Chapter Seventeen: Introduction to the Way of Formations

Being scrutinized by such a beautiful female cultivator, He Song's expression remained unchanged, yet he couldn't help but feel somewhat awkward inside.

He didn't know how things usually went when others came to purchase the "Introductory Chapters to a Hundred Cultivation Arts," but judging from Bin'er’s look of plaintive resignation, he must be the oddest guest she'd ever received.

From the moment he asked about the introduction to alchemy, Bin’er's mouth hadn’t stopped moving. She tirelessly introduced every single introductory chapter of the cultivation arts displayed on her tray, only pausing when she had finished them all. He Song himself lost count of how much she had spoken, and listening to her nearly lulled him to sleep.

Fortunately, he managed to stay awake. He Song was secretly relieved and, looking at Bin'er, felt a touch of admiration. Such professionalism—she truly wouldn't stop unless the guest asked her to. There were few female cultivators as earnest as Bin'er these days.

"Thank you, fellow cultivator. Have you decided which chapter you want?" Bin'er’s tone softened considerably as she accepted the teacup He Song handed her.

He Song was indeed the only guest she had ever served who made her introduce every single introductory chapter of the cultivation arts. The other cultivators who came to the Hall of Spirit Techniques always knew exactly what they wanted and stated their needs as soon as they entered. But He Song acted as if he had come to listen to stories rather than make a purchase. The crucial thing was, since he never told her to stop, she couldn't stop, for such was the rule of the Hall of Spirit Techniques.

Her throat was nearly raw from talking so much—in an entire day, she rarely spoke this much. Thankfully, toward the end, He Song seemed to realize something and offered her a cup of spiritual tea, which made her feel much better. She even found herself excusing He Song in her heart. Surely, this fellow cultivator did not do it intentionally.

With this thought passing through her mind, Bin'er's gaze toward He Song grew gentle.

"I’ll take the introductory chapter on Formations. Thank you, fellow cultivator." After all this time deliberating, He Song had already made up his mind.

The path of formations was, indeed, exceedingly difficult. For cultivators without the talent, even decades of painstaking study might not yield the simplest Spirit Gathering Array. Even those with aptitude needed years of diligent research to even begin.

For itinerant cultivators without a steady income, delving into formations was like stepping into a bottomless pit. Most cultivators’ advancement would stall while they studied formations, as all their energy was diverted, leaving little time for cultivation. Falling behind one’s peers in cultivation was one thing, but if, after decades of hard work, one still failed to break into the field of formations, and their cultivation lagged so far behind others, the blow would be devastating.

Even those with talent needed years of persistent study just to get started, and for cultivators still in the Qi Refining stage, cultivation itself was paramount. Spending so much time on formations would make forming a foundation in the future all the more difficult.

Therefore, few itinerant cultivators attempted to learn formations. Even disciples of sects or clans, unless they had an extraordinary interest, seldom pursued it. The reason was simple—it was just too hard.

But for all its difficulty, once one gained entry into the art of formations, the rewards could be immense. Take the simplest Spirit Gathering Array, for example: after mastering it, one could lay it down wherever they lived to draw spiritual energy from the surroundings. With an increased concentration of spiritual energy, one’s cultivation speed would naturally outpace most others. The array had other uses as well: it could be used to nourish spiritual fields or, by helping other cultivators set up Spirit Gathering Arrays, one could earn generous rewards.

It was extremely difficult to become a formation master, but once one did, the benefits—whether laying arrays for others or tending one’s own spiritual fields—were tremendous. Rarity breeds value; this was no empty saying.

As for He Song, he possessed a soul far more powerful than most cultivators, an endless lifespan, and, beyond that, he was a spiritual herb farmer who could make use of spiritual fields. With all these advantages, choosing the introductory chapter on formations was only natural.

"Please wait a moment, fellow cultivator. I shall fetch the jade slip for you." Carrying the tray, Bin'er took her leave.

Naturally, the introductory chapters to the hundred cultivation arts were not actual books. The stack of books on the tray was merely a collection of introductions to the arts. The genuine chapters would never be taken out before the customer made a decision. Each one cost a hundred spirit stones. There were dozens displayed on the tray—if they were genuine and someone made off with them, it would be a loss of several thousand spirit stones in an instant. A few such losses, and even the Hall of Spirit Techniques in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market could not bear the cost. Bin'er’s conduct was perfectly proper.

Soon, Bin'er returned. This time, the books in her tray were all gone, replaced by a single jade slip that shimmered with a faint glow. The slip looked exquisite—clearly a fine treasure.

He Song handed over a hundred spirit stones. Only then did Bin'er set the tray before him. "Just place the jade slip to your forehead, fellow cultivator," she instructed.

He Song nodded and took the jade slip, pressing it to his forehead. Before the Foundation Establishment stage, cultivators had not yet awakened their divine sense; to read the contents of a jade slip, one could only press it to the brow. Once one reached Foundation Establishment and awakened divine sense, the slip could be read with a mere thought.

Jade slips, as information storage media, required at least Foundation Establishment and the possession of divine sense to create. In essence, He Song was now enjoying a service usually reserved for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As the jade slip touched his forehead, He Song’s mind surged, and a vast stream of information poured into him, instantly etched into his memory, impossible to forget. The torrent of knowledge was so immense that he felt a momentary discomfort, but it quickly faded. With his powerful soul, he processed the information faster than most cultivators.

In just a moment, He Song opened his eyes, having received all the contents of the introductory chapter on formations, now thoroughly impressed in his mind.

After reviewing all the information to ensure nothing was missed, He Song looked to Bin'er. "Fellow Bin'er, may I ask where your esteemed hall procures its tea leaves?" Remembering how drinking the tea had actually raised his cultivation, He Song could not help but ask.

In the cultivation world, cultivation level was the foundation of everything, and progress in cultivation required steady accumulation: daily meditation, absorbing spiritual energy through spirit stones, refining pills and turning them into spiritual power—each demanded time. Yet, the tea he drank today was an exception.