144: Starfall Array Pavilion

These words were spoken directly, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately became somewhat stagnant.

Lin Feng felt the weight of those words, yet he remained standing with his head bowed, his expression calm.

At this moment, Qu Yunshang, who was standing to the side, spoke up softly at the right time to introduce him to Lin Feng: "Junior Brother Lin, this is Elder Mo Yuan, who manages the Starfall Formation Pavilion and has the most profound attainments in Formations within the Sect."

Venerable Qingxu only then spoke slowly: "Junior Martial Uncle, there is no need to be impatient. Since Fellow Daoist Lu specifically sent a message to recommend him, she must have her reasons. We should just wait and see."

He turned his gaze to Lin Feng, "Junior Martial Nephew Lin, Elder Mo Yuan is in charge of the Formation Pavilion and values rules in everything; this is also for the sake of the Sect. Since you have come, you must abide by the rules here, focus on your studies, and do not let your Revered Master's painstaking efforts go to waste."

Lin Feng bowed again and respectfully replied: "This Junior understands and will certainly follow Elder Mo Yuan's arrangements and study diligently."

Seeing that the Sect Head had spoken, Elder Mo Yuan said no more, but his gaze returned to Lin Feng, the sharp, scrutinizing intent not diminishing in the slightest.

He frowned slightly: "Only know some basics? The Starfall Formation Pavilion is no ordinary place; the Formations within are fundamental to the Sect. A slight mistake could lead to unimaginable consequences."

He paused, as if weighing something, then clearly drew a line: "Since that is the case, you will start by learning the most basic 'Star Constellation Position Map' and 'Nine Essentials of Formations', taking it one step at a time. Without permission, you are not allowed to enter the depths of the Formation Pavilion, lest something goes wrong."

Just then, a light chuckle came from outside the hall.

"Why is Junior Martial Uncle so worried? Since he is someone personally recommended by Elder Lu of the Tianxuan Sect, he must have extraordinary talent. Perhaps in a few days, he will have mastered all the basic knowledge in our Formation Pavilion."

Before the voice had faded, a young man wearing a brocade blue Daoist robe with a jade belt tied around his waist stepped into the hall.

He had a handsome face, and his gaze fell directly on Lin Feng, making no attempt to hide his scrutiny, his eyes carrying a hint of competitiveness.

This person was none other than Zhao Gan, the most outstanding Formation Genius of the younger generation in the Qingyun Sect.

Qu Yunshang frowned slightly at the sight and spoke up to smooth things over: "Senior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Lin has just arrived, don't make such jokes. Mind your decorum in front of Master."

Zhao Gan was quite respectful toward Qu Yunshang, and upon hearing her say this, he first obediently bowed to his Master, Venerable Qingxu: "Master, I heard that a Fellow Daoist from the Tianxuan Sect had arrived, so I specifically came to take a look."

Although he was speaking to Venerable Qingxu, his eyes remained fixed on Lin Feng, clearly weighing the worth of the newcomer.

Venerable Qingxu took it all in and understood. His Disciple, Zhao Gan, possessed a level of Comprehension Ability in Formations that was truly rare in the Qingyun Sect for a century.

The "Seven Star Flow Formation" that others needed a month to grasp, he could set up properly in three days.

Many complex Formation diagrams that even Elders had to deduce for a long time, he could often identify the key nodes at a single glance. It was precisely because of this that he had developed such an arrogant nature.

At this moment, he looked at Lin Feng: "Junior Martial Nephew Lin, next, let Qu Yunshang arrange your accommodation; she will show you around. Elder Mo Yuan is in charge of the Formation Pavilion, if you have anything you don't understand, feel free to ask him."

After saying this, he looked at his Disciple: "Zhao Gan, as the Senior Brother, your Comprehension Ability in Formations is recognized by both me and your Junior Martial Uncle Mo Yuan, so you must set a good example. You should communicate and exchange pointers more with Junior Martial Nephew Lin; do not neglect the guest."

Elder Mo Yuan, standing to the side, although expressionless, silently agreed with the Sect Head's words.

