The Quest for Immortality

Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan, these elites, are comparable to the Foundation Establishment Peak Fire Buddha he encountered back in the day.

Even in terms of spiritual root aptitude and Taoist skill inheritance, these elites like Xiao Wuchen surpass that of the Fire Buddha.

The Fire Buddha being defeated by his hands is true.

But Mo Hua knows in his heart that it was because the Golden Core Realm Uncle Gu attracted the fire and fought the Fire Buddha head-on to the brink of exhaustion, allowing him to take advantage of the situation.

The Sword Discussion Conference is different.

In the sword discussion, he has no Golden Core Realm ”Uncle Gu” to attract firepower or to confront elites like Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan directly.

Not to mention, the Fire Buddha was alone.

But in the elite sword discussions, people like Xiao Wuchen came in groups of five.

The people around Xiao Wuchen and Ao Zhan are also top talents of their respective sects.

And this is the Qianxue Debate, watched by countless eyes. Mo Hua cannot use all his methods without reservation.

Winning just one is already an effort.

And even if he wins one, what about the rest?

Xiao Wuchen, Ao Zhan, Duanmu Qing, Shen Linsu—the top four elites of the Four Sects, plus first-rate talents like ”Xiao Ruohan,” probably account for a dozen or so...

They are all ”enemies.”

And this is just the ”Earth” level sword discussion.

Reaching the ”Heaven” level sword discussion, one would find even more enemies.

The mere thought of it makes one’s scalp tingle...

Calculating like this, Mo Hua can’t help but doubt whether Taixu Gate can really secure the first place in this Sword Discussion Conference.

In the eyes of the Taixu Sect Leader and the Elders, perhaps securing a position among the ”Four Great Sects” is enough.

In fact, they might not even dare to dream of the ”Four Great Sects” position.

It is a dream that, though alluring, seems unattainable.

But Mo Hua hasn’t spoken of it; his goal has always been to secure the first place in the sword discussion.

Only by achieving first in the sword discussion can Taixu Gate win the prize of the sword discussion leader and only then does he have the chance to obtain that formation:

The Wood Revitalization Formation.

Mo Hua’s gaze deepened.

This formation is related to his master’s fate.

It may even be the formation that allows his master to live again.

The name ”Wood Revitalization” sounds plain, and others might not know its value.

But Mo Hua knows in his heart that if it is the formation to save his master, it implies that this formation, in a certain sense, holds the power to reverse Yin and Yang, defy life and death, trace back causality, and disrupt heavenly secrets.

By Mo Hua’s intuition, this is definitely an ancient and terrifying formation.

No matter what, he must obtain it.

No matter what, he must save his master...

”Master...”

Mo Hua sighed, placing his hands behind his head, gazing at the night sky, reminiscing about past events, filled with melancholy.

The face of his master and the things he was advised about flowed from Mo Hua’s mind.

But Mo Hua only dwelled on these thoughts for a moment before daring not to continue.

The Dao of heavenly secrets is unpredictable; he feared others might detect the causality, so he only dared occasionally to think of his master in his heart, not daring to frequently recall.

Mo Hua closed his eyes, pondered briefly, discarded thoughts of ”Master,” then focused, silently thinking:

”I must win...”

”Even if the current causality is perplexing, I must strive to win each session, accumulating every victory point, waiting for the critical turning point to come...”

Mo Hua had a faint premonition.

This sword discussion won’t be so simple.

Surely, some major event will occur...

Before that, it’s crucial to win whatever can be won.

...

The Sword Discussion Conference continued.

Mo Hua’s next opponent was a top talent from the Qian Taoist Sect.

It wasn’t Shen Linsu, but not someone to underestimate.

The format of the sword discussion remained an offensive and defensive battle.

Only this time, Taixu Gate was the attacker, while Qian Taoist Sect defended.

On the day of the sword discussion, crowds were dense at Mount of Tao, with more cultivators coming to spectate.

