Ji Xiang and the Mountain Master of Maoshan left the Nine Heavens Palace together. Within the territory where the Nine Heavens Palace was located, there was a Saint Blessing Mountain, which housed a palace specifically for recording various formations, named the "Grand Yuan Treasure Hall."
"The Great Ming's empire flies the banner of the Great Yuan. This is truly ambitious. What if Maoshan declines one day, and the court holds us accountable for this matter?" Ji Xiang said casually upon seeing the palace standing amidst the mountains and wilderness. The Mountain Master of Maoshan stroked his beard.
"These are just words, how can they be a prison? Great Yuan means Greatness of Qian Yuan. Even if the Yuan Dynasty took this name, if we were to truly pursue it, wouldn't the Quanzhen Sect also be unable to escape liquidation?"
"Furthermore, the Yuan Dynasty has shattered, broken into ten thousand pieces. It is said that its destiny has been pulverized, which is why it has never been able to rise again. For so many years, it has been in a state of decline. Such a severe blow, the specific details are unclear. If the dead could speak, one would have to ask the founding emperors of the Great Ming."
Ji Xiang did not inquire further. "Regarding the matter of Miss Hou earlier, why did the Mountain Master remain silent? Could it truly be that Palace Master Biyou?"
"That is not the case, but it is no less serious than Palace Master Biyou's... This involves my Maoshan lineage. I do not know why such a situation has occurred."
"If what Miss Hou said is correct, then the one who passed her the techniques should be a Celestial of Maoshan's Ascension Realm. Since ancient times, only my Shangqing lineage has had immortals personally transmit techniques, with instances appearing even after several generations, unlike other sects."
Ji Xiang frowned. "Impossible."
"I have seen people stronger than those in the Ascension Realm. If they could traverse the outer world, they would have come long ago. If your Shangqing Sect possesses techniques to descend directly from the inner world to the outer world, then your Shangqing would either be a paramount power in the inner world or would have been annihilated!"
If the Shangqing Sect accomplished what so many peak Ascended beings and Heavenly Heart experts had racked their brains to achieve, and if they did not have a powerful figure presiding over them, and this was not a secret, they would have long been jointly attacked and destroyed.
Those in the inner world had resided in time for too long, losing their human morality and emotions. Everything was centered on the pursuit of the Great Dao and self-interest. For this, human lives and deaths were disregarded.
"Hmm, it is indeed impossible. Actually, for immortals to descend and transmit techniques, they still need to rely on the body of a Dao child, or perhaps through dreams. These two methods have precedents in many sects."
"And those lineages whose inheritors have been severed in the outer world, they have neither Dao children nor mountain gates, nor do they belong to the current orthodox practices. That is why they are trying every means to cause trouble..."
Unregistered individuals are no longer welcome in the outer world.
Without an ID, how can one operate here?
"But Miss Hou's situation is special... According to her description, she should have seen a Dao child who manifested the image of a Maoshan immortal... However, none of my Maoshan disciples are currently outside... And Palace Master Biyou has already left Maoshan, and the Dao child status personally appointed to him by the Maoshan Ancestor has also been revoked, so there is no longer any connection between the two parties."
"If this matter were to be spoken of publicly, it might affect my Maoshan lineage, hence it cannot be mentioned. Let this matter be as if it never happened."
Ji Xiang's gaze shifted slightly, expressing a hint of curiosity. "I thought you all acted solely on the Ancestor's command."
The Mountain Master of Maoshan: "Disputes over traditions are very brutal, even leading to infighting among fellow disciples. I will pretend I never saw her, and she will pretend she never came to Maoshan. I will pass on one or two techniques to her, ensuring her life is free from worries in the human world, and thus fulfill this karmic connection."
"Besides, her relationship with that scholar is not shallow. My Maoshan would naturally not force the issue, insisting on converting a Dao child whose heart is not set on protecting the sect. This would be detrimental to us, and also to them."
He paused and then explained the method of dispelling spirits.
"The Spirit Dispelling Art, in fact, has many similar techniques in the world; it is not a particularly rare spell. The common methods used by Daoists include summoning spirits with talismans and the Da Yu steps, the spirit-binding and general-dispatching techniques of shamanic and magical faiths, the 'invoking immortals' of Changbai Mountain, the 'spirit possession' used by Pear Garden actors, and the common Five Spirit Soldiers. Of course, apart from the divine generals summoned by orthodox Buddhist scriptures and Daoist talismans, most of the others are folk deities, ghosts, evil spirits, or even strange creatures.
"However, Spirit Dispelling is different. It can not only command divine beasts and divine generals, but when cultivated to a profound level, it can even command the thirty-six Heavenly Gods."
"My Shangqing lineage venerates Madam Nanyue, Wei Huacun, as the first ancestor, and simultaneously, the Three Maoshan True Lords as the founding ancestors of Maoshan. However, in reality, the Shangqing scriptures have existed since ancient times. The original Shangqing Ancestral Scripture was merely a mysterious talisman."
