Chapter 1000: The Gaze of the Masses (Thanks to the Alliance Leader for the Support!)
Chapter 1000: The Gaze of the Masses (Thanks to the Alliance Leader for the Support!)
"Tai Xu Gate actually came in first?"
"They have more people, so they have an advantage."
"After all, with the three sects merging, there are more disciples. Using this 'human wave tactic' in the Huang Character League is normal for them to win a few more points..."
Someone scoffed, "What's the point of having more people if you don't win? Without this 'Dao Bing Formation', maximizing the combat power of the ordinary disciples, even with more people, it won't work."
"If you send ordinary disciples and they lose, it's just giving points to the other side."
"The more people there are, the more points they'll give away."
"And those battle formations and spiritual equipment are obviously custom-made. Non-standard spiritual equipment requires designing formation diagrams, improving refining diagrams, and professional refiners to produce them..."
"If it's just one or two pieces, it's fine, but for the Tai Xu Gate's Swordsman Competition, with so many disciples, each with a unique set, Tai Xu Gate has really gone all out this time..."
"What should we do now? The intention of the Four Great Sects is for us to 'sniper' Tai Xu Gate, but now, we're the ones being 'sniped' by them..."
"Just listen to what the Four Great Sects say. Do you really want to be their dog?"
"The situation is stronger than us, what else can we do?"
"Don't worry, the Swordsman Competition has just begun, and we're still in the early stages of the Huang Character League. Tai Xu Gate can't possibly win all the way to the end..."
"If anyone should be worried, it's the Four Great Sects. If Tai Xu Gate takes the first place, it will squeeze their position."
"That's also true..."
...
The elders of the eight great gates, the twelve streams, and even the hundred gates of Qian Xue Prefecture were all discussing Tai Xu Gate's first place in the Swordsman Competition.
Within the Four Great Sects, the disciples felt their reputation had been tarnished.
However, the high-level elders were surprisingly calm.
In the grand hall of Qian Dao Zong.
The elders in charge of the Swordsman Competition from the four sects gathered and briefly discussed Tai Xu Gate.
"Who designed this formation for Tai Xu Gate?"
"Xun Lao Zu?"
"He's a grand ancestor, busy with countless tasks, and doesn't have time to oversee these things."
"Then it must be one of Tai Xu Gate's elders. I remember... that elder of Tai Xu Gate, Xun Zixian, has exceptional divine consciousness and has deeply inherited Xun Lao Zu's true teachings. His mastery of battle formations is extraordinary..."
The crowd remained silent.
After a moment, Elder Shen of Qian Dao Zong frowned and slowly said, "Could it be... that disciple?"
The hall fell silent for a moment.
That disciple was someone they didn't want to mention.
With a mid-Zhuji cultivation base, he had suppressed the Four Great Sects and won the top spot in the Zhen Dao competition right in front of these elders.
This was undoubtedly a "humiliation" for the Four Great Sects.
For the Four Great Sects, it was like a hideous scar.
But now, the situation was special, and they had to reopen this scar.
The elder of Long Ding Zong pondered for a moment and shook his head, "It doesn't seem likely..."
"Anyone with exceptional divine consciousness and a near-demonic intellect must have a proud and solitary nature, a unique perception, and a way of acting that is not tolerated by ordinary people..."
"Such a person wouldn't go out of their way to please their fellow sect members or spend so much effort on them."
The scene of the Lun Zhen Assembly was still deeply etched in his mind.
Mo Hua, with his weak bloodline and low spiritual power, sat in the corner of the vast arena, exuding an incredibly powerful aura, like a reclusive "monster", leaving the crowd of Celestial Geniuses breathless.
"What is this monster seeking by doing such a thankless task?"
The elders of the four sects all nodded.
Despite their dislike for Mo Hua, they acknowledged his "strength".
A formation master with such exceptional talent must be pursuing the ultimate path of battle formations, inevitably surpassing others and climbing higher, unencumbered by those below.
True powerhouses are always solitary and selfish.
The elder of Wan Xiao Zong pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "This time in the Swordsman Competition, this 'monster' in formations seems to have participated as well?"
