Chapter 554: Understanding
Chapter 556: Understanding
Within the Demon Hall, ten thousand demons were silent.
Mo Hua felt a shock in his heart.
So this was his “Senior Uncle”…
So formidable…
He had truly slaughtered every single demon cultivator in the hall cleanly!
Using the Deceptive Dao’s Heaven-Sealing Formation to lock the Demon Hall, employing Dao-Heart to plant demonic seeds, slaughtering Golden Core cultivators, then controlling them to besiege the Nascent Soul cultivator, forcing them to perish under heavenly tribulation!
The entire sequence was full of twists and turns, dazzling and overwhelming.
It left a deep impression in Mo Hua’s mind.
“So this is the ‘Strange’ Daoist…”
“Meticulous and cunning, not a single word wasted—trap where one should be trapped, kill where one should be killed!”
“All under heaven is Dao.”
“Even heavenly tribulation is a killing instrument!”
All of this opened Mo Hua’s eyes; he gained immensely.
For the first time, he realized that one could act like this, could kill like this…
What astonished him even more was that Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation.
This formation was completely different from any he had previously learned.
It did not belong to the Five Elements formation system, nor to the Two Principles, Three Talents, Four Symbols, Seven Stars, Eight Trigrams, or any other formation systems.
Even the basic formation elements—formation medium, formation pattern, formation pivot, formation core—were obscure and hard to understand.
What was the formation medium? The Demon Hall itself?
But it seemed more than that…
Moreover, Mo Hua could see the formation patterns, but couldn’t fully understand them.
These patterns continuously evolved and branched, containing extremely complex formation principles.
There was no formation pivot to speak of, and the formation core remained inscrutable to Mo Hua.
Previously, Mo Hua had deduced that this Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation was built upon a special “derivative calculation” technique.
But now, thinking further, something felt off.
Derivative calculation was for understanding, dissecting, comprehending, and insightfully analyzing formations.
Yet this formation seemed more like it was constructed relying on derivative calculation…
This kind of derivative calculation seemed to help the formation patterns differentiate, propagate, and endlessly evolve—a very special and somewhat bizarre method.
Mo Hua furrowed his brow.
The derivative calculation his master had taught him was called Spiritual-Sense Derivative Calculation.
But that was just the most basic level.
From observing, Mo Hua realized that if this derivative calculation method were studied deeply, one could, like his master, calculate heavenly secrets and trace cause and effect.
Such derivative calculation might better be called “Heavenly Secret Derivative Calculation.”
However, at his current level, he could not yet calculate heavenly secrets.
Additionally, Mo Hua had, by chance, learned another spiritual-sense algorithm:
The Five Elements Sect’s method of summarizing formation patterns.
He didn’t know its official name, but if he were to name it, “Source-Returning Algorithm” would fit better.
It summarized formation patterns, unifying their origin and flow.
A spiritual-sense algorithm for condensing source patterns.
So what should his Senior Uncle’s derivative calculation be called?
How was it different? What was its essence? Its principle?
Mo Hua tilted his head, eyes sparkling, staring at the Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation above, lost in thought.
All the formation pattern changes unfolded in Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness.
Patterns were broken by demon cultivators, yet repaired themselves;
Patterns were erased by tribulation lightning, yet branched anew;
The Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation—one line after another, one pattern after another—bloomed like Yama flowers, rising and falling, eerie yet magnificent, bizarre yet profound…
After an unknown amount of time, Mo Hua suddenly widened his eyes. The myriad changes of the patterns reflected in his pupils, and he suddenly realized:
“I understand!”
“It’s Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding!”
This Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation was the same as Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding.
Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding planted demonic seeds; demonic thoughts would spread and parasitize on their own.
Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing spread formation patterns, and the patterns would autonomously evolve and propagate.
The so-called Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation was essentially a large-scale, formation-style Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding.
Within the formation pivot, demonic seeds were planted. Using these seeds, the patterns propagated, causing the entire formation to evolve with intertwined, ever-flowing patterns, making it nearly impossible to breach.
“In a formation, Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding…”
Mo Hua pondered, then frowned again.
“It’s still not right…”
The scenes in the Demon Hall replayed repeatedly in his mind.
The Strange Daoist had fully deployed Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding, corrupting all the Golden Core demon cultivators, driving them insane, thereby taking complete control…
This whole process involved…
Differentiating demonic seeds…
Parasitizing Dao-Heart…
And… demonic seed propagation, corruption, domination…
Mo Hua’s heart jolted, and suddenly he understood.
