The Quest for Immortality

Previously, Mo Hua had tried it before. The reverse force generated by the collapse of the composite array could indeed injure the Feng Xi.

However, the Feng Xi’s blood and qi were too strong, and it regenerated quickly. Small-scale collapses couldn’t kill it, but large-scale array collapses were entirely different.

If the entire large array were to collapse, the resulting force would be unimaginably strong...

Mo Hua shuddered at the thought.

It would be best to avoid reaching this point...

Building a large array required immense effort and resources, something Mo Hua was reluctant to waste.

However, when he had the chance, he still needed to use his spiritual awareness to calculate the array, to be prepared in advance.

Even if it wasn’t used for collapse, using spiritual awareness calculations to increase understanding of the array was immensely beneficial.

After all, opportunities to create a large array were rare and precious.

The matter of constructing a large array to suppress the Feng Xi was agreed upon by the Dao Court, Dao Soldier Office, and Elder Yu, and formally announced to the cultivators of Tongxian City.

The reactions of the cultivators were mixed.

Some cultivators from small families didn’t believe the array could be built and were unwilling to participate. They packed their belongings and left overnight.

Cultivators with property or special status also prepared their escape routes early on, unwilling to stay in Tongxian City and take risks.

Some rogue cultivators thought building such an array was a fantasy and quietly left to seek new livelihoods elsewhere.

Compared to this, most rogue cultivators and nearly all demon hunters chose to stay.

They had lived in Tongxian City for generations, born and raised there, married and had children there, and aged there. Their lives and emotions were deeply tied to the city.

They couldn’t bear to abandon their homeland.

As long as there was a glimmer of hope, they would fight for it.

Moreover, after experiencing many events, they trusted Elder Yu and believed in Mo Hua.

Their current lives owed much to Mo Hua’s arrays.

Now that Mo Hua wanted to build a large array, they all wanted to help.

Besides, the array was for their own protection.

Additionally, the artifact crafters, led by Master Chen, mostly stayed; and the alchemists, under Mr. Feng’s leadership, also wanted to stay and contribute.

Mo Hua felt a bit emotional.

In times of crisis, most ”upper-class” cultivators in Tongxian City fled;

While the lower-class cultivators, who had endured hardships in the city, were doing their best to protect it...

But some cultivators fleeing was actually not a big deal.

Most rogue cultivators staying provided the necessary manpower for the array construction.

To construct the large array, they needed array mediums, which required craftsmen. Elder Yu went to ask Master Ban.

Master Ban agreed without hesitation.

He had been favored by Elder Yu and owed Mo Hua a favor. He was also in awe of Mo Hua’s array skills.

Now that he had the chance to repay them, he didn’t hesitate.

Moreover, this was an opportunity to build a large array.

In his lifetime, neither he nor any craftsman he knew had built a large array. Master Ban naturally wanted to witness it.

Master Ban sighed internally:

”This is a grand endeavor. If we can indeed build the large array, it will be a notable event in the province’s history, something to boast about to future generations.”

His team of craftsmen all nodded in agreement.

With manpower resolved, the next step was gathering spirit stones and materials.

Elder Yu donated most of the demon hunters’ earnings.

This included the spirit mines they had seized, the earnings from the artifact crafting shop and the alchemy hall over the years, and some of his personal savings.

Other rogue cultivators also donated some spirit stones, leaving just enough for their basic cultivation needs.

Mo Shan also donated, and Liu Ruhua gave most of the spirit stones she had saved from running her restaurant.

She was somewhat reluctant, as these were meant for Mo Hua’s future cultivation, buying a cave abode, and marrying a Dao companion.

But now that Mo Hua was leading the construction of the large array, these spirit stones were being used according to his plans.

Mo Hua also donated the ten thousand spirit stones Elder Yu had given him, but Elder Yu refused to accept them.

Elder Yu blew his beard and glared, ”Don’t cause trouble!”

”I am building the large array, so I naturally have to donate some spirit stones,” Mo Hua said.

”We don’t need your contribution,” Elder Yu refused.

Ten thousand spirit stones... could that be considered just a bit...

”But...”

Mo Hua wanted to say more, but Elder Yu interrupted him:

”These are for your Foundation Building. Whether or not the large array is completed, whether or not the Feng Xi is killed, you must not delay your Foundation Building.”

Elder Yu said solemnly, ”Your Foundation Building is the most important!”

”But we must deal with the current situation first...”

”No matter what, you must complete your Foundation Building!” Elder Yu repeated.

Seeing Mo Hua still wanting to say more, Elder Yu sighed and said:

”If you really feel bad about it, just help us in the future when you become a Second Grade Array Master and are able.”

”A Second Grade Array Master would be truly influential. At that time, everything you do will be easier.”

Mo Hua nodded. Elder Yu was right, but he knew that successfully building the large array was equally important for him.

He wanted to complete the large array to gradually comprehend more advanced array techniques.

Mo Hua still insisted on giving the spirit stones to Elder Yu.

Elder Yu sighed, reluctantly accepted them, and then quickly slipped them back into Mo Hua’s pocket while he wasn’t looking.

