Mu Feng's intention for Mu Chen to learn spirit formations was clearly not just idle talk. Thus, the very next day, Mu Chen met the teacher who would instruct him.
He was a slightly thin middle-aged man, clad in a grayish-white robe, with a stern face devoid of any smile. Although he was Mu Feng's subordinate, his demeanor before the latter was not overly humble or deferential; instead, he maintained a proper and upright attitude.
"This is Mister Wen Ling," Mu Feng introduced the man to Mu Chen. "From now on, you will follow him to learn the basic knowledge of spirit formations."
"Mu Chen greets Mister Wen," Mu Chen said, bowing respectfully with cupped hands, showing no trace of the arrogance typical of a young master of a domain.
The middle-aged man, Wen Ling, nodded slightly, still without uttering a word.
"You brat, you must study diligently," Mu Feng instructed him. "Mister Wen Ling is known for his strictness. Even though you are my son, if he feels you lack talent, he absolutely will not continue to teach you just because of your status, understand?"
Wen Ling was considered a guest elder invited by the Mu Domain. Although he was only a Tier 1 Spirit Formation Master, the number of Spirit Formation Masters currently in the Mu Domain could be counted on one's fingers, and Wen Ling was one of the strongest among them.
Mu Chen nodded. The Northern Spiritual Academy did not have a dedicated curriculum for spirit formations, nor did they hire Spirit Formation Masters to teach. Ordinary people were even less able to afford a private Spirit Formation Master, making Spirit Formation Masters in the Northern Spiritual Realm extremely scarce.
Perhaps after entering the Five Great Academies in the future, he would receive more systematic instruction in spirit formations. For now, while still in the Northern Spiritual Realm, he would learn the basics.
"Then go and learn from Mister Wen. I will take my leave now."
Mu Feng was actually quite at ease concerning his son. From childhood to adulthood, Mu Chen had never been mischievous during his studies, nor had he ever angered his teachers to the point of giving up on him. Moreover, with the recent matter of the Nine Netherbird, Mu Feng was also quite busy with preparations, so he had to leave first...
"Mister, please have a seat," Mu Chen said politely with a smile to Wen Ling, after watching his father's figure disappear from sight.
Wen Ling nodded and sat down. His gaze was scrutinizing, and his voice was calm and steady:
"I heard Domain Lord Mu say that you once fought with Ji Zong?"
Mu Chen clearly had not expected Wen Ling's first question to be about this. He was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
"Then do you know what formation Ji Zong used to deal with you?" Wen Ling asked again.
"He used two spirit formations: the Spirit-Gathering Formation to trap me, and the Spirit Rain Formation to attack me," Mu Chen recalled, then replied.
"Both are Tier 1 spirit formations, not overly complex," Wen Ling said. "It seems Ji Zong still greatly fears your father and did not dare to directly kill you. As far as I know, Ji Zong is capable of setting up an extremely powerful formation, the Blood Rain Killing Formation. This spirit formation can be compared to a Tier 2 spirit formation. If he had used that, even a late-stage Spirit Wheel Realm expert would have suffered terribly."
Mu Chen's expression changed slightly, and he scratched his head. It seemed he had been quite lucky.
"However, with your current strength, breaking those two spirit arrays of his was no easy feat either." Wen Ling looked at Mu Chen and nodded slightly. His face, which had been completely expressionless until now, finally showed a hint of appreciation.
"Now, let's talk about spirit arrays..." Wen Ling waved his hand and began to explain. "Spirit arrays, in their simplest terms, are a method of utilizing spiritual energy in a specific way to create resonance, thereby drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to achieve a desired effect."
– However, triggering this kind of resonance is far from simple; it is extremely difficult and complex.
– In some lower realms, setting up spirit arrays is sometimes easier, as the energy there is less complex than in the Great Thousand World. Consequently, a spirit array in the Great Thousand World is a level more advanced and intricate than those in the lower realms.
Wen Ling rolled up his sleeves and extended a hand. It was strangely slender, quite unfitting for his scrawny, withered frame. Mu Chen watched, observing spiritual energy rapidly converge at his fingertips, forming five tiny, exquisite, and rather intricate spirit seals. They radiated a unique fluctuation. Around these five spirit seals, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged silently, swirling inward.