"Yes, he's in a group with Linghu Xiao from Chong Xu Mountain and Ouyang Xuan from Tai'a Mountain."
The elder of Long Ding Zong frowned, "What's Tai Xu Gate's intention? Sending a formation master to compete in the Swordsman Competition?"
The Swordsman Competition was divided into five categories: swords, formations, talismans, and spiritual equipment.
Why would a formation master compete in the formation category instead of the sword category?
The strangest thing was that he was also with the two remaining Celestial Geniuses of Tai Xu Gate.
Wasn't this a burden?
"Does Tai Xu Gate not want to win?"
"Or is this 'Mo Hua' not only a formation genius but also an unsung sword genius who can shake the heavens and make ghosts cry?"
The elder of Tian Jian Zong scoffed.
The crowd was equally puzzled.
After a moment, the elder of Tian Jian Zong shook his head and sighed, "This must be Xun Lao Zu's arrangement. This Xun Lao Zu... his plans are unfathomable, hard to comprehend."
Concerning Dong Xu Lao Zu, the elders all fell into deep thought but dared not say more, lest they offend the elder and commit a taboo.
No matter which sect's grand ancestor it was, once they entered Dong Xu, they became formidable figures who couldn't be taken lightly.
The elder of Wan Xiao Zong said, "Let's wait and see what Tai Xu Gate is planning. It will be revealed during the Swordsman Competition."
"Tomorrow, it will be this monster's turn to show his skills."
"Once he makes a move, he won't be able to hide his true strength, whether he's a dragon or an insect."
"Then what about Tai Xu Gate's first place in the Swordsman Competition..."
"There's nothing to say about that. The number of lower-level disciples is slightly higher, and they are a bit stronger, but it doesn't change the overall situation."
"It's good to have some twists and turns. If it's the same as before, without any surprises, it will inevitably become boring."
"Others might think that we're 'reforming our sect' and 'self-innovating', but it's all just a show."
"Yes, a little change is good."
"They can still sail smoothly in the initial rounds of the Huang Character League, but in the later stages, their true colors will be revealed."
"The Swordsman Competition is a long and fierce battle. In the later stages, one round is worth a hundred. If you use up all your strength at the beginning, how can you compete later?"
"In the Swordsman Competition, it's not about the lower-level disciples but the true 'top disciples'..."
...
The Four Great Sects had reached a temporary conclusion.
Tai Xu Gate's first place in the Swordsman Competition was just a "flash in the pan".
Not only the Four Great Sects but also the other eight great gates, the hundred gates of Qian Xue Prefecture, various aristocratic families, and even Tai Xu Gate itself, all understood this.
Mo Hua was also aware of this.
However, no matter what, this was still a good start.
Tai Xu Gate's Celestial Geniuses had a foundation that couldn't compare to the Four Great Sects.
With a smooth start, they could still compete in the later rounds.
If they didn't start well, there would be no chance later.
Moreover, since they had a good start, they should try to expand their advantage, so that when the situation turns unfavorable, they could "hold on" a little longer.
Mo Hua encouraged his junior disciples, saying, "Currently, we have a significant advantage. Therefore, we must seize the opportunity, win as many rounds as possible, and expand our lead. Even if we face setbacks later, we can still maintain our position."
"Yes, Senior Brother!" the disciples replied in unison.
Mo Hua then proceeded with his plan, meticulously organizing the upcoming Lunjian competitions.
Victory is not achieved overnight but is accumulated step by step.
Seize the present, and win every round you can.
It's hard to predict what will happen later, but for now, every victory must be firmly grasped.
As night slowly fell, darkness enveloped the mountains and courtyards.
However, Tai Xu Gate remained brightly lit, with all the disciples in full swing.
Inside the Dao Fa Hall, the Lunjian disciples gathered in groups of five, studying the next day's matches. They discussed tactics, positioning, the choice of spiritual equipment and battle formations, and contemplated potential emergencies and their solutions...
Afterward, following Mo Hua's instructions, they compiled everything into a set of procedures, memorizing it thoroughly.
"We won't fight unprepared."
"If we're going to fight, we must be fully prepared."
This was what the senior brother had told them.
