Chapter 919: The Most Specialized Disciple
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Someone who spent all his time focusing on a particular field can, even in the absence of prodigious talent, achieve greatness in that particular field.
However, if the said person already possessed prodigious talent in the field and is determined to dedicate his time to it wholeheartedly, coupled with the guidance of a good teacher and an excellent learning environment, he will be able to achieve stunning results.
Li Yuanfang was one such person.
Amongst all of Lin Feng’s immediate disciple, if one wanted to find someone who only specialized in one particular field, that person would not be Yue Hongyan, who cultivated the martial way, or Luo Qingwu, who cultivated the art of swordplay. Instead, it was Li Yuanfang.
Even though Yue Hongyan and Luo Qingwu specialized in a particular field, they still had some understanding on other types of spells and mantras. However, they were just not particularly talented at them.
Only Li Yuanfang cultivated spell formations exclusively. His understanding of other types of spells and mantras was limited to just theory.
This was not because he had interest in them. Instead, it was because he felt the need to understand his enemies better and hence, he read up on them so that he would be better able to respond to different types of opponents.
In daily cultivation, other than Lin Feng’s The Heavenly Classic of the Way's Virtues, every other spell and mantra that Li Yuanfang cultivated was related to spell formations.
Other than the spell formations of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, he studied almost every single spell formation in the Grand Celestial World, including those by demons.
In the past few years, regardless whether it’s Li Yuanfang or the other disciples of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, they would all endeavor to bring back records of spell formations they had encountered on their journeys.
Earlier on, in the Ying Sea, Zhu Yi once said that fewer than five cultivators in the Divine Lands, including disciples from the Celestial Sect of Wonders, under the Immortal Soul Stage were able to match up to Li Yuanfang’s talent in spell formations.
This was not an exaggeration but rather, a conservative estimate by Zhu Yi.
Now, after Zhu Yi had reached the Immortal Soul Stage, if he were to assess Li Yuanfang once again, he would surely say that in the entire Grand Celestial World, comprising both humans and demons, fewer than five cultivators under the Immortal Soul Stage would be able to match Li Yuanfang.
This was only ‘match’; it did not mean that they would be able to beat him. In reality, from Zhu Yi’s perspective, after Li Yuanfang reached the Advanced Stage of the Aurous Core Stage, there was almost no cultivator under the Immortal Soul Stage that could rival him.
In spite of his increased understanding of the Heavens and Earth and the Dao after he ascended into the Immortal Soul Stage, Zhu Yi was sure that Li Yuanfang’s understanding on the changes of a spell formation was superior to his own when he himself was in the Advanced Stage of the Nascent Soul Stage.
The Zang Turtle Tribe in the Barren Expanses was not considered powerful. However, they possessed exceptional understanding on spell formations. hence, Li Yuanfang had some understanding of them. He himself possessed the Zang Turtles’ Ancient Mountain Solid Jade Formation.
That was related to Shi Tianhao’s first foray into the Barren Expanses. Unintentionally, he witnessed the spell formation. Using his powerful spells and high mastery, he straightaway took a sample of the spell formation by uprooting the very land and water bodies on which it was based.
This violent method inevitably damaged the spell formation and brought more than just the spell formation back. The flow of the Demonic Aura within the spell formation was undoubtedly affected as well and hence, when Shi Tianhao brought it back for Li Yuanfang, it was already partially-destroyed.
However, this did not erode Li Yuanfang’s passion for spell formations. After spending a lot of time studying it, he was able to re-form the almost-destroyed Ancient Mount Solid Jade Formation back to its complete form.
While it was no longer casted by demonic powers and hence, the flow of the formation was slowed, Li Yuanfang was able to bring it back to its perfect form.
Afterwards, he further improved on it. Hence, even if a human cultivator casted the spell, it would still be perfect.
From that experience, Li Yuanfang’s knowledge of the Zang Turtles increased.
With his own mastery and mantra, Wang Lin was able to see that the spell formation that protected Mount Hanfeng was formed with Primordial Magnet Power. Li Yuanfang, however, thought even further. While the spell formation was casted using the streams of water within the Bitan Mountains, which combined the powers of Water and the Mountain, this was different from the usual formations of the Zang Turtles. Li Yuanfang was able to see the oddity here.
This spell formation was casted by a powerful member of the Zang Turtle Tribe. At the same time, he improved upon it. Undoubtedly, he used a treasure that possessed strong Primordial Magnet Power to cast it.
Li Yuanfang stared at the spell formation for a while and his gaze became calm.
Looking at it, Luo Qingwu chuckled softly and asked him, "Senior Yuanfang1, what do you see?"
"I’m Yuanfang4, not Yuanfang1," corrected Li Yuanfang. Then, he looked at Luo Qingwu and said seriously, "Junior Luo, you have been corrupted by master."
While his tone and words were serious and without the slightest hint of a jest, Shi Tianhao burst out laughing from the side. Wang Lin and Yang Qing too smiled slightly.
They communicated to each other telepathically so they would not be overhead by their juniors and disciples.
