Yin Qing began researching the Five Elements Sect’s mountain protection formation.

But this formation, after all, is a grade two formation, a grade two great formation. Yin Qing has no foundation at all, and truly researching it is still very strenuous.

However, after pondering for a long time, Yin Qing also saw a bit of a way.

Grade two formations are different from grade one formations.

Their array patterns are more complex, more profound, the spiritual power used to activate the formation is also stronger, and the essence of the spiritual power flowing within the formation also has an essential difference from grade one formations.

This difference is somewhat similar to the difference between Qi Refining spiritual power and Foundation Establishment spiritual power.

Qi Refining spiritual power is still Qi.

Foundation Establishment spiritual power, however, is like mercury.

Spiritual power like mercury, meaning like quicksilver in general, condensed into liquid.

The spiritual power of a grade two great formation is precisely like this.

Divine Sense derivation and calculation are also ineffective.

Although Yin Qing already has a peak of thirteen patterns Divine Sense, reaching the limit of the early stage of Foundation Establishment, it is because grade two formations and grade one formations have qualitative differences in their array patterns.

So after deriving and calculating, the array patterns that appear in the Sea of Consciousness are a clump of deep, complex, dense patterns, which are fundamentally unclear what they mean.

Fortunately, although the array patterns are not easy to understand, the structure of the formation hubs is broadly interconnected.

Yin Qing cannot deduce the specific array patterns, but by analogy with the Five Elements Demon Slaying Great Formation, and according to experience, deducing the basic pattern of the grade two Five Elements Mountain Protection Great Formation is still possible.

After spending several days, Yin Qing superficially tasted and stopped, roughly understanding the skeleton of the Mountain Protection Great Formation.

But more specific, more in-depth array details, Yin Qing just doesn’t know.

However, these are also enough.

At least Yin Qing has an initial grasp and understanding of the Five Elements Mountain Protection Great Formation.

The Five Elements Mountain Protection Great Formation, as its name suggests, is mainly defensive.

The many single formations connected to the great formation, the overwhelming majority of them, are all grade two formations of the Five Elements earth, wood, and metal systems.

The purpose is to reinforce the sect, shelter the disciples, and resist external enemies.

As Mr. Zhuang said, in a grade three state boundary, to build such a grade two great formation, no matter what kind of forces come to attack, as long as the great formation is activated, one can basically stand on undefeated ground.

There is a cultivation limit imposed by the Heavenly Dao great formation.

Within the grade three state boundary, with Yin Qing’s limited cultivation experience, he cannot think of any way to break this Mountain Protection Great Formation.

Additionally, Yin Qing also discovered a problem.

This great formation seems to have been renovated before.

When the Five Elements Sect greatly expanded their earth and wood, built cave mansions and palaces, and moved the sect’s foundation, it naturally also affected the great formation.

Now this Five Elements Mountain Protection Great Formation, it seems that many places have been modified.

Yin Qing went to ask Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang also nodded and sighed:

“That’s right, the formation left by their ancestors, they don’t know how to cherish it ah…”

Mr. Zhuang then looked at Yin Qing again and asked:

“How’s the research going?”

Yin Qing then told Mr. Zhuang about the array patterns, array hubs, and some array structure matters that he had pondered over.

Mr. Zhuang nodded and praised:

“Not bad at all.”

Yin Qing chuckled.

Mr. Zhuang asked again: “Do you still remember the life gate?”

Yin Qing thought for a bit and nodded.

He remembered Mr. Zhuang saying that the principle of formations is that where there is life, there is death, and where there is death, there is also life.

When collapsing a formation through a reverse spirit array, that is the “death” within the formation principle, and within the death realm of the formation’s collapse, there also exists a line of life, which is the “life gate” within the formation.

Thinking of this, Yin Qing was startled and quietly said:

“Master, you don’t want to collapse the Five Elements Sect’s great formation, do you…”

Mr. Zhuang was startled and couldn’t help but laugh:

“Where are you thinking… Collapsing a formation kills too much and harms the harmony of heaven, how can it be used so casually.”

Mr. Zhuang drew a mountain map on paper, and along the mountain range, he outlined several lines and instructed:

“This is the main trunk of the Five Elements Mountain Protection Great Formation, the veins of the array hub, remember it.”

“When the formation flows, there will be a life gate above the array hub.”

“Although this small section is a grade two array hub, its pattern is similar to the Five Elements Demon Slaying Great Formation, and your Divine Sense is also sufficient, you should be able to deduce the life gate yourself…”

“Okay, Master.” Yin Qing nodded.

But he had some doubts in his heart.

Why did Master ask him to deduce the “life gate”?

Yin Qing thought for a bit and said with some worry:

“Master, is it that the Five Elements Sect wants to use the great formation to deal with us?”

