132 Formation Battles

Cha Ming dodged using Stormchaser Steps, barely avoiding a literal inferno that had materialized beneath him. Least-Grade Conflagration Formation, he determined. Fortunately, it was much easier to take down such a formation than to set it up. He rapidly threw out twelve water sigils around two key nodes, pouring qi into them to sprout a combat formation. The formation condensed in half a breath, forming a vortex of water that doused the two formation eyes. The fiery formation flickered before destabilizing and collapsing. Cha Ming wasted no time in collecting his hasty combat formation and recovering his precious water qi.

He didn't linger. Staying in one location was a bad idea in a formation battle. Gold lights flashed as twelve formation flags flew into the ground, and the white-haired, white-robed Lu Tianhao took out a gray brush. Cha Ming recognized the placements of these formation flags and the formations spreading out from them. A combat formation wouldn't be enough. Therefore, he quickly decided on a counter formation, the Least-Grade Smelting Formation. It was especially good at destroying metals, metallic techniques, and weapons. And it was obviously a lethal formation given its high temperatures.

Cha Ming quickly threw out seven ruby sigils and five formation flags with specialized formations. He used combat sigils whenever possible to save time and energy, but he had accumulated many specialized formation flags over the last month of practice. With but a thought, his Clear Sky Brush expanded into a large formation brush. He quickly painted the most key connections while using the sigils to set up the lesser ones. It was a slightly lower-tier formation than the one Lu Tianhao used, but it countered his perfectly. They finished their formations at the exact same time. Cha Ming's red elemental essence clashed with the gold elemental essence from Lu Tianhao's brush. They began collapsing simultaneously.

Cha Ming didn't relax, however. Instead he quickly formed another combat formation. This one was small, but it was the fastest one he knew. It was a metal-based formation, Least-Grade Spike Bomb. Meanwhile, he spread out his incandescent force to detect the next formation being laid. This one was an Ice Lotus Garden Formation, a formation with tiers ranging from least grade to top grade.

This formation also couldn't be countered with a combat formation, so Cha Ming threw out eight earth sigils, transforming them into eight Mount Tai Formations of the ninth grade. He linked them together with another four unique formation flags that revolved around absorption. Twelve swift brushstrokes with brown ink complemented the tendrils from the eight Mount Tai Formations. His formation completed slightly before the Ice Lotus Garden Formation, so he quickly used Stormchaser Steps to dart through the disrupted formation nodes toward his teacher.

The man grunted as he immediately laid down a Lightning Dragon combat formation. Cha Ming responded with a Wind Blades combat formation. It was hardly a proper counter, as both formations would bypass each other and aim for mutual destruction.

Lu Tianhao, unconcerned, forged ahead with the Lightning Dragon. Cha Ming, on the other hand, quickly dodged it and threw his formation to the opposite side of Lu Tianhao. He avoided the lightning dragon by a hair's breadth, but it swiftly turned around to chase him as though smelling blood. That was when Cha Ming revealed his Least-Grade Spike Bomb. He threw it past the lightning dragon, activating it. The lightning dragon reacted to it as though it was the most delectable snack. The current followed the spikes all the way to the ground.

Meanwhile, Cha Ming activated the Wind Bladed combat formation, buffeting his teacher with seven sharp blades of wind. He gathered back the formation and threw out twelve flags. It was his most powerful least-grade formation, Blistering Inferno. Unfortunately, he couldn't use sigils to make it, as it was too complex. Lu Tianhao, who had just been pushed back, took out his paintbrush to counterattack Cha Ming. But Cha Ming knew he wouldn't be successful. The man had fallen into his trap.

While Cha Ming's movements were swift and graceful like an artist's, Lu Tianhao's were heavy. This was normal, given that he was fighting the pressure of the full Larger Than Mount Tai Formation that Cha Ming had laid to counter the previous ice formation. Cha Ming's formation was powerful and accurately placed, ensuring the formation's survival at the end of their conflict.

Cha Ming finished his Blistering Inferno formation a half breath before Lu Tianhao could finish his counter. Roaring flame dragons rotated and attacked Lu Tianhao, making it impossible for him to complete the formation.

"Your win this time," Lu Tianhao said. "Good job. Now try this one."

Twenty-four blue lights shot out instantly, outlining a formation with over a hundred lines. One hundred lines was a demarcation, the hundredth line being much more difficult to draw than the previous ones. It was also the threshold which separated lesser-grade and least-grade formations.

Cha Ming did not recognize the lesser-grade combat formation. But he didn't hesitate. He encapsulated three of the nodes with an earthen formation, which served no other purpose but to disrupt. Meanwhile, he sent another wood-based combat formation to disrupt four other nodes.

The blue combat formation trembled under the combined assault. Unfortunately, Cha Ming knew full well that it wouldn't stop at that. He looked up to see a golden light flashing. A sharp sword tore through the air toward his heart. It stopped a bare millimeter away from his chest.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

"Congratulations," Lu Tianhao said. "You're a fast study, and I can't teach you anything more about least-grade formations. To beat me, you'll need to learn lesser-grade ones."

