The Quest for Immortality

In front of the Yaksha Hall, amidst a small square covered in bloodstains.

A hunt was underway.

Four Golden Cores, along with two Foundation Establishment Peaks, joined forces to hunt a monster wrapped entirely in Blood Qi, standing as tall as two people, with limbs on the ground, deformed yet powerful.

The strength of this monster was truly formidable, its form bizarre, due to twisted limbs, and its movements were often unexpected, turning into streaks of blood shadow, making it unpredictable.

Fortunately, there were enough cultivators besieging it, and everyone followed Mo Hua’s instructions, focusing on wearing it down, avoiding prolonged combat or seeking glory.

Defending primarily, attacking as support, with confinement as the main objective.

At first, Master Xiao didn’t pay much attention to this tactic.

He only thought about a swift battle, taking the chance to kill the monster and retrieve the Fish Bone Token from its belly.

But after engaging with the monster for several rounds, he gave up this idea.

Almost everything Mo Hua said was correct.

This monster indeed could only be exhausted, not killed.

Not even Xie Liu or his Gui Water Sword Qi could break that scale armor on the monster even slightly.

”What on earth is this monster...?”

Master Xiao’s pupils quivered slightly; then, he suppressed his astonishment and dutifully executed Mo Hua’s plan.

Not only Master Xiao, but also Gu Changhuai’s Wind Blade and Master Xiao’s Ice Sword couldn’t harm the monster.

However, they knew that Mo Hua always had precise plans, so they had a rough understanding in their hearts.

The group continued the siege for a while.

Amidst the battlefield, sword light and Sword Qi flashed and Wind Blade Spells danced, intertwining with the cultivators’ silhouettes and the monster’s blood shadows, creating an intense battle.

Mo Hua found it captivating and was deeply engrossed in watching.

After over a hundred rounds of such combat, the four Golden Cores still couldn’t break the monster’s scale armor.

But indeed, the Blood Qi on this monster was being rapidly consumed.

Soon, under the joint efforts of everyone, the Blood Qi on the monster became increasingly thin, and its movements gradually slowed down.

The monster immediately became aware of something.

In its eyes, there was a glint, seemingly containing some vicious yet panicked emotions.

Mo Hua was taken aback by this sight.

This monster... seems to have a trace of rationality remaining?

Is it not acting completely on instinct?

Mo Hua recalled earlier, when the monster took advantage of the chaos among the group to sneak to the temple gate, swallowed the Fish Bone Token from the gate-guarding demon statue, closed the main door, and then escaped... ℝÀΝÒ𝔟ĘＳ

”There’s something wrong...”

Mo Hua showed a thoughtful expression.

Meanwhile, on the field, with almost no Blood Qi left, the monster clearly realized the severity of the situation.

It suddenly roared, its body turned into barbed Dragon Scales, then transformed into a mass of blood shadow, charging towards Xiao Tianquan’s direction.

It wanted to find a way to escape.

Among the besieging party, Xiao Tianquan was the weakest.

The monster was well aware of this, hence it targeted the weakest Xiao Tianquan.

Xiao Tianquan indeed couldn’t stop the monster; with just one exchange, he was knocked back several meters, using his sword to support himself, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

A gap naturally appeared in the encirclement.

But Mo Hua had already made preparations, so there was no way they would let it escape.

The formation on the ground unfolded, and Gu Changhuai and others urged the Spirit-binding Locks in their hands to confine the enemy.

Chains wrapped around the monster’s body.

Gu Changhuai blocked its position, not allowing the monster to escape.

Others also acted in unison; the formation, spiritual artifacts, and cultivators worked together to create a large net, firmly trapping the monster in the middle of the square outside the Yaksha Hall.

The monster was infuriated, dashing left and right, yet it was utterly helpless.

Blood Qi was its lifeline and source of power.

With the Blood Qi damaged, it couldn’t hold on for much longer.

The group unleashed their sword and spell attacks, and within thirty minutes, the Blood Qi of the monster was completely exhausted.

Its movements grew slower and slower until it finally collapsed to the ground, losing all ability to act.

Even so, none of them dropped their guard.

This was something Mo Hua had repeatedly emphasized.

Even with the monster down, they had to remain cautious and guard against it playing dead.

Although the monster had exhausted its Blood Qi and might not be able to feign death, it’s a habit worth cultivating.

Xia Canonical Official maintained vigilance with a shortsword, while others surrounded the area.

Gu Changhuai stepped forward, using the Spirit-binding Lock from the Taoist Court to bind all four limbs of the monster, ensuring it couldn’t move.

Indeed, the monster showed no signs of movement, seemingly becoming a mere pile of flesh and bone puppet.

Only then did the group slightly relax.

”What do we do now?” Xie Liu asked.

Master Xiao said, ”Its body is covered with scales, impervious to swords; in that case, let’s pierce a longsword into its mouth, through the throat, into the abdomen, and shred its internal organs to make it truly dead. Then find a way to peel off its scales, cut open its belly, and retrieve that Fish Bone Token.”

As a Dao Court Canon, he employed numerous tortures and had diverse methods of killing.

Although the group found it somewhat brutal, it seemed at this moment to be the only option.

Suddenly, Mo Hua said, ”Wait.”

Master Xiao turned his head, somewhat bewildered, looking at Mo Hua, ”Young master, what is it?”

Mo Hua stroked his chin, examining the monster’s face, and muttered softly:

”Could this monster be... Mr. Witch?”

”Mr. Witch?”

The crowd was taken aback, though some were puzzled, not knowing who Mr. Witch was.

Mo Hua pointed to Water Yama, saying, ”He knows.”

Mr. Witch...

Water Yama’s expression was startled, momentarily finding it hard to believe. He stared at the monster for a few moments, the more he looked, the more shocked he became, and then said coldly: