threatening death…"

He sneered coldly. "Over the years, I've driven no less than a dozen women like you to suicide."

"Even those I ravished to death in bed—there are at least five. My hands are stained with—"

BOOM!

A deafening roar of fire interrupted him.

Black-red flames, condensed to a single point, suddenly exploded outward. Violent spiritual force tore through the air and then vanished.

It all happened in an instant—no one could react.

The wolf-robed youth's sneer was still frozen on his face.

He looked down blankly.

There, in the center of his chest, was a gaping, charred hole.

Everyone around was wide-eyed in shock.

They slowly turned toward the lingering trail of flame—

And saw Mo Hua, finger still extended.

Amid the horrified stares, Mo Hua calmly lowered his hand, sighed softly, and said with a faint note of apology:

"Sorry. I'm just… a little too intolerant of evil. I really couldn't help myself."

(End of this Chapter)