Chapter 1048

Not just ordinary cultivators; none had ever seen such a scene.

Even on the Observation Sword Tower, those Daozhou nobles, Dao Ting Si elites, ancient family scions, and even some prominent Liu Yuhua cultivators who had lived this long had rarely witnessed such a "grand spectacle."

The shattering of a Longevity Talisman was already a monumental event, let alone five of them shattering at once.

This meant five seed-level direct disciples were facing life-or-death peril.

It meant five entire Dong Xu elders had suffered damage to their primordial essence.

Not to mention the cataclysmic spectacle of a fifth-rank great array clashing with five Dong Xu Dharma Phantoms, the Luntao Mountain elders manifesting their divine forms, and the ancient sword of Luntao being sharpened.

And all of this was slashed out by Mo Hua, the "mastermind," in a single sword strike.

Wenren Wan, Yu'er, Elder Murong Caiyun, Hua Qianqian, all of Tai Xu Gate, and every cultivator who knew Mo Hua were filled with an indescribable shock.

Gu Changhuai was also stunned.

He knew Mo Hua was exceptionally good at causing trouble, and the troubles he caused were always extraordinary.

From Bishan Demon Cave, to Huo Fotuo, to Yan Shui River, to Shui Yanluo, to the Dragon King Temple…

One after another, even he, as Dao Ting Si's Gu Diansi, often found himself with a pounding headache.

But compared to this scene before him, all the "troubles" Mo Hua had caused previously instantly became insignificant, unworthy of mention.

Only now did Gu Changhuai realize that during his earlier "cooperation" with Mo Hua, the latter had been holding back—never truly unleashing any cataclysmic disaster upon him.

If Mo Hua kept causing chaos like this, his "tiny" Dao Ting Si Jin Dan-level Gu Diansi position might not have let him survive to this day…

Thinking of this, Gu Changhuai felt a faint trace of emotion in his heart.

And in the crowd, the only one with any psychological preparation was Zhang Lan.

After all, he had known Mo Hua longer and had seen his share of "spectacles."

Back in Tongxian City, Mo Hua had shattered a great array, slain a great demon, and nearly blown Great Heishan flat.

But Tongxian City was just a small place.

Great Heishan was only a second-rank mountain range.

Zhang Lan hadn't expected that, in Qianxue Province, at the Sword Discussion Assembly, at such a grand event held in a fifth-rank province, this kid Mo Hua could still nearly blow up Luntao Mountain…

Truly… wherever Mo Hua went, unrest followed.

The higher his cultivation, the greater his ability to cause trouble.

One day when he reached Dong Xu, he might just pierce a hole through heaven itself…

Zhang Lan sighed helplessly.

The Heavenly Dao's little calamity star—no denying it…

At this moment, many cultivators in the Sword Discussion Arena could vaguely guess that the earth-shaking disturbance had been caused by Mo Hua's single finger, his single sword slash.

But most cultivators dared not believe such a guess.

This was the Sword Discussion Assembly, protected by the Luntao Array.

Leaving aside the array, how could Mo Hua—whose body was frail and whose spiritual energy was meager—possibly defeat the five strongest prodigies of Qianxue in one blow?

Even if Mo Hua truly could defeat Shen Lin and the other four, how could a Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly bypass the fifth-rank Luntao Array and shatter their Lifespan Talismans?

It was utterly inconceivable.

Even Mo Hua's own sectmates and close friends couldn't understand it.

After all, the Tai Xu Divine Mind Sword Transformation True Scripture was a taboo of Tai Xu Gate.

When the Du Gu Elder had taught Mo Hua, he had strictly forbidden him from telling anyone.

Mo Hua rarely revealed this technique before others, so very few knew of it.

But this technique of his could deceive others—it could not deceive the Dong Xu elders of the major sects and ancient families who had lived for countless years.

At this moment, in the Observation Sword Tower, a group of Dong Xu elders were truly both alarmed and enraged:

"The Tai Xu Divine Mind Sword Transformation True Scripture!"

"Your Tai Xu Gate truly has audacity!"

"Lawless! Reckless!"

"Do you teach your disciples any and every Dao art?!"

"This is a technique officially reported to the Dao Ting Si and banned—no sect may teach it, no disciple may practice it."

"Your Tai Xu Gate has disregarded the ban, committed a grave taboo, and caused such a colossal disaster!"

…

A group of Dong Xu elders railed against Tai Xu Gate, especially against Tai Xu Gate's Mr. Xun.

The reason this technique carries the word "forbidden" is because it is taboo.

No sect, no disciple, may cross this boundary.

Once crossed, the rules are broken. Broken rules inevitably lead to chaos.

Most elders were genuinely furious.

But some elders felt as if their hearts were bleeding.

Especially the elders of the Sida Sect and Da Luo Gate.

