Immortality Through Array Formations

At night, he sank into his Sea of Consciousness and practiced the Reversed Spirit Formation on the Taoist Stele. During the day, whether in his small cabin or on the tables in eateries, he continued to draw the Reversed Spirit Formation stroke by stroke.

After about ten days, his Divine Sense had grown considerably. He could now roughly outline the nine-and-a-half incomplete Reversed Spirit Formations and estimated that it wouldn’t be long before he could draw them fully.

Once he could draw the nine-and-a-half Reversed Spirit Formations, he could go find Mr. Zhuang to learn how to draw the Concealment Formation.

Having learned the Concealment Formation, Mo Hua could compensate for the deficiencies in his own Concealment Technique using formations.

Once he mastered the Concealment Technique, he would have much more flexibility in handling any situation he encountered.

Mo Hua also gave the diet prescriptions provided by Bai Zixi to his mother and pointed to a pastry called “Perfect Blossom Full Moon,” saying,

“Mother, I want to eat this.”

“Greedy again.” Liu Ruhua tapped Mo Hua’s nose lightly, her tone rebuking but her expression indulgent.

She took the diet prescription, glanced at it, and said with some confusion, “Is this what you want to eat?”

Although Mo Hua was not picky on regular days, she, as his mother, was clear about his taste preferences.

This pastry used so many flowers as filling; it seemed a bit too sweet and rich, probably not something he would want to eat for himself.

Mo Hua blinked and said, “Mother, I want to try a different taste.”

Sweet, with flowers…

Liu Ruhua seemed to understand and laughed softly, “Alright, Mother will make it for you.”

The Perfect Blossom Full Moon was somewhat intricate to make, but the ingredients were not expensive. Liu Ruhua figured out how to make it after studying it for two days and steamed a basketful.

Mo Hua carefully stored these pastries and brought some to Bai Zixi when he visited Mr. Zhuang.

Bai Zisheng had a share too; it was rabbit meat he had been longing for.

This was ordered by a diner, and Mo Hua asked his mother to cook a little extra to save for Bai Zisheng to eat.

Under the big locust tree, Bai Zisheng ate with joy and animation.

Bai Zixi ate quietly and elegantly as always, seriously, without noticing a few petals sticking to her lips.

Watching her, Mo Hua intended to remind her but found her lips more colorful than the flowers and momentarily froze, forgetting to speak.

Seeing Mo Hua looking at her, Bai Zixi thought he wanted some too. After a moment’s hesitation, she took out a piece and handed it to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua paused, then shook his head, “You eat it.”

He had tasted it before. The floral scent was too strong, and it was too sweet. Eating too much would be cloying, so he shouldn’t have too much.

Bai Zixi asked, “Are you sure you don’t want it?”

After a moment’s thought, Mo Hua accepted it.

A little cloying wouldn’t hurt, eating one piece was fine.

Bai Zixi nodded slightly, and without another word, they both quietly ate the flower pastries under the tree.

Afterward, Mo Hua continued to study the Reversed Spirit Formation.

When he had some free time, he also took out the rubbings of the map to look at them.

However, after pondering for a long time, he still couldn’t figure out which part of Big Black Mountain was depicted on the map.

And about the bald man and the one-eyed man under questioning, he wondered how it was going and if there were any new leads.

One day, as Mo Hua was practicing the Reversed Spirit Formation in the eatery, Zhang Lan came in to dine, with a somewhat somber expression.

Upon seeing Mo Hua, Zhang Lan seemed hesitant to speak.

“What happened?” Mo Hua asked.

Zhang Lan pondered for a moment before saying, “That one-eyed Sin Cultivator has confessed.”

A spark of interest appeared in Mo Hua’s eyes.

Zhang Lan sighed softly; he had initially not wanted to tell Mo Hua.

Mo Hua had already helped them capture Bald Tuo. The matter was considered resolved, and what followed was the responsibility of the Taoist Court officials: questioning, sentencing, and execution.

These matters weren’t related to Mo Hua, but if what the mono-eyed monk said was true, that would probably involve all Monster Hunters.

Zhang Lan continued, “Regarding the matter of the map, Bald Tuo indeed told a false tale.”

