29: Chapter 29 Qi and Blood as the Guiding Principle

Inside the cave, on the stone table, a leather scroll was spread out.

The animal hide was old and yellowed, with worn edges, clearly having weathered the passage of time.

The Formation patterns on the scroll were as complex as a star map, outlined in cinnabar and annotated with ink; the handwriting was elegant yet carried a sense of vicissitudes.

The Formation diagram was divided into three layers: the outer layer defined the orientation, the middle layer set the Formation eye, and the inner layer concealed the core.

The Five Elements positions occupied each corner, while the Yin and Yang fish in the center rotated slowly.

Shen Qingqiu tapped the center of the Formation diagram with her fingertip.

"The 'Small Five Elements Concealment Array' is derived from the ancient wonder, the 'Great Array of Celestial Stars.' Although it only captures the surface, it is enough to mask one's presence and confuse perception." Her voice remained weak but clear, "Setting up the Formation requires five conditions: one spiritual material for each of the Five Elements—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The quality does not need to be high, but the attributes must be pure. If there are no spiritual materials..."

She looked up at Lu Zhao.

"Then one must use people instead of objects, using Qi and Blood as a guide."

Lu Zhao stared at the Formation diagram and said in a deep voice, "Using people to replace objects, how does it work?"

"The logic of the Formation is interconnected," Shen Qingqiu said. "Heaven and Earth have the Five Elements, and the human body also has the Five Elements. The heart belongs to Fire, the liver to Wood, the spleen to Earth, the lungs to Gold, and the kidneys to Water. As a Cultivator circulates their Qi and Blood, it naturally contains the Five Elements attributes. Although weak, it can trigger the resonance of the Formation."

She pointed to the Five Elements positions on the Formation diagram.

"Five people are needed to sit in the five directions and circulate their Qi and Blood, injecting it into the Formation eye. Once the Formation is formed, as long as the Qi and Blood do not stop, the Formation will not dissipate. But—"

She paused.

"This is a shortcut method, and there are three hidden dangers."

"First, those setting up the Formation must have a unified heart, and their Qi and Blood circulation must be synchronized; otherwise, the Five Elements will lose balance, and the Formation will collapse on its own."

"Second, the consumption of Qi and Blood is immense. An ordinary Martial Artist can support it for at most half an hour. If it takes longer, it will result in minor cases of damage to their Origin Qi, and in severe cases, the exhaustion of their Qi and Blood."

"Third, the range of the Formation is limited by the cultivation level of those setting it up. Taking the first level of Qi Refining as an example, it can cover a radius of at most ten zhang."

Lu Zhao pondered for a moment and asked, "With the manpower in my village, is it possible to form it?"

Shen Qingqiu looked outside the cave—where the sounds of blacksmithing, reading, and training could be faintly heard.

"It is worth a try," she said slowly. "But the people in your village have shallow martial cultivation, and their Qi and Blood are mixed. You must first test each person's Five Elements attributes, then choose suitable candidates to guard the Formation eye."

"How to test?"

Shen Qingqiu took out a jade disc the size of a copper coin from her bosom. The jade disc had five colors and was divided into five petals, each engraved with an ancient seal: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.

"This is a 'Five Elements Disc,' used by my Shen family to test Formation materials." She handed the jade disc to Lu Zhao, "The person holding the disc should circulate their Qi and Blood, and the jade disc will display colors. The brightest petal is their primary attribute."

Lu Zhao took the jade disc, which felt warm to the touch. He circulated his Qi and Blood slightly, and the jade disc immediately glowed—among the five petals, the "Fire" petal was the brightest, crimson like a flame; the "Earth" petal was second, with yellow light flowing; the other three petals were dim.

"You are primarily Fire, with Earth as a supplement," Shen Qingqiu glanced at it, "which is consistent with the Pure Yang Cultivation Technique you are practicing."

Lu Zhao nodded and handed the jade disc back: "In that case, we will test the villagers tomorrow."

"No need to wait until tomorrow," He Shan's voice suddenly came from outside the cave.

