Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 609 The Golden Pivot Formation is Completed, the Third Master of the Great Sect's Pill is Completed, and the Order is Issued to All Directions

—Three years later, Yangmingshan
At the summit of Yangming Mountain, Wei Gu held an array plate and performed the steps of the Big Dipper. The bluish-gray array patterns under his feet gradually turned silver light as spiritual energy flowed.

At this moment, almost all the array masters that could be gathered within the Chongming Sect's territory were under his command. This was no small feat, even for Wei Gu, the head of the Chongming Sect's array hall.

Seeing that the year's hard work was about to be completed, Wei Gu dared not be careless or negligent. He quickly raised his hand to order the array masters to return to their positions, and his fingertips wrapped the array plates with spiritual energy like silver threads, chanting: "Spiritual energy of heaven and earth, gather the array as the pivot!"

A gust of wind whipped his robes, and before the sweat on his forehead had even dried, the array patterns beneath his feet suddenly lit up. Silver flames shot out from the streaks of bluish-gray patterns, winding their way up the twelve bronze pillars. The cloud patterns on the bronze pillars were ignited, transforming into golden dragons that coiled around the pillars.

"Infuse with spirit!" Wei Gu's voice echoed through the mountain peak. A fake alchemist was already waiting at the core of the array. As soon as the array spirit object in his hand approached the array pattern, it was pulled into a green mist by a suction force and merged into the array.

In an instant, the clouds around Yangming Mountain surged and gathered at the top of the array, forming a spiritual energy vortex about ten feet in size. Golden dewdrops fell from the vortex and landed on a newly cultivated spiritual field. Several spiritual plants that were originally half-withered immediately unfurled their leaves and shone with a lustrous sheen.

As soon as this happened, another fake alchemist brought a spiritual object to the nodes of the array pattern. The moment the spiritual object touched the silver flame, it turned into golden mist and spread along the pattern.

The original bluish-gray array patterns were instantly dyed crimson gold, interwoven like a spider web, connecting the twelve bronze pillars into one.

Wei Gu's eyes widened, and he poured all his spiritual power into the array plate: "Array pivot, return to position, solidify!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual energy vortex at the top of the array suddenly expanded, growing from about ten feet to a thousand feet. An ancient and simple phantom of the array appeared at the center of the vortex. As the phantom rotated, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged in like a tide.

Even the distant spiritual mist was drawn in, transforming into pale blue ribbons that wrapped around the center of the formation.

Even more remarkably, the golden dew falling from the vortex no longer scattered, but instead condensed into tiny spiritual patterns, landing on the array base and making the cloud patterns on the bronze pillars even more complete.

"I would like to trouble you two again," Wei Gu said. As soon as he finished speaking, the two array masters calculated the array positions and worked together to hold a superior spiritual object. The superior spiritual object was a piece of pure white array pivot jade with spiritual patterns flowing on its body.

Two array masters carefully lifted it to the center of the array. The moment it touched the crimson gold array patterns, the jade block transformed into a beam of white light, wrapping around the array plate like a silk ribbon. Wei Gu quickly formed a hand seal, and the silver patterns on the array plate merged with the white light, instantly bursting forth with dazzling spiritual light.

The thousand-foot vortex at the top of the formation suddenly contracted, and dozens of spiritually patterned chains descended from it, precisely wrapping around the twelve bronze pillars like golden ropes, firmly binding the bronze pillars to the center of the formation.

A deep hum suddenly echoed through the mountains, reverberating across the summit, even causing the grayish-blue pebbles on the ground to tremble.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged even more violently, and the pale blue spiritual mist rushed into the array like a tide, making the crimson gold array patterns even brighter.

The golden dew that fell from the vortex condensed into tiny spiritual patterns, covering the array base like scales. The cloud patterns on the bronze pillars were completely completed, and a faint dragon-shaped phantom was even visible. Before half a moment had passed, the ancient array phantom at the top of the array slowly sank down, merging with the array patterns on the ground, and made a soft "click" sound.

The phantom and the physical entity merged, and the vortex of spiritual energy gradually contracted, transforming into a pale gold spirit-gathering ring about ten feet in size, which hung above the center of the array and slowly rotated.

