Chapter 222: Chapter 3 The Fool Is Dumbfounded
Ye Changsheng and Zhong Yanhan arrived at the bamboo forest behind Azure Peak, standing opposite each other.
“Xiao Han, take out your sword. I want to check your practice results,” Ye Changsheng said.
“Okay.”
Zhong Yanhan released her Magical Treasure. With a pleasant unsheathing sound, the Twilight Snow Sword displayed its magnificent form.
Even in the night sky, it emitted a faint silver glow.
“It’s acceptable. The phenomenon of falling snow did not appear. It seems you have gained preliminary control over the Twilight Snow Sword,” Ye Changsheng praised.
“After all, Changsheng helped me obtain the Twilight Snow Sword’s recognition back then. Now that I’ve become the owner of this weapon, achieving this much is my duty.”
“However, this is not what I wanted to see.”
“I know.”
Zhong Yanhan waved her hand, and two iron swords appeared.
She used the Art of Object Manipulation, making the two iron swords float around her.
A Magic Formation appeared in Zhong Yanhan’s mind. As she recited the incantation, Spiritual Energy within the Cycle transformed into Spiritual Power and was released.
“Sword Formation, activate!” Zhong Yanhan shouted.
Centering on the Twilight Snow Sword, it connected with the other two iron swords, forming a small but complete integrated formation.
This was the Sword Formation Ye Changsheng had taught Zhong Yanhan three days prior.
Using her Natal Magical Treasure as the Array Core of the Sword Formation, she then employed the Art of Object Manipulation combined with the skills of a Formation Cultivator to construct a Sword Formation.
What Zhong Yanhan had achieved now was the most basic introductory Sword Formation, the Primordial Three Swords.
Ye Changsheng remained silent, carefully observing Zhong Yanhan’s expression.
Normally, a Sword Formation would require at least Golden Core Realm cultivation and a month of comprehension to achieve.
However, given Zhong Yanhan’s Heavenly Prodigy status with her mutated Spirit Root, she had only taken three days to reach the introductory level even at the late Foundation Establishment Realm.
But introductory was introductory, and excellence was another matter entirely.
“Xiao Han, you’re struggling a bit,” Ye Changsheng said calmly, his hands behind his back.
“…It’s a bit difficult,” Zhong Yanhan gritted her teeth and said.
The Art of Object Manipulation was an introductory Sorcery on the front lines. It involved wrapping objects with Spiritual Power and making them act according to the caster’s will.
However, the Art of Object Manipulation made precision control extremely difficult. It required the caster to have extremely precise control.
But formations were all about extremely high precision, a skill involving extensive calculations.
The position of each sword when constructing a Sword Formation needed to be in the appropriate place. Any deviation would greatly affect its power.
If it were just for maintaining it for a short while, it would be fine. But to use a Sword Formation, one had to maintain high-intensity micro-control for extended periods, and in multiple instances… it severely depleted the Sword Cultivator’s Nascent Soul.
Zhong Yanhan was already feeling strained, and her head was starting to hurt.
“Xiao Han, do you want praise, or reprimand?”
“The truth, please.”
“The truth… then it’s merely passable,” Ye Changsheng said. “Just three swords are this taxing. It will be difficult to fight against strong opponents.”
“Changsheng, what level can you achieve?”
“Me… actually, I can’t say I’m proficient in Sword Formations, but I suppose I’m at a passing grade.”
Ye Changsheng paused.
“In regular combat, I rarely use Sword Formations. Although they can significantly increase combat power, Sword Formations are quite taxing on the Nascent Soul.”
He indeed used Sword Formations less in past battles.
Unless he encountered an enemy that gave him trouble, he might consider using them.
“I want to see… no, Changsheng, fight me using a Sword Formation!”
“I don’t recommend you do that.”
“It’s fine, I’m not afraid of being discouraged!” Zhong Yanhan insisted.
“Alright.” Ye Changsheng reluctantly agreed.
He didn’t plan to go all out, perhaps using thirty percent… forget it, since Little Fox said so, he’d use forty.
