Elder Hao stood before the gathered aspirants, his voice clear and authoritative. "Those among you who have yet to embark on the path of cultivation, please raise your hands," he instructed. only 8 people, including the young girl Zhang Liwei had noticed, lifted their hands. Elder Hao's gaze briefly swept over them, acknowledging their presence. "Now, those who have begun their cultivation journey but are new to the arts of geomancy and formations, raise your hands as well," he continued. Zhang Liwei, along with the majority in the hall, raised his hand, revealing that 67 participants shared his level of experience. Elder Hao quickly assessed the room, nodding in understanding.
Without prompting, the remaining seven, whose auras and attire spoke of their prior immersion in the art, were acknowledged silently by Elder Hao. Their distinction was clear, marking them as individuals with at least a foundational grasp of geomancy and formations.
As the room's attention was fixed on Elder Hao, the sound of footsteps heralded the arrival of five disciples, each bearing books, sheets of papers, and metallic plates. Elder Hao seized the moment to detail the examination process. "For those uninitiated in cultivation, your test will draw upon your innate intellect and perception," he began. He signaled the disciples to distribute two books and a sheet of paper to each uninitiated participant. "These texts, 'Numerical Manipulation of Qi Patterns' and 'Calculations of Spatial Harmony,' will guide you in grasping the fundamentals of Qi manipulation through conceptual understanding. Your task is to absorb their teachings and then demonstrate your understanding through a theoretical exercise outlined on this paper."
Turning his attention to the cultivators unfamiliar with geomancy and formations, Elder Hao continued, "Your challenge will be slightly different." The disciples moved once again, this time providing three books and a metallic plate adorned with the Eight Trigrams to each participant. "The first two books are identical to those given to the uninitiated, but you will also receive 'The Primer of Geomancy and Formation,' which introduces you to the core concepts and basic techniques of our art."
Elder Hao's guidance infused the room with a focused energy as he detailed the examination's next phase. "Once you've familiarized yourself with the materials," he instructed, "your objective will be to construct a Qi Gathering Formation on this plate. The challenge lies in using the minimal number of flags necessary for its activation. Each flag," he continued, holding up examples for 'Focus,' 'Channel,' 'Inhibit,' and 'Split,' "plays a critical role in the foundation of formation crafting. Your grasp on how to effectively employ these will be pivotal."
The participants leaned in, absorbing every word, their eyes on the flags and the metallic plate that symbolized their imminent test. The atmosphere was charged with determination, each aspirant mentally preparing to dive into the provided texts and tackle the formation challenge laid out by Elder Hao.
Without pause, Elder Hao shifted the assembly's focus to the last group, signaling towards a distinct part of the hall. "A different challenge awaits you," he declared, pointing to a door leading to a secluded room. "Follow me there shortly. You'll confront an illusion formation, a test of both your wit and your ability to perceive beyond the visible." He assured them, "Your success hinges on how swiftly you can unravel the formation's secrets and find your way out."
Zhang Liwei, intrigued by the concept of illusion formations, found his anticipation growing. Despite his unfamiliarity, the calm demeanor of the seven specifically chosen participants suggested an intriguing depth to their examination. This disparity in tasks underscored the sect's comprehensive approach to evaluating its aspirants, spanning from theoretical knowledge to practical application and intuitive understanding.
Elder Hao added, "For your convenience, the 7th floor houses kitchens, and the 8th floor contains sleeping quarters. You're welcome to utilize these facilities for rest or meals during the allotted three-day period. However, keep a careful watch on the time; you have only three days to fulfill your examination requirements. I must also warn you, the 9th floor is off-limits during the examination period. Any attempt to access it will result in immediate disqualification from the candidacy.
The tight timeframe imposed by Elder Hao underscored the intensity of the challenge ahead. Zhang Liwei acknowledged the sect's intention to test their rapid assimilation and application of knowledge under pressure.
"With these instructions clear, let the examination commence," Elder Hao declared, signaling the beginning of this critical phase. As the elder and seven cultivators with prior knowledge in geomancy and formations headed towards the designated room, the hall buzzed with the remaining aspirants turning eagerly to their study materials.
However, acknowledging the long evening and night of concentration ahead, Zhang Liwei decided to make his way to the 7th floor while it was still early for sustenance. Wisdom cultivation began with nourishing the body, after all. With the examination having just started, he would need energy to maintain mental clarity over the coming hours. The decision was mirrored by several others, a shared recognition of the need to balance the rigors of study with physical care.
Arriving at the dining area, Zhang Liwei was immediately struck by the lavish array of dishes available, reflecting the sect's generous hospitality and keen attention to detail. The assortment, ranging from hearty stews to revitalizing teas, was designed to cater to the varied preferences of the aspirants, underscoring the sect's commitment to accommodating the diverse needs of its members.
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Choosing his meal with consideration, Zhang Liwei took a seat and began to eat, relishing the flavors and the welcome break from the examination's demands. The exceptional quality of the meal, both flavorful and fulfilling, affirmed the sect's thoughtful care for even those still in the midst of their candidacy.
Around him, the dining hall buzzed with the quiet energy of fellow cultivators, a blend of focus and ease permeating the space.
