Inside the Heaven Shu Pavilion, the Pavilion Elder looked at the black piece called "Dragon Swallow," lost in thought for a long time.
Meanwhile, within the Taixu Gate, Mo Hua officially began his preparations for the Sword Discussion Conference.
Plan ahead, or prepare to fail.
This is a principle his father, Mo Shan, taught him since childhood, as a Monster Hunter.
The more grand and arduous the goal, the more sufficient preparation is needed.
Mo Hua sat in the Disciple’s Residence, contemplating deeply for a long time. The next day, he visited the Murong Mansion in Tai Xu City to meet Murong Caiyun.
Murong Caiyun, a senior sister, graduated a year ahead of Mo Hua.
Unlike Ouyang Feng, after leaving Taixu Gate, Murong Caiyun did not choose to travel but returned to the Murong family, went into seclusion for cultivation, and prepared to attempt Core Formation first.
"Try once first. If successful, one can become a Golden Core Cultivator and take charge of the Murong family’s enterprises independently."
"If you fail, then you can travel, calm your mind, and then seek another opportunity for Core Formation."
"At the hurdle of the Golden Core, the breakthrough depends on both foundation and luck."
"With good luck, one can achieve Core Formation in one attempt."
"With bad luck, it might take three, five, or even ten times. Constant failures and attempts might mean enduring a long, arduous journey..."
In the Murong family courtyard, the dignified and elegant Murong Caiyun, dressed in a colorful robe, personally brewed and served tea for Mo Hua, discussing her plans for Core Formation.
Mo Hua raised the teacup, took a sip.
The tea was flower tea, aromatic and dignified, yet not lacking in elegance, mellow upon tasting, refreshing to the soul.
Truly, it was indeed tea brewed by Senior Sister Murong.
Tea was like her person.
Mo Hua silently praised in his heart, then asked, "Senior Sister Murong, can you achieve Core Formation in one attempt?"
Murong Caiyun smiled gently, "It’s not that simple. But if not in one try, then in two, just more attempts, that’s all..."
"A cultivator’s life is fated for Tao Cultivation. The Great Dao has no end. Maintain a calm mind, and just keep moving forward; successful, do not be arrogant; failed, do not be discouraged."
Mo Hua nodded repeatedly, feeling that Senior Sister Murong spoke very rightly.
Even so, he still wished, "May Senior Sister Murong win the first battle and successfully achieve Core Formation!"
Murong Caiyun smiled with her eyes, "Then I’ll borrow Junior Brother’s auspicious words."
She poured Mo Hua another cup of tea.
In the same sect, probably only Mo Hua had the privilege of having tea personally brewed and served by the head senior sister of the Taixu Gate, the heiress of the Murong family.
And the tea was indeed very good to drink.
After drinking another cup, Murong Caiyun asked, "You must have some matter to discuss with me, right?"
"Yes." Mo Hua nodded, put down his teacup, and got straight to the point:
"I wanted to ask about the Sword Discussion."
Murong Caiyun was not surprised and asked Mo Hua, "Are you participating in the Sword Discussion Conference as well?"
Mo Hua nodded, "After all, there’s only one chance in a lifetime."
He had actually participated in a "Formation Competition," but that was a special situation.
Elder Master Xun had pulled some strings for him, partly because his Divine Sense Proving the Dao was too strong and his Formation mastery was too high.
But the Sword Discussion Conference was different.
Everyone there were prodigies, nourished by Spirit Stones and Spiritual Liquid, consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, making their cultivation progress not much different.
It’s a true test of cultivation with real weapons.
No matter how strong a Foundation Building Middle Stage is, it cannot truly compete with the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, or even Foundation Establishment Peak prodigies in swordplay.
Moreover, the Sword Discussion will have many matches.
It’s a contest of sheer strength.
Even if a Foundation Building Middle Stage gets lucky and wins a match or two, it’s not of much consequence.
The one unique opportunity for Sword Discussion cannot be wasted.
Mo Hua said, "I want to work hard to achieve a slightly better ranking."
His words were very humble.
Murong Caiyun did not realize how significant Mo Hua’s so-called "slightly better" ranking was.
But Mo Hua’s ambition was a good thing.
Although she has graduated now, she remains a disciple of the Taixu Gate.
The Murong family is also in the same alliance with the Taixu Gate.
Whether for Mo Hua or the Taixu Gate, she’s more than willing to help.
Even now, though she is in the critical preparation stage for Core Formation, with her time being tight, Murong Caiyun still readily said:
"Alright, whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you."
Mo Hua then asked all the questions he had prepared.
Murong Caiyun thought briefly, then patiently, with a warm and gentle tone, explained to Mo Hua:
"The Sword Discussion Conference is a five-person swordplay duel conference."
"Though it’s termed five-person, it’s not just simple combat; it involves different terrains and match formats, such as decapitation, castle defense, annihilation, survival, monster hunting, free-for-all...and so on."
"Ordinary disciples, if just watching for fun, don’t need to concern themselves too much."
"But if you intend to earnestly participate, to achieve a ranking, win honors for the sect, and secure a future for yourself, then there’s a lot inside that requires studying and preparations, demanding a lot of effort..."
"Different terrains, match formats, teams, and on-the-spot performances bring countless variables..."
"There needs to be comprehensive preparation, as well as the ability to adapt on the fly."
"Furthermore, one must possess strong cultivation, the ability to respond to all changes with constancy, and have reliable teammates."
"The rest, just find whatever way to win."
"The Sword Discussion is an accumulative victory system, with many matches, whoever wins more, advances."
"Similarly, with each victory, not only does your team’s ranking improve, but your contribution to the sect’s ranking also counts."