"I accept," I said finally. "But I do have three conditions."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow whilst taking another sip from his seemingly endless supply of wine. "This should be interesting."
"First, any study of my energy must be non-invasive. No attempts to extract it without my permission," I held up a hand as he opened his mouth to protest. "I know you could probably do it if you wanted to, but I'd prefer we establish clear boundaries."
He thought about this for a mont, then nodded. "Fair enough. Though, you should know that my study thods have been known to be a little…unconventional."
"What do you an by that…?"
"I'll probably be drunk most of the ti." He shrugged at my expression. "It's part of my cultivation thod. I see things more clearly through the lens of spiritual wine."
That…actually made a weird kind of sense. Different cultivators had different ways of perceiving spiritual phenona. If his path involved alcohol, maybe being drunk really did help him understand things better. Regardless, it wasn't for to judge.
"Second condition," I went on. "You need to teach formations properly, I don't want to just learn the basics, but also the theory behind them."
"Now that's the kind of student I like! Too many disciples just want to morize patterns without understanding the principles." He leaned forward, suddenly animated. "Did you know that most formation masters don't even realize why triangular configurations are more stable than square ones? It's all about the energy flow vectors and…"
"Ah, sorry," he caught himself mid-lecture, coughing slightly. "Got a bit excited there. But yes, I'd be happy to teach you proper formation theory."
"Final condition," I said, fighting back a smile at his enthusiasm. "Your findings have to stay between us. No reporting to the Sect Master or other elders about what you learn."
Chen Yong's expression grew serious for a mont. "I won't lie to Yuan if he asks directly. But," he added as I started to object, "I won't volunteer information either. And he rarely asks about specific disciples unless sothing major happens."
I nodded slowly. That was probably the best I could hope for.
"Okay, I accept."
"Well then, now that that's settled," Elder Chen clapped his hands together. "Let's begin with lesson one!" The sudden enthusiasm in his voice was at odds with his earlier complaints about teaching being troubleso.
With a casual wave of his hand, the low table before us was cleared, the scrolls and formation diagrams that had covered its surface vanished, replaced by a clean sheet of formation paper and what looked like standard scribing tools similar to what I had brought at the Way Station.
"Before we begin drawing anything," he said, settling more comfortably in his chair, "we need to discuss what formations actually are. So, most disciples think they're just fancy patterns that make spiritual energy do tricks." He took a sip from his cup. "But they're wrong, of course."
I leaned forward, genuinely curious.
"Formations," Chen Yong continued, "are a language. Not the kind you speak or write, but sothing more fundantal. They are how we communicate with spiritual energy itself." His eyes took on a distant look. "The universe has its own grammar, its own syntax..."
"Its own dialects?" I asked, thinking of how the Two Suns' rune system differed from what I'd seen of formations here.
"Exactly! Different sects, different regions, even different cultivation realms – they all have their own 'dialects' of formation craft. But the underlying principles remain the sa." His eyes lit up. "Do you know what those principles are?"
I shook my head, though I had so ideas based on my experience with runes.
"Intent, Structure, and Resonance," he said, holding up three fingers. "Intent is what you want the formation to do. Structure is how you arrange the spiritual geotry to achieve that intent. And Resonance..." he paused to take another drink, "Resonance is how well your formation harmonizes with the natural laws of the world."
"Like how a poorly tuned instrunt can still make music, but it won't sound right?" I suggested.
"Hm." He gave an appraising look. "That's... actually a decent analogy. Though most disciples would have gone for sothing more martial. 'Like how a sword technique works better with proper form' or so such nonsense."
"Music just seed more appropriate to ," I shrugged. "Formations are about patterns and harmony, right?"
"Indeed." His smile widened slightly. "There are nine levels of formation mastery, each building on the ones before. Today, we'll start with Level 1 – the basics."
He waved his hand, and three objects appeared on the floor between us: a copper disc about the size of my palm, a small jade tile, and what looked like a stick of chalk.
It seed either a chalk or a stylus could be used in creating formations.
"Level 1 formations are all about foundations," he explained. "Simple, stable patterns that serve basic functions. The most important is the protective barrier – if you can't keep your formation from being disrupted, nothing else matters."
He picked up the chalk and began drawing on the stone floor. His movents were precise but relaxed, like soone writing a letter they'd written a thousand tis before.