They kept these words in mind and began to implement them through Lunjian.
The Tai Xu Gate's elder, Yi, who taught Dao Fa, along with other elders proficient in Dao Fa and sword techniques and skilled in killing, also stayed in the Dao Fa Hall, offering suggestions and improving the disciples' Lunjian tactics.
In the Battle Formation Hall, Zheng Fang, along with disciples from Tai Xu Mountain, Tai'a Mountain, and Chong Xu Mountain who were skilled in battle formations, drew battle formations on the battle formation mediums according to the list provided by Mo Hua.
These battle formations would be used in the upcoming Lunjian.
The battle formations for Lunjian were limited to Erpin Zhongjie (second-grade middle-tier), so even the talented disciples from battle formation families within Tai Xu Gate could draw them.
They were Zhen Shi, but their killing abilities were lacking, so they usually didn't participate in Lunjian.
Normally, they would be preparing for the Lun Zhen Da Hui (Battle Formation Assembly) after Lunjian.
But now, Mo Hua had given them an opportunity to apply their knowledge.
Not only could they draw battle formations for their fellow disciples in Lunjian, but they were also preparing for their own Lun Zhen.
It was a win-win situation.
In the Lian Qi Hall, Ou Yang Mu led a group of disciples aspiring to become Lian Qi Shi, repairing damaged spiritual equipment, improving armor, and recasting spiritual swords...
They were also learning by doing.
At the same time, they were learning through practice, enhancing their Lian Qi skills by refining, modifying, and repairing spiritual equipment.
Tai Xu Mountain was brightly lit.
Almost all the disciples gathered together, contributing their efforts for the Lunjian Assembly, while also laying a solid foundation for the subsequent Lun Zhen and Lun Qi Assemblies.
The entire sect united as one, with their collective strength focused on Lunjian.
This unity not only delighted the elders but also brought satisfaction to the Sect Leader and touched the hearts of some of the elders in the rear mountain.
With the three mountains reunited and the disciples united as one, this might be a scene they never imagined they would witness in their lifetime...
This was even more exciting and touching for these elders than the brief "Lunjian First Place" achievement.
Tai Xu Mountain remained brightly lit, bustling with activity late into the night.
The disciples took a short break.
The next day, they arrived at the Lunjian Assembly.
The situation was still very favorable.
Due to their thorough preparation, Tai Xu Gate's victories continued to accumulate, and their lead gradually increased.
After the second day of Lunjian, Tai Xu Gate still firmly held the top position.
The Tai Xu Sect Leader couldn't help but think: If only the Lunjian Assembly could always be at the 'Huang' character level, then Tai Xu Gate could continue winning...
Of course, this thought was just a fleeting fantasy.
Soon, the third day arrived, and things became a bit different.
The Lun Dao Tian Yi (Heavenly Principles Assembly) followed the principle of "from weak to strong" in its drawing order.
On the third day of Lunjian, many Tian Jiao (Celestial Geniuses) from various sects began to make their appearances, including Mo Hua.
Before the competition, Wen Ren Wan, accompanied by Yu'er, made a special trip to Tai Xu Gate to bring Mo Hua some nourishing spiritual food.
When the disciples of the Qian Xue Bai Men (Qian Xue Hundred Gates) participated in the Lunjian Assembly, their parents, grandparents, and even older relatives of the same clan would be present to witness their performance in this grand event.
Mo Hua was different; he was alone.
His parents were far away in Li Zhou, and he had no family elders to look after him.
Therefore, when he went to the Lunjian Assembly, he was truly a "lonely soul."
Although he was now the senior brother of Tai Xu Gate and the top student in Qian Xue's Zhen Dao, with a high reputation in Tai Xu Gate, Wen Ren Wan still felt sorry for Mo Hua.
In her heart, Mo Hua was still just a child.
Now, with such an important Lunjian event, he didn't have a single family member by his side.
Wen Ren Wan handed Mo Hua a jade pendant in the shape of a flag, symbolizing "victory in the opening match," and said gently, "Tomorrow, I'll bring Yu'er to watch your Lunjian."
She was a bit excited to see Mo Hua's first Lunjian performance.
