Chapter 879: Unsheathed

Just as Elder Xun was about to say something to Mo Hua, footsteps sounded from outside. The Tai Xu Sect Master, with a full head of black hair and a ruddy face but tightly furrowed brows, walked in.

Seeing Mo Hua in the room, the Tai Xu Sect Master was clearly a little surprised.

Mo Hua quickly stood up and bowed, "Good day, Sect Master."

"Mm, good." The Tai Xu Sect Master's attitude towards Mo Hua was very gentle.

"I returned the 'Big Dog' earlier, but you weren't in, so I tied it up in front of the Scripture Pavilion for you," Mo Hua said.

The Tai Xu Sect Master's expression became subtle.

He couldn't quite understand.

How did a perfectly unruly and untamed exotic beast become just like a guard dog in front of this child, Mo Hua...

Was it really like using brine to curdle tofu, one thing subjugating another?

"Alright." The Tai Xu Sect Master kept his inner thoughts hidden and just nodded slightly on the surface.

Elder Xun glanced at the Tai Xu Sect Master, then patted Mo Hua's shoulder. "That's enough for today's lesson. You should go back now."

Mo Hua also knew that Elder Xun likely had matters to discuss with the Sect Master, so he respectfully performed a bow. "Elder, Sect Master, this disciple will take his leave."

Afterward, Mo Hua retreated.

Elder Xun got up and carefully collected the arrays that Mo Hua had drawn, sheet by sheet.

The Tai Xu Sect Master watched silently from the side and couldn't help but think to himself:

"Worthy of being an old ancestor, truly able to maintain composure. At this point in time, he still has the leisure to teach a disciple about arrays..."

The treatment Mo Hua received was no less than that of the old ancestor's own son.

After Elder Xun finished tidying the desk, the two of them discussed proper matters.

"The meeting at Qian Xue Ge has been set. The Lun Jian Grand Meeting has been moved up, the quotas have been expanded, and the ranking order of the sects will change starting from this grand meeting..."

"We knew it would change eventually, but we didn't expect it to happen this time..."

The Tai Xu Sect Master placed a jade slip on the table and presented it to Elder Xun.

"The matters of this Qian Xue Ge convention were prepared well in advance by the Four Great Sects. However, Tai A Gate, Chong Xu Gate, and our Tai Xu Gate, including some sects that aren't on good terms with the Four Great Sects, only found out at the last minute and were caught off guard."

"However, the initiative was originally in their hands. Our opposition wouldn't make a difference anyway..."

Elder Xun picked up the jade slip, quickly scanned it, and his expression remained normal, showing no surprise. Then, he turned his head and looked at the Tai Xu Sect Master:

"What do you plan to do?"

The Tai Xu Sect Master suddenly felt a great deal of pressure, but since Elder Xun had asked, he could only steel himself and speak.

"I have already done my best to make arrangements."

"This Lun Dao Grand Meeting is extremely important, so the rewards for the disciples' merits have been increased by forty percent compared to before."

"For those participating in the Lun Jian, Dao Fa elders have been arranged in advance to take them to Lian Yao Mountain to hone their combat skills."

"For other areas like Dan, Array, Fu, and Qi, the best disciples of this generation have also been selected and are being personally guided by the sect's elders. They must achieve a certain ranking in the Lun Dao Grand Meeting to stabilize the Tai Xu Gate's position..."

"All other trivial matters of the sect have also been temporarily suspended, and everything is making way for this Lun Dao Grand Meeting..."

The Tai Xu Sect Master spoke in an orderly manner.

Elder Xun nodded slightly.

After the Tai Xu Sect Master finished speaking, he sighed. "It's just that this time, the hurdle might not be so easy to pass."

He pointed to the jade slip. "These moves by the Four Great Sects seem like normal rule changes, but each move and style is aimed at a vital point."

"Tai Xu Gate is slightly better, but for Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate, it's extremely dangerous..."

"Moving the Lun Jian up means less time for preparation, and their opportunities for maneuvering are also gone."

"Expanding the quotas is adding insult to injury for them, who are already short on manpower."

"And this Lun Dao is specifically to establish rankings."

"Looking at the current situation, not to mention Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate, even our Tai Xu Gate is struggling to maintain its position among the 'Eight Great Gates'..."

When mentioning "position," the Tai Xu Sect Master's expression was grave.

"If the 'Eight Great Gates' can't maintain their position, generally speaking, they will slide down to the 'Twelve Streams'..."

"But I've thought carefully, and it's not that simple."

"Although the 'Eight Great Gates' are, in reality, superior to the Twelve Streams in position, nominally, both are equal, with no distinction between high and low."

"And to enter the Twelve Streams, one must have a 'specialty' in cultivation. Either in sword methods, Dao methods, or deep attainments in the sect's inner Dan, Array, Fu, or Qi..."

