Chapter 48
This formation had a simple name — the Demon Detection Formation.
Thousands of years had passed since its creation, but it was rarely used. Most of the time, it was summoned for study, like now.
Heng Yu stood beneath the formation, completely enveloped by it. She looked up at the intricate and high-level formation. After just a few glances, she felt dizzy.
She blinked, enduring the discomfort and continuing to examine it.
She followed the formation’s structure from its core to its branches. She could understand some parts, but others were too profound, far beyond her current level.
She observed it for a long time, until her divine sense could no longer bear it, then looked away at the ice flowers in the distance.
Liaoyuan stood quietly beside her.
After she recovered, he asked with a smile, “Lord Luo, what do you think of this formation?”
“It’s too profound, far beyond what I can memorize in a few days.”
Heng Yu had originally intended to imprint the formation onto a jade slip and study it slowly, hoping to eventually master it — she wanted to simplify this formation. If the Demon Detection Formation could be simplified, it could be used throughout the Canglan Continent.
And since this formation was mainly for cultivators, if she succeeded, her prestige in the Canglan Continent would greatly increase, making it much easier to gain admiration points.
However, it seemed she had been naive.
There were billions of living beings in the Canglan Continent, and millions of cultivators.
Among them, although truly brilliant and talented individuals were rare, a few would appear every few centuries. Even they couldn’t easily simplify this formation, so she naturally couldn’t do it easily either.
Hearing Heng Yu’s words, Liaoyuan opened his mouth, as if about to say something.
But then he smiled faintly and stopped himself.
“Senior Brother Liaoyuan seems to have something to say?”
Heng Yu was standing right beside him. Although his hesitation was fleeting, she still caught it.
Liaoyuan shook his head and changed the subject. “Do you want to continue examining the formation, Lord Luo?”
Heng Yu currently had a favorable impression of Liaoyuan. Seeing him deliberately change the subject, she didn’t press him. “It’s getting late. Let’s not continue for now.”
“Then I’ll escort you back,” Liaoyuan said. “Ever since I started studying formations, I’ve often come here to study this formation and have gained some insights. We can exchange our thoughts.”
Heng Yu agreed.
They walked and talked, sharing their understanding of the formation.
Occasionally, the conversation broadened to include other formations as well.
Heng Yu had been self-studying formations. Although talented, her learning wasn’t as systematic as Liaoyuan’s. He recommended several books to her, which could help her fill in the gaps in her foundation.
The fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion was very different from the first three floors.
It was spacious, with only three large bookshelves in the corner. A large formation occupied the center of the open space.
The formation glowed faintly, clearly activated.
This formation was to prevent the black prayer beads in Liaowu’s possession from causing trouble.
The beads, made from the bones of a Soul Formation demon, were constantly worn by Liaowu.
Because Soul Formation demons were incredibly powerful, even within the Undying Sect, few could completely purify them. Unable to purify them completely, and needing to deal with the demonic bones, the Undying Sect refined them into prayer beads, treating them as a sacred artifact, and gave them to Liaowu, whose Buddhist heart was pure, to slowly purify the demonic Qi within and train his mind.
Liaowu’s cultivation also required these prayer beads.
Outside the formation, Liaohe sat cross-legged, chanting scriptures and guarding Liaowu.
Liaowu sat inside the formation, having unsealed half of the prayer beads. Endless resentment and malice swirled around him, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
The negative energy probed for weaknesses in his mind.
“‘It’s a pity Senior Brother Liaoyuan doesn’t need to undergo a tribulation of love. I’m curious, which is stronger, the Hehuan Sect’s dual cultivation or Senior Brother Liaoyuan’s Joyful Buddha?’”
“‘Senior Brother Liaowu is unromantic. Lord Luo will have a hard time pursuing him. Even if you manage to sway him, he’s just a block of wood, unable to appreciate your charm.’”
These words echoed in Liaowu’s mind.
Even trapped in the illusion created by the demonic Qi, he couldn’t help but purse his lips.
He shouldn’t care. He should be unmoved by all things.
