Chapter 591
The small number of practitioners here could be considered a hallmark of a high-end industry.
Shi Nandang continued, "The mountain-protecting formations you mentioned, while they are indeed formations, are merely the most rudimentary applications of formation techniques."
"These grand formations can only rely on the operation of spiritual veins; they cannot be moved, and their functions are limited by the spiritual veins themselves."
"Moreover, using these spirit stones solely for restoring mana and providing spiritual energy is truly a waste."
Zheng Fa's gaze fell upon the spirit stone, his curiosity deepening about how a true formation master perceives spirit stones.
Earlier, he had also found spirit stones puzzling: while they are indeed the most suitable materials for restoring spiritual power, there are countless elixirs in the world that achieve the same effect. What makes spirit stones so special?
And spirit stones can be used to set up formations... just as Shi Nandang said, the essence of the mountain-protecting formation is still the spiritual vein.
The spirit stones merely provide spiritual energy at certain nodes.
Yet, this thing is still hard currency.
"The true art of formations... is like the 'Qian Kun Divine Killing Formation,' where the incantations are inscribed into the spirit stones, allowing the stones to control the formation."
"In this way, the art of formations can transcend the constraints of spiritual veins, becoming a self-contained entity, even possessing the power to destroy heaven and earth."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa lowered his head, staring at the spirit stone in his hand, a sense of realization washing over him—
I thought you were gold, but it turns out you’re a chip?
(End of this chapter)
---
**Chapter 432: The Proposal of Alliance and the Value of United Front**
In the grand hall of the Tian Gong Island in the Jiu Shan Realm, Sister Zhang's face was a mix of confusion and surprise.
It wasn't just her; Xie Qingxue beside her wore a similarly bewildered expression.
There were only the two of them in the hall.
The bounty from Haori Mountain had indeed impacted the Jiu Shan Sect; even Uncle Huang and Xiao Yuying were out protecting the Jiu Shan disciples, guarding against sneak attacks from rogue Yuanying cultivators from Haori Mountain.
"Does Fairy Xie not know about this?" Zheng Fa couldn't help but express his astonishment at Xie Qingxue's expression.
A hint of bitterness appeared in Xie Qingxue's eyes. "I’ve never heard of it."
Zheng Fa nodded gently, pondering for a moment before making up his mind. He turned to Xie Qingxue and said, "It seems that the inheritance of the Tianhe Sect has likely been restricted."
Although the relationship between formations and spirit stones is obscure, it shouldn't be so for the sects coming from the Five Sects.
Xie Qingxue, being the foremost disciple of Tianhe, should not be completely unaware of this.
Shi Nandang was merely a true disciple of Haori Mountain, and in terms of strength, he was certainly no match for Xie Qingxue, who wielded the Qingping Sword.
Yet he was well-versed in the 'Qian Kun Divine Killing Formation.'
Even Zheng Fa, a Jindan cultivator, could grasp part of its inheritance, indicating that the threshold for understanding formations was not so high that Xie Qingxue couldn't learn it.
Zheng Fa's mind stirred, and he asked, "How is the Tianhe Sect's accumulation in weapon forging and alchemy?"
"Alchemy can't compare to the Supreme Dao, and weapon forging is also a bit lacking compared to Haori Mountain," Xie Qingxue paused, seemingly puzzled by Zheng Fa's question, but still answered.
"So, in the context of the Five Sects, it's not considered bad?"
Xie Qingxue confidently nodded. "I can't speak for alchemy, but in weapon forging, aside from Haori Mountain, I dare say we are not weaker than any other sect."
Hearing this, Zheng Fa felt even more certain of his thoughts and continued, "Fairy Xie, do you remember I told you that if you ever find yourself in life-threatening danger, you can send word to me?"
Xie Qingxue silently nodded.
That was after she had helped Zheng Fa defeat the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor. When she left, Zheng Fa had made that promise.
"I didn't want to say much back then, but now you probably have guessed some things..."
Zheng Fa had concealed the truth to protect Mu Qingyan.
On the other hand, it was also because it was hard to gain trust—saying that the Tianhe Sect, one of the Five Sects, might cease to exist would raise several questions, even if Xie Qingxue trusted him.
Now, with the actions of the Tianhe Sect's Master Yan being so overt, and with Xie Qingxue and Elder Han busy for the Hundred Immortals Alliance, he felt it was time to be open.
"The Tianhe Sect may face the disaster of extinction."
Xie Qingxue's face paled, but there was no surprise in her eyes.
Zheng Fa continued, "I only had a sixty percent certainty about this before, but judging from Master Yan's actions, the likelihood is now eighty to ninety percent."
Xie Qingxue did not refute him; instead, her voice carried a hint of bitterness. "Eighty to ninety percent might be an understatement."
