Chapter 1018: Earth Division Lunjian
Chapter 1018: Earth Division Lunjian
Two days before the "Earth" Division Lunjian.
In the dense forest of Tai Xu Mountain.
Under the towering ancient trees, Mo Hua was sitting with the Earth Division Lunjian disciples of Tai Xu Mountain, making final preparations for the upcoming battle.
The elimination rate for the Xuan Division was generally around ninety percent.
For the Four Great Sects, the elimination rate was slightly lower.
Due to its large number of disciples, Tai Xu Gate had a slightly higher elimination rate than the Eight Great Gates.
The number of teams that could truly advance wasn't significant, remaining on par with the Eight Great Gates.
Throughout the Lunjian, Tai Xu Gate's advantage lay in its large number of disciples.
The lower-tier disciples, thanks to Mo Hua's array formations, spiritual equipment, and tactical coordination, could exhibit stronger combat power in the form of the "Tianjiao Dao Bing."
However, in higher-level battles, especially in the Xuan and Earth Divisions, this advantage would gradually diminish.
Moreover, the number of high-end talented disciples in Tai Xu Gate couldn't match those of the Eight Great Gates, such as the Jin Gang Sect, Xiao Yao Gate, and Lingxiao Gate, which were powerful sects.
Not to mention the Four Great Sects.
Therefore, Mo Hua was already quite satisfied with the current elimination rate.
According to his original expectations, it would have been even worse.
Currently, Tai Xu Gate still ranks third.
This ranking is quite high and somewhat unexpected for Mo Hua.
The reasons for this are complex.
On one hand, it's naturally due to his team with Ling Hu Xiao, who have won many matches, accumulating a significant number of victory points and establishing a strong position.
On the other hand, they owe a lot to Duanshen Door.
Due to the leakage of Duanshen Door's core legacy, which fell into the hands of the prodigious Zhen Shi Mo Hua, they suffered a crushing defeat against Tai Xu Gate during the Xuan Division Discussion, giving away a lot of points.
The last reason is the efforts of his junior disciples.
Some of these disciples, who were originally not prominent within the sect, have shown remarkable improvement through the Lun Jian Conference. Like iron being forged, they have gradually revealed their potential.
Under the leadership of Mo Hua, these junior disciples have come together, united in spirit, and fought their hardest in every match.
Although most of them were eliminated in the Xuan Division, they won many victory points for Tai Xu Gate.
Otherwise, Tai Xu Gate would not have been able to maintain its third-place ranking.
These seemingly ordinary disciples, after being honed by the Lun Jian Conference, have shown signs of transformation.
Among them, the team from Tai E Gate has undergone the most significant transformation and achieved the best Lunjian performance.
This team consists of five brothers, all surnamed Ouyang, with names that are quite festive: Fuhulushouxicai (Prosperity, Luck, Longevity, Joy, Wealth).
Despite their festive names, their background was very poor.
They were from a small collateral branch of the Ouyang family, originally not surnamed Ouyang. Their parents died early, and they grew up in hardship, with the clan unable to support these five young men.
Young men can eat a poor father into poverty.
Moreover, as cultivators, they not only needed food but also had to practice cultivation.
Cultivation techniques, spirit items, spirit stones, and other resources all required money.
This expenditure was too much for a small collateral branch to bear.
However, these five brothers had good aptitudes, and it would have been a waste to let them not cultivate properly.
Therefore, the clan elders arranged for the five brothers to be adopted into the Ouyang family, continuing the lineage of an elder who had died without heirs.
The Ouyang family was large and wealthy, so providing for the five brothers' basic needs was not a problem.
Of course, since they were adopted, their cultivation resources were not given as liberally.
Fortunately, these five brothers, having endured hardship, knew the value of the cultivation opportunity and practiced even more diligently and hard.
Their good aptitudes, combined with their unity and mutual encouragement, allowed them to progress rapidly in their cultivation. Even without the guidance of senior elders, they managed to enter Tai E Gate through their own efforts, which was a pleasant surprise.
However, due to their humble background and shallow roots, they were overshadowed by the direct-lineage geniuses in Tai E Gate, despite their hard work.
Until the Lun Jian Conference, Mo Hua "promoted" the five brothers, giving each of them a set of heavy armor and a large sword, and telling them one thing:
"Regardless of anything else, just cut down anyone you see."
The fate of the five brothers was thus completely changed.
