Chapter 581: Sword Control

Second-grade thirteen-pattern Earth Fire Array!

The array patterns were burning, red as fresh blood, scorching as magma!

In the blink of an eye, they exploded violently.

Boiling fire-attribute spiritual power surged and churned, weaving wantonly, like fire pythons, utterly devouring the group of cultivators.

The spiritual power dispersed, leaving utter devastation.

Once the smoke and dust cleared, it revealed Boss Jiang's wretched figure.

Before him was a golden bell spiritual artifact, which he had driven with full force to shield his body, but it hadn't covered him completely…

His left arm and leg were scorched black by the Earth Fire Array's blast, and the blood was seared dry.

Though his right side was protected by the spiritual artifact, it still took the brunt of the explosion—his internal organs ached from the shock, and he vomited fresh blood.

The golden bell spiritual artifact was also covered in cracks, clearly ruined.

As the ringleader, Boss Jiang had plenty of experience in this business of abducting cultivators. He always walked by the river, with his head tied to his belt—suspicious and sharp-witted by nature.

So the moment he sensed something off about Mo Hua's words, he grew wary.

At the critical moment, he took out his life-preserving spiritual artifact, which was why he was heavily wounded but not dead.

But his underlings, the other eleven "people traffickers," weren't so lucky.

A second-grade thirteen-pattern array was already considered a "great killing weapon" against early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

They never imagined someone would silently lay down such a deadly array on the ground.

Completely unguarded, they were directly swallowed by the Earth Fire Array's blazing flames, took the impact of fire-attribute spiritual power, suffered severe meridian damage, and collapsed one after another.

Some died on the spot; those still alive had only a single breath left.

Without taking some pills to keep them going, they probably wouldn't survive either.

Boss Jiang's heart was bleeding.

These were all his sworn brothers!

Walking the cultivation world, he couldn't manage alone—one person alone can't hold up the beam; he still needed his brothers' support.

These brothers were the core crew he'd painstakingly gathered over the years, burning, killing, and abducting together, drinking wine and eating meat together.

Now after this one explosion, he didn't know how many would survive.

Ignoring his wounds, Boss Jiang was furious. He turned his head to look—and his eyes nearly split with rage.

He saw that heaven-damned little brat, at this very moment, calmly "finishing off" the wounded?!!

Like a little "King of Hell," whoever wasn't dead, he'd walk up and finish them off with a fireball spell.

This fireball spell had considerable power.

Those who still had a breath left were blasted by the fireball spell and breathed their last.

Boss Jiang's eyes turned blood-red, and he roared furiously:

"Little brat, what are you doing?!"

Mo Hua turned his head, sighed, and said:

"I thought they were suffering too much, lingering on with one breath, unable to die cleanly—so I helped them find release…"

Before he finished speaking, his small hand flicked, and another fireball spell finished off one more barely-breathing "people trafficker."

Boss Jiang's fury surged up, a mouthful of blood blocked his chest, and with a "puchi" he spat it out.

Mo Hua ignored him and continued "finishing off" the wounded on his own.

There were too many of them—he couldn't fight them head-on.

He could only strike first, using thunderbolt methods—Lei Ting means, laying a second-grade Earth Fire Array to kill everyone he could.

After that, the heavily wounded couldn't be left alive either.

Even those who looked like they'd breathed their last needed another fireball spell, to make their deaths more "solid," more "thorough"—lest they ambush him, cause unexpected trouble, and capsize in a ditch.

As for the remaining Boss Jiang, he was still breathing, and his voice was strong—Mo Hua would play with him slowly.

In just over a dozen breaths, Mo Hua had finished off all these dozen-plus people traffickers.

Boss Jiang's fury had already turned to a chill.

He knew he'd fallen into a trap.

You can't judge a book by its cover.

He shouldn't have looked down on this little cultivator just because he seemed young, looked innocent, and occasionally acted foolish.

This wasn't a little fool—this was a little demon!

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, single-handedly, with one array and a few fireballs, he'd killed all of Boss Jiang's sworn brothers of so many years…

And from the looks of it, his own situation wasn't looking good either…

Boss Jiang secretly swallowed a pill, circulated qi to heal his wounds, and asked with lingering confusion:

"Little brat, when exactly did you lay the array?"

