Chapter 1359: Restriction

Chapter 1358: Restriction

Mo Hua stood right before them. After only a brief silence, the assembled prodigies each unleashed their methods and charged to kill him.

Ferocious zombies lunged, an evil dragon pounced forward, lust-enticing bells rang and swayed, demonic sword-qi reeked of blood, ghostly winds howled, and a sea of blood surged…

On the righteous side, the prodigies of Dao Province were no less decisive. Sword light, spear shadows, and all manner of Five Elements supreme arts and Dao techniques burst forth in endless succession.

Though they had not known him long, the humiliation they had suffered at Mo Hua’s hands was no less than that of the demonic cultivators. They too wished him dead.

Some prodigies from Qianxue Prefecture also wanted to strike him down, but ultimately held back.

After all, they had some acquaintance with Mo Hua; it would be disgraceful to kick him while he was down.

There were other Qianxue prodigies too, who on the contrary, wished to save him, but restrained themselves as well.

At a moment like this, they could not stand apart from the crowd.

Refraining from killing him was one thing; going so far as to save him would be absurd.

Situ Jian did step in to block the attacks, this was his Little Senior Brother, after all.

But alone, he was outmatched and powerless to change the situation.

Within the broad Dragon-Bone passage, countless righteous and demonic techniques converged upon Mo Hua.

Blood-qi and spiritual power mixed like rivers and seas, swallowing him whole.

In an instant, he was drowned beneath the killing blows, his thin figure shredded to pieces.

Demonic prodigies unfamiliar with him were overjoyed at the sight.

Those from the righteous path who knew him understood it could not be so simple.

Sure enough, moments later, the Mo Hua who had been “scattered like water and mist” reappeared elsewhere.

A trace of amusement rested on his face as he calmly looked at the crowd, not quite mockery, yet more effective than mockery.

Fury erupted. They unleashed killing blows again.

Just as Mo Hua was about to be surrounded once more, a white figure shot forth like an azure dragon. A sweeping spear strike exploded with force, driving the crowd back.

Xuanyuan Jing’s expression darkened as he saw the newcomer.

“Bai Zisheng, what do you mean by this?”

Bai Zisheng sneered.

“Mo Hua, that little thief’s life is mine. Only I may kill him.”

Xuanyuan Jing snapped, “Are you brain-dead?”

He thrust his sword at Mo Hua, only for Bai Zisheng to sweep it aside with his spear.

Xuanyuan Jing’s expression turned icy.

Bai Zisheng stared coldly, killing intent surging in his eyes.

“I said it already. Mo Hua can only die beneath my spear. Whoever tries to take his head will lose theirs instead.”

His aura was overwhelming. The declaration sent a chill through the crowd.

Yuwen Hua advised, “Enough. The bigger picture comes first. Mo Hua is despicable and treacherous. This is a rare opportunity, if we join forces and kill him, we may eliminate a great future threat. Don’t give him a chance…”

Bai Zisheng looked at them with disdain.

“You lot think you’re worthy of joining forces with me?”

Yuwen Hua’s anger surged.

This Bai Zisheng was brainless, relying on strength and mistaking arrogance for wisdom.

A fool like him would never kill Mo Hua in his lifetime.

Not only Yuwen Hua, other demonic prodigies also glared with fury.

“Seeking death?”

The Evil Dragon Young Lord of Myriad Demon Mountains’ face turned cold, transforming into a gust of sinister wind, he lunged at Bai Zisheng.

Other demonic prodigies followed suit, redirecting their attacks toward him.

Rather than fear, Bai Zisheng licked his lips, excitement flashing across his face. He wielded his spear in broad, sweeping arcs, using the Dragon-Returning Spear Art to battle the demonic prodigies.

Bai Zisheng possessed monstrous talent, whether spiritual roots, bloodline, or combat instinct, all were top-tier.

Though outnumbered and temporarily at a disadvantage, he grew more exhilarated as the fight continued.

His blood surged; dragon force fused into the spear tip. Every strike carried overwhelming weight and crushing pressure.

The demonic prodigies clashing with him felt shock after only a few exchanges.

Mo Hua’s threat was great, but this Bai Zisheng was no less formidable.

Mo Hua’s threat was intangible and obscure.

After all, his apparent combat strength seemed pitiful.

Bai Zisheng’s strength, however, was visible to the naked eye, devastating in direct combat.

Every second facing him meant enduring astonishing oppressive force.

This Bai Zisheng cannot be left alive!

His threat was no smaller than Mo Hua’s, indeed, his bloodline talent might be even more terrifying.

The demonic prodigies exchanged glances, murderous intent rising toward Bai Zisheng.

Meanwhile, the Dao Province prodigies—especially Xuanyuan Jing and Yuwen Hua, who already bore grudges—began secretly striking at him as well.

Bai Zisheng sneered, his killing intent intensifying.

Thus the crowd descended into chaotic melee.

Mo Hua watched them fighting and shook his head.

“Enough. Stop fighting.”

At his words, Bai Zisheng withdrew first.

Seeing this, the others also halted, though their gazes toward Mo Hua remained cold, furious, malicious, or laced with sinister allure.

