62: Small Inverted Five Elements Array

Lin Feng slowly walked into this area and stopped in front of an empty Formation platform.

The Formation competition officially began, and the atmosphere in the arena instantly became solemn.

Lin Feng stood quietly in front of the Formation platform. Following the Formation methods in the Jade Slip given by Martial Uncle Zhao Ming, he activated his Spiritual Qi and began to set up the rather exquisite “Five Elements Formation.” Five-colored Formation Flags fell in sequence, Spiritual Light circulated, gradually forming a responsive posture.

He had used the Five Elements Formation once before in actual combat. This time, he lacked a precise grasp of the subtle characteristics of the Formation Flags provided by the Sect. A slight stagnation occurred during the Spiritual Qi connection, creating a tiny flaw in the circulation of the Five Elements' mutual generation.

Although this flaw was not obvious, it could not escape the eyes of experts. On the high platform, a judging Elder’s gaze swept over, and he frowned slightly: “This Disciple is unfamiliar with Formation Flag control, and his Spiritual Qi circulation has minor flaws. I’m afraid it won’t last long.”

Some Disciples watching below also noticed Lin Feng’s situation and began to whisper:

“Looking at his clumsy technique, I’m afraid his luck has run out.”

“The Dao of Formations values Foundation most; there’s no room for clever tricks.”

Scattered words drifted into his ears, and Lin Feng’s heart tightened, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. If he were to face an enemy with this Formation, it would likely break in an instant.

At this critical moment, a flash of inspiration struck him. He recalled what Martial Uncle Zhao Ming had mentioned in the Jade Slip: “The Dao of Formations lies in the heart, not bound by form.”

He steeled his heart, no longer trying to mend the flaw, and reversed the Cultivation Technique. At the same time, he quietly guided a wisp of Sword Intent from the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art into the “Metal Element” Formation Flag at the core of the Formation.

The “Five Elements Formation” he originally intended to set up emphasized balance and harmony, with flawless and smooth Five Elements circulation. However, under the impetus of his Sword Intent, it now reversed.

The momentum of the Five Elements’ mutual generation paused, then unexpectedly began to operate in reverse: Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, and Fire overcomes Metal.

The Spiritual Qi within the Formation suddenly became sharp and turbulent. The original flaw, instead of dissipating in the reverse flow, transformed into a hidden, murderous trap, luring others deeper.

The Formation Flags rattled, and the five-colored Spiritual Light no longer circulated gently but instead intersected and collided with a sharp edge. At times, they mutually generated and nourished; at other times, they mutually overcame and attacked. The aura shifted unpredictably, making it elusive.

A “Five Elements Formation” that should have been for stable defense or trapping enemies was transformed in his hands into a “Minor Inverted Five Elements Formation,” capable of both offense and defense.

In just a few breaths, the aura of the Formation changed significantly. The Disciples watching below were astonished to find that the aura from Lin Feng’s Formation platform had become so different. The Formation still seemed to operate with some stagnation, yet it inexplicably gained a chillingly sharp intent, making people afraid to probe it easily.

“Oh?” On the high platform, the Elder who had previously frowned let out a soft exclamation and sat up straight. “Five Elements reversal? He actually temporarily changed the Five Elements Formation into a Minor Inverted Five Elements Formation? And even incorporated Sword Intent into the Formation eye? This kid…”

His tone carried an air of disbelief and surprise. The Disciples watching below also noticed the anomaly, and their discussions ceased abruptly, their faces showing shock and doubt.

When all the Disciples had finished setting up their Formations, the entire arena was filled with soaring Spiritual Light. Various Formation barriers appeared, some like flowing water, some like unmoving boulders, and some faintly exuding a murderous aura.

During the Formation-breaking segment, Lin Feng’s “Minor Inverted Five Elements Formation” indeed gave his opponents a lot of trouble.

Those who tried to deduce it by conventional means all ran into the sudden sharp Metal Sword Intent and the reversed Five Elements mutual generation and overcoming forces, being repelled with churning Qi and blood, returning without success.

One Foundation Establishment Mid-stage Disciple even failed to break through with a strong attack and was instead “hissed” by the chaotic Metal and Fire Qi, burning his Divine Sense. He grunted and retreated in a sorry state, drawing a series of exclamations.