Those were the true top-tier bloodline prodigies their sects and clans might not produce once in centuries!

Those were the Lifespan Talismans—condensed by Dong Xu elders, consuming primordial essence, through special secret methods, after immense hardship!

Countless efforts and resources had been poured into them.

And in one sword strike, they were all cut down, all shattered…

It was no different from cutting out one's heart and gutting one's belly, killing a man by destroying his spirit!

Had it not been for their status as elders and the dignity of their respective sects, they would have gladly descended themselves to carve Mo Hua into a thousand pieces, grind his bones to dust, and obliterate his soul and spirit.

But sadly, they were elders—high in rank and power—and had to consider the greater picture.

Moreover, now that Mo Hua has walked straight into the gun barrel, there's no need for them to dirty their own hands.

"This Mo Hua…" Shen Clan's Ancestor's gaze turned dark as he spoke slowly, "he has cultivated the True Scripture of Mind-Formed Sword."

"To steal and cultivate a forbidden technique is a grave transgression—it merits death ten thousand times over!"

"This is the ban of Qian Academy. No matter his origin or talent, anyone who breaks this prohibition must not be spared."

"Of course, executing him now would be hasty. In my view, first strip his cultivation, sever his limbs, seal his consciousness sea, and cast him into the Dao Prison…"

"His ranking in the Sword Debate must also be revoked."

"Moreover, his title as Champion of Array Art must be stripped as well…"

"Only then can we serve as a warning to others, purge corrupt thoughts, and restore the proper spirit of Qian Academy."

Upon hearing this, a group of Void-Perception Ancestors exchanged glances.

Soon, one Ancestor agreed:

"Indeed, this precedent must not be set."

"If a disciple who cultivates forbidden techniques participates in the Sword Debate is not severely punished, others will surely imitate him—over time, the consequences will be endless."

"To risk breaking taboos for fame and glory in the Sword Debate is an act of corrupt intent—this cannot be tolerated."

"Mo Hua must be severely punished."

"His Sword Debate ranking must be nullified!"

"Strip his cultivation—his Mind-Formed Sword must never be used again…"

…

The Ancestors spoke with calm tones, yet their words were extremely harsh, painting Mo Hua as utterly wicked.

Under the collective accusations, Xun the Old Master, who had remained impassive until now, slowly lifted his eyelids and asked calmly:

"Who told you he cultivated the True Scripture of Mind-Formed Sword?"

The crowd fell silent, stunned.

The Heaven Sword Sect's Ancestor sneered, "With so many Ancestors watching, how could we be wrong? He wields no sword, yet his mind harms others—what other sword art could Mo Hua possibly be using but your Grand Void Gate's True Scripture of Mind-Formed Sword?"

"My Grand Void Gate's True Scripture of Mind-Formed Sword…" Xun the Old Master glanced at him and asked, "Have you studied it?"

The Heaven Sword Sect's Ancestor froze.

Xun the Old Master turned to the others: "Who among you has studied it?"

The Void-Perception Ancestors fell silent.

The Grand Void Mind-Formed Sword True Scripture is the foundational sword art of Grand Void Gate—how could they possibly have studied it?

Moreover, though this sword art is famed far and wide, its power capable of annihilating gods, it uses one's own mind as the blade—wounding the enemy a thousand, injuring oneself eight hundred. Even if a manuscript fell into their hands, they would hardly dare risk their lives to learn it.

Unless one were truly an old man hanging himself, tired of living.

To date, how many prodigies has Grand Void Gate lost to this sword art? How many disciples have died from depleted mind essence?

These Ancestors could not possibly be unaware.

Had the drawbacks not been so great and the backlash so deadly, Grand Void Gate would never have been reduced to sealing its own foundational sword art.

Seeing no one speak, Xun the Old Master nodded:

"Thus, one must not judge right from wrong based solely on appearances. Especially with Dao arts and sword scriptures—though their outward forms may resemble each other, their inner Dao principles may differ vastly…"

"Do not speak rashly without practice."

"You have never studied the Grand Void Mind-Formed Sword True Scripture—how can you be certain Mo Hua's technique is this very sword art?"

The faces of the Ancestors darkened.

One lone-eyed Ancestor, arrogant and fierce, sneered:

"Xun the Old Man, don't twist logic here!"

"Everyone here knows the truth. What else could this boy have learned but the Mind-Formed Sword? We haven't studied it, but we've seen it—indeed, I myself was once cut by your Grand Void Gate's blade…"

"I never studied it, but having been cut by it, how could I not know if it was Mind-Formed Sword?"

Xun the Old Master glanced at the lone-eyed Ancestor, his gaze darkening—he did not underestimate him.

After a moment's thought, Xun the Old Master countered:

"If you insist Mo Hua learned the Mind-Formed Sword, then tell me—from whom did he learn it?"

