Undying Life

Chapter 75: Static Formation and Battle Formation

What Yinglan described was a simplified version of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation commonly used in the mortal realm, but Princess Qianyou and Master Shuijing still brightened up.

The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation was far more complex than what Yinglan described, but what she spoke of constituted the framework of the formation, akin to the outline of a manual.

Although understanding these basics wasn't difficult, any general well-versed in military formations could grasp some of it, but not everyone could. The most direct evidence was the eleven individuals present, among whom only this woman in black robes could articulate it.

Tian Sha looked slightly puzzled, while the young man, Gulin, furrowed his brows.

Princess Qianyou's eyes sparkled with interest because what Yinglan described coincided perfectly with what Master Shuijing had mentioned. Although Master Shuijing described it in its primitive state, even in this most basic form, a formation presided over by only one person wasn't something everyone knew how to break.

Master Shuijing nodded, his eyes showing satisfaction, for if it came from this group of people, it would be more convincing.

"Everyone, when the time comes, follow me into the Closing Gate, help me draw out the practitioners from all directions through the Duress Gate, and then we'll charge towards the Core Gate within the formation," Master Shuijing said, shaking his feather fan with a smile.

Upon hearing Master Shuijing's plan, Zhongshan's pupils contracted, not because he agreed with Yinglan, but because of his tone—guiding practitioners from all directions? Could practitioners from all directions really move as if they were puppets under his guidance?

To arrange it all by oneself and manipulate those breaking through the formation as if they were in the palm of one's hand?

Zhongshan didn't show much, but his mind was filled with astonishment. Was this person truly so skilled?

"Then who will break through the Injury Gate?" Tian Sha furrowed his brow.

According to this plan for breaking through the formation, the first ones to benefit would be those who break through the Injury Gate, as they would be the first to reach the Core Gate within the formation.

Looking at Tian Sha, Master Shuijing smiled and said, "These three are not at the Golden Core stage yet, so it's safer for them to go through the Injury Gate. Additionally, among you, one more person can join the Princess in breaking through the formation. Only a small portion of us will go through the Injury Gate."

Master Shuijing designated Tian Ling'er, Zhongshan, and Yinglan to break through the Injury Gate.

Tian Sha frowned as he looked at the scholar before him. In fact, his previous position was right in front of the Closing Gate. It was just that he was now called to the Injury Gate. If it weren't for Master Shuijing's coordination, he would also be breaking through the Closing Gate.

The Injury Gate would definitely have some advantages, and giving this opportunity to the Kaiyang Sect was already quite generous.

"Big Brother, I'll go through the Injury Gate," Bei Qingsi suddenly spoke up.

Bei Qingsi knew that the person she was looking for was at the Core Gate. In order to obtain that evidence, she had to be the first one to arrive.

Tian Sha was surprised by Bei Qingsi's request. For the first time, Bei Qingsi made a request to him?

"Alright, then Qingsi, you'll go through the Injury Gate. I'll go with the junior brothers through the Closing Gate," Tian Sha immediately agreed.

"Then let's take a short rest. I've already sent someone to spread the information. Three days later, on the night of the full moon, when the moon is high in the sky, we will all break through the formation simultaneously," Master Shuijing said.

"Alright," Tian Sha didn't say anything but led everyone to a corner, separating from Princess Qianyou and her group to rest.

Tian Sha understood that although Princess Qianyou was an elder of the alliance, he still needed to be cautious about safety. Moreover, he had no personal connection with this group, so he needed to be extremely careful when entering the formation.

After the alliance was formed, Master Shuijing returned to his own group. There would be no more interaction, perhaps after this alliance, they might not even meet again.

"What is a battle formation?" Zhongshan asked Bei Qingsi on the side.

Upon hearing Zhongshan's question, Tian Sha and the others ignored it, feeling that Zhongshan's question was too shallow and not worth paying attention to. However, Tian Ling'er and Yinglan both looked at Bei Qingsi seriously.

Seeing the person in the black robe staring at her, Bei Qingsi felt a bit strange. Didn't she just know about the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation? Could it be that she was talking nonsense just now? But that didn't seem like her.

Nevertheless, Bei Qingsi patiently explained, "In the realm of formation techniques, there are two types: static formations and battle formations. Static formations, like the Kaiyang Sect's Mountain Guardian Formation or the flag formations recently used by Hao San for self-protection, remain still. They are formed by special items and unique terrain and can only defend a fixed area. On the other hand, battle formations are composed of people. Although they also require some special items, the focus is on the people. The most important aspect of this type of formation is that it can move. It's a formation that can accommodate large armies for offensive maneuvers."

Upon hearing Bei Qingsi's explanation, Yinglan's eyes lit up. She was evidently very interested in the topic.

