Innate Formation Mastery

Zhao Zhihang was beaming with excitement. He had utterly crushed Chu Xinghe today; he had no idea how he could possibly lose!

Everyone else's eyes lit up too.

If Chu Xinghe were to lose to Zhao Zhihang today, regardless of whether Chu Xinghe is skilled in formations or not, just say that Chu Xinghe has lost or not.

The auction hasn't even started yet. If Zhao Zhihang can defeat Chu Xinghe, it will be a huge blow to the morale of the Vast Heaven Sect.

"Well... Zhihang, Senior Brother Xinghe hasn't been studying formations for very long, so this competition might be a bit inappropriate," Zheng Yu said, frowning.

Zhao Zhihang was someone he brought along, but he never expected the kid to pull such a stunt.

If you were to say that Zhao Zhihang planned to go toe-to-toe with Senior Brother Xinghe in terms of combat strength, Zheng Yu would absolutely not stop him from going to his death.

Isn't this formation just bullying people?

You've been learning formations from Zhang Zhi since you can remember, Senior Brother Xinghe has only been learning for a few months. That's so unfair!

"Zheng Yu Brother Zheng Yu, Senior Brother Xinghe is the number one among the younger generation, and his comprehension is naturally extremely high. In just a few months, he must have reached an unfathomable level. Besides, it's just a friendly spar." Zhao Zhihang wouldn't listen to anyone at this moment.

Today I must utterly crush Chu Xinghe! Nobody stop me.

Just as Chu Xinghe was contemplating whether he should slap this Little Wang to death, a voice came from afar.

"Xinghe... there's no harm in having a competition."

As soon as the voice fell, the Grand Elder led a group of influential figures from various factions out.

The Grand Elder's expression wasn't very pleasant, after all, this was clearly bullying Xinghe, but the Grand Elder's thoughts were simpler and more direct.

He had recently visited Haotian Palace to inquire about Xinghe's progress in learning formations.

The vice sect leader's assessment of Xinghe was that he had decent talent, but Xinghe was very good at shirking his responsibilities.

The Grand Elder firmly believed that the Vice Sect Master was right about this, after all, Xinghe was indeed a master at slacking off.

Therefore, the Grand Elder's thought was that Xinghe's journey had been too smooth. If he lost to Zhao Zhihang today, Xinghe would definitely realize his shortcomings, and wouldn't he have to learn from his mistakes and diligently study formations under the Vice Sect Master after returning home?

Moreover, it's not just formations; Xinghe will probably have to follow me closely every day to learn alchemy as well. So, a seemingly insignificant failure can be exchanged for Xinghe's hard work, which is a great deal.

After all, nobody's a fool. Xinghe has only been learning for a few months. Is it really a loss to lose to Zhao Zhihang, who has been studying formations since childhood?

If this is considered a loss, why didn't you let Zhang Zhi come in person? Xinghe would have lost even more miserably then.

Chu Xinghe looked at the Grand Elder with a blank expression. Fortunately, he didn't know what the Grand Elder was thinking at the moment, otherwise he might have burst into tears on the spot.

What the hell? Elder, you're saying I've had it too easy? Elder, did you even consider my feelings when you said that?

Am I having too much luck? If I had been even a little bit luckier, I'd definitely be a Martial Emperor or Martial God by now...

With the Grand Elder's approval, the competition is definitely going to take place.

Soon, everyone made way for Chu Xinghe and Zhao Zhihang.

Zhao Zhihang looked excited.

Master, you've lost to Yan Shoujing so many times, but today I'm determined to win it back for you.

Chu Xinghe looked helpless.

Elder, Elder, you're the one who forced me to lose. Well then, I'll make sure you embarrass yourself properly today.

The competition was simple: each side would inscribe three identical formations, and then use these three formations as a basis to compete in terms of inscription speed and formation strength.

