Chapter 883: Grand Event (Bonus chapter for Grand Patron pharcyde～)

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

Wenren Wan pulled Yu'er's small hand as they walked among the Shangguan clan's people.

Gu Changhuai was there too.

Dao Ting Si was busy with affairs and had little interest in such a Dao Discussion Assembly, but Wenren Wan told him Mo Hua would be competing, and she dragged him along—he had no choice.

Moreover, his "friendship" with Mo Hua was considerable; not coming to see him would be unreasonable.

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

Xia Diansi followed behind Xia Jiancha, his expression somewhat cold.

Since the Xiao Tianquan incident, Xia Diansi's standing within the Xia family had grown distant, and her relationship with her uncle Xia Jiancha had also grown somewhat estranged.

In the crowd, Xia Jiancha and Gu Changhuai exchanged a glance, neither speaking.

After the noble families came the elders of each sect.

Many elders from the Sida Sect, the Eight Great Gates, the Twelve Schools, and even lower sects came to observe.

Among them, naturally, were the elders of Tai'e Gate, Chongxu Gate, and Taixu Gate.

Tai'e Gate and Chongxu Gate, having lost the Sword Discussion, had essentially given up; few came.

But Taixu Gate was different.

This Array Discussion Assembly was more crucial for Taixu Gate.

They currently ranked eighth.

Originally seventh in the Sword Discussion, but after the Artifact, Pill, and Rune discussions—events where the Sida Sect and Twelve Schools clearly dominated—they had slipped to eighth.

It wasn't yet desperate, but they were nearly at the brink.

If they could hold steady in this final event, they could preserve their place among the Eight Great Gates.

If they failed, they would meet the same fate as Tai'e Gate and Chongxu Gate.

Therefore, most of Taixu Gate's elders came.

Including Xun Ziyou and Xun Zixian, elders Mo Hua knew well.

After the sect elders came the ordinary disciples.

Many Taixu Gate disciples came as well.

Not only Cheng Mo, Situ Jian, Hao Xuan, and Zheng Fang, these junior brothers, but also Mu Rong Caiyun, Shangguan Xu, and other senior disciples from the previous generation.

Mu Rong Caiyun and the others had fought too fiercely in the Sword Discussion; nearly all were depleted in qi, their faces pale.

But this grand competition concerned their sect's fate—they had to come.

Finally, when the crowd surged like a tide into Dao Discussion Mountain, under the gaze of countless eyes, the final Dao Discussion Assembly began.

……

Dao Discussion Mountain, Grand Dao Arena.

Between the vast arena stood over a thousand tables and meditation mats.

This was the venue for the Array Examination.

Outside the Grand Arena, nearby platforms had been constructed.

These platforms were for the "distinguished guests" of Dao Ting and the noble families and sect leaders to observe from.

Beyond the platforms were ordinary seating, densely packed around the arena, numbering no less than hundreds of thousands.

Beyond the seating lay Dao Discussion Mountain.

At this moment, many disciples clustered on the mountain, even perched in its trees, watching.

The entire Dao Discussion Mountain was filled with cultivators, everywhere—a scene of grand festivity.

After a while, the disciples participating in the Array Discussion gradually entered the Grand Arena, taking their assigned seats to prepare for the Array Examination.

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

Those who had qualified were all array prodigies from their respective sects.

To represent their sect in this pinnacle Dao Discussion event of Qianxue Prefecture was undoubtedly to be among the elite.

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

Each stood tall or slender, their demeanor either refined and courteous or gentle and wise, inspiring envy and reverence in onlookers.

This group of array prodigies entered the arena under the gaze of countless eyes.

Until from the crowd walked Mo Hua, whose appearance was clearly out of place.

Fair and plump, noticeably shorter than the rest, he walked among them like a little lamb lost in a pack of wolves…

The watching cultivators froze for a moment, then began whispering among themselves:

"This doesn't make sense… this disciple looks so young."

"His cultivation level isn't enough."

"I feel like he's only Foundation Establishment mid-stage."

"It's not just a feeling—he is Foundation Establishment mid-stage!"

"What does this mean… can Foundation Establishment mid-stage even enter the Array Discussion?"