Mo Hua snorted, “That bald head, not honest even when death is at hand!” Then he asked, “What did the one-eye say?”

Zhang Lan’s gaze became slightly focused, “That map is indeed a map of Big Black Mountain.”

Mo Hua’s brows furrowed, and he felt a sense of unease.

Zhang Lan went on, “There’s a rumor among the Sin Cultivators that those covered in blood, when they find themselves with no way out, can enter Big Black Mountain.”

“When did this rumor start?” Mo Hua asked.

“It’s been around for a long time. According to the mono-eyed, the rumor has existed among the Sin Cultivators for almost a hundred or two hundred years.”

Zhang Lan’s tone grew heavier, “But previously, few believed it. Tongxian City was remote, and Big Black Mountain was treacherous, so not many Sin Cultivators came. But recently, it’s different…”

“Recently, Tongxian City has been gradually flourishing, Loose Cultivators have become affluent, and there are more merchants coming and going, with more opportunities for illicit gain. Hence, many Sin Cultivators have gathered towards Big Black Mountain. That’s why we were able to capture them all at once and obtain this clue.”

The more Zhang Lan spoke, the more serious his tone became.

If that really was the case, then the biggest problem with Big Black Mountain might not be those Sin Cultivators.

“Those covered in blood, when they find themselves with no way out, can enter Big Black Mountain…” Mo Hua repeated, asking, “Then what? What can they do after entering Big Black Mountain?”

Zhang Lan shook his head, “We don’t know that. Or should I say, perhaps those who know haven’t been captured by us yet.”

“Neither Bald Tuo nor the one-eye know?”

“Yes,” Zhang Lan nodded, “Even after we conducted interrogations, they would not speak. I estimate they truly don’t know.”

If these Sin Cultivators all didn’t know, then the only clue would be…

Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat, “That map?”

Zhang Lan slowly said, “That’s what I was thinking. If we can find out the locations marked on the map, maybe we can uncover the truth behind this rumor.”

“What about that Bald Tuo? The map is his.”

Zhang Lan appeared somewhat disappointed, “He doesn’t know either. He indeed murdered and stole the map, but where the location is, and what it signifies, he has no clue whatsoever.”

“However, the mono-eyed one mentioned encountering something strange.”

“Strange event?” Mo Hua frowned.

Zhang Lan slightly nodded and recounted the matter to Mo Hua:

“He said that more than ten years ago, he went to Big Black Mountain to rob, but came up empty-handed. At night, wrapped in a single garment, braving the mountain wind, he slept on a large tree. He dared not sleep on the ground for fear that in a half-asleep state, he would be eaten by Monster Beasts.”

“Half in a daze, he heard people talking.”

“He wasn’t sure if it was two or three people; they were speaking in hushed voices with a coarse whisper, which in the dark of night sounded particularly strange, and also indistinct.”

“He was alone on the tree, not even daring to breathe too loudly. He listened fragmentarily for quite a while before he could make out the gist of their conversation.”

“Those Cultivators beneath the tree were also Sin Cultivators, seemed to have committed all manner of vile acts, annihilating a family of Cultivators and looting their spirit stones and assets. They were pursued by the Taoist Court and had run out of options, thus they thought of seeking refuge in Big Black Mountain.”

“They were highly cultivated, their conversation revealing ruthless methods. The mono-eyed monk felt fear in his heart as he shivered on the tree, not daring to move until dawn, when he saw no one around and finally had the courage to descend.”

“And from then on, he never saw that group of Sin Cultivators in Big Black Mountain again. Those Sin Cultivators spoke of hiding in Big Black Mountain for refuge, but it was as if they’d vanished from the face of this world, disappearing without a trace…”

Listening to this, a chill arose from the depths of Mo Hua’s heart.

If that really was the case, Big Black Mountain was a haven for filth, its waters far too deep.

Zhang Lan, seeing there were still diners around, thought for a moment and then lowered his voice to speak to Mo Hua:

“That mono-eyed one also overheard that group of Sin Cultivators saying a phrase…”

Zhang Lan’s expression grew solemn, and Mo Hua felt a chill in his heart.

“What phrase?”

Zhang Lan pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

“Mists of Black Mountain, concealing pits and dens; at midnight’s third watch, cast your name to ask the way.”