Cha Ming clasped his fists together and bowed. "Thank you for your guidance."

"Not a problem," the white-haired man said. "If my calculations are correct, you've run out of credit and need to go hunting devils again if you want another lesson."

He tossed a spatial ring to Cha Ming. "I went through the trouble of retrieving books on lesser-grade formations," he said. "Don't lose them. Also, you can keep the spatial ring. I noticed that you don't have a suitable disguise for your spatial artifact. Some higher-tier core-formation experts may be able to detect it. We don't want you attracting unwanted trouble, do we?"

In the blink of an eye, Cha Ming appeared outside the man's office. He bowed to the closed door in thanks.

After returning, he cultivated normally for a half day. His qi was no longer turbulent like it was when he first broke through to early foundation establishment. The day after he broke through, he was told not to use medicinal pills until his foundation stabilized into clear qi seas without ripples. Only a few ripples formed when he cultivated now. According to Lu Tianhao, the only way to stabilize one's foundation was to constantly deplete and replenish qi, effectively scrubbing away any residual, lower-quality qi from the last level. Most people did this by practicing a profession or through combat. Cultivating in silence wouldn't be as effective as these two options.

I really should go out and hunt devils, he thought. Time to contact Luo Xuehua and see what they are up to. He took out his core-transmission jade and activated their imprints. Two jade projections appeared in front of him a few breaths later.

"Look who decided to finally call us," Dongfang Hao said in a cheerful voice.

"I was learning," Cha Ming said, shrugging. "Formations are hard work, and I'm not very useful in combat unless I learn more combat formations. Which is why I called you guys. I'm planning on going on another hunting mission. Are you interested?"

The duo looked at each other awkwardly. "I'm afraid we can't," Luo Xuehua said. "We're on a mission one week away. You won't arrive before we finish it, so you're on your own for now."

"Fair enough," Cha Ming said. "Do let me know when you're back." The call disconnected, leaving Cha Ming to his own devices. His first stop was the Alabaster mission board, where a middle-aged lady tended to the postings.

"Hi, Yueming," Cha Ming said in greeting as he looked over the postings. "Are there any postings for Senior Partner Lu here?" All postings where devils were confirmed were automatically assigned to Lu Tianhao.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "The last mission was taken by Senior Member Xuehua and Junior Member Hao."

Cha Ming nodded as he continued looking through each individual posting for suspicious signs. There were many cases of villains, murders, and nobles looking for protection. But nothing stood out among them.

I can only look elsewhere. He thanked Yueming and walked outside.

Cha Ming flew on a flying sword outside the Alabaster building. On his chest, he wore two silver medallions. One was his lesser-grade talisman-master medallion, while the other was a least-grade formation-master medallion. One qualification was uncommon but not unheard of. People with two qualifications were extremely rare.

On his way to the Mercenary Guild, he checked in with the restaurant he had commissioned to feed people. One month had passed, and he reviewed the ledgers to see how many homeless people were served. He also looked at the people frequenting the establishment. He noticed they were less gaunt, a little less miserable, and more importantly, he saw something that wasn't there before: hope. He concluded that it was money well spent and decided to continue a one-year contract. The restaurant's owner was overjoyed.

He then headed straight for the Mercenary Guild and reviewed various mission postings. These weren't organized in the same way as the Alabaster Group's were, so it was like sifting through sand to find gold. There wasn't any gold to be found that day. Cha Ming left after having gained nothing.

Curious. From what I know, there have been devil-cultivator attacks everywhere, Cha Ming thought. I might be catching the stupid ones by looking for mission postings, but what about the smart and careful ones? And what about the ones that leave no survivors?

Realization dawned on him that devil sightings likely wouldn't land on his lap. Fortunately, he had the perfect skill to find them—his Eyes of Pure Jade. Even a whiff of a yellow aura could detect the presence of a devil cultivator.

Having made his decision, Cha Ming directed his flying sword to the west entrance of the city. He passed by many people on his way out. They looked up as they rode on the light rail the same way he had when he first arrived in the city. It was a new rail line, and due to the proper management of cultivators and mortals, the rail line had been installed in two short months. Each additional line increased the prosperity of the outer city by making it possible to operate businesses in cheaper locations.

How long before it becomes too expensive for the common person to live inside the city? he wondered.

Cha Ming dismounted his flying sword at the gate. The guard waved him through without an inspection, which he gathered was due to his two qualification badges. Then, hopping onto his flying sword, he traveled five miles out of the city. It wasn't long before he noticed a presence behind him.

"It took you long enough," Cha Ming said, looking back at Xiao Heilong.

The man looked at him coldly. "You only increased your qi cultivation by one sub-realm, and you're already back to court death? Fine by me. Why don't you stick around this time instead of running with your tail between your legs? You could get lucky and win."

"Now why would I do that?" Cha Ming said, and twenty-four sigils flew out beneath his feet. Forty percent of his creation qi drained away as he activated Stormchaser Steps. The sudden appearance of wind and lightning beneath his feet caused his boots to dematerialize into black clouds. He flashed away from Xiao Heilong instantly, evading a dagger strike that was meant for his heart.

