Chapter 1951: The Hardship of Formations
Chapter 1951: Chapter 1951: The Hardship of Formations
"Not much use?" Xiao Yi held the token, asking tentatively, "Are you sure, Master of the Main Hall?"
"Of course," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master responded without hesitation.
"If I remember correctly, you’re merely holding the title of Deacon."
"For a Heavenly Talent like you, plus your achievements, being promoted to Vice Hall Master is more than enough."
"However, those tedious procedures are too bothersome."
"With this token, you can directly be promoted to Vice Hall Master, saving yourself a lot of trouble."
"Oh right," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master added seriously.
"Although this token isn’t worth much, you should take care of it, make sure you don’t lose it."
The words of the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master seemed to dismiss its value.
Yet the last statement clearly carried seriousness and caution.
If it really wasn’t of any use, why bother to repeatedly emphasize its safekeeping by Xiao Yi?
Xiao Yi chuckled inwardly.
If it were before, unaware of the significance of the Vice Hall Token, he might have been deceived by the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master, known for lying without batting an eye.
Come to think of it, back then, the Hall Masters of Asura and Feng Sha had similarly tricked him.
Using a random excuse, they handed him two Vice Hall Tokens.
Now, Xiao Yi understood the meaning behind the Vice Hall Token and the intention of the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master.
Yet, he didn’t reveal it nor did he refuse.
His impression of the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master was generally favorable.
At least, he had been treated kindly.
However, the glimmer occasionally flashing in the eyes of the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master made Xiao Yi instinctively aware that he was dealing with a shrewd elder.
Nevertheless, with the meticulous guidance offered this month, Xiao Yi had no reason to reject it.
"Alright," Xiao Yi sighed inwardly in resignation.
Anyway, he already had more than one Vice Hall Token, and one more wouldn’t make a difference.
Now Xiao Yi also realized the significance of those earlier words of the Master of the Main Hall.
Anyway, he’s almost part of the family...
Initially, the instruction on the ’One Thought Formation’ seemed nothing extraordinary.
As it was merely a common technique, if not taught by the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master, Xiao Yi could still acquire it through achievements in exchange for the cultivation method at the Main Hall in the future.
So it didn’t mean much.
But afterwards, the ’guidance’ offered by the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master was indeed genuine martial arts instruction.
Xiao Yi found it surprising that the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master was so straightforwardly dedicated to teaching without any conditions.
Now, Xiao Yi understood.
With the understanding, Xiao Yi took full advantage.
This month’s guidance represented a debt of gratitude, and he didn’t mind owing even more.
Only when there’s a chance in the future would he repay it.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yi continued to consult, "Master of the Main Hall, I still have some doubts."
"Ask," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master said with a cheerful smile.
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and said, "A month ago, the Water Dao Formation by the Master of the Main Hall."
"That great formation able to entrap an expert like Elder Jiang Yue must be extremely strong."
"With your ability, Master of the Main Hall, even with the complexity of the formation, naturally you can form it in an instant."
"But, even if the great formation was imprinted, what serves as the source of the great formation’s power?"
"I doubt that a mere Spirit Stone can truly sustain such a great formation."
A single High Grade Spirit Stone naturally contains pure power.
But it’s absolutely impossible for it to contain enough power to entrap an old Legendary Expert.
That would almost be a fantasy.
"Fool," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master shook his head, "Asking this shows your lack of confidence in the way of formations."
"You forget the true meaning of formations."
"Formations, because of their limitless wonders, allow an Array Master to exhibit strength far beyond their own capability by tenfold or even a hundredfold."
The Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master’s words, at this moment, fixed his gaze on Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi frowned, "Limitless wonders?"
The Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master remained silent.
Xiao Yi frowned and pondered.
Moments later, Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up, "I understand."
"It’s not just the Water Dao Formation, but other augmenting formations are imprinted on the Spirit Stone."
"If the Spirit Stone already has augmentation formations like Spirit Gathering Arrays and Confining Spirit Arrays, with limitless wonders."
"It can allow a single Spirit Stone to exert the power equivalent to ten, or even a hundred, or a thousand."
"Then using Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, and Heaven and Earth Power, compounded on it."
"And then using Confining Spirit Arrays to delay the dissipation of energy."
"A single Spirit Stone can exhibit unprecedented power."
"Smart," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master smiled with satisfaction.
"But," Xiao Yi frowned again, "Forming a complex formation in an instant is exceptionally challenging, and the more advanced the formation, the harder it is to imprint."
"Furthermore, if there are formations within formations, not mentioning the increasing number of formations makes imprinting more challenging; merely making so many formations compatible, especially on such a small Spirit Stone, is extraordinarily difficult."
Imprinting one formation is not difficult.
Imprinting two formations poses more challenge.
Three formations, and the difficulty rapidly escalates.
Four formations, and the difficulty increases tenfold.
Five formations, and the difficulty increases a hundredfold.
The challenge lies in ensuring compatibility among formations.
Adding the complexity of forming them in an instant makes the difficulty even more daunting for Xiao Yi.
The Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master chuckled, "Feeling that it’s complicated, difficult?"
"Let me tell you, on that Spirit Stone, aside from the Water Dao Formation as the main formation, there are 36 supplementary formations."
"36 supplementary formations create a system."
"36 supplementary formations?" Xiao Yi gasped.
The level of difficulty was frighteningly high.
"Moreover, they’re all Ancient Formations," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master chuckled, "Ten Directions Heavenly Mysterious Formation, Infinite Gathering Spirit Formation, Heavenly Mechanism Soul-locking Formation, Black Demon Locking Sky Formation, Holy Soul Binding Earth Formation, Nine Extremes Netherworld Formation..."
"Gulp." Listening to the list of Ancient Formations, Xiao Yi inadvertently swallowed.
"Hahaha," the Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master laughed heartily, "You youngster still have a long way to go."
"You’ll have much to learn from my skills."
"Of course, if you feel it’s troublesome or difficult now..."
"No," Xiao Yi shook his head, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"The path of martial arts is naturally challenging, yet I’ve reached this stage."
"The way of formations, under the name of Heavenly Mechanism, is even more mysterious and profound."
"Difficult as it may be, but I know for a fact, the path of martial arts offers no shortcuts, only progress step by step."
"Though challenging, if I truly master it one day, even a mere Spirit Stone can slay mighty beings like Elder Jiang Yue."
The Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master, hearing this, smiled more contentedly, nodding, "Well said."
"Knowing the hardships ahead yet facing them head on, that is the mark of a qualified martial artist."
Xiao Yi’s gaze sharpened, "Formations are just one of countless martial arts."
"Speaking of difficulty, then how could one tread further along the martial arts dao or reach its ultimate end?"
Xiao Yi smirked coldly.
The Heavenly Mechanism Palace Master squinted at the proud, confident, even arrogant figure standing before him, his joy growing ever stronger.
...
Second update.