Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2409 Chapter 1094: The Evil Monster's Shadow (Part 3)

"So, our Taixu Gate now ranks among the Four Great Sects of Qianxue? And... we are even the leading one?"

Elder Master Xun nodded. "That should be the case... However, the precise rankings and how the benefits are distributed involve too many vested interests. Ultimately, it still requires approval from the Dao Court Tianquan Pavilion, so it will take some time for everything to be finalized..."

Mo Hua inquired with a tinge of confusion, "The other four great sects wouldn't possibly agree to this outcome, would they?"

"Their agreement is secondary; the battle merits are undeniable, and..." Elder Master Xun continued, "Time is of the essence; a decision must be reached..."

"This is the Tao Discussion Meeting; it's not solely for debating swordsmanship. There are also discussions for pills, formations, talismans, and artifacts. If the sword discussion concludes without a resolution, the subsequent competitions cannot proceed."

Mo Hua couldn't help but ask, "Is the severity of the blood sacrifice disaster so dire that we are still proceeding with the other discussions as scheduled?"

Elder Master Xun affirmed, "Precisely because the blood sacrifice disaster is so grave, these regular grand events must not be canceled; otherwise, widespread panic would ensue."

"The subsequent Tao discussions are intended to garner popular support and pacify the populace."

"Furthermore, the Dao Court, along with Qianxue's influential families and various sects, will declare at the Tao Discussion Meeting their intention to allocate a portion of Spirit Stone resources to assist independent cultivators and to reconstruct cities devastated by the blood sacrifice."

"That is indeed a positive development..."

Mo Hua offered a nod of agreement.

Elder Master Xun turned his gaze toward Mo Hua. "You are required to participate in this Formation Competition."

Mo Hua displayed a look of surprise. "Am I permitted to leave?"

"Indeed," Elder Master Xun confirmed. "You must attend and make an appearance."

The insidious rumors circulating about Mo Hua had been festering for a considerable period, becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.

Fame, it turns out, can be a double-edged sword.

Mo Hua, in his capacity as the Formation Leader, had exhibited an exceptional performance during the Sword Discussion Conference, drawing undue attention. This meteoric rise easily sowed seeds of jealousy and resentment.

While overt actions might be restrained, behind the scenes, an incessant barrage of whispers and calumnies continued to proliferate.

Human hearts are complex and rife with hidden malice; some individuals actively sought to stir up trouble, spreading all manner of falsehoods.

Certain individuals propagated the notion that Mo Hua had already "descended into demonic cultivation" and was deliberately avoiding public view, fearing exposure of his transgressions.

Others asserted that Mo Hua was in collusion with the Demon Path and was, in fact, the architect behind the Blood Sacrifice Array.

Still others questioned how Mo Hua, a disciple at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage with notoriously inferior Spiritual Roots, managed not only to surpass Qianxue's four preeminent bloodline prodigies but also the esteemed Senior Brother of Daluo Sect during the Sword Discussion Conference, attributing his success to nefarious and dishonorable tactics.

Responding to such baseless "rumors" is often futile, as any defense is typically dismissed as mere self-justification.

However, remaining silent is frequently interpreted as tacit admission of guilt or sheer "cowardice."

"Therefore, your words are unnecessary; anything you say will likely be in vain. Your participation and presence at the Formation Competition are what truly matter," Elder Master Xun stated with a profound implication.

Mo Hua inclined his head, yet a lingering uncertainty remained. "In that case, what exactly am I expected to achieve in the Formation Competition?"

"Exercise restraint, perform competently but not brilliantly, and secure first place," Elder Master Xun replied nonchalantly.

Mo Hua remained speechless.

Restraint, mediocrity, and achieving first place...

Could these seemingly contradictory directives truly coexist?

Nevertheless, Mo Hua grasped the underlying intention behind Elder Master Xun's guidance and acquiesced with a nod. "Understood, I shall restrain my abilities."

...

Three days later, the Tao Discussion Meeting recommenced.

The assembly was notably smaller than before, yet it still presented a spectacle of a vast concourse of people.

An additional seven days elapsed, bringing forth the day designated for the Formation Competition.

On this momentous day, Mo Hua, who had been in secluded cultivation at the rear mountain under Elder Master Xun's watchful eye, emerged before the assembled multitude for the very first time.

Adorned in the distinctive Taoist robes of the Taixu Gate, his physique was slender, his countenance fair and his features finely chiseled. His eyes gleamed with an inner light, appearing largely unchanged from the past.

However, he seemed somewhat more gaunt, and his eyes possessed an intensified brilliance.

A throng of cultivators and disciples buzzed with animated discussion from the spectator stands.

This event had garnered the most significant attention since the resumption of the Tao Discussion Meeting.

Nearly every eye was riveted upon Mo Hua.

