Chapter 655: The Turning Fiendish Comet - The Quest for Immortality

**Chapter 655: The Turning Fiendish Comet** Upon the altar, the tremors were intensifying, with debris already cascading down. Gu Changhuai frowned, deep in thought. Mo Hua's eyes narrowed sharply; he immediately exclaimed, "Uncle Gu, the formation is self-destructing, the demon hall is collapsing!" "How much time do we have?" Mo Hua extended his consciousness, estimating the energy capacity of the crumbling formation. "Less than the time it takes for a single incense stick to burn..." Gu Changhuai clenched his teeth. At this very moment, he yearned to pin down Huo Fotuo on the altar and eliminate him once and for all to avert future troubles. Although Huo Fotuo appeared cornered, debilitated by the water poison and sluggish in motion, his aura was waning yet not entirely extinguished. Such demonic cultivators are notoriously difficult to kill... An incense stick's worth of time wouldn't suffice to finish him off. Moreover, Mo Hua was also present on the altar… Even if Gu desired to take the risk of slaying Huo Fotuo, he had to consider Mo Hua's safety. With Mo Hua’s exceptional talent in formations, his future was boundless, and he could not be left behind to be buried alongside this nefarious creature! First, we must escape! Gu Changhuai shot Huo Fotuo a glance as cold as ice before declaring to Mo Hua, "Let's go!" "Alright." Mo Hua didn't hesitate. Though this altar seemed like it was tailored specifically for him, providing a comfortable seat, it would be a pity to see it destroyed. Nonetheless, he had no intention of being buried with this altar within the gloomy demon lair. His own life mattered more. Mo Hua and Gu Changhuai swiftly activated their techniques, one borrowing the swiftness of the wind, the other transforming into flowing water, both making a full retreat from the altar. Huo Fotuo lingered awhile, waiting until Gu Changhuai and Mo Hua were at a safe distance before he consumed a peculiar blood-red pill. As blood energy and wicked power surged once more through his meridians, he murmured, "Killing me… won’t be that easy…" Huo Fotuo chuckled with an enigmatic smile. Harnessing the pill's potency, he suppressed the water poison, igniting himself in flames as he fled the altar. Mo Hua and Gu Changhuai had exited the altar and entered the grand hall. The hall was equally dilapidated, with figures in disarray. Some cultivators from the Dao court continued battling scattered demonic cultivators. Some were chasing down retreating demons. While others, seeing the demon hall shaking, stood bewildered, unsure of their next move. Gu Changhuai frowned, his voice stern, as he commanded, "Everyone, evacuate the demon hall!" Then he grasped Mo Hua with one hand, pulling him along as they dashed outside. As a Golden Core cultivator adept in wind-based evasion, Gu Changhuai’s speed was unmatched. Mo Hua’s movement technique was far slower. Moreover, with the impending collapse of the demon hall, chaos reigned. Loose demons, frantic Dao court executors, and occasional falling boulders from above all added to the tumult. Holding Mo Hua personally, Gu felt more at ease. Thus, Mo Hua, feeling rather helpless, found himself carried by the tall and slender Gu Changhuai, watching the scenery blur past him. Around them, shouts, screams, and the clash of weapons echoed, mingling with the sound of crashing stones. The altar had sunk, the great hall was crumbling, following a collapse from the inner maze, continuing outward as layers of formations self-destructed, the demon hall collapsed from the innermost chamber to its outer precincts… It was unclear how much time had passed when Mo Hua’s vision cleared, finding himself outside the demon lair. The skies were vast and blue, clouds casting their shadows over the mountain mist. Surrounding them were the towering peaks of Bìshān City. Turning back, Mo Hua saw the solitary peak concealing the demon lair imploding inwards, accompanied by a deafening roar. Countless cultivators streamed out of the lair’s entrance. Most were Dao court cultivators, with a few demon cultivators among them. Emerging from the demon hall, the two