Chapter 999: The First

Chapter 999: The First

The morning sun pierced through the morning mist, shining upon Tai Xu Mountain. The pavilions and terraces on the mountain were bathed in a layer of rosy light, and the dark green forests were outlined in gold.

Mo Hua, who had been practicing his battle formation techniques on the Dao Monument throughout the night, opened his eyes.

His eyes, like the dawn's sky, suddenly glowed with a golden light, outshining even the vibrant morning glow.

"Finally, today is the Swordsman Competition Congress..." Mo Hua whispered to himself.

He took a deep breath, practiced his cultivation for half an hour under the morning sun, allowing the spiritual energy to circulate through his body and settle in his Qi Hai. Then, he donned the Dao robe of Tai Xu Gate and stepped out of the disciples' residence.

Outside the residence, most of the disciples had already awakened.

In groups of three or two, they gathered together, bathed in the morning glow, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

Today was the day of their Swordsman Competition Congress.

It was the one and only time in their lives that they would participate in such an event.

All the disciples were both excited and nervous.

When the time came, after having breakfast, Elder Xun Zixian arrived and gathered the disciples together. He checked the attendance, reminded them of some matters regarding the competition, and then looked around, saying slowly:

"Let's go to Lundao Mountain."

The disciples' expressions became more solemn, and their hearts beat faster.

Xun Zixian led the group of disciples out of Tai Xu Gate, heading straight for Lundao Mountain in the center of Qian Xue Prefecture.

The road was crowded with cultivators from various sects in Qian Xue Prefecture, each wearing their distinct Dao robes, resembling colorful streams flowing towards Lundao Mountain.

The mountain path was long and winding, and the disciples were bustling with activity.

After about an hour, the group finally arrived at Lundao Mountain.

The mountain was even more crowded than before, not only with cultivators from Qian Xue Prefecture and its surrounding areas but also with various aristocratic families, sects, and forces, all with their unique identities.

There were also cultivators from the Nine Provinces who had come to witness the event.

As far as the eye could see, the entire mountain was filled with people.

The sound of voices was deafening, like the roar of the ocean.

Mo Hua, for the first time, truly understood the meaning of the phrase "a sea of people," and his heart was filled with awe.

Not just Mo Hua, but all the disciples of Tai Xu Mountain, as well as those from other sects, were momentarily stunned.

This Swordsman Competition Congress was even grander than previous ones.

The atmosphere was awe-inspiring.

Previously, they had been mere spectators, watching others compete, but now, they were the protagonists, ready to showcase their skills to the world.

With this newfound perspective, the disciples' emotions varied.

Some had pale faces, filled with tension.

Others had weak legs and shallow breaths.

At the same time, there were disciples with shining eyes, inexplicably excited, longing to showcase their abilities on the competition stage and make a name for themselves.

Passing through the mountain gate, they walked along the long mountain path, crossing several barrier peaks, and finally arrived at the grand arena of Lundao Mountain.

In the arena, the "Sword Sacrifice" ceremony was underway.

This ceremony was an essential part of every Swordsman Competition Congress.

Only the Yu Hua Zhan Men of the four major sects of Qian Xue Prefecture had the qualification to preside over this ceremony.

It was also the highest honor in Qian Xue Prefecture.

On Lundao Mountain, a white jade platform floated in the air, surrounded by nine towering stone pillars that reached towards the sky. The pillars were engraved with majestic divine beasts, and auspicious clouds and patterns adorned them.

In the center of the white jade platform, a ten-zhang-long ancient sword, resembling a small mountain, was being offered.

The sword's body was translucent and crystal clear, emanating an ancient and majestic aura.

According to legend, this sword was the heirloom of the Lundao Mountain ancestor from ten thousand years ago.

Every Swordsman Competition Congress, all the disciples of Qian Xue Prefecture would sincerely worship this sword to pay respects to the spirit of the Lundao Mountain ancestor.

