Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 237
Chapter 237: Chapter 164: Formation_1
Translator: 549690339
Purple Cloud Mountain!
A second-tier Spirit Land, ranked as superior, it is one of the two major branches outside the Green Jade Sect.
The Three Sects of Golden Core, which control Liang Country, if a Spirit Land appears in this world, and it is second tier, it must be occupied by the Three Sects.
Only first-tier Spirit Lands would be distributed to various Foundation Establishment forces to invest in and nurture with their utmost efforts.
Once these Foundation Establishment forces have nurtured the Spirit Land to the second tier, the Three Sects of Golden Core would then instruct them to set up markets and interfere; driving a wedge, adding to their influence with Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Objects, and some unscrupulous methods to limit the prospects of perfect Foundation Establishment for various factions, making it difficult for them to break the Golden Core boundary.
With this, the Three Sects of Golden Core have dominated Liang Country for a thousand years, never seeing the decline of the Sect or a change of power.
The avenues for ascension and the output of resources are firmly controlled and securely held by them.
With such a development, naturally, the strong become stronger, and the weak become weaker.
After all, in the path of cultivation, resources are the foundation.
Even with a superior Heavenly Spirit, without resources, one would also be buried in the mortal world.
Purple Cloud Mountain, although not quite as good as Green Jade Mountain, the main peak of the Green Jade Sect, is also a second-tier superior Spirit Land.
Its value is considerable, and it can be the foundation of a legacy.
The Green Jade Sect has set up a Golden Core Great Array here, opened markets, and placed Four Searching Immortal Envoys to seek out talents from all directions, chances and strange treasures, while also monitoring the development and movements of various forces.
Such a Spirit Land naturally has strong power; not only does it have a third-tier Golden Core Great Array, but it also has an elder who is at Perfect Foundation Building, as well as four Searching Immortal Envoys who are all at least at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
The Golden Core Great Array and five Foundation Establishment Cultivators can resist a Golden Core assault, with the help of the Array Power.
If an enemy, unaware of their fate, enters the formation to fight, they can also draw on the power of the Spirit Vein to maximize the might of the Great Array and annihilate the enemy within the formation.
The Golden Core Great Array definitely possesses such power.
Even without the Golden Core Great Array, a Foundation Establishment at perfect completion, in combination with a second-tier Array, can contend against a Golden Core.
That’s also why, besides the Three Sects, within the borders of Liang Country, there are very few Foundation Establishment Perfect Completion Cultivators venturing outside.
Cultivators from all sides, once they reach Foundation Establishment completion, must shrink back within the Mountain Gate Array, devising all means to condense a Golden Core, daring not to venture out, otherwise, they may face various accidents or even assassination.
This shows the difficulty of the world and the cruelty of the Cultivation Realm.
But these dangers are only for Loose Cultivators and small to medium-sized forces.
As the controllers of Liang Country, the Three Sects of Golden Core have no such concerns.
Inside Purple Cloud Mountain, at Green Jade Tower.
Song and dance flourished; the feast was in full swing.
It was a welcoming banquet for the newly appointed Searching Immortal Envoy.
“One always sees the new ones smiling; who cares for the cries of the old ones?”
In a private room, two men drinking together, yet one of them sighed with such words.
Although a Formation isolated any sound, one could still feel the lively energy of the banquet, in sharp contrast to the quiet scene inside this room.
In response, Bai Yunzi, who as the “old one” was rather indifferent, said, “Junior Brother Zhang, your poem is rather bitter. We cultivators should not be so affected and artificial.”
“I’m merely speaking up for Elder Brother’s injustice.”
Zhang shook his head, “Among the Searching Immortal Envoys, Elder Brother performed the best, and your merits are high. After another decade or two, to take over from the Seventh Elder as the master of Purple Cloud Mountain was not impossible.”
“Now with one decree from the Sect, they want to call you back and give you an insignificant post to retire!”
“Isn’t this an obvious case of plucking peaches?”
Zhang slammed the table, indignantly: “Even for the law-enforcement lineage, such greed is unseemly!”
“Junior Brother, be careful with your words!”