The lone-eyed Ancestor frowned.

Xun the Old Master continued:

"This sword art has been completely sealed."

"Who in Grand Void Gate today could possibly teach him?"

"I am Void-Perception, yet I myself cannot wield it."

"None of the other Ancestors cultivate mind-based arts."

"Below Void-Perception, there is no transmission left—even if someone learned it, no one could reach proficiency."

"The only one who truly masters this sword art is one person—my… " Xun the Old Master's gaze grew solemn, "... Dugu Senior Brother."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly choked. All the Ancestors frowned, a chill creeping into their hearts.

It seemed they did not wish—even dared—not to mention this person.

Xun the Old Master said: "You all know what happened to my senior brother. You know his character. With his proud and solitary nature, would he teach sword art to a Foundation Establishment disciple?"

"I cannot. My senior brother does not teach. No one else in Grand Void Gate can."

"Can Mo Hua possibly have learned the Mind-Formed Sword on his own?"

"Moreover…"

Xun the Old Master, with a look of pride, sneered: "What kind of sword art is Grand Void Gate's True Scripture of Mind-Formed Sword?"

"Could a Foundation Establishment disciple possibly learn Mind-Formed Sword?"

"Are you disregarding our Grand Void Gate's supreme Divine Mind Sword Art? Are you disregarding our Grand Void Gate's ancient Dao tradition?"

Mr. Xun's gaze was icy.

The assembly of Void-Opening Ancestors fell silent under his words.

They pondered carefully and realized it was indeed true.

The more powerful the sword art, the harder it is to cultivate—requiring extraordinary talent in sword Dao, profound foundations, total devotion, and meticulous guidance from elder masters.

Mo Hua possesses none of these.

Not to mention, he is only at Foundation Establishment.

A Foundation Establishment disciple cannot even cultivate Sword Intent, let alone reach the pinnacle of Sword Intent techniques—the "Grand Void Divine Mind Transformed Sword True Art."

But even so, these Ancestors clearly would not let this go.

One Void-Opening Ancestor pressed: "This matter must be explained."

"We must know what sword art Mo Hua used."

"Indeed."

"The Grand Void Gate must give an account…"

Mr. Xun fell silent for a moment, then sighed, and reluctantly said:

"This matter… is a secret of our Grand Void Gate, not meant for outsiders—but now that you've asked, I shall not conceal it."

Mr. Xun spoke solemnly: "Though our Grand Void Gate has banned the Divine Mind Transformed Sword True Art, we never wished to lose our sword Dao tradition entirely. Over the years, our sect's high elders have been researching a gentler, more balanced Sword Intent technique."

"What Mo Hua learned is precisely this newly created Sword Intent technique: the 'Grand Void Startling Soul Sword Intent Art.'"

"It is a legitimate Sword Intent technique—not a banned art, nor that forbidden technique which harms the soul and self-destructs the spirit…"

Mr. Xun spoke slowly.

The assembly of Void-Opening Ancestors immediately drew in sharp breaths, stunned—thinking: You're an Ancestor of a sect, how can you shamelessly lie to so many people?

Can you just make up a name and origin for a sword art like that?

Do you really think a random fabrication will be accepted?

Are you taking us for fools?

Seeing their disbelief, Mr. Xun slowly pulled out a jade slip:

"This sword art—including its name, basic principles, partial cultivation pathways, method of condensing Sword Intent, and the movements to unleash it—I have recorded it all in this jade slip and submitted it long ago to the Dao Ting Si of Qian Xue…"

"Our Grand Void Gate also filed a formal report with the Lun Dao Mountain before the Sword Discussion Assembly."

"This is sufficient proof that what Mo Hua used in the Sword Discussion was not the banned Divine Mind Transformed Sword True Art, but merely our Grand Void Gate's newly created Sword Intent technique: the 'Grand Void Startling Soul Sword Intent Art.'"

…

At these words, every Void-Opening Ancestor in attendance felt a jolt—internally crying out in dread.

Such a newly created technique was of no interest to anyone, let alone worthy of notice from Ancestors like them.

Especially one from the Grand Void Gate, which had never been known for sword arts.

No one would ever bother watching such a thing.

Yet no one expected the Grand Void Gate had turned these "formalities" into genuine strategy.

Legitimacy grants authority.

Their hearts turned cold.

Had this Mr. Xun foreseen all of this, and prepared this move in advance?

Was Mo Hua, the Grand Void Gate's Array Master, merely his pawn?

Was this entire affair a masterful scheme crafted by this Mr. Xun?

The Ancestors frowned at Mr. Xun, realizing that this quiet, tireless elder who had long labored behind the scenes for the Grand Void Gate possessed a depth of cunning and strategy far beyond what they'd imagined—and they felt profound wariness rise within them…

For a moment, no one spoke further.