sides resumed their bloody conflict. Some demon cultivators attempted to escape in the chaos, only to have their path blocked by Gu Changhuai, who slaughtered them one by one as they approached the stone bridge. Mo Hua remained hidden, using spells to secretly subdue the demon cultivators. Should any slip past Gu Changhuai’s grasp, Mo Hua ensnared them in a Water Prison or trapped them with the Gen Mountain Formation to await Gu’s finishing blow. Thus, they eliminated nearly a dozen more demonic cultivators when suddenly, a crimson figure emerged at the entrance of the demon hall. It was Huo Fotuo. He, too, had escaped. Just as Huo Fotuo made his exit, the entire mountain let out a thunderous crash, collapsing completely. The entire demon hall and the eerie altar within were buried. Those unable to escape were entombed as well. Hatred boiled within Gu Changhuai’s heart as he turned his gaze onto Huo Fotuo, issuing a deadly command: "All executors, guard the stone bridge, don't let that fiend Huo Fotuo escape!" A tempest of wind roared around him as he launched himself forward, leading the charge against Huo Fotuo. Huo Fotuo sneered, igniting a barrage of fiery rain using his Starfall Fire technique, clashing fiercely against Gu Changhuai’s wind blades. Some Dao court cultivators kept the stone bridge, others battled with remaining demons, while some flanked for Gu Changhuai’s support. Mo Hua observed, frowning slightly. This Huo Fotuo… In such a short time, he seemed to have suppressed the water poison; his wounds had largely healed, and his dark energy was replenished… Like a cockroach, he was incredibly hard to kill… The situation seemed grim. Meanwhile, during the skirmish, Huo Fotuo suddenly bypassed Gu Changhuai, enveloped in flames, unleashing a palm strike at a nearby executor with deadly intent. Gu Changhuai moved to intercept, pausing his assault momentarily. Seizing the respite, Huo Fotuo’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "You hesitated to kill me at the altar, and now, it’s too late..." Gu Changhuai’s countenance shifted as he glanced over. Huo Fotuo had already crushed an exquisite golden jade talisman. In an instant, a whirlwind of flames engulfed him, accelerating his movements tremendously. Gu Changhuai's eyes widened in shock. "An extraordinary talisman… a Thousand-Mile Divine Travel Talisman?!" In a blink, Huo Fotuo blazed past Gu Changhuai, leaving a distance of several meters in mere fleeting moments. With another blink, he was even further. Gu Changhuai shouted urgently, "Stop him!" All executors, their expressions somber, gathered, forming an impenetrable barrier at the stone bridge’s mouth, blocking Huo Fotuo’s path. Huo Fotuo’s eyes narrowed, unleashing a barrage of falling star fire as he launched an aggressive assault. Once he breached their defenses and crossed the stone bridge, freedom awaited him like a fish returning to the sea, limitless and boundless. Soon, Huo Fotuo and the executors clashed violently. His double vision limited him from deploying his full fiendish aura, curtailing his ability to instill fear in the Dao court cultivators. However, his overwhelming dark energy and potent forbidden spells allowed him to slowly breach their encirclement. On the other side, Gu Changhuai too was closing in rapidly. As Gu Changhuai neared, Huo Fotuo reached the stone bridge's entrance. Only a few executors stood in his path; a flick of the talisman, a surge of speed, and he could make his escape. A cold smile appeared on Huo Fotuo’s face. At this critical moment, his footing trembled, a familiar aura wrapped around him. Huo Fotuo immediately knew without needing to look. Another damned formation! A glance revealed gray formation lines rising beneath him, forming a rocky prison that bound him temporarily. This array was precise and swift. Bitterness laced Huo Fotuo’s expression. It had to be that sneaky brat, lurking somewhere, launching another underhanded strategy. During the fleeting moment in which the confinement array formed, Huo Fotuo’s movements were restricted, allowing several Dao court executors to close in for the kill. One among them shouted, "Huo Fotuo, prepare to die!" Young