197: Chapter 197 The Sect Protector Array

The resources required for the Tier 3 Formation were gathered in just a few days.

Although nearly twenty percent of the factions still harbored doubts, they had no choice but to follow the rules and hand over their respective shares under the majority-rule resolution.

During this period, not a single faction chose to leave Qingyuan.

The reason was simple: Great Wei was now at a critical juncture of survival, with Robber Cultivators running rampant and the Demonic Path wreaking havoc throughout the territory.

For the vast majority of Qi Refining Families and Martial Artist clans, stepping out of Qingyuan would mean becoming souls lost to the butcher knives of Robber Cultivators.

Rather than facing certain death in the outside world, it was better to stay here where there was still a glimmer of hope.

The Su Family carefully considered the allocation of resources, assigning different shares based on the depth of each Family's foundation.

Foundation Establishment Families, with their deep foundations, naturally bore the brunt, followed by Qi Refining Families, while Martial Artist clans contributed according to their means. This arrangement was both fair and avoided pushing any party to a dead end.

The construction of the Formation officially began immediately after.

The project was led by the core quartet of Su Yang, Qin Jiangmei, Su Xuanxiao, and Su Xuanling, with all Formation Masters in the market following their orders to assist in the setup.

A Tier 3 Formation was far beyond what low-tier Formations could compare to.

In the hundred arts of cultivation, reaching Tier 3 is a watershed moment that results in a qualitative leap.

This Formation was not formed by simply sketching Formation patterns; rather, it required nesting multiple structurally precise Tier 2 Formations and dozens of Tier 1 Formations as sub-Formations, layer by layer, to ultimately combine into a massive and unified whole.

Its structure was as complex as weaving a magnificent tapestry with thousands of silk threads; any error in the connection of the Formation patterns could cause the entire grand Formation to fail to operate.

As the coverage area of the Formation expanded to the entire Qingyuan Market, its complexity grew exponentially.

This was precisely the root of the hesitation among some factions.

Although the Su Family was strong, they had never publicly displayed the ability to set up a Tier 3 Formation. Asking everyone to bet their entire fortunes on an unverified attempt was undoubtedly a huge gamble.

However, once the gamble was won, the rewards would be equally staggering.

If this Tier 3 grand Formation covering the entire market could be built, Qingyuan Market would possess a solid shield to stand its ground in these chaotic times, gaining a chance to breathe and develop.

At this time, Su Yang and the other three had already taken their positions at the four core Formation eyes in the East, South, West, and North of Qingyuan Market.

Throughout the market, the assisting Formation Masters began burying Formation bases and sketching basic Formation patterns according to the diagrams distributed in advance by the Su Family.

Tier 1 Spirit Gathering Formations, Mazy Formations, Detection Formations...

Tier 2 Trapping Formations, Protection Formations, Killing Formations...

Assigning these relatively simple Formations to the Formation Masters of other families both improved efficiency and, to a certain extent, kept the core Formation secret.

Meanwhile, the connection of all pivotal nodes, the construction of the key Tier 2 composite Formations, and the Tier 3 core Formation patterns running through the entire grand Formation...

These essential parts that determined the success or failure of the Formation were handled entirely by the four members of the Su Family.

Su Yang occupied the primary position in the East, his Divine Sense spreading like a net to cover the entire field and coordinate the overall situation.

Qin Jiangmei's fingers brushed over a Formation Plate, using the Way of Melody to harmonize the flow of Spiritual Qi across the various Formations.

Su Xuanxiao and Su Xuanling, relying on their profound understanding of Formations, precisely carved the most difficult Formation patterns.

Beams of Formation spiritual light began to light up one after another from every corner of Qingyuan Market.

As if in response, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi began to slowly surge and gather toward this place, drawing countless Cultivators in the market to stop and look up, their eyes filled with a mix of tension and hope.

First, the Tier 1 Formations spread across the ground all lit up, their light like points of stars connecting into a foundational web of light.

