The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2235: Ink Manipulation (part 2)

"Crafting high-rank formations is indeed a task that demands both significant time and immense effort."

"Provided our offensive remains relentless, we will eventually force Mo Hua into exhaustion and break him down."

"Should his divine sense falter, or perhaps his pace in drawing formations slacken, causing vulnerabilities to emerge..."

"Then the defensive front of the Taixu Sect will lose its most vital pillar."

"Bereft of these formations, even the immense power of Linghu Xiao and those brothers from Tai’a will be unable to hold us back."

"The eventual destruction of the Taixu Sect is merely a matter of time."

Certain disciples present had already grasped this logical conclusion.

However, many others only perceived it at this very moment.

They had been so intimidated by Mo Hua’s reputation as the ’Formation Leader’ that a shadow lingered over their hearts, nearly causing them to forget that this event was, in essence, the Sword Discussion Conference.

Within the Sword Discussion Conference, only second-grade middle-level formations are permitted. All of Mo Hua’s high-rank formations were crafted by his own hand, individually and in real-time.

Amidst the chaotic clashes of cultivators, one possesses limited time and finite divine sense.

Even granting his status as the Formation Leader, how many distinct formations can one man possibly manifest?

Regardless of how swiftly he draws, can he truly outpace the combined efforts of everyone attempting to dismantle them?

Merely understanding this reality is insufficient; the crucial aspect is executing a strategy based upon it.

Maintaining unwavering pressure on the Taixu Sect’s defensive line is an arduous undertaking.

The five ’executioner blades’ of the Taixu Sect are formidable, giant weapons that shouldn't be underestimated.

Furthermore, one cannot ignore the presence of Linghu Xiao and his companions standing guard behind them.

This is undeniably a difficult obstacle.

For pressure to be genuinely effective, someone is inevitably required to make a sacrifice.

In other words, it demands a constant expenditure of human lives to bog them down and drain their stamina.

It is an unpleasant truth to voice.

Such a tactic certainly carries the stain of ’betraying one's comrades’ and utilizing disciples as mere cannon fodder.

Yet, someone must inevitably perform this villainous role.

Ye Qingfeng spoke with grave determination, "This is a necessary sacrifice for the prosperity of the sect and to finally extinguish the Taixu Sect."

A heavy silence descended over the group.

At that instant, a disciple belonging to the Daluo Sect stepped forward and declared, "Brother Ye, let this task fall to me."

Amongst this assembly of geniuses, his own cultivation was unremarkable, and his name held little weight.

Given his limited strength, even if he managed to survive the conflict, he was unlikely to reach the final stages. It would be far more beneficial to volunteer as ’cannon fodder’ and provide a path forward for his fellow sect members.

Moreover, performing such a deed would surely leave a mark of ’loyalty’ upon the sect's leadership.

Following his lead, several other ordinary geniuses from the Daluo Sect realized the intent, immediately clasping their hands in agreement, "For the honor of the sect, we shall not hesitate to walk through fire and water."

With the Daluo Sect taking the initiative, disciples from the remaining seven gates quickly followed suit.

They realized that their own capabilities held no candle to the true elite geniuses.

Given that reality, it was wiser to offer themselves as sacrifices for the sake of the sect, gaining favor from the Sect Leader and Elders while proving their own worth.

This is, after all, merely the Sword Discussion, not a sentence of absolute death.

Under these conditions, if they could not bring themselves to ’sacrifice’ for their sect, they could hardly expect recognition from the Elders.

Consequently, the seven gates reached an agreement to rotate their members to assault the mountain.

The Four Great Sects also contributed personnel.

Ultimately, they could not afford to remain idle while the attack on the Taixu Sect was underway.

Furthermore, among the Four Great Sects, there were many who harbored deep resentment toward Mo Hua.

Just like that, the previously tranquil environment ignited once more into total conflict.

The Four Sects and Seven Gates began to deploy ordinary geniuses as their vanguard, launching a ferocious offensive against the valley entrance where the Taixu Sect sought refuge.

The shouts of battle echoed clearly through the air.

Formation sigils vibrated violently as swords and sorcery collided.

The five brothers of Tai’a, positioned at the mouth of the valley, swung their massive blades like meat grinders, prepared to shred anyone who dared step into their zone.

Mo Hua’s formations served as a reinforced barrier at the valley entrance, effectively tempering the momentum of the disciples from the Four Sects and Seven Gates.

He funneled them in incrementally, allowing the Tai’a brothers to make clean kills.

The carnage slowly assumed a brutal, Asura-like quality.

One by one, Mo Hua’s formations were shattered.

The durability of the Taixu Sect’s defenses was being whittled down bit by bit.

Simultaneously, disciples from the Four Sects and Seven Gates were being systematically slaughtered.

The narrow gap at the mouth of the valley transformed into an executioner's stage.

The Taixu Sect was engaged in a desperate trade: their formations for the lives of their enemies.

Beyond the arena of the Sword Discussion, within the viewing stands...

The elders of the Ten Thousand Formations Sect nodded in appreciation, remarking,

"In this massive melee of cultivators, they are utilizing the terrain and their formations to stand united against powerful foes."

"This exemplifies the true value of a Formation Master during the wars of cultivators!"

"They exhaust their formations, while the others must exhaust their lives."

"Those disciples from the Four Sects and Eight Gates possess eyes but lack true insight; they act like men tearing down bridges the moment they cross them..."

"Look, are they not now suffering the consequences of those very formations?"

They clearly harbored bitterness toward the other sects for their history of using and abandoning the disciples of the Ten Thousand Formations Sect.

Seeing Mo Hua turn the tides and use his formations to claim the lives of those sect disciples brought them a sense of grim satisfaction.

An elder of the Ten Thousand Formations Sect gestured toward the image of Mo Hua, who sat in deep meditation, addressing the disciples of various sects gathered behind him,

"Look closely at Mo Hua, the leader of the Qianxue Formation Path."

"Once, he was only a hair's breadth away from becoming a disciple of our Ten Thousand Formations Sect, your own senior brother."

"It is a great tragedy that our sect lacked the destiny required to seize such an opportunity."

"Today, observe him well and learn; this is the exemplar for your future..."

The majority of the disciples offered nods of agreement.

However, one disciple with a sharp memory asked, looking confused,

"Elder, did you not previously claim that Mo Hua was the target of universal criticism and that we should strike him while his fortunes were low?"

The elder's expression darkened instantly, "That was previously; this is now. Let us not revisit that conversation."

"Oh..." the disciple murmured in response.

"Nevertheless..."

Another elder from the Ten Thousand Formations Sect let out a long sigh, "Formations require significant foresight and meticulous preparation. Deploying them amidst the intensity of battle is far too reckless..."

"Mo Hua, at the end of the day, is only one man. The formations crafted by a single individual cannot hold forever against the combined onslaught of so many disciples from the Four Sects and Seven Gates."