Chapter 643: The Deathline - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 643: The Deathline The Demon Cavern of Bijing Mountain, a heavenly realm beyond the skies? Mo Hua and Gu Chang Huai exchanged puzzled glances. "The Demon Cavern of Bijing Mountain—I assume it's a stronghold for criminals and evil cultivators lying low in the city of Bijing?" Mo Hua pondered silently. "And this 'heavenly realm beyond the skies' suggests that the cavern is located somewhere extraordinary, completely separate from the known world?" As Mo Hua contemplated, the phrase "Demon Cavern of Bijing Mountain" escaped his lips once more with a hint of doubt. Bijing City is a celestial city, teeming with cultivators, bustling with comings and goings, even housing a Dao Court command—how could there be a "Demon Cavern" here? Is it a large base for demon sects, or simply a temporary refuge for criminals and evil cultivators? What exactly is hidden within? Is Huo Fo Tuo hiding there now? Unable to piece it together alone, Mo Hua sidled closer to Gu Chang Huai, whispering, "Uncle Gu, have you ever heard of this 'Demon Cavern of Bijing Mountain'?" Gu Chang Huai's expression was grave as he shook his head. The Dao Court has never received any intelligence regarding such a place. And right under the court's nose within Bijing City, how could a "Demon Cavern" possibly be erected? Yet, Jia Ren was unexpectedly caught, his storage bag revealed secrets, and the message talisman was highly secured. The content shouldn't be fabricated. Mo Hua furrowed his brow in thought until a sudden flash of insight brightened his eyes. Noticing this, Gu Chang Huai asked, "Did something occur to you?" Mo Hua nodded, quickly organizing his thoughts. He then asked, "Uncle Gu, after the Xie family was annihilated, didn't Huo Fo Tuo and his group disappear before everyone's eyes, right in the firestorm within Bijing City?" "Just how did they vanish?" "What if..." Mo Hua proposed ambitiously, "...they teleported?" Gu Chang Huai paused, then shook his head. "Impossible. Teleportation involves spatial power, a privilege of the fifth-grade Void Stage's divine abilities. This is a second-grade jurisdiction, bound by heavenly laws forbidding teleportation..." Mo Hua acknowledged this. Given his limited understanding of cultivation at the heights of fifth-grade Void techniques, he figured it was best to confirm with Uncle Gu. At least it ruled out the possibility of space teleportation from their considerations. However, one puzzling aspect lingered for Mo Hua: the storied power of space was exclusive to Void Stage ancestors, bound by fifth-grade limitations. Yet, storage bags, with their compact interiors, also contained spatial power. Why, then, were they usable even in low-grade jurisdictions like the second-grade? Mo Hua turned to Gu Chang Huai for clarification. Gu Chang Huai was taken aback. These were not considered secrets in prominent families, yet Mo Hua's confusion seemed genuine. Relieved to discover that Mo Hua also had his blind spots, Gu Chang Huai smiled wryly and explained patiently. "Storage bags are lifeless objects, their spatial power is objective, only accommodating lifeless items," he elucidated. "The fifth-grade spatial power can be controlled by cultivators and can contain live entities, facilitating void jumps or teleportations..." Mo Hua nodded in understanding and inquired, "How are storage bags made, then? Does it involve arrays?" Gu Chang Huai shook his head. "Storage bags don't involve array formations at the fifth-grade space level. If they feature arrays, they're merely ordinary ones, like those enhancing durability, aesthetics, dust-repellence, or scent masking." "These arrays are standard, not linked to spatial power." "The spatial structure of storage bags comes from 'silk'..." "Silk?" Mo Hua blinked. Gu Chang Huai picked up a random storage bag from the ground, opened it, and revealed the intricate threadwork. "Storage bags are woven from silk." "The silk is from 'Qingkong Silkworms,' known to contain spatial power, so the naturally produced silk carries a spatial dimension." "Crafting storage bags involves special techniques to weave this silk into pouches, thereby embedding them with extra space." "So, the storage space within these bags is static, an existent reality..." "Ah, that