Chapter 592
In the eyes of Zheng Fa, the system of Xian Dao (仙道, the Way of Immortals) has gradually become clearer. If we were to draw a parallel with modern knowledge, then the art of talismans (符法) would be akin to mathematics:
Every technique or skill can be explained through talismans; they form the foundation of the Xian Dao edifice.
Refining tools and concocting elixirs are fields that blend physics, chemistry, and even materials science and pharmacology.
As for formations (阵法), they are almost equivalent to computers.
Yet, for the Xuan Wei (玄微) practitioners, it is essentially... biomimicry.
"You mean to say that formations are a way for a post-Transcendence practitioner to inscribe a part of their techniques into a spirit stone?"
"Exactly. A Dao Guo (道果, Dao Fruit) practitioner has a fundamental method, and according to the teachings left by the Great Freedom, the process from Yuan Ying (元婴, Nascent Soul) to Dao Guo is about constructing the Dao body through techniques."
"And from what I've learned in the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Formation' (《天地神煞大阵》), the essence of this thought is the same."
Zheng Fa's understanding of formations is actually quite simple:
To him, all techniques are like programming for the physical world.
Internally, they construct a more powerful Dao body.
Externally, they wield the powers of heaven and earth through spells.
"The uniqueness of spirit stones lies in their ability to contain various spells of practitioners and to function stably."
Zheng Fa gazed at the spirit stone in his hand, channeling the spiritual energy from his dantian into it.
The spirit stone suddenly radiated brilliance, its aura gradually aligning with Zheng Fa's own spiritual energy.
Sister Zhang looked at the spirit stone and sighed, "The answer is right in front of us, yet we were blind to it, like fools."
The special nature of spirit stones has always been evident, yet it often goes unnoticed—these stones can perfectly replenish spiritual energy!
It's important to note that a practitioner's spiritual energy can vary greatly due to differences in techniques and souls.
Many elixirs can restore a practitioner's spiritual energy, but their effectiveness varies from person to person.
But spirit stones are different.
Xie Qingxue also took out a spirit stone, infusing it with her spiritual energy, and the aura on the stone became remarkably similar to hers.
"Spirit stones can replenish spiritual energy... because they encompass all five elements and can simulate soul fluctuations," Zheng Fa remarked, admiring the spirit stone in his palm. "When a practitioner's spiritual energy is infused, they receive energy that is of the same root and origin."
"Thus, anyone using it to replenish their energy will find it completely effective, as it is akin to receiving energy from another practitioner."
"This kind of spiritual material is far more extraordinary than others. Madam Xuanhua has faced difficulties trying to replicate it these days."
"Moreover, if refined using special techniques, one can inscribe spells within it to form formations."
In Zheng Fa's view, formations are essentially a way for practitioners above the Transcendence stage to separate a part of their techniques and inscribe them into spirit stones.
Modern computers began with pure mathematical logic and gradually transitioned to neural networks, even starting to simulate real human brains.
In contrast, the formations of the Xuan Wei world began as simulations of practitioners, which is why Zheng Fa considers it biomimicry.
"Compared to Transcendence artifacts or Dao Guo treasures, the advantage of using spirit stones for formations is... the low threshold and flexibility. Golden Core (金丹) practitioners can inscribe spells within them, and to change the formation, one only needs to replace the spirit stones to alter the spells."
Sister Zhang nodded in agreement:
"While I can enhance the Nine Mountains Great Formation with my Yuan Ling Dao Body, it cannot last forever..."
"The method of the Nine Mountains' immortal formation is fundamentally similar to forming a formation with spirit stones, but it consumes the practitioner's spiritual energy."
"These spirit stones are much more stable."
Zheng Fa shook his head with a smile, "The immortal formation has its own advantages. Using spirit stones for formations is inevitably limited by resources and location... The immortal formation is extremely useful in combat."
Sister Zhang nodded with a smile—one of the greatest benefits of the immortal formation is its long reach!
But Xie Qingxue grew anxious and urged, "What does this have to do with our Tianhe Sect?"
"Xie Xianzi, think about it. What could our master have done that would lead to the downfall of the Tianhe Sect? Who could bring about such a fate?"
Xie Qingxue looked puzzled, but Sister Zhang spoke up:
"The Four Sects, or perhaps... the four ancestors of the Tianhe Sect."
Xie Qingxue hesitated for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something but unable to find the words, clearly acknowledging this analysis.
"Then, Master Yan's current arrangements likely indicate he is aware of the difficulties ahead... Is he not making preparations?"
This Master Yan had arranged for his son, Yan Wushuang, to be accompanied by Han Lao and Xie Qingxue.
At this point... the choices made by Han Lao and Xie Qingxue have all been beneficial to Yan Wushuang.