It was also to express gratitude for the ancestor's contributions and dedication to the cultivation world and the heritage of Qian Xue Prefecture.

At the appointed time, the Sword Sacrifice ceremony of Qian Xue Prefecture began.

The Yu Hua Zhan Men of the four major sects—Qian Dao Zong, Tian Jian Zong, Long Ding Zong, and Wan Xiao Zong—arrived, their spiritual energy transforming into feathers as they flew through the air.

They then opened the altar, offered sacrifices, swore an oath in blood, and performed the sword sacrifice.

The blood oath unsealed the ancient sword, and a pure light filled the sky.

The ancient sword on Lundao Mountain emitted a low hum, its sword energy soaring into the sky like an ancient beast awakening and singing to the heavens.

Everyone's hearts and minds were shaken.

Mo Hua's pupils constricted.

As he gazed at the massive ancient sword, he felt his soul tremble slightly, and in the depths of his consciousness, a faint resonance seemed to form.

In his sea of consciousness, the sound of dragon roars echoed, and the ancient Tai Xu Jian Yi reverberated continuously.

In a daze, Mo Hua had a strange illusion.

He seemed to see himself transformed into a Fa Xiang, like a towering giant, holding the ancient sword of Lundao Mountain, splitting mountains and opening up the earth, invincible in his path.

But in the next instant, everything disappeared.

Nothing had happened.

The four Yu Hua Zhan Men leaders, with solemn expressions, shouted in unison:

"All disciples of Qian Xue Prefecture, three bows to the sword!"

Their voices, like the sound of a clear bell, reverberated throughout Lundao Mountain.

Mo Hua calmed his mind and bowed three times with the other disciples, showing utmost respect to the ancient sword on Lundao Mountain.

The cultivators observing from outside the mountain also followed the custom and paid their respects to the ancient sword.

After the sword sacrifice, the Swordsman Competition Congress continued.

The four leaders took turns reading the imperial edict.

This edict was quite lengthy, expressing reverence for the ancestors of Qian Xue Prefecture, gratitude towards the visiting cultivators, high hopes for the disciples, and some instructions and rules for the competition.

Each leader read their own edict, totaling over ten thousand words, successfully making Mo Hua, who had been excited, feel drowsy.

Finally, the lengthy reading came to an end.

After the sword sacrifice and the reading of the edict, it was time for the official draw.

The representative elders from the four major sects, the eight gates, and even the twelve streams each held a sect command token and approached the center of the grand arena, where they unsealed a colossal Tian Ji Divine Artifact.

This divine artifact is named the Lun Dao Tian Yi.

It is also the legacy of the Lun Dao Shan ancestor.

This Tian Yi is usually sealed, and only when the four major sects, eight gates, and twelve streams gather, each holding their sect's jade order, can it be opened.

Once opened, the names and teams of the disciples from each sect participating in the swordsmanship competition are written on bamboo slips and placed inside the Tian Yi.

The Lun Dao Tian Yi then operates on its own, arranging the order of the Swordsman Competition according to predetermined rules.

This way, it prevents tampering and ensures fairness and justice.

At the same time, it isolates all kinds of interference, manipulation, and precognition based on Tian Ji's cause and effect.

The Lun Dao Tian Yi follows the rules of operation, with its built-in Luo Pan orbit alternating and continuously flowing, complex and profound.

There is a certain beauty in the cause and effect law it embodies.

Mo Hua's spirit was greatly lifted, and he couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the Lun Dao Tian Yi, unable to take his eyes off it.

Unfortunately, his understanding of Tian Ji was still too low, and he couldn't discern much from it.

Of course, it was not likely that he would be able to figure out the secrets of the Lun Dao Shan ancestor's artifact.

Half a shichen later, the Lun Dao Tian Yi stopped spinning.

The deduction was complete.

The initial stage of the Swordsman Competition, the 'Huang' Character League's competition within the 'Tian Di Xuan Huang', was thus decided.