"Our Tai Xu Gate's foundation is still alright, but when it comes to a true 'specialty,' we don't necessarily surpass these existing Twelve Streams sects."

"If we fall from the Eight Great Gates and don't have a position in the Twelve Streams, then... it's possible to directly slide into the Qian Xue Hundred Gates."

"Cultivation is like sailing against the current, and this applies to cultivators as well as sects."

"Once you fall, it's a ten thousand zhang abyss. This will greatly affect the sect's ability to recruit disciples later, the distribution of Qian Long, and the sect's reputation."

"With such a vicious cycle, climbing back up is likely as difficult as ascending to heaven..."

The Tai Xu Sect Master sighed deeply.

He had already anticipated the worst-case scenario.

If the Tai Xu Gate truly couldn't maintain its position in his hands and fell from the "Eight Great Gates," eventually merging into the thousands of sects of Qian Xue.

Then he might truly become a Sect Master who "leaves a name in history."

The "founder" of the Tai Xu Gate's decline.

Even if all these things didn't have much to do with him personally, he would still have to bear this burden.

The Tai Xu Sect Master felt bitter inside.

His original idea was to have a leisurely time in the tranquil Tai Xu Gate, cultivate his body and mind, but he never expected to encounter such a matter.

The sect's crisis, this heavy burden, suddenly came crashing down on him.

The affairs of this world are truly unpredictable with regard to fortune and misfortune...

With heavy matters in his heart, the Tai Xu Sect Master finished speaking and turned to see Elder Xun's calm expression, without any special reaction. He couldn't help but say strangely:

"Old Ancestor, you..."

Elder Xun lifted his eyes, lightly glanced at the Tai Xu Sect Master, and said, "Leave a quota for me."

"Quota?" The Tai Xu Sect Master was slightly startled.

"Mm, a quota for the Lun Array." Elder Xun said, and then glanced at the Tai Xu Sect Master again, gently saying:

"Rest assured. You've done your best. Even if our Tai Xu Gate is truly in an unfavorable situation and gradually declines, it's because my plans as this old ancestor were not thorough, not your fault..."

The Tai Xu Sect Master smiled bitterly.

He was very grateful that the Old Ancestor could comfort him in this way, but shifting the responsibility now was meaningless.

But he was also very puzzled.

He shouldn't normally inquire about the Old Ancestor's affairs, but the situation was special at this time, and he eventually couldn't help but ask:

"You... what do you want this quota for?"

Elder Xun only said indifferently:

"You'll know then..."

And then Elder Xun said no more, his expression calm as he began to drink tea.

The Tai Xu Sect Master's brows, however, furrowed even tighter.

Afterward, the atmosphere in the Tai Xu Gate suddenly became tense.

It seemed everyone knew that this Lun Dao Grand Meeting had extraordinary significance.

Disciples like Murong Cai Yun and Shangguan Xu, who were in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, were even more busy hunting demons every day, honing their combat skills, and cultivating tacit understanding with each other to welcome the upcoming Lun Jian Grand Meeting.

Disciples like Mo Hua, who were in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, were not as busy because they didn't need to participate in the Lun Dao Grand Meeting, but the atmosphere among the disciples was still somewhat grave.

Especially some disciples with good family backgrounds and deep connections, who knew inside information from their clans, were even more worried about the situation of the Tai Xu Gate.

The interests of the sect were closely related to these disciples.

They probably didn't want to enter the "Eight Great Gates" after enduring thousands of hardships when they joined the sect.

Only to become ordinary "Qian Xue Hundred Gates" disciples upon graduation.

However, they were only in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Although they were anxious, they couldn't help much.

Mo Hua was still practicing arrays.

However, the Lun Jian Grand Meeting was the first to be held, and the weight of the Lun Jian ranking was higher than other Lun Dao Grand Meetings.

Mo Hua considered it for a moment, then went to find Elder Xun and asked:

"Elder, can I participate in the Lun Jian Grand Meeting?"

He felt that he should also be able to help a little.

Elder Xun was startled and immediately shook his head.

"You are only in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, what fun are you joining..."

But he didn't finish his words when he suddenly remembered that Mo Hua's middle stage of Foundation Establishment seemed not to be the usual middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Especially when thinking of Mo Hua's "achievements":

In the records of the Dao Ting Si, there was a string of "vicious" criminal cultivators and cruel evil cultivators who had been arrested and recorded.

Including demon heads like "Fire Buddha" who killed people like cutting flax.

Not to mention the "great merits" of setting up a great array and killing great demons that were inquired about in Tong Xian City before, which were almost unbelievable...

Elder Xun looked at the fair and clean, well-behaved Mo Hua in front of him, and it was very difficult to connect these matters with him.

