Immortality Through Array Formations (The Quest for Immortality)

Chapter 881: A Grand Occasion

The Shangguan Clan, the Wenren Clan, and the Gu Clan had all come to witness the event.

Wenren Wan held little Yu'er's hand, walking amidst the Shangguan clan's crowd.

Gu Changhuai was also present.

He was usually swamped with matters at the Dao Court Bureau, and had little interest in events like the Dao Discussion Conference. But when Wenren Wan told him that Mo Hua would be participating and insisted he come along, he couldn't refuse.

Besides, he did share a certain… "bond" with Mo Hua—he couldn't justify not showing up.

In addition, Magistrate Xia, representing the Dao Court, had also come to watch the proceedings.

Magistrate Xia's niece, Xia Diansi, followed behind him, expression somewhat cold.

Ever since the Xiao Tianquan incident, her standing within the Xia family had become rather estranged. Her relationship with her uncle, Magistrate Xia, had likewise become somewhat distant.

Among the crowd, Magistrate Xia and Gu Changhuai exchanged glances—but neither said a word.

Following the noble clans came the elders of various sects.

The Four Great Sects, Eight Grand Gates, and even the Twelve Minor Sects, as well as lesser sects below them—elders from all levels had turned out to observe the event.

Naturally, this included elders from the Tai'a Sect, Chongxu Sect, and Great Void Sect.

Tai'a and Chongxu, after their crushing defeat in the Sword Discussion Conference, had more or less given up—few of their members attended.

But Great Void Sect was different.

This Formation Competition was crucial to them.

Their current ranking sat at eighth.

They had started in seventh place after the Sword Discussion Conference, but after the subsequent rounds—Refinement, Alchemy, and Talismans where the Four Great Sects and the Twelve Minor Sects held the advantage, they had slipped to eighth.

While they weren't in immediate danger, they were teetering on the edge.

If they could hold the line in this final event, they could secure their spot in the Eight Grand Gates.

If they couldn't… they'd likely fall to the same fate as Tai'a and Chongxu.

That's why the Great Void Sect had sent nearly all its elders.

Including familiar faces—Elder Xun Ziyou and Elder Xun Zixian—both of whom Mo Hua knew well.

Following the elders came the ordinary disciples.

Many disciples from the Great Void Sect had also arrived.

Not just Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Hao Xuan, Zheng Fang, and the rest of the younger generation—but also the older senior brothers and sisters from the last generation, such as Murong Caiyun and Shangguan Xu.

Murong Caiyun and her peers had fought too fiercely in the Sword Discussion Conference, leaving their auras depleted and their faces pale.

But this grand competition concerned the fate of their sect—they had no choice but to attend.

Finally, as the crowd surged like waves and poured into Lun Dao Mountain, under the eyes of thousands, the final event of the Dao Discussion Conference… officially began.

Lun Dao Mountain, Grand Dao Arena.

Across the massive arena, over a thousand low tables and meditation cushions were laid out.

This was the examination site for the Grand Formation Competition.

Outside the arena, the closest areas held high platforms.

These were reserved for honored guests from the Dao Court and major clans and sects.

Beyond that were regular seats, densely packed in a ring—tens of thousands of them.

Outside the seats lay the rest of Lun Dao Mountain.

Even among the trees on the slopes, many disciples had gathered to watch.

The entire mountain was crawling with cultivators—a grand spectacle beyond compare.

Before long, the disciples participating in the competition began to enter the Grand Arena, heading to their assigned seats to prepare for the exam.

All eyes were on them—some gazes full of admiration, others brimming with envy.

Every entrant was a formation prodigy from their respective sect.

To represent one's sect in the highest-level Discussion Conference of the Qianxue Prefecture—that was a rare honor.

And without exception, these disciples were all in the late-stage or even peak of Foundation Establishment realm.

One by one, they walked with proud bearing or graceful poise, exuding either polite refinement or gentle elegance, making onlookers sigh with envy and awe.

These prodigies strode into the arena, watched by thousands —until a lone figure, starkly out of place, walked in.

Mo Hua.

Pale and delicate-looking, clearly shorter than the others, he stood out like a fluffy lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves.

The surrounding cultivators blinked, stunned—and then came the whispers:

"Wait a sec… That kid looks way too young."

