Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

The next morning, Li Yuan packed his storage bag and set off.

All the necessary materials for setting up the formation, talisman-making tools, elixirs, and dry rations were brought along.

Leaving the city through the south gate of Yunyangfang, I walked southwest along the official road. Activating the Divine Speed ​​Step, my speed was nearly twice as fast as normal walking.

After walking for most of the day, the familiar gray-white wall of mist appeared on the distant horizon.

Ghost Mist Forest.

Thick fog rose from the ground, like a low wall blocking the way. A few independent cultivators were scattered in the open space outside the fog wall; some were organizing their equipment, while others were resting against tree trunks.

Li Yuan didn't linger and walked straight towards the fog wall.

The moment I stepped into the thick fog, my vision was covered in a grayish-white hue. The soil beneath my feet turned into a soft layer of decaying leaves, the air became damp and chilly, and a menacing aura seeped in from all directions.

The system automatically and amicably suppresses the negative effects of evil energy to an extremely low level.

Li Yuan walked into the depths of the forest for about fifteen minutes and found a flat clearing.

The open space was small, about twenty feet in circumference, and surrounded by withered old trees. The ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves, which were soft and silent when stepped on.

The concentration of malevolent energy was much higher than in the surrounding area, and the air was filled with a rotten and chilling smell.

Li Yuan took out the array materials from the storage bag one by one.

Eight foundation stones lay on the ground, their grayish-white stones gleaming faintly in the thick fog. A bag of conductive spirit sand, a fine, dark gray powder, sat nearby. A fist-sized energy-absorbing stone, its surface gleaming with a dark red sheen, sat in the very center.

Li Yuan mentally reviewed the diagram of the Gathering Evil Formation and then began to set it up.

The first step is to determine the orientation.

The eight foundation stones were arranged according to the orientation and spacing marked on the array diagram. One stone each was placed in the east, south, west, and north, and one stone each was placed in the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest, forming an octagon.

The spacing between the array base stones must be precise, with a deviation not exceeding one inch. Li Yuan used his spiritual power to mark eight points on the ground and placed the array base stones in place one by one.

The permanent attributes of the basic array formations were working in secret, increasing proficiency in array setup by 50%. Location selection went more smoothly than expected, and the accuracy of spiritual energy marking positions on the ground was extremely high.

The second step is to lay the transmission lines.

Pour the conductive spirit sand from the bag and spread it between the eight array base stones along the route marked on the array diagram. Start from the position of the first array base stone, spread the spirit sand along the ground to the second stone, then from the second stone to the third stone, and so on, connecting all the nodes in sequence.

The key to laying the spiritual sand lies in ensuring that the thickness and width are uniform. If it's too thick, the transmission of spiritual energy will be hindered; if it's too thin, the spiritual energy will attenuate midway.

The precision of his spiritual energy manipulation, honed through mastering micro-control techniques, came in handy here. Li Yuan carefully laid out the spiritual sand, ensuring that the thickness and width of each section of the line were within an extremely small margin of error.

The third step is to place the key points of the formation.

The warding-off stone is placed in the very center of the octagon.

The array eye is the core node of the entire formation, where all spiritual energy flows and converges. After the evil-gathering stone is embedded in the ground, it forms a star-shaped connection structure with the eight transmission lines.

The fourth step is to infuse spiritual energy.

Li Yuan squatted at the edge of the formation, placed his palm on the first foundation stone, and poured spiritual energy into it.

The spiritual energy flowed along the conductive spiritual sand from the first foundation stone to the second. After reaching the second stone, it split, one path continuing towards the third stone, while the other path turned back to form a loop.

The transfer of spiritual energy between the eight nodes must form a stable closed loop. Spiritual energy originating from any node must return to its starting point after traveling the entire distance along the transmission path, connecting the beginning and the end.

It follows the same closed-structure principle as the Spirit Gathering Array, only on a much larger scale.

Li Yuan channeled his spiritual power into each node in the order marked on the array diagram.

The first, the second, the third.

