Chapter 68: Learning About Formations And Arrays...
After walking for a few meters kranos reached the familiar building, it was the first year’s alpha arrays and formations, taking a deep breath he stepped inside. As soon as he entered what met his gaxe were a group of students, he realised that they numbered up to twenty.
He raised a brow in surprise, he didn’t think this many people would be interested in arrays and formations, but upon closer look he felt it was plausible, after all just by looking at how much arrays anf formations imparts a cultivator’s life, who wouldnt be fascinated?
They were all seated so kranos found a seat and sat down, he guessed that after the lecture was when everyone would pay the corresponding merit points. After seating he stared ahead, on the podium was a woman who appeared to be in her fifties, she was dressed in a dark blue daoist robe.
Seeing kranos enter, she reiterated what she just finished stating, "arrays basically involve using a weaker strength to defeath someone stronger," she then took out a scroll, pointing it carefully towards a different direction from the students she slowly unfurled it.
The next moment kranos was stunned, he saw that as soon as the scroll was opened a large fireball the sixe of a head exploded. The female teacher explained, "just this explosion is already at foundation establishment realm, but do you know? This scroll was actually created by someone at the qi condensation realm. Imagine you opponent defeating you because of this when they obviously have weaker strength"
The students stared at her with wide eyes as she explained, even kranos paid rapt attention to her every movements. The next mooment she raised her hand slightly, soon after kranos watched in astonishment as the room lit up with a pale green light.
"This is a formation, by inscribing mana lines into this room, i have altered the mana in the vicinity of the room, try absorbing mana." she spoke with a slight smile.
Immediately kranos and the others started cultivating, he was immediately shocked to discover that his absorption of mana had increased by at least threefold! Is this the power of a formation? He was shocked.
"There are many kinds of formations, bewildering formations to confuse people and trap them in an ilusion, attacking formations, defending formations and so on," she listed then continued, "this formations can be divided into grades similar to that of weapons, from basic, intermediate, advanced and so on. The formation i just displayed is an advanced spirit gathering formation."
While she explained she deactivated the formation in the room cauding the students to sigh in regret. "Although arrays and formations are similar in many ways, the main difference between then is that while arrays are often small or embedded in small object, formation are inscribed onto large objects."
"Also, formations need to be physically set up and take a lot of time while arrays can be inscribbed or activated instantly, because of this formations are more static, in the sense that they can only be set up in a particular place for long term use while arrays are more dynamic and are often used the moment they are set up." after giving them more explanations the instructor paused slightly, giving the students the time to digest the information.
Soon after she continued, "i will teach you all how to set up arrays and formations over the next two classes, and by the end of the year you should have learnt how to set up a basic array and formation, any questions before we proceed?" she asked turning to glance at the students.
Kranos thought for a moment, he was extremely fascinated by the arrays and formations in the secret realm, they seemed no different from technology from his previous life, because of this he couldn’t help but ask.
"Instructor, what level is the arrays and formations in the shopping pavilion at?"
The moment kranos spoke multiple pairs of eyes landed on him including that of the instructor, she smile lightly and after a moment spoke, "the level of array and formations knowledge required to craft such masterpieces if unheard of, don’t aim for too high, just settle for where your hands and feet can take you." with that she turned around, no longer paying attention to kranos.
She had once been like him, hoping to master such level of arrays and formations but even after hndreds of years of study she realised it was practically impossible. The principal had only found the secret realm when exploring an ancient ruin, because of this she guessed that the array must be something from the divine realm, with that her eyes showed a look of longing, however she quickly regained her composure and asked once again.
"Any reasonable questions?" this time, however, her tone shifted slightly, the students were silent so she took it as no. kranos on the otherhand wasn’t detered by her words, he felt she was right, he shouldnt aim too high, he would take things one step at a time, but before any realises it he would definitely reach such a level, even crafting the whole world as his formation!
He immediately shook his head at the thought, that was too grand a goal to achieve, he turned his attention to the instructed seeing that she had started demostrating how to inscribe array and formation patterns.
She pointed her hand which was glowing with a red light at the air and started drawing a simple circular pattern, the motion left glowing trails.
"This is the basic flame array, a simple, one rune attack. If drawn correctly, it will release a single burst of flame at the qi condensation realm." she desolved the array and continued, "the strength of the attack may vary depending on the flow of energy, balance of energy in the array and how perfectly drawn the lines are."
Kranos listened with full attention, he could see that the faint glowing energy that she gathered on her palm was mana. At the mention of mana, kranos’ mind began to run wild with all sorts of thoughts on how he could apply his time ability to it.