Bai Yunzi’s eyebrows furrowed, his voice suppressed Zhang’s comments: “We drink today only as a custom, let’s not discuss other matters.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Zhang knew he misspoke and quickly nodded in acknowledgment, but after glancing around, he still couldn’t suppress his curiosity and asked in a lowered voice, “I heard that Lin Juefeng is here this time to snatch the Li Family’s Golden Core Sword Technique. Elder Brother, you have good relations with the Li Family. What is Li Liuxian’s stance on this?”
Bai Yunzi felt helpless upon hearing this.
He knew that his Junior Brother had already sided with a major branch within the Sect, which also had a Golden Core successor preparing to shine in the Sect’s grand competition in two years.
Thus, he paid close attention to Lin Juefeng, who was also a contender for Golden Core succession.
Honestly, Bai Yunzi did not want to get involved in such disputes.
But when he thought about how his decades of hard work were so forcibly reaped by others, he felt somewhat aggrieved.
Finally, he still said, “I have informed them, and the Li Family has also agreed to offer the original Sword Technique.”
“What?”
Zhang’s expression changed immediately upon hearing this: “Does the Li Family really possess the complete Sword Technique?”
“Not exactly,”
Bai Yunzi shook his head, “If the Li Family had the complete Sword Technique, why would they have fought to the death over a low-tier Spirit Land back then? It’s probably just that leftover move and its origins that they will fully disclose to Lin Fengjue.”
“I see.”
Zhang nodded: “But will Lin Fengjue be satisfied with that? This youngster is quite arrogant and greedy. The Golden Core Sword Technique is crucial to him; he probably won’t give up easily.”
Bai Yunzi smiled slightly: “If he’s not satisfied, what can he do? The Li Family acknowledges our Green Jade Sect as the Upper Sect and pays tribute every year. If he breaks the rules, even if he is a Golden Core candidate, he must face the Sect’s discipline. Do you… understand?”
“This… I understand, thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother!”
The man was first taken aback, then enlightenment dawned upon him, clearly understanding what to use for his advantage.
“Hmm!”
Bai Yunzi nodded, very satisfied: “Come, come, let’s drink!”
“Junior offers Elder Brother a toast.”
“Ha…”
As the two enjoyed their drink and conversation,
The door to the room was suddenly knocked upon, and a voice came through.
“Is Uncle Bai Yunzi inside?”
“Hmm?”
Both men furrowed their brows, their surprise and suspicion evident.
In the end, it was Bai Yunzi who calmly rose and opened the door.
As the door opened, the crowd was seen, and the one at the forefront was none other than Lin Fengjue, dressed in elegant azure robes.
“It turns out to be Nephew Lin.”
“Uncle Bai Yunzi is here, why didn’t you inform me, causing your nephew to wait here and there, searching all over?”
“Sigh, this old man doesn’t like to get involved in the bustle of young people; drinking a small glass with Junior Brother Zhang is enough. This must be Niece Zhou, truly born with innate grace.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Uncle…”
The two exchanged pleasantries, skilled in social graces, attentive to every detail, without missing a beat.
Bai Yunzi was somewhat astonished by this, musing internally, “This youngster, who knows exactly what to say to whom, is also shrewd and tactful. Now, the Li Family might be in trouble…”
His thoughts had yet to settle when suddenly…
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
The thunderous noise was startling, sending a shock to the heart.
“Hmm!?”
All the cultivators present were taken aback by the sound of the thunder.
The most advanced in cultivation, Bai Yunzi and Lin Fengjue, instantly furrowed their brows and looked up.
Upon looking, they saw the sky had changed.
Dark clouds descended abruptly, the clear sky vanished in an instant.
Amidst the great dark heavens, lightning flashed and thunder roared, each burst striking fear.
“This…”
“Such a celestial phenomenon!”
“What’s happening?”
The crowd was startled, their expressions one of puzzlement.
Bai Yunzi and Lin Fengjue’s brows remained deeply furrowed.
It was at this moment, from the Spiritual Vein Cave Mansion atop Purple Cloud Mountain, a figure flew out.
“Who dares to violate my Green Jade Sect’s Purple Cloud Mountain?”
A stern shout resonated in all directions. The comer soared into the sky, activating an array power, surrounded by a brilliant Spirit Light, which, combined with the Heavenly Spirit and Earth Vein, made him look like a divine being.
