Chapter 882: Grand Event

The Shangguan family, Wenren family, and Gu family all came to observe the ceremony.

Wenren Wan held Yu'er's small hand, walking among the Shangguan family crowd.

Gu Changhuai was also there.

Dao Ting was busy with affairs. He wasn't very interested in the Lun Dao Grand Meeting, but Wenren Wan told him that Mo Hua would also participate and insisted he come along, so he had no choice.

Furthermore, his "friendship" with Mo Hua was quite deep, and it wouldn't be right not to show up.

In addition, Xia Jiancha, representing Dao Ting, also came to observe the ceremony.

Xia Dian Si followed behind Xia Jiancha, her expression somewhat cold.

Ever since the matter of Xiao Tianquan, Xia Dian Si's position in the Xia family was somewhat estranged, and her relationship with her uncle, Xia Jiancha, was also quite distant.

In the crowd, Xia Jiancha and Gu Changhuai exchanged glances but didn't speak.

After the aristocratic families' descendants were the elders of each sect.

Elders from the Four Great Sects, Eight Great Gates, Twelve Streams, and other sects below them had all come in large numbers to observe the ceremony.

Naturally, this included elders from Tai'a Gate, Chongxu Gate, and Taixu Gate.

Due to their failures in Lun Jian, Tai'a Gate and Chongxu Gate had basically given up and didn't send many people.

But Taixu Gate was different.

This Lun Zhen Grand Meeting was quite crucial for Taixu Gate.

They were currently ranked eighth.

They were originally seventh in Lun Jian, but after Lun Qi, Lun Dan, and Lun Fu, Lun Dao events where the Four Great Sects and Twelve Streams clearly held an advantage, they had slipped to eighth.

Although not yet precarious, they were almost on the verge of collapse.

If they could hold steady in this last round, they could maintain their position among the Eight Great Gates.

If they couldn't, they would likely face the same fate as Tai'a Gate and Chongxu Gate.

Therefore, most of the elders from Taixu Gate came.

This included elders Xun Ziyu and Xun Zixian, whom Mo Hua was very familiar with.

Following the sect elders were the ordinary disciples.

Many disciples from Taixu Gate also came.

Not only did this include the younger junior brothers like Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Hao Xuan, and Zheng Fang, but also the senior brothers and sisters from the previous generation like Murong Caiyun and Shangguan Xu.

Murong Caiyun and the others had fought too fiercely in the Lun Jian Grand Meeting, and almost all of them were short of breath and pale-faced.

However, this grand competition concerned the fate of the sect, so they had to come.

Finally, when the crowd, like a tidal wave, converged onto Lun Dao Mountain, under the gaze of tens of thousands, this last Lun Dao Grand Meeting finally raised its curtain.

Lun Dao Mountain, Great Dao Field.

In the vast Great Dao Field, more than a thousand tables and cushions were placed.

This was the location for the array formation great exam.

Outside the Great Dao Field, in the nearest area, several high platforms were built.

These high platforms were for the "noble guests" from Dao Ting and the various great aristocratic families and sect high-levels to observe the ceremony.

Beyond the high platforms were the ordinary seats, densely packed and surrounding the area, numbering no less than several hundred thousand.

And beyond the seating area was Lun Dao Mountain itself.

At this time, there were many disciples watching in the mountain, including those perched on some trees.

The entire Lun Dao Mountain, all over the mountains and plains, was filled with cultivators, a scene of grand celebration.

After a moment, the disciples participating in the Lun Zhen Grand Meeting successively entered the Great Dao Field, heading to their positions to prepare for the array formation great exam.

Everyone watched these disciples, their gazes filled with admiration or envy.

Those who entered were all array formation geniuses from each sect.

To be able to represent their own sect and participate in this top-level Lun Dao grand event in Qian Xue State Boundary, they were undoubtedly all outstanding talents.

And without exception, these disciples were all at the late Foundation Establishment stage or even peak Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Each one was either tall and straight or graceful and elegant, with temperaments that were either gentle and refined or soft and intelligent, making the onlookers envious and filling their hearts with admiration.

This group of array formation prodigies, under the gaze of tens of thousands, stepped into the Dao Field just like that.

Until, in the crowd, a Mo Hua with a distinctly different style of painting walked in.

He was fair-skinned and tender, and his height was noticeably shorter. Walking in this group of disciples, he was like a small lamb mixed into a pack of wolves...

For a moment, the surrounding cultivators were somewhat stunned, and then they whispered amongst themselves:

"Something's not right... how does this disciple look so small?"

