Chapter 880: Drawn Blade

As Master Xun was about to speak to Mo Hua, footsteps came from outside, and the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate entered, his jet-black hair, ruddy complexion, and furrowed brows all bearing a solemn expression.

Seeing Mo Hua inside, the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate was clearly surprised.

Mo Hua immediately stood and bowed, "Grand Master."

"Mm, good." The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate spoke to Mo Hua with gentle demeanor.

"Big Dog, I went back earlier, but you weren't there, so I tied him up in front of the Book Pavilion for you," Mo Hua said.

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate's expression turned subtle.

He couldn't quite understand.

How could such a wild, unruly beast become, before this child Mo Hua, nothing more than a loyal guard dog…

Truly, brine cures tofu—one thing tames another.

"Good." The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate showed no inner turmoil, only slightly nodding.

Master Xun glanced at the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate, then patted Mo Hua on the shoulder, "That's enough for today. Go back now."

Mo Hua knew Master Xun must have matters to discuss with the Grand Master, so he bowed respectfully, "Master Xun, Grand Master, your disciple takes his leave."

Then Mo Hua withdrew.

Master Xun rose and carefully gathered each of the arrays Mo Hua had drawn, one by one.

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate watched silently, unable to suppress the thought in his heart:

"No wonder he's the Ancestor—he's so composed, even now, still finding time to teach disciples array arts…"

Mo Hua's treatment is no less than that of the Ancestor's own son.

After Master Xun finished tidying the desk, the two turned to the matter at hand.

"The Qianxue Pavilion meeting has been set: the Sword Debate will be moved earlier, quotas expanded, and the sect rankings will change starting with this gathering…"

"We knew changes were coming, but never expected they'd act so decisively now…"

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate placed a jade slip on the table and presented it to Master Xun.

"The Qianxue Pavilion's agenda was long prepared by the Sida Sect, but Tai'o Gate, Chongxu Gate, and our Grand Void Gate—along with other sects at odds with the Sida Sect—only learned of it at the last moment, caught completely off guard."

"Yet the initiative has always lain in others' hands; even if we oppose, it's useless…"

Master Xun picked up the jade slip, glanced over it briefly, his expression unchanged—as if unsurprised—then turned to the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate:

"What do you plan to do?"

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate immediately felt immense pressure, but since Master Xun had asked, he could only grit his teeth and speak:

"I've done all I can to arrange things."

"For this Sword Debate, the merit rewards for disciples have been increased by forty percent."

"Those qualified to compete in the Sword Debate have already been sent under the guidance of Dao Law Elders to Lianyao Mountain to hone their tactics."

"The rest—alchemy, arrays, talismans, and weapons—have each been assigned our most outstanding disciples this year, personally mentored by sect elders, to secure a solid ranking in the Sword Debate and stabilize Grand Void Gate's position…"

"All other mundane affairs of the sect have been temporarily halted; everything now yields to this Sword Debate…"

…

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate spoke in orderly fashion.

Master Xun nodded slightly.

After finishing, the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate sighed, "But this threshold… won't be easy to cross."

He pointed to the jade slip, "The Sida Sect's moves appear merely routine procedural changes, but each one strikes straight at our vital points."

"Grand Void Gate is still somewhat better off, but for Tai'o Gate and Chongxu Gate, it's perilously dire…"

"Moving the Sword Debate earlier means less preparation time—and no more room for negotiation."

"Expanding the quotas is a crushing blow to them, already short on manpower."

"This year's Sword Debate will finally determine rankings."

"Given the current situation, even for Grand Void Gate to hold onto its place among the Eight Great Gates will be a struggle…"

Mentioning "rankings," the Grand Master of Grand Void Gate wore a solemn expression.

"If we lose our place among the Eight Great Gates, we typically slip into the Shierliu Sect…"

"But upon deeper thought, it's not that simple."

"Though the Eight Great Gates are practically superior to the Shierliu Sect, in name they are equal, with no hierarchy."

"To enter the Shierliu Sect, one must possess a cultivation specialty—be it sword art, Dao art, or profound mastery in alchemy, arrays, talismans, or weapons…"

"Grand Void Gate still has some depth, but if we truly compare specialties, we may not surpass these existing Shierliu Sects."

"If we fall from the Eight Great Gates and find no place in the Shierliu Sect, we could even plummet straight into the Qianxue Hundred Sects."

"Cultivation is like rowing upstream; cultivators are like this, and so are sects."

