Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2168 Chapter 1017: Underworld (Part 3)
Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...
Perhaps it's due to some lingering sect legacy in this place...
This young Mo Hua started out perfectly well, yet while progressing along, he appeared to wander astray from the correct route.
As though doomed to echo the errors of old, he ended up treading the identical trail his master once followed.
Despised by those around him, much like his master had been.
That said, certain distinctions exist between them still.
Zhuang Daoling earned hatred for his outstanding talent and his tendency to scorn others.
Mo Hua drew ire due to his sly and odd nature, which proved endlessly aggravating.
The present Mo Hua resembles... a different sort of "Zhuang Daoling."
Elder Master Xun sensed deep resignation.
Regarding such issues, he had grieved extensively yet found no real remedy, ultimately managing only a heavy sigh.
"Sigh, 'foes of the realm,' maybe this is the fated journey for this line of teacher and student..."
"Certain destinies, hidden from sight, simply cannot be escaped..."
Thankfully, Mo Hua hasn't become a true "enemy of the world" at this point.
Plenty of folks despise him.
Yet numerous others hold affection and concern for him too.
Although the route he's pursuing mirrors that of another "Zhuang Daoling," he remains, in the end, no actual Zhuang Daoling.
He is...
"Mo Hua."
Elder Master Xun whispered to himself, thinking back to Mo Hua's sincere expression and his Daoist heart as innocent as a youngster's, slowly easing into comfort.
…
The following day, the sword exchanges carried on.
The Sword Discussion Conference advanced steadily, step by step.
A growing number of cultivators turned their focus toward Mo Hua.
Some felt fondness for Mo Hua.
Others harbored resentment toward Mo Hua.
The majority seethed with anger at Mo Hua, eager for him to suffer misfortune so they could mock and pile on the scorn.
Great Elder Zhang, in his pursuit of allies and probe into the Underworld's origins, began monitoring Mo Hua as well.
He observed nearly all of Mo Hua's sword discussion bouts.
He aimed to determine whether the footwork Mo Hua employed matched the Zhang Family's Water Passing Step.
Zhang Lan, too, yearned to observe Mo Hua's sword discussions.
Thus, he and Great Elder Zhang found themselves "accidentally aligned" in their pursuits.
Zhang Lan remained on edge, however.
The Great Elder possessed keen perception.
Lacking any hints, he might remain in the dark.
But should even the smallest lead emerge, and the Great Elder seized that "vital flaw," then unraveled the threads to uncover the truth...
Disaster would surely strike.
To evade the Great Elder's doubts, Zhang Lan could only blend into the spectators quietly, watching Mo Hua's sword discussions in silence.
He refrained from voicing opinions, from chatting, and above all, from displaying any hint of familiarity with Mo Hua.
He posed merely as a transient observer, an anonymous onlooker.
As for Mo Hua?
He held no acquaintance with him whatsoever.
…
Aboard the Mount of Tao, tension thickened among the watchers.
Resentment built up as more youthful prodigies honed their edges against Mo Hua, itching to strike him down.
Yet the Xuan Character Bureau sword discussions had drawn to a close.
The bulk of the matches wrapped up.
Outcomes stood largely fixed.
Opportunities to challenge Mo Hua vanished.
Besides, Mo Hua's foes in his latest clashes lacked real prowess.
Through brief skirmishes, Mo Hua claimed victory each time, rather effortlessly, facing no intense scrutiny.
Despite the overarching menace, a tense hush hung in the air, like the prelude to chaos.
In this odd ambiance, the Xuan Character Bureau sword discussions concluded with scant disruption.
Surprisingly, Taixu Gate held onto third position.
This ranking owed much to Mo Hua and Linghu Xiao, both undefeated.
Disciples from other sects contributed significantly too.
Moreover, within Taixu Gate, several once-overlooked disciples experienced a "rebirth" amid the sword discussions.
A few among them even progressed to the "Earth" Character Bureau.
Mo Hua felt genuine surprise.
The sect's elders and leaders brimmed with joy.
Following the Xuan Character Bureau's finish, after a short pause for recovery, the "Earth" Character Bureau discussions kicked off.
The elite from the four sects sprang into motion.
The genuine powerhouses at last unveiled their "brilliance"...