Zhao Zhihang made the first move, and as he unleashed his Spirit Power, the patterns of the array began to take shape before him.

It has to be said that Zhao Zhihang is absolutely a peerless genius in the art of formations. At this moment, his formations, both in terms of speed and accuracy, have earned the approval of a group of big shots.

"Although Zhang Zhi was a failure his whole life, he had a good apprentice. This Zhao Zhihang is even more talented than Zhang Zhi."

"Not bad, this little guy is young, but he has already achieved quite a bit in array inscription."

The Grand Elder nodded in approval. "Xinghe, look at him... He's so young and he's already mastered array formations. After you lose this round, you must learn from this experience and study hard with the Vice Sect Master. Of course, you should not only learn array formations, but also alchemy!"

The Grand Elder thinks it's perfectly reasonable to let Xinghe strive harder in exchange for this small loss.

Soon, Zhao Zhihang's first Lightning Light Formation was completed. Zheng Yu, who was timing it, exclaimed in surprise, "Zhihang has improved again! It used to take him at least a quarter of an hour to inscribe this Lightning Light Formation, but now it only takes him half a quarter of an hour. This kid's talent is amazing!"

"Yes, just talking about formations, Zhihang is probably the number one among the younger generation."

Everyone sighed in amazement. Although the Lightning Light Formation was a basic array, and many of the people present had studied arrays and could inscribe it, even the strongest among them would need at least a quarter of an hour to inscribe the Lightning Light Formation, and the accuracy and power of their inscription would probably be far inferior to Zhao Zhihang's.

Countless eyes turned to Chu Xinghe, who had not yet made a move. Even Zheng Yu felt that this time, Senior Brother Xinghe was in trouble!

It's tough... At this moment, Chu Xinghe felt that things were getting incredibly difficult.

No... you call this fast?

Um... you really need half a quarter of an hour to inscribe Lightning Light Formation? My first attempt didn't even take half a quarter of an hour!

I can now create Lightning Light Formation in one go... So is it because I'm too inexperienced and can't understand Lightning Light Formation at all?

When I inscribed the Lightning Light Formation in one go, I clearly asked the vice sect leader about my ability to inscribe the array in one go. Although the vice sect leader remained silent for a quarter of an hour, his final evaluation was that it was not as good as the disciples he had taught before.

But why do people all say Zhao Zhihang is very strong when it only takes half a quarter of an hour to portray him?

So the formations are just too profound; I can't even understand how they work.

Is it better to depict things quickly or slowly?

Soon, Zhao Zhihang had completed the inscription of his first array, but Chu Xinghe had not yet made a move. Zhao Zhihang ignored this and continued to inscribe his second Six Directions Formation.

Zhao Zhihang spent a quarter of an hour depicting the Six Directions Formation, which once again drew countless praises from the surroundings.

Zhao Zhihang looked at Chu Xinghe, who was still motionless, and began to inscribe the final third Li Water Formation with a wicked smile on his face!

Finally, after the three formations were fully formed, Zhao Zhihang stopped channeling his Spirit Power. The three formations simultaneously flashed with light, signifying Zhao Zhihang's success. However, when everyone's gaze turned to Chu Xinghe, he hadn't even begun.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhihang almost burst out laughing. Had Chu Xinghe simply backed down? Was he too afraid to even portray him properly?

"Xinghe! What are you waiting for! It's your turn!" the Grand Elder urged from the side.

Everyone else also looked at Chu Xinghe.

Amidst countless gazes, Chu Xinghe made his move.

Completely different from Zhao Zhihang's meticulous, stroke-by-stroke style, Chu Xinghe waved his hand, and countless rays of spiritual light converged and intersected in mid-air. With a whoosh, a Lightning Light Formation was formed...

Lightning Light Formation descended from the sky, and in an instant, lightning flashed across the entire area.

Zheng Yu, who was in charge of timing, almost popped his eyes out, because he hadn't even had time to start the time yet, and Senior Brother Xinghe had already finished setting up the Lightning Light Formation?