Mr. Zhuang was slightly startled, and touched Yin Qing’s head, “Don’t worry, it’s just preparation in advance, that’s all.”

Seeing that Yin Qing was still a little uneasy, Mr. Zhuang explained:

“Grade two great formations are not found everywhere, opportunities are rare, I just borrow this opportunity to teach you some key points of grade two great formations…”

Yin Qing’s eyes brightened slightly, and he said gratefully:

“Thank you, Master!”

Mr. Zhuang nodded gladly, and then imparted some more key points of grade two great formations.

There was no specific drawing method, only some concepts about array hubs, array eyes, and some large macroscopic directions.

Yin Qing listened with relish.

He had already constructed a grade one great formation before.

Grade two great formations, not involving specific arrays, purely from the perspective of formation principles, can also be understood.

He just didn’t know if he would have the opportunity to truly construct a grade two great formation later.

After Mr. Zhuang finished teaching, he instructed:

“Remember these words well, and if you have free time, think about them more, and go look at the Five Elements Sect’s great formation again, and verify them yourself.”

“And that section of the array hub that I outlined, you must deduce and calculate it more, and find the life gate.”

Mr. Zhuang’s expression was somewhat serious.

Yin Qing didn’t understand why, but he still nodded seriously.

After that, Yin Qing followed Mr. Zhuang’s teachings and began to observe the Five Elements Sect’s grade two great formation.

At the same time, whenever he had free time, he began to deduce and calculate the section of the great formation array hub at the waist of the mountain that Mr. Zhuang had pointed out.

From the constantly flowing array hub, he sought that ever-changing life gate…

After Yin Qing had observed almost everything and had also become proficient in deduction and calculation, Mr. Zhuang then summoned Sect Master Liao and instructed:

“We’ve rested well, you can fulfill the agreement.”

Sect Master Liao was startled.

Agreement…

Naturally, it refers to the agreement to let Mr. Zhuang’s disciple learn the Five Elements Absolute Formation.

Sect Master Liao said with a smile: “There’s still plenty of time, Senior doesn’t mind resting a few more days, I still need to discuss this matter with the inner sect elders again…”

Mr. Zhuang said faintly:

“My words are a notification, not a discussion.”

Sect Master Liao, with a thick face, still wanted to delay, but suddenly his heart sank, and he looked up to see that Mr. Zhuang’s gaze was restrained, and his whole person was like a peerless sharp sword, with a majestic and unyielding momentum.

There was no spiritual power fluctuation, no traces of magic.

But there was an extremely strong oppressive feeling.

It made him unable to resist in the slightest.

Mr. Zhuang’s eyes also seemed to contain ten thousand sword lights, as if they could directly see through Sect Master Liao’s details, making his heart tremble with alarm, lowering his head and bowing, not daring to look directly.

After a moment, everything dispersed like smoke.

No momentum, no oppression.

The cool breeze blew, leaving nothing behind.

Sect Master Liao, however, was covered in cold sweat and said trembling:

“Senior, quell your anger, junior… I’ll… report to the Great Elder now…”

Sect Master Liao retreated in alarm, and then returned to his mountain cave mansion to report the matter to the Great Elder.

The Great Elder angrily slapped the table, “Bullying people too much!”

“Divine Sense pressure!”

“Do you really think there’s no one in my Five Elements Sect?!”

Sect Master Liao silently said in his heart, in my Five Elements Sect, there might just be no one…

But in his heart, he couldn’t feel a trace of resentment.

He just didn’t understand.

That person clearly had no spiritual power, and his Sea of Consciousness was also broken, why could he still have such terrifying Divine Sense pressure?

It seemed that he didn’t need to do anything at all, just looking at him once, he would feel like his heart and gall would burst and he would die!

Sect Master Liao had a lingering fear in his heart.

This was when that person had fallen, and his cultivation strength was less than one-tenth of what it was. If he was in his prime, what kind of powerful demeanor would he have…

No wonder so many people had to be so careful and scheming to deal with him…

This person is truly terrifying!

Sect Master Liao calmed down his mood and asked about the proper matter:

“Great Elder, what should we do now?”

The Great Elder glanced at Sect Master Liao with a faint, expressionless look, but his heart was irritable:

“As soon as something happens, you just ask what to do, where is there even half a trace of a sect master’s appearance?”

“Like this, how can you shoulder great responsibility and revitalize the Five Elements Sect?”

The Great Elder said: “Drag it out…”

Before he finished speaking, Sect Master Liao interrupted with a bitter smile: “We can’t drag it out…”

That person looked at him once, and his heart trembled with alarm.

If he dragged it out again, and he was looked at several more times, he estimated that even if his heart and gall didn’t burst, his Dao Heart would shatter.