Mo Hua said calmly, “There’s nothing here. What are you fighting for?”

They remained silent.

He continued slowly, “We still don’t know the situation inside the Dragon Pool. If you fight to the death here and something goes wrong, we’ll all be buried together. How will you form your cores then?”

The Ghost Young Master of Skull Cave sneered. “So what? Forming a core is important, but killing you is equally important.”

Mo Hua’s expression turned cold. A dignified aura began to emanate from him.

Every prodigy present felt their faces shift.

They realized Mo Hua… was not pleased.

He surveyed the crowd.

“Next, I will form my core. All of you will have behave.”

“I don’t wish to kill…”

“But if anyone dares cause trouble at this moment and interferes with my core formation…”

“I won’t mind crushing him to death.”

His tone was calm, yet boundlessly arrogant.

Both righteous and demonic prodigies froze, then anger surged within them, their expressions darkening.

The Evil Dragon Young Lord sneered.

“You, a peak-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with inferior spiritual roots and weak qi and blood, who can you even kill? Arrogant fool…”

The Joyous-Union Sect’s saintess Yu Lian’er smiled.

“That’s not necessarily true. Shentu Ao, the Royal prince of the Great Wilderness, died at his hands.”

Someone scoffed.

“Don’t glorify him. That prince died under the combined assault of righteous and demonic elders. This brat merely used schemes and tricks, yet dares claim the credit, shameless…”

“Today we’ll tear his tendons, flay his skin, refine his body into a corpse puppet, his divine sense into a ghost, his head into an artifact, his skin into a banner…”

For a moment, demonic aura thickened and killing intent stirred.

Mo Hua shook his head. It seemed sparing them would no longer suffice.

He gathered his powerful divine sense into his gaze. A faint golden light surfaced within his pupils. His entire aura shifted—like a deity descended, exuding an unfathomable presence.

“Whoever wishes to die, I will grant it.”

Mo Hua spoke slowly.

Ever since arriving in the Great Wilderness, wary of the Baleful Qi in his Fate Pattern, Mo Hua had had very few chances to act.

After his failed core formation and departure from the Desolate Wilderness—no longer appearing before the world as a Divine-Shaman—he had not killed anyone, nor even stirred killing intent.

But at this very moment, he truly harbored the will to kill.

With the Dragon Pool before him, whoever dared obstruct his core formation would die.

Anyone who dared stick their head out and hinder him… would be killed.

Mo Hua raised two fingers together. Between his brows and eyes lingered an indifferent authority, one that regarded all beings as equal, holding life and death at will.

This cold, selective killing intent was utterly unfamiliar to most present.

They had never seen Mo Hua display such a bearing.

Even Bai Zisheng felt his heart jolt.

This is my… Little Junior Brother? What exactly has he been cultivating…

Shock rippled through Bai Zisheng.

The prodigies of both righteous and demonic paths instinctively sensed a life-and-death crisis, their expressions filled with disbelief.

At that moment, they felt as though if they dared speak, they would die beneath Mo Hua’s hand.

It was an instinctive warning.

Inside the Dragon Bone Passage, silence fell; no one spoke.

Mo Hua glanced around and sighed inwardly.

When he didn’t want to kill, these people clamored endlessly.
Now that he truly wished to kill, not a single one dared step forward.

As expected of the righteous and demonic prodigies… quite perceptive.

Mo Hua lowered his gaze slightly, restraining his killing intent. He relaxed his raised fingers and said calmly:

“Since that’s the case, let’s go together. We’ll talk after we find the Dragon Pool.”

“And one more thing…”

He cast a faint glance at the crowd.

“Some of you should have planted Longevity Talismans… or Undying Talismans.”

“You probably don’t want your Longevity Talismans shattering inside this Dragon Bone Passage…”

Every prodigy’s face twitched.

Especially those from the Qianxue region, they knew better than anyone that Mo Hua’s words were no empty threat.

When it came to shattering Longevity Talismans, Mo Hua had a “prior record.”

And not an ordinary one.

At the Qianxue Sword Debate Tournament years ago, he alone shattered five Longevity Talismans… five. One could call it a crime beyond redemption.

On the righteous side, no one dared speak any further.

The demonic prodigies exchanged glances.

The Evil Dragon Young Lord spoke in a low voice:

“Forget it. Form the Core first…”

They were all favored sons of heaven, possessing superior spiritual roots and vast cultivation resources. Once they formed their Golden Cores, their Dao foundations would transform, and their strength would surge beyond comparison.

Completely unlike someone with inferior spiritual roots like Mo Hua.

Once the Core is formed, everything will be different…
After forming the Core, we’ll kill this brat.
No need to fight over momentary pride…

Many thought silently.

Seeing their reactions, Mo Hua understood their thoughts and nodded.

“Then let’s go. Don’t waste time.”

He turned and walked deeper into the Dragon Bone Passage.

Situ Jian was the first to follow at his side.

Bai Zisheng, expression cold, followed not far behind.

The rest—the Qianxue prodigies, Dao Province disciples, and the various saint sons and young lords of the demonic sects—each with their own thoughts, gradually followed behind Mo Hua.