He lifted the vine curtain and walked in, followed by Yan Meng, Han Meng, Granny Xue, and Qin Wan.

The five of them had clearly been listening outside for a long time, and now they all looked eager.

He Shan cupped his hands and said, "Sir, Miss Shen, we heard everything just now. If we can set up the Formation to conceal this place, the village will be safer. We are willing to be the 'Formation eyes'!"

Yan Meng said in a deep voice, "Sir, just give the order. Whether you need blood or Qi, we have plenty!"

Han Meng grinned, "I have this Evil Qi, I wonder what element it belongs to?"

Although Granny Xue and Qin Wan did not speak, they both nodded firmly.

Shen Qingqiu looked at Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao thought for a moment and nodded, "Very well. Let's test you five first."

He handed the Five Elements Disc to He Shan.

He Shan took it and closed his eyes to circulate his Qi and Blood—his time practicing "Beiming" was still short, and his Qi and Blood were still weak, but he had been hunting for years, and his breath was long. The jade disc glowed slightly, and the "Wood" petal shone with green light, like wind blowing through the treetops.

"He Shan, primary Wood," Shen Qingqiu recorded.

Yan Meng stepped forward; he was from a military background and had heavy Killing Intent. With the jade disc in hand, the "Gold" petal suddenly lit up with a piercing white light, faintly carrying sharpness.

"Yan Meng, primary Gold, and it carries Evil Qi; it is an excellent Formation material."

When Han Meng took the jade disc, Shen Qingqiu suddenly said, "The Evil Qi in your body has not been cleared; do not force it."

Han Meng shook his head, "It's fine."

He took a deep breath and circulated his Qi and Blood. The jade disc shook violently! The "Fire" petal shone with bright red light, like fire burning the sky; at the same time, the "Water" petal glowed with black light, cold and bone-chilling. The two colors of light clashed fiercely on the jade disc, actually making a "hissing" sound.

Shen Qingqiu's expression changed, "Water and Fire are clashing! The Evil Qi in your body is cold, which conflicts with your own Yang Fire Qi and Blood. With this Physique, you cannot be a Formation eye."

Han Meng's face turned gray, and he retreated silently.

Granny Xue stepped forward, and the jade disc glowed with a gentle yellow light in her palm, with the "Earth" petal being the brightest, heavy like the earth.

"Granny Xue, primary Earth."

Finally, it was Qin Wan's turn.

She took the jade disc and circulated her Qi and Blood—although she had not practiced martial arts, she had been weaving and embroidering for years, so her fingers were dexterous and her Heart-Nature was delicate.

On the jade disc, the "Water" petal glowed with a soft blue light, like a babbling stream.

"Qin Wan, primary Water; although it is weak, it is pure."

Shen Qingqiu looked at the record and frowned slightly, "Gold, Wood, Water, Earth, all four elements are present, but Fire is missing. Although Han Meng has the Fire element, Water and Fire are clashing; forcing him into the Formation might cause the Formation to collapse."

Everyone looked at Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao was Fire-element, but he needed to sit in the center to harmonize the Five Elements and could not divide himself.

Just as they were in a dilemma, footsteps came from outside the cave.

A-Fei poked his head in, looking curious, "Sir, what are you doing?"

A thought stirred in Lu Zhao's heart.

He beckoned A-Fei to come in and handed him the Five Elements Disc, "Come, try it."

A-Fei took the jade disc and closed his eyes, imitating the others. After a moment, the jade disc glowed slightly—among the five petals, the "Fire" petal lit up; although it was not as intense as Lu Zhao's, it was pure and lively, like the rising morning sun.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes lit up, "This child's mind is pure. Although his Qi and Blood are weak, his Fire element is pure. It is worth a try."

A-Fei did not understand and just scratched his head and smiled.

Lu Zhao nodded, "In that case, the Five Elements are complete. He Shan is primary Wood, sit in the East; Yan Meng is primary Gold, sit in the West; Qin Wan is primary Water, sit in the North; Granny Xue is primary Earth, sit in the center; A-Fei is primary Fire, sit in the South. I will be in the center to harmonize."