He had it backwards!
It was not Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding inside the Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation.
Rather, Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding employed the core spiritual-sense derivative calculation of the Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation!
Both were of the same school, relying on this special, bizarre spiritual-sense derivative calculation.
Both were methods of extraordinary mastery over Divine-Sense, reaching the pinnacle of skill!
Mo Hua recalled the Holy Son’s astonished expression upon seeing the Strange Daoist use Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding.
The Strange Daoist’s Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding was not at all like the Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding he knew!
This form of Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding was completely different from ordinary demonic-seeding techniques.
Because his Senior Uncle’s Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding relied on that peculiar, special spiritual-sense algorithm.
In other words, Senior Martial Uncle’s Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding…
Contained the supreme method of Divine-Sense Derivative Calculation!
The more Mo Hua thought, the more shocked he became.
The more he understood, the clearer it got.
His eyes grew brighter and brighter, like the stars in the night sky, dazzling and brilliant.
Mo Hua kept staring at the Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation above, but as he continued, he sensed something amiss—someone’s presence beside him.
Lowering his head, he saw his Senior Uncle standing right next to him.
As he had been staring at the formation, Senior Uncle had been silently watching him.
At this moment, the Strange Daoist had already lodged his Dao-Heart Demonic Seeding within Xuan Sanren’s body.
White-haired yet youthful, with handsome features and a cold expression.
Mo Hua’s little act of “secret learning” was discovered, and under Senior Uncle’s gaze, he felt a bit guilty, so he obediently smiled:
“Senior Uncle, you’ve become more handsome!”
The Strange Daoist extended a long finger, lightly flicking Mo Hua’s forehead.
Mo Hua went limp and fainted, collapsing to the ground.
His face was fair, eyelashes black, breathing delicate and even.
The Strange Daoist stared at him, eyes shifting with complex emotions.
Junior Brother… what exactly did he teach this little thing?
How had he trained such a disciple… so bewildering?
He recalled Mo Hua’s gaze just now.
Clear, transparent, bright, with a faint glimmer of understanding of the Dao…
What had this little one seen in the Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation?
What had he understood?
Could it really be…
The Strange Daoist furrowed his brows, expression cold, contemplating for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
Impossible.
He had seen before—this little one, although decent at formations, had not learned the Immortal-Heaven Formation Flow.
The Immortal-Heaven Formation Flow was the orthodox inheritance of the sect.
The fact that his junior brother didn’t teach him meant he was not a core disciple of orthodox lineage.
Without learning the Immortal-Heaven Formation Flow, without the foundation of formation origins, one cannot naturally master Heavenly Secret Derivative Calculation.
Without mastery of derivative calculation, what could he truly understand?
The Strange Daoist’s gaze shifted slightly.
Regardless of what this little one understood, he could not be allowed to see any further.
Who knew what this strange little thing might figure out…
The Strange Daoist’s eyes hardened. He reached down, picked up Mo Hua, and slowly walked out of the Demon Hall.
Outside, he waved his hand.
The Deceptive Dao Heaven-Sealing Formation reversed, its patterns mutating, consuming the entire Demon Hall, along with the demon cultivators trapped within, gradually erasing them from existence…
Without even glancing back once, the Strange Daoist strode toward Lishan City, toward the Five Elements Mountain-Guarding Formation, and toward that junior brother he had been separated from for centuries…
“The centuries-long grudge… it’s time to settle them…”
…
Outside Great Li Mountain.
A White-Robed late-stage Golden Core cultivator, along with about ten deputy and assistant attendants of Golden Core level, were escorting Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi to nearby Qingshan City.
The White-Robed cultivator was the steward of Li-Yuan City.
He was also the highest-ranking and most powerful commander in the entire Great Li Mountain Prefecture.
Upon entering Qingshan City, Aunt Xue bowed in thanks:
“Thank you, Chief Commander Shangguan, for escorting us all this way. Otherwise, with demon cultivators running rampant, the journey would have been perilous.”
“Not at all…”
The white-robed cultivator, surnamed Shangguan, kindly smiled and cupped his hands. “It is far better that Young Master Bai and Young Miss Bai arrived safely than anything else…”
Chief Commander Shangguan let out a long sigh of relief.