explains it," Mo Hua remarked, nodding before asking, "But since Qingkong Silkworms have spatial power, they must be quite expensive, right?" "Not particularly," replied Gu Chang Huai. Surprised, Mo Hua remarked, "Spatial power, yet not expensive..." Gu Chang Huai elaborated, "It's the 'Golden Silk Silkworms' and the 'Stellar Silk Silkworms' that are truly ancient and costly." "Golden Silk Silkworms? Stellar Silk Silkworms?" Mo Hua had never heard of them and appeared perplexed. Seeing Mo Hua's confusion relieved Gu Chang Huai greatly as he continued: "In ancient times, spiritual artifacts and treasures capable of storage were exceedingly scarce." "Crafting such artifacts required silkworm species with powerful spatial abilities, notoriously hard to catch, breed, and yielding minimal silk." "With few ancient silkworms, naturally, space devices were rare.” "Yet these ancient treasures, though fewer, bore exceptionally high quality." "These weren't mere pouches; they were top-grade treasures made with threads, cocoons, or pupa from esteemed silkworms, so they became cultivation treasures with considerable internal space demand." "With the prospering cultivation world, the ever-increasing need for spatial artifacts prompted beast masters to cultivate more easily bred silkworms." "Brilliant artisans continually improved storage pouch crafting to make them more accessible." "The Qingkong Silkworm is the most suitable for widespread cultivation today." "The silk is affordable, durable, albeit with limited space." "Today, most of the storage pouches are woven from Qingkong Silk.” "There are rarer silkworms than Qingkong.” "Those kinds lead to bags priced for the elite." "As for the rare, ancient Golden and Stellar Silk Silkworms..." Gu Chang Huai sighed, slightly lamenting. "Their propagation was always rare. Now, after relentless hunts, they're endangered or extinct." "A few remaining have become private to the Central Dao Court, major families, sects, or reside in ancient, hidden places." ... Gu Chang Huai recounted the origins of space-tied artifacts, leaving Mo Hua amazed. He never realized that something as mundane as a storage bag was steeped in such rich history. A seemingly ordinary item conceals vast truths. Mo Hua marveled, reflecting on the profound implications. Void Stage, spatial power, the fifth-grade space arrays... He wondered when he'd reach the Void Stage, master fifth-grade arrays... Melancholic, Mo Hua sighed, refocusing abruptly on the pressing matter of Huo Fo Tuo. If teleportation was out, their task became clearer. In a second-grade realm's constraints, the feasible techniques weren’t extensive. Mo Hua, an erudite array master, knew well the capabilities and lawful stipulations of second-grade realms. Reflecting, he concluded, "It's not a genuine disappearance or a teleportation; it's just being unseen..." "Being unseen indicates they're concealing themselves." "Perhaps not a mere technique, but with a device, most likely a concealing array..." "Huo Fo Tuo’s group, after eliminating the Xie Family, utilized a concealing array to vanish from the fiery chaos. They are somewhere hidden now..." "The eight characters on the message talisman, 'Demon Cavern of Bijing Mountain, Heavenly Realm Beyond,’ are likely the location and code used by these criminal cultivators for concealment..." "Bijing City is a celestial city, with a dense population and attentive ears. It seems implausible for demon cultivators to hide here." "However, if a demon cavern truly exists, it could be well concealed by an array..." "With the mountains of Bijing overlapping and the terrain complex..." "If they set up a demon cavern and concealed it with a hidden array, ordinary cultivators might really overlook such a place..." "And the phrase 'Heavenly Realm Beyond’..." "It suggests that those sheer cliffs and isolated peaks could very well be where the cavern is hidden." "'Heaven' might refer to a 'narrow sky'..." "Where concealed paths hidden by arrays resemble a 'celestial path,' beyond which lies a hidden realm..." ... Mo Hua's thoughts were clear, and he spoke eloquently. Gu Chang Huai was a bit taken aback. This child is indeed exceptionally clever. Not only is he quick-witted, but his knowledge of arrays is profound. His experience seems vast, almost as if he constantly deals