Chapter 1026

Top in Qian Xue, leader of the Array Dao.

This title echoed in the hearts of most spectators outside the arena, pressing down heavily on their chests.

Even though this was the Sword Debate, the words "leader" — even if referring only to arrays — could by no means be underestimated.

On the Shangguan family's high platform, Yu'er perked up entirely at the sight of Mo Hua's array holding back the terrifying sword qi of Tianjian Sect, her eyes sparkling brightly.

Wenren Wan, Zhang Lan, and others all perked up in spirit.

The disciples of Tai Xu Gate also looked invigorated.

The elders watching from Tai A, Chong Xu, and Tai Xu Mountains all slowly sat upright, eyes locked tightly on the Sky Painting.

A turning point?

The Earth-level Sword Debate was excruciatingly difficult; Tai Xu Gate had suffered repeated defeats.

From top to bottom, the sect craved victory desperately.

Now that a turning point had appeared, every Tai Xu Gate cultivator's heart leapt — hopeful, yet anxious.

But some knew deep down that winning would not be easy.

After all, their opponent was Tianjian Sect.

Though the situation was dire, Tianjian Sect would never sit idle — otherwise, they would not deserve the name Sida Sect.

Many spectators on the viewing stands understood this.

And as expected, on the Sky Painting, a prodigy from Tianjian Sect stepped forward.

He was tall and slender, with cold, sharp features and an extraordinary bearing.

Many in the crowd silently spoke his name:

"Xiao Ruohan."

The top disciple of Tianjian Sect was Xiao Wuchen.

Xiao Wuchen's talent was astonishingly brilliant, his sword art exceedingly refined — even within Tianjian Sect, he stood utterly alone.

But Tianjian Sect had deep roots and was not limited to just Xiao Wuchen.

Beneath Xiao Wuchen still stood many sword prodigies.

Xiao Ruohan was among the strongest of those prodigies, second only to Xiao Wuchen.

Xiao Ruohan could not match Xiao Wuchen, but compared to the geniuses of the Qitasi Sect and the Eight Gates, he remained exceptional.

He was no less formidable than Linghu Xiao.

This Sword Debate team was led by Xiao Ruohan.

As a prodigy, as a peerless talent, when facing utter despair, one must shoulder great responsibility and turn the tide.

Only then could one truly bear the title "prodigy" and be worshipped by ten thousand cultivators.

Moreover, his true goal was Xiao Wuchen.

This Tai Xu Gate team had been defeated by Xiao Wuchen without effort — they were Xiao Wuchen's defeated underlings.

And now, he himself would lose to one of Xiao Wuchen's defeated underlings?

Xiao Ruohan could not accept this.

He must win.

Not only must he win, he must win brilliantly — and kill Mo Hua!

He could not lose to the very team Xiao Wuchen had crushed!

Meanwhile, the one Xiao Wuchen could not kill, he would kill.

Only then could he catch up to Xiao Wuchen's pace, earn the approval of the sect elders, and win the praise of the countless cultivators gathered to witness the Sword Debate.

This Mo Hua, the "leader of the Array Dao," was both a stumbling block in his Sword Debate path.

And also a stepping stone toward surpassing Xiao Wuchen's reputation.

Therefore, the city gate before him must be broken.

Not a single sliver of opportunity could be abandoned.

In a Sword Debate among prodigies, victory or defeat often hinges on a single thread — fight, and you might win.

Do not fight, and defeat is certain!

Moreover, Xiao Ruohan had gradually calmed down.

He realized that in his haste, he might have been deceived by Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's arrays were indeed powerful, but he must not be overestimated.

In such a short time, to have drawn two high-grade arrays was already astonishing enough.

High-grade arrays consume immense spiritual insight and take long to draw.

Even if he were the leader of the Array Dao, he could not possibly have drawn three second-rank, nineteen-stroke high-grade arrays in rapid succession.

A fierce assault, one more array breach — and they could surge in, strike with full momentum, slay Mo Hua, and shatter the city image.

Under a storm of chaotic swords, if Mo Hua's hand moved even a fraction slower, or if he delayed shattering the Dao Jade by even a moment, he would die without doubt.

