Chapter 948: Shen Shou Xing

Evil energy…

Mo Hua’s gaze was slightly stern.

This surge of evil energy was very thick, very yin and cold, bringing despair, and it was very similar to the energy he had perceived in the Evil Fetus dream sign.

But unlike before, when he smelled this energy, Mo Hua didn’t feel the “hunger” of his divine soul. Instead, he had a feeling of “nausea.”

He could now tentatively determine that there was definitely an Evil Fetus being nurtured under Lone Mountain.

It’s just that the method of nurturing this Evil Fetus might be completely different from before.

Mo Hua’s expression gradually became solemn.

Not only him, but Second Master Gray, Rat, and Stone, the three grave robbers, also shivered and exchanged glances.

“Second Master, this tomb, the energy is a bit off…”

The short and sturdy “Stone,” with solid muscles, who hadn’t spoken much along the way, lowered his voice and said to Second Master Gray.

Second Master Gray frowned.

He had robbed tombs for so many years and had indeed never encountered such a strange burial.

But thinking of the origin of this burial and the identity of the tomb owner, he gradually felt relieved.

The larger the tomb, the less it can be measured by common sense.

“Let’s go in,” Second Master Gray said.

“Okay.”

Stone nodded. He just had some doubts and casually said it.

A thief doesn’t go back empty-handed. The tomb door was already open, so he couldn’t just turn back now.

“Little brother,” Second Master Gray turned his head and looked at Mo Hua. “Please.”

Mo Hua’s face turned pale, and he became a bit nervous. “It’s all cold and eerie in here. I… I’m a bit scared. Can I not go in?”

Second Master Gray looked at Mo Hua coldly.

Mo Hua sighed resignedly, “Alright…”

He then stepped forward and entered the tomb door. Second Master Gray followed closely behind, walking beside Mo Hua.

Stone and Rat followed.

Last were the four black-robed cultivators. They looked at each other, their eyes deep. In the darkness, each had thoughts flashing before entering the pitch-black tomb door one after another.

Upon entering the tomb door, it was all dark.

This was a thicker patch of darkness.

Mo Hua narrowed his eyes, and after a moment, he adapted to the darkness before him.

However, there was nothing particularly special in the darkness. It was still the same as outside, a long corridor stretching endlessly, and a profound and enclosed darkness.

And these corridors were the same, leading in all directions.

Second Master Gray looked at Mo Hua and said in a low voice, “Little brother, lead the way.”

Mo Hua acted like “Mister Pi,” holding a compass in one hand and pretending to form hand seals in the other. At the same time, a faint light flickered in his eyes as he released his divine sense to perceive the direction of the earth array’s force flow and lead the way for the group.

This was originally Mister Pi’s job.

But Mister Pi was right, in a group, there cannot be two array masters.

Now that Mister Pi was dead, Mo Hua, who was proficient in arrays, naturally had to replace him and guide the way for the group.

Just like this, Mo Hua walked in front, discerning the direction according to the array, and led the group forward.

But they walked for a long time, and it was still corridors all around, with no end in sight.

Mo Hua frowned, and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart, this tomb ground is really big.

Could it be that a transcendent cultivator great power is really buried in Lone Mountain?

But thinking about it, it seemed not very likely.

Lone Mountain is just a third-grade state boundary, still a “remote and barren” mountain city. If there was really such a transcendent cultivator, how could they possibly be buried in this kind of place…

But Mo Hua pondered for a while and still felt something was wrong.

It was still that problem, the burial here was too big. Ordinary cultivators couldn’t possibly be buried here.

Moreover, assuming the burial in Lone Mountain had no background, would these several grave robbers and the four black-robed cultivators also not come inside this tomb?

These people added up, a full seven Golden Cores!

Golden Cores are not so easy to cultivate. In ordinary small state boundaries, in small families and small sects, Golden Core cultivators can be old ancestors.

Seven Golden Cores, placed anywhere, is not a small force.

Mo Hua’s doubts grew.

Moreover, he was also a little unclear about the purpose of this group.

Second Master Pi and the other two were fine, they were grave robbers, even if they had a belly full of schemes, ultimately, it was still for robbing tombs.

While the four black-robed cultivators were probably not that simple.

That black-robed young man, he didn’t look young, but he was really young.

