16: Chapter 16 Inspiration from Observing Array Patterns: Condensing a Golden Shield

Having mastered the Pseudo-Fireball Technique, which possessed preliminary lethality, Ye Qing's mindset became increasingly calm.

With attack settled, defense was now on the agenda.

Since the method of drawing runes in the Void Realm had been proven feasible, he naturally turned his gaze towards defensive runes.

Records regarding defensive Spells in the Library Pavilion were even scarcer than those for offensive ones.

The few fragments available mostly focused on descriptions of general defensive means like "Spiritual Qi Shield" or "Diamond Talisman," also lacking specific incantations.

Ye Qing was not impatient.

He knew well the principle that biting off more than one can chew; besides, the Pseudo-Fireball Technique also needed time to be mastered, to further improve its power, range, and stability.

His daily life as a "sweeping monk" continued as usual.

Only occasionally, in corners where no one was watching, would he use his finger as a pen to outline various variants of the "Shape Stabilizing Rune" in the air, attempting to enhance its instantaneous Spiritual Qi cohesion and structural strength.

The effect was minimal.

The "Shape Stabilizing Rune" itself leaned towards characteristics of "reinforcement" and "stability," which did not seem to be the best choice for defense against instantaneous impact.

One day, he was sorting through a batch of newly delivered, tattered Jade Slips and books regarding introductory low-level Formations.

These items were more obscure and profound, mostly with blurred handwriting and incomplete diagrams, clearly discarded to make up the numbers.

Adopting the mindset that "there is benefit in opening a book," Ye Qing flipped through them casually.

A book with a beast-skin cover titled 《Basic Formation Diagrams (Fragmentary)》 caught his attention.

This book did not teach how to set up Formations, but rather used rudimentary diagrams to break down the Spiritual Qi flow and rune combination principles of several basic Formation units.

Among them, a miniature defensive Formation diagram called the "Triangular Rock Formation," although incomplete, had core Spiritual Qi flow trajectories and key rune combinations at several nodes that stirred something in Ye Qing's heart.

"The Spiritual Qi flow of this Formation diagram emphasizes 'three-point support, mutually forming corners, and evenly distributed force'... The rune combination also leans towards the Concept of 'firmness,' 'force dissipation,' and 'rebound'..."

"If I could extremely simplify the Concept of this Formation unit and simulate it by combining a single rune or two or three, could I form a simple Spiritual Qi shield in an instant?"

This thought invigorated him.

He immediately immersed himself, combining his previous understanding of the energy characteristics of the "Shape Stabilizing Rune" and "Metal Evil Qi," and under the enhancement of his Comprehension Ability in the space, he began a new round of deduction.

This time, he no longer pursued a complete rune structure, but tried to capture the "Concept" of "stable support" and "dispersing force."

In his mind, lines representing "firmness," arcs representing "elasticity," and light spots representing "Spiritual Qi nodes" constantly collided, combined, collapsed, and reorganized.

The deduction was more difficult than the "Pseudo-Fireball Technique."

Because defense involves the conduction and resolution of "force," which is much more complex and subtle than simple "energy eruption."

For several days in a row, progress was slow.

Ye Qing was not discouraged; every day after cleaning and reading, he would pour most of his mental energy into this deduction.

Occasionally, when working short shifts in the Herb Garden, Uncle-Master Zhao Ming seemed increasingly busy, often nowhere to be seen, and the Herb Garden had more traces of hasty maintenance.

Ye Qing was happy to be quiet, completing his duties, taking away "trash," and exchanging it for Spirit Stones and nutrients for the space.

One day, returning from the Herb Garden, he passed the edge of a small square where Spells were practiced.

Several Outer Sect Disciples were practicing a combined defensive Spell under the guidance of a stern-faced middle-aged Cultivator.

Several people stood in a semicircle, their Spiritual Qi connected, forming a pale yellow, slightly flickering light shield in front of them.

"Pay attention to the even output of Spiritual Qi! Connect your minds! The art of defense lies in unity of mind, evenness of force, and firmness of intent! If scattered, it is easily broken!"

The middle-aged Cultivator pointed out sternly, and the light shield flickered with the fluctuation of the Disciples' Spiritual Qi.