The elders of each sect recorded the match list on jade slips and then withdrew.

The morning's sword sacrifice and draw ceremony came to an end.

The formal Swordsman Competition would begin in the afternoon.

During the next one or two shichen, the elders of Lun Dao Shan would arrange the order and venues for the Swordsman Competition based on the draw list deduced by the Lun Dao Tian Yi.

Elder Xun Zixian also withdrew, returning to the Tai Xu Gate disciples and conveying to them:

"The Lun Dao Tian Yi has already deduced the list."

"I have transmitted the list into the Tai Xu Ling. You can check it yourselves and make sure you don't get it wrong."

Elder Xun Zixian paused, then continued:

"In a few shichen, the Swordsman Competition will officially begin. Do your best, and whether you win or lose, you will bring honor to the Tai Xu Gate..."

Elder Xun Zixian, being a formation master, was always meticulous and steady, not one for overly sentimental words.

The fact that he spoke to this extent was already quite impressive.

The disciples were all somewhat moved.

Of course, while they were touched, their morale was still a bit low.

Elder Xun Zixian sighed softly, turned his head, and glanced at Mo Hua.

With just a look, Mo Hua understood Elder Zixian's intention and nodded immediately. He then said to the other disciples:

"For today's Swordsman Competition, there's no need to overthink it. Just go up there and fight, and it'll be done. Winning is a bonus, and losing is no loss!"

The disciples were startled, but their eyes lit up with fighting spirit.

The senior brother had already explained the tactics clearly. All they needed to do was go up and fight, without worrying about anything else.

They didn't believe in themselves, but how could they not believe in their senior brother? As long as they won a match, it was a bonus, and there was no shame in losing.

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The disciples responded in unison, their voices loud and spirited, their morale boosted.

Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction.

Elder Xun Zixian looked at Mo Hua, a bit stunned, and then smiled and shook his head.

After that, there was about one or two shichen of preparation time.

The disciples either meditated, reviewed the list, discussed tactics, rested when tired, or ate a Pi Gu Dan to satisfy their hunger.

With the Swordsman Competition approaching, they didn't have the appetite for a proper meal.

Mo Hua, on the other hand, sat aside, munching on jerky while perusing the Swordsman Competition list deduced by the Lun Dao Tian Yi.

As he looked through the list, he noticed some issues.

This list was not entirely 'fair'.

The Lun Dao Tian Yi was not purely 'random'; it was deducing the outcomes based on cause and effect, filtering out the truly 'strong' participants.

It was also doing its best to ensure that these strong participants could make it to the final stages of the competition.

Therefore, it would not pit the geniuses of the four major sects and eight gates against each other in the initial 'Huang' Character League stage.

In the 'Huang' Character League, most of the opponents for the disciples of the four major sects, eight gates, and even the twelve streams were from the Qian Xue Bai Men.

The probability of 'seeded' geniuses meeting each other was extremely low.

Even if they did meet, it wouldn't affect their advancement.

The 'Huang' Character League had a high error tolerance, and losing one or two matches would not hinder qualification.

This way, the Tai Xu Gate's path was not as difficult as it seemed.

However, it would be very challenging for ordinary disciples of the Qian Xue Bai Men to advance.

This was a form of unfairness.

But in a certain sense, striving to select the strongest cultivators and avoiding the luck factor, where a team might advance due to others' mistakes, was also a form of fairness based on 'strength'.

"However, using the Tian Ji algorithm to determine strength and control probability... The ancestors of Lun Dao Shan were indeed very thoughtful..."

Mo Hua muttered to himself.

Mo Hua then looked at his own match order and found that his match was scheduled quite late, with his first match not until the next day.

He wondered if the Lun Dao Tian Yi had deduced his cause and effect, recognizing him as a 'hidden' strong participant, and thus tactfully arranged his match order for later...