"Once you fall, it's a ten-thousand-zhang abyss—severely impacting recruitment, Qianlong quotas, and the sect's reputation."

"This vicious cycle… climbing back up would be harder than scaling heaven."

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate sighed deeply.

He had already foreseen the worst-case scenario.

If Grand Void Gate truly lost its ranking under his watch, falling from the Eight Great Gates and vanishing among the thousands of Qianxue Sects…

Then he would truly be the "famous" Grand Master in history.

The "founder" of Grand Void Gate's decline.

Even though this burden was not truly his fault, he had to carry it whether he wanted to or not.

The Grand Master of Grand Void Gate's heart turned bitter.

He had originally hoped for a tranquil life in Grand Void Gate, cultivating peace and stillness—never imagining he'd be saddled with such a crisis.

The weight of a sect's survival had suddenly descended upon him.

The affairs of this world truly are unpredictable, a mix of fortune and misfortune...

The Grand Void Gate's sect leader, burdened with worries, had barely finished speaking when he turned to see Master Xun's expression calm, showing not the slightest special reaction, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"Ancestor… you…"

Master Xun raised his eyes, casting a casual glance at the Grand Void Gate's sect leader, and said: "Leave me a slot."

"Slot?" The Grand Void Gate's sect leader blinked in slight shock.

"Yes, a slot for the Discourse Contest," Master Xun said, then glanced again at the sect leader, gently adding:

"Don't worry—do your best. Even if our Grand Void Gate truly falls into disadvantage, gradually losing ground, it's my fault as this old ancestor for poor planning—don't blame yourself…"

The Grand Void Gate's sect leader smiled bitterly.

He was deeply grateful that the Ancestor would comfort him like this, but now shifting blame was meaningless.

Yet in his heart, he was equally puzzled.

Normally, one should not inquire into the Ancestor's affairs, but given the unusual circumstances, he ultimately couldn't hold back and asked:

"You… what do you need this slot for?"

Master Xun merely replied calmly:

"You'll find out when the time comes…"

Then Master Xun said no more, his expression serene as he began to drink tea.

Yet the Grand Void Gate's sect leader's brow tightened further.

…

Thereafter, the atmosphere within the Grand Void Gate grew abruptly tense.

It seemed everyone knew this Discourse Contest held extraordinary significance.

Murong Caiyun and Shangguan Xu, this cohort's Foundation Establishment late-stage disciples, trained daily by hunting demons, refining tactics, and cultivating mutual rapport in preparation for the upcoming Sword Discourse Contest.

Mo Hua, this cohort's Foundation Establishment mid-stage disciple, wasn't required to attend the Discourse Contest and thus wasn't as busy—but the disciples' overall atmosphere still carried a solemn weight.

Especially among those disciples with strong family backgrounds and deep connections, who knew the inner truth from their clans, their thoughts turned to the sect's plight, leaving them burdened with worries.

The sect's interests were intimately tied to these disciples.

They didn't want to have spent countless hardships to enter the "Eight Great Sects" upon admission—

only to graduate and become ordinary disciples of the "Hundred Dry Academies."

Yet they were only at Foundation Establishment mid-stage; though anxious, they could offer no help.

Mo Hua still practiced array techniques.

But the Sword Discourse Contest would come first, and its ranking carried significantly greater weight than any other Discourse Contest.

Mo Hua considered this, then went to find Master Xun and asked:

"Master Xun, may I participate in the Sword Discourse Contest?"

He felt he might still be able to lend some aid.

Master Xun froze, then immediately shook his head:

"You're only Foundation Establishment mid-stage—what are you doing joining in?"

But before he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered: Mo Hua's Foundation Establishment mid-stage status was not ordinary in the usual sense.

Especially when he recalled Mo Hua's "record":

The Dao Ting Si's records listed a string of "ferocious" cultivators apprehended—cruel, evil cultivators.

Including even "Huo Fotuo," a demon who slaughtered without mercy.

Not to mention the astonishing, nearly unbelievable "great achievements" reported from Xiancheng: deploying massive arrays and slaying great demons…

Master Xun looked at the clean-faced, well-behaved Mo Hua before him—and found it hard to connect these deeds to him.

Yet the "rumors" from Xiancheng were unreliable; the Dao Ting Si's records, however, could not be false.

Most of these events were likely true.

Master Xun pondered for a moment, then still shook his head: "The Sword Discourse Contest isn't that simple."