A pale golden light curtain spread outward from the center of the array, solidifying into a tangible form, completely enveloping the entire Yangmingshan Mountain.

The dragon-shaped phantom on the bronze pillar gradually dissipated, leaving only a layer of pale golden spiritual light. The array patterns returned to a bluish-gray background and disappeared into the ground, with only silver lines slowly flowing along the patterns.

At this moment, Wei Gu slowly withdrew his spiritual power, put the array plate into his pocket, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The spiritual patterns at the base of the array were still glowing faintly, and the spirit-gathering ring was suspended in mid-air, constantly absorbing and releasing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The concentration of spiritual energy in the mountains was several degrees higher than before.

At this time, the third-tier low-grade Golden Pivot Spirit Gathering and Yuan Guarding Array, which was presided over by Wei Gu, was finally completed. From then on, the spiritual energy of the third-tier low-grade spiritual vein of Yangming Mountain stopped leaking out, and Chongming Sect regained its status as a major sect.

Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen, who were watching the ceremony, made no attempt to hide their satisfaction. After all, no one had expected that Wei Gu, who had volunteered to make this important matter happen, would actually accomplish the task in such a short time.

During this period, Yangmingshan still had the foundation of the Ghost Sword Sect's great formation, and the fact that Sect Leader Kang brought back many treasures from Fengming Prefecture. However, Wei Gu's ability to lead a group of second-tier formation masters to achieve this was also remarkable.

At least in Yuan Jin's memory, even in the entire Shannan region, those with such abilities are extremely rare.

Wei Gu let out a long breath, held the array token, and explained the sequence of events of the grand array. After confirming that everything was correct, he first solemnly bowed to the two fake alchemy array masters and all the array masters below them, and then bowed to his two senior uncles and fellow disciples.

The completion of this grand formation was not solely the work of the Formation Hall. The disciples of the Weapon Hall had to refine formation flags and banners, and extract various spiritual objects, so that all the formation masters could focus on studying the principles of formations without distraction.
The disciples of the Talisman Making Pavilion must outline the spirit patterns and restrictions according to the needs of the array master, and do their best to save the array master from tedious work.

Even the disciples in seemingly unrelated halls such as the Beast Garden, Spirit Plant Hall, Geography Hall, and Pill Hall, must follow the array points and joints compiled by Wei Gu, collect the essence of the five elements to nourish the array base, and then use various methods to change the shape of the mountains and rivers in order to guide the direction of spiritual energy needed for the completion of the great array.

Before taking action, Wei Gu had calculated the details several times and knew that if he wanted to succeed like this, there could not be a single mistake or oversight, otherwise all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Therefore, he had hesitated beforehand, and when he finally reported to Master Kang, he was thinking of asking the latter to find a proper third-level array master to take charge of the situation.

However, Kang Dabao, who was usually pragmatic and down-to-earth, was not so cautious this time, nor did he seem to care much about the resources that Wei Gu had already exhausted. He simply asked the latter seriously, "According to your calculations based on the principles of formations, should this Golden Pivot Gathering Spirit and Guarding Yuan Formation be completed?"

After a moment's hesitation, Wei Gu respectfully replied, "Reporting to the sect leader, it is indeed correct."

"If that's the case, then we should do it. Third-tier array masters are not so easy to hire; they're just deliberately wasting my spirit stones."

It was only after receiving this approving response from Headmaster Kang that Wei Gu, under immense pressure, painstakingly accomplished this feat.

It can be said that although Wei Gu only completed a third-order low-grade formation, it was much more difficult than setting up a battle formation involving several thousand people.

Although he was the one coordinating things, it would have been impossible to accomplish this task and achieve this great success without the concerted efforts and unity of his fellow disciples.

Ye Zhengwen naturally understood the reason behind this. After witnessing this scene, the concerns he had about the "factional conflict" he had previously discussed with his apprentice Liu Ya dissipated considerably.

He didn't know whether the sect leader Kang was unaware of the sect's situation or indifferent to it, but Ye Zhengwen could tell from the fact that even without elders in charge, the younger generation could still work together in harmony that at least the two factions were still maintaining the bottom line of "fighting without breaking apart".

