Chapter 1019: No More Games
Chapter 1019: No More Games
The situation was overwhelmingly one-sided.
Under the powerful sword aura of Xiao Wuchen, the first disciple of Tianjian Gate, the disciples of Tai Xu Gate had little chance to fight back.
Even Ling Hu Xiao was no match.
Xiao Wuchen subdued Ling Hu Xiao with just a few strokes of his sword.
Each stroke was ancient and majestic, seamlessly blending with the Tao and merging into the void.
Each stroke carried a mighty sword aura, condensed from vast spiritual energy.
Each stroke forced Ling Hu Xiao to put all his strength into defense.
With every swing of Xiao Wuchen's sword, Ling Hu Xiao took a step back.
Xiao Wuchen, dressed in a white robe with sword patterns, stood tall and graceful, his expression handsome and indifferent.
In contrast, Ling Hu Xiao, the rare genius of the past five hundred years, the first sword cultivator of Chongxu, could only grit his teeth and struggle, looking utterly miserable.
He was no longer the one who swept through with his sword aura, dominating all.
At this moment, everyone finally understood clearly.
What it truly meant to be a Heavenly Pride.
What it truly meant to be a sword genius.
Reputations may vary, but the sword never lies.
Once a clash occurred, the stronger and weaker sides were immediately apparent.
Seeing Ling Hu Xiao's miserable state, everyone felt a mix of sighs and reflections, but there was no ridicule or gloating.
They knew that Ling Hu Xiao was already very strong.
In previous sword duels, he had proven his strength.
It was just that Xiao Wuchen was even stronger.
The Four Great Sects were, after all, the Four Great Sects.
Xiao Wuchen, the top disciple of Tianjian Gate, the first in sword cultivation among the four sects, was a figure above the clouds.
Even the geniuses of the Eight Great Sects, no matter how strong, were only standing at the peak of the mountain.
It was the same with sword cultivation.
In terms of cultivation, Xiao Wuchen was also a step ahead.
Xiao Wuchen was at the late stage of the Zhu Ji realm.
Ling Hu Xiao, on the other hand, was just a bit stronger than the mid stage of the Zhu Ji realm.
Strictly speaking, the Zhu Ji realm was divided into three stages: early, middle, and late. After that, further breakthroughs would lead to the Golden Core realm.
However, Core Formation was extremely difficult.
Most Zhu Ji cultivators, unless they had particularly good luck, would be stuck before the Golden Core realm for some time.
This period could range from a year to several decades or even a century.
Some would remain stuck for their entire lives.
Thus, there was a relatively long and varying stage between the mid stage of Zhu Ji and the Golden Core realm.
During this period, cultivators would continue to practice, their spiritual energy would gradually strengthen and solidify, laying a solid foundation for the breakthrough to the Golden Core realm.
Or they might have attempted to break through to the Golden Core realm but failed.
Or their life-bound magical treasures might have formed, but the Golden Core had not yet been condensed.
All these stages were collectively known as the late stage of Zhu Ji.
Xiao Wuchen was at this stage, but Ling Hu Xiao was not.
Therefore, the cultivation gap further exacerbated the disadvantage in sword cultivation.
In the Sword Duel Arena, Ling Hu Xiao was no match for Xiao Wuchen, and his situation was dire.
The situation for the others was even worse.
Tianjian Gate's team was one of the top teams in the Sword Duel Conference. Apart from Xiao Wuchen, the other four disciples of Tianjian Gate were also formidable.
These four were slightly weaker than Ling Hu Xiao but stronger than Ou Yang Xuan.
Compared to Cheng Mo and Si Tu Jian, they were even stronger.
This was a comprehensive suppression in terms of "hard power" among sect disciples.
Thus, under the terrifying sword aura of the five Tianjian Gate disciples, all the Tai Xu Gate disciples were pushed to their limits, struggling bitterly.
Mo Hua's situation was no better.
With his teammates thoroughly suppressed, his spells had little effect.
He could only rely on his body technique to survive, barely evading the swords of the Tianjian Gate disciples.
But this survival was meaningless.
The situation was clear.
Tai Xu Gate was sliding closer to defeat.
Some spectators were hoping for a "miracle", hoping that someone could turn the tide and change the outcome.
But unfortunately, no miracle occurred.
The weak would lose.
Ling Hu Xiao was the first to fall.
He struggled under Xiao Wuchen's sword, desperately seeking a turning point, but in the end, it was in vain. He could not turn the tide.
Under the dual pressure of cultivation and sword cultivation, Ling Hu Xiao fought until he was exhausted. In the end, he was struck down by a single, indifferent stroke from Xiao Wuchen.
Ling Hu Xiao fell to Xiao Wuchen's sword.
