: Cultivation Level Doesn't Decide Everything

The Thousand Peaks Forest campaign and the battle against the Netherworld Mansion Lord allowed Ning Zhuo to accumulate over a hundred Golden Cores.

Most came from the Black Cloud battlefield.

Luo Si's betrayal decided the outcome of that battle. After the two Nascent Soul-level leaders fell, many Golden Core-level imperial guard cultivators also met their end.

Thus, most of the Golden Cores in Ning Zhuo's possession were formed from Ghost Path or Soul Path cultivation techniques.

Faced with Shen Xi's doubts, Ning Zhuo smiled and responded, "The Five Elements techniques are the most common. So, Five Elements-type Golden Cores won't be scarce, fitting perfectly for my use."

Internally, he planned: Ghost Path and Soul Path Golden Cores aren't very suitable for the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel. Perhaps I can trade them for Five Elements attribute Golden Cores.

In this regard, the Commerce Hall of the Myriad Forms Sect should be able to meet Ning Zhuo's needs.

"Of course, I won't exchange them immediately."

"Even if I do exchange in the future, I'll try to use a pseudonym and disguise, or have Boss Sun help me."

"Being new here, I shouldn't draw unnecessary attention."

Su Lingkou glanced at Ning Zhuo, feeling his tone was a bit too boastful, thinking to herself, "You're only at Foundation Establishment, yet you treat Golden Cores so lightly. My cousin is much more humble and down-to-earth..."

Ning Zhuo looked at Shen Xi, pressing for his opinion on the Five Elements Golden Core Wheel.

"Interesting," Shen Xi said with keen interest, sharing his views.

Ning Zhuo considered carefully, asking consecutive questions about difficulties and obstacles.

Shen Xi answered them one by one.

Their conversation grew increasingly engaging.

Shen Xi gained more understanding of Ning Zhuo: "Ning Zhuo's attainment in array formation isn't deep, not comparable to mine, but his foundation is extremely solid. Indeed, for young masters from great clans, their basics in the four major cultivation arts are never poor."

This understanding didn't lower Shen Xi's evaluation of Ning Zhuo at all.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo has devoted decades of cultivation effort to the Five Elements."

"No wonder he's only at mid-Foundation Establishment stage now."

"It's quite normal for his array formation skills to be at this level."

If Ning Zhuo also had remarkable attainment in array formation, Shen Xi would start suspecting if he was an old cultivator skilled at preserving a youthful appearance.

Yu Heye found it all quite novel.

During the exchange, Ning Zhuo maintained a humble posture, without any arrogance, always虚心 seeking advice.

This allowed Yu Heye to see another side of Ning Zhuo.

Su Lingkou found this entirely expected. In her time with her cousin, she had often seen cultivators请教 and discussing with Shen Xi.

Shen Xi became more and more talkative.

He no longer just answered but began expounding his understanding of array formation.

"Among the ten classic array types, I'm most skilled with the Nine Palaces formation."

"Personally, I believe the Nine Palaces formation is uniquely ingenious, quite different from the other nine major array types!"

Broadly speaking, arrays can be divided into static arrays and dynamic arrays.

Static arrays include ten classic formations, unshakable in their status. Dynamic arrays are numerous and varied, with a much shorter history than static arrays, often seen in battle formations. Examples include the Iron Barrel formation, Red Flower formation, and Sun Lingtong's Thief's Light Breeze formation.

The ten static array types are: Primordial Chaos formation, Single Qi formation, Two Forms formation, Three Powers formation, Four Symbols formation, Five Elements formation, Six Harmonies formation, Seven Stars formation, Eight Trigrams formation, and Nine Palaces formation.

Shen Xi gave his reasons: "Most Two Forms and Three Powers formations emphasize generation and restraint, establishing cycles using方位. The array core is usually the central hub where法力 or divine energy converges."

"The Nine Palaces formation focuses on mathematical calculation! The nine palace positions呼应 and rotate. Each palace has its own convergence of法力 or divine energy, so they are relatively independent. The array core of the Nine Palaces must handle calculation and deduction functions."

