"Flawless Formation?" Seeing his old friend lose his composure, Master Sai was perplexed.
He had heard of Confinement Formation, Illusion Formation, Beguilement Formation, Killing Formation, Spirit Gathering Formation... But he had never heard of a flawless formation.
"Just like paintings and pills, the setting up of a formation is also divided into different conceptions. How can the might of a formation set up by a 2-star formation master and a 5-star formation master be the same?"
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Guild Leader Zheng said.
Master Sai was taken aback.
Of the same grade formation plate, everyone wanted to buy the one inscribed by a higher ranked formation master. Firstly, it was more stable, and secondly, it was more powerful.
For the same pill, a higher ranked apothecary would be able to forge a better pill. In fact, pill inscriptions might even appear on the pill, and the medicinal effects would be better.
Since there were so many classifications for the other occupations, it was likely that there were classifications for formations as well. For the same formation, a higher ranked formation master would be able to produce a stronger might.
"The might of a formation depends on its compatibility with the environment and whether it is able to tap into the energy of the environment!"
Seeing that Zhang Xuan was confused, Guild Leader Zheng explained, "When one reaches 20% compatibility with the environment, one can be considered to have reached the Novice level. At this point, the formation set up can be activated and unleash its might. Only by doing so will one be able to set up a formation and become an official formation master. "
"When one reaches 40% compatibility, one can tap into a portion of the energy of the environment to augment the formation. At the same time, one's comprehension of formations would also reach the intermediate level. Take me for example. As a 4-star formation master, I can easily set up a grade-2 formation to reach this level. "
"When one reaches 60% compatibility, the environment and the formation would be able to complement one another. This is what we call the advanced level. Only when I set up a grade-1 formation can I occasionally see such a situation..."
"When one reaches 80% compatibility, it is equivalent to setting up a formation that controls the environment. This kind of formation can tap into the energy of nature, and just like a sentient artifact spirit, it can even form storms and torrential rains. Any lifeforms trapped within will find it hard to break out of it."
At this point, Guild Leader Zheng's lips paled. "You can break out of a formation, but can you break out of the environment?"
Master Sai was taken aback.
You can walk out of the formation, out of the room, out of the courtyard... But wherever you are, you are surrounded by the environment. How can you walk out? How can you break out of it?
After comprehending this concept, if the formation was even more advanced, even a formation master would find it difficult to break out of it.
"Something's wrong …"
Upon recalling something, Master Sai's body trembled. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Zhang Xuan in disbelief. "This is only an eighty percent fusion. Then … what about a hundred percent fusion?"
"That's right, it is … this kind of flawless formation!"
Guild Leader Zheng's voice trembled. "It is perfectly compatible with the environment. When it isn't activated, it won't cause the slightest change to the environment. But once it's activated, the environment will be completely affected and fuse together. The environment is the formation, and the formation is also the environment … Think about it, how can cultivating in a formation that gathers spiritual energy be faster than cultivating in a natural environment? "
It was like an air-conditioned room. No matter how comfortable the temperature was, how could it compare to the four seasons of spring?
"It is said that only 6-star formation masters and above are capable of manipulating the environment through formation flags..."
At this point, even Guild Leader Zheng found it hard to believe.
The fellow before him didn't even know that he didn't have a Spirit Gathering Formation plate, and yet, he was able to set up a formation that only 6-star formation masters were capable of...
Is he crazy, or am I?
There has never been such a situation in the history of the guild!
Just as he was perplexed, the voice of the young man before him sounded, "Can you sell me the Spirit Gathering Formation flags and formation blueprint now?"
The formation Zhang Xuan had set up previously was the simplest Spirit Gathering Formation. It wasn't able to absorb spiritual energy from spirit stones, and in order to utilize spirit stones to speed up one's cultivation, one had to reach grade-4 at the very least.
"Sure …"
Guild Leader Zheng's body stiffened as he nodded his head.
If a person who was capable of setting up a flawless formation didn't even have the qualifications to purchase formation flags, then wouldn't he be even less qualified?
After agreeing to it, Guild Leader Zheng couldn't help but ask, "May I know … what star formation master Zhang Shi is?"
Only 6-star master teachers were capable of setting up 2-star flawless formations, and it was said that talented formation masters were capable of doing so as well. However, the young man before him hadn't even reached Transcendent Mortal realm, so it was clear that his rank wasn't too high. Guild Leader Zheng wanted to know what his rank was so that he could make the right decision.
"Formation master? I have never taken the examination before, so I'm not … "Zhang Xuan shook his head.
He had just learned how to set up formations, so naturally, he hadn't taken the examination before.
"You aren't a formation master?" Guild Leader Zheng's mouth twitched, and his body staggered.
To be able to set up a formation so quickly and possess such a high level of comprehension … To think that he hadn't even taken the formation master examination yet … Where in the world did he pop out from?
He was a 4-star pinnacle formation master, but in terms of speed, he was far from being a match for the other party, needless to say, setting up a flawless formation.
"May I know … if Zhang Shi is willing to take the examination in our guild?"
Upon thinking of something, Guild Leader Zheng's eyes lit up with desire.
There were countless branches beneath the headquarters of the Formation Guild. As long as one could take the examination here, even if he was a genius of Honghai City, he would surely be handsomely rewarded when the news reached the headquarters.
"Sure!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
It didn't matter where he took the examination. In any case, if he wanted to take the higher ranked master teacher examination, he would need a supporting occupation. Formation master was one of the top occupations in the Upper Nine Paths, so it would be best if he could take the examination.
