"A Rank 5 formation master can only lay Rank 5 spirit formations," Yaoguang murmured.
Still, they were not to be underestimated.
The complexity and breadth of formations surpassed those of artifact refining and alchemy by an entire order of magnitude.
Their importance within the cultivation system was comparable to spirit cultivators—exceedingly rare in number, and advancing their craft was unimaginably difficult.
The weight carried by a Rank 6 formation master could easily rival that of an Artifact Refining Grandmaster.
Even an entity as powerful as the Wuji Astral Palace did not possess a single Rank 9 formation master to this day.
Furthermore...
"Even the smallest Spirit Gathering Formation is only a Rank 4 formation,"
Yaoguang remarked inwardly.
He now possessed the capability to lay Spirit Gathering Formations.
Yet merely possessing the capability was not enough.
Over the next few days, he spent his time absorbing the knowledge regarding Spirit Gathering Formations stored in his mind.
Half a month later, he went to his office and tossed a jade talisman onto the workbench.
Soon, a Spirit Gathering Formation materialized above it.
This was the most common Spirit Gathering Formation in the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
Yaoguang examined it closely, cross-referencing it with the vast knowledge he had assimilated during this period, and soon...
"This part can be improved."
"This spot can be optimized as well."
"No wonder its efficiency is so poor—it doesn't even account for earth-vein resonance."
"There's an issue here too; some of the materials used in the layout actually clash with one another."
In just a single hour.
Yaoguang had uncovered more than a dozen flaws in this most common Spirit Gathering Formation on the market.
If he rectified each and every one of these flaws, he could increase the formation's operational efficiency by at least fifty percent.
This outcome took him somewhat by surprise. "A Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formation... has already been developed to its third generation, right? If my optimized formation improves upon the original by another fifty percent, wouldn't that reach the level of a fourth-generation Spirit Gathering Formation?"
And that was purely theoretical—he had not even conducted an on-site inspection.
If he were to examine one in the field...
Doubling the formation's effectiveness was by no means a pipe dream.
With this thought, he tapped his wristband.
Before long, Zhao Siliang's projection appeared.
"First Seat Yaoguang?"
"I want to tour the core formations of the Energy Department," Yaoguang stated directly.
The Energy Department was the most vital division under the direct jurisdiction of the Logistics Hall, tasked specifically with condensing spirit stones. In any sect, the development of its Energy Department was practically a barometer for its growth rate and potential.
A place like this was always of paramount importance.
Only figures like Zhao Siliang, a branch sect master, or the hall master of a main hall could personally grant permission for a visit.
Figures at the level of Zhao He, Hall Master of the War Hall; Bailu, Deputy Hall Master; Luo Yunhai, City Lord of Longxiang City; or Zhang Jianlin, branch elder, likely lacked the clearance.
"Tour the core formations of the Energy Department..."
Zhao Siliang hesitated for only a second before agreeing. "Very well! Which site do you wish to tour?"
"Oh?"
Yaoguang was slightly surprised. "How many sites are there in the Jiuxiao Domain?"
"Two. One is in Longxiang City, and the other is in the outskirts of Jiuxiao City."
Zhao Siliang explained, "However, the spirit energy node in Longxiang City can no longer be mined with our current technology. Most of the formations there have ceased operations; only a few basic spirit gathering formations remain running, producing three to five thousand spirit stones a year just to cover their own maintenance. That's also why the Energy Department relocated to Jiuxiao City."
Yaoguang nodded.
If one likened a spirit energy node to a mineral deposit, the higher the rank of the formation, the deeper it could excavate, yielding greater output.
Yet higher-ranked formations required more personnel and significantly greater capital investment.
Furthermore, the stability of a spirit energy node imposed a rigorous test on the formation's rank.
Given the same spirit energy node, if it were stable, a Rank 5 formation could yield millions of spirit stones.
If the node was unstable, even a Rank 6 formation might fail to reach an output of a million.
The node in Longxiang City was clearly degraded to the point where even a Rank 6 Spirit Gathering Formation could not condense spirit stones, leaving them no choice but to abandon it.
