The Array Discussion Conference concluded.
Within the Qianxue State Boundary, the once obscure name "Mo Hua" suddenly presented itself before major families, sects, and even some family ancestors.
Previously, they knew nothing about Mo Hua.
But out of the blue, this "Evil Monster" emerged, overwhelming the Four Great Sects. With mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he drew the peak of a Nineteen-Pattern Formation, broke the Array Discussion Conference’s record, claimed first place, and won the Array Leader title.
This record alone is shocking, unimaginable.
If this event hadn’t occurred publicly during the conference, it would surely be dismissed as an absurd "rumor."
Major families and various sects immediately began investigating the origins and background of Mo Hua.
However, the Taixu Gate sealed Mo Hua’s origins and background the moment he won the Array Leader, labeling it as a sect core secret, accessible only to individuals of the Sect Leader and Ancestor level.
Those who had interactions with Mo Hua were mostly closely associated with him and kept his information strictly confidential.
Of course, Mo Hua was very secretive, and they didn’t know much either.
The Taoist Court, following some unknown indication, quickly sealed Mo Hua’s records.
All traces of his background, origin, and any activity within the Qianxue State Boundary, including cases handled, captured Sin Cultivators, slain Evil Cultivators, and merit points earned, were sealed away.
The seal on the archived file bore the stamp of the Central Dao Court.
No cultivator from the local Taoist Court, not even a local Court Leader, had the authority to access it.
Thus, the information available to the outside world was sparse.
All the major families and sects could uncover was just some "overly common" information.
It was said that this "Mo Hua" was a cultivator from the Li State.
But the Li State is a large state, filled with countless state boundaries, with no idea where specifically.
It was said that he was of Loose Cultivator origin.
Yet the "Loose Cultivator" identity itself was questionable.
Regular Loose Cultivators struggle to make a living and find it hard to cultivate; how could one dedicate such great effort to studying Formation and reach such an unbelievable level? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel✦fire.net
Some even speculated that Mo Hua was the Taixu Sect Master’s illegitimate child.
Others said he was the Taixu Ancestor’s own grandson.
These stories, of course, were rumors. While they sounded more plausible than being of Loose Cultivator origin, there was no evidence, and most people were skeptical.
If he truly held such an identity, there wouldn’t be a need to keep it hidden.
The Array Leader, within any family, is an exceptionally radiant jewel, a genius sufficient to overlook family inheritance rules.
As long as he is the Leader, even if he is from a collateral branch of the family, he could henceforth stand out as part of the family’s core direct lineage.
In Qianxue State Boundary, where families converge, and sects abound, talents are as common as fish crossing a river.
To stand out among these already outstanding geniuses, bringing great honor and benefit to the family and sect, the weight of being the "Leader" is colossal.
Yet despite everyone’s inquiries, the information gathered was scarce.
After Mo Hua became the Array Leader, he joined Taixu Gate, like a fish diving into the deep sea, leaving not a ripple, nor a hint of information exposed.
For a long time, no one even saw Mo Hua leave the Taixu Mountain Gate.
Thus, some people began to wonder...
If "Mo Hua" indeed existed?
A genius is not cultivated in a single day.
Could someone truly emerge out of nowhere, claim the Array Leader title in such an extraordinary manner, and then disappear without a trace?
Could this entire matter from beginning to end be a hoax?
Is Taixu Gate orchestrating a setup?
Or did the examiners unlawfully reveal the questions beforehand?
Was all this just to fabricate an "unparalleled Formation genius," to captivate attention and elevate the reputation of the Array Discussion Conference?
To create topics for the conference after sect reforms?
In the eyes of informed persons, these rumors are not worth a laugh.
But among uninformed outsiders, they ran rampant.
For even those untrained in Formation knew that a "mid-stage Foundation Establishment, first in the Array" was utterly preposterous.
Even exaggerations should respect basic common sense.
One shouldn’t boast recklessly, treating others as fools.
Some with dark hearts and envious minds slandered with malicious intent.
Thus, public opinion shifted from shock at the genius to skepticism.
The name "Mo Hua" was met with mixed opinions.
Some called him a fraud, some a genius, others a coward, a fame-stealing impostor, and some even a real monster, an elusive "Evil Monster"...
Such mixed reviews also affected the reputation of Taixu Gate.
After all, Mo Hua had no family, only himself.
People would say whatever they wished, as the words came from their mouths.
The good thing is, the rankings were real, and Taixu Gate truly benefited.
Due to Mo Hua’s "first in the Array," Taixu Gate’s overall ranking surged directly from eighth among the Eight Great Gates to third.
This was almost the best ranking Taixu Gate had achieved since the decline of the Divine Thought into sword inheritance and the waning of sect heritage.
Top three among the Eight Great Gates.
While outsiders had various doubts, those truly informed knew Mo Hua’s terrifying talent.
Major families and sects, especially the ancestors behind them, the ruling Sect Leaders, and high-ranking Elders didn’t truly believe Mo Hua was "famous for nothing."