Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2104 Chapter 997: Fangtian Projection (Part 3)
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Xun Zixian gave a nod, "Middle-level."
Mo Hua felt a bit confused and asked, "Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, and Runes can all go up to Second Grade High-Level, so why are Formations restricted to just Middle-level?"
Xun Zixian explained, "That's because the majority of Foundation Establishment Late Stage Disciples can only manage to draw a Second Grade Middle-level Formation at best..." Mo Hua stood there in shock.
Xun Zixian continued, "It's based on the typical circumstances..."
"The average Foundation Building Cultivator just can't handle drawing a Second Grade High-Level Formation; that's seen as an 'exceptional' skill and has to be limited accordingly."
"On top of that, Second Grade High-Level Formations pack too much punch, be it for offense, defense, or ensnaring foes. Allowing Disciples to deploy them would make every strategy center on 'Formations,' which defeats the whole purpose of the Sword Discussion."
"The Sword Discussion Conference ought to focus mainly on 'Skill Fighting,' with everything else serving as support."
Mo Hua felt utterly stunned.
Only then did it dawn on him that the prodigies in the Qianxue State Boundary had actually 'held him back' in a way.
In the Qianxue State Boundary, the underdeveloped Formation proficiency among all those talented Heavenly Pride Disciples had capped how well his own Formations could shine.
Mo Hua hadn't noticed these fine details in the rules earlier.
Nobody had mentioned them to him, either.
Since the difficulty level for Formations had always been taken as the 'standard' one.
Yet Mo Hua stood apart from the crowd; his expertise in Formations was far superior. The ones he naturally turned to were invariably 'High-Rank' varieties.
To him, even those High-Rank Formations came across as pretty basic.
He hadn't anticipated that the Formations permitted for the Sword Discussion Conference would be limited to 'Second Grade Middle-level'...
Mo Hua let out a sigh.
Others had established the rules, leaving him no choice but to follow.
Upon reflection, they did make a lot of sense.
Still, lacking stronger Formations left him feeling like he'd lost a bunch of his 'trump cards.'
Mo Hua wrinkled his forehead, pondered briefly, then suddenly recalled something and inquired:
"Elder Zixian, apart from these things, can we carry anything else?"
Xun Zixian replied, "That's pretty much the extent of it, though the Storage Bag will get filled with random stuff too, to mimic actual battle conditions."
A spark of idea hit Mo Hua, and he whispered, "In that random assortment..."
Xun Zixian instantly read his mind, nodded, and confirmed, "Yes, there will be a few."
Mo Hua's spirits lifted right away.
Xun Zixian let out a light chuckle and shook his head.
The group pressed forward with renewed vigor.
While walking, Mo Hua mulled over the 'Second Grade Middle-level' limit on Formations.
Could this cap influence his strategies?
Particularly when it came to the approaches used by fellow Disciples from Taixu Gate.
After a short deliberation, Mo Hua concluded that yes, there would be an effect, but nothing major; the strength would dip a little, yet the plans would remain mostly usable.
Besides, the real Sword Discussion hadn't started, giving him room for quick tweaks.
Mo Hua at last relaxed.
As they journeyed on, the party arrived at the distant edge of Mount of Tao, where spectator seating lay beyond.
Right then, an enormous and strange "white fabric" hung spanning the heavens.
All the Disciples marveled in wonder.
Mo Hua shared their bewilderment and gestured toward the "white fabric," questioning, "Elder Zixian, what's that thing?"
"It's a Spiritual Artifact."
"A Spiritual Artifact?" Mo Hua froze in surprise.
Xun Zixian elaborated, "This is a colossal 'Projection Spiritual Artifact' specially made by the Four Great Sects just for this Sword Discussion."
"It looks like a enormous display."
"When the Sword Discussion unfolds, it'll project the scenes of the Disciples' clashes vividly, letting the Qianxue Disciples along with the noble houses and sects across the Nine States observe everything.
"This Spiritual Artifact costs a fortune, and it's called..." Xun Zixian uttered deliberately:
"Fangtian Huaying!"
Fangtian Huaying...
The Disciples lifted their eyes, staring at the vast screen that blanketed half the peak, envisioning the epic sight of countless Disciples clashing in Sword Discussion, their faces brimming with reverence.
Mo Hua stood mesmerized too, a shiver running down his spine from the astonishment.
He found himself at a loss for words.
His initial scheme had been to "quietly make a fortune" while keeping his shady
tactics under wraps.
Amid the turmoil, he'd slip in subtle actions that went unnoticed by all.
Yet he hadn't foreseen the Sword Discussion Conference setting up this immense Fangtian Huaying for 'projection.'
Faced with a screen that size, how on earth could he conceal his trump cards?
Back then, wouldn't every detail, down to the hue of his undergarments, be visible to the masses?
Plus, this colossal 'Fangtian Huaying' clearly demanded a hefty price.
Mo Hua inwardly grumbled.
He pondered which arrogant figure from the Four Great Sects had decided to forge
something so extravagantly expensive...
This posed an even tighter bind for him than the 'Second Grade
Middle-level' Formation curb.
To be fair, the Four Great Sects might have simply erected this grand Fangtian Huaying to let onlookers 'view the event' more easily.
All the same, Mo Hua remained deeply annoyed.
Even after touring the Sword Discussion site, heading back to Taixu Gate, and settling at his desk in the Disciple's Residence, Mo Hua kept his brows knit.
No matter what, this Fangtian Huaying was definitely hampering him...
He had no desire to stand out.
But with it already in place, sneaking off to destroy it wasn't an option. Moreover, given the quality of this Fangtian Huaying, he probably couldn't demolish it even if he tried.
"Never mind..."
Mo Hua heaved a sigh.
Given the circumstances, his only recourse was to burrow even deeper into hiding.
Staying true to his roots hidden, waiting patiently, using "feign ignorance to snare the beast," and masking himself for as long and thoroughly as he could...
"This demands careful scheming...
Mo Hua pulled out his prior outline once more to revise it.
Figuring out how to progress gradually, masking his prowess amid victories, pushing ahead without baring his 'trump cards'... this hurdle loomed large.
Yet as Mo Hua schemed on, the overall outline sharpened piece by piece.