Chapter 1058

Although they had worked together for a long time and developed mutual understanding, Gu Changhuai felt a strong intuition that the person sending this message was definitely Mo Hua, but given the gravity of the matter, he still needed to verify it carefully.

"Are you Mo Hua?"

These characters, barely manifested as ink patterns, were immediately erased by Gu Changhuai.

Asking so directly was too blunt.

If the other side wasn't Mo Hua, it would alert the demonic forces.

If it truly was Mo Hua, it might expose his whereabouts and place him in danger.

Gu Changhuai paused briefly, then sent a message:

"Huo Fotuo—was it you who killed him?"

In the Blood Sacrifice Hall, after Mo Hua had sent out his mass message and waited a long while, he suddenly received this message; his eyes lit up immediately, and he replied:

"Yes!"

"Fireball! Through the chest!"

Huo Fotuo had been killed when he seized an opening and struck with the Meteor Fire Forbidden Art, piercing straight through the chest.

Only he and Uncle Gu knew what these words meant.

Upon seeing these words, Gu Changhuai's expression brightened instantly; a heavy stone lifted from his chest, and he felt his breath flow more easily.

Good, Mo Hua wasn't dead—

Being able to send a message meant the situation wasn't yet hopeless.

Gu Changhuai was now nearly certain that Mo Hua, by some means, was sending him messages.

But Mo Hua was less certain whether the person on the other end was truly his Uncle Gu.

He thought for a moment, deciding he should verify too, and asked in return:

"Who was your last matchmaker's prospect?"

Gu Changhuai, who had just felt immense relief, instantly turned pale.

Next to him, Xia Diansi's autumn-water eyes turned toward Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai could only reply with a grim face, sending back one character:

"Flower."

Mo Hua nodded.

Confirmed—it was Uncle Gu.

Since the "password" matched, Mo Hua no longer wasted words and sent a message:

"I'm in Yanluoshan. Most disciples of the Four Sects, Eight Clans, and Twelve Streams are here too."

"Yanluoshan is where the Heaven's Blood Sacrifice Array is located; the valley breeds countless demons and monsters, the stone bridge hangs alone and is impossible to cross—we can't get out."

Mo Hua briefly summarized the general situation.

Gu Changhuai replied: "Outside the array, demonic energy is thick and blood marshes cover the ground; blood flows into the mountains, soaking the rocks until they resemble demonic beast flesh—we can't find the entrance, can't break in."

Mo Hua said: "No problem. I'll send you the map."

Then Mo Hua unhesitatingly began transforming magnetic patterns into ink patterns, transmitting the overall structure of Yanluoshan's array, along with its terrain and topography, to Gu Changhuai.

The transmission limit of a single message was constrained by magnetic essence; Mo Hua could only send it bit by bit.

Gu Changhuai received each fragment and pieced them together himself, eventually forming a complete, grand, and intricate map of Yanluoshan's array.

Gu Changhuai stared, stunned.

Even other Gu Diansi were incredulous.

They hadn't expected that after days of desperate effort, hundreds of battles with demonic cultivators, and still failing to breach the demonic mountain pass, they would now obtain the entire mountain's array map simply by exchanging a message?

This map was far too classified, yet obtained far too easily—it made them feel unreal.

Many Gu Diansi present had been hastily transferred from other fourth- and fifth-tier regions of Qianzhou, even from the Central Dao Court, and were unfamiliar with Qianxue's situation; most approached it with skepticism.

"Can this map really be trusted?"

"Could it be a demonic trap? Are they luring us in to wipe us all out?"

"Shouldn't we reconsider this matter?"

"This is too grave to act rashly—"

Everyone hesitated.

But Gu Changhuai said: "No need. Follow this array map. If anything goes wrong, I take full responsibility."

One Gu Diansi replied coolly: "Gu Diansi, you alone cannot bear this burden…"

Gu Changhuai frowned.

