214: Chapter 214 Formation Upgrade and Secret Realm Gathering

Two months' time is but a fleeting moment to an immortal Cultivator.

During this period, definitive news arrived from the front lines of the Yanxia Kingdom—the Black Fiend Cult had completely withdrawn, and the Azure Cloud Sect had successfully occupied all their strongholds in the buffer zone.

Lin Cangchen learned of this news through the bloodline network while he was at his residence in Qianliu City, studying the newly acquired void nether stone.

【Ling Tu: Clan Leader, Cangchen, the border hostilities have been settled. The Black Fiend Cult has fully retreated to the other side of the Qingyun Mountain Range. The Azure Cloud Sect has dispatched a team led by an inner sect deacon at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage to build permanent defensive facilities in the occupied area, with Disciples stationed there for long-term guarding.】

Clan Leader Lin Yaozong looked at the message in the bloodline network and nodded slightly: 【This is excellent. Black Python County can finally be at peace.】

【Ling Tu: Indeed. Now that the border pressure has greatly diminished, I only need to perform periodic maintenance on the Formations. I will have plenty of time to delve into the Dao of Formations.】

Lin Cangchen's eyes lit up as an idea took shape in his mind. He turned to Lin Yaozong and said, "Clan Leader, since there is still time before the Secret Realm opens, I want to return to Black Python Mountain."

“Oh?” Lin Yaozong raised an eyebrow. “For what purpose?”

“To upgrade the Mountain Protection Great Array,” Lin Cangchen said seriously. “The ‘Lesser Five Elements Myriad Manifestation Formation’ at the Black Python Mountain Clan Territory is still only first-tier peak-grade, and its range only covers a radius of ten thousand li. Now that the Family has five Foundation Establishment Cultivators and the clan territory's Spiritual Vein range extends to fifty thousand li, that Formation is long overdue for an upgrade.”

He paused and added, “Furthermore, after reaching Foundation Establishment, my understanding of Formations has deepened. I am fully capable of upgrading the Formation to second-rank mid-grade. If successful, the security of our clan territory will be greatly enhanced.”

Lin Yaozong pondered for a moment before nodding. “Reasonable. However, time is tight with the Secret Realm opening soon. You must manage your time wisely.”

“Don't worry, Clan Leader,” Lin Cangchen smiled. “With Uncle Lingtu’s help, two months is plenty.”

The two reached an agreement. That night, Lin Yaozong opened the temporary entrance to the Secret Realm. Lin Cangchen stepped through, his figure vanishing from the courtyard in Qianliu City.

When he reappeared, he was already in the palace square of the Lin Family's Secret Realm.

“And just like that, I'm back?” Lin Cangchen took a deep breath, feeling the dense Spiritual Qi within the Secret Realm, his mood lifting significantly.

He didn't stay long in the Secret Realm, returning to the Qingshi Town clan territory through the fixed exit before flying straight toward Black Python Mountain on his sword.

Inside the council hall at the Black Python Mountain Clan Territory.

Lin Lingtu was both surprised and delighted to see Lin Cangchen: “Cangchen? Why are you back?”

“I'm back to upgrade the Formation,” Lin Cangchen said bluntly. “Uncle Lingtu, how are the preparations for the Mountain Protection Great Array Materials?”

Lin Lingtu’s eyes brightened: “They’ve been ready for a long time! I was just waiting for you to say the word!”

The two got straight to work. Lin Cangchen first spent three days thoroughly inspecting the original ‘Lesser Five Elements Myriad Manifestation Formation,’ confirming its structure was intact and had sufficient room for upgrades.

“As expected of the Formation you originally designed, Cangchen,” Lin Lingtu praised. “You left so many upgrade interfaces; upgrading it now will be twice as effective with half the effort.”

Lin Cangchen chuckled. “Naturally. I was already thinking about upgrading it once I reached Foundation Establishment.”

The upgrade work officially began. Lin Cangchen was responsible for modifying and strengthening the core Formation runes, while Lin Lingtu assisted in laying out the peripheral Formation bases and adjusting the spiritual power nodes.