What the hell is going on?

Not only was Zheng Yu stunned... everyone at the scene was stunned.

What just happened? Chu Xinghe raised his hand and the Lightning Light Formation was formed?

Isn't this speed a bit too outrageous? Forget Zhao Zhihang, could Zhang Zhi even reach this speed?

Even if Yan Shoujing could achieve that speed?

The First Elder's head was blank at this moment... No... Vice Sect Master, is this what you meant by "Xinghe talent is not bad"?

You call this "not bad"?

Although the Grand Elder had seen Xinghe inscribe formations before and knew that Xinghe was very fast, the formations Xinghe inscribed at that time were all of the lowest level. Therefore, the Grand Elder had no idea that Xinghe could be so violent when inscribing other formations.

Chu Xinghe ignored the sudden silence around him. Since he had already made his move, he might as well carve all three of them.

With a wave of his hand, the second Six Directions Formation took shape on the spot, demonstrating a single, decisive step.

Next was the Li Water Formation, Li Water Formation was quite complex. It took Chu Xinghe a full four or five breaths to finally complete it...

But when all three formations were completed and lowered, the scene fell into a deathly silence that lasted for three minutes...

Zheng Yu was no longer considering the timing; was there even a need for timing?

Zhao Zhihang took half a quarter of an hour to inscribe a single, unfortunate Lightning Light Formation, while my Senior Brother Xinghe finished inscribed three arrays in less than half a quarter of an hour!

Senior Brother Xinghe, you said before that you only studied formations for a few months? Isn't that a bit too far-fetched?

Is your speed really reasonable?

Zhao Zhihang stood there watching Chu Xinghe form the array, but his mind had already flown to the ends of the earth, because at this moment his brain simply couldn't comprehend what was happening before his eyes!

I've been learning formations since I was a child, and even my master said I had more talent than him, so what does this mean?

Chu Xinghe, are you sure you're not cheating with that speed? You're using cheat codes, aren't you?

Chu Xinghe is also feeling really bad right now... You wouldn't believe me if I said I really wanted to embarrass myself today...

It's not that I wanted to depict it so quickly; it's just that this is what I've been studying.

Ever since I first inscribed a formation, I've always followed this pace. I want to slow down, but I don't know how... The Vice Sect Master never taught me this...

"The Innate Formation Mastery... This is Innate Formation Mastery!"

Suddenly, an old man with a white beard standing next to the Grand Elder shouted in disbelief.

As he shouted, everyone's expression changed drastically.

The phrase "Innate Formation Mastery" is practically a legend to anyone who has studied formations.

Formation talent is divided into three levels. The first level is the beginner level, and basically everyone who can learn formations must have at least this level of talent.

Above that is the Excellent level, which means the talent is not bad. Yan Shoujing has always said to others that Chu Xinghe's talent is only Excellent level.

This level is considered quite good, but becoming a top-tier array master still requires a long journey.

The third level is the Array Soul level. Reaching this level allows one to comprehend the Array Soul within the array, enabling the person and the Dharma Aspect. The array set up has its own spirit and soul. Those who possess such talent are all geniuses among array prodigies.

Yan Shoujing became the number one master of formations in the world precisely because he possessed a talent at the level of Array Soul.

Zhang Zhi is also at this level, only his comprehension might be slightly weaker; Zhao Zhihang is also at this level.

However, it is said that there is a level above the Array Soul level, called Innate Formation Mastery.

Well, this level of talent means he has an innate and indelible connection with formations. As long as he takes action, no matter what kind of formation it is, it will only succeed and will never fail. Even the power of heaven and earth will form formations for you invisibly.

However, the Innate Formation Mastery only exist in legends and are only recorded in some ancient books.

But today... Chu Xinghe's ability to create formations with a wave of his hand is inexplicable except that the Innate Formation Mastery...