Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 580 – Sword Control

A Grade-Two, Thirteen-Line Groundfire Formation!

The array patterns ignited—red as fresh blood, scorching hot like magma!

In the blink of an eye, it suddenly erupted.

Boiling fire-type spiritual power surged and twisted violently, weaving like fiery pythons that completely swallowed the group of cultivators.

When the spiritual energy dissipated, the place was left in total ruin.

As the smoke cleared, Boss Jiang's miserable figure was revealed.

In front of him was a golden bell spiritual artifact—activated at full power, it protected his body, but couldn't shield him completely...

His left arm and leg were charred black by the explosion, even the blood had been scorched.

The right side, although guarded by the artifact, still suffered from the blast's impact—his organs ached, and he vomited blood.

The golden bell spiritual artifact itself was covered in cracks—clearly scrapped.

As the ringleader in the business of trafficking cultivators, Jiang Laoda had experience. Walking the knife's edge for years, he'd developed a suspicious and alert nature.

So the moment he sensed something off in Mo Hua's words, he raised his guard.

In that split second, he managed to summon his life-saving artifact—surviving, though heavily injured.

But his underlings—the eleven other "human traffickers"—weren't so lucky.

A Grade-Two, Thirteen-Line Formation was already a "mass-killing weapon" against early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

None of them had imagined someone would silently lay such a deadly array on the ground.

Caught completely off guard, they were devoured by the Groundfire Formation's blazing inferno. Their meridians were severely damaged; they collapsed to the ground.

Some died on the spot. The few survivors were barely breathing.

Without life-saving pills, even they wouldn't last long.

Boss Jiangs heart bled.

These were his sworn brothers!

Roaming the cultivation world wasn't something one could do alone—he needed his brothers at his side.

He'd worked hard over the years to build this group. Together, they'd plundered, abducted, drank wine, and feasted on meat.

Now, one explosion, and who knew how many would survive?

Ignoring his injuries, Jiang Laoda was furious. When he looked over, his eyes nearly burst with rage—

That little brat, that damned little devil, was now calmly… finishing them off?!

Like a miniature Yama King, he went from one dying trafficker to the next—firing Fireball Techniques to end their misery.

And these fireballs packed serious power.

Even those who still had a breath left… were instantly silenced.

Boss Jiangs eyes turned blood-red. He roared:

"Brat! What are you doing?!"

Mo Hua turned and sighed,

"They looked so miserable… stuck between life and death. I just wanted to help them rest in peace."

Before he finished speaking, he pointed his tiny finger again—another fireball. Boom. Another one gone.

Jiang Laoda was so enraged that blood surged to his chest and burst out of his mouth.

Mo Hua ignored him and continued his "clean-up job."

They had the numbers—he couldn't win in a fair fight.

So he struck first with overwhelming force, laying down a Grade-Two Groundfire Formation to wipe out as many as possible.

And the severely injured? Couldn't leave them alive.

Even the ones that looked dead—he made sure to hit with another fireball.

Just to make sure they were really dead. Thoroughly.

No chance of being ambushed or backstabbed later.

As for Jiang Laoda—still breathing, voice loud, still in good shape?

He could take his time with him.

Within ten breaths, Mo Hua had personally finished off every last one of the traffickers.

Boss Jiangs rage was now replaced by a bone-chilling fear.

He realized—he'd been completely outplayed.

Don't judge a person by appearances.

He shouldn't have dismissed this little cultivator just because he looked young and naive, maybe even a little slow at times.

This wasn't some innocent fool.

This was a demon in a child's skin.

In less than a cup of tea's time, using only one formation and a few fireballs, this brat had killed all the brothers Jiang Laoda had built up over the years…

And it looked like he wasn't finished yet.

Jiang Laoda secretly swallowed a pill and began circulating his energy to heal. But he couldn't help asking,

"Brat… when did you lay the formation?!"

Mo Hua just smiled and said nothing.

