Formation Array (Seeking Recommendations and Favorites)

When Xiao Meng returned this time, he had intended to greet Xiao Zhan before heading to the Beast Mountain Range for training. But when he thought of the threat posed by the Gale Clan, he lost all desire to go out and train.

Over the next few days, he did not leave the house. Most of his time was spent in the basement studying the Eternal Undying Art.

He still had seven fishing attempts left in total, and yesterday, he had used two of them.

One had caught him an egg, an egg the size of a fist. But after fussing with it for ages, he could neither cook it over fire nor boil it soft, and he could not smash it open either. In the end, it had even entered his Heavenly Palace.

Though Xiao Meng was frustrated, there was nothing he could do. On his second attempt, he caught a formation experience card from the Great Ruler World. Ever since obtaining it, he had immersed himself in studying formations every day.

In the Great Ruler World, formations were called spirit arrays, while in this world, they were called battle arrays.

"A battle array, simply put, uses a special method to make Dou Qi resonate, thereby drawing upon the Dou Qi of heaven and earth to achieve offensive and defensive effects."

"However, triggering such resonance is exceptionally complex and difficult."

To set up a battle array, one first had to condense battle seals.

In the basement, Xiao Meng sat with his eyes tightly shut, his hand seals changing at high speed. Origin Energy rapidly gathered at his fingertips before transforming into twenty-three exquisite, tiny battle seals. These seals looked especially complex, yet they emitted a peculiar fluctuation.

Xiao Meng abruptly opened his eyes, staring intently at the battle seals floating around him.

"These battle seals seem somewhat different from those in the memories. They seem stronger, heavier, and more profound than described in the memories. And the seals I condensed don't resonate with the Dou Qi between heaven and earth—they directly mobilize, suppress, and draw it in. What exactly is going on?"

Xiao Meng searched through his memories and found a passage that gave him some insight.

The memories mentioned, "In some lower planes, setting up formations is much easier because the energy in lower planes is not as heavy or complex as that of the Great Thousand World. Thus, in a sense, the spirit arrays of the Great Thousand World are more advanced and complex than the formations of most lower planes."

"It seems the Origin Energy I cultivate is not only more advanced than Dou Qi, but even superior to the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand World. That is why the battle seals I condense with Origin Energy can easily mobilize the Dou Qi of the Battle Through the Heavens world to form an array," Xiao Meng murmured.

However, aside from condensing battle seals, setting up an array required another indispensable item: an array diagram.

According to the memories, "The creation of an array is extremely complicated, like a vast construction project. Battle seals are the foundation and channels of transmission, while the array diagram is the blueprint. Without a complete blueprint, there can be no project to speak of."

Xiao Meng dispersed his battle seals and prepared to search for an array diagram.

Before long, an image resembling a scroll appeared in his mind. The scroll was dark gold, with faint lightning flickering across it and forming lines that intertwined chaotically. Staring at it for too long actually made his head spin.

"This array diagram is called the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array. It is a first-grade battle array and requires a full twenty battle seals to set up. Among first-grade array diagrams, it stands at the peak. Of course, the complexity of setting up this battle array rivals that of some second-grade battle arrays."

"I choose you."

Xiao Meng made up his mind to use the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array for his first attempt.

He immediately adjusted his state of mind, focused his thoughts, and used his soul power to touch the array diagram in his mind. Instantly, the lightning upon the diagram blazed more brilliantly and surged more fiercely. The lines that looked incomprehensibly chaotic to ordinary people were now filled with endless mysteries.

Although this array diagram had already been deeply imprinted in his mind, those memories were not his own personal experiences. Therefore, he needed to familiarize himself with them again and again, turning memories that did not belong to him into his own.

Nearly two hours later, Xiao Meng slowly opened his eyes. He had already mastered the array diagram of the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array. As long as he condensed the battle seals, he could set it up.

However, he did not immediately attempt to arrange the formation. The basement lacked sufficient Dou Qi, making it difficult to test the power of the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array there. Yet he did not leave the quiet basement right away, instead continuing to sift through the memories in his mind.

It was near dusk when he finally walked out of his side hall to take a stroll.

Suddenly, he saw Xiao Yan following a servant toward the discussion hall. The servant looked rather anxious. After giving it some thought, Xiao Meng's heart stirred, and he immediately followed them.

"Young Master Third," a servant called out to him after he had taken only a few steps.

Xiao Meng turned to the panting servant and asked, "What is it?"

"Young Master Third, the Clan Head requests your presence at the discussion hall," the servant hurriedly said.

Xiao Meng was slightly stunned before replying, "Understood. I'll go right away."

"Father usually wouldn't call me and Fourth Brother to attend meetings over ordinary matters. It seems the clan has run into something troublesome." Xiao Meng frowned and quickly headed toward the Xiao Clan's discussion hall.

More than a dozen guards stood outside the discussion hall. However, none of them stopped Xiao Meng upon seeing him. He walked straight inside and found all the Xiao Clan elders gathered there, their expressions solemn.

"Father, did something happen?" Feeling the heavy atmosphere in the hall, Xiao Meng's brows drew together.