Xia Diansi's gaze darkened. "Then add me. This map was obtained by Gu Diansi; I stand with him in guaranteeing it."

"If anything goes wrong, we both take responsibility."

Seeing this, the other Gu Diansi exchanged glances and all nodded:

"Agreed."

They weren't necessarily doubting the map's authenticity.

At this moment, demonic energy surged uncontrollably; the situation was dire beyond measure, and they must seize every second to rescue the prodigies of Qianxue.

This map was the only lead; whether true or false, they had to base their attack plan on it.

Even if it truly was a demonic trap, they had to charge in.

They had no other choice.

But while words could be spoken and actions taken, responsibility still had to be shouldered by someone.

Gu Changhuai was from the Gu family; the Gu family's weight was insufficient to bear this burden.

But Xia Diansi was different—behind her stood the Xia family of Daozhou.

The Xia family is a powerful dragon, the Gu family is a local snake; one a powerful dragon, one a local snake—together tackling this matter, it is naturally the most secure.

Should this array diagram encounter any mishap, responsibility will fall squarely on Xia Diansi and Gu Diansi, and the clans behind them—that is the risk.

Of course, if this array formation map proves flawless and they truly rescue the people according to the diagram, then the greatest merit of this campaign will naturally belong to Xia Diansi and Gu Diansi.

All the Diansi understood this point clearly, and they

felt no imbalance.

Such is the way of the world: if you want benefits, you must bear the risk.

If you can bear the risk, benefits will naturally follow.

All these Diansi were transferred from outside; they themselves do not belong to the Dao Ting Si system of Qianxue Province.

If trouble arises, someone can take the blame; if success comes, they can share the spoils—this is enough for them.

Gu Changhuai glanced at Xia Diansi with a faintly puzzled expression.

Xia Diansi lifted his gaze; the two exchanged a look, saying nothing, yet understanding each other perfectly.

Gu Changhuai trusted Mo Hua.

And after enduring so much, Xia Diansi trusted Mo Hua as well.

Gu Changhuai's expression hardened as he slowly straightened his body. "Then this matter is settled."

"I and Xia Diansi will bear the responsibility. We will formulate our assault plan on the mountain based on this array diagram."

"Mobilize all personnel—at any cost, rescue the disciples of all Geda Sects within the shortest possible time!"

"Agreed!"

"Everything as Gu Diansi says."

Immediately, Dao Ting Si began preparations in full earnest.

Afterwards, Mo Hua supplemented Gu Changhuai with some specific details, then said:

"These are the key points to note—"

"The array and terrain map is a simplified simulation I derived from the great array's core pivot; it should be largely correct, but minor discrepancies in actual topography may exist—Uncle Gu, please exercise your own judgment."

Gu Changhuai said: "I understand. You be careful."

Mo Hua asked: "Any issues?"

Gu Changhuai replied with only two words: "Rest assured."

Mo Hua nodded.

Uncle Gu always handles things reliably enough.

Concerning Qianxue's prodigies, Dao Ting Si will surely take it seriously—manpower and resources will certainly not be lacking; they've merely been hindered by ignorance of enemy intelligence, which is why they couldn't break in before.

Now that I've sent them the map, Uncle Gu should know what to do.

Mo Hua became a "hands-off manager," and instantly felt considerably lighter.

A gentleman's nature is not inherently different—he simply knows how to make use of tools.

Learning to seek help—and finding those who can help—is sometimes also a kind of ability.

And speaking of this matter, Dao Ting Si must be even more anxious than I am.

After making arrangements, Mo Hua addressed the others:

"Guard the main hall. I've summoned Dao Ting Si to rescue us."

The Tai Xu Sect disciples were not surprised.

The disciples of other sects, relieved yet still astonished, couldn't help but marvel: this Mo Hua truly operates by unconventional methods—locked inside a "cut-off" array, he still managed to "call in" help from outside.

Afterwards, Mo Hua made a few more arrangements for everyone.