He wasn’t old, but he was already a Golden Core cultivator. Cultivation talent, resources, and inheritance, none could be lacking. His background was definitely not small.

The other three were entirely wrapped in black robes, concealing their aura.

When they first met, Mo Hua hadn’t detected it. But as they walked down, their bodies unconsciously emitted a faint pressure, without exception containing killing intent.

Mo Hua could determine that these three black-robed cultivators were absolutely not ordinary Golden Cores, and their cultivation should also absolutely not be just Golden Core initial stage.

“Exactly who are these several people?”

Mo Hua frowned.

While holding the compass, looking at the array, and discerning the direction, he was also thinking in his heart, wanting to understand the origin of these people.

But after thinking for a moment, he still had no clue.

These four black-robed people were wrapped tightly, unable to see anything clearly, there were too few clues.

Only that young master with an exposed face, Mo Hua didn’t recognize.

“Or… calculate a bit?”

“See who exactly they are?”

Mo Hua thought for a moment, and finally couldn’t suppress his curiosity. He touched his thumb with his right hand, took out a copper coin from his storage ring, and slightly rubbed it to perform a divination.

But he didn’t dare to calculate much, just slightly touched the copper coin, brushed the edge to calculate a little bit, and then immediately stopped.

This was in the tomb passage, surrounded by desperadoes in the Golden Core realm.

Being stared at, he fundamentally didn’t dare to have any big actions, otherwise, he would be easily detected.

Moreover, he didn’t dare to calculate too deeply.

The longer he was in contact with the Heaven’s Mystery method, the clearer Mo Hua was that the way of cause and effect was profound and mysterious.

The more you calculate, the more you know, the more traces you leave, the greater the probability of being calculated by others, and the more likely your secrets will be spied upon.

Many things are mutual.

You are spying on cause and effect, and cause and effect are also spying on you…

So now, when encountering true big matters, Mo Hua instead didn’t dare to let go and calculate, afraid that behind these big matters, there were great powers contending, and his rash calculation would get him caught with a small braid.

Mo Hua even always had a feeling that he had been caught with a “small braid” unconsciously, but because he was too weak and didn’t enter the eyes of these great powers, he wasn’t pursued.

Therefore, for these four black-robed cultivators, Mo Hua just brushed the side, calculating a little bit of cause and effect.

But just this point, however, shocked Mo Hua in his heart.

Rubbing the patterns on the copper coin, a strong feeling of familiarity suddenly surged in Mo Hua’s heart. The light and dark of cause and effect connected, as if these four black-robed cultivators all had some origins with him.

In a sense, they should all be considered “acquaintances.”

Mo Hua became more and more confused.

“How is it possible… what cause and effect can I have with them?”

Leaving aside the other three people, at least that black-robed young master, Mo Hua could confirm that he fundamentally didn’t recognize him.

Even the aura on his body was very strange.

So strange that Mo Hua could almost determine that he was fundamentally not a cultivator from the Qian Xue state boundary, but came from outside.

Mo Hua’s brows furrowed tighter.

“I’ll find a chance later to see who you are exactly…” Mo Hua said silently in his heart.

But for now, it was better to remain inconspicuous.

This Lone Mountain tomb burial was too strange, and he didn’t know what dangers were hidden. Relying on himself alone, he would definitely not be able to reach the deepest part.

Second Master Gray and the other two were experienced grave robbers.

The four black-robed cultivators were very strong, their strength immeasurable.

As long as he followed them, it would be fine.

No matter what dangers were in this tomb, anyway, the first ones to face them would definitely be these seven Golden Cores. If they died, they would die first.

As long as he hid a bit far away, he wouldn’t be splashed with their blood.

And he was the unique array master in the group. They shouldn’t “unload the mill and kill the donkey” until the last moment.

After Mo Hua had thought it through, he nodded slightly, and then stopped thinking about anything else, concentrating on pointing the way.

So they walked forward another segment of the road, avoiding some tomb ground mechanisms, and saw another side gate.

On the gate, the array patterns were dense and more complex than the ones outside.

Mo Hua hadn’t noticed it before, but ever since seeing the tomb door carved with the Seven Souls Blood Prison and guarded by Ox Head and Horse Face outside, he felt that…

The gate before him was more like a prison door.

And the entire corridor was just like a prison corridor.

They were not only inside the tomb ground, but also inside a “prison.”