How could he dare to drag it out?

The Great Elder frowned.

Sect Master Liao stood aside, not daring to breathe, and after a moment, he slowly said:

“Or, just let them learn?”

“No!”

The Great Elder said resolutely.

He looked at Sect Master Liao, his gaze icy, “Absolutely cannot let them learn!”

“I said, this lineage of formations, even if it rots, it can only rot within our Five Elements Sect!”

“Even if no one learns it, even if it is lost as a result, it cannot fall into the hands of outsiders!”

Sect Master Liao was a little difficult, “Then…”

He couldn’t let them learn, but he also didn’t dare to truly not let them learn.

Their Five Elements Sect might not be able to offend that person…

The Great Elder also knew the difficulty of this matter, and his turbid gaze flickered slightly, “We’ll set some tests.”

Tests?

Sect Master Liao hesitated: “There doesn’t seem to be this rule within the sect…”

“There is now.” The Great Elder said indifferently.

He is indeed the Great Elder, having lived a long time, with a thick face.

Sect Master Liao inwardly criticized him, and then asked:

“But this test… how to test? Who to test? Test Mr. Zhuang, or his disciple?”

The Great Elder’s gaze turned cold, “Can’t you use your brain? That person surnamed Zhuang… who can test him? Who is qualified to test him?”

Sect Master Liao’s gaze was slightly cold, but he wasn’t angry, he just nodded slightly.

That’s just testing his disciple.

“Great Elder, what do you plan… how to test?”

The Great Elder said in a deep voice: “Open a Dao discussion meeting.”

“Dao discussion meeting… compare formations then?”

The Great Elder nodded.

Sect Master Liao hesitated, “But, who will compare?”

The Great Elder frowned and said:

“The elders and instructors within the sect are definitely not, this is clearly bullying the small with the big, that person surnamed Zhuang will definitely not agree, since that’s the case… we can only compare formations between disciples.”

“Let the inner sect disciples compare…”

“That person’s disciple must surpass all the inner sect disciples of our Five Elements Sect in terms of formations, then he can go and learn our Five Elements Sect’s town sect formation, the Five Elements Spirit Formation!”

Sect Master Liao said lightly: “Great Elder, are you serious?”

The Great Elder’s expression was displeased.

Sect Master Liao reminded him: “Not to mention others, his junior disciple is already a grade one array master…”

A genuine grade one array master ah…

Currently, no one among the inner sect disciples of the Five Elements Sect can reach grade one just by Qi Refining.

How can they compare?

Do you want him to publicly slap the face of our Five Elements Sect?

Or put your face up for him to hit…

Sect Master Liao was somewhat speechless.

The Great Elder, however, shook his head, “Otherwise!”

Sect Master Liao didn’t understand.

The Great Elder countered: “Aren’t there some disciples in the inner sect who already have grade one level, but have repeatedly failed to rank up?”

Sect Master Liao nodded, “Yes.”

The Great Elder breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good then.”

Sect Master Liao asked: “Your meaning is…”

The Great Elder pondered: “The Dao Court’s ranking has a quota limit, and the water inside is both deep and shallow.”

“Some places are remote, with few array masters, so the ranking is a bit more lenient, and the standards of array masters are also somewhat lacking.”

“And some family disciples, young cultivators, for the sake of a genius name, use connections and pull strings, even if their standard is a bit poor, they can still be escorted to grade one.”

“This kind of grade one, mixed with water, is just more common.”

Sect Master Liao frowned, “You mean, that young array master surnamed Mo is this kind of grade one array master?”

The Great Elder slowly nodded, “Even if he didn’t go through the back door, he probably ranked up in a remote small place.”

The Great Elder continued: “Our Five Elements Sect is different.”

“In the Great Li Mountain state boundary, there are many sects and families that rely on formations, and this place was once a prosperous place for formations, even if it’s different from the past, the foundation is still there, and there are many array masters.”

“To rank up in this state boundary, the difficulty is extremely high!”

“Even ranking up to grade one is as difficult as ascending to heaven.”

“Because when ranking up, you’re not compared with cultivators of the same age, but with all Qi Refining, and even some Foundation Establishment array masters, selecting the best to rank.”

“Others have cultivated for longer years than you, their Divine Sense is stronger than you, they have been immersed in formations for many years, and they have drawn more formations than you, how can these ordinary disciples compare?”

“So it’s normal for them not to rank up.”

“At the same time, don’t think that if they don’t rank up, their formation standards aren’t good.”

“In some small immortal cities, two-grade state boundaries, they are already genuine grade one array masters.”

“Therefore, some unranked disciples within the sect, in terms of discussing array strength, are not necessarily inferior to that young disciple of Mr. Zhuang who has already ranked up to grade one!”