The process was not easy. A second-rank mid-grade Formation involved spiritual power circulation far more complex than the first tier; every rune inscription required precision down to the millimeter. Fortunately, the two worked in perfect harmony. Although Lin Lingtu’s Formation skills had not yet broken through to the second rank, his understanding of first-tier Formations had reached the Transcendent level, allowing him to execute Lin Cangchen’s instructions without the slightest error.

A month later, the upgrade of the Formation core was completed.

Lin Cangchen stood at the main Formation eye, his hands forming seals as streaks of spiritual light struck the Formation Plate. In an instant, the entire Black Python Mountain Clan Territory vibrated slightly, and five-colored spiritual light rose from all directions, weaving into a massive net of light in the sky.

“It's done!” Lin Lingtu exclaimed excitedly.

Lin Cangchen, however, did not dare to relax: “It's not over yet. Expanding the range is the main event.”

The original Formation only covered a radius of ten thousand li, while the effective range of the Black Python Mountain second-rank Spiritual Vein was a full fifty thousand li. To expand the Formation's range to the entire Spiritual Vein area, they needed to add a large number of peripheral Formation bases and adjust the spiritual power transmission routes.

This task was even more tedious. The two traversed nearly every corner of Black Python Mountain, burying Formation bases, inscribing runes, and connecting Spiritual Vein nodes.

Lin Lingtu benefited immensely from this process. He had been stuck at the threshold of a first-tier high-grade Formation Master for a long time. Now, witnessing firsthand how Lin Cangchen designed and arranged a second-rank Formation, many previously baffling points suddenly became clear.

Another month passed.

On this day, Lin Cangchen stood atop the main peak of Black Python Mountain, holding a palm-sized Formation Plate. Lin Lingtu stood beside him, his expression tense.

“Activate!”

Lin Cangchen shouted lowly, striking the final hand seal into the Formation Plate.

Hum—

A low rumble echoed from deep underground as five-colored spiritual light soared into the sky, rapidly spreading outward with the main peak as the center. Ten thousand li, twenty thousand, thirty thousand... until it covered every inch of land within a fifty thousand li radius!

In the sky, the power of the Five Elements intertwined and flowed, forming a translucent canopy of light that enveloped the entire Black Python Mountain Clan Territory. Runes flickered occasionally on the surface of the canopy, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.

“The second-rank mid-grade ‘Lesser Five Elements Myriad Manifestation Formation’ is complete!” Lin Cangchen let out a long breath, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Feeling the powerful energy contained within the Formation, Lin Lingtu’s hands shook with excitement: “It’s done! It’s really done! This Formation... even a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator wouldn't be able to gain an advantage!”

“More than that,” Lin Cangchen added, “after expanding the range, I also incorporated an early warning mechanism. If an external enemy invades, the Formation will automatically sound an alarm and can adjust its defensive strength based on the invader's power.”

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” Lin Lingtu praised repeatedly.

The two spent another three days testing the Formation's various functions—the triple effects of defense, entrapment-killing, and illusion all reached second-rank mid-grade standards. It covered the entire Spiritual Vein area, yet spiritual power consumption only increased by thirty percent compared to before, thanks to the spiritual power circulation System Lin Cangchen had meticulously designed.

Once the testing was over, Lin Lingtu suddenly felt a flash of inspiration and sat down cross-legged. Spiritual Qi surged around him, and insights into the Dao of Formations flooded his mind like a tide.

Seeing this, Lin Cangchen smiled slightly and quietly retreated to act as his Protector.

Half an hour later, Lin Lingtu opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them: “I... I've broken through!”

“Congratulations, Uncle Lingtu,” Lin Cangchen laughed. “Becoming a first-tier peak-grade Formation Master is just around the corner.”

“It’s all thanks to your guidance during this time,” Lin Lingtu said sincerely. “If I hadn't seen you set up the Formation with my own eyes, I don't know how much longer I would have been stuck.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

After upgrading the Formation, Lin Cangchen did not stay long at Black Python Mountain. Calculating the time, there were only about ten days left before the Secret Realm opened, and he had to rush back to the Shattered Star Sea.