Boss Jiangs eyes darkened. He pressed further,

"Then how are you unharmed, even though you were also inside the array?"

Mo Hua still didn't answer—smiling again.

He wasn't stupid.

Laying formations by drawing on the ground and calculating the Life Gate? He couldn't be bothered explaining.

Even if he did, Jiang Laoda wouldn't understand.

Like playing the zither for a cow.

Mo Hua inspected the area and nodded.

Now that all the traffickers were "taken care of," only Jiang Laoda remained.

Mo Hua smiled brightly—while inwardly calculating how to finish him off.

Jiang Laoda trafficked cultivators—clearly a shady business.

If he'd been doing it for this long, he was probably backed by deep and tangled power structures.

If Mo Hua let him live, he'd never hear the end of it.

So this root had to be pulled. Completely.

Otherwise, a lone early-Foundation cultivator like himself would be in serious danger.

Jiang Laoda looked at Mo Hua, thoughts turning. Then he said solemnly:

"Little brother, you may not believe me, but this is all a big misunderstanding.

Sure, I trafficked you—but you killed eleven of my men. Let's call it even, yeah?"

"You let me go, and I won't seek revenge.

From now on, we'll stay out of each other's way. How's that?"

There's more to this chapter! Click next page for more excitement!

Mo Hua knew he was full of crap—but when it came to crap, he could dish it out too.

So he nodded cheerfully:

"Sure! I only killed your eleven brothers, after all.

Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, no need to hold grudges, right?"

Jiang Laoda froze… then nearly choked on his own blood.

He never imagined this brat could say something so shameless with such a straight face.

"Only killed eleven of your brothers."

ONLY?!

Jiang Laoda seethed.

This brat looked innocent—but his mind was twisted and cruel. A scheming devil!

His face twitched.

But whatever… this was already a fight to the death.

He would kill this brat and avenge his brothers.

His eyes grew cold, face hardened with killing intent.

His pale face slowly regained color. His wounds scabbed over. His energy was returning.

Jiang Laoda glanced at Mo Hua and sneered:

"I was stalling to buy time for recovery. Now that I'm ready—what were you waiting for?

Waiting to die?"

Mo Hua grinned:

"I was waiting for… my formation!"

Jiang Laoda was stunned. Then a terrible premonition surged in his heart.

He looked down—

Sometime during their talk, the ground had become etched with golden array lines, intricate and overlapping like blooming lotus flowers.

Grade-One Triple-Lotus Golden Lock Composite Formation!

The moment the formation completed, golden light surged, forming chain after chain—binding Jiang Laoda in place.

At the same time, Mo Hua's eyes lit up. He pointed forward, pouring in spiritual power.

Grade-Two Fireball Techniques fired one after another—like a repeating crossbow—blasting Jiang Laoda!

Caught off-guard and bound by the formation, he was struck by six or seven fireballs in a row.

The blood he'd just recovered was burned away. His injuries grew worse.

And Mo Hua… always aimed for the face.

So Jiang Laoda now looked even more pitiful than before.

He finally broke free from the Triple-Lotus Golden Lock Formation.

Mo Hua sighed—what a pity.

The Grade-Two Groundfire Formation was too draining. He couldn't use it again right now.

And the Triple-Lotus Formation, while complex, was only Grade-One—it couldn't trap Jiang Laoda for long.

If only he had a Grade-Two Binding Formation, he could've locked him down and turned him into a stationary target, spamming fireballs until he dropped.

But his other Grade-Two formations weren't practical here.

And he didn't know enough of them yet—his spiritual sense was also running low…

"Looks like my formations and spiritual sense still aren't strong enough…"

I really need to get into a sect, learn more Grade-Two formations…

Mo Hua made a mental note.

Jiang Laoda, after escaping the binding array, quickly swallowed another pill. His face twisted in horror as he stared at Mo Hua.

This brat… how did he even lay that formation?

No brush, no scroll, drawn straight onto the ground?!