Yu'er also jumped with joy, "Brother Mo, good luck!"
Mo Hua's expression was a bit complicated. He wanted to say that they shouldn't have such high expectations of him.
But seeing the earnest gazes of Aunt Wan and Yu'er, he couldn't bring himself to say it, so he smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Wan. I'll do my best."
Wen Ren Wan smiled and nodded, then added, "Zhang Hui will also be there."
Mo Hua was a bit surprised, "Isn't the Dao Ting Si (Dao Court) busy?"
"The Lunjian Assembly is an important event, gathering Xiuwo (cultivators) from all over Qian Zhou. The scale is enormous, and the first priority of the Dao Ting Si is to maintain the stability of Lunjian Mountain and ensure that no major incidents occur during the Lunjian Assembly..."
"This is official business, so Zhang Hui will also be there."
Wen Ren Wan explained.
"I see..." Mo Hua nodded.
Wen Ren Wan said some more encouraging words, told Mo Hua not to be nervous, and then left.
Mo Hua didn't feel nervous at all.
He continued his usual cultivation and reading. At midnight, he immersed his consciousness in his sea of consciousness and practiced battle formations for the entire night.
The next morning, as the sun rose, Mo Hua was full of vigor.
After a quick preparation, Mo Hua set off with his fellow disciples to Lunjian Mountain to participate in his first Lunjian.
Along the way, Ling Hu Xiao maintained his aloof demeanor, while Ou Yang Xuan wore a sullen expression.
Si Tu Jian remained calm as always, while Cheng Mo was filled with excitement and anticipation.
The five of them arrived at Lunjian Mountain.
After that, they followed the customary procedures for participating in Lunjian.
They entered the preparation room, selecting spiritual equipment, pills, talismans, and battle formations. Then, the elders of Lundao Mountain distributed the "Lundao Yu."
This "Lundao Yu" was integrated with the Five-Star Lundao Mountain Battle Formation and served as the catalyst for unleashing the power of the void.
For the disciples, it was both a protective talisman and a life-preserving charm.
As long as the jade remained intact, so would its owner.
Before distributing the Lundao Yu, the elders would first assess the disciples' physical bodies and blood energy to set the "damage absorption capacity" of the Lundao Yu.
Everyone else was fine, but when it came to Mo Hua, the elders were at a loss.
"I've been an elder for so many years and have presided over numerous Swordsman Competition Congresses, but I've never seen a disciple like this..."
"It's truly...unbelievable."
"How can his blood energy be so weak?"
"It's truly eye-opening..."
Mo Hua's face darkened.
Several elders didn't notice his mood and continued whispering:
"With such talent, even Tai Xu Gate accepts him. It's truly...unconventional..."
"How will he compete in the Swordsman Competition? I just can't understand it..."
"Yes, he's so fragile, like paper. One sword strike, and he'd be gone..."
"The Lundao Yu is the same; it'll shatter with just a touch."
"How can he compete in the Swordsman Competition like this?"
The elders frowned, worried about Mo Hua.
One elder couldn't bear it anymore and kindly suggested, "Why don't we increase the 'blood volume' for his Lundao Yu?"
"Let's do it..."
"But...isn't that against the rules?"
"Yes, even if you increase it a little, it's like a drop in the ocean. This kid will still shatter with a touch..."
"Let's add a little. I can't bear to see him so weak..."
Mo Hua: "..."
After much discussion, the Lundao Yu that Mo Hua finally received did have a slightly increased 'blood volume.'
Since it was 'certified' by the elders, it wasn't considered cheating.
Mo Hua's feelings were mixed.
These elders had been bad-mouthing him for so long, yet their hearts were genuinely kind...
Of course, it was said that the enhancement was minor, but in reality, it wasn't much stronger. His Lundao Yu was still very weak.
Other people's Lundao Yu emitted a radiant glow.
Mo Hua's Lundao Yu only had a faint blue light.
One glance was enough to discern the difference.
Mo Hua didn't mind. He then attached this Lundao Yu to his forehead, and immediately, a tremor of light appeared, protecting him with the power of the void.