It was…
“The Seventh Elder?”
Seeing this person, everyone’s faces changed.
For this person was none other than the master of Purple Cloud Mountain, with the cultivation of Perfect Foundation Building, the Seventh Elder of the Green Jade Sect.
Even he was disturbed, which could only mean that…
The Seventh Elder soared into the sky, activating the Golden Core Great Array of Purple Cloud Mountain, drawing power vigorously from the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit, with bright Spirit Light shooting to the heavens.
Yet, with the sky covered by dark clouds, the brooding thunder and lightning continued unabated.
Amidst the roaring, lightning descended, revealing banners, boldly planted around Purple Cloud Mountain.
“This…!”
“An array within an array!”
The Seventh Elder’s pupils shrank; before he could speak, a streak of light flew towards him from behind and landed beside him, declaring in a deep voice, “Golden Core True Man, the visitor means no good, quickly send a message to the Sect, and inform the Supreme Elder!”
“Third Senior Brother!”
Seeing that this person was also alerted, the Seventh Elder was startled, but soon he realized what was happening, turned around, and rushed towards the Purple Cloud Cave, handing over control of the Great Golden Core Array to the other.
“The Third Elder?”
Below, inside the Green Jade Tower, upon hearing the Seventh Elder address the other, everyone’s faces changed once more.
Only Bai Yunzi and Lin Juefeng were not surprised.
They too were part of the Sect’s core and naturally knew of the Sect’s potentiality.
A grand Golden Core Sect with a thousand-year heritage, how could it have only one Golden Core?
Apart from the obvious Golden Core, the Green Jade Sect had two more Golden Core cultivators and a Supreme Ancestor hidden in secrecy.
Now, this Third Elder, one of them, with a Golden Core cultivation, stationed in Purple Cloud to ensure such a critical place was not taken advantage of by outsiders.
He had been guarding here for a hundred years, always peaceful, seldom appearing before others, which is why few know of the existence of this “Third Elder”.
Until now…
“I do not know who you are, but where has the Green Jade Sect failed you to warrant such an aggressive approach?”
The Third Elder stood in midair, connected to the Array, his eyes full of solemnity.
As the saying goes, no good comes uninvited!
Knowing that there was a Golden Core Great Array here and still daring to come forward means they must have something to rely on.
Not to mention the ability to create an array outside of an existing array.
Among the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, Array Formation is foremost!
An array draws on the very forces of heaven and earth, utilizing the power of nature, and cannot be opposed by any single person.
Of course, this is true for cultivators and arrays at the same level.
If there is a wide disparity in levels, force can break cunning.
But this is crude and demands great effort, while the mainstream is to counter array with array, and overcome cunning with cunning.
An array within an array is precisely this technique of using cunning to break cunning.
The principle is simple, which is to deploy another array outside the existing one, overpowering the original with the new formation.
But although simple in theory, it is difficult in practice.
If the enemy’s array is already established, using the power and will of heaven and earth, setting up another array means you have to wrest control of this power midstream.
The difficulty of this can only be imagined.
Generally, only if one’s knowledge in Array Formation far surpasses that of the opponent can they have the confidence to employ the technique of creating an array within an array, otherwise, it’s simply inviting humiliation.
This Purple Cloud Mountain’s Array, though constructed with Array Flags and Plates and not personally laid down by a third-tier Array Master, is still undoubtedly a Golden Core Great Array.
If the opponent dares to deploy an array within an array outside of a Golden Core Great Array, does that not suggest…
A fourth-tier Formation Master?
A fourth-tier Formation Master!
That is an existence not even a Great Nascent Soul Cultivator would dare to provoke, and even avoid at all costs.
How could the Green Jade Sect provoke such an enemy?
No, rather, how could the Green Jade Sect possibly have provoked such an enemy!
Who is the damned fool with no eyesight, ignorant of life and death, to bring such a catastrophe upon the Sect?
The Third Elder was a mix of shock and anger. But since the opponent had not yet broken through the Array and the identity of a fourth-tier Formation Master was not yet confirmed, he couldn’t just concede defeat. He could only lower his stance as much as possible, soften his tone, and see if there was still room to maneuver the situation.
