Chapter 728: The Final Curtain

Breaking through the bottleneck and reaching Foundation Establishment mid-stage, Mo Hua's blood qi grew deeper.

But his congenital weakness meant he did not cultivate his physical body; even with enhanced blood qi, his flesh had not strengthened much.

His spiritual power also became more profound.

He could now wield all manner of spells with greater ease, their power significantly increased, and his movements became faster.

Mo Hua felt he had grown stronger!

But after thinking it over and comparing himself to Cheng Mo and Sister Situ, he suddenly realized a problem:

His cultivation had broken through, his strength had improved, yet the gap between him and his sectmates seemed to have grown even wider…

His spiritual root was mid-low grade.

Even Hao Xuan had an upper-upper grade!

The rest of his time was spent studying arrays.

One after another, their spiritual power surged like oceans, making Mo Hua secretly astonished.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Amid the dense sea of disciples, he was but a single grain of sand—no one paid him any attention.

He wondered if something had happened…

Mr. Xun and the Grand Void Gate's sect master sat facing each other, sipping tea.

The group then set off toward the southeast corner of the Sword Discussion Arena.

The New Year festivities passed as usual.

"Master… this doesn't seem right…"

There were barely a handful of twelfth-tier sects.

"Indeed, far less practical than spiritual artifacts, dao techniques, or pills—things any ordinary cultivator can use…"

Mo Hua sighed inwardly.

Ouyang Feng turned to leave; as he passed Mo Hua, his expression had lost its warmth, a shadow lurking in his eyes.

Ouyang Feng said calmly, his gaze flickering with momentary gloom, utterly devoid of any joy or anticipation.

"By the way," Mo Hua said regretfully, "I watched the match between Tai'e Sect and Tianjian Sect—they almost won, just barely missing advancement to the top four."

Yet his doubts, far from increasing, actually lessened.

"Mm-hmm," Mo Hua nodded, waving goodbye. "Feng-senior, take care."

But luck still eluded him—he ultimately lost to the prodigy of Long Ding Sect and placed fifth.

The tea was fragrant, yet left a faintly bitter aftertaste.

Mr. Xun blinked in slight surprise, his gaze heavy as he looked at the Grand Void Gate's sect master.

Mo Hua silently calculated in his mind.

"Our Tai'e Sect is merely one of the Eight Great Sects; compared to the Sida Sect, our foundations are vastly inferior. Though it seemed we were just a hair's breadth from victory, in truth, we lacked decades of accumulated strength—something that cannot be made up in a short time. Winning would be good, but losing is only natural—no need to be discouraged…"

"It was the same last time."

Both men's expressions were calm, yet their eyes held deep contemplation.

Mo Hua returned to the sect and resumed his slow, steady cultivation.

"There are also superior dao techniques preserved by the Dao Court, rare pills, treasures for cultivation, as well as some arrays and talismans."

The spiritual roots of other Grand Void Gate disciples, by contrast, began at upper or lower grade.

Nearly all the remaining hundred minor sects were wiped out.

Ouyang Feng's expression was complex, a faint, almost imperceptible smile of resignation on his lips. "It's not that simple—it seems like just a hair's breadth, but in truth, there's no way they could win…"

"Only our Grand Void Gate lingers at the edge of the lower ranks, neither advancing nor falling."

The Grand Void Gate's sect master sipped his tea and spoke calmly.

Mr. Xun gave a slight nod. "I understand…"

The Sword Discussion was still ongoing, and nearing its fever pitch.

Aside from Grand Void Gate disciples, almost no one recognized him.

For a moment, his emotions were complicated.

The Grand Void Gate's sect master paused thoughtfully, then chose his words carefully:

"You know… my family's influence isn't small…"

In the end, after a series of dazzling contests.

The room was elegant, filled with the scent of tea.

That shadow of gloom was sharply caught by Mo Hua.

This was also the happiest period of his life.

"Yes."

Mr. Xun said calmly: "You are the sect master."

The disciples were still eager—the tournament still had more to come—but none of it concerned Mo Hua.

"When the storm approaches, remain unmoved amid all change."

"There must be hidden circumstances behind this!"

The same applied to the rank of cultivation techniques.

By now, the two had not seen each other for over a year.

But I was originally a lone cultivator—my spiritual root, foundation, lineage, spiritual power, and blood qi all fall short of others; a gap is only natural.

