Chapter 1002: Xuan Character's Sword Debate
Chapter 1002: Xuan Character's Sword Debate
At the Lundao Mountain, the morning sun rises.
Disciples from various sects gather, forming a bustling crowd.
The elders of the four sects and eight schools of the Twelve Streams retrieve their sect's orders, and under the witness of the four sect leaders, they toss bamboo slips into the Lun Dao Tian Yi. After a round of isolating Tian Ji Yin Causa's "calculations," the list of participants for the Xuan Character's Sword Debate is finalized.
The elders of each sect imprint the list and then retreat, leading their disciples back to their respective sects.
The Huang Character League is the preliminary round, with numerous participants, a dense schedule, and limited time. Therefore, the draw takes place in the morning, and the competition begins in the afternoon.
By the time the Xuan Character's Sword Debate begins, the initial screening has reduced the number of participants to a mere fraction, allowing for a more relaxed schedule.
Today's draw will determine the official start of the debate tomorrow.
Moreover, the Xuan Character's Sword Debate will introduce changes in format, stronger opponents, and more complex battles. The true intensity of the Swordsman Competition Congress will commence.
Consequently, before each round of combat, time will be allocated for strategizing and devising countermeasures.
Inside the Tai Xu Gate, in the Da Dao Chang.
The list for the Xuan Character's Sword Debate has been distributed.
Mo Hua holds the TaiXu Ling, his gaze fixed on the list, deep in contemplation.
Approximately fifty teams from the Tai Xu Gate will advance to the Xuan Character's Sword Debate, with an elimination rate of eight or nine out of ten.
This implies that around eight to nine-tenths of the disciples will conclude their sole opportunity to participate in the Swordsman Competition Congress, limited to competing in the Huang Character League, engaging in a mere ten or so matches.
This elimination rate is, in fact, significantly lower than that of other sects.
Additionally, with the Tai Xu Gate currently boasting numerous disciples, they managed to secure a substantial advantage in the preliminary round, claiming the top spot in the Swordsman Competition.
Mo Hua glances at the surrounding disciples.
The eliminated disciples naturally feel a sense of bitterness and regret, but they do not succumb to despondency.
They have given their all, striving for the Tai Xu Gate's ranking in the Swordsman Competition, contributing their utmost efforts.
The Tai Xu Gate's current top ranking in the Swordsman Competition is a testament to their collective efforts.
The outcome of the upcoming debates remains uncertain for now.
However, at the very least, this victory was not achieved by relying on a "heavenly pride" who stands above the masses, but rather by the countless ordinary disciples, who fought with every sword and every blade.
Mo Hua suddenly starts, as if struck by a thought.
"In this world, there is the coexistence of existence and nonexistence, the interplay of difficulty and ease, and the contrast of strength and weakness..."
"With strength comes weakness, and with weakness comes strength..."
"Since there are heavenly pride disciples, there must also be 'ordinary' disciples who are relatively unremarkable compared to the 'heavenly pride'."
"The heavenly pride are strong, while the ordinary disciples are weak..."
"The heavenly pride are few, while the ordinary disciples are many."
"What if... we can unite to the greatest extent and fully harness the strength of ordinary disciples, common cultivators, and even the vast majority of cultivators at the bottom of the cultivation world? Would that not imply the ability to 'transform weakness into strength' and 'overcome the strong with the weak'?"
"With a sufficient number of cultivators united, their combined strength becomes formidable, to the point of... truly altering the heavens and earth?"
Mo Hua's eyes widen in realization.
A flash of insight regarding the coexistence of existence and nonexistence, the reversal of strength and weakness, and the transformation of the two principles "Yin and Yang" takes root in his heart.
The idea of "transforming weakness into strength" is like a "spark," buried deep within his heart, akin to a strand of scorching firelight, revealing a path, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible."
Above the Dao Chang, Elder Xun Zixian, who had intended to speak, notices Mo Hua's "transcendent" expression and subconsciously stops, not wanting to disturb him.
After an unknown duration, Mo Hua lifts his head, his gaze profound, his pupils bright, and his eyes, like a candle in the night, are almost blinding.
Xun Zixian is taken aback by this sight.
"What has this child... realized?"
With exceptional spiritual awareness, remarkable talent, profound thoughts, and a quick mind, Mo Hua is indeed more prone to "enlightenment" regarding the myriad things in the world and the myriad principles of the Dao.
Xun Zixian has witnessed Mo Hua's transcendent state of enlightenment on numerous occasions.
To be honest, Xun Zixian envies him deeply.
However, this time, Xun Zixian senses something different.
It's as if Mo Hua has grasped something extraordinary.
The faint glimmer in his eyes hints at a meaning that is... "blasphemous."