Thankfully…
Thankfully, these two little treasures were unharmed.
Although their Life-Preserving talismans were shattered, they themselves were fine. Any unruly demons along the way had been dealt with.
Now, escorting them to Qingshan City, where Bai family cultivators would meet them, there was nothing to worry about.
“The Bai family…”
Chief Commander Shangguan’s expression darkened slightly. “It’s… the Bai family’s children…”
The Bai family was a giant in the cultivation world.
Although the Shangguan family held a respectable status, it could never compare to the Bai family.
Chief Commander Shangguan felt some unease.
“Hopefully the Bai family won’t take this out on me…”
After all, these were two Life-Preserving talismans!
Only sect elders nearing the end of their lifespan, with little hope of advancement, would expend their own life force to craft such talismans.
Elders capable of creating such talismans were extremely rare.
And the disciples qualified to receive them were even rarer.
Once a Life-Preserving talisman is broken, finding an elder to recreate it is nearly impossible…
And without it, such prodigies entering the cultivation world would inevitably face countless dangers.
Future trouble would be immense…
Chief Commander Shangguan frowned, pondering for a long while before realizing he had no right to meddle with such matters.
He shook his head and arranged for the Bai siblings and Aunt Xue to stay at Qingshan City’s largest inn.
Once the Bai family arrived to safely retrieve the two little treasures, he could finally rest easy.
As for himself… he had no achievements to claim, only the merit of enduring hardship.
Or rather, he wouldn’t even claim merit—just hoping he wouldn’t be blamed was enough…
The matter had arisen suddenly, so he thought the Bai family wouldn’t be unreasonable in not excessively punishing him.
After a few days at the inn, the Bai family arrived.
A masked female cultivator in white, accompanied by a group of Bai family cultivators, entered the inn.
Her form was ethereal, seeming both real and unreal.
Those around her saw her, yet it was as if they saw nothing…
Chief Commander Shangguan, still wondering which Bai family member would come, suddenly looked up and was startled upon seeing the woman. He immediately lowered his head and respectfully said:
“I am Shangguan Jing, humbly serving as Chief Commander of Li Mountain City. I pay respects, Real Person!”
The woman’s face was covered, hiding her features, but her aura was cold, noble, and unparalleled.
More importantly, her energy was lofty and unfathomable.
Nascent Soul Realm!
This woman was a Real Person of Nascent Soul Realm!
Chief Commander Shangguan bowed even lower, fearing any offense that might displease her.
The woman gave a slight nod, her voice clear and pleasant, yet filled with authority:
“Thank you for your efforts, Chief Commander Shangguan.”
Chief Commander Shangguan finally exhaled in relief.
Beside him, Aunt Xue bowed, “Madam.”
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also showed their admiration, both calling out in unison: “Mother…”
This woman was the mother of Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi.
She was also Bai family’s Nascent Soul Real Person—Bai Qingcheng.
Hearing the words “Mother,” Bai Qingcheng’s heart trembled, but she restrained her emotions, nodding lightly with a calm expression.
Chief Commander Shangguan was also shocked.
These two children had a Nascent Soul Realm mother.
No wonder they could bear Life-Preserving talismans…
“The two young masters are safe. I shall not trouble you further,” Chief Commander Shangguan said, taking the hint.
Bai Qingcheng nodded slightly.
Chief Commander Shangguan then withdrew.
Inside the room remained Bai Qingcheng, Bai Zisheng, Bai Zixi, and Aunt Xue.
Bai Qingcheng waved her delicate hand, removing her veil and revealing her stunning beauty.
Similar to Bai Zixi, her skin was fair and flawless. Both were breathtaking, but Bai Qingcheng’s beauty had fewer traces of youth, more maturity, pride, and the authority of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.
Aunt Xue looked guilty. “Madam, I was powerless… the talismans…”
Bai Qingcheng shook her head. “It’s not your fault…”
A dozen or so Golden Core demon cultivators.
The Demonic Sect’s Saint Son.
And… the Strange Daoist’s schemes…
No one could have protected those two Life-Preserving talismans in such a situation.
Bai Qingcheng looked at her twin children again. Her icy gaze softened slightly, and she asked, “Are you both alright?”
“Yes.”
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi nodded, though they were still a bit reserved.
Bai Zisheng hesitated, then said, “Mother…”
Bai Qingcheng’s expression was calm. “What is it?”