and handsome, clad in a pristine Dao court robe, the youth was none other than Xiao Tianquan, a genius of the Xiao family’s main line. He had not engaged directly against Huo Fotuo until this final strike. His sword strike, brimming with spiritual power, indeed struck true, cleaving into Huo Fotuo’s left shoulder. But Huo Fotuo was no ordinary adversary; a wave of his right hand sent cursed flames searing across Xiao Tianquan’s left arm, forcing him to retreat and exposing a gap. Gu Changhuai arrived in the nick of time, swinging his folding fan to unleash several sharp wind blades that pierced Huo Fotuo’s back, tearing his monk’s robe to shreds. Huo Fotuo endured Gu Changhuai’s assault, spatting blood from his mouth, yet a mocking smile twisted his lips. Then, he activated the Thousand-Mile Divine Travel Talisman, slipping through the gap Xiao Tianquan had exposed, vanishing in a blaze of speed. Mo Hua's last ditch Water Prison was ineffective. Seeing Huo Fotuo slipping away, Mo Hua couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation. Xiao Tianquan is truly a disappointment. If you're going to hide and wait to reap the benefits, do it properly. Jumping out at the last moment to try and steal the glory is fine, but at least finish Huo Fotuo off. Or at the very least, put up a good fight to detain him. But as it went, trading injuries with Huo Fotuo only to let him escape makes him more of a hindrance than a help. While Mo Hua was in the midst of his silent censure, he froze momentarily. Due to his keen senses and sharp eyes, amidst the chaos, he noticed… Just as Huo Fotuo made his escape, he passed by Xiao Tianquan. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like they... Exchanged a glance? Xiao Tianquan clutched his injured arm, his gaze held a peculiar look. And Huo Fotuo, as he looked upon Xiao Tianquan, exhibited an exceptionally calm demeanor. Neither spoke a word, yet in a split second, their eyes met. It felt like... A meeting between acquaintances? Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat. When he turned his attention back, Xiao Tianquan was wearing a solemn expression, seemingly frustrated by the escape of Huo Fotuo. Meanwhile, Huo Fotuo had already become a trail of fire, fleeing with the aid of the Thousand-Mile Divine Travel Talisman. Enraged, Gu Changhuai shouted a command from behind: "Chase him!" Transformed into a gust of wind, he pursued Huo Fotuo’s escape route, with several Dao court executors following closely. Mo Hua took a silent glance at Xiao Tianquan, thoughts stirring. It seems... There’s a bigger fish... ... Mo Hua chose not to join Gu Changhuai in pursuing Huo Fotuo. Given Huo Fotuo’s speed, Mo Hua knew he couldn’t keep up; moreover, he lacked the spiritual power to sustain such a long chase. He decided it was wiser to remain in Bìshān City, awaiting news from his uncle Gu, allowing himself a much-needed rest. The following dawn, Gu Changhuai returned, looking weary and travel-worn. "Huo Fotuo got away…" Gu Changhuai sighed deeply, a bitter edge to his voice. Mo Hua felt a tinge of disappointment but wasn’t particularly surprised. These demonic cultivators like Huo Fotuo, teeming with evil power, are notoriously resilient. Unless completely surrounded and worn down, eliminating him outside was fraught with too many variables. "Uncle Gu, what exactly is the Thousand-Mile Divine Travel Talisman?" Mo Hua slyly inquired. A trace of surprise flitted across Gu Changhuai's face before he explained with a sigh: "It’s an extraordinary talisman, a top-tier artifact used by cultivators below the Golden Core stage for traveling or fleeing..." "Normally, only prominent families possess such talismans..." Mo Hua mused, “Did Huo Fotuo’s talisman come from theft, robbery, or...” Was it given to him by someone? Though Mo Hua left the question unspoken, Gu Changhuai understood, and his expression grew serious. Mo Hua furtively scanned the surroundings before whispering: "Uncle Gu, Xiao Tian—Xiao Tianquan seemed to know Huo Fotuo..." Gu Changhuai’s gaze sharpened, "How do you know?" "I saw it..." Mo Hua revealed. "When Huo Fotuo escaped, he locked eyes with Xiao Tianquan. That look