Taixu Gate, originally facing a series of defeats, was a source of disappointment and discouragement.

But in the last session, because Mo Hua showcased a formation, winning against Heavenly Sword Sect, Taixu Gate suddenly surged, and there was anticipation for this sword discussion.

Of course, criticism was ongoing, especially targeting Mo Hua:

”Since this is a Sword Discussion Conference, relying on formation arts is ignoring the fundamentals and goes against the discussion’s original intent.”

”If Mo Hua had any sense of shame, he’d abandon formation arts and engage in a straightforward sword discussion with other sect’s talents to determine victory.”

”Why don’t you tell Mo Hua that yourself?”

”If he even bothers to acknowledge you, I’ll concede.”

”Aren’t you absurd to not use whatever means you have?”

”Why isn’t Mount of Tao managing this?”

”There’s no rule-breaking, so what can Mount of Tao do?”

”Just watch, in this sword discussion, Mo Hua will undoubtedly rely on formations again.”

”What formation will he rely on this time?”

”How would I know? This kid is as cunning as a ghost; who knows which formations he may have learned?”

”What’s the rush? Once the sword discussion starts and he makes his move, it will be clear.”

...

While there was much discussion outside, inside, the sword discussion finally began.

The disciples of Qian Taoist Sect defended the fortress.

Taixu Gate then split into two routes to begin their assault.

This was no different from a usual siege, except Mo Hua was not participating in the attack.

As soon as the sword discussion began, he ran to a small hill and sneakily started drawing a formation.

Everyone was curious about which formation he would draw.

What piqued more curiosity was his method of drawing the formation and how fast it would be.

So Mo Hua ran to a small hill, pulled out a blanket, and covered himself entirely.

Then, hiding under the blanket, he drew his formation, not allowing anyone to see.

The Fangtian Shadow Projection showed only a ”caterpillar” wrapped in a blanket.

This infuriated the spectators, who began to curse:

”Stingy!”

”Despicable!”

”Judging others by one’s own petty standards.”

”Not even letting us see him draw a formation?”

...

Nearby, some elders holding ”Tracing Shadow Maps” also sighed, looking helpless.

Their participation in the Sword Discussion Conference was to showcase their strength, allowing great families, various sects, and thousands of cultivators to see.

Other talents would love the chance to display their powers before the crowd.

The Fangtian Shadow Projection was the grandest stage.

But the founder of the Fangtian Shadow Projection probably never imagined that someone would do the opposite, fearing their skills being seen.

Drawing a formation, yet concealing it under a blanket.

This is something most talents wouldn’t do.

They care about face.

But Mo Hua is different; he doesn’t care about face at all.

Inside the field, Mo Hua naturally didn’t care about so much.

Everything was for the win, and what does face matter?

Through the prior sword discussion, he understood one point clearly:

That is, on the sword discussion stage, people are always watching him, all devising ways to target him.

The more methods he exposes, the more targeted he becomes.

And if he could hide a trump card for another round, it could potentially mean another victory. .

Thus, he must hide whatever he can.

Hide them by any means necessary.

Even if it’s just wrapping himself in a blanket.

Surprisingly, the simplest means often have the most unexpected effects.

At least, this blanket covered Mo Hua, bewildering others.

With that, Mo Hua, under the blanket, stealthily completed his formation, lingering a while more to obscure his true speed at drawing formations, then collected the blanket, pocketed the formation, and dashed toward the Qian Taoist Sect’s ”fortress.”

Every other sect would be fine.

But with Qian Taoist Sect, there was an old grudge.

Back then, he tried to join Qian Taoist Sect but couldn’t even enter the ”mountain gate.”

Sword Discussion today, he intends to blow up Qian Taoist Sect’s ”city gate”!

Mo Hua looked jubilant.

Not that he is petty; rather, the sword discussion situation forced his hand, leaving him with no choice.