"But I still feel these aren't the true reasons…"

Ouyang Feng said gently: "I'll go ahead with some fellow sectmates—they'll follow shortly."

To lift the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao's laws, one's spiritual sense must advance further.

Mo Hua ended his cultivation, slowly stood up, and stretched his arms.

But no matter what, he was now a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator!

The next step was Foundation Establishment late stage.

But he wasn't in a hurry now—he still had to watch the Sword Discussion Assembly.

He stroked the blue porcelain cup inlaid with jade, then added, "Yet no matter how it's changed, it seems unlikely to benefit us…"

He wondered what kind of array the Sword Discussion Assembly might reward.

All disciples around him looked stunned.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master lifted his gaze, glanced at Mr. Xun, saw the old man's calm, composed expression—even more serene than himself—and couldn't help asking:

"It seems this year there's no array reward at all."

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master shook his head, "I don't know about that…"

Mr. Xun glanced at him and said, "No need to be so modest."

The Sword Discussion Assembly ended.

The prodigies of the Sida Sect truly were all exceptional talents—their cultivation, Dao methods, spirit weapons, and more had almost no weaknesses.

Later, when Brother Feng and the others went to the Demon Refining Mountains, he couldn't go, so he wandered alone.

Time slipped by, and before he knew it, another year had passed.

Mo Hua had also seen the ultimate prodigies standing atop the entire Sword Discussion Assembly.

Ouyang Feng met Mo Hua's clear, icy gaze, snapped back to reality, and smiled gently as he explained to Mo Hua:

"But the other two sects have both advanced—we stand still, which is effectively 'falling behind'…"

Next, he needed to find a way to fully satiate it.

Mo Hua sighed.

The improvements to the Five Element Source Armor were ongoing through successive iterations.

Thus, the top four and final matches were entirely contested by disciples of the Qiandao Sect and the other Sida Sects.

Mr. Xun slightly lifted his gaze, glanced at the Grand Void Gate's Sect Master, set down his teacup, brushed his sleeves, and frowned:

The Grand Void Gate did have senior brothers and sisters enter the top sixteen, but in the end, they only secured eleventh place, and that was the end of their run.

Only then could he learn those more advanced second-rank high-grade arrays, even the secondary thunder-current ultimate array with twenty patterns.

It needed to be "supplemented."

Those who had made it this far were all the elite among their sects' prodigies, with foundations and cultivation so profound they were terrifying.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master drank the tea, slightly taken aback.

Ouyang Feng nodded slightly, "Understood."

The Heavenly Evolution Scripture was unique, but it didn't enhance spiritual power—it was, in essence, just like his spiritual root's grade, a mid-low grade technique.

What are your plans?

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master wanted to ask, but seeing Mr. Xun's demeanor, he felt even if he asked, the old man would certainly not answer.

At Foundation Establishment mid-stage, his spiritual power grew stronger, but others grew stronger still, so the gap widened further.

With Mo Hua watching over him, Yu'er in the Grand Void Gate was like a joyful little swallow, unrestrained, flying everywhere.

"But I have a hunch—they're targeting our Grand Void Gate specifically…"

At this moment, Mo Hua merely watched silently below.

Especially the top four, and even the top eight matches before the final.

These prodigies, under the eyes of countless onlookers, debated sword techniques and clashed, displaying their heavenly talent, drawing endless awe and admiration.

After swallowing the spiritual sense, the void law had loosened slightly, as if it had eaten its fill.

Thus, this year's Dao Discussion Assembly had fully concluded.

He had entered the Grand Void Gate for three years already; without realizing it, Mo Hua had grown taller, and now looked like a graceful, delicate young boy with refined features.

It seemed his guess was correct.

Mo Hua nodded, curious in his heart.

Behind the scenes, the high-ranking elders of each sect engaged in covert schemes and rivalries over the Dao Discussion Assembly's rankings, vying to secure the greatest possible benefits for their own sects…

On the day of the top four matches, Mo Hua arrived early at the Dao Discussion Mountain, ready to watch the spectacle, when he unexpectedly met Ouyang Feng.

The Sword Discussion Assembly, the further it progressed, became almost entirely a contest among disciples of the Sida Sects.

Unfortunately, his spiritual sense was still seventeen patterns.

…

Third was the Dragon Cauldron Sect.

