Chapter 544: Entrustment
Chapter 546: Entrustment
The dark-robed, crane-haired yet youthful-looking demonic cultivator was none other than the Nascent Soul-level demonic ancestor—Xuan Sanren.
Behind him stood several Golden Core-level demonic cultivators:
A young boy with exquisite features, his face pale as if covered with a finely sculpted, flawless corpse mask.
An older sword servant with a sword case on his back, expressionless, with only the whites of his eyes visible.
A burly fiendish cultivator, fingers sharp like claws, bloodshot eyes glinting with ferocity.
These three were the same demonic cultivators who had appeared outside Nanyue City.
The only one missing was the decrepit, muttering old crone.
“This Zhuang fellow is indeed something,” the pale-faced youth sneered.
The fiendish cultivator scoffed, “Don’t talk nonsense if you don’t understand formations. What do you mean ‘something’? This is one of the most profound formation techniques in cultivation. Not a single person in the entire Blood Refining Sect could comprehend it.”
The pale-faced youth bristled, but the sword-case elder interjected:
“Watch your words. Mister Zhuang is not someone we can judge.”
The pale-faced youth frowned but said no more.
Below the Soul-Refining Blood Banner, amidst the sea of blood, the Five Elements Mountain-Guarding Formation shone brilliantly, spiritual power surging, resisting the endless killing intent and demonic energy, holding them in check.
The sword-case elder licked his lips, a trace of bloodthirst in his eyes, and spoke to Xuan Sanren:
“Master, the Demonic Sword needs more lives to feed on, more human blood, before it can break this grand formation.”
Xuan Sanren’s eyes darkened. After a moment of thought, he shook his head:
“No rush. Even if the grand formation is broken, it won’t harm him now. Just trap him for the time being.”
He then smiled faintly, voice soft yet sinister:
“I’ve been setting this for hundreds of years, weaving the Blood-Kill Formation Flow into the Five Elements Mountain-Guarding Formation. Yet I never imagined he could dismantle it with a single hand…”
“Truly… Mister Zhuang has the talent of a semi-Heavenly being…”
“But all schemes come to an end.”
“This place has been sealed by the Underworld Heavenly Lock, hiding its secrets. Dao Court cultivators will not detect it in the short term…”
“In three days, once the Soul-Refining Blood Banner surges and the blood sea floods, Lishan City will be completely sealed. The Demonic Sword will hang in the sky, devouring flesh and blood, and the entire city will turn into a hellscape with no living soul escaping.”
“The Underworld Heavenly Lock, the Soul-Refining Blood Banner, and the Chaotic Demonic Sword—three supreme demonic treasures—are enough to trap any cultivator.”
“Even Mister Zhuang himself is no exception!”
“Moreover, times have changed. He is no longer the Zhuang who once looked down on the world…”
The three sword-case elders cupped their hands in respect: “Your wisdom is unmatched, Master.”
Xuan Sanren closed his eyes, seemingly calculating something.
The three elders did not disturb him, bowed, and stepped back.
Once aside, the burly fiendish cultivator’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He whispered to the sword-case elder:
“Do you think we can catch him this time?”
The elder replied solemnly: “We are simply following orders. Whether we succeed or fail is not our concern.”
The fiendish cultivator snorted, slightly dissatisfied: “Pretentious. I don’t believe you wouldn’t be tempted if the chance to ascend to immortality was right in front of you.”
The elder’s eyes twitched: “Such a chance is not for us to covet.”
He lowered his voice: “We are just pawns of the Underworld Ancestor of the Demonic Sect…”
“I’ll kill some to feed the Demonic Sword. You follow orders, earn merit, and maybe one day rise from the position of Ten-Thousand-Demons Elder…”
“That is the most practical course of action.”
“The matter of ‘immortality’ is for the Underworld Ancestor to decide. How could someone of our level presume to grasp it?”
“Above immortality lies the longevity of heaven and earth; below it, a bottomless abyss.”
“One wrong move, and we both die without burial…”
The fiendish cultivator responded perfunctorily: “Alright, alright, I understand.”
Yet in his heart, he sneered at the thought: “The chance to ascend lies before us. I don’t believe he wouldn’t be tempted…”
A glint shone in his eyes.