Xiao Heilong wasted no time and activated his consumption ability, rapidly dropping the temperature around him and increasing his speed substantially. However, Cha Ming chuckled when he saw this and increased his own pace. He was slightly faster, and there was nothing Xiao Heilong could do about it.

I wonder if I can kite him? Cha Ming thought. He threw a least-grade combat formation behind him. Xiao Heilong simply grunted and smashed through it using the force of his body and his daggers. Not one to give up easily, Cha Ming flew back toward him, evading the many slashes that came his way. With every dodge, he threw out one flag until twelve flags were in position. Then he threw out twelve sigils to create an overlaying formation. While he wasn't very fast at making them, he had a few lesser formations up his sleeve.

Cha Ming took out the Clear Sky Brush and continuously evaded while painting line after line, dancing with death. Blue brushstrokes covered the ground with frosty lines while dozens of lines shot out from the well-placed sigils.

Xiao Heilong's eyes narrowed as the final lines connected. Cha Ming felt the pressure on him dissipate as the man disappeared from the formation's limits, just in time for it to activate. Countless icy shards began to circulate as the formation drew from the energy of heaven and earth.

"It seems we're at an impasse," Cha Ming said calmly. Setting up the array had been exhausting, but it was now impossible for Xiao Heilong to attack him. He immediately began to circulate his cultivation to recover his qi. The formation would continue until it was interrupted or stopped.

"You might be quick, and you might be crafty," Xiao Heilong said, "but don't fall asleep. It might not be worth my time to hunt you down, but I know people who could make you disappear in the blink of an eye."

"If you could hire them, you already would have," Cha Ming shot back. "I know your kind. You would never do anything for free."

The man grunted before vanishing. Cha Ming's gamble had paid off. Unless someone else interfered, he didn't need to worry about Xiao Heilong for the time being. That is, until he decided to kill him.

Now where to go, Cha Ming thought. There are dozens of small towns before the nearest city. I'll start there.

***

A large man let out a loud burp after downing a mug of ale. "Now this is what I've been missing out on," the man said. "I'll take two more of those, innkeeper, and a nice bowl of stew."

"Can you pay?" the innkeeper said, looking at the man dubiously.

"Of course," the man said, slapping some silver on the table. "I don't stay out in the woods all year for nothing, you know. There's money to be made out there if you know what to look for. How else do you think I could come here every month to stock up on provisions?"

"Fair enough," the innkeeper grumbled. "Just don't cause a ruckus like you did last time."

"Sure, sure," the large man said. "Is Li'er still around?"

The innkeeper shook his head. "She's not into that line of work anymore. She's got a respectable job now at the tailor's, so I don't want you causing trouble for her."

"I was just asking…" the large man said, downing another mug. "I don't suppose anyone else took her place?"

"Xie'er is who you're looking for," the innkeeper said in a half contemptuous, half amused voice. "I can call for her if you like, but her price is a silver more an hour than Li'er was."

"A full silver?" the man exclaimed. "She'd better be worth it."

"Worth it or not, I don't want you bruising her up," the innkeeper cautioned. "If you do, I'll call the town watch on you." The innkeeper retired for a while, leaving the man to his drink and his stew.

"I heard you say there's good work in the woods?" a man in a black cloak said, pulling back his hood. He looked young, around seventeen. He had long black hair and normal features, save for a pair of piercing jade-green eyes. He wore a sword by his side, a peak-mortal-grade treasure. He also wore a large gold chain. The type that nobles would wear.

"There is, for those who are willing to work hard," the larger man said. Despite his pot belly, his muscles rippled with strength.

"That's not a problem," the young man said. "I'm at the sixth level of qi condensation and the sixth level of body cultivation. Whether it's killing spirit beasts or heavy lifting, I'm quite confident. By the way, my name is Li Hou."

"Man Tou," the man said, clasping his fists and bowing. Seeing the young man's smirk, he continued with a deadpan voice. "Yes, like the steamed bun. I didn't choose my name, but I can't very well change it now." Man Tou took a long draw of beer. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"Of course not," Li Hou said disdainfully. "The noble Li family would never have members in such a small town. But I'm still young and growing, so I've decided to go out for an adventure. If you can give me an experience worth remembering, I definitely won't forget our friendship."

Man Tou hesitated. "Fine, you can come into the woods with me. I'll introduce you to our team. If you want an unforgettable experience, I can definitely arrange that. However, I need a hundred gold up front."

"Gold?" Li Hou asked, clueless. "Does gold hold such value? I'll tell you what, I can give you ten high-grade spirit stones if you make it worth my while." Ten glittering stones appeared in his hand.

Man Tou gulped. "It's not wise to throw your wealth around like that. People might cause you trouble."

"And who would cause trouble for the Li family around here?" Li Hou said arrogantly.

"Fair enough," Man Tou said.

At that moment, the innkeeper arrived with a petite young lady. She looked well worth the additional silver for the extra-special experience. Man Tou licked his lips. "We'll take off in two hours then, young friend." Then he disappeared up the stairs with the young lady.