He looked at Shen Qingqiu, "When can we set up the Formation?"

Shen Qingqiu stood up, and although her steps were swaying, her expression was solemn, "Now."

She walked to the center of the cave and bent down to carve on the bluestone floor with her fingertip.

Her fingertip had no Sharp Weapon, but with a stream of pure True Qi, she carved deep marks on the stone. The Formation patterns gradually appeared, exactly the same as those drawn on the hide scroll.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the Formation patterns were completed.

The five Formation eyes were located in the East, South, West, North, and Center, and each Formation eye extended several thin lines, connecting with other Formation eyes to form a complex web.

Shen Qingqiu stood up, her face turning even paler, and sweat appeared on her forehead.

"The Formation patterns are complete," she panted, "Next, you need to sit in the positions determined just now and circulate your Qi and Blood to inject into the Formation eyes. Remember, your hearts must be connected, and your breathing must be synchronized. When I shout 'Rise,' circulate simultaneously; when I shout 'Combine,' merge your Qi and Blood."

Everyone sat down as instructed.

He Shan sat in the East, Yan Meng in the West, Qin Wan in the North, Granny Xue in the Center, and A-Fei in the South.

Lu Zhao stood outside the Formation, ready to deal with any changes at any time.

Shen Qingqiu walked to the center of the Formation and sat cross-legged back-to-back with Granny Xue.

"Close your eyes, regulate your breath, and sink your heart into your Dantian."

Everyone closed their eyes.

The cave was silent for a moment, with only the sound of breathing remaining.

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and shouted in a low voice, "Rise!"

The five people's minds moved, and their Qi and Blood circulated.

The strand of Wind Qi in He Shan's body was triggered, surging along his Meridians into his palms, injecting into the Eastern Formation eye. The Formation pattern glowed slightly, emitting a green light.

Yan Meng's Killing Intent condensed, turning into Sharp Metal Qi, injecting into the Western Formation eye. White light appeared suddenly.

Qin Wan's mind was pure, and although her Water-element Qi and Blood were weak, they were continuous, and the Northern Formation eye glowed with blue light.

Granny Xue's Earth element was heavy, and the yellow light was warm, sitting steadily in the center.

A-Fei was the most struggling—his martial path had not yet entered the door, and his Qi and Blood were weak. At this moment, he was forced to circulate it, and his little face was flushed red. The Southern Formation eye's firelight flickered, extremely unstable.

Shen Qingqiu closed her eyes to sense it and suddenly said, "Lu Zhao, help A-Fei!"

Lu Zhao responded and moved, flashing behind A-Fei and pressing a palm on his back. A stream of gentle Beiming True Qi was transferred, guiding his weak Qi and Blood to inject steadily into the Formation eye.

The Southern Formation eye's firelight suddenly flared!

The Five Elements were complete, and the light flowed.

Shen Qingqiu shouted again, "Combine!"

The five people's minds became one.

The green light in the East stretched like vines, the white light in the West was like a sharp sword unsheathed, the blue light in the North was like a meandering stream, the yellow light in the center was heavy like the earth, and the red light in the South was like flames rising.

The five-colored light flowed along the Formation patterns, converging at the central Formation eye.

"Hum—"

The air in the cave vibrated slightly.

With the Formation as the center, an invisible force field spread out. The wind, bird calls, and insect chirps outside the cave suddenly moved away, as if separated by a thick curtain. The light in the cave twisted slightly, as if looking at things through water, and the outlines of the people were somewhat blurred.

What was even more strange was the aura.

The Qi and Blood fluctuations, breathing rhythm, and even body heat of everyone in the cave were all restrained, like a stone sinking into the sea, with no more leakage.

The Formation was formed!

Shen Qingqiu slowly opened her eyes, her face as pale as paper, but a smile appeared on the corners of her mouth.

"It's done."

