18: "An Initial Explanation of the Array Formation", Construction of New Buildings

Lu Xian had never deposited Spirit Stones at Huifeng Bank.

Naturally, he couldn't directly purchase classics online within the Ten Thousand Laws Department via the quasi-immortal jade token.

He strolled toward the physical storefront of the Ten Thousand Laws Department.

Passing by the central square of Qingyun City, he saw that something was indeed being set up there, confirming what Du Qinghong had said.

Three days later, the Cangye Sect's Recruitment Ceremony would begin.

“Should I go and try?”

Lu Xian pondered.

He would reach Peak Qi Refining sooner or later.

If he couldn't find a high-grade Cultivation Technique by then, Foundation Establishment would remain indefinitely out of reach.

Furthermore, his small courtyard had several future building upgrades, and the requirements for the Hundred Arts would likely be even higher.

Sect Disciples had much higher authority in the Ten Thousand Laws Department; not only did their Legacies not require a guarantor, but some could even enjoy exclusive Sect discounts.

Lu Xian decided to go and investigate at that time, to get a clear understanding of the recruitment requirements for a Golden Core Sect and plan for the future.

Arriving at the Ten Thousand Laws Department, he paid 300 Spirit Stones.

The Deputy Director on duty transferred the content of *Elementary Introduction to the Way of Formations* to his quasi-immortal jade token and warned in a deep voice:

“After successfully getting started, you can go to the Cultivator General Affairs Office for professional level assessment.”

“A First-Rank Formation Master has one opportunity per year to act as a guarantor, a Second-Rank has two... If you privately teach a Legacy, this right will be revoked, and you will be fined threefold!”

Hearing this, Lu Xian suddenly realized.

He finally understood why this kind of benefit was designed.

The so-called guarantor policy was clearly intended to promote officially certified Legacies.

Guaranteeing once could earn two or three hundred Spirit Stones—a generous reward.

Why would those who benefit take unnecessary risks?

Those who obtained Legacies illegally could only use them alone in dark corners, enjoying no benefits. If discovered, they would be lightly fined everything, or severely have their cultivation abolished and their Path to Immortality cut off.

‘Combining grace and severity—a clever tactic!’ Lu Xian sighed inwardly.

Leaving the Ten Thousand Laws Department.

Lu Xian glanced at his panel.

The upgrade requirements for Level 2 Immortal Cave.

[300 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 20 Formation Flags, 30 formation stones, 1 copy of *Elementary Introduction to the Way of Formations*].

Once he mastered the Way of Formations, he could make the Formation Flags and formation stones himself, saving him from spending unnecessary money.

This trip cost 450 Spirit Stones, which was slightly less than anticipated.

He still had over 80 pieces left, just enough to buy all the Materials.

Lu Xian visited Jubao Tower and purchased fifty pieces each of Cloud Veil Cloth and Luminous Crystal Stone.

These basic Materials were not expensive, totaling only 50 Spirit Stones.

The price of a piece of Cloud Veil Cloth was similar to a single jade marrow egg.

However, finished Formation Flags and formation stones cost at least three Spirit Stones each, multiplying the price several times over.

Having completed his purchases, Lu Xian walked toward his small courtyard outside the city.

Just before reaching the entrance, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he turned to head in another direction.

Since the benefits of the other buildings were strongly related to the buildings themselves.

Wouldn't the [formation chamber] most likely increase his Comprehension Ability regarding the Way of Formations, or increase the success rate of engraving Formation patterns?

“In that case, upgrading it to Level 1 first is very necessary...”

At least it would reduce Material loss.

However, he couldn't build the formation chamber alone; he needed to find someone to help.

After wandering around, Lu Xian arrived at a house and gently knocked on the door.

An aged voice immediately sounded from within: “Coming, coming.”

Song Chengping stopped what he was doing, instructing Xiao Ling not to show herself before opening the door.

He saw an extraordinary young man in black standing outside the door, wearing a harmless smile.

“Immortal Master Lu!” Song Chengping was stunned, then respectfully said, “Please come in quickly.”

Lu Xian didn't refuse and followed him into the house, saying as he walked, “It seems Old Song successfully led Qi into his body. I should call you Fellow Daoist Song from now on.”

