Chapter 113: Formation Martial Arts
Chapter 113: Formation Martial Arts
The Immortal Soul tore through its seal under hundreds of cultivators’ bombardment, emerging into mid-air.
From afar, it resembled a flickering flame constantly shifting forms—a consciousness without physical form yet wielding terrifying killing capability.
As the three-headed spirit snake’s Immortal Soul broke free, experts fiercely competed to claim it for themselves, hoping to rise to dominance.
Freshly escaped, the three-headed spirit snake remained at its weakest. With fierce independence, it refused to be subdued into human hosts.
The serpent attempted to flee skyward but faced hundreds of blocking cultivators. Relentless attacks wove an inescapable net around it.
Though weakened, the bloodthirsty serpent unleashed devastating spiritual attacks, feeding on beast souls and plant souls to recover strength.
Most cultivators here hadn’t reached third stage Soul Martial. Newly merged soul beasts perished instantly, their souls becoming the serpent’s feast.
Like a starved wild beast, the exhausted serpent grew exponentially stronger with each soul consumed—enough to slaughter entire groups.
This hunger-driven evolution made Immortal Souls invaluable. All pursuing experts knew conventional methods failed against it.
Spirit artifacts posed real threats. Soul Hunter techniques specifically countered martial souls.
The three-headed spirit snake particularly feared Tianyang Empire’s elites: Young Master of Thousand Phantoms, Beichen Haoyu, Azure Sky Dragon, Yan Fei, Xiang San Shao, Yu Feilong, Hua Yuehong, and Bai Ruomei. Their varied methods made direct confrontation unwise.
Surrounded by these prodigies’ factions, the serpent launched desperate counterattacks, triggering lethal pursuit.
Miles away, Cheng Lingyu hid in a secluded spot healing the wooden-faced youth. Lan Xiaozhu kept watch.
Severely injured, the youth survived through Cheng Lingyu’s stock of healing pills.
“Why save me?”
Cheng Lingyu laughed. “You just obtained an Immortal Soul. Dying before merging it completely would waste such fortune.”
The youth tensed. “You noticed?”
“Guishun Valley’s eight Immortal Souls include that white tiger from Spirit Hall.”
“That’s your reason?”
“To befriend you. How did a True Martial Realm cultivator merge with it? I want to try too.”
Their gazes locked. A white tiger manifested in the youth’s eyes, its intimidation rolling off Cheng Lingyu like water.
“Duan Hong.”
“Cheng Lingyu.”
They shared knowing smiles. As Duan Hong recovered, Cheng Lingyu joined Lan Xiaozhu observing distant skies ablaze with divine light, thunderclaps, and slashing sword energy.
“Not curious about the outcome?”
Cheng Lingyu shrugged. “Whoever subdues that serpent or it escapes—news will spread regardless.”
Lan Xiaozhu nodded. “You’re right. With so many eyes watching, hiding becomes impossible. What’s your next move?”
“After Duan Hong finishes healing his wounds, I’ll have proper talks with him. For now, I must cultivate urgently to grasp all applications of the True Martial Realm’s Seventh Level of the Thunder Stage.”
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes shone with mesmerizing light, his entire being radiating natural allure.
This cultivation session differed from previous ones. He systematically reviewed all acquired techniques – from foundational skills like Soft Silk Technique, Crimson Sun Slash, and Thousand Layers of Snow, to current practices including Thousand Strikes, Thunder Palm, Di Xuan Yin, Soul Cutting Technique, Burning Sky Technique, Magic Eyes technique, and Seven Butterfly Shadows.
These techniques varied in potency and mastery level. Some he’d perfected, others remained incomplete, giving him much to contemplate.
Activating the technique of origins, Cheng Lingyu’s mind accelerated into heightened awareness. He sought to merge his disparate skills into unified whole.
Thousand Layers of Snow formed his cultivation foundation. The technique of origins governed comprehension. Magic Eyes enabled extraordinary applications. Burning Sky Technique remained newly acquired.
The Heavenly Spirit Diagram received minimal attention due to time constraints, leaving its practical application underdeveloped.
Duan Hong’s wound healing took full day and night. Throughout this period, the three-headed spirit snake kept battling fiercely, repeatedly failing to break containment.
Though Cheng Lingyu’s cultivation level didn’t visibly improve, his understanding deepened remarkably during these hours.
“You’re awake. How do you feel?”
Cheng Lingyu approached Duan Hong and sat cross-legged before him.
“Internal injuries 70-80% healed. Surface wounds need another day or two.”
Duan Hong managed faint smile. “The fighting continues yonder. Many must have perished by now.”
He glanced toward canyon’s direction, sensing powerful energy fluctuations.
“The three-headed spirit snake differs from other seven Immortal Souls. Know why?”
Cheng Lingyu considered. “Because it’s the sole Immortal Soul sealed within Guishun Valley?”
Surprise flickered across Duan Hong’s face. “You’ve met other Immortal Souls.”
Cheng Lingyu neither confirmed nor denied, shifting topics. “Your formation mastery intrigues me. Share your knowledge?”
“Interested in deadly formations?” Duan Hong chuckled.
“All formations interest me. How did you achieve such proficiency within True Martial Realm?”
Duan Hong raised eyebrows. “You practice engraved formations too?”
Cheng Lingyu gave slight nod.
“Engraved formations demand Blood Martial Realm expertise. Blood Martial Arts have six tiers. The second tier – Blood Weapon Second Level – involves etching spiritual patterns onto physical body to internalize universal laws. This strengthens flesh while harmonizing with Dao, enabling better absorption of all things’ power for attack or defense.”
“Can’t similar methods work pre-Blood Martial Realm?”
“Few formations suit personal use. Teleportation arrays channel backlash into earth. Apply same to human body?” Duan Hong shook head. “Would shred Soul Martial expert instantly.”
This revelation enlightened Cheng Lingyu. His Heavenly Spirit Diagram understanding remained theoretical – he knew formations’ structures but not their backlash mechanisms or practical limitations.
“Reckless formation use below Blood Martial Realm risks disaster. Unlike martial skills, formations involve environmental factors, material components, target variables – same array behaves differently each deployment.”
“How then did you master formations in True Martial Realm?”
Duan Hong smiled wryly. “Began engraved formations as child. Countless failures taught me to blend formations with martial techniques.”
“Share your insights? I wish to learn.”
Eagerness colored Cheng Lingyu’s request.
“First disclose your techniques and formation knowledge for compatibility assessment.”
Cheng Lingyu listed his skills: Soft Silk Technique, Crimson Sun Slash, Thousand Strikes, Di Xuan Yin, Soul Cutting Technique. He demonstrated formation expertise while omitting Heavenly Spirit Diagram.
After consideration, Duan Hong requested practical demonstration. Cheng Lingyu swiftly constructed flawless teleportation array.
“Formation-Martial fusion requires engraved formation mastery. Your comprehension exceeds your experience – too focused on cultivation level advancement.”
Duan Hong commenced hands-on instruction.
Lan Xiaozhu observed from distance, smile playing on lips.
Source of the Way, Heavenly Aperture – essence of technique of origins. This method boosted Cheng Lingyu’s comprehension enough to grasp Heavenly Spirit Diagram via Dreamless Technique, though application lagged behind understanding.
Under Duan Hong’s guidance, Cheng Lingyu’s Formation Martial Arts understanding underwent quantum leap. His progress astonished even his teacher.