Knowing Ning Zhuo excelled in Five Elements, Shen Xi avoided mentioning the Five Elements formation in the topic.

Ning Zhuo nodded: "Among the hundred cultivation arts, array formation is one of the four major arts. Among the ten static array types, the Nine Palaces formation indeed best amplifies combat power."

Shen Xi considered Ning Zhuo's face by not mentioning the Five Elements formation, but Ning Zhuo, inherently humble and eager to learn, never minded such things.

His solid array foundation made him well aware of the Nine Palaces formation's advantages.

He continued with examples: "Taking the most basic prototypes of the ten static arrays, the Five Elements formation's mutual generation amplification is only three to fivefold, the Eight Trigrams formation's trigram amplification about six to eightfold. But the Nine Palaces formation has nine to twelvefold amplification."

"And that's just the most basic prototype arrays."

Pausing briefly, Ning Zhuo added: "I once did some calculations outside of class."

"If using a Five Elements prototype array to create a light shield to block one attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator, it would require at least fifty thousand spirit stones."

"But if using a Nine Palaces formation, just shifting the Nascent Soul cultivator to the Xun Fourth Palace before承受 the attack would need only over nine thousand spirit stones, saving nearly eighty percent of the cost!"

"And using an Eight Trigrams formation to trap three Golden Core cultivators requires three thousand spirit stones. But trapping enemies for the same duration, the Nine Palaces formation can save seventy-five percent of spirit stones."

Su Lingkou inwardly complained again: "Why does Ning Zhuo always use Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators as examples? Has he forgotten he's merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Why can't low-level cultivators use high-level ones as examples?

Ning Zhuo never had such mental constraints.

Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, his hypothetical enemies were the city lord's mansion, Nascent Soul-level cultivators like Meng Kui, and his Golden Core subordinates.

Since childhood, he pondered how to overcome the strong despite being weak. This spirit of deep study was deeply ingrained in him.

Ning Zhuo's examples directly showed Shen Xi that Ning Zhuo wasn't just flattering him but genuinely held such views.

Shen Xi clapped his hands and laughed: "The one who knows me is Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo."

His enthusiasm surged: "There are many examples of using the Nine Palaces formation to overcome the strong despite being weak. Take figures from our Feiyun Kingdom for instance."

"For example, fifteen years ago, the Green Cloud Sect was attacked by demonic cultivators."

"The Green Cloud Sect was just a minor sect, its strongest being Chu Ping at Golden Core peak, who excelled at array formation."

"With only him, one Golden Core, and twenty-seven Foundation Establishment disciples, they held firm at the Green Cloud Sect's mountain gate."

"His opponent was the notoriously evil Nascent Soul demonic cultivator Blood Corpse Old Demon, along with three thousand blood coagulated corpses."

"Chu Ping had the Foundation Establishment disciples guard the nine palaces, while he himself entered the central fifth palace as bait, luring the old demon into the array to attack."

"Once Blood Corpse Old Demon entered the array, Chu Ping immediately shifted the palace grids, locking the main battlefield at the Li Ninth Palace and Kun Second Palace."

"The最终 unleashed flames, amplified eighty-onefold by the Li Ninth Palace and further magnified fourfold by the Kun Second Palace, instantly incinerating Blood Corpse Old Demon's physical body, forcing his Nascent Soul to flee. All three thousand blood coagulated corpses were also burned to nothing."

Shen Xi continued: "And over seventy years ago, one of Feiyun Kingdom's four great rogue cultivators, Chess Addict, bearing a dying friend's嘱托, designed an array trial to pass his friend's legacy to those who passed the test."

"Chess Addict used nine strange stones in the valley to set up a Nine Palaces formation. Sword cultivator Ling Xiao charged into the array."

"Though both Chess Addict and Ling Xiao were Nascent Soul level, the latter was公认 to be just one step away from the Deity Transformation level, almost准 Deity Transformation."

