Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2103 Chapter 997: Fangtian Painted Shadow (Part 2)

Indeed, this remains merely a modest "Sword Debate" involving just five participants, distinct from the vast slaughter of Taoist Soldiers on a grand scale that engulfs

thousands upon thousands.

Yet, even the tiniest bird possesses every essential part.

In essence, it shares the very same framework.

"The forebears of Mount of Tao deliberately established these regulations and handed them down with profound purpose,"

"anticipating dangers amid tranquility"

"Even if raised in an age of harmony, always remember the horrors of Daoist conflicts that shatter countless lives..."

Xun Zixian let out a gentle sigh.

Mo Hua nodded quietly in agreement.

Then, Xun Zixian guided the others ahead.

As they arrived at a towering summit, Xun Zixian gestured toward the radiant glow overhead, where the emptiness wavered like a dazzling crystalline veil, and explained:

"Behold, the Five-grade Grand Formation of Mount of Tao."

"It consists of five-grade expansive arrays that capture the essence of heaven and earth, empowered by the forces of the void!"

All the disciples gazed upward, sensing the formidable and ineffable might of the array pulsing across the emptiness, leaving them stunned into silence. Five-grade...grand formation...

Mo Hua felt utterly captivated, his emotions swelling within.

"I ponder if, in time, I might one day array a Five-grade Heaven Void tier formation..."

Imagining the future where he grasped the array secrets of the void and erected the Five-grade Heaven Void Formation filled Mo Hua with thrilled anticipation, his thoughts drifting far.

Xun Zixian caught sight of Mo Hua's eager expression and offered a soft smile.

Back in his youth, as he chased the Dao, encountering the Grand Formation of Mount of Tao initially, he mirrored Mo Hua exactly—brimming with awe and desire.

Though the Five-grade Formation looms so incredibly far off, and even after years of Dao practice, he still hasn't approached its edges.

Still, nurturing such dreams proves beneficial.

Xun Zixian pivoted and inquired, "Are you aware of the purpose behind the Five-grade Formation of Mount of Tao?"

The others exchanged puzzled glances.

Many had only observed the Sword Debate casually, without probing further.

Yet Mo Hua, who had studied it beforehand, replied, "It draws upon void energy to safeguard the disciples."

Xun Zixian affirmed with a nod, "The Grand Formation of Mount of Tao isn't a Killing Formation, nor a Trapping Formation, and certainly not an ordinary defensive setup."

"The ancestors of Mount of Tao crafted this array exclusively for the Sword Debate Tournament."

"It employs the void energy within the formation to shield disciples amid the Sword Debate..."

"In three days, for your Sword Debate, you'll each receive a 'Dao Discussion Jade' resembling a teardrop, delicately suspended from your brow."

"Linked to the Grand Formation of Mount of Tao's energy, this Dao Discussion Jade generates a void barrier that soaks up the harm you endure in the Sword Debate."

"The Dao Discussion Jade stands as your 'life'.

"Prior to the Sword Debate, elders will equitably evaluate your 'injury quota' according to your blood qi, physique, and spiritual strength."

"That quota represents the 'health' of your Dao Discussion Jade."

"In combat, should a lethal strike deplete your 'health', the Dao Discussion Jade will break, marking your loss in the Sword Debate."

"The array then triggers, harnessing void energy to instantly relocate you from the Sword Debate arena."

"Thus, disciples in the Sword Debate can unleash fully, free from fears of actual death or slaying others..."

Xun Zixian explained with steady patience.

This Sword Debate serves as discussion through blades, not slaughter, and far from breeding deadly foes.

Participants hail from noble clans and sect prodigies; demanding they truly battle unto death is unthinkable!

Else, the hard-won nurturing of such talents would yield losses from a single event.

Clans would protest fiercely, and the sect would endure heavy blows.

Heaven-favored geniuses, if slain or crippled over a Sword Debate, represent an irreplaceable tragedy.

Xun Zixian gazed skyward, touched by nostalgia:

"Top-tier Five-grade Void Grand Formations like this, scattered across the cultivation realm, number scarcely more than a handful."

"Lacking this Void Grand Formation's guarantee of total safety for promising disciples, enabling unrestrained combat, hosting a genuine Sword Debate proves challenging..."

"Hence, nearly solely the Qianxue State Boundary hosts this singular 'Sword Debate' Tournament, drawing geniuses worldwide, uniting them, inviting cultivators from every corner of the Nine States to observe, forging the magnificent event before us..."

Bright light gleamed in the disciples' eyes, pride swelling instinctively. Following the array talk, Xun Zixian ushered them onward, acquainting with the grounds, while weaving in key regulations: "Items for Dao practice permitted in the Sword Debate face

rigorous constraints as well."

"Spirit Stones come in restricted amounts; excess is forbidden."

"Select certain Pills at your discretion."

"Mount of Tao supplies both, barring personal imports. Pills especially

demand caution..."

Xun Zixian added, "One disciple once smuggled banned pills into the Sword Debate for a superior placing, nearly triggering his own downfall and sparking major chaos, prompting the outright prohibition on private pills thereafter... Every extreme rule stems from an extreme incident.

"Runes must come from Mount of Tao too—no personal ones. You're restricted to choosing a single Second Grade High-Rank Rune."

"Spiritual Artifacts permit personal use, capped at Second Grade

High-Rank."

Spiritual Artifacts hold unique status, as many disciples refine them into personal Magical Treasures. Affinity with them forms a core aspect of cultivator prowess.

Hence, personal Spiritual Artifacts are permitted. "Limits apply to numbers and categories; just one each for armor, weapons, ornaments, and similar Spiritual Artifacts." "Next, formations: they're restricted similarly; one set per individual, max Second Grade Middle-level..."

Mo Hua nearly doubted his ears, "Second Grade Middle-level?"