But that conversation, overheard through the token, had disturbed his thoughts.
His life had been devoted to Buddhist teachings. He wasn’t an interesting or charming person.
His sense of loss came from knowing that Liaoyuan’s words weren’t entirely false.
As these thoughts intensified —
Liaowu suddenly thought of Yuanjing.
And then, unexpectedly, he remembered Heng Yu’s words.
“Time and experience shape them into mountains and rivers, vast and magnificent landscapes.”
“Buddha-son, residing in the temple, chanting scriptures and striking the wooden fish, you are more insightful and gentle than ordinary people. You are already a mountain, a vast landscape.”
The turmoil in his mind subsided.
Liaowu slowly opened his eyes, panting slightly, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
Looking outside the formation, he saw Liaohe staring at him anxiously. Seeing him recover, Liaohe sighed in relief.
“Senior Brother, I’m glad you’re alright. The demonic Qi within the formation was very strong just now. I almost went to find the sect leader.”
Liaowu lowered his gaze and cast a series of hand seals, resealing the prayer beads. Then, he stood up and smoothed his moon-white robes.
“Unsealing half of the beads at once was too risky. The demonic Qi exploited the weakness in my mind and kept attacking. Fortunately, nothing serious happened.”
Hearing his words, Liaohe gasped softly. “Senior Brother, your mind also has weaknesses?”
Liaowu walked out of the formation, his robes swirling around him.
Reaching Liaohe, he said gently, “If my mind were perfect, I would have already achieved enlightenment.”
He simply lacked experience.
Someone with limited experience also had a clear mind. That’s why demons couldn’t find any opportunities to exploit.
But that wasn’t true enlightenment.
True enlightenment was when, after experiencing all kinds of things, demons still couldn’t find any weaknesses to exploit.
Liaohe joined his hands together. “Senior Brother is absolutely right.”
“Then I’ll take my leave,” Liaowu returned the gesture.
He walked towards the stairs. Passing through a barrier, he saw the Enforcement Elder guarding the Scripture Pavilion.
The Enforcement Elder’s eyebrows were white with age, but his aura was profound, indicating at least Spirit Transformation level cultivation.
Hearing footsteps, the Enforcement Elder slowly opened his eyes and looked at Liaowu.
He looked him up and down and said gently, “Your state of mind seems to have improved.”
Liaowu nodded. “Yes, Enforcement Elder. This disciple has gained some insights.”
A smile appeared on the Enforcement Elder’s face. “That’s good. You may leave now and return tomorrow. You’re currently at the early stage of Nascent Soul. To surpass your peers at the Dharma Assembly, you need to reach the sixth level of your cultivation technique in the next few days. Only then can you fight those at the late stage of Nascent Soul.”
“This disciple understands,” Liaowu said.
Liaowu’s cultivation speed was incredibly fast. He had reached Nascent Soul in less than forty years.
This speed, according to the “Continental Records,” was the fastest in history.
His peers, like Liaoyuan, Heng Yu, Wu Mei, Chi, and Dao Zhuo, who were also considered talented, were still at the late stage or peak of Foundation Establishment, far from Nascent Soul.
So, his opponents at the Dharma Assembly would have decades, even centuries, more cultivation experience than him.
Having given his instructions, the Enforcement Elder closed his eyes again.
Liaowu bowed and left the Scripture Pavilion.
Outside, he looked up at the clear blue sky, recalling his experience within the formation —
The weakness in his mind had been caused by Lord Luo’s words.
And the weakness had been mended, also by her words.
He had been unknowingly influenced by her to such an extent.
Thinking this, Liaowu smiled faintly.
But the smile was complex, a mixture of joy and sorrow.
After standing there for a long time, Liaowu decided to go find Heng Yu.
He didn’t ride a crane but used his own methods to travel.
Arriving at the guest peak, he straightened his robes, walked through a peach forest, and then into a bamboo grove.
Heng Yu’s temporary residence was behind the bamboo grove.
As he approached, the door opened.
Liaoyuan, in blue monk robes, walked out.
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