Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2123 - 1003: Making a Move (2)
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Ouyang Xuan, typically so reserved, delivered an extended monologue.
Mo Hua found himself plunging into intense reflection.
Sect and family merging...
Outwardly, it seems like a win-win arrangement.
Yet at its core, doesn't this amount to a double "monopoly" over Dao cultivation legacy and Dao cultivation assets?
Ultimately, the sects and clans band together to expand and dominate, achieving total control.
Who ends up bearing the brunt of this in the final analysis?
Mo Hua mulled it over briefly, then abruptly turned to Ouyang Xuan, "How did you learn about all this?"
Ouyang Xuan let out a cold huff, his face twisting in contempt, yet he responded to Mo Hua's query forthrightly: "I caught it while the Elder was talking with the Sect Leader."
"Ah..." Mo Hua gave a nod.
For Ouyang Xuan to overhear talks between the Elder and Sect Leader, it suggests his background is more elevated than anyone imagined.
"Are there limits on the runes for the sword discussion?" Mo Hua inquired of Situ Jian.
Situ Jian affirmed with a nod, "In a sword discussion, just like with formations, unrestricted rune use would throw the balance way off."
Particularly those "wealthy fellows" who splash runes without a second thought about the cost—no one could withstand that.
"That said, restrictions apply only to grade and number, not variety." Situ Jian went on, "The Spirit Talisman Sect ought to craft some exceptional high-grade runes specifically for the sword discussion."
"Mm." Mo Hua nodded gradually, "No worries, we'll jump into the spar and adapt as we go."
"Junior Brother..." After a brief pause, Situ Jian ventured, "Should we... stick to the old tactics?"
That simple approach feels too rough around the edges.
After deploying it across so many bouts, foes have doubtless devised ways to counter it.
Clinging to it might mean we can't secure victories any longer.
Mo Hua grinned, "It's fine, we'll deploy it one more time."
He cast a look toward Situ Jian, Cheng Mo, Linghu Xiao, and Ouyang Xuan, his words carrying profound weight:
"This serves as "weight training" for you guys, helping you hone skills in the heat of battle and boost your teamwork."
"In the end, if I stepped in fully, the fight wouldn't play out like this..."
Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, and Linghu Xiao went still, then their gazes sparked with excitement, as they bobbed their heads eagerly: "Got it, Junior Brother."
Ouyang Xuan stayed quiet, though a shadow of profound unease flashed in his eyes, perhaps even...
Terror.
...
Within the sword discussion arena, peaks intertwined.
Mo Hua and his group stepped inside.
Beyond the arena's edge, once the terrain blurred into focus, Mo Hua and his allies materialized, igniting a flurry of chatter.
Predominantly negative buzz.
Jabs such as "Taixu Gate is doomed," "The Elder lacks wisdom, the Sect Leader shows mediocrity, Elders curry favor with the mighty," "Disciples seethe inwardly yet hold their tongues."
Apart from that, pitying tones like "Poor Linghu Xiao," "Poor Ouyang Xuan," "Poor that burly fool," "Poor the sword-bearer"...
And sneers too, such as, "Why's this brazen Mo Hua still hanging around," "Curious how much longer he'll last," "Taixu Gate's shame," "Worthless trash"...
Nothing new there.
As the barbs swelled like waves outside the arena, inside, the clash ignited.
This stayed a five-way melee.
The format held steady, and Mo Hua saw no point in tweaking strategies, opting instead for the simplest combat method to let Linghu Xiao and the rest clash purely on ability, fostering natural coordination.
The field wasn't vast, and Mo Hua's Divine Sense proved overwhelmingly potent—he could sweep it clean and pinpoint enemy positions effortlessly.
Yet he held back from alerting them.
For the moment hadn't arrived to unleash any "devious maneuvers."
The opposing forces collided head-on.
Among Mo Hua's quintet, the "burly fool" Cheng Mo anchored the vanguard, while the others fanned out for battle, assembling the simplest array.
On the Spirit Talisman Sect's side, a burly youth loomed at the forefront.
The very cocky and overbearing lad who'd earlier hurled insults at Linghu Xiao.
The Wu clan's Wu Ming, from Kun State's noble house.
Wu Ming sported gleaming armor, his forearms sheathed in ostentatious crimson guards, lavish and intimidating, obviously costing a fortune.
The armor was tailored to perfection.
Those guards formed the embryonic form of his personal Spiritual Artifact, hammered out with lavish investments.
Besides Wu Ming, the Spirit Talisman Sect's other four also flaunted ornate gear, radiating an aura of "money's no object."
Though the Spirit Talisman Sect ranked as just one of the Twelve Sects, its entrants hailed from elite stock, rich or renowned.
Wu Ming's teammates were all elite heirs from premier bloodlines.
A single glance from Mo Hua showed their outfits were bespoke luxuries, priced sky-high for the Sword Discussion Conference.
Quality eclipsing even premium custom Spiritual Artifacts from Gushan Refining Workshop by several notches.
Yet the expense ran at minimum tenfold.
Still, these counted as "disposables."
Such extravagance likely only Kun State's aristocratic houses would fund with Spirit Stones.
Mo Hua observed in astonishment.
Typically, rivals clash upon sighting each other, skipping chit-chat or delays.
But this round diverged; prior to engaging, Wu Ming appeared eager to speak his piece.
The Spirit Talisman Sect held off on striking.
Mo Hua refrained from ordering an advance, curious to catch his words.
Wu Ming flexed a shining arm guard, dramatically jabbing it toward Linghu Xiao, and scoffed:
"Linghu Xiao, today you'll definitely drop to my blade!"
"I'll show Miss Lu that you, the famed Sword Dao prodigy, are nothing but a spineless flop, unworthy of even her notice..."
The opening part boomed with force, brimming with bravado.
The ending veered a bit vague.
Mo Hua couldn't resist glancing at Linghu Xiao, "Who's Miss Lu?"
He'd figured this as a clash of talents, not some gossip fodder.
Linghu Xiao looked equally puzzled, at a loss over Wu Ming's rambling drivel.