Her voice was weak but filled with relief.

"This Formation can last for half an hour. After half an hour, you need to change people, or disperse the Formation and wait for the Qi and Blood to recover before setting it up again."

Everyone then stopped their practice.

A-Fei sat on the ground with a thud, gasping for air, his little face pale. The previous circulation had almost exhausted all his strength.

He Shan, Yan Meng, and others were also soaked in sweat, but their eyes were filled with excitement.

"This Formation... is truly amazing!" He Shan felt the sense of "isolation" around him and muttered, "I have been hunting in the mountains for many years and have never seen such a method."

Yan Meng clenched his fist, "If we had this Formation on the battlefield, ambushes and sneak attacks would be invincible."

Granny Xue stroked her chest and said slowly, "I only feel my mind is calm, as if returning to the earth. This Formation actually has the effect of calming the spirit."

Qin Wan said softly, "I feel... like I'm soaking in warm water, very comfortable."

Lu Zhao looked around, his spiritual platform sensing fully open.

In his perception, this cave seemed to have been "erased" from heaven and earth. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, it would be impossible to find anyone here just by aura detection.

He looked at Shen Qingqiu and cupped his hands solemnly, "Miss Shen, this Formation is a life-saving grace to our village."

Shen Qingqiu shook her head and said softly, "It is you yourselves... who used your flesh and blood to set up the Formation of Heaven and Earth."

She paused, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

"This is already close to the 'Dao'."

Lu Zhao felt a stir in his heart.

Dao.

The Martial Dao, the Formation Dao, both are Dao.

Perhaps... they were interconnected all along.

Just at this moment, deep in his spiritual platform, the martial seal stone suddenly shook!

A message came: [The spark of civilization has begun to take shape, special talent has made outstanding contributions, Civilization Points +30]

[Current Civilization Points: 87 points]

[Unlock new function: Martial Arts Legacy Imprint]

[Description: The host can seal mastered martial arts into special carriers (such as wooden tablets, stone tablets) in the form of 'Concept Imprint' for specific targets to comprehend and learn. The effect is weaker than personal teaching, but it can expand the propagation base.]

[The first production is free, subsequent ones need to consume Civilization Points (depending on the level of martial arts).]

Lu Zhao's pupils shrank.

Legacy Imprint!

This is the perfect method to solve the "lack of teachers"!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and said to everyone, "Everyone, you have worked hard. Go back and rest first. Do not spread the word about tonight's events."

Everyone took orders and left, supporting each other.

Only Lu Zhao and Shen Qingqiu were left in the cave.

Shen Qingqiu leaned against the stone wall, her breath weak, but she still braced herself and asked, "Just now... did you have any insights?"

Lu Zhao nodded but did not elaborate, only saying, "Miss Shen, rest well. When you recover from your injury, I have another request."

"What is it?"

"Teach the Formation Dao." Lu Zhao said seriously, "It doesn't need to be profound, just teach the basics. If one more child or young adult in the village understands the logic of the Formation, there will be one more chance of survival."

Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a moment and nodded slowly.

"Okay."

Lu Zhao said no more and turned to leave the cave.

The night was deep, and the stars filled the sky.

He looked up at the sky, and the fire in his heart burned brighter and brighter.

The Formation was formed, and the Legacy was promising.

This tree growing in the cracks of the stone had finally taken its first root... capable of changing the world.

Lu Zhao returned to his small hut, closed the door, and sat cross-legged. The information about the "Legacy Imprint" in his spiritual platform surged endlessly.

He took a piece of bluestone scrap that Zhong Tiegu had used for practice during the day, used his finger as a pen, operated the Nine Yang True Qi, and tried to imprint the Concept of the first three moves of the "Wudang Long Fist" into it.

The moment his fingertip touched the stone slab, a sudden change occurred—the stone slab spontaneously glowed with a warm light, and a faint fist shadow appeared on the surface, as if someone was practicing inside! Lu Zhao's heart was shocked: this method of Imprint was even more miraculous than he had imagined!