In the eyes of ordinary cultivators, the spiritual ink in front of Mo Hua moved like silk threads, slithering like venomous snakes as it automatically wove itself into formation patterns.
This no longer seemed like mere formation techniques—it was more like demonic sorcery.
Such a method— forming arrays by commanding ink without pen or paper—was something they had never seen or even heard of before.
The elders of the Myriad Formations Sect were just as shaken.
Their reaction was far more intense than that of ordinary cultivators. After all, they belonged to a sect dedicated to formations; they were formation elders.
As elders of a Twelve-Stream Formation Sect, having spent their entire lives delving into formations, they understood better than anyone the true weight of the phrase: "Commanding ink with divine sense, drawing arrays upon the earth."
This was not a technique one could master simply by having great talent. It contained a true understanding and application of the Dao itself.
Learning it was already difficult—mastering it was even harder.
Let alone deploying it flawlessly in the midst of battle, at such a crucial moment in the Asura War, with lightning-fast precision, executing such a complex, large-scale ink-commanding formation technique.
This was simply... beyond miraculous...
"How could a mere late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly have learned such an ingenious and divine-level formation technique…?"
This question surfaced in the minds of all the formation elders simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the spectacle of Mo Hua commanding ink with divine sense was also displayed before the Observing Sword Pavilion, visible to all the "distinguished figures" watching.
The sect leaders present all wore expressions of shock.
Some elders and direct descendants from the Seven Halls of the Dao Court and the ancient noble families were visibly moved.
Even the sect masters of the Three Mountains of the Grand Void Sect were momentarily dazed.
They, too, had not known that Mo Hua possessed such abilities.
And within the Observing Sword Hall— Some of the ancestors who had been meditating, seemingly indifferent to all external matters, actually opened their eyes. They glanced at Fang Tian Hua Ying before shifting their gaze toward Elder Xun.
One of the ancestors asked in surprise:
"Communing with the Earth Vein, drawing arrays upon the earth?"
"Since when did your Grand Void Sect obtain the legacy of the Earth Sect?"
Elder Xun's gaze was deep and unfathomable, his silence speaking volumes.
His refusal to answer was itself a statement—indicating that this matter was not open for discussion.
The other Void Refinement Realm ancestors took the hint and refrained from pressing further.
A sect's inherited legacies were highly confidential matters.
Even if the Grand Void Sect had obtained the Earth Sect's legacy and learned how to commune with the Earth Vein, they had no obligation to disclose it.
What's more, the Earth Sect was a powerful yet rigidly traditional faction.
Receiving their inheritance was not necessarily a good thing— there was no way the Grand Void Sect would ever admit to it.
Inside the grand hall, no one pursued the matter further. Elder Xun, maintaining his composure, secretly let out a breath of relief.
The truth was, he wasn't sure how to answer that question either...
…
At that moment, in the spectator seats, the audience remained in a state of shock, still engaged in fervent discussion.
At this moment, in the spectator stands, the audience was shaken, still engaged in heated discussion. It wasn't just the spectators outside the battlefield who were in shock.
Within the Sword Duel Arena, the prodigies of the Four Sects and Seven Schools, whose attacks had been abruptly cut off by Mo Hua's sudden array formation, all had drastic changes in expression, their gazes filled with astonishment. The spectators outside were watching through the Fangtian Projection.
But those inside had witnessed it firsthand—Mo Hua controlling nearly a hundred strands of spiritual ink, forming an array in the air as if he were a demon.
He was practically an "array formation monster."
No one could remain unfazed by such a sight. When they were separated by the array, they stood there in a daze for quite a while before regaining their senses.
Very quickly, they realized— they were trapped in Mo Hua's array.
"Quick, break the formation!"
Someone shouted.
The prodigies of the Four Sects and Seven Schools inside the valley, along with those outside, launched an all-out assault on Mo Hua's formation.
Blades flashed, swords clashed, and fire and water spells surged forward. But the formation seemed to have fused with the mountains and the earth itself, absorbing all the attacks. At most, it only faded slightly in color.
"A second-grade high-tier… restoration array?"
Everyone gasped in shock.
And it wasn't just any restoration array—it was a second-grade high-tier restoration array that perfectly integrated with the Bagua Gen Mountain and the Five Elements Earth.