"Cheating."

"Cheating? Probably got a special slot, granted an exception."

"Which sect made the exception?"

Someone said: "Look at his robe—he's from Taixu Gate."

"Taixu Gate?"

Someone was speechless: "Taixu Gate has no one left? They sent a Foundation Establishment mid-stage disciple to fill a slot? This is a joke."

"Probably has unusual connections—either the sect master's nephew, or a patriarch backing him."

"Probably some noble's child, snatched someone else's slot."

Someone grumbled, "Even this kind of thing is handled through favoritism and backdoor deals—I reckon Grand Void Gate is done for."

Such criticism was happening in multiple places across the vast seating platform.

And the Grand Void Gate disciples also spotted Mo Hua in the crowd.

They were stunned.

"Little Senior Brother."

"No wonder we couldn't find Little Senior Brother—he's entered the Array Competition, but how come we didn't know about this?"

One disciple said, "Little Senior Brother acts in mysterious ways—how could he possibly let you know?"

"You're kissing up now, but Little Senior Brother can't hear you."

"You don't understand—you must always keep Little Senior Brother in your heart, so he'll feel my reverence, and when he has new array techniques, he'll give them to me first."

"You're dreaming."

"I've verified this myself—last time, I gave Little Senior Brother..."

"We're talking about something serious—don't go off-topic..."

"Oh, by the way, how come Little Senior Brother got a slot from Old Master Xun?"

"Probably."

"Why?"

"Because Little Senior Brother draws arrays really well."

"Of course that's obvious—but..." the disciple hesitated, "this is a Foundation Establishment late-stage competition. The opponents are a year ahead of us, and each one is among the absolute top array prodigies in the entire Qianxue Province—even the Sida Sect is included. How can we possibly compete?"

When he spoke, everyone fell silent.

Even if they believed Little Senior Brother's array prowess was extraordinary, they would never be so arrogant as to think he was stronger than every single array prodigy in Qianxue Province.

Especially when those prodigies were a year ahead of them.

This was Qianxue Province, where powerful clans gathered and sects stood thickly, and extraordinary prodigies of the highest caliber were as numerous as fish crossing a river.

Everyone felt a growing sense of unease.

Cheng Mo didn't care much about it. "If Old Master Xun let Little Senior Brother compete, he must have already made his calculations—we don't need to worry."

"Besides, in my view, Little Senior Brother's strength isn't much worse than those so-called prodigies from other sects."

Cheng Mo had spent a long time with Mo Hua, and thus held a "mysterious confidence" in him.

He quickly added, "Of course, if Little Senior Brother wins, it proves he's powerful; if he loses, it's only because he's young and his cultivation is low—not because he's technically inferior!"

In his mind, Mo Hua being a year behind meant that losing was still winning, and winning was winning twice over.

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

On the other side, Mu Rong Caiyun, Shangguan Xu, and several senior disciples familiar with Mo Hua also looked startled.

"That's... Mo Hua."

"Seems like it..."

"Why is Mo Hua entering the competition?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

"He sneaked in on his own."

"Impossible—the Array Competition isn't a joke; identity verification is extremely strict."

"Then... did the Sect Master or the Ancestors grant him a special slot?"

"Why?"

Shangguan Xu pondered silently.

Mu Rong Caiyun's heart skipped a beat.

She could almost be certain this was Old Master Xun's doing.

And the Ancestor would never do anything meaningless.

He let Mo Hua compete—that means, in his mind, Mo Hua has the strength to win this ranking for Grand Void Gate.

Mu Rong Caiyun clenched her fists tightly.

The Mu Clan and Grand Void Gate shared honor and disgrace; she herself was this year's "Senior Sister," bearing heavy responsibility.

Yet even if she fought with all her life, she could only reach this point.

The final match was an array contest—she had the will but no ability, and could only watch helplessly.

But if Mo Hua were to step forward...

A strange sense of relief, and an inexplicable anticipation, stirred in Mu Rong Caiyun's heart...

On the high platform.

Wen Ren Wan also saw Mo Hua.

Her purpose was clear—she hadn't looked at anyone else, only at Mo Hua.