But the "rumors" in Tong Xian City were hard to say, while the records of the Dao Ting Si wouldn't be false.

Most of these matters were likely facts.

Elder Xun pondered for a moment, still shaking his head. "The Lun Jian Grand Meeting is not that simple."

Mo Hua didn't understand.

Elder Xun looked at Mo Hua and patiently explained:

"Your spiritual root is not good, the grade of your cultivation method is limited, and the number of spiritual energy cycles you cultivate is originally less than others, so your spiritual energy is naturally weak."

"Furthermore, your cultivation is still only in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. At least in terms of spiritual energy, you are far behind those Qian Xue prodigies in the late stage or even peak of Foundation Establishment."

"And the Lun Jian Grand Meeting is a comparison of many fields. Your meager spiritual energy simply cannot withstand the consumption."

"Once your spiritual energy is used up, it means that even if you have many other means, you can't display them, and you'll only have to admit defeat in the end."

When Elder Xun spoke to this point, his gaze was slightly solemn:

"I know that you can mix like a fish in water outside, dealing with those criminal cultivators, evil cultivators, and demon cultivators. You must have quite a few trump cards in your hand."

"But you have to be clear, the bright and the dark are not the same."

"When doing things in the dark outside, your hidden and tucked means will have strange effects."

"But the Lun Jian Grand Meeting is in the light, with ten thousand people watching. With so many people looking, once your trump cards are exposed, you will be stared at by everyone."

"Others will prepare in advance, in turn plotting against you and targeting you."

"Moreover, the Lun Jian Grand Meeting requires fighting in so many fields. Even if you have many trump cards, exposing one in each field, sooner or later you will be completely stripped bare."

"When it comes down to it, if all your means are seen through, how can you still fight?"

Mo Hua's expression was serious, but at the same time, he was a little puzzled and asked, "Elder, the prodigies of other sects also have trump cards, right? Aren't they afraid of exposing them?"

"They are not the same as you..." Elder Xun said, "Their trump cards, from root to tip, are nothing more than cultivation realm and superior Dao methods..."

"This is hard strength. Even if exposed, it's not easy to defeat them head-on."

"But you are different. Can your trump cards be seen by others? Do you dare to let others see them? You don't even let me see them..."

Elder Xun silently looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua lowered his head in some embarrassment.

Elder Xun didn't pursue the matter but continued, "So, although you have many means, your cultivation foundation is too shallow and you are very afraid of being targeted. To win, you must hide your trump cards well. Don't use them unless absolutely necessary."

"If you rashly participate in this Lun Jian Grand Meeting, even if you can help a little, it won't mean much, and it's even very possible that the gain won't outweigh the loss..."

Elder Xun spoke earnestly.

Mo Hua's expression was serious, and he nodded.

The Old Ancestor is indeed worthy of being the Old Ancestor; his perspective on problems is very far-sighted.

This also served as a wake-up call for him.

His spiritual energy is low and he is afraid of being consumed by others.

He has many trump cards but is afraid of being targeted.

If in the future, he truly wants to stand under the gaze of ten thousand people, he must find ways to solve these drawbacks.

His trump cards also need to be reasonably arranged.

Don't use them easily, but once you need to use them, you must settle the matter with one blow and decide victory or defeat.

It's best if others can't see any clues.

He hadn't considered these things carefully before.

"Elder, I understand." Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Xun nodded with satisfaction and said broadly:

"I've said it before, if you learn arrays well, that is the biggest help. Don't worry about other matters, and besides..."

Elder Xun patted Mo Hua's shoulder, "...don't look down on your senior brothers and sisters. Although they are somewhat different from the top disciples of the Four Great Sects, they are all geniuses from various families and clans. Those who can enter our Tai Xu Gate are naturally superior in talent and ability. You can rest assured."

Mo Hua nodded and said, "Okay!"

About half a month later, in the Qian Xue state, the first "Lun Jian Grand Meeting" with significant meaning since the reform of the sect began.

This was a grand event.

The Four Great Sects and the several large families behind them invested massive manpower and resources to fully hold this Lun Jian Grand Meeting. Not only was the scale unprecedented and the spectacle grand, but even the cultivators who came to observe the ceremony were more numerous than in the past.

In the many immortal cities within the Qian Xue state, for a time, there were crowds of people, vehicles like flowing water, horses like wandering dragons, spirit beasts like stars, flying boats soaring through the air, making it extraordinarily lively.

Mo Hua really wanted to go see.

Cheng Mo and the others also wanted to pull Mo Hua along to join the fun.

But Elder Xun disagreed. He told Mo Hua to rein in his restless heart and calmly learn arrays.

Mo Hua also knew what was important and urgent. Therefore, while the entire Qian Xue state was bustling, he remained alone, sitting in the disciple residence, silently drawing those arrays that were most difficult among the second-grade nineteen patterns peak, over and over again.

