Immortality Through Array Formations

Translator: 549690339

Mo Hua returned to the Tao Cultivation chamber and sat down, a group of disciples once again craned their necks and crowded around.

“Mo Hua, Mo Hua, what did the Instructor want with you?”

“Did the Instructor punish you?”

Mo Hua honestly replied, “The Instructor told me to find him after class every day.”

A disciple said, “It must be because you’ve slacked off in your Formation studies, so the Instructor is angry, and he wants you to practice Formations every day to prevent you from regressing.”

Some disciples expressed sympathy, “Then you’re really in for it, having to draw Formation Patterns under the Instructor’s watchful eye every day.”

“Yes, it’s so dreadful. I get nervous just from one glance from the Instructor, let alone him watching me draw Formation Patterns…”

Mo Hua also sighed deeply.

Seeing this, the other disciples began to comfort Mo Hua.

Mo Hua sighed, not because of having to draw Formation Patterns under the Instructor’s observation but because visiting the Instructor daily would leave him with little time to earn Spirit Stones by drawing Formation Patterns for the Formation Pavilion.

However, since the Instructor had asked Mo Hua whether he wished to become a Formation Master, it was likely that he would provide some guidance. With this thought, it seemed like a good thing after all.

The next day after class, Mo Hua arrived on time at Instructor Yan’s residence on Tongming Peak.

Instructor Yan got straight to the point and placed a scroll titled “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation Method Canon” in front of Mo Hua.

“In the path of Formation arts, if one wishes to go far, the foundation must be solid. This foundation includes not only an understanding of basic Formation Patterns, proficiency with the pen, and a robust Divine Sense but also the Tao Cultivation World’s scholarly research on Formations.”

“The so-called scholarly research on Formation arts is the culmination of countless Formation experts’ experiences and theoretical studies on the myriad Formations of the Tao Cultivation World, seeking the unchanging truths amid the ever-changing Formations.”

“Some Cultivators are good at drawing Formations, but they know nothing about the scholarly research, and once they reach advanced studies, they find them as confusing as a thick fog, unable to make any further progress in the path of Formations.”

“I am just one step away from becoming a first-grade Formation Master. Most of the Sect’s legacy has been lost, so I cannot teach you the profound scholarly texts on Formations that some Great Clans and Great Sects can offer. But given your current level of expertise in Formations, it should be sufficient.”

Mo Hua sat up straight, his expression becoming even more respectful, “Please instruct me, Instructor.”

Instructor Yan nodded, opened the “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation Method Canon,” and said:

“This primary interpretation records some basic principles of Formations, such as the concept of the heavens being round and the Earth square, the Bagua Positions, the Five Elements Generation and Restraint, as well as the composition of Single Formations, Compound Formations, and Large Formations…”

“Formation arts are the manifestations of the laws of heaven and earth, the outer circularity and inner squareness symbolizing the round heavens and square Earth. The position and arrangement of different Formation Patterns follow the principles of the Bagua, the different attribute Patterns generate and restrain each other. An individual Formation is known as a Single Formation, multiple Single Formations combined make a Compound Formation, and a Large Formation is made up of many Single and Compound Formations linked together…”

“A Large Formation is immensely powerful, and the so-called Protective Sect Array falls into this category. A Large Formation contains hundreds to thousands or even tens of thousands of individual Formations, assembled by dozens or hundreds of Formation Masters working together. And only an exceedingly accomplished Formation Master can serve as the Main Formation Master, orchestrating the design and engraving of the Large Formation…”

“To become a Main Formation Master, to design and construct a Large Formation, is the aspiration of many Formation Masters’ lives.”

Instructor Yan said with a touch of emotion, then shifted gears and continued, “But this is too far off in the future to discuss now, even just becoming an ordinary first-grade Formation Master is already difficult enough.”

Listening, Mo Hua too felt a yearning—single Formations were already so mystical, what kind of scene would it be if a Large Formation containing thousands of Formations was activated?

