Chapter 876: Water Prison

"Forest Water Prison…"

These characters, drenched in blood, were wild and terrifying, brimming with madness, and somehow deeply shocking to behold.

Mo Hua's gaze grew solemn.

His earlier guess had been correct.

The Water Prison Sealed Casket—since it contained the character "seal," besides being the sect leader's forbidden item, it truly concealed a forbidden art.

And this forbidden art was incomplete; it appeared to have been developed only halfway.

The question is…

Mo Hua frowned.

Who was researching this forbidden art?

The successive sect leaders of Water Prison Sect… or… the sect's ancestral founder?

And what was the direction of their research?

What kind of forbidden art was Water Prison Sect trying to develop?

Mo Hua's spiritual sense sank into the jade slip, skimming through the forbidden art's development manuscripts, picking out only the parts he could understand—and his eyes gradually widened, growing more astonished with each line.

The jade slip's content was profound and obscure; he could only grasp the general outline.

This seemed to be…

An attempt to merge Water Prison Sect's supreme control Dao method, "Water Prison Art," with the ultra-secret "Seven Soul Blood Prison Eye Art."

Deconstructing the eye art's structure and the Water Prison incantation, linking spiritual soul techniques with spiritual force spells, to fuse them into an extremely unusual "forbidden Dao art."

This was the fundamental principle behind the forbidden art named "Forest Water Prison."

"Water Prison Sect truly had immense audacity…"

Mo Hua was stunned, then fell into silent thought.

The Blood Eye Art was powerful; the Water Prison Art was powerful too—but both had their own flaws.

The eye art must strike unexpectedly; it cannot be anticipated.

This was exactly how Xiao Zhenhai and the "Water Yama" used their eye art.

The first time they used it, the opponent was caught off-guard, achieving a stunning success.

Every subsequent use, however, carried diminishing returns.

Use it too often, and even a fool would learn to guard against your eye art—making it like throwing flowers at a blind man, turning this killing technique into a useless burden.

Moreover, against ordinary foes it might suffice, but true strong opponents were never dull or naive.

You use this eye art once, and fail to kill them.

Then, trying to trap them again becomes far less effective—at best, severely restricted.

Likewise, "Water Prison Art" was powerful, but no matter how powerful, it remained a supreme Dao method—and thus bore all the drawbacks of such methods.

Slow to cast, long to charge.

Although Water Prison Art was not a traditional offensive supreme Dao method, its charging time was slightly shorter.

But even that brief time was still far too long compared to ordinary spells, giving enemies ample opportunity to counter.

Xiao Zhenhai was exactly like this.

The first time he used the Water Prison, it caught Gu Uncle and Xia Diansi off-guard, and both were ensnared.

But the second time he used it, it was no longer so easy.

Even though he specifically activated his Golden Body, Gu Uncle and Xia Diansi, already on guard, joined forces to shatter his Golden Body together.

His Water Prison Art was severed, and he suffered severe backlash.

Thus, though both techniques were potent, each had serious limitations.

But if the "Eye Art" and "Water Prison Art" could be fused into one, it would be… terrifying.

Using the eye art as the opening, it activates quickly, covers a wide area, ignores the Golden Body, affecting not only the spiritual soul but also exerting strong physical control.

When casting this art, others dare not even look at you.

Because once they glance, they can never escape.

Moreover, this is dual control—over both spiritual mind and physical body.

Any cultivator who falls under "Forest Water Prison" becomes a slaughtered pig—life or death, entirely out of their own hands.

Mo Hua drew in a sharp breath.

Moreover, he vaguely felt the power of this "Forest Water Prison" might extend even further…

In the forbidden art's development manuscript, those profound and obscure structures he could not yet comprehend seemed to conceal unknown laws.

Thus, Mo Hua had a suspicion:

Could it be that a thousand years ago, Water Prison Sect was destroyed by the Dao Court precisely because they developed this forbidden art?

A chill rose in Mo Hua's heart.

That was terrifying.

"It probably isn't that…"

He pondered again, but such ancient events from a thousand years ago were too distant; he knew too little, and even with suspicions, he could not verify them.

Even to speculate further, he dared not calculate.

If it were true, the karmic retribution capable of annihilating a Shierliu Sect would be too great—he could not bear it.

Then… could he learn it?

Mo Hua's heart stirred; he carefully reviewed the forbidden art manuscript again, but found that only fragments of the eye art and Water Prison Art content were comprehensible to him.

Not much—just a little.

