Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 126 - 122: Return to the Sect - Part 2

Chapter 126: Chapter 122: Return to the Sect - Part 2

Lin Xin entered the grand gate of the Taoist Palace, and immediately, darkness fell before his eyes. The entire palace was extremely grand and vast, with a huge formation disc on the ceiling, in silver, covered with countless runes of various kinds. The whole formation disc was slowly rotating, and from its center, a beam of golden light shone down, hitting the top of a black loft below.

The black loft was surrounded by three other lofts, seemingly forming an array.

From afar, Lin Xin could see faint white spiritual light shimmering around the four lofts, clearly indicating the presence of extremely powerful restrictions.

"The central loft houses the top-secret array. The Yin Yang Sword Array of the Sect, involving eighty-one Golden Core Magic Swords, channeling the Yang Spring Water, drawing the energy of the Underworld, transforming into nine great illusory eyes, could be formed into a Ninefold Sword Formation that cycles endlessly, never perishing. I wonder when I’ll be able to witness such a grand array..."

Lin Xin remarked somewhat emotionally.

This Nascent Soul Stage array was naturally not something he could access now, so shaking off his thoughts, he took his token and walked towards one of the peripheral lofts.

The layer of white light at the entrance to the loft dissipated instantly upon contact with the token. The Formation Hall loft, which only Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators could enter, then presented itself simply before Lin Xin.

It was a very ordinary black loft. It was hardly different from the Law Transmission Forest outside.

Lin Xin walked into the loft, first entering a corridor. The left and right walls were covered with dense depictions of various formations, from righteous to evil. All kinds of formations were jumbled together without any clear distinction.

The formations’ angular three-dimensional graphics, or numerous calculations for their parameters, followed their own unique set of rules, much simpler than mathematics.

Lin Xin could easily understand the changes within.

As the corridor went deeper, the formations became more profound, and deep inside, he could see a few Qi Cultivators engrossed in studying the formations on the walls.

The aura of these people was deep like the ocean, extremely powerful, not seeming human. Their spiritual energy surged around them, and it was unclear how long they had been there, each with messy hair and beards.

Lin Xin focused his mind and began to look for formations suitable for himself.

The initial Qi Cultivation Stage formations, as recorded on the formation wall, primarily came in three types: auxiliary, combat, and daily life.

This loft housed only Second Level formations, all Qi Cultivation Stage formations that consumed Spirit Jade.

The first he saw was the Gathering Spirit Array.

The Gathering Spirit Array could condense spiritual energy, enhancing the concentration of the Qi Cultivation environment, but at the expense of the surrounding environment’s vitality. The wall marked it with a "use with caution" label.

Though this formation was too famous for Lin Xin to need for himself, he considered it for Lin Zhen and the manor, carefully committing it to memory as one to be transcribed.

He then continued forward slowly, seeing more complex and profound formations deeper inside, including even linked formations—a large array containing smaller arrays, or using various small arrays as base units to construct even more terrifying large arrays.

The displayed power was extremely terrifying, surpassing the scope of Second Level formations. However, Lin Xin was just looking; many such formations were merely conceptual. The more intricate they were, the higher the accuracy required. If even one link faltered, it could lead to unpredictable consequences. Being too fragile made them impractical.

So even though he was absolutely precise, he dared not try these formations.

The entire loft had a spiraling path up a formation wall, which altogether recorded fifty-three types of various Second Level formations.

"What I need most now is a formation that can enhance my combat attack power and preferably allow me to manipulate more magic artifacts simultaneously. This will allow me to fully capitalize on my attributes," he thought carefully, beginning to select formations one by one.

Dual Yin Deer Spirit Array: Second Level Qi Cultivation formation, can manipulate dual swords, using spirits of one male and one female white deer as the core of the sword instruments, stimulating the power of dual Yin. Inscribed on the dual swords, enhancing power.

Fiery Flame Gold-Burning Formation: Three magic artifacts in the triad formation, all must be yang-type Fiery Flame Magic Artifacts, can elicit a higher level of power from the flames. Inscribed on the sword, enhancing power.

Slaughter Light Formation: Overlapping three Magic Swords can instantly enhance piercing power.

Speed Boost Formation: Can enhance the extreme speed of dual swords.

Cold Ice Formation: Can attach the icy power of dual swords.

Lin Xin’s eyes flicked through each formation until suddenly, his gaze fixed on a rather odd formation.

The formation was incomplete, but it detailed existing clear data on the Heaven and Earth Fire.

"Flames can be roughly divided into three categories: Heavenly Fire, Earth Fire, and Human Fire. Heavenly Fire nourishes all things but can also destroy everything. Earth Fire warms all things and can also reduce everything to the most primal nutrients. Human Fire is the most complex and variable, with passionate flames, jealous flames, lustful flames, rage flames...’

For the first time, Lin Xin had a clear understanding of the classification of flames, feeling a sense of enlightenment. He hurriedly read on.

"...Ordinary flames in the mortal world, with increasing power, will undergo three transitions, from Human Fire to Earth Fire to Heavenly Fire, three levels. This formation is the Mortal Fire Realm that the Qi Cultivation Stage can control, able to summon the level of Human Fire to burn the opponent."