Yuan Jin, standing beside Ye Zhengwen, did not have the same complicated thoughts as the former. He simply nodded repeatedly at Wei Gu, feeling excited because Chongming Sect had produced another outstanding disciple.

A look at the history books of the rise of various powers reveals that the reason they were able to live peacefully for thousands of years was because a large number of talented people emerged during a certain period, thus laying a solid foundation for future generations.

Zhang Qingran, Wei Gu's nominal master, rarely came out this time. She never expected that a disciple she had casually taken in before would achieve such success.

Even though she rarely showed concern for him on a daily basis, it wasn't too late to mend things now. After all, Wei Gu had never become her disciple because of the name Zhang Qingran. If she wanted to take some remedial action, she wasn't afraid that Wei Gu would accept it.

The most glamorous person today was undoubtedly Wei Gu. The three elders summoned him to their side and comforted him with kind words, showering him with praise as if it were free.

After witnessing this scene, the group of Chongming Sect leaders standing to the side also began to talk amongst themselves, each with their own thoughts.

“Junior Brother Wei will be considered a leading figure among our generation of fellow disciples from now on,” Jin Shilun whispered to Duan Anle beside him. After thinking for a moment, he added, “I’m afraid even the opportunity for Golden Core will be taken into consideration by our elders.”

The latter didn't think Jin Shilun's words were wrong, but he did understand the meaning behind them, so he said gently:
"We are of average talent, dull and slow-witted, and our foundation in the Dao is only green leaves. Therefore, if we wish to aspire to form a core, we should create our own methods. How can we expect our teachers to exhaust themselves for us, their descendants?"

The sect has its own rules and regulations, selecting the talented and rewarding the meritorious. The masters will decide who will receive this opportunity to form the Golden Core; we need not worry about it.”

Jin Shilun smiled wryly upon hearing this, feeling that Duan Anle, his second senior brother, had become increasingly upright in recent years, just like his master when he was serious.

Kang Rongquan, standing beside the two, shared the same thoughts as Jin Shilun. After all, they were fellow disciples who had grown up together. Although they usually fought fiercely, they were now in sync.

Hearing the hidden worry in Kang Rongquan's words, He Chang, who had just completed the Foundation Establishment stage, simply patted the old golden-haired donkey beneath him and chuckled:
“Senior Brother Kang, when it comes to the opportunity to form the core, it has nothing to do with me. But this old donkey probably has more of a destiny than me. In another one or two hundred years, it might even become a guardian spirit beast of my Chongming Sect.”

Although He Chang's words were humorous, Kang Rongquan glanced at the old donkey beneath him and couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement.

No one knows what kind of magic pills this beast has taken, but its progress over the years is no less than that of the true disciples who have been apprenticed under the various elders.

"My great-uncle's judgment was truly excellent. Even before he became wealthy, he managed to acquire a castrated donkey, and yet he still achieved such good fortune."

What He Chang said wasn't wrong. He was very lucky to be able to build his foundation. It was only because Yuan Jin and Jiang Qing secretly gave him two Foundation Building Pills that he was able to make it happen.

Without a tremendous stroke of luck, the chance of forming a Golden Core is not as great as that of the old donkey advancing to the third rank.

Seeing that He Chang had little interest in the matter, Kang Rongquan had no choice but to turn to Ye Yaoling and the others behind him to discuss the matter.

He Chang didn't care much about this. He only felt that while his fellow disciples in the sect had indeed improved their cultivation, their minds had also become much more complicated, which made it difficult for him to get used to.

He then shut down his six senses and ignored the conversations around him, thinking only of going to the He family with his second uncle after the formation was completed.

He Degong, this old comrade of Master Kang, perhaps because he had been stripped of his duties by Kang Xiangyi and had nothing to do, suddenly lost his spirit and died in his sleep on his jade bed a few days ago.

Logically speaking, He Degong had acquired many life-extending spiritual items suitable for Qi Refining cultivators, so he should still have some lifespan left. However, this separation of life and death makes no sense.