Mo Hua tried to cross-reference the Five Element Eight Trigram array system taught by Mr. Xun with the Five Element Eight Trigram arrays preserved by the Shangguan and Wen families, to broaden his array knowledge.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master smiled bitterly.

The next goal was Foundation Establishment late stage.

"Oh." Mo Hua nodded.

Afterward, Cheng Mo and his group also arrived.

But the quality of his spiritual root and the technique he cultivated were superior.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master's gaze turned slightly cold, and he said gravely, "The sect is undergoing reform."

Brother Feng seemed different from his previous impression.

Later, he was placed under house arrest again.

Mo Hua slightly furrowed his brows.

In strategy, tactics, methods, and Dao arts, they are inferior to Huo Fotuo.

Cheng Mo said: "Mo Hua, I found a great spot with the best view—I'll take you there."

"Our Grand Void Gate has declined now; the Divine Thought-Sword technique is no longer passed down—it's like cutting off our own arms. We can't compete with them; just holding onto our current position is already good enough."

They walked up to Mo Hua and called out in unison: "Senior Brother."

The final match was now just one step away.

Ouyang Feng smiled warmly: "Long time no see, Senior Brother Mo."

To satisfy this Dao principle, even slow cultivation of one's Divine Thought may not be enough.

I just wonder if, by next year, Old Master Xun will agree to lift my "house arrest."

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master waited for Old Master Xun to continue, but Old Master Xun's words ended there abruptly.

Qiandao Sect ranked second.

Old Master Xun looked solemn, lost in thought, silent.

"If it's about grievances, I can name a few; if it's about reasons, I can guess a few."

From the semifinals to the final match, Mo Hua watched every single battle.

Mo Hua blinked slightly, eyeing Ouyang Feng with suspicion.

No wonder this is Qianxue Province—it's no surprise the Sida Sect have such profound depth; their disciples, at least in cultivation level, are truly one in ten thousand.

Inside the Grand Void Gate, the Sect Master's residence.

Mo Hua frowned slightly.

But to replenish Divine Thought, one must leave Qianxue Province.

The next step is Jin Dan!

Mo Hua's eyes sparkled like stars; on his handsome face appeared a bright smile.

Afterward, he still routinely reviewed the Array texts, then practiced the arrays.

"This Dao Forum, Tai'e Sect ranked first among the Eight Sects—only slightly behind the Sida Sect…"

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master frowned slightly.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master's voice turned cold: "... even falling out of the Eight Sects is possible."

Hearing this, Ouyang Feng turned and looked back; he saw a small boy with clear, handsome features calling him Senior Brother, and he paused in surprise.

The restrictions of the Heavenly Dao still remain.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master observed Old Master Xun's expression, but could discern nothing—he knew his own cultivation was too shallow to read Old Master Xun's thoughts, so he sighed and voiced his concerns:

"On the surface, this is the Sida Sect, allied with other sects, pushing for reform of the sect system to seize more benefits for themselves…"

Though born into a family, not the Grand Void Gate's lineage, since he holds his position, he acts in its interest—still, he cares for the Grand Void Gate's safety.

"Arrays have the least utility; unless you're an Array Master, gaining array knowledge is useless—you can only trade it with others or surrender it to your family for merit."

Mo Hua smiled and greeted him back.

And then?

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master looked at Old Master Xun in confusion.

The path of cultivation is long; one must calm one's heart and delve deep in pursuit.

Mo Hua quickly adjusted his mindset.

The semifinals and the final match were both major events.

My spiritual root grade is nearly a full major tier lower than theirs.

Even at Foundation Establishment's early stage, my spiritual energy is already inferior to others'.

Yet with the brilliant Senior Sister and Senior Brother before him, Mo Hua could accept this gap.

Within the Void Array, they fought each other with full force; vast spiritual energy unleashed superior Dao arts, amplified by top-grade spiritual artifacts—their power was astonishing.

Then he smiled at Mo Hua and apologized:

"Senior Brother Mo, excuse me."

The storm is coming—what "unchanging" thing can one use to respond to all these changes…

He stood where he was, staring blankly as Ouyang Feng and the Tai'e Sect disciples walked away, his gaze sharpening.

The Eight Sects exist, but they're not many.

Though he was the Grand Void Gate's "Senior Brother," in the entire Sword Forum, even the Dao Forum, he remained just an obscure little disciple.

Among the vast crowd, the unremarkable Mo Hua watched silently, plotting something within, his clear eyes revealing a subtle radiance most could not perceive.

