Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2155 Chapter 1013: Zhang Lan (Part 3)

Following three rounds of tea, a sudden gleam of light burst forth on the distant horizon.

A grand vista of the heavens sweeping over the land unfurled like a massive watercolor masterpiece right before the eyes of all present.

The Zhang Family members gazed upward, struck with profound astonishment.

This colossal spiritual treasure was indeed a spectacle rarely witnessed in one's lifetime.

Moments later, hues of various shades converged within the artwork, unveiling the terrain along with the exceptional disciples.

"It's starting..."

uttered Elder Feng.

Within the depiction, the scene shifted in a truly spectacular manner. Disciples from various sects clashed against one another under distinct guidelines; they engaged in sword duels with beams of sword light weaving together, incantations streaked across the sky, and certain cultivators exchanged blows with bare hands, shaking the ground and splitting it apart...

Disciples hailing from diverse sects, bearing unique legacies and Daoist techniques, wove together a breathtaking and thrilling display during this sword discussion.

The Zhang Family folks observed closely, filled with wonder and reverence.

Great Elder Zhang couldn't hold back a sigh, "The Qianxue State Boundary is truly a land brimming with prodigies..."

Elder Feng gave a nod and remarked:

"This represents the 'Xuan' tier sword discussion. Sect disciples reaching this stage are far from obscure; they stand as the 'pillars' within their own sects."

"Yet these are merely the opening acts. The upcoming bout is the true centerpiece."

"Carefree Sect versus Taixu Gate."

"In this era, the most talented disciple from my Feng family shall face off against the genius of Taixu Gate."

declared Elder Feng with evident pride.

Great Elder Zhang nodded, his face showing increasing anticipation.

Positioned behind him, Zhang Lan grew unwittingly tense.

The following sword discussions proceeded onward.

Great Elder Zhang and Elder Feng kept up their lighthearted exchange.

However, Zhang Lan ignored their talk entirely, his gaze locked onto the vast painting, eagerly awaiting that particular disciple's emergence to verify the doubts swirling in his mind.

Time slipped by unpredictably, as the sword discussions depicted in the painting slowly drew to an end.

The dueling disciples withdrew from the arena one after another.

At last, the artwork grew hazy, colors diffusing before reshaping into a fresh vista, showcasing yet another series of sword discussions.

It also displayed the forms of a new cadre of brilliant sect disciples.

Elder Feng, wearing a smug look, indicated one of the vistas:

"Brother Dao, in that cluster of white-robed disciples from the Carefree Sect, the leader among them is my family's genius, Feng Zichen."

Guided by his gesture, Great Elder Zhang spotted a youth clad in white, poised assuredly with sword in hand, elegant like a breeze, his eyes sparkling with the vibrancy and zeal of youth.

"A refined youth, truly exceptional."

commended Great Elder Zhang with genuine admiration.

Elder Feng, though he smiled and feigned humility, responded, "Brother Dao, your praise is too generous."

Yet as the pair lauded the Feng family's prodigy from the Carefree Sect,

Zhang Lan's attention seemed irresistibly pulled toward the opposing side.

He turned his eyes to the Taixu contingent across from the Carefree Sect, where a petite figure stood amid five companions, shielded by his sect mates, revealing a youthful face that felt strikingly familiar...

His brows resembled a delicate sketch, pure and untouched by worldly grime.

His eyes mirrored serene depths, radiant yet unfathomably deep.

His bearing was approachable and endearing, blending a touch of serenity, poise, along with hints of playfulness and slyness...

In that instant, Zhang Lan experienced a jolt, his thoughts churning like heated water.

"Mo Hua..."

Recollections from Tongxian City flooded in like an overwhelming wave, crashing relentlessly into his heart.

Their initial encounter, a boy hunched over a tavern table, attired simply but memorably, poring over a challenging array manual, almost leading to his own mishap, that eccentric young rascal...

The young companion who shared drinks and feasts with him.

The mischievous youngster who stumbled into Black Mountain Stronghold by chance, sparking considerable chaos.

The remarkably gifted junior array master who aided the vulnerable and the desperate.