Just like this, in a state where noise and calm were intertwined.

The Lun Jian Grand Meeting ended.

As expected, Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate suffered a disastrous defeat.

Their core disciples were almost completely wiped out by the Dao Ting Si's investigation of the Rouge Boat.

The remaining disciples were a lone tree struggling to support itself. Even if they fought with all their might, it was very difficult to compete with the Four Great Sects, other Eight Great Gates, Twelve Streams, and even some top-tier sects within the Qian Xue Hundred Gates.

Furthermore, the expanded quotas for this Lun Jian Grand Meeting were adding insult to injury for them.

This meant that they were almost using "substitute" and "cannon fodder" disciples to compete with the "main forces" and "substitutes" of other sects.

This was simply a nightmare.

There was no way to fight back.

Therefore, Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate almost became the biggest losers of this Lun Jian Grand Meeting.

Tai Xu Gate, on the other hand, was still alright, barely ranking seventh among the Eight Great Gates according to the Lun Jian ranking.

Originally, they were perpetually last, but now they had slightly advanced one position.

And, this was still achieved under the pressure of the sect's reform and intentional or unintentional targeting and blockade from various sects.

The disciples of this generation, including Murong Cai Yun, almost gritted their teeth and fought hard to reach this point.

Even after finishing the competition, many disciples, including Murong Cai Yun, were sent to the Dan room for treatment because of excessive spiritual energy consumption and withered meridians.

The Tai Xu Sect Master was both gratified and sighed.

"They are all good children..."

In the Elders' Residence, the Tai Xu Sect Master and Elder Xun sat opposite each other.

The Tai Xu Sect Master sighed and said, "I come from a large family and have seen many geniuses. I deeply know that sometimes, disciples with superior spiritual roots aren't necessarily that great."

"Having enough spiritual root is fine, but it's the nature of the heart that is rare and valuable."

"These disciples, at such a critical moment, can withstand the pressure and exert their full strength to strive for the face of our Tai Xu Gate and preserve our position. Regardless of their talent, they are all moldable materials and will be of great use in the future..."

Elder Xun nodded. "Not bad. If these children want to enter the inner gate in the future, relax the requirements a bit; if they have family ties and don't want to stay in the sect, give them an extra inner gate inheritance; for others, give some favors according to the situation..."

The Tai Xu Sect Master nodded. "Good, I will instruct this then."

Subsequently, he felt sorrow in his heart again and sighed. "This time, Tai A Gate and Chong Xu Gate are probably miserable."

Having lost the Lun Jian Grand Meeting, their ranking had already fallen to who knows where.

Although this matter was expected early on, when it truly happened, it still made people feel cold all over.

And being of the same branch of the three gates, there was some sympathy for each other.

Relatively speaking, the current situation of the Tai Xu Gate was much better.

But this was only relatively speaking; it didn't mean that they could then rest easy.

Seventh and eighth were both the end.

And next, there were still four kinds of competitions: Lun Qi, Lun Dan, Lun Fu, and Lun Array.

If the Tai Xu Gate stabilized, they might still be able to "survive" with their current ranking, even if they slid to eighth, which was still among the Eight Great Gates.

But if there was a slight mistake and they didn't stabilize, that ranking... might truly be unknown.

The situation was fundamentally not optimistic.

The Tai Xu Sect Master was still a little uneasy.

Although the weight of the Lun Dao in Dan, Array, Fu, and Qi was not as high as that of the Lun Jian, the time was not considered long, and the scale was not as large.

But after all, it involved competing in four fields, and the variables were too great.

Not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of one thousand...

The Tai Xu Sect Master turned his head and glanced at Elder Xun, only to see Elder Xun still calmly drinking tea.

The Tai Xu Sect Master felt helpless.

This old ancestor was truly like a valley, still not the least bit anxious at this point.

How exactly did he maintain his composure?

Elder Xun seemed to see through the Tai Xu Sect Master's thoughts, poured him a cup of tea, and said indifferently, "Man has done his best; the rest is up to fate. Anxiety is useless, have some tea."

The Tai Xu Sect Master respectfully took the teacup and took a sip.

He didn't know if it was bitter or sweet; it had no taste in his mouth.

Elder Xun still silently drank tea, but in the deepest part of his pupils, there was a hint of hard-to-detect expectation and sharpness.

No one knew that he had cast a "treasure sword."

He was now waiting.

Waiting for the day this sharp, dazzling treasure sword, enough to shock the entire Qian Xue state, would be unsheathed.

Afterward, the Lun Dao Grand Meeting was held one after another as planned.

Finally, two days later, it was the Lun Array Grand Meeting.

This also meant that this Lun Dao Grand Meeting would finally be settled...