with criminal and evil cultivators, understanding their methods and hiding techniques. Something seemed off. Gu Chang Huai hesitated momentarily, wondering, "How do you know so much?" Mo Hua made no attempt to hide it, saying, "I've seen it, so it left a deep impression." "You've seen it?" Gu Chang Huai asked, puzzled. "Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "Back when I was in Tong Xian City, working as a monster hunter..." "The criminals in Dahei Mountain used a hidden array to conceal the path leading to the back of the mountain, using the thick fog for cover, killing and looting at will..." "I've also seen evil cultivators building strongholds behind narrow skies to refine corpses, even constructing mausoleums and similar structures..." Gu Chang Huai frowned, "Weren't you an array master? When did you become a monster hunter?" Mo Hua explained, "My father was a monster hunter. It's a family trade, naturally passed on. What's so strange about that? It's an ancestral skill I couldn't abandon." "But I'm physically weak by nature, so I'm not suited for monster hunting and have to find other paths..." "Besides being a monster hunter, I am also an array master, and technically a freelancer for the Dao Court..." "Sigh," Mo Hua sighed, looking a bit helpless, "Growing up in poverty, I had to endure a bit of hardship, doing a little bit of everything..." Gu Chang Huai looked at Mo Hua’s delicate complexion and audacious demeanor, hardly believing he's tasted any real "hardship..." Yet... "Your life in these mere few years seems quite rich..." Gu Chang Huai remarked. From being a monster hunter to mingling with criminals and witnessing corpse refiners—whether true or fabricated, he couldn’t tell. "More or less," Mo Hua nodded. Gu Chang Huai shook his head. Regardless, Mo Hua's deductions weren't without credibility. Especially concerning arrays... Gu Chang Huai had confirmed by now that when Mo Hua claimed to be "proficient in arrays," he truly meant it. He had initially thought that Mo Hua being described as "proficient" was merely an excuse concocted for appearances when his cousin facilitated Mo Hua's entry into the Tai Xu Sect. But now it seemed Mo Hua was not simply "proficient"; his level of expertise bordered on the incredible. In his entire life, Gu had encountered talented disciples and those skilled in arrays. But never one whose skills were so advanced it left him baffled, nor talent so exorbitant he struggled to articulate it... Gu Chang Huai felt torn. His cousin had put in considerable effort to insert Mo Hua into the Tai Xu Sect, but it seemed the sect had made a fortune. It wasn't his cousin acting impulsively, squandering the sect's goodwill. The sect might actually owe his cousin a favor now... Feeling complicated, Gu Chang Huai decided and told Mo Hua, "I'll have someone investigate in that direction..." Mo Hua's eyes lit up, "Then I..." "Your role ends here..." Mo Hua was taken aback. Gu Chang Huai said, "You need to get back to your classes." "Ah?" Mo Hua was flabbergasted. Gu Chang Huai glanced at Mo Hua, "What did you think? How long did you plan to loiter around?" "The break is only two days; tomorrow you return to the sect, so leave the rest alone..." "Besides, if it comes to confronting Huo Fo Tuo for real combat, you're not much help..." Having said that, Gu Chang Huai patted Mo Hua on the shoulder. "Focus on cultivating." Mo Hua's spirits dropped. He felt like he'd been "used and discarded." In his mind, Uncle Gu was now branded as someone who "burns bridges after crossing." But he had to return to the sect. Skipping classes without reason would lead to expulsion. Mo Hua sighed, "Can I take a leave of absence?" Gu Chang Huai shrugged, "What does that have to do with me? I'm a Dao Court magistrate, not an elder of Tai Xu Sect. I can't approve your leave..." Mo Hua was lost for words. Gu Chang Huai made a dismissive gesture, "Get going..." Reluctantly, Mo Hua had no choice but to return to the Tai Xu Sect. Back at the sect, Mo Hua resumed his routine of cultivating, attending classes, and drawing arrays. However, his mind involuntarily fixated on the issue of Huo Fo Tuo... "My Falling Flame Technique..." Without capturing Huo Fo Tuo and acquiring the method for the Falling Flame Technique, without a stable reference for spell