"His cultivation isn't high enough either, is it?"

"How do I feel like he's only at the middle Foundation Establishment stage?"

"It's not a feeling, he is indeed at the middle Foundation Establishment stage!"

"What does that mean... a middle Foundation Establishment stage can also participate in the Lun Zhen Grand Competition?"

"Cheating?"

"What cheating? He probably took someone's spot and is participating exceptionally..."

"Exceptionally? Which sect is he from?"

Someone said: "Look at his dao robe, it looks like Taixu Gate."

"Taixu Gate?"

Someone was speechless: "Does Taixu Gate have no one? They found a middle Foundation Establishment stage disciple to make up the numbers? Isn't this just playing around?"

"He probably has an extraordinary background, either he's the sect master's nephew, or he has an old ancestor supporting him from behind..."

"I'm afraid he's a child from a powerful family who stole someone else's spot."

Someone said indignantly: "Bending the rules through back doors like this, I see Taixu Gate is going to the dogs."

This kind of criticism was happening in many places throughout the vast seating area.

And the disciples of Taixu Gate also saw Mo Hua in the crowd.

They were also stunned.

"Little junior brother?"

"Strange, I couldn't find little junior brother, so he's participating in the Lun Zhen Grand Competition? But how come none of us know about this?"

A disciple said: "Little junior brother's actions are profound and unpredictable, how could he let you know?"

"You're flattering him now, little junior brother can't hear you."

"What do you understand? You need to always keep little junior brother in your heart, that way he can feel my admiration, and later if there are any array formations, he will give them to me to use first."

"You're dreaming."

"This is what I've verified, last time, I gave little junior brother..."

"Speak properly, don't go off topic..."

"Oh, about that, why can little junior brother participate? Did Elder Xun give him the spot?"

"Probably."

"Why?"

"Little junior brother's array formations are well-painted, right?"

"Nonsense, do I need you to say that? But..." this disciple hesitated, "This is a grand competition for the late Foundation Establishment stage, the opponents are a generation higher than us, and one or two are still the top array formation geniuses in the entire Qian Xue State Boundary, even within the Four Great Sects, this... how can he compete?"

As soon as he said this, everyone fell silent.

Even if they thought little junior brother's array formation strength was extraordinary, they wouldn't be so arrogant as to think he was more powerful than all the array formation geniuses in Qian Xue State Boundary.

What's more, they were array formation geniuses a generation older than him.

This was in Qian Xue State Boundary, where aristocratic families gathered, sects stood in great numbers, and amazingly talented top-grade prodigies were like carps crossing the river.

Everyone was somewhat worried in their hearts.

Cheng Mo, however, didn't care that much. "Since Elder Xun allowed little junior brother to participate, he must have already made plans in his heart, no need for us to worry."

"Furthermore, in my opinion, with little junior brother's strength, he's not much worse than the so-called geniuses of other sects."

Cheng Mo had been with Mo Hua for a long time and had a "mysterious confidence" in Mo Hua.

He then added: "Of course, if little junior brother wins, it proves little junior brother is powerful. If little junior brother loses, it's only because he's young and his cultivation isn't high enough. It doesn't count as being inferior in skill!"

Anyway, in his words, Mo Hua was one generation younger, so losing was also winning, and winning was winning on top of winning.

A group of disciples all nodded: "Exactly, exactly!"

On the other side, Murong Caiyun and Shangguan Xu, and the other senior brothers and sisters familiar with Mo Hua, also looked somewhat astonished.

"Is that... Mo Hua?"

"Looks like..."

"How could Mo Hua participate in the grand competition?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"Did he secretly sneak in?"

"How is that possible? The Lun Zhen Grand Meeting isn't child's play, identity checks are very strict."

"Then... did the sect master or the old ancestors give him the spot exceptionally?"

"Why?"

Shangguan Xu was thoughtful.

Murong Caiyun's heart skipped a beat.

She could almost confirm that this was definitely Elder Xun's intention.

And the old ancestor wouldn't do meaningless things.

He let Mo Hua participate, which meant that in his elder's heart, Mo Hua had the strength to fight for this ranking for Taixu Gate.

Murong Caiyun tightly clenched her palm.

The Murong family and Taixu Gate shared honor and disgrace, and she was even more the "senior sister" of this generation of Taixu Gate, with great responsibility.

But even if she gave her life, she could only reach this step.

This last round was about array formations, and she was fundamentally helpless, she could only watch with wide eyes.

And if it was Mo Hua who made a move...