Bai Zisheng hesitated, having always been a little afraid of his cold mother, unsure how to speak…
But Bai Zixi said, “Mother, please… save Mo Hua.”
Bai Qingcheng’s brow furrowed. “Mo Hua?”
Aunt Xue explained, “He is… Mister Zhuang’s junior disciple, also the young master and young miss’s junior…”
Bai Qingcheng’s flawless face showed a hint of surprise.
A junior disciple?
My senior brother actually took a disciple?
Impossible…
How could he possibly take another disciple?
Bai Qingcheng’s gaze turned slightly cold as she looked at Aunt Xue.
Aunt Xue’s heart jumped. She immediately lowered her head: “Mister Zhuang didn’t want me to tell you…”
Bai Qingcheng was momentarily taken aback, then her expression softened slightly.
Her senior brother had always been extremely secretive in his actions, and truly hated it when others pried into his affairs.
Whether taking a disciple or not, he naturally did not want anyone else to know…
Bai Qingcheng’s thoughts were complicated. After a moment, she asked, “What happened to him?”
Bai Zixi replied, “He was… captured by the Strange Daoist…”
Bai Zisheng nodded beside her, “He was taken because of me and Zixi. Originally, we were the targets…”
After speaking, Bai Zisheng lowered his head, a hint of guilt on his face.
It seemed he blamed himself for failing to protect the little junior brother.
Bai Qingcheng’s expression remained unchanged, but her heart skipped a beat.
Strange Daoist!
So that’s how it was…
She had been wondering how, with the abilities of the Strange Daoist—her own “Great Senior Brother”—Zisheng and Zixi’s shattering of their Life-Preserving Talismans would inevitably fall into his hands.
She had been worried about this before.
But she never expected that Great Senior Brother would let Zisheng and Zixi go…
Bai Qingcheng, who had been puzzled, now realized that Great Senior Brother had found a “substitute.”
Namely, the little disciple Mister Zhuang had taken in, called “Mo Hua”…
But why?
How could this little disciple be so important?
The Strange Daoist would actually let Zisheng and Zixi go because of him?
Mister Zhuang’s actions were always deliberate, leaving no detail unconsidered.
Could it be that some secret, something untellable, was hidden within this little disciple?
Bai Qingcheng’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“Mother…” Bai Zixi said softly.
Bai Qingcheng came back to herself and looked at Bai Zixi. When her eyes met her daughter’s, a sudden shiver ran through her heart, and her thoughts stirred with indescribable complexity.
Yet her expression remained cold. She merely nodded lightly, “I understand.”
Bai Zisheng wanted to say more, but Aunt Xue gently pulled him aside.
She knew this was enough; with Madam’s temperament, saying more could backfire.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi exchanged a glance and swallowed their words.
Afterward, Aunt Xue recounted the entire journey in detail to Bai Qingcheng.
Bai Qingcheng nodded, her voice clear and pleasant, yet tinged with chill:
“Rest here for tonight. Tomorrow, we leave with me…”
Her words were soft but left no room for refusal.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi reluctantly withdrew.
…
At night, the moonlight was cold and radiant.
Bai Qingcheng sat in her room, a Celestial Mechanism Compass laid before her, its markings twisting with the entanglements of fate, the rise and fall of heavenly secrets.
She frowned and, after a long while, sighed.
“Heavenly Secret Derivative Algorithm… I still can’t surpass my senior brothers…”
No matter how she calculated this heavenly secret, she could not make sense of it.
What, in the end, would her senior brother’s destiny be…
Bai Qingcheng shook her head, and suddenly the name “Mo Hua” surfaced in her mind again.
She remembered the children earlier that day, Zisheng and Zixi, pleading with her, stirring complex emotions.
Zisheng’s nature was somewhat rough and impulsive, but also proud.
Among the exceptional disciples of the clan, he had always looked down on others, and it was rare to see him care so much about anyone else.
And Zixi…
She had called her “Mother” and begged her to save her little junior brother, the expression vivid in Bai Qingcheng’s mind.
Those eyes, usually cold, lofty, and as pure and elegant as a snow lotus, now carried a faint… plea?
How could a mother not understand the meaning hidden in that gaze?
But this… how could it be?
She knew her daughter’s temperament well…
Yet all the more, it left her stunned.
“Mo Hua…”
Bai Qingcheng’s gaze sharpened, silently committing the name to memory.