Zhong Yanhan had expected Ye Changsheng to summon a Magic Formation like herself and then summon a dozen iron swords.
But Ye Changsheng simply raised his hand and patted behind him, stirring up a gust of wind.
The strong wind swept through the bamboo forest, making a rustling sound, and bamboo leaves fell all around.
Afterward, Ye Changsheng’s actions stunned Zhong Yanhan.
He used the Art of Object Manipulation, grasped all the falling bamboo leaves, and controlled them all. In just a few breaths, he had constructed a Sword Formation.
And the Array Core at the center of the formation was merely a slender bamboo stalk.
All the bamboo leaves were operating according to an orderly rule, forming a mystical scene around Ye Changsheng, exuding a profound meaning that Zhong Yanhan couldn’t comprehend.
She felt immense pressure. Ye Changsheng had transformed into a fortress of defense.
Even though he was simultaneously using the Art of Object Manipulation and controlling such a vast number of bamboo leaves, there was no trace of strain on his face…
No, no, the fact that he could construct a Sword Formation using something like bamboo leaves was already enough to impact Zhong Yanhan’s common sense.
No, no, such a thing could be used by Ye Changsheng as a sword. Grass, wood, bamboo, and stones could all be swords. Had this young man’s understanding of the Dao of the Sword surpassed the Sect Master!?
“What’s wrong, Xiao Han? Didn’t you say you wanted to see?”
“I…” Zhong Yanhan felt like crying. She was deeply discouraged.
No wonder Ye Changsheng said she was merely passable.
Looking at how strenuous it was to control just three swords… it was truly a world of difference.
“Give up?”
Zhong Yanhan gritted her teeth and shook her head, trying to clear her mind.
There was already a huge gap between her and Ye Changsheng. She had to work harder to catch up to him; she couldn’t give up easily.
“No, Changsheng, I’m coming!”
…
Panyin Mountain, Soul Refining Sect.
Zhu Biliang bowed his head subserviently before a cloaked black-robed figure. As the Sect Master, he was extremely respectful to this mysterious person.
“Zhu Biliang, what about the Magical Treasure you acquired earlier?” a low voice emerged from beneath the hood.
“Reporting to Demon Ancestor, thanks to you, I defeated the righteous cultivators and seized the Magical Treasure! Please, take a look!”
Zhu Biliang proudly produced a top-tier Magical Treasure that exuded an extraordinary aura.
Lu Lai Demon Ancestor toyed with two exquisitely crafted small dark iron balls in his hand, scrutinizing them.
“You’ve been deceived. This is nothing more than a mere toy!”
“What? Impossible, Demon Ancestor, please, look again!”
“You think I’ll look again!?”
Lu Lai Demon Ancestor shattered the Magical Treasure with a slap. Spiritual Power leaked out, revealing the truth.
It turned out this was merely a Splendid Grade Magical Treasure, all cleverly disguised.
What Zhu Biliang had painstakingly acquired by burning his Essence Blood was just a toy!
He was utterly shocked.
“Demon Ancestor, this… I… I apologize!” Zhu Biliang’s scalp tingled.
He had heard about the White Emperor Sword Sect’s Demon Extermination Order and sought help from the great backer behind the Soul Refining Sect. He had even invited this esteemed figure over overnight to discuss countermeasures.
He had originally intended to take credit and please Lu Lai Demon Ancestor, and then state his request.
Now, things were awkward and humiliating.
Zhu Biliang felt a tremor of fear, but he could no longer control the situation. He could only brace himself and speak.
“Demon Ancestor, the White Emperor Sword Sect has issued a Demon Extermination Order and intends to launch a sect-wide campaign against our Soul Refining Sect. With the Soul Refining Sect’s foundation, we likely cannot contend. I implore you, Demon Ancestor, to save our Soul Refining Sect from this dire situation.”
The dark iron balls in Lu Lai Demon Ancestor’s hand stopped. After a moment, he spoke:
“Idiot.”
