Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2109 Chapter 999: First

Dawn's rays pierced the fog, casting light over Taixu Mountain. Structures and halls amid the peaks looked wrapped in a veil of pinkish glow, as the dark emerald woods caught hints of gold along their borders.

Inside the Disciple's Residence, Mo Hua, having spent the whole night working on the Formation from the Taoist Stele, finally lifted his gaze.

His gaze, akin to the first light of day, flared with brilliant gold, outshining the sky's early warmth for a brief instant.

"At last, the Sword Discussion Conference arrives today..."

Mo Hua whispered to himself.

Drawing in a steady breath, he performed his daily cultivation under the rising sun for an hour, guiding Spiritual Energy through his meridians to rest in the Qi Sea, then slipped into the Taixu Gate's Taoist Robe and left the Disciple's Residence.

Beyond the Disciple's Residence, nearly all the disciples had risen already.

Right then, they clustered in little bands, soaking in the dawn's light, their expressions vibrant and full of vigor.

This day marked their chance to debate swords.

It represented their sole shot in life to join the Sword Discussion Conference.

Excitement and tension gripped every disciple.

When the time came, following a meal, Elder Xun Zixian arrived to assemble the group, verified who was present, and shared key details about the sword discussion. Then, he scanned the crowd deliberately and declared:

"Time to head for the Mount of Tao."

Solemnity deepened among the disciples, their pulses quickening further.

Soon after, Xun Zixian guided the disciples out of Taixu Gate, making directly for the heart of the Qianxue State Boundary, toward the Mount of Tao.

The primary route teemed with cultivators. Learners from diverse sects across the Qianxue State Boundary wore an array of Taoist Robes, flowing like multicolored rivers toward the Mount of Tao.

The trail up the mountain twisted and stretched, alive with bustling activity.

Roughly two hours passed before the group reached the Mount of Tao.

By now, the Mount of Tao brimmed with even more crowds, drawing not just cultivators from the Qianxue State Boundary and nearby areas but also noble clans, sects, and forces of all sorts.

It even hosted experts from across the Nine States, there to observe the event.

A glance revealed the mountain packed solid with figures.

Chatter rose like waves crashing on shores.

For the first time, Mo Hua grasped the true scale of "a sea of people," awe swelling in his chest.

Not just Mo Hua—all the disciples from Taixu Gate and fellow sects stood stunned and reverent in that instant.

This year's Sword Discussion Conference outdid all previous ones in splendor.

The scale proved utterly overwhelming.

Before, they had played the role of "spectators," observing others clash swords, yet today they stepped up as the "protagonists," ready to display their talents to the world.

The shift in perspective brought fresh sensations, stirring diverse feelings among the disciples.

A few turned ashen, gripped by intense anxiety.

Others felt their knees weaken, breaths coming short and labored.

Meanwhile, some sparkled with eager eyes, thrilled beyond words, itching to shine on the sword discussion arena and carve out their fame.

Passing through the mountain entrance, climbing the extended path, and skirting multiple guarded ridges, the disciples at last entered the Great Tao Field on the Mount of Tao.

There, the "Sword Ritual" unfolded.

This rite stood as an essential part of every Sword Discussion Conference.

Only the leaders of Qianxue's Four Great Sects possessed the right to lead this "Sword Ritual."

It embodied the pinnacle of prestige in the Qianxue State Boundary.

High above the Mount of Tao, the White Jade Platform hovered mid-air, encircled by nine massive stone columns, each carved with grand Divine Beasts and adorned in lucky cloud motifs.

At the platform's heart lay a White Jade Sword stretching over ten zhang, looming like a modest peak.

Its blade gleamed clear and pure, radiating an timeless and splendid presence.

Legends held that this sword came from the Mount of Tao's founder, dating back ten thousand years.

During each Sword Discussion Conference, every Qianxue disciple had to pay devout homage to this blade, honoring the founder's lingering essence.

The act also expressed thanks for the founder's sacrifices to the Qianxue State Boundary and the enduring heritage of the Cultivation World.

As Chen hour struck, the Qianxue Sword Ritual commenced.

The sect leaders from Qian Taoist Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, Longding Sect, and Wanxiao Sect channeled their Spiritual Power into feathered forms, ascending gracefully into the skies.

Next, they ignited the rite, presented offerings, and poured blood sacrifices onto the sword.

With the blood sacrifice triggered, a burst of pure radiance flooded the heavens.

The Mount of Tao's ancient sword let out a deep resonance, its Sword Qi surging upward like a rousing primal creature, its cry piercing and resonant toward the firmament.

Hearts and souls across the assembly quivered.

Mo Hua's eyes narrowed in response.

Gazing upon this immense ancient sword, a faint tremor stirred in his Divine Soul, as if echoing in harmony.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, dragon roars thundered, the ancient Tai Xu Sword Intent vibrating without pause.

In a momentary haze, Mo Hua envisioned himself shifting into a grand Dharma Form, standing as a colossal figure, grasping the Mount of Tao's ancient sword to shatter peaks and dominate unchallenged.

Yet the vision faded in the blink of an eye.

Silence returned.

The Four Great Sects' leaders, faces grave, proclaimed together:

"All Qianxue Disciples, three bows to the sword!"

Their voices, transformed by Feather Transformation, rang like chimes and thunder, echoing across the Mount of Tao.

Mo Hua steadied his thoughts, joining his fellow disciples in three deep, respectful bows to the Mount of Tao's White Jade Ancient Sword.

Cultivators observing from the outer slopes honored the custom too, offering bows to the White Jade Ancient Sword.

Once the sword homage concluded, the Sword Discussion Ceremony pressed on.

The Four Great Sects' leaders took turns reciting the official edicts.

These edicts stretched long, covering tributes to the Qianxue State Boundary's forebears, thanks to the attending cultivators, high hopes for the young disciples, plus vital guidelines for the sword discussions and unbreakable regulations...

With one edict per leader among the four, their words flowed grandly and at length, easily surpassing ten thousand characters, leaving the once-energized Mo Hua nodding off in boredom.

At long last, the recitations wrapped up.

Following the sword worship and edict readings, the official lottery draw began.

Envoys from each group within the Four Great Sects, Eight Great Gates, and Twelve Streams advanced in sequence, clutching their sect's Command Token to release the seal on the enormous celestial relic at the Great Tao Field's core.