The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2220: Asura (part 2)

This grotesque visage disrupted Mo Hua's focused deliberations.

Mo Hua knitted his brows.

'Did something occur?'

Still, he couldn't fathom what might have transpired...

His grasp on causality remained too shallow to delve into the profound strategies beyond Heaven Void.

What he held was merely a sharp instinct for cause and effect.

Along with a subtle connection to the Evil Embryo, bound by their shared roots.

Mo Hua pondered briefly and then shook his head.

'Never mind, it's not my concern. I should just concentrate on the sword contest...'

Countless events unfolded at the Qian Learning State Boundary, far too many for a simple Foundation Building Cultivator like him to fret over each one.

When the sky crumbles, taller figures always stand ready to support it.

He wasn't among the tallest.

Truth be told, amid this crowd, he ranked as one of the smallest.

Mo Hua steadied his thoughts and resumed planning for the Heaven level sword contest.

Even though victory seemed a distant prospect now, he needed to prepare meticulously to grasp any faint chance.

His master's fate hung in the balance, after all.

However, Mo Hua struggled to maintain his focus entirely.

A vague feeling lingered in the shadows.

That sinister, malevolent smirk kept flashing in Mo Hua's mind, breaking his concentration.

It appeared as though it had accomplished something, gloating triumphantly.

Irritation stirred within Mo Hua.

'Grinning once more?'

Mo Hua whispered icily, 'Keep grinning, and I'll drag you in...'

Whether his 'warning' took effect and the Evil Embryo detected peril,

Or if it was merely time for withdrawal,

The repulsive face ceased its mocking laughter before Mo Hua.

Mo Hua gave a nod and proceeded to examine the sword contest details without interruption...

...

Dawn broke as night faded, the morning light radiant and serene. Outwardly, peace reigned everywhere.

At the Mount of Tao.

Representatives from the Four Sects and Eight Gates assembled near the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, scrutinizing the roster it had generated.

This roster pertained to the concluding Earth level sword contest.

For certain sects, such as Taixu Gate.

The Earth level sword contest's broader results were set, rendering this last bout irrelevant, so they showed little interest.

Other sects, though, brimmed with tension.

Their matches hung in precarious balance, with rankings neck-and-neck; one win or loss could shift their standing dramatically.

Elders from these sects felt a gnawing anxiety they couldn't shake.

Yet such groups were rare; most elders experienced an odd sense of 'ease.'

With the final match done, the Earth level contest would wrap up.

It resembled the closing test in a sect trial—once finished, respite awaited, bringing that peculiar wave of relief.

True, the Heaven level contest followed later.

A break would intervene, however.

Besides, for many sects, the Heaven level was strictly an 'elite affair,' beyond their reach.

In reality, numerous sects lacked even a squad eligible for the Heaven level.

When the Earth level ended, their involvement in this sword discussion effectively concluded.

The Heaven level stage belonged to the premier sects and their top prodigies.

It held no relevance for the rest.

Thus, in a way, this marked their final sword discussion.

Regardless of the results, high or low, completion ushered in the 'break.'

No further fretting over wins and losses, no more scheming against rival sects.

In this frame of mind, where prolonging or hastening the end changed nothing, the delegates from each sect unveiled the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument's predicted list.

Abruptly, faces across the group shifted.

A cold dread pierced their cores.

The warm sun above turned ominous and biting.

Even the Mount of Tao elders displayed traces of alarm and incredulity in their gazes.

Throughout the gathering, clutched by every sect and elder, every sword discussion roster revealed the identical three words in the projected duel format for all participants:

Shura Battle!

...

'No way!'

'A Shura Battle? How is that possible?!'

Within the Mount of Tao's assembly chamber.

Mount of Tao elders alongside delegates from the Four Sects and Eight Gates buzzed with agitation and debate:

'That archaic, savage sword contest method was scrapped ages ago! Why would the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument predict it?'

'Did someone meddle with the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument?'

'Who possesses such immense power?'

'The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument is the sacred relic bequeathed by the Mount of Tao's founder; only a handful in the cultivation realm could warp its causality and alter its predictions.'

'Those mighty entities, with their awe-inspiring backgrounds, why would they invest effort here?'

'And for what purpose?'

'Switching the sword contest to 'Shura Battle'—what's the motive? Stirring chaos on purpose?'

'Just whimsy from idleness?'

'That can't be...'

Amid the heated arguments, one elder interjected:

'The event has unfolded; we can probe the causes afterward. Right now, the issue is handling the upcoming sword contest?'

'Do we accept the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument's outcome?'

'Accepting means embracing the old ways and conducting the 'Shura Battle.'

'That would ignite massive uproar.

'Rejecting it, then what next?'

'Ignore the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument's forecast and devise our own roster? Or attempt another deduction from the instrument?'

These suggestions prompted a hush in the hall.

Brows furrowed as all pondered deeply.

Soon, a voice declared firmly:

'We can't proceed with the Shura Battle; it's a relic of the past, banned for being overly brutal, overly pragmatic, drenched in bloodshed. It's pure 'survival of the fittest,' clashing with the core of Righteous Cultivators joining forces to vanquish demons and safeguard the righteous dao.'