Mo Hua was puzzled.

Master Xun looked at Mo Hua and patiently explained:

"Your elemental affinity is poor, your cultivation technique's rank is limited, and thus the number of Qi cycles you cultivate is inherently fewer than others—your Qi is naturally weak."

"Add to that your cultivation level is only Foundation Establishment mid-stage; in terms of Qi alone, you're far behind those Foundation Establishment late-stage or peak disciples from the Dry Academies."

"The Sword Discourse Contest requires many matches. Your meager Qi simply cannot withstand such consumption."

"Once your Qi is depleted, no matter how many techniques you possess, you won't be able to use them—you'll have no choice but to surrender."

Here, Master Xun's gaze grew slightly solemn:

"I know you've thrived outside, dealing with criminal cultivators, evil cultivators, and demons—you must have many hidden cards."

"But you must understand: what's done in secret and what's done in the open are different."

"When operating in secret, your techniques, concealed and hidden, can achieve surprising results."

"But the Sword Discourse Contest is public—under the gaze of countless eyes. Reveal one card once, and everyone will fixate on you."

"Others will prepare in advance, turn around, and scheme against you, target you."

"Moreover, the Sword Discourse Contest requires many matches. Even if you have many cards, reveal one per match, and eventually you'll be stripped bare."

"By the end, if all your techniques are exposed, how will you fight?"

Mo Hua's expression turned grave, yet he still asked, puzzled: "Master Xun, don't the other sects' prodigies have hidden cards too? Aren't they afraid of exposure?"

"They're different from you…" Master Xun said. "Their hidden cards, ultimately, are nothing but cultivation realm and superior Dao arts…"

"These are hard power. Even if exposed, it's still not easy to defeat them head-on."

"But you're different—your hidden cards… can they be seen? Dare they be seen? You haven't even shown them to me…"

Mr. Xun silently watched Mo Hua.

Mo Hua lowered his head slightly, a little embarrassed.

Mr. Xun did not press further, but continued: "So, though you have many tricks, your cultivation foundation is too shallow—you're extremely vulnerable to being targeted. If you want to win, you must hide your trump cards. Don't use them unless absolutely necessary."

"This Sword Discussion Assembly, you rushing in to participate—even if you can help a little—it won't matter much, and you might very well lose more than you gain…"

Mr. Xun spoke with deep earnestness.

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

The Ancestor truly deserves his title; his perspective is indeed far-reaching.

This also served as a warning to him.

His Qi is low; he fears being worn down.

He has many trump cards, but fears being targeted.

If one day he truly must stand under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, he must find ways to resolve these weaknesses.

His trump cards must be arranged wisely.

Don't use them lightly, but when you do, strike decisively and settle the outcome.

Ideally, you shouldn't let others detect any sign of them.

He had never carefully considered these things beforehand.

"Mr. Xun, I understand," Mo Hua nodded.

Mr. Xun nodded with satisfaction and said warmly:

"I've said it before: mastering the formation arts is the greatest help you can give. Don't worry about other matters—especially since…"

Mr. Xun patted Mo Hua's shoulder, "... don't underestimate your senior brothers and sisters. Though they fall short of the top disciples of the Sida Sect, they are all geniuses from their respective clans and families. Those who entered Grand Void Gate possess superior talent and ability. Rest assured."

Mo Hua nodded and said, "Mm!"

…

About half a month later, in Qianxue Province, the first-ever "Sword Discussion Assembly" since the sect's reform began.

It was a grand event.

The Sida Sect and their allied major clans poured in vast manpower and resources to host this Sword Discussion Assembly—its scale was unprecedented, its pomp immense, and the number of cultivators attending to observe far exceeded previous years.

In the many Xiancheng of Qianxue Province, crowds surged like oceans, carriages flowed like rivers, horses galloped like dragons, spiritual beasts dotted the land, flying vessels pierced the sky, and the scene was extraordinarily lively.

Mo Hua really wanted to go.

Cheng Mo and the others also wanted to drag Mo Hua along to join the commotion.

But Mr. Xun disagreed—he told Mo Hua to calm his restless mind and focus on learning formations.

Mo Hua understood priorities; thus, while the entire Qianxue Province buzzed with noise, he sat alone in the disciple quarters, silently redrawing the most difficult of the Rank-Two Nineteen-Stroke peak formations, over and over again.

Amid this interweaving state of noise and stillness,

the Sword Discussion Assembly ended.

