Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2128 Chapter 1004: Qin Cangliu (Part 3)

Upon arriving in the Qian Learning State Boundary for the first time, he crossed paths with Boss Jiang, the human trafficker who betrayed the Sever Gold Sect.

Mo Hua now held both of the Sever Gold Sect's essential legacies: the Gold-Cutting Imperial Sword Jue and the Gold-Cutting Sword Formation.

"Sever Gold Sect..."

A spark lit in Mo Hua's gaze as an idea flashed through his thoughts.

One could argue that his ties ran deep with both the Gui Water Sect and the Sever Gold Sect.

The sweeping "major reshuffle" within the Gui Water Sect and the Sever Gold Sect stemmed entirely from his own efforts.

With both the Gui Water Sect and the Sever Gold Sect now elevated to the "Eight Great Gates"... Mo Hua sensed a strange twist deep in his core.

The Gui Water Sect's rise to the Eight Great Gates, beyond its solid standing, likely involved some behind-the-scenes maneuvering from the Taoist Court.

And the key figure pulling those strings was most likely Master Xia.

Master Xia—or more precisely, the Taoist Court itself—sought to influence matters in the Qian Learning State Boundary, centering on the Four Sects and Eight Gates Twelve Streams.

The Four Sects wielded too much power, making the Eight Great Gates the prime target.

Slipping into an established Eight Great Gates proved far less straightforward than backing a fresh one.

The Gui Water Sect served as an exposed piece, transformed into the Taoist Court's "pawn." But where did the Sever Gold Sect stand?

Since the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons event, Mo Hua had kept minimal contact, and Song Jian had vanished from sight for ages, leaving uncertainty about any troubles brewing there.

Was the Taoist Court extending support to the Sever Gold Sect as well?

If that held true, then... all these occurrences, every hidden layer, might trace back to a Taoist Court strategist, watching and scheming silently from the shadows?

Did that imply...

He had unknowingly turned into a "chess piece"?

His moves had unintentionally fueled the shifts and progress of this grand game?

"Who could this schemer from the Taoist Court be...?"

"And what drives his goals?"

Mo Hua's brow furrowed, grasping at no answers, yet the notion stuck in his mind as a warning for days ahead.

The secrets of heaven operate this way: as you probe them, they probe you in return.

You scheme against others, yet they scheme right back.

You view others as mere chess pieces, but unseen forces might view you the same, weaving a vast cosmic game...

A subtle gleam entered Mo Hua's eyes, with threads of cause and effect swirling in his pupils, sharpening his insight into heavenly mysteries.

Shaking off the reverie, he turned his focus from the role of "chess piece" and resumed preparations for the Sword Discussion Conference.

"If grabbing the 'bait' works out, playing the 'chess piece' just this once won't hurt..."

Two days passed, and the Mount of Tao stirred once more.

The sword discussion kicked off anew.

The freshly integrated Taixu Gate now faced off against the newly minted Eight Great Gates entrant,

the Gui Water Sect.

This round brought a twist to the random format.

It shifted to the "Beheading Match."

Each side picked a single disciple to act as the "leader."

Regardless of the fates of other disciples or the battle's ups and downs, slaying the foe's "leader" secured victory—that defined the "beheading."

In clashes with Taoist Soldiers, elite squads often launched "beheading" strikes against the enemy's elite or standout cultivators.

Thus arose the roots of the "Beheading Match" style.

Prior to launching a "Beheading Match," the opposing sides first named their "leader."

The "leader" typically emerged as the mightiest Heavenly Pride Disciple on the squad. For the Gui Water Sect, their selected "leader" went by the name Qin

Cangliu.

The Qin family ranked as a fifth-grade noble house in the Qian Learning State Boundary, boasting ties to the Central Dao Court.

Qin Cangliu hailed from the Qin family's direct bloodline and stood among the Gui Water Sect's elite Heavenly Pride Disciples.

In these times, the Gui Water Sect fell squarely under the Central Dao Court's oversight.

Backed by family links and the sect's direct allegiance, Qin Cangliu seemed destined, barring surprises, to rise as a pivotal player in some Taoist Court state

boundary before long.

Not even ascending to the Central Dao Court and reaching "Master Xia" status lay beyond reach.

As such, no one else in the Gui Water Sect's lineup could claim the "leader" spot but

him.

For Taixu Gate, Mo Hua took the "leader" role.

Insiders familiar with the details showed no shock.

Yet among the watching crowd, confusion rippled through many cultivators.

"What's Taixu Gate scheming?"

"This is a Beheading Match—do they grasp the rules? Do they get what this 'beheading' entails?"

"Skipping Linghu Xiao as 'leader' is one thing, but why not Ouyang Xuan? Or that sword-bearing youth, or even that 'big guy'... at least he's sturdy and can endure hits."

"What's the point in picking this Mo Hua?"

"His Dao Discussion Jade crumbles like a thin eggshell at the lightest blow—how will they even fight?"

"Did they leave their wits behind for the sword discussion?"

The outer spectators erupted in murmurs once again.

Within the arena, disciples from both sides had settled into place.

Leading the Gui Water Sect charge stood Qin Cangliu, clad in a dark water Taoist

robe, a "leader" emblem pinned to his chest.

He cultivated water-based techniques, projecting a mild demeanor laced with chill.

Fueled by dreams of Taoist Court service and his Gui Water Sect ties, he had cultivated an aura of "Court Leader."

Senior Qin family members, stationed in the Taoist Court with keen judgment, had foreseen:

This youth is bound for lofty ranks ahead.

Still, at present, he remained merely a disciple.

He needed to showcase his strength, carve out a reputation at the Sword Discussion Conference, and build from there toward his soaring

aspirations, one stride at a time.

His foe this time was Taixu Gate.

The target to "eliminate" went by "Mo Hua."

On this point, even Qin Cangliu felt baffled.

Why hadn't Taixu Gate selected another? Why designate this vulnerable Formation Master, easy to fell in one blow, as the

"leader"?

Why indeed?

Because of his Fireball Technique?

No matter the reason, the objective stood plain:

"Everyone, go all out—slay Mo Hua no matter the price!"

From their group of five, whichever member neared Mo Hua required just a single cut, a swift sword swing, or even a solid fist to end him and crack his "Dao Discussion Jade."

Such an act would clinch the beheading, locking in the Gui Water Sect's triumph for this bout.

And draw him nearer to his destiny.

"Understood, Brother Qin!"

The rest of the Gui Water Sect disciples responded with bowed respect.

Over on the Taixu Gate front.

Mo Hua wore a "leader" badge at his neck, directing Linghu

Xiao and the team:

"The rules have shifted, changing how we play, so fresh tactics are in order."

"You all handle the offense, while I back you up."

"That fellow there..."

"Qin Cangliu," Situ Jian supplied.

Mo Hua gave a nod. "Qin Cangliu—down him, and victory's ours."

This Qin Cangliu carried an impressive heritage and sharp talent, maybe a bright future ahead, but for now, in the midst of sword discussion, taking him

down came first.