Chapter 782: Great Calamity
How could it possibly be leaked?
How could it be lost?
Wearing human skin, dressed in the Sect Elder's Taoist Robe, Mr. Tu, with his fair and elegant appearance, looked somewhat incredulous.
His slender fingers pinched as he carefully deduced, and many unknown secrets flowed through his mind one by one.
"Large Formation, Demon Palace, altar, blood pact list, Divine Fetus, Divine Servant, hidden henchmen, Four Symbols Formation..."
Suddenly, his pupils shrank sharply.
Divine Formation!
"Has the Divine Formation been lost?!"
Mr. Tu's expression changed drastically.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Without the favor of the divine, without the blessing of a deity, and not born as a Divine Fetus, how could an ordinary person possibly learn the Divine Formation?
How did this person learn it?
And where did they learn it from?
Could it be a... Divine Protege?
The unease in Mr. Tu's heart grew increasingly stronger.
He paused in thought, then slowly stood up, left the Elder's Residence, and walked on the exquisite white jade stairs, heading towards the Mountain Gate.
At this moment, dawn had just broken.
The bright morning sun shone down, and within the Sect, resembling a jade palace, scattered gold paved on white jade, it looked like a paradise on earth.
Within the Sect, the rules were strict.
Despite it being early, many disciples were already up for cultivation or body training.
Along the way, occasionally a disciple would encounter Mr. Tu and bow in greeting:
"Greetings, Elder."
The scholarly-looking Mr. Tu wore an expression as gentle as a spring breeze, nodded in acknowledgment, and said, "Good."
After walking for a while, he suddenly encountered another Elder at the corner.
This Elder had deep lines of authority, and on his Taoist Robe, there were four gold patterns, clearly indicating a high and dignified status.
Seeing Mr. Tu, the Elder looked somewhat surprised, "Elder Shen?"
Mr. Tu also cupped his hands in greeting, "Elder Shen."
"So early in the morning, Elder Shen, where are you headed?" Elder Shen, dressed in a four-patterned gold-taoist robe, asked with a dignified expression.
Mr. Tu thought for a moment, then sighed and said:
"An old Taoist Friend, whom I haven't met for a long time, came from afar, bringing some remnants of a Formation Diagram. He wishes to have tea and converse on formations, so I'll take some time to see him."
Elder Shen showed no emotion, "Elder Shen, it really seems you are devoted to formations..."
Mr. Tu replied with a smile, "I'm afraid I've let Elder Shen see through my devotion, but I shall return soon, and the teaching affairs for the inner disciples will not be delayed."
Only then did Elder Shen slightly nod.
Within the Sect, the Elders' movements were only under supervision and not strictly controlled by him, so thus he merely inquired.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have asked.
But now the Sect was on the verge of reform, and the upcoming Dao Debate Conference was crucial.
The entire Sect from top to bottom had to be strictly regulated, allowing no laxity.
The success of this matter would affect the sect's fortune and the future of the entire Qian Taoist Sect. No negligence was allowed.
Elder Shen turned to leave, but still feeling uneasy, glanced back at Elder Shen and asked in a low voice:
"Regarding the reform, is there no problem on your end?"
Mr. Tu replied in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Elder Shen, everything is under control."
"That's good..." Elder Shen nodded.
"If this matter succeeds..." Mr. Tu, looking gentle and respectful, his gaze flickered slightly, speaking meaningfully, "Elder Shen, perhaps you can go further..."
Elder Shen raised an eyebrow and said solemnly:
"All for the Sect's service, personal gains and losses, are trivial matters."
Mr. Tu cupped his hands, "Elder Shen's noble integrity is admired by Shen."
Elder Shen slightly raised his forehead, the lines on his face appeared deeper, but his mood seemed much more pleasant, and his tone also softened.
"Elder Shen, make an early return."
Having said that, he glanced at Mr. Tu, a trace of aloof benevolence in his expression, "If this matter succeeds, there will undoubtedly be a place for you as a True Transmission Elder within the Sect."
"The position of True Transmission Elder among the Four Great Sects at the Qianxue state boundary is a status that many Feathered Immortal Cultivators strive for all their lives yet cannot reach..."
Mr. Tu was overjoyed, quickly bowed deeply, and said:
"If the Sect favors me, and I'm fortunate to become a True Transmission Elder, it would be the joy of my life, enough to glorify my ancestors and die without regret! Elder Shen's great kindness and virtue shall never be forgotten by Shen!"
Elder Shen seemed very pleased with Mr. Tu's words.
He nodded and then walked past Mr. Tu, up the high white jade stairs, fading into the distance among the jade palaces.
After Elder Shen departed, Mr. Tu's expression lost its previous warmth and elegance, gradually growing cold.
He turned to glance at Mr. Shen, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at a "toy" driven by greed.
"Those with a low Taoist Heart are only high-class behaving lowly people..."
"The fattest offerings for the Divine Lord."
Mr. Tu turned away, once again donning a refined façade, and walked down the white jade stairs, away from Elder Shen.
After leaving the Mountain Gate of Qian Tao Sect and reaching Qiandao City, Mr. Tu entered a tavern, then went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. After wandering around the city a bit and ensuring no causal links targeted him, he entered a luxuriously appointed cave mansion through a secret door.
Within the cave mansion, the scenery was beautiful, exceptionally luxurious, yet not a soul was present.
Mr. Tu passed through fake mountains and artificial waters, pavilions, and terraces until he reached the deepest and most concealed door within the cave mansion.
Over the door, eighteen layers of fourth-grade formations were overlaid.
Mr. Tu carefully and meticulously unlocked each formation.
Then, as light swirled and the formation patterns faded layer by layer, the door opened wide.
Mr. Tu stepped forward and walked inside.
Inside was a grand hall.
The hall was also filled with formations, but it was empty inside, with no furnishings except for a formation platform standing in the middle of the hall.