Luo Qingwu stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Yes, Senior Yuanfang4."
Li Yuanfang nodded his head and then turned around to look at everyone and said seriously, "The treasure that was used to cast this formation possessed strong Primordial Magnetic Power."
His use of words were always careful as he would try to be as concise and accurate as possible. If he wasn’t confident of something, he would rather not say it. However, once he said something, he was probably very confident of it.
It was very rare to hear the words ‘perhaps’, ‘possible’ and ‘maybe’ from his mouth.
Hearing that, Wang Lin nodded his head and asked, "If we break the formation forcefully, will it damage the spell formation?"
Li Yuanfang did not rush to reply. He observed the spell formation carefully before responding, "Yes. Let me try."
With that, he headed to the bottom of Mount Hanfeng.
Tan Yunqing’s expression was calm as he followed his master down. Cultivating under Li Yuanfang for the past few years greatly increased his understanding of spell formations. Amongst second-generation disciples, he could be said to be one of the best.
Li Yuanfang did not require his disciples to only cultivate spell formations like him. He fully respected his disciples’ opinions.
However, his specialty was ultimately still spell formations. The examinations he set for would-be disciples of the River Abode all concerned spell formations. All those who could pass were undoubtedly gifted in that regard. Tan Yunqing was one of the few, rare ones.
While he was not as crazy and into spell formations like his master, he was also deeply interested in the secrets of spell formations. Now, he had a chance to witness his master destroying a spell formation and hence, he would not miss it.
Initially, when Li Yuanfang re-created the Ancient Mountain Solid Jade Formation, Tan Yunqing took part in it too.
The spell formation that enveloped Mount Hanfeng was normally invisible. However, when someone approached it, it would react strongly.
Streaks of light would flow and turn and if one did not pay attention, one would not be able to see it. However, in it, one could sense a huge power twisting, squashing and distorting one’s body.
One’s soul would experience serious vibrations as if it was about to tear. Blood and flesh would gurgle and churn as if one’s blood was being boiled.
If a metal object was placed within the spell formation, it would either be twisted into exaggerated shapes or squashed into a pancake.
This was the doing of the powerful Primordial Magnet Power, which was also the reason why the spell formation was insidious and well-concealed. When one finally discovered it, it would be too late as the ferocious amount of power would have already burst forth.
Just now, Tun Tun almost suffered at the hand of the spell formation. Her current physical body was formed from the bodies of Gengjin Tiger and hence, she was almost suppressed by the Jade Water Magnetic Light Formation.
If not for her fast reaction, where she used the Tao Tie’s powerful attack, Devour, and devoured large amount of Primordial Magnetic Power, she may have been trapped in the formation.
Then, she may have to battle against the spell formation with her own cultivation and powers. While her Devour was certainly more powerful than the Jade Water Magnetic Light Formation, her physical body would be damaged in the process.
At this point of time, Tun Tun’s face was terrible. "Good job, Dark Aqua Xuanming, you set this formation to target me."
She often ventured into the Barren Expanses and battled many demons with him. Hence, her new physical body was no secret.
Li Yuanfang looked at the spell formation and his expression remained unchanged. He only turned his head to look at Tan Yunqing and said, "Look carefully and think deeply."
Then, he planted himself firmly in mid-air as he stepped into the formation.
His steps were very odd. He walked forward and then backward. Afterwards, he turned left and right. There was no discernible pattern.
He advanced three steps forward and then took two steps back. Then, he turned to the left and walked five steps forward. Then, he went back to where he came from. Following that, he walked forward again.
However, what was strange was that while Li Yuanfang was obviously in the Jade Water Magnetic Light Formation’s area of control, he did not trigger the Primordial Magnetic Power that even Tun Tun had to watch out for.
Li Yuanfang’s actions were strange but he moved non-stop in space as if the Jade Water Magnetic Light Formation did not even exist.
After a while, Li Yuanfang began to walk normally. Oddly, he had already reached the bottom of Mount Hanfeng.
Here, as Li Yuanfang walked forward, giant runes on the foot of the mountain and by the jade-green pond began to illuminate.
With each step he took, one rune would light up and then darken. Then, the next rune would light up.
While large amount of icy-blue Xuanming Primordial Water rushed towards Li Yuanfang from above, a complex and mystical spell formation lit up on Li Yuanfang’s head. It was not big but covered densely with all kinds of runic writings.
The spell formation above his head stopped the attack of the Xuanming Primordial Water. Li Yuanfang, however, walked step-by-step into the pond. Underneath the pond, he came before a flashing white light. He extended his hands and held a black jade ornament. Carefully, he cast a white light over it and then took it back.
Once Li Yuanfang took the white light, the Jade Water Magnetic Light Formation was broken!
"Dark Aqua Xuanming, I’m coming for you! Let’s see where can you hide this time…," Tun Tun cried out in joy and rushed up Mount Hanfeng. Soon, her whoops of joy stopped and was replaced by a scream. It was as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
The scream however, had no trace of fear. Instead, it was a scream of surprise.