Fame and profit are ultimately external things.

The sky gradually brightened; the morning sun rose.

"In my family, I have some connections; I heard from the Dao Court that the Shen family of Qiandao Sect, allied with Tianjian Sect and the other Qitasi Sect, petitioned the Dao Court to…"

He was about to ask more, but several disciples in Tai'e Sect robes approached from afar, bowing respectfully: "Senior Brother Feng, the Elder is calling for you."

At least they're far stronger than me…

All the Elders, even the upper echelons of the Dao Court and other factions, showed expressions of approval.

Though not as strong as Huo Fotuo, they're not far behind.

"This reward changes every cycle."

The cultivators from that family were certainly no pushovers…

Yu'er has become even livelier.

"What rumors have you heard?"

"Yes," one disciple explained, "for major events like the Qianxue Province Sword Forum, the Dao Court usually grants extra rewards."

Old Master Xun raised an eyebrow, surprised, and asked in a low voice:

"What do they want to change?"

Mo Hua, at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, successfully advanced a rank.

Mo Hua was curious, "What kinds of arrays are there?"

He looked closely and recognized it was Mo Hua.

This year is out of the question; at least wait until this year ends, enter the year of mid-Foundation Establishment, become slightly accustomed and stabilize for a while, before considering "supplementing" the spiritual sense.

Tianjian Sect, one of the Sida Sect, won the Sword Debate Championship.

The Grand Void Sect's patriarch smiled faintly, then composed himself and said solemnly:

…

Mo Hua's expression brightened, and he quickly greeted:

Mo Hua looked around and noticed Ouyang Feng standing alone; he asked in confusion, "Senior Brother Feng, are you here to watch the Sword Debate Championship by yourself?"

Tai'e Sect, relying on solid sword techniques and sharp spiritual swords, advanced steadily, falling just one step behind the Sida Sect.

Especially the elite among the Sida Sect.

Mo Hua pondered inwardly.

"Senior Brother Feng!"

…

Cheng Mo, Sister Situ, and many others possessed upper-middle, even upper-upper-grade spiritual roots.

"No need for the finals; reaching the top four is good enough."

"With the ranking of the top four sects, the share of the Qianlong Mountain spiritual mine is greater, allowing a larger portion of spiritual stones, plus rewards from the Dao Court."

The Grand Void Sect's patriarch had a solemn expression.

The disciples discussed among themselves.

Along the way, someone sighed:

…

Wan Xiao Sect ranked fourth.

Mo Hua nodded repeatedly, "Long time no see."

Mo Hua nodded slowly, "Senior Brother Feng is right."

And for the Sword Debate Championship, including Qiandao Sect, each of the Sida Sect had at least five such disciples.

This is the best result outside the Sida Sect.

"Once the Sida Sect, united with the Dao Court, forcefully pushes sect reform, in the midst of such treacherous intrigue, our Grand Void Sect will inevitably face turmoil, even…"

"But why?"

Unlike Grand Void Sect, Chongxu Sect advanced steadily and secured eighth place.

When he first enrolled, he always followed Senior Brother Ouyang Feng on missions.

After breaking through to mid-Foundation Establishment, Mo Hua felt his spiritual sense had strengthened, but the increased portion was all "deducted" by the Dao's laws.

"Now that you mention it, it seems many generations haven't awarded arrays."

"When will our Grand Void Sect ever reach the finals…"

Master Xun took another calm sip of tea, "I have my own plans."

"Chongxu Sect moved up one step in the upper-mid ranks."

The disciple shook his head, "I don't know about that…"

He glanced again at Ouyang Feng and asked, "Senior Brother Feng, won't you be competing in the next Sword Debate Championship?"

He had seen all he needed to see; other matters had nothing to do with him. When it came to major issues involving sect interests, he had no say.

The Sword Debate Championship then proceeded as scheduled.

The patriarch is the patriarch, but before the Ancestor, what is a patriarch?

"Dao Court rewards?" Mo Hua blinked in surprise.

Master Xun, seeing his expression, nodded slightly inwardly.

Master Xun, unusually, poured him a cup of tea, and in his aged voice, spoke slowly:

But Huo Fotuo is only one.

The new cohort of disciples had also entered Grand Void Sect; they were one year behind Mo Hua, his true "junior brothers" and "junior sisters."

Mo Hua had truly become a "senior brother."

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