That kid Zhao Gan, although a bit arrogant, was genuinely talented and hardworking in the way of Formations.

Last year, he was able to independently repair a damaged Formation node of the "Small Heavenly Cycle Spirit Protection Formation"; many Disciples at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage might not even possess such skill.

It was precisely because he valued Zhao Gan that Elder Mo Yuan was extra vigilant toward Lin Feng, this "connection hire," fearing that an incompetent person might come, delaying Zhao Gan's cultivation and disturbing the peace of the Formation Pavilion.

"This Junior understands and will certainly diligently seek guidance from all the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters," Lin Feng respectfully replied.

"Understood, Master." Zhao Gan also agreed, but the competitive intent in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest; he wanted to see what was so special about this Lin Feng who had been recommended by Elder Lu of the Tianxuan Sect.

Venerable Qingxu nodded and said to Qu Yunshang: "Qu Yunshang, first take Junior Martial Nephew Lin to settle down in the Orchid Garden."

"Yes, Sect Head." Qu Yunshang accepted the order and gestured for Lin Feng to proceed: "Junior Brother Lin, let us go."

Lin Feng followed Qu Yunshang down the stone steps of the Star-Gazing Hall, and the serious atmosphere in the hall faded significantly. The mountain breeze blew over, refreshing one's spirit.

Qu Yunshang, walking in front, slowed her pace slightly to walk side-by-side with Lin Feng. She turned her head, a faint smile on her lips:

"Junior Brother Lin, you said in the hall earlier that you only knew the basics; you aren't being too modest, are you? Junior Martial Uncle Lu rarely recommends Disciples so formally."

Lin Feng could feel the goodwill and curiosity in her words, so he answered frankly: "Senior Sister Qu, I speak the truth. The primary Cultivation Technique my Revered Master taught me really doesn't have much to do with Formations. Regarding Formations, I only understand a bit of the framework."

"Is that so?" Qu Yunshang blinked, even more curious, "Then why did Junior Martial Uncle Lu recommend you specifically? There must be a reason, right?" She was indeed curious; a Disciple who could be specifically named by Elder Lu for exchange must certainly have something extraordinary.

Lin Feng shook his head helplessly.

During their conversation, the two walked to the front of a pavilion. On the lintel, the four characters "Starfall Formation Pavilion" were carved; even from a distance, Lin Feng could clearly feel the energy fluctuations contained within, rising and falling like the tide, inspiring awe.

"This is the most important Formation Pavilion in our Sect," Qu Yunshang stopped, "According to the rules, one must pass a basic assessment before entering inside. I will first take you around outside to get a little understanding."

She led Lin Feng around to an open plaza nearby. Here stood an ancient wooden rack, the material appearing like both gold and jade, with various Magical Artifact components placed on the rack in categories.

"Formations are all-encompassing; attack, defense, entrapment, and support, each has its own use," Qu Yunshang explained, "Their core lies in how to use the minimum consumption of Qi to trigger the power of Heaven and Earth to achieve one's goal. Today, let us first look at a few basic Formation types."

She took a set of three mysterious black Formation Flags from the wooden rack, the flag surfaces having intricate silver runes.

With a light flick of her wrist, the three small flags turned into three streaks of light, precisely inserting into three specific positions on the ground, forming a standard equilateral triangle.

The moment the flags landed, the flag surfaces moved without wind, and the runes upon them lit up one by one, emitting a soft yet resilient light. Three beams of light shot out from the tips of the flags, converging in the air, instantly weaving into an arc-shaped pale golden light screen, steadily enveloping the triangular area within.

"This is the most basic 'Three-Element Defensive Formation'," Qu Yunshang explained, tapping her fingertip against the light screen, causing a ripple, "Look at these three Formation Flags; they do not exist in isolation. The flagpoles go deep into the Earth Meridian nodes, and the runes on the flag surfaces guide the Qi; the three together form a complete Qi circulation circuit. As long as the circulation is ceaseless, the defense is difficult to break through with brute force."

After speaking, she turned to look at Lin Feng.