84: Chapter 84: "Battle" with Master at night, studying formations during the day.

For the next few days, Xu Ruyu's life seemed to fall into a fixed rhythm—

During the day, he commuted between Ningyin Hall and the Hall of Power Transmission, absorbing knowledge from the vast Jade Slips in the Pavilion of Miscellaneous Arts; at night, he “immersed himself in dreams,” engaging in silent yet fierce secret confrontations with that elusive Sect Master Revered Master.

His Cultivation steadily and firmly increased, and his control over Taixu True Qi became more refined. More importantly, the confidence in his heart, that sense of “having nothing to fear,” deepened and solidified with each exasperated and helpless departure of Xiao Nianyin.

On this day, after roughly perusing a few scrolls of basic Artifact Refining Materials atlases, Xu Ruyu's thoughts were drawn back to the Formation area.

He always felt that his exploration of the Dao of Formations had only just begun. While those basic Spirit Gathering, Protective, and Maze Formations were practical, they seemed to lack a certain... “proactiveness” and “targeting.” In an environment like the Hehuan Sect, pure defense might not be enough.

His gaze wandered over the bookshelves, finally stopping at a somewhat remote corner in the C-section, where many obscure, uncommon, or considered impractical and difficult-to-Cultivate Formation classics were piled.

Xu Ruyu walked over casually, his fingers brushing against the slightly worn Jade Slip labels.

“Thousand Spider Entanglement Array,” “Corroding Bone Poison Mist Array,” “Bewitching Inversion Array”...

The names were increasingly bizarre, and their effects were mostly insidious control or direct damage, clearly not conforming to the aesthetics of “reputable orthodox Sects.” However, even within Demonic Path Sects, they didn't seem to be top-tier, hence their placement here.

Just as he was about to shift his gaze, a dark red Jade Slip with some scorched marks on its edges caught his attention.

The label was inscribed with ancient characters— “Blazing Fire Illusion Array.”

Blazing Fire? Illusion Array? This combination was interesting.

Typically, Illusion Arrays focused on confusion and trapping enemies, so directly naming it “Blazing Fire” seemed a bit straightforward, even crude.

Xu Ruyu felt curious, took it down, and immersed his Divine Sense into it.

The opening summary made him raise an eyebrow:

“The Blazing Fire Illusion Array does not burn enemies with true fire, but rather ignites inner fire with illusions.

This Formation is simple to set up, requires little expenditure, yet its effects are bizarre and wondrous.

When the Formation is complete, it can subtly connect with the mind of those who enter, drawing out their deepest desires, obsessions, or fears, transforming intangible inner fire into tangible illusions, causing the enemy to drown in a purgatory forged by their own thoughts, or be consumed by a sea of desire, or driven mad by terror, or become a demon due to obsession...

Those with insufficient Cultivation or weak willpower are extremely prone to losing control of their minds, having their magical power become chaotic, or even damaging their Dao foundation. Use with caution.”

Stirring inner thoughts? Transforming inner fire into illusions? A thoughtful glint flashed in Xu Ruyu's eyes.

The principle of this Formation sounded more like Advanced psychological suggestion combined with Spiritual Qi illusionary techniques, directly affecting the mental plane.

The so-called “Blazing Fire” referred to the agitated and burning inner desires or emotions, with the Formation merely providing a medium to “ignite” and “amplify” them.

“Interesting.”

Xu Ruyu murmured to himself.

This was practically “tailor-made” for certain Cultivation paths within the Hehuan Sect, or for the potential predicament he currently faced.

Which Hehuan Sect Disciple, especially those who Cultivated harvesting and charm techniques, didn't harbor intense desires or obsessions in their hearts?

Even someone seemingly as aloof as Xiao Nianyin, her deep-seated craving for power and unwillingness to lose control, wasn't that also a kind of “inner fire”?

He continued to study. The Formation setup was indeed not complicated, the core lay in the combination of several Materials that could slightly affect the frequency of Spiritual Qi fluctuations and possessed weak mind-bewitching properties (such as “Confusing Mind Stone Powder,” “Dream Vine Sap,” etc.), as well as a set of not overly complex but precisely guided basic Formation patterns requiring mental power.

The difficulty lay in grasping the “stirring inner thoughts” aspect, which required the caster to have a profound understanding of the Formation's principles and to skillfully integrate a trace of their own Spiritual Sense (or a preset trigger condition) into the Formation's core, enabling it to precisely capture and amplify specific emotional fluctuations.

