Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2178 Chapter 1020: Ao Zhan_4

Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
After sharing a meal, Situ Jian and Cheng Mo confide their growing doubts to Mo Hua about the Taixu Sect's chances in the Earth character sword discussion, haunted by defeats against prodigies like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan. Mo Hua reassures them that victory remains possible, emphasizing the match-by-match unpredictability of the format, the presence of lesser opponents among the Eight Great Gates and Four Great Sects, and the need for adaptive strategies and a touch of luck from the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument. As unease grips the sect amid mounting losses elsewhere, Mo Hua's third match pits his team against a mid-tier squad from the Wanxiao Sect—yet they suffer another defeat, laying bare Mo Hua's inherited weaknesses in the arena.

Spiritual energy remains feeble, unable to endure against rivals.

The evasion skills are impressive, yet they prove entirely pointless.

Basic incantations that merely disgust opponents.

Critically deficient in fighting prowess.

Should companions falter, he turns into nothing but a "liability."

Under the barrage of spells from Wanxiao Sect's five top spiritual experts, Mo Hua offered zero support.

This battle that appeared conquerable ended in defeat.

The expectations of numerous onlookers were dashed for good.

In particular, those who once pinned their faith on Taixu Gate now felt deeper disappointment, mourning its frailty and furious at its stagnation.

"It's bad enough for elite prodigies to fall, but a premier squad from the Four Great Sects has crumbled too."

"Could the divide between the Eight Great Gates and the Four Great Sects truly be so vast?"

"What use is a figure like Mo Hua in this?"

"Ultimately, he just repulses foes; during this clash of supreme talents, he offers no real aid..."

"The evasion skills may work fine, but without lethal force, they're worthless."

"At heart, merely a novice spiritual cultivator."

"No matter how skillfully basic spells are cast, they stay basic."

"Moreover, the spiritual energy is far too scant..."

"His gimmicks rely on sheer fortune, now fully dissected by the Xuan Character Bureau, rendering them obsolete and squandered..."

"Continuing like this, his squad won't advance much."

"Not only his squad, but Taixu Gate as a whole will falter too..."

Beyond the sword debate arena, hordes of cultivators shared their views.

Following this bout, the tide genuinely turned sour.

Taixu Gate endured defeat upon defeat, their position plummeting swiftly, tumbling beyond the leading quartet into fifth spot.

They'd slipped from contention for the "Four Great Sects" status.

Judging by the ongoing trends, they've utterly forfeited any shot at claiming a spot among the "Four Great Sects"...

Inside the sect, enthusiasm waned, spirits plummeted.

Elders heaved sighs filled with remorse.

Not even the Sect Leader or the various patriarchs could suppress their own sighs.

For myriad sects across the Qian Learning State Boundary, joining the "Four Great Sects" stood as an elusive aspiration.

Taixu Gate had harbored such a vision once.

Yet now, that vision lay shattered, predictably so.

By this point, Taixu Gate's members had mostly snapped to reality, abandoning further illusions.

They merely wished to hold their present standing and avoid deeper decline.

Securing a handful of victories would do.

And this aspiration rested squarely on Taixu Gate's mightiest squad, featuring Linghu Xiao and Mo Hua.

They desperately yearned for Mo Hua's group to claim a win.

Though it might not staunch the losses or rescue Taixu Gate's shaky placement, it could at least lift spirits somewhat.

All in Taixu Gate harbored a mix of anticipation and anxiety deep within.

They even wished for an "easy mark," something for Mo Hua's team to overcome and rack up some points.

Amid this heavy, stifling mood, the fourth-round foe for Mo Hua's team in the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument was revealed.

But the revelation plunged hearts even lower.

Yet another squad from the Four Great Sects, and familiar adversaries at that:

Heavenly Sword Sect.

No easy mark.

Though not the top squad under Xiao Wuchen's command, it was headed by a prodigy second only to Xiao Wuchen in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

It formed a formidable elite debate team.

Even more potent than the Wanxiao Sect debate team that Mo Hua's group fell to last round.

Still, this wasn't the worst issue.

The real headache lay in the debate contest's setup:

This round was an offensive-defensive clash.

Heavenly Sword Sect on the offensive, Taixu Gate holding the line.

Five Heavenly Sword Sect prodigies, wielding potent sword qi and staggering battle might, assaulted; Taixu Gate withstood.

Anyone familiar with sword debate bouts knew well.

This setup spelled near-certain doom.

Victory seemed impossible.

In some ways, the dire straits here rivaled facing Xiao Wuchen.

The Four Sects, Eight Gates, and throngs of other cultivators tracking the Sword Discussion Conference glanced over and shook their heads, quietly pitying Taixu Gate's bad luck.

Those rooting for Taixu Gate felt a genuine pang of sorrow this time.

Only Mo Hua, eyeing the sword debate roster, saw his gaze sharpen with excitement, a faint, hidden smirk tugging at his lips...