Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2118 Chapter 1001: "Crown Prince" (Part 3)

"That's only natural," the cultivator lifted his chin, appearing smug as he declared: "Truth be told, my surname is Bai, given name Xiaosheng, alumnus of Qian Learning State Boundary, dedicated to sword discussion for more than a century, and I've observed endless sword discussion tournaments of all sizes, likely over ten thousand in number. Cultivators on the Dao refer to me as 'Sword Discussion Bai Xiaosheng'."

"With a single glance, I can pierce through the Sword Discussion Conference's dynamics, the sects' power, the disciples' origins, leaving no detail overlooked."

Confidence radiated from Bai Xiaosheng's face.

"What about this Mo Hua then..."

"He's absolutely a fake," Bai Xiaosheng declared firmly, "Honestly, I even doubt his 'Formation Leader' title is legitimate—probably gained through favors and trickery."

"This... it can't be true." One person expressed doubt.

"Precisely, with all those noble families and sect elders observing, how could trickery occur?"

"If his Dao Leader title were bogus, forget the rest—how would the Four Great Sects permit it?"

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head, "You lot understand nothing of noble families or sects. When benefits are plentiful enough, their standards drop to astonishing lows."

"Moreover, a Divine Sense exceeding one rank? That's barely believable. Two ranks? That's pushing it. Three ranks? That's just insulting everyone's intelligence."

"It's unfortunate I avoid Formation Competitions, or I'd spot their deceptions from a mile away."

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head with a sigh, "You don't realize it, but the upper echelons of today's cultivation world are nothing but a superficial spectacle."

"Noble families spin tales, sects stir up hype, they erect a grand stage for showmanship, and hype up a 'flashy' genius to soar to the heavens—this happens far too often..."

Bai Xiaosheng uttered statements of questionable veracity.

The listening cultivators were only partially convinced.

"Could it be possible..." Someone whispered hesitantly, "that this 'Mo Hua' is genuinely talented in sword discussion?"

Bai Xiaosheng scoffed, "Discuss what sword? Look at the kid—he can hardly grip the hilt. If he shows any real swordsmanship, I'll eat my top-grade lifebound spirit sword right in public!"

Bai Xiaosheng delivered his verdict.

The onlookers were stunned by his audacity and impressed by his willingness to wager his lifebound sword on such a minor issue, nodding approvingly in respect.

Some, upon hearing "top-grade lifebound spirit sword," were startled to learn that this ordinary-looking, boastful, bookish cultivator was in fact a Golden Core Realm powerhouse.

Yet in Qianxue State, where Feather Transformation cultivators soared overhead now and then and Golden Core experts strolled the streets, it wasn't all that remarkable.

After some time, amid the ongoing doubts, Mo Hua wrapped up the "Yellow" character bureau's preliminary round.

Record: Undefeated.

Yet during the entire event, he never lifted a hand.

His teammates handled the battles, suffering the strains in his place, while Mo Hua lingered "on the edges," basking in their successes.

This "spoiled rich kid" vibe genuinely sparked widespread resentment.

Plenty of senior and junior sisters from other sects, who had once defended him for his handsome features, now felt too ashamed to back him up.

From that point, Mo Hua's standing nosedived.

Without lifting a finger, uttering a word, or even stirring, he shifted from a "potentially radical, intensely brooding, oddly unique, yet bafflingly enigmatic formation freak..."

To the Taixu Gate "Crown Prince," a domineering "spoiled heir" weighing down his comrades, a "drag" on the Sword Discussion Conference, and a parasitic impostor.

Mo Hua's image darkened further.

In contrast, Linghu Xiao's reputation soared.

His remarkable Sword Dao aptitude and superb sword skills won over an increasing number of admirers.

Many sympathized with him, sensed the injustice he faced.

To numerous observers, he embodied a silent, steadfast, resilient, and unbreakable Sword Dao prodigy, nearly carrying the team single-handedly.

As for who he was putting up with, everyone knew without asking.

Naturally, these were just outside opinions.

Inside Taixu Gate, things stayed calm.

Mo Hua remained unaware of these views about him.

Even if he learned of them, it wouldn't faze him.

Idle chatter from insignificant folks never troubled him; at worst, he'd quietly log it away and address it later when convenient.

Right now, Mo Hua was sipping wine.

Clusters of junior brothers queued up to offer toasts.

Mo Hua responded warmly to everyone, graciously accepting their cheers.

Fortunately, it was fruit wine, so he just took light sips; otherwise, despite its mildness, he'd end up thoroughly inebriated. Half-tipsy from the drinks, the mood buzzed with joy, all faces beaming.

This marked a modest "victory feast."

Honoring the finish of the Sword Discussion Conference's "Yellow" character preliminaries, where Taixu Gate held a provisional top spot.

It was merely a "minor win," and a fleeting one at that, so it justified only a simple gathering.

The Sect Leader and Elders saw no issue with it.

Taixu Gate's temporary lead owed much to the disciples' hard work, so unwinding slightly post-event was entirely reasonable.

Besides, they understood full well.

Once the brief respite ended, the genuine "fierce clashes" would commence.

The "Xuan" character bureau, the "Di" character bureau, and the "Tian"

character bureau debates atop Xuantian Peak—each round tougher than the previous.

Their rivals would include authentic talents from the Twelve Streams, Eight Great Gates, and even the Four Great Sects.

The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument would likewise pair true geniuses

via Heavenly Mechanism Causality for intense showdowns.

Formidable foes, shifting terrains, outcomes decided in moments.

This was the true trial.

And Taixu Gate's "position" would endure fierce assaults, possibly dropping rung by rung through these grueling fights.

How much it would fall in the end, where it would land, no one could predict.

Post-"Yellow" round, a short break followed.

The downtime flew by swiftly; in a flash, the "Xuan" character bureau's sword discussion kicked off.

Entering the "Xuan" character bureau ramped up the pressure.

As in the Yellow bureau, lurking in the shadows while teammates handled everything had worked before, but not anymore.

Mo Hua had no option but to get serious, and truly had to reveal some of his skills...