"Great, I'll go make the necessary preparations now …"
Hearing the other party agree to it, Guild Leader Zheng chuckled in excitement. "As for the Spirit Gathering Formation Flags and formation blueprints, once you're done with the examination and gain the authority, I'll give you a set for free!"
Just like the Apothecary Guild, it was extremely difficult for a low-tier master teacher to purchase a high-tier formation blueprint.
As long as one's rank reached the required level, one wouldn't even need to pay for it.
"Alright!" Hearing that it was free, Zhang Xuan hurriedly nodded his head.
Even though he had quite a lot of spirit stones at the moment, he realized through his previous cultivation that he would require an astronomical amount of spirit stones to advance his cultivation. Ten thousand spirit stones might be a huge fortune to other cultivators, but to him, it might not even be sufficient for him to reach Transcendent Mortal 2-dan.
Thus, the more spirit stones he used, the fewer spirit stones he would need. As long as he could save them, it would be equivalent to making a profit.
"How do I take the formation master examination?"
Zhang Xuan asked.
Before taking the examination, he had to make sure of this first.
Just like the master teacher examination, there were many ways to take the formation master examination. Depending on the branch, the requirements would be different as well.
For example, in Tianwu Kingdom, one had to set up a grade-1 formation to take the 1-star formation master examination. However, as a major city of the League of Nations, Honghai City's examination method might be different.
"Our branch is indeed different from the other branches. Speaking of which, the more difficult examination is... the Sea of Formations!"
Guild Leader Zheng said.
"Sea of Formations?" Zhang Xuan frowned.
"Un. The Sea of Formations is an ocean of formations left behind by countless formation masters in the guild over the years. In order to clear it, one would have to face all kinds of formations. There are a total of four stages, and they are filled with grade-1 to grade-4 formations. Those who pass the first stage will become a 1-star formation master, the second stage will become a 2-star formation master... and so on! "
Guild Leader Zheng explained.
"I see, the Sea of Formations is indeed more difficult than setting up a formation!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
Setting up a formation and deciphering a formation were like ascending a mountain and descending a mountain.
Ascending a mountain was easy, but descending a mountain was difficult.
In setting up a formation, as long as one found the right direction and fixed on the right position, it was easy to succeed. However, deciphering a formation... One had to first enter the formation. If one were to be unable to see the true face of the mountain, one could easily make a mistake. If so, it would be even more difficult to decipher the formation.
"It is slightly difficult. However, if one has a deep understanding of formations, it will be much easier!" Guild Leader Zheng smiled.
"Oh?"
"There are countless formations in the Sea of Formations. If one can identify the type and name of the formation and find the life gate in advance, it will be easier to clear the formation than to set it up. However, regardless of whether it is setting up a formation or challenging the Sea of Formations, one has to have a deep understanding of formations of this tier. Otherwise, it will be difficult for one to clear the trial! "
After explaining, Guild Leader Zheng turned to the young man before him and said, "If Zhang Shi has never taken the 1-star formation master examination before, you can start from grade-1 formations. After you get used to it, you can move on to the higher-ranked ones. This way, you will be able to accumulate some experience and avoid getting flustered."
Zhang Xuan nodded his head. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "However, before that, I would like to take a look at the library!"
Currently, the highest formation he had in his mind was only grade-2. If he wanted to reach a higher level, he would have to read more books.
"Read books? That's fine too. Xiaowu, bring Zhang Shi to the library. It has been a long time since anyone has challenged the grade-4 Sea of Formations, so he needs some time to prepare! "
Guild Leader Zheng chuckled.
Zhang Xuan didn't think too much about the matter of reading books.
It was common for formation masters to browse through books on formations to increase their knowledge. Thus, Zhang Xuan often went to the library to browse through books to find out more about the layout of special formations to broaden his horizons and increase his knowledge.
"Yes!" The young man, Xiaowu, nodded his head.
"Zhang Shi..."
Watching as the young man led Xiaowu away, Master Sai stood rooted to the spot with widened eyes.
Wasn't he here to buy a formation plate? Why did it suddenly turn into the formation master examination?
Upper Nine Paths occupation was one of the top occupations in the entire continent. To take the examination without any warning, it was just like how he challenged the Harmonious Stream of Flowing Goblets previously...
"Old Zheng, how many stars do you think Zhang Shi will be able to take the formation master examination?"
Zhang Xuan turned to look at Guild Leader Zheng.
"I don't know how many stars he will be able to take the examination, but to be able to set up a 2-star Spirit Gathering Formation so easily and reach the level of Flawless, his comprehension of formations can only be higher than mine. In other words, at the very least, he will be at 4-star pinnacle, or even... 5-star!"
Guild Leader Zheng said with a grim expression.
"4-star pinnacle? 5-star? "Master Sai was astonished.
When he first met Zhang Shi, he thought that it was already incredible that he could appraise artifacts. Yet, to think that he would have such a deep understanding of formations as well. In fact, he was even on par with his old friend.
To possess such knowledge and capability at such a young age... How in the world did he learn it?
"Indeed. However, the Sea of Formations isn't that easy to clear. Without sufficient experience, it will be difficult for him to clear it. I can only hope that he can clear a few more tests so that a genius will appear in our branch as well!"
Guild Leader Zheng nodded his head.
"Clear a few more tests..."
Master Sai replied. His mouth twitched as a thought suddenly popped into his mind.
If this fellow were to really challenge the Sea of Formations, would he be like... the Appraiser Hall? Would he cause a huge ruckus in the Formation Master Guild?
(My thumb drive crashed and I lost my manuscript. I was so depressed that I had to rewrite a new chapter. Sorry!)
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