Mo Hua shook his head and began to break the array.

Speaking of breaking arrays, he was probably much stronger than Mister Pi, and much faster too. He didn’t even need array paper as a “draft,” he could calculate it in his heart.

But to keep a low profile, he still took out his bronze brush, took out array paper, and imitated Mister Pi’s appearance, calculating the life and death of the array patterns on the paper one by one.

Occasionally, he would make a mistake and smear it.

After a while, he would scratch his head, stop his brush, and look worried, as if racking his brains but still unable to solve it.

Second Master Gray and the others, seeing Mo Hua’s unreliable appearance, were all a little nervous, afraid that he wouldn’t be able to calculate it, wouldn’t be able to open the gate, and would delay their tomb robbing.

Therefore, in front of the gate, although Mo Hua was smearing and dragging, no one dared to disturb his thoughts.

Second Master Gray and the other two held their breath and concentrated, and the four black-robed cultivators also remained silent.

He didn’t know how long had passed, when Mo Hua’s eyes finally lit up, and he said excitedly, “Solved it!”

Second Master Gray and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Hua held the bronze array brush, stroke by stroke, meticulously, and painted the array patterns he had calculated with “exhausted thoughts” and “thousand hardships” onto the gate.

The array patterns lit up one by one, and the seal patterns broke one by one.

Then, with a “creak,” the rusty gate finally opened slowly.

Second Master Gray’s expression was slightly surprised, he turned his head and looked at Mo Hua deeply, thinking in his heart:

“This kid, looks unreliable, but I didn’t expect his comprehension of arrays to be so high. He actually learned Mister Pi’s array as soon as he saw it…”

“Mister Pi is already dead, or… keep this kid?”

“Let him change his head and face, take a new nickname, be a grave robber, and solve arrays for us underground.”

“It’s just, he might not be willing…”

Second Master Gray looked at Mo Hua and immediately had an idea:

“It looks like he’s still a novice. After going out, find a few brothel girls and let him break his virginity.”

“Young people are just full of vigor. Once they taste indulgence, they can’t turn back. At that time, they will know the taste and will willingly work for me.”

“If he doesn’t know what’s good for him, just lock him up and beat him like a dog several times, and starve him for several days.”

“With both kindness and power, I’m not afraid he won’t agree.”

“This year, array masters are all talented, and moreover, this kid is different from Mister Pi, he is a genius array master who can grasp life and death in his own hands…”

Second Master Gray’s heart heated up, a cold light flashed in his eyes and disappeared.

Mo Hua only felt a slight chill on his back, but he pretended not to know anything. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and breathed a long sigh of relief:

“The gate is open, we can go forward.”

“Good, thank you little brother.”

Second Master Gray’s tone was much gentler.

Afterward, Mo Hua still held the compass and led the way in front. The group surrounded Mo Hua and walked step by step towards the deeper part of the tomb ground.

On the barren ridge of Lone Mountain.

Fan Jin and Gu Master’s faces were ashen.

People from the Dao Court Division, the Shen family, and the Tool Refining Row were clearing up the sand and gravel around.

Beneath the sand and gravel was a layer of purplish-black blood water, which had already seeped into the soil.

The ground was covered with limbs.

These cultivators had died tragically.

After roughly cleaning the site, the executive officer of the Dao Court Division walked over, cupped his hands, and said:

“Reporting to the Censor, all the dead are cultivators of the Shen family, including two Golden Cores and several Foundation Building cultivators. But the young master surnamed ‘Mo’ that the Censor described is not here, nor is the young master Qing of the Shen family…”

Fan Jin and Gu Master both secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but the worried expression on their faces had not yet receded.

Because Mo Hua and young master Qing were still missing.

And the “culprits” who committed the crime were also nowhere to be found.

What was more terrifying was that these culprits could kill two Golden Cores of the Shen family, meaning that this group of people had killing power above the Golden Core.

This was fundamentally not a problem that the Dao Court Division of Lone Mountain could handle.

In front of such powerful culprits, young master Mo and Shen Qingsheng were certainly unable to escape, and were likely kidnapped.

If they couldn’t be rescued, there would definitely be more ominous than auspicious signs.

In Gu Master’s heart, it didn’t matter whether Shen Qingsheng lived or died, mainly Mo Hua, he was the benefactor of the Tool Refining Row, and could not encounter any mishap.

