Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2186 Chapter 1023: The Weight of the Formation Leader (Part 2)

"Mount of Tao's regulations have stood firm for thousands of years. Who would dare to alter them?"

"That's right... Ancestral laws must remain unchanged."

"Could we at least take the Spiritual Ink out of the miscellaneous category?"

"What rubbish is that? The Mount of Tao's founder himself placed the Spiritual Ink in the 'miscellaneous items.' He had his own profound intentions."

"The founder of Mount of Tao isn't just any ordinary forebear."

"He didn't just add the Spiritual Ink; even if he'd tossed in a heap of dung, it would carry deep significance. You can't touch that!"

"With all these elders here, shouldn't you choose your words more refinedly?"

"The language is rough, sure, but it hits the truth squarely."

One person nodded along, adding, "Exactly."

"Ancestral rules can't be touched..."

"Anyway, even if we tried to modify them now, it's way too late. The tournament's already this far along."

"Plus, this is the Sword Discussion Conference, with all these honored guests watching. Switching rules right now would be impulsive and bound to draw heavy backlash."

"No alterations allowed; we'll just have to duel under the current setup."

"So, shall we devise a plan to counter this Mo Hua's Formation?"

"A Second Grade Nineteen Patterns High-Rank Formation isn't simple to pick up. I bet the boy hasn't grasped much beyond the basics."

"If we figure out his core formations completely, it'll be simpler to deal with..."

Before replies could come, a veteran Elder skilled in Formation Arts, with keen insight, let out a mocking snort. "Do you grasp the gravity of 'Formation Leader'?"

"Figure out his core formations?"

"Do you even realize who you're discussing?"

"Didn't you see the previous Formation Competition?"

"Have no clue how Mo Hua truly triumphed? Are you oblivious?"

"What does 'crushing' really mean? Do you comprehend true domination?"

"This is the Sword Discussion Conference. He uses spells to keep the battle swinging back and forth."

"But in a Formation Competition, without holding back, all those so-called talents you mention? They're utter garbage, every single one!"

"In sword discussions, he's just the away team, but in formation contests, he's the star of the show."

"As the Formation Competition's top act, Mo Hua doesn't merely boast as the best in this sect or that one like other geniuses. He's the authentic number one of the Qianxue Sect!"

"You don't study formations, don't instruct in them, and have zero sense of how solid his formation base runs."

"Or how astonishing it is to cultivate a Formation Demon like him..."

The Formation Arts Elder who spoke, his hair fully silver and face etched with deep lines, held immense respect due to his long years.

His statements left every face in the room looking grimly sour.

Still, nobody ventured a counterargument, nor did they have one ready.

The chamber quieted down for some time.

Up on the platform, an elder from Qian Taoist Sect, holding notable rank, stared intently and spoke measuredly:

"So, what approach does Elder Yan propose?"

The white-haired Formation Master known as Elder Yan pondered momentarily before declaring plainly:

"Forget about curbing him via formations."

"No sect, not even if all disciples from the Four Great Sects teamed up, could hold him back in formations."

"If they could, he wouldn't have dominated everyone and seized the Formation Leader title."

"And that was back three years ago..."

The Qian Taoist Sect elder's features turned pale, yet he stayed silent.

Elder Yan went on, "Though you may dislike this young one, you have to acknowledge his genius in formations."

"Now, after three years, nobody can tell how far his formations have progressed."

"Therefore, on pure formation skill, you stand no chance against him."

"Yet a formation remains a formation at heart. Its might is immense, but it comes with built-in constraints."

"Formations demand advance setup and careful placement."

"Once deployed, they can't be shifted."

"These limits bind every Formation Master. Not even a Formation Demon escapes them."

"Furthermore, no matter Mo Hua's speed in sketching formations, it always costs precious time."

"That delay becomes a key weakness."

"His patterns in drawing, deploying, and activating formations—any flaws there can be studied and targeted..."

"Everything and everyone dreads deep analysis."

"Once fully dissected and known, he'll face constant checks, and however mighty his formations grow, they won't stir up trouble anymore..."

The Qian Taoist Sect elder's look eased a touch, and he clasped his hands, stating, "Then I'll leave it to Elder Yan."

Elder Yan gave a faint nod, though he didn't appear any less tense.

...

Taixu Gate, deep into the night.

Mo Hua remained hunched at the writing desk in the Disciple's Residence, diligently outlining plans on paper.

As the proverb says, 'Preparation brings success, neglect invites failure.'

The sword discussion looks straightforward—just stepping onstage to clash with prodigies from rival sects and settle win or loss.

Yet offstage, Mo Hua has invested endless hours and toil.

Around the clock, he's been plotting strategies, running through scenarios, hunting for that narrow path to triumph.

But such struggles stay hidden from the audience and the masses.

Victory never comes without a fight.

What's more, the geniuses hailing from Qian Learning State Boundary's top sects make truly daunting foes.

The daytime sword exchange with Heavenly Sword Sect proved tough as well.

Mo Hua had played his ace, fortifying the city gate via a High-Rank Formation, yet it got broken through twice by Heavenly Sword Sect.

In particular, Xiao Ruohan's strike from the Nine Heavenly Sword Techniques packed devastating force.

Were it not for his clever withholding of a final ploy, defeat might have struck again.

Mo Hua let out a sigh:

"Securing a single bout feels so arduous..."

By this point, after clashing with numerous sect disciples—especially trading blows with standouts like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan—Mo Hua deeply sensed the Qianxue Sect's sturdy roots and the elite might of noble clan heirs.

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