Their poor background, lack of relatives, and the absence of elder guidance made them feel somewhat inferior and shy in the talent-filled Tai E Gate.
They still appeared somewhat dull and simple-minded.
Too sophisticated tactics were beyond their grasp and execution.
But the four words “slash anyone in sight” from Mo Hua were simple, straightforward, and crystal clear.
The moment the five brothers entered the arena, just by muttering Mo Hua’s words, boundless courage and fighting spirit surged in their hearts. They no longer felt nervous, timid, hesitant, or lost. They didn’t care about anything; they just needed to “slash anyone in sight.”
No matter who it was.
No matter what sect or Tianjiao they belonged to, whether their status was high or low, their cultivation strong or weak.
Just slash away.
Under the weight of the heavy swords, the truth would be revealed, and the outcome of life and death would be decided.
The five brothers had grown up together from a young age, living, eating, and practicing cultivation side by side. They learned the same techniques, cultivated the same Dao Fa, and honed their skills through mutual practice, encouragement, and advancement. They shared both good fortune and adversity, truly united in heart and blood.
Their coordination was exceptionally seamless.
Once they took the stage, the five towering, imposing brothers stood in a row, all clad in heavy armor and wielding heavy swords, like five statues of “war gods” carved from the same mold, exuding an intimidating aura.
The five brothers swung their massive swords in unison.
Five as one, one as five.
Once they engaged in battle, their fierce intent stirred, and the giant swords sliced and hacked like kitchen knives in a whirlwind.
Combined with their united hearts, muttering Mo Hua’s phrase “slash anyone in sight,” they truly embodied a “demonic” quality of being single-minded and fearless, with the might to stand against ten thousand men.
During the Lunjian, many disciples from various sects were directly stunned.
As soon as they met, the five large men charged forward, saying nothing, and their giant swords slashed at their faces, swishing and chopping.
It left people momentarily blinded, and by the time they regained their senses, they had already been “killed” and eliminated from the arena.
They didn’t even try to reason.
As the saying goes, “chaos of swords can even kill a skilled master.”
While they might lack tactics, the five acted as one, in perfect unison, and even their spiritual equipment was well-prepared.
But if you said they had tactics…
There was nothing beyond the word “slash.”
Engaging in battle with them was incredibly frustrating.
Their massive swords swept through the air, a chaotic and overwhelming torrent, disregarding any rules or patterns.
If you could withstand and fight back, fine; if not, you were gone.
Of course, the five brothers couldn’t win every match; they lost quite a few as well.
But with the heavy armor Mo Hua specially selected for them, which provided immunity to most spells and strikes, and the giant swords that could suppress spiritual power, weaker teams had no defense, and were often defeated in a single encounter.
Stronger teams had a more even chance.
But even strong teams had to be extremely cautious when facing the Tai E Five Brothers.
Otherwise, if they were caught off guard, the barrage of giant swords could easily leave them stunned.
The five brothers had simple minds.
They just followed their junior master’s orders and went to slash.
If they won, they won; if they lost, they lost; they didn’t dwell on it.
Precisely because they had no worries or doubts, their slashes were decisive.
After dozens of Lunjians, facing various sects and teams, the five brothers’ Lunjian experience grew richer, their sword techniques improved, and the lethality of their giant swords increased.
Thus, this group, the “Tai E Five Brothers,” who no one had paid attention to or expected much from, managed to fight their way from the Xuan Division to the Di Character Division.
Mo Hua was truly amazed.
Apart from the Tai E Five Brothers, most of the other teams that advanced to the Di Character Lunjian were familiar faces.
For example, Yang Qianjun’s “Dao Bing Team.”
Yang Qianjun came from the Yang family, a Dao Bing family, and had grown up surrounded by Dao Bing tactics.
After the three sects merged, he gathered disciples from Tai E Mountain and Chongxu Mountain, who also came from Dao Bing families, to form a genuine “Dao Bing Team.”
This was a pure “Dao Bing Team,” not the embryonic form of Dao Bing that Mo Hua had promoted.
Everything was strictly in line with Dao Bing tactics, formations, and configurations.
With the complete array of formations and spiritual equipment provided by Mo Hua,
Yang Qianjun’s team also advanced to the Di Character Division.
The other few teams were also top disciples from the three mountains.
Even Hao Xuan’s team advanced.
His team relied entirely on Shen Fa, chasing and running, and picking up opportunities, winning one match at a time.
