txolops Chapter 67 Core Formation Stage Appears
Chapter 67 Core Formation Stage Appears
What Zhang Tie didn't know was that while he was in seclusion studying formations, two Core Formation cultivators were discussing him in a cave at the summit of Lingxian Peak.
"You're saying that kid already discovered those giant rats in the spirit stone mine? That makes sense. With his soul power comparable to the late Foundation Establishment stage, how could he not have noticed?"
"Not only that!" Qi Xuan put down his teacup, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Master, you know about the Xie family's affairs on Spirit Beast Peak, right?"
"I think I heard Qiu Yue mention it, that a few Foundation Establishment cultivators died. What? Is this related to that kid?" Han Jianshan asked in surprise.
"Hahaha, Master, you guessed right, it was this brat who did it!"
Han Jianshan paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "He, a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator, can kill four Foundation Establishment cultivators? I remember one of them was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Tianque Fortress, right?"
"Master, you have no idea how capable this kid is. Not only does he possess three top-tier magic artifacts, but he's also a master of formations! Although he's only just broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, his strength is definitely among the best in that category!"
"Moreover, I've been secretly observing this kid all along. He's meticulous, leaves no room for error in his actions, and is decisive in killing. His only flaw is that he's too ruthless. He didn't leave behind a single spirit stone ore; he took them all!" Qi Xuan said, then burst out laughing.
Han Jianshan laughed as well: "Being ruthless doesn't necessarily mean you have any flaws. In the cultivation world, cultivators who aren't ruthless don't live long or go far!"
"These are turbulent times. I don't know if it's right or wrong to drag this kid into this. But if it works out, it will be a stroke of luck for him!" Han Jianshan murmured, and Qi Xuan also fell silent.
"The tentacles of the demonic path have already reached the Cheqi Kingdom. Several major sects in the Cheqi Kingdom have either died or fled. It will probably soon affect the Yue Kingdom as well. The two patriarchs have also emerged from seclusion and will likely summon us soon to discuss important matters. We Core Formation cultivators also need to prepare in advance!"
"Zhang Tie, that kid, has mastered my Spirit-Seeking Technique. He has good talent, and his methods and aptitude are decent. Let's find some time to have him come see me!" Han Jianshan said.
Qi Xuan nodded, understanding that his master was preparing to formally accept a disciple, but he wasn't sure whether it would be a blessing or a curse for that kid...
Zhang Tie spent two months studying the formation in his cave.
In the past two months, Zhang Tie has thoroughly mastered the second-order formations in the "Celestial Star Secret Formation Record".
However, formations and spells cannot be used directly after learning them; you also need formation flags and formation plates. Otherwise, even the most powerful formations in your mind will be useless.
During this period, Zhang Tie left the seclusion several times and spent a lot of spirit stones to buy all the materials needed to set up the Earth Rock Array and the Four Symbols Demon Suppression Array in the Spirit Beast Mountain Market.
The Four Symbols Demon Suppression Formation requires four array flags, while the Earthy Rock Formation requires five. Zhang Tie still has the Heavenly Star Wood he had left over, which is more than enough for second-tier array flags.
They then used level-two demon beast hides to make the flags, engraved array patterns on them, and after two months of hard work, finally completed the crafting of both arrays.
The array flags of the Earth Rock Array are earth-yellow in color. Once activated, the array forms a solid spiritual energy barrier and can absorb earth spiritual energy to strengthen the array, making it more than capable of resisting attacks from mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Four Symbols Demon-Suppressing Formation consists of four colors: blue, red, white, and black, corresponding to the four symbols of Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise. Once the formation is complete, it can unleash the power of the four symbols to attack enemies, comparable to the power of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, which is extremely impressive.
These two formations are more than enough for daily combat, but Zhang Tie values the Yin-Yang Locking God Formation the most.
This formation is the strongest formation recorded in the "Celestial Star Secret Formation Record". Zhang Tie took stock of his belongings.
He still had some Heavenly Star Wood left, enough to make the nine array flags for the Yin-Yang Locking God Array, as well as the required demon beast essence blood. He had quite a bit on hand, including level two Scorpion-tailed Beasts, Iron-toothed Rat Kings, and Blood Lions, which he hadn't used up yet.
He also bought spirit silk made from spirit silkworm silk in the market for two hundred spirit stones, and gradually collected other second-tier materials.