resembled one shared between acquaintances…" Recalling the scene, Gu Changhuai frowned, yet he couldn’t remember witnessing such an exchange. "It happened in the blink of an eye, but I have sharp eyes and caught it!" Mo Hua insisted. The interplay between Huo Fotuo and that “howling dog” was indeed significant! Gu Changhuai frowned deeper, pondering briefly before shaking his head. "Logically, it seems unlikely..." "Huo Fotuo's over two hundred years old; Xiao Tianquan is perhaps thirty at most. The generational gap is too vast. When Huo Fotuo's notoriety was rising, Xiao hadn’t even been born..." "There shouldn’t be any intersection between them..." "Given Huo Fotuo’s nature, he probably wouldn’t think much of Xiao Tianquan…” In a hushed tone, Mo Hua suggested, “Could it be something with the Xiao family...” Gu Changhuai considered briefly before shaking his head, "In the recent assault on the demon hall, many from the Xiao family perished, and these individuals formed the foundation of their presence within the Dao court..." "Such a self-destructive act, even if Xiao Tianquan wished it, his family’s elders would never agree…” Mo Hua nodded, yet something still seemed amiss to him. Noticing Mo Hua deep in thought, Gu Changhuai worried he might act out unpredictably, sighed, and advised: "I'll keep an eye on this matter, leave it to me..." "And don't discuss this with outsiders. Should the Xiao family catch wind, they'll accuse you of ‘slander and defamation,’ creating trouble for you..." "The Xiao family wields significant influence in the Dao court. Once you’re in their crosshairs, everything becomes much more difficult..." "Yes, yes!" Mo Hua nodded quickly. Indeed, this situation called for discretion. Mo Hua then asked, “Uncle Gu, where exactly did Huo Fotuo escape to?” Gu Changhuai weighed the question, responding gravely, "Somewhere beyond the borders of Qianxue State; his exact destination is unknown. I've already notified the Dao court in each immortal city along his path to issue a warrant and to pursue and intercept him..." "Let’s hope he can be stopped..." Gu Changhuai sighed because if Huo Fotuo was allowed to escape and recover beyond the state, he might someday return, unleashing another wave of chaos and bloodshed. Endless calamity and death for countless cultivators. Should he eventually achieve the Golden Core stage, the consequences would be disastrous... Mo Hua too sighed, a weight settling in his heart. “Then I…” Before Mo Hua could continue, Gu Changhuai interjected: “No, you should return to your sect and continue cultivating early…” “Capturing Huo Fotuo is both dangerous and prolonged. How long can you afford to waste in pursuit? Aren’t you on a seven-day break?” “Two days left!” Mo Hua replied. “Is two days much? With Qianzhou so expansive, traveling back and forth in search of Huo Fotuo won’t suffice…” Gu Changhuai commented coolly. "But..." Mo Hua wished to persist. Gu Changhuai interrupted, leaving no room for objection: "I'll arrange for someone to take you back to your sect tomorrow, so you can focus on your studies." Mo Hua wasn’t eager to heed his advice. Gu Changhuai remarked, “Return obediently, and I’ll arrange some sect contributions as thanks, as your role in dismantling the demon hall is indeed a significant achievement…” “If you don’t return, then consider the offer void.” Mo Hua quickly changed his tune, "Alright, Uncle Gu, I’ll follow your instructions!" ... And so, early the next morning, Gu Changhuai organized a carriage ride to send Mo Hua back to the sect. Though initially planning to have two executors accompany him, Mo Hua declined their escort. For one, his own concealment techniques were sufficient for an emergency escape. Secondly, were he unable to flee, the two executors wouldn't save him and might instead lose their lives alongside his own. Another reason was that he intended to use the journey back to study Huo Fotuo’s starfall forbidden technique manual. And another tome… "The True Art of Demonic Fiend Transformation"! When Mo Hua had seized Huo Fotuo’s manuals, he'd inadvertently grabbed two books, which he hastily deposited into his spatial ring without inspection. Upon examining