22: conspiracy

Mo Chengkong was about to crush Zhou Kaiding into a pulp with a casual strike, but he suddenly stopped, his expression solemn.

The surrounding space rippled like flowing water, and three figures abruptly appeared around Mo Chengkong.

They formed a triangle, encircling him in the middle.

A painting scroll emerged, depicting mountains and rivers flowing, with a bright moon hanging high. It condensed into a scroll and landed in the hand of one of the figures, a Middle-aged Cultivator draped in purple robes with a dignified countenance.

"Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll, you actually brought this treasure out? Aren't you afraid your own Sect's foundation will be unstable?"

Mo Chengkong had already prepared to retreat as soon as he noticed something was amiss, but he was ultimately a step too slow.

This Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll was the Mountain River Sect's most precious treasure, the eye of the Mountain River Sect's mountain-guarding Great Formation.

Now, Yang Kaishan, the Sect Head of the Mountain River Sect, had actually brought this treasure out. If others were to know, the Sect would likely be in danger.

Yang Kaishan chuckled, "You, Old Ghost Mo, don't need to worry about that. You should worry more about yourself."

If they hadn't used the Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll to conceal their aura, how could they have hidden from Mo Chengkong, a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator?

Mo Chengkong's heart sank, and he secretly thought it was bad. He thoroughly understood the events of today, realizing that the death of his grandson was a conspiracy targeting him.

It seemed today would be difficult to end peacefully.

"Zhu Qishou, Shen Xufa, are your Zhu and Shen Families also getting involved in this muddy water?"

Mo Chengkong asked with a deep voice.

Zhu and Shen exchanged glances and said, "If you hadn't come to Longevity Valley, we wouldn't have been in such a hurry to act against you."

"The Xuanjin Sect has been strong for too long, suppressing us to the point where we can't breathe."

"Now, you even want to extend the Xuanjin Sect's lifespan by several decades. If you succeed, I'm afraid none of our Families will have good days ahead."

"Don't blame us. Prosperity and decline are natural laws. Going against the will of heaven leads to self-destruction."

Mo Chengkong sneered. They spoke so righteously, but in the end, it was still for their own benefit.

"Fellow Daoists, send Grand Elder Mo on his way, lest delays cause trouble."

Yang Kaishan's expression turned serious. The Mountain River Scroll in his hand had already transformed into a circular Formation Plate, floating before him.

"Form the array!"

Yang Kaishan formed hand seals, and his Foundation Establishment Stage magical power surged into the Formation Plate.

Zhu and Shen performed the same actions.

The three Formation Plates echoed each other, and Formation Flags emerged from the ground, forming a Great Formation that completely enveloped the space around Mo Chengkong.

Mo Chengkong's face was ashen. He put Mo Haiyuan's body into his Storage Pouch, then tossed something into the air. A bronze bell rapidly enlarged, hovering above his head, emitting ripples.

This was Mo Chengkong's famous Spiritual Artifact, the High Grade second-tier Mountain Suppressing Bell, which excelled in both defense and offense.

Mo Haiyuan's bronze bell Magical Artifact was merely a replica of this treasure.

The Formation Plate spun, and within the array, the situation changed rapidly. Heavenly fire, earthly water, and fierce winds all attacked Mo Chengkong simultaneously.

Mo Chengkong dared not be negligent. His hand seals were continuous, and the Mountain Suppressing Bell hummed, blocking the incoming water, fire, and wind wave after wave.

"As expected, he's not easy to deal with." All three felt a chill in their hearts. Fortunately, they had seized the initiative; otherwise, they might not have been able to take him down.

"Old Ghost Mo is not that easy to kill. Don't be reckless, wear him down."

Yang Kaishan said. Now that Mo Chengkong was in the trap, they couldn't be too hasty, lest unforeseen changes occur.

The two nodded in agreement, then sat cross-legged in the Void Realm, adjusting their magical power to maintain the continuous operation of the Great Formation.

All three were Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. Individually, their magical power was not as profound as Mo Chengkong's. If they sought quick success and caused the Three Talents Annihilation Great Formation to lose balance, it would be a loss rather than a gain.

Several hours passed, and all three looked somewhat pale, having consumed a good portion of their magical power.

Mo Chengkong's face also looked bad. For these several hours, he could only barely defend. He had intended to find a weakness to break the Great Formation.

However, these three were all difficult to deal with, and they actually planned to exhaust him to death within the array by draining his magical power.

The longer it went on, the more anxious Mo Chengkong became. If this continued, he would eventually perish here. It would be better to fight with all his might.