"Watch carefully," he instructed. "A basic Protection Barrier has three key components: the outer circle for containnt, the inner triangles for stability, and the connecting lines for energy flow."
I observed his technique, noting how similar yet different it was from drawing runes. Where the Two Suns' system relied more on organic, flowing patterns, these formations seed a little more geotric, more structured.
"Now you try," he said, erasing his diagram with a wave of his hand. "Rember – steady hand, consistent pressure, and most importantly, clear intent. The formation needs to know what you want it to do."
When I picked up the chalk, my fingers automatically settled into the familiar grip I'd used when crafting runes. The basic principles weren't so different – it was all about channeling energy through precise patterns. I could probably do this.
I started with the outer circle, making sure to keep my movents smooth but not too perfect. The muscle mory from hours of rune-crafting wanted to take over, but I made sure there were slight imperfections – nothing that would compromise the formation's function, but enough to make it look like a talented beginner's work.
"Interesting," Chen Yong murmured as I worked on the inner triangles. "Your hand is steadier than I'd expect for a complete novice."
"I used to draw a lot," I explained, sticking to the cover story I had prepared. "Back in the village, when I wasn't helping out in my father's shop. It helped pass the ti."
"Hmm." He took another drink, but his eyes never left my work. "And what did you draw?"
"Patterns mostly," I lied, carefully adding the connecting lines. "I liked how they could create different effects depending on how you arranged them."
"Well, it seems to have served you well," he noted as I finished the last line. "Your penmanship is quite good for a beginner. Though your angles could use so work."
I nodded, accepting the criticism. I'd deliberately made the triangles slightly uneven.
"Now," he said, setting down his wine bottle, "let's see if it actually works. Channel your qi into the copper disc, then place it in the center of your formation."
I did as instructed, feeling the tal grow warm as it absorbed my spiritual energy. When I placed it in the center of my diagram, the chalk lines began to glow faintly.
"It works, that's a good start," he said, placing my formation to the side. "But a Level 1 practitioner needs to master at least three basic formations. The protective barrier is just the beginning.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Next, we'll cover the Light Formation. It's pretty simple but essential, after all, every formation practitioner needs to be able to see what they're doing."
He started to draw the new pattern, the end product looked like a simplified sun diagram with radiating lines. "The key here is balanced energy distribution. Too much power to any one section and you'll get uneven lighting. Too little, and it won't activate at all."
I watched carefully as he explained each component - the central core for energy concentration, the lines radiating outwards for distribution, and the outer circle for containnt.
"Your turn," he said, erasing his work. "Rember - steady lines, even spacing, and clear intent."
The central core I crafted precisely, following the principles he'd demonstrated while incorporating what I knew about energy focusing from the Two Suns' system.
"Interesting approach," Chen Yong studied my work. "Your lines are quite precise, and the energy flow pattern..." he tilted his head slightly, "it's unusually efficient for a beginner."
I channeled my qi into the formation causing it to give off a blueish light that lit up our imdiate area.
"Very good," he nodded. "Now for the third essential formation - the Qi Gathering Circle. This one's a little trickier than it looks so watch carefully."
His chalk moved again, this ti creating a more complex pattern of nested circles with inward-spiraling lines. "This formation draws in spiritual energy from your surroundings and concentrates it in the center. Pretty useful for cultivation, though at Level 1 the effect is fairly weak so don't expect it to benefit anyone above Qi Condensation stage 3."
I studied the pattern carefully. The spiraling lines reminded of certain rune configurations from the Two Suns' world, though these were designed to pull energy in rather than channel it out. The principle of energy flow was similar, just... reversed.
"The trick," he continued, "is in the spacing of the spiral arms. Too close together and they will interfere with each other. But if they're too far apart, then the energy will leak out between them."
When it was my turn, I focused on applying what I knew about energy flow patterns to this new configuration. The lines I made were steady and precise, and the spiral arms were spaced appropriately to create optimal flow.
"Good job, let's see how these formations work in practice," he said when I was done. "Channel your qi into the copper disc, then place it in the center of your protective barrier."
I did as instructed, feeling the tal grow warm as it absorbed my spiritual energy. When I placed it in the center of my diagram, the chalk lines began to glow faintly.
