Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2096 Chapter 995: Ouyang Xuan
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Mo Hua carefully observed the youth standing before him.
He towered over Mo Hua.
His build appeared more robust than Mo Hua's.
He carried himself with an air of superiority.
His facial features exuded greater valor than Mo Hua's.
The wild spirit in his gaze and expression surpassed Mo Hua's own.
Mo Hua gave a nod and introduced himself, "I'm Mo Hua."
Wearing a resplendent golden Daoist robe, Ouyang Xuan cast a casual, somewhat aloof look at Mo Hua and responded flatly, "Ouyang Xuan."
His demeanor wasn't especially welcoming.
Maybe it stemmed from Mo Hua's modest height, his shallow cultivation base, and his unremarkable spiritual power, leading Ouyang Xuan to dismiss him lightly.
Or maybe he just viewed everyone with the same disdain.
It wasn't directed solely at Mo Hua.
Noticing the pair had exchanged greetings, the Taixu Sect Master nodded and declared:
"Starting today, the two of you will team up for the sword discussion. Cooperate closely, not just to honor the sect but also to secure your own paths forward."
Mo Hua nodded in agreement, "Sect Master, you can count on us."
Ouyang Xuan, however, remained silent.
The Taixu Sect Master paid it no heed, offered Mo Hua a warm smile and a nod, then departed.
Once the sect leader had gone, Mo Hua turned back to regard Ouyang Xuan once more.
He was certain he'd never encountered this disciple from the Tai'a Sect previously.
He hadn't spotted him in the Formation classes either; this fellow wasn't among his "Junior Brothers."
"So from where exactly did he emerge?"
Mo Hua felt somewhat perplexed.
Still, he refrained from probing further. On a first meeting, it wouldn't do to pry into someone's background or personal matters.
Yet from this point onward, they were partners in the sword discussion.
A strong rapport between them would prove crucial for the event.
To lighten the mood and foster a positive bond, Mo Hua initiated some casual chat with Ouyang Xuan.
Topics like "The weather's pleasant today," "Are you fond of chicken drumsticks?" "What's your secret to growing so tall?" and similar small talk.
Ouyang Xuan kept a frosty face, displaying clear disinterest and detachment.
Mo Hua detected zero enthusiasm in the exchange and soon lost the will to continue.
He was making the effort out of respect for his own sect leader and the Tai'a Sect Leader, aiming to draw Ouyang Xuan into his circle.
If others show me respect, I'll return it tenfold.
But if they offer none, he wouldn't force a smile either.
Besides, Mo Hua had plenty on his plate already.
Noting Ouyang Xuan's persistent arrogance and unapproachable vibe,
Mo Hua huffed inwardly and ignored him, turning instead to organize his "Junior Brothers" for practice...
...
Between the Outer Mountain and Inner Mountain of Taixu Gate lay an expansive region of peaks and woodlands.
This wooded zone was sealed off by a Formation that blocked both sight and sound, featuring intricate and uneven landscape within.
It served as Taixu Gate's dedicated training ground.
Opened specifically for the Sword Discussion Conference, it offered space for disciples to duel and hone their skills.
Prior to this, Mo Hua hadn't intended to dive deeply into the sword discussion, so he'd seldom visited this area.
But things had changed; now he was fully committed.
Furthermore, with his ambition to triumph alongside his Junior Brothers, he resolved to make full use of this field.
Based on the lay of the land and waterways, he paired up the disciples and directed his Junior Brothers—five to a group—to commence drills and mock battles per the outlined strategies across this immense terrain.
The training ground spanned vast areas and ranked as a key sect asset, overseen by an assigned Elder.
In theory, Mo Hua lacked the rank to commandeer it at will.
Yet after he boldly claimed the space, nobody intervened.
The sect leader chose to look the other way.
The overseeing Elder had no choice but to consent quietly.
After all, among Taixu Gate's veterans—those with experience, connections, or sharp awareness—everyone understood Mo Hua's true standing.
Don't let his Outer Gate disciple status deceive you; at times, his influence outshone even a True Transmission Elder.
So in this training ground of winding ridges and diverse landscapes,
Taixu Gate's disciples—be they powerhouses or "genius types" or mere "lowly ones"—began coordinated practice, blending tactics and Formations exactly as Mo Hua envisioned.
Most hailed from Taixu Mountain.
Only a handful came from Tai'a Mountain or Mount Chongxu.
The Three Sects Unification was still recent, and Mo Hua's reputation hadn't fully spread to the other mountains' disciples.
On regular days, relations stayed cordial, with Tai'a and Chongxu disciples addressing Mo Hua as Junior Brother.
But for major undertakings like the sword discussion, they wouldn't readily heed his lead.
That said, the Taixu Mountain group sufficed for the moment.
The training ground buzzed with clashing sword gleams, creating quite the spectacle.
Mo Hua lingered at the edge, "overseeing the clashes," now and then calling out tips, highlighting flaws, and suggesting refinements.
The disciples' teamwork grew ever smoother.
Their tactical applications turned more precise.
Only after sensing some relief did Mo Hua shift to drilling his own squad.
The sect's broad disciple base formed the bedrock for the sword discussion, embodying endless "opportunities" and "prospects" for success.
Yet atop that base, personal exertion remained essential.
Both aspects demanded attention, advancing preparations on dual tracks.
In a secluded nook of the training field,
Mo Hua assembled his compact team's members.
It aligned with his anticipations.
Himself, Linghu Xiao, Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, plus Ouyang Xuan to round out five.
Linghu Xiao positioned himself beside Mo Hua.
He'd long yearned to refine his Sword Cultivation, to stand with Mo Hua at the Sword Discussion Conference and dominate utterly.
At last, that dream was reality.
Cheng Mo and Situ Jian brimmed with joy too.
Having known Mo Hua for years, their bond ran deep, and they placed utter faith in him.
Whatever the challenge, sticking with this "Junior Brother" Mo Hua brought them profound comfort.