"Initially, Ling Xiao broke through like a hot knife through butter, clearing four palaces consecutively. But after the palace positions shifted, Chess Addict lured him to the Dui Seventh Palace."

"Chess Addict then positioned the Qian Sixth Palace behind, forming a cycle of marsh energy rising to heaven, heavenly thunder returning to marsh."

"Ling Xiao fought fiercely,强行 breaking this cycle, but it caused the Zhen Third Palace to lose balance, triggering a reflection from the Qian Sixth Palace, making Ling Xiao's sword energy grow thirty-sixfold and rebound against its owner."

"Ultimately, Ling Xiao was defeated, coughing blood as he retreated from the array."

Ning Zhuo listened carefully, broadening his horizons.

He nodded in agreement, adding: "From what I know, the most famous example of the Nine Palaces formation overcoming the strong despite being weak is 'The Child Traps the Dragon'."

This is a story often recounted in array formation texts.

Foundation Establishment stage fishing child Xiao Man, pursued by a flood dragon, accidentally fled to a strange place at the river bottom.

Here lay a page from the Luo River Chart, lost and buried in the river mud.

Over time, the surrounding environment gradually transformed according to the principles recorded on the Luo River Chart page, forming a natural Nine Palaces array constructed with water veins as array lines.

Xiao Man, chased here, obtained the Luo River Chart page, used his only nine water-avoiding copper coins to activate the Nine Palaces array, then冒险 lured the evil flood dragon into the array.

The evil flood dragon,不识阵法, severely injured Xiao Man but also became trapped. Each time it exerted strength to struggle, its internal Nascent Soul was sealed to one-twentieth of its previous state. After several struggles, the evil flood dragon was heavily sealed by the Nine Palaces array, ultimately becoming the反派配角 in the legendary feat of a Foundation Establishment cultivator defeating a Nascent Soul.

This happened a very, very long time ago.

But because it spread so widely, the story is frequently recorded in典籍.

"The Luo River Chart?" Yu Heye, having listened for a while, finally found a point to interject, "I know of this; it's the source of mathematical principles, holding high research value for array formation, divination, and more."

"The Luo River Chart was dispersed long ago. That page obtained by Fisherman Xiao Man also went missing after he failed his tribulation."

Yu Heye's attainment in array formation wasn't as solid as Ning Zhuo's.

He came from an ordinary background, didn't build a foundation in childhood, and wasn't interested in this area himself.

Ning Zhuo and Shen Xi were discussing so enthusiastically he almost yawned; finally speaking up perked him up.

Seizing the chance to speak, he又开始 introducing the delicacies on the table, trying to steer the topic back.

Although he was also clueless about spiritual cuisine, at least he was old, had spent plenty on spirit stones, and this was a familiar领域 for him.

But after eating and drinking a bit, Shen Xi pulled the topic back to the Nine Palaces formation.

His considerable skill in arrays was partly due to家族 cultivation from childhood, and partly his personal interest and hobby.

Interest is often the best teacher.

Without this love, Shen Xi wouldn't have such attainment in array formation. He had invested大量 time and effort into arrays, sacrificing many opportunities to cultivate techniques.

Shen Xi said: "Speaking of the Nine Palaces formation, we are currently in one."

Ning Zhuo was puzzled: "Fellow Daoist Shen means the protective array here at Vine Embrace Cliff is a Nine Palaces formation?"

Shen Xi nodded slightly: "Exactly so."

"No, no," Yu Heye shook his head, "Vine Embrace Cliff's protective array is called the Thousand Vines Drink Clouds Array, I'm sure of it."

Shen Xi nodded again: "Correct."

This made Ning Zhuo and Yu Heye even more confused.

Shen Xi smiled and explained: "Don't you二位 think the peaks around Vine Embrace Cliff are somewhat close together?"

"This is actually an intentional layout."

"Vine Embrace Cliff, Dark Abyss Peak, Thunder Shock Isle, Cloud Rub Summit, Jade Marrow Hill, and nine other peaks each have their own protective mountain arrays, but overall form a Nine Palaces formation pattern."

