In Taixu Hall, during the tri-sect routine meeting.
After the Taia Sect Leader finished speaking, the Taixu Sect Master was somewhat taken aback.
He never expected that someone would be eager to insert people into Mo Hua’s team.
"This might be... not very appropriate..." the Taixu Sect Master frowned and said.
This made the plan even more chaotic.
Most importantly, he didn’t know Mo Hua’s intentions.
If Mo Hua’s team was already set, and he forcibly added people in, it might upset Mo Hua.
Mo Hua always acted methodically, supported by the Ancestor.
As the Sect Leader, he occasionally had to consider Mo Hua’s feelings.
"This is my condition. If you agree, our Taia line will have no other objections, and you will lead the Sword Discussion Conference."
"Three factions unite; glory and loss shared alike."
"How can the tournament proceed without a disciple from Taia Mountain?"
In this team, Mo Hua was not the problem; the key was Linghu Xiao.
This was the only "sole prodigy" of the entire Taixu tri-sect; therefore, there must be at least one disciple from Taia Sect in this team.
This was like grasshoppers on the same rope.
They had to be bound together firmly.
The Taixu Sect Master fell silent. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "I will consider this matter..."
"Naturally so."
The Taia Sect Leader did not press further.
The matters of the Sword Discussion should be thoroughly thought out and prudently decided.
From then, the routine meeting concluded.
The three factions returned to their respective mountains.
On Mount Chongxu, in the hall at the rear mountain.
The Chongxu Sect Leader relayed everything to Linghu Ancestor.
"The original arrangement was disrupted. Xiaoer might go participate in the tournament with the ’Formation Evil Monster’ from Taixu Gate."
Linghu Ancestor frowned, "What did Xiaoer say? Did you ask him?"
The Chongxu Sect Leader nodded and sighed, "I asked him, and he said only one thing: he wants to be with Mo Hua."
Linghu Ancestor suddenly felt a pang of sourness in his heart.
The "treasure" of Chongxu Sect had been willingly wooed by Taixu Gate.
The Chongxu Sect Leader noticed the discomfort in the Ancestor’s heart and said, "Otherwise, I will think of a way to persuade Xiaoer to team up with disciples from our ’Chongxu’ faction."
Although this Sword Discussion Conference was alleged to be a unification of three factions, inherently, each faction was competing in secrecy.
As long as Chongxu Sect’s disciples performed outstandingly in the tournament, the ’Chongxu’ faction’s status within Taixu Gate would also be elevated.
As Sect Leader, even if the three sects merged, it was still his duty to prioritize the interests and status of his own faction.
The Chongxu Sect Leader continued, "... although Xiaoer is cold by nature, he is not an emotionless person. By reasoning and appealing to emotions, together with the grand tradition of the ’Chongxu’ line, he should agree..."
Linghu Ancestor was somewhat tempted.
But after considering it, he shook his head, "Xiaoer is proud and ambitious. If you let go properly, he will remember your kindness. If you force him, no matter how nice you say it, he will harbor resentment."
"Don’t consider him just a child and treat him like a fool by using some ethical bindings."
"Although simple-minded, his intuition is keen."
"He knows in his heart who truly treats him well."
The Chongxu Sect Leader pondered for a moment, then nodded, "What the Ancestor said is quite true."
He, in fact, didn’t want to be the "villain" either.
But given his position, sometimes he had to consider such things.
"Then regarding this matter..."
"Let’s leave it at that." Linghu Ancestor sighed, "Taixu Gate’s Mo Hua, after all, is the Formation Leader, and teaming up with Xiaoer seems quite fitting. Besides..."
Linghu Ancestor pondered for a moment, then frowned, "This child named ’Mo Hua’ exudes cleverness and cunning, and is considered the ’precious darling’ in Ancestor Xun’s eyes. Presumably, he possesses some abilities and should not drag them down..."
Having not seen Mo Hua in person, he could only deduce based on general circumstances.
"Indeed." the Chongxu Sect Leader replied.
Linghu Ancestor glanced at the Chongxu Sect Leader again and gently advised:
"Since the three lines have unified, the priority is to advance together."
"Once the Sect is strong, then seek some benefits. If the Sect fails, what would those petty gains matter?"
The Chongxu Sect Leader grasped the Ancestor’s meaning, immediately saluting, "What the Ancestor said is very true."
Linghu Ancestor gently waved his hand.
The Chongxu Sect Leader then withdrew.
The hall grew cold and quiet.
Linghu Ancestor sat there for a long time, his gaze becoming increasingly solemn.
There was something he didn’t say because it would be inauspicious.
But as an Ancestor standing high and seeing far, he was quite clear in his heart.
"If the Three Sects Unification fails, whether ’Rushing Void Sect’ might even exist in the future is uncertain..."
...
On the other side, the Taixu Sect Master found Mo Hua.
"Add someone?" Mo Hua was somewhat surprised.
"A prodigy from the Taia line," the Taixu Sect Master said, "The Taia Sect Leader values you and insists on having you bring along a disciple from his side."
The Taixu Sect Master spoke in a favorable tone to avoid arousing any rejection from Mo Hua.
Being complimented, Mo Hua’s face indeed brightened considerably.
"What’s their name?"
"Ouyang Xuan," the Taixu Sect Master replied.
"Ouyang Xuan..."
Mo Hua pondered for a moment.
This name was somewhat unfamiliar, seeming to have had no previous interactions.
But it’s understandable, as he was not very familiar with the disciples from Taia Sect.
Despite the Three Sects’ unification, with thousands of disciples across the three factions calling him "Junior Brother," it was impossible for him to remember everyone.
Moreover, many people merely called him by title, while harboring dissatisfaction in their hearts, generally keeping a distance.
"Alright, I’ll guide him." Mo Hua said.
After all, face must be given to the Taia Sect Leader.