After Xiao Meng sat down, Xiao Zhan finally said, "We received news today that the Gale Clan has suddenly gained two unfamiliar Da Dou Masters. Their strength is considerable, and they should both be four-star Da Dou Masters."

"Two unfamiliar Da Dou Masters? They must have been invited by Liu Xi's master, right?" Xiao Meng asked after thinking it over.

The First Elder nodded. "That is what we believe as well. However, our Xiao Clan was already weaker than the Gale Clan. Now that they have two more formidable Da Dou Masters, the situation is extremely unfavorable for us."

"The influence of a third-grade alchemist truly cannot be underestimated. He actually managed to bring in two Da Dou Masters."

Xiao Yan's expression darkened. "The Gale Clan came thoroughly prepared this time. Are they planning to deal the Xiao Clan a fatal blow?"

"But judging from the current situation, the Gale Clan has shown no signs of attacking our Xiao Clan. They seem to be preparing some other killing move, and that is what worries us most," the Sixth Elder said gravely.

"Preparing? What else are they preparing? Could it be that even with two additional Da Dou Masters, Jia Lie Bi still isn't confident he can deal with our Xiao Clan?" Xiao Meng said with an angry laugh.

Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Liu Xi's master can refine a pill called the Red Phosphorus Pill, which can rapidly increase a warrior's cultivation in a short time. I also received word from the Mittel Auction House that the old man contacted a medicinal herb merchant outside the city and acquired a batch of precious ingredients. Jia Lie Nu is personally escorting them, and they should arrive in Wutan City in two days. So I think they are waiting for Liu Xi's master to refine the Red Phosphorus Pills before making their move."

"Jia Lie Bi is clearly stronger than Father. If they were merely targeting our Xiao Clan, there would be no need to prepare Red Phosphorus Pills. He must be preparing them to deal with you and old man Yao," Xiao Meng said after a pause.

"That is what I think too."

Xiao Yan nodded, then sighed. "I underestimated that old man's connections. I didn't expect him to obtain the ingredients in only a few days."

"So you plan to intercept and kill Jia Lie Nu?" Xiao Meng seemed to realize something and asked quietly.

Xiao Yan froze, looking astonished. "Third Brother, you actually knew what I was thinking?"

"What's so surprising about that? Just because you can think of it, does that mean I can't?"

Xiao Meng rolled his eyes. "Intercepting Jia Lie Nu would not only weaken the Gale Clan, but also prevent them from refining the Red Phosphorus Pills. That would inevitably delay the Gale Clan's attack."

"That was exactly my plan." Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.

"Third Brother, what are you two whispering about?" Xiao Zhan asked curiously when he saw them muttering nonstop.

"Father, I heard that a gentleman in black delivered some third-grade medicinal pills yesterday?" After coughing dryly a few times, Xiao Meng looked at Xiao Zhan and asked.

"That did happen. That gentleman came yesterday intending to accept Fourth Brother as his disciple. Those dozen or so third-grade pills were a greeting gift from him. Unfortunately, Fourth Brother was not home yesterday and missed such a fine opportunity." Xiao Zhan spoke with some excitement.

"Father, then use the pills without worry to improve your cultivation during this time. Leave the rest to Fourth Brother and me," Xiao Meng said.

Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile. "Though those pills were a greeting gift from that gentleman, Fourth Brother has not yet become his disciple. How can we use them so casually?"

"Father, feel free to use those pills. After that old gentleman left the Xiao Clan yesterday, I encountered him along the way, so I have already become his disciple," Xiao Yan said.

"Really?" Wild delight surfaced not only on Xiao Zhan's face, but also on the faces of the other elders.

"Absolutely true."

Xiao Yan said, "I had already met that old gentleman several times, and he taught me all my alchemy skills. I had wanted to become his disciple long ago, but he required me to become a first-grade alchemist within half a year before he would accept me. Later, he learned that I became a first-grade alchemist in less than half a year, so he hurried over to take me as his disciple."

Xiao Meng: "..."

"Fourth Brother, you're really something. You can lie without even blushing. Impressive, truly impressive."

Xiao Meng said disdainfully, "And aren't you afraid of angering old man Yao to death? He hurried over to accept you as his disciple? Do you have no shame?"

"If I didn't say it that way, how was I supposed to explain it?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes.

"Hahaha, good! Good! Good! My son becoming that old gentleman's disciple is a tremendous opportunity and blessing!" Xiao Zhan laughed heartily.

The First Elder also smiled. "Yesterday, I thought that old gentleman had extended help to our Xiao Clan because of Little Yan. It seems that was indeed the case."

Next, Xiao Yan was surrounded by Xiao Zhan and the elders, who bombarded him with questions until his head ached. Meanwhile, Xiao Meng watched from the side with great delight at his misfortune.

The meeting did not end until night had fallen.

After the family finished dinner, Xiao Meng and Xiao Yan left with their arms around each other's shoulders. Along the way, Xiao Meng looked around. Once he confirmed no one was nearby, he finally said, "Fourth Brother, let me handle the interception of Jia Lie Nu."

"Your injuries have mostly healed, but you have not fully recovered. I don't want you worsening them."

Before Xiao Yan could say anything, Xiao Meng made the final decision. "Help me determine Jia Lie Nu's route. Leave everything else to me."