This is a martial art that can be coordinated with, so the comprehension of the final move is also crucial.
As for his main body, it began the refinement of the Fire Snake Formation.
For so many days, he had not stopped studying the art of formation refinement.
After all, to be able to cultivate at the Guanghan Palace, he had to meet Yuan Zun’s requirements.
His master was very mysterious, sometimes gentle, but uncompromising on matters of principle, extremely stubborn, and strict.
If he couldn’t complete the tasks assigned by his master, wanting to go to the Guanghan Palace early would be utterly impossible.
“Success!”
A quarter of an hour later, Ling Xiao looked at the formation stone glowing with a faint red hue in his hand and couldn’t help but smile excitedly.
The formation stone was originally transparent, colourless, and odourless; only when a formation or array was fused into it would it change.
The Fire Snake Formation Stone appeared red, inscribed with the Fire Snake Formation’s runes and a tiny fire snake, making it very easy to recognise.
“Time to report to Master.”
Ling Xiao glanced at the two clones in the cave mansion, somewhat helplessly retracting them.
Although he could create clones to cultivate, the problem was they couldn’t move more than ten metres away from him.
This was why he was eager to find a higher-level cultivation secret technique to replace it.
If they could move further away, even when he was occupied with other matters, the clones could continue cultivating, so no time would be wasted.
However, that was definitely not possible now.
But such things couldn’t be rushed or forced; just like this, it was entirely obtained through an unexpected life-and-death challenge.
He believed that as his cultivation continued to improve and his strength grew, there would surely be plenty of opportunities.
For now, the most critical thing was to raise his cultivation to the Mortal Realm as soon as possible; that way, he could re-enter the inner sect’s Yuehua Tower, where there were martial arts that could serve as replacements.
When he hurriedly arrived at Yang Danlin’s cave mansion, Yang Danlin was researching new medicinal pills, while Yuan Zun was napping nearby.
“Oh, my disciple, you’re here. I thought you’d forgotten our agreement.”
Yuan Zun saw Ling Xiao and opened his eyes, though only a sliver, perhaps because opening them wider would waste too much energy.
“How could I dare forget the tasks Master assigned? Besides, I’ve always wanted to cultivate at the Guanghan Palace.”
“Good, show me your Fire Snake Formation Stone.”
Ling Xiao obediently presented two Fire Snake Formation Stones: one refined by Yuan Zun and the other by himself.
Yuan Zun was too lazy to ask any questions by now; he already knew his disciple’s exceptional comprehension, memory, and understanding surpassed the masses, so asking theoretical questions was pointless.
The key was how the refined Fire Snake Formation Stone turned out.
After carefully examining Ling Xiao’s formation stone, Yuan Zun couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
“You really haven’t been to the Heavenly Court Continent? Or studied the art of formation refinement?”
“No, I haven’t!”
Ling Xiao answered honestly.
“I’m truly defeated by you. Old friend, we’ve picked up an absolute gem this time. This kid’s first attempt at refining a Fire Snake Formation Stone is actually better than mine, his master’s. I really want to find a piece of tofu and smash my head into it.”
Yuan Zun turned to Yang Danlin and said.
“Old friend Yuan Zun, don’t complain. I felt the same when I taught him pill refining. You know why I chose to let Lan Yu’er teach him? I was afraid of being discouraged. This kid is a monster among monsters.”
Yang Danlin also gave a wry smile.
In terms of pill refining, Yang Danlin was renowned among the twelve sects.
In terms of formation refinement, on the Tianlong Continent, if Yuan Zun claimed to be second, no one would dare claim first.
Yet in front of this little monster Ling Xiao, they suddenly felt like fools, completely incomprehensible.
“Forget it. Since you can already refine the Fire Snake Formation Stone on your own, it shows your foundation is very solid. However, the art of formation refinement, like pill refining, may be easy to start, but the deeper you go, the more you’ll discover their mystery and profundity.”
Yuan Zun’s expression returned to seriousness: “Right now, you’re just following the paths of others, standing on the shoulders of giants. Only when you can create your own unique pills and formations will you truly be a master.”
“Your disciple respectfully follows Master’s teachings.”
Ling Xiao bowed.
“Good, neither arrogant nor impatient, which is commendable. Now, old friend, arrange some sect tasks for this kid, and let him come into contact with all the various formations and arrays of the Yuehua Sect.”
At this point, Yuan Zun looked at Ling Xiao again: “Learning formations and arrays is just the beginning. I require you to refine all these formations and arrays into formation stones. Once you achieve this, you’ll be considered a graduate. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come to me anytime.”
“All of them!”
Ling Xiao, having been at the Yuehua Sect for over a month, knew the sect’s situation. Almost every cave mansion and pavilion was protected by formations, while smaller items like disciple and elder tokens had arrays.
To turn all of them into formation stones would take an unknown amount of time.
“That’s right, all of them. But don’t worry, as long as you complete them before graduating from the Yuehua Sect, it’s fine. Next, I’ll have your Senior Brother Yang contact the Guanghan Heavenly Venerable of the Guanghan Palace. As long as you’re willing, you’ll soon be able to cultivate there.”
“Thank you, Master!”
Ling Xiao hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
After that, Yang Danlin called for Lan Yu’er, who then took Ling Xiao to explore the Yuehua Sect’s formations and arrays.
The difference between formations and arrays isn’t significant.
Formations are relatively large and independently set up, while arrays are generally smaller, placed on small objects and not independent.
The principles of both are interconnected; one develops toward larger scales, the other toward smaller ones.
Over time, the power of both formations and arrays weakens, and issues may arise due to certain reasons.
For example, the defensive formation of the outer sect’s challenge platform might be pushed beyond its limits by a particularly strong disciple, causing problems.
At such times, maintenance and repairs are needed.
Generally, the maintenance of formations and arrays is managed by the “Formation Hall.”
However, Lan Yu’er had a very good relationship with the Formation Hall’s master, true sisters in every sense, so taking Ling Xiao to do such tasks posed no issues at all.
Even Ling Xiao’s work was temporarily registered under both the Medicine Hall and the Formation Hall, which was quite exceptional.