Was this the true array formation power of Mo Hua, the leader of the Array Dao?
Forming a second-grade high-tier restoration array instantly, without paper or medium?!
All the prodigies found it hard to believe. In such a confined terrain, forcibly breaking through this formation would take an immense amount of effort. It wouldn't be possible in a short amount of time.
And they hadn't forgotten—behind them, the disciples of the Taixu Sect were still eyeing them like hungry wolves.
The situation suddenly grew silent.
Inside the valley, over a hundred prodigies of the Four Sects and Seven Schools, led by Shitian Gang of the Vajra Sect, Qin Cangliu of the Water Dao Sect, and Song Kui of the Broken Gold Sect, stood off against the Taixu Sect.
Outside the valley, the true main forces of the Four Great Sects, along with some of the Seven Schools' prodigies, were temporarily blocked by Mo Hua's second-grade "Earth-Wood Sealing Mountain Restoration Array." Out of fear of Mo Hua, no one dared to act recklessly.
The scene reached a delicate balance, yet tension and solemnity filled the air. Outside, all the observing cultivators watched the situation closely through the Fangtian Projection.
They, too, felt a sense of unease. But soon, someone noticed a problem.
The disciples of the Myriad Arrays Sect murmured among themselves:
"Isn't Mo Hua using the wrong type of array?"
"Why is he using a trapping array instead of a killing array?"
"If he used a killing array and detonated it in such a narrow valley, it would cause massive casualties, killing quite a few people."
"There are too many prodigies from the Four Sects and Seven Schools—even with a killing array, he wouldn't be able to kill that many."
"Then wouldn't a trapping array be even more useless?"
"A trapping array only blocks the valley entrance…"
"Outside the valley, there are over a hundred prodigies from the Four Sects and Seven Schools."
"Inside the valley, there are also over a hundred of them."
"And the Taixu Sect, at most, has only about thirty people."
"Using a trapping array to seal the mountain may have cut off reinforcements, but they still have to face over a hundred prodigies from the Four Sects and Seven Schools."
"Thirty against over a hundred—that's still unwinnable."
"Mo Hua's array formation technique looks flashy and intimidating, but it seems… useless?"
"Maybe it was a desperate measure in the heat of the moment."
"That makes sense…"
These discussions reached the ears of the Myriad Arrays Sect elders. The elders didn't say anything, but they, too, felt puzzled. On one hand, they believed Mo Hua's array choice was indeed questionable.
On the other hand, they had a nagging feeling that Mo Hua had a deeper purpose behind his formations— something not as simple as it seemed.
Mo Hua, despite his young age, carried an air of unfathomable depth. What exactly was he planning?
Even as elders who had studied arrays for many years, they couldn't figure it out.
Inside the Sword Duel Arena, Shitian Gang, Qin Cangliu, and the others also felt uneasy. Their wariness toward Mo Hua was real.
Even though Mo Hua had only used a trapping array to isolate them inside the valley— Even though they outnumbered the Taixu Sect by three to one—inside Mo Hua's formation, they still didn't dare act rashly.
Mo Hua, the leader of the Array Dao, was not an ordinary leader. No one could predict what he might do with his arrays.
So they spread out their divine senses, scanning the valley over and over. Only when they confirmed that besides the sealing formation, there were no other hidden arrays did they finally relax.
Mo Hua's strength lay in formations, and the Taixu Sect's strength also lay in formations. With formations, they were formidable.
Without formations, the Taixu Sect was like a tiger with its teeth pulled— outwardly strong but hollow within, nothing to fear.
Since there was only a trapping array sealing the mountain and no other ambush formations, then a hundred against thirty— there was no way the Taixu Sect could win.
"Can we kill him?"
A chilling thought crossed everyone's minds. At that moment, someone stepped forward, his face full of resentment as he glared at Mo Hua—it was Ye Zhiyuan of the Great Luo Sect.
As a genius of the Great Luo Sect's sword arts, he had been slain by Mo Hua's flying sword before, turning him into a laughingstock. Now that his enemy was right before him, his hatred flared.
Ye Zhiyuan pointed at Mo Hua and shouted in rage:
"Mo Hua, ever since my humiliating defeat, I have endured bitter hardships, tirelessly training my Great Luo Sword Control! Today, I will wash away my disgrace and take your head with one strike!"