– These are spirit seals, indispensable for setting up spirit arrays.
– Spirit seals?
Mu Chen was surprised, evidently unfamiliar with the concept.
– Yes.
Wen Ling nodded, then flicked his fingers. The five spirit seals left his hand, vanishing like drops of water dissolving into the sea. But just then, Mu Chen distinctly felt a sudden gust of wind, causing his body to sway unsteadily.
Mu Chen cried out in alarm, his eyes focusing. He vaguely saw the air before him slightly distort, with streaks of light, difficult for the naked eye to perceive, intertwining. At the end of those faint streaks of light were precisely the five tiny spirit seals from moments ago…
– A spirit array?
Wen Ling nodded and said:
– This is a minor spirit array, not yet even reaching Tier 1.
– To set up a spirit array, one needs absolute mastery over spirit seals. Even a tiny, unusual resonance fluctuation will cause the array to fail, and the practitioner might suffer a spiritual energy backlash. In severe cases, they could even die. Failing to set up a spirit array and losing control means you will bear the array’s most violent attack.
– Normally, the more powerful a spirit array, the more spirit seals it requires, and the greater the difficulty in mastering them. I am a Tier 1 Spirit Array Master; my limit is controlling twenty spirit seals simultaneously. Any more, and I lose control. As far as I know, Spirit Array Grandmasters of Tier 5 or higher can control over a thousand spirit seals with a flick of their hand. The power of such a spirit array could reduce even a Spirit Stage expert to ashes.
Mu Chen was speechless at what he heard.
– Spirit seals are the foundation for setting up arrays. Besides them, there is one more indispensable component.
– What is it?
– An array diagram!
Wen Ling replied calmly.
“The formation of a spirit array is extremely complex, akin to a grand construction project or a piece of architecture. Spirit seals serve as the foundation stones and guiding elements, while the array diagram provides the blueprint and path for those seals. Without a complete diagram, the entire structure cannot be erected.”
Wen Ling reached into his robes, pulled out a jade scroll case, and placed it on the table, where it glowed with a faint light.
“This is a Tier 1 array diagram, called the Spirit Thunder Array.”
Mu Chen curiously picked it up and opened it. A dazzling light struck his eyes. The array diagram was covered in intricate, brightly glowing lines that made one dizzy to look at. These complex, intertwining streaks of light ultimately formed an array that faintly shimmered with the image of lightning.
“For a Spirit Array Master, array diagrams are the most enticing treasures. Once news of a high-grade array diagram gets out, it naturally attracts countless Spirit Array Masters to vie for it.”
“Array diagrams, like Spirit Array Masters, are divided into nine tiers. Over the years, the highest I’ve personally seen is a Tier 4 array diagram.”
Wen Ling’s face suddenly grew solemn, filled with immense admiration.
“Of course, array diagrams are still far too advanced for you to consider right now.”
Wen Ling looked at Mu Chen, handed him a jade slip, and said, “This contains the cultivation method for spirit seals. Try and see if you can condense them. Consider this the most basic test. If you find yourself unable to grasp it during cultivation, you should stop, as it indicates you lack the necessary sensitivity to spirit seals—in other words, you have no talent.”
Hearing this, Mu Chen immediately took the jade slip. Without another word, he quickly closed his eyes and focused on absorbing the spirit seal cultivation method contained within.
After keeping his eyes closed for about an hour, Mu Chen slowly opened them and let go of the jade slip, his eyes filled with pensive thought.
This spirit seal cultivation seemed somewhat similar to condensing the Samsara Death Seal, though less complex. Even so, it didn't mean Mu Chen would easily become a Spirit Array Master, because the key difference was that a Spirit Array Master had to control a far greater number of spirit seals. Mu Chen could condense two Samsara Death Seals, but what about twenty spirit seals, or two hundred? Which was harder to condense and control? Even a fool would know.
After a long period of contemplation, Mu Chen closed his eyes again and extended his hand. Dark spiritual energy gathered at his fingertip; he was attempting to condense a spirit seal.
Wen Ling calmly observed Mu Chen as he embarked on his first attempt at spirit seal cultivation. If he couldn't even pass this first step, there would be no need for further study, as it would only be a waste of both their time.