Nearby, the pale-faced youth also revealed ambition in his gaze.
Even the stoic sword-case elder, beneath his solemn demeanor, felt a stir in his heart…
Immortality…
Each of the three harbored different thoughts, and silence fell for a moment.
Then the burly fiendish cultivator asked oddly: “What about that old crone? Where did she go?”
The sword-case elder was startled, then frowned: “She must have gone to refine a corpse.”
The fiendish cultivator blinked: “Refining a corpse? Could that be more important than what’s happening now?”
“You don’t understand what she is refining…”
The sword-case elder’s eyes narrowed: “Given time, if that corpse is refined, it will truly be formidable…”
“Just a zombie…” the burly one shook his head.
The pale-faced youth also showed disdain.
…
Within the Five Elements Sect, beneath the Mountain-Guarding Formation.
The Grand Elder saw Mister Zhuang and hesitated, struggling with his emotions. Finally, he bowed deeply:
“Five Elements Sect thanks you, Mister, for saving our lives!”
He was reluctant.
The sect’s calamity was linked to Zhuang, yet fundamentally, it was because of the traitor Liao Tiande.
Liao Tiande, the sect leader, colluded with the Demonic Sect, tampered with the grand formation, and plotted against Zhuang. From this perspective, the Five Elements Sect bore some responsibility.
The Five Elements Blood-Kill Grand Formation, a second-rank evil grand formation, could refine all cultivators’ flesh and blood within it.
Even a Golden Core cultivator could not resist it, let alone the other disciples of the sect.
If not for Zhuang, the sect would have faced total annihilation today.
Its disciples would have died, becoming fuel for the evil formation, beneath the very formation their ancestors had left to protect them.
Thus, though unwilling, the Grand Elder bowed and thanked Zhuang.
Another reason: he wanted to preserve the foundation of the sect.
Outside the Five Elements Sect, the Blood Banner covered the sky, the blood sea spread far and wide.
The Demonic Sword hung high, killing intent rampant.
Moreover, a Nascent Soul-level demonic ancestor was present.
This was a death trap!
The Grand Elder despaired.
No matter how he pondered, he could find no solution. He could only hope that the unfathomable Mister Zhuang would provide a way out for the Five Elements Sect.
He hoped Zhuang could save the disciples.
Having caused trouble before, he could not even speak his concerns openly.
Zhuang seemed to see through his thoughts, calmly saying:
“I can save you.”
The Grand Elder’s heart trembled. Hope flickered, though doubt remained. “You…”
Zhuang said: “My disciples have learned your sect’s legacy. This repays your past kindness. I will save you once, giving you a path to survive. It also honors the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect.”
The Grand Elder rejoiced but still felt troubled.
Zhuang remained calm and silent.
After hesitation, the Grand Elder asked the question lingering in his mind:
“Mister Zhuang… what exactly did your disciple inherit from the Five Elements Sect?”
Zhuang smiled faintly: “What do you think?”
The Grand Elder frowned, weighing his words:
“The Five Elements Spiritual Formation… perhaps more than that…”
“And knowing it, what good would it do?”
The Grand Elder was taken aback.
Zhuang shook his head: “You cannot master the Five Elements Absolute Formation. Other legacies—what would it help you to have them?”
The words struck the Grand Elder deeply.
Yet he had no rebuttal.
For years, the younger disciples, spoiled by comfort, had not progressed; no one could master the Five Elements Absolute Formation.
The gem lay covered in dust—it was their own fault.
The Grand Elder sighed deeply.
Zhuang’s gaze sharpened: “In the future, if my disciple masters formation arts, this legacy can be passed back to the Five Elements Sect.”
The Grand Elder shuddered in surprise:
“Do you truly mean that, Sir?”
Zhuang nodded. “But there is one condition you must agree to.”
The Grand Elder’s brow furrowed. He knew nothing good would come freely. Still, the matter of the legacy was too important:
“Please speak, Sir.”
Zhuang said solemnly: “Do not mention my disciples to anyone, especially… my youngest disciple.”
“Anything about the Five Elements Sect, the legacy, even that he has come or you’ve seen him, must never be mentioned…”
The Grand Elder was stunned: “This…”
Zhuang’s gaze was deep, his expression grave.
