Dragon Searching Formation
According to Elder Xun, the twenty purple-gold stones Mu Yu brought back would last, at least, a year.
After switching the ordinary spirit stones for the purple-gold ones in the four formations, he stood up and said, “Let’s go with this for now. Give me a few more days, and I’ll be able to use two purple-gold stones to set up a spirit collection formation. That’ll magnify its results two folds.”
‘What did you mean when you said there was a large-scale formation protecting Mount Dustfallen?” inquired Lan Ling’er.
Elder Xun spent a moment to phrase what he said in his mind prior to explicating, “Dustfallen Sect’s formation is high level. I’ve never seen it before. I’m guessing it locks the outside spiritual qi on this mountain to amplify the spiritual qis’ potency. It’s similar to the spirit collection formation, except that it’s much higher level. If you can control it, you can keep track of every single thing everyone on the mountain is doing. By the same vein, you will be able to ward off invaders and attack anyone on the mountain.”
“Sheesh,” remarked Mu Yu.
“It requires more spirit stones, then, does it not?” followed up Lan Ling’er.
“Strangely, it doesn’t appear to use spirit stones as its foundation but something else. Perhaps it’s a magical item. I can’t say for sure. If Patriarch cast the formation, he clearly knows more about formations than I do.”
“Elder Xun, Jiuhua Sect also has a large-scale formation protecting their mountain. Could they also have a similar magical item?” asked Mu Yu.
“I’ve been to Jiuhua Sect numerous times. Their large-scale formation is merely a simple alarm. It doesn’t have an offensive ability as this one does or the ability to collect spiritual qi. Their formation warns them if somebody trespasses via incorrect means. That would only cost them several hundred spirit stones monthly, which is the equivalent of what is used at every sect’s courtyard at the academy.”
Mu Yu had more questions, but Elder Xun suddenly started panting and convulsing. Seeing him grab his chest tight, Mu Yu queried, “Elder Xun, what’s wrong?”
“It’s my bloodlust. Bloodlust. I… I haven’t eaten in days. I… I…” Elder Xun dropped to the ground and continued convulsing. His eyes turned red, while his bones and joints bulged.
“Elder Xun’s soul-devouring wolf instincts have been triggered. Ask Uncle An for a suppression method,” instructed Mu Yu.
Lan Ling’er soon brought Uncle An back. Uncle An had been treating Elder Xun’s injuries and purging the underlying condition. Elder Xun was able to recover from physical injuries fast thanks to the fiend spirit he consumed; however, he still struggled to control his bloodlust.
Uncle An ground a black herb then shoved it into Elder Xun’s mouth.
“Wolf poison herb is the wolves’ weakness. It suppresses their urges as wolves. Patriarch still has some growing in the herb garden. Just consume one serve every seven days,” Uncle An calmly directed.
Though Feng Haochen often had his disciples add herbs to their baths, they never delved deep into the herbs.
After a gradual recovery, Elder Xun expressed his gratitude.
“Patriarch only left behind a limited amount. Mu Yu, you figure out a solution.”
Mu Yu didn’t feel comfortable with the way Uncle An looked at him. Uncle An basically hinted he knew about Mu Yu’s ability to control wood. Mu Yu forced a smile. “I will come up with something.”
Uncle An turned to leave but stopped himself after a few steps. He looked over his shoulder and asserted, “Elder Xun, I allowed you to stay because you helped Mu Yu; however, I don’t like what you did in the past. You know what to do.”
A flush look flitted across Elder Xun’s face. “I will bear it in mind.”
Elder Xun had his lifetime wish granted already. As such, there was nothing he wasn’t willing to let go of.
“The other reason is because Mu Yu mentioned you are educated on formations. Have you heard of Dragon Searching Formation?”
“Dragon Searching Formation? What do you want to find?” asked Elder Xun, surprised.
“What’s Dragon Searching Formation?” inquired Lan Ling’er.
“It’s a formation that can help you find something or someone,” enlightened Elder Xun.
Mu Yu: “Find someone? We’re looking for someone right now!”