casting, his research into fireball fusion spells was at a stalemate. The destructive power of his spell wouldn't see significant improvement, either. What could he do? Undeterred, Mo Hua diligently sent inquiries about the progress on the search for Huo Fo Tuo every day. "Uncle Gu..." "Uncle Gu..." When there was no response, Mo Hua tried, "Gu Chang Huai!" Sure enough, Gu Chang Huai replied, "Mind your language..." Mo Hua quickly complied, asking: "Uncle Gu, Uncle Gu, have you found it yet? Where is the demon cavern?" "No..." The following day, Mo Hua asked again, "Uncle Gu, any updates?" Gu Chang Huai still replied, "No." Every day thereafter, Mo Hua persisted with the question, and Gu Chang Huai consistently responded, "No." Mo Hua sensed something was amiss. "Uncle Gu, are you lying to me...?" "One must be honest!" The line went silent. Mo Hua thought, as expected. "Have you found the location of the demon cavern?" Gu Chang Huai hesitated momentarily, then replied, "Focus on your cultivation, leave these matters alone." Mo Hua was displeased: "If you don't tell me and someday need my help, I won't be much inclined to offer it!" Gu Chang Huai smirked internally. Need your help? As a dignified Dao Court magistrate, Golden Core cultivator, what could possibly require the aid of a Foundation Establishment novice like you... Then Gu Chang Huai paused. Remembering how Mo Hua had utilized intricate and complex array techniques in decrypting the message talisman, along with his ability to unseal and perceive arrays... Gu Chang Huai curbed his boastful urges, realizing as an adult it wouldn't be right to lie to a child. With a sigh, Gu Chang Huai admitted, "We found it." Mo Hua perked up, "How did you find it?" Gu Chang Huai began explaining, having little choice but to lay it out from the start: "We conducted a search outwardly lax but secretly tight... Publicly, we spread rumors suggesting Huo Fo Tuo hid elsewhere, easing vigilance within Bijing City." "In secret, we deployed more personnel for surveillance around the clock." "If Huo Fo Tuo hides within Bijing City, he would certainly attempt to escape; he wouldn't stay hidden forever." "Sure enough, within a few days, we spotted a suspicious cultivator." "Bijing City was long sealed, and all cultivators' origins documented, yet none listed this suspicious individual." "He appeared from nowhere..." "It turns out he emerged from the 'demon cavern' to gather intelligence..." "We shadowed this suspicious character, observing him make a circuit in the city, then venture alone to the perilous northern mountains, after which he vanished..." "The Dao Court mobilized array masters and utilized concealment-breaking and vision-revealing artifacts to finally uncover the demon cavern's entrance..." At this point, Gu Chang Huai halted. Mo Hua eagerly asked, "And then?" "There's no 'then'." "Wasn't it a demon cavern? Huo Fo Tuo wasn’t inside?" "We can't get in..." Gu Chang Huai sighed, "Suspended in a solitary mountain, a sheer cliff, surrounded by sinister demonic energy. We can’t determine how many evil cultivators lie within." "Rushing in recklessly could lead to unpredictable dangers and might alert the enemy," Gu Chang Huai explained. "Moreover, both inside and out, the place is fortified with arrays." Mo Hua raised an eyebrow in skepticism, "Surely the Dao Court has quite a few people, and there's no shortage of array masters..." After a long pause, Gu Chang Huai simply replied, "I can't discuss that with you..." Mo Hua muttered to himself, "Keeping secrets unnecessarily..." Thinking it over, he asked, "Do you need my help?" Gu Chang Huai was stubborn, "No need." "No need to be polite." "Not being polite." "I wouldn't take any risks or intervene; just help you examine the arrays and find their weaknesses," Mo Hua suggested in a coaxing manner. Gu Chang Huai hesitated. "You do have classes, don't you?" he said uncertainly. Mo Hua knew his instinct was right. It seemed Uncle Gu truly faced difficulties that required someone with Mo Hua's array mastery to assist. "I could try asking for leave." Gu Chang Huai went silent. Mo Hua had a rough idea. Uncle Gu was certainly being too proud to ask for help directly. Mo Hua decided to graciously offer a way out for both of them, messaging: "Uncle Gu, if the sect grants me a leave, how about I