The Grand Elder’s heart jolted, realizing that this seemingly trivial request could be of utmost importance.
“Very well!”
The Grand Elder nodded solemnly.
Zhuang looked through him, nodded slightly, and pointed out:
“The Soul-Refining Blood Banner will complete its ritual in two days. By then, the blood sea will surge and seal the entirety of Lishan City.”
He opened a map of Lishan City, tracing a line with his finger:
“At noon tomorrow, all elders and disciples of the Five Elements Sect must depart from the southwest corner along this line, and never return.”
The Grand Elder was shocked: “The Demonic Sect will surely not let this pass…”
“You need not worry.”
He nodded obediently, yet felt reluctant: “And the foundation of our Five Elements Sect…”
Zhuang’s gaze grew cold:
“The sect endures as long as the formation endures; if the formation falls and people perish, the sect falls. These broken bricks and tiles are not the foundation. People are the root; formations are the foundation.”
The Grand Elder suddenly understood, shame on his face:
“Thank you for your guidance, Sir.”
Zhuang nodded, words ended there.
The Grand Elder rose respectfully, bowed deeply, and departed.
Zhuang then called for Snow Aunt and the three disciples:
“Tomorrow, the Five Elements Sect will leave. You will go with them. Before departing, I have some instructions.”
He first kept Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi: handing them two jade slips:
“These are the complete diagrams of the Immortal-Heaven Formation Flow. Keep them safe and study them carefully. Do not waste this inheritance.”
“This is also something your mother cared for…”
“She could not learn it herself, so she hoped you could master this supreme formation…”
“As for other matters… you have your family and your mother’s arrangements. I need not worry further.”
The two accepted the jade slips, silent for a moment.
Bai Zisheng bowed his head, ashamed.
Bai Zixi hesitated, then softly said: “Master, forgive us, Mother…”
Zhuang smiled faintly: “That was the past. It concerns you not.”
He looked warmly at the two children:
“Both of you have talent and good character. I taught you the Immortal-Heaven Formation Flow out of my own intent, not solely for your mother’s sake…”
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi’s eyes reddened as they respectfully kowtowed three times.
Zhuang accepted their gesture calmly, then sighed softly:
“From now on, cherish yourselves.”
“And…”
“Take good care of your little junior brother…”
“Yes!” both nodded solemnly.
Reluctantly, the two stepped back.
Zhuang then called Mo Hua in separately.
“Master…”
Mo Hua’s eyes stung.
Zhuang smiled gently, beckoning him over, and handed him a ring.
The ring was simple yet ancient and elegant.
“Your elder siblings have family, background, and a capable mother. They lack nothing. So I favor you a bit and leave this to you…”
“This is a Storage Ring.”
“Similar to a storage bag, it can hold things but is more discreet.”
“Though you are from a scattered cultivation background with few treasures, you have many secrets—especially the jade slip of Celestial Evolution Art and the Five Elements Formation Diagram. Keep them safe; never lose them.”
Zhuang personally placed the Storage Ring on Mo Hua’s hand with care.
The Storage Ring was normal-sized, but Mo Hua’s hands were small, so he could only wear it on his thumb.
“This ring requires a ‘blood oath’ to recognize its master,” Mister Zhuang said. Then, with a swipe of his fingertip, a line of blood appeared on Mo Hua’s left thumb, flowing into the Storage Ring.
The ring seemed to come alive, greedily absorbing Mo Hua’s blood.
The wound hurt sharply, but Mo Hua bit his lip and endured it silently.
After a moment, the pain subsided. Mo Hua looked down and saw that the Storage Ring on his thumb seemed to have disappeared—but within his Divine Sense, a faint connection remained.
It was as if the ring still existed on his thumb.
Only he could see it; no one else could.
Seeing that the ring showed no rejection, Mister Zhuang relaxed completely. He glanced at Mo Hua and asked gently:
“Did you remember everything I taught you?”
“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded.
Mister Zhuang then asked, one by one.
From the Divine Sense Derivative Algorithm to the various principles of formations, from the Spirit-Reversal Formation and Profound-Earth Formation, all the way to the Five Elements Spiritual Formation, the structure of grand formations, and formation essentials…
Mister Zhuang repeated everything tirelessly.
It seemed this was the last time he would teach his little disciple.
