Chapter 471: Slacking Off
Chapter 472: Slacking Off
Lu Chengyun handed Mo Hua some more books on formations, formation patterns, and formation analysis.
“These manuals should help you, young master, in constructing the Formation Eye of the Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation.”
Lu Chengyun’s expression betrayed no emotion, then he continued lightly:
“I’ll give you three days. Within three days, draw the formation diagram for the Formation Eye. Then we’ll discuss it, extract the essence, discard the flaws, and refine it a few times. That should allow us to construct a complete diagram of the Formation Eye.”
Three days…
Mo Hua let out a sigh of relief, though he still felt a bit uneasy, and cupped his hands respectfully:
“As the head of the Lu family commands.”
Clutching the formation diagrams and books Lu Chengyun gave him, Mo Hua left, “deep in thought.”
It wasn’t until Mo Hua had gone a good distance that Zhang Quan spoke in a sinister tone:
“Brother Lu, that little brat looks utterly uncertain.”
Lu Chengyun glanced back at him. “He’s uncertain, and you think you’re certain?”
Zhang Quan tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Brother Lu jokes; I know nothing of formations…”
Lu Chengyun snorted lightly.
Zhang Quan, harboring doubts, asked:
“This little brat… young master, can he really construct the Formation Eye?”
Lu Chengyun paused in thought, then slowly said:
“He has great talent, high comprehension, and must have a prestigious lineage; his formation knowledge is profound…”
“The only issue may be that his exposure to formations isn’t broad, and his experience in constructing them is lacking…”
He sighed. “But it’s not his fault. At such a young age, barely in his teens, even if he works tirelessly, he can’t master too many formations…”
“How can his formation experience compare to those veteran formation masters who’ve spent over a hundred years studying?”
“That’s why I leverage his strengths and cover his weaknesses—he uses his knowledge to design the Formation Eye, and I supervise, correct, and make up for his lack of practical experience.”
Zhang Quan frowned. “Even so, Brother Lu, why don’t you design it yourself?”
Lu Chengyun’s expression darkened slightly, a hint of displeasure in his gaze.
Inwardly he thought: If I could design it myself, why would I delegate it to someone else?
He looked at the grand Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation and felt a slight tremor in his heart.
This was a compound formation approaching the level of a great formation!
The Formation Eye’s layout was nearly that of a great formation.
Great formations and single formations are entirely different formation systems.
His Divine Sense was sufficient, but his formation knowledge was far from enough.
Without a deep foundation or guidance from a master, an ordinary formation master couldn’t even glimpse the secrets of great formations.
Relying solely on solitary study, it might take decades without yielding a solution.
Moreover, he didn’t have the time.
By the time he figured it out and drew the formation diagram to form the Formation Eye, the zombies in the mine would likely have decomposed.
Zhang Quan wasn’t a formation master; even talking to him was difficult!
Lu Chengyun inwardly cursed, but on the surface, found an excuse:
“I practiced the dark path, drew a dark formation, so reconstructing the Formation Eye with orthodox methods is somewhat difficult.”
Zhang Quan was slightly taken aback but nodded.
He didn’t understand formation knowledge and suspected Lu Chengyun was deceiving him, so he only half-believed it.
But what Lu Chengyun said now made sense.
Having drawn a dark formation, one naturally couldn’t draw orthodox formations well.
Good versus evil—simple and clear.
Zhang Quan pondered further, still confused:
“But that little brat’s formation knowledge… is it really that extraordinary?”
Lu Chengyun nodded. “Naturally…”
“If not for a strong lineage and master guidance, even with his talent, how could he become a first-grade formation master at such a young age?”
He added with admiration:
“To be recognized as a first-grade formation master by the Dao Court—how many masters spend their entire lives studying formations to earn such honor?”
“And yet, he’s only thirteen and already a first-grade formation master…”
A tinge of jealousy flickered in Lu Chengyun’s eyes.
Why hadn’t he been so fortunate to encounter such good tutelage, otherwise his own formation skills wouldn’t have stagnated for years…
A hint of apprehension appeared in Zhang Quan’s eyes.
A first-grade formation master…
He knew Mo Hua’s formations were good, but not this good.
Greed quickly followed.
Killing a first-grade formation master would be wasteful.
Could he find a way to keep him close and make him draw formations for him…?
Both men had hidden agendas, but on the surface, appeared calm.
Later, Lu Chengyun brought up the Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation again.
