Chapter 25: Array Methods and Ancient Symbols

  Sometimes, Wang Guanlan really couldn't understand how people in this world thought about things.

  Why do so many people think that if they lose to these challengers, their life is over? Why do so many people think that they really want to marry Qingling with all their heart? If they can't marry her, it's better to die!!

  How did this happen?

  Everything was just a joke, and after this joke came true, Wang Guanlan didn't take it as a big deal at all. This wasn't his past life, but rather a world similar to ancient China, where men had absolute autonomy and control. The so-called "blind marriage" was more applicable to women. A man of his status could have any kind of woman he wanted, so why would he be willing to die for one?

  So, in essence, he doesn't really care about the outcome of this challenge, and even the engagement itself is not important to him. Even if the engagement falls through, he won't lose anything, and might even gain a lot from it. Without the constraints of the engagement, Wang Guanlan can do whatever he wants in Yicheng, and who knows, maybe he'll even make a fortune from the Fengweicao. And what will he get if the engagement succeeds? Nothing but a white rich beauty who can't enter the bridal chamber for now!

  As for being defeated in the challenge, isn't there a saying that failure is the mother of success? He's still young, only 15 years old, and has plenty of opportunities. Failing once or twice doesn't matter much. It's precisely because he sees this point clearly and is extremely confident that he can keep his life safe in this grand ceremony. That's why he can be so nonchalant and carefree, advancing when possible and retreating when necessary, which is a perfect reflection of his current state.

  During the conversation with Wang Guanlan, Zhu Zhihua also fell into the same misunderstanding as others. However, after talking to Wang Guanlan, he suddenly grasped Wang's thoughts and his heart sank because in this state of mind, Wang Guanlan can be said to have completely occupied all the initiative, and even if he really didn't want to marry, he could publicly admit defeat during the comparison.

  The martial contest arose from the marriage contract. The challenge was because someone looked down on this marriage. Accepting the challenge meant that if they failed, they would have to give up this absurd marriage contract, whether it was seen or heard.

  So, if Wang Guanlan really had the intention of giving up, the only ones who would truly lose out are Jingling Lake and Qingling. As for Wang Guanlan, as he said himself, he is still young and can afford to lose!

  Suddenly, facing Wang Guanlan's calm face, Zhu Zhihua, a high-ranking martial artist who had cultivated his energy to the ninth level, found that his heart was in disarray.

  Qingling was also a clever and sensitive person, and through the few sentences exchanged between them, she too understood the current situation, and couldn't help but feel both ashamed and angry, glaring fiercely at Wang Guanlan. If not for Zhu Zhihua being present, she would have had the urge to draw her sword and stab Wang Guanlan to death on the spot.

  Of course. This dangerous idea could only be faintly brewing in her mind.

  "Master, the area over by the rocky platform has been cleared!" Just then, Chen Qing's voice came over.

  "Alright, I'll be right there!" Wang Guanlan looked at the two with a apologetic expression "Master Uncle, I'm really sorry, but I have to go set up the formation!"

  "Go ahead, go ahead!" Zhu Zhihua had now regained his original composure. Although he was very tempted to follow Wang Guanlan to see what kind of formation he had set up, which gave him such great confidence that he could keep his life safe in the hands of many young strongmen from the Hidden Sky Rankings. However, as an Array Master, he knew the rules clearly - unless he got the consent of the Array Master, no one was allowed to spy on an Array Master setting up a formation. Otherwise, they would be subject to the unanimous hostility of all Array Masters.

  Now Wang Guanlan said he wanted to go to the array, but did not extend an invitation to them. If they rashly proposed to go and watch, it would be very impolite. If they were rejected, their face would be even more unbearable. Therefore, Zhu Zhihua could only follow the trend and show a humble appearance unique to seniors.

  Until Wang Guanlan and Chen Qingshan's figures disappeared from their line of sight, Zhu Zhihua's expression finally calmed down. "Qingling, I'm sure you also understood what he meant, what do you think?"

  "I...!" Originally, Qingling's heart was stirred, and she thought of saying that he didn't want to marry her, but the words were stuck in her throat. She composed herself and said seriously, "This matter is quite troublesome. If he deliberately seeks defeat, we have no way out!"

  "Not bad, but looking at his appearance, he doesn't seem to be the kind of person who would give up easily!" Zhu Zhihua gently stroked the short whiskers on the corner of his mouth and said calmly, "Although he appears very natural and open-minded, I don't believe he really doesn't have a competitive spirit. At 15 years old, it's the age when one is most eager to win, and he won't be an exception. The reason he said that earlier was probably to vent his anger in front of you, after all, the trouble he's facing now is caused by you!"

  "What did I do? It was clearly him who spoke without reserve!"

