Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2171 Chapter 1018: Tai'a Five Brothers (Part 3)

"This situation is turning really tough to manage..."

In the grand hall of the Sect, at some spot inside.

The Daoist Law Elders had assembled, every one showing a sour face.

Having spent numerous nights without rest, carefully examining the shadow traces, they had at last pierced through that boy's disguise and believed all was in their grasp, certain that the boy was bound to fail...

Yet out of nowhere, he unveiled a strange evasion skill.

Back then, a bunch of Daoist Law Elders observed nearby, eyes bulging, holding in their fury, almost coughing up blood.

"This cursed boy, he sure knows how to conceal his tricks!"

"He clearly holds an outstanding evasion skill, but he held back through so many bouts, toying with foes like a cat chasing mice, dragging them into a playful chase..."

"This guy is the slyest and most devious I've encountered in all my years."

"With such a reserved and enduring attitude, he rivals even those seasoned veterans..."

"Reserved and enduring? He's simply wicked at heart! Vicious from birth, delights in messing with people, completely without mercy..."

"The youth of today lack any honor in combat..."

A cluster of Elders, deprived of endless nights' sleep, now brimmed with fury, joining voices to denounce Mo Hua.

"Enough," someone cut in with irritation at last, "let's return to the matter at hand..."

"After all, we're Elders of a mighty Sect, figures of respect. Gossiping about a junior disciple like this, what kind of image does that give?"

Silence enveloped the hall.

Still, the Elders' faces remained grim.

"Have you uncovered where that boy's evasion skill comes from?" someone inquired.

"We have, but it's intricate, blending hints from various superior evasion skills..."

"So precisely which superior evasion skills?"

"Didn't I mention? It mixes a little from each..."

"I can't fathom how that boy forged such a sly intellect, fusing so many skills into one, but pinpointing a single origin is truly tough..."

"Isn't that just obvious?"

"Fine, what's the use of debating this? His evasion skill is so refined, even knowing its source, how do you oppose it? Who do you dispatch to oppose it?"

"Deploy the Spirit-binding Lock..."

"Can it even bind him?"

"Then attempt binding spells..."

"Is your spell quicker than his moves?"

"Array formations..."

"Brandishing a big blade before Grandmaster Guan? Have you overlooked his background?"

A heavy oppression weighed on everyone's hearts.

The hall grew quiet once more for a spell.

In essence, evasion skills belong to a form of Dao cultivation "hard power." When they hit an outrageous degree of potency, countering them proves far from simple.

And every tactic aimed at evasion skills happens to be right in Mo Hua's wheelhouse.

Lesser ploys are utterly pointless.

Moreover, Mo Hua's sharp and robust Divine Sense alone forms an impossible barrier.

After a brief hush in the hall, a senior elder spoke measuredly:

"There's simply no way to oppose his evasion skill..."

That remark appeared to seal the discussion.

"Up to now, it's clear that with just his Five Elements Spells and this slippery evasion skill, Mo Hua qualifies as a genuine sword discussion 'Heavenly Pride'."

"Linghu Xiao from Taixu Gate, paired with this Mo Hua, indeed creates a duo of 'Heavenly Pride'."

The hall erupted in murmurs.

The group argued heatedly, clearly divided in views, yet none could refute effectively.

The senior elder cleared his throat softly, silencing the room, then went on: "That said, no cause for worry."

"Mo Hua's strengths and flaws are both plain to see."

"His main edge is in his abilities, covering magical strikes, control, binding, endurance, and fleeing, turning him into a versatile 'support' cultivator." "But his key weakness is that he's purely a support." "Largely, he depends on allies, particularly that Linghu Xiao."

"When his allies shine, he shines."

"On the flip side, solo, his abilities hold little value."

"The core problem is his lack of 'solo' power to take down foes."

"Without ally aid, he can't eliminate anyone."

"His beginner Five Elements Spells are indeed masterful, packing solid force"

"Yet that's within the Xuan Character Bureau, facing mere middling Heavenly Pride from sects where he can stand out."

"Plus, his frail spiritual power won't hold up in a true extensive, drawn-out spiritual clash."

The senior elder shook his head, "This is the Heavenly Pride Sword Discussion; without solo kill power, just grabbing kills via spells will leave him as a 'burden' in the end."

"As it advances, his usefulness will fade..."

"If that boy caps at this level, no matter his evasion skill's prowess,"

"he won't advance much."

"In the Earth Character Sword Discussion, you can't triumph on evasion alone."

"Truth be told, we won't need to wait long; tomorrow's opening Earth Character Sword Discussion ought to expose it..."

The senior elder spoke solemnly, then gently shut his eyes, settling into meditation.

His assessment dissected Mo Hua completely.

It also sharply highlighted the gaps in Mo Hua's Dao skills.

Support remains mere support.

Support can't claim kills alone.

Only with mighty allies does he thrive; without them, he's worthless. The assembly nodded in agreement, especially recalling yesterday's Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, which predicted the Sword Discussion matchups, and eyeing Mo Hua's foes in the debut Earth Character Sword Discussion, their stares grew steely.

"This debut Earth Character Sword Discussion will deliver a crushing strike!"

***

The following day, after an elaborate and ritualistic Sword Discussion rite.

The Earth Character Sword Discussion kicked off properly.

And in the initial bout, Mo Hua was set to take the field.

His rival hailed from the Heavenly Sword Sect, among the Four Great Sects, bearer of the Heavenly Sword's Sword Dao.

And he wasn't some common Heavenly Pride.

He stood as this generation's premier disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the mightiest amid myriad Sword Dao talents, the foremost of this Heavenly Sword era.

Xiao Wuchen.

This matchup was, without question, the most electrifying and fierce contest since the Sword Discussion Conference's launch, in all eyes.

The Earth Character Bureau launched with such drama.

Thus, the already thronged Mount of Tao swelled even denser with crowds.

All yearned to behold the grace of the Heavenly Sword Sect's top figure.

Similarly, they craved the showdown between Taixu Gate and Heavenly Sword Sect.

This lay squarely in the public's glare.

Beyond the arena, Great Elder Zhang, Zhang Lan, Wenren Wan, Yu Er, Gu Changhuai, plus numerous noble cultivators and sect disciples who knew Mo Hua, along with his Daoist companions and kin, observed the bout quietly, inwardly cheering for Mo Hua.

For Mo Hua, this foe ranked as a supreme challenge.

They anticipated his showing, yet anxiety and concern dominated.

Amid this charged, uneasy air, the first Earth Character Sword Discussion commenced.

The Debating Bell rang out, and the sides collided.

Forms tangled, Sword Qi and spells erupted.

And in mere instants, Taixu Gate fell. Xiao Wuchen of the Heavenly Sword Sect, at Foundation Establishment's pinnacle, unmatched in Sword Dao, guided four Heavenly Pride disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and through one swift exchange, almost demolished Mo Hua and his Taixu Gate squad of five.