Mo Chengkong's heart turned ruthless. He clasped his hands together, then spat out a mouthful of vital blood, which was absorbed by the bronze bell, causing the bell's precious light to shine brightly.

"Open!"

Mo Chengkong roared, separating his hands. The bronze bell shot skyward, sacrificing a great deal of vital blood to unleash the Mountain Suppressing Bell's final strike.

"Be careful, he's going all out!"

Zhu Qishou's expression was solemn as he warned.

The Mountain Suppressing Bell hummed rapidly and violently, tearing a gap in the entire Great Formation, then let out a mournful sound, its light dimming.

Mo Chengkong forcefully mustered a breath. As the Mountain Suppressing Bell opened the gap, his figure followed closely, moving several times faster than before.

He was about to exit the Great Formation.

Zhu and Shen's faces changed drastically. They poured all their magical power into the Formation Plate, hoping to stop Mo Chengkong.

However, an opportunity created by Mo Chengkong's full-power strike would not be given up so easily.

Just as the two were feeling unwilling, Yang Kaishan snorted coldly, and a painting scroll suddenly unfurled, covering the gap.

It was precisely the Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll.

Mo Chengkong watched helplessly as the gap was replaced by the Mountain River Bright Moon, his eyes burning with furious madness.

"Just a little bit! Just a little bit!" Mo Chengkong roared in his heart.

But sometimes, that 'just a little bit' could cost him his life.

Mo Chengkong was unwilling. A Spiritual Artifact great axe appeared in his hand, and he frantically chopped at the Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll.

However, Mo Chengkong had already consumed most of his magical power and had also lost his vital heart blood, so his strength was greatly diminished.

The great axe's blows were completely blocked by the painting scroll. There was a ripple of fluctuations, but it eventually returned to smoothness.

While Mo Chengkong was in a frenzy, the three exerted all their strength to repair the Formation.

"Phew~"

Taking a long breath, the three looked at each other. They had almost failed at the last moment.

The Great Formation was completely repaired.

Mo Chengkong gave up hope, yet he still wouldn't give up.

Attack after attack was neutralized by Mo Chengkong, but his strength was also rapidly declining. Before long, he might not be able to resist anymore.

Mo Chengkong was extremely unwilling, and he blocked another round of attacks.

He hurriedly said to the three, "I know what you three Fellow Daoists want. Let me go, and you three can return with me. I will give you all the Golden Core Inheritance and Cultivation Technique secrets within my Sect, how about that?"

Facing death, all thoughts of his Sect, Family, and grandson were cast aside by Mo Chengkong. As long as he was safe, none of that mattered.

The three's expressions remained unchanged, their faces calm.

"Fellow Daoist Mo, you should just rest in peace. After you die, we will personally visit the Xuanjin Sect."

All three were the masters of a Sect or Family, and they were Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators who had Cultivated for many years. How could they be swayed by a few words?

No longer listening to his words, and sensing that the time was right, the three simultaneously exerted their power.

The full might of the Great Formation was unleashed. Water, fire, and wind merged and intertwined, transforming into a giant Dragon that swallowed Mo Chengkong whole.

Mo Chengkong was powerless to resist and was devoured by the giant Dragon, his consciousness completely plunging into darkness.

The giant Dragon dissipated, and a shattered body emerged, falling towards the ground.

Confirming that Mo Chengkong was dead, the three finally breathed a sigh of relief, withdrew their magical power, and the Formation Plate's light receded, falling back into their hands. The Mountain River Bright Moon Scroll was also retrieved by Yang Kaishan and placed into his Storage Pouch.

Zhu Qishou chuckled, "This plan, if not for that Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator accidentally killing Mo Haiyuan, probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

After all, Mo Chengkong had been famous for many years, and plotting against him was extremely difficult; not a single flaw could be exposed.

So the three had merely allowed an Outer Sect Disciple of the Xuanjin Sect to coincidentally obtain a Medicinal Pill, subtly pushing things along from the shadows.

Taking advantage of the Thousand Leaf City auction trip, they intended to use this person's hand to kill Mo Haiyuan, thereby luring Mo Chengkong out.

However, this also had its flaws. Whether it would succeed was still uncertain, and the three had merely played a casual move.

Who knew this person would actually fail? The plan should have failed at that point, but Mo Haiyuan, with his own actions, led himself to his demise.

Bringing Mo Chengkong and the entire Xuanjin Sect down with him.

The Xuanjin Sect's (Spinning Gold Sect) demise begins today.