"Good," Chen Yong nodded. "The basic structure is sound. Now for the real test." He pulled out another bottle from... sowhere... and took a long drink before continuing. "Every Level 1 formation practitioner must prove they can create a barrier strong enough to withstand a direct strike from a third-stage Qi Condensation beast for ten seconds."
I blinked. "We're testing it now?"
"Of course, theory is one thing, but application is another."
The world twisted again, that sa spatial compression effect from earlier. When reality settled, we were standing in a small forest clearing.
"This is one of the sect's beast training grounds," Chen Yong explained, seemingly unbothered by the instant transition. "Normally used by inner disciples for combat practice, but it'll serve our purposes just fine."
He gestured at the ground before us. "Draw a Protection Barrier. Make it big enough for both of us to stand in comfortably. You'll be testing it against..." He paused, considering. "Hong Yue."
The ground trembled at the na. Trees creaked and swayed as sothing massive moved between them, approaching with steps that made small pebbles dance on the ground. The forest seed to hold its breath.
Then she appeared.
I'd seen spiritual beasts before but Hong Yue was sothing else entirely. She erged from between the trees like a mountain taking a stroll. Standing fully upright, she must have been at least twenty feet tall, her crimson fur gleaming like fresh blood in the afternoon sun.
But it wasn't her size that worried , it was the eyes. They glowed with an intelligence that felt almost human, full of curiosity and... was that amusent?
"Hong Yue is one of our most experienced training partners," Chen Yong said casually, as if we weren't in the presence of sothing that could probably flatten a small town. "She helps test disciples' formations and combat abilities."
The massive bear settled onto all fours, though even then she towered over us. Her head tilted as she studied , those eerily intelligent eyes seed to be sizing up.
Then, to my surprise, she raised one enormous paw and began making deliberate gestures. First, she pointed at my undrawn formation area. Next, she indicated herself, following with a charging motion. Finally, she drew one massive claw across her throat while maintaining direct eye contact with .
"Ah yes," Chen Yong chuckled. "I should ntion that Hong Yue has developed quite the theatrical flair over the years. She likes to make sure test participants understand exactly what they're getting into."
The enormous bear's mouth curved into what could only be described as a smirk. She repeated her gestures, adding a graceful bow at the end as if to say "Wasn't that helpful?"
"She's..." I tried to keep my voice steady at the aura rolling off her. "She's really just a third-stage beast?"
"Oh my," Chen Yong's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Did I say third stage? How forgetful of . Hong Yue actually reached the ninth stage last month. But don't worry - she's excellent at holding back."
Hong Yue's grin widened, showing teeth the size of daggers. She held up four massive claws, then slowly lowered one, nodding to show she understood the handicap.
"You might want to start drawing," Chen Yong suggested. "Hong Yue gets a bit... creative when disciples take too long."
As if to demonstrate his point, Hong Yue began pantomiming various ways she might break through a barrier. Her performance was surprisingly detailed, complete with exaggerated expressions of surprise and terror for the hypothetical disciple inside, which in this case was ant to be .
"Your pet," I said carefully as I knelt down with my chalk, "seems to enjoy her work."
"Of course she does!" Chen Yong bead. "Why do you think I keep her around? The entertainnt value alone is worth all the spirit stones I spend on honey."
Hong Yue paused her dramatic performance to nod enthusiastically, then imdiately went back to demonstrating what appeared to be her impression of running away screaming.
"Ten seconds," I muttered to myself as I began drawing the outer circle. "Just need to hold for ten seconds."
Behind , I heard Hong Yue making a tick-tock sound, which really shouldn't have been possible for a bear. Her shadow fell across my workspace as she leaned in to watch, and I could practically feel her grin.
"Master," Azure's voice echoed in my mind, "I believe we may have slightly underestimated the complexity of formation testing in this sect."
I couldn't help but agree. This was definitely not what I'd expected when I'd agreed to formation lessons.
I took a deep breath and focused on my work. The formation had to be perfect, there was no room for error when dealing with a ninth-stage beast.
"Just a level one formation test," I muttered as I worked on the foundation triangles. "Perfectly normal. Nothing unusual about being watched by a giant bear who is giving death threats."
Hong Yue made a sound that could only be described as a snicker.
This was going to be a very interesting ten seconds.
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