The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2226: Ominous Sign (part 2)
Previously on The Quest for Immortality...
He held no power over additional affairs.
However, regarding the Sword Discussion Conference itself, Mo Hua's commands held absolute sway, as he already radiated the presence of the 'Junior Sect Leader' from the Three Mountains.
The elders all lent their full support.
The disciples likewise placed their faith in this young fellow disciple.
Though Mo Hua's plans for the Shura Battle remained unfinished, the basic framework had taken shape.
Furthermore, certain setups from the Tian character Sword Discussion could be repurposed directly.
Mo Hua launched into rigorous preparations.
Forging unique armor, Daoist robes, and spirit tools.
Collecting Three Mountains arrays to bolster his weaknesses in array proficiency.
Especially those uncommon and esoteric arrays boasting unique effects, which required bolstering as well.The Three Mountains' legacy was pooled together, unlocking vital inheritances for the sword discussion participants to boost their fighting prowess.
Dispensing select scarce materials for Dao practice.
Collaborating with Linghu Xiao to delve into Mount Chongxu's elite sword art—the Chongxu Sword True Technique.
Analyzing the trait shifts in this sword art, drawing from Sword Qi fundamentals, examining Water-Moon's mutable traits alongside parallels and contrasts to the Five Elements theory, tackling the issue of Sword Qi enhancement...
...
These tasks didn't fall entirely on Mo Hua's shoulders.
The whole of Taixu Gate was set into motion, proceeding stage by stage.
And the immense Dao practice assets and inheritances housed in the Three Mountains Dao Repository were leveraged by Mo Hua via causal computations and careful scheming to their maximum potential.
...
Right now, it wasn't just Taixu Gate alone.
Each faction joining the Sword Discussion was engaged in thorough groundwork ahead of the impending Shura Battle.
Numerous sects schemed tactics aimed straight at Taixu Gate.
Some sought vengeance, others aimed to neutralize threats, a few desired to snatch a share from Taixu Gate, and many more just seized the chance to stir the pot...
Most Heavenly Pride Disciples were honing their blades specifically for Mo Hua.
The bond between them and Mo Hua was straightforward and unadulterated, rooted in the purest 'enmity'.
Regardless, Mo Hua had to perish!
The whole Qianxue State Boundary buzzed with a heavy, bloodthirsty tension.
...
Time slipped by gradually...
Before they knew it, a week had passed swiftly.
The Di character Sword Discussion's ultimate clash, the Shura Battle, at last commenced...
This clash was pivotal.
It marked the Di character confrontation.
Victory allowed the battle to press on; a complete loss meant bidding farewell to the Tian character Sword Discussion.
Taixu Gate.
Prior to the fight, the Three Mountains Sect Leader personally farewelled the sword discussion disciples.
The Taixu Sect Master offered words like 'don't dread defeat, give it your all' and 'win or lose, you're our sect's glory' to rally the disciples.
Following that, the group departed for the sword discussion venue.
Yet right before leaving, the Taia Sect Leader quietly queried Mo Hua when none were nearby:
'Can we hold onto the top spot among the Eight Great Gates?'
Mo Hua appeared rather fatigued.
Over these days, he had been ceaselessly computing, his divine sense often teetering on depletion, then restored via meditation, cycling through this process.
Though Mo Hua possessed robust divine sense, he felt a touch of mental drain, his complexion looking a bit ashen.
Still, his eyes stayed sharp and vibrant.
From the psychological toll and his profound focus, he projected an air of composure and reliability.
'I'll give it my utmost...'
Mo Hua replied to the Taia Sect Leader with a subtle grin.
The Taia Sect Leader let out a small breath of ease.
Evidently, Mo Hua was merely at Foundation Establishment and just a disciple, yet he somehow conveyed a sense of comfort.
His assurance, coupled with that slight smile, oddly brought tranquility.
'Excellent.'
The Taia Sect Leader gave a nod.
That was his sole expectation.
To strive fully and secure the leading place among the Eight Great Gates...
Amid such chaotic tides, preserving that standing would be akin to offering fervent prayers and gaining forebears' favor...
The moment had arrived; Taixu Gate's disciples set forth toward Mount of Dao.
And meanwhile, across the Qianxue State Boundary, every sect's forces and all sword discussion disciples were heading to the Dao arena.
Participants from diverse sects wore vibrant Daoist robes, forming a brilliant yet varied flowing stream, disciplined and majestic, all streaming toward the Qianxue State Boundary's heart, the venerable Mount of Dao.
...
Mount of Dao brimmed with crowds like peaks and oceans.
The full Qianxue State Boundary saw a grand migration.
This stood as the most crowded, most spectacular Sword Discussion ever.
Upon the Sword Observation Tower.
Esteemed visitors ascended the tower, hierarchies sharply outlined.
Imperial kin, Dao State noble houses, court heavyweights, elite figures assembled.
Lofty structures rose, subtle Qi drifted, heaven knows what concealed experts observed the fray.
And in the midst of the top tier's core sat a majestic chamber.
Pavilions soared, sacred design, opulent and timeless.
At that instant, void-rending noises echoed sporadically in the hall.
Venerable silhouettes materialized from nothingness, taking seats successively.
Should an informed watcher glimpse these elders, shock and alarm would surely grip them, for these were all Heaven Void Ancestors.
These were forebear observers, exceedingly uncommon.
In past times, even for the Tian character Sword Battle's climax, Heaven Void Ancestors might not grace the Sword Observation Tower in person.
This marked the initial occasion for such a throng of Heaven Void Ancestors to convene in the Sword Observation Tower.
From the Four Great Sects: Qian Daoist Sect's Shen Family Old Ancestor, Heavenly Sword Sect's Xiaoo Family Elder, Longding Sect's Ao Family Elder, Wanxiao Sect's Duanmu Elder.
From the Eight Great Gates: Taixu Gate's Elder Master Xun, Taia Mountain's Elder Ouyang, Mount Chongxu's Linghu Ancestor, plus Sever Gold Sect, Gui Water Sect, Lingxiao Sect, Vajra Sect, Purple Mist Sect... and numerous additional sect elders.
And underneath, portions of the Twelve Streams sect elders.