What kind of sect or inheritance taught something like that?

He had studied in the Qianxue Province before. Though not a formation expert, he'd seen his share of geniuses.

But none could lay battle-ready formations without tools.

Jiang Laoda asked grimly:

"Who are you? Who's your master?"

Mo Hua smiled:

"I'll tell you after you're dead.

Otherwise, you might snitch."

Jiang Laoda was seething with hatred.

This little brat acted just like a greasy old fox—impenetrable, full of nonsense, but not leaking a single useful word.

But at this point, things had already escalated to a life-or-death standoff. He had no other choice but to go all out.

Jiang Laoda's eyes turned cold as he made up his mind.

This brat was clearly well-versed in spell techniques and especially skilled in formations—his methods for setting up arrays were stealthy, bizarre, and fast.

In that case, the only option was close-quarters suppression—he couldn't give him the time to chant or lay formations. Otherwise, he'd definitely get "played to death."

"Little brother, I admit defeat. Let's talk this out…"

Jiang Laoda suddenly softened his tone.

"You—"

Mo Hua had just opened his mouth when he suddenly froze. Jiang Laoda, like a vicious wolf, had already lunged forward. With a swing of his longsword, golden light flared as it stabbed straight for Mo Hua's heart.

Mo Hua scolded angrily:

"Shameless!"

Then he lightly tapped his foot—light-blue water currents coiled around him and carried his body backward like flowing water.

Grade-Two: Passing Water Steps.

Unlike the Grade-One version, it now wrapped him in visible streams of water with every movement—giving him even more fluid and effortless motion.

Boss Jiangs stab missed. He quickly twisted and slashed down again, aiming to slice Mo Hua clean in two.

But Mo Hua flipped lightly through the air, moving like a stream returning to a river—graceful, twisting, flowing—nimbly dodging once again.

Jiang Laoda frowned and intensified his attacks. Sword energy curled around him as he struck again and again, trying to leave no gaps—giving Mo Hua no chance to cast spells or form arrays.

Mo Hua was indeed pressured. He could only rely on his movement technique to dodge, and for now, had no way to counterattack.

But Jiang Laoda was getting more and more alarmed.

He had already felt that this flowing, elusive movement technique was weird—but now, after engaging closely for a while, he hadn't even grazed Mo Hua's robe.

Only now did he realize:

"A peerless movement technique?!"

This had to be some secret art from a major sect or ancient clan—a treasured, core movement skill!

There's no way a mere spirit cultivator could have lasted this long against him on agility alone…

This is bad…

Jiang Laoda was already wounded. He had pushed himself to fight up close hoping for a quick kill, but now—close range wasn't working either.

This is really bad…

Actually, it already was.

He could feel his spiritual power weakening. Each sword strike was slower and weaker than the last.

This slight change did not escape Mo Hua's keen perception.

He could even see it reflected in Mo Hua's brightening eyes and that adorable—yet completely infuriating—smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Then, once again—

Fireball Technique.

Mo Hua was faster now, while Jiang Laoda was slower.

The opening in his defense gave Mo Hua enough space to dodge with ease, then bring his fingers together, focus his qi, and—boom—cast a Fireball Technique.

This fireball was fast. Extremely fast.

It was formed in a blink—and blasted toward him in the very next.

Jiang Laoda had never seen such rapid fireball casting in his entire life.

And once again—it was aimed right at his face.

He raised his arms to shield himself. The fireball struck, searing pain ripped through his forearms, and he staggered back several steps.

When he looked up, Mo Hua had already backed away and was forming another fireball with his fingers.

Boss Jiangs heart began to fill with despair.

It was just a basic Fireball Technique, and yet paired with that movement technique and lightning-fast casting, there was no opening to exploit.

He had no chance at all.

Suddenly, a realization struck him:

Even if I hadn't been injured by that Groundfire Formation...

I might still not have been able to beat this little monster in a straight fight...