At this point, she fixed her gaze on Zheng Fa, her eyes resolute. "Zheng Fa, today I will shamelessly ask you for a different promise."
Zheng Fa looked at Xie Qingxue, his mind racing with possibilities.
"My junior brother, I will leave him in your care from now on."
Xie Qingxue's request did not surprise Zheng Fa; he merely asked, "Fairy Xie, you..."
"I have no one close to me in the sect besides my master and junior brother..." Xie Qingxue chuckled lightly, "But since I wield the Qingping Sword, anyone who can destroy the Tianhe Sect will certainly not spare me."
"If I were in the Jiu Shan Sect, I would likely bring disaster upon it."
"My junior brother is weak, but that might give him a slim chance of survival."
Sister Zhang looked at Xie Qingxue, her eyes revealing a hint of sympathy.
"Are you worried I won't be able to protect you, Fairy Xie?"
"After all, you are the head of the Jiu Shan Sect."
"…"
Zheng Fa was left speechless.
Xie Qingxue's words were indeed pragmatic. Even if Zheng Fa wanted to help her, it would be unwise to take on a formidable enemy for the sake of the Jiu Shan Sect.
An enemy capable of annihilating the Tianhe Sect would also be a force difficult to withstand for the Jiu Shan Realm.
"Moreover..." Xie Qingxue sat upright, her posture as straight as a sword, an undeniable pride in her demeanor, "I do not wish to hide."
Seeing that he still wanted to speak, Xie Qingxue waved her hand. "You don't need to persuade me further."
"…"
"We sword cultivators prefer to bend rather than break; life and death have long been set aside, they are not important!"
"…"
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment, a sense of admiration flashing across his face as he nodded in agreement. "I underestimated you, Fairy. Besides, my thoughts may not necessarily save the Tianhe Sect."
"?"
Zheng Fa cupped his hands in respect. "Fairy Xie, take care! I will look after Brother Yan for you..."
"Wait!" Xie Qingxue quickly waved her hand. "You said you would save my Tianhe Sect?"
"To a sword cultivator, that is not important!"
Xie Qingxue fell silent for a moment, then tossed the Qingping Sword at Zheng Fa, saying, "Anyway, this broken sword listens to you and not me."
Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang watched in silence as the Qingping Sword vibrated, embedded in the floor, its blade covered in countless question marks.
Xie Qingxue patted her empty waist, looking innocent. "Who is the sword cultivator?"
"…"
Zheng Fa twitched his mouth but still spoke honestly. "I admit, my plan does lack certainty."
Xie Qingxue urged, "Oh, come on, just tell me!"
"Earlier, when I asked you about the Tianhe Sect's inheritance of formations, it was actually based on a hypothesis..."
"What hypothesis?"
"The formations of the Tianhe Sect are not too weak; they are too strong!"
Xie Qingxue and Sister Zhang's expressions changed in unison, exclaiming, "Just like the 'Nine Turns Golden Elixir Method'?"
"Exactly. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain why the Tianhe Sect is unaware of the relationship between spirit stones and formations..."
Xie Qingxue replied in confusion, "But our Tianhe Sect has always focused solely on the sword."
"What about alchemy and weapon forging?"
"…"
"I have a theory: the Tianhe Sect is the defeated party from the last era. It’s just that your five lineage ancestors made an agreement with the four sects, and due to the incredible power of the Four Swords of Extermination, they reached a compromise."
Sister Zhang's eyes lit up with understanding as she spoke, "Are you saying that the Tianhe Sect, after the death of Master Tianhe, was restricted from researching formations by the four sects?"
"What you said aligns with my thoughts," Zheng Fa speculated. "In the Xuanwei Realm, only the four sects could completely prevent the Tianhe Sect from having any inheritance in formations, even deliberately avoiding the study of formations."
Xie Qingxue frowned, still puzzled. "That’s possible, but there’s no evidence."
"There is evidence! The 'Qian Kun Divine Killing Formation' contains your Tianhe Sect's sword forging techniques!"
Zheng Fa's words sent a jolt through Xie Qingxue.
"Of course, I haven't studied the Tianhe Sect's sword forging methods in depth, so I can only glean a few traces from it."
"'Qian Kun Divine Killing Formation'?"
"Sister, we have now entered the realm of the hundred arts of cultivation; we have a rough understanding of the connections." Zheng Fa shifted the topic, discussing other matters. "Among them, talismans are fundamental; they are the foundation of cultivation."
"The so-called talismans are laws, and laws are talismans."
Sister Zhang nodded. "That is indeed true. Whether it’s weapon forging or alchemy, at their core, they both rely on spells to reorganize matter."
"And formations, in fact, are built upon weapon forging, a higher-level technique. I suspect they are a simplification for Huashen and even Dao Guo cultivators."
"Spirit stones... can stably contain spells and can influence each other."
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