Xun Zixian shakes his head, noticing that Mo Hua has returned to his senses. He then collects his thoughts, clears his throat, and begins discussing the Swordsman Competition:
"The previous Huang Character League Swordsman Competition was merely a preliminary round, so the format was a simple free-for-all."
"But it's different when we reach the Xuan Character's Sword Debate."
"In the Xuan Character's Sword Debate, other competition formats are mixed in, and this format is random, determined by the Lun Dao Tian Yi."
"Each round is unique."
"The specific format won't be revealed until six hours before the debate..."
A disciple asks in confusion, "Elder, why isn't the format decided earlier?"
Other disciples nod in agreement, "Yes, that way, we can prepare in advance."
Xun Zixian counters, "When you enter the cultivation world and someone wants to kill you, will they notify you in advance so you can prepare?"
"Or when you lead your Dao Bing into battle and encounter an ambush, will you ask them to wait while you discuss how to counter them?"
The disciples fall silent.
Xun Zixian continues, "In the past, the Swordsman Competition format was only revealed at the last moment to train disciples in adaptability."
"Whether it's attacking, defending, killing, escaping, beheading, or surviving, you must make split-second decisions."
"Later, considering that you are still disciples and haven't experienced so many life-or-death battles..."
As Xun Zixian speaks, he pauses and can't help but glance at Mo Hua again.
He has heard of Mo Hua's accomplishments.
Huo Fo Tu, Wan Yao Gou, Yan Zhi Zhou, Long Wang Miao... and even Gu Shan Mu Zang...
Each of these incidents was a critical "kill-or-be-killed" situation.
It's almost unbelievable that Mo Hua has been through so much yet remains unscathed, appearing pure-hearted and clear-eyed, blending in with the crowd like an "inexperienced" ordinary disciple.
A hungry wolf, disguised in sheep's clothing, mingles with the flock, appearing more "harmless" than the surrounding sheep...
Xun Zixian sighs softly and changes his phrasing:
"Most of you haven't experienced such critical situations, so it's challenging to ask you to make snap decisions.
"Therefore, the decision to announce the competition rules six hours in advance was made."
"These six hours serve as a buffer period for you to discuss, make decisions, and prepare for the Lunjian."
"But you should know that in the future, once you leave the sect and enter the cultivation world, many dangers will arise in the blink of an eye, and there won't be ample time for you to ponder and react."
"Lunjian is not only a contest of strength but also a means of tempering..."
"Yes, Elder!"
The disciples responded with solemn expressions.
Afterwards, Xun Zixian gave them some additional instructions and then allowed everyone to prepare on their own.
Although it was said to be self-preparation, it was actually to give Mo Hua some time.
Mo Hua took the disciples participating in the 'Xuan' character Lunjian to a small grove, where he gave them some tactical advice and information about battle formations, as was customary.
But that was all he could do.
Everything that needed to be said had already been said.
The training had also been completed for the most part.
Spiritual equipment and battle formations had been prepared.
During the battle, Mo Hua wouldn't be able to command; at that time, the 'Xuan' character competition would rely more on the disciples' own performance.
After Mo Hua finished his instructions, there was still some time left, so he allowed the disciples to go to the practice field for individual training.
Mo Hua also led Ling Hu Xiao and the others to practice their Dao Fa techniques nearby, considering the upcoming Lunjian and what kind of skills he should demonstrate to the crowd...
Meanwhile, on the high platform, the three sect leaders of Tai Xu, Tai A, and Chong Xu gathered together, watching their diligent disciples with a mix of satisfaction and a shadow of worry in their eyes.
"The Huang Character League is over, and the good days are coming to an end..."
The Tai A sect leader sighed softly.
The sect leaders of Tai Xu and Chong Xu didn't say anything but nodded in agreement.
They were well aware of the situation, just like everyone else.
For these sect leaders, the title of "First in Lunjian" was a temptation as great as immortal pills and spiritual treasures.
Having tasted the sweetness of being first, it was indeed difficult to let go.
Even though they knew that this first place was temporary, just "borrowed," and would eventually have to be returned.
But when the time came to "return" it, they couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
Humans are indeed greedy...
Even the usually self-cultivating Tai Xu sect leader, after experiencing the taste of fame and fortune, found it hard to remain calm.
In the face of true benefits, even the most laid-back person would find it challenging to stay composed.
If they remained calm, it was only because the benefits weren't significant enough.
"The real challenges are yet to come, and it will be tough for these kids..."
"Indeed..."
"It's starting tomorrow..."
The 'Xuan' character Lunjian began.
Tai Xu Gate's Lunjian ranking was finally about to start its gradual decline.