Mo Hua smiled and didn't answer.

Boss Jiang's gaze darkened, and he continued asking:

"Why were you also inside the array, yet after it exploded, you were completely unharmed?"

Mo Hua likewise smiled without a word.

He wasn't stupid.

Drawing the array on the ground and deriving the life gate—Hei Yichen means deriving the life gate—he couldn't be bothered to explain to Boss Jiang, and given Boss Jiang's understanding of arrays, even if he explained, he wouldn't get it.

It would just be casting pearls before swine.

Mo Hua checked the surroundings and nodded.

Now all the people traffickers had been "taken care of" by him—only the ringleader Boss Jiang remained.

Mo Hua smiled warmly on his face, already plotting how to kill Jiang Laoda…

Jiang Laoda trafficked cultivators…

This kind of business cannot see the light; the fact that he's sustained it this long means his vested interests must be deeply entrenched and intricately intertwined—his behind-the-scenes power likely isn't small.

Offending him would surely earn his hatred.

He might also face retaliation from his behind-the-scenes power.

So, we must cut the grass and root it out!

Otherwise, a weak Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator like myself will be in grave danger later…

Jiang Laoda looked at Mo Hua, his thoughts shifting slightly, then said in a low voice:

"Young brother, you might not believe me, but this is all a misunderstanding—I kidnapped you, but you killed eleven of my brothers, so we're even…"

"Let me go, and I won't seek revenge on you…"

"From now on, we'll keep our waters separate—what do you say?"

Mo Hua knew Jiang Laoda was lying, but when it came to lying, he wasn't outdone by anyone.

Mo Hua nodded and said:

"Fine, I only killed your eleven brothers; now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, it's better to resolve grudges than to hold them—I won't hold it against you…"

Jiang Laoda froze, then couldn't help but fly into a rage, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He never imagined this brat was so shameless, so thick-skinned—he could say such things with such brazen audacity.

But… you killed eleven of my brothers…

But!!

Jiang Laoda seethed inwardly.

This brat, outwardly innocent and childish, was inwardly vicious, despicable, and utterly vile!!

Jiang Laoda's face twitched.

But it didn't matter…

This was already a life-or-death situation.

And he himself must kill this brat, to avenge his brothers…

Jiang Laoda's gaze turned cold, his expression hardening with ruthlessness.

His pale complexion gradually flushed red, his wounds scabbed over, and his aura slowly returned.

Jiang Laoda glanced at Mo Hua and sneered, "I've been wasting time talking to you, waiting for my injuries to heal—what are you waiting for? Death?"

Mo Hua smiled brightly, "I'm waiting for the formation!"

Jiang Laoda froze, then a warning prickled—he hastily looked down and saw that the ground had, at some point, been covered with dozens of golden formation lines.

These lines overlapped and intertwined, resembling twin lotus blossoms.

First-Rank Triple Lotus Golden Lock Formation!

Once the formation was complete, golden light manifested, forming chains of golden locks that bound Jiang Laoda.

At the same time, Mo Hua's eyes flashed—he pointed forward and pushed his spiritual energy to its limit; second-rank Fireball Spells shot out like a crossbow volley, one after another, striking Jiang Laoda violently.

Jiang Laoda was caught off guard, trapped by the Golden Lock Formation, unable to dodge in time, and took six or seven direct hits from the fireballs.

The blood qi he had just restored was entirely depleted; his injuries worsened.

Moreover, Mo Hua always aimed for the face—he targeted Jiang Laoda's face with the fireballs, so he looked even more horrific than before.

Jiang Laoda exerted every ounce of strength to break free from the Triple Lotus Golden Lock Formation.

Mo Hua felt a pang of regret.

The second-rank Earthfire Formation consumed too much—unable to use it again for now.

The Triple Lotus Golden Lock Formation, though a compound formation, was still first-rank—it couldn't hold Jiang Laoda long.

If it were a second-rank containment formation, I could lock him down completely and turn him into a "living target," wearing him down with fireballs until he died.

But the second-rank Thorn Formation is hard to use.