"He doesn't even seem strong."

"I think… he's only mid-Foundation Establishment?"

"Not just seems—he is mid-Foundation!"

"What's going on here? They're letting mid-Foundation into the Grand Formation Competition?"

"Did he cheat?"

"Cheat? Probably just used some connections to grab a spot…"

"Connections? What sect is he from?"

Someone squinted. "Judging by the robes… looks like Great Void Sect."

"Great Void Sect?"

"Are they out of people? Sending a mid-stage disciple to make up the numbers? Is this a joke?"

"Probably has a powerful backer. Either the sect master's nephew or some elder pulling strings."

"Tch. Taking someone else's rightful spot through nepotism. This is how the Great Void Sect falls."

These murmurs echoed throughout the massive stands.

Meanwhile, the Great Void Sect disciples also spotted Mo Hua in the crowd.

They were stunned.

"Little Senior Brother?"

"No wonder we couldn't find him—he was here, entering the competition?! How come we didn't know?"

One disciple muttered, "Little Senior Brother moves in mysterious ways. You think he'd tell you?"

"You're still flattering him, and he can't even hear you!"

"That's where you're wrong. One must always carry Little Senior Brother in their heart—then he'll sense my admiration and use me as his first pick for any future formations!"

"You're dreaming."

"I tested this! Last time I gifted him—"

"Stay on topic, will you?"

"Right, right. So how did he get in? Elder Xun gave him the slot?"

"Seems likely."

"But why?"

"Because he's good at formations, duh."

"No sh— I mean, obviously. But still…" One disciple hesitated. "This competition's for late-stage Foundation folks, right? These are top-tier formation geniuses—some even from the Four Great Sects. How's he supposed to compete?"

That remark brought a hush over the group.

Even if they respected Mo Hua's array skills, they weren't delusional enough to believe he was superior to every top-tier prodigy across Qianxue Prefecture.

Especially not those a whole generation ahead of them.

In a place filled with noble clans and elite sects, peerless talents were as common as fish in a river.

Everyone began to feel a bit uneasy.

Cheng Mo, however, remained unbothered.

"If Elder Xun allowed Little Senior Brother to compete, then he must already have it figured out. We don't need to worry."

"Besides, I think Little Senior Brother's skills aren't any worse than those so-called geniuses from other sects."

He had spent enough time around Mo Hua to develop a kind of mysterious confidence in him.

And then he added:

"Of course, if Little Senior Brother wins—it proves he's incredible. If he loses—it's just because of his age and lower cultivation. Doesn't count as a loss!"

To him, if Mo Hua lost, it was still a win. If he won, it was an ultra-win.

The other disciples nodded in agreement. "Exactly!"

Elsewhere, Murong Caiyun, Shangguan Xu, and a few other familiar seniors were also stunned.

"That's… Mo Hua?"

"Looks like him…"

"Why is he in the competition?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

"Did he sneak in?"

"Impossible. This is the Grand Formation Competition—not a joke. The ID checks are strict."

"So… the sect master or an elder must've given him a spot?"

"But why?"

Shangguan Xu looked thoughtful.

Murong Caiyun's heart skipped a beat.

She was almost certain—this was Elder Xun's doing.

And the elder wouldn't do something meaningless.

If he let Mo Hua compete, it meant—deep down—he believed Mo Hua had the ability to win honor for the Great Void Sect.

Murong Caiyun clenched her fist.

The Murong Clan's fate was tied to the Great Void Sect, and she herself was this generation's Senior Sister—the responsibility was hers.

And though she had pushed herself to the limit, this final round was formation-based—completely out of her hands.

All she could do was watch helplessly.

But if Mo Hua was the one stepping up...

For some reason, a strange sense of relief rose in her chest—alongside a flicker of hopeful anticipation.

...

High Platform Above

Wenren Wan had also spotted Mo Hua.

She came with a clear purpose—ignoring everyone else and keeping her gaze fixed solely on him.

The moment she saw Mo Hua step out, her expression lit up with joy. She immediately pointed him out to Yu'er:

"Yu'er, look! Big Brother Mo is over there!"