"Attack without regard for anything! Kill!"

Xiao Ruohan's gaze turned icy, and without the slightest hesitation, he shattered his Golden Body talisman and raised his sword high toward the sky.

The Golden Body talisman protected his body.

Spiritual energy surged around him like rivers in flood, sword qi raged like gales and towering waves.

All spiritual energy converged into his body.

All sword qi converged into his single sword.

His sword emitted blinding light, as if stars were about to fall — dazzling, radiant, radiating a chilling aura of slaughter.

The spectators outside erupted in shock, exclaiming in unison:

"One Sword From Heaven!"

"One of the supreme killing techniques in the Heavenly Sword Scripture..."

"This Xiao Ruohan has actually learned one of the Nine Heavenly Sword Forms... Truly astonishing..."

The crowd shook their heads in awe, "The Heavenly Sword Sect is still the Heavenly Sword Sect, worthy as the foremost sword sect in Qianxue Province."

"Among your disciples, besides Xiao Wuchen, there is still such a sword prodigy."

"Xiao Ruohan is merely slightly inferior to Xiao Wuchen, but that doesn't mean he isn't strong—he's still a top-tier prodigy..."

"He hasn't used this technique, 'One Sword From Heaven,' until now, has he?"

"Correct. In previous sword debates, no opponent could force him to use this killing move."

"Now there's going to be a good show..."

"This round of the sword debate for the Grand Void Gate is no longer certain..."

Seeing Xiao Ruohan's astonishing sword strike, everyone from the Grand Void Gate—including Yu'er, Wen Ren Wan, and Zhang Lan—felt their hearts tremble.

The hearts they had just lowered rose again involuntarily.

Inside the sword debate arena.

In the instant Xiao Ruohan raised his sword to gather power, Mo Hua shouted immediately:

"Break his killing technique!"

Linghu Xiao's sword qi slashed forward first.

Then came Situ Jian's Fire Sword.

Cheng Mo swung his great axe, roaring loudly, charging recklessly at Xiao Ruohan.

Ouyang Xuan also activated his movement technique; the Tai'e Sword flashed a glint of cold light, striking straight for Xiao Ruohan's heart meridian.

Mo Hua swiftly threw several fireballs forward.

But his fireballs were blocked by the Golden Body talisman, failing to interrupt Xiao Ruohan's sword technique, leaving only minor burns.

Linghu Xiao and Situ Jian's sword qi were each intercepted by one Heavenly Sword Sect disciple, one sword apiece.

Cheng Mo and Ouyang Xuan were likewise entangled by two other Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, unable to close in on Xiao Ruohan's front.

Mo Hua said, "Xiao Xiao, quickly strike him!"

Linghu Xiao understood at once, immediately activated a Golden Body talisman, raised the Chongxu Sword, and unleashed all his spiritual power, condensing it into a mournful yet razor-sharp water-moon Chongxu Sword Qi, meeting Xiao Ruohan's power with equally terrifying force.

Both used supreme sword scriptures.

Both were sword prodigies.

They stood evenly matched, their aura momentarily indistinguishable.

The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples also realized the danger and immediately shifted focus, charging toward Linghu Xiao.

Situ Jian drove his Fire Sword to meet them.

As their blades clashed, they exchanged several rounds—but unfortunately, the Fire Sword lineage could not match the Heavenly Sword Scripture; Situ Jian struggled on both sides, unable to hold back.

Cheng Mo and Ouyang Xuan could only turn back to support Linghu Xiao.

The scene became chaotic once more.

Sword qi and spell techniques clashed.

Disciples from both sides locked in brutal combat.

As each side fought desperately, Xiao Ruohan's sword technique reached full power; without hesitation, he slashed downward—the vast sword light, like a comet falling from heaven, unleashed "One Sword From Heaven" toward the city gate.

Ouyang Xuan, guarding Linghu Xiao, could not break free.

Seeing this, Cheng Mo and Situ Jian could only grit their teeth and charge into the sword light, risking their lives to block it.

But this killing technique from one of the Nine Heavenly Sword Forms was truly immensely powerful.