He froze.

"Am I… losing to this little brat?"

That single thought filled him with both shame and fury.

He, a proud Foundation Establishment cultivator, a gang leader who'd roamed Qianzhou's cultivation world for over a hundred years, surviving countless ambushes and life-or-death battles—was now…

Helpless against a kid barely in his teens?!

A crack formed in Boss Jiangs Dao Heart. He took a deep breath, glared at Mo Hua with hatred flashing in his eyes…

Then suddenly pulled back, putting distance between them.

Mo Hua, who had just begun forming another fireball, paused in confusion.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Giving up?

But if you create distance, aren't you just giving me free fireball hits?

Did I hit his head too hard and mess up his brain?

Mo Hua muttered to himself.

But then—he stiffened, eyes narrowing as he saw Jiang Laoda again.

At some point, Jiang Laoda had taken out a jade talisman, and upon activating it, a layer of golden light enveloped his body—like he'd been coated in gold.

Then he pulled out another sword from his storage.

This sword was about the length of a forearm, inscribed with golden patterns—elegant, radiant, and exuding an intense sword aura.

Mo Hua's eyes widened in realization and shock.

Jiang Laoda… is actually a sword cultivator?!

When they had fought at close range earlier, he had used martial-style sword strikes. Mo Hua thought he was just a melee body cultivator pretending to use a sword.

But now, Mo Hua understood—this guy could really control swords!

Jiang Laoda sneered, then channeled his spiritual power and activated the sword.

The Severing Gold Sword.

Golden light exploded from the blade, its sword aura fearsome and condensed.

Boss Jiangs eyes were sharp with killing intent.

This was his ultimate move—a secret technique he had never shown to anyone.

Once he unleashed it—he left no survivors.

He couldn't risk exposing his identity.

Jiang Laoda had once been a disciple of Severing Gold Sect, one of Qianxue Province's major sword sects. This sword technique—Severing Gold Sword Control Art—was a core sect secret.

But he had stolen it.

If the sect ever found out he was not only using their core technique but also using it to traffic cultivators…

He'd be labeled a disgrace. The sect would hunt him down without mercy.

And the Severing Gold Sect's wrath… was not something he could survive.

That's why he never used sword control techniques—unless absolutely necessary.

If he did, everyone who saw it had to die.

But now, with his life on the line, he had no choice but to go all out—only then could he kill this brat.

Jiang Laoda stomped forward, reciting sword mantras. His aura surged, and sword energy coiled like a dragon.

Just from the pressure, it was clear—this move packed monstrous power.

But high power… meant long charge time.

And Mo Hua had no intention of giving him that time.

With a flick of his finger—Fireball Technique again!

The fireball struck Boss Jiangs chest instantly.

But the golden light coating him flashed—absorbing part of the blow.

Though slightly injured, Boss Jiangs sword energy continued gathering.

Mo Hua frowned and followed up with Water Prison Technique.

A Grade-One spell, the Water Prison could only trap a Foundation Establishment cultivator for a brief moment—enough to disrupt spellcasting.

But the golden light absorbed that too.

Boss Jiangs sword control technique—still unbroken.

Mo Hua was puzzled, then suddenly remembered—

Earlier, Jiang Laoda had activated a jade talisman, enveloping himself in golden light.

That golden light granted him a kind of "Golden Body", shielding him from spell damage and negating control effects—so his technique wouldn't be interrupted.

That was the only reason Jiang Laoda dared to charge up such a powerful sword technique without hesitation.

Mo Hua was utterly astonished in his heart.

You can even play it like that?!

Coming from a minor second-grade province, this was the first time he'd seen such kinds of spells and talisman effects.

This Jiang Laoda… was a real expert!

"So now what?"

"Do I run?"

"Stall until that 'Golden Body' time runs out, then come back and finish him off?"

Mo Hua began rapidly calculating in his mind.

But… could he really escape?

He frowned slightly.

