Do You Submit?

After successfully uploading the [Formation Art] to the Law Technique Panel and starting the slow but steady automatic update process, Qi Yun's heavy feeling caused by the vastness of the Formation Art dissipated by more than half.

"Then things became simpler."

He muttered to himself, a hint of composure in his eyes, and turned to look at another corner of the cave.

It wasn't a place where books were piled up, but rather where thousands of array plates of various shapes and sizes were densely packed and stacked on top of each other.

Qi Yun slowly to the pile of array plates, his gaze sweeping over them calmly.

Unlike ordinary array cultivators who would carefully study and analyze the structure of each array plate, he simply waved his sleeve!

Boom-!

The immense and vast power of the Great Luo Law Power surged forth, not targeting any particular array plate.

Instead, it instantly transformed into an invisible, all-encompassing hand in mid-air, completely enveloping the thousands of array plates before them!

With a flash of light, all the array plates were forcibly restrained and suspended about a foot above his palm.

Grab it!

Refined in an instant!

In an instant!

Buzz buzz buzz--!

Thousands of array plates trembled violently at the same time, emitting mournful cries of unbearable strain.

Ultimately, it merged into the newly formed [Formation Art] core deep within his Sea of Consciousness.

Meanwhile, on the Law Technique Panel in the corner of his field of vision.

The line indicating the [Formation Art] update, followed by the slowly creeping progress percentage, finally began to jump upwards at a visible speed.

1%... 2%... 3%...

Compared to the rapid progress bar increase when refining other Law Technique origins in the past, the update process of [Formation Art] is unusually slow.

The simultaneous refining of such a massive number of array plates, absorbing a torrent of Dao intent that would leave any array cultivator speechless, merely caused the progress bar to "move."

The feeling was like pushing a heavy mountain forward slowly but steadily.

However, this was within Qi Yun's expectations.

The way of Formation Art is all-encompassing, involving the rules of heaven and earth, and its profound principles and meanings are naturally incomparable to other single Law Technique.

Time slipped away silently in the cave.

One by one, the suspended array plates dimmed, eventually losing all their spiritual power and turning into dust.

When two-thirds of the array plate was completely refined.

The progress bar finally, slowly and seemingly reluctantly, climbed to the finish line.

[Formation Art: Automatically updating (current progress 100%)]

Immediately afterwards, a familiar prompt appeared:

[Automatic Law Technique update complete. This is a minor version update; Law Technique content adjustments are as follows.]

[Formation Art 2.0: Every 300 days, one can directly master a Formation Art]

Looking at the update log that appeared on the panel, Qi Yun's eyes brightened slightly.

Without further delay, he also absorbed the remaining unrefined array plates, his Law Power sweeping over them and extracting all the remaining Formation Art intent within them.

As the last ray of Flowing Light disappeared into his body, he slowly withdrew his surging magical Law Power, and the cave returned to silence.

"Indeed, once you grasp the fundamentals of [Formation Art], these specific large arrays become much simpler."

He gently brushed away non-existent dust from his sleeve, and understood.

"Master one Formation Art every three hundred days."

At this point, he had initially acquired the most important prerequisite for overseeing the construction of the "Northern Defense Grand Formation"—absolute control over the principles of Formation Art.

The next step is to turn theory into reality.

Qi Yun did not rest for long after leaving the pass.

The final formation diagram of the entire [Northern Defense Grand Formation] was designed through close collaboration among the high-ranking members of the four sects.

When the initial formation of the array, which embodied the wisdom and resources of the four sects, was revealed to everyone in the form of a phantom of light.

Even the most knowledgeable Foundation Establishment True Person couldn't help but feel a tremor in their hearts and a strange sense of oppression.

The core framework of this grand formation originates from a long-lost ancient formation provided by the Yellow Springs Netherworld —the [Nine Heavens Suppressing Mountains and Subduing Demons Heavenly Enclosure Diagram].

This formation is said to have originated from the time when the human ancestors, the Bi Lulan, were pioneering and expanding their territory, and it was created to suppress the earth's veins and resist external demons.

Although it is missing many parts and is not complete, it can still be considered a top-tier formation.

Later, four Great True Person, Southern Dipper, Sansi, Jiuli, Lunzhuan, personally intervened.

The "Sword Qi Thunder Sound" of the Azure Sect Phoenix Helm, the "Vermilion Fork Divine Fire" of the Phoenix Rudder, the "Myriad Phenomena Return to Origin" of the Holy Sect, and the Lunzhuan birth and death of the Yellow Springs Netherworld were all incorporated into the framework of this ancient formation, and were modified and supplemented to fit the times.

As the ethereal illusion slowly unfolded within the dome.

The group of True Person seemed to be seeing more than just a battle formation.

Rather, it is a tangible, slowly evolving ancient territory.

The array diagram did not contain clear lines and runes.

Instead, it was a hazy, heavy, dark golden light, like the condensed energy of the earth's veins, crisscrossing and forming the foundation of the array.

Within the flow of light, countless tiny mountain phantoms could be vaguely seen rising and falling, each mountain bearing a real and undeniable weight, suppressing every corner of the array space.

The scattered starlight, like ancient inscriptions, is embedded in the key nodes of the array, echoing the flow of light from the earth's veins, forming an invisible barrier that covers the heavens and the earth.

Just as the group of True Person were awestruck by the sheer power of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation],

From within the Yellow Springs Netherworld camp, a True Person dressed in a dark array robe, with a withered face like an old corpse, slowly emerged.

It was none other than the renowned array master True Person Haiyun from the Yellow Springs Netherworld.