Yu'er's eyes sparkled the moment he saw Mo Hua. Overjoyed, he clapped his hands, wanting to cheer him on.

Just then, a cold and cutting voice pierced the moment:

"Look at you—standing like that, sitting like that. So young, and already no manners. How can someone like you ever be worthy of becoming the clan head?"

The speaker was a woman in a green robe, heavily made up, with a sharp tone and sharper eyes.

She was a female elder from the Shen family, married into the Shangguan clan, and the same one who had repeatedly made things difficult for Wenren Wan during the last banquet.

Wenren Wan had expected this kind of hostility. Since she had chosen to come watch with the Shangguan clan, she knew such unpleasantness was unavoidable. She treated the harsh words like a breeze—barely worth a glance.

The elder, known for her petty vindictiveness, was incensed by the cold indifference.

Seeing that Wenren Wan paid her no mind, she turned her attention to Yu'er.

The moment Yu'er felt her gaze, it was as if he'd been stung by a venomous bee—he shrank back in fear.

But then he remembered Mo Hua's advice:

"A real man stands tall and fearless. As long as your conscience is clear, you have nothing to be afraid of!"

With courage rekindled, Yu'er timidly peeked his head out and, imitating Mo Hua, made a mischievous face at the elder.

The attack was unexpected—and it nearly sent the green-robed elder into a stroke.

Just as she glared, ready to lash out, Yu'er quickly retreated, burying his little face into his mother's arms, giggling away.

Wenren Wan blinked in surprise… then couldn't help but chuckle quietly herself.

Only the green-robed elder was left trembling with rage, her makeup-powdered face now ashen white.

In her mind, Shangguan Yi and Shangguan Yu's family were spineless and unworthy of inheriting leadership of the Shangguan clan.

Only if they were thoroughly discredited would that coveted position be vacated—giving her future child a chance at it.

Yet here was this usually timid little brat, now boldly mocking her?

The green-robed elder seethed with hatred, but all she could do was stew in silence—she didn't dare actually touch Yu'er.

And all of this… was seen by Shangguan Ce, sitting in the main seat.

He paid no mind to the elder's petty behavior.

What did catch his attention was Yu'er's sudden liveliness—his playful spirit, even borderline naughtiness. It was… surprisingly normal for a child.

Shangguan Ce frowned slightly.

Could the old patriarch's divination have been wrong?

Had Yu'er's great tribulation already passed?

Shangguan Ce sank into a contemplative silence.

"Brother Shangguan?"

The head of the Gu clan called out beside him.

Snapping out of it, Shangguan Ce offered an apologetic smile and resumed his conversation with the Gu clan leader.

Earlier, both of them had noticed Mo Hua in the crowd. Though surprised, neither paid him much mind.

Elsewhere on the platform, seated together were the elders of the Four Great Sects.

As their status surpassed that of most sects, their seating was also the most prominent.

Several elders were sipping tea and chatting idly.

"This Dao Symposium has been quite a success…"

"Indeed. Once the Formation round concludes today, everything will be settled. The sect restructuring will take effect, and the Four Great Sects will rise to even greater heights."

"With us leading the way, the Qianxue Prefecture is bound to flourish!"

"Let's raise our tea in place of wine—may our Four Sects march forward together toward greatness!"

"Well said!"

Everyone sipped their tea—but behind their smiles, different intentions flickered in each of their eyes.

After a pause, an elder wearing the Heavenly Sword Sect's dao robe, embroidered with a sword insignia, scanned the many young prodigies below, focusing especially on the disciples from Heavenly Dao Sect, and sighed:

"This round will likely end with another win for Heavenly Dao Sect…"

Elder Shen waved modestly:

"Oh, no, no… Last time was pure luck. There's no way we'll get that lucky again…"

He added,

"Besides, from what I've seen—Elder Xiao, your Heavenly Sword Sect has a formation genius this year who is nothing short of dazzling. I think the top spot is yours!"

The Heavenly Sword elder frowned.

"Now, now, Elder Shen—that's just empty flattery. If we're talking formation heritage, how could my Heavenly Sword Sect compare with your Heavenly Dao Sect?"

"Our disciples are always a step behind in formation knowledge."

"After all, your sect's formation lineage can be traced back to… well, that demon-filled sect of legend…"

That struck a nerve. Elder Shen's face darkened.

