Seven days remained until the Asura Sword Tournament.
These seven days had been set by the elders of Dao Discussion Mountain through a meeting.
The purpose was to give the disciples of each sect time to prepare.
Since the Asura Battle was an unexpected development, the preparation time was extended accordingly.
Inside the Disciples' Residence
Mo Hua was still fully focused, deducing battle strategies, analyzing cause and effect, and contemplating various scenarios…
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
Mo Hua went to open it and was surprised to see the visitor.
"Sect Master? What brings you here?"
The Tai Xu Sect Master looked deeply at Mo Hua, then took out a command token from his sleeve and handed it over.
"This is the sect command token for the unification of the Three Mountains. It was just forged—this is the very first one. You'll be using it first."
"Through this token, the inheritances of the Three Mountains are now interconnected."
"You can use contribution points to exchange for anything freely."
"Moreover, this sect command token is quite special. The sect masters of Tai A and Chong Xu have both granted you high-level access."
"The inheritances available to you will not be of low grade."
"The upcoming battle is the Asura War. If you need anything, you can directly select from the available inheritances."
"Techniques, Daoist arts, formation techniques, artifact refining methods—everything is available for exchange."
"This is all for the sword tournament and for the sect. During the tournament, any inheritance you exchange will not consume contribution points."
"Furthermore, any inheritances you acquire can temporarily be shared with other participating disciples—so long as it benefits the upcoming tournament, all is permitted."
"I've already informed the elders. Whatever you need, just ask. For this sword tournament, you have full authority…"
Mo Hua was momentarily dazed, then solemnly accepted the token with both hands.
The Tai Xu Sect Master said no more, only giving Mo Hua a warm gaze before patting his shoulder and turning to leave.
This signified his absolute support for Mo Hua as the sect master.
Mo Hua felt warmth in his heart but also a heavy responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.
He lowered his head to look at the token in his hand.
The token was ancient yet grand, exquisitely deep and luxurious—a brand-new Tai Xu Sect command token, symbolizing the unification of the Three Mountains.
This was the template for all future official sect tokens.
Clearly, Tai Xu Sect would gradually implement this new token, fully integrating the disciples of the Three Mountains under one sect.
As far as Mo Hua knew, each of these newly forged sect tokens had a unique serial number inscribed within them for identification.
Mo Hua gently ran his fingers over the token.
This was the very first Tai Xu Token, forged after the unification of the Three Mountains and containing all their inheritances.
That meant the serial number inside this token should be…
"One."
Mo Hua's gaze flickered slightly.
He returned to his residence, sealed the doors and windows with a formation, then sat at his desk and immersed his divine sense into the newly forged sect command token.
Then this token's sequence should be… "One."
Mo Hua's gaze flickered slightly. Returning to his residence, he sealed the doors and windows with a formation, then sat at his desk and immersed his divine sense into the newly forged sect token.
The name of the token remained "Tai Xu Token." But Tai Xu was now divided into three mountains.
Not only did it contain the original Tai Xu Sect's inheritance, but it also categorized the inheritances of Tai A and Chong Xu, all listed in the "Merit Registry."
Tai Xu Sect, Tai A Sect, and Chong Xu Sect had all once belonged to the Eight Great Sects.
In other words, the Tai Xu Token in his hands now encompassed the Daoist legacies of three of the Eight Great Sects—practically half of Qianxue's top inheritances.
It was an incredible fortune. And it wasn't just ordinary inheritances.
As Mo Hua browsed through Chong Xu Mountain's Merit Registry, he noticed a special gift.
It seemed that the Chong Xu Sect Master had personally made an exception: "Chong Xu True Sword Dissolution Technique."
This was Chong Xu Mountain's core sword technique, its most sacred inheritance— the very sword art that Xiao Xiao practiced.
Tai A's Opening Mountain Sword Formation, Chong Xu's True Sword Dissolution Technique, Tai Xu's Divine Thought Sword Manifestation…
These words rang true:
"Tai A forges spirit swords, Chong Xu refines sword qi, Tai Xu manifests sword intent..."
Mo Hua's heart trembled.
At this moment, he had truly inherited all three sects' supreme sword legacies. Something he had never anticipated.
He had entertained the thought before, but he never believed that such a day would truly come—where he could legitimately claim the three Tai Xu inheritances. And it wasn't through trickery or deceit.
It was because of the upcoming Asura Tournament, a matter of utmost importance to the sect. But it was also because the three sect masters trusted and entrusted him with their legacies.
Undoubtedly, behind the scenes, the sect masters had deliberated and negotiated this outcome countless times.