Thereafter, nothing happened; all waited in silence.

Mo Hua sat in meditation on the spot, restoring his spiritual awareness, yet many confusions still lingered in his mind.

The most important was that "Mr. Tu."

To date, he had not seen Mr. Tu's figure at all.

So far, he had not seen the shadow of Mr. Tu.

"Is Mr. Tu not in Luoshan?"

"Has he been tied up by other great ones from Dao Ting Si and the great clans and sects?"

"Or does he have another scheme, plotting something else entirely?"

Among the demonic god's minions, is Mr. Tu the strongest cultivator?

Are there other Fei Hua realm demonic cultivators?

Or, are there any Dong Xu ancestral elders secretly devoted to the Great Wasteland Demonic God?

Is this Desolate Heaven Blood Sacrifice Grand Formation truly only what I've seen?

Beyond Luoshan, is there a more central core array zone?

Where is the array's focal point—

The more Mo Hua thought, the more he sensed hidden secrets still concealed, unknown to him.

Yet he was confined to one corner of the blood sacrifice array, unable to glimpse its full scope—even if he wished to investigate, he had no way to begin.

Moreover, so many Qianxue disciples were, for him, a kind of "burden."

Not rescuing them left him uneasy.

And as Mo Hua pondered, Dao Ting Si—long criticized for "overstaffing," "bureaucratic bloat," and "laziness and delay"—struck with Lei Ting force, gathering troops, launching an assault on Luoshan led by nearly fifty Jin Dan.

At this moment, no one dared to slack off, no one dared the slightest negligence.

In moments, battle began: countless Jin Dan artifacts, spirit blades and swords, surged along the routes Mo Hua had marked, carving deep into Luoshan.

In but a moment, the battle began, countless Jin Dan artifacts, spirit blades and swords, moved along the routes marked by Mo Hua, charging deep into Xiang Yan Luoshan.

Boom—resounded, powerful spiritual energy fluctuations rose and fell in succession.

Beneath blades and spell-techniques, demonic cultivators began falling one by one; Dao Ting Si also suffered injuries and even deaths—scenes of grandeur and brutality.

But Mo Hua, inside Yanluoshan, could not witness this sight.

He could only feel the mountain's tremors and the spiritual energy fluctuations approaching from afar, using them to judge the state of the battlefront.

He could not see the specifics, nor guess them.

Even how Dao Ting Si crossed that demon-infested valley, Mo Hua could hardly imagine.

But Mo Hua was not worried.

Dao Ting Si was still Dao Ting Si—experienced in exterminating demonic cultivators, filled with cunning and deep strategists among its Gu Diansi; if they truly intended to act, they would never lack a way.

These matters did not need his concern at all.

Indeed, after an unknown length of battle,

demonic aura trembled, the stench of blood spread, even drifting into the grand hall.

This meant the slaughter had now spread inside the great array.

Mo Hua's expression turned solemn: "Hold the hall. Do not open the doors under any circumstances."

Soon after, bloody demonic energy slammed against the hall's entrance.

Some demonic cultivators screamed and cursed outside.

Clearly, Dao Ting Si's assault had drawn attention to what was happening inside this hall.

Demonic array masters were breaking the array; even a demonic Jin Dan was forcefully smashing the door.

But the door already bore sealing arrays—third-grade arrays, integrated with the demonic array system.

Mo Hua had "infiltrated" the array core hall from within, slaughtered the demonic array masters from inside, and seized control of the hall.

But attacking the hall from outside was far from easy.

Yet Mo Hua knew this door would not hold much longer; all he could do was delay as long as possible.

Indeed, after a moment, with a boom—the door shattered.

A Jin Dan demonic cultivator with demonic tattoos on his face, alongside a Jin Dan demonic array master, led a group of demonic cultivators into the hall. Seeing the assembly of Qian Xue prodigies before them, their expressions changed instantly—shocked, then furious:

"Of course—these brats slipped through the cracks! Damn it—"

They did not know how these sect brats had found the flaw and infiltrated the hall, but Dao Ting Si's assault was relentless, the situation desperate—no time to investigate.

