Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2177 Chapter 1020: Ao Zhan (Part 3)

Furthermore, all three of them resided in the identical Disciple's Residence.

Once the trio wrapped up their shared meal, the hour grew late, prompting them to head back to their individual disciple quarters.

Prior to separating, Mo Hua urged them to rest well, then readied himself to depart.

Situ Jian had restrained himself for quite a while until he at last spoke in a measured tone, "Junior Brother..."

Mo Hua swiveled to gaze at him.

Situ Jian paused briefly, let out a sigh, and then expressed the doubts weighing on his mind:

"Junior Brother, can we... still win?"

Cheng Mo watched Mo Hua in quiet silence, evidently short on assurance.

Unlike Linghu Xiao and Ouyang Xuan, Cheng Mo and Situ Jian weren't the real "elite" talents; they lacked that intense pride and haughtiness.

Their rivals hailed from the pinnacle ranks of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Longding Sect. Losing to them would sting, yet they had no real recourse.

The expansive Qianxue State Boundary brimmed with endless talents, numerous ones surpassing their own caliber.

This reality had long been evident to the pair.

Still, as Taixu Sect disciples, they felt a true bond to their sect.

Victory was something they craved too.

Even if the honors went to others, even if their role was just to "fill the slots," should they aid in securing a triumph during the sword discussion, they'd step up without a second thought.

Besides, sharing a team with Mo Hua meant their successes and setbacks intertwined.

Yet the pressing concern remained: they simply couldn't glimpse any path to "victory."

This was merely the "Earth" character bureau.

They'd only fought in two bouts so far.

Already, a shadow of hopelessness started creeping into the core of their spirits.

The onlookers among the cultivators merely spectated the clashes, but the sword discussion participants were the ones locked in actual combat.

No one grasped the might of the Four Great Sects more keenly than they did.

And they knew all too well the crushing helplessness against elite talents like Xiao Wuchen of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Ao Zhan of the Dragon Cauldron Sect.

Faith in Junior Brother ran deep for them.

Nevertheless, right then, bewilderment and inner turmoil inevitably gripped the duo.

These uncertainties weren't meant to be spoken aloud at first, but they proved too heavy to contain.

Mo Hua regarded Situ Jian and Cheng Mo in stillness for an instant, then abruptly offered a gentle smile, "We can win, but it hinges on the circumstances."

"Circumstances?"

Situ Jian appeared startled, while Cheng Mo seemed even more baffled.

Mo Hua affirmed with a nod and explained, "Don't let it daunt you—the Earth character sword discussion doesn't consist solely of peak talents like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan."

"Beyond those two, elite pupils from the Eight Great Gates and premier disciples of the Four Great Sects fill out many squads; plenty of such groups exist."

"Running into supreme prodigies like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan back-to-back is simply our misfortune."

"Against other squads, though, we can still vie for the win; it's far from impossible."

"It all comes down to the precise conditions, tailored to the sword discussion rules and the particular foes, crafting targeted plans..."

"Naturally, a touch of fortune plays a part too..."

The Earth character bureau's sword discussion diverges from the Xuan character bureau.

The Xuan character bureau's sword discussion lineup gets calculated in full by the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument upfront.

The Earth character bureau operates otherwise.

Matches in the Earth character sword discussion unfold one at a time, with the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument generating the subsequent matchup's lineup only after the prior one concludes.

Up to that point, nobody can predict the next pairings.

This setup challenges the disciples' on-the-spot adaptability and their foresight in pre-battle preparations.

It keeps a layer of intrigue alive for the audience.

On top of that, it blocks certain cultivators from peeking at the lineup early and scheming foul play in the shadows.

Given its greater stakes, the Earth character bureau draws more prodigies, delivers thrilling sword discussions, and upholds a more formal gravity, firmly barring outside meddling.

As a result, throughout the sword discussion, opponents for the coming round stay unknown to all.

A veil of uncertainty clouded Mo Hua's view as well.

He couldn't foresee every twist or map out the entire course; instead, he navigated blindly, advancing incrementally based on unfolding events...

Who they'd confront next relied on the "draws" from the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, allowing him to devise responses only afterward.

Thus, it demanded patience for the ideal moment, plus a dash of chance.

The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, after all, revolved around cause and effect.

Fortune wouldn't forever turn sour.

Mo Hua grinned and assured them, "Don't worry, we'll pull off the win."

Situ Jian mulled it over briefly before nodding in agreement.

Cheng Mo, despite not grasping it completely, caught Mo Hua's assured vibe and found himself nodding too.

Having shared nine years as sect-mates with Mo Hua, the pair knew him inside out.

Often, self-doubt plagued them, yet they nearly always trusted "Junior Brother" Mo Hua on reflex.

No matter the dire straits, sticking with Junior Brother steadied their nerves and bolstered their resolve.

Situ Jian, eyes soft with warmth, bowed and said, "Junior Brother, get some early rest."

Cheng Mo mirrored the salute.

Mo Hua returned the smile, "You too, rest early."

In this way, amid fervent preparations and the thick, oppressive tension, the sword discussion pressed onward.

Not just Mo Hua in the Taixu Gate—other disciples kept falling in their contests too.

The outlook grew ever grimmer.

Anxiety permeated the spirit of every Taixu Gate cultivator.

Under these conditions, each success held immense value.

Mo Hua patiently awaited the "draws" from the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument.

He also anticipated that ideal chance and that sliver of "fortune."

Two days passed, and Mo Hua's foe for the third Earth character sword discussion was revealed.

It turned out to be the Wanxiao Sect.

This round, Mo Hua's fortune edged upward; the adversary wasn't the Wanxiao Sect's premier disciple or its elite squad.

Rather, it was a somewhat lesser, yet still first-rate, team from the Wanxiao Sect.

Folks figured the Taixu Gate might finally claim a solid contest this time.

Yet during this sword discussion, Mo Hua's group still ended up defeated.

What's more, in this bout, Mo Hua's ingrained "weaknesses" laid fully bare, without a shred of concealment.