He wasn't sure exactly how fast this sword-controlling technique was…

If the sword light moved faster than his Passing Water Steps, then he probably wouldn't be able to dodge it in time…

Just then, he suddenly sensed a strand of divine sense latch onto him—trying to "lock" him in place.

Divine sense lock-on?

Mo Hua blinked in surprise. His expression turned… odd.

Meanwhile, just in a few short breaths, Jiang Laoda had completely charged up the Severing Gold Sword Control Technique.

The Severing Gold Sword gleamed with dazzling golden light—its power terrifying.

Once this sword was released, any early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was guaranteed to die.

That little brat would be no exception!

All he needed was to lock onto him with divine sense, and the sword would auto-track—relentlessly seeking, chasing for a thousand zhang, and killing without mercy.

Just one lock…

Just—

Jiang Laoda focused hard… and then suddenly froze, eyes snapping wide open.

Can't… lock on???!!

A surge of absurd, surreal disbelief filled his chest.

Jiang Laoda was completely dumbfounded.

I can't lock on with divine sense?!

What the actual hell?!

He looked again—Mo Hua was standing there, ten zhang ahead, not moving.

Yet within his divine sense—there was absolutely nothing.

No trace of this little cultivator's presence at all!

"Why?!"

Jiang Laoda hesitated, then his pupils contracted in horror.

My divine sense… was overpowered?!

By this brat… overpowered?!

His face twisted in shock and terror.

What a freaking cosmic joke!

He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a hundred years in cultivation—and this barely weaned little brat's divine sense could crush his?

On what grounds?!

But just as he was drowning in disbelief, another even worse problem hit him:

His fully charged Severing Gold Sword Control Technique—what was he supposed to do with it now?

If he didn't unleash it, the sword energy would backlash—and that could kill him.

But if he did…

How?

Without a divine sense lock-on, how was he supposed to aim?

What, use my eyes?!

Jiang Laoda felt like his brain was melting.

Since when did sword cultivators need to aim with their eyes to kill someone?

In this strange and fantastical world, with endless spells and illusory techniques, the one thing a cultivator should never trust was… their eyes.

Sword control with divine sense—yes. But aiming by sight alone?

Utterly stupid!

Yet if he couldn't trust his divine sense…

What could he trust?

His divine sense had nothing in it—nothing to even target.

Jiang Laoda swept his sword all around, staring wildly—completely at a loss.

Mo Hua, meanwhile, was looking at him with a "sympathetic" expression.

And the moment their eyes met—

Boss Jiangs rage nearly exploded.

But the sword energy had been building too long. His meridians were starting to ache. If he didn't unleash it soon, the backlash would cripple him—or kill him.

Jiang Laoda gritted his teeth.

Forget it. Life and death are up to fate!

No divine sense? Then I'll aim with my eyes!

The sword was already drawn—it had to be released.

So he put all his focus into one final burst of effort, guiding the Severing Gold Sword—crackling with sword energy—and launched it straight at Mo Hua's current position!

But the moment the sword was released…

Mo Hua was already gone.

He had long since activated Passing Water Steps and vanished without a trace.

Jiang Laoda froze.

He could only stare in helpless despair as his devastating, awe-inspiring sword strike—locked on by sight alone—missed its mark completely and...

SLAM— Split a humble little roadside tavern clean in half.

The mighty Severing Gold Sword Control Technique… ended up slicing a straw hut.

Boss Jiangs face turned deathly pale. His heart was filled with despair.

In the instant he struck, he already knew—

He was a dead man.

Only now did he finally understand what Mr. Tu meant when he warned him:

"Don't stir up trouble."

If he hadn't…

There would have been no unexpected variables.

He wouldn't have picked up this cold-blooded, scheming, formation-mastery, and even divine-sense-immune little monster…

And gotten himself… absolutely destroyed.

(~6k characters again, and I revised it a bit—sorry for the delay!)

(End of Chapter)