Chapter 1611: Cultivating Formations (I)

Li Ximing sat up a little straighter at the answer. Looking at the youth before him, who was only at the Embryonic Breathing Realm, he smiled and said, "Oh?"

Li Suining bowed. "Daoist Master, formation flags are the foundation for completing a formation, but they are not the key to learning formations. If the formation patterns are carved accurately and properly, then once mana is poured into them, they will also show a harmonious manifestation, which can be used to verify what one has learned."

Li Ximing was not skilled in formations, but with his Dao conduct, he could naturally understand what the boy meant with ease.

Formation flags were not only the vital anchor points of a grand formation, but also its most crucial hubs. Even with the bare minimum of six formation flags placed down, one could use mana to probe where the problems in the formation patterns lay, then finish carving the formation. But even without formation flags, if the grand formation itself had already been carved perfectly, it would naturally show a different manifestation once it responded to mana.

This was much the same as when the Li Family had been poor in its early years, and Li Xuanxuan had diluted spirit ink with water to practice drawing talismans. Yet the Dao of formations was not like the Dao of talismans. Formation eyes, formation patterns, formation foundations, and formation platforms had to correspond above to the generation and restraint within a Dao lineage, and below to the spiritual energy within the earth veins. At higher levels, they could even involve hidden secrets of ancient rises and falls. Even the order and arrangement of the carving carried great significance, and a single attempt could take ten days or half a month!

Thus, among the various arts, the Dao of talismans was the cheapest and was used by commoners and rogue cultivators. The Dao of alchemy was the most expensive and favored by rising clans. Artifact forging placed great importance on Dao lineage and was often passed down by great figures. The Dao of formations required Dao conduct, and was often something only immortal sects would cultivate...

Without formation flags, hundreds or thousands of mistakes would be packed together. Even if one knew something was wrong, one would not know where the mistake lay. If he were not a genius, how could he possibly have such ability?

He merely nodded with great interest, now looking pleased. He looked toward Li Jiangzong, who had breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Bring the [Long Light Star-Concealing Flags]."

Li Jiangzong hurriedly acknowledged the order and went down in person. Li Ximing smiled and asked, "The [Comprehensive Explanation of Formations]... which Dao lineage does it come from?"

Li Minggong stepped forward and said gently, "Daoist Master, the family's formations were arranged by Guest Cultivator Huang from Jiangbei. A few years ago, he received orders and took many incomplete formation scrolls from the family, then compiled them into [Comprehensive Explanation of Formations]. There were nine volumes in total, and Jiangwu and the others each took the first three volumes back with them."

Li Ximing nodded and asked, "Is he the one handling the family's formations now?"

Li Minggong quickly shook her head and said respectfully, "Five years ago... Guest Cultivator Huang failed his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm and perished. The current formation inheritance is managed by Steward Tian Ling and Pavilion Master He Junxiu of the Treasure Formation Pavilion. Their formation skills are passable, but they are not equal to Guest Cultivator Huang..."

Li Ximing shook his head inwardly, understanding that the family's formation inheritance had truly declined.

The names mentioned were exceedingly familiar to Li Suining. Old Tian Ling and Pavilion Master He were both people he had known well in his previous life. After Li Ximing brought back the inheritance of Daoist Master Yuanbian, Li Suining and Pu Xinya had taken over the Treasure Formation Pavilion, though many of its day-to-day affairs were still handled by those two elders.

Later, when Tingzhou was conquered and partitioned, he could still hear news of Pavilion Master He even from the southern border. The He Family was granted Tingxi Prefecture, and Pavilion Master He eventually became the family's head.

He harbored no resentment over it. Instead, he regarded it with calm acceptance. After all, the tides of the age swept everyone along, and very few could remain untouched. The He Family had always been the local rulers of the western shore. Though their authority had been curtailed under the Li Family's rule, they had remained obedient and fulfilled all their responsibilities. Unlike Tian Ling, who had taken his own life before the pavilion, Pavilion Master He had simply surrendered when he saw that the situation could not be reversed. There was nothing unusual about that.

While these thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Jiangzong returned to the hall, holding an emerald-colored jade box. Its lid was open, revealing twelve formation flags within. They were purple at their base, adorned with star-like patterns, and emitted a faint radiance.

