Immortality Through Array Formations

Chapter 2267: Chapter 1048: Assimilation (Part 2)

At this moment, when the two sides met, Qin Cangliu almost instinctively prepared for a "fight to the death".

Generally speaking, that was indeed the case.

But Mo Hua did not make a move.

And Qin Cangliu quickly noticed something unusual.

In the crowd before him, there were not only disciples from Taixu Gate but also from other sects...

"Sever Gold Sect?!"

Qin Cangliu’s pupils trembled.

He actually found a dozen disciples from the Sever Gold Sect among the group of over thirty from Taixu Gate!

It was like a mouse lying in the arms of a cat?!

Qin Cangliu’s thoughts were immediately thrown into chaos.

Then, with an angry expression, he questioned Song Jian: "Has your Sever Gold Sect joined Taixu Gate?"

Song Jian was not in a convenient position to speak, especially considering his current situation of being "under others", naturally needing to look at Mo Hua’s expression.

Song Jian looked towards Mo Hua.

Mo Hua then said to Qin Cangliu, "Sword discussion is sword discussion. For the benefit of the sect, naturally a victory or defeat must be decided. But now we are in an Evil Formation, fraught with crisis, and as righteous Dao sect disciples, we should put aside our past grievances, join forces to find a way out."

Mo Hua’s words were spoken very eloquently.

But Qin Cangliu was not quite convinced.

He was born into an aristocratic family of the Taoist Court, where his elders were all people of law enforcement. Growing up in such an environment, he developed a somewhat gloomy temperament, and people often said he was deep and scheming.

But Qin Cangliu knew that his own scheming was indeed a bit much.

Yet this pale-faced Mo Hua, with his red lips and bright eyes, was far more insidious than him.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, as they say, and Mo Hua was exactly such a person.

Qin Cangliu frowned deeply, remaining silent.

Seeing that kind words were ineffective, Mo Hua resorted to speaking harshly, mentioning things like "your formation is inadequate and you are in the dark here", "you can’t even see the danger right in front of you", "staying here means certain death", "and it will be a very, very miserable death"...

Word by word, Mo Hua made Qin Cangliu’s heart pound with anxiety.

He knew that what Mo Hua said might not be a lie.

But his cautious nature prevented him from making a quick decision.

The main concern was Mo Hua’s insidiousness. He dreaded that Mo Hua might scheme against him, fearing that his fellow Gui Water Sect members would be sent to their deaths by Mo Hua, this "black-hearted" individual, used as pawns.

If that were to happen, they wouldn’t even know how they died.

The Sword Discussion Conference was like that; many people got blown up to death by Mo Hua without knowing what hit them.

Mo Hua’s deeds in such matters were "notorious".

Past experiences must serve as a warning.

But on the other hand, Qin Cangliu also clearly knew that Mo Hua, the Formation Leader, had unfathomable expertise in formations. Only by following his lead could there be a slim chance of survival for them all.

While Qin Cangliu was torn and indecisive, Wang Chen approached, persuading softly:

"We are not the only sect following Mo Hua; Sever Gold Sect is also here. If he were to harm anyone, it wouldn’t only be our Gui Water Sect."

"Moreover, the current dominance of Taixu Gate means that if we irritate Mo Hua, and they decide to attack, we truly cannot fend them off..."

Qin Cangliu frowned.

Wang Chen, understanding his concerns, added, "Those who recognize the times are wise. If it’s inconvenient for you to speak, I shall dare to negotiate with Young Master Mo."

Qin Cangliu was somewhat surprised and slowly nodded.

Wang Chen then stepped forward, stood before Mo Hua, and pretended they were strangers, doing his best to argue for some "rights" for the Gui Water Sect.

Despite Mo Hua’s prideful demeanor, he nodded in agreement.

Wang Chen respectfully bowed to Mo Hua, then returned and relayed Mo Hua’s "assurances" to Qin Cangliu:

He assured not to deceive the Gui Water Sect.

Assured not to deliberately send Gui Water Sect disciples to their deaths.

Assured not to attack Gui Water Sect disciples first.

Assured not to target Gui Water Sect disciples with formations.

...

"Young Master Qin, perhaps we should agree for now and act according to the circumstances," Wang Chen said.

Qin Cangliu looked surprised.

Previously, he considered Wang Chen to be a slick opportunist whose morals were questionable, but now witnessing him bravely argue with Mo Hua, this "little villain," for the sake of the Gui Water Sect, truly changed his perception.

Qin Cangliu couldn’t help but gain a bit more respect for Wang Chen and nodded, saying:

"Alright."

Thus, the Gui Water Sect was temporarily "incorporated" by Mo Hua.

Mo Hua reiterated the three-part agreement and granted them a Divine Formation for protection, while the Gui Water Sect offered up formation media and Spiritual Ink.

Mo Hua’s team further expanded.

Everyone continued their exploration, assisting some scattered Heavenly Pride Disciples along the way, allowing them to join if they wished.

Most sect disciples, even if rescued by Mo Hua, were unwilling and did not dare to stay with Mo Hua, their formidable "archenemy".

However, disciples from the Sever Gold Sect and Gui Water Sect, with leaders like Song Jian and Qin Cangliu among them, would invariably choose to "submit" to Mo Hua whenever they encountered their own sect members.

This is what it means to capture the leader first in order to tame the group.

By first subduing the leading Heavenly Pride, it caused the other disciples to follow suit.

Mo Hua nodded his head, confirming his assumptions and gradually gaining some insight.

Thus, they continued forward, leaving the withered forest and entering a Blood Swamp, where they encountered Shi Tiangang from the Vajra Sect.

The Blood Swamp was filled with water and mud.

But this water was bloody, the mud was fleshy sludge, and it reeked with putridity, fostering many Evil Spirits.

Above the Blood Swamp, leech-like creatures beyond count, like a bloody rain, hovered densely in the air, making one’s scalp tingle.

The Vajra Sect was unlucky, landing near the Blood Swamp.

They couldn’t see the Evil Spirits; unwisely moving about, most disciples had already been invaded in their Sea of Consciousness by the Evil Spirits, without even realizing.