I don't know any other second-rank containment formations, and my spiritual sense is still too weak…

"It seems my spiritual sense and formation skills are still insufficient…"

I need to get started quickly and learn more second-rank formations…

Mo Hua thought silently.

After breaking free from the Triple Lotus Golden Lock Formation, Jiang Laoda hastily swallowed a pill, his gaze startled, staring at Mo Hua with disbelief.

How did this brat set up that formation just now?!

Without a brush, drawing the formation on the ground?

What sect or clan does this lineage belong to?

He had once studied in Qian Xue Province, and though he wasn't skilled in formations, he'd seen many talented formation masters—he'd never seen any who could set up a formation mid-battle without brush or paper!

Jiang Laoda said with a solemn expression:

"Who are you really? Who is your master?"

Mo Hua smiled, "I'll tell you after you die—otherwise, I'm afraid you'll tell others."

Jiang Laoda seethed inwardly.

This brat was as unyielding as an old, seasoned trickster…

His mouth was full of nonsense, revealing not a single clue.

But now it was already a life-or-death situation—he had no choice but to fight to the death.

Jiang Laoda's gaze turned icy, his plan settled.

This brat excels in spells, is highly skilled in formations, and his formation techniques are stealthy, bizarre, and swift.

Since that's the case, there's no choice but to close in and suppress him—don't give him time to cast spells or set arrays, or he'll definitely "play" us to death…

"Young brother, I yield, let's talk this over…"

Jiang Laoda suddenly surrendered.

"You—"

Mo Hua had just opened his mouth when he suddenly froze—he saw Jiang Laoda, like a wolf, lunging forward, his long sword slashing with brilliant golden light, aimed straight at Mo Hua's heart meridian.

Mo Hua growled: "Cheater!"

Then he stepped back, pale blue water currents coiling around his body, lifting him gently backward.

The Second-Rank Step of Flowing Water, when activated, differed from the First-Rank—every motion, every step, was entwined with flowing water, making advance and retreat far more fluid.

Jiang Laoda's sword missed, then spun and brought it down in a brutal slash, as if trying to cleave Mo Hua in two.

Mo Hua hovered in midair, twisting lightly like water flowing into a river, swirling and rebounding, effortlessly evading the strike.

Jiang Laoda frowned, pressing harder—sword qi swirling, blow after blow, slashing at Mo Hua, denying him any chance to cast spells or form arrays.

Mo Hua was indeed suppressed, forced only to evade with his footwork, unable to counter for now.

But Jiang Laoda grew more and more alarmed.

Earlier, he'd already felt this water-like, elusive footwork was deeply strange.

Now, after close combat for a few more moments, he hadn't even grazed Mo Hua's sleeve—he suddenly realized:

"A supreme-level footwork?!"

This must be a supreme-level footwork, a sect's or clan's treasured art!

Otherwise, how could a Spirit Cultivator, relying solely on footwork, hold his own against me this long…

Bad…

Jiang Laoda had already been wounded; he'd pushed himself to close in and suppress, hoping for a quick end—but he hadn't expected close combat to be useless.

If this drags on any longer, the situation will turn worse.

Or rather—it already has…

Jiang Laoda could feel his spiritual energy weakening, his sword strikes growing slower with each blow.

And this change didn't escape the sharp perception of this little brat.

He even saw the boy's eyes brighten, a smile—cute yet utterly infuriating—curling at his lips.

Then he felt the fireball technique again.

He'd slowed—but the little brat hadn't.

The openings he left were enough for the boy to dodge easily, then point his fingers, channel energy, and form a fireball.

This fireball technique was extremely fast.

In the blink of an eye, it formed—and in an instant, it roared toward him.

Jiang Laoda had never seen a fireball technique this fast in his life.

And again—it was aimed straight at his face.

Jiang Laoda raised his arms to shield his face, blocking the fireball—but his arms burned fiercely with searing pain, and he staggered backward several steps.

When he looked up again, he saw Mo Hua already at a distance, once again pointing his fingers, forming another fireball…

A thread of despair rose in Jiang Laoda's heart.