Even Elder Xun must have been pulling strings for him, ensuring everything fell into place…
They never spoke of it, but he knew.
Mo Hua let out a soft sigh and turned his gaze out the window.
He looked toward Tai Xu Mountain. The sect that had nurtured him for nine years.
Here, he had his fellow disciples, elders, sect masters, and Elder Xun.
They had all treated him well. And now, his fate was tied to Tai Xu Sect.
Its rise or fall, its glory or disgrace—he shared it all.
Mo Hua's eyes turned resolute, his determination solidifying.
He had to win first place.
Not for himself alone— But for his junior disciples, who trained by his side every day. For the kind and caring elders.
For the sect masters who trusted him.
For the grandmaster who silently orchestrated everything behind the scenes, always ensuring he had the best…
He had to win first place.
For Tai Xu Sect's future.
He would stand at the pinnacle of the Qianxue Tournament.
And he would raise Tai Xu Sect to the highest position in all of Qianxue State's countless sects.
No one would stop him.
The gentleness on Mo Hua's face faded, replaced by a sharp golden glint in his eyes.
Who cares about the Four Great Sects, the Eight Grand Orders, or the Twelve Minor Clans?
If they stand in my way— I'll kill them all.
The True Preparations Begin
Mo Hua then began his final preparations for the Asura Sword Tournament.
With the three mountains' Daoist legacies at his disposal, With the sect masters' full backing, With Tai Xu Sect granting him authority— Mo Hua had never had more power at his fingertips.
He had no control over sect politics.
But when it came to the tournament, his word was absolute.
At this moment, he was already the "Little Sect Master" of all three mountains.
All elders followed his lead.
All disciples trusted their senior brother.
Mo Hua's strategic calculations for the tournament were not yet complete, but he had a clear plan.
In fact, the groundwork he had laid for the Tianzi Sword Tournament could now be adapted for this battle.
Thus, his intensive preparations began.
Forging specialized armor, robes, and spiritual weapons.
Gathering all three sects' formation techniques to fill his own weaknesses.
Mastering rare and obscure formations with unique effects to counter any surprise tactics.
Unlocking select high-tier inheritances for the tournament disciples to enhance their combat abilities.
Providing rare cultivation resources for immediate battle-readiness.
Studying Chong Xu's supreme sword art with Linghu Xiao— the True Sword Dissolution Technique.
Analyzing its elemental properties, comparing water-moon variations with five-element principles,
to solve the problem of sword energy amplification…
And more. This wasn't just Mo Hua's battle alone.
These matters were not Mo Hua's burden alone.
The entire Tai Xu Sect was systematically mobilized.
The vast cultivation resources and inheritances contained within the Three Mountain Dao Repository were also utilized to their fullest potential through Mo Hua's karmic calculations and meticulous planning.
…
At this moment, it was not just the Tai Xu Sect.
All sects participating in the Sword Debate Tournament were making meticulous preparations for the upcoming Asura Battle.
Many sects were plotting ways to target Tai Xu Sect.
Some sought revenge, some aimed to eliminate a potential threat, others wanted to take a piece of Tai Xu for themselves, and some were merely opportunists, eager to strike while the iron was hot…
Meanwhile, a great number of genius disciples were sharpening their swords for Mo Hua.
Between them and Mo Hua, there was a simple, pure, and unambiguous enmity.
No matter what—Mo Hua must die!
A tense and ominous atmosphere loomed over the entire Qianxue Prefecture.
…
Time passed, moment by moment…
Unknowingly, seven days had slipped away in a blur.
The final battle of the Earth-Rank Sword Debate—the Asura Battle—had finally begun…
This was a decisive battle. A battle for the Earth-Rank title.
If they won, there would still be further battles ahead, but if they lost completely, then there was no hope for the Heaven-Rank Sword Debate.
Tai Xu Sect.
Before the battle commenced, the three sect leaders personally sent off the disciples participating in the tournament.
The Tai Xu Sect Leader offered words of encouragement, saying things like "Do not fear failure, just do your best" and "No matter the outcome, you are the pride of our sect."
Afterward, the group set off for the competition.
However, just before departure, the Tai A Sect Leader, unable to suppress his concerns, discreetly pulled Mo Hua aside and asked in a hushed tone:
"Can we hold onto our position as the number one among the Eight Great Sects?"
Mo Hua's expression was slightly weary.
Over the past days, he had been ceaselessly calculating, pushing his divine sense to its limits, then meditating to recover—repeating this cycle again and again.