Ye Qing slowed his pace, walking by with his head down, but the corner of his eye firmly imprinted the fleeting structure of the light shield and the general charm of its Spiritual Qi flow into his mind.

Although it was completely different from the Formation diagram, the core essentials of "Spiritual Qi connection," "mental connection," and "even force distribution" were subtly connected.

Even the subtle ripples and force conduction method produced when the light shield was poked by the middle-aged Cultivator's wooden stick to simulate an attack gave him new inspiration.

"So that's it... Defense is not just about being rigid; it needs resilience, it needs to be able to disperse and conduct impact..."

A flash of inspiration struck his mind!

Several joints that had been stuck in previous deductions seemed to have been cleared by this "bystander" glance.

Suppressing his excitement, he walked away quickly.

Returning to the Servant Quarters, after finishing the day's work, in the dead of night, he came to the stone hollow again.

Standing quietly for a while, he integrated what he had seen and felt during the day with the results of his deduction over the past few days.

Then, he raised his left hand.

Spiritual Qi surged; this time, he deliberately simulated the trace of heavy, firm characteristics contained in the Spiritual Qi after absorbing "Metal Evil Qi."

The light at his fingertips was no longer pale cyan, but had a hint of extremely faint metallic luster.

Using his finger as a pen, he drew in the air.

The movement no longer sought a complete rune, but used three extremely simple Spiritual Qi structures containing the Concepts of "firmness," "elasticity," and "nodes," arranged in a triangle, instantly outlining and connecting in front of him!

Hum!

A palm-sized, translucent, pale golden diamond-shaped light shield suddenly condensed on the outside of his left arm!

The light shield was as thin as a cicada's wing, trembling slightly, with very faint ripples flowing on the surface.

"It worked? Let's test the defense!"

Ye Qing flicked his right index finger, and a "Pseudo-Fireball" only the size of a fingernail, with its power suppressed to the minimum, shot out and hit the light shield.

Pfft!

A soft muffled sound.

The small fireball hit the light shield, exploding into a small spark.

The pale golden light shield fluctuated violently, its light dimmed, and spiderweb-like fine cracks appeared on the surface, but it did not collapse, successfully blocking the blow.

Ye Qing could feel that at the moment of impact, the structure of the light shield dispersed and conducted the impact force to the three "nodes," while its own structure produced subtle deformations to dissipate the force.

Although the defensive strength was very low, it could probably only barely withstand a normal blow from an Early Stage Cultivator, and the duration was very short, dissipating on its own after only two or three breaths.

But the principle worked! The structure was formed!

"Effective! Although crude and fragile, it really possesses defensive functions!"

Ye Qing dispersed the light shield, his eyes shining.

This success might be more significant than the "Pseudo-Fireball Technique."

Because it was a simple defensive means created by himself, truly starting from the "Concept," integrating runes, Formations, and actual observation.

This represented that his "learning" and "creation" abilities had reached a new level.

"Let's call it the 'Triangular Spirit Shield.' Currently, it can only protect a small range, has weak defensive power, needs to be activated close to the arm, and has a short duration... But it wins in being instantaneous, has low consumption, and can be continuously improved as my control over Spiritual Qi and understanding of structure deepen."

He practiced activating the "Triangular Spirit Shield" several times.

It became increasingly proficient, the activation time shortened, and the stability of the light shield improved slightly.

"With 'Pseudo-Fireball' for attack, 'Triangular Spirit Shield' for defense, and 'Light Body Technique' for running away... the basic combat framework is finally set up."

Ye Qing let out a long breath, feeling much more at ease.

Next, it was continuous practice, optimization, actual combat integration, and most importantly — improving his cultivation.

Cultivation is the foundation; all Spells and techniques are built upon cultivation.

He glanced at the space inside his body.

The six-zhang space was quiet, and the Spiritual Qi mist on the black soil was becoming more and more dense.

There was still a way to go before Level 5 Qi Refining.

But every step was taken steadily.

Collecting his mood and cleaning up the traces of practice, Ye Qing returned in the deepest darkness before dawn.

On the eastern horizon, a faint hint of white had already appeared.

A new day, a new Cultivation, was waiting for him.

Steady development, seeking progress in stability.

This was his, Ye Qing's, Dao of Cultivation.