Chapter Forty-Two: The Array Master

Do not underestimate the seemingly modest increase in combat power; the Zhen Tian Sect is already one of the six great sects of Immortal Dao within the cultivation world. Its overall strength surpasses countless other sects, and even among the six, it stands near the very top. With its formidable mastery over formations, Zhen Tian Sect is second only to the Tian Dao Sect among the six, lacking by just a few degrees. Should Zhen Tian Sect obtain defensive formation techniques from Elder Ouyang, bolstering its defenses and adding a touch more strength, it might rival Tian Dao Sect—or perhaps even surpass it.

The cultivation world's precious resources are limited; not everyone can lay their hands on them. To gain more, cultivators rely on their strength, seizing treasures through force. Powerful sects plunder the weak, while the weak prey on those weaker still. It is the law of the jungle: big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp. Thus, a single rule prevails in the cultivation world—survival of the fittest, elimination of the weak.

If Zhen Tian Sect grows stronger, Tian Dao Sect’s share of resources diminishes. Should Tian Dao Sect’s resources dwindle, its strength wanes, and so begins a cycle—a vicious cycle. Such a cycle threatens the future of Tian Dao Sect, something its leaders cannot tolerate. Thus, they ordered someone to keep watch over Elder Ouyang. When they heard he was searching for materials for artifact forging, Tian Dao Sect’s high elders immediately dispatched a Grand Ascension stage elder to intercept and kill him.

What Tian Dao Sect’s leadership never expected was that their Grand Ascension elder failed to slay Elder Ouyang; instead, Elder Ouyang turned the tables and killed him. Not only is Elder Ouyang a master of artifact forging, he is also a master of formations—a formation master of the ninth star level.

There are nine levels for formation masters; with each level, a star appears upon their ceremonial robe. Elder Ouyang’s nine stars mark him as having reached the pinnacle of formation mastery in the cultivation world.

For Elder Ouyang, annihilating a Grand Ascension cultivator with a ninth-star formation is effortless, akin to a Tribulation-stage cultivator crushing a Grand Ascension one. After all, the power of a ninth-star formation master rivals that of a Tribulation-stage cultivator.

Upon returning to Five Elements Sect, the high elders there learned of the peril Elder Ouyang had faced. Their anger was fierce—some even proposed declaring war on Tian Dao Sect, for Elder Ouyang was vital to Five Elements Sect.

Nearly all the sect’s magical treasures were crafted by Elder Ouyang. Had Elder Ouyang been merely at the Nascent Soul stage, Tian Dao Sect’s Grand Ascension elder could have easily slain him, depriving Five Elements Sect of its source of treasures and causing its strength to plummet.

A decline in strength leads to a reduction in resources, forming yet another vicious cycle—one the Five Elements Sect elders would never permit. As they deliberated on how to deal with Tian Dao Sect, the master of Zhen Tian Sect arrived to consult Elder Ouyang about the direction for constructing defensive formations.

The attack on Elder Ouyang was connected to Zhen Tian Sect. The Five Elements Sect elders, ancient monsters who had lived for millennia, saw through Tian Dao Sect’s motives at a glance. Even a pig that had lived thousands of years would have become wise; if the Five Elements Sect elders failed to discern this, they’d be less than pigs themselves.

When the master of Zhen Tian Sect arrived, the Five Elements Sect elders shared the news of Tian Dao Sect’s Grand Ascension elder’s attempt to ambush Elder Ouyang, for the matter concerned Zhen Tian Sect as well.

Upon hearing this, the Zhen Tian Sect master immediately grasped the essence of the situation. His position was not attained by brute force alone; he was a cunning old fox who had lived for thousands of years.

Having seen the truth, the Zhen Tian Sect master was filled with anger—Tian Dao Sect sought to annihilate Zhen Tian Sect’s hopes. He joined forces with the Five Elements Sect elders to discuss how best to respond.

Their deliberations yielded a unified resolution. First, Elder Ouyang would provide the Zhen Tian Sect master with guidance on constructing defensive formations, but not as a gift without conditions; Elder Ouyang required all of Zhen Tian Sect’s artifact forging materials.

The Zhen Tian Sect master agreed without hesitation. After all, Zhen Tian Sect specialized in formations, not in artifact forging; those materials served no purpose within their sect. To exchange useless forging materials for desperately needed formation techniques was an obvious choice—elders and disciples alike would approve.

Second, Zhen Tian Sect and Five Elements Sect would form an alliance against Tian Dao Sect. If Tian Dao Sect attacked either sect, the other would join in resisting the threat.

The Zhen Tian Sect master readily accepted this second condition, for the alliance was greatly advantageous. Even with improved defensive formations, boosting their overall strength would take time. If Tian Dao Sect attacked while Zhen Tian Sect was still fortifying itself, it would be unable to withstand the assault alone.

But together with Five Elements Sect, even if they could not defeat Tian Dao Sect, they would not suffer defeat. The elders of Five Elements Sect imposed only these two conditions, neither difficult for Zhen Tian Sect, and asked for nothing more.

The Five Elements Sect elders understood well the ancient principle: if the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. Should Tian Dao Sect defeat Zhen Tian Sect, Five Elements Sect would surely be next.

Thus, when disciples of the three sects met outside, relations were hostile—Zhen Tian Sect and Five Elements Sect united against Tian Dao Sect.

Within Five Elements Sect, every identity jade token carried a defensive formation crafted by Elder Ouyang. When disciples encountered danger during their journeys, they could activate the formation within their token to ward off threats.

The presence of these defensive formations greatly improved the survival chances of Five Elements Sect disciples during their trials. For Elder Ouyang, the architect of these defenses, the disciples held the deepest respect.