"And during the period between the Three Maoshan and Shangqing, the ancient immortal ancestor who could use the Spirit Dispelling Art was, in a sense, from the same era as you. Unlike you, however, he was famous even in his time, though his reputation was rather peculiar."
"This ancestor's name was Zuo Ci."
Ji Xiang was immediately astonished!
"This is indeed very famous. An ancient immortal from the late Han Dynasty is coming out to stretch his limbs. And you have specifically separated the Shangqing and Maoshan lineages... Do you think that in the inner world, the Maoshan ancestral court has fractured?"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan fell silent, only managing a wry smile.
Ji Xiang: "This is quite normal. Those in the inner world have lived through too long a period and have lost their camaraderie. Besides, Madam Nanyue and the Three Maoshan True Lords were not originally from the same lineage. I recall that Madam Nanyue of the Shangqing Sect was originally a wine official of the Celestial Master Dao, and her inheritance came from the True Lord Qingxu, who was an ancient immortal."
As they spoke, the two arrived before the Grand Yuan Treasure Hall.
Stone pillars stood all around, each containing a formation of Maoshan. This was a place for operating formations, designed to help practitioners quickly grasp the secrets and operational methods of formations.
"Senior, my Maoshan has thirteen Heavenly Formations, forty-nine Grand Formations, fifty-two Killing Formations, eighty-one Trapping Formations, one hundred and sixty-five Earth Formations, and countless other mortal formations below the fifth realm."
"That Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation belongs to the eighty-one Trapping Formations. Trapping Formations, as the name suggests, are formations evolved to seal and refine the opponent's movements."
Ji Xiang: "Killing Formations are specifically distinguished?"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan: "Naturally. These Killing Formations are different from other formations; they offend heavenly harmony, are fierce and violent, hence they are called Killing Formations. Please look..."
He demonstrated one of the formations. From among the fifty-two Killing Formation pillars, a small formation evolved, creating overlapping illusions. At this moment, what Ji Xiang saw was a forest of sword and halberd formations with overwhelming killing intent!
The Mountain Master of Maoshan: "This is a formation from the fifty-two Killing Formations with relatively light killing intent."
He then activated another formation. This time, Ji Xiang saw fierce Yang energy. This Yang energy gathered and moved within the formation as if it were alive. As soon as it touched any Yin energy, this Yang energy would, like a ferocious beast, tear apart a person's three souls and seven spirits.
Then, another formation was activated, which Ji Xiang recognized!
It was the Profound Yin Red Furnace Grand Formation!
"This formation was originally used against Yin spirits and ghosts. It is indeed a complementary formation to the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation, one to trap and one to kill, refining their essence and destroying their forms and spirits."
"Now, let's look at the Thirteen Heavenly Formations."
The Mountain Master of Maoshan pointed to the pillars of the Heavenly Formations. Fierce lightning erupted from them, illuminating heaven and earth. A massive pool appeared, which no one could cross. Wherever a person went, the pool would move towards them. After dispelling a patch of lightning, the next patch would be twice as powerful as the previous one!
"This is the 'Thunder Pool Uncrossable Formation'! All thirteen Heavenly Formations are superior grand formations of lightning techniques!"
He then pointed to the second Heavenly Formation pillar. A tribulation cloud appeared above it. Ji Xiang was familiar with this power and exclaimed repeatedly:
"Incredible, incredible! It's actually a lightning tribulation! This shouldn't be called a Lightning Tribulation Formation; this formation should probably be called the Ancestor Formation!"
A lightning tribulation is like the ancestor of the person undergoing tribulation arriving.
The Mountain Master of Maoshan burst into laughter and then showed Ji Xiang the third Heavenly Formation, named the Five Directions Savage Thunder Formation. The condition for using the Five Directions Savage Thunder was that it could be operated in defiled places, and the more defiled it was, the greater its power. Savage Thunder was a grand formation that required the blood sacrifice of demons!
It possessed extreme killing intent and was suitable for use in adversity.
Following this, he showed Ji Xiang the fourth Heavenly Formation. On this Heavenly Formation stone pillar, three thunder department tokens appeared!
The Directorate of Thunder, the Department of Thunder, the Myriad Spirits Thunder Division!
"This grand formation can summon the power of the gods from the three divisions of the Thunder Department. It is not easily activated; one cannot use it unless they are above the Innate realm. This is already the fifth-ranked Heavenly Formation."
"There are countless formations like these, especially the Heavenly Formations. Their subtle wonders and powers are difficult to comprehend in eight or nine years. For ordinary people, in their fleeting hundred years, they can only comprehend one Earth Formation. Even with my talent, having learned the four tiers of Heavenly, Killing, Trapping, and Earth, I have only grasped a little over fifty formations. I don't know how you will learn, or where you will start..."
The Mountain Master of Maoshan stroked his beard. In fact, he was quite proud of himself.
After all, Maoshan's formations were unparalleled in the world. Although it was known as one of the three great talisman mountains, Maoshan's true foundation lay in its formations, not its talismans.
After all, the Shangqing Ancestral Talisman was not in Maoshan's possession.
"Ah, yes, if one were to comprehend them ordinarily, it would be difficult to grasp them in a lifetime."