The tide of battle turned sharply.
Others began to tire, one after another, falling in defeat...
The spectators fell silent.
The excitement on many faces faded, replaced by expressions of disappointment.
They had expected a fierce and intense confrontation, a clash of titans where the Heavenly Pride figures of Tianjian Gate and Tai Xu Gate would face off.
Even if one side was destined to lose, they were sure it would be a spectacular showdown.
The sword geniuses of Tianjian Gate and Tai Xu Gate were expected to engage in a "standing at the peak" battle, a testament to their prowess.
But the outcome left them sorely disappointed.
Tai Xu Gate's defeat was too complete, with no suspense from start to finish.
Ling Hu Xiao was no match for Xiao Wuchen, the first among the Heavenly Swordsmen.
Not to mention Mo Hua.
At this point, some onlookers began to gloat:
"Is this the best the merged Tai Xu Gate can do?"
"Three major sects combined, and they still can't stand up to Tianjian Gate alone. It's laughable..."
"The merger was for nothing."
"From another angle, they could only reach this level because they merged. If they hadn't, they'd be even weaker..."
"Xuan Shu is just too strong; there's no way to fight back..."
"All that anticipation for nothing..."
"Boring..."
"The strongest team from Tai Xu Gate, undefeated until now, is about to lose..."
"They'll definitely lose. Everyone else is dead, and only Mo Hua is left. What can he do?"
"Even if it's not Xiao Wuchen, any of the other four from Tianjian Gate could easily take him down. They're all top disciples in their respective sects, not someone Mo Hua can exploit."
Someone chimed in mockingly, "Don't say that. Who knows, maybe Mo Hua can take on all five?"
Everyone paused, then burst into laughter.
But as they laughed, the amusement faded.
Tai Xu Gate's performance was too poor. Even mocking them felt pointless.
The only interesting thing was Mo Hua:
"Finally, Mo Hua will die this time, right?"
This was the only thing that could still spark interest in what had become a disappointing Lunjian match.
It even lifted people's spirits a bit.
Some agreed, "Tai Xu Gate will lose, and he'll definitely die at the hands of Tianjian Gate's disciples."
"Great! Great!" Many cultivators clapped and cheered.
"Finally, someone can kill Mo Hua once."
"But it's a bit of a letdown that he'll die at the hands of Tianjian Gate's disciples. It's not much of a humiliation."
"Tianjian Gate's disciples are too strong, especially Xiao Wuchen. Dying to their swords seems almost... inevitable?"
"It lacks a certain appeal..."
"The best scenario would be in a crucial, life-or-death match where both sides can't afford to lose. They'd fight to the bitter end, with neither side giving an inch, and the battle would be epic, intense, and unforgettable."
Then, at the most critical moment, Mo Hua would make a mistake, exposing a weakness, and be humiliated and killed, becoming a sinner for the ages, a symbol of shame, and a laughingstock for all.
"Such a death would be fitting for Mo Hua."
"Unfortunately, it won't happen..."
"Yeah, the kid got off easy."
Others said, "Well, let's be content. Seeing Mo Hua die once in my lifetime is all I need. I can't ask for more."
"That's true."
"He lost in the first match of the Di Division, which is a good start."
"Besides, the Di Division is just beginning, and there are many more Lunjian matches ahead. There will be plenty of tough battles."
"Mo Hua will have many more chances to die."
"There will be plenty of good shows."
"Today's just a warm-up..."
With this thought, everyone's mood improved, and their eyes returned to the Lunjian Arena with renewed anticipation.
They were waiting to see how Mo Hua would "die"...
...
Inside the Lunjian Arena.
Mo Hua moved like water, still fleeing.
Two Heavenly Pride figures from Tianjian Gate pursued him, trying to kill him.
Xiao Wuchen didn't join in, merely watching from the side.
It seemed that killing Mo Hua wasn't worth his effort.
Two other Tianjian Gate disciples stood nearby, their gazes cold and their swords ready. They waited for any slip from Mo Hua, ready to strike and end his life.
Their strategy was clear.
Defeating Mo Hua in body technique alone wasn't easy.
They were top Heavenly Pride figures from their sects, powerful in cultivation and combat.
But this power didn't mean their body techniques were also at the absolute pinnacle.
At least, in terms of body technique, they weren't stronger than Feng Zi Chen of the Xiao Yao Gate.
Even in the art of the sword, they might not be faster than Feng Zi Chen's wind sword.
Feng Zi Chen couldn't even catch Mo Hua, let alone strike him down with a single sword blow.
The others might not fare any better.
Thus, they could only relentlessly chase him with their swords, applying relentless pressure, trying to force Mo Hua into a mistake.