"There are many static formations, but battle formations are extremely rare because each battle formation is unique. Controlling a battle formation is extremely difficult. If it's not set up by the creator of the formation, there will be slight variations, and even these slight differences can lead to vastly different levels of power. The effectiveness of a battle formation depends mainly on the level of mastery over it. Naturally, the creator of the formation can set it up the best. However, apart from the creator, there are those who possess the formation's soul," Bei Qingsi explained.

"The formation's soul? What is that?" Zhongshan asked with a furrowed brow.

"Creating a battle formation is extremely difficult. It's rare for a battle formation to be born once in a millennium. Those who create such formations are naturally geniuses. Therefore, battle formations are extremely rare. Another reason for their rarity is that the creators can merge with the formation, imprinting all the subtle changes of the formation into their souls. Only by controlling the formation with their soul can they unleash its maximum power. But how many people can become immortal? Eventually, the creators of formations will exhaust their lifespan. After their death, their disciples will collect their depleted souls and transform them into several parts of the formation's soul, which contain all the changes of the formation. Rather than calling it a formation's soul, it's more like a human soul divided into several parts, which are no longer the same as before, just some special energy. Once obtaining a formation's soul and merging with it, one can slowly absorb all the internal changes of the formation. In no time, they can fully master the formation. Therefore, a formation's soul is extremely rare, especially for higher-level formations. It's a treasure that disappears completely from the world once used," Bei Qingsi explained.

"Can the soul of someone who has obtained a part of the formation's soul be divided again after their death?" Zhongshan furrowed his brow and asked.

"Only the creator of the formation can do that. The formation's soul is a unique entity. Once it merges with someone, it can only be recorded in that person's soul and cannot be imprinted like the creator's soul. Once it is consumed, it is gone forever," Bei Qingsi explained, shaking her head.

"Understood," Zhongshan nodded.

Meanwhile, on the other side:

"Qianyou, you'll take the Injured Gate, Shuijing will lead people through the Birth Gate, so what about me?" Gu Lin looked expectantly at Princess Qianyou.

"You?" Qianyou frowned as she looked at Gu Lin.

"You'll come with me through the Injured Gate," Qianyou said again.

"Alright," Gu Lin agreed eagerly, clearly pleased to be accompanying Princess Qianyou.

Standing nearby, Master Shuijing shook his feather fan with a wry smile. He cast a grateful glance at Princess Qianyou, understanding that her decision to bring Gu Lin along wasn't for his company but to prevent him from disrupting Master Shuijing's plans.

In the distance, atop a mountain peak:

Chu Jiu observed Zhongshan and the others, then looked over at Master Shuijing's group. He turned to the young man with a sword on his back and said, "Young Master, these people are not ordinary."

"Oh? Chu Jiu, what have you discerned?" The young man frowned.

"That group is likely from the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty," Chu Jiu nodded.

"Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty?" The young man furrowed his brow.

"It's not advisable to take risks at the moment. We should wait for a better opportunity," Chu Jiu suggested after some thought.

"Agreed," the young man nodded.

At the same time, powerful forces from all four directions of the grand formation—east, south, west, and north—noticed something peculiar etched into the mountain walls around them.

"The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, impenetrable through direct assault. Three days hence, on the night of the full moon, when the bright moon hangs high and its light shrouds the land, the formation will experience a moment of weakening. At that time, strike at the Eight Gates in unison."

Those who stumbled upon these inscriptions felt a stir of excitement and anxiety. As they read, their minds buzzed with both surprise and the calculation of their own benefits.

"Is there someone orchestrating an assault on the formation?"

There was no doubt about the strength of this grand formation. Many forces had attempted to breach it in recent days, all to no avail, and many had suffered losses. The fact that this formidable formation was set up by just one person spoke volumes about its high level. Obtaining the formation's core spirit would be worth far more than countless spirit stones.

Gradually, the people from the four directions settled into a state of quiet anticipation, waiting for the full moon night to arrive.

During this period, Zhong Shan, Ying Lan, and Tian Ling'er remained silent, speaking little in public.

It wasn't until dusk on the third day that Zhong Shan saw someone, a person whose appearance filled him with joy—a person he had been searching for these past few days.

It was none other than Mr. Corpse, the one who had recently orchestrated the assassination of Immortal Yin. Mr. Corpse was standing on his flying sword, surrounded by eight others flying on wind steeds—those same individuals who had come to escort Mr. Corpse the last time.

The arrival of eight experts at the Nascent Soul stage or higher instantly captured everyone's attention. Each successive arrival had been stronger than the last, and now, seeing so many Nascent Soul stage powerhouses together was truly astonishing.

The nine figures ignored the curious and wary gazes of the crowd. They flew directly towards the southeast section of the grand formation, opposite the 'Death Gate,' and landed on the peak of a mountain.

Zhong Shan had been searching for this group because the information he had overheard last time suggested that they were not here for the formation spirit, but for the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade.

Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade? They knew about the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade as well? That day, Zhong Shan had heard Mr. Corpse addressing one of them as 'Your Majesty.' Could it be that this person was also establishing a kingdom?