Even with his formidable spiritual strength, the strain had taken a toll, leaving his face slightly pale from mental exhaustion.
And yet, his gaze remained clear and unwavering.
Having exhausted his mind in deep contemplation, he now carried an air of calm composure, unshaken even in the face of uncertainty.
"I will do my best…"
Mo Hua responded with a faint smile.
The Tai A Sect Leader let out a slight breath of relief.
Mo Hua was merely a Foundation Establishment disciple, and yet, for some reason, he possessed a reassuring presence that put others at ease.
His words and that faint, composed smile gave people an inexplicable sense of security.
"Good."
The Tai A Sect Leader nodded.
He had only one request.
As long as they could hold onto their number one ranking among the Eight Great Sects, that would be enough…
Given the turbulent situation they were in, maintaining their current position would already be a blessing, a favor granted by the heavens and their ancestors.
As the time arrived, the disciples of Tai Xu Sect set out toward the Debate Mountain.
At that very moment, throughout the entire Qianxue Prefecture, all sects and all participating disciples of the Sword Debate Tournament were making their way to the battlefield.
Dressed in robes of various colors, disciples from different sects formed a grand, orderly procession, resembling a vast, multicolored river, surging toward the heart of the Qianxue Prefecture— The ancient Debate Mountain.
…
At Debate Mountain, the crowd was as vast as an ocean.
At Debate Mountain, the crowd was vast as the sea.
Throughout the entire Qianxue Prefecture, the streets were empty—everyone had gathered for this event.
This was the grandest and most well-attended Sword Debate Tournament yet.
At the Sword Viewing Pavilion
Distinguished guests ascended the pavilion, their status clearly distinguished.
Imperial nobility, powerful aristocratic clans from Daozhou, influential court officials—figures of extraordinary status had all gathered here.
Tall pavilions stood in rows, with vague yet unfathomable auras subtly emanating from them, making it impossible to discern just how many hidden experts were observing the battle.
At the very center of the highest level, there was a grand hall.
Exquisitely decorated with floating eaves and soaring pillars, the hall radiated a luxurious and ancient charm.
At this moment, the sound of space shattering echoed through the hall.
One after another, elderly figures stepped out from the void and took their seats.
If a knowledgeable observer were present, they would undoubtedly be shaken to the core, overwhelmed by fear—for these elders were all Void Piercing cultivators.
They were the Void Piercing Patriarchs of the major aristocratic families and sects across Qianxue Prefecture.
For such patriarchs to personally attend a battle was an extremely rare occurrence.
Even in past Heaven-Rank Sword Debates, Void Piercing Patriarchs had rarely appeared in person to watch from the pavilion.
This was the first time so many Void Piercing Patriarchs had gathered in the Sword Viewing Pavilion.
Among them were:
Shen Clan Patriarch of Qiandao Sect Xiao Clan Patriarch of Heavenly Sword Sect Ao Clan Patriarch of Dragon Cauldron Sect Duanmu Patriarch of Wanxiao Sect
From the Eight Great Sects:
Elder Xun of Tai Xu Sect Ouyang Patriarch of Tai A Mountain Linghu Patriarch of Chong Xu Mountain As well as the patriarchs of Duanjin Sect, Guishui Sect, Lingxiao Sect, Vajra Sect, Zixia Sect, and many others…
Below them were Void Piercing Patriarchs from Twelve Flow Sects, along with a few scattered figures from the Hundred Sects of Qianxue Prefecture.
They were all present.
Each of these patriarchs varied greatly in appearance—
Some were elderly with white hair and crutches, some had youthful faces despite their age, some appeared as refined middle-aged scholars, while others were hunched with age.
Some were towering figures exuding an overwhelming presence, while others were frail old women with gaunt faces.
There were even immortal-like figures whose appearances remained unchanged by time.
Despite their differences, not a single wisp of aura leaked from any of them.
Yet within their deep and unfathomable eyes, a vast abyss of wisdom and power could be felt.
These twenty-plus Void Piercing Patriarchs were the true foundation and pillars of the great aristocratic families and sects. Each one was a terrifying existence capable of shaking the world.
And at this moment, they were all gathered in the Sword Viewing Pavilion, watching the upcoming battle together.
The grand hall was eerily silent.
None of the Void Piercing Patriarchs spoke.
Some quietly sipped tea, while others closed their eyes in meditation.
Their cultivation had reached unfathomable heights, and they had lived for so long that the passage of time had eroded most of their emotions.
Very few things could stir their hearts anymore.
Some had even reached a state of extreme detachment due to their Daoist pursuits.
Even the rise and fall of great clans or the success and destruction of sects hardly registered in their minds.
