ALL NOVEL Chapter 33: True Master Chengshan
The introductory phase of Formations is difficult.
But no matter how challenging it may be, as long as one possesses talent in Formations, it’s relatively simple to achieve entry-level understanding by steadily grinding over time.
As time passed, He Song continuously studied the Introduction to Formations Book. He felt he was no longer far from achieving foundational mastery.
Although he hadn’t yet stepped into the farmland or set up even the simplest Spirit Gathering Formation, He Song didn’t lose heart.
Through persistent exploration, he had begun practicing carving formation patterns on stones, hoping that this would make it easier to inscribe patterns on spirit stones in the future.
At the same time, after several days of secluded cultivation, He Song sent out a message-carrying paper crane.
Once the crane was released, he returned to his daily routine of diligent cultivation.
In the outer area of the Immortal Market, next to He Song’s residence, a flash of spiritual light swiftly descended, landing directly in front of a robust figure.
“Hm? A Transmission Technique?” A familiar voice spoke. If He Song were present, he would recognize this person as his neighbor, Lin Cong.
Lin Cong, who had just broken through to the mid-stage of the Qi Refinement Realm, had been consolidating his cultivation when the unexpected spiritual light roused him from his meditative state.
As he released a trace of his own aura, the message-carrying crane instantly transformed into a sheet of paper before him.
Picking up the paper, Lin Cong’s expression quickly turned serious.
“Brother Lin, I left without saying goodbye and hope you will not take offense. I had my reasons.”
“Regarding the matter of the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine, which we overheard at the Osmanthus Tower, I have conducted further investigation and discovered potential changes brewing around the mine. Hence, this letter.”
“Should anything happen to the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine, the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market will bear the brunt of it. Given our weak cultivation, we could face grave danger during the upheaval.”
“I have found a safe place to await the right time.”
“Brother Lin, please prepare accordingly. Do not disclose this to anyone else.”
– He Song
After scanning the letter, Lin Cong channeled a trace of spiritual energy.
As the energy dissipated, the paper in his hand also dispersed into the wind.
Once the paper completely disappeared, Lin Cong sat on his meditation cushion, his expression shifting repeatedly as he wrestled with his thoughts.
After a long while, he sighed.
“Ah, I’d better leave for now!” After an inner struggle, Lin Cong let out a long sigh and made up his mind.
In his heart, Lin Cong firmly remembered He Song’s warning.
Once again, He Song had saved his life.
An hour after receiving He Song’s message, Lin Cong left.
He packed up his belongings and stood outside He Song’s house for a long time, as if trying to etch the place into his memory.
Only after a considerable time did he shoulder his pack and stride decisively out of the Immortal Market.
Time passed as He Song tirelessly cultivated, steadily increasing his strength and deepening his understanding of the Introduction to Formations Book.
During this period, He Song led a very disciplined life.
Apart from cultivation, he delved into the Formations. Occasionally, he relaxed by chatting and drinking tea with Wei Fan, unwinding his mind.
Beyond these activities, He Song did nothing else.
Each day was immersed in cultivation and study, as if everything else in the world had nothing to do with him.
But for He Song, that was exactly how it needed to be.
The world beyond was never his concern
Spiritual farmlands? Others tended them.
Mining? Only a fool would seek death by venturing into the mines.
Visiting friends? Wasn’t he already living at a friend’s home?
Thus, three months passed with He Song following the same routine. His cultivation progressed rapidly, and his understanding of the Introduction to Formations Book deepened significantly.
That day, at dusk, under Wei Fan’s invitation, He Song left his quiet chamber and joined him in the attic of the small courtyard.
The attic wasn’t fully enclosed; it was open on all sides, offering a delightful view.
There, Wei Fan had set up a round table and a tea set.
In their free moments, the two sat together in the attic, sipping tea and chatting. As their gazes swept over the surrounding scenery, they could clearly observe everything happening nearby.
“I wonder how Old Meng is faring at the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine. It’s been three months, and we’ve heard nothing from him,” Wei Fan sighed, his eyes fixed on the stunning view of the setting sun in the distance.
In the three months since Meng Guan left, he had sent only one message-carrying paper crane during the first month, after which there had been no news.
Wei Fan was worried.
So was He Song.
However, both knew that worrying would achieve nothing.
While they resided within the Immortal Market, Meng Guan was far away at the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine.
Being in entirely different regions, helping him was nearly impossible.
Let alone He Song, whose weak cultivation made it dangerous even to leave the Immortal Market.
“I’ve sent him a few paper cranes, but I can’t be sure if he received them,” He Song said, his face clouded with worry as his gaze drifted to the side.
At the center of Wei Fan’s residential area stood an exquisite courtyard.
This courtyard, elevated above the surrounding homes, stood out like a crane among chickens.
It was the most spiritually abundant location in the Immortal Market and the residence of the market’s sole Foundation Establishment cultivator: True Master Chengshan.
During these three months, He Song had caught a distant glimpse of True Master Chengshan once.
Like most cultivators, True Master Chengshan appeared youthful, clad in elegant robes of refined craftsmanship.
As for his artifacts, He Song hadn’t seen any.
But even a single glance at him conveyed a profoundly oppressive spiritual pressure, so dense it was palpable.
The spiritual pressure was overwhelming. In that brief moment of sensing it, He Song knew this was a man who could crush him with a mere flick of his fingers.
There was no exaggeration in this thought.
He Song even felt that even if he reached the late stage of the Qi Refinement Realm, True Master Chengshan could still kill him effortlessly, without the slightest mishap.
True Master Chengshan was not only the Immortal Market’s sole Foundation Establishment cultivator but also its stabilizing force.
As long as he remained, the Immortal Market would not fall into chaos.
However, just as He Song was speaking and instinctively glanced toward the exquisite courtyard, a streak of light suddenly shot across the sky before him.
It carried an intense spiritual pressure and flew rapidly toward the distant horizon.
The light was an earthen yellow.
It seemed to have come from that exquisite courtyard.
The spiritual pressure felt strangely familiar to He Song.
The yellow light streaked across the sky.
In an instant, the casual tea and conversation between He Song and Wei Fan were interrupted, plunging the scene into a deathly silence.
Silence.
Utter silence.
After a long pause, He Song and Wei Fan exchanged a glance.
In each other’s eyes, they saw a flicker of terror.
“The Immortal Market… is about to descend into chaos!” Wei Fan finally forced out these words.
As he gazed in the direction the light had disappeared, a trace of relief quickly appeared in his eyes.