  "Alright, it's come to this, let's not discuss these things anymore. You say he might be your nemesis, and on that point, I'm starting to believe it. Since you were twelve years old, I've never seen you with such a rich expression!"

  Qing Ling's face turned red with anger, realizing she had lost her composure again, and couldn't help but feel a bit down. "It seems he is indeed my nemesis, I don't know why, but every time I face him, I lose my temper, especially when I see that smug look on his face, it makes me want to kill him with one sword!"

  "Haha, this is right, this is right. For you, it's also a kind of experience in the mortal world. When you can truly clear up the doubts in your mind, you'll be able to truly understand the Heart Lake Sword Manual and reach the state of sword heart clarity, which isn't impossible!"

  "Thank you, Uncle Master, for your guidance!"

  "Alright, let's go too! Although the scenery here is quite good, after looking at it for a long time, it also gets a bit boring!"

  Qingling couldn't help but laugh when she heard this, and even a hint of sarcasm emerged. It seemed that Shifu's mood at the moment was not as calm as he appeared on the surface!

  Wang Guanlan's formation program went very smoothly, with ready-made formation diagrams and sufficient materials. Following the gourd painting, it was not a difficult task for Wang Guanlan at present. The problem lay in the ancient symbols.

  The study of ancient symbols, Wang Guanlan was getting deeper and deeper every day, and it was precisely because of this that he felt more and more troubled.

  That ancient talisman, Wang Guanlan only deciphered a small part of it. This small part is similar to the military formation in the Art of War, where the formation gathers the original energy of the soldiers and merges them into one body. The array method of this ancient talisman, on the other hand, borrows the power of the earth's pulse, merging the surrounding chaotic heavenly and earthly energies into a single furnace.

  The military formation ultimately acts on the commander's body, while the effect of this ancient talisman is to apply the merged yuanqi to the formation.

  The crimson-robed woman's formation chart for Wang Guanlan can allow him to unleash one of the Five Elements' extreme fires, the Nine Fire Flame Dragon. Wang Guanlan believes that if his ancient symbol arrangement is successful, it may even be able to bring about other extremes in the formation method, but then again, problems will also arise.

  The character derived from ancient symbols is actually useful or not, he has no idea.

  If it really works, that's good, but what if it doesn't? Once these talismans and the formation he has already laid down merge into one, if the talisman doesn't work, it may very likely affect the original intact formation. It is also very likely to lose the effect of this powerful five-element formation he has laid down. In that case, it would be a loss.

  Because the materials prepared by Ning Wangfu for him just formed a complete five-element formation, if this formation was messed up, then he would no longer have enough materials to deploy a second one.

  So, now Wang Guanlan stood on the precipice outside Fengming Valley, observing the complete Five Elements Formation below his feet, and looking at the dense symbols drawn around him, he was hesitant in his heart.

  The Five Elements Formation underfoot has an extremely large range, enveloping the entire Phoenix Cry Valley, while the talismans extracted from the ancient symbols are distributed on the steep cliffs surrounding Phoenix Cry Valley.

  These ancient symbols, which are different from the talismans and arrays, do not require any materials at all. All Wang Guanlan needs to do is follow the flow of the heavenly energy and earthly veins around him, and carve them onto the surrounding cliffs. The function of these symbols is more about guiding the yuanqi, rather than carrying a large amount of yuanqi like the talismans in arrays.

  Finally, Wang Guanlan, who was in a dilemma, fixed his gaze on the waterfall's eye, but ultimately did not dare to take the risk.

  "Alright, let's just set up the formation for now. If we really can't defeat the enemy even with the Nine Fire Flame Dragon, then we'll connect them together. Although it's a bit inefficient, it's still better than taking risks!" Wang Guanlan made his final decision. "But Zhu Zhihua is going to be a problem, this guy seems to have the strength of a 9th layer cultivator! With this level of power, how can I kill him? Do I need to rely on this formation? But if I do use the formation, that would be equivalent to openly declaring war on Jingling Lake. What a foolish thing to do, how could I possibly do that?"

  For him now, killing a top martial artist of the 9th layer of Qi Refining with his own strength is not realistic, even assassination is not realistic, and he can only rely on formations.

  "Alas, this is indeed a difficult problem for me!!" He lamented in his heart. When he saw Zhu Zhihua, he made an effort to restrain himself, relying on his abnormal spiritual sea, and did not reveal the slightest killing intent towards Zhu Zhihua. Zhu Zhihua was a top martial artist of the 9th layer of Qi Refining, and for him, even if it wasn't killing intent, but just a hint of hostility, he wouldn't be able to deceive his spiritual awareness.

  If it weren't for his unusual mind, they would have already seen through each other's tricks.

  "With his confidence as a 9-layer cultivator and my performance, he should be off guard against me. With the right method, killing him isn't entirely impossible, but the risk is just too great, not worth it!!"