137

Li Fan had a premonition that if an ordinary late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator forcibly read the contents of the "Hundred Veins Formation Diagram," the surging flow of information would undoubtedly burst his mind.

Although Li Fan's mental strength was higher than that of ordinary cultivators, the outcome might still not be favorable.

He withdrew his spiritual sense and solemnly stored the jade slip in his storage ring.

"How is your study of formations?" Gong Boyu asked.

Li Fan contemplated for a moment and said, "The junior has studied for two years and gained some insights. However, the junior doesn't know the exact extent of mastery."

Gong Boyu said, "That's easy!"

He then took out a small black sphere and tossed it to Li Fan. "Send a strand of your spiritual sense into it, and you'll know."

Li Fan examined the black sphere, which seemed to have starlight flowing on its surface, and followed Gong Boyu's instructions.

In an instant, Li Fan felt as if he were in a pitch-black tunnel. His thoughts were like a roller coaster, rapidly sliding through the tunnel.

Questions and answers about formations came at him, and Li Fan involuntarily responded.

If he knew the answer and responded correctly, the speed of his thoughts would accelerate.

If he didn't know or answered incorrectly, the speed of his thoughts would slow down.

The feeling was like having the speed of his thinking magnified a hundred times, somewhat similar to the enlightenment process in the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

But it was much more effective.

After some time, Li Fan felt his thoughts slowing down, and eventually, they came to a complete stop.

He was expelled from the black sphere.

Gong Boyu took back the sphere and looked at Li Fan with an incredulous expression. "Did you really study for two years?"

Li Fan remained composed. "Indeed."

After a moment of silence, Gong Boyu kindly consoled him, "The path of formations is demanding, and talent plays a crucial role. Progressing slowly is normal; there's no need to be disheartened."

Li Fan agreed and nodded slightly.

However, this well-intentioned remark seemed to have angered another cultivator present.

"What nonsense is this? The path of formations only requires diligence! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations may be high, but dare you say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan looked at the person speaking. He had white hair but sharp eyes that made people hesitant to meet his gaze.

"Gentleman Zhi, don't be so impetuous. I was just comforting the younger generation with casual words. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows you, Zhang Zhiliang, as the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said somewhat helplessly.

"The path of formations is all about diligence and sincerity; there's no room for empty talk! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations is high, but can you honestly say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan observed that the speaker's hair was snowy white, but his eyes contained a glint that made people reluctant to look directly at them.

"Brother Zhi, don't be so hot-tempered. I was just comforting the younger generation with a casual remark. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows that you, Zhang Zhiliang, are the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said with some helplessness.

"On the path of formations, diligence and truthfulness are essential. Your progress may be slower, but it's normal. There's no need to be upset."

Li Fan agreed and nodded slightly.

However, this seemingly well-intentioned remark seemed to have angered another cultivator present.

"What nonsense is this? The path of formations only requires diligence! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations may be high, but dare you say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan looked at the person speaking. He had white hair but sharp eyes that made people hesitant to meet his gaze.

"Gentleman Zhi, don't be so impetuous. I was just comforting the younger generation with casual words. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows you, Zhang Zhiliang, as the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said somewhat helplessly.

"The path of formations is all about diligence and sincerity; there's no room for empty talk! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations is high, but can you honestly say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan observed that the speaker's hair was snowy white, but his eyes contained a glint that made people reluctant to look directly at them.

"Brother Zhi, don't be so hot-tempered. I was just comforting the younger generation with a casual remark. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows that you, Zhang Zhiliang, are the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said with some helplessness.

Zhang Zhiliang turned his head and looked at Li Fan sternly. "Young man, you must not be disheartened. When I first studied formations for two years, the result of the Spiritual Insight Sphere test was worse than yours!"

"For five hundred years, I devoted almost all my time to the study of formations, learning bit by bit, progressing slowly. This is how I achieved my current understanding of formations. Diligence can make up for lack of talent, especially in the path of formations."

"The world of formations, although it claims to have infinite variations, commonly used formations are limited. With sufficient effort, one can master them."

"If you study diligently, don't slack off, and don't give up, who knows, in a few hundred years, you might become a renowned master of formations?"

Li Fan, with a serious expression, thanked Zhang Zhiliang. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. The junior will surely keep it in mind."

After a moment of silence, Zhang Zhiliang consoled him, "The path of formations is demanding, and talent plays a crucial role. Progressing slowly is normal; there's no need to be disheartened."

Li Fan agreed and nodded slightly.