So he patiently and gently went over every detail.
Listening, Mo Hua felt a sting in his nose and his eyes blurred.
When Mister Zhuang finished, he patted Mo Hua’s head and asked:
“Do you know about the Strange Daoist?”
Mo Hua was momentarily startled but nodded slightly.
“The Strange Daoist…”
“He is my senior brother, and also… your master uncle.”
“He has fallen into demonic cultivation, practicing the arts of the ‘strange’ path…”
“He is cold and ruthless, extremely capable, and highly arrogant, yet he is a master of Divine-Sense techniques, reaching the peak in their use…”
“If you ever encounter him, you must be extremely cautious…”
“Yes, Master.”
Mo Hua’s eyes moistened as he nodded.
Mister Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, paused, showing a hint of apology, but spoke plainly:
“There are great opportunities and earth-shattering secrets in my life… but these cannot be passed on to you, nor can I speak of them.”
“To pass them on would bring you immense disaster.”
“Even knowing them could tie you to karmic consequences.”
“So you must know nothing, and wish for nothing…”
“The Immortal Heavens Formation Flow is a unique inheritance; I cannot teach it to you…”
“What I can teach you are obscure, complex Divine-Sense techniques, and the principles of formations.”
“In the future, you must learn formations one by one through your own skill, comprehend them little by little…”
“Even if it is difficult, with countless setbacks, you must walk your own path, develop your own formation flow, cultivate supreme Divine Sense, and prove your own Dao!”
Mo Hua’s expression grew serious as he nodded: “I will remember, Master…”
Mister Zhuang nodded, gazing at Mo Hua, words unspoken filling his heart. In the end, all that remained was a long sigh.
Mo Hua hung his little head.
After a moment, Mister Zhuang seemed to make up his mind. He smiled faintly and said to Mo Hua:
“You’re tired. Rest for a while.”
Mo Hua shook his head, intending to say he wasn’t tired—he wanted to stay with his master longer—but as he opened his mouth, a wave of fatigue overcame him. He hadn’t slept in days and was extremely weary.
His eyelids drooped, and before he realized it, he had fallen asleep.
His breathing was even, his small face innocent and adorable, yet his tiny brows were tightly furrowed, as if worried about something.
Mister Zhuang looked at him reluctantly, as if he wanted to memorize Mo Hua’s every expression.
He reached out, gently smoothing Mo Hua’s furrowed brows, murmuring softly.
These words could only be spoken while Mo Hua slept:
“The happiest thing in my life is taking you as my disciple…”
“Only… it is a pity that I won’t live to see the day you master formations…”
“This is the last gift I can give you…”
“You must live well…”
…
When Mo Hua woke, it was still dark. His master was beside him, but his aura was noticeably weaker.
“Master…” Mo Hua said anxiously.
Mister Zhuang smiled gently.
“I… fell asleep…”
Mo Hua felt a little ashamed.
Mister Zhuang shook his head. “Go get ready. After sunrise, follow your senior brother and sister to leave.”
Mo Hua’s heart trembled. Reluctantly, he said:
“Master, can’t you come with us?”
Mister Zhuang didn’t answer. He only patted Mo Hua’s head and said softly:
“Go…”
Mo Hua could only leave, still clinging to the moment.
After sunrise, Mo Hua left Lishan City with Aunt Xue, his Little Senior Brother, Little Senior Sister, and all the disciples of the Five Elements Sect.
Before departing, he and his senior siblings went to see Mister Zhuang once more.
But his master’s door was firmly closed, showing he would not see them again.
Mo Hua knocked, but no one responded.
When the time came, he had no choice but to leave.
As he walked with the disciples, he kept glancing back, hoping to catch a glimpse of his master, to see him one last time.
But even after leaving the Five Elements Sect, there was no sign of Mister Zhuang.
“I won’t see Master again…”
Mo Hua’s tears flowed uncontrollably.
On a high tower in the Five Elements Sect, unseen by anyone, Mister Zhuang watched Mo Hua leave.
He watched the small figure of Mo Hua, turning back again and again, wiping his tears as the boy disappeared among the pavilions and halls.
In his warm gaze, there was infinite hope:
“I entrusted the past of the sect to your senior brother and sister…”
“But I entrusted the future of the sect to you…”