The spiritual energy flowed faster than expected through the transmission pathways. The enhancements from the basic array elements increased the efficiency of the spiritual energy infusion by 50%, and the activation of each node was extremely smooth.

The fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh.

With all seven nodes activated, the spiritual energy had formed an almost complete loop in the transmission line. Only the last node remained to close it.

The eighth.

The moment spiritual energy was poured into the last foundation stone, the entire formation lit up.

The eight foundation stones of the array simultaneously emitted a dark red glow. Fine bands of light lit up along the lines laid with the conductive spirit sand, converging from each node towards the array's core.

The evil-repelling stone suddenly lit up in the center of the formation, and a dark red light spread from the surface of the stone, forming a semi-transparent light shield that enveloped the entire formation.

After the light shield stabilized, Li Yuan sensed a change.

The surrounding malevolent energy was stirring.

It wasn't a natural flow; it was being pulled. The malevolent energy within a radius of a hundred feet seemed to be grasped by an invisible hand, slowly converging towards the center of the formation.

The Gathering Evil Formation has been successfully set up.

The panel popped up.

[First-Tier Array Dao - Introduction (87/200)]

My proficiency in array formations has increased significantly. The operations of connecting spiritual energy, linking nodes, and closing loops used in the process of setting up an array are all basic skills of array formations. The experience of setting up an array once is more than the experience of creating ten spirit gathering array talismans.

Immediately afterwards, a second panel popped up.

[The conditions for making the Array Dao Comprehension (White) permanent have been met]

Is it permanent?

The conditions are met: A formation can be set up entirely by oneself.

With a thought, Li Yuan released the Hundred Meridians Returning to Origin Technique.

He took out the bamboo slips on the basics of array formation from his storage bag and equipped them.

Yes.

[Permanentization successful]

【Insights into the Dao of Formations (White)】 has become a permanent entry.

[Equipment consumed]

The bamboo slip transformed into a pale white light between his fingers and disappeared into his body.

My understanding of formations has become clearer. The direction of the spirit runes, the way nodes are interconnected, and the logic of constructing closed loops—these previously scattered pieces of knowledge have been integrated into a more complete framework.

The speed at which you gain proficiency in setting up and breaking formations will be permanently increased by 50%.

Then he stood up and looked at the Gathering Fiend Array in operation in front of him.

The eight foundation stones of the array glowed with a dark red aura, and the light bands on the conduction lines flowed slowly. The evil-gathering stone in the center continuously emitted a dark red light. The surrounding evil energy was being continuously drawn in, and the concentration of evil energy near the array's core was already much higher than before.

The formation is functioning normally.

Li Yuan raised his right hand.

Fireball.

A fireball struck a foundation stone at the edge of the formation.

boom.

The foundation stone of the array was cracked by the shockwave of the fireball. The conductive lines broke at the crack, and the spiritual energy circulation was interrupted.

The chain reaction was extremely rapid. With the loss of this crucial support, the spiritual energy balance of the entire closed loop was shattered. The halos on the remaining seven foundation stones flickered rapidly a few times, then dimmed one by one.

The light band on the transmission line went out from the break point to both sides, like a burnt-out light cord.

Finally, the central amulet stone also dimmed. The dark red light retreated back into the stone, and the protective aura dissipated.

The formation has been broken.

The panel popped up.

[The conditions for permanent penetration (white) have been met]

Is it permanent?

Break the formation once. Conditions met.

Yes.

[Permanentization successful]

[Breaking Through Barriers (White)] has become a permanent entry.

[Equipment consumed]

The barrier-breaking talisman transformed into a dark silver light between his fingers and disappeared into his body.

The penetration effect against spiritual energy defenses has been permanently increased by 30%. From now on, whether it's a spiritual shield, protective aura, or array barrier, the penetration ability will increase by 30%.

The evil-absorbing stone remains in its original location. After the formation was broken, the foundation stone and the transmission lines became ineffective, but the evil-absorbing stone itself was not damaged; it was simply no longer driven by the formation.

Li Yuan squatted down and reached out to pick up the evil-dispelling stone from the ground.

The panel popped up the moment the fingertip touched the surface of the stone.

