Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2434 Chapter 1103: Pavilion Elder

The Pavilion Elder, while not initially intending to elaborate, felt a sense of duty due to the quasi-master-disciple connection and inevitably let out a soft sigh.

"You hold the position of Supervisor, and in time, you could even succeed me as Pavilion Elder."

The middle-aged cultivator serving as Supervisor quickly bowed, replying, "I would not dare."

A dismissive glance was cast by the Pavilion Elder as he continued his discourse.

"The loftier your station, the vaster your perspective must be. A broad vision enables one to stand tall, see clearly, and discern the correct path. Conversely, a constricted view leads to misdirection, and the higher one ascends, the more catastrophic the fall."

"Mortals relentlessly pursue fame and fortune, power and prestige. They fail to grasp that such pursuits demand a grand perspective and the governance of a resolute Taoist Heart. Lacking these, one is inevitably consumed by ambition, inviting ruin upon themselves…"

The Pavilion Elder gestured skyward, posing a question to the Supervisor: "What, essentially, is an Emperor?"

The Supervisor, his brow furrowed, responded, "According to the traditions of the Taoist Monarch lineage, the Emperor is one who honors the Heavenly Dao above and sustains the life force of beings below."

With a shake of his head, the Pavilion Elder pointed directly at the Supervisor. "You are the Emperor."

Instantly, a cold sweat broke out on the Supervisor, and he stammered, "Pavilion Elder…"

The Pavilion Elder then pointed to himself. "I, too, am an 'Emperor'."

The Supervisor looked utterly startled.

"Not merely you and I…" The Pavilion Elder gestured to the assembled cultivators of various cultivation levels and statuses, "...all these individuals are 'Emperors'."

The Supervisor remained stunned, lost in profound contemplation.

"Every soul born into this world," the Pavilion Elder stated, "treads the earth and reaches for the heavens."

"As all are born from the convergence of heaven and earth, each person is an 'Emperor', a sovereign of this world in their own right."

"The pursuit of the Heavenly Dao by cultivators across the land signifies that this heaven is for all people, not solely for the Taoist Court…"

The Supervisor's brow knitted in deep thought. After a moment of reflection, he felt a sense of futility, privately concluding that the Pavilion Elder had become senile, spouting unrealistic, grand, yet empty pronouncements.

The Pavilion Elder noticed the Supervisor's reaction and inwardly sighed.

A heavy silence descended upon the onlookers, none daring to speak.

Cultivators came and went around them, their bustling activity a stark contrast to the stillness of the Pavilion Elder and the Supervisor, who seemed unnoticed.

After a prolonged silence, the Supervisor broke the quiet, asking, "Pavilion Elder, why do you place such high regard on Taixu Gate this time?"

The Pavilion Elder replied nonchalantly, "They secured the top spot in the Tao discussion through their own merit. How is that 'placing high regard'?"

"Pavilion Elder, to be the leader among the Four Sects and to hold the title of 'Three Mountains and Four Sects' carry entirely different implications…" the Supervisor murmured.

"That is a determination made by the Heavenly Right Pavilion; what concern is it of mine?" the Pavilion Elder stated.

The Supervisor felt exasperated. "The predecessor of Taixu Three Mountains was…"

The Pavilion Elder waved a hand. "That is ancient history; why dredge it up now?"

The Supervisor found himself speechless.

The Pavilion Elder turned his gaze impassively upon the Supervisor. "Have all arrangements been made satisfactorily?"

The Supervisor visibly faltered, his face draining of color. "I…"

The Pavilion Elder continued, "You possess the requisite skills, background, and connections—all commendable qualities that indeed make you the most suitable candidate for 'Pavilion Elder'. However, as I've stated previously, before aspiring to something, one must first ascertain their capacity to bear it. You need to possess the inherent ability to hold such a position."

The Supervisor bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Yes…"

The Pavilion Elder sighed again. "My age advances, my energy wanes, and I can no longer serve effectively as Pavilion Elder for much longer."

"This game of Qianxue is also the culmination of my final strategic maneuver."

"Many are clearly displeased with the outcome of this particular game. Their dissatisfaction naturally compels them to seek someone else, someone who can satisfy their desires, to continue the endeavor…"

The Pavilion Elder's eyes settled on the Supervisor.

A look of guilt crossed the Supervisor's face as he lowered his head.

With nothing further to add, the Pavilion Elder simply waved his hand. "Very well, the time is nearly upon us. You may depart… If you desire something, then pursue it with conviction. Once attained, execute your duties diligently. There is no shame in this, nor should you hesitate or fear losing face."

The Supervisor bowed his head again. "Yes."

He then looked up at the Pavilion Elder, inquiring, "And you, Elder?"

The Pavilion Elder stated with indifference, "I am old and cannot stand the noise; allow me a moment of peace…"

Observing the Pavilion Elder's exhausted countenance, the Supervisor sighed, rose, and offered a deep bow, saying, "Take care of yourself."

The Pavilion Elder responded with a soft "hm."

The Supervisor maintained his bowed posture, his form gradually dissolving into obscurity as he departed the tea house.

Only the Pavilion Elder remained, the chessboard before him untouched.

With the Supervisor's departure, the Elder's prior weariness vanished, replaced by a relaxed expression.

He began absentmindedly arranging the pieces on the chessboard, his gaze drifting towards the distant gates of Cloud Crossing City.

Before the gates, a ceaseless stream of people and carriages flowed like a tide.

Half an hour later, a slender figure of a young boy was indeed spotted amidst the throngs.

The Pavilion Elder's eyebrows flickered slightly, a stir in his heart.

It was his first time observing this child so closely.

Upon initial assessment, he found the boy quite striking, possessing features as warm as jade and eyes as clear as water, his eyebrows and eyes delicately formed as if from a painting.

"What a handsome child…"

However, a second look sent a shiver down his spine.

The life chart was perilous, radiating immense malice; the Qian Path loomed, the earth itself reverberated, and great good and great evil were intricately woven together, mingled with the karma of various inscrutable gods and demons.

These karmic forces coexisting within a single "individual."

Even the Pavilion Elder let out a soft gasp.

"Who could have possibly nurtured this little monstrous talent…"

The Pavilion Elder was taken aback, silently scrutinizing Mo Hua.

Mo Hua, blending into the bustling crowd, entered Cloud Crossing City and headed directly for the ferry. Glancing at the sky, he seemed to note the ample time remaining and sought out a nearby eatery to enjoy some noodles.

Seated amidst the lively market populace, Mo Hua ate his noodles in solitude.

He appeared precisely like a young cultivator who had left home to wander alone, bearing no trace of his identity as the Junior Brother of the Taixu Gate, the foremost major Sect in Qianxue, twice a Formation Leader, recipient of the First Place in the Qianxue Sword Discussion, a vanquisher of countless demon monsters, and the destroyer of the Desolate Heaven Blood Sacrifice Formation.

"Merging with the light and dust…"