Chapter 6: Initial Steps in Formation Path

Mu Feng was taken aback and took a step back, bowing apologetically, "One cannot serve two masters. Though I am deeply grateful for saving my life, I have already pledged allegiance to a master and thus cannot accept another."

Elder Hei, who harbored concerns which Elder Bai was well aware of, had not anticipated Mu Feng's refusal. This left Elder Bai somewhat embarrassed on the spot.

"Hahaha... Old Tortoise got turned down when trying to take a disciple," Elder Hei laughed heartily, adding fuel to the fire while slapping his round belly, enjoying seeing Elder Bai at a disadvantage.

Elder Bai glared at Elder Hei and then turned to Mu Feng with a feigned fierce threat, "You do know I can remove the Seven Souls Formation within you at any time. Would you still refuse to acknowledge me as your master if I did?"

"I would refuse!" Mu Feng spread his hands and said resolutely, "Even if my life, which you saved, is at stake, you can take it back whenever you wish."

His tone was firm, without a hint of hesitation.

"Hahaha, good lad, you're as stubborn as that old stubborn mule," Elder Bai burst into laughter, his initial anger turning into admiration as he reassessed Mu Feng.

Elder Hei, too, was impressed by Mu Feng's spirit, spontaneously comparing him to Liusu. Though there was no real basis for comparison yet, the elder found himself regarding them equally, eventually contemplating, "If Old Tortoise truly took this young man as his disciple, perhaps one day he might stand a chance against Liusu."

"Well then, if you're unwilling, I won't insist. From now on, you will learn formation arts from me. Not as a disciple, but as a student, just like those mentors in the mundane world."

Elder Bai seemed to compromise, but internally, he was delighted, thinking, "If in the future Mu Feng could defeat Liusu, wouldn't it mean that even a casually taught student of mine could defeat Old Stubborn's disciple?" With that thought, he burst into laughter.

Mu Feng was stunned. Before his ordeal, he might have been thrilled, but his experiences had matured him, prompting him to consider the offer more comprehensively.

After all, there was nothing in his current condition that would merit Elder Bai's interest.

"You needn't hesitate any longer. With your fractured Seven Souls, the path of formation is most suitable for you. If you continue to cultivate martial arts as before, you might not live past seven months," Elder Hei interjected, adopting a serious tone after seeing Elder Bai's sincerity, and began persuading Mu Feng earnestly.

In Mu Feng's past knowledge and beliefs, formation cultivators were often seen as inherently weaker, mostly composed of women, and tended to avoid direct confrontation, often retreating in battles.

Mu Feng had always disdained such people, and yet now, he was about to become one of them, a twist of fate he found bitterly ironic.

Resigned, knowing that strength was his only path to survival in this world where the weak were trampled like ants, Mu Feng resolved to embrace the path of formation arts.

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With this realization, Mu Feng bowed deeply to Elder Bai, not once but twice. Traditionally, three bows were customary to acknowledge a master-disciple relationship, but two bows here signified deep gratitude—one for saving his life and another for imparting his teachings, a distinction both elders clearly understood.

Watching this moving scene, Elder Hei stroked his beard and chuckled as he walked away, leaving Elder Bai alone with Mu Feng.

"Teacher," Mu Feng slowly stood up.

In this world, all who taught without taking disciples were respectfully called 'teachers.'

Elder Bai felt a pang of sentimentality upon hearing this; it had been a long time since he had felt such a connection, knowing that the world now contained another person closely linked to him.

After a moment to compose himself, Elder Bai led Mu Feng back inside the bamboo house, pointing to a dark red stone bed and explaining, "This bed is made from Chi Red Warm Jade. You'll find cultivating here much more effective. From now on, this will be where you meditate and train."

Mu Feng had already learned during the past few months that cultivating on this stone bed not only accelerated his progress significantly but also left him feeling exceptionally refreshed afterward, with the spiritual energy he cultivated being completely absorbed and integrated into his body.

Elder Bai, though inexperienced in teaching, enthusiastically shared his knowledge with Mu Feng. Fortunately, Mu Feng had a good memory and quick comprehension.

"This is the sect's base, our Linglong Valley, which specializes in the art of formation. The valley is divided into two branches: one for breaking formations and the other for setting them up. Elder Hei is the head of the former, and I am of the latter," Elder Bai introduced.

"Which is more powerful, setting or breaking formations?" Mu Feng asked instinctively.

"In the way of formations, the superior relies on stability, the inferior on risk. There's no clear division of strength," Elder Bai explained earnestly, surprising Mu Feng with his serious acknowledgment that there was no inherent superiority between the two.

"And between studying formation arts and the usual cultivation of martial arts, which is more powerful?" Mu Feng asked, though he suspected martial arts were deemed superior since they dominated mainstream cultivation.

"Be it formation, martial, medical, or any auxiliary paths, all are ways of soul cultivation. Whoever advances their path furthest excels," Elder Bai explained, stroking his beard, "The initial stages are similar for both; they involve penetrating the Seven Souls to harness power. As you're well aware, you've previously followed the martial path."

"Formation arts are no different. Cultivators of this path are called Formation Soul Masters. Unlike martial artists who expend a great deal of spiritual energy in combat, formation masters use much less when setting up formations. The smaller the force used in a formation, the easier it is to control, hence at equivalent levels of power, formation masters have less spiritual energy and manifest power compared to martial artists."

Mu Feng was prepared, but still felt a bit disheartened, "So, at the same level of power, a formation master possesses only a fraction of a martial artist's strength? Isn't that too weak?"

Elder Bai nodded and continued, "If you were to fight head-on, even with all Seven Souls penetrated, you might still lose to martial artists of lower soul levels. But within a formation, even with just two or three souls' worth of power, you could defeat someone who has mastered all seven, using the strength of the formation."

"This world has no absolute strengths or weaknesses," Elder Bai advised solemnly, "On your future path, never underestimate anyone you meet."

Mu Feng nodded, his perception of formation arts slowly changing as he no longer viewed them with the same disdain.

Elder Bai went on, "Besides being renowned for its formations, Linglong Valley also possesses a unique set of movement techniques known as 'Linglong Steps.' Our formation masters are less capable in direct confrontations, so in addition to learning about formations, mastering these movement techniques is crucial. Remember, only by surviving can you continue to fight."

Mu Feng took these words to heart, realizing that the movement techniques he'd learned at Qinghe Sect were limited and not well-suited for a formation master's defensive needs.

Deciding to commit fully to the path of formation arts, he was eager to learn the techniques suited for his new role.

"Teacher, tell me about setting up formations," Mu Feng asked, eager to understand more than just the rudimentary aspects he had previously encountered mostly by luck.

"Setting up a formation," Elder Bai began earnestly, "first involves understanding the formation itself. A formation harnesses the forces of nature, engaging an enemy as if contending with the natural world itself. Watch carefully as I demonstrate the simplest containment formation."

Taking a jade piece in his left hand and a small knife in his right, Elder Bai began to etch a specific pattern, instructing Mu Feng, "Pick up that paper; it describes the 'Soul Locking Pattern' which I am engraving."

As Elder Bai worked swiftly, allowing Mu Feng to observe and learn, his movements were far quicker than necessary for demonstration, showing just how effortlessly he could create formations.

Soon, the three jade pieces before him were fully engraved.

"Pay close attention to the trajectory of the knife and the pattern of the lines. This is the first step in setting up a formation: the inscription of the formation's runes."

Elder Bai's lesson continued, laying the foundation for Mu Feng's journey into the profound and intricate world of formation arts.