Mo Hua speculated, nodding to himself.

Experts always make their appearance last.

This made sense.

Additionally, his opponents were mostly from the Qian Xue Bai Men, seemingly not posing much of a threat.

This further alleviated any tension.

"Today, I'll watch the show, and tomorrow, I'll compete..."

Mo Hua decided to eat all the jerky he had brought.

After a satisfying meal, he sat down to meditate and waited to see the performance of his junior disciples.

He also wanted to see the results of his efforts over the past few days, where he had spent his heart and soul, using his knowledge of battle formations to initially create the "Tai Xu Dao Bing."

Great achievements in cultivation often begin with seemingly unintentional attempts and efforts.

...

The preparations for Lundao Mountain continued.

On the spectator stands outside the mountain, the crowd was bustling.

After more than an hour, amidst the slightly dull, tense, and anxious anticipation, a deep bell rang out, echoing across the mountain peaks.

Everyone's spirits were instantly lifted.

Without missing a beat, they all turned their attention to the screen.

This signaled the beginning of the Swordsman Competition.

The elders called out the names of the participating disciples one by one and led them away.

After a short while, a loud "Weng Long" sound reverberated.

A torrent of spiritual power surged, spreading towards the sky and infusing the Lundao Mountain's fifth-rank battle formation.

On the formation, the light suddenly became dazzling, and the light curtain resembled a galaxy, awe-inspiring.

This was the full power of a fifth-rank battle formation.

The power of the void spread, connecting with the Lundao Yu on the disciples' bodies.

The Lundao Yu contained the power of space, protecting the disciples' safety, but if it shattered, the disciple would lose and be forced to leave the competition.

After another moment, the sounds of combat echoed, and the Swordsman Competition began.

At the same time, the white curtain above Lundao Mountain suddenly glowed with light.

The Fangtian Huayin was unfolded.

Vivid, colorful images appeared, twisted, torn, and then transformed into small square "screens."

Each square image displayed a terrain, corresponding to a Swordsman Competition match.

On the enormous Fangtian Huayin that covered the sky, nearly a hundred Swordsman Competition matches were presented simultaneously.

The images were clear, and the figures were vivid.

The scene was truly spectacular.

All the observing Xiuwo couldn't help but whisper and point, their expressions filled with awe.

Even Mo Hua, seeing the grand, intense, and magnificent "big screen" before him, was momentarily astonished.

Although this thing was quite effective against him.

It had to be said that the effect was indeed very good.

Just a glance was enough to see hundreds of Celestial Geniuses competing in the Swordsman Competition.

Sword Qi crisscrossed, Fa Shu danced, fists and feet clashed, leaving the audience breathless and blood boiling.

Mo Hua himself found it fascinating, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed to say that this thing was extravagant and wasteful, wasting Lingshi.

As time passed, the sense of wonder from the Fangtian Huayin gradually faded, and the audience's attention focused on the Swordsman Competition itself.

The Huang Character League matches were just the preliminary rounds, not very challenging or crucial.

Therefore, at the same time, numerous Swordsman Competition matches were presented on the Fangtian Huayin.

All spectators could choose which ones they wanted to watch.

Usually, the elders and disciples of the same Zong Men would only watch their own Zong Men's matches, occasionally paying attention to their opponents' battles.

The family patriarchs and elders also prioritized watching the performances of their clan's disciples.

Parents mostly watched their own children, whether their children were displaying their prowess or being passively beaten.

At first, it was fine, as the Celestial Geniuses fought, and everyone enjoyed the spectacle.

But as they watched, some experienced and discerning Xiuwo noticed something amiss.

"Is that... a disciple of Tai Xu Gate?"

"The style seems a bit off?"

In the Fangtian Huayin, most of the Tai Xu Gate disciples wore uniform armor, used standardized spiritual equipment, and their bodies were empowered by a uniform battle formation, emitting a uniform glow. They advanced and retreated with purpose, following orders without hesitation, and fought with determination.