His words ignited the hatred in everyone's hearts.
They were all renowned prodigies of Qianxue, yet who among them hadn't been "humiliated" by Mo Hua's fireballs, water prisons, stealth, movement techniques, or formations?
In an instant, emotions ran high. Blades and swords clashed, all aimed at Mo Hua.
"Kill Mo Hua!"
"Whoever slaughters Mo will be the leader!"
Amid the uproar, a flying sword shot through the air, transforming into a streak of sword energy aimed straight at Mo Hua's head.
It was Ye Zhiyuan's move— Great Luo Flying Sword Control.
Just as the flying sword was about to reach Mo Hua, five towering men suddenly appeared, sweeping their massive swords in unison. With surging force, they intercepted the attack.
The flying sword failed to kill Mo Hua, but the battle was now inevitable.
The geniuses of the Four Sects and Seven Schools unleashed their attacks— swords flashing, spells forming, and bodies of diamond-like resilience charging toward the Tai Xu Sect.
Over a hundred prodigies struck at once, causing a surge of spiritual energy that was overwhelming and terrifying.
On the Tai Xu Sect's side, the disciples stood solemnly, ready for battle. Mo Hua remained calm as he gazed at the raging tide of enemies. In his eyes, a cold gleam flickered.
Even when facing the Four Sects and Seven Schools, his goal had never been defense. Defense would never secure first place. He was going to kill them all.
"Kill."
Mo Hua spoke flatly, indifferently.
That single word was like a switch, unleashing the absolute formation he had obtained from the Five Elements Sect— Five Elements Source Formation, activate!
At that moment, the armor and robes of the Tai Xu Sect disciples lit up with dazzling five-colored elemental light.
The formation, controlled by Mo Hua and infused with his divine sense, merged with the blood and spiritual energy of the Tai Xu disciples. Using divine sense as the guide, it amplified the Five Elements. The disciples of the Tai Xu Sect felt their blood and spiritual power boil.
An unimaginably powerful force descended upon them, stimulating their meridians and scorching their spiritual energy, making them feel as though they had been granted divine aid.
"Kill!"
In an instant, the Tai Xu Sect's battle intent surged, their killing aura soaring like a rainbow.
The Five Brothers of Tai Ah led the charge, followed closely by Cheng Mo, Ouyang Xuan, and Situ Jian in an ambush. Yang Qianjun and others formed a Dao soldier formation for support. Linghu Xiao held the rear, preparing to unleash the Profound Void Sword Dissolution Art.
Following their pre-arranged tactics, the Tai Xu Sect disciples formed a battle line and clashed head-on with the full force of the Four Sects and Seven Schools' hundred-plus geniuses.
The direct confrontation erupted like thunder striking fire, unleashing an astonishing shockwave. But the head-on clash lasted only a moment. What followed was even more shocking.
Despite their numerical advantage, the geniuses of the Four Sects and Seven Schools crumbled instantly in the face of the Tai Xu Sect.
The Tai Xu disciples, surrounded by Five Elements radiance, smashed through their opponents like a crushing wave, breaking their formation head-on.
The Five Brothers of Tai Ah, originally formidable, now had their strength amplified by the Five Elements power. Their auras surged like demonic gods, and their massive swords, like butcher's knives from the underworld, cut down their enemies with devastating force. The geniuses of the Four Sects and Seven Schools who made even the slightest mistake were instantly killed.
Linghu Xiao's robe shimmered with a boiling, translucent water-blue glow.
This was Mo Hua's customized Five Elements Water Moon Source Robe, modified from the Profound Void Sword Dissolution Art after he obtained it from Profound Void Mountain.
Tailored for Linghu Xiao, this robe amplified his sword energy to terrifying levels. The might of the Profound Void Sword Dissolution Art was unleashed to its fullest.
With a single strike, Linghu Xiao's sword energy rippled like water, ethereal as the moon hanging in the sky, sweeping across the battlefield with unstoppable force. In an instant, he slaughtered over twenty geniuses, sending chills down the spines of all who witnessed it.
Yang Qianjun, Cheng Mo, Ouyang Xuan, and the others, empowered by the Five Elements Source Armor, also saw their strength skyrocket. They formed a tight battle array, cutting down their enemies with unstoppable momentum.