The sword light surged forward, obliterating Cheng Mo and Situ Jian outright, then continued onward, striking squarely at the city gate, protected by the high-grade Jin Shi array.

Meanwhile, witnessing Cheng Mo and Situ Jian sacrifice their "lives," Linghu Xiao's heart burned with fury, his gaze icy; he no longer held back, slashing his moonlike, chilling, and piercing Chongxu Sword Qi toward Xiao Ruohan.

Xiao Ruohan's technique was not yet complete, and he could not evade it.

The other two Heavenly Sword Sect disciples rushed forward, activating their sword qi to forcibly intercept Linghu Xiao's Chongxu killing strike.

But Linghu Xiao's sword strike was no less formidable.

One Heavenly Sword Sect disciple was shredded by the sword qi.

The other suffered grave injuries.

The residual sword qi struck Xiao Ruohan.

The two sword prodigies' supreme sword techniques, after countless obstructions, had both struck their targets.

Then the sword qi exploded violently.

Two "Boom—" sounds rang out, accompanied by swirling heavens and earth, cracked earth and stone, and rolling smoke.

Amid the dust, astonishing sword light interwove, dazzlingly brilliant.

On the Fangtian Huaying, smoke, earth, stone, and flickering light from clashing sword qi filled the space.

Everyone held their breath, hearts tense.

They desperately wanted to know the outcome.

Had the city gate broken?

Was Xiao Ruohan dead?

Who had won—the Heavenly Sword Sect or the Grand Void Gate?

Amid the expectations of the crowd, the smoke gradually cleared, and the sword light faded one by one.

On the Fangtian Huaying, the result of the clash between the supreme Dao techniques was clearly revealed.

The city gate was broken.

Xiao Ruohan did not die.

Xiao Ruohan directly endured a strike of Lingxu Sword Qi from Linghu Xiao.

But most of this Lingxu Sword Qi was neutralized by the disciples of Tianjian Sect.

The residual sword qi, like a dying invader, could not kill him at all.

And Xiao Ruohan's Nine Heavenly Sword Forms, which had slain Cheng Mo and Sister Situ, struck solidly against the city gate.

Cheng Mo and Sister Situ's cultivation levels were still inferior to those of the Tianjian Sect disciples.

Thus, even with all their strength, they could only block part of Xiao Ruohan's sword qi.

This was one reason.

Another reason was that the city gate was too large and immobile, making it a perfect "target," fully absorbing Xiao Ruohan's immensely powerful strike.

Not a single bit of sword qi was wasted.

This is also the disadvantage of the defender in siege warfare.

In a typical sword duel, if you cannot win, you can flee.

But in a siege, such a massive gate stands right there—you cannot flee, you cannot evade.

Even with high-level array enhancements, the gate was still shattered by Xiao Ruohan's mighty strike.

The Jin Shi Array shattered.

A massive crack opened on the inner city gate.

"The gate is broken!"

The spectators outside erupted in exclamations:

"One man, one sword, a sword descending from heaven!"

"With just this one strike, he killed two, shattered an array, and breached the gate!"

"The power of this sword strike is so immense—it lives up to the title of a genius of the Sida Sect's sword path!"

"Amidst dire circumstances, he alone turned the tide—this is what a true sword prodigy is!"

"Xiao Ruohan, after this battle, will surely gain fame far and wide. All will know that Tianjian Sect, besides Xiao Wuchen, has another Xiao Ruohan…"

"The Sida Sect truly is a cradle of prodigies—it makes our own sects envious…"

…

The spectators outside lavished praise, their chatter never ceasing.

Inside the arena, Mo Hua sighed.

He looked at the massive sword qi gap on the wall, helplessly:

"No wonder this is the Qianxue Sword Debate—these prodigies are fiercer one after another; one must never let down one's guard…"

"Not even a single moment of laziness is allowed."

"Winning a single round is truly difficult…"

If he had only painted two arrays, he would have been finished.

Mo Hua once again reached out and slapped the wall.

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A flash of light shimmered across the wall again.

Xiao Ruohan and the other Tianjian Sect disciples, having just stabilized their qi, stared at the shattered gate—before they could rejoice, they saw a glow slowly rise.