Moreover, the spiritual armor they wore, the spiritual equipment they used, and the embedded battle formation seemed to have a certain restraining effect on their opponents.

With five people united, relying on the strength of their armor, the sharpness of their spiritual equipment, and the might of their battle formation, they were invincible when they clashed.

The crowd was stunned, and amidst their surprise, they began to discuss:

"Am I seeing things?"

"Is this a Zong Men Swordsman Competition or a Dao Bing battle? Why set up such a formation?"

"Isn't this about selecting Celestial Geniuses?"

"If it's a Dao Bing, what's the point of selecting anyone?"

"You don't understand? The original purpose of the Qian Xue Swordsman Competition was to cultivate generals to lead Dao Bing in battles..."

"That was so many years ago, and the rules have been changed so many times..."

"Moreover, the cultivation world has been peaceful for many years, and there haven't been any battles. What's the point of having so many Dao Bing?"

"In the end, isn't this Swordsman Competition just a 'selection'?"

"It's for Zong Men to choose disciples, for families to choose talents, and for the Dao Ting to choose Celestial Geniuses."

"With so many powerful family patriarchs and elders watching, as long as you perform well and impress them, you'll be showered with wealth and glory, and your future will be limitless, even with the possibility of rising to the top in one step..."

"Let me be honest, in this Swordsman Competition, if you want to win, you have to treat your opponents and teammates as 'stepping stones.'"

"Only by defeating your opponents can you prove your strength."

"By treating your teammates as 'stepping stones,' you can become stronger."

"When you compete like a Dao Bing, is it your strength or your team's strength that matters?"

Someone disagreed: "Your idea is too narrow-minded."

"What's narrow-minded about it? This is the truth. If it weren't for this, why wouldn't families or Zong Men do it, but Tai Xu Gate does this Dao Bing thing?"

"Do you think 'Zong Men Dao Bing' is easy to create?"

"What's so difficult about it? It's just spiritual equipment and battle formation, let me be the Sect Leader, and I guarantee I could create one..."

"Moreover, this 'Dao Bing formation' may not be that great..."

"I think the effect is pretty good..."

...

For a while, the voices of the spectators outside the mountain were chaotic.

The audience of the Swordsman Competition Congress was diverse, with all sorts of Xiuwo and opinions.

Some marveled at the Tai Xu Gate's innovative ideas.

Others remained unmoved, thinking that the Dao Bing of the Daozong Men was nothing special.

There were also those who looked down upon the Tai Xu Gate, believing they were taking shortcuts by relying on spiritual equipment and Battle Formation advantages, which was considered an unfair victory.

Similarly, the unified Battle Formation discipline suppressed the Xiuwo's natural "talent" and "individuality," preventing them from freely showcasing their skills in the competition.

Winning in this manner, they believed, did not rely on their own abilities, and they did not deserve the title of "genius."

Most of the upper echelons from various families and Daozong Men remained silent.

They had attempted similar strategies before, but the practical issues were more numerous than expected.

The fact that the Tai Xu Gate had achieved such a feat indicated that they had put in considerable thought, and it was certainly not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

However, with the competition just beginning, it was too early to determine if this formation was truly beneficial or detrimental.

On the high platform, several Jin Dan and even Yuhua Zhenren displayed a gleam of interest in their eyes.

These individuals, mostly from Dao Bing families, had stern faces, battle-hardened by formation warfare, and possessed the stern authority of decisive killers.

Among them was the Yuhua Zhenren of the Yang family.

When the Tai Xu Gate's formation was unveiled, his eyes lit up, and he closely observed several practical competitions, nodding in approval.

Many things that others might not notice were clear to him, a member of a Dao Bing family.

"Are there any members of my Yang family in the Tai Xu Gate?" asked the Yang family's Yuhua Zhenren.