Instructor Yan hesitated slightly before passing the “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation Method Canon” to Mo Hua with a measure of gravity, saying:

“Take this preliminary interpretation of the formation method for now, study it carefully on your own, and remember, it must not be divulged or discussed with anyone else.”

Afterward, Instructor Yan explained some of the basic theories of formations and then let Mo Hua go.

Mo Hua returned to the Disciple’s Residence, holding the thin volume of “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation Method Canon” in his hand, yet it felt incredibly heavy. For the first time, he realized the importance of Taoist cultivation inheritance; without someone to teach him, these things alone could take a lifetime to figure out.

And he was just an ordinary disciple, yet Instructor Yan was so earnest in his guidance, which made Mo Hua feel even more grateful.

Mo Hua calmed his mind, read “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation Method Canon” word by word, and noted down anything he didn’t understand, preparing to ask the instructor the next day.

Before going to sleep, Mo Hua took out the “Gold and Stone Formation Map,” memorized the formation patterns inside, closed his eyes, and practiced the Gold Stone Formation on the stele in his Sea of Consciousness.

The Gold Stone Formation had only four formation patterns, not too difficult, but it required time to become familiar with the patterns and practice them.

Thanks to the “Preliminary Interpretation of Formation,” Mo Hua found his thoughts much clearer when drawing the Gold and Stone Formation Map.

The reason why the four formation patterns were positioned towards the west was that west is associated with metal, which is compatible with the properties of the Gold and Stone Formation Map. The specific drawing method also involved much consideration of the hexagrams.

Previously, Mo Hua only knew to follow the formation diagram, not understanding why it was drawn that way, but now he gained a deeper understanding.

The next day, Mo Hua went to Tongming Peak.

Instructor Yan drew some questions from “Formation Discussions” and asked Mo Hua, who answered each one. Confirming that Mo Hua had read the “Formation Method Canon” thoroughly, Instructor Yan couldn’t help but nod approvingly.

Then Mo Hua brought up some questions he had noted down and asked Instructor Yan. The instructor answered each question, clearly more reassured.

On the third day when Mo Hua went again, Instructor Yan used specific formations as examples, analyzing them for Mo Hua to understand some basic theories about formations.

Instructor Yan began with several formations that involved a single formation pattern, including the Bright Fire Formation which Mo Hua had previously learned to draw, as well as a few formations that Mo Hua hadn’t studied before. Then he moved on to formations that involved two patterns, all of which were new to Mo Hua, who listened attentively.

Among formations with four formation patterns, the instructor first mentioned the Solid Earth Formation, which Mo Hua had consulted about before. Although Mo Hua had become quite adept at it, when he heard the instructor’s explanation now, he realized that his prior understanding was superficial, lacking deep comprehension of the principles behind the pattern.

After discussing the Solid Earth Formation, Instructor Yan mentioned the Gold Stone Formation:

“The Gold Stone Formation is similar in purpose to the Solid Earth Formation. Among the Five Elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, earth generates metal. Therefore, when cultivators construct their cave dwellings and rooms, they use the Solid Earth Formation to consolidate the foundation and the Gold Stone Formation to reinforce the buildings. Because earth generates metal, the effectiveness of the formations is enhanced. These two formations can be referenced to understand each other…”

As Mo Hua listened, his understanding cleared suddenly.

Instructor Yan lectured for two hours and then assigned several homework tasks, asking Mo Hua to find some examples of the generation and restraint among formations before letting him leave.

After returning to the Disciple’s Residence, Mo Hua couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Many of the formations cited by Instructor Yan were ones he had painted for the Formation Pavilion.

Not to mention the Bright Fire Formation and the Solid Earth Formation, but the Gold Stone Formation was also something Fatty Steward had asked him to draw. And today, the instructor specifically explained the Gold and Stone Formation Map to him, even though it was to illustrate the relationship between the Five Elements’ generation and restraint. Still, it was too coincidental.

“Is there some relationship between the instructor and Fatty Steward? Could the instructor already know that I was the one who drew those formations for Fated Gathering?”

Mo Hua pondered secretly in his heart.