As the Formation-breaking progressed, the scene in the arena also changed. From time to time, a Formation’s Spiritual Light would suddenly dim, and its Formation Flags would droop powerlessly, signaling its defeat. There were also Formations that erupted with strong counterattacks when attacked, causing a stir.

The originally dense Formations gradually thinned out, leaving only those truly exquisite Formations still operating steadily.

When Lin Feng broke Formations, however, his technique was quite seasoned. He did not attack aggressively but used Formations to break Formations, often setting up several simple trapping or disrupting Formations with a wave of his hand, specifically targeting the operational nodes of the opponent’s Formation.

It seemed like a clever trick, but in reality, it required a profound understanding of the Formation’s operational mechanisms and an almost demanding grasp of timing.

Although there were no astonishing feats, he could always find a flaw in a moment, his technique steady and his efficiency astounding.

Of course, facing the complex grand Formations set up by several Disciples, which were exquisitely structured and flawless, he was ultimately outmatched and could not break them.

No matter how he perceived, he could not find the fleeting weak points, and in the end, he could only shake his head and give up.

Final evaluation: In the Formation setup category, his “Minor Inverted Five Elements Formation” had outstanding enemy-trapping effects; in the Formation-breaking category, his technique was steady, and his Formation-breaking efficiency was extremely high. Combining both, he once again ranked tenth.

When the results were announced, there was a flurry of discussion below the stage, and many Disciples specializing in the Dao of Formations showed thoughtful expressions.

“Tenth again?”

Elder Xuanji looked at Lin Feng with a complex expression, then surveyed the entire arena: “The top ten in Formations will all be granted the qualification to enter the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion for perusal.”

“Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion?”

There was a moment of stunned silence below the stage, followed by an even more enthusiastic gasp than before.

“It’s actually the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion. The Sect’s core secret vault that collects all insights on Formations, Puppets, and Artifact Refining?”

“It’s said that it even contains the Cultivation insights of Core Formation Stage Elders and ancient incomplete scrolls.”

“This… this is even more precious than Spirit Pills or Magic Treasures.”

All the Disciples, especially those who specialized in Formations and Puppets, instantly had eyes filled with fervent envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

For them, being able to enter the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion to study the insights of predecessors was more appealing than any physical reward.

The heated discussions about the Formation competition had not yet subsided when everyone’s gaze, by coincidence, turned towards the most open area in the center of the plaza, a huge arena covered with sword marks of varying depths.

The Grand Sword Competition was about to begin. This was the acknowledged core of the Tianxuan Sect’s Grand Competition, and the Dragon and Tiger struggle that all Disciples anticipated and looked forward to the most.

The plaza was already packed with people. Countless Disciples craned their necks, excitedly discussing the names of the Prodigies about to appear.

“Look quickly. Senior Brother Chu Jingtian from Divine Sword Peak is here. He was the Sword Dao champion of the last Grand Competition. It’s said that his ‘Slaying Delusion Sword Intent’ has become even purer, reaching a Realm where Sword Intent arises with a single thought, making him unstoppable.”

“And over there. Senior Brother Lu Chenyuan from Heavenly Solitary Peak is also here. Hiss… what strong Sword Intent. I heard he sealed himself on the solitary Peak for three years to temper his Sword Heart, and this time, upon emerging, he must be aiming for Senior Brother Chu.”

“Senior Sister Fang Lingyao from Yunni Peak has also arrived. She is proficient in many Cultivation Techniques, and her sword path is unpredictable. She already made it into the top eight in the last Grand Competition. I wonder how much she has improved this time.”

“Senior Sister Liu Qingqing from Jade Pivot Peak’s ‘Green Silk Entwining Sword Art’ and ‘Thousand Silks Entanglement’ are the most troublesome. I wonder how many rounds she can reach this time…”

Just as everyone was discussing, a sharp aura suddenly came from one side, drawing many glances. Clearly, this person’s cultivation had reached the Peak of the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, only one step away from the Middle Stage.

“It’s Senior Brother Li Yi,” a Disciple whispered. “His ‘Splitting Wind Sword Art’ is swift and vicious. It’s said he has grasped its essence, and ordinary Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators can hardly contend with him.”

“Senior Brother Li has always been devoted to the Dao of Swords and has an arrogant personality. Has he actually emerged from seclusion this time?”

“It seems this Sword Competition will be a Dragon and Tiger struggle far exceeding previous ones.”