"Capture these prodigies! Force Dao Ting Si's dogs to retreat!"

"If Dao Ting Si doesn't retreat, we'll kill these little bastards one by one!"

Ao Zeng, Shen Cangfeng, and Xiao Ruohan heard this and flew into rage.

They were all heavenly prodigies, raised in adoration—when had they ever been called "little bastards"?

All of them were filled with fury, faces turning icy, ready to charge and fight—but Mo Hua shouted them to a halt:

"Hold your formation! Don't forget what I just said—defend, don't try to kill!"

"These demonic spawn will die soon enough—no need to dirty our hands—"

Ao Zeng and the others stopped.

The demonic Jin Dan glared at Mo Hua with venomous eyes, then sneered:

"Little brat, you've got a big mouth."

He grinned, baring his teeth, exhaling foul breath, summoning a white bone lantern artifact to shield himself, then transformed into a chilling wind and charged toward Mo Hua.

But Mo Hua stood stationed deep within the hall, and before him stood the prodigies of Si Sect, Eight Gates, and Twelve Streams.

Ao Zeng roared like a dragon, his fist wreathed in dragon qi, slamming into the demonic Jin Dan.

Though only for an instant, it halted the demon's shadow-dashing technique.

Then Xiao Ruohan's sword qi descended from heaven—fierce and piercing—shearing into the demonic Jin Dan's back.

Next came Shen Cangfeng, his Cangfeng sword qi heavy and overwhelming, the secret technique of Wuxiao Sect's Five Elements flow.

Beyond them, the Eight Gates unleashed their Break-Metal Sword, Gui Water Sword, Lingxiao Sword, Xiaoyao Sword, Zixia Art, and Dalaofeitian Sword Art,

along with eighteen iron-cast, bronze-forged prodigies from the Golden Monk Sect.

The Tai'e five brothers stood like five ferocious door gods, guarding Mo Hua.

Linghu Xiao's Chongxu Jiejian Zhenjue was also poised to strike.

Hundreds of prodigies from Si Sect and Eight Gates, their supreme Dao arts interwoven, formed a "Great Wall" of heavenly talents—all standing before Mo Hua. Even this demonic Jin Dan, with his unfathomable cultivation and terrifying techniques, could not advance an inch.

He could not even approach Mo Hua, let alone kill him.

The demonic Jin Dan immediately sensed trouble.

These prodigies, if fighting alone, no matter how gifted or well-trained, were nothing but fish on his chopping block—easy prey for a Jin Dan demon who had killed countless souls.

But damn it—these Si Sect, Eight Gates, Twelve Streams prodigies had set aside their sectarian rivalries, united as one solid "iron plate," advancing and retreating together—this was damn troublesome.

Who had the influence and skill to gather these arrogant geniuses into one group?

The demonic Jin Dan stared at Mo Hua deep within the crowd, his bloodshot eyes showing a flicker of wariness.

"Kill!"

He dared not delay further—he ordered all demonic cultivators and heretical cultivators to launch a joint assault on Mo Hua and the others.

But Mo Hua had already arranged his formation, and the ground was covered in arrays.

The prodigies who had been "trapped and slaughtered" by Mo Hua's arrays during the Shalou Lunjian—like Sun You—now, under Mo Hua's direction and aided by his arrays, began fierce combat against the demonic cultivators.

Everyone's emotions were complex yet eased.

Mo Hua's arrays were powerful; under their enhancement, the already exceptional Qian Xue prodigies grew even stronger.

Linghu Xiao and the others even donned the Five Elements Source Armor, using the Five Elements amplification to unleash overwhelming spiritual energy—soon, the demonic cultivators were forced into retreat.

Only a demonic Jin Dan, relying on a vast realm suppression, can directly resist the combined assault of these prodigies.