Feeling refreshed, Zhang Liwei disposed of his utensils in the designated area within the dining hall, then returned to the examination hall. As he reseated himself, his gaze swept across the room, noting the young girl's focused study and the absence of some participants, likely still savoring their meal. Taking a moment to center himself, Zhang Liwei drew in a series of deep, calming breaths, readying his mind for the deep dive into the realms of geomancy and formations.
Opening the first book, "Numerical Manipulation of Qi Patterns," he was greeted by concepts not entirely unfamiliar to him. The arithmetic operations of adding, subtracting, and on occasion, multiplying or dividing, resonated with his early days immersed in trade and accounting. The challenge now lay in applying these principles to the minuscule or vast digits that cultivation and Qi manipulation entailed. His enhanced mental acuity, a boon of his cultivation journey, allowed him to swiftly move through the entire material, a testament to the interconnected growth of body, Qi, spirit, and mind.
Transitioning to the second book, "Calculations of Spatial Harmony," Zhang Liwei ventured into new ground. This book emphasized the fine-tuning of Qi transmission, crucial for mastering geomancy and formations. Initially, the concepts were straightforward, but as he progressed, the scenarios grew more complex, dealing with formations adapted to challenging terrains like slopes or irregular landscapes. The joy of unraveling complex numerical puzzles, of maximizing efficacy while conserving resources, captivated him utterly, each page turn bringing him deeper into the subject matter.
After immersing himself fully in the second tome and reaching its conclusion, Zhang Liwei paused, closing the book with a sense of achievement. He then approached a disciple overseeing the examination hall, curious about the remaining time, "Excuse me, how much time do we have left for the examination?"
The disciple glanced at a timekeeping device before answering, "You have two more days to complete your tasks."
Reassured by this, Zhang Liwei nodded in thanks and decided to take a brief break to replenish his energy. Upon returning, he opened the third book, now prepared to dive into the final segment of his examination preparation with a clear strategy and renewed focus.
"The Primer of Geomancy and Formation," the title itself promised a gateway to new beginnings in the intricate discipline of geomancy and formations. As he turned the pages, Zhang Liwei was immediately drawn into its contents, each page revealing layers of foundational knowledge crucial for novices stepping into this complex field. The book not only outlined the theoretical underpinnings but also bridged them with practical applications, offering a holistic view of the art.
Zhang Liwei's engagement with the material was complete, his focus unwavering as he absorbed the principles that would form the cornerstone of his examination challenge. The realization that he was uncovering a new dimension of cultivation, one that harmonized with his personal aspirations and intellectual curiosity, filled him with a sense of purpose and excitement.
Zhang Liwei delved into the realms of geomancy and formations, two disciplines intricately linked by their manipulation of Qi from a source. Geomancy, he learned, was the more passive of the two, focusing on the harmony and natural energy flows within the environment. It emphasized the cultivation of sensitivity to the Qi currents that permeate nature and the surroundings. Geomancy's applications were broad, enhancing an area's vitality and balancing energy patterns to promote prosperity and ward off negative influences.
Contrastingly, formations were described as active and deliberate manipulations of Qi, structured by cultivators to fulfill specific objectives. This art form was dynamic, enabling practitioners to channel and direct Qi to create effects from defense to offense and beyond, opened up a realm of possibilities for Zhang Liwei. The text detailed how formations could be utilized in combat and strategic planning, often employed by sects to strengthen allies or weaken adversaries through carefully crafted barriers of protection.
The interconnectedness of geomancy and formations was evident; mastery in one domain could significantly bolster understanding in the other. The book highlighted cases where both disciplines were combined, such as using formations in naturally Qi-rich environments to enhance defenses or deploying martial formations for attack strategies.
As Zhang Liwei absorbed this knowledge, he envisioned applying these skills to protect his hometown of Green Willow, perhaps even concealing it from outside threats or laying a Qi Gathering Formation to bolster the villagers' health. The book provided in-depth guidance on sensing Qi flow over large areas, employing various flags and artifacts to redirect Qi, akin to directing water to irrigate crops efficiently.
Zhang Liwei delved into the techniques of altering Qi properties through the blending of various elements, discovering methods to strengthen defensive capabilities or craft illusions tailored to specific needs. Additionally, the strategy of energizing formations internally, utilizing Qi cores harvested from mystical beasts or heavenly treasures, unveiled to him the possibilities of self-sustaining energy sources for intricate formations.
The final chapters introduced diverse formations, delving into their purposes, mechanisms, and the principles behind their effects. Zhang Liwei recognized the necessity of his earlier studies in numerical manipulation and spatial harmony to grasp these advanced concepts. Adjusting a formation to a new terrain wasn't as simple as replicating a set pattern; it required thoughtful recalibration based on the landscape's unique Qi flow.
Engrossed in the text, time seemed to dissolve for Zhang Liwei. The comprehensive nature of these teachings, bridging theory with practical application, affirmed the sect's wisdom in providing these materials. This journey through the books not only expanded his understanding but also aligned deeply with his aspirations, reaffirming his dedication to mastering the art of geomancy and formations within the Eternal Daoist Sect's teachings.