Testing the Formation (Part One)

Star Heaven had a dedicated martial training ground—or rather, a place for drilling and mustering troops. It was not particularly large, but it could still accommodate a million people training at once. This was where Yuan Tian had come to test the formation. The location had changed, but the people had not: there were still only Yuan Tian and the Twelve Heavenly Guards, thirteen in all.

As soon as the Twelve Heavenly Guards reached the training ground, they moved straight into position without waiting for Yuan Tian to repeat his orders.

Each of the Twelve Heavenly Guards took his assigned position. Nothing seemed to have changed, but Yuan Tian distinctly sensed a slight shift in the space around them. Although it lasted only an instant, he was certain he had not imagined it. He knew the Twelve Primordial Cycles Formation was beginning to reveal its power.

"Are you ready?" Yuan Tian asked solemnly.

"Your Majesty, our preparations are complete," the Twelve Heavenly Guards answered in unison.

Since the Twelve Heavenly Guards had finished setting up the Twelve Primordial Cycles Formation, Yuan Tian began walking slowly into it. His purpose was to test its power. How could he feel reassured without experiencing it himself?

"Then begin. Give it everything you have. Let me see what you and the Twelve Primordial Cycles Formation can do," Yuan Tian said as he entered the formation.

"Yes!"

Although the Twelve Heavenly Guards had only just fully comprehended the Twelve Primordial Cycles Formation, they possessed its inherited knowledge to begin with. Thus, they were already intimately familiar with it. They were not inexperienced or clumsy, as one might imagine; rather, their familiarity was something they had been born with.

The Twelve Heavenly Guards would not hold back simply because Yuan Tian was their emperor. His decree