Under the Tai Xu Sect's overwhelming assault, the top-tier geniuses of the Eight Schools— Shi Tiangang, Feng Zichen, Qin Cangliu, and Ye Zhiyuan—managed to hold their ground with their formidable cultivation and strength. But those with weaker cultivation couldn't withstand it at all.
The ordinary geniuses were completely outmatched. If they were caught by the Five Brothers of Tai Ah, their giant swords, imbued with unparalleled power, would cleave them apart instantly. If they were struck by Linghu Xiao's omnipresent sword energy, they would either die or be crippled.
Within moments, the geniuses of the Four Sects and Seven Schools, outnumbering the Tai Xu Sect three to one, suffered a complete defeat in the direct confrontation. They were utterly crushed under the relentless onslaught of the Tai Xu Sect's terrifying swordsmanship.
Outside the Sword Arena. The spectators were in an uproar. Shouts and exclamations filled the air.
Just moments ago, they had been shocked by Mo Hua's unpredictable mastery of formations. Now, they had witnessed with their own eyes the unbelievable battle that unfolded.
The geniuses of the Four Sects and Seven Schools, powerful and numerous, had been effortlessly routed by just thirty disciples of the Tai Xu Sect?
"What just happened?!"
"Why did the Tai Xu Sect disciples' strength suddenly surge like this?"
"This is absurd!"
"Is it… their armor and robes?"
At the Wan Formation Sect's viewing area.
Most formation disciples were just as shocked and bewildered.
They suspected that the sudden power boost came from the formations in the armor, but they had no idea what kind of formation it was.
Only a few elders, with vast experience and knowledge, had a glimmer of understanding in their cloudy eyes.
—
Atop the Sword Observation Pavilion, the sect leaders of the Four Sects and Seven Schools slammed their hands on their tables in fury.
"What the hell?!"
"Are those armors even allowed in the Sword Conference?!"
"This is cheating!"
"Ridiculous!"
"Is no one going to do anything about this?"
"Is the Dao Mountain Sect just going to let this slide?"
The sect leaders were furious at seeing their disciples crushed so thoroughly.
But their complaints remained just words—none of them dared to confront the Dao Mountain Sect.
The elders of Dao Mountain had always enforced the rules strictly. Every spiritual artifact brought into the arena had already been inspected and approved.
Inside the Dao Mountain Elders' Chamber. The Dao Mountain elders sipped tea, watching the battle unfold without the slightest surprise. When Mo Hua had brought these armors and robes into the arena, they had already noticed. If there was anything to be surprised about, they had been surprised long ago. Now, everything was simply playing out as expected.
"The disciples of the Four Sects and Seven Schools lost fair and square…"
"This kid Mo Hua is unbelievable. He knows every formation but never leaks a thing…"
"That brat Mo Hua, it's like he's seen a ghost—he knows every kind of formation and doesn't let even the slightest hint slip..."
...
Meanwhile, inside the Cave Void Grand Hall.
More and more Cave Void ancestors were being drawn in, especially those well-versed in formations. At this moment, they couldn't help but turn toward Elder Xun, their expressions shaken as they asked:
"Did your Taixu Sect inherit the Dao lineage of the Five Elements Sect?"
Elder Xun felt a slight chill run down his scalp. The Dao lineage of the Five Elements Sect— could that be something simple?
A top-tier formation sect's Dao lineage was something people would be willing to risk their lives for. Even ancestors at the Cave Void realm weren't immune to such desires.
Especially those who walked the path of formations. But his Taixu Sect— how could they possibly possess the Five Elements Sect's Dao lineage...?
The inheritance on Mo Hua was truly an unfathomable pit. Just when did this brat learn the Five Elements Sect's ultimate formations? Even he hadn't noticed... But there was no helping it. Since Mo Hua had stirred up trouble, as the sect's ancestor, he could only take responsibility.
"It's hardly a 'Dao lineage'..." Elder Xun's expression remained calm as he slowly spoke. "By sheer coincidence, we obtained some mere fragments. Just a child playing around with them..."
A child, just playing around...
That sentence was incredibly grating to the ears. The Dao lineage of the Five Elements Sect, formations that could amplify spiritual power—countless people had devoted themselves to comprehending their essence without success. Could this really be something a child was just 'playing' with?
