The Quest for Immortality

”Brother Shangguan?”

The Gu Family Master beside called out.

Shang Che turned his head, smiled apologetically, and continued his conversation with the Gu Family Master.

Before this, both of their gazes had swept over Mo Hua; although surprised, they did not care much.

On the other side of the high platform, the elders of the Four Great Sects sat in a circle.

The elders of the Four Great Sects hold higher status than ordinary sect elders, and their seating is also better.

At this moment, several elders were drinking tea and chatting leisurely.

”This Array Discussion Conference can be considered a success...”

”Indeed, once today’s Array Competition concludes, everything will be settled, and the sect reforms will begin to show results, allowing our Four Great Sects to elevate our power even further.” .

”In the future, under the leadership of our Four Great Sects, the Qianxue State Boundary will surely prosper!”

”Let us toast with tea for our Four Sects to advance together and seek great ambitions.”

”Excellent!”

Many elders drank their tea, but in their eyes flickered different thoughts.

After a moment, an elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect, in a Taoist robe embroidered with sword patterns, glanced at the myriad heavenly prides below the stage, especially the disciples of the Qian Taoist Sect, and couldn’t help but sigh:

”This Array Discussion Conference, unsurprisingly, the leader should still fall to the Qian Taoist Sect...”

Elder Shen waved his hands repeatedly: ”Oh, not at all, the previous session was my Qian Taoist Sect’s fortunate luck to get first place, we won’t have such good fortune this time...”

”Moreover, from what I saw just now,” Elder Shen said, ”Elder Xiaoo, your Heavenly Sword Sect also has a disciple with incredible talent in formations. In my opinion, this time the array leader will belong to your Heavenly Sword Sect!”

The elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect said discontentedly: ”Elder Shen, you are speaking nonsense with your eyes open. If we talk about the depth of formation study, how can my Heavenly Sword Sect compare to your Qian Taoist Sect.”

”The disciples we teach are a bit weaker in formation inheritance.”

”After all, tracing back the formation inheritance of your Qian Taoist Sect, you can nearly reach that sect full of evil monsters...”

Elder Shen now truly felt displeased, shook his head, and said:

”Elder Xiaoo’s words are mistaken. My Qian Taoist Sect’s success today is due to the unity of the sect, toiling arduously step by step. Other so-called sources and inheritances are mostly rumors, not to be easily believed.” Ꞧ𝘢Ŋŏ𝖇ƐS̈

”That makes it even more commendable!” The Heavenly Sword Sect elder felt disdain in his heart, but praised aloud, ”Elder Shen need not be modest; this time’s array leader surely belongs to your Qian Taoist Sect!”

Elder Shen declined: ”I don’t dare harbor such extravagant hopes. I’ve looked over; my Qian Taoist Sect’s disciples this time are not as good as yours from Heavenly Sword Sect.”

The Heavenly Sword Sect elder’s eyes shifted, and he said: ”When you put it like that, I also think Longding Sect has a great chance; I just glanced at their disciples, their divine thoughts are profound, their formation study is profound, they should not be underestimated.”

The elder from Longding Sect said: ”You all pretend to be humble, don’t drag me into it. I know my own situation; if it’s about martial arts we’re okay, but in formations, we’re worth mentioning...”

Elder Xiaoo of the Heavenly Sword Sect then turned his gaze to the Wanxiao Sect elder beside him. Before he could speak, the Wanxiao Sect elder smiled and said:

”My Wanxiao Sect is just here to accompany the run. If we can get the last place, it’s already blessed, no more lofty hopes.”

”Too modest...”

”Let’s not talk about this, let’s have some tea...”

”This is good tea I specially prepared...”

”Please.”

”Please...”

The elders exchanged pleasantries again and then politely partook in tea.

However, as they raised their teacups, the smiles on their faces faded, their eyes varied, filled with unknown intentions.

The four great sect elders, engaged in idle chatter with their own thoughts, almost nobody noticed the quiet and nameless Mo Hua.

At this moment, below the high platform.

No longer an elder of the Qian Taoist Sect, Elder Zheng sat among the crowd, his expression indifferent as he scanned the disciples in the Great Dojo.

Then he saw a familiar and refined silhouette.

Elder Zheng was startled.

”Mo Hua...”

He was initially a little incredulous; after a moment, the always stoic elder couldn’t help but smile slightly.

”Indeed, sometimes the world surprises you if you hold expectation...”

Elder Zheng slowly sat upright, anticipating the upcoming tournament.

...

Outside the Great Dojo, the scene was noisy and bustling, showing all sorts of appearances.

Within the Great Dojo, the affairs of the Array Discussion Conference proceeded orderly.

Under the guidance of an instructor, Mo Hua entered the Taoist Field, found his place according to order.

It was a small, secluded corner seat of the Taoist Field.

A table, a cushion.

Ordinary and unremarkable.

Moreover, it was far from the center of the Taoist Field, where the core disciples of the Four Great Sects and other sects were located.

Mo Hua remained calm, remembering Elder Master Xun’s instructions, neither sad nor joyful, restraining emotions, simply focusing on formation painting.

Just keep drawing...

Thanks to daily cultivation, Mo Hua quickly secluded his mind from external distractions, achieving inner calmness; his heart no longer held tension or unease.

Quietly, he sat on the cushion.

Even with all eyes on him, his mind was like a clear mirror, undisturbed.

No one around affected him anymore.

After thirty minutes, the chief examiner, with stern demeanor, ascended the stage to declare formation principles and array competition rules, repeatedly forbidding cheating.

Then he personally rang the Debating Bell.

As its ancient sound lingered, echoing in every corner of the Mount of Tao.

The Array Discussion Conference officially began.

Examiners distributed test questions in turn.

Mo Hua unveiled the questions, glanced at them.

Out of politeness, caution, and respect for the Array Discussion Conference, he looked over a few more times, confirming the simplicity before beginning to write.

Just a mere Sixteen Patterns formation.

He could draw it with his eyes closed.

Mo Hua wielded his pen, within a few breaths left a trail of flowing, yet dragon-like formation patterns on the paper...