While in Fan Jin’s eyes, one was Mo Hua, a high disciple of the Tai Xu Gate, and the other was Shen Qingsheng, a direct descendant of the Shen family. No matter who had an accident, his troubles as Censor would be very great.

After that, let alone further advancement, whether he could continue to be this Censor was all an unknown.

“Do you know where the culprits went?” Fan Jin asked.

“We checked a mine well nearby. There are traces of an array beside the mine well,” the executive officer reported.

“Quick!” Fan Jin said, “Take me there.”

The executive officer brought Fan Jin and the other two to the mine well. Indeed, they saw a corner with some messy footprints and traces of an array sealing it up.

“Can it be broken open?” Fan Jin asked.

“No,” the executive officer said, “The array master of the Shen family looked at it, this passage is narrow, and the stone wall is fragile. Once this array is broken, the stone wall will collapse, blocking the stone road entrance. People outside cannot get in, and people inside cannot get out.”

“Damn it,” Fan Jin frowned, couldn’t help but curse, and then said, “This mine well? Where does it lead?”

“The mine well is also blocked.”

“Then go find the mine well map, see if there are any mine wells that can lead to this underground.”

“This…” The executive officer looked troubled. “The mine well map nearby… is in the Shen family, and outsiders are not allowed to look at it.”

Fan Jin froze, his brows furrowed tighter.

Gu Master stared at the mine well for a while, then looked at the nearby mountain terrain again, his pupils slightly shook, and he pondered, “We should go to the Shen family and see if we can beg for the mine well map?”

Fan Jin pondered for a moment, sighed, and said, “Alright, we can only go.”

Just as the two were about to move, there was a sudden commotion in the distance. A large group of people walked over. The person in front had an ordinary appearance, but a majestic face and a decent temperament. It was exactly Shen Shou Xing, the powerful elder in the late Golden Core stage of the Shen family.

“Shen Shou Xing.”

Fan Jin and the other two looked at each other, their expressions more solemn.

Although Shen Shou Xing had not reached the Feathered stage, because he had established many merits in the Shen family, he had a lot of power.

This area of Lone Mountain had always been under Shen Shou Xing’s responsibility.

And now, his son was missing here in Lone Mountain.

Of course, Shen Shou Xing wanted to come in person.

But his personal arrival also meant that this matter had already become big. If there was no explanation, it would be impossible to end it.

But since trouble had come, there was no avoiding it.

Fan Jin braced himself, cupped his hands, and said, “Elder Shen.”

“Censor Fan,” Shen Shou Xing’s voice was cold, but he was clearly suppressing his anger. “What exactly is the matter?”

Fan Jin could only say, “Here in Lone Mountain, a group of grave robbers suddenly appeared. When they were digging the mountain, they should have just happened to be bumped into by young master Qing. A conflict arose between the two sides. This group of grave robbers is not weak, and they killed all of young master Qing’s guards. Young master Qing is likely also captured by them, and is now… whereabouts unknown…”

After Fan Jin finished, he suddenly saw that Shen Shou Xing’s face was terrifyingly gloomy. “You said… grave robbers?”

“Yes…”

Fan Jin didn’t feel anything at first, but after thinking for a moment, he suddenly felt cold all over.

He realized that he might have fallen into a big pit, and the matter he didn’t want to touch had unconsciously found its way to him.

But Fan Jin restrained himself and didn’t show any abnormality.

Shen Shou Xing’s mind was not on Fan Jin, but after pondering for a moment, he said without doubt:

“Let everyone withdraw, this matter will be investigated by my Shen family.”

Fan Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

But Gu Master on the side said, “Elder Shen, my Gu family also has people to save.”

“Gu family?” Shen Shou Xing frowned, “Save who?”

“Mo Hua,” Gu Master said.

Shen Shou Xing’s pupils shrank. He was an elder who held real power in the Shen family, how could he not know the identity and weight of the words “Mo Hua.”

“I know.” Shen Shou Xing said, “Young master Mo’s identity is noble, and my Shen family will also save him. Gu Master doesn’t need to worry.”

“Elder Shen, how do you plan to save him?” Gu Master asked.

Shen Shou Xing said, “Since they are grave robbers, they will definitely dig towards the inside of the mountain. As long as they dig, they will naturally dig to the mine well. My Shen family has a mine well map. Following the map to check, we can definitely encounter this group of thieves.”