If Mo Hua made a mistake, exposing a flaw in his Body Technique, the Tianjian Gate disciples, who were watching like hungry tigers, would strike and claim his life.
Even if he didn't make a mistake, he would eventually deplete his spiritual energy.
Spiritual energy is the foundation of a cultivator. All Dao techniques are powered by spiritual energy.
Even physical cultivation techniques require a spark of spiritual energy to activate the potential of the body.
Once the spiritual energy is depleted, even the most advanced Body Technique becomes like water without a source, unsustainable.
Low spiritual energy is one of the most fatal drawbacks for Mo Hua as a magic cultivator.
Mo Hua sighed.
He knew it was over.
Without Ling Hu Xiao and Cheng Mo, he was indeed at a loss.
His Body Technique was indeed excellent, but this was a Sword Duel. No matter how good his Body Technique, it couldn't kill anyone.
He couldn't expect to exhaust his opponents with his Body Technique alone...
And with his meager spiritual energy, the one who would be exhausted first would be himself.
But Mo Hua wasn't about to give up easily.
Even in the "garbage time" of the Sword Duel, he wouldn't waste a moment.
Mo Hua calmed his mind, putting the outcome out of his thoughts, and continued to use his Shishuibu to engage the Tianjian Gate disciples.
First, he wanted to use the Tianjian Gate's Heavenly Pride to practice his Shishuibu.
Additionally, he wanted to observe the Tianjian Gate's sword techniques, familiarize himself with their moves, and gain some sword cultivation experience for the future.
All sword techniques and methods, their strengths and weaknesses, should be deeply ingrained in the heart, transforming into combat experience.
A mature cultivator must learn to draw nourishment from these experiences and forge a powerful combat consciousness.
Of course, such a prolonged engagement also consumed a tremendous amount of spiritual energy.
Mo Hua's Body Technique became increasingly stiff and difficult to maneuver, putting him in a precarious position.
Outside the Sword Duel Arena, Elder Zhang stared intently at Mo Hua, his gaze deep and contemplative.
The other spectators noticed the signs of Mo Hua's impending defeat and their expressions brightened with joy.
"He's about to die..."
"Who do you think will land the final blow?"
Not just the spectators were guessing.
Even some sect Heavenly Prides, holding the "Kill Mo Order", felt both excited and regretful.
Excited that Mo Hua was about to be slain.
Regretful that it wouldn't be by their hands.
Amidst the intense attention of the crowd,
Mo Hua felt the time was right. He tapped his forehead, shattering his Dao Discussion Jade, and in a flash of blue light, he... disappeared.
He was done playing.
He had exited the stage...
Seeing Mo Hua's spiritual energy nearly depleted, a Tianjian Gate disciple raised his Celestial Star Sword, ready to strike the final blow, but froze in place.
The other Tianjian Gate disciples were also taken aback.
Even Xiao Wuchen's expression paused for a moment.
Outside the Dao Discussion Arena, the spectators, who had been smiling and full of anticipation, suddenly stiffened, their faces like stone statues, dumbfounded.
After a long moment, someone said in disbelief:
"Just now... did that kid..."
"Shatter his own Dao Discussion Jade?"
"Does that... count as him being killed?"
"How can it count if he killed himself?"
"Whoa—"
Gasps of shock echoed throughout the crowd.
At the same time, everyone's anger began to rise uncontrollably.
"Is this even possible?"
"I really... have to admire this little brat..."
"Couldn't he just die properly?"
"Can't take it anymore, my blood is boiling..."
Tai Xu Gate was almost certain to lose, and Mo Hua was almost certain to die.
Everyone had been eagerly waiting for this moment.
But this kid, with his shameless act, shattered his Dao Discussion Jade and left the stage.
He simply couldn't be properly "killed."
Everyone angrily exclaimed:
"I've never seen such a shameless person!"
"Shattering his own Dao Discussion Jade, he can actually do that?"
"This is a Sword Duel, not a real life-and-death battle. With the protection of the Lundao Mountain Great Array, he dares not fight to the bitter end?"
"Cowards are more despicable than losers!"
"If he had any sense of shame, he wouldn't do this. Even the thought of it is a grave sin!"
"As a Heavenly Pride of Tai Xu Gate and the Qianxue True Dao Champion, how will his fellow disciples view him? How will the elders, the sect leader, and the ancestors view him?"
"Shouldn't he feel utterly humiliated?"
"Doesn't he care about anyone in the entire Tai Xu Gate, or even the entire Qian Xue Prefecture?"
...
The crowd was seething with fury, angrily denouncing Mo Hua.
Gu Changhuai, standing in the crowd, sighed silently, thinking to himself, "No wonder it's Mo Hua. He always finds a way to get under people's skin..."
