Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2104 Chapter 997: Fangtian Projection (Part 3)
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Xun Zixian gave a nod, "Middle-level."
Mo Hua felt a bit confused, "Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, and Runes can go up to Second Grade High-Level, so why are Formations stuck at just Middle-level?"
Xun Zixian explained, "For the majority of Foundation Establishment Late Stage Disciples, the highest they can manage is drawing a Second Grade Middle-level Formation..." Mo Hua froze in surprise.
Xun Zixian continued, "This limit comes from the typical circumstances..."
"Most Foundation Establishment Cultivators just can't handle drawing a Second Grade High-Level Formation; it's seen as an 'above-standard' skill and must be limited accordingly."
"On top of that, Second Grade High-Level Formations pack too much power, be it for offense, defense, or ensnaring foes. Allowing Disciples to deploy them would make every strategy center on 'Formations,' which defeats the whole point of the Sword Discussion."
"The Sword Discussion Conference should focus mainly on 'Skill Fighting,' with everything else serving as support."
Mo Hua stood there, a little dazed.
Only then did it hit him that he'd been 'held back' by the prodigies in the Qianxue State Boundary.
In the Qianxue State Boundary, the low Formation standards among the countless talented Disciples had capped what his own Formations could achieve.
Mo Hua hadn't noticed these fine details before.
Nobody had mentioned them to him.
Because such Formation challenges were simply taken as 'standard' by all.
Yet Mo Hua stood apart from the crowd; his Formation abilities were far superior. The Formations he took as 'standard' were always the 'High-Rank' variety.
To him, even High-Rank Formations felt pretty basic.
He hadn't imagined that the Formations permitted for the Sword Discussion Conference would be limited to 'Second Grade Middle-level'...
Mo Hua let out a sigh.
The rules came from higher up, leaving him no choice but to follow.
Upon reflection, it all made perfect sense.
Still, without his full Formation arsenal, he sensed the loss of several key 'trump cards.'
Mo Hua wrinkled his forehead, thinking briefly, then came up with an idea and inquired:
"Elder Zixian, apart from these, is there anything else we're allowed to carry?"
Xun Zixian replied, "That's the bulk of it, but the Storage Bag will also be filled with random stuff to mimic battlefield conditions."
A spark of an idea hit Mo Hua, and he whispered, "In those random items..."
Xun Zixian instantly caught his drift, nodded, and confirmed, "Yes, there will be some."
Mo Hua's face lit up with joy right away.
Xun Zixian let out a light laugh and shook her head.
The group then pressed on with renewed vigor.
As they traveled, Mo Hua mulled over the 'Second Grade Middle-level' Formation cap.
Would this limit throw off his strategies?
Particularly when it came to the approaches of fellow Taixu Gate Disciples.
After some thought, Mo Hua saw that yes, there would be some effect, but nothing major; the strength would dip a touch, yet the plans would mostly hold up.
Plus, the real Sword Discussion hadn't started, giving him room for quick tweaks.
Mo Hua relaxed at last.
Before long, as they journeyed, the group arrived at the distant edge of Mount of Tao, where the 'spectator' areas lay beyond.
Right then, a vast, odd "white fabric" hung across the heavens.
All the Disciples gaped in wonder.
Mo Hua shared the confusion and gestured toward the "white fabric," questioning, "Elder Zixian, what's that thing?"
"It's a Spiritual Artifact."
"A Spiritual Artifact?" Mo Hua blinked in shock.
Xun Zixian elaborated, "This is a massive 'Projection Spiritual Artifact' specially made by the Four Great Sects just for the Sword Discussion."
"It looks like an enormous screen."
"When the Sword Discussion kicks off, it'll show clear visuals of the Disciples' battles for everyone in Qianxue and the clans and sects across the Nine States to view."
"This Spiritual Artifact costs a fortune, and it's called... Xun Zixian spoke deliberately:
"Fangtian Huaying!"
Fangtian Huaying...
The Disciples lifted their eyes, staring at the giant screen that blanketed half the mountain, picturing the epic sight of thousands clashing in Sword Discussion, their faces brimming with reverence.
Mo Hua felt equally stunned, his scalp prickling with amazement.
He couldn't find words.
His initial scheme had been to "quietly make a fortune" while keeping his shady tactics under wraps.
In the midst of the uproar, he'd slip in subtle actions without drawing eyes.
But it never crossed his mind that the Sword Discussion Conference would set up such an immense Fangtian Huaying for 'projection.'
With a screen that huge, how could he possibly conceal his trump cards?
Back then, wouldn't every detail, down to the hue of his undergarments, be visible to all?
Besides, this colossal 'Fangtian Huaying' clearly wasn't inexpensive.
Mo Hua grumbled inwardly.
He pondered which smug figure from the Four Great Sects had decided to build something so extravagant...
This felt like an even bigger hurdle for him than the 'Second Grade Middle-level' Formation restriction.
Of course, the Four Great Sects might have just built this vast Fangtian Huaying to let onlookers 'watch the ceremony' more easily.
Even so, Mo Hua remained deeply annoyed.
Even back at the Sword Discussion site, after heading to Taixu Gate and settling at the table in the Disciple's Residence, Mo Hua kept his brows knit.
No matter what, this Fangtian Huaying was seriously holding him back...
He had no desire to stand out.
But with it already in place, he couldn't sneak off and destroy it. And from the looks of this Fangtian Huaying's quality, even trying to wreck it might prove impossible.
"Never mind..."
Mo Hua breathed a sigh.
Given the circumstances, he'd have to dig even deeper to stay hidden.
Without showing his real background, he'd wait patiently, "play dumb to catch the tiger," and mask himself for as long as he could...
"This calls for careful scheming..."
Mo Hua pulled out his old strategy once more to revise it.
Figuring out how to progress steadily, masking his power while claiming victories, pushing ahead without baring his 'trump cards'... the task loomed large.
Yet as Mo Hua plotted on, the overall plan sharpened piece by piece.