It was like using a dull knife to cut flesh, and the fat they had accumulated would be cut away piece by piece.
The three sect leaders drank their tea in silence.
...
The next day, the 'Xuan' character Lunjian officially began.
The participating disciples had already learned about the competition format before the event, and most of them were still following the 'Huang' character league's 'free-for-all' format.
Only a small number of them drew the 'siege,' 'defense,' or 'head-to-head' competition formats.
Apparently, they wouldn't make drastic changes right after entering the 'Xuan' character league.
The evolution of the Lunjian competition format was still a gradual process, allowing the disciples to adapt slowly.
On the first day of the 'Xuan' character Lunjian, Mo Hua didn't need to participate.
He would only have a match with the Twelve Streams on the second day.
Therefore, on the first day, he was mainly there to observe and see how his fellow Tai Xu Gate disciples performed.
On the enormous Fangtian Huayin, one Lunjian after another unfolded spectacularly."
I did notice that the 'Xuan' character league's first match included some of the Twelve Streams and a portion of the Eight Great Gates' disciples. It's not easy to beat them."
Most of the Tai Xu Gate disciples were engaged in fierce battles.
The most recent newcomer to the competition, the youngest one, was about to take the lead!
The battle was intense, requiring multiple rounds of tug-of-war and attrition. Each victory became increasingly challenging.
In the 'Xuan' character Lunjian, winning a match added ten victory points.
In other words, winning one 'Xuan' character match was equivalent to winning ten 'Huang' character matches.
With this dynamic, Tai Xu Gate's ranking gradually declined, and the gap with the second-ranked Tian Jian Zong narrowed.
After a day of fierce battles, there were significant changes in the rankings, but Tai Xu Gate still held the top spot.
However, everyone knew that this "first" place had already shifted from "victory" to "decline" and was on a downward trend.
Today would be Tai Xu Gate's "peak," and from then on, it would be downhill.
Many were already anticipating the day when Tai Xu Gate would drop out of the top spot or even fall out of the "top four."
That would be the day when Tai Xu Gate would truly be brought back to its "original form."
Amidst this situation, Mo Hua's first 'Xuan' character Lunjian officially began.
This Lunjian also attracted widespread attention.
Mo Hua's identity was unique, and his reputation was exceptionally high.
Additionally, his previous Lunjian performance, which was seen as "inaction," had drawn much criticism.
Although his reputation had plummeted, the attention he received skyrocketed.
The entire Lundao Mountain was packed with spectators, many of whom had come to see him.
Some hoped he would show his abilities and not disappoint, while others wanted to see him fail so they could gloat and ridicule him...
Mo Hua was unaware of all this.
His entire focus was still on the Lunjian.
In this first 'Xuan' character Lunjian, Mo Hua's luck was average, and he drew the regular 'free-for-all' format.
It was a simple five-on-five battle.
The opponent was one of the Twelve Streams, the 'Xuan Tie Gate.'
This was a sect specializing in artifact crafting, which also taught body tempering. They had a secret body tempering technique that complemented their artifact crafting skills.
The disciples of this sect not only excelled in artifact crafting but also had bodies as tough as iron due to their dual cultivation.
Xuan Tie Men, one of the stronger sects among the Twelve Streams, was up against Mo Hua.
However, the Xuan Tie Men team facing Mo Hua was not their strongest, but rather a team of top-tier disciples, a level above the rest.
Their strength was already quite impressive.
As the time arrived, both sides entered the arena, and the battle commenced immediately.
But this time, the fight didn't end quickly.
Both sides became entangled in a stalemate.
Xuan Tie Men's stalemate was due to their limited strength.
Tai Xu Men's stalemate, however, was caused by Mo Hua.
He stood on the sidelines, arms crossed, watching without taking action.
As a result, Tai Xu Men was forced into a four-on-five situation.
Moreover, after the previous battles, most of Ling Hu Xiao's strategies had been exposed to the other sects.
Xuan Tie Men had prepared specifically for this.
They simply ignored Mo Hua and focused on the remaining four as their opponents.
With this, their advantage became significant.
All of them were genius disciples from Qian Xue Prefecture, and even among geniuses, there were differences in strength. Still, reaching the Xuan character league in the Swordsman Competition Congress wasn't something anyone could easily achieve.
In a five-on-five battle, unless there was a significant power gap, having one more or one less person made a huge difference.
Ling Hu Xiao was restrained by two Xuan Tie Men disciples in close combat.
Ou Yang Xuan faced a bulky body-cultivating disciple in a one-on-one fight.
Cheng Mo and Si Tu Jian also found themselves in stalemates.
Tai Xu Men had the upper hand, but their advantage wasn't overwhelming.