A trace of reassurance was born in Murong Caiyun's heart, and along with it, a baseless expectation...

On the high platform.

Wenren Wan also saw Mo Hua.

Her purpose was clear, she didn't look at anyone else, only stared at Mo Hua.

As soon as she saw Mo Hua come out, Wenren Wan's expression lit up with joy, and she immediately pointed for Yu'er to see: "Yu'er, look, Brother Mo is there."

When Yu'er saw Mo Hua, her eyes also sparkled brightly, and she couldn't help but clap her hands happily, wanting to cheer for Mo Hua.

Just at this moment, a cold and harsh voice sounded:

"No standing posture for standing, no sitting posture for sitting, at such a young age, without any etiquette, how can you shoulder the great responsibility of the family head in the future?"

Speaking was a female elder in green clothes with heavy makeup.

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

This kind of difficulty was also within Wenren Wan's expectations.

Since she followed the Shangguan family's people to observe, she knew this matter was inevitable, so she treated the harsh words as a gust of wind blowing past and didn't care.

This female elder was originally narrow-minded, and at this time, being ignored made her even more resentful in her heart.

Seeing that Wenren Wan didn't pay attention to her, she then fixed her gaze on Yu'er.

As soon as Yu'er's gaze met hers, she immediately shrunk back timidly as if stung by a poisonous bee.

But Yu'er soon remembered Mo Hua's instructions to him:

A man should stand straight under the heavens, as long as there is no shame in his heart, then he doesn't need to fear anyone!

Courage was born in Yu'er's heart again, and he then quietly poked his head out, imitating Mo Hua's appearance, and made a mocking face at that female elder.

This sudden action directly made that female elder angry enough.

Just as she was about to glare at Yu'er, Yu'er had already wisely retreated, burying his face in his mother's embrace, giggling.

Wenren Wan was startled, and then she couldn't help but purse her lips and laugh.

Only that female elder, trembling with anger, her originally powdered face turned even paler.

In her heart, the Shangguan Yi and Shangguan Yu family were cowardly in temperament and fundamentally unqualified to inherit the position of the Shangguan family head.

Only when the Shangguan Yi family was finished and this position was vacated, and after she gave birth to a child, would she have more opportunities.

Yet she didn't expect that this always cowardly little brat had actually learned to show off in front of her!

The green-clothed female elder hated it to the extreme in her heart, but at this time, she could only harbor resentment and didn't dare to really do anything to Yu'er.

And all of this was seen by Shangguan Ce, who was sitting in the head seat.

He didn't mind the actions of this female elder from the Shen family.

Instead, this child Yu'er was so lively, even appearing somewhat "naughty," which was almost the same as a "normal child."

Shangguan Ce slightly frowned.

Could it be that the old ancestor's deduction was wrong...

Yu'er's great calamity had already been resolved?

For a moment, Shangguan Ce's heart was heavy.

"Brother Shangguan?"

The Gu family head beside him called out.

Shangguan Ce turned his head, smiled apologetically, and then continued chatting with the Gu family head.

Before this, their two gazes had also swept towards Mo Hua. Although somewhat unexpected, they didn't care too much.

On the other side of the high platform, seated were the elders of the Four Great Sects.

The elders of the Four Great Sects had a higher status than ordinary sect elders, and their seating positions were also better.

At this time, several elders were drinking tea and chatting idly.

"This time, the Lun Dao Grand Meeting can be said to be completed..."

"Not bad, after the Lun Zhen ends today, everything will be settled, and the initial effects of the sect reform will also be seen, and the real power of our Four Great Sects will go up another level."

"In the future, under the leadership of our Four Great Sects, Qian Xue State Boundary will definitely prosper day by day!"

"Let's replace wine with tea, and wish our four sects advance together and jointly plan for a great cause."

"Good!"

A group of elders drank tea, but in the bottom of each one's eyes, different thoughts were flashing.

After a moment, an elder wearing a Tianjian Sect dao robe embroidered with sword patterns, sized up the numerous prodigies below the platform, especially the disciples of Qian Dao Sect, and couldn't help but sigh:

"This time the Lun Zhen Grand Meeting, without any surprise, the champion should still fall to Qian Dao Sect..."

Elder Shen repeatedly waved his hand: "Where, where, the previous session was just luck for our Qian Dao Sect, we got first place, where would there be such a good thing this session..."

"Moreover, according to what I just saw," Elder Shen said, "Elder Xiao, your Tianjian Sect also has an amazingly talented array formation disciple this session. In my opinion, this session's array dao champion belongs to none other than your Tianjian Sect!"

