Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2082 Chapter 990: Rebirth_2

In some ways, it was actually even feebler.

The only advantage was the sheer number of participants.

Mo Hua knitted his brows.

Upon reflection, the prospects for Taixu Gate's Sword Discussion appeared utterly bleak.

It's no surprise that the Sect Leader was shedding hair rapidly.

"Wait, it might be worse than just bleak..."

Mo Hua remembered how Tai'a Sect had been the prominent "pillar," standing at the forefront and absorbing the main assault from the Four Great Sects.

Rushing Void Sect acted as a shield in between, shouldering part of the burden as well.

Taixu Gate, positioned last, faced the smallest share of the onslaught.

Yet now, with Taixu Gate having "merged" Tai'a Sect and Rushing Void Sect, it had pulled the entire "barrage" straight toward itself.

All that accumulated strain now fell solely on them, as they withstood the "encirclement" by the Four Great Sects.

The circumstances were downright dire.

Mo Hua experienced a throbbing ache just imagining the Sect Leader's plight.

"I can't help but wonder how much hair the Sect Leader will retain after the Sword Discussion Conference..."

Mo Hua started to pity the Sect Leader's locks.

Noticing Cheng Mo's persistent anxiety, Mo Hua offered some reassurance: "Give it your all, try not to worry too much."

Cheng Mo gave a bitter smile, "Junior Brother, I get all the logic, but this kind of stress doesn't just vanish because someone mentions it."

How could he stay calm facing such a grand occasion as the Sword Discussion?

Mo Hua inquired further, "Are you aiming to claim the top spot in the Sword Discussion?"

"Who wouldn't dream of leading it?" Cheng Mo replied with resignation, "But I'm not skilled enough. I'd be thrilled with a solid placement."

"What good does a solid placement bring?"

"Plenty of benefits," Cheng Mo's gaze brightened, fueled by sudden enthusiasm as he elaborated:

"For starters, a strong showing earns heaps of Merit Points from the Sect, ideal for exchanging for cultivation resources, inheritances, or even entry into the Inner Gate..."

"And if I skip the Inner Gate, coming home with a ranking would still bring immense honor."

"This is the Sword Discussion ranking for the Qianxue State Boundary; the family head would definitely view me in a positive light."

"Even for bragging rights, every story I tell would hold real sway, leaving others in the dust..."

Mo Hua looked a bit puzzled: "Is it truly that remarkable?"

Cheng Mo affirmed with a nod: "Absolutely."

"However..." Mo Hua creased his forehead, "I earned the Formation Leader title, and it just feels average, nothing overly impressive..."

Cheng Mo sensed a tightness in his throat, suddenly reluctant to continue chatting with Mo Hua.

The surrounding disciples were taken aback.

This Junior Brother excelled in most things, but his occasional remarks could be quite infuriating.

Still, after Mo Hua spoke, the group's tension eased without them realizing it.

Mo Hua turned to the others: "Do you all wish to triumph in the Sword Discussion to impress your families too?"

"Of course, what's youth without some flaunting?"

"Sure, it's more than just showing off; there are tons of perks..."

The mood brightened somewhat, and the disciples started conversing more freely:

"I aim to honor my family; a top rank would fill my parents with pride. My father always boasts that his biggest achievement is fathering me..."

"Mostly, I need those Merit Points; my Cultivation Technique demands a ton of resources..."

"My folks mentioned that a strong Sword Discussion performance and reputation would land me a fine match when I get back."

"Aren't your parents mixing things up? Don't you realize how tough the Sword Discussion is? Securing a spouse isn't nearly as hard."

"You say that 'cause you've never attempted it; if you did, you'd understand..."

...

Some disciples, even from noble houses, had endured tough childhoods:

"My father's a gambling addict, my mother's remarried; I can't count on anyone but myself—I must seize my own destiny!"

A nearby voice chimed in: "Exactly, I want to strive too, to claim my spot in the Qianxue State Boundary. If I flop..."

He appeared reluctant, "I'd return home, stick to my parents' arrangements, wed an appropriate partner, and take over as Family Head..."

The listeners fell silent in disbelief...

"Thanks, but we're done being friends," the previous disciple quipped.

"Hey, it's just a minor clan, fourth-grade at best—what's there to get upset over?"

"No more friendship; stop talking to me..."

...

As the discussion flowed, the vibe grew more unified. Everyone's spirits lifted considerably, and the weight on their shoulders lessened.

Cheng Mo eyed Mo Hua and murmured:

"Junior Brother, are you joining the Sword Discussion Conference as well?"

Mo Hua pondered briefly, "I believe I will."

"Junior Brother, are you after a ranking to go back and boast too?" Cheng Mo probed.

"Well..." Mo Hua sank into contemplation.

"What rubbish—Junior Brother isn't that shallow," Situ Jian grumbled in annoyance.

"How is it shallow?" Cheng Mo shot back, "Not returning with honors is like hiding fine needlework in the dark; it's basic human desire, not shallowness."

"Spot on." Another disciple nodded in agreement.

"True enough, though Junior Brother must have nobler motives..."

"Likely aiming for the Inner Gate via the Sword Discussion, to rise as an Elder someday."

"Ridiculous—with Junior Brother's standing, does he even need to mention entering the Inner Gate?"

"Then for Merit Points, perhaps?"

"Do you have any idea how many Merit Points Junior Brother already possesses?"

"How many?"

"A count so vast that even Junior Brother can't track it precisely..."

"I heard the patriarch blocked the Merit display on Junior Brother's Taixu Token, so us disciples wouldn't glimpse it and shatter our Dao Heart..."

"It can't be that over-the-top..."

"Or maybe Junior Brother enters the Sword Discussion to secure a fine rank, paving the way for an ideal Dao Companion later."

"Baloney! Does Junior Brother need to hunt for a Dao Companion?" A disciple declared gravely, "Truth be told, I've got a sister—Top-Grade Spiritual Root, youthful and lovely, right at the prime age..."

Before he wrapped up, a shout erupted from close by: "Lu Zhenming! I begged you earlier to set me up with your sister, and you claimed she was too young, refusing outright?!"