The Great Elder’s speech was reasonable, which suddenly enlightened Sect Master Liao.

Sect Master Liao praised:

“You are indeed the Great Elder, you think thoroughly!”

“So, that young array master of grade one is not necessarily how brilliant, maybe he just got lucky in ranking up…”

Sect Master Liao pondered again:

“Thinking about it, it is true. Although the profession of an array master emphasizes talent, it is also a job that requires practice makes perfect and diligence can make up for clumsiness. That young array master, although only in his teens, even if he started drawing formations from his mother’s womb, drawing every day, drawing nonstop, how many formations can he draw?”

“With few formations drawn, his comprehension is naturally shallow.”

“No matter how high his talent, without hard practice, it is ultimately a castle in the air, unstable.”

This sentence pleased the Great Elder.

The Great Elder nodded gladly, but also warned:

“Although that is the case, we cannot be careless, a lion fighting a rabbit also uses all its strength, and we cannot underestimate him…”

Sect Master Liao bowed his hands and said: “The Great Elder is right.”

Afterward, he frowned again, “This young array master is easy to deal with, but his senior brother and sister…”

Thinking of that pair of siblings, who were profound in cultivation, peerless in spiritual roots, and like heavenly beings, the Great Elder’s expression also became extremely solemn.

After a moment, the Great Elder sighed and slowly said:

“Since that’s the case, we can only invite helpers.”

“Helpers?”

The Great Elder nodded and said: “In the Great Li Mountain state boundary, there are many formation sects and families that have good relationships with our Five Elements Sect. They have many promising talents among them, with extremely high comprehension of formations. We will borrow them to support the scene and suppress that person’s prestige!”

“Can they defeat that pair of siblings?”

“Gathering the formation geniuses of the entire Great Li Mountain state boundary, there should be no problem…”

Sect Master Liao nodded, and then couldn’t help but ask curiously:

“Can they defeat that Mr. Zhuang from back then?”

The Great Elder snorted coldly, “Don’t even think about it, no matter how good their talent is, don’t think of defeating that person…”

The Great Elder’s gaze contained fear and he had to admit:

“In this world, how many Mr. Zhuangs can there be?”

Sect Master Liao still hesitated, “Will we be seen through?”

The Great Elder shook his head and said: “They are guests who have come from afar, not people of the Five Elements Sect, how can they distinguish who are disciples of our Five Elements Sect?”

“Then, can we invite these geniuses?”

“Give them benefits, and it will be done.”

“The cost, I’m afraid, won’t be small…”

“Problems that can be solved with spirit stones are not problems.”

Sect Master Liao felt a little heartache, but still nodded.

With the plan finalized, the Great Elder also breathed a sigh of relief and said coldly:

“On the Dao discussion meeting, we will compare formations. If the several disciples under that person cannot compare to the disciples of my Five Elements Sect, with his arrogant nature, he probably won’t be shameless enough to want to learn our Five Elements Sect’s absolute formation again…”

Sect Master Liao was still a little uneasy:

“Such an obvious scheme, will that person agree?”

The Great Elder chuckled coldly, “If he wants his disciples to learn our Five Elements Sect’s formations, he has to agree!”

“We’re not refusing either, we’re just making a reasonable request.”

“If you can’t defeat the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, why learn the Five Elements Sect’s absolute formation?”

“In other words, if you can’t defeat the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, even if you go to learn the absolute formation, you will inevitably not be able to learn it.”

“I say this is also saving both sides time, good for both the Five Elements Sect and for him…”

The Great Elder had a sanctimonious appearance.

Sect Master Liao, however, chuckled coldly in his heart.

The older they get, the thicker their skin becomes.

The Five Elements Sect will gradually decline precisely because of these old pests full of schemes.

But on this matter, he also had no other way.

He just didn’t know if Mr. Zhuang would agree…

Sect Master Liao was uneasy, and went to find Mr. Zhuang again to explain the situation.

Who knew that Mr. Zhuang wasn’t surprised, nor did he seem angry, still looking indifferent, and nodded:

“Good!”

Sect Master Liao felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Agreeing is good.

He also considered that he had an explanation.

But in his eyes, Mr. Zhuang became even more mysterious and unfathomable.

He completely couldn’t guess what Mr. Zhuang was thinking in his heart, or what plans he had…

After Sect Master Liao left, Mr. Zhuang summoned the three people, Yin Qing included.

“In a few days, you will have to compare formations with the disciples of the Five Elements Sect…”

“No, not you…” Mr. Zhuang looked at Yin Qing and smiled slightly: “Yin Qing, you can go and compare.”

Mr. Zhuang revealed an expression of watching a play:

“You take the lead, and conveniently, support your senior brother and sister…”

“Also, raise some face for your master…”

(End of this chapter)