But that's all it can do.

Even if he is a Jin Dan, he cannot break through for now, nor can he carve out even a single piece from these "unyielding" prodigies.

Mo Hua would never give him this chance.

He had set a rule: defend, but never kill.

To kill is to rush forward; to rush forward is to expose openings; once an opening appears, someone dies.

Conversely, as long as they hold their ground and wait for Dao Ting Si reinforcements, none of these people will die, and not a single demonic cultivator will escape.

And everything unfolded exactly as Mo Hua had predicted.

No matter how frantically the demonic cultivators charged, they could not break through Mo Hua's defense line.

In fact, due to their reckless charges, many demonic cultivators fell beneath Linghu Xiao's sword qi.

As time passed, Dao Ting Si's reinforcements finally arrived.

The Xiang Yan Evil Array now faced "internal strife and external threat."

And these demonic cultivators found themselves "attacked from both front and rear."

Several Dao Ting Si Jin Dan, leading the charge, stormed into the demonic ranks and began a large-scale massacre.

That demonic Jin Dan, though his cultivation was profound, his dark power surging and his dao techniques formidable, could not withstand the encirclement of several orthodox Jin Dan. Before long, he was frozen by ice swords at the throat, ripped open by Feng Tianxue's fists, and pierced to death by countless swords.

All demonic Jin Dan array masters perished.

Thus, all demonic cultivators within Xiang Yan were wiped out.

And Gu Changhuai and the other Jin Dan Diansi saw Mo Hua unharmed, along with the sect prodigies, and all felt as if a great stone—massive, suffocating—had been lifted from their chests.

"Uncle Gu." Mo Hua greeted.

Gu Changhuai looked deeply at Mo Hua, his expression filled with relief, gratitude, and relief, and asked: "Are you alright?"

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Gu Changhuai had no time for pleasantries; he said grimly: "This isn't a place to talk. Leave now."

"Alright."

Thus, the Dao Ting Si Jin Dan Diansi escorted Mo Hua and the sect prodigies out of the Array Core Hall, heading toward the outside of Xiang Yan.

The path was bloody, scattered with demonic cultivator corpses.

At the valley entrance, cries of battle still rang out, the stench of decay and blood thick in the air.

Mo Hua looked, and his expression shifted sharply.

Above the Yao Mo Valley, the stone bridge had been destroyed; beside the valley wall, Dao Ting Si had driven iron hooks into the rock, pulling taut a crude suspension rope like a hanging bridge, clinging to the cliff face and connecting both ends of the valley.

Dao Ting Si cultivators crossed the valley via this "suspension rope."

But this act had clearly enraged the demons below.

Countless malformed, fleshy demons surged upward like a tide, rushing toward the Dao Ting Si cultivators.

Some Jin Dan Diansi were forced to continuously cast spells, wield sword techniques, or activate artifacts to slaughter these demons and protect the suspension rope.

The scene was bloody yet magnificent.

"Hurry, cross the suspension rope," Gu Changhuai said with a solemn expression.

The demons below were far too numerous—even as Jin Dan, they could never kill them all.

Thus, they could only temporarily suppress these demons, do their utmost to protect the suspension rope, and let everyone evacuate as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, if truly trapped here, the consequences would be unbearable.

The situation was urgent; everyone understood the gravity, so no one delayed. All followed Gu Changhuai's orders in order, stepping onto the suspension rope, activating their body techniques, and swiftly retreating from the valley.

Mo Hua brought up the rear.

The evil qi within the array easily polluted the mind sea; thus, other disciples must evacuate as quickly as possible—the longer they waited, the greater the risk.

But the evil qi did not affect Mo Hua, so he didn't care.

The Dao Ting Si Jin Dan continued to suppress the fleshy demons below the valley.

Disciples from each sect stepped onto the suspension rope, one after another, leaving Xiang Yan.

Mo Hua exhaled softly.