Beyond that, the complex, intricate, and obscure incantation structures were far beyond the scope of a second-rank Foundation Establishment Dao method.

Mo Hua sighed helplessly.

"I can't understand…"

He tried to comprehend it several more times, but what cannot be understood, cannot be understood.

Mo Hua could only give up.

Besides, this is a forbidden technique—and an incomplete one at that—a highly profound and complex forbidden technique.

It absolutely cannot be learned lightly.

The Meteor Fire Technique was an exception.

Mo Hua had first comprehended a certain "underlying law of Qi," and then, leveraging his spiritual sense advantage, applied the technique structure of the "Meteor Fire Technique" onto this layer of Qi law, thereby refining it into a second-rank fire forbidden technique:

"Small Meteor Technique."

But forbidden techniques cannot be compared to one another.

He would never think that something he had figured out on his own could be mentioned in the same breath as the forbidden techniques studied by the leader of the Water Prison Sect—or even its Ancestor.

When he learned the Small Meteor Technique, even a single mistake left him severely injured.

If he were to cultivate this "Sensuo Water Prison" forbidden technique—far more profound and complex, and still incomplete—any minor mistake would leave him dead without even knowing how.

Mo Hua shuddered at the thought and shook his head.

"I'll just store it for now…"

Even if he doesn't learn it, this forbidden technique manuscript can be used for research and reference.

And the value of such research and reference is immense.

On the surface, this is merely an incomplete forbidden technique.

But in Mo Hua's eyes, it contains the most advanced research and insights from the Water Prison Sect's upper echelons on Qi composition, spell principles, and technique structures.

This forbidden technique development manuscript is indeed extraordinarily precious.

And this thing must not be known to anyone…

After all, it likely contains the great karmic cause behind the "Water Prison Sect's annihilation."

Without hesitation, Mo Hua sealed the jade slip into his Nanzhi Ring.

Since the incomplete forbidden technique "Sensuo Water Prison" cannot be learned, Mo Hua turned his attention to the other several transmissions.

The cultivation method of "Water Prison True Scripture" also cannot be learned.

Because it is exclusively reserved for the sect leader—it's too expensive.

A boy from a poor family like him cannot afford it.

The superior control technique "Water Prison Technique" also cannot be learned.

Mo Hua briefly assessed it: he could learn it, but it would be useless.

His Qi reserves cannot sustain the consumption of such a "superior Dao art."

Even if he barely managed to use it once, his Qi would likely be drained to the last drop.

This is only because control-type superior Dao arts consume less Qi than offensive ones.

He didn't even need to look at other offensive superior Dao arts.

And to spend great effort learning a control technique:

When casting it, he would expend nearly all his Qi; after use, his Qi would be completely empty, leaving him unable to use his movement or concealment techniques.

No matter how you look at it, it's just too foolish…

Mo Hua also stored away the "Water Prison Technique" and the "Water Prison True Scripture."

These two things either cannot be learned, or are useless—at least for now.

The only one left was "Water Shadow Illusory Body."

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

This is a water-type movement technique—he can learn it, and it aligns perfectly with his entire Dao system.

He had already learned the Step of Fading Water.

But Water Shadow Illusory Body does not conflict with Step of Fading Water; in fact, to some extent, the two complement each other.

Step of Fading Water excels in evasion and Zhou Xuan during direct confrontation.

Water Shadow Illusory Body, however, focuses on deceiving the enemy—using water shadows to create openings and generate opportunities for killing blows.

He had long coveted this technique.

When he saw Water Yanluo use Water Shadow Step, he had taken notice.

Now that he had obtained "Water Shadow Illusory Body," which surpasses Water Shadow Step, there was no reason not to learn it.

Mo Hua's eyes gleamed.

Thereafter, between studying arrays and sword techniques, Mo Hua also took time to learn this supreme movement technique of the Water Prison Sect—Water Shadow Illusory Body.

Thanks to his foundation in Step of Fading Water, learning this water shadow technique was not difficult.

But when he actually used it, the results were poor.

To test this newly learned Water Shadow Illusory Body, he deliberately sought out Sister Situ for a simple sparring match in the Dao Chamber.

The result? He was utterly defeated.

Either he couldn't distinguish the water shadows and took blows for nothing;

Or he distinguished them too slowly and couldn't dodge in time;

Or after splitting the shadows, he lost his own sense of direction and stumbled blindly into Sister Situ's arms…

In short, there were many problems.

Not to mention his original intention—to seamlessly switch between Water Shadow Illusory Body and Step of Fading Water, integrating them fully.

