Fairy, return my flying sword to me

Chapter 242 Earth Element Formation
He left Zhang Danfang for these old fogies of the Pure Yang Sword Sect to study on their own, and then flew down the mountain with Chunxue on his sword.

Following Chunxue's instructions, he bought some basic materials for setting up the formation at the nearest market, and then took to the air again on his sword.

Chunxue said she wanted to find a secluded place, but there were plenty of such places in the cultivation world.

Apart from a few famous mountains and rivers that have been developed into real estate projects by unscrupulous sects due to their rich spiritual energy, the vast land is full of wild forests that are difficult for ordinary people to reach.

Lin Jian, carrying Chunxue, rode his sword all the way, and saw that the ground beneath his feet was lush and green.

The trees thrive in this spiritual world, their somber canopies often reaching for the sky.

After advancing to the Golden Core stage, his expanded spiritual sense swept across the forest, and he saw that after flying hundreds of miles, there were hardly any people in the forest. He slowly descended into the forest with Chunxue on his sword.

"Let's do it here." Chunxue glanced around, then clapped her hands and waved after landing, saying, "Cut down all the trees in this area. We need to clear a space to set up the formation."

"Alright." Lin Jian gathered his inner energy and swept his sword finger across the room.

The quality of true qi after advancing to the Golden Core stage is far superior to what it used to be.

Even a simple burst of true energy is more powerful than the golden light sword of the past.

With a single swing, a full moon-like sword aura instantly slashed out from his body.

These giant trees, which would take several people to encircle, would be difficult for ordinary people to break even after several days of chopping, but now they were all cut down with a single sword stroke in the forest.

With a series of unpleasant creaking sounds, these towering trees slowly fell down one after another.

The gloom that had shrouded this land for decades or even centuries was finally dispelled for the first time.

The sunlight on the horizon was perfect, as if it had just etched a spot of light here.

And so, wisps of warmth seemed to slowly flow in along the sunken patches of light on the earth...

Chunxue clapped her hands in satisfaction, "This place is perfect, a natural gathering place for spiritual energy!"

"It's not natural." Lin Jian rolled his eyes. "I didn't just cut this down, so say what you will..."

"Without the long-term natural growth here, how could you have achieved your logging success today?" Chunxue rubbed her waist. "Hurry up and set up the formation! Have you memorized the formation diagram from the Earthly Origin Formation chapter?"

"I've got it, I've got it!" Lin Jian waved his hand and started taking things out of his storage ring.

The Earthly Elemental Array uses "earth veins as bones and spiritual energy as blood" to form an invisible spiritual network covering the forest by connecting the spiritual nodes in the mountains and earth veins. This network gathers and purifies the scattered spiritual energy of heaven and earth, ultimately transforming it into a high-concentration spiritual energy field that can be used for cultivation or to nourish all things.

Such a grand formation is contrary to the harmony of heaven and earth, and also damages the earth's veins.

It is difficult to use in one place for a long time.

Fortunately, the world has its own self-regulating and coordinating abilities. With Lin Jian's level of only the Golden Core stage, no matter how much he struggles in such a remote and secluded place, it won't have too much of an impact.

Having decided to set up an array here, he activated his Sharp Eyes and began to thoroughly investigate the terrain's vein patterns.

Although Chunxue has confirmed that this place is a suitable location, Linjian still needs to determine the specific nodes for the formation, including the main formation eye.

First, at least three spiritual nodes need to be established. These nodes are related to the efficiency of the magic array in gathering spiritual energy, so the more the better.

The so-called spiritual node is the place where the earth's energy converges, usually manifested as a place where the soil is slightly warm and the vegetation is exceptionally lush.

Secondly, among the many nodes, the "dragon's lair" must be located.

They are often found in the lowest-lying areas or in places where the roots of ancient trees are most dense.

Among the large grove of trees that had just been felled in the forest, there happened to be a towering ancient tree with intertwined roots that stretched far and wide, buried deep underground.

On the stump of the felled tree lies the core of the array used to set up formations in the forest.

Under the sweeping gaze of his sharp eyes, Lin Jian locked onto the dragon's lair and the seven spiritual nodes.

Once the locations of the seven spiritual nodes were determined, peach wood stakes were driven into the seven nodes in the forest, and the "Earth Mother Suppressing Spirit Mantra" was engraved on the stakes to suppress the formation.

Then, five-colored soil was mixed with star powder and scattered along the line connecting the wooden stakes to form a soil diameter about three inches wide, creating an earth energy channel within the magic array.