At least the goal was achieved: the people were rescued, the younger brothers were safe, and he was ready to leave.

Though the Huang Tian Blood Sacrifice Array still held many secrets he had not yet unraveled, he had no time to care now.

Just as Mo Hua prepared to leave, his peripheral vision caught something—he saw Gu Changhuai's expression strained, as if burdened by hidden thoughts.

Mo Hua paused and asked: "Uncle Gu, is there something else?"

Gu Changhuai looked startled, hesitated, then shook his head: "Nothing."

Mo Hua frowned.

Based on his understanding of Uncle Gu, something was definitely wrong.

But Gu Changhuai wouldn't speak. Mo Hua's gaze sharpened; he looked up at the sky, pinched his fingers, calculated inwardly, and his face changed—he turned to Gu Changhuai:

"Uncle Gu, where is Yu'er?"

Gu Changhuai's expression turned to shock, staring at Mo Hua as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard.

Mo Hua pressed: "Has something happened?"

Gu Changhuai's face grew bitter: "Yu'er—has been taken—"

Mo Hua's gaze turned icy: "By whom?"

"Shangguan Wang."

Shangguan family's Liu Yuhua-level senior elder…

Mo Hua's brow twitched; he thought for a moment, then gave a slight nod: "I understand."

Gu Changhuai sighed and said, "Let's get out first. Yu'er has been taken somewhere, and no matter how we search, we can't find him. Shangguan Wang is gone too—this matter requires careful planning."

"Mm."

Mo Hua nodded, turning to walk with Gu Changhuai, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and spoke slowly:

"Uncle Gu, you go back. I'll stay."

Gu Changhuai's gaze sharpened; he turned and frowned. "What are you going to do?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "Time is urgent; there's no time to explain. But—if you leave now, you'll never save Yu'er again."

Gu Changhuai's brow furrowed even tighter.

He didn't understand the reason behind it,

but he trusted Mo Hua, and his gaze hardened. "I'll stay too."

Mo Hua shook his head again. "I stay—I won't die. You stay—you will die for certain. Unless it's me, no one else who stays can possibly survive…"

Gu Changhuai's heart trembled. "Mo Hua, you—"

"Uncle Gu, hurry and go. If you don't leave now, it'll be too late." Mo Hua said. Gu Changhuai was still hesitating, when someone else on the other side shouted: "Gu Diansi, hurry! The demons are growing in number—the suspension bridge is about to break!"

Gu Changhuai looked at Mo Hua with a pained expression.

Mo Hua smiled, touching the Taihao Liangyi Lock around his neck. "This was given to me by the Ancestor—it will protect me. Uncle Gu, rest assured."

Gu Changhuai still couldn't ease his worry.

Mo Hua added, "Then do me one favor: when you get out, tell everyone—kill any Evil Array Master. The more Evil Array Masters die, the safer I'll be."

Gu Changhuai fell silent for a moment, then nodded. But his lips remained tightly pressed, his eyes filled with pain—as if he could never abandon Mo Hua alone.

"Go," Mo Hua said.

Gu Changhuai endured inner torment, then took a deep breath and said to Mo Hua, "I'll do my best to kill every Evil Array Master. You—please, stay safe."

"Mm."

Gu Changhuai gritted his teeth, turned decisively, and stepped onto the suspension bridge. His silhouette, lonely yet resolute, departed from Yanluo.

With his departure, the Jin Dan of Dao Ting Si could no longer suppress the demonic tide.

Countless flesh demons crept up the canyon walls, surging toward the Dao Ting Si members.

The suspended bridge overhead was gnawed apart by demons, inch by inch snapping, falling into the dark abyss.

The only path to survival was utterly severed.

At the canyon mouth, Gu Changhuai turned back and saw, far across the other end of the canyon, in darkness and bloodlight, that single familiar, fragile figure.

And soon, that figure was swallowed by the endless tide of flesh demons, vanishing completely.