The following diagram illustrates the separate manipulation of five magic swords to form an array, gather the power of flames, and stack decrees on how to collect various materials and induce a trace of Human Fire. Once refined within the body, it transforms into a seed of fire, which, nourished by Spiritual Energy, can be unleashed to attack an opponent.

’Apart from these three levels of flames, there are many other forms of fire, like Demon Fire, Devil Fire, Samadhi True Fire, Ghost Fire, etc. These flames do not fall within the three main categories and must be assessed for power separately.’

Lin Xin glanced at the name of this formation.

Mundane Fire Formation.

A plain name, yet the explanation of the formation subtly exuded a grandeur that seemed to overlook everything else, suggesting a very high level of understanding. It felt like this formation could be upgraded further.

Lin Xin crouched down to take a closer look and faintly saw traces that had been slightly erased.

"Mundane Fire Formation..." He noted down the name of this formation, planning to go out and purchase a copy later.

After that, he roamed the walls of the Formation Hall for a while, selecting some defensive and lifestyle formations that interested him.

After leaving the attic, he reported to the Taoist Palace Guardian the formations he intended to buy.

"The total comes to 240,000 exactly." The Guardian was a stern-faced Taoist, lethargically leaning on a chair as he reported the figure.

Lin Xin had somewhat prepared himself, but he was still shocked by the enormous figure. He was buying six formations, yet it cost 240,000 Jade Money... averaging 40,000 Jade Money for each, which certainly felt like daylight robbery.

The manor had saved up just over ten million Jade Money over the many years, and there were still massive expenses, along with the occasional purchase of heaven-sent treasures, which were not small sums. This was the nest egg he had amassed by continually making and selling Talisman Swords. Now, he had to spend so much in one go.

Paying emotionlessly, he waited a little before fetching the new formation copies and leaving the Taoist Palace. Accompanied by Hua Ying, he headed straight down the mountain—this place was simply too expensive.

"240,000.... Just one level-1000 Human-faced Fruit is barely 300,000 Jade Money... What robbery!" He could not help expressing, returning to Ji Lu to return the token.

Accompanied by Hua Ying, he then visited Sword Hall Peak.

As the most flourishing peak among the Sword Sect and the leader of the six halls, the scene at Sword Hall was bustling, starkly different from the other peaks. There were sword fights, sword practice, and tuition. Even though most of the official disciples were typically stationed outside, there was still an endless stream of people at Sword Hall.

Every now and then, Foundation Establishment Elders could be seen soaring into the sky or landing. Qi Cultivators often engaged in spirited discussions, shining with Spirit Light Magical Artifacts, each not particularly saintly but sufficiently fierce. They looked more like powerful mortal swordsmen.

Accompanied by Hua Ying, Lin Xin made a round and then went to Tingjian Valley to process his sect entry registration.

Meanwhile, disciples from the Manor in Tingjian Valley also came to pay their respects.

Among them, two had even reached the Third Layer, showing utmost respect upon seeing Lin Xin.

A group of people surrounded him and took him to the market tavern outside Tingjian Valley for a meal.

At the banquet, toasts were exchanged freely. Numerous disciples toasted to Lin Xin, many of whom he had initially sent to join the sect and who had repeatedly relied on the Talisman Stones to turn dangers into safety, thus felt extremely grateful to Lin Xin.

"Villa Master, our talents may not be enough to break through to Innate and gain glory for you and the manor, but I, Lin Yi, still have three years to strive. If I cannot break through, then I will return and serve you," said one of the Third Layer disciples, showing his loyalty.

"I feel the same. If it weren’t for your great kindness in teaching me to read and write, I, Tuoba Yi, may have already ended up eaten by wild beasts in the mountains or sold into a brothel," a spirited woman said, becoming somewhat emotional.

The others, mostly deep strategists, were not so explicit but also showed a strong sense of belonging to the Manor. They spoke a few simple words, but all conveyed closeness.

After all, the Manor had their former mentors, their classmates, perhaps someone they had secretly admired. Moreover, many more memories of living in the Manor for so long.

Lin Xin didn’t say much, merely accepting each toast. Finally, he sat down and surveyed those around him—this was the future of his Manor, the seeds of the Manor.

"The Manor is my home, and it’s your home too. Whatever you encounter in the future, whatever difficulties you face, don’t forget that behind you, there’s me and the whole Spirit Heart Villa."

Although he had intentions of winning people over, it was also heartfelt.

The disciplinary system in his Manor was strict regarding prohibitions, but interactions between ranks were not too severe; they treated each other more like friends, especially when not on duty.

This was a completely different scene in a world where ranks distinguished high from low. Plus, he had always tried to provide the best possible living conditions for everyone joining the Manor, so naturally, the support of so many people was expected.

Moved by his words, several people present were students he had previously guided directly. Two openly confessed their long-held admiration for a fellow classmate at the Manor, no longer caring about privacy when under the influence of alcohol.

Over the years, many of the Manor’s disciples, particularly the most elite, were sent into the sect to practice cultivation, while those less qualified remained at the Manor to take on various roles, spread across the entire region. Hence, there might be promising relationships upon their return.

After the meal, Lin Xin left Hua Ying with these disciples and exchanged some Spirit Jade to use in setting up formations before drifting off. (To be continued. If you like this story, please visit qidian.com to vote for it and support the author. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)