Mo Hua's delicate and keen divine sense could feel the power of the battle formation circulating in the void, seemingly both real and illusory, elusive, and profound.
"This is...the power of the Five-Star Void..."
Mo Hua's heart trembled.
Unfortunately, his realm was far too inferior.
Otherwise, in such a situation, he could have used Tian Ji Yan Suan to reverse-engineer a part of this grand void formation's formation patterns.
Mo Hua felt regretful.
After that, he patiently waited with Linghu Xiao and the others until it was time to enter the Swordsman Competition.
Meanwhile, outside the venue, Mo Hua was unaware that countless cultivators were waiting for him.
In the vast crowd, some openly and others discreetly, countless eyes were fixed on Fangtian Huayin, anticipating Mo Hua's appearance.
Among them were many friends and family.
People like Wen Ren Wan, Yu Er, Hua Qianqian from the Hundred Flowers Valley, Tai Xu Gate's graduate disciple Murong Caiyun, Shangguan Xu, and many more...
There were also many high-ranking members of aristocratic families and sects.
This included the Gu family's patriarch and elders, as well as elders from the Shangguan and Wen Ren families, who had interacted with Mo Hua. It also included some high-ranking members of aristocratic families and sects who had never met Mo Hua before.
In the dark corners, there were also pairs of cold, gloomy eyes, eager to catch a glimpse of Mo Hua.
Many cultivators from the Nine Regions, including those who hadn't met Mo Hua before, were also waiting for his appearance.
They had come to Qian Xue Prefecture, and during their stay, they had heard about Mo Hua from various sources.
Therefore, many wanted to see with their own eyes what this legendary "Zhen Dao Kui Shou" looked like.
Of course, not everyone had heard of Mo Hua.
Occasionally, someone in the outer field of Lundao Mountain would ask:
"Who is Mo Hua?"
Then, someone in the know would respond with a long list of titles:
The battle formation freak of Tai Xu Gate, with a perverted divine sense, who, at the mid-Zhuji cultivation stage, suppressed the battle formation geniuses of the four major sects, eight major schools, and twelve streams. His divine sense surpassed three stages, allowing him to draw nineteen peak formation patterns and solve the entire Lunjian topic library, becoming the first in the Lunjian competition and the Zhen Dao Kui Shou of Qian Xue. He is a legendary battle formation monster, a nearly impossible existence, a freak among freaks...
This list of titles was so long and exaggerated that many foreign cultivators frowned upon hearing it.
Their first reaction was:
"Are all of you in Qian Xue Prefecture so boastful?"
"Can't you be more realistic?"
"Let's be honest."
"We outsiders may lack 'experience,' but we certainly aren't lacking in 'common sense'..."
Some believed it and asked curiously:
"What does this Zhen Dao Kui Shou named 'Mo Hua' look like?"
The answers varied:
"I heard he's not tall and has an extremely extreme temperament."
"He's very gloomy, like a 'ghost.'"
"To learn battle formations to such an extent, he's either crazy or 'perverted'..."
"I heard he's a pervert..."
"My cousin's uncle's third son's cousin said that he's from the Duan Jin Gate. He told me that Tai Xu Gate's Mo Hua is extremely despicable and unscrupulous, resorting to any means necessary. He once stripped a senior from the Duan Jin Gate and hung him on a tree, even drawing a turtle on his body..."
"Drawing a turtle?! How cruel..."
"It's indeed too cruel."
"Also, I heard he's the private son of the Tai Xu Gate's Sect Leader, so he's extremely arrogant and a spoiled young master..."
"Your information is wrong. I can confirm that he's not the private son of the Sect Leader but the grandson of Tai Xu Gate's old ancestor! In the sect, he's lawless and does as he pleases, and no one dares to stop him."
"Even the true-transmission elders have to personally serve him tea..."
"How can this be? It's truly against the Dao..."
"And I heard his private life is chaotic, and he has a relationship with a direct daughter from a Six-Star Great Family of the Dao Court..."
...
On the spectator seats, a group of people swore and argued, creating a noisy commotion.
Amidst this attention, on the Fangtian Huayin, the image became hazy, and finally, Mo Hua's figure appeared.
(End of Chapter)
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