Their advancement was purely due to good luck.
Mo Hua found it hard to believe.
He even had a vague feeling that the ancestors of Tai Xu Gate were somehow protecting him and the gate.
Everyone gathered under a tree.
The next day would be the Di Character Lunjian.
Mo Hua briefly outlined the tactics, selected suitable formations and spiritual equipment for them, and then said:
“This is the situation. In the Di Character Division, do your best.”
“Winning is best, but if you lose, don’t be discouraged.”
“Yes, junior master.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
The upcoming Lunjian is no longer a problem that can be solved with tactics alone.
Everyone understands this.
But those present still feel deeply grateful to Mo Hua.
Without Mo Hua, they might not have been able to hold out until the Earth Division Lunjian.
Especially the five Tai E brothers, who hold a deep admiration and gratitude for their junior master, Mo Hua.
Without Mo Hua's guidance and the array formations and spiritual equipment he provided, they would have had no chance of making it this far.
Now, even if they only reach the Earth Division in the Lunjian Conference, it is enough to earn the respect of the elders of Tai E Mountain.
Even the stern-faced elders of the Ouyang Clan would welcome them with smiles.
The weak are often overlooked.
But once one demonstrates strength or sufficient potential, they earn more respect and friendliness.
The five brothers, though they appear simple, understand this well.
All of this is thanks to their junior master.
Without his help and the opportunities he provided, they would never have stood out in the Lunjian Conference.
Therefore, the five Tai E brothers, who are known for their ferocity and their five menacing giant swords that strike fear into their opponents, now obediently follow Mo Hua, a small, easygoing figure.
Whatever Mo Hua says, they nod in agreement, remembering it in their hearts, almost to the point of being "loyally devoted."
After the preparations were complete, everyone dispersed.
Mo Hua returned to his disciple quarters and began planning for his own Earth Division Lunjian.
So far, he has revealed quite a few of his trump cards.
The remaining ones will only become fewer and fewer.
The Earth Division Lunjian will pit him against the true Tianjiao of the Four Great Sects, making the challenge much more difficult, and the battles to come will only get tougher.
Even tomorrow's Lunjian could be a grueling struggle.
Mo Hua pinched his fingers, calculating silently, and couldn't help but sigh, his gaze growing more profound.
"It's going to be tough..."
...
In a grand hall of a certain sect.
The Dao Fa elders gathered together, each with a grim expression.
After countless sleepless nights and countless reviews of the Mo Ying Tu, they finally broke through the boy's invisibility, thinking everything was fine and that the boy was as good as dead...
But then he revealed another bizarre Shen Fa, leaving the elders watching helplessly, their throats constricted with suppressed rage, almost to the point of vomiting.
"This damned brat is truly hiding his skills like a pro!"
"Clearly possessing top-notch Shen Fa, he could endure not using it for so many rounds, playing cat and mouse with us..."
"His deviousness and cunning are unparalleled in my lifetime."
"This low-key and patient attitude rivals some of the old masters..."
"What low-key and patient? He's just a rotten, vicious brat with a bad nature, who enjoys tormenting others, and has no conscience at all..."
"Young people these days have no sense of martial virtue..."
The elders, who had endured countless sleepless nights, were now filled with righteous indignation, all speaking out to "condemn" Mo Hua.
"Enough", someone finally said impatiently, "let's get to the point..."
"At least we are elders of major sects, respected figures. It's unbecoming to hide behind the scenes and speak ill of a mere disciple."
The hall fell silent.
But the elders' faces remained grim.
"Have you figured out the origins of the boy's Shen Fa?" someone asked.
"We have, but it's complicated, with traces of many high-level Shen Fa..."
"Which high-level Shen Fa exactly?"
"As I said, a bit of each..."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Alright, what's the point of discussing this now? His Shen Fa is so advanced that even if we know its origins, how do we counter it? Who can do it?"
"Use the Spirit Binding Lock..."
"Can you lock him down?"
"What about the Body Fixation Spell?"
"Can your spell be faster than his?"
"Array formations..."
"Showing off your skills in front of Guan Yu? Have you forgotten his identity?"
Everyone felt a lump in their chests.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
In the end, Shen Fa is a form of hard power in cultivation. Once it reaches an extraordinary level, it's not easy to counter.
And the methods to counter Shen Fa are precisely what Mo Hua excels at.
Other minor tricks are even less effective.
