Chapter 316: The Advanced Formation Master
A wave of cyan light washed over the area, enveloping everything. The sudden brilliance drew Huo Ling, Ji Mingxuan, and the others from their rooms in a hurry.
When the light faded, it revealed three figures: Jiang Chen, Zhao Feng, and Zhu Fuxian.
Everyone immediately cupped their hands and bowed respectfully.
Zhu Fuxian’s eyelids remained low, his gaze never once gracing them. “Your presence is not required,” he stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Huo Ling glanced at Zhao Feng, hesitating. When he gave her a subtle shake of his head, she turned and departed without a word. The disciples of the Linghe Sect, led by Ji Mingxuan, promptly returned to their rooms, shutting the doors and windows behind them.
Silence descended upon the courtyard, leaving only the three men.
Jiang Chen paused for a moment before asking, “Grain Master, are we simply to wait?”
Jiang Chen and Zhao Feng exchanged a look, their curiosity piqued. “Then what is the plan?”
A faint smile touched Zhu Fuxian’s lips. “We wait. And we drink.”
The words struck them dumb. For a moment, neither knew how to respond. They had assumed some manner of preparation was in order, especially when facing a Spirit-Eroding Fungus King and a century-old Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother.Zhu Fuxian produced the bottle of Top-quality Spirit Wine Jiang Chen had given him and arched an eyebrow. “What? Does your Zhao Clan not understand the most basic tenets of hospitality?”
Zhao Feng flinched as if struck. “We do! We do!” he stammered, nodding frantically. With a whoosh, he bolted into the main house.
Moments before, the estate had been dark and quiet, most of its inhabitants asleep. But in a flash, lights blazed to life. Servants emerged from the shadows, some sweeping the courtyards, others rushing to the kitchens. The entire residence erupted into a flurry of activity.
Zhu Fuxian watched the scene unfold before slowly turning his gaze back to Jiang Chen. “Little Jiang, this matter is not as simple as you believe.”
Jiang Chen’s focus sharpened. “What do you mean?”
Zhu Fuxian’s eyes narrowed, a profound depth swirling within them. “The Spirit Qi in this underground Earth Vein was exhausted long ago. It is impossible for it to have attracted a century-old Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother on its own.”
A shadow crossed Jiang Chen’s face. “Are you suggesting this was deliberate?”
Zhu Fuxian took a long pull from the bottle of cool Spirit Wine. “That is one of the reasons I sent Zhao Feng away.”
Jiang Chen frowned. “I doubt he is the one behind this.” He then recounted his initial assessment of the Spirit Farm and his confrontation with Zhao Feng over the hidden curse.
Even the shrewd and calculating Zhu Fuxian was momentarily taken aback by the tale. For a second, he seemed unsure whether to punish Zhao Feng for his arrogance or praise him for his unwitting discovery. The chain of events was so bizarre, so utterly improbable, that no one could have possibly fabricated it.
If Zhao Feng had truly orchestrated the infestation, he would have had no reason to summon Jiang Chen. He could have simply waited for the disaster to bloom. There was no need for such a convoluted deception.
Zhu Fuxian mulled it over. “Even if we clear Zhao Feng of direct involvement, this disaster is unfolding on the Zhao Clan’s Spirit Farm. The culprit is almost certainly one of his own people.”
“I agree,” Jiang Chen said. “But for what purpose?”
Just then, Zhao Feng hurried out of the house, beaming with pride as if seeking praise. “Grain Master, Spirit Envoy Jiang, everything has been arranged! We can eat, drink, and wait in comfort!”
Zhu Fuxian gave him a thumbs-up. “You… are truly exceptional.”
Zhao Feng blinked, stunned by the compliment, before scratching his head and letting out a few awkward laughs.
The three of them entered the main hall. The room had been hastily tidied and was now laden with platters of fresh fruit. The main courses were still being prepared by the frantic cooks. And so, they sat, drinking and eating as they waited.
Time slipped by, and the night deepened.
After several rounds of wine and numerous dishes, Zhu Fuxian shot Jiang Chen a subtle glance. Jiang Chen understood immediately.
“Old Zhao,” he began, his tone deliberately familiar, “why did your clan choose this specific area to cultivate a Spirit Farm?”
Zhao Feng, already flushed with wine and pleased by the friendly address, grinned broadly. “At first, we didn’t. Our plans were set in stone long ago, for a different location.”
Jiang Chen feigned surprise. “Then why the sudden change of heart?”
“It was on the advice of an Advanced Formation Master in our clan,” Zhao Feng explained. “He surveyed this land and declared its terrain, environment, and feng shui to be superb. He claimed the likelihood of a disaster occurring here was exceptionally low. So, we moved the entire project here.”
Formation Masters, much like alchemists, were divided into distinct ranks of mastery.
**Novice Formation Master:** Masters the fundamental principles of formations, including the definitions and functions of the “formation base,”
“formation eye,” and “formation patterns.” Can interpret the complete diagrams of low-level formations.
**Adept Formation Master:** Possesses a rudimentary understanding of advanced formations and simple feng shui. Can divine “auspicious locations” for arrays by observing environmental cues like vegetation density and sunlight exposure.
**Advanced Formation Master:** Commands a rich knowledge of advanced formations and feng shui theory. Can deconstruct and reassemble different formations to create new variants, leveraging the natural landscape to amplify their effects.
**Master Formation Artificer:** Deeply integrates advanced and top-tier formations with the surrounding environment, terrain, and feng shui patterns to construct “pseudo-natural” formations of immense power and astonishing effect.
**Grandmaster of Formations:** Utilizes the flow of Earth Veins to alter the landscape, feng shui, and spiritual patterns of an entire region. Can precisely locate and map underground Spirit Veins and mineral deposits, even creating self-sustaining “natural formations” by redirecting the flow of Spirit Qi.
**Dragon-Seeking Sage:** Creates formations that are in perfect harmony with the laws of heaven and earth. Comprehends the cosmic principle that “Earth Veins nurture Spirit Veins, and Spirit Veins give birth to Dragon Veins.” Can guide the qi of a Spirit Vein to nourish a Dragon Vein, or even reverse the flow to replenish an Earth Vein, effectively seizing the power of creation itself to birth new sources of spiritual power.
To become an Advanced Formation Master was a testament to one’s exceptional talent, insight, and ability. Such an individual would hold a very high, if not revered, position within the Zhao Clan.
“And this person’s name? Where is he now?” Zhu Fuxian asked, his interest clearly piqued.
Zhao Feng’s expression turned regretful. “He is one of our clan elders, Rong Long. He is over three hundred years old and has reached the Human-Grade Golden Core realm. Some time ago, he announced his intention to travel the world and has since left the sect.”
Jiang Chen and Zhu Fuxian’s eyes met, an unspoken suspicion passing between them.
He didn’t leave sooner, he didn’t leave later. He chose this exact moment to “travel the world”? The timing was too convenient. He was hiding something.
If Rong Long were still here, they would have him seized and interrogated without a second thought. But he had already fled, and finding him would be no simple task. Furthermore, a Human-Grade Golden Core cultivator who was also an Advanced Formation Master was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
A thought suddenly struck Jiang Chen. He leaned forward, his voice low. “Tell me, this elder of yours, Rong Long… he wouldn’t happen to be an Insect Tamer, would he?”
Zhao Feng’s jaw dropped. “How in the world did you know?!”