For He Degong, this farewell might have lessened the pain of parting from the living to the dead. Moreover, with the He family now boasting several Foundation Establishment cultivators and two or three hundred Qi Refining cultivators, he could now face his elder brother in the afterlife with a clear conscience.

However, before the leaders of each hall had had a long time to discuss the matter, the three elders at the head of the hall had run out of words of praise and let Wei Gu, the protagonist, go. They then turned to the external array masters who had come to help and thanked them repeatedly.

Having received instructions, Duan Anle had the gift boxes he had prepared delivered one by one.

This gesture was quite generous, enough to make the array masters, who had long heard of the reputation of the Grand Master of Chongming Zongkang for never letting his soldiers go hungry, beam with joy.

After this, a banquet was held, and Elders Ye Zhengwen and Yuan Jin were also present; all the hall masters were present, which was considered to give these guests enough face.

However, what they found somewhat regrettable was that Kang Dabao and the most prominent Jiang Sanye had both lived secluded lives for many years, and they had not seen them many times before their deaths.

The cultivators of Chongming Sect would not offer any further explanation, as they all knew that Kang and Jiang had important matters to attend to and could not afford to be distracted by this.

The next day, there were far fewer people seeing off the guests. Wei Gu led the disciples of the Array Hall to see the guests off on their way back, and then the reluctant farewell expression on his face disappeared.

He took out another unique array diagram and pondered it over and over. The mountain-protecting array was related to the foundation of the sect. It was true that he wanted to borrow the power of those external array masters, but since so many of the key points had been figured out, how could he not have a backup plan?

Otherwise, if these array masters collude on their own, wouldn't all the hard work the Chongming Sect put into achieving this be for nothing?!

The reason why the previous formation had so many complex and crucial aspects was because of the contingency plans Wei Gu had devised. However, for the rest of these arrangements, he only needed to have a few trusted confidants carry them out, and it would take about half a year to complete the task.

Having risen from a nobody cultivator to become an elder of a major sect, Wei Gu cherished this opportunity immensely and never slacked off in the slightest.

"So it wasn't for nothing that Senior Brother Han saved me this time."

He had just put the thought aside and was about to pick up the compass and fiddle with it when he saw the compass needle suddenly burst out with sparks and point straight to the southeast, even causing the bronze patterns on the base to shine.

When I looked up, the pale gold spirit-gathering ring in the sky suddenly exploded, turning into countless star points, which then condensed again in mid-air, seemingly forming a luminous white spirit sword.

The spirit sword was surrounded by nine colors of light—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, black, and white—which fell like colorful ribbons and touched the earth veins of Yangming Mountain.

A sudden rumble came from underground, and the bluish-gray patterns on the newly formed array base lit up, transforming into dozens of beams of light that shot into the sky, intertwining with the rosy glow and enveloping the entire mountain in a net of light.

The mountain mist was no longer docile; it surged into waves, the crests of which carried tiny glimmers of light, like the Milky Way hanging upside down.

The wind, carrying spiritual energy, howled without being chaotic. Instead, it swirled in a certain rhythm, eventually condensing into a huge cloud vortex at the mountain peak. The center of the vortex glowed white, as if there were the signs of the sun and moon revolving.

All the beasts in the animal garden rushed out, and the spirit deer, the blue phoenix, and the black leopard cried out in the direction of the cloud vortex, their voices shaking the air.
Birds from the distant woods fluttered their wings and flew in, their wings blocking out the sun, yet they all circled around the net of light, the spiritual light on their wings blending with the glow of the sunset.

Wei Gu had never witnessed the phenomenon of Core Formation before, so he didn't know whether Jiang Qing's phenomenon of boiling earth veins and the sun and moon shining together was strong or weak. He was so shocked that he took half a step back.

Just as a look of surprise crossed his face, a deep voice resounded throughout Yangmingshan:

"I, Elder Jiang Qing of the Chongming Sect, have attained the Golden Elixir. From this day forward, I hereby proclaim this to all regions of Shannan Road, neighboring sects and friendly tribes, and all prefectures. I will promote my lineage and denounce my enemies."

(End of this chapter)