Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2123 - 1003: Making a Move (2)

The typically reserved Ouyang Xuan delivered a long monologue.

Mo Hua found himself sinking into profound reflection.

Sect and aristocratic family merger...

At first glance, it seems like a win-win arrangement.

Yet at its core, doesn't this amount to a double "monopoly" over Dao cultivation legacy and Dao cultivation assets?

Ultimately, sects and clans band together to expand and dominate, achieving total control.

Who ends up bearing the brunt of all this?

Mo Hua mulled it over briefly before abruptly turning to Ouyang Xuan, "How did you learn about this?"

Ouyang Xuan let out a cold huff, his face twisted in contempt, yet he replied to Mo Hua straightforwardly: "I caught it while the Elder was talking with the Sect Leader."

"Oh..." Mo Hua gave a nod.

For Ouyang Xuan to overhear talks between the Elder and the Sect Leader suggests his background could be more prominent than assumed.

"Are there limits on the runes for the sword discussion?" Mo Hua inquired of Situ Jian.

Situ Jian affirmed with a nod, "Since it's a sword discussion, much like formations, allowing free use of runes would throw the balance way off."

In particular, those "wealthy fellows" who splash runes without a care for cost—nobody could handle that.

"That said, restrictions apply only to grade and number, not variety," Situ Jian went on, "The Spirit Talisman Sect ought to craft some scarce high-grade runes just for the sword discussion."

"Hmm." Mo Hua nodded gradually, "No problem, we'll jump into the spar and adapt as we go."

"Junior Brother..." After a brief pause, Situ Jian ventured, "Are we... sticking with the old tactics?"

That simple plan feels too rough around the edges.

After deploying it across so many bouts, opponents must have devised ways to counter it by now.

Clinging to it further might mean we won't pull off victories.

Mo Hua grinned, "It's okay, we'll run it one more time."

He cast a look toward Situ Jian, Cheng Mo, Linghu Xiao, and Ouyang Xuan, his words carrying profound intent:

"Think of this as 'weight training' for you guys, sharpening your skills via battles and honing your teamwork."

"Because if I stepped in fully, the fight wouldn't play out like this at all..."

Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, and Linghu Xiao went still for a second, then their gazes sparked with excitement, as they bobbed their heads firmly: "Got it, Junior Brother."

Ouyang Xuan stayed quiet, though a shadow of intense worry flashed in his eyes—something bordering on...

Fear.

…

The sword discussion arena featured intersecting peaks.

Mo Hua and his group stepped inside.

Beyond the arena's edge, once the terrain came into focus, Mo Hua and his allies materialized, sparking a wave of chatter.

Most of it negative.

Jabs such as "Taixu Gate is doomed," "The Elder lacks wisdom, the Sect Leader is average, Elders curry favor with the mighty," "Disciples seethe but hold their tongues."

In addition to that, pitying tones like "Poor Linghu Xiao," "Poor Ouyang Xuan," "Poor that burly fool," "Poor the sword bearer"...

And sneers too, such as "Why's this brazen Mo Hua still around," "Curious how long he'll hang on," "Taixu Gate's embarrassment," "Worthless trash"...

Nothing new there.

As the backlash swelled like waves outside the arena, the clash ignited within.

It stayed a five-way free-for-all.

The setup remained unchanged, and Mo Hua saw no point in tweaking strategies, opting instead for the simplest combat approach to let Linghu Xiao and the rest clash purely on ability and build natural coordination.

The field wasn't vast, and with Mo Hua's overpowering Divine Sense, he could easily sweep the area and pinpoint enemy positions.

Yet he held back from alerting them.

For the moment hadn't arrived to unleash any "sneaky maneuvers."

The groups collided head-on.

In Mo Hua's lineup of five, the "burly fool" Cheng Mo took point, while the others fanned out for battle, arranging into the simplest array.

Across from them in the Spirit Talisman Sect stood a burly youth at the forefront.

The very cocky and haughty lad who'd earlier hurled insults at Linghu Xiao.

Kun State's aristocratic Wu clan's Wu Ming.

Wu Ming sported gleaming armor, his forearms sheathed in ostentatious crimson guards that screamed luxury and might, obviously costing a fortune.

The armor had been tailored to fit.

Those guards formed the core piece of his personal Spiritual Artifact, hammered out with lavish investment.

Besides Wu Ming, the rest of the Spirit Talisman Sect quartet wore ornate gear too, radiating an aura of "wealth is no object."

Though the Spirit Talisman Sect ranked as just one of the Twelve Sects, its entrants hailed from elite circles.

Wu Ming's teammates were all elite heirs from prominent lines.

A quick scan by Mo Hua showed their outfits were bespoke at premium rates for the Sword Discussion Conference.

Outshining even top custom Spiritual Artifacts from Gushan Refining Workshop by a couple tiers.

Though the price tag ran at least tenfold.

Still, these counted as "disposables."

Such extravagance likely only Kun State's noble houses would fund with Spirit Stones.

Mo Hua observed with astonishment.

Usually, rivals clash right away upon facing off, skipping chit-chat or extras.

But not this round; prior to engaging, Wu Ming had something to declare.

The Spirit Talisman Sect held off on attacking.

Mo Hua refrained from ordering a charge, curious to catch his spiel.

Wu Ming extended a shining arm guard in a showy manner, jabbing it toward Linghu Xiao with a mocking grin:

"Linghu Xiao, mark my words—you'll drop to my blade today!"

"I'll show Miss Lu that you, the famed Sword Dao prodigy, are nothing but a spineless flop, unworthy of even a look from her..."

The opening part rang out with force, brimming with drive.

The ending veered into vagueness.

Mo Hua turned to Linghu Xiao involuntarily, "Who's Miss Lu?"

He'd figured this was a clash of talents, not some gossip fodder.

Linghu Xiao looked equally puzzled, at a loss over Wu Ming's rambling drivel.