As expected, Tai'e Sect and Chongxu Sect suffered crushing defeats.

Their core disciples were nearly wiped out by Dao Ting Si's investigation of the Zhiyao Boat.

The remaining disciples, isolated and unsupported, could not compete even with their lives on the line against the top sects of the Sida Sect, the other Eight Gates, the Twelve Streams, or even the elite sects among the Hundred Sects of Qianxue.

Added to this, the Sword Discussion Assembly expanded its slots—making their situation even worse.

This meant they were pitting "substitutes" and "cannon fodder" against other sects' "main forces" and even their "substitutes."

It was nothing short of a nightmare.

There was no way to win.

Thus, Tai'e Sect and Chongxu Sect became the biggest losers of this Sword Discussion Assembly.

Grand Void Gate, by contrast, fared better—barely ranking seventh among the Eight Gates according to the Sword Discussion standings.

Previously, they had always been last; now, they had climbed up one spot.

Moreover, this ranking was achieved under immense pressure, amid deliberate targeting and blockades from other sects following the sect's reform.

Elder Murong's cohort of disciples had nearly bitten through their teeth to reach this point.

Immediately after the matches, many disciples—including Elder Murong—collapsed from depleted Qi and withered meridians, sent to the Pill Chamber for treatment.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master felt both relief and sorrow.

"They're all good children…"

In the Elder Quarters, the Grand Void Gate Sect Master and Mr. Xun sat facing each other.

The Grand Void Gate Sect Master sighed: "I come from a clan; I've seen many geniuses. I know that sometimes, disciples with top-tier spiritual roots aren't necessarily better."

"Adequate spiritual roots are enough—it's character that's truly precious."

"These disciples, at such a critical moment, held firm under pressure, gave everything they had, and secured our sect's honor and ranking. Regardless of talent, they are worthy of cultivation—they will be of great use in the future…"

Mr. Xun nodded: "Correct. If these children wish to enter the Inner Sect later, loosen the requirements; if they have family ties and don't wish to remain in Liu Sect, grant them an additional Inner Sect legacy. Other cases should be treated with appropriate favors…"

The Grand Void Gate Sect Master nodded: "Good. I'll issue the orders immediately."

Then, with a heavy heart, he sighed, "Tai'e Sect and Chongxu Sect have suffered terribly this time."

After losing the Sword Discussion Assembly, their rankings had plunged beyond measure.

Though this outcome had been anticipated, its actual occurrence still sent a chill through the bones.

The three sects shared a common fate, and thus felt a certain kinship in their suffering.

Compared to them, Grand Void Gate's current situation was considerably better.

But this was only relative—it did not mean they could now rest easy.

Seventh and eighth are both at the bottom.

And next come the Assemblies on Artifacts, Pills, Talismans, and Formations.

If the Grand Void Gate can stabilize, they might still "hang on" to their current ranking, even if they slip to eighth—still one of the Eight Great Sects.

But if they falter even slightly and fail to hold firm, their ranking… could be anything.

The situation is by no means optimistic.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master remained somewhat uneasy.

Although the discourse on pills, arrays, talismans, and artifacts carries less weight than the sword discourse, lasts a shorter time, and is on a smaller scale.

But there are still four rounds to be held, and the variables are too great.

It's not the ten thousand possibilities that frighten you—it's the one in ten thousand.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master turned to look at Mr. Xun, only to see him still calmly sipping tea.

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master felt helpless.

This elder ancestor truly has a heart as vast as the valley—yet at this point, he shows not the slightest anxiety.

How does he manage to remain so composed?

Mr. Xun seemed to see through the Grand Void Gate's Sect Master's thoughts; he poured him another cup of tea and said calmly, "You've done all you can. Now it's up to Zhao Tianming. Hurrying won't help. Drink your tea."

The Grand Void Gate's Sect Master could only respectfully accept the teacup and take a sip.

The taste in his mouth was neither bitter nor sweet—tasteless.

Mr. Xun continued silently sipping tea, yet deep within his eyes lay a faint, almost imperceptible hint of anticipation and sharpness.

No one knew he had forged a "treasure sword."

He was now waiting.

Waiting for the day when this treasure sword, radiant with brilliance and capable of shaking the entire Qian Xue Province, would be drawn.

Thereafter, the discourse assemblies proceeded one after another in orderly fashion.

Finally, two days later, came the Array Discourse Assembly.

This meant that this year's Discourse Assembly was about to be finally settled.