To them, the mortal world was dull and meaningless.
In their eyes, only the Dao and immortality remained.
Everything they did was simply a means to pursue the Dao and ascend to immortality.
Some Void Piercing Patriarchs sought power and expanded their clans and sects solely to serve their own Daoist path.
Bloodlines and authority were also forms of the Dao.
The cultivation of Void Piercing required vast amounts of spirit stones and an insatiable demand for rare spirit treasures.
Such an immense resource consumption necessitated a powerful backing—only a massive influence could sustain their cultivation and provide the necessary materials.
Without the support of families and sects, they would have no means to cultivate in seclusion without distractions, no way to further refine their cultivation.
Their ultimate goal was to pierce beyond Void Piercing Realm, reaching for that lofty, nearly mythical realm recorded only in ancient texts.
Of course, unless one became an immortal, even Void Piercing cultivators were still human.
And as humans, they still possessed emotions and desires.
Not all Void Piercing Patriarchs were detached. Some had fiery tempers. For instance, Patriarch Ye of Da Luo Sect.
With sharp eyebrows, a long beard, and a rugged face, he frequently cast furious glares at Elder Xun of Tai Xu Sect.
One of his most beloved younger disciples, a genius swordsman whom he had high hopes for, was supposed to dominate the Sword Debate Tournament, dazzling the world.
Yet, he had been instantly defeated by a mere Tai Xu Sect disciple— And the worst part?
That disciple wasn't even a sword cultivator. His swordplay couldn't even be considered proper swordsmanship.
It was an utter humiliation for the Da Luo Sect Patriarch.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil with shame.
Of course, given the solemn atmosphere of this gathering, he could only grit his teeth and remain silent.
Elder Xun could feel the seething anger directed at him, but he simply continued sipping his tea, pretending as if nothing had happened…
Outside the Void Piercing Hall
The sect leaders of various sects had also gathered at the Sword Viewing Pavilion.
The Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley, along with several noblewomen from Daozhou, whispered quietly among themselves.
Not a single leader from the Four Great Sects, Eight Great Sects, or Twelve Flow Sects was absent.
This Asura Battle would have such far-reaching consequences that it left every sect leader on edge, their hearts filled with unease.
Even the leaders of the Four Great Sects could not remain calm.
Their concern was not for Tai Xu Sect.
Tai Xu Sect was the prime target, and its life or death was hanging by a thread.
Instead, they were worried about the threats posed by the other Four Great Sects after the Asura Battle.
Once the battle began, it would turn into a slaughterhouse— By the end, it wouldn't matter who started as allies; any remaining genius disciples from any sect could become targets for elimination by the surviving talents of the other sects.
A battlefield of endless bloodshed and chaos.
A struggle where both attack and defense constantly shifted.
Amidst the slaughter, danger loomed at every turn. Between attack and defense, the situation shifted unpredictably.
No one knew who would break through the siege and endure until the very end.
The Asura Battle carried high point values, meaning that if the rankings in the subsequent Tianzi Sword Debate remained close, then the winner of the Asura Battle would very likely also be the champion of the entire Sword Debate Tournament.
For the Four Great Sects, the question of who would claim the top spot in the Sword Debate was largely determined by the outcome of this very battle.
Thus, it was impossible for the sect masters of the Four Great Sects to remain calm.
As for the three sect masters of Taixu Sect, their feelings were even more complex.
Given their current predicament, merely maintaining their ranking would already be a great fortune.
Even if their ranking dropped slightly, it would still be acceptable. Beyond that, they dared not entertain any delusions.
No one knew better than them that the Four Great Sects of Qianxue were four towering mountains that could never be surpassed.
Outside the Sword-Watching Tower
Among the spectator seats on Lun Dao Mountain,
the elders of Taixu Sect, along with almost all the disciples from the early, middle, and advanced Foundation Establishment ranks, were also watching the battle.
This was a battle that would determine the fate of their sect.
For them, it was equally crucial.
But from the looks of it, the situation was extremely dire, and everyone was on edge.
At the Feng Family's Viewing Area
Elder Zhang, Zhang Lan, Gu Hong of the Gu Family, several other elders, Dao Court Official Gu Changhuai, and Summer Tribunal Official...
They were all watching the battle.
Each of them had some understanding of the current situation, and they were all feeling anxious, silently worrying for Mo Hua and Taixu Sect.
Even Elder Zhang, who had watched many of Mo Hua's sword debates, felt a certain fondness for this Taixu Sect prodigy—one who seemed to have learned his Zhang Clan's Drifting Water Steps.