In contrast, the node in Jiuxiao City could produce spirit stones using Rank 6 or even Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations.
As he pondered, Yaoguang asked, "How many decommissioned spirit energy nodes like the one in Longxiang City are there across the sect's territory?"
"Decommissioned nodes... no fewer than a hundred," Zhao Siliang said. "The land we inhabit originally belonged to the Artifact Sect. Artifact refining and formations go hand in hand, and the Artifact Sect was quite accomplished in formations as well. Thus, any nodes where Rank 4 or Rank 5 formations could condense spirit stones were depleted long ago. The reason we still have forty-three usable nodes today is partly that some have not yet dried up, and partly because formation arts have advanced over time. For instance, with Rank 6 Spirit Gathering Formations, the Wuji Astral Palace has developed up to the third generation, and Rank 7 Spirit Gathering Formations have reportedly reached the second generation."
"Rank 7 Spirit Gathering Formations have only reached the second generation?" Yaoguang looked somewhat astonished.
Not because it was high, but because it was surprisingly low.
As if reading Yaoguang's mind, Zhao Siliang gave a wry smile. "Formations are like spirit cultivation... However, spirit cultivation merely demands extreme innate talent and perception. With a large enough talent pool, numbers will gradually rise. But when it comes to formations... you either understand them or you don't. It has nothing to do with numbers or accumulating experience."
Yaoguang came to an understanding.
Formations were not like artifact refining or alchemy, where one could gradually improve simply by stacking decades of experience.
Developing one or two generations upon existing foundations over several centuries was already quite an achievement.
"What is the status of the node in Jiuxiao City?"
"The final plan is to stabilize the node with four Rank 6 formations, then bore into the node's depths with a Rank 6 Spirit Gathering Formation to expose more void spirit energy. After that, we will lay six Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations, thirty-six Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formations, and the corresponding stabilizing formations, targeting an annual output of two million spirit stones," Zhao Siliang said. "However, the Energy Department moved there recently. The three masters capable of laying Rank 6 Spirit Gathering Formations cannot spare the time, and masters capable of Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations are few as well. At present, only two Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations and twenty Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formations have been constructed."
"Which generation are these formations?"
"The Rank 5 ones are second-generation, and the Rank 4 ones are third-generation."
"Even Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations are only in their second generation? What about Rank 6? Does the sect have no Rank 7 formation masters?"
"We do have formation masters who can lay Rank 7 defensive formations, but as for those who can lay Rank 7 Spirit Gathering Formations..." Zhao Siliang shook his head. "None... not even the first generation."
Seeing this, Yaoguang pressed no further and simply said, "Let's go to the Energy Department in Jiuxiao City."
"All right. When will you arrive? I'll come pick you up."
"I'll head over right now by flying boat. The two cities aren't far apart; it'll take only an hour or two."
Yaoguang briefly set a time with Zhao Siliang, stepped outside, and informed Tang Fenghua of his itinerary.
A few minutes later, Wang Feng, a third-tier Foundation Establishment sword cultivator who had ignited his True Fire, piloted a flying boat to the peak where Yaoguang resided.
Accompanying them were Qin Yi, Bailu, Tang Fenghua, and several other Great Cultivators.
Since they were merely traveling to Jiuxiao City, there was no need to mobilize a dozen escorts.
An hour and a half later, Yaoguang met with Zhao Siliang.
With him were Wu Xunzhen, who oversaw the branch Logistics Hall, and Huang Wei, who oversaw formation deployment.
After meeting up, they headed straight for the Energy Department.
The Energy Department was not situated in Jiuxiao City's urban center, but rather in a mountain range outside the city.
At this moment, the mountain range across a thousand-li radius was completely shrouded in formations.
Rank 5 and Rank 6 defensive formations guarded the area so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through.
Not far away, a battle team composed of Great Cultivators was stationed, specifically tasked with securing the perimeter.
Within this thousand-li expanse of Energy Department formations and architectural complexes lived over two million Energy Department personnel.
Each person functioned as a tiny node within the Rank 4 and Rank 5 Spirit Gathering Formations. Through their faint divine sense, they channeled energy into the designed formations layer by layer, working together to power the arrays and ceaselessly draw spirit energy from the dense void node to condense spirit stones.