Before he left, Lin Lingtu handed him a Storage Pouch: “Inside is a batch of newly refined Medicinal Pills and Talismans from the Family, as well as some special Materials I collected from the border. They might come in handy in the Secret Realm.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lingtu.” Lin Cangchen took the Storage Pouch, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Returning to Qianliu City through the Secret Realm passage once again, Lin Cangchen felt as if a lifetime had passed. The busy two months had made him almost forget the passage of time.

When Lin Yaozong saw him return, he looked him up and down and nodded: “Your cultivation is stable, and your expression is composed. It seems this trip went smoothly.”

“More than just smoothly,” Lin Cangchen said proudly. “The Formation has been upgraded to second-rank mid-grade, covering the entire Spiritual Vein range. Uncle Lingtu also took this Opportunity to break through to a first-tier peak-grade Formation Master.”

“Good news.” A look of approval appeared in Lin Yaozong’s eyes. “In that case, the Family's Foundation is even more stable.”

In the following days, the two began final preparations for the Secret Realm trip. Lin Cangchen organized and categorized the Materials Lin Lingtu had given him and refined several sets of portable Formation Plates; Lin Yaozong tallied the Medicinal Pills and Talismans to ensure sufficient supplies.

During this time, news from various parts of the Family kept coming through the bloodline network—Third Elder Lin Yaoqing had completely stabilized his Foundation Establishment Realm and begun participating in Family decision-making; the defense of the Black Python County border had greatly increased due to the Formation upgrade, earning high praise from the Azure Cloud Sect's stationed deacon after his visit; in the Blazing Summer, Lin Lingyu and the others had entered a critical stage in improving the National Fortune Control Method...

Everything was developing for the better.

In the blink of an eye, only five days remained before the Secret Realm opened.

On this morning, a transmission Talisman from the City Lord's Mansion flew into No. 3 Courtyard, Qingyun Alley.

“All token holders, assemble immediately at the City Lord's Mansion square to depart for the Secret Realm entrance together.”

Lin Cangchen put away the transmission Talisman and took a deep breath, a look of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

“Let’s go.” Lin Yaozong pushed open the door and stepped out, wearing a green Daoist robe and carrying a steady aura.

The two walked out of the courtyard side by side and headed toward the City Lord's Mansion.

On the streets, they could occasionally see other Cultivators also rushing toward the City Lord's Mansion. Some looked nervous, some were full of excitement, and some walked in groups, discussing in low voices.

When they arrived at the City Lord's Mansion square, over a hundred Cultivators had already gathered. Lin Cangchen scanned the area and spotted several familiar faces—Big Beard Sun was laughing loudly with a few Cultivators; Liu Ruyue stood alone in a corner, resting with her eyes closed; the brawny man who had traded for his Formation Plate at the trade fair was also there, nodding and smiling when he saw Lin Cangchen.

Deacon Chen stood on the high platform at the front of the square. Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, he said loudly, “Everyone, the assembly is complete. Shortly, spirit boats will carry you to the entrance of the Liubo Island Secret Realm. Before boarding, confirm one last time—do you all have your tokens?”

Everyone reached into their robes or Storage Pouches.

Lin Cangchen also checked his own token—it was palm-sized, made of jade, with the words “Qianliu” carved on the front and complex patterns on the back, faintly rippling with spatial fluctuations.

“Good,” Deacon Chen nodded with satisfaction. “Board the boats!”

To one side of the square, three massive spirit boats slowly rose. Their hulls were covered in runes, and the flag of the City Lord's Mansion hung from the bows.

Lin Cangchen followed the crowd and boarded the middle spirit boat.

Standing on the deck and looking back at the shrinking outline of Qianliu City, a sense of pride surged in his heart.

The Qianliu Secret Realm, a place of Opportunity that opens once every thirty years.

This time, he would certainly return with a full harvest!

The spirit boat tore through the air, speeding toward Liubo Island in the southeast.

The journey to the Secret Realm was about to begin.