Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2118 Chapter 1001: "Crown Prince" (Part 3)

"Of course it is," the cultivator lifted his chin, wearing a smug expression as he proclaimed: "Frankly, my family name is Bai, personal name Xiaosheng, alumnus of Qian Learning State Boundary, specializing in sword discussions for more than a century, and I've observed endless sword discussion events, major and minor, adding up to at least ten thousand occasions. Folks in the Dao world dub me 'Sword Discussion Bai Xiaosheng."

"With a single look, I can pierce the Sword Discussion Conference's setup, the sects' might, the disciples' origins, catching every bit without oversight."

Bai Xiaosheng's expression brimmed with assurance.

"What about this Mo Hua then..."

"He's absolutely a phony," Bai Xiaosheng declared firmly, "Truth be told, I even doubt his 'Formation Leader' status is legit and suspect it came from favors and trickery."

"This... that seems impossible." A voice questioned.

"Precisely, with all those noble clans and sect elders observing, how could trickery slip through?"

"If his Dao Leader title is bogus, not to mention other issues, why would the Four Great Sects tolerate it?"

Bai Xiaosheng wagged his head, "You lot have no clue about how noble families and sects operate. When benefits pile high enough, their limits drop to astonishing depths."

"Plus, a Divine Sense outstripping one level, I might just accept; two levels, that's pushing it; three levels, aren't they just mocking everyone?"

"Too bad I avoid Formation Competitions, or I'd spot their deceptions plain as day."

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head with a sigh, "You don't realize, the elite circles in today's cultivation realm are nothing but a showy spectacle."

"Noble families spin false tales, sects stir up hype, they set the scene for a performance, and hype up a 'flashy' prodigy to soar like a shooting star—this happens far too often..."

Bai Xiaosheng uttered claims of dubious veracity.

The listening cultivators were split between belief and doubt.

"Could it be..." A person whispered faintly, "that this 'Mo Hua' truly excels at sword discussions?"

Bai Xiaosheng scoffed, "What sword arts could he possibly debate? Just watch him—he struggles to even grip the sword properly. If he actually shows off any sword skills, I'll eat my top-grade lifebound spirit sword right in public!"

Bai Xiaosheng issued his verdict.

The onlookers were stunned by his audacity and amazed at his daring wager of a lifebound sword over something so minor, so they nodded vigorously in respect.

Some, upon catching "top-grade lifebound spirit sword," suddenly grasped with shock that this ordinary-looking, chatter-prone, bookish cultivator was in fact a Golden Core Realm powerhouse.

Yet in Qianxue State, where Feather Transformation experts soar overhead now and then and Golden Core cultivators stride the earth, it's hardly noteworthy.

After some time, amid this wave of doubts, Mo Hua wrapped up the "Yellow" character bureau's preliminary round.

His record: Undefeated.

Yet during it all, he never lifted a hand.

His teammates handled the battles, suffering the strains in his place, as Mo Hua lingered "in the background," basking in their successes.

This "spoiled heir" vibe really ignited widespread fury.

Numerous senior and junior sisters from different sects, who once backed him for his handsome features, now felt too ashamed to defend him.

From that point, Mo Hua's standing nosedived.

Even without acting, speaking, or twitching a finger, he shifted from a "potentially wild, deeply eerie, oddly unique, yet bafflingly enigmatic formation demon..."

To a Taixu Gate "Crown Prince," a burdensome "spoiled heir" weighing down his comrades, a "drag" on the Sword Discussion Conference, and a parasitic impostor.

Mo Hua's image darkened further.

In contrast, Linghu Xiao's fame rose steadily.

His stunning Sword Dao aptitude and superb sword techniques won over increasing admiration.

Plenty sympathized with him, sensed the injustice he faced.

To many, he appeared as a steadfast, patient, resilient, and unbreakable Sword Dao talent, nearly carrying the team solo.

As for who he was putting up with, everyone knew without asking.

Naturally, these were just outsiders' views.

Inside Taixu Gate, things stayed calm.

Mo Hua remained oblivious to these judgments about him.

Sure, even if aware, it wouldn't faze him.

Idle chatter from insignificant folks never troubled him; at worst, he'd quietly log it away and balance the books later.

Right now, Mo Hua was sipping wine.

Clusters of junior brothers queued to raise glasses to him.

Mo Hua greeted them warmly, graciously downing their toasts.

Fortune smiled as it was fruit wine, requiring just a taste, or else, despite its mildness, he'd end up utterly sloshed. Tipsy from the drinks, the mood buzzed with joy, all faces beaming.

This marked a modest "victory feast."

Honoring the end of the Sword Discussion Conference's "Yellow" character preliminaries, where Taixu Gate held a provisional top spot.

It counted as a "minor win," just a fleeting one, so it merited only a light gathering.

The Sect Leader and Elders saw no issue.

Taixu Gate's interim lead owed much to the disciples' hard work, so unwinding slightly post-event fit right in.

Besides, they understood full well.

Post-relaxation, the genuine "harsh clashes" loomed ahead.

The "Xuan" character bureau, the "Di" character bureau, and the "Tian"

character bureau debates atop Xuantian Peak, with fights growing tougher each round.

Adversaries would include the elite talents from Twelve Streams, Eight Great Gates, and even the Four Great Sects.

The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument would likewise pair the authentic prodigies

via Heavenly Mechanism Causality for fierce showdowns.

Fierce rivals, shifting terrains, outcomes hinging on instants.

This formed the true trial.

And Taixu Gate's "placement" would endure fierce assaults, liable to drop rung by rung through these grueling fights.

How much it might fall in the end, where it would land, stayed a mystery.

Following the "Yellow" round, a brief respite followed.

The downtime flew by swiftly; in a flash, the "Xuan" character

bureau's sword discussion kicked off formally.

Entering the "Xuan" character bureau ramped up the pressure.

As in the Yellow bureau, lurking back and letting teammates shoulder everything worked before, but now it wouldn't fly.

Mo Hua found himself compelled to get serious, compelled to reveal a portion of his skills...