"Brother Southern Dipper, we have no objection to the Holy Sect's nomination of True Person Qi to preside over the grand formation." True Person Haiyun's voice was hoarse, as if his bones were grinding together.

"However, the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] is related to the lifeline of my Northwest. Its foundation is an ancient array from my Yellow Springs Netherworld. Its complexity and weight are something you have all witnessed."

Although True Person Qi was a genius with astonishing cultivation, the Formation Art of formations was as vast as the starry sea, and could not be mastered by brute force alone.

"I have been immersed in the art of array formations for over seven hundred years, yet I dare not claim to have fully grasped the mysteries of this array."

His cloudy eyes turned to Qi Yun, filled with undisguised doubt and a hint of arrogant condescension. "True Person Qi is still young. How much have you studied the art of Formation Art?"

How can one prove that they have the qualifications and ability to shoulder this monumental responsibility?

If the formation is flawed due to the presiding officer's lack of skill, and the Four Imperials Heaven press in, wouldn't we be sinners for all eternity?

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere inside the dome instantly froze.

Many eyes are now on Qi Yun.

Although True Person Haiyun's words were unpleasant to hear, they were also reasonable.

The Formation Art, unlike other disciplines, truly requires time to mature.

Faced with this almost direct questioning, Qi Yun remained calm, even with a faint hint of indifference at the corner of his mouth.

He did not look at True Person Haiyun, but instead turned his gaze to the heavy and magnificent array illusion in the center of the dome.

"What Fellow Daoist Haiyun said Wudao."

Qi Yun spoke, his clear and melodious voice instantly drawing everyone's attention.

The art of Formation Art truly requires accumulation.

but----"

He changed the subject and turned to face True Person Haiyun.

"I happen to know a little about this."

The moment the words left his mouth.

Qi Yun stood firmly before the vast and imposing illusory image of the "Nine Fortresses Suppressing Mountains and Subduing Demons Heavenly Enclosure Diagram".

The next instant, his pupils trembled slightly.

His gaze swept across the array diagram at an inhuman speed, revealing countless complex patterns that resembled the veins of the earth, miniature mountains, and the trajectories of stars.

Seeing that Qi Yun actually accepted the challenge, True Person Haiyun's lips curled into an undisguised sneer, and he scoffed in a low voice, "Pretentious."

Although the voice was soft, everyone present, being Foundation Establishment True Person, heard it clearly.

Many people secretly shook their heads, feeling that Qi Yun's move was far too presumptuous.

Such an ancient formation cannot be deciphered by merely observing it for half a day.

Time passed slowly in the silence, half an hour, an hour...

As most of the day was about to pass, subtle disturbances began to appear inside the dome.

Some of the True Person also showed impatience and doubt on their faces.

I think Qi Yun is probably just in a bind, putting on a brave face.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly delicate...

The young Daoist priest, who had been standing still, suddenly spoke.

His voice was clear and steady, yet carried a strange rhythm that resonated mysteriously with the entire array. "The earth's veins form the network, supporting all things; mountains form the bones, stabilizing the eight directions; starlight forms the locks, weaving the celestial walls. The pure Yang rises to become the Qian pivot, the turbid Yin condenses to form the Gen rest. The Li fire burns away evil in the south, the Kan water gathers the essence in the north—"

He spoke at a measured pace, his words clear and distinct, each syllable eliciting a subtle resonance from the illusory image of the array.

The dark golden ley lines, the floating mountain shadows, and the shimmering starlight nodes all shone with an even clearer luster.

At first, most Foundation Establishment True Person were completely bewildered by Qi Yun's words and had no idea what he meant.

The four Great True Person, who had been resting with their eyes closed as if indifferent to the dispute, all opened their eyes the moment Qi Yun spoke.

For the first time, a clear emotion appeared on the usually calm face of the True Person Sansi, while the Lady Jiuli's phoenix eyes shone with wonder, and even the True Person Lunzhuan sat up slightly.

Standing not far from Qi Yun, True Person Haiyun was startled and showed a look of surprise.

"The essence of array patterns?"

He really understood it?!

This profound meaning is hidden deep within the array's structure. Unless one has reached an extremely high level of understanding of the principles of array formations, it is impossible to perceive, let alone articulate it so fluently and precisely!

He had immersed himself in the art of array formations for hundreds of years and studied the framework of this array for a long time, but he still could not fully grasp all its essence and variations.

And this young man in front of us only took half a day—how is that possible?!

Qi Yun ignored the reactions around him, remaining immersed in his own rhythm. His voice, though not loud, resonated like a great bell, striking the hearts of everyone who understood the Dao of Formations: "The four elements Lunzhuan, the eight gates open and close. Suppression is not about force, but about solidifying the Dao; control is not about rejecting the outside, but about drawing in the center. The nine heavens are linked, the energy is inexhaustible; the celestial walls shine down, and all laws cannot invade—"

As he spoke, the massive array phantom moved even more fluidly and naturally.

Within that heavy sense of oppression, there was an added touch of harmony, flawlessness, and endless vitality.

As the last syllable faded, Qi Yun slowly turned his head, his gaze calmly landing on True Person Haiyun, whose face was deathly pale, as if he had seen a ghost. He asked indifferently, "Do you submit?"

Inside the domed cavern, you could hear a pin drop.

True Person Haiyun's lips trembled. After a long while, he lowered his head dejectedly, bowed deeply in the direction of Qi Yun, and said in a hoarse voice, "True Person Qi's understanding of array formations is profound."

Haiyun —I'm completely convinced!

At this moment, no one dared to question it anymore.

The one who will oversee the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] is none other than Qi Yun!