The "standardization and modularization" reform in Room Bing of the Artifact Refining Hall had made remarkable progress. Like a boulder dropped into a lake, its ripples had quickly spread to every corner of Jin'ao Island. Every day, disciples came in an endless stream—some curious, some doubtful, and some sincerely seeking instruction—to observe the efficiently running production line and the "standardized" Flying Swords and magical treasures, whose quality was consistent and which were nearly identical. Data was the most persuasive language. When the actual output and success rates were laid before them, more and more members of the Interception Sect began to seriously consider Researcher Xuanyuanzi's "heretical" theories.
The tide naturally reached the Array Court, which stood beside the Artifact Refining Hall and served as another important pillar of the Interception Sect.
As its name suggested, the Array Court was where people studied, deployed, and broke all kinds of formations. The formations of the primordial world encompassed everything, from small-scale spirit-gathering, defense, and concealment arrays to large-scale traps, killing arrays, and even formations that could alter the heavens and transform the earth. Their mysteries were boundless. Yet the study and deployment of formations, both within the Interception Sect and throughout the primordial world, ranked among the fields most reliant on talent, experience, and "intuition." Formation Diagrams were intricate, and the slightest error in placing a Formation Base could lead to a vast discrepancy. Energy guidance required extremely precise control, and success or failure often seemed to hinge on "mysticism." It was difficult to explain, let alone teach on a large scale.
One day, Wuyun Xian, vice lord of the Array Court—a tall, lean Daoist with a composed face and eyes that often held the look of someone running calculations—came of his own accord to the research chamber where Lin Xuan was staying. Unlike Lady Shiji of the Artifact Refining Hall, who had initially been cool toward him, Wuyun Xian was more cautious and pragmatic.
"Researcher Xuanyuanzi," Wuyun Xian said, cupping his hands in greeting and getting straight to the point. "I've heard about what you've done at the Artifact Refining Hall. I'm deeply impressed. The Array Court has recently run into a problem, and I've come to ask your advice. Do you have any insights into the art of formations?"
Lin Xuan returned the greeting and invited Wuyun Xian to sit. "You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Wuyun. I wouldn't presume to offer insights; I'm happy to discuss it with you. What's the problem?"
Wuyun Xian took out a jade slip and infused it with his magical power. An exceedingly complex Formation Diagram appeared in the air, its lines crisscrossing and nodes densely packed as spiritual light flowed through it. It was a simplified, theoretical version of a well-known protective formation of the Interception Sect: the Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. Though far weaker than the complete version used by the Three Maidens of Sanxiao, it could still confuse and trap enemies and wear down their magical power. It was a commonly used formation for guarding important caves.
"This is the one." Wuyun Xian pointed at the Formation Diagram, his brows slightly furrowed. "Its power is considerable, but it's extremely complicated to set up and places great demands on whoever deploys it. The two core variations, 'Winding Path' and 'Weak Water Corrosion,' in particular, require the energy nodes to connect with absolute precision. The slightest deviation can greatly reduce its power—or, at worst, cause the formation to backfire. Fewer than ten disciples in our court can deploy it perfectly on their own. And each deployment takes a long time, making it difficult to respond to sudden developments. I wonder whether the researcher's ideas of 'standardization' and 'modularization' might work for this formation..."
His question was highly specific. He was asking for advice, but there was also a hint of testing in it. The art of formations was even more abstract and intricate than artifact refining; it couldn't be solved by simply piecing together parts.
Lin Xuan didn't answer right away. Instead, he focused on studying the Formation Diagram in the air. Through his Insight Technique and a way of thinking shaped by modern scientific training, the diagram—which seemed mysterious and incomprehensible to others—gradually broke down into pathways of energy flow, interactions between nodes, and the functions of different sections.
He studied it for roughly the time it took an incense stick to burn. Once he had a plan, he looked up at Wuyun Xian, confidence shining in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Wuyun, in my view, the essence of formations isn't an art of 'chaos.' It's a science of 'logic'!"
"A science of logic?" Wuyun Xian stared at him. He had never heard such a description before.
