Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2187 Chapter 1023: The Weight of the Formation Leader (Part 3)
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Elites like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan rival the Foundation Establishment Peak Fire Buddha that he once faced long ago.
In spiritual root talent and Dao technique legacy, figures such as Xiao Wuchen exceed even that Fire Buddha.
The Fire Buddha's defeat at his hands holds true.
Yet Mo Hua understands deep down it stemmed from Uncle Gu in the Golden Core Realm drawing the flames of battle and clashing directly with the Fire Buddha until near collapse, letting him seize the opportunity.
The Sword Discussion Conference stands apart.
During this sword discussion, no Golden Core Realm "Uncle Gu" exists to pull aggro or battle elites like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan face-to-face.
Moreover, the Fire Buddha stood solitary.
However, in elite sword discussions, individuals like Xiao Wuchen arrive with groups of five.
The companions of Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan consist of premier geniuses from their sects.
Furthermore, this occurs in the Qianxue Debate, under the gaze of innumerable eyes. Mo Hua cannot unleash every trick without holding back.
Securing victory in even one bout demands tremendous effort.
And should he claim one win, how will he handle the others?
Xiao Wuchen, Ao Zhan, Duanmu Qing, Shen Linsu—the leading four elites across the Four Sects, alongside top-tier prodigies like "Xiao Ruohan," likely numbering around a dozen...
All of them represent "foes."
And this merely covers the "Earth" level sword discussion.
Advancing to the "Heaven" level sword discussion would reveal even greater numbers of adversaries.
The very idea sends shivers down one's spine...
Considering it this way, Mo Hua begins to question if Taixu Gate can truly claim the top spot in this Sword Discussion Conference.
To the Taixu Sect Leader and Elders, perhaps merely holding a place within the "Four Great Sects" suffices.
In truth, they may scarcely aspire to the "Four Great Sects" rank.
It remains a tempting yet seemingly impossible dream.
Mo Hua has kept silent on the matter; his aim has consistently been to seize first place in the sword discussion.
Only by dominating the sword discussion can Taixu Gate claim the leader's prize, granting him the opportunity to acquire that vital formation:
The Wood Revitalization Formation.
Mo Hua's eyes grew more profound.
This array ties directly to his master's destiny.
It might even serve as the array capable of reviving his master.
The title "Wood Revitalization" appears ordinary, and outsiders remain unaware of its worth.
But Mo Hua grasps inwardly that should it be the array to rescue his master, it suggests this array possesses, to some extent, the might to invert Yin and Yang, challenge life and death, rewind cause and effect, and unsettle divine secrets.
By Mo Hua's instincts, this must be an ancient and formidable array.
Regardless of the obstacles, he must secure it.
No matter the cost, he must rescue his master...
"Master..."
Mo Hua let out a sigh, hands clasped behind his head, staring at the starry night, lost in memories of bygone days, his heart heavy with sorrow.
His master's visage and the counsel once given surfaced in Mo Hua's thoughts.
Yet Mo Hua lingered on these reflections only briefly before halting them abruptly.
The Dao of heavenly secrets proves fickle; he worried that lingering causality could be sensed by others, so he permitted himself only rare moments to ponder his master inwardly, avoiding frequent recollections.
Mo Hua shut his eyes, reflected for a short while, set aside thoughts of "Master," then concentrated, murmuring silently to himself:
"I have to win..."
"Even amid this tangled causality, I need to push for triumphs in every match, gathering victory points steadily, awaiting the pivotal moment to arrive..."
Mo Hua sensed a vague foreboding.
This sword discussion promises far from simplicity.
Undoubtedly, some grand incident will unfold...
Prior to that, securing every possible win becomes essential.
...
The Sword Discussion Conference pressed onward.
Mo Hua's subsequent foe hailed from the Qian Taoist Sect, a prime talent.
It wasn't Shen Linsu, yet far from dismissible.
The sword discussion format stayed as an assault-defense clash.
Except this round, Taixu Gate took the offensive role, with Qian Taoist Sect on defense.