“I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. This is all thanks to the Spirit Stone Immortal Master gave me last time. Otherwise, with my old bones, I probably wouldn't step onto the Path to Immortality even upon death.”

“...”

The two chatted briefly before entering the house.

Inside the house, Song Chengping called toward the storage room: “Xiao Ling, you don't need to hide. It's Immortal Master Lu. Quickly prepare tea for the Immortal Master.”

The little girl emerged from the pile of debris, her eyes sparkling. Seeing Lu Xian, she was no longer as afraid as last time.

“No rush.” Lu Xian interrupted, taking out a small box. “Use this to brew it.”

Song Chengping opened it and his old eyes widened completely.

“This... this... is this spirit tea?”

“Yes, take it. The rest is a gift for you. I need your help with something later. This tea has minor benefits for the Divine Soul and is harmless to Mortals. You can occasionally give some to Xiao Ling.”

Lu Xian said slowly.

The *Spirit Devouring Bone Transformation Scripture* that Song Chengping gave him last time was very helpful.

Returning a favor by giving some soul settling tea was nothing.

Song Chengping, despite his age, was somewhat flustered at the moment.

After pondering for a while, he said seriously, “Understood, Immortal Master. Please feel free to instruct me on anything you need. This old man will certainly do his best to handle it!”

“Mhm...”

Before long, Xiao Ling brewed the tea and carefully brought it over: “Immortal Brother, your tea.”

Lu Xian casually took it and gently patted her head: “Xiao Ling should drink some too.”

Next, he explained his purpose to Song Chengping: “I would like to ask for your help in building a pavilion alongside the courtyard wall on the right side of my small courtyard. Build four stories above ground and dig two underground levels. The first floor should be arranged as...”

He described his ideas in detail.

It was better to build several stories at once, so he wouldn't have to make another trip if there was an opportunity to upgrade new buildings later.

Finally.

“This old man understands. However, the Materials at home are insufficient. I will gather them tomorrow and bring them all over. At my speed, it will be finished in two days!”

Song Chengping guaranteed.

“Deal!”

After Lu Xian settled the details, he returned home.

With nothing else to do.

He used his Divine Sense to read *Elementary Introduction to the Way of Formations* inside the quasi-immortal jade token.

After a moment, he realized he seemed to have six out of seven orifices connected.

In short: completely clueless.

How were those strange Formation patterns combined?

Why did this combination have a specific function?

But as Lu Xian calmed down and pondered carefully, he gradually gained a little understanding.

“The Heaven and Earth possess Formations, and the Dao gives birth to ten thousand laws. A Formation is that which spreads the Heaven And Earth Spiritual Essence, guides Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, gathers the momentum of mountains and rivers, and transforms the formless into the tangible.”

The Way of Formations originates from the evolution of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and is divided into eight major categories: Attack, Defense, Containment, Illusion, Sealing, Guidance, Control, and Refinement.

Supplemented by numerical changes like the Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, Nine Palaces, Constellations, Dragon Veins, and Spirit Runes, they derive infinite Formation principles.

Beginners only need to master about a hundred common Formation patterns, practice more, skillfully engrave them onto Materials, and be able to set up Formations according to existing Formation diagrams. Then they count as a First-Rank Formation Master.

“So that's it. Simply put, it's copying other people's public Formation diagrams.”

He flipped to the last few pages of the book, which recorded several common Formations:

Spirit Guiding Formation, Concealed Aura Formation, Sound Isolation Formation, Spirit Trapping Formation... They seemed quite practical.

But upon closer inspection, it was overwhelming. Each Formation consisted of more than a dozen Formation Flags and formation stone nodes, and each piece required engraving several different Formation patterns.

No wonder everyone said Formations were difficult to learn.

This was just copying. If he wanted to add his own understanding and adjust the Formation patterns and directions based on the actual terrain, wouldn't that make his head spin from calculations?

Although it was strenuous, Lu Xian wasn't completely unable to understand anything.

The night passed without incident.

As the morning sun rose, several pieces of shattered Cloud Veil Cloth were piled at Lu Xian's feet.

His eyes were slightly red, the corners of his mouth curled up, and his expression was a little exaggerated.

Finally, Lu Xian successfully engraved three complete Formation patterns onto a piece of Cloud Veil Cloth.

He had created his first Formation Flag!