This glow was no longer golden, but earthy stone-colored.

Gen Shan Earth-Stone Array.

It was a second-rank, nineteen-pattern high-level array, blending the Bagua Gen Mountain and the Five Elements of Earth and Wood.

It differed somewhat from the Jin Shi Array.

The Jin Shi Array focused solely on defense, making the city "as solid as gold and soup."

But this Gen Shan Earth-Stone Array, while slightly weaker in defense, could also repair the city walls.

Mo Hua had anticipated that by this stage, the wall would be breached, so he had prepared a backup—using an array to restore the gate.

Thus, as light spread:

A web of earth-gray array patterns rapidly crawled across the entire gate.

The patterns converted spiritual energy into the earth-stone force of the Five Elements and Bagua, rapidly repairing the wall.

The gaping wound carved by Xiao Ruohan's full-power strike—after the Tianjian Sect disciples had sacrificed their lives to open it—was mended in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, the gate was restored, flawless once more.

The surroundings fell utterly silent.

The earth-stone of the Gen Shan Array sealed the gap in the gate.

It also seemed to seal the mouths of the spectator cultivators.

It even seemed to seal the hearts of the Tianjian Sect disciples.

Now, what they felt was true "despair."

Not just them—the spectators' seats were equally silent.

The spectator cultivators, too, felt despair on behalf of the Tianjian Sect disciples.

Five attackers against a city, and you use high-level arrays to defend.

One array? Fine.

Two arrays? Acceptable.

But now you're on your third—this is just shameless.

How are we even supposed to play this?

How else can this be played?

Even going back eight hundred years, not a single team in all the Sword Discussion Conventions combined had ever won by breaking through three high-grade, second-rank, nineteen-stripe fully equipped arrays.

"This is cheating!"

"This is shameless!"

"This is a Sword Discussion! Not an Array Discussion! Tai Xu Men's victory is dishonorable!"

But no matter what, the situation was now nearly beyond dispute.

Tian Jian Sect still had four left.

Tai Xu Men still had three left.

Tian Jian Sect held the advantage.

But facing this gate—repaired, nearly "intact," and reinforced by high-grade arrays—even if Tai Xu Men lost every last member, they could never break it again.

No chance left.

And time was almost up.

The Tian Jian Sect disciples, overwhelmed by despair and helplessness, finally struck only a few symbolic sword blows.

The sword qi struck the gate like mud sinking into the ocean, vanishing without a trace.

They felt even more stifled and breathless.

Thus, after fifteen minutes, the Dao Discussion bell rang.

The Sword Discussion ended.

Tian Jian Sect lost. Tai Xu Men won.

……

"We won!"

Outside the Sword Discussion arena.

Yu'er was overjoyed, clapping with a beaming smile and cheering: "Brother Mo won!"

Wenren Wan smiled at Yu'er and said gently: "They won!"

The entire Tai Xu Men finally let out the breath they'd been holding.

Whether disciples or elders, all wore smiles on their faces.

Tai Xu Men's disciples shouted in unison: "Little Brother Mo is wise and mighty!"

This was the first victory for Tai Xu Men in the Earth-tier Sword Discussion.

It was won almost entirely through Mo Hua's "array painting."

Some elders from Tai Ashan and Chong Xu Shan, who had previously held reservations about Mo Hua, now began to reflect inwardly.

Had they not been kind enough to Mo Hua before?

Had their smiles not been warm enough?

Had their voices not been gentler?

And over at the Feng family's viewing platform.

Zhang Lan slowly exhaled, sighing inwardly.

This child Mo Hua was still so unpredictable.

In a situation where victory seemed utterly impossible, he somehow fiddled around and still managed to win…

"No wonder it's Mo Hua…"

Sitting in front of Zhang Lan, the Grand Elder Zhang's pupils shrank slightly, almost disbelieving.

"He's only Foundation Establishment late stage—how could he have painted three second-rank, nineteen-stripe high-grade arrays?"

"This is… the Supreme Master of Qian Learning Array Art?"

"And this Array Supreme Master also excels in concealment and movement techniques…"

"A… immortal array master?"