Next, even more dazzling Tier 2 Formation patterns lit up in the air, the spiritual light rising to echo the ground Formations from afar, their lines intertwining to construct a three-dimensional framework.

"East position, Formation normal."

Su Yang stood at the primary Eastern position with a solemn expression, lightly pinching a Sound-transmitting Talisman as he spoke in a steady voice.

"South position, Formation normal."

Qin Jiangmei sat cross-legged in the South, her fingertips lightly brushing the Formation Plate in front of her as she responded in a low voice, a lute-like rhythm faintly flowing around her.

"North position normal!"

"West position normal!"

The voices of Su Xuanxiao and Su Xuanling came in succession, clear and decisive.

The four corners were set, and the ten thousand patterns were in place.

Su Yang took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly focusing as he commanded in a low voice:

"Formation, rise!"

Buzz—!

A low rumble rippled out from between heaven and earth, originating not from one place but resonating simultaneously from hundreds of Formation nodes.

Brilliant light, like a rushing river, rapidly traversed, connected, and blended among the densely packed Formation patterns.

The originally gloomy dark clouds in the sky were stirred by this force and began to slowly rotate, forming a massive vortex that covered the firmament.

Wind and snow swirled backward as Spiritual Qi surged like a tide.

Inside the market, everyone held their breath, looking up at this scene that seemed like a transformation of the heavens.

The next moment.

The light of all the Formation patterns reached its peak in an instant, then suddenly contracted inward.

A massive boundary, shimmering with a faint light and nearly transparent, slowly descended from the sky like an inverted glazed jade bowl, gently enveloping the entire Qingyuan Market.

The Tier 3 Formation was complete!

Whoosh!

After a brief dead silence, earth-shattering cheers and clamor rose to the sky.

The tension on the Cultivators' faces turned into wild joy, and many were even trembling with excitement.

"It worked! It really worked! It's a Tier 3 grand Formation!"

"What is this Formation called? Is it just for protection? Can it block a strike from a Golden Core?"

In the crowd, an old Cultivator with graying hair at his temples, who clearly had quite some knowledge of Formations, clapped his hands and laughed loudly, explaining excitedly to those around him.

"Not so! This is the 'Heavenly Cycle Unity Formation'! How could a Tier 3 Formation have only a single purpose?"

He pointed at the transparent boundary shimmering with faint light in the sky, his eyes full of admiration: "Look closely, everyone. This Formation is nested from dozens of sets of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Formations. One Formation is ten thousand Formations, and it can be transformed at will."

"When Spirit Gathering is needed, it is a Tier 3 Spirit Gathering Grand Formation; when defending against enemies, it is a Tier 3 Protection Formation, Trapping Formation, or even a Killing Formation!"

"The Formation's rank can be adjusted at will between Tier 1 and Tier 3! This kind of Formation-laying technique is already a secret not shared outside of Sects. The Su Family's foundation is truly unfathomable!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, his voice even trembling: "It is no exaggeration to say that this Formation is comparable to the Sect-Protecting Formation of a Golden Core Sect! Qingyuan is saved; we truly made the right bet!"

At this moment, the respect the people of Qingyuan had for the Su Family reached its peak.

Su Yang let out a long sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.

The construction of this grand Formation had cost him a great deal of effort.

A Tier 3 Formation was no longer something that could be formed by simply copying a diagram and engraving patterns. Every successfully built 'Heavenly Cycle Unity Formation' must be personally deduced and arranged by a Formation Master based on their understanding of Formations, combined with the local mountains, rivers, earth veins, and the flow of Spiritual Qi.

Fortunately, this first attempt was finally a success.

The significance of this Formation went far beyond protecting a region. When Su Yang was constructing it, he left many hidden permissions for his Family; the Su Family could call upon all Tier 1 and Tier 2 sub-Formations within the Formation at any time.

From the moment this Formation took shape, Qingyuan Market completely became the Su Family's territory.

If anyone dared to act wildly on Su Family ground, the Su Family could directly mobilize the Formation to trap and kill them!