Immortality Through Array Formations

A Single Formation starts with drawing Formation Patterns, connecting independent patterns through the Formation Pivot. A Compound Formation, on the other hand, starts with the Formation Pivot, coordinating different Single Formations through the central covenant of the Formation Pivot.

When drawing a Single Formation, the brush can pause slightly, but Divine Sense must not be broken.

If Divine Sense breaks, the mystery of the Heavenly Dao inherent in the Formation will not be connected, the Drawing Formation will fail, and the drawn Formation Patterns will be voided.

According to Mr. Zhuang, Formation Masters call this “Creation with a Single Thought.”

That is, with an unbroken Divine Thought, the Formation is drawn out in one breath.

A Single Formation must be created with a single thought, whereas a Compound Formation is different; it does not need to be entirely made in one breath.

Otherwise, a Compound Formation, which includes several Single Formations and possibly dozens of Formation Patterns, would be impossible for a Qi Refinement Realm Cultivator to draw in one session.

A Compound Formation is a concept conceived by Ancient Cultivators as they contemplated creation, designed to circumvent the upper limits of Divine Sense of Cultivators and to enhance the effectiveness of Formations.

Cultivators, when unable to increase Divine Sense or comprehend more Formation Patterns, connect single Formations to achieve a stronger effect.

This is the essence of a Compound Formation.

Therefore, a Compound Formation is relatively about gathering and scattering. Within the Compound Formation, only the Divine Thought within the Formation Pivot and each Single Formation needs to be continuous; the entire Compound Formation does not require creation with a single thought.

Mo Hua’s Divine Sense shadow stood in front of the Taoist Stele, using a finger as a brush, beginning to draw the pivot of the Compass Parent-Child Formation.

The brushwork of the Formation Pivot differs from the Formation Patterns, as it needs to guide Spiritual Power and lead the Formation; hence, the strokes are bolder, structures more stable, and it requires more Divine Sense.

The highest Single Formation contained within the Compass Parent-Child Compound Formation has eight Formation Patterns. Therefore, the Divine Sense required for its Formation Pivot must be no less than that of eight Formation Patterns.

Although it does not reach nine Formation Patterns, it consumes more Divine Sense than the usual eight Formation Patterns.

Mo Hua’s Divine Sense was just sufficient to draw this Formation Pivot, but it was somewhat strained.

Once the Formation Pivot is drawn, subsequent Formations still need to be drawn. They cannot be erased, and Divine Sense cannot be retracted; thus, Mo Hua could only sit and meditate, waiting for his Divine Sense to slowly recover.

This was Mo Hua’s first time using a Meditation Technique in the Sea of Consciousness.

Entering Mental Concentration and calming the mind were easier when inside than outside, and there seemed to be a faint resonance with the Taoist Stele.

Within the Divine Thought, he could sense a primordial aura of the Great Dao.

But upon delving deeper, there was nothing to be found.

Mo Hua frowned, not quite understanding.

Moments later, he stopped pondering and focused on meditating to restore his Divine Sense.

Before long, his Divine Sense became full again, which recovered much faster than during outside meditation.

He wondered if this was due to the Sea of Consciousness or the effect of the Taoist Stele.

Mo Hua, with abundant Divine Thoughts, continued drawing the Formation.

Once the Formation Pivot was complete, what needed to be drawn next was the Compass Mother Formation and Child Formations at specific positions according to the framework of the Formation Pivot.

The Compass Mother Formation includes eight Formation Patterns, a Gold-series Formation Method, and a common structure in the Five Elements Formation methods, not difficult to draw. Mo Hua studied it for a while and was able to replicate it.

The Compass Child Formation consists of three Formation Patterns, which is even simpler. Mo Hua could understand how to draw it with just a glance.

Mo Hua started drawing with practiced ease, and half an hour later, the Compass Parent-Child Compound Formation was completely outlined.

The entire Formation was more complex than any Mo Hua had previously drawn, yet it possessed an intricate and profound beauty.

This is the Compound Formation indeed…

Mo Hua became lost in thought, gazing at it several more times, feeling impressed.

Indeed, it’s more intriguing to draw more challenging Formations.

The principle of the Compass Parent-Child Formation is the interaction between the parent and child formations; when the Child Formation senses a fluctuation in Spiritual Power, the Mother Formation will react.

Mo Hua’s Divine Thought flickered, activating the Child Formation. In just a moment, a point on the Mother Formation also began to glow. The glowing point corresponded to the activated Compass Child Formation.