“Using Spiritual Sense as a guide, Formation patterns as channels, and Materials as a medium, resonating with their hearts, manifesting their thoughts...”

Xu Ruyu muttered the core incantation from the Jade Slip, while his mind rapidly made cross-disciplinary analogies.

“Isn't this a 'directional mental amplifier' or 'emotional resonator' based on Spiritual Qi energy?

Through a specific frequency Spiritual Qi field, it resonates with the parts of the target's brainwaves (or Divine Sense fluctuations) representing strong desires or fears, and amplifies this feedback into sensory illusions...”

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He even began to deconstruct the process using his knowledge of psychology and neuroscience from his previous life: “Strong desires or fears must be accompanied by significant Divine Sense fluctuation characteristics.

The Formation 'records' or 'sets' the 'keys' to trigger these characteristics in advance. Once matched, the illusion generation module activates...

Hmm, perhaps conditional judgments could also be added, presenting different illusions for different types of 'inner fire' to enhance targeting.”

For the next period, Xu Ruyu was completely immersed in the study of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array.

He not only memorized the Formation diagrams, Material ratios, and Spiritual Power guidance routes, but also focused on understanding its intrinsic mechanism of “connecting with the mind.”

Whenever he encountered an obscure passage, he would cross-reference it with the Jade Slips he had previously studied, such as “Basic Illusionary Technique Principles,” “Shallow Analysis of Spiritual Qi Fluctuations,” and “Initial Exploration of Divine Sense,” using his unique, scientifically logical thinking to deduce.

Unconsciously, several hours passed.

When Xu Ruyu looked up again, his eyes were clear, even carrying a hint of sharp, eager light.

He had basically mastered the setup method and core essentials of this Illusion Array.

Although limited by his own Cultivation and Materials, what he could currently set up might only be a minimal, simplified version with a small coverage area, and its activation might require the target to be defenseless or in a state of intense mental fluctuation, its ingenious principle and potential lethality (especially against those with weak willpower and deep desires) already satisfied him greatly.

“Perhaps... it doesn't need to be set up as a completely fixed Formation.”

Xu Ruyu stroked his chin, a new idea emerging: “Could I try to miniaturize it, make it portable, or even instant-cast?

For example, refine a few 'Illusion Array Talisman Orbs' containing simplified Formation patterns and Materials, and crush them at a critical moment to activate a small-range, instantaneous 'Inner Fire Illusion Realm'?

Not seeking to trap the enemy for long, but merely to deliver a heavy blow to their mind at the most unexpected and closest moment. Even if it only causes momentary distraction or chaotic magical power, it would be enough to create an opportunity...”

This thought made his heart beat slightly faster.

If successful, this would become a secret and effective trump card for him, especially suitable for dealing with those who tried to approach him for “harvesting” or control.

He firmly memorized the content of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array Jade Slip, then returned it to its original place, leaving no unusual traces.

As he left the Pavilion of Miscellaneous Arts, his steps were more steady and powerful than usual.

Passing by the managing old man, the elder, who had been feigning sleep, suddenly opened his eyes. His cloudy gaze swept over Xu Ruyu, and he spoke slowly: “Boy, those obscure trinkets in the C-section, you can look, but don't try them easily.

Some things, when they backlash, are more terrifying than enemies.”

Xu Ruyu's heart tightened. He respectfully bowed: “Thank you, Senior, for the reminder. This Disciple is merely broadening his horizons and will certainly be cautious.”

The old man grunted, said no more, and closed his eyes again.

Xu Ruyu walked out of the Hall of Power Transmission, the setting sun casting a faint golden hue on his moon-white Disciple robes.

He looked at the red sun gradually setting in the sky, his eyes deep.

The essence of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array was already in his mind.

Next, it was a matter of finding suitable Materials, conducting practical deductions, and waiting for the right moment.

Those who coveted his Cauldron status and tried to treat him as Cultivation resources... might soon personally experience the taste of “Inner Fire Self-Immolation.”

He subtly curved his lips, the arc cold and reserved, then quickly concealed it, returning to his usual gentle and reserved demeanor, stepping into the flow of people descending the mountain.

Deep in his mind, various ideas for a miniaturized “Inner Fire Illusion Array” were quietly taking shape.