After establishing the foundation of the formation, nine natural rocks rich in iron ore were arranged in three concentric circles around the main formation eye in the forest. The outer layer of rocks was engraved with the "Gen" trigram, symbolizing the mountain's protection; the middle layer of rocks was engraved with the "Kun" trigram, representing the earth's energy; and the central rock was decorated with a Taiji diagram drawn with the earth's spiritual blood.

Then, nine spiritual patterns radiate outward from the central Tai Chi diagram, drawn with star powder mixed with morning dew.

Golden pupils peered through the roots of the ancient tree underground, and the patterns drawn perfectly mimicked the natural branching shape of the tree roots.

For such a grand formation to succeed, it must be adapted to local conditions and take advantage of the circumstances.

The ancient tree roots that have been here for countless years are the most direct manifestation of the local geomantic energy.

As Lin Jian delved deeper into the study of magic arrays, he became increasingly adept at setting them up.

Although the formation diagram of the Earthly Elemental Array is large, it also consumes a lot of true energy.

But ever since he reached the Golden Core stage, Lin Jian felt as if the true energy in his body was inexhaustible.

Even as the magic array was being drawn, and true energy flowed continuously from his fingertips into the array patterns like water, his Qi Sea, which contained a golden core, steadily output the required true energy without the slightest strain.

Finally, the array diagram, which covered an area of ​​more than an acre, was finished with a stroke of the brush by Lin Jian, and a faint light flowed across the entire array's patterns.

Standing atop the array's core in the forest, he began chanting the "Earthly Origin Mantra": "Mountains and peaks bear witness, the Earth Mother is spiritually connected, all energies return to their origin, by command!"

As the decree fell, a drop of blood from the heart dripped from the sky into the very center of the formation, where the two Tai Chi eyes met.

Then, the true energy previously poured into the formation was instantly activated. After a slight tremor, the seven peach wood stakes began to vibrate at a certain common frequency, causing the earth vein energy to flow along the soil path to the formation eye, slowly forming a cycle.

"Puff~"

"Puff~"

The earth's veins throbbed like a heartbeat, and faint yellow light streams could be seen flowing along the spiritual patterns on the surface, flickering like breath.

As the magic array began to operate, a vortex of blue and yellow spiritual mist formed three zhang above the forest.

Beyond this slowly rotating vortex, the air in a much larger area seemed to begin rotating slowly around this point.

Beneath the sharp gaze of the forest, one could see that in the farthest reaches of the earth's veins, countless tiny points of light, along with the underground veins, surged from all directions at the edge of sight.

If the soil and rocks that are blocking the view could be removed, the place would appear to resemble the canopy of a giant tree.

Its dense root system is deeply rooted in this world, drawing nutrients from every corner of the earth to support its growth and development.

The spiritual energy in the air gradually became denser.

It looked as if it was about to condense into heavy water droplets and fall.

Chunxue nodded in satisfaction, quite pleased with the man-made paradise environment. "Alright, hurry up and take your medicine to cultivate."

Lin Jian took out a black and white tai chi-shaped pill, tilted his head back, and swallowed it. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and in an instant, his body erupted like a volcano, with a violent torrent of spiritual energy rushing into all his meridians, but it was firmly locked in place by the golden pill.

Also for the purpose of increasing the true energy in his body, Lin Jian only now understands why Chunxue waited until he reached the Golden Core stage before taking out this Great Yin-Yang Pill.

Without the restriction of the Golden Core, given the pill's violent potency, a Foundation Establishment stage body would probably be burst from the inside out.

Besides the spiritual energy contained in the pill itself, the moment it entered his body, he could feel the spiritual energy vortex in the outside world being drawn by the pill, its rotation speed increasing sharply, forming a funnel-shaped spiritual pressure that surged into him from the top of his head.

In that instant, Lin Jian felt as if he himself had become a pure passageway.

The surging spiritual energy poured in from the top of the head and then seemed to surge out from the soles of the feet.

"Quick! Secure the bottom line. If you lose it, all your cultivation will be reduced to ashes."

This Great Yin-Yang Pill is incredibly potent.

It is called the Spiritual Root Creation Pill, but in reality, no cultivator in the cultivation world is born with such a spiritual root.

Without at least the cultivation level of the Golden Core stage, it would be impossible to lock down the violent absorption power of this spiritual root, and no cultivator is born with the cultivation level of the Golden Core stage.

Normally, all the discoveries of a monk come from imitating the creations of nature.

All previous Spirit Root Creation Pills were merely clumsy imitations of some geniuses. Only at the level of the Great Yin-Yang Pill can it be considered a truly artificial creation of a completely new spiritual root.

Spring snow had warned me, but it wasn't until I experienced it firsthand that I could truly understand the feeling of helplessness and drifting like someone deep in a torrent.

