The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2223: Three Mountains Legacy (2)

Numerous Sects had once served as 'subordinate' entities under the Qian Taoist Sect, adhering closely to its direction.

Additional Sects acted as 'brother' Sects to the Sever Gold Sect and Gui Water Sect, their benefits deeply entangled.

Such connected factions likewise maintained tense connections with the Taixu Gate.

At this point, Tai’a, Chongxu, and Taixu have combined to form a unified Sect.

All the gathered resentments and hostilities from the past have inevitably focused on a single point.

The Taixu Gate has thus emerged as the 'target of everyone.'

The conflicts among these Sects form merely one side of the issue.

Another factor stems from the Taixu Gate's present standing.

Holding the position of leader among the Eight Great Gates proves to be a burdensome responsibility.

Should they push forward, it endangers the Four Great Sects, turning into a 'thorn in the side' for those powerful groups.

Should they pull back, the various Sects within the Eight Great Gates compete fiercely for dominance, viewing the Taixu Gate's spot as a 'tempting prize' for all to claim.

For the Eight Great Gates aiming to rise, their initial focus falls on the Taixu Gate, which holds the top rank among them.

The Four Great Sects, unwilling to slip behind, regard the Taixu Gate—merely one step from their level—as their main rival.

Due to all this, the Taixu Gate now occupies a highly unstable position.

Beyond that, inside the Taixu Gate itself, Mo Hua exists.

The participants in the sword discussion harbor resentment toward Mo Hua over issues of win and loss.

The elders observing beyond the arena, particularly the Elder of Daoist Law, also bear grudges against Mo Hua deep in their minds.

Right now, across the grand stage of the Sects, the Taixu Gate stands as the focus of collective assaults.

Within the Sect's own disciples, Mo Hua has become the shared 'archenemy'...

This has led to countless disciples looking forward with great eagerness to the upcoming Shura battle.

...

Within the Tumo Order, discussions raged with intense enthusiasm.

I am irreconcilable with the Fireball Technique:

'I'm unsure why a Shura battle emerged so abruptly, but I must say, this Shura battle is most welcome!'

'Regardless of how sly Mo Hua is with his Concealment, or how adept his movement technique, can he possibly escape the chase from a pack of five hunters? Much less from hundreds of teams across an entire Sect, or even the combined forces of the Four Great Sects, Eight Gates, and Twelve Streams?'

'If he makes it through this, I'll call him my father right then and there!'

Big Fool: 'You're right, this Shura format is truly superb. I was concerned earlier that the sword discussion wouldn't give me another shot at facing Mo Hua, preventing me from landing that one punch to erase my previous shame.'

'But now, this chance has come unexpectedly.'

'It's like a timely rain after prolonged drought.'

'I haven't studied much; I just wonder where exactly this Shura battle originated from...'

A Canglang Sword: 'Rumors say it was an ancient ancestral rule rediscovered by accident during the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument...'

A Wind-like Youth nodded earnestly in agreement, 'The ancestors' creations are indeed treasures.'

A chorus of voices echoed one after another, 'The ancestors were truly insightful.'

'The ancestors possessed great foresight...'

'Without the Shura battle, Mo Hua's trickery would render him extremely difficult to take down.'

'Our fortune is great; the final round turned out to be this Shura battle.'

'Perhaps Mo Hua, that rascal, has piled up too many misdeeds, and even the heavens couldn't stand it, so they meddled with fate, letting the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument reveal a 'Shura battle' to offer us our revenge...'

'In this realm, while good people abound, the benevolent deities are plentiful too...'

'Let's vow to slay Mo Hua in this Shura battle, making him endure a hellish torment like that of Asura...'

'Whoever manages to cut down 'Mo' shall become our Alliance Hierarch!'

'Eradicate 'Mo' to protect the Dao, cleanse our old shames, right in this fight!'

'The sword discussion may slip from our grasp, but Mo Hua has to perish!'

The group shouted back together:

'Eradicate 'Mo' to protect the Dao!'

'Cleanse our old shames!'

'The sword discussion may slip from our grasp, but Mo Hua has to perish!'

...

Taixu Gate, main hall.

The Three Mountains Sect Leader along with the elders had assembled too, working late into the night, deliberating for more than half a day.

As the night grew deeper, the elders finally departed.

Just the three Sect Leaders lingered in the hall.

The Taia Mountain Sect Leader thought for a bit, then said gravely:

'This is problematic; I never realized the Taixu Gate had accumulated so many 'enemies.'

'And that young Mo Hua—he's really despised? Though I personally find him quite likable...'

The Chongxu Mountain Sect Leader let out a sigh: 'This Shura battle seems incredibly tough...'

No matter the weighting or score difference in a Shura battle, it usually shifts rankings by only three or four places.

Yet for the Taixu Gate, the situation differs entirely.

Observing the Taixu Gate's current state, it has turned into the prime objective for all to 'overwhelm and eliminate.'

Should they get 'surrounded' and defeated right from the beginning, their ranking might drop by an unpredictable amount.

All previous hard work would end up wasted.

And they would fall far from the 'Heavenly' sword discussion contention.

Every aspiration would dissolve into a fleeting illusion, crumbling away.

'We have to find a solution.'

'The Qianxue Debate relies on the prodigies' own abilities; it all hinges on the disciples' performance. As Sect Leaders, our influence is limited.'

'Even if intervention were possible, it would need to happen prior to the sword discussion, through careful groundwork, investing resources, and honing the disciples to build a solid base for the event...'

'Failing to prepare in peacetime leaves only regret during the competition.'

'Given the circumstances, it falls to them; we can't assist a great deal.'

The Chongxu Sect Leader sighed lightly, his voice weighted with concern.

'Still, we ought to take some action.'

'What action?'

The Taia Sect Leader mulled it over briefly before suggesting, 'Shall I inquire with Mo Hua once more?'

'What do you plan to inquire?'

'I'll ask about his confidence level.'

'Does it boil down solely to his confidence?' The Chongxu Sect Leader furrowed his brow, 'Facing the Four Great Sects, Eight Gates, and Twelve Streams in the Shura battle, enduring targeted aggression from most Sects and animosity from the bulk of disciples, no matter his talent, how could he feel assured?'

'You saw the earlier sword discussion yourself.'

'Setting other issues aside, the elite geniuses from the Four Great Sects alone represent four impassable heavenly barriers.'