It was just an ordinary fireball technique—but paired with the footwork and lightning-fast execution, it seemed utterly flawless.

He couldn't find a single opening…

He suddenly realized: even if he hadn't been injured by the Earth Fire Array, he might still be unable to defeat this brat with pure Dao techniques…

Jiang Laoda froze.

"I… can't beat this little brat?"

The thought surfaced—and instantly, shame and rage flooded him.

He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a minor gang leader, who had walked the cultivation world of Qianzhou for over a hundred years, survived countless open and covert battles—and yet…

He couldn't handle a child of ten or so?!

Jiang Laoda's Dao heart cracked—he drew a deep breath, locked eyes with Mo Hua, his gaze filled with icy hatred.

Then he pulled back, creating distance between himself and Mo Hua.

Mo Hua, still forming the fireball, was taken aback.

What's this?

Giving up?

If he pulls away, he'll just be taking fireball strikes, won't he?

"Did I accidentally brain him with all those fireballs to the face?"

Mo Hua muttered to himself.

Then he suddenly froze, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Jiang Laoda.

Jiang Laoda had, at some point, drawn a jade talisman, activated it—and a layer of golden light enveloped him, as if gilding his body.

Then, from his storage item, he drew another sword.

This sword was forearm-length, engraved with golden patterns, exquisitely ornate, and radiating piercing sword qi.

Mo Hua suddenly understood, stunned.

This Jiang Laoda was a true Sword Cultivator!

Earlier, when he closed in and attacked with his sword, using purely martial sword techniques, Mo Hua had assumed he was just a Body Cultivator pretending to be a sword user.

But now Mo Hua realized: Jiang Laoda truly was a Sword Cultivator who could command his sword!

Jiang Laoda sneered, then channeled his spiritual energy to activate the Breakgold Sword.

On the Breakgold Sword, Jin Guang blazed forth, condensing astonishing sword qi.

Jiang Laoda's gaze was icy.

This was his last-resort technique.

And the sword art he never showed to anyone!

Once he draws his blade, he must kill every witness—no survivors allowed!

Otherwise, his identity would be exposed.

He had once been a disciple of the Breakgold Gate in Qianxue Second-Grade Prefecture, learning the sect's core sword technique: Breakgold Subjugation Sword Art!

This sword technique, he stole.

If the sect found out he had learned their core sword art and used it for "trafficking cultivators," he would become a sect traitor, bringing shame upon them.

He would surely be hunted down without mercy by the Breakgold Gate!

The Breakgold Gate's fury, he could not bear.

So for years, he rarely summoned his sword.

Whenever he did, he must slaughter utterly—no survivors!

But now, at this life-or-death moment, he must reveal all his cards to kill this brat—or he would surely die!

Jiang Laoda stepped and chanted, gathering sword qi; his aura surged visibly, revealing the immense power of this sword technique.

But great power meant long charging time.

Mo Hua would not give him that chance.

He flicked his fingers, and instantly a fireball shot forth, striking Jiang Laoda's chest.

But a flash of Jin Guang on Jiang Laoda's body seemed to nullify part of the fireball's power.

Though injured, Jiang Laoda's sword qi continued to gather.

Mo Hua frowned, then cast a Water Prison spell.

A first-grade Water Prison could only bind a Foundation Establishment cultivator for an instant, disrupting spellcasting.

But this Water Prison was also nullified by Jin Guang.

Jiang Laoda's sword summoning was not interrupted.

Mo Hua frowned, then remembered: just now, Jiang Laoda activated a jade talisman, coating himself in Jin Guang.

This Jin Guang granted him the Golden Body.

It seemed to resist part of spell power and immunity to some spell controls, preventing disruption of his technique…

Only then could he charge without fear, unleashing this immensely powerful sword technique.

Mo Hua was deeply astonished.

You can do this?

From a tiny second-grade prefecture, Mo Hua had never seen such spells or jade talisman effects before…

This Jiang Laoda was a master!

"What now?"

"Run?"

"Wait out the Golden Body's duration, then come back and kill him?"

Mo Hua mused.

But… could he escape?

Mo Hua frowned.