The concept sounded beautiful, but practical application proved fraught with difficulty.

Mo Hua felt a brief pang of disappointment, but soon let it go.

Old Kui had taught him since childhood: every Dao art demands timing and mastery in application.

The more deeply one grasps it, the more skillfully one wields it, the more powerful the Dao art becomes.

It's not that any cultivator, stumbling upon a high-rank Dao art and casually practicing it, will suddenly grow strong.

If that were true, the Dao art would surely be a demonic art, and would eventually turn against its user.

Any Dao art, to reach a certain level of mastery, requires the cultivator's daily, painstaking cultivation and deep study.

His Step of Flowing Water was just like that.

This body technique came from Zhang Lan. In Xiancheng, Mo Hua had begun learning it very early, even during Qi Refining.

Afterward, he continuously pondered, summarized, applied it in battle, and gradually achieved his current level as his spiritual sense grew and his control over spiritual energy became more refined.

The Water Shadow Illusion Body, though of considerable rank and holding high status in the Water Prison Sect's legacy,

was still new to Mo Hua, and his proficiency was far too low; the time and effort he had devoted to it were minimal.

Thus, the current effect of the Water Shadow Illusion Body was vastly inferior to the Step of Flowing Water; to achieve even minor mastery, to wield it effectively in battle, and to use it as naturally as breathing, he would need to invest far more effort and patiently hone it.

This was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

Mo Hua understood this clearly, so his mindset remained calm.

Moreover, for now, the Step of Flowing Water was more than sufficient.

The Water Shadow Illusion Body was merely icing on the cake; there was no rush.

He had ample time to slowly refine it.

And once, in the future, he could also master the Water Shadow Illusion Body to the point of perfect control, reaching the pinnacle of refinement, then combined with the supremely agile Step of Flowing Water, his body technique would undergo a terrifying transformation.

Impossible to see clearly, impossible to touch.

Impossible to grasp, impossible to kill.

And within the illusions lay hidden killing intent; once deceived by the illusions, an opponent might never know how they died.

A flash of sharpness passed through Mo Hua's eyes.

……

Another month passed.

Mo Hua remained focused and diligent in his cultivation.

Cultivating the Dao is like water dripping through stone—accumulating and settling slowly amid seemingly dull daily routines.

As time passed, Mo Hua's arrays and body techniques steadily improved.

His swordplay, though neither outstanding nor weak, also progressed slowly.

Meanwhile, the upper echelons of the Grand Void Gate were subtly shrouded in a solemn atmosphere, like storm clouds gathering.

Occasionally, elders from the Tai'e Gate and Chongxu Gate could be seen frequently moving within the Grand Void Gate, discussing something unknown.

Mo Hua quietly asked Mr. Xun what was happening.

Mr. Xun merely shook his head and said: "These matters are none of your concern. Focus on learning arrays."

Mo Hua opened his mouth to speak but held back, finally only saying: "Yes…"

Yet deep inside, he clearly could not let it go.

He was a disciple of the Grand Void Gate; though lowly and weak, at such a moment he wished to lend some help.

Seeing this, Mr. Xun fell silent for a moment, then spoke with solemn gravity: "If you can master arrays, and reach their ultimate depth, you will have done the Grand Void Gate its greatest favor."

These words carried immense weight; Mr. Xun spoke them with utmost seriousness.

Mo Hua froze, understanding at once, and nodded earnestly: "Mr., rest assured—I will study diligently."

Mr. Xun gazed deeply at Mo Hua, then nodded with satisfaction.

From then on, Mo Hua remembered Mr. Xun's words, ignored all other matters, and devoted himself entirely to learning arrays.

He had planned to continue cultivating steadily, but unexpected events still occurred…

One day, after finishing his sword practice, reading some sword Dao insights, and studying array texts for a while, it was nearly midnight, so he lay down early and sank his spiritual sense into his mind sea.

In his mind sea, Mo Hua sat in meditation and contemplated for a while.

But moments later, the previously silent mind sea suddenly erupted in an eerie laugh.

It was Mo Hua himself laughing.

His face turned pitch black, becoming profoundly sinister.

Mo Hua reached up and covered his own face.

The laughter ceased.

His face returned to normal, but his brow furrowed.

"You're happy."

Mo Hua spoke aloud.

Around him, silence. After a while, his face twisted again, morphing into the visage of a demonic infant, its voice thin and shrill, cackling:

"I never expected you to be such a perfect Divine Embryo—more 'perfect' than I imagined."