However, this well-intentioned remark seemed to have angered another cultivator present.

"What nonsense is this? The path of formations only requires diligence! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations may be high, but dare you say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan looked at the person speaking. He had white hair but sharp eyes that made people hesitant to meet his gaze.

"Gentleman Zhi, don't be so impetuous. I was just comforting the younger generation with casual words. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows you, Zhang Zhiliang, as the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said somewhat helplessly.

"The path of formations is all about diligence and sincerity; there's no room for empty talk! Gong Boyu, your talent in formations is high, but can you honestly say that your understanding of formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan observed that the speaker's hair was snowy white, but his eyes contained a glint that made people reluctant to look directly at them.

"Brother Zhi, don't be so hot-tempered. I was just comforting the younger

 generation with a casual remark. Why take it so seriously? Everyone on Wanxian Island knows that you, Zhang Zhiliang, are the number one in formations," Gong Boyu said with some helplessness.

Zhang Zhiliang turned his head and looked at Li Fan sternly. "Young man, you must not be disheartened. When I first studied formations for two years, the result of the Spiritual Insight Sphere test was worse than yours!"

"For five hundred years, I devoted almost all my time to the study of formations, learning bit by bit, progressing slowly. This is how I achieved my current understanding of formations. Diligence can make up for lack of talent, especially in the path of formations."

"The world of formations, although it claims to have infinite variations, commonly used formations are limited. With sufficient effort, one can master them."

"If you study diligently, don't slack off, and don't give up, who knows, in a few hundred years, you might become a renowned master of formations?"

Li Fan, with a serious expression, thanked Zhang Zhiliang. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. The junior will surely keep it in mind."

Zhang Zhiliang's words seemed to have a calming effect, and he gradually calmed down.

He scrutinized Li Fan for a moment and slowly said, "Although diligence can make up for lack of talent, having a good master is equally important."

"When I first self-studied formations, I knew the difficulties I faced."

Zhang Zhiliang contemplated for a moment. "I see in you a calm temperament, not arrogant or impatient. Quite similar to my past self."

"The 'Hundred Veins Formation Diagram' provided by He Zhaohao has benefited me greatly. You bringing this partial copy is also a favor to me."

Zhang Zhiliang took a deep breath and looked at Li Fan. "... What do you think, are you willing to follow me and learn formations?"

Gong Boyu, on the side, quickly reminded, "Don't forget to express your gratitude to Senior Zhang!"

Li Fan, feeling pleasantly surprised in his heart, immediately bowed respectfully.

Zhang Zhiliang accepted Li Fan's bow calmly and continued, "Good, hard work does not pick the time."

"The study of formations starts from today!"

Saying this, Zhang Zhiliang grabbed Li Fan, and their figures disappeared in the conference room.

Gong Boyu and the other formation masters exchanged glances, all revealing a bitter smile.

...

Li Fan followed Zhang Zhiliang and, in an instant, arrived in a starry sky.

Surrounded by darkness, countless twinkling stars formed the backdrop.

"Do you know what formations are?" Zhang Zhiliang asked.

Li Fan was about to answer, but after some thought, he shook his head. "The junior doesn't know."

"Formations are formalized rules," Zhang Zhiliang said, one word at a time.

"Burning, freezing, lightning..."

"These are natural phenomena in the world, and what supports them is the various rules between heaven and earth."

"Rules are eternal, with a few exceptions in certain special circumstances."

"Cultivators often have to observe and comprehend the rules between heaven and earth."

"Formations are the formalized, mechanized, standardized application of these rules."

...

In Zhang Zhiliang's narration, the gateway to the path of formations slowly opened for Li Fan.

Li Fan immersed himself deeply, losing track of time.

In the blink of an eye, it had been twenty years.

In the Cloud Sea.

Zhang Haobo stood in mid-air, looking up.

"Is your life-threatening strike about to come?"

In his memory, in the previous life, a terrifying storm would occur shortly after this point.

Its power was so overwhelming that it devastated more than two hundred islands, including Dayu Island, and countless mortal souls returned to the sea.

Compared to this terrifying storm, the storm he was currently manipulating was pitifully weak.

However...

He, Zhang Haobo, a reborn individual, the Son of Destiny, the Guardian of the Cloud Sea.

He was about to perform an incredible feat, and then...

Wind Shepherd!

Ling Wanxian!

...

Thanks to the readers for their support and votes. The list will be compiled again tomorrow. I've been writing all day, and I feel a bit silly. Tears in my eyes.

(End of this chapter)