He did not know how fast this sword technique truly was…

If the sword's speed exceeded his Flowing Water Step, he would not be able to dodge…

At that moment, Mo Hua felt a spiritual sense cling to him, as if trying to "lock" him…

Spiritual sense lock?

Mo Hua froze, his expression turning strange…

On the other side, in mere breaths, Jiang Laoda had fully gathered the sword qi of the Breakgold Subjugation Sword Art.

On the Breakgold Sword, Jin Guang blazed brilliantly, terrifying in power.

Once this sword is released, a Foundation Establishment cultivator in early stage will die without doubt!

That brat is no exception!

As long as he locks onto that brat with his spiritual sense, the Breakgold Sword will automatically seek its target, a blade of death chasing a thousand zhang, utterly erasing that hateful, despicable little brat!

As long as he locks onto him with his spiritual sense…

Lock with spiritual sense…

Lock…

Jiang Laoda kept chanting "lock" for a long time, then suddenly froze, eyes widening in shock.

Can't… lock?!!?

A sense of absurdity, inconceivable, surged into his heart; Jiang Laoda was utterly stunned.

Spiritual sense… can't lock?!

What the hell… is this a joke?!

He stared hard—the tiny Mo Hua stood motionless just ten zhang ahead.

But in his spiritual sense, there was nothing but emptiness.

There was no trace of that young cultivator!

"Why?"

Jiang Laoda paused briefly, his pupils contracting sharply.

My spiritual sense… was crushed?!!

Crushed by this brat?!!

Jiang Laoda's face filled with terror.

The absurdity of it all!

How could a mere infantile cultivator, still wet behind the ears, have a spiritual sense capable of crushing mine—a Foundation Establishment cultivator who has trained for over a hundred years?!!

On what grounds?

Amid his disbelief, Jiang Laoda remembered another, even more dire question:

What should he do with his fully charged "Break Han Jinyu Sword Art"?

If he doesn't strike, the sword qi will rebound.

But if he does strike…

How can he strike?

How can he strike if his spiritual sense cannot lock onto a target?

Then… use his eyes to aim?

Jiang Laoda found this unthinkable.

When did sword cultivators ever rely on their eyes to aim when wielding their swords?

The myriad phenomena of the world are bizarre and surreal; spells undergo countless transformations. The one thing a cultivator must never trust is his own eyes.

To wield a sword by spiritual sense yet seek enemies with the gaze—is that not the height of stupidity?

But if he cannot trust his eyes… what else can he trust…?

Trust his spiritual sense?

There's nothing at all in his spiritual sense… what can he trust?

Jiang Laoda guided his sword in all directions, his heart lost in confusion.

Mo Hua looked at Jiang Laoda with "sympathy."

When Jiang Laoda met Mo Hua's gaze, his fury surged uncontrollably.

But the sword qi had been building for too long—his meridians were already throbbing with pain; if he didn't strike now, the qi would rebound and kill him outright!

Jiang Laoda gritted his teeth.

Enough! Life and death are fate; life and death are in Heaven's hands!

No longer by spiritual sense—then by sight!

The sword is drawn; it must be released.

If spiritual sense cannot lock the target, then use his eyes—bet everything on this one strike!

Jiang Laoda rallied his spirit, poured every ounce of strength into it, and hurled the Break Han Jinyu Sword, surging with violent sword qi, straight at the spot where Mo Hua had just been!

But the instant he moved…

Mo Hua had already activated the Flowing Water Step and vanished without a trace…

Jiang Laoda froze, then helplessly watched as his immensely powerful sword, locked by his gaze, could not change course or turn—it struck straight ahead, cleaving an empty eatery cleanly in two…

…

The Break Han Jinyu Sword Art had split a thatched hut…

Jiang Laoda's face turned ashen, his heart filled with despair.

The moment he struck, he knew—he was already a dead man…

Only now did he understand what Mr. Tu had meant by "don't stir up trouble"—it meant this…

Don't stir up trouble, and no mishaps will occur.

And you won't accidentally stumble upon a monster so cunning, so terrifying in arraycraft, and whose spiritual sense is so fearsome it cannot even be locked…

Nearly six thousand characters, revised again—late update, sorry.

(End of Chapter)