After a moment’s thought, his eyes gleamed. “Once this formation is perfected, we’ll start refining corpses. Once a corpse is refined, commanding the hordes of the dead, all of South Yue City, even the entire Xiao Huang Prefecture, will be under our control.”
Zhang Quan’s eyes shone with cold light, excitement in his voice: “All according to Brother Lu’s decision!”
They exchanged a glance, both filled with ambition.
“However, before that,” Lu Chengyun’s tone shifted, his gaze deepened:
“I’d like to borrow Zhang brother’s ancestral master portrait for a look.”
Zhang Quan was taken aback. His smile faded. “Brother Lu, haven’t you already seen it?”
“The Zhang family ancestor was unmatched. I wish to admire him once more,” Lu Chengyun said politely.
Zhang Quan snorted coldly.
Admire?
Probably just wants a taste of the benefits.
“This ancestral portrait, I just retrieved…” Zhang Quan declined.
“I only borrow it for half a month.”
“But…”
Lu Chengyun said, “I’ll let you keep a share of the corpses and iron corpses in the Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation.”
Zhang Quan’s eyes lit up, bargaining: “Two shares!”
Lu Chengyun’s gaze sharpened. After a pause, he slowly said, “Fine!”
The deal was set.
Zhang Quan took out the ancestral portrait, reluctantly handing it over. “That brat has ruined this portrait, severely draining its vitality. It may need time to recover…”
Lu Chengyun smiled. “Don’t worry, Zhang brother. Just nurturing the portrait. There are plenty of sacrifices; I won’t neglect your ancestor.”
“Besides, I’ve prepared a great supplement…”
He gave a cryptic smile.
Zhang Quan frowned, unsure of his intentions…
…
Back in his room, Mo Hua spent almost an hour reviewing the formation diagrams and books before constructing the Formation Eye diagram of the Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation.
After finishing, he thought for a moment and burned it.
Then he redrew a new version. The basic structure was similar, but the details were full of mistakes and omissions.
This version was simpler.
In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mo Hua finished it.
Afterward, he began slacking off.
On the surface, he appeared deep in thought, but in reality, he was goofing off…
He spent all day leaning over the desk, staring at diagrams, books, and formation patterns, flipping through them, drawing, erasing, and redrawing with furrowed brows.
In his mind, he was thinking about lunch, whether Little Tiger had any news, whether Little Senior Sister had replied.
What the Ten-Thousand-Corpse Formation was for, what was inside the bronze coffin, and where exactly the Spirit-Pivot Formation was…
All of this was observed by Lu Chengyun.
He didn’t know Mo Hua’s true thoughts, only saw him working diligently and responsibly.
Lu Chengyun had given Mo Hua three days.
Mo Hua had spent three days slacking off.
On the evening of the last day, he nervously handed over the flawed Formation Eye diagram to Lu Chengyun.
Lu Chengyun glanced at it and was first struck with admiration.
The overall layout of the Formation Eye was indeed impressive.
It truly had the shadow of a great formation.
But after a closer look, he frowned.
There were too many errors in the details.
The arrangement of formation patterns, central structure, and transfer of spiritual energy were clumsy; the design was inexperienced.
“Experience in formations is still lacking…”
Lu Chengyun sighed silently.
He pointed out a few mistakes for Mo Hua.
Mo Hua pretended to have an epiphany. “As expected of the head of the Lu family!”
Then he felt a bit discouraged, whispering:
“I’m afraid I can’t draw this Formation Eye properly…”
Lu Chengyun reassured him, “You’re young. To achieve this level among formation masters is rare.
Constructing a compound formation’s Formation Eye isn’t easy.
Don’t lose heart. With a few more refinements, you’ll surely be able to produce a complete and perfect Formation Eye diagram.”
Mo Hua blinked. “Really?”
Lu Chengyun smiled gently. “Of course.”
Mo Hua seemed more confident and nodded:
“Alright, I’ll work harder, check for mistakes, and try to produce another improved version!”
Lu Chengyun felt greatly relieved.
He was even more certain of his judgment about Mo Hua.
Clever, high comprehension, diligent in studying formations, but still a child, easily trusting others.
Extraordinary formation heritage and knowledge, yet lacking experience; unfamiliar with practical construction techniques.
Talented, knowledgeable, but lacking practice and refinement.
In every sense, a good prospect.
But still, only a prospect…
Lu Chengyun’s gaze shifted slightly as he relaxed.