It was successful!

Mo Hua’s spirits lifted, his face showing joy, but then his brow furrowed again.

Although the Formation was successful, many key points were still unclear to him.

For instance, what exactly was the Formation Pivot, what role did it play, why did the Mother Formation resonate when the Child Formation was activated, and what changes would occur in other Single Formations within other Compound Formations…

“It seems that I have to ask Mr. Zhuang,” he thought.

Then, taking advantage of the predawn darkness, Mo Hua practiced the Compass Compound Formation several more times on the Taoist Stele.

Early the next day, Mo Hua brought some pastries, wild fruit, liquor, and pine nuts, and went to see Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang’s taste had recently become simpler, preferring a vegetarian diet, saying it was to “purify the heart and reduce desires.”

But isn’t the desire to eat vegetarian also a kind of “desire”?

Mo Hua didn’t understand, but tactfully didn’t ask.

“Have you learned it?”

Sipping his wine leisurely, Mr. Zhuang asked.

Mo Hua nodded his head, “Yes, I have!”

Mr. Zhuang’s eyelids twitched slightly.

He learned so fast…

It’s been just one night, hasn’t it?

“Disciple still has some questions and would like to ask for the teacher’s guidance,” Mo Hua said respectfully and obediently.

Curious, Mr. Zhuang asked, “What would you like to ask?”

Mo Hua repeated some of the important doubts he had while drawing the Compass Compound Formation last night.

Mr. Zhuang’s slender fingers rested on the bamboo chair, tapping lightly a few times, pondering before he asked back:

“What do you think the Formation Pivot is?”

Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, “Is it a type of Formation structure?”

“Yes, but also not quite right.”

Mo Hua didn’t understand.

Mr. Zhuang said, “The Formation Pivot of a Single Formation is a kind of Formation structure, but the Formation Pivot of a Compound Formation, is more like a type of Formation itself.”

“A Formation?”

“Correct, you can see it as a special kind of Formation, with directional and functional structural properties.”

Mo Hua thought deeply, then slowly nodded and asked further, “Disciple understands the directionality, but what specifically are the functions of a Formation Pivot?”

“The Formation Pivot is the crux of the Compound Formation, capable of controlling the Spiritual Power within the Formation, binding different Single Formations, coordinating all the Formation Patterns, each with varying functions, but the most common are controlling the opening and closing of Spiritual Power, its sequence, Mutual Attraction and Repulsion, Strong Inhibition, Gathering and Scattering…”

Mo Hua listened until his head spun, his little eyebrows furrowing together.

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but laugh and said, “To put it simply, it is to control the sequence of Spiritual Power movement within the Compound Formation, its activation and rest, Mutual Attraction and Repulsion, enhancement and inhibition, concentration and dispersal, etc.”

Mo Hua understood a bit more and then said:

“Like the Compass Parent-Child Formation, it uses the magnetic properties of Mutual Attraction and Repulsion of Golden Series Spiritual Power, so when the Child Formation moves, the Mother Formation reacts accordingly…”

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, then he said, “I once repaired an Alchemy Furnace for Old Mr. Feng, and the Formation inside was a Wood-Fire Control Spirit Compound Formation; wood generates fire, using the Wood series Single Formation to amplify the Fire-series Single Formation, does this count as ‘Strong’ within the ‘Strong Inhibition’ of the Formation Pivot?”

Mr. Zhuang nodded in approval.

Mo Hua thought again, but then he couldn’t think of anything else, as he hadn’t come into contact with other Compound Formations.

Frowning, Mo Hua pondered for a moment before another question arose:

“Teacher, what about a Large Formation?”

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze sharpened, and his expression turned serious as he said slowly:

“Do you wish to learn about Large Formations…”

Mo Hua, somewhat confused, replied, “Can’t one learn Large Formations?”

Mr. Zhuang paused, raised his eyebrows with a chuckle, and said:

“Yes, all are Formations, why would there be anything one can’t learn.”

Mo Hua’s face showed anticipation.

Mr. Zhuang gently tapped Mo Hua’s forehead, “Don’t aim too high for now; learn what’s before you well, there’s still time for Large Formations!”

“Oh,” Mo Hua said, covering his head.

“Off you go, study well,” Mr. Zhuang said with a gentle look, lightly dusting off his sleeve.

“Yes! Teacher, please rest well, your disciple takes his leave.”

Mo Hua nodded, bowed respectfully, then under Mr. Zhuang’s gaze, he left the bamboo chamber.