The one with whom he scoured the hills, apprehended wicked cultivators, eradicated bandit practitioners, and even schemed against the overseer... In the end, they erected a grand array to battle a formidable demon...

All those fragmented reminiscences surged into his consciousness.

Those vibrant, charming, and sharp-witted images aligned and ultimately fused with the poised young figure in the painting ahead.

Mo Hua.

Zhang Lan sensed a faint tightness in his chest, a mix of joy and sorrow stirring within.

He never imagined that, after a decade apart since parting in Tongxian City, he would reunite with Mo Hua in such a manner.

Zhang Lan drew in a deep breath, struggling to believe it.

He gripped his thigh firmly.

The pain was intense.

This was no illusion...

Zhang Lan let out a gradual exhale.

Meanwhile, Elder Feng started discussing Mo Hua:

"In the Taixu Gate lineup opposite, the foremost powerhouse is the youthful sword Dao prodigy up front, Linghu Xiao."

"Linghu Xiao was once a sword Dao genius unseen in the Chongxu Sect for centuries. Following the merger of the Three Sects, he integrated into Taixu Gate, handing them a tremendous advantage."

"And trailing Linghu Xiao, the smallest in stature is the individual I've described to Brother Dao earlier - 'Mo Hua'..."

"This lad possesses remarkable intellect, boasting exceptionally potent divine sense."

"His aptitude for formations is remarkably superior."

"Unfortunately... his standing is utterly dismal..."

Great Elder Zhang frowned in confusion, "What makes his reputation so poor?"

Elder Feng explained, "His character is dreadful; he delights in deploying basic spells to mock others. Furthermore, he's quite cunning, frequently resorting to deceptive methods to ensnare foes, casting underhanded spells to irritate his opponents."

"He holds some ability, yet lacks any trace of righteousness."

"Worst of all, this boy favors using the 'Fireball Technique' to slay foes simply for fun..."

"Such a thing truly exists..." Great Elder Zhang gasped, "This youngster is downright vile."

Zhang Lan: "..."

Were it not for the gap in status that forbade casual interjection, he would have spoken up to vindicate Mo Hua and restore his honor.

Could Mo Hua possibly be that sort of individual?

Mo Hua, in truth...

Zhang Lan paused briefly, lost in thought, then lapsed into quiet reflection.

After mulling it over several times, he came to see...

Mo Hua did appear... exactly like that?

Through his own lens, Mo Hua was a fine child, a promising youth, merely prone to occasional whimsy that proved rather vexing.

But viewed by others, only the "vexing" aspects stood out.

At this juncture, it was clear that Elder Feng wasn't alone in decrying Mo Hua. Zhang Lan strained to listen as nearby cultivators vented their outrage:

"This Mo Hua is utterly contemptible..."

"How many times has he toyed with a Concealment Technique? Can't someone rein him in?"

"A noble Qianxue Debate, a showdown among geniuses, reduced to 'hide and seek' by him—does that make any sense?"

"Absolutely!"

"It's tragic that in these sword discussions thus far, so many sect elites and young champions have perished by this scoundrel's hand—infuriating!"

"Dare he mar my Lu Fairy's visage with a Fireball Technique?!"

"May someone deliver a single sword strike to fell this vile fiend, and I'll hail him as my elder brother right away."

"If not an elder brother, then as my adoptive sire..."

...

Zhang Lan stayed mute for a spell, rendered speechless; still, he pondered:

Perhaps it might be wiser to act as though he never knew Mo Hua going forward?

Right then, the disciples from each side assumed their positions, and the sword discussion commenced.

Elder Feng voiced his eagerness: "This Mo Hua is genuinely irritating; plenty of gifted disciples have succumbed to him previously."

"However, today marks a change; no matter his plots, calamity awaits him, Brother Zhang..."

Elder Feng turned to Great Elder Zhang, proclaiming boldly:

"Watch as my family's genius fells this boy with his blade today, claiming resounding acclaim and fulfilling all hopes."

Great Elder Zhang nodded with joy: "That would be splendid!"

Zhang Lan reflexively recoiled, sealed his lips, and refrained from uttering a sound.