[Equipable item detected: Gathering Spirit Stone (Complete)]

[Equipment Attribute Preview: Gathering of Malevolent Energy (White) - Automatically gathers surrounding malevolent energy during cultivation]

[Preview of Permanentization Conditions: Accumulate 100 cycles of cultivation in an environment rich in malevolent energy (0/100)]

[Current equipment slots are full (5/5). Replace current equipment?]

Li Yuan stared at the panel for a couple of breaths.

The formation can also trigger the board.

It's not the formation itself, but the core of the formation.

The only change is the name; it now shares the same name as the formation.

This proves that the core of the formation equipment is the formation itself, not the material of the formation's core.

The array eye is the core item of the entire array. The array eye of the Gathering Evil Array is this Evil-Gathering Stone. When you touch the array eye, the panel recognizes it as an equipable item.

In other words, formations can be equipped through the formation's core.

The effect of this skill is to automatically gather surrounding malevolent energy during cultivation. It functions similarly to a malevolent energy gathering array, but it does not require setting up an array and is a passive effect.

The condition for permanent attainment is to cultivate for one hundred cycles in an environment rich in malevolent energy.

The concentration of malevolent energy in the Ghost Mist Forest is definitely "abundant".

One hundred cycles isn't much. At Li Yuan's current cultivation speed, he can complete about ten cycles in an hour, so he can accumulate enough in ten hours.

Without hesitation, Li Yuan equipped himself with the Gathering Evil Stone.

[Equipment Successfully]

[Acquired entry: Gathering and Attracting Malevolent Energy (White)]

[Permanentization Condition: Accumulate one hundred cycles of cultivation in an environment rich in malevolent energy (0/100)]

The moment the entry took effect, Li Yuan sensed a change.

The surrounding malevolent energy began to gather around him.

It's not like a large-scale attracting formation for gathering evil spirits; instead, it slowly draws in evil spirits within a radius of several feet centered on itself. The speed is not fast, but it is continuous.

The affinity of the evil energy automatically suppresses the negative effects of the incoming evil energy to a very low level, and the body tempering of the evil energy simultaneously draws the evil energy into the fascia and bones.

It's like automatically accumulating evil energy while cultivating.

Li Yuan sat down cross-legged in the original position of the formation.

Although the formation has been broken, the concentration of malevolent energy in this area is already very high. In addition, the passive gathering effect of the Gathering Malevolent Energy Stone makes the concentration of malevolent energy around you sufficient.

Circulate the Spirit-Guiding Technique.

Spiritual energy surges into the body, circulating throughout the body via the meridians. Simultaneously, malevolent energy gathers from the outside, tempering the body and drawing it into the muscles and bones.

The first week is over.

[Permanentization progress of Gathering Evil Qi (White): 1/100]

The second Sunday.

[Permanentization progress of Gathering Evil Qi (White): 2/100]

Li Yuan closed his eyes and immersed himself in cultivation.

Spiritual energy and blood flowed alternately through the meridians, while malevolent energy continuously gathered from all directions. The body tempering technique and the Iron Wall Body Refining Technique operated simultaneously.

One cycle after another pushes forward.

The depths of the Ghost Mist Forest were eerily quiet. The thick fog blocked out all sound, except for the occasional low growl from afar, which was quickly swallowed up by the fog.

Ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine.

The hundredth cycle has ended.

The conditions for the permanent formation of the "Gathering of Evil Qi (White)" have been met.

Is it permanent?

Yes.

[Permanentization successful]

The phrase "Gathering and Attracting Malevolent Energy (White)" has become a permanent entry.

[Equipment consumed]

From now on, no matter where you cultivate, as long as there is evil energy around, it will automatically gather there. There is no need to set up an array or deliberately collect it.

Li Yuan stood up and stretched his limbs.

The continuous cultivation for most of the day had left my body somewhat stiff, but my spiritual energy and blood circulation were in good condition. The body tempering with baleful energy continued throughout the cultivation process, refining my muscles and bones once again.

The thick fog deep in the Ghost Mist Forest was still just as thick, with grayish-white mist slowly flowing around.

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