He did not wish to see Mo Hua and his sect lose.
Or at the very least...
Not lose too miserably.
...
However, among the spectators, most cultivators were still gloating over Taixu Sect's predicament:
"Logically speaking, Mo Hua shouldn't be able to survive this time, right?"
"If one person tries to kill him, he can dodge; if a team hunts him, he can escape."
"But if an entire sect—or even ten or more sects—join forces to kill him, where can he hide? Where can he run?"
"Unless he finds a hole, hides in it, and squats there until the battle ends..."
"What are you thinking?"
"His little tricks have long been studied inside and out."
"If his stealth technique hadn't been exposed earlier, maybe he really could've 'turtled' his way to the end."
"But unfortunately, after so many rounds of the Sword Debate, all his trump cards have already been played. If he tries to pull off the same tricks again, who's going to fall for it?"
"Everyone will be on guard against him..."
"That's true."
"Just watch. Taixu Sect is definitely in for a disaster this time."
"That may be, but this competition format... doesn't it seem a little unfair to Taixu Sect?"
"You just don't understand. The cultivation world itself is unfair."
"People are born different—different backgrounds, different spirit roots, different luck, different lifespans, different fates. None of it is fair..."
"The so-called Asura Battle is no different."
"It tests whether you can fight with all your might to survive in a desperate situation—by any means necessary—to win this round."
"No one is here to reason with you."
"If there's anyone to blame, blame Taixu Sect for their bad luck."
"Blame them for making too many enemies among the other sects."
"And blame them for taking in a troublesome 'little plague god' like Mo Hua..."
"Of all the people they could've taken in, why him?"
"Exactly... Taixu Sect brought this upon themselves."
As the crowd gossiped, a scholarly figure quietly slipped into their midst.
Someone with sharp eyes spotted him and immediately shouted:
"Brother Bai, didn't you say you'd swallow your spirit sword?"
"A bet is a bet—time to honor it!"
"That's right!"
Bai Xiaosheng was known for boasting and mocking others, but he had a good temperament and didn't put on airs, so even some Foundation Establishment cultivators joined in the jeering.
Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng felt a headache coming on.
He had been talking big earlier.
He had mocked Mo Hua, saying:
"What swordsmanship could he possibly have?"
"Look at him—he can barely hold a sword properly."
"If he actually manages to display any real sword techniques, I'll swallow my own top-grade life-bound spirit sword right here!"
And then...
Mo Hua one-shot some guy from the Da Luo Sect with a single sword strike.
Bai Xiaosheng felt as if he had swallowed a fly.
But he refused to admit defeat.
"It's not that I'm going back on my word! It's not that I won't swallow my spirit sword! But what Mo Hua did wasn't real swordsmanship at all!"
"That was nothing but underhanded trickery."
"It had nothing to do with 'sword techniques' whatsoever."
"That thing he did with his flying sword? He's just fooling ghosts with that nonsense..."
"I'm a man of my word—if he actually knew real sword techniques, I'd definitely swallow my own life-bound sword!"
"I'll say it again, right here—if I don't swallow my sword, I'll acknowledge Mo Hua as my father!"
"Alright, it's a deal!"
...
The Shangguan Family's Viewing Platform
Wenren Wan held Yu'er in her arms as she watched the battle unfold. She was both worried for Mo Hua and waiting for his appearance.
Around her, the crowd was in an uproar, voices clamoring endlessly.
Amidst the noise, Wenren Wan suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. Her vision blurred, turning blood-red.
Scenes from her nightmares surfaced in her mind once more.
A sky filled with blood rain, demons rampaging wildly.
Yu'er's face, covered in blood, his skin deathly pale, his empty eyes staring at her.
His blood had been drained dry, his organs hollowed out, his divine sense completely consumed…
In a cold, emotionless voice, he asked her: "Mother, why didn't you save me?"
Panic surged in Wenren Wan's heart. She instinctively tightened her embrace around Yu'er.
The next moment, a crisp voice broke through her fear.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
All the gruesome illusions vanished. Wenren Wan lowered her head and saw Yu'er looking up at her with innocent, bewildered eyes.
Her face was pale, and her smile was stiff. "It's nothing…"
Yu'er, reassured, nodded obediently before turning his attention back to the battlefield.
Wenren Wan gazed at Yu'er, unconsciously pulling him closer to her chest, as if afraid that with just a blink, a single moment of distraction, her only child would disappear…
Yet, the tighter she held him, the more fear gripped her heart.
A stabbing pain clenched at her chest.
(End of this Chapter)