An elder beside him whispered in response, "Yes, there's a young man named 'Qian Jun' from the Cheng'en lineage within the Tai Xu Gate. There are also a few others scattered across the other lineages."

"Hmm."

The Yang family's Yuhua Zhenren nodded, remembering the name. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "When I return, I'll inform the family head that the Yang family should increase interactions with the Tai Xu Gate. These disciples are excellent seeds..."

"Yes..." the elder whispered, adding with a hint of regret, "But they are still quite young."

"It's natural for them to be inexperienced, as they haven't left the Daozong Men yet," the Yang family's Yuhua Zhenren said, his eyes filled with anticipation. "With experience and the knowledge of Dao Bing warfare, along with the awareness of 'fighting alongside your fellow disciples,' they will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future."

"Your words are wise, Zhenren..." The elder pondered for a moment before furrowing his brows. "But these children are all from the main branch of their families, the precious sons of wealthy households. They won't be able to go to the battlefield in the future."

"It doesn't matter..."

The Yang family's Yuhua Zhenren spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping across the vast Daoshan.

If one day, the flames of war engulfed the land, the common people would be swept up in the chaos, and their willingness would become irrelevant...

...

On the Fangtian Huayin, the Swordsman Competition Congress continued.

Disciples from other Daozong Men displayed their unique strengths, but ultimately, they followed the traditional "Zong Men Lun Jian" approach.

Four disciples protected one "Tian Jiao."

Or, five geniuses would team up, complementing each other's skills.

These were essentially "elite" tactics.

Led by Mo Hua, the Tai Xu Gate disciples had unknowingly transformed the competition into a "war," employing "group" tactics.

In terms of cultivation or Dao Fa, they might not have had the upper hand.

However, their tactical execution was more thorough, with unified movements and strict discipline.

To win, they even sacrificed their "individuality."

They did not use inherited spiritual equipment but instead opted for customized spiritual equipment tailored to their tactics. They strictly adhered to tactical requirements, using specific Dao Fa without showing off their strength. Everything was in service of the "tactics" and winning.

As a result, the outcome was clear.

The Tai Xu Gate disciples had an unexpectedly high win rate during the "Huang" character competition stage.

This continued until the setting sun and the arrival of dusk.

The first day of the Swordsman Competition Congress slowly drew to a close amidst the excitement and brilliance.

After the competition, Lundao Shan tallied the victories.

The Tai Xu Gate, which had initially feared for its status, soared to the top of the rankings in Qian Xue Prefecture after the first day's victories.

This result left the Tai Xu Gate's Sect Leader in a daze.

During the daytime competitions, he had guessed that the Tai Xu Gate's initial ranking would be high based on the victories and the situation.

But achieving the top rank still felt like a dream, leaving him with a sense of unreality.

Not only the Sect Leader but also the elders and disciples of the three mountains were all stunned.

First place in the Swordsman Competition Congress?

Even though it was only the first day and temporary, their Tai Xu Gate... had actually surpassed the four major Daozong Men and eight major Men, ranking first in the competition? This was the first time they had ever achieved such a feat.

Even if it was just the first day, even if it was temporary, even if it was just a "flash in the pan," it was still unprecedented.

The entire Daozong Men was filled with joy.

All of this was thanks to Mo Hua's planning.

Unknowingly, Mo Hua's prestige among the disciples had risen even higher.

Even the old ancestors and Sect Leaders of Tai'a Mountain and Chongxu Mountain, as well as some of the higher-ranking elders, began to view Mo Hua in a new light.

The more they looked at him, the more pleasing he became, and the more handsome he seemed.

In their hearts, they knew that the Tai Xu Gate's "first place" in the competition was unlikely to last.

Nevertheless, it was enough to make them feel proud.

The Tai Xu Gate's temporary first-place ranking in the Swordsman Competition Congress caused a significant stir among the four Daozong Men, eight major Men, and twelve Liu Men.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end