”Alright, you’ve donated now, so I’m giving them back to you.”

Mo Hua couldn’t help but laugh.

”How can an array master draw arrays without compensation?” Elder Yu said sternly. ”Keep them properly.”

Mo Hua knew Elder Yu’s stubborn nature, so he had to accept them.

The collection of spirit stones proceeded methodically, but relying solely on demon hunters and rogue cultivators was far from enough.

Mo Hua went to find Chief Supervisor Zhou.

Chief Supervisor Zhou stroked his beard and suggested two solutions:

”One is to petition the Dao Court for more spirit stones and materials, citing the need to relocate and resist disasters, and the lack of spirit stones...”

”Not directly state it’s for building the large array?” Mo Hua asked, puzzled.

”If you say it’s for building the large array, it won’t be approved,” Chief Supervisor Zhou said.

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned.

Chief Supervisor Zhou explained to him:

”If I say it’s for building the large array, the Dao Court won’t believe it, let alone approve it. Tongxian City is just a small immortal city with few First Grade Array Masters. How can we build a large array?”

”Even if they believe it and want to approve, they will send people to inspect thoroughly.”

”The Dao Court’s bureaucracy is cumbersome, and my superiors aren’t supportive. This back and forth could take an unknown amount of time.”

”Moreover, the resources required to build the large array are a bottomless pit, and the Dao Court may not be willing to allocate them.”

”It’s better to request based on known, reliable reasons. Apply for what we can, little by little, and if we get more, it’s a bonus.”

”As for the bulk of the spirit stones, we need another plan.”

Mo Hua was curious, ”What other plan?”

Chief Supervisor Zhou stroked his beard, smirking, ”Take a guess.”

Mo Hua thought for a moment and tentatively said:

”The Qian family?”

Chief Supervisor Zhou nodded, ”Correct. The Qian family is wealthy, and much of it is illicit due to their ancestor’s activities.”

”Are we going to confiscate the Qian family’s assets?”

Chief Supervisor Zhou shook his head, ”Not yet. Given the urgency, we can have them donate their assets, and in return, we won’t pursue the Qian family ancestor’s involvement in creating the Heishan Stronghold and colluding with demonic cultivators.”

”Chief Supervisor Zhou said coldly, ”Ultimately, the Feng Xi incident is tied to the Qian family ancestor. If it weren’t for him using human lives to refine pills and using this demonic pig as a furnace, this disaster wouldn’t have happened.”

”Now, giving them a chance to atone for their sins, I hope they won’t be ungrateful...”

Mo Hua nodded and said:

”Then I’ll also visit Old Master An and see if he’s willing to donate.”

The An family was the second largest family in Tongxian City and had many spirit stones.

Chief Supervisor Zhou hesitated, ”The An family does legitimate business, and Old Master An may not agree to donate their assets.”

”How will we know unless we try? What if Old Master An is generous and charitable?” Mo Hua said.

Chief Supervisor Zhou smirked, clearly skeptical, but still said:

”You can try.”

Mo Hua went to see Old Master An and got straight to the point:

”Old Master, we need to build a large array. Do you want to donate some spirit stones?”

Old Master An’s expression remained calm, ”What if I don’t want to donate?”

Mo Hua said casually, ”I’m just asking. If you don’t want to donate, that’s fine. We are so familiar with each other, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Old Master An observed Mo Hua’s expression, seeing no displeasure, and sighed, realizing he had overthought.

He had thought Mo Hua was using a polite pretext before using force.

Building a large array required spirit stones, and the An family had them, making the situation delicate.

If things went wrong, the An family would naturally be targeted for their wealth.

Old Master An, having lived so long, knew well that relationships were fragile and interests were the hard, lasting reality.

The An family and Mo Hua had

some relationship, but no relationship was stronger than spirit stones, especially since their relationship with Mo Hua wasn’t particularly deep.

Old Master An’s expression grew serious.

He knew that Mo Hua was in charge of building the large array.

He couldn’t understand how Mo Hua had convinced Elder Yu, Chief Supervisor Zhou, and Commander Yang of the Dao Soldier Office for such a significant undertaking.

Building a large array wasn’t easy.

But Mo Hua had done it.

Mo Hua had a unique status and extensive connections. Despite his young age, he led many matters in Tongxian City.

Now, the city’s major forces stood behind him.

If Mo Hua wanted to pressure the An family, they would face immense difficulties.

If he insisted on them donating spirit stones, they had no choice but to comply. Refusing would lead to dire consequences.

If Mo Hua didn’t pressure them, neither the Dao Court nor the Dao Soldier Office, nor even the demon hunters would pressure the An family.

It seemed Mo Hua didn’t want to make things difficult for them...

Old Master An secretly breathed a sigh of relief but was still puzzled:

”Do you really not want me to donate?”

Mo Hua corrected, ”I certainly want you to donate, but it’s up to you.”

Old Master An nodded, then hesitated before testing:

”What if I want to donate?”

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, and he began to ”paint a big picture” for Old Master An, using the prepared persuasion.