The moment Mo Hua appeared, Wen Ren Wan's expression brightened, and she immediately pointed to Yu'er: "Yu'er, look—Brother Mo is over there."

Yu'er saw Mo Hua, her eyes sparkled, and she couldn't help but clap her hands happily, eager to cheer him on.

At that moment, a cold, cutting voice rang out:

"Standing like a lump, sitting like a sack—so young, and not a shred of propriety. How will you ever shoulder the responsibility of becoming Clan Head?"

The speaker was a female elder dressed in green, heavily made-up.

She was from the Shen Clan, married into the Shangguan Clan, and had repeatedly harassed Wen Ren Wan during the last banquet.

Such harassment was exactly what Wen Ren Wan had expected.

Since she had come with the Shangguan family to observe the ceremony, she knew such remarks were inevitable, so she treated this cutting words as if they were just a breeze passing by, unbothered.

This female elder had always been petty and vindictive; now ignored, her heart grew even more venomous.

Seeing Wenren Wan ignore her, she turned her gaze toward Yu'er.

Yu'er met her gaze at once, as if stung by a venomous wasp, and immediately shrank back in fear.

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

A true man stands tall and firm; as long as his heart is clear, he need fear no one!

Yu'er's heart stirred with new courage, and he cautiously poked his head out, imitating Mo Hua's expression, making a mocking face at the female elder.

This sudden move caught the female elder completely off guard, infuriating her deeply.

She was just about to glare angrily at Yu'er when Yu'er quickly withdrew, burying his face in his mother's arms, giggling merrily.

Wenren Wan paused, then couldn't help but smile faintly.

Only the female elder trembled with rage, her powdered face turning deathly pale.

In her heart, the Shangguan Yi–Shangguan Yu family was weak-willed, utterly unworthy of inheriting the Shangguan clan's lordship.

Only when this branch of the Shangguan family fell would the position be freed up, giving her own future child a better chance.

Yet she never imagined that this consistently cowardly little brat had learned to flaunt his arrogance at her!

The green-robed female elder hated him fiercely, but at this moment, she could only seethe inwardly, daring not to truly harm Yu'er.

And all of this was seen by Shangguan Ce, seated above.

He paid no mind to the actions of this Shen family elder.

Instead, this child Yu'er was so lively, even somewhat "mischievous"—almost like a "normal child."

Shangguan Ce frowned slightly.

Had the Ancestor's divination been wrong…?

Yu'er's great calamity had already passed.

Shangguan Ce was burdened with worries.

"Brother Shangguan,"

The head of the Gu family called out.

Shangguan Ce turned his head, offering an apologetic smile, then resumed chatting with the Gu family head.

Before this, both men's glances had swept over Mo Hua; though surprised, they cared little.

On the other side of the dais sat the elders of the Sida Sect.

The elders of the Sida Sect held a status far above ordinary sect elders, and their seating was superior.

At this moment, several elders were sipping tea and chatting idly.

"This Dao Discourse Assembly has been a success…"

"Indeed. Once today's Array Discourse concludes, all will be settled, the sect reforms will show initial results, and our Sida Sect's real power will rise another level."

"Under our Sida Sect's leadership, the Qianxue Province will surely flourish!"

"Let us toast with tea, wishing our Si Sects to advance together and pursue great endeavors."

"Agreed!"

The elders drank their tea, yet each secretly harbored different thoughts.

After a moment, an elder clad in the Dao robe of Tianjian Sect, embroidered with sword patterns, glanced at the prodigies below, especially the disciples of Qiandao Sect, and sighed:

"As expected, the champion of this Array Discourse will again go to Qiandao Sect…"

Elder Shen waved his hands: "No, no, last time Qiandao Sect barely won by luck—how could we expect such fortune again this year…"

"But from what I've just observed," Elder Shen said, "Elder Xiao, your Tianjian Sect has a disciple with astonishing array talent. In my view, this year's Array Champion must be yours!"

The Tianjian Sect elder frowned: "Elder Shen, you're speaking nonsense. In terms of array heritage, how can our Tianjian Sect compare to your Qiandao Sect?"

"Our disciples are inherently weaker in array transmission."