Ning Zhuo's heart stirred slightly.

His mother's former residence, Glistening Jade Studio, was on Cloud Rub Summit.

Yu Heye raised his eyebrows: "Is that so?"

Shen Xi nodded: "This Nine Palaces formation was set up by Heavy Array Peak's Pivot Official Xie Tang..."

After Shen Xi's explanation, Ning Zhuo and Yu Heye understood the details.

Xie Tang was a Nascent Soul-level cultivator who once held a high official position in Feiyun Kingdom, hence titled Pivot Official.

He was highly skilled at array formation. After retiring from office, he returned to the sect to focus fully on cultivation.

During an exchange, he came to Nine Palaces Immortal City to give a lecture. In class, he used this Nine Palaces formation as a case study.

Shen Xi recalled: "Senior Xie Tang's array attainments astounded me at the time. This Nine Palaces formation is indeed one of his得意之作. He even mentioned in class that he left behind an unused array formation treasure hidden within this Nine Palaces formation, waiting for a destined individual. That point also left a deep impression on me."

A glint flashed in Ning Zhuo's eyes as he feigned piqued interest: "Oh? What kind of array formation treasure is it?"

Shen Xi shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Ning, that treasure is rather烫手的, not to be taken lightly."

Ning Zhuo pretended not to understand: "Why is that?"

Su Lingkou covered her mouth with a light laugh: "It's actually Senior Xie Tang's screening method to select cultivators with certain array attainments, making it convenient for him to recruit them into Heavy Array Peak."

"Many seniors in the Myriad Forms Sect do this, like fishing with bait."

"Taking his array treasure means having a connection with him, owing him a debt, and being marked as from Heavy Array Peak."

"So, cultivators with other aspirations never actively pick up this array formation treasure."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "Thank you for the explanation, it aligns closely with my猜想."

He looked at Shen Xi, naturally asking what he truly wanted to know: "Fellow Daoist Shen surely has the ability to retrieve this treasure but hasn't done so..."

Shen Xi nodded: "Senior Xie Tang's setup isn't hard to破解. But I'm not a rogue cultivator; I represent my family."

"Before coming, I was repeatedly instructed by家族 elders not to随意 choose sides prematurely. I believe Fellow Daoist Ning deeply understands this."

Ning Zhuo actually didn't have such experience.

Ning Zhuo's branch family; he was the branch family head. The entire Ning branch family listened to him.

Not only that, his influence in Two Pillars Kingdom was also significant, at least the Three Generals Camp was very friendly. His "Old Monster in the Stone" identity held considerable prestige in Thousand Peaks Forest.

He was also the deputy city lord of White Paper Immortal City.

At this point, Shen Xi明显 hesitated but ultimately said: "This year's Feiyun Assembly might differ from previous ones. We plan to first form a small group and observe the situation."

Ning Zhuo's heart stirred, immediately understanding Shen Xi was alluding to the clash between old and new forces, the matters of Purple Thunder Peak and Flowing Cloud Peak.

Yu Heye, however, widened his eyes, full of confusion: "What's different?"

He was the oldest, had been in the Myriad Forms Sect the longest, yet hadn't noticed this at all.

Ultimately, he came from a rogue cultivator background, lacked awareness in this area. The cultivation technique he practiced was still the "Reverse Five Elements Demon Art," which only reached Nascent Soul level at best. His highest achievement in life was almost being recognized as a Golden Core true inheritor.

It's worth noting, the Myriad Forms Sect has quite a few Golden Core true inheritors.

Yu Heye had never been inside power departments, his experience too单一, his greatest energy and focus devoted to "avoiding走火入魔."

Hundred cultivation arts, hundred life experiences.

Cultivation level高低 doesn't decide everything.

There are plenty of means to overcome the strong despite being weak.

Array formation is one, wisdom and strategy another.

No matter how high one's cultivation,不识局势 can lead to being算计 by schemers, reduced to enforcers or pawns.

(End of )