Yaoguang stopped before a Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formation, scrutinizing and observing it continuously.
Zhao Siliang, Wu Xunzhen, Huang Wei, and the Minister of the Energy Department accompanying them had no idea what he was doing, but patiently followed along nonetheless.
This following went on for several hours.
Practically everyone present was a First Seat-level figure in their respective department, burdened with myriad daily responsibilities.
They only accompanied him the entire time out of respect for Yaoguang's esteemed status. Yet seeing him wander about seemingly doing nothing for so long, Wu Xunzhen could not help but whisper, "Sect Master, what exactly is First Seat Yaoguang doing? Observing Spirit Gathering Formations... Is he trying to find a way to reduce flying swords' spirit energy consumption through this? Or perhaps making flying swords automatically draw spirit energy from the void to replenish their daily drain?"
"I don't know either. But surely he wouldn't rush all the way to Jiuxiao City without an important reason," Zhao Siliang said.
Right then, Yaoguang suddenly spoke up, "Is there a third-generation Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formation currently being set up?"
"There is," the Minister of the Energy Department stepped forward. "Does First Seat Yaoguang wish to inspect it?"
"Yes. Take me there."
"Very well, please follow me."
The minister quickly guided Yaoguang to a valley a hundred li away.
Here, a formation grandmaster and his team were calibrating the mountain and earth-vein momentum against the distorting influence of the sun, moon, and stars upon the void.
"This is Master Feng Yugong, a Rank 4 Three-Star master capable of laying third-generation Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formations," the minister introduced with a shout.
Feng Yugong was taken aback, but quickly put aside his work and stepped forward. "Minister."
After nodding, his gaze shifted to Zhao Siliang and the others. "Sect Master, Hall Master Wu, Hall Master Huang, why have you all come?"
Then his eyes landed on Yaoguang, lighting up at once. "Is this First Seat Yaoguang? An honor, a true honor."
"Master Feng, as you know, artifact refining and formations go hand in hand. Recently, I've had some new ideas regarding third-generation Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formations. I have a few suggestions—would you mind reviewing them with me?"
"Spirit Gathering Formations..."
Knowing Yaoguang's standing, Feng Yugong readily nodded. "Please, go ahead."
Nearby, Huang Wei, Hall Master of the Mystic Array Hall, leaned in curiously as well. "I know a thing or two about Rank 4 Spirit Gathering Formations. May I listen in?"
She was also a Rank 6 One-Star formation master, though her specialty lay in amplification and reinforcement formations.
"Of course," Yaoguang nodded, and turned to Zhao Siliang, as well as Tang Fenghua, Bailu, Wang Feng, and the rest. "Anyone interested in Spirit Gathering Formations is welcome to listen."
Zhao Siliang and the others had little interest in Spirit Gathering Formations, but they were intensely curious about why Yaoguang had made such a fuss to visit the Energy Department.
As Yaoguang and Feng Yugong began discussing Spirit Gathering Formations, his solid foundation in formations quickly earned the unanimous approval of both Feng Yugong and Huang Wei.
It was at this moment that he began putting forward his proposals.
At first, Feng Yugong and Huang Wei listened casually.
Yet as Yaoguang delved deeper and deeper, the expressions of Feng Yugong and Huang Wei grew solemn.
Especially when Yaoguang touched on specific optimization items, Feng Yugong could not help but pull out a jade talisman to take notes.
Zhao Siliang, Wu Xunzhen, and the others, who gradually began to grasp what the group was talking about, held their breath, harboring not the slightest complaint anymore.
Zhao Siliang even issued an order to seal off the area, while instructing the Energy Minister to summon all other formation grandmasters to join the discussion.
This discussion lasted three full days.
Three days later, under Yaoguang's deliberate guidance, a brand-new Spirit Gathering Formation gradually took shape.
And as the various performances and attributes of this all-new Spirit Gathering Formation came together...
Whether it was Feng Yugong, Huang Wei, or every other formation master involved in the discussion, they were all utterly stunned.
Chapter 177