Not to mention, Mo Hua's sharp and powerful divine perception is a significant obstacle.
After a moment of silence, an elderly elder slowly said:
"There's no way to counter his Shen Fa..."
This statement was the final verdict.
"At this point, there's no denying it. Even if we only consider the Five Elements Magic and the elusive Shen Fa, Mo Hua is more than qualified to be a true Lunjian Tianjiao."
"Adding Mo Hua to Ling Hu Xiao from Tai Xu Gate, they truly form a dual-Tianjiao team."
The hall erupted in a cacophony of voices.
Everyone was discussing the matter, clearly having strong opinions, but struggling to find a valid counterargument.
The elderly elder coughed lightly, and the hall fell silent. He continued, "While this is true, there's no need to worry."
"Mo Hua has very clear strengths and weaknesses."
"His greatest strength is his versatility. He excels in both magical damage, control, restraint, survival, and escape, making him an all-around auxiliary cultivator."
"His biggest weakness, however, is that he is ultimately just an auxiliary."
"He relies heavily on his teammates, especially Ling Hu Xiao."
"When his teammates are strong, he is strong. Conversely, without his teammates, his skills are of little use."
"Most importantly, he lacks the ability to kill independently."
"Without help from his teammates, he can't defeat anyone."
"While his lower-tier Five Elements Magic is indeed intricate and powerful, it only allows him to blend in and survive against ordinary sect Tianjiao in Xuan Division."
"Moreover, his weak spiritual energy can't support prolonged, high-intensity battles."
The elderly elder shook his head. "This is the Lunjian Tianjiao competition. If he can't rely on his own strength to independently defeat opponents and only relies on spells to pick off stragglers, he will ultimately be a burden."
"The further the competition goes, the less useful he will become..."
"If this young man only has this level of skill, no matter how good his Shen Fa, he won't go far."
"In the Earth Division Lunjian, relying on Shen Fa alone won't win."
"Even if we don't look that far ahead, the first Arena Lunjian tomorrow should reveal everything."
The elderly elder finished speaking in a solemn tone, then slowly closed his eyes to rest.
His words provided a thorough analysis of Mo Hua.
They also pointed out the core weakness of Mo Hua's Dao Fa lineage.
After all, an auxiliary is just an auxiliary.
He can't kill on his own.
He is only as strong as his teammates, and without them, he is nothing.
Everyone nodded in agreement, especially when they recalled the Lunjian event list derived from the Heavenly Instrument of Dao Discussion yesterday. They thought about Mo Hua's first Arena opponent, and their eyes narrowed slightly.
"This first Arena Lunjian will be a wake-up call!"
...
The next day, after a grand and elaborate Lunjian ceremony, the Earth Division Lunjian officially began.
And in the first match, Mo Hua was set to take the stage.
His opponent was a disciple of Tianjian Gate, one of the Four Great Sects, who inherited the Heavenly Sword Dao.
Moreover, not just any Tianjiao.
This was the top disciple of Tianjian Gate in this session, the pinnacle among countless sword dao prodigies, the top sword cultivator of this session.
Xiao Wuchen.
This was undoubtedly the most exciting and intense match of the Lunjian Conference in everyone's minds.
The Earth Division Lunjian started with such a dramatic opening.
As a result, the already crowded Lundao Mountain became even more packed.
Everyone wanted to witness the prowess of Tianjian Gate's top cultivator.
Similarly, they were eager to see the clash between Tai Xu Gate and Tianjian Gate.
This was a spectacle watched by all.
Outside the arena, Zhang Dazhanglao, Zhang Lan, Wenren Wan, Yuer, Gu Changhuai, and many other cultivators from prestigious families, sect disciples, and friends and relatives of Mo Hua were quietly watching the match, silently wishing Mo Hua well.
For Mo Hua, this was a true and formidable opponent.
They were hopeful for Mo Hua's performance, but more so, they were anxious and worried.
In this tense and anxious atmosphere, the first match of the Earth Division Lunjian began.
The Lunjian Bell rang, and the two sides clashed.
Figures darted, Sword Qi and spells collided.
In an instant, Tai Xu Gate was defeated.
Xiao Wuchen, wielding the Zhu Ji Feng Jian and leading four other Tianjian Gate Tianjiao disciples, crushed Mo Hua and his four teammates in a single exchange, with a nearly overwhelming force.
(End of Chapter)
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