"Exactly!" Lin Xuan stood and used his magical power as a brush to sketch in the blank space beside the Formation Diagram. "Look, Fellow Daoist. No matter how complex a formation is, it consists of a few basic elements: Formation Bases, which are energy sources and stabilizers; Formation Patterns, which are energy-conduction pathways; Formation Nodes, where energy gathers and transforms; and the Formation Eye, the central control hub."
As he spoke, he took apart the Formation Diagram of the Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, marking the Formation Bases with colored points, its main energy circuits with lines, and its key nodes with circles.
"Traditional formation deployment requires the practitioner to grasp the formation as a whole, intuitively—like painting a freehand landscape, where the emphasis is on spirit and feeling, but precise replication is difficult." Lin Xuan shifted gears. "But with a 'logical' and 'modular' approach, we can turn it into an 'engineering blueprint'!"
He explained in detail: "First, standardize the Formation Bases and Formation Flags to the highest degree. Design 'standard Formation Bases' and 'standard Formation Flags' with uniform specifications and built-in standard energy circuits. Like the molds used in artifact refining, they'll ensure that every basic unit performs reliably and has consistent interfaces. There'll be no need to refine or adjust them on the spot during deployment; we can simply take them and use them."
"Second, modularize the functions in the Formation Diagram. We can divide the Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation into several core functional modules. For example, a 'Confusion Module' to create illusions and distort paths; a 'Weak Water Module' to corrode magical power; a 'Defense Module' to repel external attacks; and an 'Energy Coordination Module' to balance the energy supply to each module. Every module will have its own Formation Base configuration and energy-circuit design. The modules will connect through standardized 'interface' protocols, ensuring that energy flows smoothly without interference."
"Next, establish a 'deployment algorithm' and a 'Construction Manual.'" Lin Xuan introduced a concept that left Wuyun Xian gaping. "In other words, summarize the deployment process into a strict, step-by-step 'algorithm.' Step one: survey the terrain and the distribution of spiritual energy, then select the best location for the Formation Eye. Step two: place the Formation Bases for the 'Energy Coordination Module' precisely at the coordinates indicated in the manual. Step three: connect and activate the 'Confusion,' 'Weak Water,' and 'Defense' Modules in sequence... Every step will specify the exact distance, angle, and amount of energy to inject. It'll be like building a palace: lay the foundation, raise the framework, then finish the interior. That way, even disciples with little understanding of formations can successfully deploy a sound grand formation, as long as they follow the Construction Manual to the letter!"
Wuyun Xian's breathing quickened as he listened. He had never imagined that mysterious formations could be broken down into such clear steps, like a house built by mortal craftsmen!
Finally, Lin Xuan pointed to several nodes in the Formation Diagram where energy flow was complex and mistakes were easy to make. "As for the core variations you mentioned, we can use 'pre-encapsulated Core Formation Disks.' The most complex and precise node circuits can be refined and permanently set into specially made Core Formation Disks by experts in advance. During deployment, all you need to do is place the disk in the designated position and connect it to the module interface. It's like manufacturing the hardest 'chip' beforehand; the user only needs to plug it in!"
With those words, he brought formations down from the clouds of "mysticism" to the solid ground of "engineering." Thunder seemed to crash through Wuyun Xian's mind. Many problems that had long troubled him—how to train new formation practitioners quickly, how to ensure the stability of large formations, and how to deploy and dismantle formations rapidly—now seemed to have a glimmer of a solution under this "logical" system!
"Brilliant! Simply brilliant!" Wuyun Xian sprang to his feet, his face flushed with excitement. "The method you've proposed has opened a clear path to the heavens for our Array Court! If it can truly be put into practice, the formation-deployment capabilities of our Interception Sect disciples will make a qualitative leap!"
Unable to contain himself, he took Lin Xuan by the arm. "Please come to the Array Court with me. We'll begin at once, using this Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation as a pilot project to test this unprecedented idea!"
Lin Xuan smiled and nodded. He knew that reforming formations might have an even greater impact than reforming artifact refining. Once formation deployment was no longer the exclusive domain of a handful of geniuses, but a "technology" that could be standardized and produced on a large scale, just how terrifyingly powerful would the Interception Sect become?
Another quiet revolution had begun at the Array Court. Xuanyuanzi's fire of science was starting to ignite one of the most mysterious fields in the primordial world.
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