Zichen Cave Abode Reinforced, a Simple Defensive Formation Laid

Outside the Zichen Cave Abode, Xuan Chen stood in an open clearing, his expression solemn and grave. Dozens of Primordial Unity Stones, Innate Spirit Jade, and dark iron lay on the ground before him—these were all core materials for setting up the "Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation." Nüwa stood beside him with a carving knife in hand, engraving formation patterns onto the Primordial Unity Stones under Xuan Chen's guidance.

"The Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation builds upon the Primordial Unity Guardian Formation by adding spirit-gathering and warning functions. Not only can it further strengthen the cave abode's defenses, it can also draw the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the abode, providing abundant resources for our cultivation." As Xuan Chen explained, he demonstrated how to carve the formation patterns. "The carving of formation patterns is of utmost importance. Every stroke must be precise, or it will affect the operation of the entire grand formation. Remember this: the core of the Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation lies in 'gathering' and 'defense.' The formation patterns must both guide spiritual energy into convergence and form a defensive barrier."

Nüwa listened attentively, carefully moving the carving knife across the Primordial Unity Stone. Though her movements were somewhat unpracticed, she strove for flawless precision in every stroke. Under Xuan Chen's instruction, she gradually mastered the techniques of carving formation patterns. The patterns she carved became increasingly fluid, emanating a faint aura of chaos.

"Master, the Dao of formations truly is endlessly profound and wondrous," Nüwa said with feeling. "Just a combination of a few stones and formation patterns can create such powerful defensive and spirit-gathering effects. It truly is unbelievable."

Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "The Dao of formations originates from heaven and earth, from nature itself, and contains the ultimate principles of the Great Dao. It emphasizes 'following the current' and 'borrowing force to strike with force.' By laying formation foundations, carving formation patterns, and guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth along with the power of Dao laws, one can produce specific effects. Mastering the Dao of formations can not only improve your own defensive and offensive abilities, but also help you better comprehend the Great Dao of heaven and earth."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Once the Dragon-Han Calamity erupts, the battle among the three clans may spread to the vicinity of Mount Buzhou. We are setting up this Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation both to resist external enemies and to provide the living beings within the cave abode with a safe environment for cultivation. You must diligently study the foundations of formations. If the opportunity arises in the future, you may further elevate the formation's grade and perhaps even create formations of your own."

Nüwa nodded. "This disciple understands! This disciple will certainly study diligently and master the Dao of formations as soon as possible."

Over the next half month, Xuan Chen and Nüwa worked together to set up the Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation. Xuan Chen was responsible for arranging the formation foundations and linking the formation patterns, while Nüwa assisted at his side, learning the structure and operational principles of formations. They buried Primordial Unity Stones underground to form formation eyes; used Innate Spirit Jade to trace formation patterns and connect the various formation eyes; then forged protective railings from dark iron to encircle the cave abode's perimeter.

The process of arranging the entire grand formation was tedious and complex, requiring precise control over every detail. Relying on his profound attainments in formations, Xuan Chen advanced each task in an orderly fashion. Nüwa studied earnestly at his side, raising questions from time to time, all of which Xuan Chen patiently answered.

Half a month later, the Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation was finally complete. Xuan Chen activated the formation with a hand seal. As a faint flash of golden light passed by, the entire Zichen Cave Abode was shrouded by a translucent golden barrier. Complex formation patterns covered the barrier, emanating a dense aura of chaos. At the same time, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began converging toward the cave abode, forming an enormous vortex of spiritual energy and raising the spiritual energy concentration within the abode severalfold.

"The Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation is complete!" Xuan Chen let out a long breath, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. This grand formation formed a double layer of protection together with the earlier Primordial Unity Guardian Formation. The outer Chaos Spirit-Gathering Defensive Formation handled warnings, spirit gathering, and preliminary defense, while the inner Primordial Unity Guardian Formation was responsible for ultimate defense. Together, they could withstand the full-force attack of a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal.

Looking at the golden barrier before her, a trace of amazement flashed through Nüwa's eyes. "What a powerful formation! This disciple can sense that not only is this barrier's defensive strength astonishing, it is also ceaselessly gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It is truly miraculous."

Xuan Chen said, "This is only a basic double-layered formation. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will teach you more advanced knowledge of formations, allowing you to set up even stronger ones. For now, we must also reinforce the cave abode's restrictions and ensure that nothing can possibly go wrong."

Afterward, the two returned to the interior of the cave abode and began reinforcing its restrictions. Xuan Chen took out a large quantity of Innate Spirit Jade and Primordial Unity Stones, setting up small defensive restrictions and warning restrictions at key locations such as every entrance and exit, the cultivation chambers, and the storage rooms. Individually, these restrictions had limited power, but once they worked in concert, they formed an airtight protective net. The moment an external enemy intruded, they could immediately issue a warning and create an initial interception.

Nüwa assisted Xuan Chen at his side, learning the techniques for arranging restrictions. She discovered that although restrictions differed from formations, both contained the ultimate principles of the Great Dao and emphasized "borrowing force to strike with force" and "following the current." Through studying restrictions and formations, her understanding of the Great Dao of heaven and earth deepened further, and the fusion of the Water Law and the Creation Dao became smoother as well.

After several days of hard work, the reinforcement of the Zichen Cave Abode was finally complete. The cave abode now had double defensive grand formations outside and tightly woven restrictions within. With Xuan Chen, this reclusive mighty expert, presiding over it, along with the support of Dharma treasures such as the Chaos Purple Lotus Garment, it had already become a safe "harbor from the storm" within the Primordial World.

Standing in the main hall of the cave abode and looking at the golden barrier outside, Xuan Chen was deeply satisfied. "With this, even if the Dragon-Han Calamity fully erupts, we can cultivate in peace within the cave abode and wait for the right moment. As long as Nüwa and Fuxi seize this final stretch of time to raise their strength and accumulate merit, they will surely secure a place in the Primordial World in the future."

Nüwa walked to Xuan Chen's side, determination flashing through her eyes. "Master, the cave abode's defenses are already so solid, and this disciple is prepared as well. From now on, this disciple will devote herself to cultivation and strive to break through to the Mid-Stage Golden Immortal before the calamity erupts!"

Xuan Chen nodded. "Good! Your master believes in you. Remember, on the path of cultivation, the Dao heart stands above all else. No matter what difficulties you encounter, you must hold fast to your original heart of 'saving the world and rescuing others' and accord with the laws of the Heavenly Dao. So long as your Dao heart remains unchanged, even if you suffer setbacks, you will be able to rise again."

"This disciple will bear Master's teachings in mind!" Nüwa bowed deeply in salute, then turned and headed toward the cultivation chamber, beginning a new round of arduous cultivation.

Within the Zichen Cave Abode, spiritual energy curled through the air, and life flourished in abundance. Beyond the cave abode, undercurrents surged across the lands of the Primordial World, and the footsteps of the Dragon-Han Calamity drew ever closer. A storm concerning life and death, the Dao Path, and the future of the Primordial World was about to sweep across heaven and earth. Yet Xuan Chen, Nüwa, and Fuxi were already fully prepared, quietly awaiting the storm's arrival.