Open Marsh Shore (Part 2)
At a certain point in time, the formation lines at “open lake” position moved southeast, which allowed one to approach the pillars from the southeast, limited to a set distance from the pillar, through casting a “radiant fire” formation. The specific distance varied depending on the size of the item under protection. If one went closer than permitted, the pillar would move. If they were too far away, the “clinging fire” formation couldn’t work its magic.
The trigrams were related to the five elements, which were water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Depending on the element associated with one’s spiritual energy, the formation position that they specialised in would differ.
As Mu Yu’s spiritual energy was predominately wood nature, he usually used “gentle wind” and “arousing lightning” positions. “Clinging Fire” position formations were for those with fire nature. “Open marsh” position formations were for those with metal nature. “Bound mountain” position formations were for those with earth nature. “Gorge water” position formations were for those with water nature. To be clear, not possessing the nature for a certain element didn’t mean one could not cast formations containing other elements. It merely meant that their ability to cast advanced formations would not be comparable to someone with the element.
Since fire overruled metal, the counter to Open Mash Shore Formation required “clinging fire” formations. It did not matter whether the formation used to defuse Open Marsh Shore was complex or simple as long as it was a “clinging fire” formation.
“All of the pillars and rocks were linked. Thus, whenever a pillar’s weakness was exposed, another pillar or stone ball would block the spot he needed to be in to defuse the formation, rendering me unable to cast a “clinging fire” formation. Trying to cast it from an incorrect distance would change the pillars’ position, switching the sight of the weak point. That was the point of arranging so many pillars and stone balls there. By the same account, it’s impossible to defuse one pillar at a time; it requires me to memorise all of the pillars and stone balls’ movements off by heart.”
“What a hassle. Didn’t Reverend Xuan Jizi want the fiend king to be released? Who the heck can undo this without being on his level?” griped Xiaoshuai.
“He doesn’t want us to defuse the formation but to locate Pagoda Spirit as it will allow us to control everything inside the pagoda, meaning we won’t have to defuse the formation, either. The important question is, do we keep scouring the floors for it or spend our time solving this formation?”
“Which one is more likely to be successful?”
“Neither. I don’t even know how Pagoda Spirit looks! I reckon it would take three days to figure this formation out.”
“We didn’t find Elder Lu,” Qiao Xue reported back in with Long Xingyun and Long Yeli. “We did find another passageway, though.”
After listening to Mu Yu’s report, Long Xingyun jibed, “Three days? Is that your excuse for not comprehending it?”
“What would be my reason for needing an excuse?”
“So that you don’t look bad in front of Qiao Xue. Humans are so predictable.”
“Firstly, I don’t care whether he is saved or not. My only goal is to sabotage Ghost Gate; I’m merely lending a hand here. You’re more than welcome to try by yourself. I’m not obligated to help.”
“You think we need your help?”
“Show me up, then. Show me how you’ll save him flapping your gums.”
Sure, Reverend Xuan Jizi did say the fiend king had to be released, but he never said when.
“I’ll rescue him myself. I don’t need your help.”
Qiao Xue grabbed Mu Yu’s hand as he walked off. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t like involving myself with the fiend race’s business. Since you have a genius among you who can rescue your beloved fiend king, you don’t need me to stick around.”
“Can you help me? Can you help me rescue him?”
“Qiao Xue, we don’t need to rely on an outsider! We can liberate him ourselves!” exclaimed Long Xingyun, staring at Qiao Xue and Mu Yu’s hands.
“Okay, tell me how? Grandpa Ape didn’t leave any hints for us when he left, while we know hardly anything about Fiend-Sealing Pagoda. What are you playing hero for?” reproached Qiao Xue, fanning Long Xingyun’s flames.
Qiao Xue and Long Xingyun weren’t close, but she never expressed such hostility toward him.
Turning back to Mu Yu, Qiao Xue pleaded, “Mu Yu, I know you side with humankind, but can you help me?”
Mu Yu sighed and then pinched Qiao Xue’s cheek. “Okay, just for you.”
“What do we need to do now?”
“You need to guard the two passages leading to this floor. Don’t let anyone enter this floor, and don’t go near the pillars. If the pillars move, you’ll mess up my analysis. Give me some time to find the formation’s weak point.”
“Okay. We’ll make sure nobody gets through.”
Qiao Xue told Long Xingyun what to do and, to be on the safe side, stood guard with him, while Long Yeli guarded the other entrance. Once Long Yeli crossed through the pillars to reach his station, Mu Yu began to work out the pillars’ system, the most complex formation he had tackle yet.
“Xiaoshuai, Dragon Vine, do as I say. I’m going to try and figure out the link between the rocks, balls and pillars. I need you two move pillars and balls,” requested Mu Yu, activating Gentle Wind Interlinked Hearts Formation for the three of them.
Realising he needed an extra hand to expedite the process, Mu Yu called, “Qiao Xue, I need a hand.”
“Cast your Gentle Wind Interlinked Hearts Formation on me,” Qiao Xue communicated upon arriving on the scene by herself.
Mu Yu didn’t understand why she avoided using the link between their spirit items. Nevertheless, he did as she requested.
In truth, Mu Yu could’ve figured the formation out even faster if he could rely on Long Yeli and Long Xingyun, but, trust issues aside, their incompetence could become a hindrance instead of helpful. Mr. Genius Fiend was keeping him busy with cursing Mu Yu for calling Qiao Xue away when he was hoping to have some time alone with her.
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