Chapter 2109: Chapter 999: First The morning sun broke through the mist, shining into Taixu Mountain. The pavilions and towers among the mountains seemed to be draped in a layer of rosy clouds, while the ink-green forests were tinged with golden edges. In the Disciple’s Residence, Mo Hua, who had been practicing the Formation on the Taoist Stele all night, opened his eyes. His eyes, like the breaking dawn, burst forth with golden light, momentarily more dazzling than the morning glow all over the sky. "Finally, today is the day of the Sword Discussion Conference..." Mo Hua murmured softly. He took a deep breath, and in the morning sun, went through his routine cultivation for an hour, allowing the Spiritual Energy to circulate through the body, settling in the Qi Sea, before donning the Taoist Robe of Taixu Gate and stepping out of the Disciple’s Residence. Outside the Disciple’s Residence, most of the disciples were already awake. At this moment, they gathered in small groups, bathed in the morning glow, with faces looking lively and spirited. Today is their day to discuss swords. It is their only opportunity in this lifetime to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference. All the disciples were filled with both anticipation and nervousness. At the appointed hour, after breakfast, Elder Xun Zixian came to gather the disciples, checked the attendance, and reminded them of some matters regarding the sword discussion. Then he looked around slowly and said: "Let’s set off to the Mount of Tao." The disciples became increasingly solemn, their hearts racing even faster. Afterward, Xun Zixian led a group of disciples away from the Taixu Gate, heading straight to the center of the Qianxue State Boundary, to the Mount of Tao. The main road was crowded with cultivators. Disciples from various sects in the Qianxue State Boundary were dressed in all kinds of Taoist Robes, resembling streams of various colors converging towards the Mount of Tao. The mountain path was long and winding, the disciples bustling about. About two hours later, everyone finally arrived at the Mount of Tao. At this time, the Mount of Tao was even more crowded, gathering not only cultivators from the Qianxue State Boundary and its surroundings but also various aristocratic families, sects, and powers of differing identities. It also included cultivators from all over the Nine States, who came to witness the ceremony. Looking around, the entire mountain was full of people. The voices were like a mountain calling and a sea roaring. For the first time, Mo Hua truly understood what "a sea of people" meant, his heart filled with awe. Not only Mo Hua but also all disciples from the Taixu Gate and other sects were dazed and awestruck at this moment. This year’s Sword Discussion Conference was grander than ever before. The momentum was incredibly astounding. Previously, they were all "audience," watching others discuss swords, but now, they were the "main characters," to showcase their skills to others. The firsthand experience was different, and the emotions of the disciples varied. Some disciples were pale and extremely nervous. Some had weak legs, with slightly suffocated breaths. Meanwhile, some had eyes shining brightly, inexplicably excited, eager to showcase their skills on the sword discussion field and make a name for themselves. Entering the mountain gate, traversing the long mountain path and bypassing several barrier peaks, all the disciples arrived at the Great Tao Field of the Mount of Tao. At the Great Tao Field, the "Sword Ritual" was being held. This is a mandatory ceremony for every Sword Discussion Conference. Only the Sect Leaders of the Four Great Sects of Qianxue have the qualification to preside over this "Sword Ritual." It is also the highest honor in the Qianxue State Boundary. On the Mount of Tao, the White Jade Platform floated in the air, surrounded by nine towering stone pillars, each engraved with majestic Divine Beasts, covered in auspicious cloud patterns. In the middle of the White Jade Platform, a White Jade Sword over ten zhang in length was being worshipped, resembling a small mountain peak. The sword body was transparent and crystalline, exuding an ancient and magnificent aura. It is said that this sword was the legacy of the Mount of Tao’s ancestor from ten thousand years ago. Every Sword Discussion Conference, all Qianxue Disciples must sincerely worship this sword to comfort the spirit of the ancestor of the Mount of Tao. It is also to show gratitude for the contributions and dedication of the ancestor to the Qianxue State Boundary and the legacy of the Cultivation World. At the hour of Chen, the Qianxue Sword Ritual began. The Feather Transformation Sect Leaders of the Qian Taoist Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, Longding Sect, and Wanxiao Sect, turned their Spiritual Power into feathers, soaring through the air. Then they opened the altar, offered tributes, and made blood offerings to the sword. As the blood offering opened, a moment of clear light spread all over the sky. The ancient sword of the Mount of Tao emitted a low hum, with Sword Qi soaring into the sky, like an ancient beast awakening, singing clearly towards the heavens. Everyone’s mind and spirit were shaken. Mo Hua, similarly, had his pupils shrink. Looking at this colossal ancient sword, he felt his Divine Soul tremble slightly, seemingly producing a resonance. In his Sea of Consciousness, the sound of dragon roar echoed, with the ancient Tai Xu Sword Intent resonating continuously. In a daze, Mo Hua had an illusion. He seemed to see himself transforming into a Dharma Form, like a towering giant, wielding the ancient sword of the Mount of Tao, cleaving mountains, and being invincible. But in the next moment, everything disappeared. Nothing happened. The Sect Leaders of the Four Great Sects, with solemn expressions, shouted in unison: "All Qianxue Disciples, three bows, to the sword!" The voice of Feather Transformation, like a clear bell and a great drum, reverberated on the Mount of Tao. Mo Hua also collected his mind, and with a group of disciples, bowed three times to the White Jade Ancient Sword in the Mount of Tao respectfully. The cultivators witnessing from the Outer Mountain also followed the tradition, bowing to the White Jade Ancient Sword. After worshipping the sword, the Sword Discussion Ceremony continued. The Sect Leaders of the Four Great Sects then read proclamations in turn. This proclamation was quite lengthy, including the remembrance of the ancestors of the Qianxue State Boundary, gratitude to the cultivators who came to witness the ceremony, earnest expectations for the disciples, as well as some points to note during the sword discussion and the rules that must not be violated... Each of the four sect leaders had one proclamation, so eloquent and extensive, it didn’t fall short of ten thousand words, successfully making the originally somewhat excited Mo Hua feel drowsy. Finally, the long reading ended. After worshipping the sword and reading the proclamations, the formal drawing of lots commenced. Representatives from each sect among the Four Great Sects, Eight Great Gates, and Twelve Streams stepped forward one by one, holding a Command Token of the sect, to unlock the seal of the giant heavenly treasure in the center of the Great Tao Field.