"After all, your Qiandao Sect's array lineage, if traced to its roots, nearly reaches back to that Yaoniede Sect…"

Elder Shen was genuinely displeased now, shaking his head:

"Elder Xiao, you're mistaken. Qiandao Sect's present standing comes entirely from our unity, our tireless efforts, and our hard-won progress. Other so-called origins and lineages are mere rumors—don't believe them lightly."

The Tianjian Sect elder inwardly sneered but praised aloud: "Elder Shen, no need for modesty—this year's Dao Discourse Champion will surely be yours!"

Elder Shen declined: "I dare not hope for such a thing. I've seen our disciples this year—they're inferior to yours."

The Tianjian Sect elder's eyes flickered: "If you say so, then Long Ding Sect also has a strong chance. I glanced at their disciples just now—their spiritual sense is deep, their array knowledge profound, not to be underestimated."

The Long Ding Sect elder spoke up: "Don't flatter me falsely—don't drag me in. I know my own limits. In fist techniques, we're passable, but in arrays? Not worth mentioning…"

The Tianjian Sect elder Xiao turned his gaze toward the Wanshao Sect elder, but before he could speak, the Wanshao Sect elder laughed:

"Our Wanshao Sect this year is merely a spectator; even finishing last would be a blessing—we dare not hope for more."

"Too modest…"

"Enough of this—let's drink tea…"

"This is the fine tea I specially prepared…"

"Please."

"Please…"

The elders exchanged more hollow pleasantries, bowed politely to one another, then each lifted their cups to drink.

Yet as they raised their cups, all smiles vanished from their faces, their gazes diverging, each hiding unknown intentions.

The Sida Sect elders, chatting among themselves and each harboring private thoughts, nearly all overlooked the obscure Mo Hua.

And below the dais,

Zheng, no longer a Qiandao Sect elder, sat among the crowd, his expression indifferent as he scanned the disciples in the Grand Arena.

Then he saw a familiar, elegant figure.

Elder Zheng was startled.

"Mo Hua…"

He was first somewhat incredulous, but a moment later, he—who was always rigid and stern—could not help but smile faintly.

"Indeed, in this world, if you look forward to things a little more, there will still be surprises…"

Elder Zheng slowly sat up straight, looking forward to the upcoming Grand Competition.

……

Outside the Grand Dao Arena, the scene was bustling, the crowd roaring, a hundred different states of affairs unfolding.

And inside the Grand Dao Arena, the affairs of the Array Discussion Tournament were also proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Guided by an instructor, Mo Hua entered the arena and, following the order, found his seat.

It was a remote, small seat located in a corner of the arena.

One desk, one meditation cushion.

Utterly ordinary, utterly unremarkable.

Moreover, it was very far from the center of the arena, where the core disciples of the Sida Sect and other sects sat.

Mo Hua, however, remained calm and even-minded, only remembering Mr. Xun's instructions—neither sad nor glad, gathering his thoughts, just drawing arrays.

Just keep drawing…

Thanks to his usual cultivation, Mo Hua quickly cast aside all external things; his body and mind were calm, and not a trace of nervousness or anxiety remained in his heart.

He sat quietly on the meditation cushion.

Even with ten thousand eyes upon him, his heart was like a bright mirror, undisturbed by any ripple.

Everyone around him no longer affected him either.

After one incense stick's time, the solemn-faced chief examiner ascended the platform, expounded upon the principles of array Dao and the rules of the Array Discussion, and reiterated time and again that cheating was forbidden.

Then he personally struck the Dao Discussion Bell.

As the ancient sound of the Dao Discussion Bell lingered in every corner of Dao Discussion Mountain, echoing endlessly.

The Array Discussion Tournament officially began.

Examiners distributed the test questions in sequence.

Mo Hua unsealed the test paper and glanced at it.

Out of politeness, and out of caution, and even more out of respect for the Dao Discussion Tournament, he glanced over it a few more times, confirmed it was truly very simple, and only then began to put brush to paper.

A mere sixteen-pattern array, that's all.

He could draw it with his eyes closed.

Mo Hua took up his brush, and within a few breaths, left flowing, cloud-like, yet vigorous and dragon-like array patterns on the paper…