assist you in capturing Huo Fo Tuo?" Relieved, Gu Chang Huai finally agreed, albeit reservedly: "Alright then..." His tone, however, betrayed a hint of relief. Mo Hua shook his head, knowing the truth of the situation. Uncle Gu's part was resolved, but getting a leave... that wouldn't be so easy. Most elders might grant a day or two, but more than that was beyond their authority. Entering the demon cavern and capturing Huo Fo Tuo wasn’t a day or two’s task. Even if things went smoothly, it would likely take six or seven days. If the two-day break was included, a five-day leave was still necessary... His only option was to approach Old Mr. Xun. However, Old Mr. Xun... He surely wouldn't grant such a leave. Mo Hua pondered. Telling Old Mr. Xun that he needed a five-day leave to help the Dao Court capture a ruthless criminal in the late Foundation Establishment stage who had annihilated an entire family and practiced forbidden techniques? Unless Old Mr. Xun lost his senses, he wouldn't agree. So he’d need to be vague... Mo Hua found Old Mr. Xun and changed his approach, suggesting that the Dao Court wanted him for some array work that might take five days. Old Mr. Xun looked puzzled and asked, "The Dao Court? Asking you? To draw arrays? And for five days?" Mo Hua stiffened, nodding. "Why?" Old Mr. Xun queried. Mo Hua replied evasively, "It was an invitation from the Chief officer, Gu, at the Dao Court. I'm unsure myself..." Old Mr. Xun shook his head, "Why draw arrays at the Dao Court when they can be drawn anywhere? Besides, five days is quite a long leave..." Disappointed, Mo Hua sighed. Just as Old Mr. Xun was about to say more, he paused, "Did you just say... the Chief officer from the Gu family at the Dao Court?" "Mm-hmm," Mo Hua nodded vigorously. "How did you come to know someone in the Gu family?" "I know Aunt Wan from the Shangguan family; Chief Gu is her cousin..." Old Mr. Xun was momentarily astonished and asked further: "Did they mention what kind of array work?" Mo Hua shook his head, "No, only that it's a second-grade array, quite difficult, so it might take a while, requiring a five-day leave..." Old Mr. Xun glanced at Mo Hua with surprise. The Dao Court... the Gu family... The Gu family's influence in the Dao Court was deep and widespread. This Mo Hua, if he truly gained connections with the Gu family, would find his dealings with the Dao Court smoother in the future... At least he won't be unfairly targeted or suffer unforeseen misfortunes. Old Mr. Xun reflected briefly and then asked Mo Hua: "Will it be just array work, with no other dangers?" "None whatsoever!" Mo Hua replied firmly. "Alright then." Old Mr. Xun nodded, "Go to Elder Song, tell him I said you can have a five-day leave." Elated, Mo Hua grinned from ear to ear and said, "Thank you, sir!" Nodding, Old Mr. Xun advised, "Do your array work well. The Gu family at the Dao Court is quite reputable, worth building a rapport with." "Absolutely, sir, you can count on me!" Mo Hua nodded, thinking he's already quite close with Uncle Gu. "Very well, go on." Old Mr. Xun gestured with a wave of his hand. Mo Hua respectfully bowed and couldn't help but skip away in high spirits. He approached Elder Song and stated his need for a five-day leave, as approved by Old Mr. Xun. Elder Song appeared bewildered, harboring some discontent. Old Mr. Xun seemed to indulge this child excessively! A five-day leave, preposterous! However, he proceeded to sign and seal the leave without objection. "It’s not my concern how long he takes; my job is merely to stamp approval..." Elder Song mentally dismissed the issue. With official approval secured, Mo Hua happily returned to the disciples' residence. He calculated it perfectly. A five-day leave, coupled with a two-day break, gave him exactly seven days. Within these seven days, he had to ensure the capture of Huo Fo Tuo to obtain the techniques of the Falling Flame. This would serve as the foundation for his own improvements of the fireball fusion spell. Beyond seven days, he'd be unable to intervene. After that, Huo Fo Tuo might either get captured or escape by the Dao Court. If he failed to obtain the Falling Flame Technique, his efforts would be for naught. Thus... Mo Hua wore a serious expression, his gaze firm, declaring: "Within seven days, Huo Fo Tuo must perish!"