"Now, now, Elder Xiao, let's not speak nonsense. Our Heavenly Dao Sect achieved what it has today through unity, effort, and hardship. As for those so-called origins and lineages—just rumors, nothing more."

"Which only makes your achievements all the more admirable!" Elder Xiao said, tongue-in-cheek. But inwardly, he scoffed.

"No need to be modest, Elder Shen. The champion this time is surely your sect!"

Elder Shen replied,

"Heavens, I dare not dream of it. Frankly, from what I've seen, our disciples this year aren't quite up to your Heavenly Sword Sect's standard."

Elder Xiao's eyes narrowed slyly:

"If you say that, then I'd wager Longding Sect has a great shot too. I took a glance at their disciples earlier—solid divine sense, deep formation comprehension—not to be underestimated."

The Longding Sect elder chuckled:

"You two can play your humble games, but leave me out of it. I know our strengths. We're fine with physical combat, but when it comes to formations—we're not worth mentioning."

Elder Xiao's gaze turned to the Wanshao Sect elder, but before he could say a word, the Wanshao elder grinned:

"We're just here for the ride this time. If we manage last place, that'd already be a blessing. No high hopes here."

"Far too modest…"

"Enough of that, drink your tea."

"This is the good stuff, specially prepared!"

"Please, drink."

"You first…"

And so the elders continued exchanging hollow pleasantries and sipping tea.

But as they raised their cups, their smiles vanished—replaced with silent, unreadable gazes, each hiding their own schemes.

These high-ranking elders from the Four Great Sects—so busy with polite conversation and subtle intrigue—completely overlooked the inconspicuous Mo Hua.

Below the high platform...

No longer an elder of Heavenly Dao Sect, Elder Zheng now sat among the crowd, his expression cool as he surveyed the arena's many disciples.

And then… he spotted a familiar, handsome figure.

He froze.

"Mo Hua…"

At first, he was incredulous.

But a moment later, the always-serious elder actually allowed himself a slight smile.

"Indeed, the world still has its surprises—if one dares to hope."

Elder Zheng slowly straightened in his seat, eyes full of anticipation for what was to come.

...

Outside the Grand Dao Arena, the scene was loud and bustling. The crowd roared with excitement, a swirl of voices and emotions, a living tapestry of every expression imaginable.

Inside the Grand Arena, the proceedings of the Formation Competition were progressing in an orderly and deliberate fashion.

Under the guidance of an instructor, Mo Hua entered the arena and followed the sequence to locate his assigned seat.

It was a modest little spot—tucked away in a far corner of the arena.

Just a single desk. A single floor cushion.

Utterly ordinary. Completely unremarkable.

And it was far from the center, where the core disciples of the Four Great Sects and other prestigious sects were seated.

Mo Hua, however, remained calm and composed. He only remembered Venerable Elder Xun's instructions—no joy, no sorrow, keep his mind steady, and just focus on drawing formations.

Just draw… and keep drawing.

Thanks to his usual cultivation habits, Mo Hua quickly shed all distractions. His body and mind were at ease, and all the tension and nervousness melted away like snow in spring.

He sat quietly on his cushion.

Even as the eyes of the crowd bore down on him, his heart remained like a still mirror—clear, undisturbed.

No one around him could influence him anymore.

After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, a stern-faced chief examiner took the stage. He began to speak on the Dao of Formations and explained the rules of the competition. He sternly emphasized—no cheating allowed, repeating it thrice for effect.

Then, he personally struck the Dao Bell.

The ancient sound of the bell echoed across every corner of Dao Discussion Mountain, lingering and resonating through the skies.

The Formation Competition had officially begun.

Examiners began distributing the test papers one by one.

Mo Hua opened his and gave it a quick glance.

Out of courtesy… out of caution… and more importantly, out of respect for the Dao Symposium, he looked over it again just to be sure.

Only after confirming it was indeed incredibly simple, did he begin to write.

A mere sixteen-rune formation?

He could draw that with his eyes closed.

Grasping his brush, Mo Hua moved with ease. In just a few breaths, he had already filled the page with formation lines—fluid as drifting clouds, agile as a dragon in flight...

(End of Chapter)