After so many years, had the ever-serious and rigid old man from Taixu Sect actually learned to show off? The gathered Cave Void ancestors fell silent. However, since he admitted to having it and was even willing to flaunt it, it was unlikely to be a complete Dao lineage.
The true Five Elements Sect Dao lineage was not something that would simply end up in Taixu Sect's hands. Others might not know, but how could they, as ancestors, be unaware?
The Five Elements Sect had risen because of it and had perished because of it. Ultimately, it had been destroyed by its own "Dao lineage."
That so-called Dao lineage, though outwardly based on the Five Elements, was, in truth, deeply sinister— perhaps even the source of some unknown calamity.
Elder Xun likely wasn't bold enough to take on the very "root cause" of the Five Elements Sect's downfall.
Some inheritances in this world might appear glorious, something ordinary cultivators would chase after with all their might. But to those who had glimpsed the realm of the Grand Dao, they were something to be avoided at all costs. And so, this matter was brushed aside, and none of the ancestors brought it up again.
Of course, this surface calm was just an illusion. Whether some of them secretly developed ideas about it, no one could say.
Only the ancestor of the Da Luo Sect sneered:
"The Earth Sect, the Five Elements Sect... again and again..."
"Once upon a time, how glorious was your Taixu Sect? Now that swordsmanship has declined, you've discarded your ancestors' teachings and are just scraping by on borrowed formations?"
His words were sharp and harsh.
Several sword cultivator ancestors present glanced at Elder Xun, their eyes carrying a hint of disdain. Yet Elder Xun paid them no mind, as if tacitly accepting their judgment. Only, within his gaze, there flickered a trace of doubt—one that even he wasn't entirely sure he dared to believe.
…
Inside the Sword Discourse Arena.
With the amplification of the Five Elements Source Armor, the sudden surge of power allowed Taixu Sect to sweep through the battlefield like an unstoppable force, crushing the defenses of the Four Sects and Seven Clans with overwhelming momentum.
Riding on this advantage, they continued their onslaught, relentlessly striking down nearly half of the Four Sects and Seven Clans' elites. However, these so-called elites were not weaklings. After their initial shock and panic, they gradually regained their composure.
Although they had lost half their numbers, most of their top experts had survived. Moreover, the battlefield had now thinned out.
With the valley less crowded, they no longer trampled over one another, allowing them to maneuver more freely against Taixu Sect. Under the leadership of geniuses like Shi Tiangang, Qin Cangliu, and Feng Zichen, they gradually stabilized their formation.
The Five Elements Source Armor had greatly enhanced the strength of Taixu Sect's disciples.
As a result, the opposing forces dared not face them head-on and instead resorted to constant harassment and attrition tactics.
Hard strength cannot last forever—this had always been a fundamental truth.
Though the amplification power of the Five Elements Source Armor was formidable, its energy consumption was equally massive. After the initial explosive burst, its effects began to wane. As long as they could endure, they still had a chance to turn the tables.
And just as they had anticipated— The battlefield soon settled into a brief stalemate. But only for a moment. Before long, a chilling sense of dread crept over Shi Tiangang and the others, sending shivers down their spines. They sensed the presence of a formation.
Mo Hua!
That Mo Hua— he was drawing formations again!
From the corner of his eye, Shi Tiangang caught a glimpse of the ground— spiritual ink slithering like venomous serpents, weaving intricate formations beneath their feet.
Then—grass and wood turned into binding vines, earth and stone transformed into an inescapable prison, trapping them one by one.
Linghu Xiao immediately unleashed his Chongxu Sword Qi, slashing forward. The Five Brothers of Tai'a also charged in like ruthless demons, their massive swords swinging wildly, cutting down foes in droves.
Even Shi Tiangang, who had cultivated the indestructible Vajra Body, could not withstand the combined assault.
First, he was struck by Linghu Xiao's sword. Then, the Five Brothers of Tai'a hacked at him relentlessly, and cracks began to appear on his supposedly unbreakable Vajra Body.
Ignoring his wounds, Shi Tiangang roared at the top of his lungs:
"Kill Mo Hua!"
"Don't let him keep drawing formations! Or we're all dead!"
His words jolted everyone awake.
In that instant, every remaining genius turned their focus solely on Mo Hua— With reckless abandon, they charged at him like madmen!
(End of this Chapter)