They would first test-run the formation disks. Only after confirming that every disk was free of problems would they be arranged at the various key nodes around Crane Releasing Peak according to the previous plan, after which the grand formation would undergo further adjustments.
Liu Xiaolou's plan was to exploit the gap in timing to switch the formation disks. He would find a way to muddle through the inspection, then use the time before the actual deployment began to refine a reliable Jingyun Talisman Formation Disk. When the time came, he would pull off a trick of stealing the beams and replacing the pillars, switching it back.
There were many points in this process where he could intervene, taking advantage of his role as Tang Song's errand-runner. For instance, when the formations were being deployed, he could find a way to make Tang Song place the Northern Black Water Formation last. Given the order of the Li Jiu Gong formation disks, it would most likely be among the very last.
That way, according to Tang Song's prior plans, there would be a gap of seven or eight days. If he found another opportunity to pull a few strings and create some small trouble, he might gain another two or three days.
Zhao Yongchun nodded in agreement. Tang Song made a gesture toward the formation disks in the large wooden chest... but did not summon one. Liu Xiaolou blocked him instead, already holding up a formation disk and presenting it to Tang Song with a bow.
Tang Song paid it no mind. He accepted the disk, gave it a look, and said to Zhao Yongchun, "This is the Myriad Flower Formation of the Eastern Green Wood Formation. It is..."
Liu Xiaolou reported, "The Single Calyx Formation Disk."
Tang Song activated the