them later, he discovered that besides Huo Fotuo's "Starfall Forbidden Technique," there was another titled "The True Art of Demonic Fiend Transformation." This must be what Uncle Gu referred to as an unparalleled legacy of the Demon Fiend Sect. It was also the method Huo Fotuo used to "invoke fiendish power," impacting the very soul. Mo Hua resolved to “critique” this. If there were any parts worthy of study, he planned to “extract the essence, discard the dross,” and investigate further. If deemed too malevolent, then he’d incinerate it to prevent further harm. However, this kind of book must be examined secretly, to avoid being seen by the Dao court or Uncle Gu, as it might cause them to view him as a “bad person.” ... Amidst lush mountains and serene waters, a carriage rolled leisurely onward. The spirit horse pulling the carriage was adept at finding its path. Mo Hua sat quietly inside, flipping through the two coveted manuscripts left behind by Huo Fotuo. He began with “The True Art of Demonic Fiend Transformation.” As he perused, his expression grew somber. True to its name, this was indeed a gruesome and brutal demonic sect manual. According to the text, fiendish energy was also a natural force, existing between spiritual energy and mental power, both tangible and intangible. The process of cultivating fiendish energy was essentially about “killing.” One must kill extensively, create killing karma, accumulate grievances, then convert this “karma” into fiendish energy through this true art. The more one killed, the deeper the fiendish energy. The stronger the victims, the heavier the fiendish energy. In battle, the sheer oppressive force of fiendish energy could cause opponents to break down in terror, losing the will to resist, rendering them easy prey. Against skilled adversaries, fiendish energy could corrupt their mind, causing madness or frenzy. As seen in the great hall, Huo Fotuo utilized this energy to instill “fear” in several executors, slaying them all with a single fiery blade. The demonic qi, whether in a group battle or in a duel, remains exceedingly terrifying. “To harness it requires massive killings…” Mo Hua frowned, shaking his head. The burden of numerous sins, this was something he could not bring himself to cultivate. However, what caught his attention was the "Transformation of Qi" process. Converting "karma of killings" into "demonic qi." This method seemed to harbor elements of "causal transformation." Karma of killings as the cause, demonic qi as the effect. Transforming karma into qi, cause into effect. It was akin to utilizing a fragment of the "heavenly cycle of cause and effect," then merging it with demonic activities to craft a cultivation method. Mo Hua pondered for a moment and decided not to destroy the manual. While qi cultivation was out of the question, the process of "Transformation of Qi," which involves causal transformation, was worthy of study. Then there was the book Mo Hua eagerly anticipated, the manuscript on the Forbidden Starfall Technique! The manuscript on the Starfall Technique was substantial, more accurately resembling "forbidden technique study notes." Filled with meticulous details—interwoven texts and illustrations documenting the forbidden technique—highlighting critical notes, pitfalls, and unsolved challenges. After skimming it, Mo Hua had an epiphany. The Starfall Technique is a formidable forbidden art, with immense power and spiritual energy, yet fraught with significant drawbacks. Huo Fotuo had resorted to extensive murder, absorbing the spiritual power of his victims' blood and flesh into his own being, most notably into the two "flame hearts" at his chest. The more lives taken, the more powerful the flame hearts grew, resulting in exponentially terrifying prowess and near-limitless evil power supply. No wonder he resembled a beast fueled by demonic flames. Difficult to kill and tough to die. Even when injured, continued bloodshed hastened his recovery. Those two hearts were, in fact, a pair of original twin demonic artifacts, serving as the embryonic stage of a destined treasure for a Golden Core cultivator. Golden Core cultivators refine their treasures. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to progress to Golden Core, they must first nurture the embryonic stage of their destined treasure. This was something Mo Hua learned during cultivation lectures. Huo Fotuo’s embryonic treasures were those two “flame hearts,” also the core of the Forbidden Starfall Technique. Regarding the treasure embryos, Mo Hua, currently at the initial Foundation Establishment stage, found it elusive, being some distance from the Golden Core realm where such knowledge would become relevant. As for the Forbidden Starfall Technique… Mo Hua was neither inclined nor capable of learning it, so he saw little point in overly pondering it. His current requirement was simply a stable and controllable "spell structure." And within Huo Fotuo’s two flame hearts, this structure resided. Since those "hearts" were implanted in his meridians as the embryonic stage of a destined treasure, instability would have led Huo Fotuo to self-destruct long ago. "A stable and controllable spell structure!" With this in mind, Mo Hua delved deep into the study of the fire elemental spiritual energy pathway within Huo Fotuo’s “hearts.” Mimicking these pathways, Mo Hua devised several foundational spell structures for fire elemental spiritual energy. However, these structures proved quite complex. Nevertheless, Mo Hua was undaunted. Blessed with strong mental faculties, he was unafraid of intricate spell formations—in fact, the more complex, the better. After formulating these structures, Mo Hua couldn’t resist trying them out, testing each one while seated in the carriage. He began with a simple Fireball Technique. Using the complex "spell structure" derived from the forbidden technique, Mo Hua formed the fireball and launched it at the ground. Through this fireball casting process, Mo Hua scrutinized the changes in the spell structure. He assessed the power, stability, controllability, whether the spell structure tended to disband easily, and more… After roughly ten trials, Mo Hua finally developed a fireball spell structure that was comparatively stable and easily controlled. Overjoyed, Mo Hua contemplated immediately experimenting with a "Spirit-Mutated Fireball," but sensibly refrained. This wasn’t within the sect's safe confines, and if something went awry, leading to a spell mishap, he wouldn’t have elders to rescue him… Mo Hua suppressed his thrill, deciding to wait until he returned to the sect before testing this newfound spell’s potential. ... The carriage traveled languidly along. En route, the scenery was idyllic, passing a trail through spiritual fields and traversing numerous immortal cities. By evening, they reached the outskirts of Qingcheng Mountain. Beyond this mountain and a short distance further would lead them to the borders of Qianxue State. As the sun set behind the mountain, the sky was adorned in vibrant dusk hues. Mo Hua lay by the window, gazing at the flaming sky. Watching intently, a sudden unease gripped his heart. The fiery dusk looked like fresh blood. Mo Hua blinked, then looked again to find a beautifully vibrant sunset; the red hue was merely a figment of his imagination. A knot of unease tightened in his chest. He attempted a celestial divination and was suddenly struck with an ethereal vision—a bright, blood-red causal chain of slaughter and fire entwined around him. Mo Hua's pupils dilated. Without hesitation, he leaped out of the carriage. Within mere moments, the vehicle he had vacated exploded into a blazing inferno, turning to ash. As he landed and looked ahead, a daunting figure stood at the crossroads. Tall and imposing, with a serene countenance clad in blood-red robes, his eyes burned with killing intent. It was none other than Huo Fotuo! His gaze was icy, his voice detached: “Little master, allow me to send you on your way!” Thank you to Fengzhi Chocolate, Supervisor of Wind, Light E, CHanSO, Cultivate Together, Picturesque Scenery, Sang Chen, katiestar for the rewards~ This is quite a lengthy chapter. There should be another one later today. But I’m unsure if it’ll be finished by midnight... I’ll do my best. However, if it gets too late, don’t wait up. Sleep early, rise early~