Now he is like a drowning man clinging to a withered branch, at any moment he could be swept away by a torrent.

Fortunately, a golden core held firm to its last line of defense amidst a buzzing and trembling sound. No matter how much spiritual energy was poured in, it did not allow them to carve out a smooth path for passage.

The spiritual energy that couldn't rush out naturally had to stay behind, and a massive amount of spiritual energy was squeezed together in the Qi Sea, beginning to compress and solidify into the Golden Core.

The newly formed Golden Core is like an insatiable sponge, endlessly absorbing every bit of nourishment that comes its way.

As endless spiritual energy rapidly poured in, faint patterns began to slowly outline the surface of the golden core.

"Pay close attention to the formation process of the red veins."

The Bagua runes created by the Human Emperor were less his own creation and more an imitation of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

These naturally occurring patterns on everyone's golden core inherently represent a supreme and smooth path to the Great Dao.

Although they do not represent the most fundamental rules of the world as much as the innate Bagua runes of the Human Emperor, they are still considered one of the ultimate forces in the world.

This is what is meant by the Golden Elixir Path.

If every cultivator could fully comprehend and learn to utilize the rune naturally bestowed upon their golden core by heaven and earth, then their path to the Great Dao would be unobstructed.

"I know." Lin Jian sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to practice his internal energy.

As a massive amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth automatically flowed into the Qi Sea to carve patterns on the surface of the Golden Core, Lin Jian's own spiritual sense was not idle either.

A will filled with sword intent attached itself to the spiritual consciousness, carving sword insights stroke by stroke on the inner wall of the golden core like a carving knife.

With each mark left, the golden core trembled once, emitting a clear and melodious sword cry.

Under the sharp vision, one can see the runes and sword marks inside and outside the golden core gradually intertwining into a net, achieving the ultimate balance of "qi and mind in harmony".

One day...

Two days...

While meditating in the forest with my eyes closed, I was unaware that withered leaves had fallen all around me.

A refreshing breeze whistled in their ears, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, flowing in from the ground and the air, continuously poured into the forest from all directions.

After cutting through the trees used to set up the formation, the trees further away are now gradually turning yellow and withering.

It's still the season for falling leaves, but these trees seem like old people on their deathbeds, scattering large swaths of leaves that are no longer able to provide the necessary nutrients.

This effect spread outwards in concentric circles, and the depletion of nutrients from the forest also spread from the forest floor as the center.

However, underground, where it is difficult for ordinary people to see, the once fertile black soil is now gradually losing moisture.

The once moist and fertile land is now like a desert that has been lacking water for many years, gradually becoming dry and hard.

It looked as if it would turn into dust with the slightest touch.

A streak of light flashed across the sky, and the black-robed figure hovering in the air on a sword looked solemnly at the withering earth beneath his feet, his eyes filled with doubt. "Who is using evil magic here?"

He then pondered to himself, 'But I followed that kid's path all the way here; could this change be his doing?'

With this thought in mind, the figure in black robes slowly flew towards the central area on his sword.

However, after flying for a while towards the very center of this change, he stopped and hovered in the air.

A pair of aged eyes swept around, only to find that they had unknowingly fallen into the effect of the Nine Palaces Maze.

The surrounding scenery repeats endlessly, and it's clear that I've been unknowingly drawn into some kind of illusion.

"Hmph!" Noticing this change, the old man snorted coldly, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

The next moment, the Nascent Soul stage cultivator's energy suddenly exploded, and his keen spiritual sense rushed straight to the most critical moment.

"boom!"

With a sound like glass shattering, an unusual vibration surged from the ground, striking the outsider who attempted to break into the formation.

Earth's energy surges back!

This is the self-counterattack and defense mechanism that a formation of this level should have.

Unfortunately, since the opponent was a Nascent Soul stage monster, this formation, which was not a powerful killing or trapping formation, was ultimately unable to stop the opponent's advance.

Lin Jian, who was in a meditative state, had no choice but to slowly open his eyes.

As a streak of platinum light flashed from his pupils, the forest, silent for three days, once again released an astonishing aura.

The platinum-colored sword pellet is now covered with a complex rune, and its inner wall is also engraved with the insights gained from practicing swordsmanship in the forest.

From then on, there was no longer any barrier between the spiritual consciousness in the forest and the true energy of the Golden Core. As soon as the spiritual consciousness moved, the true energy would follow.

The second level of the Golden Elixir has been achieved, with the Qi and intention united!
Sensing the uninvited guest had entered the magic circle, he stood up, and a vortex of spiritual energy around him exploded...

(End of this chapter)