Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2082 Chapter 990: Rebirth_2

In some ways, it appeared even feebler.

The sole edge lay in the larger crowd.

Mo Hua knitted his brows.

Upon reflection, the outlook for Taixu Gate's Sword Discussion looked downright bleak.

No surprise that the Sect Leader was shedding hair rapidly.

"Wait, it seems even worse than just bleak..."

Mo Hua remembered how Tai'a Sect once stood as the prominent "pillar," facing the full brunt of assaults from the Four Great Sects.

Rushing Void Sect acted as a shield in between, shouldering part of the burden too.

Taixu Gate lingered at the rear, enduring the minimal strain.

Yet now, Taixu Gate had "swallowed" both Tai'a Sect and Rushing Void Sect, pulling all the "onslaught" straight onto its own shoulders.

Every bit of strain piled up solely on them, as they withstood the "encirclement" by the Four Great Sects.

The predicament was utterly dire.

Mo Hua sensed a pounding ache for the Sect Leader's sake.

"I can't imagine how much hair the Sect Leader will retain after the Sword Discussion Conference..."

Mo Hua started pitying the Sect Leader's thinning locks.

Noticing Cheng Mo's persistent anxiety, Mo Hua offered reassurance: "Give it your all, no need to fret."

Cheng Mo gave a bitter smile, "Junior Brother, I grasp the logic, but this weight doesn't vanish with mere words."

How could he stay calm amid such a grand affair as the Sword Discussion?

Mo Hua inquired next, "Are you aiming to claim the top spot in the Sword Discussion?"

"Everyone dreams of leading," Cheng Mo replied with resignation, "though I lack the skill. A solid placing would suffice for me."

"What good comes from a solid placing?"

"Plenty of benefits," Cheng Mo's gaze sparked with vigor, as if fueled anew, and he spoke with fervor:

"To start, a strong showing earns heaps of Merit Points from the Sect, ideal for swapping for treasures, inheritances, or even entry into the Inner Gate..."

"Even without the Inner Gate, snagging a rank and heading home triumphantly would bring such honor."

"This is the Sword Discussion ranking across the Qianxue State Boundary; the family head would certainly view me in high regard."

"Even for bragging rights, every tale I spin would hold sway, leaving others in the dust..."

Mo Hua looked puzzled: "Is it truly that remarkable?"

Cheng Mo affirmed with a nod: "Absolutely."

"But..." Mo Hua creased his forehead, "I earned the Formation Leader title, and it feels merely adequate, nothing so lavish..."

Cheng Mo sensed a blockage in his throat, suddenly reluctant to chat with Mo Hua.

The surrounding disciples stood dumbfounded.

This Junior Brother excelled in most things, yet his occasional remarks could grate.

Still, after Mo Hua's comment, the group unwittingly relaxed their tension.

Mo Hua turned to the others: "Do you all wish to triumph in the Sword Discussion to impress your clans too?"

"Sure, if a youth doesn't flaunt a bit, what's the point of these years?"

"Of course, it's more than flaunting; the perks are numerous..."

The mood brightened slightly, and the disciples grew chattier:

"I aim to honor my lineage; a top rank would swell my parents' pride. My father always boasts that his life's pinnacle was fathering me..."

"Mostly, I crave those Merit Points; my Cultivation Technique devours resources like mad..."

"My folks promise that a fine Sword Discussion rank and reputation will land me a fine match upon return."

"Have your parents mixed up the priorities? Don't you grasp how grueling the Sword Discussion is? Securing a spouse isn't so tough."

"You'd get it if you'd attempted; otherwise, you're clueless..."

...

Some hailed from noble houses but endured harsh starts:

"My father's a betting fiend, my mother's wed again; I stand alone, forging my path ahead!"

A nearby voice chimed in: "Spot on, I yearn to strive too, to claim my spot in the Qianxue State Boundary. Should I falter..."

His expression soured with reluctance, "I'd return home, bend to my parents' wishes, wed appropriately, and take up the Family Head role..."

The listeners fell silent in disbelief...

"Appreciate it, but friendship's over," the prior disciple quipped.

"Hey, it's just a minor clan, fourth-grade at best—what's the fuss?"

"Friendship terminated; spare me your words..."

...

As conversation flowed, the vibe warmed up. Moods lifted considerably, and the strain diminished some.

Cheng Mo eyed Mo Hua and murmured:

"Junior Brother, will you join the Sword Discussion Conference as well?"

Mo Hua pondered, "I suppose I will."

"Junior Brother, are you chasing a rank to parade back home too?" Cheng Mo probed.

"Well..." Mo Hua sank into thought.

"Ridiculous, Junior Brother isn't so shallow as that," Situ Jian grumbled irritably.

"Shallow how?" Cheng Mo shot back, "Skipping the triumphant return is like hiding fine needlework in the dark—it's basic instinct, not shallowness."

"Precisely."

A disciple nodded in support.

"Fair point, yet Junior Brother must harbor grander motives..."

"Likely aiming for Inner Gate access via the Sword Discussion Conference, paving way to Elder status later."

"Nonsense—with Junior Brother's standing, why bother mentioning Inner Gate entry?"

"Then for Merit Points perhaps?"

"You aware of Junior Brother's current Merit Points tally?"

"How many?"

"A heap so vast even Junior Brother can't pinpoint the exact count..."

"Word is the patriarch concealed Junior Brother's Taixu Token Merit readout, lest we disciples glimpse it and shatter our Dao Heart..."

"No way it's that extreme..."

"So then, Junior Brother enters the Sword Discussion to secure a fine rank, attracting an ideal Dao Companion down the line."

"Baloney! Does Junior Brother need to hunt for a Dao Companion?" A disciple declared gravely, "Truth be told, I've got a sister—Top-Grade Spiritual Root, youthful and lovely, right at marrying age..."

Before wrapping up, a shout erupted close by: "Lu Zhenming! I begged you earlier to pair me with your sister, and you claimed she was too young, no dice?!"