Gu Master said, “Since that is the case, with one more person, there is one more strength. I will go down the mine well with Elder Shen.”

Shen Shou Xing’s expression was displeased.

He could talk to this Golden Core initial stage Gu Master from the edge of the Gu family, it was already enough to give them face.

A large part of it was still because of “Mo Hua”‘s special identity, that he would give them a little explanation.

But he wanted to enter the Shen family’s mine well, it was a pipe dream.

“No,” Shen Shou Xing said resolutely, “This is the Shen family’s mine well, outsiders are not allowed to enter.”

Gu Master was slightly alert.

He suddenly realized that Mo Hua’s previous guess was very likely right. There was likely something fishy inside the Shen family’s mine well.

“Young master Mo has shown great kindness to my Gu family. Now that his whereabouts are unknown, I must find out.”

Even though he was just in the Golden Core initial stage, facing the elder who held a high position in the Shen family, Gu Master’s gaze was firm and he did not give in.

Shen Shou Xing smiled coldly and said mockingly, “This is my Shen family’s affair, your Gu family should not intervene.”

Gu Master’s brows furrowed tightly.

Just at this time, another voice rang out: “Then what about adding the Tai Xu Gate?”

Shen Shou Xing’s expression changed slightly. He turned his head and saw a cultivator with sword light in his eyes and an extraordinary bearing walking over from not far away, without knowing when.

“Xun Ziyou, the sword path elder of the Tai Xu Gate.”

Xun Ziyou’s expression was indifferent, his gaze sharp.

Shen Shou Xing’s expression also involuntarily became solemn.

The Gu family was still okay, a quasi-fifth-grade family, and Gu Master was only a branch of the Gu family, his words didn’t carry much weight.

But the elder of the Tai Xu Gate before him, his weight was completely different.

Moreover, Mo Hua was the leader of the array path of the Tai Xu Gate, his meaning to the Tai Xu Gate was self-evident.

If he was missing, the Tai Xu Gate would definitely demand an explanation.

Shen Shou Xing frowned and said, “I don’t know what Elder Xun wants to do?”

Xun Ziyou slowly opened his mouth and said, “I will go down the mine well with you and save the disciple of my Tai Xu Gate.”

According to the ancestor’s instructions, he was to protect Mo Hua’s safety in the dark.

Before, on the jade pendant matching the Tai Xu Two Yi Lock, Mo Hua’s aura had always been very safe, so Xun Ziyou didn’t interfere.

But now Mo Hua had gone down, and fundamentally didn’t know where he had gone, so Xun Ziyou was a little anxious.

Although the jade pendant temporarily showed no signs of danger.

But if by any chance, Mo Hua really encountered a crisis, he would be far away at that time and unable to help, causing Mo Hua to have an accident, the trouble would be big.

Therefore, he at least wanted to be closer to Mo Hua, only then could he feel a little relieved.

Shen Shou Xing’s expression was cold.

Xun Ziyou’s request was actually reasonable.

But the Shen family’s mine well, must not let any outsiders go in.

Shen Shou Xing shook his head and coldly refused, “Elder Xun’s request, please excuse Shen who cannot agree.”

Xun Ziyou seemed to want to discuss something, then his face became ashen.

For a time, the atmosphere was tense.

Gu Master knew that this deadlock was not a solution, so he cupped his hands and said, “Elder Shen, young master Ling was also kidnapped. If we delay like this, perhaps…”

Shen Shou Xing’s brows jumped.

Indeed, Qingsheng was also inside.

But even so, the things inside this mine absolutely cannot be discovered by outsiders, even if Qingsheng dies inside, the Shen family’s secret cannot be exposed…

Shen Shou Xing’s gaze was firm.

But in an instant, Shen Shou Xing’s pupils darkened again, as if some precious thing had been dug out of his heart, losing his soul.

A strange voice rang in his ear:

“You only have this one son in your lifetime.”

“If this son dies, you will be childless.”

Shen Shou Xing’s body trembled, his face paled, his heart felt like a knife was twisted in it, and he murmured in a low voice, “Yes, I only have this one son…”

The gray color in his eyes that no one detected gradually faded, then he raised his head, nodded, and said, “Okay, we will go down together.”