However, the most crucial items were the Yin-Yang Stone and the Soul-Nourishing Crystal. He still had one Soul-Nourishing Crystal, but he needed to try his luck at the market to find the Yin-Yang Stone. In the end, he found two egg-sized stones in an inconspicuous materials shop and spent three hundred spirit stones.
"It cost me almost 1,200 spirit stones to gather all these materials!!!" Zhang Tie thought to himself, "Formation stuff really burns through spirit stones!"
Including the production of the nine array flags and the materials such as Soul Nourishing Crystals, this array, if you really calculate it, is worth two thousand spirit stones!
The total wealth of a Foundation Establishment late stage or even Great Perfection cultivator is probably around this amount!
But Zhang Tie didn't feel any heartache. The Yin-Yang Locking God Formation was his biggest trump card. Spirit stones could be earned back, but he only had one life.
The materials for the array flags have been gathered, but Zhang Tie is still hesitant about the core of the array base.
The Yin-Yang Locking God Formation requires a powerful array base to support the flow of spiritual energy. Ordinary magic tools are not enough; at least a high-grade magic tool is needed.
In addition to his original three top-tier magical artifacts—the Azure Gang Pagoda, the Azure Wood True Shield, and the Golden Locking Ring—he now possesses a top-tier magical artifact, the Breaking Army Blade, which he seized from Mad Blade.
There weren't many high-grade magical artifacts; only a longsword, a halberd, and a Shadow Claw, all spoils of war obtained in a battle against the Xie family.
Logically speaking, the most suitable material for the array base should be the Azure Gang Tower, but the Azure Gang Tower is the best top-tier magic weapon in his possession. It combines offense and defense and can release a troublesome binding force, so it cannot be used as the array base.
The Aoki True Shield is a purely defensive magical artifact, but it can play a significant role in crucial moments.
The higher the quality of the array base, the more powerful the Yin-Yang Locking God Array will be. Most of the other magic artifacts are offensive magic artifacts, and Zhang Tie doesn't quite like the high-grade ones, so there are only two choices left.
Both the Locking Ring and the Breaking Army Blade are top-tier magical artifacts; choose one.
The Broken Army Blade is an offensive magic weapon. When the formation base wastes its offensive power, the Locking Gold Ring is both offensive and defensive, but the Azure Gang Tower, which has the same function, already exists.
"Let's use the Locking Ring!" Zhang Tie made his decision.
As for the array's core, the Soul Nourishing Crystal is the perfect choice, as it inherently contains powerful divine soul energy, which can greatly enhance the array's power as the core.
With everything ready, Zhang Tie prepared the materials and was about to start making the array flags when he suddenly sensed that there was another person outside the cave.
Zhang Tie was startled. With his late-stage Foundation Establishment level divine sense, he couldn't detect when this person had arrived. It was as if the person had appeared out of thin air!
Zhang Tie quickly put all the array materials back into his storage bag, opened the restriction, and left the cave.
When Zhang Tie left the cave and saw the person standing in front of it, he suddenly felt that the person looked somewhat familiar.
That's right! Lingyuan Pavilion!!!
Isn't this the middle-aged cultivator behind the counter of Lingyuan Pavilion?
When Zhang Tie broke through to Foundation Establishment and went to rent a cultivation room, it was this person who received him. Before he came out of seclusion, this person jumped directly from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. Now he is in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and his soul is comparable to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but he still can't see through the realm of the person in front of him.
"Disciple Zhang Tie greets Senior!" Zhang Tie clasped his hands in greeting, trying his best to keep his voice steady, but in his heart he was wondering what this mysterious senior wanted to see him about!
Qi Xuan did not respond to Zhang Tie, but instead reached out and grabbed Zhang Tie's shoulder.
Zhang Tie's body stiffened abruptly. He was about to resist, but found that his spiritual power was as if it had been sealed, and he couldn't mobilize it at all.
Ignoring Zhang Tie's little tricks, Qi Xuan transformed into a golden streak of light and flew towards the summit of Lingxian Peak with Zhang Tie in his arms.
Zhang Tie felt a blur before his eyes and heard the wind whistling in his ears. When he came to his senses, he was already standing on the summit of Lingxian Peak.
The summit is shrouded in mist and the spiritual energy is extremely rich. Underfoot is a platform paved with a single piece of bluestone, and not far away is an inconspicuous pavilion.