Xuan Tie Men, on the other hand, utilized their numerical advantage, using the extra person to constantly switch targets and maintain an offensive flow, putting pressure on Ling Hu Xiao's team. Both sides fought back and forth, making it a close battle.
Fortunately, Ling Hu Xiao was truly powerful.
After nearly half a day of stalemate, Ling Hu Xiao finally found an opportunity amidst Xuan Tie Men's flowing offense. He withstood the pressure and unleashed a Chong Xu Sword Qi, directly disabling one opponent and shattering their Lundao Yu.
With this, it became a four-on-four battle, and the pressure decreased significantly.
From then on, Tai Xu Men relied on the two "Tianjiao," Ling Hu Xiao and Ou Yang Xuan, to gradually expand their advantage and eventually end the fight.
Throughout the match, Mo Hua remained a "cold-eyed bystander," watching his teammates struggle without intervening.
This time, he truly angered the spectators in the audience.
Especially when Tai Xu Men's ranking was already declining, with teams in tough battles and teammates barely holding on, his inaction and lack of support genuinely angered many.
"This 'Mo Hua' is really going too far!"
"Enjoying the benefits without contributing!"
"Does someone like him deserve to be called the 'Zhen Dao Kui Shou' or a 'genius'?"
"What is Tai Xu Men thinking by keeping him around?"
"On ordinary days, he relies on the sect's blessings to act arrogantly, but now that Tai Xu Men is in trouble, he's pressuring his teammates while doing nothing himself..."
"He's sucking the sect and his teammates dry!"
"For the sake of a mere reputation in the Swordsman Competition, he's lost all face."
"What are Tai Xu Men's leaders thinking? Are they out of their minds? Why don't they remove him? Do they want to treat him like a 'little ancestor'?"
"Who would've thought that the esteemed Tai Xu Men, one of the Eight Great Gates, would have such internal corruption..."
"In my opinion, he should just withdraw from the competition to avoid embarrassing us further. If others see this, they'll think we're all mediocre in Qian Xue Prefecture..."
...
Criticisms filled the air.
Wen Ren Wan, Murong Cai Yun, and other cultivators familiar with Mo Hua heard these whispers and couldn't help but feel angry.
However, with so many cultivators at Lundao Mountain, it was challenging to pinpoint who to refute, so they silently suppressed their anger.
The elders of various aristocratic families and sects also shook their heads.
They could tell that Ling Hu Xiao's team was currently Tai Xu Men's strongest Swordsman Competition team.
If even Tai Xu Men's strongest team was only at this level, then it seemed that Tai Xu Men's Swordsman Competition journey would indeed end here...
Three people make a tiger, and the masses can melt gold."
Public opinion swayed people's hearts.
Even within Tai Xu Men, some elders began to doubt the wisdom of letting Mo Hua team up with Ling Hu Xiao.
These elders were mainly from the Tai E and Chong Xu Mountains.
They secretly discussed this behind the backs of the two mountains' leaders.
However, these discussions were suppressed by the leaders of the two mountains.
A bet was a bet; since they had already made an agreement and formed the team, there was no reason to back out at this stage of the Swordsman Competition.
Moreover, backing out now would be pointless.
Tai Xu Men's temporary lead in the Swordsman Competition was largely due to Mo Hua's efforts.
Mo Hua was the one making the strategic arrangements.
Just because he wasn't performing well in the personal team battles didn't mean they should turn on him.
Additionally, although the leaders of Tai E and Chong Xu Mountains had limited interactions with Mo Hua, they always had a feeling that this junior disciple was more than met the eye.
Tai Xu Men's Zhen Dao Kui Shou was definitely not as simple as he appeared.
On the other hand, within Tai Xu Mountain, there was a sense of calm.
From top to bottom, almost no one had any objections to Mo Hua's performance.
Especially those elders who knew about Mo Hua's "achievements" to some extent, they could only laugh at the various doubts and criticisms from the outside world:
What kind of games does Mo Hua usually play?
What kind of game is your Swordsman Competition?
Can you compare?
If you can see through a master, can they still be considered a master?
Amidst this overwhelming wave of criticism, Mo Hua's second Xuan character Swordsman Competition match officially began.
This time, their opponent was also from the Twelve Streams.
But they were much stronger than the previous Xuan Tie Men.
As soon as they entered the preparation room at Lundao Mountain, a tall and imposing youth led a group of people to stand before Mo Hua and the others.
The youth didn't even glance at Mo Hua; he walked straight past him and stood before Ling Hu Xiao, asking, "Are you Ling Hu Xiao?"
Ling Hu Xiao nodded coldly.
The youth pointed at himself with confidence, "Remember my name; I'm the one who will defeat you!"
(End of Chapter)
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