"Your mind sea is the finest incubator; your spiritual sense is superior nourishment; and your spiritual soul already shows signs of forming Divine Marrow…"

"Most exquisite of all: the fusion of divinity and humanity!"

"Such a spiritual soul, I have never seen. Once transformed, my true self shall descend directly, granting me a half-divine, half-mortal body."

"This is a true flesh-and-blood Divine Being!"

"Because it has flesh, evil desire is inherently complete."

"And because it is a demonic god, evil thoughts are immortal and indestructible."

"Among the divine authority ranks of the Great Wasteland, among the three thousand divine corpses, the hundred incarnations, and all the divine embryos, you will be the most unique of all!"

"And you… are me!"

The Evil Embryo was extremely excited.

Mo Hua frowned. "You talk too much. Are all Evil Gods chatterboxes?"

The Evil Embryo's face darkened instantly, but then it sneered bitterly:

"Mortal fools, no matter how high your cultivation, I hold you in contempt. But you are not ordinary—you have the right, you deserve my speaking so much to you."

Mo Hua said: "Then why don't you come out, and we talk?"

The Evil Embryo sneered, but gave no reply.

Mo Hua looked down on it. "Coward."

The Evil Embryo's expression twisted grotesquely, then suddenly calmed, revealing a hint of madness:

"I tolerate your insolence, because you will one day be me, and I am you—therefore, tolerating you is tolerating myself."

Mo Hua's gaze turned dangerous. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

The Evil Embryo, using Mo Hua's face, unleashed a chilling smile:

"You cannot kill me. Evil thoughts are immortal and indestructible. Even if you are only half-step to Dao Transformation, half a god, even if you were a true god, you could not touch me…"

"One day, you will be mine…"

"I look forward to that day…"

The Evil Embryo gave one final dark chuckle, then vanished entirely into Mo Hua's life-soul, leaving not a trace of its presence.

And the hour of Zi had arrived.

The Dao Stele emerged.

The crimson lightning on the Dao Stele still radiated a dangerous aura, capable of erasing all things.

But the Evil Embryo had vanished.

Or rather, it had fused with Mo Hua, leaving not the slightest trace.

Like a venomous snake lurking in shadows, it could strike at any moment.

Mo Hua grew restless and agitated.

That little brat dared to defy him!

And mocked him.

What did that mean?

Mo Hua forced himself to calm down, sinking into silent contemplation:

"That little scum… is trying to disrupt my Dao heart."

"Or perhaps, it seeks to disturb my state of mind, stirring my restlessness or fear, so it can slip in and seize control."

After all, Evil Gods excel at manipulating the human heart.

All human weaknesses—greed, unease, fear, dread—become invisible breaches for the Evil God.

Mo Hua tightened his brow.

This Evil Embryo was a major threat.

No matter what, he could not let it continue unchecked.

No evil entity had ever dared to be so arrogant before him.

Even if this evil entity was the divine embryo of an Evil God, he would not tolerate it.

He needed to think of a way…

Mo Hua's gaze grew cold.

After that, he lost all interest in drawing arrays, spending the entire night pondering this matter.

The next day, he steadied his mind, returned to his cultivation and array studies, refusing to let the Evil Embryo affect him.

Three days later, the seven-day cycle arrived again.

In the center of the disciples' quarters, the void shattered, a crack opened, and a withered, bony hand reached through.

Mo Hua was dragged once more to the forbidden rear mountain.

The Lone Ancestor still sat motionless within the Sword Tomb.

This time, as usual, he taught Mo Hua sword principles and checked his progress.

Mo Hua's sword cultivation remained unchanged—neither impressive nor lacking.

The Lone Ancestor, as always, showed neither surprise nor delight.

After explaining his understanding of sword Dao and inspecting Mo Hua's progress, the Lone Ancestor raised his hand, preparing to send Mo Hua back to the disciples' quarters.

But Mo Hua suddenly spoke: "Ancestor, I have some questions I wish to ask."

The Lone Ancestor paused, his raised hand slowly lowering, and nodded. "Ask."

Mo Hua hesitated. "Ancestor, you once told me the Grand Void Divine Mind Sword Art has four existing sword forms…"

"The Sword Transformation Form is the foundation, transforming divine mind into sword intent…"

"The Soul-Shaking Form is the advanced technique, manifesting sword intent to terrify enemies…"

"What about the other two forms? What sword principles and divine mind transformations do they contain? How exactly does one cultivate the Soul-Breaking Form—and the final one…"

Mo Hua's gaze sharpened, faintly revealing a blade's edge:

"... the Soul-Slicing Form!"