“I can cast the formation, but there is a big cost to pay. I doubt anyone can collect the materials. The formation trigger is difficult to set up; I suggest you forget about using it.”
Formations consisted of the formation’s form, foundation, core and catalyst. A formation’s form decided the size of the formation, which wasn’t fixed. The core, as its name might’ve implied, controlled its effects. One of the ways to defuse a formation – also the most effective way – was destroying the formation’s core. Formation foundations were responsible for providing spiritual qi to sustain it. In most cases, spirit stones were used as their foundation, but other natural items could also be used. A catalyst wasn’t always mandatory. Only extremely powerful formations necessitated them. With a catalyst, the effects could be spread far beyond its radius of effect. For instance, it could be used to attack those outside the formation.
Mu Yu followed up with another question. “What does it need for the catalyst?”
“You use something in the same category as that which you wish to find. Put another way, if you want to find someone, you need someone as the catalyst. Dragon Searching Formation is used outside of a formation. Its radius is dependent on the quality of the catalyst. If you wish to find an individual, you need someone with strong willpower. Else, the search radius will shrink accordingly. If you’re only going to be able to search within a five hundred square kilometre area, you might as well personally conduct the search.”
“I can be the catalyst,” declared Uncle An.
“Whoever is the catalyst will be in grave danger. One mistake or distraction is all it takes for the catalyst to perish completely.”
Uncle An was the only person to react indifferently. “I’m fine with that.”
Uncle An always kept to himself but was even more quiet than usual after Feng Haochen went missing. At the same time, Uncle An blamed himself for Feng Haochen’s disappearance.
Mu Yu: “Elder Xun, how confident are you?”
“The materials required are complex. Its foundation isn’t spirit stones. You need five items: ten thousand year old greenwood, mystic sea ice, ancient spirit elemental fire, transcendent iron, and sunken frozen earth. From their names alone, you can tell they are anything but ordinary. Apparently, the elemental demons invented the formation, therefore the link to the five elements.”
Mu Yu hadn’t even heard of the five items.
Lan Ling’er asked, “How do we find them?”
Elder Xun expressed, “I have never seen them myself.”
“I have all of the items listed. You just need to set up the formation,” stated Uncle An.
“What? You do?” asked Elder Xun, astonished as Mu Yu was.
“That’s my business. I will gather the materials and see you in two days,” announced Uncle An, departing aferwards.
Similar to Feng Haochen’s case, Mu Yu realised he didn’t really know much about Uncle An at all.
Mu Yu tucked Elder Xu into bed, then went out with Lan Ling’er, albeit focusing on Dragon Searching Formation. He was more than happy to be the catalyst if he could find his shifu. Uncle An wouldn’t approve, having said that.
“Ling’er, I never knew you were interested in formations.”
“I’m not, Stupid.”
“If you’re not interested, why did you follow us around all afternoon?”
“Because you thoughtlessly brought someone back and had him join our sect, Dullard. You think we genuinely accept him? He killed so many people. Yes, they deserve punishment, but they didn’t deserve a death sentence. I can ignore that, nevertheless. I’m worried about the soul-devouring wolf in him. I’m not worried about him transforming and attacking you or I. Did you ever consider the gullible twins, though? They haven’t started cultivating. If Elder Xun attacks them, they’ll be totally defenceless.”
Mu Yu had to admit he was careless and failed to factor in the potential problem. He was the only one who knew Elder Xun didn’t go on random rampages even if he transformed. Just because they were returning the favour for helping Mu Yu didn’t mean they genuinely trusted the elder.
Lan Ling’er elaborated, “I don’t think he seems to be a bad man. He was once the academy’s general manager and is humble. I joined you in the afternoon to learn more about him. I’m still impressed he discovered the formations we were oblivious to. I’m only just realising Shifu hides many secrets from us. I don’t know if he’s going to be happy to know we’ve dug around so much.”
Mu Yu, eyes on the empty courtyard his shifu often meditated in, replied, “Let’s find out whether he’s safe or not first and foremost.”
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