"This child's future… will be extraordinary."

"I must find an opportunity to meet him," Grand Elder Zhang frowned:

"I just fear his talent is too great and his status too high—he might refuse to see me, a Grand Elder from a fourth-rank family from afar…"

"I wonder if there's any well-connected elder who could help introduce me…"

……

Outside the Sword Discussion arena, most cultivators remained silent.

Then sighs began to rise one after another:

"Tai Xu Men actually… won?"

The outcome defied everyone's expectations.

A Sword Discussion match that had seemed utterly certain, with no one believing it could go any other way, had turned dramatically—after twists and turns—the team once certain to lose had actually… won?

It was simply unbelievable.

"It's mainly those arrays—they're way too against the rules…"

"Three consecutive second-rank, nineteen-stripe high-grade arrays… I've never seen such a dirty 'Sword Discussion' before."

"Using array power—can this even be called 'Sword Discussion'?"

"Whether it counts or not, whoever wins is the stronger one."

"If you're so capable, paint a high-grade array right here yourself?"

"Quibbling nonsense…"

"How is this quibbling nonsense?"

These days, it's all about well-rounded development—a martial artist who can't wield swords is no good cultivator…

But no matter what, this kid's skills—whether in spells, stealth, movement, or arrays—are utterly infuriating…

As the saying goes, handwriting reflects character; perhaps spells and arrays are the same.

Tianjian Sect lost this round unfairly…

Every time I saw those arrays repeatedly appear above the city gate, my heart clenched for Xiao Ruohan.

…

Xiao Ruohan's heart indeed clenched.

For the first time ever, at the Sword Debate Assembly, he encountered high-level arrays—three in a row.

Had it not been for that, he would never have lost.

In this sense, he was Mo Hua's first "victim" in array-based sword debate.

At this moment, his heart was like that gate—forever unbreakable.

And when he saw Mo Hua in the back area, his eyes locked onto Mo Hua, as if determined to etch his face into memory forever.

But he was Tianjian Sect's prodigy, proud by nature, and uttered no threats—only glared at Mo Hua once, then left.

Mo Hua frowned in confusion, muttering:

"Why does everyone keep staring at me?"

"Am I that good-looking?"

Sister Situ, seeing Mo Hua's complete lack of self-awareness, sighed helplessly.

He had a feeling that after this battle, Xiao Hua's "rivals from sword debate" would soon spread to the Sida Sect…

…

Generally, disciples of the Sida Sect were more arrogant—they looked down on the disciples of the Eight Gates and refused to mingle with them.

But clearly, hatred for one person had shattered this barrier.

Night fell within the Tumo Alliance.

An anonymous cultivator slipped in silently.

His name was "Gao Chu Bu Sheng Han."

But with more and more cultivators joining the Tumo Alliance, no one paid him any attention for now.

Within the Tumo Alliance, everyone was passionately debating Mo Hua's "crimes":

"Fine, his spells are treacherous—forgive that. His stealth is treacherous—forgive that too. His movement is treacherous—we'll overlook it…"

"But he exploited a loophole—drawing arrays during the Sword Debate Assembly!"

"High-level arrays, at that!"

"Despicable!"

"And the arrays were used even more cunningly—clearly meant to mock others, releasing them one after another just to make people feel despair, then grasp at hope, only to crush that hope and plunge them into deeper despair…"

Just thinking about it gives me a cerebral hemorrhage…

"What a vile heart…"

"Even demonic sects don't go this far."

"Too dark…"

"Disgusting…"

"Gao Chu Bu Sheng Han," who had been lurking silently for a long time, quietly posted: "Exactly."

Anonymous: "I still say this—whoever kills Mo Hua publicly at the Sword Debate Assembly, I'll recognize him as my big brother on the spot!"

Big Fool: "Fine."

Purple Cloud's First Immortal Maiden: "Need spirit stones? Tell me."

I Hate Fireball Spell: "Mo Hua must die!"

A crowd followed with spam: "Mo Hua must die!"

Gao Chu Bu Sheng Han fell silent for a moment, then joined the crowd and posted: "Mo Hua must die…"