Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2109 Chapter 999: First

The first rays of dawn pierced the fog, casting light over Taixu Mountain. Pavilions and towers scattered across the peaks looked wrapped in rosy mists, as the dark green woods caught hints of gold along their borders.

Inside the Disciple's Residence, Mo Hua—who had spent the whole night cultivating the Formation on the Taoist Stele—finally opened his eyes.

His gaze, sharp like the emerging sun, flared with golden radiance, outshining the morning light that filled the heavens for a brief instant.

"Finally, today marks the Sword Discussion Conference..."

Mo Hua whispered to himself.

He drew in a long breath, then under the rising sun, performed his daily cultivation for an hour, guiding Spiritual Energy through his meridians until it gathered in the Qi Sea. After that, he slipped on the Taixu Gate's Taoist Robe and left the Disciple's Residence.

Beyond the Disciple's Residence, nearly all the disciples had risen early.

Right now, they clustered in little groups, soaking in the dawn's glow, their expressions vibrant and full of energy.

Today was their chance to debate with swords.

It represented their sole shot in life to join the Sword Discussion Conference.

Every disciple brimmed with eager hope mixed with tension.

When the time came, following a simple meal, Elder Xun Zixian arrived to assemble the disciples, verified who was present, and shared key details about the sword discussion. Then, he scanned the group deliberately before announcing:

"Time to head for the Mount of Tao."

The disciples grew more serious, their pulses quickening further.

Soon after, Xun Zixian guided the disciples out of Taixu Gate, making directly for the heart of the Qianxue State Boundary—the Mount of Tao.

The wide paths teemed with cultivators. Disciples from sects across the Qianxue State Boundary wore diverse Taoist Robes, flowing like multicolored rivers toward the Mount of Tao.

The trail up the mountain twisted and stretched on, alive with the rush of disciples.

Nearly two hours passed before the group reached the Mount of Tao.

By then, the Mount of Tao buzzed even more intensely, drawing in cultivators not just from Qianxue State Boundary and nearby areas but also from noble clans, sects, and forces of all sorts.

It even hosted cultivators from across the Nine States, there to observe the event.

Everywhere one looked, the mountain swarmed with crowds.

The clamor rose like crashing waves or rumbling thunder.

For the first time, Mo Hua grasped the true scale of "a sea of people," his mind struck with wonder.

Mo Hua wasn't alone; every disciple from Taixu Gate and other sects stood stunned and reverent in that moment.

This year's Sword Discussion Conference outdid all previous ones in splendor.

The spectacle carried an overwhelming force.

Before, they had been mere "spectators," gazing at others' sword debates, but today they stepped up as the "protagonists," ready to display their talents for all to see.

The shift in perspective changed everything, stirring diverse feelings among the disciples.

Some turned pale, gripped by intense anxiety.

A few felt their knees weaken, their breathing growing shallow and strained.

Others, though, had eyes alight with fervor, buzzing with unexplained thrill, itching to shine on the sword discussion arena and carve out their fame.

Passing through the mountain entrance, climbing the lengthy winding path, and skirting several guarded peaks, the disciples at last entered the Great Tao Field on the Mount of Tao.

There, the "Sword Ritual" unfolded.

This rite was essential to every Sword Discussion Conference.

Only the Sect Leaders from Qianxue's Four Great Sects could lead this "Sword Ritual."

It stood as the supreme distinction in the Qianxue State Boundary.

High above the Mount of Tao, the White Jade Platform hovered mid-air, encircled by nine massive stone pillars. Each pillar bore carvings of grand Divine Beasts and swirling auspicious clouds.

At the platform's center, a White Jade Sword stretching over ten zhang lay in veneration, towering like a miniature peak.

The blade gleamed clear and pure, radiating an timeless and awe-inspiring presence.

Legends held that this sword came from the Mount of Tao's founder, dating back ten thousand years.

During each Sword Discussion Conference, every Qianxue disciple had to pay deep respects to this sword, honoring the founder's lingering spirit.

It also expressed thanks for the founder's sacrifices to the Qianxue State Boundary and the enduring heritage of the Cultivation World.

As the Chen hour struck, the Qianxue Sword Ritual commenced.

The Sect Leaders of Qian Taoist Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, Longding Sect, and Wanxiao Sect transformed their Spiritual Power into feathers, ascending gracefully into the skies.

They then ignited the altar, presented offerings, and dripped blood sacrifices onto the sword.

With the blood sacrifice activated, a brilliant clarity flooded the heavens.

The Mount of Tao's ancient sword let out a deep resonance, its Sword Qi surging upward like a rousing primal beast, its cry piercing the firmament.

The souls and wills of all present quivered.

Mo Hua's eyes widened in shock as well.

Gazing upon this enormous ancient sword, he sensed his Divine Soul stir faintly, as if echoing in harmony.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, dragon roars thundered, while the ancient Tai Xu Sword Intent pulsed without cease.

In a haze, Mo Hua envisioned a mirage.

He appeared as a mighty Dharma Form, a colossal figure gripping the Mount of Tao's ancient sword, shattering peaks and dominating all foes.

Yet the vision faded in the next breath.

Nothing more occurred.

The Sect Leaders of the Four Great Sects, faces grave, declared together:

"All Qianxue Disciples, three bows to the sword!"

Their voices, transformed to ethereal timbre like ringing bells or booming drums, echoed across the Mount of Tao.

Mo Hua steadied his thoughts, joining the other disciples in three deep bows of respect toward the Mount of Tao's White Jade Ancient Sword.

Even the cultivators watching from the Outer Mountain upheld the custom, offering bows to the White Jade Ancient Sword.

Once the sword worship concluded, the Sword Discussion Ceremony pressed on.

The Sect Leaders of the Four Great Sects took turns reciting proclamations.

This proclamation stretched long, covering tributes to the ancestors of the Qianxue State Boundary, thanks to the observing cultivators, high hopes for the disciples, warnings for the sword discussion, and unbreakable rules...

With one proclamation per leader among the four, their words flowed grandly and at length, easily surpassing ten thousand characters, leaving the once-energized Mo Hua nodding off in boredom.

At long last, the endless recitation wrapped up.

After the sword worship and proclamations, the official lot-drawing began.

Envoys from each sect—spanning the Four Great Sects, Eight Great Gates, and Twelve Streams—advanced sequentially, clutching their sect's Command Token, to release the seal on the massive heavenly treasure at the Great Tao Field's core.