On the appointed day, throngs packed Mount of Tao, drawing even more cultivators as onlookers.
Taixu Gate, after a string of losses, had sparked widespread letdown and dejection.
However, in the previous bout, Mo Hua's display of a formation led to a triumph over Heavenly Sword Sect, igniting a sudden spark of hope, building excitement for the upcoming sword discussion.
Naturally, backlash persisted, particularly aimed at Mo Hua:
"Given that this is a Sword Discussion Conference, depending on formation arts shuns the core essence and defies the event's true purpose."
"If Mo Hua possessed any shame, he'd forsake formation arts and duel other sects' geniuses in pure swordplay to settle the outcome."
"Why not say that to Mo Hua directly?"
"If he deigns to respond, I'll admit defeat."
"Isn't it ridiculous to withhold any available tactics?"
"Why doesn't Mount of Tao intervene?"
"No rules are violated, so what power does Mount of Tao hold?"
"Just wait and see; in this sword discussion, Mo Hua will surely lean on formations once more."
"Which formation will he depend on this time?"
"How should I know? This brat schemes like a sly spirit; no telling what arrays he's mastered."
"No need to hurry; as the sword discussion unfolds and he acts, all will reveal itself."
...
Amid the external buzz of chatter, within the arena, the sword discussion at last commenced.
Qian Taoist Sect's disciples fortified their position.
Taixu Gate then divided into dual paths to launch the attack.
This mirrored a standard siege, save that Mo Hua refrained from joining the assault.
The instant the sword discussion started, he bolted to a nearby hillock and covertly began inscribing an array.
Onlookers wondered intently about the array he would craft.
Even greater intrigue surrounded his inscription technique and the pace he would maintain.
Thus, Mo Hua dashed to the hill, unfurled a blanket, and shrouded himself completely.
Concealed beneath the blanket, he inscribed his array, denying any view to others.
The Fangtian Shadow Projection displayed merely a "caterpillar" bundled in fabric.
This provoked the audience into a fury of oaths:
"Stingy!"
"Despicable!"
"Projecting one's own miserliness onto everyone."
"Refusing to let us glimpse his array inscription?"
...
In proximity, elders clutching "Tracing Shadow Maps" also heaved sighs, appearing powerless.
Their involvement in the Sword Discussion Conference aimed to exhibit prowess, visible to noble clans, diverse sects, and myriad cultivators.
Other prodigies would relish flaunting their abilities to the masses.
The Fangtian Shadow Projection offered the most magnificent platform.
Yet the Fangtian Shadow Projection's creator likely never foresaw someone inverting this, dreading exposure of their techniques.
Inscribing an array while hiding it under a blanket.
Such an act eludes most prodigies.
They prioritize reputation.
But Mo Hua differs; he disregards reputation entirely.
Within the arena, Mo Hua paid no heed to such concerns.
Victory demanded everything, and reputation paled in comparison.
From the earlier sword discussion, he grasped a key truth:
Namely, upon this sword discussion platform, eyes constantly track him, plotting counters against him.
The more techniques he reveals, the more counters arise.
And should he conceal an ace for the next round, it might yield yet another win.
Therefore, he must conceal all he can.
Conceal by whatever method possible.
Even if it means draping a blanket over himself.
Curiously, the most basic approaches often yield the most startling results.
At minimum, this blanket veiled Mo Hua, leaving others perplexed.
With that, Mo Hua, shrouded beneath, furtively finished his array, tarried a bit longer to mask his actual inscription speed, then folded the blanket, stowed the array, and raced toward Qian Taoist Sect's "fortress."
Any other sect might pose less issue.
But against Qian Taoist Sect, an ancient grudge lingered.
Previously, he sought entry to Qian Taoist Sect yet failed to pass the "mountain gate."
In today's Sword Discussion, he plans to shatter Qian Taoist Sect's "city gate"!
Mo Hua appeared elated.
Not from pettiness; the demands of the sword discussion compelled him, offering no alternative.