Of course, Mo Hua was completely unaware of this.
To him, shattering the discussion jade was no big deal.
Moreover, he was accustomed to having control over life and death in his own hands.
Even if he lost, he would choose his own exit.
Letting someone else strike him with a sword made him feel uneasy.
What if the Lundao Mountain Five-Grade Great Array failed? Wouldn't that mean he would lose his life?
Although it was a high-grade array, the probability of it failing was extremely low, almost impossible.
But Mo Hua, being a True Master, only trusted his own arrays.
No matter how powerful someone else's array was, it was still someone else's, and he found it unreliable.
He didn't blindly worship or trust.
This was the self-cultivation of an excellent True Master.
Therefore, rather than being "killed" by someone else, shattering the discussion jade himself was a safer choice.
As for what others, including his sect, thought of it, Mo Hua didn't care.
Logically, the Sword Duel Conference was protected by a great array, so no one would really die. Thus, the default expectation for most Sword Duel disciples was:
"Fight to the bitter end."
Moreover, with so many sect elders and fellow disciples watching, fighting to the bitter end and giving it your all meant that even if you lost, no one would say a word.
But if you shattered the discussion jade and fled without a fight, that was a different story.
A "Heavenly Pride" without courage would be looked down upon by fellow disciples and disapproved by elders and the sect leadership.
But these common views were ineffective on Mo Hua.
His situation was unique.
Among his peers in the Tai Xu Gate, he had considerable "prestige." Whatever he did, the fellow disciples saw him as a wise and heroic senior brother.
The Tai Xu Gate elders often had to consider Mo Hua's attitude when making decisions and try to keep him happy.
The leader of the Tai Xu Gate was very lenient with Mo Hua, after all, he was a "bastard son."
The old ancestor of the Tai Xu Gate doted on Mo Hua even more, after all, he was a "grandson."
In the entire Tai Xu Gate, no one really managed Mo Hua.
Shattering a discussion jade was no big deal; it wasn't as if he had blown up the Tai Xu Mountain gate.
Thus, the Sword Duel ended this way.
Mo Hua had clearly lost, but it was even more infuriating.
The audience seethed with anger, muttering curses and wishing they could drag Mo Hua out and beat him up.
But it wasn't entirely about being angry at Mo Hua.
In the crowd, there were also many who genuinely cared about him and wanted him to win.
Zhang Lan, sitting behind Daliǎo, remained expressionless on the surface but sighed inwardly, feeling deeply regretful:
"He lost after all..."
He had hoped to see Mo Hua demonstrate his prowess at the Sword Duel Conference.
Now it seemed he had been too optimistic.
The Qian Study Sword Duel Conference was indeed the top event in Qian Prefecture, where one Heavenly Pride was stronger than the next. There truly were better people out there...
Even Mo Hua had to lose.
Zhang Lan sighed.
Meanwhile, on the viewing platform of the Ouyang family.
Yuer, who had been full of anticipation, now looked a bit disappointed and whispered:
"Big Brother Mo lost..."
Wen Ren Wan's eyes dimmed slightly, but she still smiled and patted Yuer's head:
"Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Even Big Brother Mo can't win every time..."
Yuer nodded, but she couldn't help feeling unhappy.
Wen Ren Wan comforted her with a smile: "Losing one match is nothing. There will be more matches, and Big Brother Mo will definitely win them back..."
Yuer's eyes lit up at this, and she nodded earnestly:
"Okay!"
Wen Ren Wan caressed Yuer's face, her gaze soft.
But a faint worry still clouded her brow.
She, too, had noticed that the gap between the Tai Xu Gate and the Tianjian Gate was too large.
Xiao Wuchen's strength was truly formidable.
And the Tianjian Gate was just one of the four major sects.
There were at least three more Heavenly Prides on par with Xiao Wuchen from the Tianjian Gate.
The upcoming matches would only become more challenging.
Winning against such top-tier Heavenly Prides and scoring points against the four major sects was truly... as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
Wen Ren Wan couldn't help but sigh.
...
Two days later, in the next arena match, Mo Hua's luck was no better.
He faced Ao Zhan, the strongest disciple of the Longding Gate, one of the four major sects, and also one of the top Heavenly Prides in the Qian Study Sword Duel.
The Ao family had dragon blood in their lineage.
Ao Zhan was the most talented and closest to his ancestors in terms of bloodline among his generation.
His Dragon Cauldron Body Refinement Technique was also extremely powerful.
With his dragon blood-forged, indestructible physique, Ao Zhan of the Longding Gate was a top-tier Heavenly Pride on par with Xiao Wuchen, the first disciple of the Tianjian Gate.
Mo Hua lost this match as well.
(End of Chapter)
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