The Tianjian Sect elder was not pleased: "Elder Shen, you are speaking nonsense with your eyes open, if we talk about the foundation of array dao, how can our Tianjian Sect compare with your Qian Dao Sect?"

"The disciples we teach are just a bit weaker in array formation inheritance."

"After all, your Qian Dao Sect's array formation inheritance, if traced back, can almost be traced back to that sect full of monsters..."

Elder Shen was truly a bit displeased this time and shook his head: "Elder Xiao, those words are not right. Our Qian Dao Sect can be what it is today, relying entirely on the unity of the sect members, opening up wasteland, and struggling out step by step. Some other so-called origins and inheritances are mostly rumors and should not be lightly believed."

"Then that's even more commendable!" The Tianjian Sect elder was disdainful in his heart, but praised him on his mouth: "Elder Shen, you don't need to be modest, this time's Lun Dao champion definitely belongs to your Qian Dao Sect!"

Elder Shen declined: "I dare not have such extravagant hopes, I looked around, and the disciples of our Qian Dao Sect this session are not as good as your Tianjian Sect."

The Tianjian Sect elder's eyes turned, and he said: "You say so, then I think Longding Sect also has a great opportunity, those few disciples of theirs, I just took a look, their divine sense is deep, and their array learning is profound, not to be underestimated."

The Longding Sect elder beside him then said: "You two are being hypocritically modest, don't involve me. I know my own situation, if we talk about fists and feet, that's fine, but talking about array formations, that's not worth mentioning..."

Elder Xiao of Tianjian Sect, again turned his gaze to the Wanxiao Sect elder beside him, but before he could speak, the Wanxiao Sect elder laughed: "Our Wanxiao Sect this time is just accompanying the run, if we can get a last place, we'll be burning high incense, we dare not have any more extravagant hopes."

"Too modest..."

"Let's not talk about this, drink tea..."

"This is the good tea I specially prepared..."

"Please."

"Please..."

Several elders were falsely polite for a moment, then courteous to each other, and then each picked up a cup to drink tea.

Just as they picked up the tea cups, the smiles on their faces all vanished, and their gazes were varied, not knowing what thoughts they had.

Chatting idly among themselves and each harboring different thoughts, the elders of the Four Great Sects almost nobody noticed the nameless Mo Hua.

And at this time, below the high platform.

Elder Zheng, who was no longer an elder of Qian Dao Sect, was just sitting in the crowd, expressionlessly sweeping his gaze over the disciples in the Great Dao Field.

Then he saw a familiar clear figure.

Elder Zheng was startled.

"Mo Hua..."

At first, he was somewhat unbelievable, and after a moment, he, who was always rigid, unexpectedly smiled shallowly.

"Indeed, the affairs of this world, if you expect a little more, there will still be surprises..."

Elder Zheng slowly sat up straight, looking forward to the following grand competition.

Outside the Great Dao Field, the scene was noisy, with a buzzing of human voices, and a variety of moods.

Inside the Great Dao Field, the matters of the Lun Zhen Grand Meeting were also progressing in an orderly manner.

Under the guidance of an instructor, Mo Hua entered the Dao Field and found his position according to the order.

This was a small, remote seat located in a corner of the Dao Field.

One table, one cushion.

Ordinary, not eye-catching at all.

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

Mo Hua, however, had a peaceful heart, only remembering Elder Xun's instructions, neither sad nor happy, restraining his mind, just painting array formations well.

Just keep painting well...

Benefiting from daily cultivation, Mo Hua quickly cast aside external things, his mind was peaceful, and there was no longer a trace of tension or unease in his heart.

He sat quietly on the cushion.

Even under the gaze of tens of thousands, his heart was like a bright mirror, unstirred by waves.

Everyone around him no longer affected him.

After one incense time, the solemn main examiner mounted the platform, preached the principles of array formation dao and the rules of Lun Zhen, and repeatedly warned against cheating.

Then he personally struck the Lun Dao bell.

As the ancient sound of the Lun Dao bell lingered and echoed throughout every corner of Lun Dao Mountain.

The Lun Zhen Grand Meeting officially began.

The examiners successively issued the test questions.

Mo Hua uncovered the test question and glanced at it.

Out of politeness, and also out of caution, and even more out of respect for the Lun Dao Grand Meeting, he glanced at it several more times, confirmed that it was indeed very simple, and then began to write.

It was just a sixteen-pattern array formation.

He could paint it with his eyes closed.