The persistent rumors surrounding Mo Hua swirled like hidden currents within the surging crowd.

Adhering to Elder Master Xun's counsel, Mo Hua maintained a low profile, consciously curbing his outward display, projecting an aura of simplicity and unassuming grace, deliberately disregarding the scrutiny and chatter directed his way.

The influential figures from prominent aristocratic families and powerful Sects observed Mo Hua, each harboring distinct motives while maintaining a unified silence.

Within the assembled crowd, Gu Changhuai, Zhang Lan, the Taixu Gate Elders, along with numerous disciples and cultivators who held concerns for Mo Hua, experienced a wave of relief upon witnessing his unharmed and composed state.

Conversely, the Elders hailing from the Mount of Tao adopted a starkly different demeanor.

They were fraught with anxiety, as though confronting an impending peril, their intense gazes fixed upon Mo Hua, who was undeniably marked on their "blacklist." Their apprehension stemmed from the fear that he might once again instigate chaos and disruption upon the sacred Mount of Tao.

Logically, a mere Formation Competition should not generate the same level of fervor as a Sword Discussion.

However, the peculiar circumstance is that with Mo Hua present, logic often ceases to apply.

Against this backdrop of a complex and charged atmosphere, the Formation Competition officially commenced.

Mo Hua was positioned in the foremost seat, gracing the initial row – a solitary spot that projected an aura of "unrivaled prominence."

The individual, who typically preferred a low-key existence, Mo Hua, let out a sigh of resignation.

There was truly nothing he could do; his desire for anonymity was consistently thwarted by his own formidable strength.

He held the title of "Formation Leader."

As there was no prior instance of a Formation Leader participating in a Formation Competition, he was compelled to occupy the singular first seat in the front row, drawing the scrutiny of thousands.

A subtle sense of unease began to creep into Mo Hua.

Nevertheless, having navigated countless high-stakes events, he swiftly regained his composure.

Subsequently, the examination topics were distributed, and the assessment began.

The entire procedure bore a striking resemblance to the previous iteration.

Those possessing the skill to render formations would remain, while those lacking the ability would be eliminated.

Each disciple was afforded a maximum of three opportunities to rectify errors.

Mo Hua perceived the progression of events as both familiar and somewhat tedious.

The reason for this ennui was the sheer simplicity of the formations presented.

Year after year, the Formation Competition rarely showcased significant disparities in formation prowess among the participants. However, Mo Hua's cultivation had advanced exponentially over the past three years.

With his Divine Sense reaching 20 Patterns and having mastered the intricacies of the Ultimate Formation, specifically the Formation Pivot of the Blood Sacrifice Formation, his comprehension of formations had ascended to unprecedented heights, even successfully deconstructing the formidable Blood Sacrifice Array.

Reflecting on his current capabilities, Mo Hua likened participating in the Formation Competition and recreating formations from three years prior to a mere "child's play."

"I must rein myself in a bit..."

Mo Hua murmured, then picked up his brush and commenced drawing on the Formation Paper. His movements were listless, yet imbued with an underlying earnestness.

Regardless of the specific formation, his drawing style exuded a languid and unhurried pace.

Despite his belief that he was exercising sufficient restraint, Mo Hua remained oblivious to the immense pressure his perceived by the brilliant talents of Qianxue positioned behind him due to his apparent "laziness."

Every individual present was a seasoned Formation Master, a recognized genius in formations within Qianxue, and it was inconceivable that they were unaware of Mo Hua's legendary status.

It was impossible that they were unfamiliar with Mo Hua's legendary exploits.

It was inconceivable that they had not witnessed Mo Hua's profound mastery and extraordinary techniques in the art of formations.

Indeed, the electrifying moments from the Sword Discussion Conference remained etched in their memories.

Now, Mo Hua stood isolated, far surpassing everyone else.

All the formation prodigies found themselves gazing solely at his retreating figure.

This silhouette, though not imposing in stature, radiated an aura of terrifying depth.

He represented an insurmountable peak in formation expertise, an uncrossable abyss.

Their uncertainty extended to the very scale of this mountain and the unfathomable depth of this chasm.

In the realm of formations, a mere disparity is not cause for alarm.

What instills true dread is the inability to even perceive the extent of the difference.

Those who had not delved deeply into the study of formations remained oblivious to the true terror that Mo Hua embodied.

Only those who had pursued the art of formations to a considerable degree could truly comprehend the crushing despair inflicted by this "monstrous anomaly," Mo Hua.

Consequently, Mo Hua's outwardly nonchalant demeanor notwithstanding.

His profound and overwhelming presence permeated the entire venue.

Behind him, numerous formation prodigies felt themselves enveloped by the shadow of a "monstrous anomaly," a cold sweat broke out across their backs, and their hands, gripping their Formation Pens, began to tremble uncontrollably...