[Long Light Star-Concealing Flags]!

Li Ximing smiled and said, "The [Long Light Star-Concealing Flags] were a congratulatory gift sent years ago by Quan Yuduan, Brother Xizhi's disciple, to celebrate Minghuang's ascent to the Purple Mansion Realm. Though they are merely twelve Qi Cultivation Realm formation flags, they are rather unique and no inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm dharma artifacts. They were a thoughtful gift, yet they have remained stored away within the clan and have never truly been put to use."

Delight surged through Li Suining's heart. He immediately bowed deeply and said respectfully, "I will certainly not fail Daoist Master's expectations!"

Meanwhile, his heart was racing with excitement, So I truly have earned his favor!

In his previous life, Li Suining had never received formation flags personally bestowed by the Daoist Master. The two brothers had only received a few words of encouragement, along with dharma artifacts and cultivation resources from the clan. Although those rewards had been generous, they were nowhere near as valuable as the [Long Light Star-Concealing Flags]!

Although the [Long Light Star-Concealing Flags] had eventually fallen into his hands in his previous life, that had only happened after he reached the mid-stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm and began to distinguish himself. By then, Yang Zhuo had already been enthroned for five years!

What a pity... I'll still have to wait until Daoist Master Zhaojing returns from the Eastern Sea and the clan acquires the [Profound Iteration Calculation Scripture] before I can openly cultivate with the auxiliary formations [Gathered Profoundity] and [Suspended Treasure]...

As Li Suining was making his calculations, Li Ximing had already resolved a concern that had weighed on him for a long time. In unusually high spirits, he looked at the youth with a smile. The familiar sharpness between the boy's brows only made him more pleasing to the eye.

Unexpectedly, he asked, "Do you have any particular thoughts? Any aspirations for your cultivation?"

He was asking about his future divine ability Dao lineage! Not only was Li Jiangzong somewhat surprised, even Li Minggong was both shocked and delighted. Li Suining himself was momentarily stunned as well.

After all, one's Immortal Foundation and divine ability was directly tied to one's future path. Countless members of the family had found their progress stalled because of it. Whether it was Li Minggong, the later Li Zhouda, or even Ding Weizeng, the [Palace Sun Tiger] who never rose to prominence in Great Song and later became a source of regret for Li Ximing, all of them had suffered from the same problem, the continuation of their Dao lineage.

For Li Ximing to ask this question now was an extraordinary opportunity! Several of the family's renowned Dao lineages, such as the Bright Yang Heavenly Gate[1] and the Path of Treading Peril[2], were all lineages with guaranteed roads to the Purple Mansion Realm. Thanks to the memories of his previous life, Li Suining knew the family's lineages exceptionally well. Aside from the [Radiant Fire] and [Whole Pill] Daos, there was even the [Lesser Yin] Purple Mansion Realm Dao.

Yet he did not voice any of those thoughts. Instead, he bowed respectfully and replied, "I have no particular Dao lineage in mind. Since I have chosen the path of formations, my only wish is to establish a formation inheritance for the family. I merely hope to cultivate Dao lineage arts that may benefit the Dao of formations. As for anything else... I seek nothing."

Those words were, in fact, sincere. The [Bright Yang] Dao was certainly unsuitable for him to cultivate again. Even if he wanted it, Li Ximing likely would not grant it now. As for Radiant Fire and Whole Pill, neither was what he truly desired. The Dao he genuinely favored was a [Heaven-Governing] art known as the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll].

In his previous life, he had entered Milin Mountain and selected cultivation arts from the mountain Dao Palace. Later, he had gone to a secret hall on the island and agonized for a long time between [Morning Listening] from the [World-Watching Awakening Star Art] and [Profound Dipper Balance] from the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art]... In the end, he had chosen the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art]...

Later, the family had acquired the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll]. Its lineage was compatible with the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art], allowing his path forward to rise another step. Unfortunately, by then he had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, and his Immortal Foundation had ultimately fallen short.

Now, he remembered the scripture perfectly, yet did not dare make use of it. That in itself was a troublesome problem.

1. Referring to Heaven-Venerating Gate. ☜

2. Referring to Sovereign In Peril. ☜

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