This indicates that Master Yan is certainly not a reckless person.
"Preparations?"
"What could give Master Yan the confidence to contend with the Four Sects or the four ancestors of the Tianhe Sect?" Zheng Fa said softly, "Or perhaps, Master Yan's preparations are the very reason for the Tianhe Sect's downfall?"
"…The formations?"
Xie Qingxue finally understood what Zheng Fa had been hinting at for so long.
"Yes, while the 'Nine Turns Golden Core Method' is marvelous, we both know it is insufficient to contend with Dao Guo practitioners, let alone the Four Sects," Zheng Fa nodded. "If my speculation is correct, the Tianhe Sect's formations were once incredibly powerful."
"And if Master Yan is aware of this..."
"He would certainly exploit it."
Xie Qingxue listened, her expression thoughtful, finally grasping Zheng Fa's meaning: "It’s possible that my master aims to perfect the formations, which could provoke the Four Sects or even the ancestors to take action."
"Of course, this is merely speculation. But..." Zheng Fa smiled, "Even if Master Yan is not focused on the formations, having them as support would surely increase his chances."
Xie Qingxue's spirit lifted, and she finally understood Zheng Fa's unspoken words: "You want to use the formations of Haori Mountain to negotiate with my master?"
"Exactly! According to the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Formation,' Haori Mountain must have relied on the original formations of the Tianhe Sect to refine the Xian Sword."
In truth, Zheng Fa's confidence in the Tianhe Sect's formations far exceeded what Xie Qingxue imagined.
The Zhuxian Sword Formation is legendary!
For Haori Mountain to refine a treasure like the Xian Sword, they could not possibly abandon the Tianhe Sect's approach.
Previously, Zheng Fa's Feiyun Sword had triggered a reaction from the Xian Sword, indicating that the essence of the Xian Sword had not been altered by Haori Mountain.
"If the Tianhe Sect does not possess this formation inheritance, would Master Yan be interested?" Zheng Fa said softly, "Of course, the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Formation' may only contain part of the original formation inheritance of the Tianhe Sect."
"What do you want?"
Xie Qingxue pondered for a moment before asking.
"I want the refining method for the Xian Sword! Or rather, the techniques related to the Xian Sword lineage of the Tianhe Sect!"
Xie Qingxue's eyes widened slowly. She glanced at the Qingping Sword in the hall, recalling the past, and immediately understood Zheng Fa's intention: "You want to refine the Xian Sword?"
"Of course, I can't do that yet. I'm only at the Golden Core level in the Chongxuan Sect, so I can only learn the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Formation' and inscribe spells into spirit stones to form formations."
Currently, Zheng Fa was still engaged in peripheral tasks at the Chongxuan Sect:
He was slowly inscribing spirit stones to assist Shi Nandan and the others in forming the Heaven and Earth Divine Formation.
To get involved in refining the Xian Sword, his identity and cultivation level were insufficient; he could only help the Transcendence practitioners.
To get closer to the Xian Sword, he would need to advance further.
He couldn't even prevent the Xian Sword from being refined... The Heaven and Earth Divine Formation had already been initially set up, but it had yet to connect with the Hundred Immortals Alliance's ley lines, and dismantling this bomb would not be easy.
What Zheng Fa envisioned was not just to eliminate the dangers posed by the Xian Sword, but to lure the Xian Sword to the Jiushan Sect.
...After all, Haori Mountain had carelessly discarded the Xian Sword.
From the situation with the Qingping Sword, it was clear that the corresponding techniques greatly influence the treasures. Even though the Xian Sword had been suppressed by Haori Mountain for an entire epoch, it was still refined by the Tianhe Sect.
Acquiring the cultivation techniques of the Xian Sword lineage to entice the Xian Sword would be like a long-lost love from hundreds of thousands of years ago returning, easily igniting old flames.
Moreover, Zheng Fa now possessed the true transmission techniques from Haori Mountain.
Even if the Xian Sword had nearly taken on the form of Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa could still say:
"I have everything you love."
The only question is whether these conditions would be enough to sway Master Yan.
Recalling the power of the Zhuxian Sword Formation, Zheng Fa felt a measure of confidence—once Master Yan learned of this sword formation, he would be hard-pressed to resist. The only reason he might refuse would be if the Tianhe Sect still possessed this formation inheritance.
Zheng Fa was quite skeptical about that; the Four Sects are not foolish. If the Zhuxian Sword Formation were truly that formidable, they would not leave it to the Tianhe Sect.
After much contemplation, Xie Qingxue slowly nodded, "I can't see through my master's thoughts either. I need to go back and investigate... Don't worry, if there's an opportunity, I'll do my best to persuade my master."
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