Mr. Xun sighed faintly, bitterness in his heart.

Only he knew: this "deeply inscrutable" Ancestor was merely the one who cleaned up after Mo Hua.

He could not predict what Mo Hua would do, nor control him.

Before the Sword Discussion Assembly, he never imagined Mo Hua would spring such a massive "surprise" on him—nearly causing his heart and lungs to stop.

Had Mr. Xun not been cautious, detail-oriented, and accustomed to planning ahead, this massive blame would have crushed him as a Void-Opening Ancestor.

But regardless, for now, he had managed to bluff them through.

This matter is too grave; after this, every sect and noble house will not let it rest—but that is a problem for later.

For now, he must take it one step at a time; as a Void-Opening Ancestor, he could only shield Mo Hua this far.

Next, as long as he can safely bring Mo Hua back to Grand Void Mountain, lock him in the forbidden rear mountain, activate the array, and seal the mountain gate to cut off all contact, he can keep the boy safe—everything else becomes secondary.

At worst, they'll just argue, shift blame, and bicker.

They'll have to pay out some spirit stones, sacrifice some flesh and blood—none of that matters.

As long as Mo Hua is unharmed.

Mr. Xun slowly relaxed, his eyes fixed without blinking on the Fang Tian Hua Ying, ready to act the moment the array activated—when Mo Hua emerged, he would immediately shatter the void and send the boy back to Grand Void Gate.

To prevent some ancient Void-Opening Ancestor, seeing Mo Hua, from succumbing to envy and murderous intent.

Not only Mr. Xun—many Void-Opening Ancestors now stared intently at the Fang Tian Hua Ying.

The earlier Law-Form battle had erupted within the Blood Arena.

When the Lun Dao Mountain array crushed the five Void-Opening Law Forms, to prevent spiritual tides from leaking and harming innocents, it automatically sealed off a vast stretch of the Blood Arena.

Only after the Void-Opening Law Forms fully dissipated and the spiritual tides completely vanished would the array unseal, revealing Mo Hua's condition.

After a while, the Jin Guang in the heavens vanished entirely, and the spiritual tides fully dissipated.

The residual power of the array also faded completely.

Only then did everyone clearly see the scene within the great array.

All mountains, rivers, swamps, valleys… had been erased flat; the ground was barren, reduced only to sand-like residue left behind after the terrifying spiritual tide had devoured and annihilated all form.

Besides that, there were several figures.

Mo Hua, pale-faced and expressionless.

And around him, five men—Shen Linshu and the others—lying on the ground, barely breathing, slashed by his sword, alive or dead unknown.

These five had not died.

Though their Void-Perception Phantoms had been severed, the residual power of the Longevity Talismans still lingered on their foreheads, preserving a thread of life.

This outcome had been anticipated by the Void-Perception Patriarchs, yet seeing it with their own eyes still sent a shiver through their hearts.

Pierced through five.

Mo Hua had truly, alone with a single sword, slain five with his own strength—killed the five strongest prodigies of Qianxue Province.

Among them, four were even Bloodline Prodigies at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

This was an unprecedented feat in the Sword Duel Assembly.

It had never happened before, and likely never would again.

This boy was truly a monster among monsters…

Many Void-Perception Patriarchs silently sighed in their hearts, and some could not suppress the killing intent rising within them.

Mr. Xun's gaze was cold and sharp, fully alert, ready to prevent any Patriarch from acting against Mo Hua.

Mr. Xun's full attention had been fixed on Mo Hua, but the next instant, he suddenly froze, frowning.

Not only Mr. Xun—many Void-Perception Patriarchs present had sensed the anomaly.

This anomaly was not on Mo Hua, but on Shen Linshu and the other five.

In the slaughterfield, Shen Linshu and the five lay on the ground, faceless with pallor, their foreheads glowing with the golden light of the Longevity Talismans.

Yet that golden light was slowly changing color.

A thread of purple-black, tinged with a hint of blood-red, filthy, corrupted, flesh-like "pus" seeped steadily outward.

As if Mo Hua's slash had opened their mind-seas, and this "pus" had flowed out.

Though this mental "pus" was bloody and filthy, its innate mental rank was extraordinarily high.

Among those present, only the Void-Perception Patriarchs could truly see these mental filth—thick with base desires, pure in their corruption.

They watched as the purple-black "pus," like blood, swirled and dripped to the ground, blooming into flowers of demonic thought—opium poppies born of corruption.

Instantly, every Void-Perception Patriarch's face turned ashen.

A few Sword Patriarchs grew even more grim, their eyes flashing terrifying blades of light.

…

And meanwhile, among the spectator stands.

On the Qiandao Sect's raised platform, a gentle, refined middle-aged elder's face twisted in fury as he cursed bitterly:

"Damn brat! Ruined my grand plan!"