Those who had been fighting to the death moments ago now behaved themselves.

Within the moving crowd, Young Master Tuoba of the Great Wilderness Sect also followed. Before leaving, however, he shot a stern glance at a burly man beside him and said in a low voice:

“Didn’t I tell you to wait outside? Who allowed you to come in?”

“This place, is it somewhere you’re worthy of entering?”

The burly man lowered his head respectfully.

“This subordinate was worried for Young Master’s safety.”

Young Master Tuoba’s gaze sharpened, as if trying to see through him.

The man remained silent.

Young Master Tuoba sneered.

“Fine. Since you’ve come, take it as your opportunity. But remember, Meng Bohu…”

His tone turned chilling.

“That name was bestowed by me. This opportunity was granted by me. Serve me well and repay my favor.”

The tall man known as Meng Bohu bent his massive frame and replied meekly, “Yes, Young Master Tuoba.”

Young Master Tuoba sneered inwardly.

A tiger may resist taming, but can a man resist?

“Follow me,” he said, turning away.

Meng Bohu lowered his head and followed. After a few steps, he couldn’t help raising his eyes to glance at Mo Hua walking at the very front—dignified, restrained authority emanating from him.

His gaze held indescribable shock and emotion.

He soon lowered his head again, concealing everything, like a loyal hound.

He too had to form his Core, he had to seize an opportunity for himself.

…

Walking at the front, Mo Hua’s Divine-Sense had detected the exchange between Da Hu and Young Master Tuoba. He sighed inwardly.

He had made too many enemies; he could not openly help Da Hu.

At most, he could lead the way.

Many opportunities would have to be fought for by the man himself.

Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and continued forward, surveying the Dragon Bone Passage while pondering.

Since entering the dragon skull corridor, he had been observing and sensing carefully.

Within the passage existed a kind of “restriction.”

This restriction repelled all high-realm, high-tier cultivation power.

Previously, Mo Hua had assumed it was a form of “weak protection”, a method created through formations or some cultivation power to ensure the safe Core Formation of Great Wilderness royal descendants.

But now that he was inside, he keenly realized this was not weak protection, but a form of strong repulsion.

Any cultivator whose cultivation exceeded the Golden Core realm was not barred from entering; rather, once inside, they would be repelled—perhaps even crushed—by an unseen force.

This crushing force was extremely powerful.

So powerful that Golden Core and Feathered Ascension cultivators were forbidden to proceed. That was why it was called a “restriction.”

Yet after observing for so long, Mo Hua still could not fully understand what this “restriction” truly was in principle.

It seemed to be… a formation.

But he could not find formation medium, patterns, cores, or any of the usual structural components.

It also seemed like a kind of law.

Yet he could not identify any medium that carried such a law, nor comprehend its core essence.

He could only speculate based on his understanding of cultivation.

But the possibilities he imagined were all somewhat bizarre… and impossible to verify.

“What kind of cultivation power is this restrictive force… and where does it originate?”

“Is the Dao Court’s Feathered Ascension expert refraining from attacking Dragon Pool personally because they fear the restriction here?”

“And Martial Uncle… where is he?”

“And…”

Mo Hua lifted his head and took in the entire colossal, majestic Dragon Bone Path—like the spine of a giant dragon—and frowned slightly.

Despite lacking formation medium, patterns, cores, or nodes—any outward structural signs—his intuition, honed through years immersed in formations, told him that this Dragon Bone Path—or rather, this entire dragon-spine structure—was part of some grand formation.

Moreover, the framework of this formation was immense, stretching far beyond the Dragon Bone Path itself.

Judging from its current state, however, it seemed more like an unfinished… or perhaps yet-to-be-constructed formation.

“Inside the Dragon Pool, is there also a Grand formation?”

“Is the Dragon Bone Path itself part of that formation?”

The more Mo Hua thought, the more questions arose.

At the same time, as he drew closer to the depths of the Dragon Bone Path, the oppressive force of the restriction grew stronger.

When they first entered, they could still move and fight.

But nearing the latter half of the path, the restriction intensified. Mo Hua could feel his cultivation being completely suppressed.

This meant he could no longer fight.

Not only Mo Hua, but all the prodigies of both righteous and demonic paths had their cultivation restricted and could no longer attack one another.

This too seemed to be a form of compulsory “protection.”

If no one could fight, then the Great Wilderness prince entering the Dragon Pool to form his core would not die.

Fortunately, Mo Hua and the others were only at the Foundation Establishment realm. The restriction merely enforced protection and did not forcibly repel or crush them.

And the most troublesome aspect of the Dragon Bone Path appeared to be only this restriction.

As long as they did not fight each other, the entire path was unexpectedly smooth, without conflict or obstruction.

Thus Mo Hua led the way, guiding the prodigies of both righteous and demonic paths. After more than an hour of walking, they reached the end of the Dragon Bone Path.

At its end stood the entrance to a grand hall.

Before the entrance stood a bone stele. Upon it, written in ancient Great Wilderness script and smeared with unknown blood, were two forceful, savage characters:

Dragon Pool.

An ancient aura emanated from within.

In Mo Hua’s perception, it seemed to be the aura… of the Golden Core.