Ji Xiang nodded.
The Shangqing Sect was indeed a prestigious great sect.
Its foundation was exceptionally profound.
"So, can these stone pillars truly be touched and learned at will?"
Ji Xiang confirmed twice with nods and then suddenly said:
"Then, if they disappear after I cultivate them, what will happen?"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan looked at the stone pillars, then at Ji Xiang, and frowned, finding it strange.
"How is that possible? Do you intend to move all these pillars away? If I may be so bold, the stone pillars used to seal the formations are not ordinary objects, but the essence of immortal stones from famous mountains and rivers. These Maoshan stone pillars are tightly connected to the land of Maoshan. If you can move them, wouldn't that mean you could lift the entire land of Maoshan?"
"This is likely impossible, even if the Primordial Heavenly King descended, this is absurd."
Ji Xiang: "I am hypothesizing, do you understand the concept of hypothetical situations?"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan laughed and stroked his beard. "Impossible, absolutely impossible! You can try it. No matter what problems arise, they will have nothing to do with you!"
"I would like to see the abilities of an Ascension Realm expert!"
"And if you need anything, or wish to learn any formation first, you can ask me."
The Mountain Master stated that he would guarantee the learning and would refund two thousand incense offerings if the student failed.
Ji Xiang was then reassured, his expression relaxing.
The Mountain Master of Maoshan said, "So, which one do you want to learn first?"
Ji Xiang looked at the Thirteen Heavenly Formations. "Well, let's start with... the Heavenly Formations."
The Mountain Master of Maoshan: "Alright, then let's learn the Thunder Pool first?"
Ji Xiang smiled slightly. "No, I'll learn it myself. Thank you for your kindness. The formations here will be of great use to me."
The Mountain Master of Maoshan was stunned and asked strangely, "Yourself? You are..."
Ji Xiang: "Thank you for your generosity!"
Boom!
The Tongtian Mingyan (Heaven-Piercing Bright Smoke) surged from his body in all directions. Ji Xiang opened his hands, and the bright smoke enveloped all the Heavenly Formation stone pillars. This great commotion startled the Mountain Master of Maoshan!
"What is this smoke!"
The Tongtian Mingyan rolled boundlessly, and the formations within the thirteen Heavenly Formation stone pillars suddenly disappeared. Then, the bright smoke did not retract but gathered, tumbling like a celestial canopy falling, and thirteen Heavenly Formation imprints appeared in Ji Xiang's Inner Scenery Divine Tablet!
The Formation of Summoning Qian Ying, the Formation of Heavenly Human Induction Thunder, the Formation of Innate One Qi Thunder, the Formation of Xian Du Fire Thunder, the Formation of Summoning the Three Divisions of the Thunder Department, the Formation of Quadruple Thunder Tribulation, the Formation of Thunder Pool Uncrossable, the Formation of Not Merely Startling Thunder, the Formation of Five Directions Savage Thunder, the Formation of Divine Might Suppressing Demons, the Formation of Swift Thunder Fierce Wind, the Formation of Yang Thunder Heavenly Dao!
The thirteen Heavenly Formation imprints were absorbed by the Inner Scenery Divine Tablet, revealing the operational methods and uses of each of the thirteen grand formations. Ji Xiang, following the methods provided by the Divine Tablet, simply tested the Thunder Pool Formation.
Instantly, a vast thunder pool appeared between heaven and earth, blocking the way, separating the Grand Yuan Treasure Hall from this stone forest of formations. The thunder pool was fierce, an unparalleled divine formation for suppressing and blocking. As this grand Thunder Pool Formation appeared, the Mountain Master of Maoshan almost gouged out his own eyeballs!
How could this be possible!
How could he have learned the Thunder Pool Formation with a mere wave of his hand?!
"Pillars, what happened to you pillars!"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan looked at the darkened stone pillars and was greatly shocked. He had lost all composure of a pure Yang expert, like a little old man whose belongings had been plundered, holding the pillars and examining them everywhere. At this moment, Ji Xiang did not stop his actions.
The Tongtian Mingyan, like a celestial canopy, tumbled, as if a sea of clouds had descended upon the human world, swallowing all forty-nine Grand Formations!
The Grand Formation imprints appeared, and then, the Tongtian Mingyan swallowed the fifty-two Killing Formations!
At this point, the Mountain Master of Maoshan finally reacted, his face drained of color. He grabbed Ji Xiang. "Wait! Wait before you act!"
"No, absolutely not!"
He saw the Tongtian Mingyan moving towards the Trapping Formations, his face ashen. "Immortal, you cannot take this!"
"My Maoshan is sealed. If you take all my formations, and then take the Trapping Formations, those petty individuals will be able to infiltrate!"
Ji Xiang paused. "Ah, is that so? That's rather difficult. Formations like the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation are exactly what I need... I cannot take the Trapping Formations?"
The Mountain Master of Maoshan jumped up, extremely agitated. "Enough! I have never seen anything like this; it's simply inconceivable!"
"Spit out my Maoshan formations! Great Immortal, Immortal, I'll trade you talismans, alright? That's enough!"